IDF strikes terrorist in Southern Lebanon
(JNS) — Israel struck a terrorist operative in the Ansariyah area of southwestern Lebanon, the security services said on Dec. 25.
The joint Israel Defense Forces and Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) statement did not specify the name or affiliation of the terrorist, although the military has carried out frequent attacks on Hezbollah targets to prevent the Iranian proxy army from rebuilding its capabilities since the U.S.-brokered truce took hold more than a year ago.
Later on Dec. 25, the IDF struck a Hezbollah terrorist in the village of Al-Jamijmah in Southern Lebanon, according to a separate statement.
The IDF on Dec. 24 carried out strikes against several Hezbollah missile launch sites in Southern Lebanon.
“The presence of these launching sites constitutes a violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon,” said the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.
“The IDF will continue to operate to remove any threat against the State of Israel and to prevent attempts by Hezbollah to reestablish capabilities,” the statement added.
On Monday, Israel’s military killed three Hezbollah operatives involved in advancing attacks against troops and in reestablishing terrorist infrastructure in the Sidon area of southwestern Lebanon.
An initial review found that one of the terrorists killed in the airstrike had also served in a Lebanese Armed Forces’ military intelligence unit.
Netanyahu meets parents of last Gaza hostage
(JNS) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, met in Florida Monday with the parents of slain Israel Border Police Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, the last Israeli held in Gaza.
The meeting took place shortly after the couple arrived in the United States. Netanyahu was scheduled to meet later Dec. 29 with President Donald Trump and other senior administration officials.
Netanyahu told the parents, Tali and Itzik Gvili, that Israel is making every effort to return their son’s body for burial, calling him a “heroic soldier.”
Sara Netanyahu expressed support and solidarity with the family during what the Prime Minister’s Office described as an emotional meeting.
Defense Minister Katz says Nahal groups in Gaza Strip are not settlements
(JNS) — Defense Minister Israel Katz on Dec. 25 clarified comments he made earlier this week about the establishment of Nahal groups in the Gaza Strip.
“In the northern part, it will be possible, according to my vision, and when the time comes, in an orderly manner, to establish Nahal core groups,” Katz said on Dec. 25, speaking during a conference of the Hebrew newspaper Makor Rishon.
“Since there are elements that tried to interpret my words as a declaration of the establishment of settlements in all of Gaza, I have clarified my words and it is appropriate to clarify that there are political moves and other things here,” he added.
On Tuesday, Katz announced that the government would establish Nahal groups in the northern Gaza Strip. Nahal is a program within the Israel Defense Forces that combines military service with educational and social welfare projects, often involving community building.
“This government is a government of settlement. It strives toward its goal. If sovereignty is possible, we will apply sovereignty. We are in a period of ‘practical sovereignty’ now,” he said.
His comments raised eyebrows among American forces headquartered in Israel as they appeared to contradict the U.S. administration’s plan for Gaza.
It also appeared to contradict earlier statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has publicly stated he does not support Jewish settlement of the Gaza Strip.
Bahrain’s crown prince meets Israeli envoy in Manama
(JNS) — Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa met with Israeli Ambassador Shmuel Revel in Manama on Dec. 25 as part of continued diplomatic engagement between the two countries amid regional uncertainty.
“His Royal Highness reaffirmed the Kingdom of Bahrain’s unwavering commitment to advancing the principles of peace and mutual coexistence,” Bahrain’s Royal Palace said in a statement. “During the meeting, the latest regional and international developments were discussed.”
The talks aimed to reinforce diplomatic ties and discuss ways to expand economic cooperation, framed as a continuation of bilateral engagement following the normalization of relations between Israel and Bahrain under the Abraham Accords in 2020, according to the Israeli embassy.
The discussions emphasized the importance of maintaining open and direct channels of communication, adding that both parties underscored the value of steady coordination and mutual consultation as a foundation for the bilateral relationship.
The meeting came a week after Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar congratulated King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on the kingdom’s National Day. Sa’ar praised Bahrain’s participation in the Abraham Accords and underscored continued cooperation based on dialogue and partnership.
IDF kills terrorist who violated Gaza truce
(JNS) — The Israel Defense Forces on Dec. 25 killed a Palestinian terrorist who violated the ceasefire by crossing the Yellow Line in Gaza, the military said.
Troops operating in the northern Strip identified a terrorist who approached their position and posed an immediate threat, prompting them to respond, the IDF said.
The Yellow Line demarcates the Israeli military withdrawal under the U.S.-brokered ceasefire with the Hamas terrorist group that went into effect on Oct. 10. Israel controls about 53% of Gaza under Phase 1 of President Donald Trump’s peace plan.
Israeli soldiers have in recent months been operating along the Yellow Line in northern Gaza to dismantle terrorist infrastructure, above and below ground.
Troops from the Northern Gaza “Gefen” Brigade, in coordination with the Combat Engineering Corps’ elite Yahalom Unit, dismantled more than four kilometers of tunnels used by Hamas for attacks against the IDF, the military said on Dec. 25.
The troops also located about 10 mortar shells concealed inside a children’s blanket in a residence in the Beit Hanoun area. During the operation, they also killed dozens of terrorists who crossed the Yellow Line and posed an immediate threat.
“IDF troops under the Southern Command continue to operate against the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip in order to protect the security of the State of Israel,” the military said.
