Defense Minister Israel Katz signed an exceptional order banning Red Cross representatives from visiting detainees defined as "unlawful combatants," including Nukhba terrorists. The decision is based on a Shin Bet assessment that such visits endanger state security.The order applies to thousands of inmates on a classified list. The concern: transmission of messages and sensitive security information from detention facilities.

The Binyamin Regional Council announced that reserve soldier Yonah Efraim Feldbaum, , was killed in a clash with Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip. “With deep sorrow we announce the fall in battle of Yonah Efraim (Efi) Feldbaum, may God avenge his blood, a resident of Zayit Ra’anan–Neria in Binyamin. Efi, 37, a father of five, lived in the community and worked as a contractor in the area. During the war, he put his skills to use in significant reserve service in the Gaza Strip.”

In Gaza, reports said Israel carried out strikes after the Rafah incident, where militants fired RPGs and sniped at an IDF force east of the “yellow line.” Strikes were reported in Rafah, near Shifa in Gaza City, and in Deir al-Balah; residents reported “tremors,” with two killed in Sabra. An Israeli official said Hamas crossed a red line, violating the deal by delaying return of remains; evidence gathered and the U.S. backs Israel. Netanyahu ordered a “powerful response” and notified Washington; further actions are expected.

PayPal and OpenAI have partnered: PayPal’s digital wallet will be embedded in ChatGPT, enabling users to pay within the platform and allowing merchants to sell and display inventory. The deal was signed over the weekend; starting next year there will be reciprocal use of the system. The move aligns with OpenAI’s commerce expansion (integrations with Shopify and Etsy and a deal with Walmart) and leverages roughly 700 million weekly chatbot users.

Hamas announced it would transfer another fallen hostage this evening—shortly afterward, a serious violation was reported: fire at an IDF force in the southern Strip. IDF drone footage exposed a staged display: Hamas operatives buried a bag containing the remains of Ofir Tzarfati z”l and then “rescued” it in front of the Red Cross. Israel is debating sanctions: reducing humanitarian aid, seizing areas beyond the “yellow line,” or renewing fire; no decision yet. Under the deal, Hamas was to return all hostages within 72 hours.

After meeting Hungarian FM in Budapest, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar urged European countries to follow Hungary and immediately halt Palestinian Authority payments to terrorists. He said the PA never stopped paying but merely changed the method— including via the Palestinian postal system—thus rewarding terror inmates, released prisoners, and their families, “including Hamas members.” Sa’ar accused the EU of “whitewashing” by ignoring these payments, and cited Trump’s “Deal of the Century,” which conditioned PA legitimacy on reforms and an immediate end to salaries for terrorists.