<p><i>Arutz Sheva-Israel National News</i> is stopping its round-the-clock news updates at this time in honor of the start of Shabbat in North America, where they are being written now.</p><p>Updates will resume Saturday night from Israel, following the conclusion of Shabbat at 17:15 Jerusalem time.</p><p>Shabbat Shalom!</p>

<p>New York Gov. Kathy Hochul distances herself from mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, rejecting his anti-Israel positions and affirming her record of support for Israel.</p><p><i>(Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)</i></p>

<p>Belgium’s <i>RTBF</i> confirms Eurovision participation in Vienna, a day after the EBU ruled that Israel would be allowed to participate.</p><p><i>(Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)</i></p>

<p>CENTCOM praises Syria for stopping Hezbollah arms smuggling, after Trump urged Israel-Syria dialogue.</p><p><i>(Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)</i></p>

<p>Crowds at Hostages Square mark Shabbat with prayers and pleas for Ran Gvili, the last hostage in Gaza. His sister Shira urges unity and faith, demanding his return: “Until the last hostage, until Rani is home.”</p><p><i>(Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)</i></p>

<p>President Trump receives FIFA’s new peace prize at the 2026 World Cup draw, having been previously praised by FIFA chief for Gaza ceasefire efforts.</p><p><i>(Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)</i></p>

<p>Earlier on Friday, IDF troops identified two terrorists who were carrying suspicious objects and approaching the troops operating in the northern Gaza Strip, posing an immediate threat to them, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit said.</p><p>Following the identification, and under the guidance of the ground troops, the IAF struck the terrorists in order to remove the threat, eliminating one of the terrorists.</p><p>"IDF troops in the Southern Command remain deployed in accordance with the ceasefire agreement and will continue to operate to remove any immediate threat," said the IDF statement.</p><p><i>(Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)</i></p>

<p><i>Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' </i>Israel desk is stopping its round-the-clock news updates at this time in honor of Shabbat. Jerusalem candle lighting time is 15:55 on Friday. Our North American desk will keep you informed until the 16:10 EST candle lighting time in New York.</p><p>The updates from Israel will resume Saturday night, following the conclusion of Shabbat at 17:15 in Jerusalem.</p><p>Shabbat Shalom!</p><p> </p><p> </p>