The IDF has decided to immediately resume its operation to locate unexploded ordnance (UXO) and leftover military munitions across northern Israel, following the lethal incident that occurred on Monday on the Ramim Ridge, in which Elazar Vilensky was killed by an exploding munition, believed to be a Hezbollah cluster rocket submunition. As part of the directive, Israeli forces will return to systematically comb areas that had already been surveyed and cleared following the cessation of hostilities, to identify and neutralize remaining ordnance in the field.
Photo: Courtesy of the family
Throughout the war, the IDF documented and mapped the impact zones of rockets, missiles, and drone strikes across the northern frontier within its tracking systems. After active fighting ceased, forces deployed for an extensive sweep campaign, using that accumulated data to locate duds and leftover munitions and prevent harm to civilians.
Concurrently, bomb disposal and sapper units continue operating at the blast site on the Ramim Ridge to uncover the circumstances of the incident and pinpoint the origin of the exploded munition. During scans carried out over the past 24 hours, forces discovered an object suspected to be a rocket fragment; investigators are assessing whether it is directly connected to the munition that detonated and claimed the life of Elazar Vilensky.
Photo: MDA
Now, in the wake of the fatal tragedy, the IDF issued orders for the immediate execution of repeat sweeps across the entire northern region. Forces will return to targeted zones based on wartime telemetry and impact intelligence, including locations already inspected and cleared in previous sweeps. The renewed operation is expected to span days and potentially weeks, contingent upon operational findings on the ground and the required scope of clearance activities.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who has spearheaded an exceptionally hostile policy toward Israel in recent years, was met on Monday with curses, loud whistling, and chorus boos upon his arrival at the central military parade in Madrid marking Spain’s National Day.
Video: social media
According to a report by the Europa Press news agency, Sánchez arrived in his official vehicle at Plaza de Cánovas del Castillo and remained waiting inside for several minutes before emerging to join senior state officials awaiting the royal family. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia subsequently arrived at the site, accompanied by Crown Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía.
Loud boos and heckling directed at the prime minister erupted once more during the official reception for the royal family and persisted through the end of the parade. While this is not the first time Sánchez has faced public derision during National Day festivities, this year’s ceremony unfolded amid a fiercely tense snap election campaign. The parade featured 4,380 members of the armed forces, law enforcement agencies, and public emergency services, alongside dozens of aircraft, 128 vehicles, and 286 horses.
King Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia | Photo: REUTERS/Pedro Nunes
Six Weeks Before Elections, Sánchez Hits New Low
General elections in Spain are scheduled for November 29, after Sánchez called snap elections following parliament’s rejection of his cabinet’s proposed measures to tackle the country’s housing crisis. The Socialist prime minister, in power since 2018, now confronts a commanding lead by right-wing parties in public polling. A poll published by the El País daily showed the conservative People’s Party (PP) and the right-wing Vox party securing a combined 198 seats—far above the 176 seats required to form an absolute parliamentary majority.
A separate poll published on El Confidencial granted the two parties a combined 200 seats. According to El País, the People’s Party commands 31.9% of the popular vote compared to 28.1% for Sánchez’s Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE). The prime minister’s party is projected to slide from its current 121 seats to 112, while Vox is positioned to double its parliamentary strength compared to the previous election nearly.
Illustration, pro-Palestinian demonstration in Spain | Photo: Shutterstock
Beyond the severe housing crisis, the upcoming campaign is set to center on an escalating migration crisis and widening corruption investigations involving Sánchez’s family and inner circle. The prime minister has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the legal proceedings against his associates are politically motivated.
Led Hostile Campaign Against Israel
For Israeli audiences, Sánchez is recognized as one of the most hostile heads of government in Europe. In 2024, his administration officially recognized a ‘Palestinian’ state, imposed an arms embargo on Israel, and prohibited ships and aircraft transporting military equipment to Israel from docking in Spanish ports or transiting Spanish airspace.
Video: social media
Sánchez went further by accusing Israel of “genocide” in the Gaza Strip, pushing to restrict imports from Israeli settlements, and lobbying to suspend the European Union–Israel Association Agreement. His government also boosted funding allocations to the ‘Palestinian’ Authority and UNRWA. Israel forcefully rejected the allegations, with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar characterizing Madrid’s actions as antisemitic.
The diplomatic rupture between the two capitals escalated dramatically this past March, when Spain permanently withdrew its ambassador to Israel. The Spanish embassy in Tel Aviv has since remained under the management of a temporary chargé d’affaires amid ongoing diplomatic friction between Madrid and Jerusalem.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu toured the Samaria seam zone on Tuesday alongside Defense Minister Israel Katz, National Security Adviser Shmuel Ben-Ezra, and Central Command Chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, issuing a stern warning about potential security escalations ahead of Israel’s upcoming general elections. During the field tour, Netanyahu disclosed active intelligence alerts concerning enemy plans to strike during this sensitive political window, stressing that the IDF is fully prepared even for a scenario involving “turned barrels”—referring to ‘Palestinian’ Authority security personnel turning their weapons against Israeli forces. According to Netanyahu, the military presented a comprehensive operational plan for such an eventuality, warning: “I strongly advise our enemies not to test us. You will encounter power you never dreamed of.”
Archive | Photo: IDF Spokesperson
Throughout the inspection, senior commanders from the IDF, Shin Bet (ISA), and Border Police briefed the prime minister on multilayered defensive deployments shielding Israeli communities adjoining the seam line, alongside offensive counter-terror operations executed inside nearby villages. These operations encompass targeted arrests of terrorist operatives, extensive munitions confiscations, and neutralizing immediate tactical threats.
Addressing initial operations around Tulkarm, Netanyahu stated: “I am here with the Defense Minister and IDF commanders along what is termed the seam zone. Behind me lies the former refugee camp of Tulkarm. It was a fortress of terror. Under our directive, the IDF entered, cleared it, and performed an outstanding operation—not only here.”
Operational activity in Judea and Samaria, archive | Photo: IDF Spokesperson
Netanyahu directly rebuked potential initiatives to permit evacuated residents back into the cleared camp perimeter, directly referencing ongoing petitions before the High Court of Justice: “I heard there are individuals in the High Court asserting that residents must be returned here. These are not residents; these are terrorists. The entity that will govern this territory and permanently remain in it is the Israel Defense Forces. There will be no Arab army west of the Jordan River; there will only be the Israel Defense Forces.”
Netanyahu continued: “One must comprehend our proximity: we are minutes from Netanya, minutes from the Mediterranean coastline. Israel’s narrow waist will no longer remain narrow. We stand guard from the Jordan River to the sea. Our country, our sovereign control.” Turning to intelligence warnings, the prime minister addressed military readiness surrounding the political campaign. He stated that hostile actors frequently attempt to capitalize on domestic political sensitivity to launch attacks against security personnel and civilians.
Israeli forces in Judea and Samaria, archive | Photo: IDF Spokesperson
“Beyond that, I want to confirm to you that tangible alerts exist. Our adversaries believe they can test our resolve during these days leading up to the elections. I warn them that we stand fully prepared for any conceivable scenario, including what is termed ‘turned barrels.’ The IDF has presented a fierce and robust operational plan to the Defense Minister and me. In such an eventuality, I strongly urge our enemies not to test us. You will encounter might you never imagined.”
The prime minister concluded his tour by affirming enduring Israeli civilian and security presence throughout Judea and Samaria: “We will continue safeguarding Israel’s security here, along the seam line, and everywhere. We are establishing communities here—over 104—and numerous agricultural farms. We are actively protecting the security of the State of Israel.”
Channel 14 News revealed on Tuesday evening that The Democrats party, having suffered significant political fallout within the Arab sector over its support for the disqualification of Balad chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh, has aggressively stepped up courtship efforts and recently finalized political understandings with an Arab faction polling below the electoral threshold: the Arab National Party, headed by Mohammed Kanaan.
Yair Golan | Photo: Yonatan Sindel, Flash90
However, the arrangement exposes a profound moral compromise by The Democrats. Golan and his party leadership chose to consciously ignore the documented record of Mr. Kanaan as an ardent Arab nationalist and a serial supporter of convicted Arab-Israeli terrorists.
Kanaan, now embraced as a political partner by The Democrats, personally attended the celebratory welcome reception for terrorist Bakr Abu Rabie, who served a 20-year sentence in an Israeli prison for attempting to murder Jewish youths in Jaffa. He also publicly backed Hussam Kana’ana, who was convicted of aiding the enemy. Furthermore, roughly three years ago, Golan’s new partner paid public homage to Karim Younis and Maher Younis, the two convicted terrorists who murdered IDF soldier Corporal Avraham Bromberg. Incredibly, an individual with a track record of celebrating convicted terrorists has been welcomed with honors by the Democrats’ leadership.
Yair Golan | Photo: Tal Gal, Flash90
Add to this Kanaan’s diplomatic escapades: as a serving Member of Knesset, he traveled to Syria alongside fugitive former lawmaker Azmi Bishara, then became an outspoken supporter of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. None of these facts, it appears, have deterred the Democrats or Yair Golan in their pursuit of electoral gain.
The Popular Front for the Liberation of ‘Palestine’ (PFLP) terror organization participated actively in the October 7 massacre and has waged open warfare against the IDF both throughout the current conflict and for decades prior. Yet these facts have not deterred lawmakers from the Arab-communist Hadash party from continuing to foster close relationships with the group’s senior operatives, according to an investigative report published by the “Ad Kan” organization.
Hadash Member of Knesset Aida Touma-Sliman served as a guest of honor at a conference convened this past June in Ramallah focusing on the status of Israeli Arabs during wartime, entitled “‘Palestinians’ Inside Israel in the Era of Genocide.” Seated prominently alongside the Israeli lawmaker was Ramzi Rabah, a member of the ‘PFLP’ leadership.
Hadash champions a communist ideology, historically finding common ground with secular, far-left ‘Palestinian’ terror factions such as the Democratic Front for the Liberation of ‘Palestine’ (DFLP) and the ‘PFLP’. In 2010, future Hadash MKs Ofer Cassif and Ayman Odeh traveled to Jordan to meet with arch-terrorist Nayef Hawatmeh, founder of the DFLP and the architect behind the 1974 Ma’alot massacre, in which 22 schoolchildren and three adults were murdered. In 2015, Aida Touma-Sliman and Yousef Jabareen—who currently heads Hadash—met with the aging Hawatmeh, followed by an additional visit by Odeh in 2018.
Ofer Cassif and terrorist Ghadanfar Abu Atwan | Photo: MK Ofer Cassif’s Facebook page
Hadash’s public backing extends to terrorists from other factions as well. In 2014, an official post on the party’s social media page publicized a prison message from convicted PFLP head Ahmad Sa’adat—the mastermind behind the 2001 assassination of Israeli Tourism Minister Rehavam Ze’evi—urging ‘Palestinians’ to mobilize behind security prisoners.
Furthermore, a regional Hadash branch in the Galilee posted a memorial tribute to Khalil al-Wazir (Abu Jihad), the senior Fatah operations chief responsible for orchestrating lethal terror attacks across Israel, declaring: “He taught the Israeli enemy lessons that every ‘Palestinian’ should remember.”
The documented encounters, official declarations, and expressions of support for convicted terrorists by Hadash figures span decades. Despite these revelations, the party continues to run in Knesset elections, is poised to enter future parliaments, and is still viewed by certain left-wing factions as a potential coalition partner to replace the nationalist government.
Fans of Turkish soccer club Galatasaray once again used the UEFA Champions League as a platform for anti-Israel messages Tuesday evening, displaying banners in the stands of Istanbul’s RAMS Park stadium shortly before kickoff against Barcelona. Among the messages displayed were “Free Palestine” and “Humanity Has Lost Its Conscience in Gaza.”
« FREE PALESTINE 🇵🇸 »
« L’HUMANITÉ PERD SA CONSCIENCE À GAZA »
Les banderoles affichées par les supporters de Galatasaray avant de jouer le Barça en Ligue des champions ce soir.
The demonstration is part of a recurring pattern in which Galatasaray supporters have used European soccer competitions to stage political protests against Israel.
In August 2024, during a Champions League qualifying match against Switzerland’s Young Boys, supporters raised banners carrying the same messages.
The protests resurfaced in September 2025, when Galatasaray faced Liverpool in the Champions League. Alongside previously displayed slogans, supporters held additional banners reading “Let Babies in Gaza Live,” “If Jerusalem Is Not Free, the World Is Captive,” and “Genocide in Palestine.”
Galatasaray fans in an ugly show of support with PLO flags. Screenshot
A month later, in October 2025, another demonstration took place in the Galatasaray stands ahead of the club’s match against Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt. On that occasion, the club itself publicly addressed the issue, publishing photographs of the banners on its official X account alongside the caption “Stop the Genocide.” The latest demonstration continues a series of politically charged displays by Galatasaray supporters at European matches, bringing anti-Israel messaging back into the Champions League spotlight.
Trump was asked Tuesday whether he intended to take a position in Israel’s election campaign or publicly support a particular candidate ahead of the vote. His brief response stopped short of committing to any specific action or announcing an official endorsement, but notably did not rule out the possibility.
President Trump | Photo: White House
The American president’s remarks carry particular significance given the close relationship between decisions made in Washington and Israel’s political and security landscape. Despite the public interest surrounding his potential involvement, his answer offers no indication that a final decision has been reached or that a policy of electoral intervention has been formulated. In addition to addressing Israeli politics, Trump was questioned about Iran and emphasized that a significant American decision on the issue is expected very soon. However, he declined to specify the nature of that decision or what military or diplomatic measures might ultimately be taken.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu | Photo: Flash 90
The latest remarks follow several occasions on which the US president has refrained from openly endorsing a candidate in Israel’s upcoming elections. In August, Trump told Fox News that he believed it would be appropriate for him to stay out of Israel’s election campaign, although he acknowledged that he might consider endorsing a candidate at a later stage. He maintained a similar position in an interview with TIME magazine in early October, again declining to commit to supporting any particular candidate. When asked during that interview about the possibility of Gadi Eisenkot winning the election, Trump responded that he had not heard bad things about Eisenkot, while also emphasizing that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political prospects should not be underestimated.
C14 revealed today (Tuesday) that Israel recently proposed that the United Arab Emirates establish its embassy compound in Jerusalem, but Abu Dhabi politely declined the offer. Israel and the United Arab Emirates have continued to strengthen their relations since normalization and the signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020, yet the Emiratis recently refusal of the request to relocate their embassy to Israel’s capital highlights the delicate diplomatic considerations that continue to shape the relationship.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the UAE | Photo credit: Shutterstock
Before the historic signing of the Abraham Accords in September 2020, Israel and the UAE had no formal diplomatic relations, although the two countries had quietly developed behind-the-scenes cooperation over shared security concerns, particularly the growing threat from Iran. The US-brokered normalization agreement transformed those discreet contacts into an official partnership, paving the way for diplomatic missions, direct flights, expanding trade, and closer cooperation in technology, defense, and investment.
Israel’s capital city of Jerusalem | Photo: Nekulon\Wikipedia commons
Jerusalem is Israel’s capital, but it is also home to Islam’s third-holiest site. Establishing an Emirati embassy in the city would be perceived across the Arab and Muslim world as political recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and could spark controversy over the status of the holy sites. The very fact that Israel raised such a sensitive proposal demonstrates the depth of the relationship and the level of trust between the two countries, particularly against the backdrop of Israeli assistance to the UAE during the war against Iran, including the deployment of an Israeli defense system and personnel to operate it. A source familiar with the details told C14 Tuesday evening: “The focus was on deepening cooperation, not just the location. The Emiratis’ move is important and demonstrates a desire for meaningful, long-term relations.”
C14 reported tonight (Tuesday): Alertness in Israel’s security establishment is at its peak ahead of the possibility of renewed fighting with Iran. The prevailing assessment is that Tehran, after being surprised twice by Israeli operations, may try to flip the equation and surprise Israel with a large-scale attack on their initiative that delivers the first blow. Such a scenario could reignite direct military confrontation between the countries and open a strategic race over the element of surprise, with each side trying to avoid being the one attacked first.
Fighter jet | Photo: IDF
In Israel it’s absolutely clear that the two times Israel succeeded in surprising Iran haven’t been forgotten in Tehran. Against this backdrop, concern is growing that the Iranian regime will choose to change its pattern of action and preempt the cure, rather than wait for another Israeli operation on its territory. As a preventive move, they may try to execute a large-scale offensive that gives them an advantage through the element of surprise.
IRGC Soldiers | Photo: Shutterstock
The concern in Israel is intensifying precisely against the backdrop of the severe economic distress Iran is experiencing these days. Among other things, the closure imposed on the Strait of Hormuz is brutally damaging the country’s revenues and deepening the internal crisis. But despite the economic pressures, the regime in Tehran continues to place restoration of military capabilities and preparation for another confrontation at the top of its priorities.
“Adir” fighter jet | Photo: IDF
A significant portion of available resources is being directed straight to military buildup, with emphasis on increased production of ballistic missiles, launchers and unmanned aircraft, alongside extensive efforts to restore capabilities damaged in previous strikes. This conduct shows that the economic crisis isn’t reducing Tehran’s military preparations—rather, restoring strike capability is seen as a supreme goal for the regime.
Iran Rockets | Photo: Shutterstock
Meanwhile, Israel is closely monitoring all developments and significantly increasing operational readiness for various extreme scenarios, including dealing with a surprise Iranian attack alongside examining the possibility of renewing strikes deep inside Iran, with close cooperation and coordination with the United States.
IAF fighter jets | Photo: IDF
However, as of now no official decision has been made by the political echelon to launch another military campaign, and the heightened preparations mainly reflect concern about rapid deterioration. This equation is also accompanied by the complicated political reality in Israel on the eve of elections, which puts decision-makers facing weighty choices, each carrying far-reaching security and political implications.
Israel’s Defense Export Agency (SIBAT) is leading a delegation of 19 Israeli defense companies to the national pavilion at the AUSA exhibition in Washington this week. The show, organized by the U.S. Army, is considered the largest and most important land warfare exhibition in North America and serves as a central platform for showcasing Israeli defense industry capabilities.
Photo: Spokesperson and Public Relations Division at the Ministry of Defense
The Israeli pavilion features advanced, combat-proven defense-tech solutions that are generating significant interest among militaries worldwide. Among the technologies on display: systems for intercepting drones using nets, protection against GPS jamming, technologies for detecting explosives remotely using robots, and AI-based thermal systems that enable vision in darkness, smoke, and fog.
Israel’s prominent participation comes against the backdrop of a Defense Ministry reform aimed at dramatically increasing defense exports. Those efforts are already bearing fruit—defense exports crossed the $19.2 billion threshold in 2025, a figure that reflects the power and innovation of Israeli industries.
Sky Sonic Missile | Image: Rafael
Israel also showcased its highly advanced new missile, called Sky Sonic, a next-generation interceptor designed to take down some of the world’s fastest and most difficult-to-stop weapons. Hypersonic missiles can travel at more than five times the speed of sound while changing direction mid-flight, making them exceptionally difficult for conventional air defenses to intercept. Israeli defense giant Rafael has unveiled a full-scale model of the system, offering a rare glimpse of a project largely kept under wraps for more than three years.
Photo: Spokesperson and Public Relations Division at the Ministry of Defense
SIBAT head Brig. Gen. (ret.) Yair Kulas said that “the participation of 19 Israeli companies reflects our confidence in the capabilities of the Israeli defense industry and their relevance to the U.S. and other countries.” He added that “we will work to maximize this important platform to expand defense cooperation and strategic partnership with the United States and a range of other countries.”
