War on Terrorism

Israel carried out one of its most intense military campaigns in Syria in over a decade, striking air defense systems, missile depots, and strategic sites in Tartus. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights described the strikes as the “heaviest in years,” with massive explosions registering as a magnitude 3.0 seismic event. Videos on social media captured fireballs and mushroom clouds lighting up the night sky.

Israel and Jordan held secret talks on Friday to coordinate the situation in Syria, according to three Israeli officials cited by Axios.

Israel struck more than 100 targets in Syria in less than 12 hours on Monday, a war monitor said, after the Israeli military admitted it crossed into Syrian territory to protect the Jewish nation amid concerns about chemical weapons.

Israeli Air Force jets struck dozens of targets across Syria on Sunday, neutralizing weaponry at risk of falling into hostile hands amid the rapid collapse of the Assad regime. Israel also secured the Syrian side of Mount Hermon to expand the demilitarized buffer zone and strengthen key defensive positions along the border.

Israel rushed to send reinforcements to the Golan Heights as they border Syria, where Islamic rebels rapidly gain territory, threatening long-time Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad’s grip on power.

Israel’s military said Friday it had “eliminated” a mastermind of aerial attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023, when 1,200 people were killed by Hamas and other air strikes targeting Israeli forces.

Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon blamed each other for the deadliest clashes since their ceasefire came into effect last week, adding to global fears that the region will remain embroiled in armed conflicts.

The Biden administration is moving forward with a $680 million arms package to Israel, including thousands of Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kits and hundreds of small-diameter bombs, a U.S. official confirmed Wednesday, as reported by the Financial Times.

Several people were wounded Sunday as Hezbollah launched over 250 rockets and drones at northern and central Israel, according to the military and medics. In response to the relentless attacks, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted Hezbollah’s command centers in southern Beirut.

The United States has warned the Iraqi government that unless it prevents Iran-backed militants from launching attacks against Israel from Iraq, the Israeli government will soon order air strikes against Iraq, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed to the Knesset that Israel’s October “Days of Repentance” operation destroyed part of Tehran’s nuclear program, despite U.S. calls to avoid such sites. He also stated that the operation weakened Iran’s defense and missile production capabilities and vowed to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

A CIA official was arrested in Cambodia and indicted on charges of violating the Espionage Act by leaking classified U.S. documents detailing Israel’s preparations for a retaliatory strike against Iran following a missile attack earlier this year, according to court records and a source familiar with the case.