Browsing: War in Israel

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 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…

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…