IDF chief: 'We've settled the score with Sinwar' | Intensive IDF operations in Lebanon and Gaza

20:07 IDF chief of staff 'we've settled the score'

IDF Chief of Staff Lieut. Gen. Herzi Halevi, and the head of The Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), Ronen Bar, arrived at the area where Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was killed in a gunfight. Speaking to Israeli troops, Halevi said, "This is your professionalism and determination – one year later, we've settled the score with Sinwar."

19:40 - First official Israeli confirmation of Sinwar's death by Foreign Minister Katz

A message sent by Foreign Minister Israel Katz to his colleagues around the world, and cited by Israeli media, is the first official Israeli confirmation of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar's death.

"The arch-murderer Yahya Sinwar, who is responsible for the massacre and atrocities of October 7, was killed today by IDF soldiers. This is a great military and moral achievement for Israel and a victory for the entire free world against the evil axis of extreme Islam led by Iran."

"The elimination of Sinwar creates a possibility for the immediate release of the hostages and to bring about a change that will lead to a new reality in Gaza - without Hamas and without Iranian control. Israel needs your support and assistance, now more than ever, to advance these important goals together," Katz wrote.

19:16 - Hamas sources to Reuters: Indications point to Sinwar's death

Indications suggest that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was indeed killed by Israeli soldiers, Hamas sources told Reuters.

The terror group so far hasn't officially commented on the reports of Sinwar's death.

18:51 - Sinwar death: One test done, security forces working on complete identification

In a joint statement, the IDF, Shin Bet, and Israel Police said that one test was carried out to confirm the identity of the body estimated to be Yahya Sinwar but they "are working for a complete identification."

"Dental photographs were sent to the police's medical laboratory for examination and now DNA tests are being carried out, when they are finished, it will be possible to confirm his elimination. An update will be sent soon."

18:01 - Police dentists confirm identity of Hamas leader Sinwar's body

Dentists of the Police Identification Division identified the body of Yahya Sinwar's body according to pictures of the body, Israel Police stated.

"The identification procedure by comparing teeth is a quick and accurate procedure that was used more than once throughout the war and since Oct. 7," the police said.

17:35 - IDF believes Sinwar used 6 murdered Israeli hostages as human shields

The IDF believes that during the war, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar stayed in the tunnel where six Israeli hostages were murdered and possibly used them, among others, to surround himself with human shields, Army Radio reported.

17:07 - Chance encounter during routine operation led to likely killing of Sinwar

The firefight that likely killed Hamas leader Sinwar happened during a chance encounter, as part of a routine operation for an IDF unit operating above ground and not in a tunnel, Army Radio reported.

Sinwar was eliminated together with two other terrorists, whose identities have not been confirmed. A large sum of Israeli currency was found on their bodies, and the building they occupied contained numerous explosives.

16:25 - No hostages were harmed in firefight that likely killed Sinwar, IDF informs hostage families

No hostages were harmed in the firefight that most likely killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar earlier on Thursday, the hostage families were told by the IDF, according to the Prime Minister's Office.

16:08 - Israeli officials estimate Sinwar was killed "with high likelihood"

Israeli officials told Army Radio that the terrorist killed in Gaza earlier was, "with high likelihood," the Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. "All signs point to it," they added.

The body is being transferred to Israel for a DNA analysis, Israeli officials told The New York Times.

15:47 - IDF: We are checking whether Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was killed

The IDF announced it is investigating the possibility that one of three terrorists who were killed during a routine operation by IDF soldiers in Gaza, is Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

"In the building where the terrorists were killed, no signs of the presence of hostages were found in the area. The IDF and Shin Bet forces operating in the area continue to operate under the necessary caution."

"We request to adhere to the wording in question and the censorship guidelines for the sake of maintaining the security of our forces. More details later," the military said.

10:27 - IDF: Hezbollah battalion commander eliminated, 150 terror targets struck

The IDF announced that a Hezbollah battalion commander in the Bint Jbeil area was eliminated, dozens more terrorists were eliminated, and 150 terror targets were struck in Lebanon over the past day.

08:08 - Reports from Gaza: massive strikes in the Northern Strip

Sources in Gaza are reporting "massive artillery fire" in the northern region of the Strip.

07:28 - Series of sirens are sounded across widespread areas in the north: Haifa, the Krayot, Akko, the Upper Galilee, Yokneam, and many other communities

06:01 - US confirms: "We struck 5 underground weapon storage facilities of the Houthis - using B-2 bombers"

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin confirmed that the U.S. military targeted five underground weapon storage facilities of the Houthi rebels in Yemen using stealthy and long-range B-2 bombers. "The forces struck several of the Houthis' underground facilities, which contain various weapon components they have used to target civilian and military vessels throughout the Middle East," Austin stated in a press release. (Reuters)

05:11 - Reports: US and UK strike Houthi weapon storage facilities in Yemen

The Yemeni television channel "Al-Masirah," affiliated with the Houthi rebels, reported that the U.S. and the UK conducted strikes in the cities of Sana'a and Saada. Citing American security officials, NBC reported that the U.S. military targeted Houthi weapon storage facilities. (Reuters)

03:32 - Multiple sirens sound in Karmiel and several other communities in the Lower Galilee

Rocket sirens indicating potential rocket and missile fire were activated in Karmiel, Nazareth Illit, Nazareth, Shfar'am, Sakhnin, Dir al-Assad, Yirka, Ma'alot-Tarshiha, Beit Jann, and several other towns in the Galilee region.

Magen David Adom (MDA) rescue services reported no calls regarding impacts or injuries were received after the sirens were activated in numerous northern communities. MDA teams were dispatched to assist in one case involving a young woman who fell and injured her head while on her way to a protected area in the town of Moshav.

03:06 - Syria accuses: "Israel attacked in the port city of Latakia"

Syrian state television channel SANA reported that Israel attacked the port city of Latakia in the northwest of the country. "The air defense system was activated," it stated. SANA reported that fires broke out at the site. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition organization based in London, reported that the strike targeted a Hezbollah weapons warehouse. (Reuters)

02:21 - IDF: drone intercepted in the Mediterranean Sea heading toward Israel

The IDF announced that the Israeli Air Force (IAF) successfully intercepted a drone in the Mediterranean region that was heading toward Israeli territory. The drone did not cross into Israeli airspace.

01:14 - Alert in the southern Negev due to suspected hostile aircraft infiltration

A warning regarding potential hostile aircraft infiltration has been activated in the Negev highlands area of southern Negev.

Shortly after warnings in the Arava and southern Negev regions, IDF Home Front Command reported that "the event has concluded."

00:56 - Alerts of possible infiltration of a hostile aircraft in the Arava region

Following the sirens in the Arava, the IDF spokesperson updated that "a suspicious aerial target was identified crossing from the east, and the details are under investigation."

00:05 - After alarms were activated, a direct hit to a house in Kiryat Shmona

Rocket sirens were activated in the Upper Galilee in Kiryat Shmona, Metula, Kfar Giladi, Margaliot, Misgav Am, and Tel Hai, alerting residents to potential rocket and missile fire.

MDA reported that a residential building sustained a direct hit in the latest barrage from Lebanon toward Kiryat Shmona. There were no casualties, however, a fire broke out at the site. Police stated that officers and bomb disposal experts arrived at the scene.

00:02 - Report: Netanyahu approved target list for strike in Iran

According to a report by ABC News, an Israeli source stated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved a list of potential targets for a strike in Iran, following the ballistic missile attack by the Islamic Republic earlier this month. The source did not disclose whether the targets are exclusively military or when the strike might take place. (ynet)