World Bank: $480M needed for short-term Gaza recovery
A World Bank report estimates that it will cost $485 million in recovery for damage caused in the Gaza Strip during 11 days of fighting between Israel and Palestinian terror groups in May.
Israel
Knesset fails to renew family reunification law as opposition MKs vote against government
After opposition MKs and a member of PM Naftali Bennet’s Yamina party voted against the new coalition government Tuesday, the Knesset failed to renew the temporary family reunification law which blocks the automatic granting of Israeli citizenship or residency to Palestinians who are married to Israeli citizens, the Times of Israel reports. Considered necessary to Israel’s security, the law has been renewed every year since its inception in 2003: that opposition MKs voted against its re-extension this time is understood as a political move to signal no confidence in the government.
Biden Admin Deletes References to Palestinian Terror Incitement From Congressional Report
The State Department deleted references to the Palestinian government’s terror incitement in a report sent last week to Congress, highlighting what some see as an effort by the Biden administration to downplay Palestinian violence as it restarts U.S. taxpayer aid to the government.
US, Europeans warn nuclear talks in danger as Iran plans enrichment boost
The United States and Europe warned Iran to stop nuclear “brinksmanship” and European powers expressed “grave concern” over Iran’s latest moves to enrich uranium, saying it would complicate its return to talks aimed at restarting the 2015 nuclear accord.
Haifa Researchers Use Laser ‘Tweezers’ to Study Structure and Dynamics of DNA Packaging in All Cells
Each one of the cells in our bodies contains DNA, which dictates the instructions needed for living things to develop and function. Incredibly, a total of two meters of DNA is packaged in each tiny cell’s nucleus, which is just tens of microns in size. This is made possible to packaging the DNA into a compact structure called chromatin.
Iran accuses Israel of June attack on alleged centrifuge plant
Iran on Tuesday accused Israel of a sabotage attack in June that reportedly targeted a nuclear facility near Tehran, the official IRNA news agency reported.
Bennett: If infection rate keeps rising, we will consider reinstating ‘Green Pass’
At the weekly cabinet meeting Sunday, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said that due to the recent spike in coronavirus infections, the government was considering reinstating some aspects of the so-called Green Pass system that differentiates between vaccinated and unvaccinated Israelis in terms of access to certain venues and activities.
Israel confirms vaccine less effective against Delta variant, eyes third dose
Israel’s Health Ministry released data on Monday showing that the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine appears to largely prevent hospitalization and serious cases, but is significantly less effective against preventing the spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus.
‘New Iran nuclear deal must be secured before window of opportunity closes’
French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed there is “a window of opportunity” now for talks aimed at reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, the French presidency said.
IDF launches overnight airstrike on Gaza Strip for incendiary balloons
The Israeli military launched an airstrike late on Saturday against Hamas facilities after the group launched incendiary balloons from the Gaza Strip.
Satellite photos said to show damage from attack on Iran centrifuge site
Private Israeli intelligence group The Intel Lab released satellite photos on Saturday of what it said is damage from a reported drone attack on an Iranian nuclear facility last month.
Iran closest it’s ever been to nuclear bomb, former IDF chief says
Former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot said Friday that Iran is nearer than ever to producing a nuclear weapon, while appearing to imply that America’s 2018 exit from the accord was a mistake.
Warning to Iran: Israel will defend itself against any external threat, Bennett says
In what has been understood as a warning to Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett stated Wednesday that Israel will always defend itself, by itself, against any external threat, the Jerusalem Post reports. The PM made his remarks as the UN Security Council in New York debated Iran’s compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal.
Israel’s Rafael tech company unveils “Sea Breaker” precision-guided missile system
Israel’s defense technology company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd has unveiled “Sea Breaker,” a 5th generation high-end precision-guided missile system designed to carry out surgical, pin-point strikes from distances of up to 300 km. “Sea Breaker is a naval and artillery unit force-multiplier, designed to overcome the modern warfare arena challenges,” Rafael said in a June 29 press statement.
Israel bombs Hamas weapons factory in Gaza after wave of arson balloons
Israeli warplanes bombed a Hamas weapons factory in the Gaza Strip after midnight Thursday in response to a fresh wave of arson balloon attacks launched at Israel from the coastal enclave, , the Israel Defense Forces said.
Iran said to restrict UN inspectors’ access to Natanz nuclear site after attack
Iran has reportedly restricted the access of United Nations inspectors to its uranium enrichment facilities at the Natanz nuclear site, citing security concerns after what it alleges was an Israeli attack on the facility in April.
Israel may reinstitute ‘green pass’ as COVID cases rise
As COVID cases in Israel are rising again, and in light of the possible impact the new, highly contagious Delta variant may have in the country, Israeli health officials are considering reinstituting the “green pass” system that allows only those who have been vaccinated to attend indoor public spaces like restaurants, All Israel News reported on July 1. Israel has already reimposed the indoor mask mandate that was lifted just a few weeks ago.
Ayelet Shaked: If coronavirus cases increase, flights will stop
If coronavirus morbidity was to dramatically increase, the possibility of closing the airport might be on the table again, Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked said on Wednesday at Ben-Gurion Airport, as Israel registered almost 300 cases for the second day in a row.
‘World’s tiniest tech’: Tel Aviv University unveils 2-atom-thick data storage
Researchers at Tel Aviv University on Wednesday unveiled “the world’s tiniest technology,” aimed at storing information on the thinnest unit known to science.
Israel develops “military robot” to patrol Gaza border
As the violent conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip continues to have no resolution, Israel has developed a high-tech semi-autonomous “military robot” that could be used instead of IDF soldiers to patrol its border with Gaza, Eursasian Times reports. Known as ‘Jaguar,’ the “robot” is an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) that will be able to identify and destroy enemy targets remotely.