Two Arab suspects were caught red-handed and arrested on Saturday night in northern Jerusalem while attempting to bore a breach into the base of the security barrier using heavy electrical drilling tools. Border Police fighters operating in the sector identified the suspicious activity and moved in rapidly to neutralize the security breach.
Photo: Police Spokesperson’s Unit
Upon detecting the suspects, Border Police fighters from the Jerusalem Envelope Sector pushed into Kafr Aqab, catching the two mid-act. The suspects attempted to flee the scene, but after a short pursuit, forces tracked them down and arrested them inside a nearby residential building. Security officials assess that the excavation attempt was aimed at carving out an illicit passageway for illegal infiltrators moving from Judea and Samaria into sovereign Israeli territory. At the scene, forces seized the industrial power tools utilized by the suspects, including a large demolition hammer drill and extended high-voltage power cables. Both suspects, residents of Kafr Aqab, were taken into custody and transferred for interrogation by the Special Investigations Unit of the Jerusalem Border Police.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani stated on Sunday in an interview with Reuters that Damascus expects to soon resume negotiations with Israel regarding a mutual security framework. Diplomatic and security contacts between Jerusalem and Damascus were recently frozen following targeted IDF airstrikes against a Syrian Air Force installation.
Photo: Shutterstock
In his remarks, al-Shibani claimed the Damascus regime currently lacks trust in Israel, asserting that Syria’s top priority remains an immediate and total cessation of Israeli military operations within its territory. Despite the posturing, the Syrian Foreign Minister noted that his country continues to extend a hand toward diplomacy, urging Israel to seize what he termed an historic opportunity currently available to both nations.
Photo: Reuters
Simultaneously, the Syrian Foreign Ministry issued a standard condemnation following the IDF’s preemptive strike, labeling the Israeli defense measures as unprovoked aggression and a breach of Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity. Officials in Damascus cautioned that continued decisive operations by Israeli forces constitute an escalation threatening regional stability.
Another kite was spotted this morning in Kibbutz Kfar Aza after several were reported crossing from Gaza over the weekend. Residents in border communities are warning that some have long wires attached—and fear Hamas may be testing a “Hezbollah model.” Following four kites found over the weekend, security forces located another kite this morning in Kibbutz Kfar Aza that is believed to have crossed from the Gaza Strip into Israel. According to an IDF statement about the earlier incidents, forces conducting sweeps in the area found three additional kites after one was identified the day before.
A kite found near Nahal HaBesor in 2018, archive | Photo: Dario Sanchez, Flash 90
The IDF said no suspicious findings were detected on the kites and that they are believed to have crossed the border from Gaza. The military added that there was no danger to the public and that the IDF maintains continuous contact with the communities. Residents in border communities are warning that in some cases, the kites have long wire cables attached that make their way from Gaza toward the communities. According to residents who spoke with C14, the concern is that Hamas may be testing a “Hezbollah model”—similar to the terror organization’s use in Lebanon of FPV drones connected to fiber-optic cables, aimed at improving accuracy and making it harder for Israeli defense systems to counter them. According to the residents’ concerns, the use of long wires may indicate Hamas is preparing to deploy similar aerial devices in the future. They say the current kites may be launched to survey the terrain, test flight paths, and identify routes where wires or fibers won’t get snagged on the way to border communities or toward IDF forces operating in the area.
Photo: Flash 90
Against this backdrop, international discussions continue over deploying an international stabilization force in Gaza and rebuilding the Strip. The Prime Minister’s Office clarified over the weekend that the political leadership has not approved the entry of an international force into Gaza, and that Israel insists there will be no reconstruction in Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed. A political source added that Israel will continue to hold the Yellow Line and that there will be no withdrawal as long as Hamas has not been disarmed and the Strip has not been fully demilitarized. According to the source, any entry of an international force will require individual approval from the prime minister, defense minister, and foreign minister, and Israel will determine which countries can send representatives.
An historic milestone was marked on Thursday in northern Samaria as the first families of a pioneering settlement group entered the Jewish community of Kadim, 21 years after it was uprooted during the 2005 Disengagement and Expulsion. Approximately 30 families moved into permanent residences in the newly re-established town, accompanied by Finance Minister and Minister in the Defense Ministry Bezalel Smotrich alongside Samaria Governor Yossi Dagan, both of whom spearheaded the historic return and legal regulation of communities in the area.
Photo: Ein Ganim-Kadim Pioneer Group
Kadim is being re-established by a unique pioneer nucleus comprised predominantly of young families from Tel Aviv and central Israel, founded by graduates of Zionist yeshivot and IDF reservists who fought in the Swords of Iron War. The arrival was marked by an emotional scene as Ogen Drori—a son of one of Kadim’s founding families, a disabled IDF veteran who survived 11 separate shooting attacks, and who was expelled from the town in 2005—arrived carrying the original community flag he preserved since the day of the expulsion. The establishment of the community and entry into homes precede the official dedication ceremony scheduled for Thursday, attended by government ministers, Knesset members, and public dignitaries, including Governor Yossi Dagan and Amana Secretary-General Zeev Hever (Zambish). The reestablishment of Jewish presence forms the vanguard of the “Connection Plan,” following landmark Cabinet and Government resolutions to establish 19 new Jewish communities across northern Samaria to replace the four towns uprooted during the 2005 expulsion.
Rabbi Lior’s journey: Affixing a mezuzah in Homesh, helicopter in northern Samaria | Photo: Roi Hadi
Finance Minister and Minister in the Defense Ministry Bezalel Smotrich praised the milestone, declaring that Thursday marks the historic correction of the crime of the expulsion, emphasizing that these thriving Jewish towns form a vital strategic security belt for the State of Israel. Samaria Governor Yossi Dagan added with deep emotion that the spirit of the Jewish people is stronger than any retreat, noting that the triumphant return to Kadim completes the historic restoration of all four uprooted northern Samaria communities—Homesh, Sa-Nur, Ganim, and Kadim.
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband issued a harsh statement on Thursday targeting Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria. Miliband declared that the United Kingdom opposes construction in the E1 area and demanded that the Israeli government halt development, alongside any further expansion of Jewish towns in the region.
Ed Miliband, British Foreign Secretary | Photo: Shutterstock
Miliband also leveled accusations directly against Jewish residents in Judea and Samaria, claiming they undermine and threaten “Palestinian” security. The British Foreign Secretary concluded by asserting that London would not remain idle and that retaliatory countermeasures—including targeted sanctions against those involved in the growth of Jewish communities—are imminent. In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar unequivocally rejected Miliband’s statements: “The Jewish people possess the fundamental right to live across all parts of the Land of Israel, just as Britons have the right to live in London and throughout the United Kingdom. More than a century ago, the Balfour Declaration officially recognized the historic right of the Jewish people to re-establish their national home in the Land of Israel—including in the very area in question.”
Photo: Jonathan Sindel/ Flash90
Sa’ar highlighted Britain’s own glaring double standard, noting that the UK continues to govern colonial territories thousands of miles from its shores, making it absurd for London to lecture the Jewish people on where they are permitted to live within their small, historic ancestral homeland: “The bond and legal right of the Jewish people to this land are the most extensively documented of any nation in human history.” Sa’ar added: “The British government’s systematic policy of singling out and blaming Israel while turning a blind eye to ‘Palestinian’ extremism has already fueled a massive surge of antisemitic hatred and violent attacks against the British Jewish community. Continuing down this path will only worsen the situation. The UK government’s decision to undermine relations between our nations is deeply regrettable. However, Israel will not be a passive victim of this policy.”
Defense Minister Israel Katz today addressed opposition figures and media critics who opposed last week’s Israeli strike in Syria against Turkish military entrenchment. “Lucky they have no influence today, and we very much hope for Israel’s security that they won’t reach positions of influence with such positions in the future either,” Katz said. Israel struck a Syrian base last week after identifying Turkish intentions to establish a military presence there. In his statement Sunday, Katz took aim at the inconsistent criticism that followed.
Israel Katz, archive | Photo: Oren Ben Hakoon, Flash90
Katz highlighted the zigzag in how critics interpreted the strike: “At first, some commentators and news anchors clinging to the margins of their definition as journalists, and some opposition leaders, said the strike in Syria was unnecessary and done for political considerations. After it was clarified that the IDF recommended the strike based on clear intelligence, and the political echelon carefully considered and made the decision, they moved to an alternative version: “The statements by the prime minister and defense minister toward Erdoğan and the warnings that we won’t allow Turkey to entrench itself in Syria and endanger Israel’s security—unnecessary and dangerous. Mustn’t anger Erdoğan, as if we went on some evening stroll with a light breeze in the treetops unrelated to anything—and Erdoğan is actually some kind of Zionist enthusiast,” Katz argued.
Among the strike’s critics, Yair Golan | Photo: Sharon Leibel, Flash 90
At the end of his statement, Katz returned cynically to the standing of those who opposed the strike: “Lucky they have no influence today, and we very much hope for Israel’s security that they won’t reach positions of influence with such positions in the future either.” Among those who expressed criticism of the Israeli strike in Syria was opposition candidate in the upcoming elections Yair Golan. “The strike in Syria is a defiant and dangerous move that brings us closer to confrontation with Turkey and deepens the rift with our allies, led by the United States. Israel needs leadership that knows how to use force to achieve security, not to create another war for political survival,” Golan wrote in a statement addressing the strike.
According to initial reports, a terrorist stabbed a person near the village of Al-Auja in the Jordan Valley, lightly wounding the victim before managing to flee the scene.
According to updated details, a group of Israeli youths entered the village of Al-Auja to shop at a well-known local store (and had not traveled to the nearby natural spring, as erroneously reported elsewhere). While they were in the village, the terrorist lunged at them, stabbed one of the Jewish youths, and immediately fled on foot. Following the attack, security forces declared a “Hot Hammer” (Patish Cham) operational alert across the Jordan Valley sector. IDF troops arrived at the scene, dismantled and seized the store’s security cameras to extract footage, and initiated an extensive manhunt and encirclement operation to capture the fleeing terrorist.
United Hatzalah EMT Yonatan Avrahami who treated the wounded Israeli reported: “According to bystanders, the young man was stabbed after stopping to make a purchase at a store near the village of Al Auja. Together with an IDF intensive care ambulance team, I provided him with initial medical treatment at the scene. At this stage, his condition is classified as moderate and stable.”
The Prime Minister’s Office announced on Thursday that the political leadership has not authorized the entry of an international force into the Gaza Strip, pushing back against prevailing media reports. The statement emphasized that Israel has made it unequivocal: no reconstruction of any kind will take place in the Strip prior to the complete, verifiable disarmament of Hamas.
Photo: Flash90
A senior diplomatic official elaborated on the Security Cabinet’s decision regarding the International Stabilization Force (ISF) for Gaza, clarifying that the framework approval in principle was established under President Trump’s 20-point plan, which secured the release of all Israeli hostages. The official stressed that Israel insists the IDF will continue to firmly hold the Yellow Line, and no withdrawal will occur as long as Hamas remains armed and the Gaza Strip is not fully demilitarized.
Israeli scurity cabinet | Photo: Kobi Gideon, GPO
According to the official, the Cabinet approved granting immunity to the ISF under the “Immunities for International Organizations Law,” stipulating that the force will operate in full coordination with the IDF in designated areas beyond the Yellow Line outside IDF control. Furthermore, any deployment of ISF personnel will require specific, individualized approval from the Prime Minister, Defense Minister, and Foreign Minister. Israel will also retain full veto power over which participating nations may contribute troops. At this stage, the deployment is limited to approximately 200 personnel from friendly nations, including Uganda and Morocco.
Turkey’s presidency responded Thursday to escalating tensions with Israel, stating that Ankara will not fall into a “trap” set by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Syria—this after Israel struck a military airbase in the country’s northwest.
Turkish military aircraft | Photo: Shutterstock
According to the statement, Turkey “will continue resolutely to defend Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and achieve a stable and secure structure,” and that “attacks violating Damascus’s sovereignty cannot be accepted.” Fahrettin Altun, Turkey’s presidential communications director, said Ankara has enough experience not to fall into “the trap of figures like Netanyahu,” who he said are working to undermine peace and stability in the region. The remarks come following Israel’s strike on the Abu al-Duhur military airbase in northwestern Syria, amid Israeli claims of Turkish military entrenchment at the site. Ankara rejects the claims and clarifies that there was no Turkish military delegation at the site during or before the strike.
Syrian President al-Julani | Photo: Shutterstock
Turkey’s Defense Ministry said Israel must stop its “reckless” attacks in Syria and comply with international law for the sake of peace in the country and the region. The ministry emphasized that Turkey will continue to work to protect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released intelligence last Thursday showing that Hamas runs interrogation and torture facilities inside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, using the medical complex as part of its internal security apparatus against Gaza residents. According to Israeli security officials, the activity has expanded amid Hamas fears of eroding public support and losing its grip on the population.
Turned the hospital into an operational hub against Gaza Strip residents | Photo: Flash90
According to the intelligence, interrogations are conducted by Hamas internal security and military intelligence operatives on the second floor of the Yassin Building within the hospital complex, in the outpatient clinic area. The IDF claims the organization uses the facility for governance purposes unrelated to medical care, including interrogations, torture, and collecting money. Nasser Hospital continues to serve as a central Hamas infrastructure hub in southern Gaza, Israeli security officials said. Patients and staff are exposed to a constant presence of Hamas operatives in various areas of the hospital, some of them masked, according to the intelligence.
The Nasser terror command center that was struck in Khan Yunis | Photo: Abed Rahim Khatib, Flash90
Security officials note that one interrogation center operates in a building that has changed its purpose over the years: it initially served as hospital offices, then as a cafeteria, and later as a prayer room. Today, according to the intelligence, Hamas uses it for interrogations. The IDF claims Hamas’s use of the hospital complex creates an atmosphere of fear. It harms patients and medical staff, and it’s part of a broader pattern of exploiting civilian infrastructure throughout the Strip for the organization’s purposes. They added that military use of hospitals and medical facilities violates international law, and warned that Hamas is also using schools and other civilian facilities amid fears of losing control of the Strip.
Hamas attempts to intensify pressure | Photo: Flash90
According to Israeli security officials, the intelligence points to what they say is a Hamas attempt to increase pressure on Gaza’s population through intimidation mechanisms, interrogations, and punishment, against the backdrop of signs of erosion in its standing among residents.
