Browsing: United States

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…

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to present President Donald Trump with options for renewed strikes on Iran during a meeting later this month at Mar-a-Lago. The discussions are described as being driven by deepening Israeli concern over Iran’s continuing efforts to rebuild and expand key military capabilities after the June conflict known as Operation Rising Lion. While Iran’s nuclear activity remains a central worry for Jerusalem, the most immediate focus described in the early details is the ballistic missile threat, which Israeli officials see as urgent and rapidly evolving. Israeli officials have voiced concern that Iran is not…

A dramatic shift may be underway in Israel’s strategic defense policy as officials in Jerusalem confirm to i24NEWS that Israel considers a gradual reduction of US military aid. The annual aid package stands at $3.8 billion, almost all of which is directed toward purchases from the American defense industry. This development ties in with an extraordinary statement made by the Prime Minister this morning in an interview with Australian television, in which he said that he wants to see a much more independent defense industry. He also noted that, as prime minister back in 1996, he initiated the process of…

The historic announcement early Thursday by U.S. President Donald Trump of an agreement between Israel and Hamas — marking the first stage of his Middle East peace plan — dominated headlines across the globe, from the United States to Australia, Brazil to Italy. The deal, which includes the release of all hostages held in Gaza in exchange for a partial Israeli withdrawal, was widely described by international outlets as a “historic breakthrough” that could position Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize. Yet, reports also raised doubts over how the plan will be implemented, including Israel’s demand that Hamas disarm and…

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…

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.…

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…

Nearly two months after his release from Hamas captivity, 21-year-old Edan Alexander is set to meet former U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday. The visit, confirmed by the White House, comes after what officials describe as a deeply personal effort by Trump to help secure the dual Israeli-American citizen’s freedom. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that both Trump and former First Lady Melania Trump are “looking forward” to hosting Alexander and his family in the Oval Office. The meeting is scheduled to take place at noon. Continue reading this article on i24news.tv

Following the U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Western Wall with his wife, Sara, to offer prayers of gratitude for the success of the mission and President Trump’s support. Joined by the rabbi of the Western Wall and the site’s heritage director, Netanyahu recited psalms of thanksgiving. He placed a note between the stones declaring: “Am Yisrael kam – Am Yisrael chai!” (The Nation of Israel has risen – The Nation of Israel lives!) Netanyahu said the timing of the prayer mirrored his earlier visit before Operation Rising Lion began. This act of faith…

The new proposal from US special envoy Steve Witkoff for a deal between Israel and the Hamas terror group would see the release of 10 living Israeli hostages held in Gaza and the return of the bodies of 18 deceased hostages, in exchange for a 60-day ceasefire, an Israeli official confirmed to The Times of Israel on Thursday. The confirmation came as right-wing ministers, and some hawkish hostage families, came out in opposition to the proposed deal, arguing that Hamas is weakened and now is the time to force the terror group to surrender. As part of the US proposal, the…