Join our Community
Support ToI and remove all ads
Learn more
×
Stav Levaton

Stav Levaton

Stav Levaton is a military reporter for The Times of Israel
Hamas terrorist Youssef Ayesh Awad Ramadan is seen during the October 7, 2023, onslaught, in footage published by the IDF on June 2, 2026, retouched to include the word "eliminated." (Israel Defense Forces)
June 2, 2026, 11:50 pm
Alon Ohel rejoices as IDF kills Hamas terrorist who took him and friends hostage on Oct. 7
Youssef Ayesh Awad Ramadan among those who abducted Ohel, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eliya Cohen and Or Levy from a roadside bomb shelter after killing others seeking shelter
By Emanuel Fabian, Stav Levaton, Reuters and ToI Staff
Yechiel Leiter (far L), Israeli Ambassador to the US, and Nada Hamadeh (far R), Lebanese ambassador to the US, attend a meeting hosted by the United States at the State Department in Washington, DC, on June 2, 2026. Leading the US delegation are Deputy National Security Adviser Mike Needham (C), State Department Chief of Staff Daniel Holler (L of Needham), and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee (L of Holler). (Kent NISHIMURA / AFP)
June 2, 2026, 11:27 pm
Israel and Lebanon hold talks in DC, as IDF eases safety restrictions in northern Israel
PM said to fear Trump will further restrict Israel’s freedom of action against Hezbollah; at least 4 said killed in strikes on southern Lebanon; reservist, 3 soldiers hurt in drone strike
By Emanuel Fabian, Stav Levaton, ToI Staff and Agencies
Visitors stand at the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) booth at the Eurosatory international land and air defense and security trade fair, in Villepinte, a northern suburb of Paris, on June 13, 2022. (Emmanuel Dunand/AFP)
June 1, 2026, 7:00 pm
France bars Israel from leading defense expo, sparking outcry from Jerusalem
Defense Ministry pans ‘disgraceful’ move by Paris to prohibit Israeli firms from showing offensive systems and ban government participation, amid growing strain between two nations
By Stav Levaton and Nava Freiberg
US President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, May 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
May 28, 2026, 10:18 pm
White House: US, Iran negotiators have agreed to MoU, but Trump’s approval still needed
US official says president wants a couple days before deciding; Iran says it also hasn’t given final OK; MoU extends truce by 60 days, opens Hormuz to ‘unrestricted’ traffic, launches talks on nuclear issues
By Jacob Magid, Stav Levaton, Agencies and ToI Staff
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir speaks at a ceremony at Nevatim Airbase, inaugurating the first of six KC-46 aircraft purchased by the Defense Ministry from the United States, May 27, 2026. (Israel Defense Forces)
May 27, 2026, 8:17 pm
Israel gets 1st of new KC-46 refueling planes, greatly boosting long-range capabilities
IDF says new arrival ‘significantly strengthens the air force’s superiority’; plane is 1st of 6 ordered from Boeing, will allow for deeper IAF strikes on Iran without relying on US
By Stav Levaton and ToI Staff
Civil defense members remove a body from the rubble of a residential building hit the previous day by an Israeli strike near the southern town of Burj al-Shamali, on the outskirts of Tyre, on May 27, 2026. (Photo by Kawnat HAJU / AFP)
May 27, 2026, 5:37 pm
Hezbollah claims clashes with Israeli troops north of Litani; IDF dismisses reports
Terror group reports ‘point-blank’ battle in Zawtar al-Sharqiyah amid IDF ground advance; IAF maintains heavy strikes, a day after reportedly killing 31, including Lebanese soldier
By Stav Levaton, Agencies and ToI Staff
Mohammed Odeh, right, along with senior Hamas leaders Rafa’a Salameh, Abu Obeida, and Mohammed Deif, in an undated photo. (Used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
May 27, 2026, 1:48 am
Hamas military chief Mohammed Odeh killed by Israel, 11 days after predecessor slain
Gaza media affiliated with terror group says Odeh killed with wife and sons; Netanyahu and Katz vow Israel to ‘continue pursuing everyone who took part in the Oct. 7 massacre’
By Stav Levaton, Nava Freiberg and Nurit Yohanan
Defense Minister Israel Katz speaking during a ceremony returning a stone from the Western Wall that had been kept at HaKirya military base, to the Davidson Center in the Old City of Jerusalem, May 4, 2026. (Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90)
May 27, 2026, 12:37 am
Katz said to reverse security funding cuts for Gaza border communities, after backlash
Reported decision comes after local leaders and security coordinators warned the cuts would severely undermine safety of frontline towns
By Stav Levaton and ToI Staff
Israeli troops operate in southern Lebanon, in a photo cleared for publication May 24, 2026. (Israel Defense Forces)
May 26, 2026, 9:04 pm
IDF pushes north of Lebanon security zone; Netanyahu says Israel seizing ‘strategic positions’
Clashes reported in several towns north of Litani River; IDF says it carried out over 100 strikes in south, east; Lebanese media: 12 killed, including children, in overnight Beqaa strike
By Stav Levaton, Nava Freiberg, Agencies and ToI Staff
Former IDF military advocate general Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi is released to house arrest outside Neve Tirtza Women’s Prison in Ramle, November 7, 2025. (Flash90)
May 26, 2026, 5:44 pm
IDF chief formally dismisses ex-military advocate general over Sde Teiman scandal
Army cites ‘severity of the alleged acts’ as reason for ouster; Tomer-Yerushalmi has admitted to leaking video of purported abuse of a Gazan detainee, is under police investigation
By Stav Levaton and ToI Staff
Israeli security forces are seen outside a home in Metula, near the Israel-Lebanon border, that was hit by a Hezbollah unmanned aerial vehicle on May 25, 2026. (Ayal Margolin/Flash90)
May 26, 2026, 2:03 am
Netanyahu orders IDF to ‘intensify blows’ against Hezbollah amid surge in drone attacks
Residents flee southern Beirut after threat, as US indicates it will allow greater Israeli action against Iran-backed terror group; northern mayor expects ‘war will intensify’ in coming days
By Nava Freiberg, Stav Levaton, ToI Staff and Agencies
A man waves an Iranian flag for a pro-government campaign under a billboard with a graphic showing the Strait of Hormuz and sewn lips of US President Donald Trump in a square in downtown Tehran, May 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
May 25, 2026, 7:33 pm
Iranian officials in Qatar for talks on Hormuz as Tehran, US downplay chance of deal
Rubio says Washington will allow diplomacy every chance before turning to other options, while Trump warns deal will be ‘great and meaningful’ or there’ll be no deal at all
By Stav Levaton, Nava Freiberg and Agencies
Israeli security forces are seen at a home in Metula, near the Israel-Lebanon border, that was hit by a Hezbollah unmanned aerial vehicle on May 25, 2026. (Ayal Margolin/Flash90)
May 25, 2026, 3:04 pm
Hezbollah UAV hits Metula home amid wave of attacks, none hurt; ministers urge escalation
IDF warns residents of 10 south Lebanon towns to leave ahead of strikes on terror group; Ben Gvir, Smotrich demand major attacks, as Aoun calls Israeli withdrawal ‘non-negotiable’
By Stav Levaton, Sam Sokol and Agencies
US President Donald Trump (C) speaks during the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit in the Egyptian Red Sea resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh on October 13, 2025. (SAUL LOEB / AFP)
May 25, 2026, 2:59 am
Trump reportedly asked Muslim, Arab leaders to normalize ties with Israel if Iran deal reached
Request was met with silence on call with Middle Eastern leaders, Axios reports; it comes as Israeli officials said alarmed that emerging deal ‘does not serve Israel’s interest’
By ToI Staff, Stav Levaton and AFP
Discharged IDF combat soldier Alex Miller (Courtesy)
May 24, 2026, 4:44 pm
Discharged IDF soldier from US dies of apparent suicide after struggling with PTSD
Alex Miller, 23, was moderately wounded in a 2022 car-ramming attack, lost close friend in 2025 Gaza combat; as an only child, required special permission to enlist
By Stav Levaton and ToI Staff
Load More
Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community
Paying ToI Community members are invited to comment on articles
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By joining you agree to the terms and conditions
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community
Only ToI Community members can comment below articles
Forgot your password? / Send me a login link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.
Back to top
Never miss breaking news on Israel
Get notifications to stay updated
You're subscribed
image
Register for free
and continue reading
Registering allows you to manage your newsletters and alerts and helps us improve your experience. It takes just a few seconds.
Already registered? Enter your email to sign in.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. Once registered, you’ll receive our Daily Edition email for free.
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Register
I forgot my password / Send me a sign in link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.