Browsing: Middle East

Weakened by war and diplomatic deadlock, Iran’s clerical elite stands at a crossroads: defy pressure to halt its nuclear activity and risk further Israeli and US attack, or concede and risk a leadership fracture. For now, the Islamic Republic establishment is focusing on immediate survival over longer-term political strategy. A fragile ceasefire ended a 12-day war in June that began with Israeli air strikes, followed by US bunker-busting bombings of three underground Iranian nuclear sites. Both sides declared victory, but the war exposed the military vulnerabilities and punctured the image of deterrence maintained by a major Middle East power and Israel’s arch…

The Israel Defense Forces released on Tuesday a video clip showing terrorists recently posing as members of the humanitarian organization, World Central Kitchen (WCK). “The terrorists deliberately attached the [WCK] emblem and wore yellow vests in an attempt to disguise their activities and avoid being targeted, cynically exploiting the status and trust given to aid organizations,” the IDF stated. The Israeli military further revealed that representatives of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) “verified the information with the WCK, confirming that the vehicle seen in Gaza with the organization’s emblem had no connection to its activities.” Hamas…

Israel’s Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen. Eyal Zamir, conducted a field tour in southern Lebanon today, meeting with commanders and troops of the regular and reserve forces, emphasizing the IDF’s continued offensive posture in the northern sector. During the visit, which included Brig. Gen. Yuval Gez, commander of Division 91, and Col. 10, commander of Brigade 769, Zamir praised the operational accomplishments since the recent ceasefire. “The achievements in the northern sector are unprecedented — since the ceasefire, over 240 terrorists have been eliminated and approximately 600 air strikes conducted,” Zamir stated. The Chief of Staff stressed that the IDF…

A ballistic missile launched by the Houthis in Yemen at Israel early Thursday morning was intercepted by air defenses, the Israel Defense Forces said. The missile, which was detected shortly after 4 a.m., did not set off any warning sirens in Israel. The military said no alerts were activated “according to protocol,” as the projectile was downed far from the country’s borders. There were no reports of injuries or damage. In a statement, the Houthis claimed to have targeted Ben Gurion Airport. Thursday’s missile fire was the first such incident since the Houthis attempted a drone attack on Israel on…

As part of Operation Gideon’s Chariots, IDF Givati Brigade troops, working with Yahalom unit soldiers, discovered and destroyed a terror tunnel in Beit Hanoun, approximately 5 km from the Ashkelon-Sderot railway line. The tunnel, about 2 km long, contained living quarters and weapons used by Hamas operatives, including AK-47 rifles and explosives. The IDF eliminated several terrorists and dismantled above- and below-ground infrastructure in the area, aiming to secure vital transport routes and prevent future attacks. The operation is part of Israel’s broader strategy to dismantle Hamas’s operational capabilities and ensure long-term security for border communities. (INN/VFI News) “Almighty God,…

There is growing pessimism in Israel regarding the possibility of reaching an agreement for the release of hostages and a ceasefire, reports indicate. A diplomatic source involved in the details of the negotiations warned that “the talks are in the process of collapsing.” “From Israel’s perspective, a partial agreement is not on the table,” the source clarified. “Now, due to Hamas’s refusal, the prospect of securing the release of hostages through an agreement seems out of sight. Israel is preparing to intensify the campaign to defeat Hamas.” According to reports, senior members of Hamas have withdrawn from talks and moved…

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel plans to take control of Gaza, but that it does not intend to maintain permanent control over it in a Thursday interview with Fox News. “We don’t wanna keep it. We want to have a security perimeter, and we don’t want to govern it. We want to give it to Arab forces that will govern it properly and not threaten us.” This comes as the Security Council is expected to meet in a matter of minutes on the government’s potential plan to occupy Gaza. Continue reading this article on jpost.com

The assessment included an overview of the operational situation across all arenas and presented the IDF’s plans moving forward. “We continue to fight on all fronts. The echoes of our strikes are heard all across the Middle East,” Zamir began. “The culture of debate is an inseparable part of the history of the Jewish people. It is a vital component of the IDF’s overall culture – both internally and externally. We will continue to express our position without fear – in a professional, independent, and substantive manner. That is the expectation we have of our commanders as well. The responsibility…

Hamas is reportedly on high alert over fears of a joint Israeli-US rescue mission targeting hostages. Saudi sources claim Hamas has increased surveillance to prevent detection and infiltration by Israeli special forces. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reinforced that Hamas remains the chief obstacle to any ceasefire deal or hostage release. “Together with our American allies, we are considering alternative options to bring our hostages home,” Netanyahu said. Hamas reportedly backtracked on earlier ceasefire agreements, demanding exclusive UN control of humanitarian aid and increasing prisoner release demands. These shifts, Israel says, reveal Hamas’ lack of commitment to any peaceful resolution.…

Hamas said Palestinian resistance will not stop until “the occupation” ends and an independent, fully sovereign state with Jerusalem as its capital is established, in response to “the New York” declaration calling for the group to lay down the arms. A declaration issued on Tuesday by Saudi Arabia and France, backed by Egypt, Qatar and the Arab League, called for Hamas to disarm and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, which they say should rule across all Palestinian territories. Saudi Arabia and France are seeking further global support for the declaration outlining steps towards implementing a two-state solution. Continue…