Israel News Today: IDF Kills Two Hamas Money Couriers, Hebron Killers' Network Under Investigation, and Election Countdown Dominates

With Israeli elections just two days away, the country is simultaneously managing active security threats: the IDF confirmed it eliminated two Hamas operatives who had been funnelling millions of shekels from Iran and Turkey to Hamas's military wing, while the investigation into last week's deadly Hebron attack continues, with authorities still working to determine which terrorist network was involved. Abroad, a London building displaying a life-size statue of a convicted Palestinian militant on its roof has drawn a formal legal complaint from a British pro-Israel organisation.

IDF Eliminates Two Hamas Financial Operatives

The IDF and Israel Security Agency (ISA/Shin Bet) announced this week that they eliminated two Hamas operatives — named by Ynet as Alaa Ibrahim Namer Arshi and Karem Riad Hassan Abu Btiha — in an airstrike in the Gaza Strip. According to Arutz Sheva and Ynet, the two had been responsible for transferring millions of shekels to Hamas's military wing, with the funds originating from both Iran and Turkey. Maariv adds that Israeli security officials stated that money pipelines flow through Hamas mechanisms based in Turkey — a significant detail, given that Turkey is a NATO member state.

In the same operation, the IDF struck and destroyed a building in central Gaza that had been used as a weapons storage facility, according to Arutz Sheva.

Hebron Attack: Investigation Ongoing, Arrests Made for Incitement

Following last week's deadly shooting attack near Hebron, in which Staff Sergeant Ron Yonatan Roytman and Sergeant Yuval Shai Svilem were killed, new developments emerged on two fronts. The Jerusalem Post reports that the IDF is pushing for the incident to be classified as a clash between soldiers and terrorists, rather than a terrorist attack in the formal legal sense — a distinction that carries operational and legal implications. The IDF and Shin Bet are still investigating which terrorist network assisted the attackers.

Meanwhile, Israeli police arrested three Hebron residents for online incitement to terrorism and expressions of support for the terrorists responsible for the killings, according to the Jerusalem Post. Separately, Ynet reported that hundreds attended the funeral of St.-Sgt. Roytman in Ashkelon. His father eulogised him in Russian — "I love you very much, my little son" — and his girlfriend spoke of the two of them as a couple: "How do you wake up without you?"

Netanyahu Posts Atomic Bomb Imagery in Pre-Election Warning on Iran

Two days before Israelis go to the polls, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shared an image on social media depicting what appeared to be an atomic bomb explosion over Tel Aviv, according to Walla News and Ynet. The accompanying text argued that all current controversies — including the Qatar affair, the "Urich" matter, and the ultra-Orthodox conscription debate — are "a giant smokescreen" distracting from what Netanyahu described as Israel's existential nuclear threat from Iran and the Shia axis.

The move drew sharp condemnation from opposition leader Yair Golan, who was quoted by Maariv as saying: "The Prime Minister of Israel posted a picture of an atomic bomb over Tel Aviv — the man and his circle have lost it." Walla News reported similar criticism. An Arabic-language outlet cited by Maariv claimed that Netanyahu wants more than just airstrikes on Iran — and that a full strike on Iranian territory is the ultimate goal, though this claim was not independently confirmed by Israeli sources.

Election Polls: Eisenkot Leads, but No Bloc Has a Majority

With voting two days away, the Jerusalem Post reports that polls show Gadi Eisenkot leading Netanyahu, but that a deadlock remains the most likely outcome — the average gap between the two major blocs stands at 4.5 seats, with neither side reaching the 61-seat majority needed to form a government.

Controversy erupted over a meeting Netanyahu convened with Police Commissioner Danny Levy to discuss police preparations ahead of the election. Arutz Sheva and the Jerusalem Post report that the Yashar party accused Netanyahu of potentially seeking to pressure public servants for political ends. Ynet added that opposition figures Eisenkot and others demanded oversight conditions. Justice Solberg of the elections committee ultimately approved the meeting, but with conditions — it could not touch on election integrity matters, according to Walla News and Ynet.

Separately, American billionaire Bill Ackman weighed in on Israeli politics, with Arutz Sheva reporting him as saying that a government without Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich would help Israel diplomatically, arguing the two ministers have caused "enormous damage" to Israel's international reputation.

Israel on Alert Over Syria's Druze; Greece Naval Exercise

A security source told the Jerusalem Post that Israel is on alert for renewed attacks on Syria's Druze population. Damascus has reportedly conveyed messages to Jerusalem stating that its actions are intended to establish sovereignty over all Syrian territory, rather than target civilians — though Israel is not treating that assurance as sufficient, according to the same report.

In a separate military development, Israel and Greece conducted a joint naval exercise focused on operational scenarios including the sinking of hostile ships, the Jerusalem Post reported. The exercise was attended by the naval commanders of both countries and, the paper noted, could also be interpreted as a signal to Turkey.

'Palestine House' in London Raises a Statue of Marwan Barghouti

A building in London referred to as "Palestine House" has placed a life-size statue of Marwan Barghouti — a Palestinian leader currently imprisoned in Israel — on its roof alongside a Palestinian flag, according to the Jerusalem Post. Camden Council is investigating whether the installation was legally authorised, following a formal complaint filed by UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI).

For diaspora Jewish communities in the UK, the episode is a vivid illustration of how contested public space has become in post-October 7 Britain. UKLFI's legal challenge represents one of the few formal mechanisms available to communities seeking to contest such displays through institutional rather than protest channels. The outcome of the Camden Council investigation will be closely watched.

Saudi Arabia Intercepts Houthi Missiles and Drones

Saudi Arabia intercepted missiles and drones as fighting with Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis continued, the Jerusalem Post reported. The Houthis claimed they had attacked a Saudi airport and oil facilities; Saudi authorities did not directly respond to those claims. The episode is a further reminder of the reach of Iran's regional proxy network — the same network that, according to the IDF this week, is also funding Hamas operations in Gaza and the West Bank.

Sources

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