WHO Declares Monkeypox Global Emergency
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the monkeypox outbreak a “global emergency,” raising the prospect of tighter health measures.
Israel
Iran ‘galloping ahead’ with nuclear program, IAEA chief warns
Iran’s nuclear program is “galloping ahead” and the International Atomic Energy Agency has very limited visibility on what is happening, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi told Spain’s El Pais newspaper in an interview published on Friday.
Syria says Israeli airstrikes near Damascus kill 3 soldiers, wound 7
Israeli fighter jets launched a series of airstrikes on areas near the Syrian capital Damascus shortly after midnight on Friday, killing three soldiers and wounding seven others, Syria’s official state media reported.
Israel elections: Both blocs still fail to form a coalition – poll
With 100 days left before the elections for the 25th Knesset, both the bloc supporting former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the bloc forming the current coalition are projected to fail in forming a majority government, according to a poll published by KAN News on Sunday.
Gantz: We can leverage the Abraham Accords to strengthen the Palestinian Authority
Defense Minister Benny Gantz on Thursday expressed his support for leveraging Israel’s new ties with several Arab countries to strengthen the Palestinian Authority, a first for a leading Israeli official.
Israel: Archaeologists unearth 2,000 Judean villa with ‘mikvah’
Archaeologists in Jerusalem’s Old City have unearthed a 2,000-year-old Judean villa with its own Jewish ritual bath (‘mikveh’), overlooking the site of the Biblical temples, the Associated Press reports.
Italian Premier Draghi resigns amid political turmoil, collapsed government
Italian Premier Mario Draghi resigned Thursday after key coalition allies boycotted a confidence vote, signaling the likelihood of an early election and a renewed period of uncertainty for Italy and Europe at a critical time.
IDF unveils new Judea and Samaria security fence
The IDF continues its efforts to strengthen the Judea and Samaria security barrier as part of the IDF’s recent counterterrorism activities. The construction of the barrier which began in April constitutes a significant step in Operation “Break the Wave” and the ongoing efforts to thwart and prevent terrorism as well as strengthen the Judea and Samaria security barrier. This operation led to significant progress in the construction of the security barrier in the Judean Desert, and also led to a significant decrease in the number of illegal infiltrations into Israeli territory.
3 Syrian soldiers killed in alleged Israeli airstrikes near Damascus
Three Syrian soldiers were killed and seven others were wounded in alleged Israeli airstrikes that targeted sites near Damascus on Thursday night, according to Syrian state news agency SANA.
Alongside Abbas, Macron calls for resumption of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks
French President Emmanuel Macron calls for a return to Israeli-Palestinian peace talks in a press conference alongside visiting Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
Israel Warns Lebanon Over Hezbollah ‘Aggression’
Prime Minister Yair Lapid and Defense Minister Benny Gantz warned Lebanon on Tuesday (July 19) that “aggression” by the country’s Iranian proxy, Hezbollah, will not be tolerated.
US Marine Corps successfully tests Iron Dome-based air defense
The U.S. Marine Corps has successfully tested an air-defense package incorporating Israel’s Iron Dome Tamir missile, according to Israel’s Ministry of Defense.
IDF chief Kohavi warns Israel might be required to act against Iran
In a clear warning to Iran, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kohavi said that the military is preparing for the possibility that it would have to act against Iran’s nuclear program.
Khamenei adviser says Iran ‘capable of building nuclear bomb’
Iran is technically capable of making a nuclear bomb but has not decided whether to build one, a senior adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told Qatar’s al Jazeera TV on Sunday.
US and Israel want to unite Middle East against Iran, but Iraq could pose a problem
It has become a kind of mantra in Washington and Jerusalem: Integrate much of the Middle East, including Israel, into a single security system to keep Iran in its place.
Normalization with Israel only if two-state solution reached, Saudi FM says
Saudi Arabia will not fully normalize relations with Israel until a two-state solution with the Palestinian population is reached, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said in an interview with CNN news on Saturday.
In Bethlehem, Biden pledges to keep up efforts for Israel Palestine peace
U.S. President Joe Biden pledged on Friday to keep up efforts to support a just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict even though the goal of a two-state solution appeared far off.
Biden: Saudi Arabia Opens Airspace For Israel; Tensions Remain Over Murder Journalist
U.S. President Joe Biden said Friday that Saudi Arabia had agreed to open its airspace to aircraft flying to and from Israel, but there were no signs yet that the Islamic kingdom would recognize the Jewish state.
US has clinched deal with Saudis for normalization steps toward Israel
US President Joe Biden, during his visit to Jeddah this weekend, will announce the successful brokering of an agreement between Saudi Arabia and Egypt that will see Riyadh take steps toward normalization with Israel, a Middle East diplomat confirmed to The Times of Israel Thursday.
Russia reported to have ordered shutdown of Jewish Agency work
Russia has reportedly ordered the Jewish Agency to stop all work in the country, the Jerusalem Post stated in an exclusive piece on July 5. The Jewish Agency is vitally important in helping Jews from all over the world to immigrate to Israel – a right that is necessary, especially in light of anti-Semitic persecution.