Israel's war against Hamas, dubbed Swords of Iron, entered its 19th week on Saturday. The war began on October 7th, the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, when Hamas launched an assault by land sea, and air, massacring over 1,200 and taking 240 Israelis and foreigners hostage. As the war continues, IDF forces continue to advance through southern and central Gaza as terrorists continue launching rockets at the Jewish state from Lebanon and Gaza. Over the past week, discussions have begun heating up over an expected Israeli operation in Rafah, the Gaza Strip's southernmost city to where many Gazans have evacuated after operations in other areas.
Red alert sirens continued to sound in northern Israel on Saturday. The IDF responded by striking Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
Live updates:
Saturday, 7:52 p.m.: The IDF struck a series of operational command and control centers in the central Gaza Strip in which Hamas terrorists were operating, the IDF reported.
The statement added that, "A short while ago, IDF fighter jets completed a series of strikes against the Hamas terrorist organization in the areas of Nuseirat and Deir al Balah."
"Based on intelligence, a series of operational command and control centers in which Hamas terrorists were operating were struck."
Saturday 7:40 p.m.: Earlier today, IDF fighter jets struck Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure and a launch post in the area of Jabal Blat in southern Lebanon, the IDF confirmed.
In addition, IDF artillery fired toward the area of Wadi Hamul in order to remove a threat.
Saturday, 7:00 p.m.: IDF fighter jets struck Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure in the area of Jabal Blat, and killed a terrorist who was at the scene, the IDF said Saturday.
In addition, a military compound was struck in the area of Bint Jbeil. Over the past day, IDF artillery struck in a number of areas in southern Lebanon.
On Friday night, in response to launches from Syria toward the southern Golan Heights which didn’t cross into Israeli territory, IDF artillery struck the area of the fire, and fighter jets struck a weapons storage facility of the Syrian army in the area of Mhajjah.
On Saturday morning, just after 10:00a.m., sirens sounded in the city of Ashkelon and Mavki'im, in southern Israel.
Less than 30 minutes later, the IDF eliminated the terrorist responsible for the rocket fire.
Friday, 11:45 p.m.: Live updates are stopping at this time in honor of the start of Shabbat in North America, and will resume on Saturday night, upon the conclusion of Shabbat in Israel.
Friday, 9:14 p.m.: Sirens in northern Israel.
Friday, 5:15 p.m.: With the start of Shabbat in Israel, Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk will continue to update the site.
Friday, 3:36 p.m.: Sirens sounded in Zikim and the Ashkelon Industrial Zone
Thursday, 11:07 p.m.: A short while ago, IDF fighter jets struck three Hezbollah military compounds in the areas of Qantara, Yarine, and Tayibe in southern Lebanon.
The IDF struck an additional Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure in the area of Labbouneh in southern Lebanon.
Thursday, 6:05 p.m.: Two missiles fell in Kiryat Shmona.
Thursday, 6:00 p.m.: Sirens sounded in Kiryat Shmona, northern Israel.
Thursday, 5:52 p.m.: Sirens sounded in Kiryat Shmona, northern Israel.
Thursday, 4:45 p.m.: Sirens sounded in northern Israel.
Thursday, 1:23 p.m.: Sirens sounded in northern Israel.
Thursday, 1:03 p.m.: IDF troops apprehended a number of suspects in the Nasser Hospital
On Tuesday, the IDF officially contacted the Director of the Nasser Medical Center, calling for the immediate cessation of all Hamas terrorist activity from within the hospital and the immediate evacuation of all Hamas terrorists from within.
Thursday, 12:19 p.m.: A short while ago, IDF fighter jets struck dozens of Hezbollah terror targets in the area of Wadi Saluki, including launch posts, military structures, and terrorist infrastructure.
Additionally, this morning, fighter jets struck Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure in the area of Labbouneh.
Furthermore, a Hezbollah military structure in the area of Taybeh was struck overnight.
Thursday, 11:33 a.m.: The IDF is conducting a precise and targeted operation in Gaza's Nasser Hospital, following credible intelligence that hostages were held there, and that terrorists are currently operating out of the hospital.
Thursday, 5:31 a.m.: The leaders of Canada, Australia and New Zealand called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and expressed concern over an possible Israeli military operation in Rafah.
"We are gravely concerned by indications that Israel is planning a ground offensive into Rafah. A military operation into Rafah would be catastrophic," said the statement, which added, "An immediate humanitarian ceasefire is urgently needed."
Thursday, 4:29 a.m.: US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke on Wednesday with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
In a statement, the Pentagon said the two discussed "Israel's hostage rescue that returned two citizens back home to their families and ongoing negotiations to secure the release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas."
"Minister Gallant provided an update on military operations in Khan Younis. Secretary Austin and Minister Gallant also discussed the importance of safeguarding civilians and ensuring the movement of and access to humanitarian assistance before any operations against Hamas in Rafah," the statement added.
Wednesday, 9:00 p.m.: Sirens sounded in Zikim and the Ashkelon Industrial Zone in southern Israel.
Wednesday, 8:50 p.m.: Hezbollah has announced the elimination of its 195th terrorist since the beginning of the war.
Wednesday, 4:57 p.m.: IDF fighter jets on Wednesday struck a series of Hezbollah terror targets in the areas of Jabal el Braij, Houneh, Dunin, Aadchit, and Souaneh.
Among the targets struck were military compounds, operational control rooms, and terror infrastructure used by Hezbollah terrorists. Several targets belonged to the Redwan Forces.
Wednesday, 10:43 a.m.: Eight people injured in the barrage on northern Israel have been evacuated to Ziv Medical Center in Tzfat.
Wednesday, 10:18 a.m.: The IDF confirmed: "A short while ago, numerous launches were identified crossing from Lebanon into the areas of Netu'a, Manara, and into an IDF base in northern Israel."
"The IDF struck the sources of the fire."
Wednesday, 10:08 a.m.: Reports say that at least eight missiles were fired in the barrage on Tzfat. One person has died, while the number of injured in the barrage has risen to seven.
Wednesday, 9:53 a.m.: Sirens sounded in Manara, northern Israel.
Wednesday, 9:48 a.m.: Some of the missiles fired towards northern Israel were aimed at the IDF's Northern Command, reports say.
Wednesday, 9:26 a.m.: The number of injured in the barrage on Tzfat has risen to five.
Wednesday, 9:24 a.m.: Reports say that four people were injured in the recent barrage on Tzfat.
Wednesday, 9:17 a.m.: Sirens sounded in northern Israel.
Wednesday, 9:13 a.m.: Sirens sounded again in northern Israel.
Wednesday, 9:05 a.m.: Sirens sounded in northern Israel.
Wednesday, 9:06 a.m.: Sirens sounded in Netu'a, northern Israel.
Tuesday, 11:17 p.m.: IDF fighter jets on Tuesday evening struck a military post in the area of Ramyeh, as well as an additional military post in Ras Al Far'a from which launches toward Israeli territory were carried out in the past.
Earlier on Tuesday, two launches from Lebanon toward the area of Har Dov which fell in open areas were identified.
In response, the IDF struck the sources of the fire, as well as additional areas in southern Lebanon.
Tuesday, 5:03 p.m.: IDF fighter jets struck a number of Hezbollah military compounds in which Hezbollah terrorists operated, an observation post, and additional terrorist infrastructure in the areas of Houla, Khilat al-Daba, Yaroun, Meiss El Jabal, Yarine, and Shikhin in southern Lebanon.
In addition, IDF fighter jets struck additional Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure in the area of Ramyeh. Throughout the day, IDF artillery fired toward a number of locations in southern Lebanon.
"Hezbollah’s military activity south of the Litani River in Lebanon, including the use and storage of armaments, is a clear violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The IDF will continue to defend Israel’s borders from any threat," the IDF stated.
Tuesday, 11:40 a.m.: Hezbollah has taken responsibility for additional rocket fire towards Israel.
Tuesday, 11:31 a.m.: Two people suffered severe and moderate injuries Tuesday morning in a direct strike on the northern city of Kiryat Shmona.
Tuesday, 11:10 a.m.: Sirens sounded in Kiryat Shemona, northern Israel.
Tuesday, 8:15 a.m.: At least two rockets were fired towards the northern town of Margaliot. No one was injured.
Tuesday, 6:58 a.m.: Sirens sounded in Netiv HaAssara, located near the border with Gaza.
Tuesday, 12:18 a.m.: IDF fighter jets on Monday night struck Hezbollah terror infrastructure in the area of Tallouseh in southern Lebanon, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit said.
Earlier, according to the statement, IDF fighter jets struck a military compound in the area of Blida, and IDF mortars struck a Hezbollah observation post in the area of Khiam.
Throughout the day, numerous launches were identified crossing from Lebanon into Israeli territory.
Monday, 3:22 p.m.: Sirens sounded in Zarit, northern Israel.
Monday, 11:09 a.m.: Sirens sounded in Ein HaBesor in the Gaza envelope.
Monday, 2:50 a.m.: The IDF Spokesperson's Unit said that IDF conducted a series of strikes on terror targets in the area of Shaboura in the southern Gaza Strip.
The strikes have concluded, the statement said.
Sunday, 4:47 p.m.: According to local reports an Israeli air strike targeted a vehicle near the al-Rahma Mosque in the Nuseirat Camp in the central Gaza Strip.
Sunday, 4:00 p.m.: A short while ago, IDF fighter jets struck Hezbollah terror targets in Lebanon, including terrorist infrastructure and a launch post in the area of Marwahin. A military post, military structure, and additional terrorist infrastructure used by the terrorist organization were also struck in the areas of Ramyeh and Yaroun in southern Lebanon. Earlier today (Sunday), following the identification of suspicious activity in Kfarkela, the IDF fired toward the target.
Sunday, 1:21 a.m.: A suspicious aerial target was intercepted by air defense fighters, triggering the siren earlier in Kibbutz Kadarim.
Sunday, 1:07 a.m.: Sirens sounded in Kibbutz Kadarim, northern Israel.
Saturday, 6:21 p.m.: Sirens sounded in northern Israel.
Saturday, 6:16 p.m.: Sirens sounded in Ramot Naftali, northern Israel.
Saturday, 6:15 p.m.: Throughout Saturday, sirens sounded multiple times in northern Israel, warning both of hostile aircraft infiltration and of incoming missiles.
Among the locations where sirens sounded on Saturday morning and early afternoon were Avivim, Ramot Naftali, Rosh Hanikra, Hanita, Betzet, Ya'ara, Liman, Matzuva, Kfar Blum, Sde Nehemia, Shlomi, Amir, Arab al-Aramshe, Zar'it, Shamir, Malkia, Yiftah, Dishon, Gonen, Neot Mordechai, Kfar Szold, Lehavot Habashan, and the Mevu'ot Hermon Regional Center.
The IDF early Saturday afternoon reported that sirens in northern Israel warning of a hostile aircraft infiltration were a false alarm.
"Following the sirens sounded in northern Israel regarding a hostile aircraft infiltration, it was determined to be a false identification," the IDF said. "The incident has concluded."
"A short while ago, IDF fighter jets struck a Hezbollah military compound in the area of Bint Jbeil and a Hezbollah observation post in the area of Markaba.
"In addition, on Friday, IDF fighter jets struck a military command center and military site in Lebanon used by Hezbollah’s aerial defense unit.
"Hezbollah’s military activity south of the Litani River in Lebanon, including the use and storage of armaments, is a clear violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The IDF will continue to defend Israel’s borders from any threat."
