News Digest — 10/14/26
IDF To Protect Israel ‘From The River To The Sea,’ Netanyahu Vows In Visit To Seam Line
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decried the Tulkarm refugee camp as a “terrorist stronghold” during a Tuesday (13th) visit to the West Bank seam line, vowed that the IDF will remain in control of the area, and promised to safeguard Israeli territory “from the Jordan River to the sea.”
In a video statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office, Netanyahu referenced a Sunday (11th) High Court of Justice order for the state to provide a timeline for the return of Palestinians to refugee camps in the area.
“I heard that someone at the High Court of Justice says the residents should be brought back here. These are not residents, they are terrorists,” he claimed.
During the visit to the West Bank border, IDF, Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), and Border Police commanders briefed Netanyahu on security measures in the area and ongoing efforts to address threats of terrorism that may emerge from the refugee camps.
Netanyahu praised the IDF for their efforts to clear Tulkarm of extremism through extensive counterterrorism operations, saying that troops did an “excellent job.”
“There will be no Arab army west of the Jordan River; there will be the IDF,” he continued. “The one who will control this territory and remain in it is the IDF.”
The prime minister emphasized Tulkarm’s proximity to the coast, describing the strip of Israeli territory between the West Bank border and the water as a “narrow waist.”
“We are safeguarding the area from the Jordan River to the sea. Our country, our control,” Netanyahu declared. “Israel’s narrow waist will no longer be narrow.”
Netanyahu also warned that Israel’s enemies may try to “test” security measures ahead of the upcoming Knesset elections.
“We are prepared for any scenario,” he assured, adding that the IDF and Defense Minister Israel Katz have briefed him on security plans.
“I do not advise our enemies to test us. You will encounter a force here that you never dreamed of,” he said. “We will continue to safeguard the security of Israel here, at the seam line and everywhere.”
Katz Announces Ban On Fiber Optic Drones In Israeli Airspace Amid Lingering Threat
Defense Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday (13th) said he will sign a temporary order banning the use of fiber-optic cable-guided and cellular-guided drones in Israeli airspace, saying they posed a broad security threat.
The “special security order” will be signed on Sunday (18th), and it will be valid for six months, Katz’s office said, adding that it is a temporary measure “intended to provide a security response until additional solutions are found.”
The order will only apply to drones that are guided by fiber-optic cable or carry SM cards and utilize commercial mobile networks, rather than standard radio frequencies .
The proposed wording of the decree carves out specific exemptions for activities carried out by or on behalf of security agencies, as well as for fiber-optic and SM-controlled drones that received approvals from Israel’s Civil Aviation Authority before the order is slated to take effect.
The order also establishes “an exemptions committee to consider requests for exemptions from the order,” according to Katz.
Katz’s office said the decision was made “against the backdrop of concrete intelligence and growing threats from Israel’s enemies, both inside and outside the country, including drone attacks, attempts to harm senior officials, the use of drones by criminals and crime families, intelligence gathering and smuggling.”
“Given the severity and variety of the threats, a response is required both in security zones and along the borders, as well as to drone terrorism inside Israel,” the statement said.
Katz said the flight ban is just one step in a series of measures intended to contend with the drone threat, which also include import restrictions and other regulatory measures.
The move was approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Katz in a recent security cabinet meeting following discussions and staff work led by the National Security Council in cooperation with security agencies, the statement said.
Fiber-optic drones, which are guided via a cable and therefore immune to electronic jamming, have posed a major challenge for the Israel Defense Forces during its operations in Lebanon, killing Israeli soldiers.
In August, Channel 12 reported that the defense establishment had identified a significant increase in attempts by terror groups to launch explosive drones – including fiber-optic drones–within Israel at targets across the country, with officials warning there was no effective operational solution to the emerging threat.
Hezbollah Rebuilds Military Capabilities, Upgrades FPV Drones Ahead Of Possible Israel War – Report
Hezbollah is preparing to rearm and rebuild its terror capabilities in the event of an escalation with the IDF and rising regional tensions, sources told Beirut-based independent news outlet Al-Modon on Monday (12th).
Al-Modon is managed by the Qatari-based Fadaat Media Group, and often takes a critical stance against the Iran-backed Shiite terror group, while calling for a pro-Arab consensus.
“If large-scale war breaks out, it will reach Lebanon. Israel is waiting for any opportunity for military escalation against Hezbollah, as it is working to convince Washington of the need to renew the war against Iran, just as Tehran is anticipating the possibility of war against it, Hezbollah is preparing and equipping itself,” the report said.
According to the outlet, the Iranian proxy terror group takes “Israeli threats seriously and is dealing with messages conveyed through diplomatic channels indicating that Israel will not abandon its military escalation and is waiting for the appropriate time.”
Sources told the outlet that Hezbollah is “anticipating” war and “has succeeded in taking advantage of the extended ceasefire period to rebuild its military capabilities in southern Lebanon, both south and north of the Litani River.”
The sources also linked Hezbollah’s rebuilding of militarist terror capabilities to the interception of a truck that was transporting explosive materials from the Bekaa Valley to Beirut.
The Jerusalem Post reported on Sunday (11th) that the Lebanese Armed Forces seized a truck at a checkpoint in the Bekaa Valley which was carrying hundreds of kilograms of explosives belonging to the terror group, including TNT and C4.
Two suspects admitted to receiving the explosives from a Hezbollah commander in Baalbek, with instructions to transport them to Beirut, the Post reported at the time.
Sources told the Lebanese outlet that the terrorist group uses the materials found in such trucks to develop first-person view (FPV) drones, which have been upgraded to carry between four and six kilograms of explosives, compared with the previous payload of 2.5 kg.
Hezbollah terrorists have also succeeded in extending the length of the FPVs cables from 20km. To over 30km., meaning that the terror group can attack targets from a further distance, the source said.
The terror group has also continued to work towards reinforcing its capabilities by increasing military deployments in villages and towns adjacent to the Yellow Line, including in some areas south of the Litani River, particularly in the vicinity of Nabatiya, the report noted.
The terror group has also taken security precautions in anticipation of possible Israeli assassination attempts targeting terror leaders and officials, the report said. This included the evacuation of many apartments and offices in Beirut’s southern suburbs, including the Hezbollah stronghold of Dahiyeh.
The outlet also highlighted that Israel believes the Lebanese state has not fulfilled its duty towards the framework agreement surrounding Hezbollah’s disarmament. In this context , Israel has sent messages to Lebanon that it will launch a large-scale military operation against Hezbollah terrorists, including expanding military operations into new areas, the outlet reported.
Israel may also resort to imposing an air, land, and sea blockade on Lebanon as a ramification for Beirut’s failure to disarm the terror group and prevent Hezbollah from joining an escalated conflict.
Negotiations reportedly include exploring the deployment of military forces from Italy, Switzerland, and Jordan to aid in removing Hezbollah’s weaponry, according to Al-Modon.
However, conditions for reaching an agreement are not in place, as Hezbollah refuses to hand over weapons, and the LAF does not want to enter into a confrontation with the Iranian proxy, the report said.
The terror group is also betting on developments in the escalated conflict in Yemen between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition forces, the report stated.
Israel Defense Ministry And 19 Tech Firms Showcase Tech Systems At Washington Show
Israel’s International Defense Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT) is leading a delegation of 19 defense companies at the AUSA (Association of the United States Army) 2026 land warfare exposition in Washington, D.C., showcasing combat-tested technologies under the Israeli national Pavilion.
The delegation features advanced systems, including net-based counter-drone interception, anti-GPS jamming software, autonomous explosive detection, AI-driven thermal optics, hybrid drone engines, and tactical solar charging gear.
The exhibition aligns with a broader Ministry of Defense reform initiative aimed at expanding global defense exports, which reached a record$19.2 billion in 2025.
SIBAT officials highlighted that the delegation—comprising both established defense contractors and agile startups—aims to deepen strategic partnerships and long-term procurement agreements with the U.S. military and international allies.
The Association of the United States Army is a nonprofit educational and professional development association serving America’s Army and supporters of a strong national defense.
The AUSA 2026 Annual Meeting and Exposition takes place from October 12 to 14, 2026, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC.
The Collapse Of Hamas’ Concept Of Victory And The Erosion Of The “Armed Resistance” Ethos – Prof. Kobi Michael
Recent Palestinian public opinion polls indicate a significant weakening of the “resistance is winning” narrative and reflect a profound conceptual shift. While the Oct. 7 attack was initially perceived by large segments of the Palestinian public as a historic achievement, over time, the destruction of Gaza, the heavy human toll, and Hamas’ lack of any political or military horizon have forced this public to confront reality.
One month after the outbreak of the war, 70% of Palestinians in Gaza, Judea and Samaria believed that Hamas would emerge victorious. By August 2026, that figure had fallen to 20%. In Dec. 2023, 63% believed the preferred strategy for statehood was Hamas’ strategy of “armed struggle.” In August 2026, that figure was 27%, the lowest rate recorded in the past four years.
While Palestinians in Judea and Samaria generally maintained more hawkish positions (due to their distance from direct fighting), residents of Gaza, who experienced the destruction and humanitarian suffering firsthand, led the ‘decline’ in support for Hamas and its actions. As the collapse of civilian infrastructure intensified and disillusionment with the resistance’s ability to protect the population grew, Hamas’ legitimacy as the vanguard of the national camp eroded severely.
The shift moves the center of gravity from supporting Hamas’ strategy of resistance toward a pragmatic approach that is acutely aware of its costs.
At the same time, the ethos of armed resistance remains deeply embedded in the psychological foundations of Palestinian society, even as Palestinians confront the painful experience of its failure. There is very strong opposition to disarming Hamas; 50% believe that armed resistance has benefited the Palestinian national struggle.
As of August 2026, the Palestinian public presents a picture of despair, but also of growing disillusionment with Hamas’ hubris of victory. It understands the price of the destruction and expresses a greater willingness than in the past to pursue diplomatic channels and negotiations.
The Palestinian public’s recognition of the devastation brought upon it by Hamas serves as a foundation for the demand, shared by both Israel and Abbas, that Hamas must not be integrated under any circumstances into the new governance mechanisms being established in Gaza and that it must be fully disarmed, without compromise.
The writer is a senior researcher at INSS, who served as deputy director general and head of the Palestinian desk at Israel’s Ministry for Strategic Affairs.
