IDF observers identified a drone attempting to smuggle weapons from Egyptian territory into Israeli territory, the military announced on Thursday.
IDF soldiers who arrived at the scene located the drone, which was carrying 10 M16 rifles.
The seized weapons were transferred for further handling by security forces.
Police have arrested 18 people suspected of arson, one of whom was caught in the act, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the annual Independence Day Bible Quiz on Thursday.
This is a developing story.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet Friday at noon with Defense Minister Israel Katz, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir and senior security officials to discuss expanding operations in Gaza.
This is a developing story.
In the ongoing battle against the flames on Thursday, Israel is operating its "Elad Sqadron" as several aircrafts from abroad are en route to aid in its efforts.
The IDF closed off the entrance to the town of Beita in the area of Nablus on Thursday morning after troops were deployed to the area, Israeli media reported.
As of Thursday morning, 119 firefighting teams are still operating at all fire sites in the Jerusalem hills region, although highways 1, 38, and 3 have been reopened to traffic.
All roads previously blocked due to wildfires have been reopened, Israel Police announced Thursday morning.
The Independence Day tribute flyover event for the hostages' families has been canceled, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum announced Thursday.
A national flotilla involving hundreds of private boats was also canceled, Israeli media reported.
These two events were scheduled to replace the Independence Day Israeli air force flyover and Navy flotilla.
Hamas posted a message encouraging Palestinians to "burn whatever you can of groves, forests, and settler homes," on Telegram on Wednesday.
"Youth of the West Bank, youth of Jerusalem, and those inside Israel, set their cars ablaze... Gaza awaits the revenge of the free," the terrorist organization wrote.
A massive wildfire broke out on Wednesday in Israel in the forests between Eshtaol and Latrun, west of Jerusalem, forcing evacuations and road closures as thousands gathered across the Jewish state for Memorial Day observances. Fanned by high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds, the fire, believed to have been set intentionally, spread rapidly through multiple locations across Israel.
“It’s a terror attack on Israel,” Eli Beer, president of the United Hatzalah emergency response organization, told The Media Line. He noted that fires were started in 20 separate locations. A security source also confirmed to The Media Line that a terrorist act was likely behind the fires, adding that several people had been arrested.
