The Israel Defense Forces said that troops under Southern Command identified and killed several Hamas operatives in northern and southern Gaza" in airstrikes in separate incidents over the past day, according to an IDF statement on Thursday.
According to the military, overnight Wednesday, forces operating in northern Gaza identified several armed Hamas operatives near IDF positions deployed along the Yellow Line. The IDF said the operatives were struck from the air and killed.
In a separate incident earlier Thursday, the army said additional operatives in southern Gaza were targeted while "transporting munitions in a way that posed a threat to troops." The IDF said one of the individuals was killed in the strike.
The head of the International Energy Agency has warned that the global energy system is facing an unprecedented crisis, amid the ongoing Iran war and severe disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, in an interview with CNBC on Thursday.
"We are facing the biggest energy security threat in history," Fatih Birol told CNBC. Birol said global oil flows have been significantly disrupted, adding, "As of today, we've lost 13 million barrels per day of oil โฆ and there are major disruptions in vital commodities."
Executive director of the International Energy Agency Fatih Birol at Semafor World Economy Summit in Washington, DC, US, last week.Credit: Bloomberg
Executive director of the International Energy Agency Fatih Birol at Semafor World Economy Summit in Washington, DC, US, last week.Credit: Bloomberg
The Strait of Hormuz โ a key maritime route for global energy shipments โ is a critical chokepoint through which roughly 20 million barrels of oil and petroleum products were previously transported daily. The waterway is currently under a double blockade, with neither Iran nor the United States allowing vessels to pass freely.
Birol has previously warned that the conflict could trigger what he called "the largest energy crisis we have ever faced." The IEA has cautioned that the disruption could hit global growth, drive inflation higher, and create risks of energy rationing. It has also warned of a potential jet fuel shortage in Europe, where much supply has historically come from Middle Eastern refineries.
"Europe gets about 75 percent of its jet fuel from refineries in the Middle East and this is basically now [down to] zero," Birol told CNBC, adding that Europe is seeking alternative supply from the United States and Nigeria.
The agency has already coordinated the release of emergency oil reserves and said further releases remain possible, though Birol stressed such measures would only ease pressure temporarily rather than resolve the crisis.
Yair Golan and MK Gilad Kariv said Thursday that political incitement against the Supreme Court and its judges is contributing to rising tensions and violence, following unrest outside the High Court during hearings on petitions for a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 attack.
Golan, leader of the Democrats and former deputy IDF chief, wrote in a Hebrew post on X, "The severe incitement by Netanyahu and Yariv Levin against the Supreme Court leads to violence in the field. Any harm to High Court judges will be on their hands."
Knesset Member, Reform rabbi, and lawyer Gilad Kariv warned in a separate statement, "The relentless incitement by the government and coalition against the Supreme Court and its judges will end in blood, and even then those inciters will look to the heavens." Kariv added, "The poison machine of Netanyahu and his partners is endangering the future of the State of Israel and Israeli society."
Families from the October Council said Thursday that confrontations during their statement at the opening of a High Court hearing on petitions calling for a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 attack marked what they described as "another moral red line" in public discourse surrounding bereaved families.
Police, bereaved families and demonstrators outside the High Court hall, Jerusalem, Thursday.Credit: Itai CohenPolice, bereaved families and demonstrators outside the High Court hall, Jerusalem, Thursday.Credit: Itai Cohen
"The violent discourse and offensive remarks against the October Council families are another moral red line that has been crossed," the families said. "It started with violence by Knesset security against bereaved families, continued with wild and criminal incitement against families on social media, and has now reached physical and verbal violence."
Police, bereaved families and demonstrators outside the High Court hall, Jerusalem, Thursday.Credit: Itai CohenPolice, bereaved families and demonstrators outside the High Court hall, Jerusalem, Thursday.Credit: Itai Cohen
According to the forum's statement, "October Council families stand with Ruby and Hagit Chen, Eyal Eshel, Yizhar Shay, Gadi Kedem and other bereaved families who stood today with courage and demanded the truth for their loved ones who were murdered."
The group added, "Violence, incitement and division under government backing will not prevent the citizens of Israel from reaching the truth."
The High Court hearing on petitions calling for a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 attack was abruptly suspended on Thursday after court security ordered judges to leave the courtroom following attempts by members of the public to enter the hall.
Police, bereaved families and demonstrators outside the High Court hall, Jerusalem, Thursday.Credit: Itai CohenPolice, bereaved families and demonstrators outside the High Court hall, Jerusalem, Thursday.Credit: Itai Cohen
Court security entered the courtroom and instructed the judges to return to their chambers as the proceedings were halted amid disturbances outside.
Bereaved families and protesters outside the High Court hall, Jerusalem, Thursday.Credit: Itai CohenBereaved families and protesters outside the High Court hall, Jerusalem, Thursday.Credit: Itai Cohen
The Israel Defense Forces said Thursday that an aerial target identified was intercepted by the Israeli Air Force, in an area where IDF troops are currently operating in southern Lebanon. The military said no sirens were activated and that the target did not cross into Israeli territory.
According to the IDF, an interceptor was first launched toward what it described as a "suspicious aerial target." The IDF confirmed that the Israeli Air Force "successfully intercepted the target."
The military added that no air-raid sirens were sounded "in accordance with protocol."
Yair Golan, Democrats leader and former deputy IDF chief, said Thursday that rising violence in Arab communities shows the government is "knowingly abandoning" citizens, in a post on X.
Party leader Yair Golan at a faction meeting of the Democrats party in the Knesset, Jerusalem, March.Credit: Oren Ben HakoonParty leader Yair Golan at a faction meeting of the Democrats party in the Knesset, Jerusalem, March.Credit: Oren Ben Hakoon
"Over 700 murdered in three years leave no room for doubt: the criminal minister appointed by Netanyahu is knowingly abandoning the lives of Arab citizens," Golan said. "Netanyahu handed internal security to a convicted firebrand just to survive politically, and this failed government has turned criminal organisations into the owners of the territory."
He added, "To Arab citizens of Israel I say today: you are not invisible, and your pain is our pain. You cannot speak of shared life when blood is spilled in the streets, and you cannot speak of security when in entire cities people are afraid to leave their homes. We will replace this negligent government, defeat crime families, and restore security and the right to life to every citizen in the state."
Yashar party leader and former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot criticized the government during remarks addressing unrest outside the High Court over hearings on a state commission of inquiry into October 7.
"Two and a half years after the October 7 massacre, the Israeli government headed by Benjamin Netanyahu is preventing a state commission of inquiry," Eisenkot said. "Right after Memorial Day, instead of uniting, the government is creating a situation in which bereaved families are attacking one another."
He said the government continues to receive military warnings while failing to act. "This is the essence of this government: incitement and refusal to take responsibility," Eisenkot said.
He also warned that Hamas is rebuilding its capabilities, "recruiting operatives, rebuilding its military strength and establishing civilian control," calling it the result of "evasion of responsibility and failure to act."
Israel's Defense Ministry said Thursday it has placed multi-year orders for aerial munitions manufactured by Elbit Systems, in a deal valued at over $200 million (about 600 million shekels), as part of efforts to expand domestic defense production and improve wartime readiness.
The ministry said the procurement, led by the defense procurement directorate, is intended to strengthen what it described as "independence in armaments" and support preparedness for "immediate combat scenarios" and an "intense security decade."
A Hermes unmanned aerial vehicle at the Elbit Systems Ltd. stand at the International Defence and Security Technologies Fair in Brno, Czech Republic, May, 2025.Credit: BloombergA Hermes unmanned aerial vehicle at the Elbit Systems Ltd. stand at the International Defence and Security Technologies Fair in Brno, Czech Republic, May, 2025.Credit: Bloomberg
Defense Minister Israel Katz said, "We continue to strengthen the independence of Israel's munitions supply. The IDF must at every moment have the means to operate with strength, speed and without dependence on external factors." He added that "true independence is also measured in the ability to produce and defend ourselves by our own capabilities."
Defense Ministry Director-General Maj. Gen. Amir Baram said the agreement is part of implementing a broader strategy to expand Israel's defense production base. "In light of the complex challenges and lessons of the war, our duty is to ensure Israel's ammunition independence and strengthen 'blue-and-white' production capabilities," he said.
Director General of the Defense Ministry visits the production line at Elbit Systems, March.Credit: Defense Ministry and public relations spokesperson Director General of the Defense Ministry visits the production line at Elbit Systems, March.Credit: Defense Ministry and public relations spokesperson
Elbit Systems President and CEO Bezalel Machlis said, "We are proud of our long-standing partnership with the Defense Ministry and our ongoing commitment to developing and supplying precise and reliable solutions that contribute to the Israeli Air Force's air superiority."
Bereaved families of victims of the October 7 Hamas attack and IDF soldiers demonstrated Thursday outside the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, as the High Court of Justice hears petitions demanding the establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the failures surrounding the attack and the war that followed.
Ruby Chen, father of deceased hostage Itay, said, "We came on the day of our son Itay's funeral, in front of all of Israel, and we said we will hold accountable those responsible."
The family said they were still seeking answers after "760 days of hell," including why troops were sent into battle without adequate warning or reinforcement, and how Hamas was able to carry out the October 7 attack and abduct civilians into Gaza.
Ruby Chen, father of hostage Itay, speaks outside the Supreme Court in Jerusalem during a demonstration calling for a Oct. 7 state commission of inquiry, Thursday.Credit: Itai Cohen Ruby Chen, father of hostage Itay, speaks outside the Supreme Court in Jerusalem during a demonstration calling for a Oct. 7 state commission of inquiry, Thursday.Credit: Itai Cohen
Chen said that "Since October 7, nearly a thousand days have passed and the truth has not yet been investigated. What did they know, who knew, what was done and what was not done. Responsibility has not been taken and the truth has not come out." He added, "We cannot be asked to bury our brave children and the truth with them."
The petitions, filed by civil society organizations, argue that only a state commission can provide an independent and professional examination of the events. The court has already ordered the government to justify its refusal to establish such a body.
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara supports the petitions, saying a state commission is the "appropriate legal tool" for examining the events and warning that continued delay harms the search for truth.
The government opposes the move, arguing it has discretion over the form of any inquiry and instead advancing plans for a politicized, government-appointed panel.
Chen added: "Since we demanded the establishment of a state commission of inquiry, we've witnessed pressure, threats, and wild incitement against High Court justices. But this incitement is also directed at us โ the parents, siblings and children who lost their loved ones and dared to demand answers."
Chen called on the justices not to yield to pressure and to issue a binding ruling. "Do not be afraid, do not give in to pressure. Stand with the truth, with justice, with the families," he said.
"No one, including the prime minister, should fear the truth," he said. "We promised Itai that his sacrifice would not be in vain, and today we are here to ensure that it will not. We will not be silent. We will not give up. We will not stop until the truth comes to light."
"After so long, the moment of decision has arrived. It is time for a binding ruling," Chen said, calling on the top court to intervene if the Israeli government refuses to establish a state commission of inquiry.
As Chen gave his statement, flanked by other bereaved families calling for a state commission of inquiry, a confrontation erupted at the entrance to the Supreme Court, as several relatives and family members of soldiers who were killed in the war, who oppose the establishment of the state commission of inquiry, interrupted them during the statement and held signs condemning the Supreme Court.
"The Supreme Court abandoned the [Gaza] fence," was written on some of the signs.
