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Jerusalem, 19 October, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israel has launched airstrikes in Rafah following Hamas violations of the ceasefire, the Israel Defense Forces said. Details to come.

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea – In a historic first, Deputy Foreign Minister MK Sharren Haskel has arrived in Papua New Guinea to kick off an official Israeli diplomatic tour of the Pacific, which will also include Fiji. The visit underscores Israel’s commitment to strengthening ties with Pacific nations and follows the recent establishment of their embassies in Jerusalem — a milestone in bilateral relations guided by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.

During her one-day stay in Papua New Guinea, Deputy Minister Haskel is set to meet Prime Minister James Marape and key government officials. Discussions will focus on deepening collaboration in water management, agricultural innovation, public health, and technological development, marking 47 years of diplomatic friendship between the two nations.

The tour continues in Fiji, where Deputy Minister Haskel will meet Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sitiveni Rabuka along with various ministers. Key topics will include exploring the possibility of signing a memorandum of understanding on cyber cooperation, reflecting Israel’s expertise in technology and security. The visit will also feature a special event celebrating Fijian rugby players currently active in Israel, further cementing the people-to-people bonds between the countries.

In addition, Deputy Minister Haskel will meet with local Christian communities to strengthen interfaith relations and promote mutual understanding and cooperation between faith groups.

On her return leg, Deputy Minister Haskel will make a short stopover in Auckland, New Zealand, engaging with the local Jewish community and participating in interviews with leading media outlets.

Deputy Foreign Minister Haskel stated:

“This Pacific mission represents a historic moment for Israel’s engagement in the region. Under the leadership of Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, we are building bridges of trust, friendship, and cooperation. From Jerusalem to Port Moresby and Suva, Israel is committed to partnerships that advance innovation, security, and shared prosperity. I am honored to be part of this important journey, and I look forward to strengthening the bonds between our nations for generations to come.”
 

Jerusalem, 3 October, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Hamas published a statement tonight accepting the release of all Israeli hostages and the resumption of talks. There are though some issues like the disarmament that seem not to be addressed and remain to be clarified. The statement reads:

“After careful consideration, the following response was conveyed to the mediators: Hamas appreciates the Arab, Islamic, and international efforts, as well as the efforts of US President Donald Trump, calling for an end to the war in the Gaza Strip, the exchange of prisoners, the immediate entry of aid, the rejection of the occupation of the Gaza Strip, and the displacement of the Palestinian people from it.

In this context, and in order to achieve a cessation of hostilities and a complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the movement announces its agreement to release all Israeli captives, both living and dead, in accordance with the exchange formula included in President Trump’s proposal, provided that the conditions on the ground allow for this. In this context, the Movement confirms its willingness to immediately enter into negotiations through mediators to discuss the details.

The movement also renews its agreement to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to an independent Palestinian body (technocrats), based on Palestinian national consensus and Arab and Islamic support.

The other issues raised in President Trump’s proposal concerning the future of the Gaza Strip and the authentic rights of the Palestinian people are related to an overall national position based on relevant international laws and resolutions, and will be discussed within an overall Palestinian national framework in which Hamas will be part and will participate with full responsibility”.

By Sveta Listratov • August 25, 2025

Jerusalem, 25 August, 2025 (TPS-IL) — A research team at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev has discovered a cellular mechanism acting as a “metabolic control system” that regulates energy use and blood sugar levels, paving the way for next-generation treatments for metabolic diseases, diabetes, and even cancer.

The study, led by Prof. Ehud Ohana and PhD student Noa Yehoshua, identified two key transport proteins in liver cells—NaCT and Glut—that work in perfect coordination to monitor nutrient availability and optimize energy management. The findings, published in Nature Communications, reveal that cells actively “negotiate” their nutrient intake rather than passively responding to hormones like insulin.

Experiments in mice showed that targeting this synchronized transport system with specific molecules dramatically lowered blood glucose levels by around 20% after a single weekly treatment, highlighting potential therapeutic applications for diabetes, obesity, fatty liver disease, and cancer. Cancer cells, the researchers note, exploit this system by altering Glut and NaCT expression to promote uncontrolled growth, making the mechanism a promising target for future anti-cancer therapies.

Despite suffering significant damage in the Iranian missile strike on Soroka University Medical Center in June, Prof. Ohana’s lab has fully resumed operations, supported by the university and its Health Sciences faculty.

BGN Technologies, Ben-Gurion University’s commercialization arm, plans to collaborate with international partners to translate these findings into innovative treatments for millions worldwide.

Jerusalem, 24 August, 2025 (TPS-IL) — A security source confirmed that Israel has carried out an airstrike in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen on Sunday afternoon.

Further details on the Target and potential casualties are not yet available.

By Pesach Benson • August 18, 2025

Jerusalem, 18 August, 2025 (TPS-IL) — The Israel Defense Forces recorded a historic milestone last year, enlisting over 5,000 women in combat roles, a tenfold increase from just 500 a decade ago, the military announced on Monday.

Female soldiers are now serving at the core of Israel’s defense operations, not only in support roles — including in the Artillery Corps, mixed-gender battalions, and air defense units — but also advancing to senior command positions.

The surge comes amid growing pressure on Israel’s reserve forces, where draft evasion and desertion continue to rise despite tens of thousands of new conscription orders each year. Still, the IDF’s data, presented to the country’s Defense Ministry, shows that “the military’s glass ceiling has been broken,” with more than 5,000 female soldiers entering combat service from the 2024 recruitment class.

At the same time, the IDF Chief of Staff, Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, recently announced the suspension of a pilot program to train women for elite combat roles, citing professional assessments on operational mobility and other operational considerations.

According to figures from the IDF’s Manpower Directorate, more than 20,000 women eligible for combat service enlisted last year. These recruits were assessed as medically, physically, and mentally fit for frontline duty. Of these, 35% participated in preparatory combat assessment days, and 76% of those went on to formally enlist as combat soldiers. In total, roughly 5,300 of the 7,000 women expressing interest in combat roles completed the process. “As of today, one in four women found fit for combat service actually enlists in a combat role,” said Major-General David Bar Kalifa, head of the Manpower Directorate.

Female soldiers are now a major component of units stationed along Israel’s borders with Egypt and Jordan, as well as along the separation barrier in the West Bank. In some battalions, women constitute over 60% of personnel, and some even serve aboard Israel’s main battle tanks, the Merkava. In recent years, these units have carried out operational missions in the gaza strip. The proportion of women in artillery and Home Front Command units is also rising, while attention is increasingly focused on female recruits in the elite Yahalom combat engineering unit, currently in training.

The numbers reflect untapped potential in Israeli society, especially given a persistent shortfall of roughly 7,000 combat and combat-support personnel. In mixed-gender battalions, artillery, air defense, and Home Front Command units, women are increasingly advancing to leadership positions, highlighting their growing operational significance.

Bar Kalifa also stressed the army’s efforts to retain personnel.

“We are working intensively to maximize human resources—not only before enlistment but also throughout service—to prevent attrition across the army.”

By Pesach Benson • August 13, 2025

Jerusalem, 13 August, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israel is sweltering under a record-breaking heat wave on Wednesday morning that has shattered decades-old temperature records and brought unprecedented overnight heat. According to the Israel Meteorological Service, Tuesday night was the hottest since measurements began, with Mount Sodom setting a new national record for minimum temperature at 36.6°C, surpassing the previous 35.5°C.

Eilat and Yotvata also broke records, registering 35.8°C and 33.7°C, respectively, while the Tel Aviv Metropolitan Area endured a sticky night of around 30°C with 82% humidity.

The heat wave is expected to peak today, with interior regions, including the Jordan Valley and the Sea of Galilee area, forecast to approach 50°C. “The northern valleys and Jordan Valley are likely to see their hottest day since 1942,” the Meteorological Service said. Jerusalem had already reached 35°C early in the morning, with temperatures in southern areas near the Dead Sea climbing to 37°C.

On Tuesday, Jerusalem hit 41.3°C and was briefly cooled by rare tropical rain, while the Hula Valley recorded 46.3°C. In Beit Shean, the thermometer read 45.7°C, and Kibbutz Gilgal posted 38.5 “discomfort units” — the highest ever recorded — combining 47.2°C heat with 26% humidity.

Coastal cities like Tel Aviv and Bat Yam saw slightly lower readings of 31.5°C thanks to sea breezes, but humidity compounded the heat stress. Eilat sweltered at 44°C, accompanied by thunderstorms.

Wednesday’s forecast calls for heavy heat across the country, steamy and humid along the coast, and possible afternoon thunderstorms in the south, with haze in some areas. Localized rain and storms could persist into the night. The Meteorological Service issued a nationwide red warning for extreme heat stress, warning of risks including dehydration, heatstroke, wildfires, harm to sensitive populations and animals, transportation disruptions, and possible electricity failures.

Authorities are urging the public to take precautions: avoid unnecessary outdoor activity during peak heat, stay in shaded or air-conditioned spaces, drink plenty of water, and wear light clothing and hats. People are warned never to leave children or pets in closed vehicles and to check in on elderly neighbors and relatives.

“These are exceptional and dangerous conditions,” forecasters cautioned, adding that other unlisted hazards may arise depending on local weather.

While slight relief is expected starting Thursday, temperatures will remain well above normal. Friday should bring a further dip, mainly in the mountains and inland, but heat loads will still be heavy to extreme. A more significant cooldown is forecast for Saturday.

Today’s expected highs and lows include: Jerusalem 29–40°C, Tel Aviv 27–35°C, Haifa 26–34°C, Safed 29–41°C, Katzrin 28–44°C, Tiberias 30–41°C, Nazareth 26–38°C, Afula 26–41°C, Beit Shean 29–47°C, Lod 26–38°C, Ashdod 28–33°C, Ein Gedi 34–45°C, Beer-Sheva 26–41°C, Mitzpe Ramon 29–40°C, and Eilat 34–49°C. The Meteorological Service advises continued vigilance until the heat wave passes.

Jerusalem, 24 July, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Tel Aviv-based AI company eSelf and the Abarbanel University Institute in Buenos Aires have launched the world’s first AI Jewish Studies tutor. Designed to support students and educators alike, the avatar delivers personalized, 24/7 instruction across subjects like Bible, Talmud, history, and theology. The initiative aims to bridge global educator shortages while preserving academic and religious standards.-

Jerusalem, 16 July, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Valens Semiconductor announced that its VA7000 chipsets are the core of a new camera-to-processor platform from D3 Embedded — the first to use the MIPI A-PHY standard for embedded vision.

The platform includes Sony sensors, NVIDIA Jetson Orin processors, and rugged IP69K cameras, offering high-speed data over long distances using simple, low-cost cables. “This partnership makes it easier for companies to adopt A-PHY,” said Valens’ Gili Friedman.

Scott Reardon, CEO of the U.S.-based D3 Embedded, called the platform a solution to major challenges in reliable vision systems. The product is now available on D3 Embedded’s website.