Thursday, August 20
Seven stories that matter in Israel right now, each one compared across the newsrooms that covered it.
Israel's political and security landscape saw major developments today, from a high-profile military dismissal to breakthroughs in international negotiations and a decades-old MIA case finally resolved.
- 1Defense Minister Katz Fires Central Command Chief Amid Right-Wing Backlash
Defense Minister Israel Katz fired Central Command Chief Avi Blot following right-wing backlash over an administrative detainee's arrest, a move likely to fuel further political tension.
- 2Israeli Mother and Daughter Found in Argentina After Planned Disappearance Amid Financial Troubles
The mystery of missing Israeli mother and daughter Mally and Lial Yahalomi has been solved after they were found safe in Buenos Aires, having staged their disappearance from Vienna amid financial troubles.
- 3Netanyahu and Jared Kushner Clash Over Peace Council Plan for Gaza
Netanyahu and Jared Kushner clashed sharply over the Peace Council's 15-point plan for Gaza, with the Prime Minister rejecting key elements of the proposal.
- 4Hamas States Weapon Disarmament Conditional on Israeli Withdrawal
Hamas said it has reached agreements with the International Peace Council but is conditioning any weapons disarmament on a full Israeli withdrawal, keeping a major sticking point unresolved.
- 5Israeli Parliament Approves Basic Law on Torah Study Amid Fierce Political Backlash
The Knesset passed a contentious Basic Law on Torah Study, formally shielding yeshiva students from military conscription and igniting fierce political backlash across the country.
- 6Trump Conditions US-Saudi Civil Nuclear Deal on Riyadh Joining Abraham Accords
President Trump declared that a US-Saudi civil nuclear deal hinges on Riyadh joining the Abraham Accords, tying the sensitive nuclear agreement directly to normalization with Israel.
- 7Remains of Fallen Israeli Soldier Yehuda Katz Returned After 44 Years
After 44 years, the remains of soldier Yehuda Katz, missing since the 1982 Battle of Sultan Yaakov, have finally been returned to Israel, closing a painful chapter for his family and the nation.