Itzik Elgarat, Ohad Yahalomi, Shlomo Mantzur, Tsachi Idan murdered by Hamas
(JNS) — The Prime Minister’s Office announced on Thursday that the deaths of Ohad Yahalomi, Tsachi Idan, Shlomo Mantzur and Itzik Elgarat have been confirmed following forensic analyses.
“Following the completion of the identification process by the IDF, the Health Ministry National Center of Forensic Medicine and the Israel Police, IDF representatives have, overnight, informed the Yahalomi, Idan, Mantzur and Elgarat families that their loved ones — Ohad Yahalomi, Tsachi Idan, Shlomo Mantzur and Itzik Elgarat, of blessed memory — were murdered and have been returned for burial in Israel,” the PMO statement said.
“Pursuant to the intelligence and all of the information at our disposal, Ohad Yahalomi, Tsachi Idan and Itzik Elgarat were murdered while held hostage in Gaza. Shlomo Mantzur was murdered in the 7 October 2023 massacre and his body had been held in the Gaza Strip,” the statement continued.
“We share in the families’ sorrow at this difficult time.”
Kibbutz Nir Oz announced earlier on Thursday that Israeli hostages Elgarat and Yahalomi, whose bodies were among four returned to Israel overnight Wednesday, were murdered in Hamas captivity in Gaza.
3,000 Jews visit Temple Mount, breaking 1,900-year record for wintery Hebrew month
(JNS) — For the first time since the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 C.E., more than 3,000 Jews prayed at Judaism’s holiest site during the month of Shevat, the Temple Mount Administration said on Thursday.
The Jewish rights group noted that the Hebrew month of Shevat, which started in late January and ends on Thursday night, is traditionally the least popular time for visits to the site due to rain and cold. However, this year, Shevat saw a 47% increase compared to 2024.
On the occasion of Rosh Chodesh (the new month of) Shevat, which this year fell out on Jan. 30, a record number of 536 Jews went up to the site.
Since the beginning of the Hebrew year on Oct. 2, at least 22,000 Jews have ascended the Mount, the organization stated, adding that the number marked an all-time high and a 20% increase compared to the previous year.
More than 55,000 Jews ascended the Temple Mount during the Hebrew year 5784 (2023-2024), according to the Beyadenu — Returning to the Temple Mount movement, another advocacy organization that monitors Jewish visits to Judaism’s holiest site.
IDF seizes Hamas plans for mass attack in Judea, Samaria and central Israel
(JNS) — Defense Minister Israel Katz revealed on Thursday that security forces recently discovered Hamas files proving the terrorist group had plans to carry out a large-scale assault on communities in Judea and Samaria and along the Seam Line security barrier.
The Yesha Council umbrella group that represents the approximately 500,000 Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria said in a response: “The Oct. 7, [2023], terror attack must not be repeated—nor in the Seam Line towns, nor in the cities of the Sharon [coastal plain], nor in Judea and Samaria.
“The way to prevent this is a clear defeat of terrorism — not only through targeted operations, but in a comprehensive move that will neutralize the threat to the cities of the Center and Judea and Samaria,” it added.
Tulkarem, a Palestinian terrorist hub in Samaria, east of Netanya, where Israeli forces have been conducting intensive counter-terrorism operations since last month, is located eight miles from the densely populated coastal plain.
Israeli charged with espionage for Iran after targeting Shin Bet chief
(JNS) — The Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) and Israel Police recently arrested Daniel Kitov, 26, accused of performing tasks for Iranian handlers — including being asked to photograph the home of Shin Bet director Ronen Bar.
Kitov also allegedly voluntarily offered to photograph the residence of Knesset member Benny Gantz, chairman of the National Unity Party and a former defense minister.
On Thursday morning, prosecutors filed an indictment against him in the Central District Court in Lod on charges of contact with a foreign agent.
As part of a joint security operation, Kitov was detained after being suspected of executing assignments for a hostile foreign entity. The investigation allegedly revealed that for several months, Kitov maintained communication with an Iranian operative. Under this handler’s direction, he allegedly spray-painted dozens of graffiti messages in the cities of Petach Tikvah and Rosh Ha’ayin in exchange for payment. The Iranian operatives identified themselves as “Mike” and “Roni Bar” in their communications.
During questioning, he confessed to painting graffiti with the phrases “Conquerors of Khaybar” and “Children of Ruhollah” at his handlers’ request, references to the massacre by Muslims of Jews at Khaybar in 628 C.E. and Islamic Republic founder Ruhollah Khomeini.
