Channel 14 News Israel

Category: Israel

  • Two IDF Soldiers Wounded in Hezbollah Firefight in Lebanon

    Two IDF Soldiers Wounded in Hezbollah Firefight in Lebanon

    During patrols by an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) unit from the Golani Brigade in the Beaufort region of southern Lebanon, a Hezbollah terrorist hiding inside a building opened fire on the soldiers. The troops immediately returned fire and eliminated him, the IDF said.

    Two IDF soldiers were lightly wounded in the firefight. They were taken to a hospital for medical treatment, and their families have been notified.

    Shortly after, forces shelled the location where the terrorist had been hiding. The IDF also struck weapons depots, command centers, and other Hezbollah terror infrastructure in the area.

    The IDF said it will continue operating to remove threats and prevent Hezbollah from harming Israeli civilians and IDF forces, while remaining committed to the ceasefire agreement.

  • IDF Eliminates Dangerous Hamas Nukhba Terrorist in Gaza

    IDF Eliminates Dangerous Hamas Nukhba Terrorist in Gaza

    The IDF struck Gaza City on Sunday, eliminating Yousef Aqila, who served as a Nukhba company commander in Hamas’s military wing, according to the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit. The IDF said Aqila had recently been advancing plans for terror attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians while working to rebuild Hamas’s capabilities.

    According to the military, his activities constituted a systematic violation of the ceasefire, and he was eliminated after posing an immediate threat. Prior to the strike, the IDF said it took measures to minimize harm to civilians, including the use of precision munitions and aerial surveillance. IDF forces under the Southern Command remain deployed in the area in accordance with the agreement and will continue operating to eliminate any immediate threats, the military said.

  • Israel Economy Surges as Markets Defy Wartime Pressure

    Israel Economy Surges as Markets Defy Wartime Pressure

    Israel’s economy posted significant gains over the past year, with improvements across key macroeconomic indicators as well as strong performance in financial markets, according to an annual economic summary released Monday by the Finance Ministry. Among the most notable developments were a significant decline in Israel’s risk premium, lower inflation and a strong labor market. Financial markets also recorded major gains, with the TA-125 index surging, the shekel strengthening against the dollar and foreign investment in Israel rising sharply.

    משרד האוצר |

    According to the ministry, from the eve of Rosh Hashanah 2025 until now, every sector improved—fiscal, monetary, employment, and capital markets:

    Macroeconomic Data:

    1. Inflation dropped over the year from 2.5% on the eve of Rosh Hashanah 2025, on an annual basis, to 1.5% today.

    2. The deficit also improved significantly: the cumulative deficit fell from 4.7% of GDP a year ago to 3.3% today—a drop of 1.4 percentage points. Still, the deficit target for all of 2026 remains at 4.9%.

    3. The debt-to-GDP ratio stands at 67.9%—significantly lower than the OECD average of 111%.

    4. The labor market remained stable, with unemployment at just 3.3%, compared to the OECD average of 4.9%.

    5. Israel’s risk premium dropped 29% and nearly returned to pre-October 7 war levels.

    Capital Markets:

    6. The main stock index, the TA-125, posted a sharp 35% gain since the start of 2025, while the shekel strengthened significantly against the dollar by 11%.

    7. The yield on 10-year Israeli government bonds fell 7.2%, easing financing conditions in the markets.

    8. Foreign investment in Israel rose 78% in 2025, reaching $26 billion. At the same time, Israeli tech companies’ capital raising surged 53.6% in the first half of 2026 compared to the first half of 2025.

    Israel Also Leading in AI

    Another point the ministry emphasized is the hottest sector today—artificial intelligence. According to the ministry, Israel continues to cement its position as a global tech powerhouse, ranking 3rd in the world in AI commerce, 6th in development, and 7th in research (out of 83 countries).

  • IDF Strikes Southern Lebanon After Hezbollah Drone Attack

    IDF Strikes Southern Lebanon After Hezbollah Drone Attack

  • Katz: Israel Ready for ‘All-Out War’ Against PA If Attacked

    Katz: Israel Ready for ‘All-Out War’ Against PA If Attacked

    Defense Minister Israel Katz said Monday that Israel is preparing for the possibility of an all-out campaign against the ‘Palestinian’ Authority and its security forces if they launch—or Israel determines they are preparing to launch—an Oct. 7-style terror attack against IDF forces and Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria. Katz made the remarks following a stabbing attack at the Maoz Yehuda Farm in Samaria, in which a man in his 20s was wounded.

    Evacuation of the attack in Samaria | Photo: MDA Operational Spokesperson

    “If there is a turning of the guns, and the ‘Palestinian’ Authority security forces and affiliated bodies launch—or we know with certainty that they are about to launch—an Oct. 7-style terror attack against IDF forces and Jewish communities, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have instructed the IDF to prepare for an all-out war,” Katz declared.

    According to the defense minister, such a campaign would target senior PA officials, its security forces, affiliated organizations and terror infrastructure throughout Judea and Samaria, with the goal of bringing about “their complete defeat as quickly as possible.” Katz also detailed measures Israel could take in the event of a major escalation, including targeted eliminations of senior figures, evacuating residents from cities and villages used to carry out terror activity, eliminating terrorists, destroying terror infrastructure and maintaining an IDF presence in evacuated areas.

    Illustration | Photo: Police Spokesperson

    He said the approach would resemble Israeli operations in security zones in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as in the refugee camps of Jenin and northern Samaria. “We will not allow a return to the reality of a prolonged intifada lasting for years, as happened in the past,” Katz stressed. “We will not allow a return to the reality of Oct. 7, and we will ensure the security of Israel’s residents and communities everywhere.”

    The comments came following the stabbing attack at Maoz Yehuda Farm. Katz wished the wounded Israeli a speedy recovery and vowed: “The IDF will pursue and capture the terrorist.” Katz added that Israel’s policy in Judea and Samaria is to “vigorously pursue ‘Palestinian’ terrorism, develop and strengthen Jewish communities and maintain security stability.” According to Katz, terrorism in Judea and Samaria is currently at its lowest level in decades, and Israel will act to prevent it from “raising its head again.”

  • IDF Strikes Southern Lebanon After Gaza Operations

    IDF Strikes Southern Lebanon After Gaza Operations

    Israeli forces struck the town of Kafr Rumman in southern Lebanon twice in recent hours, eliminating one threat, sources in southern Lebanon told Al Jazeera.

    The strikes came after Israeli forces also hit Hamas terror infrastructure in Gaza that the organization had used to advance terror operations against Israeli civilians and IDF troops.

  • Muslim Terrorist Stabs Jewish Rancher Near Otzarin

    Muslim Terrorist Stabs Jewish Rancher Near Otzarin

    A stabbing attack occurred this morning (Monday) at the Maoz Yehuda ranch, near the village of Otzarin in Samaria. A Muslim terrorist who arrived at the farm in a ‘Palestinian’ commercial vehicle got out with a knife drawn, stabbed the ranch owner, and fled the scene in the vehicle. The injured man, about 20 years old, was taken to Beilinson Hospital in moderate to serious condition.

    According to the report, after getting out of the vehicle, the terrorist asked the farm owner where his weapon was – and then began stabbing him. The IDF’s Rabshatz raised a friend for the wounded man and evacuated him for further medical treatment.

    The vehicle driven by the terrorist | Photo: C14

    MDA medics and paramedics, in cooperation with an IDF medical force, provided the wounded man with medical treatment. MDA emergency medical medic Aviel Mamelia said: “When we arrived at the scene, we saw a young man about 20 years old who was fully conscious, with several stab wounds to his body. We provided him with initial medical treatment together with an IDF medical force, and he was taken to the hospital in moderate to serious condition.”

    Immediately after the attack, security forces began a pursuit of the terrorist who fled the scene. According to the IDF spokesperson, many forces were deployed to the area, and a cordon was imposed on the villages in the area.

    As part of the manhunt, many forces are operating in the area, including the Duvdevan Unit, Unit 636, and the Nahal Patrol, which are conducting searches in an attempt to locate the terrorist.

  • Torah Scroll Stolen from Haifa Hotel Synagogue

    Torah Scroll Stolen from Haifa Hotel Synagogue

    Israel Police opened an active criminal investigation on Sunday following the theft of a sacred Torah scroll from a synagogue situated within a hotel in the northern coastal city of Haifa.

    ניידת משטרה אילוסטרציה |
    Illustration | Photo: Israel Police Spokesperson

    Officers from the Haifa police station arrived at the scene immediately after receiving the emergency report, beginning forensic evidence collection and investigations to track down the suspect and recover the stolen scroll.

    According to posts circulated across social media networks, the holy Torah scroll was stolen over Shabbat from a local Chabad house located along Ben-Gurion Boulevard in Haifa’s German Colony neighborhood. The author of the post said a formal police report was submitted, adding that the theft has created immediate uncertainty about how regular prayer services and minyanim can now proceed.

    The German Colony in Haifa | Photo: Shutterstock

    The post also noted that anti-government and political demonstrations are held regularly along the thoroughfare, though law enforcement officials said there is currently no verified link between the ongoing protests and the theft. Police emphasized that the criminal investigation remains underway.

  • Eisenkot’s Deputy: Dismantle Judea & Samaria Communities

    Eisenkot’s Deputy: Dismantle Judea & Samaria Communities

    Yoram Cohen, former Shin Bet chief and number two in Gadi Eisenkot’s party, sparked a firestorm after calling in an interview for the evacuation of communities and ranches that Religious Zionism party chairman Bezalel Smotrich promoted in Judea and Samaria without government approval. The political establishment was quick to respond sharply to remarks seen as exposing the true intentions of Eisenkot’s party regarding Israelis in Judea and Samaria.

    Yoram Cohen | Photo: Yonatan Zindel, Flash 90

    The Likud movement responded: “Another awl has come out of the bag. Eisenkot’s number two reveals the truth – Eisenkot will form a leftist government that will destroy the enterprise in Judea and Samaria. Eisenkot will establish a ‘Palestinian’ state government.”

    Religious Zionism party chairman Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich responded: “For many long months I’ve been warning that an Eisenkot government will evacuate the communities and ranches we established. Now Yoram Cohen, a senior figure in Eisenkot’s party, is saying it out loud. The only way to ensure this disaster doesn’t happen is for the right not to waste precious votes.”

    Minister Smotrich | Photo: From Channel 14 broadcasts

    Smotrich seized on the controversy to once again appeal to Res. Col. Ofer Winter, in an urgent call to join full unity in the national camp to prevent damage to the enterprise in Judea and Samaria.

    The right-wing camp emphasizes this is a painful reminder of the importance of preserving conservative rule, as the danger of evacuating Jewish communities and establishing a ‘Palestinian’ terror state in the heartland of the land is alive and well. “God willing,” the enterprise in Judea and Samaria will continue to flourish, solidify and deepen its roots – against all attempts to harm the pioneering resettlement.

  • Ed Sheeran Warm-Up Act Turns Into Anti-Israel Rally

    Ed Sheeran Warm-Up Act Turns Into Anti-Israel Rally

    A severe controversy erupted over the weekend at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where tens of thousands of music fans packed the venue for a performance by British pop superstar Ed Sheeran. For many Israeli and Jewish attendees in the crowd, the evening took a jarring and offensive turn when opening act Macklemore leveraged his set to deliver a series of aggressive anti-Israel messages.

    Video: Social media

    Macklemore, featured as one of the official opening acts on the stadium tour, took the stage wearing a keffiyeh, shouted “Free Palestine” before the crowd of tens of thousands, and delivered an extended pro-Palestinian speech. During his performance, the rapper stated that he wanted people from Gaza to Judea and Samaria to know that they have not been forgotten, contrasting claims of peace and security with fighter jets and bombs, and capped his monologue by demanding the liberation of Palestine alongside other global conflict zones.

    Later in his set, the rapper performed his virulently anti-Israel protest track “Hind’s Hall,” while stadium screens broadcast footage from the Gaza Strip and pro-Palestinian street demonstrations. The song, first released in 2024 amid disruptive protest encampments across American college campuses, levels accusations of “genocide” and “apartheid” against Israel, attacks Zionism, and claims that the “Nakba” never ended.

    Video: Social media

    The rapper is officially listed on Ed Sheeran’s website as a recurring opening artist selected for several major stadium stops across the U.S. tour, including dates in Philadelphia, Foxborough, Atlanta, and Indianapolis. Following viral video clips circulating online, sharp backlash emerged from Jewish and Israeli families who purchased tickets expecting a music concert, only to be subjected to an unsolicited anti-Israel political demonstration.

    As of now, neither Ed Sheeran nor his tour production management has issued a public response regarding the incident.