A U.S. official said that consolidation could reduce the number of troops in Syria by half. Another official was less certain regarding numbers since the Trump administration has been negotiating with Iran while amping up forces in the region

Haifa residents of verdant neighborhoods on Mount Carmel remember the blazes of 2016 and say the city isn't doing enough to protect them from another major fire. Elsewhere in the country, experts are calling on the people to help out

Ministers criticized the defense chief, prompting him to clarify that civilian companies would manage it in the future to prevent Hamas from accessing the aid. He also confirmed that the IDF will stay in Gaza's buffer zones 'under any arrangement'

Hostage Bar Kupershtein, who is still being held in Gaza, was everything to his father Tal, who was paralyzed after an accident five years ago. 'During Seder night, I waited tensely for the moment they'd tell me there was a deal,' he says. 'I miss him'

Backing letters from Israeli army reservists and veterans of security agencies – which have already garnered thousands of signatures – hundreds of retired police officers, including eight former police chiefs, signed the call to end the war and secure the hostages' return

Haaretz-BIRN investigation: Israel Einhorn, Netanyahu associate wanted for questioning in Israel, set up consultancy in Serbia – where he worked to promote President Vučić ■ Although barred from engaging in Serbia and Montenegro, the PM's Office enlisted his help to arrange meetings in both countries related to arms supplies for the Gaza war

Ronen Bar's days as head of Israel's domestic security agency are numbered. The latest smear campaign is designed to allow the prime minister to make a game-changing appointment and rally the populist right, which is addicted to 'deep state' myths

CEASE-FIRE TALKS: Report: Hamas rejects Israeli proposal for hostage deal ■ GAZA: Defense Minister says IDF to remain in seized Gaza buffer zones, no humanitarian aid will enter ■ U.S.: Steve Witkoff says any deal must shut down Iran's nuclear program ■ IRAN: Right to enrich uranium is 'non-negotiable' in talks with U.S. ■ LEBANON: IDF struck vehicle in south Lebanon, killed Hezbollah member

The Israeli army acknowledges that the IDF chief's decision to dismiss Air Force reservists who signed a letter urging an end to the war in Gaza caused damage. The IDF realizes also it will struggle to carry out its combat plans – and is reinforcing with conscript units