Browsing: Middle East

Israel is considering expanding its offensive on Gaza after negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release deal appear beyond reach. In a briefing to reporters, a “senior Israeli official’ said Hamas was refusing to move from its current demands and Israel has run out of patience. The official who spoke after the long meeting between U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that in light of the Hamas position and the failure in the negotiations, Israel and the United States were in agreement that there would be no deals for a partial release of hostages. He said…

The IDF confirmed on Thursday that it struck infrastructure that was used for producing and storing strategic weapons in the Beqaa area and in southern Lebanon. Defense Minister Israel Katz revealed that the targets included the terror group’s largest precision missile production site, which had been targeted previously, as well as additional sites Hezbollah is attempting to rehabilitate. According to the IDF, the Hezbollah terrorist organization tried to rehabilitate the sites and capabilities, “actions that constitute a violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon.” “The IDF is currently striking with force the terror infrastructures of the Hezbollah terror organization…

As ceasefire negotiations continue in Qatar, Hamas is reportedly demanding the release of Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti, who is serving five life sentences for terrorist activities. Israeli officials maintain his name has not yet been formally presented in the talks. Barghouti is considered a unifying figure among Palestinians, and sources suggest Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar personally promised his wife to secure his release. Officials believe Barghouti could lead the PLO from exile and draw parallels to Yasser Arafat. The current truce proposal includes a 60-day ceasefire, release of Israeli hostages, and phased returns of Palestinian prisoners. Israel remains cautious, citing…

President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday visited the Gaza Strip for the first time since the start of the Oct. 7 “Iron Swords” War, where he met with military leaders and received a “full and detailed update” on humanitarian aid efforts in the enclave. Herzog was briefed on “the extensive efforts to ensure humanitarian aid reaches the people of Gaza – despite the danger, despite the pain of knowing our hostages are still held in brutal captivity,” he stated. President Herzog reiterated the position of the Israeli government emphasizing that “What is absolutely clear is that the true obstacle to humanitarian…

The IDF struck and eliminated the Hamas terrorist Muhammad al-‘Amour earlier today (Thursday) in the area of Khan Yunis. Al-‘Amour was responsible for the goods terminal at the Rafah Crossing. In this role, he oversaw the smuggling of hundreds of weapons and military equipment into the Gaza Strip, directly contributing to Hamas’ military buildup. Over the years, he played a key role in the smuggling network of Hamas’ military wing, coordinating and leading efforts to bring weapons into the Gaza Strip and to Hamas with the help of collaborators. Continue reading this article on israelnationalnews.com

According to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, ‘We have credible reason to believe that elements within the crowd – armed and affiliated with Hamas – deliberately fomented the unrest’ The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said that 20 people had been killed in its Khan Yunis aid distribution site on Wednesday, 19 of whom were trampled to death and another fatality who was stabbed. The US-backed organization said the incident occurred “amid a chaotic and dangerous surge, driven by agitators in the crowd. We have credible reason to believe that elements within the crowd – armed and affiliated with Hamas – deliberately fomented the…

Hamas rejected the latest 60-day cease-fire proposal with Israel on Saturday, stalling talks in Qatar while the terror group continues to push for maintaining greater territorial control in Gaza. Negotiations centered on a US-backed Qatari proposal for a temporary halt to hostilities and a partial release of hostages. Israel accepted the offer, but Hamas objected to IDF troop deployments. The latest maps show Israel keeping control of roughly one-third of Gaza, including a 1.86-mile buffer zone in Rafah. Hamas demands a total IDF withdrawal. The proposal would have released 10 hostages believed to be alive and returned the bodies of…

The IDF on Thursday struck and eliminated the terrorist Hassan Ahmad Sabra, a Naval Commander in Hezbollah’s Radwan Force, in the area of Kfour in southern Lebanon. Additionally, a Hezbollah terrorist involved in attempts to reestablish terror infrastructure in the Al-Naqoura area in southern Lebanon was struck and eliminated. The IDF stated that terrorists’ activity constitutes a blatant violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon. “The IDF will continue to operate in order to remove any threat posed to the state of Israel,” it added. Continue reading this article on israelnationalnews.com

On Saturday, July 5, two American veterans working with the U.S.- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) were injured in an attack while distributing aid to Palestinians. The two veterans are reportedly receiving medical treatment and are in stable condition. GHF said the Americans were “highly decorated” veterans. “GHF has repeatedly warned of credible threats from Hamas, including explicit plans to target American personnel, Palestinian aid workers, and the civilians who rely on our sites for food. Today’s attack tragically affirms those warnings,” the organization wrote. GHF vowed that it was still committed to the mission of delivering aid to…

Sirens sounded in several areas in Israel after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) identified the launch of a missile from Yemen toward Israeli territory early Thursday morning. The military announced that the Israeli Air Force (IAF) aerial defense systems were activated to intercept the threat, and several minutes later, the IDF said the missile was successfully intercepted. Following the interception, the Houthi rebel group claimed to have attacked Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv area with a ballistic missile. Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency response service said it had received no reports of injuries or damages from the launch.…