The Commander of the IDF Central Command, Major General Avi Bluth, has signed a formal confiscation and demolition order for the residence of terrorist Dwas Hassoun in the village of Beit Imrin in Samaria, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit announced. The order was delivered on Tuesday to the terrorist’s family.
Reenactment of the Attack | Photo: Israel Police Spokesperson’s Unit
According to the IDF, Hassoun perpetrated the vehicular ramming attack on March 21, 2026, near the Shuva Yisrael farm adjacent to Homesh in northern Samaria.In the attack, Israeli civilian Yehuda Sherman, of blessed memory, was murdered and an additional civilian was wounded. The military noted that, in accordance with standard legal procedures, the terrorist’s family maintains the right to submit an appeal against the confiscation and demolition order before execution.
A senior Israeli diplomatic official on Thursday firmly denied a report by the Financial Times alleging that Israel is weighing the expulsion of German and Italian representatives from the International Gaza Support Center in Kiryat Gat. “There is zero intention to take action against friendly nations such as Germany and Italy. This is fake news,” the official stated unequivocally.
Netanyahu and German Chancellor, Archive | Photo: Oren Ben Hakoon / Flash90, POOL
The official denial followed claims in the British newspaper suggesting the Israeli government is examining the expulsion of British personnel and potentially other European delegates in retaliation for increasing diplomatic pressure and punitive actions against Israel. According to the report, discussions allegedly touched upon reciprocal diplomatic measures against Berlin and Rome—a premise Jerusalem has now thoroughly rejected.
The coordination center in Kiryat Gat—formerly known as the Civil-Military Coordination Center and currently operating as the International Gaza Support Center—was established to monitor ceasefire protocols and oversee international aid logistics connected to the Gaza Strip. The facility operates under U.S. leadership in direct partnership with the IDF, hosting military personnel and diplomats from approximately 50 countries and international bodies.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni | Photo: Shutterstock
While dismissing reports regarding Italy and Germany, Israel has already enacted firm diplomatic countermeasures against European nations actively promoting hostile policies. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced earlier this week the expulsion of Dutch representatives from the Kiryat Gat center following the Netherlands’ decision to ban imports of Israeli goods produced in Judea and Samaria, eastern Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. Earlier this year, Spanish representatives were similarly expelled over what Jerusalem termed Madrid’s “obsessive anti-Israel bias.” Sa’ar warned at the time that “Israel will not permit actions to be taken against it without a direct response.”
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar | Photo: Yonatan Sindel / Flash90
Concurrently, diplomatic friction with London has worsened amid threats by the UK government to restrict trade from Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria and its ongoing opposition to community expansion. Britain, Germany, and Italy were among nearly 20 countries and the European Commission that signed a joint letter opposing Israeli construction tenders in the strategic E1 corridor adjacent to Jerusalem. Following sharp criticism from British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, Sa’ar fired back, stating that Britain has no standing to “preach to the Jewish people where they are permitted to live in their historic homeland.”
Addressing speculation regarding governance over the facility, diplomatic officials reiterated that Israel maintains full sovereign authority over all personnel operating within its borders, dismissing claims that decisions regarding international delegates require external approval from the U.S.-led Board of Peace. Israeli and Italian sources reaffirmed that bilateral ties between Jerusalem, Rome, and Berlin remain strong, setting them apart from European governments pursuing punitive economic measures against the Jewish state.
Five Arab terrorists were wounded by gunfire from Border Police Judea and Samaria fighters on Tuesday during an operation securing the clearance and demolition of a compound used by UNRWA in Kafr Aqab, adjacent to northern Jerusalem, police reported.
Border Police fighters, archive | Photo: Israel Police Spokesperson
The operational clash occurred during a coordinated joint mission involving Judea and Samaria Border Police, IDF troops, tactical officers from the Police Tactical Operations Directorate (MATPA), and the Jerusalem Police District. While securing the perimeter of the UNRWA facility, security forces identified several terrorists positioned on the roof of an adjacent building who hurled heavy stones and projectiles down toward the forces below. Recognizing an immediate and concrete threat to the lives of the operating personnel, fighters opened targeted fire toward the rioters on the roof. Five suspects sustained gunshot wounds as a result.
The Israel Police emphasized that security forces will maintain zero tolerance and continue to take decisive action against any elements seeking to endanger Israeli citizens or harm operating security personnel in the field.
After several months of complex military activity, Israeli security officials assess that the extensive operation against Hezbollah at the Ali Taher Ridge is nearing completion. A large portion of the terrorist infrastructure discovered in the area has already been neutralized by Israeli forces, with some of it destroyed.
Photo: Arab Networks
This was not a single piece of infrastructure, but a relatively large number of installations located beneath the ridge. Security officials assess that some of the terrorists who were inside died within the infrastructure during the IDF operation. Alongside the significant achievements, however, some terrorists managed to escape before Israeli forces completed their full takeover of the infrastructure. This is considered the operation’s primary setback, which is now believed to be approaching its conclusion.
The details of the operation emerged after two explosive drones were launched toward IDF forces in Lebanon last night, in an incident that caused no casualties. In response, the Israeli Air Force struck several targets in southern Lebanon.
Thousands of worshippers entered the Joseph’s Tomb compound in Shechem (Nablus) overnight Wednesday for special prayers ahead of Rosh Hashanah during the month of mercy and forgiveness. Among the worshippers was a large group of women from Samaria.
Photo: Nasser Ishtayeh / Flash90
The women prayed for a good year, for the security of the people of Israel, for the safety of IDF soldiers, and for the return of the hostages. The entry to the compound was organized by the Samaria Regional Council with assistance from volunteers of the Joseph’s Tomb and Holy Sites Administration affiliated with the council, and was escorted by IDF forces and the Samaria Brigade. Samaria Governor Yossi Dagan said: “Especially in the days before Rosh Hashanah, thousands come to Joseph the Righteous and prove that the connection of the people of Israel to the place is alive, deep and eternal. Joseph’s Tomb is a holy place for the people of Israel and access to it must not be limited to nighttime entries only.”
Joseph’s Tomb, Archive | Photo: Yonatan Shtoobi
Dagan added: “We thank the IDF soldiers and all those involved in the work, and we will continue to act until we return to Joseph’s Tomb fully and permanently, with a yeshiva and the flag of Israel flying at the site.” The governer thanked Samaria Brigade Commander David Cohen, Samaria Civil Administration Officer Israel Rosenfeld, Border Police forces, and volunteers of the Joseph’s Tomb Administration affiliated with the Samaria Regional Council.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich took to X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday to sharply criticize former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot following an interview in which Eisenkot voiced opposition to advancing Israeli residential construction in the strategic E1 corridor between Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim.
“The cat is out of the bag,” Smotrich wrote. “The surrenders of an Eisenkot-Lieberman-Golan government have begun even before they take power.” Smotrich directly tied opposition to Israeli development in the sector to the creation of a ‘Palestinian’ state: “Anyone who opposes construction in E1 supports the establishment of a ‘Palestinian’ state—even if they lie to you and attempt to posture otherwise.”
To substantiate his point, Smotrich highlighted an excerpt from Eisenkot’s interview where he was asked whether it was correct to publish building tenders in the area connecting Jerusalem to Ma’ale Adumim. Eisenkot responded: “Not now. It is an error that exacts an international price from us. I remind you that Netanyahu himself opposed it.”
Young Communities, Archive | Photo: Chaim Goldberg / Flash90
Earlier this month, the Israeli government initiated concrete operational steps to advance long-delayed construction in the E1 corridor, formally issuing building tenders. The strategic move sparked immediate diplomatic pushback from several European nations—including France, Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom, which threatened to implement targeted sanctions in response. Right-wing leaders maintain that developing E1 is essential to ensure contiguous Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria and secure the eastern gateway to Jerusalem.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a joint statement on Thursday rejecting reports of a policy shift at the Erez Crossing. The leadership clarified that no directives have been issued to open the crossing for commercial shipments and reiterated that Israel will not allow any reconstruction in the Gaza Strip until Hamas is disarmed and the territory is fully demilitarized.
Hamas Terrorists in the Strip, Archive | Photo: Flash90
The joint clarification follows circulating reports claiming the northern crossing was poised to reopen for commercial goods. Netanyahu and Katz pushed back forcefully against the claims, declaring unequivocally: “There is no directive whatsoever to open the Erez Crossing for commercial goods.”
The ministers reaffirmed Israel’s foundational post-war stance regarding the Strip’s future: “Israel’s policy in Gaza is clear and unchanged: There will be no reconstruction prior to the total disarmament of the Hamas terrorist organization and the complete demilitarization of the Gaza Strip.”
Hamas Terrorists | Photo: Flash90
Border Friction and Airborne Provocations
The diplomatic stance comes amid renewed border friction along the Gaza perimeter following incendiary kite launches targeting Western Negev communities. Earlier this week, Netanyahu and Katz convened an operational situational assessment with IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, the Head of the National Security Council, and senior IDF leadership, issuing a direct warning to Hamas that persistent launches of drones, balloons, or kites will be met with intensified targeted strikes and population evacuations from launch zones. Netanyahu underscored that Israel “will not return to the reality that preceded October 7.”
Tensions persisted as another incendiary kite launched from the Strip was discovered snagged in a tree near Kibbutz Nahal Oz—marking the seventh such airborne provocation within a month. Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council Head Uri Epstein noted that the recurring incidents demonstrate a systematic attempt to test Israeli red lines.
Hamas Terrorists | Photo: Flash90
The developments coincide with broader scrutiny over commercial transit and illicit smuggling networks into the Strip. While regulated humanitarian and commercial traffic passes through the Kerem Shalom crossing under security inspections, reports indicate that black-market smuggling rings continue attempting to traffic restricted dual-use equipment, fuel, and communications gear into the enclave.
Religious Zionism party chairman and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich unveiled his party’s plan, “Yes. We’re Making It Jewish!” centered on adding one million Jews to the Negev and Galilee. According to the plan, the initiative will include establishing 40 new communities, dozens of farms, expanding existing communities, and creating hundreds of thousands of housing solutions.
Northern Galilee | Photo: Shutterstock
The party announced that in the next government it will demand control of the Planning Administration and the Israel Land Authority to change planning and land policy. The plan includes legislative changes, removing obstacles, shortening planning and marketing processes, and placing professionals with Zionist and nationalist outlooks in key positions. The plan also proposes incentives for moving to the Negev and Galilee, with emphasis on reservists and active-duty soldiers, as well as benefits for doctors, educators, and tech workers.
Alongside population expansion, the plan proposes establishing and expanding industrial and employment zones and investing in transportation, education, healthcare, and infrastructure. On security and governance, it includes collecting illegal weapons, fighting crime organizations, increasing enforcement against illegal construction, and taking control of state lands. Smotrich said: “We’re setting a clear goal: one million additional Jews in the Negev and Galilee. We’ll establish 40 new communities and dozens of farms, expand existing communities, and create hundreds of thousands of housing solutions.”
The IDF is currently striking the Ali Taher Ridge area in southern Lebanon after Hezbollah launched two explosive drones toward Israeli troops operating in the area overnight Thursday.
Another Hezbollah violation | Photo: Shutterstock
According to the IDF, soldiers shot down one of the drones, while contact with the second was lost. No Israeli troops were wounded in the incident. The military views the drone launches as a serious violation and another attempt by Hezbollah to attack Israeli forces operating in the security zone in southern Lebanon. Following the incident, Israeli forces began striking the Ali Taher area.
Lebanon Strike | Photo: Arab Networks
“The IDF will not allow the Hezbollah terrorist organization to operate against IDF troops in the security zone,” the military said. “The IDF is currently operating, and will continue to operate forcefully, against Hezbollah’s repeated attempts to harm IDF troops.”
Israeli forces eliminated Hamas terrorist Ismail Muhammad Ibrahim Barim in the Khan Yunis area on Wednesday, closing the circle on a senior commander in the terrorist organization’s military wing who took part in holding October 7 hostages Edan Alexander, Matan Zangauker and Avera Mengistu captive in Gaza.
Strike in the Gaza Strip. Archive photo: Gili Yaari, Flash90
Beyond his involvement in holding the hostages, Barim had recently been working to advance terrorist attacks against IDF soldiers and Israeli civilians while attempting to rebuild Hamas’s capabilities and systematically violating the ceasefire. The targeted strike was carried out to eliminate the immediate threat posed by the terrorist.
IDF troops under Southern Command remain deployed in the area in accordance with the agreement and stressed that they will continue acting decisively to eliminate any threat that emerges from the Gaza Strip.
