The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/stav-levaton/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Sun, 05 Jul 2026 23:10:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Stav Levaton | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/stav-levaton/ 32 32 IDF veteran who self-immolated begs Knesset: Prioritize combat soldiers, not Torah study https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-veteran-who-self-immolated-begs-knesset-prioritize-combat-soldiers-not-torah-study/ Sun, 05 Jul 2026 21:43:15 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3855821 Addressing debate on Basic Law to declare Torah study foundational value, Itzik Saidyan says highest priority must be 'the ones who go into battle... who feel forgotten'

The post IDF veteran who self-immolated begs Knesset: Prioritize combat soldiers, not Torah study appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Media watchdog rejects claim it seeks to exclude Palestinian, Lebanese journalists after Gaza terror links https://www.timesofisrael.com/media-watchdog-reaffirms-journalist-criteria-amid-backlash-over-gaza-database-review/ Thu, 02 Jul 2026 19:11:24 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3854256 CPJ pushes back on 'unsubstantiated allegations,' reaffirms journalist criteria amid backlash over Gaza database review, after ToI found some Gaza entries were of Hamas or PIJ operatives

The post Media watchdog rejects claim it seeks to exclude Palestinian, Lebanese journalists after Gaza terror links appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> ‘Zero hour is coming’: How Israel went from negotiating over hostages to the daring raid at Entebbe https://www.timesofisrael.com/zero-hour-is-coming-how-israel-went-from-negotiating-over-hostages-to-the-daring-raid-at-entebbe/ Fri, 26 Jun 2026 03:00:43 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3850176 The Entebbe rescue operation, whose 50th anniversary is approaching, is the stuff of Israeli legend. A new trove of archival documents shows how the government took the fateful decision — despite the risks

The post ‘Zero hour is coming’: How Israel went from negotiating over hostages to the daring raid at Entebbe appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Knesset to hold marathon discussions next week to fast-track Basic Law on Torah study https://www.timesofisrael.com/knesset-to-hold-marathon-discussions-next-week-to-fast-track-basic-law-on-torah-study/ Thu, 25 Jun 2026 23:02:34 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3850235 Parliament's legal adviser warns lawmakers against accelerated process, as MKs seek to push through legislation before Knesset's expected dissolution ahead of elections

The post Knesset to hold marathon discussions next week to fast-track Basic Law on Torah study appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> 20 years on, newly released military logs detail confusion during Shalit abduction https://www.timesofisrael.com/20-years-on-newly-released-military-logs-detail-confusion-during-shalit-abduction/ Thu, 25 Jun 2026 03:11:33 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3847713 Records trace initial moments after attack, with soldier only identified as kidnapped hours after being dragged into Gaza, setting off 5-year national crisis and exchange deal seen as precursor to October 7

The post 20 years on, newly released military logs detail confusion during Shalit abduction appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Zini cancels Shin Bet Pride Month event, pulls budget from LGBTQ group – report https://www.timesofisrael.com/zini-cancels-shin-bet-pride-month-event-pulls-budget-from-lgbtq-group-report/ Tue, 23 Jun 2026 20:43:07 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3848704 Event organizers reportedly not given reason for last-minute cancellation; employees said to decry move as departure from agency's values of equality and inclusion

The post Zini cancels Shin Bet Pride Month event, pulls budget from LGBTQ group – report appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Finally naming their war dead, Gazan terror groups admit some slain journalists were fighters https://www.timesofisrael.com/finally-naming-their-war-dead-gazan-terror-groups-admit-slain-journalists-were-fighters/ Mon, 22 Jun 2026 09:32:03 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3842387 A ToI review finds obituaries published by Hamas and Islamic Jihad in recent weeks include several figures previously identified as press; widely cited media advocacy database removes several names of fighters it had said were journalists

The post Finally naming their war dead, Gazan terror groups admit some slain journalists were fighters appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> US-Iran deal said set to halt regional hostilities, including in Lebanon, lift blockade https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-iran-deal-said-set-to-halt-regional-hostilities-including-in-lebanon-lift-blockade/ Tue, 16 Jun 2026 22:06:17 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3844407 Multiple reports say agreement includes $300 billion fund for investment and reconstruction in Iran; Israel kept out of loop amid leak concerns

The post US-Iran deal said set to halt regional hostilities, including in Lebanon, lift blockade appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Israeli defense industry booths walled off at leading French arms exhibition https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-defense-industry-booths-walled-off-at-leading-french-arms-exhibition/ Mon, 15 Jun 2026 09:44:15 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3843030 Move comes after France barred Israeli pavilion, government officials from Eurosatory, a year after black partitions surrounded Jerusalem's exhibits at Paris Air Show

The post Israeli defense industry booths walled off at leading French arms exhibition appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Depleted but dangerous, Hamas is holding its fire against Israel. The quiet may not last https://www.timesofisrael.com/depleted-but-dangerous-hamas-is-holding-its-fire-against-israel-the-quiet-may-not-last/ Thu, 11 Jun 2026 03:10:21 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3835710 While others attack, the terror group has largely vanished from the battlefield as it licks its war wounds and focuses on controlling Gazans, but experts warn the situation is far from stable

The post Depleted but dangerous, Hamas is holding its fire against Israel. The quiet may not last appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Empowered after Oct. 7, IDF settler units are terrorizing Palestinians, critics say https://www.timesofisrael.com/empowered-after-oct-7-idf-settler-units-are-terrorizing-palestinians-critics-say/ Tue, 09 Jun 2026 05:35:49 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3826486 Staffed by locals, including extremists, Israel's West Bank regional defense reserve units are accused of exploiting the IDF's authority as they compound rampant violence and harassment

The post Empowered after Oct. 7, IDF settler units are terrorizing Palestinians, critics say appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Committee presents proposed rehab overhaul as war-wounded strain system https://www.timesofisrael.com/committee-presents-proposed-rehab-overhaul-as-war-wounded-strain-system/ Sun, 07 Jun 2026 13:28:25 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3837960 Citing unprecedented surge in injured soldiers since October 7, panel recommends NIS 2 billion annual budget increase and expansion of rehabilitation services

The post Committee presents proposed rehab overhaul as war-wounded strain system appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Alon Ohel rejoices as IDF kills Hamas terrorist who took him and friends hostage on Oct. 7 https://www.timesofisrael.com/alon-ohel-rejoices-as-idf-kills-hamas-terrorist-who-took-him-and-friends-hostage-on-oct-7/ Tue, 02 Jun 2026 20:50:35 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3835328 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

The post Alon Ohel rejoices as IDF kills Hamas terrorist who took him and friends hostage on Oct. 7 appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Israel and Lebanon hold talks in DC, as IDF eases safety restrictions in northern Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/fresh-israel-lebanon-talks-begin-in-dc-as-idf-eases-restrictions-in-northern-israel/ Tue, 02 Jun 2026 20:27:34 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3835291 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

The post Israel and Lebanon hold talks in DC, as IDF eases safety restrictions in northern Israel appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> France bars Israel from leading defense expo, sparking outcry from Jerusalem https://www.timesofisrael.com/france-bars-israel-from-leading-defense-expo-sparking-outcry-from-jerusalem/ Mon, 01 Jun 2026 16:00:39 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3834478 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

The post France bars Israel from leading defense expo, sparking outcry from Jerusalem appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]>