Rosh Hashanah 2026: The 10 events in Israel that defined 5786

The Jewish calendar year 5786, concluding in late 2026, was marked by several significant events in Israel. Key developments included the return of Sgt. First Class Yehuda Katz's remains in August 2026, 44 years after he fell in the First Lebanon War, and the launch of "Operation Roaring Lion" in February 2026, a joint U.S.-Israel offensive against Iran that resulted in the elimination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

• In October 2025, a ceasefire with Hamas, mediated by multiple nations, led to the release of all Israeli hostages from Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, coinciding with U.S. President Donald Trump's address to the Knesset.
• November 2025 saw the High Court of Justice order the government to enforce conscription for ultra-Orthodox men, and the Israel Meteorological Service recorded the hottest November since 1950.
• Israel's population surpassed 10 million in December 2025, and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange aligned its trading week with Western markets in January 2026.
• Culturally, composer Matti Caspi passed away in February 2026 at age 76, while gymnast Artem Dolgopyat secured his third European floor exercise title in August 2026.