Sep 24, 2026

Israel News Today: IDF Kills Hamas Hostage-Keeper and Finance Chief, Antisemitic Knife Attack in New York, and Netanyahu Heads to UN

The IDF has eliminated two senior Hamas figures in Gaza, including a commander who helped hold seven Israeli hostages captive. Meanwhile, a yeshiva student was chased at knifepoint by a man shouting Nazi slogans in New York, and Israel's ambassador to the United States rushed home after his son underwent emergency brain surgery. Netanyahu is preparing to address the UN General Assembly in New York, accompanied by a broad Israeli campaign against Iran.

IDF Eliminates Hamas Commander Who Held Seven Hostages

The IDF confirmed it has eliminated Mahmoud Abd al-Fattah Awad, a Hamas commander whom the military says helped hold seven Israeli hostages captive in a tunnel in Gaza, according to Arutz Sheva. The IDF said Awad also planned new attacks and worked to rebuild Hamas's operational capabilities.

In a separate strike, the IDF and Shin Bet confirmed they have also eliminated Muhammad Abu Alwan, identified as Hamas's finance chief, who directed what the IDF describes as more than one billion shekels funnelled to the terror organisation. Abu Alwan is also accused of working to rebuild Hamas's capabilities during the ceasefire period, Arutz Sheva reported.

The IDF's Commando Brigade has also been deployed into what Maariv described as a "hornets' nest" in an area that is neither Lebanon nor Gaza, prompting what the outlet described as alarm in the Arab world. Separately, Ynet reported that the IDF is deploying an additional divisional headquarters to the West Bank during the holiday period, citing a chain of recent terror attacks. A senior military source told Ynet that there are currently no specific warnings, but that the deployment is intended to improve operational effectiveness.

West Bank: Tunnel, Arms Cache Uncovered

Israeli police discovered a deep excavation tunnel and an arms cache in the West Bank, the Jerusalem Post reported. Officers seized an M16 rifle, a sniper rifle, ammunition and magazines, as well as mobile phones and a substance believed to be usable in the preparation of explosive devices. A number of arrests were made.

The IDF also demolished the home of the terrorist responsible for the attack in which Yehuda Sherman was killed, according to Maariv.

Israeli Ambassador Returns Home as Son Fights for His Life

Israel's Ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, returned to Israel on Thursday morning to be at the bedside of his son, Neria, who underwent hours-long emergency brain surgery overnight, Arutz Sheva reported. Leiter said publicly that his son's life is in danger, and described the situation as different in kind from the night he received notification of a soldier's death at his door. The family's ordeal is being closely followed in Israel.

Antisemitic Knife Attack in New York

A man armed with a knife chased a yeshiva student through the streets of New York in the early hours of the morning, shouting "Heil Hitler," according to Maariv, which cited a report by the Chabad community news site COLlive. The incident reportedly began at around 2:30 a.m. The suspect followed the student, threatened him and hurled rubbish bins at him before drawing a knife and giving chase. The report did not specify whether the suspect was apprehended.

For Jewish communities in the diaspora, this is a stark reminder that high-profile antisemitic violence in major Western cities remains a live threat — not an abstraction. The attack comes as Netanyahu is in New York for the UN General Assembly, at a moment when the city has an elevated Jewish and Israeli presence.

Netanyahu at the UN: Meetings, an Anti-Iran Campaign, and Tight Scheduling

Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to address the UN General Assembly in New York. The Jerusalem Post reported that he is not expected to hold many bilateral meetings due to tight scheduling — he is flying into a military airfield in New Jersey, travelling to Manhattan for his speech, and returning to Israel the same day. Netanyahu's office told Ynet that his confirmed bilateral meetings include the presidents of Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Panama and Ethiopia, the Vice President of Colombia, and the Prime Ministers of Greece, Slovenia and Papua New Guinea. A meeting with Donald Trump is not listed.

Ahead of the speech, Maariv reported that Israel has launched a broad campaign against Iran in New York. Defense Minister Israel Katz used the occasion to attack Turkish President Erdogan on X/Twitter, accusing him of financing and embracing Hamas and of dreaming of "restoring the Ottoman Empire," according to the Jerusalem Post, which described Katz calling Erdogan a "paper sultan."

A Walla News commentary was sharply critical of Netanyahu's approach to the UN, arguing that Israel needs improved international relations more than it needs a speech that produces good feelings domestically.

AMIA Bombing: Charges Filed 32 Years On

In a development with profound resonance for Jewish diaspora communities, Maariv reported that charges have been filed against seven Iranian nationals and one Lebanese national — identified as a Hezbollah operative — in connection with the 1994 AMIA bombing in Buenos Aires, in which 85 people were killed when a car bomb exploded outside the Jewish community centre. Iran has consistently denied involvement. The filing of charges, 32 years after the attack, will be closely watched by Jewish communities in Argentina, Europe and beyond.

Pro-Regime Rallies in Iran: "Until the Zionists Are Destroyed"

Ynet reported on pro-regime rallies in Iran marking what the authorities called "200 days of support demonstrations." The events reportedly featured missile displays and crowds chanting "Death to Israel," including after a mass wedding ceremony. Iran researcher Dany Citrinowicz, cited by Maariv, analysed the broader standoff with Tehran, arguing that American pressure is not leading Iran toward capitulation, and that Iranian leadership believes Trump will return to intensive military pressure after the US midterm elections.

A Hostage Survivor Marks Sukkot

In a moment of humanity amid the ongoing trauma of the hostage crisis, Arutz Sheva reported that Gaza captivity survivor Yosef Haim Ohana described how his father had purchased the Four Species for him while he was still being held in Gaza — and recalled the moment after his release when he was finally able to recite the blessing over them. Maariv also reported that young members of the Sayeret Sha'an unit are building sukkot in memory of fallen comrades Yehonatan Yaakov Deutsch and Segev Schwartz.

Israeli TV Veteran Menashe Raz Dies at 80

Menashe Raz, a television presenter, journalist and director who served as the face of several programmes on Channel 1, has died at the age of 80, the Jerusalem Post reported.

Israeli Election Disqualification Hearings Continue

Israel's Central Elections Committee continued its marathon disqualification hearings on Thursday, following yesterday's rulings barring several Arab party figures and lists from running. Today's session turned to Otzma Yehudit, Religious Zionism-Feiglin and the Democrats. The Attorney General told the committee that while some parties came close to the legal boundary, there is insufficient evidence to disqualify any of them, according to Ynet. Maariv reported that the Attorney General's formal position is that none of the parties before the committee today should be disqualified.