Israel's top stories
Bakri Organization Accused of Extorting Northern Businessman and Shooting at His Home
Three young men from Nazareth, identified with the crime organization of Samir Bakri, have been charged with attempting to extort a businessman from the north and shooting at his home. The demand rose from 400,000 shekels to 1 million shekels, and according to the indictment, a threat was defined that they would shoot his legs and blow up his gas station.
Israeli Crosses Border into Lebanon at Rosh HaNikra and Is Returned to Israel
An Israeli citizen crossed the border into Lebanese territory in the Rosh HaNikra area without permission. A UNIFIL force located him near the border, and IDF troops received him and returned him to Israeli territory.
61-year-old woman with no underlying conditions in critical condition due to influenza complications
A 61-year-old woman with no underlying conditions and no flu vaccination is hospitalized in critical condition at Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba. Her condition deteriorated after five days of high fever and shortness of breath, and she was sedated, put on a ventilator and connected to an ECMO machine.
Two-Year-Old Dies After Being Hit by Vehicle in Arad; Two More Children Hurt in Negev
A two-year-old toddler died after being struck by a vehicle in the city of Arad. He was brought to the Magen David Adom station in the city without a pulse or breathing and was transferred to Soroka Medical Center while resuscitation efforts continued. On the same day, a three-year-old child was hit by a vehicle in Segev Shalom and was pronounced dead at the hospital, and an eight-year-old child was hit by a vehicle in Ar'ara and is in moderate condition.
Man seriously injured after his car collides with a horse on Route 959 in the Golan Heights
A man, about 40, was seriously injured after his car collided with a horse on Route 959 near Merom Golan. Rescue Union crews provided him with initial medical treatment, and he was airlifted by helicopter to a hospital.
Mansour Abbas accuses Netanyahu: "He trusted Sinwar"
Ra'am party leader Mansour Abbas claimed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told him at a meeting at the Prime Minister's residence in Balfour, during Operation Guardian of the Walls in 2021, that he and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar understand each other. Abbas accused Netanyahu of knowing that the money transferred to Gaza reached Hamas's military wing.
Aharon Haliva's ex-wife clashes with Channel 12 reporter online
Shira Margalit, the ex-wife of Aharon Haliva, attacked Omri Maniv, a Channel 12 reporter, on X after he revealed that Haliva received a gift from Qatar's foreign relations official with IDF approval. The exchange between the two deteriorated into personal insults.
Murder Aboard Texas Cruise Ship: Suspect Arrested and Vessel Returned to Port
A cruise ship carrying thousands of passengers returned to the port of Galveston, Texas, hours after setting sail, following a suspected death of a woman aboard. A 48-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of involvement in the incident. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the victim.
Rafael expands at the Haifa Science Park with another lease worth about NIS 32 million
Rafael has signed a five-year agreement to lease two additional floors in Building B at the Science and Hi-Tech Park in Haifa, worth about NIS 32 million. The deal joins a lease of three floors worth about NIS 45 million signed in October 2025, bringing the total value of lease transactions in the complex to NIS 77 million.
Cybersecurity firm Daylight raises $80 million in Series B led by Goldman Sachs
Israeli cybersecurity company Daylight raised $80 million in a Series B round led by Goldman Sachs, bringing its total funding to $120 million. The company is developing a platform that combines AI agents with information security experts, and the round values it at approximately $400 million.
Jerusalem Light Rail's Line L3 Extended to Shechem Gate
Jerusalem's Light Rail Line L3 was extended from today, from the Tourim station to the city center and up to the Shechem Gate station. The extended line includes five stations shared with Line L1, among them Mahane Yehuda Market and the entrance to the Old City.
Maldives Moves to Ban Israelis Permanently and Restrict Real Estate Investment
The Maldivian government is advancing legislation that would permanently ban holders of Israeli passports from entering the country, regardless of developments in the war in Gaza. At the same time, a restriction is proposed on real estate purchases and investments in the country by Israelis, including those holding foreign citizenship.
Chief of Staff: The 'It'll Be Okay' Culture Was One of the Reasons for October 7
Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said at a ceremony marking 31 years since the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin that the 'It'll be okay' culture was one of the causes of the events of October 7. He said IDF commanders must take full responsibility for their soldiers and their missions.
Vote on replacing Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana to take place next week
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana has scheduled a debate and vote on replacing him for next Tuesday at 16:00, following a formal request from more than 61 Knesset members. The vote will take place on the last day on which custom permits it.
Tally Gotliv on the swearing-in of the 26th Knesset: "This is not a day of celebration, it is a day of shame and disgrace"
Knesset member Tally Gotliv arrived at the Knesset ahead of the swearing-in of the 26th Knesset and made clear that, in her view, it is a day of shame and disgrace rather than a day of celebration. According to her, she came to a day of political battle. Gotliv attacked the Arab Knesset members whose swearing-in was held on the same day.
Suspicion of Money Laundering with Crypto Coins Worth About 16 Million Shekels; Five Arrested
Five suspects were arrested on suspicion of money laundering, providing financial services without a license and fraud by false pretenses, involving about 16 million shekels. The economic unit of Lahav 433 carried out the arrests.
Kalor Stadium in Yeruham to be inaugurated this week with an investment of about NIS 14 million
Kalor Stadium in Yeruham, built with an investment of about NIS 14 million, will be inaugurated this week at a festive ceremony. The complex, which includes about 300 seats, will serve Hapoel Yeruham and the club's youth and children's departments.
Iran Denies Negotiations With U.S. and Demands Acceptance of Its Seven Conditions
A senior Iranian official rejected Trump's claims about talks between Iran and the United States and responded to his remarks. According to the details released, Tehran is demanding that the U.S. accept its seven conditions.
Clash in the Plenum During Jabareen's Swearing-In; Ben-Gvir: "Who is he pledging to? Hamas?"
In the plenum of the 26th Knesset, during the swearing-in of Knesset members, Yousef Jabareen, chairman of the Joint List, declared "I pledge." Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir interrupted him and shouted at him: "Who is he pledging to? Hamas?" Speaker Amir Ohana called for order and threatened to remove disruptors from the plenum.
Manor Solomon on Cooperation with Oscar Gloukh Ahead of Kosovo and Austria
Manor Solomon said ahead of the matches against Kosovo and Austria that he is not sure he will start in the lineup, and that the decision will be up to national team coach Ben Simon. According to him, he has no doubt that he and his friend Oscar Gloukh can play together.
Liberman Attacks Joint List After Walkout During Anthem
Israel Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Liberman attacked the Joint List after its members walked out of the Knesset plenum during the singing of the national anthem. Liberman asked: "With them, you want to form a government?"
Hapoel Haifa: Turgeman and Habiballah Injured
Turgeman, striker for Hapoel Haifa, has a small tear in his groin and will be out for two to three weeks. Habiballah has a tear in his hamstring muscle and will be out for 3-4 weeks.
Yair Golan Walks Out of Knesset Plenary During Netanyahu Speech at Swearing-In
Democrats leader Yair Golan left the Knesset plenary during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech at the swearing-in ceremony. Bennett interrupted the speech, calling on Netanyahu about his Qatari advisers.
Basketball Association Criticizes Ofer Yanai Over Remarks About Derby Referee
The Israel Basketball Association condemned remarks made by Ofer Yanai, owner of Hapoel Tel Aviv, about referee Sofi Shamash following the derby against Maccabi Tel Aviv. According to the Association, the remarks border on incitement, and "the blood of the referees is not cheap."
The Yisrael Beytenu party submitted 67 signatures of 26th Knesset members to Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, demanding his replacement and a plenum vote to elect a new Knesset speaker, and the candidacy of Matan Kahana was formally submitted. United Torah Judaism rejected the request to join the move and said the replacement of the Knesset speaker should take place when a new government is formed.
Christensen Will Not Join Denmark Squad; Coach Reveals His Frustration
Andreas Christensen has given up his call-up to the Denmark squad to keep recovering from an injury, and will miss the matches against Portugal and Norway. Coach Brian Riemer said the player is frustrated and disappointed by the situation, and that he hopes to see him back to full fitness ahead of March.
Vincent Kompany returns to Bayern Munich training ground
Belgian coach Vincent Kompany has returned to the Bayern Munich training ground about two and a half weeks after collapsing during training and being rushed to hospital. The club said Kompany will continue his rehabilitation programme from the complex.
Hapoel Petah Tikva Appeals Technical Loss to Maccabi Netanya
Hapoel Petah Tikva has filed an appeal with the Supreme Court of Arbitration against the technical loss it suffered to Maccabi Netanya, after it fielded 12 players simultaneously during the match. The club is seeking to annul the penalty and regain the point. The hearing took place on the day it was reported that the decision had not yet been made.
France accuses Iran of a cyberattack that hit the refrigeration systems of hundreds of supermarkets in the country in October, destroying food in refrigerators. Prosecutors in Paris have opened an investigation against the Revolutionary Guards' cyber unit "Shahid Kaveh" and issued international arrest warrants against its leader and two of his deputies.
Swearing-in Ceremony Ends; Arab Knesset Members Leave Plenum During HaTikvah
At the end of the swearing-in ceremony of the 26th Knesset, after all 120 Knesset members had pledged allegiance, 19 Arab Knesset members left the plenum as the national anthem began. Mansour Abbas, chairman of Ra'am, remained in his seat and did not sing the anthem.
