Beyond this, the bodies agreed to relocate the recruitment office currently known to Jerusalemites on Rashi Street to an "alternative location" to conduct a "facelift" and adapt it to current and future needs. In practice, sources familiar with the matter indicate the Jerusalem office will be moved to Givat HaTahmoshet, where recruits board buses to the induction chain at Tel Hashomer Base on their recruitment day.

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These strikes come as part of Israel's broader campaign targeting transit routes along the Syria-Lebanon border used by Hezbollah to transfer weapons into Lebanon. Recent operations have focused particularly on areas in Wadi Khaled in northern Lebanon and southwest Homs in Syria.

The military action follows statements from Defense Minister Israel Katz made two days earlier regarding Israel's commitment to protecting Druze communities. "The government is now approving an unprecedented aid plan for the Druze and Circassian communities in Israel, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the finance minister," Katz said. "As defense minister, I salute them for their loyalty and courage, and for their contribution to Israel's security in difficult and decisive times – we will continue to strengthen them and also protect their brothers in Syria from any threat."

Katz's comments came just one day after the IDF publicly acknowledged operations inside Syrian territory, where its forces located weapons caches and conducted search operations. The unusual disclosure represents a shift in Israel's typically secretive approach to cross-border military activities.

On Sunday, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir conducted a tour of the security zone in Syria, accompanied by Northern Command commander Maj. Gen. Uri Gordin and other senior officers. This high-level tour followed the IDF's Saturday announcement confirming several military raids into Syrian territory.

The military released footage showing soldiers conducting searches and documented the substantial weapons cache discovered during these operations. However, the IDF withheld specific details about the precise locations and timing of these raids, maintaining some operational security.

The cross-border operations come after Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz issued an extraordinary warning over a week ago stating, "If the regime in Syria attacks the Druze settlement near Damascus – we will strike it." This direct threat to Abu Mohammad al-Julani's regime represented an unusual public stance on Israel's red lines regarding Syrian internal conflicts, particularly concerning Druze communities.

These developments indicate a significant expansion of Israel's military operations in Syria beyond its previously established air campaign targeting Iranian and Hezbollah-linked facilities, potentially marking a new phase in Israel's approach to threats from its northern neighbors.

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Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar strongly defended Sunday the IDF military operations in Gaza and criticized former Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon's recent accusations of "ethnic cleansing" while saying that there are growing signs that Hamas might be more flexible in its talks on a hostage deal with Israel.

Speaking at the Israel Hayom security conference, he spoke about the emerging progress, "There are indications of movement toward a hostage deal, though I can't provide more details at this time. We're seeing signs of potentially greater flexibility due to circumstances that have developed, such as the arrangement in Lebanon. We'll know more in the coming days. From the Israeli government's perspective, there's a willingness to pursue this, and I hope we can make progress.

"Regarding the fundamental determination that Hamas cannot control Gaza, we must maintain this position. We need to try to advance an arrangement regarding the hostages. We are committed to making this effort."

Sa'ar called Ya'alon's suggestion that Israeli troops were carrying out crimes "reckless and irresponsible statements that caused damage." He said, "This is particularly evident in how Arab media outlets and social networks have used these claims, as they echo statements from someone who previously held a senior position, despite these claims being completely baseless," adding, "Everything Israel does is in accordance with international law. It's deeply regrettable that former Minister Ya'alon hasn't realized the grave error and damage he has caused and hasn't retracted these statements. I hope he will do so."

The foreign chief also criticized the International Criminal Court for issuing arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. "They're trying to tie our hands and feet. You see countries like France and Holland stating that foreign leaders have immunity that applies in this case. While this isn't the only response, the most significant voices are coming from Washington, where senior senators are calling for sanctions against those who cooperate with the ICC.

"I'm convinced the next administration in Washington will take strong measures. I remind our European friends not to rush to embrace this development and to consider this direction as well," he added.

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Over the past year, we witnessed the collapse of concepts that guided us for decades. First and foremost was the "containment" approach across all aspects of our lives – avoiding confrontation with escalating dangers that were visible to all.

While we buried our heads in the sand, our adversaries seized every opportunity to develop methods, infrastructure, and capabilities. We allowed ourselves to live within a media discourse of shifting headlines while new realities were being established on the ground. We developed philosophical approaches such as a "small and smart" technological army and hiding behind fences and trenches.

We permitted drug cultivation across hundreds of thousands of acres in IDF training grounds to avoid unrest in the Negev. We remained silent about the theft of thousands of weapons and millions of rounds of ammunition from IDF bases. Crime families extorted protection money from thousands of businesses, amounting to billions of USD.

We accepted the phenomenon of illegal weapons possession in Arab communities at levels that could transform into deadly organizations targeting neighboring communities. We assumed that IDF deterrence was so effective that we relieved ourselves of self-defense responsibilities and left our communities and families vulnerable.

The deep anxiety that gripped us sharpened our most basic, primitive instincts. We sensed vulnerability at every turn, and dangers that once seemed distant became immediate. We awakened to see how dynamic and changeable reality truly is.

The immense tragedy, which will remain with us for a long time, opened our eyes to how concepts like "small army and police force" became double-edged swords. Now that reality has struck, fundamental concepts have been revived, requiring refinement, conceptualization, and transformation into relevant, developed operational doctrine.

Leadership to solve root problems

We are at a defining moment in Israel's future existence, obligated to emerge from this period with vision and concepts that will shape national security for decades ahead.

Required focus areas include: creating strategic depth; adding defense lines at borders based on religious study institutions and pre-military academies; increasing border settlements; transforming settlement blocks into military-style units with mutual responsibility concepts; providing reciprocal response to possible attacks; establishing mobile divisions for rapid, life-saving arrival; changing internal security concepts and restoring governance.

The war proved that what prevented our security and defense was an imaginary fear that paralyzed us from taking active measures, making us "see ourselves as grasshoppers." Active-duty and reserve soldiers broke through the fear barrier, paying an unprecedented price in blood. The "promise generation" cannot be appeased with populist, detached, and unimaginative solutions.

More than anything, we need bold leadership capable of solving all root problems, daring to touch raw nerves and leading to brave, deep solutions: in sharing the burden equally, in settlement policy, in restoring personal security, in reestablishing governance, and in ideological renewal that challenges the concept of isolation and returns to spatial thinking. Then you shall dwell securely.

Yoel Zilberman is founder and CEO of HaShomer HaChadash.

Israel Hayom will host a security conference at the Bible Lands Museum in Jerusalem on Dec. 1.

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The United States has rapidly deployed its advanced Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system to Israel, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed on Monday. This deployment comes as Israel considers its response to Iran's recent missile attack.

"The THAAD system is in place," Austin told reporters before arriving in Ukraine, as reported by Reuters. While declining to comment on its operational status, he added, "We have the ability to put it into operation very quickly and we're on pace with our expectations." The THAAD system, a crucial component of the US military's layered air defense capabilities, now bolsters Israel's already formidable anti-missile defenses. Approximately 100 US soldiers have been deployed alongside the system, according to President Joe Biden.

Biden stated that the THAAD deployment is intended to support Israel's defense as it contemplates retaliation against Iran. Tehran fired over 180 missiles at Israel on October 1, escalating tensions in the region.

US officials have been urging Israel to carefully calibrate its response to avoid triggering a broader conflict in the Middle East. President Biden has publicly expressed opposition to an Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear sites and voiced concerns about potential strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure.

When questioned by reporters last week, Biden claimed to have a good understanding of when and how Israel might attack Iran. However, he also suggested there might be an opportunity to end the cycle of retaliatory strikes between the two adversaries.

Secretary Austin remained cautious in his assessment of the situation. "It's hard to say exactly what that (Israel's) strike will look like," he told reporters. "At the end of the day, that's an Israeli decision, and whether or not the Israelis believe it's proportional and how the Iranians perceive it, I mean those may be two different things."

Austin emphasized the US commitment to de-escalation efforts, stating, "We're going to do - continue to do - everything we can ... to dial down the tensions and hopefully get both parties to begin to de-escalate. So, we'll see what happens."

The deployment of the THAAD system and additional US personnel underscores the heightened concerns about regional stability and the potential for further escalation between Israel and Iran.

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Defense officials are reevaluating the future of the Sky Dew project, a high-altitude balloon system designed for aerial threat detection, following a series of setbacks including weather damage and an attack by the Hezbollah terror group.

Israel Hayom has learned that the brass is considering discontinuing repairs to the system and disbanding the specialized military unit established for its operation. A final decision is expected within days.

Developed as a joint venture between Israel and the United States, the system integrates an aerial platform from American firm TCOM with an advanced radar system created by ELTA Systems, an Israel Aerospace Industries subsidiary. It was designed to augment the Israeli Air Force's detection and air defense capabilities, and its deployment for detecting advanced threats in northern Israel was announced with fanfare in November 2021.

At the time, officials touted the completion of a years-long development process, describing the aerial platform as "one of the largest of its kind globally." The system was hailed as a critical asset for identifying and providing early warnings against sophisticated threats.

During a March 2022 ceremony marking the Air Force's acquisition of the system, then-Defense Minister Benny Gantz declared, "This new system reinforces Israel's defensive shield against both long-range and proximate aerial threats developed by our adversaries." He emphasized that the balloon, as part of a multi-tiered defense strategy, would "maintain Israel's regional edge and ensure the operational flexibility crucial for safeguarding our security."

The IDF and Defense Ministry officially launched the Sky Dew unit in March 2022, appointing leadership and staffing it with both career soldiers and conscripts.

Military statements at the time promised that the high-altitude balloon would provide extensive radar coverage, capable of detecting "advanced threats from multiple directions." However, these lofty ambitions were grounded in May 2023 when it came to light that severe weather had rendered the system inoperable months earlier.

After a protracted repair process spanning nearly two years, the balloon was redeployed in January to support detection efforts, though it had not yet achieved full operational status.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant's February 24 visit to the Sky Dew base in northern Israel, where he reportedly "observed the aerial control capabilities for detecting various threats," seemed to signal progress. Yet, this optimism was short-lived. On May 16, Hezbollah successfully targeted the grounded system with a drone launched from Lebanese territory.

In light of these repeated setbacks – the prolonged weather-induced outage and the recent attack – defense officials are now seriously considering terminating the project. The vulnerability of the system, its high costs, and the excessive time required for repairs have all factored into this reevaluation of a program that has already consumed millions in defense spending.

When reached for comment, representatives from the IDF and Defense Ministry stated, "We are currently reviewing the project's future. Our decision will reflect the evolving security landscape and incorporate lessons learned from recent conflicts."

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A newly formed committee tasked with reviewing Israel's defense budget convened its first meeting Sunday, facing significant challenges. With a tight eight-week deadline for preliminary findings, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant remain at odds over the committee's scope, particularly regarding major military procurement decisions, Israel Hayom has learned. 

Tensions between the two ministers have frequently spilled into the public domain in recent months, notably concerning Air Force aircraft acquisitions. While they agreed to exclude F-35 purchases from the committee's discussions, the procurement of F-15 jets will be examined, with recommendations due within 45 days. The dispute has now expanded, with Gallant seeking to exempt an additional Navy project from the committee's scrutiny. Smotrich contends that such exemptions will render the committee ineffective and unable to recommend crucial changes.

Responding to inquiries, the Defense Minister's office stated, "Minister Gallant stressed the urgent need for the Ministerial Procurement Committee to approve the purchase of combat vessels to replace aging ships slated for decommissioning. These weapons will serve the IDF regardless of the committee's decision. Any procurement delay could inflate costs and compromise the Navy's full operational readiness."

The committee faces a daunting timeline, with interim conclusions due in eight weeks and final recommendations expected within four months. This compressed schedule is particularly challenging given the committee's broad mandate to examine Israel's past and present security concepts, anticipate future challenges, and thoroughly investigate the sprawling defense establishment.

The Defense Ministry officials had initially requested a budget increase of 220 billion shekels (approximately $61 billion) over the next four years. Smotrich, however, argued that the events of Oct. 7 necessitate a comprehensive reevaluation of Israel's security strategy.

Following the committee's first meeting, Smotrich remarked, "I've been advocating for this committee's establishment for six months. The October 7 attacks and Operation Iron Swords have shaken the foundations of long-held assumptions within Israel's defense establishment. We can't simply maintain the status quo by writing blank checks for more of the same. We'll conduct a thorough investigation into past failures and chart the best path forward to secure Israel's future."

The committee's findings are expected to carry significant weight, given the outsized nature of Israel's defense budget. Any adjustments or efficiency improvements could potentially free up resources for other critical sectors such as healthcare and education.

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As small, unmanned drones become increasingly prevalent on modern battlefields, dropping explosives and conducting surveillance, a US defense startup believes it has a innovative solution to counter this aerial threat. ZeroMark is developing a system designed to transform soldiers' standard rifles into portable anti-drone weapons, according to a recent report from WIRED magazine.

The company's approach involves integrating software and hardware components onto existing infantry rifles. A sensor mounted near the barrel works with an actuator in the stock or foregrip to make minor adjustments to the soldier's aim when tracking a hostile drone. "We use lidar and electro-optical sensors to detect, classify, and monitor the drones," ZeroMark CEO Joel Anderson told WIRED. "Then our system calculates precise factors like bullet drop, trajectory, and wind compensation – complex ballistics that are very difficult for a human to correctly account for."

By taking these complex calculations out of the soldier's hands, ZeroMark aims to significantly increase the probability of successfully shooting down an evasive, high-speed drone with standard rifle fire. "For a computer, determining the exact point where the shot must intersect the drone's flight path is pretty easy," Anderson explained to WIRED. "So when the soldier pulls the trigger, there's a high likelihood of a hit."

The Lords of Silicon Valley Are Thrilled to Present a 'Handheld Iron Dome' https://t.co/I4qV8MzmsG

— WIRED Science (@WIREDScience) June 6, 2024

The ambitious concept attracted $7 million in venture capital funding from Andreesen Horowitz. With drones playing an outsized role in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the demand for effective counter-drone technologies is soaring across global militaries.

However, some experts like Arthur Holland Michel from the Carnegie Council remain skeptical until the system can be proven effective through open demonstrations. "There are a lot of question marks around a technology like this," Michel cautioned to WIRED, citing potential issues with the "inherent unpredictability" of machine learning systems operating in uncontrolled environments.

While ZeroMark claims to be evaluating the system with "partners in Ukraine" for possible deployment by late summer, the startup's proposed rifle-integrated drone defense will likely face intense scrutiny before any combat adoption.

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Former President Donald Trump promised during his 78th birthday celebration Friday to construct an Israel-style missile defense system for the United States if elected to a second term in office.

Addressing supporters at Club 47, Trump drew inspiration from the Iron Dome and promised to erect "a great" equivalent over the US. "By next term, we will build a great Iron Dome over our country," he declared. "We deserve a dome. We deserve it all, made state-of-the-art."

Trump emphasized that the proposed missile shield would be entirely American-made. "It's a missile defense shield, and it'll all be made in America," he told the crowd. He touted the economic opportunities such a project would create, stating, "Jobs, jobs, jobs."

The former president also recalled that while in the late 1980s, then-President Ronald Reagan envisioned a similar system during his presidency, the necessary technology was not yet available. "We now have the technology," Trump asserted.

According to Trump, the domestic manufacturing of the missile defense components would provide "beautiful" job prospects for young Americans across multiple states. "It's all going to be made in states," he said. "We're going to have a big, beautiful Iron Dome."

Israel's Iron Dome has been highly effective in intercepting short-range rockets and artillery fired from up to 43 miles away. Operational since 2011, the system has successfully neutralized threats from Palestinian terrorist groups, Iranian drones, and missiles.

Trump's proposal aligns with his longstanding "America First" agenda, prioritizing domestic manufacturing and job creation within the United States.

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The Diplomatic-Security Cabinet's pre-scheduled meeting in August will deal with the impact of the judicial reform protest on the military's combat worthiness, sources say.

Although the date is according to a pre-determined schedule, having this become part of the agenda has only now been confirmed by the sources familiar with the matter, who claim that this will be the first time that the ministers will be fully briefed about the threats of damage to the army's competence due to the recent announcements by thousands of reservists that they would no longer arrive for service if called up in the wake of the passage of the first bill in the contested judicial reform.

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In addition to this, the ministerial forum will get a briefing from Defense Minister Gallant on the extent of this trend and the damage to the reserves and wartime readiness. The discussion is set to take place on August 6, and according to ministers, they intend to seek a clear position from the IDF on how this will be handled.

Video: Hezbollah showcases capabilities in drill simulating kidnapping of IDF troops. Credit: Reuters

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has avoided convening the cabinet in recent weeks because of potential leaks. But now, since the discussion is scheduled to take place, the ministers will for the first time receive detailed explanations and not just one-on-one briefings.

Knesset lawmakers have also shown concern over the damage to the army's fitness for war. As a result, Gallant will appear in a closed-door hearing to brief MKs on the matter.  Political sources claim that so far no official briefings have been held on the issue before the members of the Knesset or the ministers due to the lack of sufficient information.

The main concern is damage to the Israeli Air Force, while the other units in the IDF believe that the scope of the refusals is not will harm competence. In addition, a security source told Israel Hayom that "even now it is not expected that Israel's military capabilities will be harmed in operations against Gaza or Jenin if required, but only in the event of a wide-scale war."

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