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.



An Israeli soldier guards on the border fence between Israel and Lebanon, northern Israel, November 16, 2025

IDF launches surprise drills in northern Israel after killing Hezbollah's military chief

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Ministers and MK's attend a 40 signatures debate, at the plenum hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on November 10, 2025.

Netanyahu calls emergency meeting as violence by Jewish extremists escalates

An IAF jet prepares to depart prior to the strikes on military targets in Iran. October 26, 2024.

Air Force forms new elite unit to guard bases after Oct. 7, IDF says


IDF to maintain control in Hermon, Gaza, Katz says

Defense Minister Israel Katz rules out a Palestinian state, says IDF will stay in key areas, and Gaza will be fully demilitarized.

 Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz waits for his British and French counterparts for a meeting, amid the conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Jerusalem August 16, 2024.

Israeli man indicted for Iran espionage, used reservist girlfriend to collect IDF intelligence

Shimon Azarzar and his girlfriend were arrested in October on suspicion of acting under Iranian direction to gather intelligence and carry out tasks.

 The silhouette of a person, with Iran's flag in the background (illustrative).

Hamas claims remains of slain hostage Hadar Goldin were recovered in Rafah, Al Jazeera reports

Following the Al Jazeera report, a security source confirmed to Maariv that hostage remains were being recovered by the terror group from the Israeli-controlled side of the Yellow Line.

A picture of Hadar Goldin is displayed during a protes at Hostage Square, November 8, 2025.

IDF killed Hezbollah Radwan Force terrorists in southern Lebanon, the military confirms

Four people were killed in a strike in Kfar Reman, southern Lebanon, Lebanese media reported, while IDF sources pointed out the assassination targeted a logistics commander of the Radwan force.

A Hezbollah flag and a poster depicting Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah are pictured along a street, near Sidon, Lebanon July 7, 2020

IDF admits lapses in Ein Habesor defense on Oct. 7, praises local emergency squad’s courage - probe

The IDF battalion in the area was constrained by the volume of terrorist infiltrations across multiple locations, as well as by damage to command and control systems at higher levels.

Security camera footage showing the entrance to Moshav Ein Habesor during the October 7, 2023, massacre.

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

Prime Minister Netanyahu immediately ordered the strikes after a security assessment with defense officials.

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

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

Some of the missing hostage remains may be located behind the Yellow Line Israel withdrew to under the terms of the US-brokered Gaza deal. 

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.

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

Forces dealt with simulated attempted takeovers of additional northern communities, IDF facilities, and outposts along the border.

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

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.