Live Updates

Live updates day 509: What happened in Israel, Lebanon, and Gaza?

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
 Documentation of the activities of Nahal Brigade fighters in the operation in West Bank (photo credit: IDF)
Documentation of the activities of Nahal Brigade fighters in the operation in West Bank
(photo credit: IDF)

IDF distances threats in Gaza, fires warning shots at unauthorized vessels

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
  (photo credit: IDF SPOKESMAN’S UNIT)Enlrage image
(photo credit: IDF SPOKESMAN’S UNIT)

Over the last 24 hours, IDF troops have operated to distance suspects who posed a threat to them in various locations across Gaza, the military announced on Tuesday.

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WATCH: Shin Bet, IDF foil 100 kg bomb attack in the West Bank

Nahal Brigade troops joined the counterterrorism operation in the northern West Bank under Shin Bet's direction.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
IDF dismantles an explosive device in Kabatiya (IDF)

IDF and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) foiled a terrorist plot involving a 100 kg bomb in Kabatiya, the IDF announced on Tuesday.

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Hersh Goldberg-Polin helped freed hostage Or Levy survive captivity, parents reveal

The saying from Hersh that helped Or was a "slight mistranslation of Viktor Frankl and Nietzsche - if you have the why, you'll find the how," John Polin said.

By EVE YOUNG
 Or Levy. (photo credit: Courtesy)Enlrage image
Or Levy.
(photo credit: Courtesy)

Freed hostage Or Levy adopted a mantra he learned in captivity from slain hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Hersh's parents said at the UIA NSW Stars of David Gala on Sunday night.

"Or told us that the mantra saved him," Hersh's father, John Polin, told the audience at the Gala.

The saying that helped Hersh while he was in captivity and then helped Or was a "slight mistranslation of Viktor Frankl and Nietzsche - if you have the why, you'll find the how," Polin told the audience.

 

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IDF investigating sounds of explosions heard in central Israel

The IDF added that the explosions that were heard were due to routine activity carried out by the Israel Air Force.  

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
 The Tel Aviv coastline as seen from above on April 26, 2023. (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)Enlrage image
The Tel Aviv coastline as seen from above on April 26, 2023.
(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)

The IDF is investigating the sounds of explosions which were heard earlier on Tuesday in central Israel, the military said. 

The IDF added that the explosions that were heard were due to routine activity carried out by the Israel Air Force.  

There was no concern for a security incident, the military added. 

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It was hard hearing our lives might not be worth it, Agam Berger says

"It's not anyone's fault that they were kidnapped; people need to know that they are fighting for us," she stated.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
 Agam Berger reunited with her family following her release from Hamas captivity. January 30, 2025. (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)Enlrage image
Agam Berger reunited with her family following her release from Hamas captivity. January 30, 2025.
(photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Hearing discourse on the price of the hostage deal while in Gaza captivity was difficult, but it also granted hope, released hostage Agam Berger told Israel's public broadcaster KAN on Tuesday. 

"It's not anyone's fault that they were kidnapped; people need to know that they are fighting for us," she stated. "It's like saying that our lives aren't worth enough," Berger, who was kidnapped from the Nahal Oz base on October 7, noted. 

"On the other hand, we heard people say that Israel was able to pay the price of the deal, and it gave us strength."

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Hamas achieved its goals, hostage ceremonies will probably stop, expert says

"Of course, Hamas will agree. Once again, Israel fails to understand: Hamas has already reaped the internal benefits of these events," said Eyal Ofer.

By PELED ARBELI
Eliya Cohen and Omer Shem Tov escorted by Hamas, in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, February 22, 2025 (photo credit: Ali Hassan/Flash90)Enlrage image
Eliya Cohen and Omer Shem Tov escorted by Hamas, in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, February 22, 2025
(photo credit: Ali Hassan/Flash90)

Eyal Ofer, an expert on Hamas and Gazan economics, explained the rationale behind why Hamas may cease the hostage release ceremonies—and why, in his view, Israel is missing the bigger picture in an interview with 103FM on Tuesday. 

A surprising statement from a Hamas spokesperson suggests the group may change its approach to what Israel has called "shows of force" celebrating the release of hostages in Gaza.

After repeated delays in prisoner exchanges due to Hamas violations, the group has expressed willingness to forgo these public ceremonies—apparently to help advance the ongoing deal. 

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Nova Festival Massacre survivors reunite in IDF reserve battalion

After October 7, all three were called up to the 926th Rescue Battalion, where they soon discovered their shared stories of survival at the Nova Festival.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
 Pictures of the participants of the Nova party who were murdered and kidnapped by the terrorist organization Hamas on October 7, 2023 are displayed at the site of the Nova music festival massacre, in Re'im, near the Israeli-Gaza border, November 28, 2023 (photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)Enlrage image
Pictures of the participants of the Nova party who were murdered and kidnapped by the terrorist organization Hamas on October 7, 2023 are displayed at the site of the Nova music festival massacre, in Re'im, near the Israeli-Gaza border, November 28, 2023
(photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

Three soldiers who survived the Nova Music Festival attack had never met—until they were called up to serve in the same reserve battalion, the IDF shared on Monday.

Lt.-Col. (res.) Naomi, Lt.-Col. (res.) Shani, and Capt. (res.) Nastya each served in different units during their original military service. After October 7, all three were called up to the 926th Reserve Battalion, where they soon discovered their shared stories of survival at the Nova Festival.

"I never once considered not being there for my soldiers. From the first moment, I knew I would stand up and fight," said Nastya, a platoon commander. "They are my family, my driving force, and I have a responsibility to them."

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Katz imposes sanctions on security prisoners who receive PA funding

"We will not allow the Palestinian Authority to continue rewarding terrorists for murdering and harming Israeli citizens," Katz said. 

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
 DEFENSE MINISTER Israel Katz appears before the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee last month.  (photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)Enlrage image
DEFENSE MINISTER Israel Katz appears before the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee last month.
(photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

Defense Minister Israel Katz imposed sanctions on Tuesday on security prisoners and their families who are citizens and residents of Israel and receive funding from the Palestinian Authority (PA).

According to the ministry's statement, following the sanctions, security forces raided the homes of those subjected to the order, confiscating cash and assets amounting to hundreds of thousands of shekels. 

The terror funds that were ordered to be liquidated were paid by the PA to terrorists who are currently serving sentences in Israeli prisons and released prisoners and their families for terror activities they committed, the ministry said.

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Drone intrusion alerts sound in Golan Heights

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

Drone intrusion alerts sounded in several communities in the southern Golan Heights, starting at 8:39 a.m. local time on Tuesday.

This is a developing story. 

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IDF says unit carried out dozens of penetrations deeper into Syria

The IDF said that its continued activities in and around the buffer zone in Syria add additional security for Israel generally, and especially for those living in the Golan.  

By YONAH JEREMY BOB
 IDF soldiers operate on Mount Hermon, on the border between Israel and Syria, December 12, 2024 (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)Enlrage image
IDF soldiers operate on Mount Hermon, on the border between Israel and Syria, December 12, 2024
(photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Brigade 474 of Division 210 has carried out dozens of short attacks deeper into Syria beyond the Israeli buffer zone within southern Syria, the IDF said on Monday.

In addition, the army released footage from one of its attacks over the last week in which paratroopers seized guns, ammunition, and other military equipment that the old Syrian army left behind.

Lt.-Col. “H.” said the IDF located the weapons inside a nearby house, and that in other operations, his unit had located missiles, improvised explosives, armored personnel carriers, and even tanks.

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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.
  • 69 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.
  • Netanyahu confirmed the first phase of the Israel-Hamas Ceasefire on January 17, 2025
  • 735 terrorists will be released as part of the hostage deal