Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ignited a firestorm of criticism during Israel’s Independence Day celebrations after declaring that winning the war against Hamas is a “superior objective” to retrieving the remaining hostages held in Gaza.

Israel carried out an airstrike near Damascus on Wednesday, targeting what it called an extremist group plotting an attack on Syria’s Druze community. Describing it as a “warning operation,” Israel said the strike aimed to prevent further sectarian violence amid rising tensions in the region.

A wave of massive wildfires has triggered a national emergency across central and northern Israel, prompting evacuations, the deployment of emergency response teams, and the cancellation of Independence Day events in multiple cities.

As Israel prepares to celebrate its 77th Independence Day, the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) reported Tuesday that the nation’s population has reached nearly 10.1 million — a twelvefold increase since its founding in 1948.

Israel is preparing to significantly escalate its military operations in Gaza following the collapse of hostage deal negotiations, a senior defense official said Monday. The move will include a major call-up of reservists and intensified fighting across the Strip.

An Israeli official said Monday that there is “no chance” Israel will accept a proposed five-year truce with Hamas currently being discussed by Arab mediators, rejecting it as a plan that would allow the terror group to “rearm, recover, and continue its war” against Israel.

Israel carried out a precision airstrike Sunday on a Hezbollah missile warehouse in Beirut’s Dahieh district, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed in a joint statement, warning that the facility “posed a significant threat to Israel.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Sunday that Israel is prepared to act alone if necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Speaking at the Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) International Policy Summit in Jerusalem, Netanyahu insisted that any agreement with Tehran must result in the complete dismantling of its nuclear program.

Over 12,000 participants, including Holocaust survivors, released Israeli hostages, bereaved families, and international delegates, marched Thursday from Auschwitz to Birkenau in the 2025 March of the Living. This year’s event—marking 80 years since the liberation of Nazi death camps—was uniquely infused with urgency, as calls to rescue hostages held by Hamas echoed the haunting memories of the Holocaust.

General Michael Erik Kurilla, the commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), is set to arrive in Israel on Thursday afternoon for a brief yet strategically vital 36-hour visit. His trip marks another high-level meeting between American and Israeli defense leaders, taking place amid sensitive U.S.-Iran negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program.

The Israeli Air Force conducted a major military exercise this week, simulating a large-scale Iranian missile assault on key IDF installations previously targeted by Tehran during its strikes in April and October 2024, according to YNet News.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has condemned Hamas as “sons of dogs” for delaying the release of Israeli hostages and said the group should disarm itself.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he had a “very good” call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, adding, “We are on the same side of every issue.” He mentioned topics like trade and Iran but gave no further details.

At a memorial ceremony, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s determination to achieve all objectives in the war against Hamas and dismissed fears of internal unrest, declaring, “There will be no civil war—there will be no civil war.”

In a forceful Saturday night address following Hamas’s rejection of the latest hostage deal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared, “I will not surrender to murderers.”