Israel Police

Security officials sharply criticized what they described as the courts' failure to impose meaningful penalties, arguing that judges were reluctant to issue punishments that could deter offenders.

Kaplan Medical Center filed a police complaint over suspicions that blood samples were taken from patients without their consent as part of research in the hospital’s cardiology department.

The Jerusalem Post's must-listen news roundup with Gadi Zaig - the top stories, clear and concise.

The highway was reopened to traffic after about two hours of protests, which were sparked by the arrests of two IDF draft evaders over the weekend.

The IDF confirmed the clash in a statement later on Saturday, noting that it is conducting searches in the area as the military continues its investigation.

The Joint List said MK Ofer Cassif intended to contact the Tel Aviv District police commander that evening to demand the swift arrest and prosecution of those involved.

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) condemned the attack in an X/Twitter post later on Friday, noting that the facts "remain unclear" and that "serious questions remain" regarding who is responsible.

The incident reportedly developed after Hilltop Youth extremist settlers established a barricade, attempting to prevent Palestinian vehicles from transiting through the area.

According to police, the group organized as an illegal military force whose members threw Molotov cocktails and stones at Israeli vehicles, roads, and settlement locations in the area.

Israel's Fire and Rescue Authority initially warned that hazardous chemicals may have leaked following the explosion, with the Kiryat Gat municipality asking residents to stay away from the area.