Michael Bachner

Pictures in Jerusalem of Israelis held hostage by Hamas terrorists in Gaza, January 13, 2025. (The Times of Israel: Chaim Goldberg/ Flash90)

January 15, 2025, 7:23 am

Gaza ceasefire-hostage deal on brink of finalisation, as reports spell out details

Conflicting news on whether Hamas has okayed mediators’ draft; IDF reportedly to immediately leave Netzarim Corridor, with Qatar, Egypt monitoring Gazans heading north using X-ray.

By Michael Bachner, TOI STAFF and AGENCIES and JACOB MAGID

US President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Yair Lapid and President Isaac Herzog visit the opening ceremony of the Maccabiah Games in Jerusalem on July 14, 2022. (The Times of Israel: Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

July 22, 2024, 8:55 am

Israeli officials thank Biden for ‘steadfast support’ after he quits presidential race

Lapid posts photo with US leader, writing ‘Thank you’; President Herzog calls him a ‘true ally of the Jewish people’; ex-PM Bennett: ‘Stood by us in our most difficult moments’.

By Michael Bachner

Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, held captive in Gaza since October 7, in a Hamas propaganda video released on April 24, 2024. (The Times of Israel: Screenshot: Telegram)

April 25, 2024, 9:17 am

‘Stay strong,’ parents urge Hersh Goldberg-Polin after Hamas airs propaganda clip

Israeli-American hostage, 23, with missing hand, seen fuming at government for failing to free abductees for 200 days, describing ‘hell’ in Gaza captivity.

By Emanuel Fabian, JESSICA STEINBERG, Jacob Magid and Michael Bachner

Israeli hostages released on November 28, 2023: Top L-R: Ditza Heiman, Tamar Metzger, Noralin Babadila Agojo, Ada Sagi, Meirav Tal; bottom: Rimon Kirsht, Ofelia Roitman, Gabriela Leimberg and her daughter Mia, Clara Marman. (Courtesy; combination image: Times of Israel)

November 29, 2023, 7:57 am

10 Israeli and 2 Thai hostages arrive back in Israel after 53 days in Gaza captivity

8 women, one teen and her mom freed; most were kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz; footage shows them walking, flanked by armed, masked terrorists.

By Michael Bachner

Senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad in the interview with Lebanese channel LBC on October 24. Photo: Screenshot/X

November 10, 2023, 7:27 am

Hamas official vows multiple attacks on Israel

"We must teach Israel a lesson, and we will do it twice and three times."

By GIANLUCA PACCHIANI and Michael Bachner

IDF ground forces in the northern Gaza Strip. Photo: Israel Defence Forces

November 9, 2023, 12:39 pm

IDF ‘tightening noose’ around Hamas in Gaza City

"We will fight together, and with God's help, we will win together,"

By Emanuel Fabian, Michael Bachner and LAZAR BERMAN

IDF ground forces operate in the northern Gaza Strip, in this photo released for publication on November 7, 2023. Photo: Israel Defence Forces

November 8, 2023, 1:22 pm

IDF ‘tightening noose’ around Hamas in Gaza City

Netanyahu says ‘We’re reaching deeper than Hamas ever imagined,’ urges Red Cross to demand access to hostages, rules out fuel entering Gaza, warns Hezbollah against joining war

By Emanuel Fabian, Michael Bachner and LAZAR BERMAN

November 2, 2023, 2:33 pm

‘We will do it twice and three times’: Hamas vows multiple attacks on Israel

Ghazi Hamad, of terror group’s politburo, hails the major assault in which civilians were systematically murdered, saying ‘there will be a second, a third, a fourth’

By GIANLUCA PACCHIANI and Michael Bachner

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. Photo: Yonatan Sindel/ Flash90

October 10, 2023, 6:57 am

Plot against Ben Gvir and ex-MK Glick

Several Iranian plots aiming to harm Israelis inside the country and around the world have been uncovered over the past year.

By MICHAEL HOROVITZ and Michael Bachner

September 28, 2023, 3:33 pm

Shin Bet busts Iranian terror cell planning attacks against Ben Gvir and ex-MK Glick

Security agency says West Bank residents tasked with smuggling arms, organising terror attacks including torching cars; 2 Israelis also enlisted, directed by agent in Jordan

By MICHAEL HOROVITZ and Michael Bachner

Yitzhak Rabin (left) and Yasser Arafat (right) shake hands at the White House on September 13, 1993, as US president Bill Clinton looks on. Photo: J. David Ake/AFP/Getty Images

September 7, 2023, 11:44 am

Wariness over Oslo Accords revealed

Thirty years later, key cabinet quotes reveal Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres feared the Palestinians wouldn't forgo terror and weren't giving enough for Israeli concessions, while Rabin foreshadowed his own assassination.

By Michael Bachner

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a video message, explaining that he is going into the hospital to have a pacemaker fitted, early on July 23, 2023. (Screenshot)

July 23, 2023, 2:52 pm

Netanyahu has pacemaker fitted on eve of pivotal Knesset vote

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was fitted with a pacemaker, a week after he was hospitalised for dehydration.

By Michael Bachner

Protesters in Tel Aviv on June 3.
Photo: Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90

June 8, 2023, 11:26 am

22nd week of protests as negotiations continue

Outlets estimated that between 95,000 and 140,000 people attended the main rally in Tel Aviv, alongside thousands of others in some 150 locations around the country.

By Michael Bachner, CARRIE KELLER-LYNN and TOI STAFF

Israel's team celebrates winning 2-1 against Japan at the end of a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group C soccer match at the Malvinas Argentinas stadium in Mendoza, Argentina, May 27, 2023. Photo: AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko

May 28, 2023, 1:48 pm

Israel through to Under-20 World Cup final 16

Israel has scored a stunning late comeback to beat Japan, taking the national team through to the Under-20 World Cup final 16.

By Michael Bachner

Students protesting against the judicial overhaul in Jerusalem on March 23. Photo: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90

April 26, 2023, 6:55 am

Judicial overhaul negotiations tackle judge picks

"There is much to work on, but there are also partners to work with. The optimism I voiced after the previous discussion still stands, believe it or not."

By Michael Bachner, Ash Obel, SHARON WROBEL and TOI STAFF