Israel National News

#Watch: Prime Minister Benjamin #Netanyahu recites the prayer for soldiers of the IDF and the security forces during the final selichot service at the Western Wall on Saturday night.

Nearly a decade after the case that shook Israel, President Isaac Herzog has granted Elor Azaria’s request to shorten the period his criminal record will remain on file. Herzog stressed that the decision does not alter the verdict or reopen the case. Photo: Flash90

Ambassador Danny Danon warned the UN Security Council that Israel will not allow Syria to become a base from which it can be threatened, accusing Turkey of expanding its military foothold in the country: “Your outrage is selective, and your silence exposes the double standard.”

The IDF has terminated the service of Lt. Col. A., the Gaza Division’s intelligence officer on October 7, over professional failures and command responsibility attributed to him.

The Association of Community Rabbis plans to petition the court after Tel Aviv refused to permit physical barriers separating men and women at a Selichot service on Tel Baruch Beach. The group says the condition prevents prayer according to halakha.

#WATCH: Inside Hezbollah's strategic tunnel system under Ali al-Taher Ridge.

The IDF eliminated Hamas Nukhba commander Jihad Ismail, who infiltrated Israel on October 7 and took part in the abduction of Omer Neutra, Oz Daniel and Nimrod Cohen. The IDF said he had recently advanced attacks against troops and civilians in violation of the ceasefire.

At a ceremony for a monument honoring fallen Arabic-speaking Christian IDF soldiers, Netanyahu rejected claims that Israel persecutes minorities and highlighted Christians serving in the IDF: "We not only protect Christians - Christians protect us! All of us together."

Yonatan Yosef, grandson of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, told Arutz Sheva that portraying his grandfather as merely a political figure is "an injustice." Addressing haredi IDF service, the reservist urged: "Put the incitement and extremism from both sides aside."

A senior Shin Bet commander living in a Gaza border kibbutz on October 7 reveals the fears that she could fall into Hamas captivity: "If I fall into captivity, it's clear to everyone that they have to kill me." Shin Bet operatives recount the race to reach her.

PM Netanyahu and Defense Min. Katz: "The IDF has just struck the commander of the Rafah Brigade in the Hamas terrorist organization... Our message is clear: No terrorist is immune, and Hamas will not be in Gaza."

IDF troops operating in southern Lebanon uncovered ready-to-use Hezbollah launchers containing 32 rockets aimed at Israel, as well as a terrorist hideout and shaft. The IDF said the rockets were placed there before the ceasefire. All were destroyed.

Nearly three-quarters of Israeli Jews fast on Yom Kippur, an IDI poll found: 63% fully and 11% partially. Even among secular Jews, 47% fast at least partially. The poll also found that 57% of Israeli Jews attend synagogue on Yom Kippur.

A 19-year-old Israeli Arab firefighter was arrested on suspicion of planning terrorist attacks and trying to form a terror cell. Police and the Shin Bet say he contacted Hamas terrorists and Iranian intelligence agents and used his firefighting role to identify sensitive targets.

Macklemore has been removed from the remaining dates of Ed Sheeran's US stadium tour after several venues refused to host shows with him on the lineup, Rolling Stone reported. The move follows controversy over his anti-Israel performances earlier this month.

Netanyahu and Lapid clashed over how to fund an increase in the defense budget. Lapid backed more funding for the IDF but opposed tax hikes on the middle class and reservists. Likud said higher-than-expected revenues mean the funds can be transferred without raising taxes.

IDF Chief Eyal Zamir ordered a multi-agency response to allegations in the film #NAZA, calling them “blood libels” and “deliberate distortions of reality.” He also ordered a review of possible legal measures and whether classified material was disclosed.

Survivor of Hamas captivity Eliya Cohen slammed the producers of the anti-IDF film Naza after its Venice award, accusing them of spreading lies about Israel and the soldiers who fought to bring him home. He called for public protest while stressing it must remain within the law.

Yehuda Aharon Widawski, Israel's oldest living Holocaust survivor, has passed away at 107. A survivor of the Lodz Ghetto and Auschwitz, he devoted decades to preserving Jewish cemeteries and heritage in Poland and lived to see five generations of descendants. Photo: Yad Vashem

Marking 25 years since 9/11, Netanyahu drew a parallel with the October 7 massacre: "There is no 'yes, but' when it comes to terrorism." "America and Israel say together, we will never bow to terrorism. We will never surrender to evil. And together, we will defeat it."