Israel-Palestinian Conflict

Israel has introduced a new air-launched ballistic missile designed to overcome advanced air defenses and deliver precise strikes announced by the Israel Aerospace Industries.

While still fighting a full-scale war against Hamas in Gaza, Israel’s Defense Forces (IDF) have dramatically intensified preparations to defend the Jewish state against an anticipated “broad military conflict” with Hezbollah in Lebanon, Ynet News reports. Both Hamas and Hezbollah are Shia Islamic jihadist terror organizations supported by Iran which, like them, is sworn to the destruction of Israel.

The Biden administration is working on a historic defense treaty with Saudi Arabia as part of a strategic effort to foster diplomatic ties between Riyadh and Israel, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.

Benny Gantz, chairman of the National United Party and a member of the War Cabinet, announced that he and his party are withdrawing from the coalition government formed after the October 7 massacre. Although his resignation won’t collapse the coalition, it will leave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu more dependent on his far-right partners.

The United Nations Security Council called on Hamas to accept Israel’s ceasefire offer on Monday after passing a U.S. resolution in a 14-0 vote to increase pressure on the terrorist organization.

Israeli forces have rescued four hostages alive from two locations in central Gaza while “under fire by Hamas terrorists,” seriously injuring one soldier, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed.

Israel has condemned a decision by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to add it to a U.N. blacklist of countries and groups that commit grave violations against children.

The Israeli military acknowledged that it struck a school in central Gaza early Thursday that reportedly killed dozens of people, but was quick to add that Hamas fighters were operating from within the school.

Despite recent diplomatic fissures over Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, the United States on Tuesday officially signed off on a $3 billion deal to provide Israel with 25 additional F-35 fighter jets, bringing to 75 the total number of coveted US stealth planes provided to Israel, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports. Tuesday’s deal ensures Israel’s qualitative military edge in the Middle East, and is funded by US military aid.

Amid talks to bring about the release of hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces operating in the Gaza city of Rafah on Wednesday destroyed a major Hamas tunnel and deactivated ready-to-fire rocket launchers that were hidden in a UN post in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, the Jerusalem Post reports.

While still deeply entrenched in a war against Hamas in Gaza, Israel is coming closer to a full-scale war with Hezbollah in Lebanon as well, the Wall Street Journal says in a report that references the views of Israeli officials.

A picture created by Artificial Intelligence (AI) about the situation in Gaza that became extremely popular, or “viral,” on social media has blurred the lines between facts and fiction in a world that no longer embraces the truth automatically.

An alleged Israeli airstrike near the Syrian city of Aleppo early Monday reportedly killed Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) General Saeed Abiyar and, according to a war monitor, resulted in the deaths of 16 members of pro-Iran groups, various media reports indicate.

Some 120,000 protestors took to the streets of Tel Aviv in Israel on Saturday calling for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resign and for the government to strike a deal with Hamas that would secure the release of the 128 hostages still captive in Gaza. the Times of Israel (TOI) reports.

A prominent Hezbollah terrorist was killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon on Monday morning, as the group continued attacks on northern Israel. On early Tuesday, firefighters battled blazes across northern Israel, sparked the day before by Hezbollah’s rockets and drones from Lebanon.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated on Sunday afternoon that Israel has been “steadily choking” Hamas by cutting it off from its supply routes on the Gaza Strip’s border with Egypt and is working on establishing an alternative government in the Palestinian enclave.

On Friday, US President Joe Biden urged Israel to accept a three-part ceasefire and hostage deal, declaring, “It’s time for this war to end.” However, on Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated there would be no “permanent ceasefire” in Gaza until Hamas’s military and governing capabilities were destroyed.

In a significant development, Israel has announced that it has taken control of the strategic Philadelphi Corridor, effectively cutting off the Gaza-to-Egypt terror tunnels. According to Israel, this corridor served as an “oxygen line” for Hamas. Israeli troops have now assumed “operational control” of the Philadelphi Corridor, an 8.7-mile-long border area between Gaza and Egypt, as stated by IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari on Wednesday evening. So far, Israeli forces have uncovered 20 tunnels underneath the corridor, he added.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has expressed “extreme concern” over the Israeli government’s rejection of a two-state solution to the Palestinian conflict, adding that Israel “doesn’t get to decide” whether the Palestinians can have a state or not, World Israel News (WIN) reports.