Gantz: ‘Ground invasion of Gaza an option for next war’
In an apparent warning to Hamas, Defense Minister Benny Gantz said that Israel would not hesitate to invade “enemy territory” during its next war.
Israel
Washington vows no Iranian nukes as Kochavi wraps up US visit
The Biden administration reaffirmed a U.S. commitment not to allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons as IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi wrapped up four days of discussions with American defense and intelligence officials.
Chief Rabbi: ‘Exhume body of Christian missionary buried in Jewish cemetery’
Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel David Lau said Wednesday that the body of a Christian missionary who posed as a Jew for years should be reburied in a non-Jewish cemetery.
Attack on Iranian nuclear site damaged centrifuge production facility
The attempted attack on an Iranian nuclear site outside Tehran that was reported on Wednesday targeted a facility used in the construction of centrifuges needed to enrich uranium, Iranian opposition sources said.
Gantz: Raisi election shows Iran is becoming more extremist
Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz said Tuesday that the Iranian election last week of ultraconservative cleric Ebrahim Raisi as the country’s president shows that Iran is headed toward “greater extremism” Israel News reports.
PM Bennet says Indian variant is spreading, recommends Israelis should not travel abroad
Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Tuesday recommended Israelis should not travel abroad because, he said, the Indian variant of the COVID-19 virus “is spreading rapidly around the world,” Israel News reports. The PM made his remarks three days after a fresh outbreak of COVID-19 was reported in two schools in the northern Israeli town of Binyamina, with 45 people infected.
48% of Gaza war casualties associated with terror groups – intel report
At least 48% of the Palestinians killed during the May 10-21 Gaza conflict were associated with terrorist groups, the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center reported Tuesday.
IDF chief calls return to Iran nuclear deal ‘dangerous’ at Pentagon meetings
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi said during a visit to the Pentagon that a U.S. return to the Iran nuclear deal would be “dangerous” and that all options should be exhausted to prevent the Islamic Republic from acquiring nuclear military capabilities, the Israeli military said in a statement Monday.
Hamas, UN meeting on ceasefire with Israel falls through
The leadership of the Hamas terrorist group met in the Gaza Strip on Monday to consolidate a ceasefire agreement with Israel but failed to reach an understanding.
Bank of Israel issues digital shekel
The Bank of Israel has issued digital currency for a first internal pilot program prior to the possibility of issuing a digital shekel. Bank of Israel deputy governor Andrew Abir inadvertently revealed this during a meeting two weeks ago to examine the need for a digital shekel and its implications for the financial sector, “Globes” has learned.
Israeli high-powered laser system intercepts, destroys 100% of UAVs launched during test
For the first time ever, the Israel Ministry of Defense, Elbit Systems and the Israel Air Force have successfully completed a series of interception tests employing an airborne, high-power laser system.
US to continue talks on rejoining Iran deal, although says Raisi election was unfair
The United States has said it will continue indirect talks with Iran on rejoining the 2015 nuclear deal, despite asserting that the June 18 election of ultraconservative cleric Ebrahim Raisi as Iran’s new president had not been a free and fair process, the Times of Israel reports. Raisi is viewed as an ally of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran’s sole nuclear power plant undergoes unexplained emergency shutdown
Iran’s sole nuclear power plant underwent an unexplained temporary emergency shutdown, state TV reported on Sunday.
Blinken, Lapid discuss US-Israel ties, efforts to expand normalization agreements
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with his new Israeli counterpart Foreign Minister Yair Lapid on Thursday, discussing a range of issues from the U.S.-Israel relationship, Iran and a push for more normalization agreements with Arab countries.
US to pull Patriot batteries from key MidEast countries
The US is moving up to eight Patriot air defense batteries from key countries in the Middle East, according to a Wall Street Journal report on Friday.
IDF slams Hamas targets; army chief warns of new round of hostilities
The Israel Air Force slammed more than 10 Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip Thursday evening, responding to the launching of fire balloons into southern Israel for the third day in a row.
Study Shows Drop In Support for Israel Among US Evangelical Young Adults
A new study released this week, shows a sharp drop in support for Israel among Evangelicals aged 18 to 29 that could have “dramatic implications” on long-term US-Israel relations.
Israel is issuing new proof-of-vaccination document
Israeli authorities have begun rolling out a new document showing proof of COVID-19 vaccination or recovery, the Times of Israel reports. However, the Health Ministry has stated it is acting to ensure that current certification remains valid so that people can travel in the interim without having to undergo expensive testing.
Ultraconservative cleric expected to win Iran’s presidential election
Iran may be about to take an even harder stance against the West, as it is expected ultraconservative cleric Ebrahim Raisi will replace “moderate” President Hassan Rouhani in the country’s presidential election on June 18, the Times of Israel reports. After three of the seven candidates dropped out of the race on Wednesday, the election is widely viewed as a foregone conclusion in favor of Raisi, and a record low turnout is anticipated.
Iran says it has 6.5 kg of 60%-enriched uranium, inching closer to weapons-grade
Iran said Tuesday that it has produced 6.5 kilograms (14.3 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity and 108 kilograms of uranium enriched to 20% purity in five months, far ahead of the schedule set by a law passed earlier this year by Tehran.