News Digest — 5/12/26
Knesset Approves Forming Military Tribunal To Try Oct. 7 Perpetrators, Deliver Justice
The Knesset voted to pass a law on Monday (11th), to establish a special military tribunal to try Palestinian terrorists accused of committing atrocities during the October 7, 2023, invasion, with 93 votes in favor and none opposed.
The uniquely bipartisan legislation would see the establishment of a special court within the military justice system to try the roughly 300 attackers captured by security forces inside Israel during the invasion and held in detention since.
Justice Minister Yariv Levin called the passage of the legislation “one of the most important moments of the current Knesset. One can feel that we are doing the right thing by finding a way to unite at this moment, even though we are on the eve of elections and despite all the disagreements that exist.”
“This is a historic framework intended to deliver justice and bring to trial the terrorists who carried out the worst massacre in the state’s history,” said Religious Zionism MK Rothman of the coalition, who co-sponsored the legislation. The second sponsor of the bill, opposition MK Yulia Malinovsky of the secular right-wing Yisrael Beytenu party proclaimed that “these will be the trials of the modern-day Nazis, and they will go down in the history books.”
“I dedicate this law to all the murdered victims, the hostages, and their families. In the end, our spirit and our ability to cope with and stand in the face of immense pain – that is what makes us great,” she added.
Under the legislation, the tribunal will be able to charge the assailants with all relevant crimes, including genocide under the terms of Israel’s 1950 Law for the Prevention of Genocide, harming Israel’s sovereignty, causing war, assisting an enemy during a time of war, and terror charges under Israel’s 2016 law for combating terrorism.
Those convicted of genocide charges would be liable for the death penalty.
The legislation also stipulates that anyone who is suspected, charged, or convicted of Oct. 7 crimes cannot be freed through prisoner release agreements.
3 IDF Soldiers Wounded In Southern Lebanon Drone Assault
Three Israel Defense Forces soldiers were lightly wounded by a Hezbollah suicide drone in southern Lebanon on Monday (11th) the military confirmed to JNS.
An Israeli Air Force helicopter that was sent to rescue the injured landed in the extraction area with no ability to take off due to a technical error,” the IDF said in a separate statement.
A second IAF helicopter was dispatched and successfully evacuated the injured soldiers to treatment in Israel, according to the army.
IAF soldiers subsequently repaired the first helicopter and it safely departed, it said, adding that the chopper was not damaged by Hezbollah’s fire.
On Sunday (10th), an Israeli soldier was mortally wounded in a Hezbollah drone attack near the northern border with Lebanon, the IDF confirmed earlier on Monday (11th).
Hezbollah began firing rockets and drones at Israel on March 2, following the targeted killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the opening strikes of Israel’s “Operation Roaring Lion” on Feb. 28.
In response to the terrorist organization’s violation of the US-brolered Nov. 17, 2024, truce agreement, Jerusalem launched an aerial campaign against Hezbollah and ordered the IDF to advance and take control of additional areas in southern Lebanon to halt cross-border attacks.
Jerusalem and Beirut agreed on April 16 to a 10-day ceasefire following mediation by US President Donald Trump. The two countries agreed on April 23 to extend the truce for three more weeks following direct talks in Washington. DC.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on April 26 accused Hezbollah of “essentially disintegrating” the temporary ceasefire through its ongoing attacks.
“Therefore, as far as we are concerned, what obligates us is the security of Israel, the security of our soldiers, and the security of our communities. We are acting vigorously according to the rules we agreed upon with the United States, and incidentally, with Lebanon as well,” the premier said.
Chief Of Staff: The Story Of Jerusalem Represents The Story Of The Entire State Of Israel
The Chief of the General Staff , LTG Eyal Zamir, and members of the IDF General Staff Forum held their annual meeting Monday (11th) to mark Jerusalem Day.
During the day, members of the General Staff Forum met with the Mayor of Jerusalem, Moshe Lion, who welcomed the participants and thanked them for their contribution. Several lectures were then held in connection with Jerusalem Day.
Chief of Staff Zamir said: “Our connection with the city of Jerusalem is deep and meaningful. These days we are working to establish a dedicated recruitment office in the city and to open an IDF museum here. We will continue working to create additional important connections like these. Jerusalem reminds us where we draw our strength from. Our capital city. The city for which we fought.”
“The story of Jerusalem represents the story of the entire State of Israel. A city where people live side by side, not against one another. Everyone is part of the unique fabric of this city. The IDF is the same. The people’s army, which brings together all parts of Israeli society around one shared mission: defending the state and ensuring our future here. I thank you for your support and encouragement, and for all your work on behalf of the IDF. I wish you great success,” he said.
Mayor Lion said: “We were moved to host the General Staff Forum in the Jerusalem City Council Chamber, the place where decisions are made that affect the lives of over one million residents of the capital. The IDF and Jerusalem are two pillars of the State of Israel, and the connection between them is deep and inseparable.”
“I would like to thank the Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir, for the years-long partnership and for his commitment to strengthening Jerusalem and its status. The historic agreement to relocate IDF and defense establishment bases to the capital is a significant, and Zionist step that strengthens Jerusalem and the entire State of Israel,” he concluded.
Anti-Israel Protesters Clash With Jews Outside Brooklyn Synagogue
Anti-Israel demonstrators and pro-Israel counter-protesters clashed Monday night (11th) outside the Young Israel of Midwood in Brooklyn during an event connected to Israeli real estate.
Police maintained a large presence in the area as hundreds of protesters gathered on both sides of the issue. Footage circulating online showed confrontations between demonstrators, including physical altercations, while some protesters were seen waving a Hezbollah flag.
At one point, protesters held a Muslim prayer service, prostrating themselves, while chanting “Alahu Akbar” outside the Jewish house of worship.
At least three people were detained during the protest. Police said those taken into custody had allegedly thrown items during the clashes. Videos showed confrontations between protesters, including one incident in which a masked individual pulled a Jewish girl’s hair.
The protest took place near an event advertising homes in Israel and communities in Judea and Samaria. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators accused organizers of promoting what they described as “stolen” Palestinian land.
Counter protesters said the demonstration unfairly targeted a Jewish neighborhood. NY1 quoted counter-protester Kasondra Watkins as saying, “There’s a synagogue here. This is clearly a Jewish neighborhood, and they deserve the right to worship in peace.”
Videos shared online showed NYPD officers separating the opposing sides as tensions escalated.
The demonstration came less than a week after another protest outside the Park East Synagogue in Manhattan, which also drew large crowds and increased concern among Jewish organizations and city officials regarding security around houses of worship.
Erdogan’s Turkey: The NATO Member That Sponsors Terrorism – Khaled Abu Toameh
For years Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been playing a sleazy double game: presenting himself to the West as a regional mediator and responsible NATO ally while simultaneously transforming Turkey into a sanctuary for Hamas terrorists outside the Gaza Strip.
New revelations emerging from Israeli security investigations have shattered any illusion that Turkey’s relationship with Hamas is limited to “political support” or “diplomatic engagement.”
The evidence increasingly points to a situation far more alarming: Turkey has become a primary operational, logistical, and financial hub for Hamas’ global terror infrastructure.
Countries that enable terrorism cannot at the same time be treated as indispensable partners in the fight against terrorism.
A recent report by Israel’s public broadcaster KAN revealed that Hamas operatives have been openly participating in combat training exercises at shooting clubs across Turkey.
The Hamas members, according to the report, have been training in civilian clothing to avoid suspicion while learning firearms tactics and advanced combat techniques.
More disturbing are reports that Hamas members have been enrolling in professional drone-pilot courses and receiving official Turkish licenses to fly drones.
The training, according to Israeli officials cited in the report, is intended to prepare the Hamas members for deployment to Lebanon, Jordan and Judea and Samaria for possible future attacks on Israel.
This is no “symbolic” support for the Palestinian cause, it is military assistance, equivalent to the support the Iranian regime has been providing to Hamas for decades.
Drones are now among the most important tools used by the Iranian regime and its terror proxies, including Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, in their jihad (holy war) against Israel. Hamas used drones extensively during the October 7, 2023 invasion of Israel, as well as in attacks on Israeli surveillance systems and military bases.
By allowing Hamas members to develop drone capabilities on Turkish soil, Ankara is deliberately grooming terrorists for future wars against Israel.
Turkey, rather than simply hosting Hamas officials, is willfully cultivating the next generation of Hamas terrorists and making sure that the geographical reach of Iran’s jihadist axis continues to expand.
In addition, Turkey has emerged as a crucial financial artery for Hamas and its sponsors from Iran.
In December, 2025, the Israel Defense Forces and the Shin Bet security agency exposed what they described as a major Iranian-directed money-laundering network operating inside Turkey.
Internal Hamas documents revealed a sophisticated financial system managed largely by Hamas-linked Gazan expatriates who have relocated to Turkey.
The IDF and Shin Bet publicly identified at least three individuals involved with the financing network in Turkey.
Tamar Hassan reportedly works directly under the leadership of Hamas leader Kahlil al-Hayya.
Khali Farwana and Farid Abu Dayir were also named as key facilitators working within the broader network of exchange companies.
“Hamas agents in Turkey channel funds for terrorist purposes,” said IDF Arabic spokesman Avichay Adraee , adding, “One wonders what a member of NATO is doing, helping to facilitate terrorism.”
Turkey’s pivotal financial role is especially significant because it provides Hamas with access to the international financial system through the territory of a Nato member state.
That reality should deeply alarm both Washington and European capitals.
Ideologically — as well as militarily and financially — Erdogan has openly embraced Hamas leaders. He has repeatedly refused to designate the group as a terrorist organization.
Instead, he has strongly defended Hamas and characterized its members as “resistance fighters” and “liberation group” warriors fighting to protect Palestinian lands.
Senior Hamas officials, including Khaled Mashaal and the late Ismail Haniyeh, have always been welcomed in Turkey as honored guests.
Some Hamas officials have reportedly received Turkish passports, residency permits and freedom of movement.
Erdogan’s alignment with Hamas seems rooted in his broader ideological affinity with the Muslim Brotherhood movement and other Islamist groups.
The government has consistently supported radical Islamist groups in Egypt, Libya, Syria, and other countries,
It was predictable that Hamas, the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, would become one of Ankara’s closest ideological allies.
For years, Western governments have clung to the fiction that countries such as Turkey and Qatar can serve as neutral mediators between Hamas and Israel. That assumption has always been deeply flawed.
Qatar has long-functioned as Hamas’ principal financial patron, pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into the Gaza Strip while hosting Hamas rulers in Doha.
Turkey, meanwhile, has provided operational sanctuary, logistical training, and access to financial systems.
The continued Western reliance on Turkey and Qatar as intermediaries has simply strengthened Hamas and protracted the instability in the Middle East.
Why do Qatar and Turkey continue embracing Hamas while demanding the trust of the US and the West? Why does the West keep accepting this duplicity?
The Trump administration faces a crucial test. If Washington is genuinely serious about dismantling the infrastructure of Hamas and confronting the Iranian regime, it cannot continue overlooking Turkey’s commitment to doing the exact opposite: safeguarding and supporting Hamas.
A NATO member state, Turkey, is facilitating the activities of an Iranian-backed terrorist group responsible for the mass murder of civilians, including many Americans.
By allowing Hamas and other Terrorist groups to operate freely on its soil, Turkey is undermining the very security architecture that NATO was created to defend.
