Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced plans to accelerate approval of the state budget, which will include a significant increase in defense spending to fund the war effort. They said controversial issues, including the conscription law and several reforms, will be set aside for now to allow swift passage of the budget. Netanyahu added that the ongoing conflict requires major financial resources, including tens of billions of shekels for security needs.

Two Israeli soldiers were killed in fighting in southern Lebanon, including Staff Sgt. Maher Khattar. The incident occurred during an operation to recover a Puma engineering vehicle that had become stuck in northern Israel. A rescue force with D9 bulldozers was deployed, and one of the vehicles was hit during the mission, critically injuring two soldiers. They were evacuated by helicopter to a hospital, where they were pronounced dead. Another officer was lightly wounded. The military is reviewing the circumstances. Photo: IDF Spokesperson

IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said the campaign against Iran and Hezbollah will continue, describing it as necessary to remove the threat. According to him, the Israeli military has carried out about 3,400 strikes in Iran and used roughly 7,500 munitions, including attacks on key ballistic missile production sites and military infrastructure. At the same time, the IDF struck hundreds of Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. Defrin said operations will continue until the threat is removed and thanked Israeli civilians for their support

Nikki Haley, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said in an interview with Fox News: “The American military may be the strongest in the world, but there is one thing even more powerful — the moment it joins forces with the Israeli Defense Forces. That combination is what changes the face of the Middle East and proves that this partnership is the greatest nightmare of our enemies.”

According to a Washington Post report, U.S. President Donald Trump has contacted Kurdish leaders in Iran and Iraq in an effort to encourage internal pressure on the Iranian regime. Sources familiar with the matter said Trump offered potential American support, including extensive air cover, and told Kurdish leaders they must choose sides between the U.S. and Israel or Iran. The reported goal is to encourage unrest against the Iranian government, though Kurdish and U.S. officials said the scope of any cooperation remains unclear.

The Shin Bet and Israel Police warned the public about attempts by Iranian intelligence to recruit Israelis through social media to carry out security-related tasks, particularly during Operation “Roaring Lion.” Officials said efforts to collect information on strategic targets and infrastructure have increased over the past year. Since Operation “Like a Lion,” authorities uncovered 16 cases in which Israeli citizens allegedly contacted Iranian operatives. Indictments were filed in several cases for serious security offenses

Nine people were killed in a direct missile strike in Beit Shemesh after launches from Iran toward Israel. The missile hit a shelter in a residential building, and eight nearby homes were heavily damaged. Some victims were reportedly inside a synagogue shelter that sustained the impact. Emergency teams treated additional wounded while searches continued. The military said alerts were issued as required. Separately, officials assessed that a strike in Tel Aviv resulted from an interception failure, killing one woman and injuring others. צילום: איחוד הצלה

An Israeli woman, a former soldier of Turkish origin, was arrested in Turkey while visiting her parents on suspicion of “serving in a foreign army.” She was later placed under house arrest following appeals by local groups to authorities. According to reports, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar worked with Turkish officials and sought assistance from the U.S. administration. After diplomatic efforts, she was released in a discreet operation and returned to Israel via a third country, accompanied by Israeli representatives.

U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a 108-minute State of the Union address, one of the longest on record, focusing mainly on domestic and economic issues ahead of the midterm elections. He also addressed tensions with Iran, saying he prefers a diplomatic agreement but will not allow Tehran to obtain nuclear weapons. Trump claimed Iran is developing missiles capable of threatening Europe and eventually the United States. The speech included verbal clashes with Democratic lawmakers over immigration.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich signed an order raising the VAT exemption on personal imports to $130, effective at midnight. The move follows the rejection of a bill that sought to increase the threshold to $150, after coalition members voted against it. Smotrich said the step is intended to boost competition and reduce the cost of living, while critics argued that expanding the exemption could harm local businesses and widen gaps with international online retailers.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Israel for two days, his first trip since 2017, meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and addressing the Knesset. Talks will focus on security, trade, and expanded technological cooperation. A key issue is joint development in ballistic missile defense, including laser-based systems, and a possible defense memorandum of understanding. India has become a major destination for Israeli defense exports, alongside growing industrial partnerships under New Delhi’s local manufacturing initiatives.

Prof. Lior Rokach of Ben-Gurion University has been selected for the UN’s new International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence. Chosen from over 2,600 candidates across 140 countries, Rokach is the only Israeli among the 40 experts appointed. The panel will provide evidence-based scientific assessments and early warnings on the global impact of AI technologies. He will serve alongside leading figures, including Turing Award laureate Prof. Yoshua Bengio and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa. University officials praised the appointment, noting it reflects Rokach’s research leadership and significant contributions to the...

A large-scale command exercise was held in the Central Command, simulating the development of a campaign from division headquarters up to the General Staff. The drill examined decision-making processes, integrated operational lessons, and improved emergency readiness. It included opening command centers, implementing defensive concepts, handling complex scenarios, and transitioning from defense to offense. For the first time, the new regional fire coordination center was exercised, with full coordination among divisions and other security agencies.

Unit 414 forces identified eight terrorists emerging from terror infrastructure in eastern Rafah. Immediately after the identification, the Israeli Air Force, guided by Gaza Division forces, struck and eliminated three of the terrorists. Additional strikes were carried out toward areas to which the remaining terrorists fled; results are under review. Forces on the ground continue pursuit and searches to locate and eliminate all terrorists. IDF forces remain deployed in the area and will continue operating to remove any immediate threat.

Despite regional instability and ongoing war, Israel’s economy is showing strong resilience and rapid recovery. The shekel has reached a 30-year high, trading around 3.08 to the dollar—an 18% annual appreciation. The Bank of Israel has avoided intervention, inflation has eased, and interest rates were cut. The Finance Ministry forecasts 5.2% growth next year, alongside a rebound in high-tech, rising foreign investment, and a strong capital market—figures drawing attention across the Arab world.

A driver repeatedly rammed his vehicle into the entrance of the Chabad World Headquarters in Brooklyn until police and emergency forces arrived. The building was evacuated and the driver was arrested, with damage limited to property and no injuries reported. The Jewish community expressed relief alongside shock, while calls were made to strengthen security and install barriers around the site to prevent more serious incidents in the future.

Beilinson Hospital marked a major milestone with Israel’s 1,000th lung transplant, made possible by the donation from the family of reserve soldier Asael Babd z”l. The lungs were transplanted into Amram Hazan, 53, a father of nine from Netivot who suffered from severe lung disease. The Babd family spoke of a deep sense of mission and giving, while Hazan said the donation allowed him to breathe on his own and return to life.

Following an official identification process, the IDF informed the family of the kidnapped Ran Guili, may his memory be a blessing, that his body was identified and returned for burial. The soldiers located the body in a cemetery in Sajaiya after examining about 250 bodies, at 1:30 PM. The identification was completed after two definitive verifications. The IDF operated on the basis of several intelligence assumptions, including burial by mistake or in a nearby tunnel, but updated information reinforced the possibility of the cemetery and led to the approval of...