Category: Israel

IDF Foils Iran-Backed Bomb Plots in Syrian Buffer Zone

The Israeli defense establishment has identified a significant surge in intelligence alerts regarding improvised explosive device (IED) plots targeting IDF troops operating within the Syrian buffer zone. Concurrently, intelligence officials have detected extensive Iranian involvement in directing and facilitating terror attacks against forces in the sector, accompanied by a sharp rise in the number of terrorists neutralized on the ground.

Defense Minister Israel Katz | Photo: Chaim Goldberg / Flash90

The escalating security situation comes against the backdrop of continuous IDF counter-terror operations throughout the buffer zone and the crown of Mount Hermon, where troops maintain active deployment to prevent hostile terror elements from establishing forward positions along the border. Security agencies are closely monitoring attempts to execute ambushes against forces, with particular focus on roadside bombs and local proxy cells operating with external direction and funding.

Direct Iranian involvement in the sector is raising heightened concern, as Israeli intelligence continues to uncover Tehran’s efforts to orchestrate cross-border hostile activity against the IDF from deep inside Syrian territory. In response to the spike in attempted attacks, the IDF has expanded pre-emptive targeted operations, resulting in an increasing number of neutralized terror operatives across the sector.

Iranian involvement on Syrian soil, Mojtaba Khamenei | Photo: Tasnim News Agency, image edited in accordance with CC BY 4.0 license

These security assessments align with remarks delivered earlier Tuesday by Defense Minister Israel Katz during his operational tour of the strategic Hermon summit, where he reaffirmed that the IDF will maintain its deployment in the region as long as threats against Israel persist. Emphasizing that permanent forward presence is a cornerstone of the strategic lessons learned from October 7, Katz declared: “As long as threats exist, the IDF will remain deployed here to guarantee our security.”

August 25, 2026
Syria Demands Israel Leave Hermon, Katz Vows IDF Will Stay

Syria’s Foreign Ministry condemned Defense Minister Israel Katz’s visit to Mount Hermon on Tuesday and demanded an immediate and complete Israeli withdrawal from areas currently controlled by Israeli forces. In a statement, Damascus called the visit a “blatant violation of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Syria’s Foreign Minister, archive | Photo: Shutterstock

“The Foreign Ministry emphasizes that these hostile actions constitute a clear provocation and a violation of international law, as well as the commitments of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement regarding respect for the ceasefire lines and refraining from crossing them,” the ministry said.

The “Syrian Arab Republic” called on the international community “to take the necessary measures to compel the ‘occupation’ authorities to cease their repeated violations and immediately and completely withdraw from the Syrian territories entered by the ‘occupation forces,’ and return to the disengagement line.”

Israel Katz, archive | Photo: Oren Ben Hakoon, Flash90

Earlier Tuesday, Katz visited the summit of Mount Hermon and made clear that the IDF would not withdraw from the mountain or the security zone as long as jihadist threats to Israel persist. Katz also delivered a direct message to Syria’s president: “When you look at Mount Hermon and see the IDF—you know we are here.”

August 25, 2026
PA Cries ‘Escalation’ as Israel Evicts Hamas-Linked UNRWA

The ‘Palestinian’ Authority presidency called Tuesday on the Board of Peace “to convene urgently and adopt decisions to stop the Israeli aggression against UN headquarters, including UNRWA.” The PA claimed the action against the UN compound constitutes “a dangerous escalation that cannot be tolerated and a serious violation of international law.”

Netanyahu and Board of Peace | Photo: Avi Ohayon/GPO

It further claimed that “what is happening in Jerusalem, Qalandiya and the West Bank is part of an Israeli policy aimed at undermining the existence of the ‘Palestinian’ people.” The statement comes after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel had begun evacuating UNRWA’s compound in Kafr Aqab, Jerusalem.

“Israel has begun evacuating the UNRWA compound in Kafr Aqab in Jerusalem in accordance with the law and pursuant to my instructions,” Netanyahu said. “We will not allow an organization whose employees were involved in terrorism and the October 7 attack to operate in Israel.”

Palestinian Authority flag in Tulkarm, archive | Photo: Gili Yaari, Flash90

Large numbers of Israeli police officers began operating in Kafr Aqab in northern Jerusalem earlier Tuesday as the evacuation of the UNRWA compound got underway. Police entered the compound alongside relevant authorities and contractors acting on behalf of the Jerusalem Municipality as part of the implementation of Israel’s UNRWA laws, which are intended to end the organization’s operations inside Israel.

August 25, 2026
Ivanka Trump on Her Conversion: ‘An Enormous Blessing’

Ivanka Trump, daughter of U.S. President Donald Trump, grew up in a Christian household, but at a pivotal juncture in her life, she chose to convert to Judaism. She completed the rigorous Orthodox conversion process prior to her 2009 marriage to Jewish real estate developer and investor Jared Kushner, following nearly two years of intensive study under Rabbi Haskel Lookstein of Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun in New York—ensuring her spiritual path was deeply personal rather than merely marital.

Photo: Shutterstock

Since then, Judaism has served as the anchor of her personal life and the home she built with Kushner. The couple observes Shabbat, maintains kosher dietary laws, and celebrates Jewish holidays. Over the years, Ivanka has described Judaism as an “immense blessing,” particularly in shaping her family values and raising her children—reflections she previously shared in a candid conversation with Jewish philanthropist Dr. Miriam Adelson. Footage from an Israeli-American Council (IAC) national summit has recently resurfaced online, in which Trump reflects on her journey: “Looking back, the decision was so right and so clear. I converted before we got engaged. I felt it was vital to make the decision for myself and feel a deep inner connection—that it was something I truly wanted irrespective of our relationship.”

According to her, she and her husband are “grateful every day for the foundation of Jewish life we enjoy together. At the same time, it was pretty daunting—the amount of things I had to learn, and the lifestyle I took upon myself.” She added that if the conversion wasn’t something she was willing to do even without her love for her husband, she wasn’t sure it could be sustained over time.

Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner | Photo: Shutterstock

“It’s an enormous blessing in our lives. I see it especially as we raise our children. What makes Judaism so special is how it ensures connection to family,” she said, adding that particularly given their public roles, family time is invaluable. “Dedicating time around Shabbat and the Jewish holidays to invest in our relationship with each other is a tremendous blessing,” she stressed. She went on to say that looking back, she’s glad she chose to convert before marriage, “because it’s a big commitment, and it was very fulfilling. I don’t think anyone can do it for someone else. You have to do it for yourself, and then it benefits all the rest of your life.” She concluded with a smile: “That’s more than I’ve ever said on the subject, so it stays here, right?”

August 25, 2026
IDF Chief Vows to Hunt and Eliminate Every Oct. 7 Terrorist

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir toured the Gaza Strip Tuesday and declared that the military has fundamentally changed its operational doctrine following the October 7 massacre. Zamir said the IDF will continue acting offensively and systematically against attempts by Israel’s enemies to rebuild their capabilities, particularly in Gaza and Lebanon.

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir in Gaza | Photo: IDF Spokesperson

“The IDF is prepared and vigilant on all fronts. We will not allow our enemies on our borders, particularly in Gaza and Lebanon, to rebuild their strength,” Zamir said. “We will not allow terrorist infrastructure to become established. We will seize every opportunity to eliminate threats as they emerge. We are implementing lessons learned, we have changed our approach—the IDF will not return to October 6.”

During the tour, Zamir met with Southern Command chief Maj. Gen. Yaniv Asor, Gaza Division commander Brig. Gen. Liron Batito, as well as brigade and battalion commanders operating in the Strip. The commanders presented him with an assessment of the operational situation and the activities of forces in the area.

Photo: IDF Spokesperson

Zamir stressed that in Gaza, the IDF is not giving up on the central objectives of demilitarizing the Strip and dismantling Hamas’s arsenal. The campaign against the organization and its leaders will continue, alongside ongoing efforts to prevent it from regaining strength, he said. The chief of staff also addressed the hunt for October 7 terrorists, calling it a long-term mission and a top priority. “Everyone who took part in the massacre will live as a fugitive until they’re eliminated,” he declared, adding that “this is a mission to which the command and the entire IDF are committed.”

He also said the IDF has drawn lessons from the failure that preceded the attack and that there will be no more policy of containing threats: “We investigated and we’re implementing lessons learned. There’s no containment of threats. We won’t allow the enemy to rebuild itself.” Zamir also addressed the burden on reservists, noting that some forces are being mobilized for extended rotations. The IDF is aware of the exceptional difficulty for those serving and their families and remains committed to continuing to act on their behalf, he said.

August 25, 2026
Board of Peace Warns Israel For Gaza Kite Terror Ultimatum

As the Gaza border heats up over Hamas’s terror kite launches and Israel’s defensive strikes against the southern threat, the Board of Peace is trying to “put out the flames”—while not forgetting to take a jab at Israel.

Kite spotted on the Gaza border | Photo: 27A

“All armed activity in Gaza must stop, including sending kites,” the Board of Peace said—but didn’t stop there, adding a caveat: “Israel must also comply with the ceasefire. Military action cannot extend beyond a response to real and immediate threats.”

In recent days, Hamas has been launching terror kites toward Israeli border communities at an accelerating pace. After a clear warning from Israel on the matter, it appears Gaza is getting the message: the Strip has begun destroying kites in recent days. Gazan channels published footage showing merchants and residents destroying kites, alongside calls for people to refrain from flying them over the camps.

Photo: Flash 90

The images from Gaza come after threats from Israel: Military and Security Correspondent Hillel Bitton Rosen reported earlier this week that Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz want to end the phenomenon quickly. After making clear to Hamas that if this terror continues, assassinations in the Strip will expand, they’ve now also sent an appeal to the Security Council.

According to the appeal from Netanyahu and Katz, the kite incidents must end within three days. The officials added that if not—Israel will launch an intense and prolonged wave of airstrikes in the Strip.

The situation assessment on the issue was attended earlier by Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the head of Military Intelligence, and senior IDF officials. Netanyahu made clear that “we will not return to the reality before October 7,” and that Israel will not allow Hamas or any other actor in the Gaza Strip to threaten communities again and undermine citizens’ sense of security.

August 25, 2026
Netanyahu at Altalena Museum: ‘Civil War, Never Again’

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived Monday at the Etzel Museum in Tel Aviv, standing beside the dedicated memorial exhibition honoring the Altalena following the historic discovery of the sunken ship’s wreckage. Netanyahu is set to deliver an official address under the banner “Civil War, Never Again”—reigniting public memory around one of the most volatile and defining internal conflicts in modern Israeli history.

The Altalena anchored off Tel Aviv shores | Photo: Beno Rothenberg, via Wikipedia

The Prime Minister’s visit follows the discovery of the Altalena, an enduring symbol of early statehood division. Standing at the exhibition, Netanyahu framed the vessel’s lessons around unity and unwavering opposition to fratricidal strife. The Altalena was an Irgun (Etzel) arms ship that arrived off Israel’s coastline in June 1948, barely a month after the Declaration of Independence and in the midst of the War of Independence. Aboard were hundreds of Olim (immigrants) and a substantial arsenal of weapons destined for Irgun combat units. Its arrival coincided with the founding of the IDF and the provisional government’s demand to absorb and subordinate all independent underground militias under unified state command, sparking fierce disputes regarding the surrender and distribution of the weapons cargo.

People on board the Altalena | Photo: via Wikipedia

The armed standoff initially erupted at Kfar Vitkin before escalating off the shores of Tel Aviv. As the ship approached the city’s coast, intense firefights broke out between IDF forces and Irgun fighters. The vessel was subsequently shelled and caught fire with Irgun fighters and commander Menachem Begin on board. A central pillar of the affair’s historical legacy remains Begin’s resolute refusal to retaliate, ordering his men not to fire back to prevent a catastrophic civil war. Over decades, Begin’s restraint became a foundational principle in Israeli political memory, particularly within Herut and the Likud movement.

The shelling and burning of the Irgun ship ‘Altalena’ by Haganah forces | Photo: Hans Pinn, GPO

Yitzhak Rabin, then a Palmach officer stationed at coastal headquarters, later recounted the intensity and deep ideological enmity in his memoirs, describing the severe animosity harbored by Palmach and Haganah fighters toward the Irgun. Rabin noted that once the ship caught fire and the battle was decided, commanders acted to cease all firing.

Earlier on Monday, 78 years after sinking off Tel Aviv, the wreckage of the Altalena was revealed for the first time, discovered at a depth of 503 meters in deep Mediterranean waters west of Israel. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu presented sonar documentation and underwater survey findings, marking a monumental historical closure to an open national wound.

August 25, 2026
Israeli Hotel Industry Slumps as Domestic Travel Drops
The Israeli hotel sector continues to struggle, recording just 10.6 million overnight stays nationwide between January and July 2026, down from 11.4 million during the same period in 2025. Average room occupancy dropped alongside total stays, exposing a deepening divide between resilient southern resort hubs like Eilat and battered northern and central destinations like Jerusalem.

Photo: Canva

According to data released on Tuesday by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), domestic Israeli stays accounted for 9 million nights (roughly 84% of all bookings) during the first seven months of the year—a noticeable decline from 9.9 million Israeli overnight stays recorded during the corresponding period in 2025. Meanwhile, international tourist stays rose slightly to 1.7 million, compared to 1.5 million in early 2025.

Nationwide average room occupancy fell to 47.3% between January and July, down from 50.5% in the same period last year, meaning more than half of all hotel rooms across Israel sat vacant on average.

However, national averages mask stark geographic disparities:
- The Southern District led the country with an average 63% occupancy rate, powered by Eilat, which reached 87.6% occupancy in July.
- The Dead Sea maintained relatively solid demand, reaching 58% occupancy in July.
- The Central District recorded an average occupancy of 47.9%, sliding from 57.8% in early 2025.
- Tel Aviv-Yafo saw July occupancy fall to 51.4%, down from 59.5% in July 2025.
Orient Hotel Jerusalem | Credit: PR

Northern and Jerusalem Hotels Struggle

The situation remains acute in Jerusalem and the North, regions historically reliant on foreign inbound tourism:
- The Jerusalem District averaged just 34.2% occupancy.
- The Northern District recorded 32.1% occupancy, down from 39.3% in the same period last year.
Even July—traditionally peak summer travel season—failed to reverse the sluggish trend, tallying 2.2 million stays nationwide. Of those, 1.8 million were domestic travelers (down from 2 million in July 2025) and 395,000 were international tourists (up from 165,000 in July 2025). The sluggish recovery reflects successive security shocks across recent years. Following the post-COVID recovery and the Swords of Iron war, the sector weathered Operation Am Kelavi in 2025, which grounded international flights and prompted widespread domestic cancellations.

Security developments in 2026 caused further disruption. Operation Roaring Lion, launched on February 28, triggered a steep plunge in March occupancy rates down to an aggregate 26.7% nationwide—with Jerusalem and Tiberias sinking to 14.9% and 5.1% occupancy, respectively. Domestic demand remains volatile, posting an average monthly decline of 1.8% in Israeli stays between May and July, while inbound tourist stays leveled at around 247,000 per month.

Hotel, Illustration | Photo: Canva

As of June 2026, Israel has 443 active tourist hotels comprising approximately 52,000 rooms. The latest statistics confirm that the sector remains far from a full recovery, especially in regions dependent on international travel.
August 25, 2026
Netanyahu: Israel Will Act Against UNRWA ‘With All Tools’

The eviction of the UNRWA compound in Kafr ‘Aqab in northern Jerusalem has officially commenced in accordance with directives issued by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and following legislation passed by the Knesset, the Prime Minister’s Office announced.

UNRWA, archive | Photo: Abd Rahim Khatib, Flash 90

Netanyahu stated that the State of Israel will not permit UNRWA to maintain operations within sovereign Israeli territory, citing the direct involvement of agency personnel in terrorism and the October 7 massacre. “The State of Israel will not allow an organization whose employees were involved in terrorism and the October 7 massacre to operate within its territory, and will act against it using every available tool,” the Prime Minister declared.

August 25, 2026
Katz on Mount Hermon: We Will Never Retreat

Defense Minister Israel Katz visited the strategic crown of Mount Hermon inside Syrian territory on Tuesday, asserting that the IDF will not withdraw from the Hermon summit or the designated security zone as long as threats against the State of Israel persist. During the high-level operational tour, Katz revealed that Israel has actively thwarted attempts by Turkey to establish military entrenchment in Syria and will continue to aggressively defend its core security interests. “We will not budge from Mount Hermon or the security zone as long as jihadi threats against the State of Israel remain,” the Defense Minister declared. “The message to the President of Syria is unmistakable: When you wake up in your Damascus palace, look up at Mount Hermon, and see the IDF, you know that we are here to defend our communities and secure our border.”

Photo by: Ayal Margolin/Flash90

The operational tour was attended by IDF Deputy Chief of the General Staff Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai, Northern Command Chief Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo, Head of the IDF Syria Directorate Maj. Gen. Ghassan Alian, 210th Division Commander Brig. Gen. Yair Peli, the Defense Minister’s Military Secretary Brig. Gen. Hisham Ibrahim, and other senior commanding officers. Katz received an intelligence and situational briefing from field commanders and praised the steadfast vigilance of both regular and reserve forces operating across the sector.

‘Overlooking Damascus From Above’

“We are standing here at the crown of Mount Hermon, where the Syrian Hermon outpost once stood. Today, IDF forces are deployed here, across the Hermon range, throughout the Golan Heights, and across the entire security zone,” Katz said. He emphasized that the vantage point provides troops with direct line-of-sight over Damascus, situated just 35 kilometers away, as well as the Bekaa Valley and Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon.

Syrian leader, al-Julani | Photo: Shutterstock

The Defense Minister stressed that maintaining a fortified military presence in the buffer zone is vital to shielding Golan Heights and Galilee communities from jihadi elements operating across Syria. “The IDF being stationed here, staying here, and refusing to budge ensures that cross-border horrors will never recur—that is the central lesson of October 7,” he affirmed. Katz added that IDF troops operate daily to preempt emerging terror plots and counter hostile reorganizations inside Syria. “As long as threats exist, the IDF will remain deployed here to guarantee our security. That is what we have done, and that is what we will continue to do.”

Katz: ‘We Acted Against Turkish Attempts to Entrench in Syria’

Katz also revealed that Israel had actively struck back against Turkish efforts to establish an operational foothold inside Syrian territory in ways that threatened core Israeli security interests. “We acted decisively against a Turkish effort to entrench inside Syria at the expense of Israel’s national security,” Katz stated. “We made our boundaries crystal clear, and we will stand by them in the future.”

Attack in Syria, archive | Photo: Shutterstock

Reflecting on broader Israeli military operations across Syria following the collapse of the Assad regime, Katz concluded: “We took decisive action to ensure Syria ceases to pose a threat to the State of Israel. We obliterated the entirety of the Assad military’s strategic infrastructure in a matter of days. We continue to dismantle threats here to secure our sovereignty—and that is exactly how we will proceed.”

August 25, 2026