AVI ASHKENAZI

Avi Ashkenazi is the military correspondent for The Jerusalem Post's Hebrew-language sister publication, Maariv. He began his journalist career at Maariv in the 1990s, initially working as a reporter on the northern border. For 11 years, Ashkenazi headed Maariv's crime news desk and was a correspondent for the Associated Press. From 2014 to 2019, he served as senior police and crime reporter for the Walla news site, as well as being a regular commentator on TV and radio. He has an MA in Middle Eastern studies from Tel Aviv University and serves regularly in the IDF reserves.



IDF troops operate in the Gaza Strip on September 27, 2025.

IDF carries out 'powerful strikes' in Gaza following Hamas ceasefire breach, PMO confirms

Palestinian gunmen walk as heavy machinery operates at a site where searches for deceased hostages kidnapped by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel are underway amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, October 19, 2025.

Israel permits Hamas to locate deceased hostages in IDF-controlled areas of Gaza

 IDF troops operate in southern Lebanon. January 23, 2025.

IDF trains for October 7-style Hezbollah attack from Lebanon in major northern border drill


Hamas ready to hand over 20 living hostages ahead of Trump’s arrival, WSJ reports

This contradicts Hamas's comments from earlier on Sunday that they would reportedly release all remaining hostages, living and deceased, by dawn on Monday, October 13.

Omer Shem Tov and Amit Soussana delivered a message to the hostages still in Gaza, in Tel Aviv, October 9, 2025

Hamas to release all remaining hostages 'by dawn on Monday' - report

Hamas has reportedly begun to gather the living hostages in preparation for their handover to representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

 Illustrative image of Hamas terrorists.

'We may need to act again': Senior IDF official warns of renewed Iranian threat

“Iran took a heavy blow from the IDF," the official added. "It knows very well the scope of the damage it suffered. It understands the meaning of the damage and Israel’s capabilities.”

 An illustrative image of the silhouettes of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu set to a backdrop of their respective countries' flags.

The plane that came back from the dead and stunned the world

Among the planes that attacked Iran's nuclear facilities this summer was an old and antique F-15that the Americans transferred to Israel mainly for spare parts

An Israeli F-15 jet releases a flare as it flies over Gaza, August 18, 2025

IDF uncovers rocket as Iran-backed West Bank terror threat grows

This is the second discovery in the past few weeks; both incidents were reportedly “under Iranian direction,” according to security assessments.

A rocket recovered in Tulkarm by the IDF on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.

IDF encircles Gaza City as part of Operation Gideon's Chariots II

This comes after the IDF estimated that more than 600,000 residents had already left Gaza City.

IDF soldiers operate in the Gaza Strip on September 20, 2025.

Police arrest ex-MK Haneen Zoabi over alleged terrorism incitement

Zoabi was arrested over remarks she made several months ago at a conference held abroad.

MK Haneen Zoabi

IDF opens temporary corridor to accelerate Gaza City evacuation

The IDF called on residents to use only the designated route and to follow instructions given by security personnel.

 Palestinians seeking aid gather near an aid distribution site in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, May 27, 2025

'Shouts of joy’: Emily Damari reacts to death of former Gaza captor Hazem Naim

Emily Damari expressed relief over the reported death of Hazem Naim, one of her former captors, and hopes for the return of the remaining hostages.

 British-Israeli former hostage Emily Damari poses for a photo with her mother, Mandy, after being released from Gaza where she was held since the deadly October 7 2023 attack by Hamas, at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, in this handout image obtained by Reuters on January 21, 2025.

'We will reach them too': IDF chief says no Hamas leader is out of Israel's reach

Zamir addressed concerns about Hamas leaders who have been able to operate from luxury apartments in foreign cities like Tehran, Damascus, and Beirut despite Israel's declaration to target them.

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir in discussions with general staff officials to approve Gaza takeover plan, August 13, 2025.