Author: mackenzie

Following weekend situation assessments led by IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, the IDF emphasized that it is closely monitoring developments in Iran while maintaining high operational readiness. The army’s message was clear: while the protests are an internal Iranian matter, Israel is prepared to defend itself and respond with strength if necessary to protect its citizens. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced solidarity with the Iranian people, expressing hope for a future of freedom and better relations between the nations. Israel’s defense posture blends vigilance with restraint—keeping forces ready, refining air-defense and intelligence coordination, and ensuring rapid response capabilities…

The Israel Defense Forces announced on Tuesday that its troops had been attacked by a group of Hamas terrorists in the area of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, in a violation of the ceasefire agreement. Two Israeli soldiers were wounded in the ensuing firefight, but the IDF wasn’t sure whether the terrorists had managed to escape or not. On Wednesday morning, the military said that after conducting searches in the area of the firefight, six Hamas gunmen were found to have been killed during the engagement, and that multiple weapons were found on the fighters. The incident occurred on…

The IDF announced on Thursday that it had launched a wave of airstrikes in several areas in Lebanon. According to the military, the strikes are in response to Hezbollah’s repeated violations of the ceasefire understandings. Local media outlets reported that the strikes targeted the village of Sahmar in the western Bekaa valley, publishing footage of explosions in the village. Shortly before the strikes, IDF Arabic Language Spokesman Avichay Adraee issued a warning to residents of Sahmar, stating that the IDF “will attack in the near term infrastructure belonging to the terrorist Hezbollah and that to deal with its prohibited attempts…

Gary Hargrave challenges the Church to confront antisemitism and rediscover God’s covenant with Israel By Mark Dreistadt | Inspire Media Group In an age of rising antisemitism and global tension surrounding Israel, author and Bible teacher Gary Hargrave delivers a bold message to the Church in his new book, God’s Final Solution Revealed. The title itself reclaims a phrase once twisted by evil—the “final solution”—and redeems it with God’s redemptive plan: the preservation and restoration of the Jewish people and the fulfillment of His covenant promise. A Message for This Moment Hargrave writes from a place of deep intercession and…

The Pentagon announced Tuesday that it has awarded Boeing an $8.6 billion contract to supply Israel with advanced F-15 fighter jets, marking a major boost to the Israeli Air Force’s capabilities. The deal covers the acquisition of the F-15IA, Israel’s customized version of the American F-15EX. These next-generation fighters are designed to gradually replace older aircraft and significantly enhance Israel’s strategic reach and air superiority. The F-15IA is notable for its exceptional weapons-carrying capacity and extended operational range, making it well-suited for long-range strike missions. When combined with Israel’s fleet of F-35 Adirs, the aircraft will create a powerful mix…

The Lebanese army announced Thursday that it had completed the first phase of its plan to disarm Hezbollah, covering the area in the country’s south between the Israeli border and the Litani River. The announcement marked a potential milestone more than a year after a ceasefire ended a year-long war between the terror group and Israel. For decades, Hezbollah had been the most powerful force in Lebanon’s south. But Israel, which maintains a troop presence in a number of key locations in southern Lebanon to defend the border, was skeptical about the Lebanese claim. Continue reading this article on timesofisrael.com

On Friday, January 2, the IDF carried out strikes on several Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, including a training compound used by the terror group’s Radwan Force and nearby weapons depots. Images from the Jezzine district showed smoke rising after Israeli planes targeted positions in the Rihan Heights as part of ongoing efforts to blunt cross-border threats. The army said the targets were linked to efforts by Hezbollah to regenerate capabilities near the frontier. Recent weeks have seen periodic escalations, with Israel emphasizing that strikes are aimed at preventing rearmament and deterring incursions while maintaining readiness along the northern border.…

The IDF struck terror operatives in the western part of Gaza City on Thursday afternoon, Palestinian sources reported a “belt of fire” following the attack, in retaliation for the second violation of the ceasefire in less than a day. Earlier Thursday, a rocket was fired from northern Gaza and fell inside the territory near Israeli military positions — a launch that the military said was “unsuccessful.” The IDF said it detected the rocket launch toward Israel, but the projectile landed inside Gaza near a hospital. In a rapid response, the military said it targeted the launch site. “The IDF strongly…

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared on Saturday, December 27, that Iran is engaged in “total war” with the United States, Israel, and Europe, accusing Western powers of attempting to break Iran through military action, sanctions, and diplomatic pressure. He described the current confrontation as more complex than the Iran-Iraq War, claiming Iran now faces a coordinated, multi-front campaign aimed at weakening the regime and destabilizing the country internally. Pezeshkian pointed to the reimposition of UN sanctions tied to Iran’s nuclear program and blamed European governments for abandoning diplomatic engagement. He said talks earlier in 2025 collapsed after military escalation and…

A teacher was assaulted on Yefet Street in Jaffa by an unidentified assailant on Thursday evening. According to initial reports, the incident occurred shortly before 7 p.m., when Rabbi Netanel Avitan, 51, a teacher at the Shirat Moshe Hesder Yeshiva in Jaffa,  was walking to his car. The attacker allegedly struck him while shouting insults in Arabic, breaking the rabbi’s glasses before fleeing the scene. Magen David Adom paramedics treated Avitan at the scene and evacuated him to Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv. He is receiving treatment for facial wounds and reported headaches. His condition was described as stable. Continue reading this article on jpost.com