New report exposes Hezbollah missile sites near Beirut charity-run schools
A new report has shed light on Hezbollah’s systematic use of civilian infrastructure to shield its missile storage and launch sites in Lebanon.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
New Israeli political party “Rapeh” focussed only on Covid-19
Israel has a new political party committed solely to tackling what it says are “years of injustices” in the country’s Ministry of Health that have led to the current catastrophic handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, All Israel News reports. Offering policies that contradict the government’s extensive lockdown and other preventive measures, the “Rapeh” (Be Healthy) party is now listed for the March 2021 general election.
ICC has jurisdiction to probe Israel, Hamas for war crimes, pretrial judges rule
In a major decision released Friday, a pretrial chamber of the International Criminal Court determined that The Hague has jurisdiction to open a criminal investigation against Israel and the Palestinians for war crimes alleged to have taken place in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem.
Israeli hospital claims it developed drug to cure serious COVID cases
Researchers at Israel’s Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv claim that they have developed a drug that may cure serious cases of the coronavirus.
US Senate approves amendment to keep embassy in Jerusalem
The United States Senate voted 97-3 to support an amendment to the COVID-19 budget resolution that affirmed the country’s intention to keep its embassy in Jerusalem.
Israel, US launch joint air defense exercise ‘Juniper Falcon’
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the United States European Command (EUCOM) this week launched a joint air defense exercise, dubbed “Juniper Falcon,” focused on the threat from ballistic missile attacks, the two armies announced Thursday.
Report: Israel strikes Hezbollah targets in Syria
Syrian state television said Wednesday evening the country’s air defenses responded to “Israeli aggression” in what appears to be an attack on Hezbollah targets in the area.
Gideon Sa’ar’s New Hope files election slate, heavy with ex-Likud MKs
Former Likud lawmaker Gideon Sa’ar’s New Hope party filed its party slate Wednesday evening, rounding off the major parties to register for March’s election on the first of two days to do so.
Netanyahu: Goal to vaccinate 90% of people over 50
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu set a goal of expanding the vaccination campaign in the coming days, with an emphasis on those aged 50 and over.
New Poll: Likud is regaining strength lost since March 2020
A new Israeli poll shows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party is regaining popularity it had lost since the March 2020 election, Israel National News reports. Conducted by Midgam and released Sunday, the poll surveyed 505 respondents by phone and the internet.
IDF takes on 13 nations in international cyber defense drill
Five teams representing various branches of the IDF recently completed a first-of-its kind international competitive cyber drill in which they competed against nearly 60 teams from 13 other countries.
Israel holds fresh trials of upgraded Iron Dome due to be installed on ships
An upgraded version of the Iron Dome air defense system on Monday completed a fresh set of trials simulating threats the system is likely to face on land and at sea, the Defense Ministry said.
Almost 30% percent of Israel’s COVID deaths came in January alone
From Jan. 1 until Jan. 30, Israel recorded 29% percent of all its COVID deaths which have been tallied since the pandemic began in March.
317 Israelis who received 2nd dose of COVID vaccine infected with virus
A total of 371 out of 715,425 Israelis who passed at least a week after receiving two doses of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine have contracted the virus – 0.04%, with 16 being sent to the hospital – according to a Health Ministry report released on Thursday.
Israeli Leaders Work to Extend Lockdown Again Amid Intense Government Infighting
Israeli lawmakers will vote today to increase fines for those who violate the regulations of Israel’s third nationwide lockdown. The measure has been the source of intense government infighting and could sink another government meeting scheduled for Thursday intended to extend the now month-long lockdown set to expire on Jan. 31.
Israeli Military Chief Orders New Plans to Strike Iran’s Nuclear Program
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi announced on Tuesday the IDF is preparing military plans to hit Iran’s nuclear program in the upcoming year.
IDF chief’s message to Biden: If necessary, Israel will act alone
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi’s speech at the annual INSS conference on Tuesday might have been in Hebrew, but what he said was aimed at speakers of both English and Farsi.
U.S. announces restoration of relations with Palestinians
U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration announced Tuesday it was restoring relations with the Palestinians and renewing aid to Palestinian refugees, a reversal of the Trump administration’s cutoff and a key element of its new support for a two-state solution to the decades-old conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.
IDF chief warns Israel won’t accept return to Iran nuclear deal, offensive military options on table
The head of the IDF warned Tuesday that Israel would not accept a direct return to the Iran nuclear deal and the military was preparing contingency plans in case the Iranians moved closer to producing a nuclear weapon.
Israel halts all commercial flights in bid to keep virus variants at bay
Israel on Monday night shuttered Ben Gurion Airport to nearly all flights until the end of January, amid fears over fast-spreading or vaccine-resistant coronavirus variants entering the country.