Hourly Roundup 13:00 Israel · 23 Aug 2026

Stories in this hour

In the heart of Gush Etzion: PA blocking access to village, government dragging its feet'The absurdity is glaring: The state is planning a strategic community with one hand, while allowing the Palestinian Authority to thwart it with the other,' petitions Regavim
Why Israel struck Syria amid Turkish military buildup“The Meira K Show” brings a fresh, unfiltered look at society and politics in Israel and the Middle East. With her trademark energy and candor, she tackles stories too often ignored or distorted by mainstream…
Defense Minister Israel Katz says he has instructed the IDF to "act forcefully" against the launching of kites from the Gaza Strip in recent days.Over the weekend, at least four kites flown from Gaza landed in Kibbutz Nahal Oz. The army said nothing suspicious was found on the
High Court of Justice frees NIS 78m. for Religious Services Ministry, wider budget freeze remainsThe freeze stems from a petition challenging an August 4 Knesset Finance Committee meeting held during the election recess
Israel claims strikes at Syria's Abu al-Duhur prevented Turkish expansion toward northern borderAccording to the government announcement, Israeli intelligence had identified that troops from Turkey were going to deploy at the airbase, which is less than 200 miles from Israel
Hamas in talks with former Fatah rival Mohammed Dahlan ahead of Palestinian electionsThe election, set to be held on November 28, 2026, will be the first Palestinian legislative election in two decades, following Hamas’s takeover of the Gaza Strip a year after the previous election
Gal De Paz cast as Shoshana Damari in new musical about Israeli iconRising Star runner-up Gal De Paz will make her theatrical debut portraying Israeli music icon Shoshana Damari in a new biographical musical tracing the singer’s life and career
Documentation of the brawl that led to the murder in Silwan, and the attack by Ben GvirA violent conflict between families in East Jerusalem escalated into the murder of a man about 30 years old and riots in Silwan, during which two rioters were shot dead who according to the police…
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan invited Iran to join newly-established Mecca defense pact - reportThe invitation has not yet been officially confirmed by Iran's Foreign Ministry or by any of the three countries that are parties to the agreement
Netanyahu decided to oust Pinchas Idan from Likud - the date on which his future will be determinedTransportation Minister Miri Regev is working to establish an external investigative committee to examine the conduct that led to the cessation of activity at Ben Gurion Airport. The court will decide on the future of…
Defense Minister: "I Have Instructed the IDF to Act Against Kite Launches"Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed the IDF to act forcefully and immediately against the launching of balloons, kites, and drones from Gaza toward communities in the western Negev • Among the measures to be employed:…
Israel warned of threat from Syria and called to strike firstAgainst the backdrop of the strengthening Turkish presence in Syria, reserve Brigadier General Oren Solomon called for setting clear boundaries of what is permissible for Ankara and not ruling out direct actions against Turkish military…

Torah perspective

Settling the Land of Israel is not a political agenda. It is a mitzvah, a divine commandment woven into the very fabric of Jewish existence. When the state plans a strategic community with one hand while allowing its construction to be blocked with the other, the contradiction reflects a deeper spiritual incoherence. The Torah teaches that partial fulfillment of a mitzvah can blemish its entire purpose. The Six Day War returned vast portions of our inheritance into Jewish hands. Every delay in settlement, every hesitation, every submission to external pressure erodes not policy but destiny. The absurdity Regavim names is real, but the remedy is not procedural. It is a return to clarity about what we are here for.