Israelis call for hostage deal as Mossad, Shin Bet heads fly to Qatar for hostage negotiations
Hamas says Netanyahu has agreed to end the war •Hostage negotiations may conclude before Trump's inauguration • Qatar sends Israel 'positive message'
Hamas releases preview of video 'Soon, Time Is Running Out' on Telegram
Hamas released a possible hostage video preview on its Telegram channel Saturday evening entitled "Soon, Time Is Running Out" as hostage families prepare for the rally later Saturday evening.
Go to the full article >>Netanyahu hosts situational assessment on hostage deal, instructs Barnea to head to Qatar
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a situational assessment Saturday evening regarding the issue of hostages, according to a statement from his office.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Netanyahu instructed Mossad Chief David Barnea, Shin Bet Chief, Maj.-Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon, and Diplomatic Adviser Ophir Falk to travel to Doha to continue advancing a hostage deal.
Go to the full article >>Lebanese army deploys to southwest Lebanon as IDF withdraws - report
Yisrael Beytenu MK Avigdor Liberman said that an IDF withdrawal of southern Lebanon by Jan. 26 would be "an abandonment of the northern residents and an extreme act of irresponsibility."
The Lebanese army is quickly deploying in the western part of southern Lebanon, Army Radio reported Saturday afternoon, citing Lebanese reports.
Go to the full article >>Trump's Mideast envoy arrives in Israel, hostage talks progress
President-elect Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, arrived in Israel on Saturday after talks in Qatar regarding the hostage deal.
A senior Israeli official also stated on Saturday that progress has been made in negotiations over the hostage deal in Qatar. He noted that an ongoing assessment is underway to determine whether this progress justifies elevating the Israeli delegation by sending the Mossad chief, Shin Bet director, and Maj.-Gen. Nitzan Alon to Doha. According to the official, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to decide on the matter later today.
A White House spokesperson told reporters on Friday, “We have made some progress, but Hamas continues to create obstacles at the negotiating table.” American and Israeli officials have expressed concerns that if an agreement is not reached before former U.S. President Donald Trump takes office, the negotiations could reach a serious impasse.
Go to the full article >>WATCH: IDF drone locates terrorist before IDF eliminates him in Jabalya
Using drone reconnaissance, the troops spotted three terrorists who approached and took cover in a nearby structure.
Givati Brigade soldiers located and killed three terrorists in the Jabalya area during an operation aimed at thwarting an imminent attack, according to the IDF on Saturday.
As part of the operation, soldiers identified several terrorists moving in the vicinity.
Using drone reconnaissance, the troops spotted three terrorists who approached and took cover in a nearby structure. The terrorists attempted to ambush the soldiers through a shaft inside the building.
Go to the full article >>Hochstein guarantees full IDF withdrawal before end of ceasefire - report
He reportedly explained that he had secured "a detailed timeline for the withdrawal" following direct discussions with Israeli officials.
US special envoy Amos Hochstein has reassured senior Lebanese officials that Washington is determined to oversee the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon by the end of the 60-day ceasefire period, Al-Akhbar reported on Saturday night.
According to the Lebanese newspaper, Hochstein conveyed this assurance during meetings with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. He reportedly explained that he had secured "a detailed timeline for the withdrawal" following direct discussions with Israeli officials and emphasized that "January 26 will be the final date for Israeli forces in Lebanon."
The report also noted that Hochstein requested the Lebanese Armed Forces to strengthen their deployment in the region and enhance readiness to "fill the void" left by the Israeli exit.
Go to the full article >>IDF strikes buildings in southern Lebanon - report
The IDF has allegedly struck buildings in the Ayta ash Shab area in southern Lebanon, Israeli media reported on Saturday, citing Lebanese news sources.
This is a developing story.
Go to the full article >>Iran unveils new suicide drone copied from Israeli company - report
Iran's new Razvan drone, resembling Israel's Hero series, showcases Tehran's reverse engineering capabilities.
Iran's defense industry revealed a new suicide drone this week—the Razvan—which closely mirrors the Israeli UVision Hero series during a showcase held by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), N12 reported on Friday, citing Iranian media.
The Razvan boasts a range of 20 km and a flight duration of 20 minutes, transmitting live video to its operator for precise strikes.
"Our drones have completed successful operations and, in simulations, neutralized various threats to our bases," stated Mohammad Pakpour, commander of the IRGC ground forces.
Go to the full article >>Tehran unveils weapons facility used in attacks on Israel, promises new missiles in development
General Amir Ali Hajizadeh toured the facility, describing it as a “dormant volcano.”
Iran released footage unveiling the underground weapons storage facility it used in previous attacks against Israel, which it claims holds “new special missiles, Iranian semi-state official media site Tasnim reported at the end of December.
Footage of the facility was later released on IRIB, displaying Tehran officials IRGC Commander Major General Hossein Salami and Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh touring the facility.
Hajizadeh described the facility as a “dormant volcano” days before Salami announced the IRGC’s plans to develop the “new special missiles.”
Go to the full article >>Qatar sends Israel 'positive message' regarding hostage deal advancements - KAN
The "positive message" in question reportedly concerns the list of hostages that would be released, as well as other points of disagreement.
Qatar has sent Israel "a positive message" regarding Hamas's intentions to move forward in negotiations on a hostage and ceasefire deal, according to a Friday report from Israeli public broadcaster KAN.
The "positive message" in question reportedly concerns the list of hostages that would be released, as well as other points of disagreement between the two sides.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an assessment meeting with Defense Minister Israel Katz and the negotiating team, KAN noted.
Go to the full article >>Israel at War: What you need to know
- Hamas launched a massive attack on October 7, with thousands of terrorists infiltrating from the Gaza border and taking some 240 hostages into Gaza.
- Over 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals were murdered, including over 350 at the Re'im music festival and hundreds of Israeli civilians across Gaza border communities
- 98 hostages remain in Gaza
- 49 hostages in total have been killed in captivity, IDF says
- The IDF launched a ground invasion of Lebanon on September 30
- The Israel-Lebanon ceasefire came into effect on November 27 at 4:00 a.m.