An investigation into last night's tragic helicopter accident has revealed that a fire in the left engine prompted the crew to make an emergency landing at sea, using its flotation mechanism. The helicopter's communication system, meanwhile, had malfunctioned and so no report was registered.The helicopter landed In the water's surface and Ine of the officers managed to extricate himself. He then attempted to rescue the two pilots but failed. He was able to use cell phone to call the squadron commander and inform him of the crash.

According to the Ynet news website, the authorities have come to an agreement with an Arab administrative security prisoner, Hisham Abu Huash, who has agreed to stop his hunger strike in return for his detention not being renewed.

Yad L'Olim CEO and former MK Dov Lipman addresses Knesset committee, says spread of Omicron has made red country designation obsolete.

MK Moshe Gafni, head of the UTJ party, has sharply attacked the government for its decision to cut short debate In the controversial Electricity Law."The coalition has lost its sense of values and is left with no moral basis whatsoever," he said. "This is a coalition that liked to talk all the time about the rule of law and the importance of correct procedure, but when the UAL party issues a threat In the Electricity Law, suddenly it doesn't even find it necessary to abide by the ruling of the Knesset's own legal adviser. "The same thing happened with regard to the number of ministers in the government, the Norwegian Law, and indeed with every single item In the agenda. They are simply trampling In everything. And we will do everything in our power to throw them out of office as soon as we can."

MK Bezalel Smotrich, head of the Religious Zionism party, has criticized the decision to release administrative security prisoner Hisham Abu Huash, following his hunger strike."This is capitulating to terrorism," Smotrich said. "There's no other way of referring to it. This government that relies In supporters of terrorism has turned us all into their hostages."

Arabs have been throwing rocks at a bus traveling along Route 40 near the Ohalim junction. No injuries have been reported, but the bus windshield was damaged. Police have arrived at the scene and have begun searching the area for suspects.

Speaking at Yesh Atid's first-ever party conference, held this evening, party head Yair Lapid set out his ambitions."We won't stop until we'll the biggest part in Israel," he said. "I've been listening to what Knesset members from Likud, Shas, and United Torah Judaism are saying - from their perspective, if they're not in power, we can shut the country down. We won't allow hatred to prevail," he added.

MK Ophir Sofer (Religious Zionism) has added his own criticism to the decision of the government to expedite passage of the Electricity Law, which will allow illegally built Bedouin homes in the Negev to be connected to the national power grid."This destructive coalition headed by [UAL party head Mansour] Abbas cannot even claim to be adhering to the proper processes of the Knesset. Bennett and Lapid are doing whatever it takes to hold Into their Knesset seats, even if it means selling the state to Abbas. Shame In you," he concluded.