IDF shoots down Hezbollah drone on Lebanon border
Israeli forces shot down a drone belonging to the Lebanese Hezbollah terrorist group that crossed into northern Israel from Lebanon on Tuesday, the IDF said.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Byzantine-era mosaic pavement uncovered in central Israel
Architects in Israel recently unearthed a 1,600-year-old mosaic pavement in the ancient city of Yavne in central Israel, Israel365 reports. According to the Israel Antiquities Authority, the Byzantine-era flooring will eventually be exhibited at the Yavne cultural center.
France: Family of brutally murdered Jewish woman filing for Islamist killer’s extradition to Israel for trial
The family of Sarah Halimi, an Orthodox Jewish woman who was murdered by Islamist Kobili Traoré in France on April 4 2017, is to file a legal claim for the killer to be extradited to Israel for trial, BBC News reported last week. Traoré claimed he was in a drug-induced delirium at the time of the brutal slaying, and a French court has found he cannot therefore be held criminally responsible under the country’s law. Outrage over the court’s decision caused thousands of people to protest in New York, Paris, Rome and Tel Aviv this weekend.
John Kerry told Iranians about secret Israeli operations in Syria: Report
Former Secretary of State John Kerry kept Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif informed about secret Israeli military actions in Syria, the Iranian diplomat said in recently leaked audio, casting new light on communication between the two men after Mr. Kerry returned to life as a private citizen in 2017.
Netanyahu said willing to let Sa’ar be PM first in latest rotation deal proposal
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, running out of time to form a coalition, is reportedly willing to offer former ally Gideon Sa’ar a rotation deal with the current New Hope leader to serve first as prime minister, Hebrew media reported Monday.
Israel shuts down Gaza fisheries following three straight nights of rockets from the Strip
After three consecutive nights of rockets firing from Gaza into southern Israel, and five rockets overnight, Israel shut down the Gaza fishing zone Monday, the Times of Israel reports. Israeli journalists have noted that airstrikes are normally conducted in retaliation for Gaza rockets, and that the closure of fisheries appears to be Israel’s only response in this round of the ongoing conflict.
Dozens arrested in night of chaos and clashes in Jerusalem
The Israel Police said 44 people were arrested and 20 officers were wounded in a night of chaos in Jerusalem, where security forces separately clashed with Palestinians angry about Ramadan restrictions and Jewish extremists who held an anti-Arab march nearby.
Southern Israel pounded by dozens of rockets in overnight strikes from Gaza
Palestinian terrorists fired at least 36 rockets from Gaza into Israeli communities overnight Friday, in one of the worst rounds of cross-border violence in months, setting off sirens across the south and sending residents scrambling for bomb shelters.
IDF chief to make first US visit next week to discuss Iran, Hezbollah
IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi will travel to the United States on Sunday to discuss the threat of Iran’s nuclear program and its entrenchment throughout the region, the military said Friday.
Top court rules no grounds to disqualify Netanyahu as PM ‘at this time’
The High Court of Justice on Thursday rejected a petition seeking Benjamin Netanyahu’s removal as prime minister over his ongoing criminal trial.
IDF probing why air defenses didn’t intercept Syrian anti-aircraft missile
The Israel Defense Forces launched an investigation to determine why its air defenses failed to intercept an errant surface-to-air missile fired from Syria that landed in southern Israel on Thursday morning.
US official: We’re updating Israel on Iran talks in Vienna despite differences
The US has been updating Israel on the progress of indirect negotiations with Iran over a possible return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and will continue a policy of transparency moving forward, a senior State Department official said Wednesday.
Israel hits back after Dimona nuclear reactor rocket alert
The Israeli military said early Thursday that a missile was fired from neighboring Syria, and that it had struck Syrian missile batteries in retaliation.
Bennett: If Netanyahu can’t build coalition, I’ll try to form a unity government
With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts to form a coalition still in dire straits Wednesday, he and Yamina party chief Naftali Bennett held dueling press conferences in which they accused each other of putting their own personal interests above the needs of the country, and of misleading the public.
Sudan abolishes boycott of Israel
Sudan on Tuesday repealed its 1958 law that imposed a boycott of Israel and cut ties between the two countries, Christian Headlines reports. The move follows the Sudan-Israel agreement to normalize diplomatic relations and end the state of belligerence between them. Sudan’s citizens will now be allowed to visit Israel, where around 6,000 Sudanese live.
Netanyahu gives up on forming a government
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is no longer seeking a government that relies on the outside support of the Ra’am Party (United Arab List), he said Tuesday at a press conference in the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem.
Gantz Warns Hezbollah of Suffering ‘Heavy Consequences’ if It ‘Challenges’ Israel
Israel’s Defense Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz paid a visit to the country’s Northern Command on Tuesday, saying “Hezbollah is making attempts to challenge us, but if it acts it will suffer serious consequences.”
US Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Boost Cooperation with Israel in Fighting Cyberattacks
As cybersecurity threats continue to rise, US senators have introduced legislation to boost technology cooperation with Israel and secure funding for up to $30 million to help thwart future malicious attacks.
Bloc of Anti-Bibi Parties Win Control of Israel’s Parliament in Major Blow to Netanyahu
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suffered a major blow on Monday and lost control of the Knesset after his opponents defeated him in a key parliamentary vote.
Iran fears Israeli spy ring operating from within the country: media report
As the shadow war between Iran and Israel appears to be escalating, recent attacks in the Islamic Republic foreshadow an underground network might be active inside Iran, the New York Times reported on Tuesday.