Sep 12, 2026

Israel News Today: Rosh Hashanah 5787 Begins Amid Houthi Strategic Gains, Iran-China Intelligence Revelations, and Hamas Network Charges in Germany

As Jewish communities worldwide marked the start of Rosh Hashanah 5787 on Friday evening, Israel faced a confluence of serious security developments: new evidence of Chinese satellite intelligence passed to Iran before a deadly attack on US forces, a Hamas weapons network uncovered in Europe, and deepening concern over Houthi consolidation at the Bab al-Mandeb strait. At home, Israel-Lebanon talks were postponed, and a released hostage gave his first detailed testimony about captivity.

Rosh Hashanah 5787: New Year Arrives

The Jewish new year began Friday evening. At Rambam Hospital in Haifa, four babies were born within less than one hour of the new year's entry, according to Walla News. The Jerusalem Post reported that the first Jewish birth of the year 5787 took place in northern Israel — a baby girl born naturally, with shift supervisor and deputy midwife Tahrir Masalha quoted as saying: "She had a natural birth without pain medication and cooperated amazingly throughout the entire process."

Israel's Ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, published a Rosh Hashanah reflection via Arutz Sheva, calling for "peace, resilience, freedom and life" and connecting the occasion to the anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

Iran Received Chinese Satellite Intelligence Before Attack Killing Three Americans

A significant intelligence revelation dominated Middle East news coverage. Multiple Israeli outlets, citing a Wall Street Journal report, said that American officials have disclosed that Iran obtained high-resolution satellite images from Chinese sources — both before and after the July 17 attack on a US base in Jordan in which three American soldiers were killed.

Walla News reported that Washington raised the matter directly with Beijing, which denied involvement and demanded evidence. Ynet noted that the disclosure comes less than two weeks before Chinese President Xi Jinping is due to visit the White House, with American officials describing the consequences of Chinese support for Iran as "lethal." Maariv added that the US has been cautious in its public response given the timing of the upcoming summit.

The episode adds to a pattern: Maariv also reported that multiple sources now attest to direct Iranian involvement in the Houthi military operations in Yemen, with Iran moving quickly to claim credit following the Houthis' recent advances.

Houthi Consolidation at Bab al-Mandeb: What Comes Next

Following yesterday's confirmed Houthi takeover of the Yemeni side of the Bab al-Mandeb strait, new analysis appeared in today's sources. Ynet reported that within two days the Houthis captured al-Mukha and advanced southward toward an island from which, sources said, they would not even require advanced weapons to threaten shipping. Ynet quoted a source describing the assault: "They launched waves of fighters and weapons — we appealed to the US, which promised that Saudi air support was on the way." That support did not arrive.

Maariv reported that some of the recent drone attacks against Saudi Arabia originated from within Iraqi territory. Experts cited in Maariv warned of Iranian coordination and called for a new international coalition to address what they described as a fundamental shift in Red Sea security.

Separately, Maariv reported that the US has asked tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz to pass only at specific times, so American forces can better protect them — a sign of how far maritime risk has spread.

Hamas Weapons Network Charged in Germany

In a development with direct relevance for diaspora Jewish communities in Europe, Ynet reported that charges have been filed in Germany against seven Hamas members who allegedly formed a weapons infrastructure and planned attacks against Israelis and Jews across Europe. According to the report, the cell acquired pistols, an automatic rifle and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, stored weapons in Vienna, and filmed a video linked to a German source. The alleged plan was timed to mark two years since the October 7 massacre. Ynet described the network as an example of Hamas's operational infrastructure inside Europe.

Israel-Lebanon Talks Postponed to October; Venue Shifts to Washington

Planned Israel-Lebanon negotiations, which had been scheduled for next week, have been postponed until October, according to multiple sources. The Jerusalem Post cited the US State Department as saying the next round of talks will take place in Washington rather than Rome, where the first round was held on 4 August. Ynet reported that an American mediator told AFP the delay was due to scheduling conflicts including the UN General Assembly session and a conference in Paris. Maariv added that ambassadors are still expected to meet for preliminary discussions in Washington in the interim.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun made an unannounced visit to Nabatieh in southern Lebanon — a Hezbollah stronghold — where he declared: "The south is a fundamental part of Lebanon; the time has come for the state to return to the south," according to Maariv. He also criticised Israel, saying it was "exploiting the vacuum for strikes." Separately, Maariv quoted the Lebanese president as saying there are "no plans for negotiations with Israel at this stage."

Ynet published photographs of the Ali Taher ridge following what it described as a detonation using 1,100 tonnes of explosives — the site of a former Hezbollah strategic facility — noting that Aoun's surprise appearance in Nabatieh took place approximately 3.5 kilometres from that location.

Syrian Sector: IDF Raids Kill 14, North Command Under Scrutiny

Walla News reported that while public and military attention has been focused on the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon and Iran, the Syrian Golan Heights sector has not been quiet. Terror groups have been attempting to establish a foothold in the area, according to the report. Officers have raised criticism of resource allocation, but Northern Command pointed to operational achievements, stating that three raids killed 14 militants. Walla described the Syrian front as being "pushed to the corner" of public awareness despite ongoing activity.

Released Hostage Omer Shem Tov Speaks Out

Omer Shem Tov, a hostage released from Gaza captivity, gave extensive testimony in interviews published across Maariv on Friday. He revealed that fellow released hostage Eli Sharabi told him that hunger was the hardest aspect of captivity, while for Shem Tov himself something else broke him — details he chose not to disclose fully. In separate quotes, he described shame and fear of judgment over a moment during captivity: "I'm afraid they'll be angry at me." He also described the shock of seeing a Hamas-related reminder appear on his phone calendar after his release. Maariv described these as a special interview series published to coincide with the new year.

Phuket Chabad House Cancels Rosh Hashanah Meal After Protest

The Jerusalem Post reported that the Chabad House in Phuket, Thailand, cancelled its Rosh Hashanah communal meal following an anti-Israel protest. The protest organisers framed their action as "an important step in protecting the traditions and customs of the Thai people from disturbances by foreigners," according to the Post. The cancellation is a tangible consequence for Jewish travellers and expatriates in Thailand marking the new year.

Aliyah Authority Eyes Diaspora Communities as Post-War Target

Walla News published a Rosh Hashanah interview with the director-general of Israel's Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, who said the ministry is focusing on bringing Jews from France, the United Kingdom, South Africa and Australia, alongside recruitment of scientists, teachers and doctors, and support for immigrant soldiers and their families. She said: "When the war calms down, we will see a rise in aliyah." Walla noted that Knesset data point to difficulty in persuading the hundreds of thousands of Israelis currently living abroad to return.

Israeli AI Entrepreneur Pleads Guilty to $27 Million Investor Fraud

Ilit Raz, founder of Israeli artificial intelligence startup Joonko, pleaded guilty in a federal court in Manhattan to securities fraud, according to Walla News and Maariv. She admitted to providing investors with false information about clients, revenues and the scale of the company's operations — presenting major corporations as clients when they were not. Walla reported the amount raised through the allegedly fraudulent presentations at approximately $21 million; Maariv placed the figure at $27 million. The two outlets differ on this figure and neither has been reconciled in the available sources.