Itay Blumental
@ItayBlumental · Israeli journalists — military, security, Arab affairs
Itay Blumental is a Kan 11 military correspondent working extensively with open-source verification.
Destruction of tunnels at Ali Taher Ridge
Translated from HebrewThe IDF is preparing to blow up the tunnels tonight at the Ali Taher Ridge
Translated from HebrewThe authorities in the north are updating residents: In the coming hours, the IDF will carry out a series of strikes and deliberate explosions on the Lebanon front. The echoes of explosions will be heard throughout the area, with emphasis on central Upper Galilee, the Ramim Ridge, the Hula Valley and the Golan. There is no change to the instructions for the public.
Translated from HebrewWe published this evening: Following the report in Haaretz that the UAE leader MBZ warned Netanyahu before 7/10, enormous efforts are being made behind the scenes by senior IDF officials to preserve relations with Abu Dhabi—relations that Israel defines as “strategic,” and that have strengthened even further in recent months under the auspices of the campaign against Iran. In the security sphere, with an emphasis on the IDF, Israel is working after the Haaretz publication to signal to the Emiratis that security relations are continuing as usual, and despite concern in the Emirates that the event also has political significance ahead of the elections, relations between the two countries are being maintained closely, at least for now.
Translated from HebrewSuspected UAV infiltration from Lebanon into the Galilee Finger
Translated from HebrewAgainst the backdrop of strained relations between Israel and Turkey: Today, acting Israeli Ambassador Dr. Yoel Lion @ambassadorlion arrived at the Turkish Foreign Ministry in Ankara and received his credentials.
Translated from HebrewFrom the evening edition: In the defense establishment, in recent weeks they have identified that contrary to Hamas's commitment before the "Peace Council" regarding its intention to disarm, terrorists continue to arrive at weapons depots throughout the Strip to arm themselves, and have even begun erecting roadblocks in the streets of Gaza to strengthen their control over the population. Today, two weapons depots were attacked, yesterday three. Israeli officials tell us this evening that they will not allow Hamas to pose a threat to IDF forces and Israeli citizens- despite the situation under the agreement and President Trump's American peace plan. Senior Israeli officials to representatives of the Peace Council: "If Hamas does not disarm, we will dismantle it ourselves". In accordance with the headquarters' demands, the attacks are carried out with relatively small munitions, including efforts to reduce harm to uninvolved persons - this is also the reason we have seen, unusually, evacuation warnings before the Israeli attacks in recent days.
Translated from HebrewThe tank driving Lebanon crazy: The story behind the footage from Mazot al-Sharqiya that has commentators in the Arab world and the Land of the Cedars talking — and what is the real story? *Publication with the approval of the security authorities
Translated from HebrewFootage of an air force strike on the Shati camp in the northern Gaza Strip. This is happening after Gaza reported evacuation warnings.
Translated from HebrewIDF: IDF forces arrested this week the three Palestinian police officers who were involved in setting up a roadblock in Area C near Beitunia, detaining and attacking an Israeli civilian, while exceeding their authority to operate in these areas. The police officers are being questioned by the security forces. The security establishment defined the incident as a serious breach by the agencies, involving endangerment of the Israeli civilian's life and the use of aggressive and severe force against him. The IDF maintains security coordination in accordance with the directive of the political echelon. Alongside this, the IDF will not accept any deviation from procedures.
Translated from HebrewIDF and Shin Bet: "Yesterday, in strikes, we destroyed three weapons depots in the Gaza Strip. The terrorist organizations stored dozens of weapons of various types inside the depots, including rockets, Kalashnikov-type weapons, and additional military equipment. Recently, Hamas terrorists have been coming to the depots and using the weapons inside them to carry out guard duty and consolidate control in the Gaza Strip".
Translated from HebrewTurkey's Ministry of Defense publishes footage of the aerobatic team in the skies over Egypt as part of the El Alamein 2026 air show
Translated from HebrewEmirati Foreign Ministry: The government of the United Arab Emirates does not respond to what is published in the media regarding reports or speculation about talks between leaders. Since October 7, the UAE’s efforts have focused on de-escalation, strengthening regional stability, and curbing violence. Government officials in the Emirates and Israel have maintained open and direct communication channels since relations began more than 5 years ago, and when necessary, exchanges of all relevant intelligence have taken place and continue to take place between the relevant parties.
Translated from HebrewTotally real! IDF Chief of Staff Zamir announced this evening the establishment of a new branch in the IDF, the Transformers branch or, by its official name: "Unmanned Systems and Artificial Intelligence Branch". In his speech this evening he said: "We understand that the future includes unmanned systems, robotics, drones and extensive use of artificial intelligence. Last week I finalized on my desk the establishment of a new branch in the IDF, a historic organization, the Unmanned Systems and Artificial Intelligence Branch, which will be responsible for the rapidly developing field. The vision will soon become reality."
Translated from HebrewForeign Minister Sa'ar updates: We will expel the British representatives from the headquarters in Kiryat Gat
Translated from HebrewThis is going to be a crazy episode of 60 Minutes: the American F-15 pilot who was shot down over Iran, survived 50 hours, until he was rescued in an unprecedented ground commando operation in Iran - recounts it for the first time in an episode that will air this coming Sunday
Translated from HebrewBritain's Foreign Secretary, Ed Miliband, announces sanctions against the settlements in Judea and Samaria: For a long time only the British government said that the settlements are illegal, that the occupation is illegal; now I announce that, according to the British government, the occupation is illegal: We will ban the purchase of goods from illegal settlements in the West Bank, impose sanctions on companies that finance the expansion of the settlements (British companies), and target criminal settlers". He said, "65 Palestinian communities have been expelled since 2023, thousands of Palestinians have been forced to leave their homes as a result of settlement activity. Israel is trying to bisect the Palestinian territory... Settler violence is raging, the UN reports approximately 6 attacks by settlers against Palestinians every day on average, and the Israeli government has turned a blind eye to this reality, and has even made statements supporting these settlers who acted against Palestinians. The British government agrees that this is ethnic cleansing carried out by settlers. Israeli government ministers turn a blind eye, and at worst support it". The British foreign secretary says that the United Kingdom will continue importing from and exporting to Israel within the Green Line and also opposes the BDS campaign. "We will act against the settlements and not against Israel".
Translated from HebrewAt the headquarters in Kiryat Gat, they are awaiting a decision by the political echelon: the expulsion of representatives from countries that have declared a boycott of the settlements in Judea and Samaria is on the table — among them Britain and France. Foreign officers at the headquarters are awaiting a statement from Foreign Minister Sa'ar in about two hours.
Translated from HebrewYesterday on "Olam Hayom" with my friend @Yoav__Zehavi, we discussed Chinese robots, "humanoid" robots that are certain to enter the battlefield in the future. Advanced technology, together with artificial intelligence and capabilities that were once considered science fiction, have entered use in recent years — and it is frightening to the point of being amazing. Let’s hope Israel will not be left behind in this field.
Translated from HebrewThe signs bearing President el-Sisi’s image are already set up alongside the road ahead of the international El Alamein 2026 air show, which opened today in Egypt. @kaisos1987 At peak excitement! The Russians are sending their flagship aircraft to the event, the Sukhoi Su-57, a fifth-generation stealth fighter with two powerful engines and the ability to carry advanced weaponry. After el-Sisi’s visit at noon, additional footage will begin to emerge.
Translated from HebrewHe threw an explosive device and a Molotov cocktail at IDF forces, barricaded himself in his home, and was killed with a knife in his hand: Abd al-Karim Bani Jaber, who was suspected of being an ISIS operative, was killed in the village of Aqraba in Samaria. Yesterday, following the attack at the farm in Samaria, IDF forces launched a proactive operation in the villages of Awarta, Qabalan, Yatma and Aqraba. As part of the operation, forces from the 411th Artillery Battalion, together with the Shin Bet, arrived at suspects and wanted individuals to carry out arrests and interrogations of suspects involved in terrorist activity. In Aqraba, the forces arrived at the home of Abd al-Karim Bani Jaber, suspected of being an ISIS operative, to conduct an interrogation. When the troops arrived at his home, he threw, according to security officials, an explosive device and a Molotov cocktail at the troops. He subsequently barricaded himself inside the house. The troops called on him to come out and began the "pressure cooker" procedure, which included machine-gun fire, a shoulder-fired missile and an engineering vehicle that opened a hole in his house. After the troops entered, Bani Jaber was identified with a knife in his hand—and was shot dead.
Translated from HebrewYesterday in Gaza City, the IDF eliminated the terrorist Yusuf Aqila, commander of a Nukhba company in Hamas’s military wing, who recently advanced terrorist plots against IDF forces and citizens of the State of Israel. Here is a photo of him from other days with Yahya Sinwar. They are both in hell.
Translated from HebrewTwo Golani Reconnaissance Unit fighters were lightly wounded this morning in an encounter with a Hezbollah terrorist on the Beaufort Ridge. The terrorist who was hiding in a building was eliminated.
Translated from HebrewDocumentation: Hezbollah's Al-Manar channel reporter, Ali Shabib, was injured by an IDF strike near him in Nabatieh
Translated from HebrewKosovo officially signed its accession to the multinational ISF force that will operate in Gaza sometime in the future
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