Here are the latest news headlines from this afternoon that reached our news desk. The times given are Jerusalem time (GMT +3)

12:00 PM: ️Hostages' families sail near Gaza calling for return of their loved ones.
"Flotilla 50," led by the Hostages Families Forum, departed from the Ashkelon marina heading south for a two-hour journey. The forum stated that "during the sail, at the point closest to Gaza's shores, the families of hostages will shout messages toward their loved ones, hoping these messages will reach them and give them hope." 

12:15 PM: IDF demolishes home of terrorist who killed 7 people in Jaffa attack last year
The IDF demolished in Hebron the home of terrorist Abd al-Rahim Afif Gudat Himoni, who assisted in carrying out the shooting attack at the light rail station in Jaffa, in which seven Israeli and foreign civilians were killed last year and 14 others were wounded, including an IDF soldier.

12:30 PM: COGAT evacuates 160 children with medical needs and caregivers from Gaza
160 children in need of medical treatment and caregivers, as well as Gazans with dual citizenship exited Gaza through the Kerem Shalom Crossing to the Allenby Bridge Crossing for treatment in Jordan and to the EU.

12:45 PM: Health Ministry: Polio virus detected in Jerusalem and central region
The Health Ministry announced that following the detection of polio virus in environmental samples (sewage) in the Jerusalem district, positive samples were also found in additional areas in the center, including Bnei Brak, Ramla, Lod and the Shafdan wastewater treatment plant. These findings indicate transmission of the polio virus among the population in these areas as well. "In order to protect the public from polio, including paralysis caused by the virus, the Health Ministry calls on those who are not vaccinated against polio to complete their vaccination urgently. If a child's vaccination status is unknown - it can be checked on the government personal website through the vaccination record," the ministry stated.

1:00 PM: IDF Chief of Staff after clash with Netanyahu: We are dealing with life and death matters, will continue to express our position
The culture of disagreement is an inseparable part of the history of the people of Israel; it is an essential component of the organizational culture of the IDF—both internally and externally.
We will continue to express our position without fear—in a factual, independent, and professional manner. This is also what we expect from our commanders. The responsibility lies here, on this table. We do not deal in theory—we deal with matters of life and death, in defending the state, and we do so while looking directly into the eyes of our soldiers and the citizens of the country.
We will continue to act with responsibility, integrity, and determination—only the good and security of the state are before us.

1:15 PM: Indonesia Converts Remote Island into Medical Hub for 2,000 Gaza Wounded
Galang Island, once a UN refugee camp, will temporarily host injured Palestinians under a controversial humanitarian initiative.
The facility will include a field hospital and temporary housing for the wounded and their families.

1:30 PM: Slovenia announces first EU ban on Judea & Samaria products
The European country has a low volume of trade with the Jewish state

1:45 PM: IDF Orders Evacuation of Khan Younis Neighborhood
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued an urgent evacuation order for residents in parts of Khan Younis, Gaza, as it escalates ground operations in the area. IDF Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee called on all civilians in designated zones—including those in tents in the Al-Nasser neighborhood, specifically Block 110 and the eastern part of Block 89—to evacuate westward immediately for their safety. The military emphasized that the area will not be included in upcoming localized tactical pauses meant to facilitate humanitarian aid. “The IDF continues to conduct its ground exercise using significant force in your area to expand the scope of fighting,” said Adraee in an Arabic-language statement. Notably, the evacuation directive does not apply to Nasser Hospital, which remains operational despite nearby activity.

2:00 PM: Chief Superintendent Yoav Telem, lead investigator in Case 4000 and submarine affair, leaves police
Chief Superintendent Yoav Telem, who served as the lead investigator in Case 4000 and the submarine affair, is leaving the police. Telem held significant investigative and intelligence positions and managed the mission to identify civilian casualties murdered in the October 7 massacre. The police announced this, adding that Police Commissioner Danny Levi "agreed to Telem's retirement request, and the two agreed that he would take retirement leave during September."

2:15 PM: Emergency Alert for Cargo Plane Landing at Ben Gurion Airport
An emergency alert will be declared at Ben Gurion Airport within the hour following a reported hydraulic issue on board a Challenge Airlines cargo flight. According to airport operations, Flight CHZ288—en route from Almaty, Kazakhstan to Malta—has requested an emergency landing at Ben Gurion due to an onboard hydraulic malfunction. The plane is carrying four crew members and approximately 3.2 tons of fuel. No hazardous materials are onboard.

2:45 PM: Trump: Nuclear program destroyed, time for all Middle East countries to join Abraham Accords
U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social that "it is time for all Middle Eastern countries to join the Abraham Accords after the Iranian nuclear program was completely destroyed."

3:00 PM: UAE president meets Putin in Moscow 'to discuss regional security'
The president of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed arrived in Moscow for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin "to discuss regional security," according to a statement issued on behalf of both leaders. (Reuters)

3:15 PM: Missouri Hate Crime: “Death to IDF” Graffiti and Arson Near Jewish Soldier’s Home
Israeli-American IDF soldier targeted in suspected hate crime while visiting family in Clayton, Missouri; FBI investigating

3:30 PM: French UNIFIL Troops Uncover Major Hezbollah Weapons Cache
The French military released images today documenting a major weapons discovery by its battalion serving with UNIFIL in southern Lebanon. According to Lebanon’s Al-Jadeed channel, the arms cache was located in a subterranean Hezbollah compound and confiscated yesterday, with sources calling the find a “big catch.” A Lebanese army official told the channel that the tunnel entered by the French troops—previously visited twice by Lebanese forces—bore strong resemblance to the so-called “Imad 4” tunnels Hezbollah once publicized. However, Lebanese authorities have yet to officially confirm whether the site is indeed one of the “Imad” network tunnels.

4:00 PM: Leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to Sign Historic Peace Agreement
The leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan are scheduled to sign a historic peace framework agreement at the White House on Friday, according to a Reuters report. The move signals a major breakthrough in efforts to resolve the long-standing conflict between the two countries.

4:15 PM: PM: WATCH: The Dismantling of an Underground Tunnel Route in Daraj Tuffah [VIDEO]
IDF destroys terror infrastructure, including a 6-km tunnel and launch pads buried in civilian site
Hamas Rocket Launchers Found Hidden in Christian Cemetery in Gaza

4:45 PM: Houthi Leader Slams Lebanon's Move to Disarm Hezbollah
Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a senior figure in Yemen’s Houthi leadership, sharply criticized the Lebanese government’s reported decision to disarm Hezbollah, warning it could ignite a civil war not only in Lebanon but across the region. In a statement Thursday, al-Bukhaiti claimed that “the decision to disarm Hezbollah is an Israeli-American decision,” and accused Beirut of serving foreign interests. “Shifting the path of the struggle from an Arab-Israeli conflict to an Arab-Arab one only serves the enemies of the Islamic nation,” he said. He urged Lebanon’s new Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, to “recalculate” the move.

5:00 PM: Jerusalem’s Grand Mufti Banned from Temple Mount Over Gaza-Focused Sermon
Jerusalem's Grand Mufti Muhammad Ahmad Hussein barred from Temple Mount until 2026 following Gaza-focused sermon, sparking controversy over religious freedom and site access.

5:30 PM: Netanyahu meets with Indian ambassador in Jerusalem
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Indian Ambassador to Israel J.P. Singh at his office in Jerusalem. According to the Prime Minister's Office, the two "discussed expanding cooperation between the countries, particularly on security and economic issues." Following the meeting, the Prime Minister held a session with Indian journalists.

5:45 PM: Ahead of cabinet meeting: Netanyahu held meetings with Smotrich and Deri
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met separately with Shas chairman Aryeh Deri and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich ahead of tonight's security-diplomatic cabinet meeting. Yesterday, Netanyahu also met with Transportation Minister and cabinet member Miri Regev.

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