Thomas Helm

Thomas Helm

Correspondent


Rambam hospital's underground health facility, the largest of its kind in the world. Reuters
Haifa counts on unity and underground shelters to weather conflict

The port city, which Israel holds up as a model of peaceful coexistence, would be a key economic target

August 20, 2024, 4:53 AM
Conditions at Sde Teiman are fast becoming one of the most pressing human rights issues in Israel. AP
Israeli whistleblower felt 'complicit in war crimes' after prison visit

Stories of abuse have emerged from the detention centre for Gazan terrorism suspects

August 20, 2024, 3:00 AM
Israeli soldiers' accounts of the use of human shields in Gaza were reported by Haaretz. Getty
Israel 'using Gazans as human shields' to explore rigged buildings

Israeli outlet Haaretz reported accounts from soldiers returning from the Gaza War of the practice, which was deemed illegal in 2005

August 14, 2024, 10:37 AM
Demonstrators broke into the Sde Teiman detention centre after military police entered to arrest soldiers suspected of abusing a Palestinian inmate. Reuters
Israeli lawyers call for public support over Sde Teiman 'abuse' inquiry

Many Israelis, including senior politicians, are furious that military courts are investigating claims of soldiers sexually assaulting a Gazan detainee

August 13, 2024, 3:29 PM
EU foreign affairs minister Josep Borrell has said sanctions 'must be on our agenda'. EPA
EU's Borrell calls for Israeli ministers to face sanctions

Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich are criticised for comments, with Gaza ceasefire talks set to resume this week

August 12, 2024, 10:36 AM
People carry a body away from Al Maamadani Hospital for burial after an Israeli strike that killed more than 90 people on a school sheltering displaced Palestinians. AFP
Israel attacks Khan Younis again amid outrage over school strike

There are fears that the latest attacks in Gaza could affect ceasefire talks due to resume this week

August 11, 2024, 5:00 PM
Ultra-orthodox Israelis often protest against any effort to force them to serve in the military. AFP
Ultra-orthodox Israelis storm army base amid anger at military draft

The issue of whether or not the community should serve is one of Israel's longest-standing political dilemmas

August 06, 2024, 3:41 PM
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah speaks on video link during a ceremony to mark a week since the assassination of Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukr, in Beirut. Getty Images
Hezbollah's Nasrallah tells Israel 'punishment' is coming

Group's leader makes speech after exchange of fire killed six people in Lebanon and injured seven in Israel

August 06, 2024, 11:08 AM
An anti-Israel billboard with a message in Persian reading, 'Smile for a while as you will cry very much soon' at Palestine Square in Tehran, Iran, on August 5.  EPA
Israel braces for attack by regional enemies

The military is preparing for the possibility of a significant hit on its air defence systems

August 05, 2024, 1:01 PM
There are fears Israel could strike deep into Lebanon as tensions in the region continue to mount. AP
Foreign citizens urged to leave Lebanon as conflict escalates

International governments are also revising travel advice for Israel

August 04, 2024, 1:08 PM
Survivors fight a fire after an Israeli attack on a tent camp for displaced people in Deir Al Balah. Reuters
Netanyahu threatens 'heavy price' against Iran

Prime Minister says he will go 'long, long way' to free hostages, hours after 15 killed in strike on Gaza school compound

August 04, 2024, 8:05 AM
Palestinians wave flags and chant slogans in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron on July 31, 2024, during a demonstration denouncing the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. AFP
Palestinians want unity after Haniyeh assassination

Despite fears of region-wide instability, the occupied territory saw little public anger after the killing Hamas leader

August 01, 2024, 1:27 PM
A man during a protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, in Tel Aviv, Israel. Reuters
Israeli hostages' families demand ceasefire amid escalating regional tensions

Hamas said it will start discussing the fate of the talks after a week or two

August 01, 2024, 12:10 PM
Hezbollah fighters stand behind the coffin of Fouad Shukur as the group's leader Hassan Nasrallah delivers a televised speech during the commander's funeral in Beirut on Thursday. AP Photo
Multifront war entering new phase, Nasrallah warns Israel

Israel’s ambulance service concludes a massive three-day drill in the north simulating a mass casualty event

August 01, 2024, 5:41 AM
Pictures of those killed in the strike on the football pitch in Majdal Shams on Saturday, Mourners have added black ribbons to the site. Thomas Helm / The National
Majdal Shams residents appeal for peace after deadly strike

People in occupied Golan Heights fear being caught in all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah

July 30, 2024, 6:23 PM