security

The Israeli government approved a 45-day extension of the special emergency situation on the home front, citing continued security uncertainty involving Lebanon and the Hezbollah terror group. The decision is based on security officials’ assessment that the threat to civilians has not yet been removed.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu again made clear that the IDF has full operational freedom in southern Lebanon. Lebanese reports say IDF forces have withdrawn from several areas.

Shin Bet chief David Zini has reportedly directed his agency to treat a possible attack on Eilat as a top priority. According to a report in "Haaretz," some figures in the defense establishment question both the threat assessment and whether there is any concrete intelligence behind it.

Israel’s Home Front Command said that starting Monday at 6 a.m., the entire country will be considered an area without restrictions. Hezbollah responded: "There is no ceasefire with freedom of action for Israel. The IDF must withdraw."

The Shin Bet and the IDF have revealed the identities of Hamas operatives working from Turkey to advance terror activity in Judea and Samaria. According to security officials, dozens of attacks foiled over the past year were directed by them through recruitment, financing, and the transfer of weapons.

Master Sgt. (res.) Haim Klomity, 55, of Tzur Natan, a local defense fighter in Battalion 8881 of the Efraim Brigade, was killed in the attack in Tzur Natan. The community’s military security coordinator was seriously wounded.

Mossad chief Roman Gofman informed his deputy, A., that his term is ending after 22 years of service in the organization. Officials say the move is meant to give the new director room to shape his own senior leadership team.

The "ceasefire" in the north continues: four IDF reservists were moderately wounded after an explosive drone struck in southern Lebanon. At the same time, alerts were activated in Metula and Misgav Am. Metula Local Council head David Azoulay blasted the situation: "Even this morning, Metula’s children and parents went out to schools under nonstop fire."

A Hezbollah explosive drone struck the vehicle of Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo, head of the IDF’s Northern Command, during a visit to southern Lebanon. The incident ended without injuries. In response, movement and security procedures in the area were changed.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir held a joint situational assessment with northern local council heads and the General Staff at Northern Command. He stressed the ongoing military effort against Hezbollah: "We have a shared goal — protecting the residents and communities of the north and restoring calm and security over time."

After an unprecedented surge in antisemitic incidents, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney acknowledged that the country is not succeeding in protecting its Jewish community and announced new steps to confront hatred and extremism.

At the ceremony marking the transition between Mossad chiefs, outgoing director David Barnea called for building on Israel’s recent gains against Iran and working to bring down the regime in Tehran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised him, saying: "Dedi, great things were done on your watch."

After a Hezbollah drone exploded just 50 meters from orchard workers with no siren at all, residents of Kibbutz Sasa near the Lebanon border decided to spread protective nets above kindergarten yards, day care centers, and playgrounds.

In Israel, officials are seeing growing signs that the United States may be nearing a decision on military action against Iran, though the timing remains unclear. The IDF is raising its alert level and maintaining especially close coordination with the United States.

Ezz al-Din al-Haddad, the head of Hamas’s military wing and one of the architects of the October 7 massacre, was killed in a strike on his hideout apartment in Gaza City’s Rimal neighborhood. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir ordered heightened readiness in southern Israel.

Shin Bet intelligence spurred a rapid undercover arrest in East Jerusalem’s Abu Tor after indications the suspect intended to strike during Jerusalem Day events. Officers detained him without injuries and transferred him to the Israel Security Agency for questioning.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel may act again against Iran to complete the campaign’s objectives. He also sent a tough message to Hezbollah about the fighting in Lebanon and the drone threat: "The homes in the first line of villages used for terror activity are being destroyed at this very moment."

Acting on Shin Bet intelligence, Israeli Border Police and Central District officers arrested two Palestinians in Tel Mond who were in Israel illegally. One is suspected of plotting an attack in the near future; a second detainee is being checked for terror ties.