Sep 25, 2026

Israel News Today: Two Soldiers Killed in Gaza Drone Accident, IDF Eliminates Hamas Finance Operative, Netanyahu Returns from UN

Two IDF reservists were killed in Gaza after a drone they were operating crashed and then exploded when they went to investigate the site. The incident has prompted IDF Chief of Staff Zamir to establish a formal inquiry team, while Israeli strikes elsewhere in Gaza eliminated a Hamas figure responsible for transferring millions of shekels to the organisation. Prime Minister Netanyahu has returned to Israel following his address to the UN General Assembly.

Gaza: Drone Accident Kills Two Soldiers

The IDF confirmed that two soldiers were killed in a drone accident inside Gaza. According to the Jerusalem Post, 99th Division Commander Brigadier-General Elad Tzuri said the soldiers were operating the drone when it crashed; they went to investigate the crash site, and the drone then exploded, killing them both.

Ynet and Arutz Sheva identified one of the fallen as Master Sergeant (res.) Nadav Kali, 24, from Har Chaluz, a fighter in Battalion 7007 of the 16th Brigade. Arutz Sheva reported that the other soldier killed was Master Sergeant (res.) Ofek Moalem, who left behind a twin brother. Friends of Kali were quoted by Maariv describing him as "a central person in our circle, and for everyone" — "simply a man of gold." Ynet reported that Kali left behind his parents, two older brothers, and a partner he had been with since the age of 17.

Prime Minister Netanyahu said in a statement, cited by Maariv, that he mourns the deaths of Nadav and Ofek and that "all lessons must be drawn."

Following the incident, IDF Chief of Staff Zamir established a dedicated expert team, led by a Ground Forces brigadier-general, to investigate the accident and prevent a recurrence, the Jerusalem Post reported.

IDF Strikes Eliminate Hamas Finance and Military Operatives

In targeted aerial strikes in Deir al-Balah and Khan Yunis, the IDF eliminated two Hamas operatives, Arutz Sheva reported. One, named as Jabr Moqbel, was described as having transferred millions of shekels to finance Hamas terrorism. The second, Hasan al-Batta, was identified as a terrorist in an unspecified organisational role. Maariv's breaking news desk separately confirmed that two Hamas operatives had been eliminated, including a commander involved in transferring millions of shekels to the organisation.

IDF Dismantles Two-Kilometre Tunnel in Southern Gaza

Arutz Sheva and Maariv reported that the IDF demolished an underground tunnel route approximately two kilometres long in the southern Gaza Strip, below what is described as the Yellow Line. The IDF said troops continue operations to clear the area of terror infrastructure.

Netanyahu Returns from UN; Shin Bet Upgrade for Eisenkot

Prime Minister Netanyahu landed at Ben Gurion Airport on Friday following what Arutz Sheva described as an especially short trip to the United States, where he addressed the UN General Assembly. Analysis pieces in both the Jerusalem Post and Maariv assessed his speech as a performance aimed as much at Israeli domestic voters — with elections 32 days away — as at the international community. Ynet's word-frequency analysis of the speech noted that "peace" barely featured, while "Iran," "Hamas," and "lie" were prominent.

Separately, the Jerusalem Post and Maariv both reported that Shin Bet Unit 730 is to take over full security responsibility for former IDF Chief of Staff and election candidate Gadi Eisenkot. Security officials told Maariv that final discussions have taken place within the Shin Bet in recent days, following a police assessment of an elevated threat level against him.

Bennett Attack Suspect Remanded; Terrorist's Home Sealed

The Tel Aviv District Court accepted a prosecution appeal to extend the remand of a suspect arrested after throwing an object at former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett while he was at a restaurant in Bnei Brak, Arutz Sheva reported. Maariv separately confirmed the suspect's detention was extended to Sunday.

In the West Bank, Maariv reported that the IDF and Border Police sealed the home of the terrorist who murdered Netanel Shukrun.

Election Polling and the Disqualification Cases

A new poll reported by the Jerusalem Post showed Haredi parties, the Yashar party, and the broader coalition bloc losing seats in the Knesset, while Otzma Yehudit gained one. The Democrats gained two seats to reach 11, while B'Yachad remained at 13 and Yisrael Beytenu at nine.

Ynet and Maariv reported that Israel's Supreme Court, sitting as a panel of nine justices, will hold hearings next week on the Central Elections Committee's disqualification of Balad chairman Abu Shahadeh, MK Ofer Cassif, and the Joint List as a whole.

Death of Rabbi David Batzri

Rabbi David Batzri, 85, head of the HaShalom Yeshiva for Kabbalists in Jerusalem and widely known for his expertise in Kabbalah, died after collapsing at his home in Bnei Brak, Arutz Sheva and the Jerusalem Post reported. He was treated at Sheba Medical Center but did not survive.

Antisemitic Incidents in Brooklyn and Germany

Maariv reported two antisemitic or hate-adjacent incidents affecting diaspora communities. In Brooklyn, a man identified as Arik Abutov, described as having an extensive criminal record, violently attacked a 66-year-old rabbi on Wednesday night, shortly after assaulting another person at a nearby petrol station. A separate incident in the same neighbourhood involved an armed sex offender who pursued a Jewish student with a knife.

In Saxony, Germany, Maariv reported that the local council in Heidenau voted to prohibit the installation of new Stolpersteine — the small brass memorial stones embedded in pavements to commemorate Nazi victims — and to consolidate Holocaust remembrance at a cemetery instead. The decision, advanced in part by representatives of the CDU and AfD, has drawn sharp criticism. For diaspora Jews in Germany in particular, the removal of these highly visible street-level memorials from public spaces carries a significance that extends well beyond local planning decisions.

Sukkot Notices for Diaspora Travellers

The Israeli government issued a warning against bringing the Four Species — the lulav, etrog, hadass and aravah used during Sukkot — into Israel without prior authorisation, the Jerusalem Post reported. The warning was issued with particular reference to Ben Gurion Airport, which officials described as experiencing increased congestion and disorder during the holiday period. Diaspora Jews travelling to Israel for Sukkot should check import regulations before flying.