Sep 23, 2026

Israel News Today: IDF Kills Hamas Finance Chief, Macron Row Erupts at UN General Assembly, and Democrats Move to Sanction E1 Settlement Figures

The IDF and Shin Bet have killed the head of Hamas's Finance Department in Gaza, Israeli officials announced on Wednesday, as world leaders gathered at the United Nations General Assembly in New York delivered sharp criticism of Israel. Separately, a diplomatic row broke out between Jerusalem and Paris after comments attributed to French President Emmanuel Macron about Hamas triggered a fierce Israeli response.

IDF and Shin Bet Kill Hamas Finance Chief

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz announced that the IDF and Shin Bet had killed the head of Hamas's Finance Department in a strike in the Gaza Strip. Katz was quoted by the Jerusalem Post as saying: "We will not allow Hamas to rebuild its strength, and we will not stop until there is no Hamas in Gaza." No further details about the identity of the official or the circumstances of the strike were provided in the sources.

UN General Assembly: Israel Faces Broad Criticism

The opening day of the United Nations General Assembly in New York saw several world leaders criticise Israel's regional conduct, according to the Jerusalem Post. Among the most prominent critics listed were Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Jordan's King Abdullah II, Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and French President Emmanuel Macron.

The Jerusalem Post also published an analysis arguing that Israel's diplomatic isolation has prevented adequate international recognition of the IDF's military achievements over three years of war, stating that "Israel should be in a completely different position by now."

The Macron Row: Lost in Translation?

Comments attributed to Macron regarding Hamas generated a sharp reaction from the Israeli government. The Jerusalem Post reported that Netanyahu called the statements "outrageous," with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also denouncing them. However, a French source subsequently told the Jerusalem Post that Macron's remarks had been subject to a translation "misinterpretation." According to Maariv, French officials clarified that Macron had intended to say that Hamas does not govern the West Bank — not that it has no presence there. The sources note the clarification came after Netanyahu and Eisenkot publicly attacked the French president, and in the context of the recent killing of Netanel Shukrun.

Syria-Israel Talks and UN Bias Claims

Syria's leader Al-Shaara said that Syria-Israel talks had reached 90% agreement, according to the Jerusalem Post's news roundup, while Israel separately accused the United Nations of bias. The Jerusalem Post also published an analysis of Jordan's King Abdullah's UNGA warnings about Israel's actions in Syria, noting that many people in northern Jordan have historic ties to southern Syria and that Jordan is seeking to prevent any spillover from Syria across its border.

Gaza Reconstruction: $2.45 Billion Plan Reported

Axios reported, as cited by both the Jerusalem Post and Maariv, that a proposed Gaza recovery and reconstruction plan worth $2.45 billion is set to be announced by what Axios called the "Board of Peace." The plan reportedly covers 66 projects including temporary housing, rubble removal, hospital repairs, a neighbourhood for 50,000 residents, and the deployment of an International Stabilization Force (ISF). The sources note the plan also includes demilitarisation measures.

US Democrats Move to Sanction E1 Settlement Figures

US Democrats are preparing to introduce a bill that would impose sanctions on individuals involved in Israel's E1 settlement project in the West Bank, the Jerusalem Post reported. The outlet described the move as "the latest sign of growing friction between Democrats in Congress and the Israeli government over its handling of the West Bank."

US Tightens Sanctions on Iran's Aviation Sector

The United States State Department announced a tightening of sanctions against Iranian airlines, Ynet reported. Washington warned that any party supplying Iranian carriers with fuel or landing services would be cut off from the dollar system. Ynet noted that multiple countries, including some allies of Tehran, have already announced the cancellation of routes serving Iran.

Israeli Election: Disqualifications, Coalition Tensions, and the Opposition Bloc

Israel's Central Elections Committee voted by 31 to 4 to bar Arab-Israeli politician Sami Abu Shehadeh from standing in the upcoming Knesset elections, according to Maariv and Ynet. The Jerusalem Post reported that the committee also voted to bar Ofer Cassif, with a Supreme Court review scheduled for next week. Abu Shehadeh said in response that the decision was "an attempt to silence the voice of Arab society."

On coalition politics, the Jerusalem Post reported that Likud has rejected demands from Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party for control of the Defence Ministry, and refused to cede either the Defence or Justice portfolios in future coalition negotiations.

Avigdor Liberman drew fire from Netanyahu and Smotrich after appearing to propose a Jordanian administrative and security role in the West Bank. Maariv reported that Liberman subsequently admitted he had misspoken, saying he had referred to Areas B and C when he had meant Areas A and B. Netanyahu and Smotrich publicly mocked him, with Netanyahu saying "I knew you were Left."

The Jerusalem Post reported that opposition leader Yair Lapid is to host all five leaders of the "change bloc" for a coordination meeting ahead of the elections, as the opposition grapples with disagreements over strategy and leadership.

Separately, the Democrats party issued an ultimatum to Shin Bet chief David Zini, demanding he arrange security protection for opposition leader Yair Golan by 27 September or face a High Court petition, according to both Maariv and Ynet. The party said it had provided Zini with evidence of explicit threats made against Golan and his family.

A new poll cited by the Jerusalem Post found that first-time Jewish voters could account for up to 12 Knesset seats in the upcoming election, with their support spread across multiple parties rather than concentrated in a single camp.

IDF Investigates Alleged Fake Psychiatric Exemptions

Arutz Sheva reported that the IDF is investigating suspicious patterns in psychiatric reports being used to seek draft exemptions, raising questions about the role of civilian doctors and whether an organised scheme may be involved.

Jews in Germany: Fear on the Streets

Maariv published a report in which Jews living in Berlin, Hanover, Frankfurt and Mannheim described a changed reality since 7 October: verbal abuse in the street, spitting, mezuzot being torn down, and fear of wearing a kippah in public. Those interviewed spoke of growing feelings of isolation and said they felt they had "returned to living in a shtetl." The report is a direct reminder to diaspora communities — particularly in Germany — that antisemitic intimidation in public spaces remains a daily reality nearly two years on.