Gaza arson balloons spark fires in Israel’s south for 7th straight day
Two wildfires broke out Wednesday morning near the Gaza border due to balloon-borne explosives launched from the Gaza Strip for the seventh straight day.
Israel
UN Security Council at odds over peacekeeping operation on Israel-Lebanon border
The United Nations Security Council remains at odds over the way the UN peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon operates on the ground, with the United States backing Israel’s demands for major changes.
Knesset gives preliminary approval for election-averting bill to delay budget
The Knesset passed in its preliminary reading Wednesday a bill to grant the government more time to pass the national budget, helping avert a fourth round of elections by pushing off the approaching deadline.
Israel Warned the UN a Year Ago About Hezbollah Smuggling Arms Through Beirut Port
Hezbollah opposes the idea of an international inquiry into the devastating explosion in Beirut a week ago, stoking suspicion that the Iran-backed terrorist group worries an independent inquiry may draw unwelcome attention to its alleged use of the port for smuggling weapons into Lebanon.
US revises UN resolution to extend UN arms embargo on Iran
The United States on Tuesday circulated a revised resolution that would extend a UN arms embargo on Iran indefinitely, seeking to gain more support in the 15-member Security Council where veto-wielding Russia and China have voiced strong opposition.
Netanyahu: US has kept me from annexing West Bank settlements
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has blamed the US for his failure to annex West Bank settlements.
Bipartisan US bill aims to advance normalized ties between Israel, Arab states
Two US senators introduced bipartisan legislation last week aimed at promoting normalized relations between Israel and Arab countries.
Israel closes Gaza border crossing after spike in arson balloon attacks
Following waves of explosive balloons launched from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory over the last few days, Israel will shut the Gaza Strip’s Kerem Shalom commercial crossing beginning Tuesday morning “until further notice,” the Israeli military liaison to the Palestinians announced.
Netanyahu said to back budget delay, in move that would avert election
In a move to avert a fourth round of elections in under two years, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly agreed to advance legislation to delay an August 25 budget deadline. The step is also being backed by coalition partners Blue and White and Shas.
As budget deadline nears, ministers engage in heated debate over coalition’s fate
A meeting designed to finalize new measures against the coronavirus pandemic ended with mutual recriminations between Blue and White and Likud over the future of the fragile unity government.
Israel Will Begin Human Trials on New Vaccine in October
The Israel Institute for Biological Research (IIBR) will begin testing its coronavirus vaccine on human subjects in October, Defense Minister Benny Gantz announced on Thursday.
PM: Gov’t aims to start vaccinating all Israelis by early 2021
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu toured a coronavirus ward at a Jerusalem hospital on Thursday, vowing to do his utmost to ensure Israelis will get access to a vaccine for COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, as soon as possible. Netanyahu said the target date to begin widespread vaccination drives is early 2021.
Trump bans dealings with Chinese owners of TikTok, WeChat
US President Donald Trump on Thursday ordered an unspecified ban on “transactions” with the Chinese owners of the consumer apps TikTok and WeChat.
IDF fighter jets attack Hamas targets after explosive balloon attacks
IDF fighter jets attacked a Hamas underground infrastructure in the northern Gaza Strip late Thursday, the IDF Spokesperson confirmed.
Netanyahu warns Hezbollah amid high tensions along northern border
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday warned the Lebanese terror group Hezbollah and others, after Israeli forces said they thwarted an infiltration attempt from Syria by suspected militants.
Lebanon Mourns As Blasts Kills Dozens, Injures Thousands
Lebanon’s prime minister has declared a national day of mourning after his nation’s worst explosion in years devastated Beirut killing scores of people and injuring thousands.
Israel Mulls Imposing Another Lockdown to Fight Virus
Israeli leaders are considering reinstating a full lockdown in August as the country continues to battle a second wave of the coronavirus.
Israeli court upholds block on Palestinian Authority payments to terrorists
The Tel-Aviv District Court ruled in favor of an Israeli government crack-down on Palestinian Authority (PA) payments to convicted terrorists in prison, Israel Hayom reported.
IDF strikes Syrian military targets in response to attempted border attack
The Israeli military conducted a series of airstrikes on Syrian military targets late Monday night in response to an attempted attack on the border in the Golan Heights the night before, the Israel Defense Forces said.
Likud minister: If Gantz fails to back budget, we’ll form alternative government
Regional Cooperation Minister Ofir Akunis warned Monday that if the Blue and White party does not back a single-year budget as pushed by his Likud party, the latter will seek to replace the unity coalition with an alternative government of 61 MKs.