Edited by: Fern Sidman

As the war to obliterate all vestiges of the Hamas terrorist infrastructure in Gaza rages on, on Sunday night, a deadly fire broke out in Rafah, Gaza, following an Israeli airstrike. The Israeli military is now investigating whether this fire was caused by the secondary detonation of Hamas munitions stored nearby, as was reported by the Jewish News Syndicate on Tuesday.

The airstrike targeted a structure in Tal as-Sultan, a neighborhood in northwest Rafah, based on intelligence indicating the presence of two high-ranking Hamas officials: Yassin Rabia and Khaled Nagar. According to the information provided in the JNS report, both individuals were known for their significant roles in Hamas’s operations in Judea and Samaria, directing numerous terror attacks targeting Israeli civilians and soldiers.

Yassin Rabia, described as the commander of Hamas’s leadership in Judea and Samaria, was responsible for managing terror activities, transferring funds, and planning attacks. He had also conducted attacks himself, resulting in the deaths of IDF soldiers in the early 2000s. Indicated in the JNS report was that Khaled Nagar, a senior official in the same region, orchestrated shootings and other attacks that killed several Israeli civilians and soldiers. Both men were previously imprisoned and released as part of the 2011 Shalit prisoner exchange deal, and they were reportedly planning further attacks at the time of the strike.

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) employed two of the smallest types of munitions available, each carrying 17 kilograms (37.5 pounds) of explosives. According to a military official, these munitions have been used extensively throughout the conflict. JNS reported that the small size of these warheads was intended to minimize collateral damage, a crucial consideration given the densely populated nature of Gaza.

Despite these precautions, the resulting fire has raised questions about the presence of additional explosive materials in the vicinity. The military official noted that a Hamas rocket launcher was located just 47 meters from the targeted compound, suggesting that the blaze might have been exacerbated by the ignition of nearby weapons caches.

IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari emphasized that the initial strike’s munitions were too small to cause such an extensive fire independently. The JNS report noted that the presence of fuel, cooking gas canisters, or other flammable materials in the area could have contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze.

The military also released satellite photos showing the proximity of the Hamas rocket launch position to the targeted area, further supporting the hypothesis that secondary explosions played a role in the fire, as per the information contained in the JNS report. These images are part of the ongoing effort to provide transparency and accountability in Israeli military operations.

Social media reports indicate that video captured just after the attack in Rafah has provided revealing details. The Gazan narrator explicitly mentions that the target of the Israeli attack was a Hamas jeep loaded with weapons. At 21 seconds into the video, secondary explosions are visible, confirming the presence of munitions. Additionally, the narrator’s immediate reaction to these explosions is fear of an incoming rocket, indicating his belief that rockets were also present at the site and might ignite due to the fire. Also in the video, Gazans themselves proceed to say “Any moment a Hamas rocket can fly at us”.

Since the surprise attack by Hamas on October 7, which saw 1,200 Israeli civilians brutally massacred and resulted in the abduction of 250 individuals, the region has seen a significant escalation in violence.

The Israeli military’s emphasis on minimizing collateral damage is juxtaposed with the reality of Hamas’s tactics, which often involve embedding military assets within civilian infrastructure.

The IDF is currently reviewing footage captured by Gaza residents and posted on social media that ostensibly shows secondary explosions following the airstrike. This footage is a critical piece of evidence in the ongoing investigation. The JNS report affirmed that an IDF official noted that this visual evidence, combined with intelligence suggesting the presence of Hamas weapons stored in the vicinity, reinforces the suspicion that these munitions may have caught fire post-strike.

The investigation is being conducted by the IDF General Staff fact-finding mechanism, an independent professional body within the military. The focus is to determine the precise cause of the fire and to establish whether the secondary explosions from Hamas munitions were indeed the catalyst.

The IDF official emphasized that the type of munition used in the strike, which has been deployed numerous times during the conflict, is not capable of causing such a large fire on its own. According to the JNS report, Rear Admiral Hagari emphasized that the munitions used in the strike were the smallest available to the Israeli Air Force (IAF) jets, each carrying 17 kilograms (37.5 pounds) of explosives. He stated unequivocally, “Our munition alone could not have ignited a fire this size … We used the smallest munition that our jets can use.” This assertion highlights the military’s intention to minimize collateral damage during operations.

The targeted area was 1.5 kilometers away from the humanitarian evacuation zone established by the IDF, underscoring efforts to minimize civilian casualties. Despite these precautions, the fire’s aftermath has prompted a reassessment of operational protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The IDF official reiterated that the primary objective of their operations is to combat Hamas, not the people of Gaza. The investigation aims to understand the exact sequence of events that led to the tragic fire and to develop strategies to prevent such incidents from recurring.

“This is a very tragic incident that occurred. We have to understand why it occurred. And we have to understand how we prevent this kind of incident from[occurring again,” the official stated.

The ongoing investigation into the Rafah fire is a testament to the IDF’s dedication to transparency and accountability in military operations. As evidence continues to be assessed, the findings will play a crucial role in shaping future operational protocols.

The airstrike targeted a “closed” terrorist structure situated almost a mile from the Al-Mawasi Humanitarian zone.

Hagari disclosed that signals intelligence played a crucial role in shaping the current understanding of the incident. Intercepted phone calls suggest that weapons stored in a nearby compound may have caught fire following the airstrike. “There may have been weapons in the area. Our signals intelligence intercepted phone calls reinforcing this possibility that weapons stored in a nearby compound caught fire,” Hagari explained, as was pointed out in the JNS report.

Hagari assured the public that the investigation would be swift, thorough, and transparent. The IDF’s commitment to understanding the cause of the fire is driven by a desire to prevent similar incidents in the future, the report on JNS said. “Our war is against Hamas, not the people of Gaza. This is why we convey deep sorrow over this loss of life,” Hagari stated, expressing deep regret over the incident and its tragic consequences.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the fire as a “tragic mishap,” reflecting the unforeseen and devastating nature of the incident, as was reported by the Associated Press. Rear Admiral Hagari also characterized the fire as a “devastating incident which we did not expect,” pointing to “unforeseen circumstances” as a key factor in the blaze. This hypothesis aligns with the Israeli military’s broader narrative that Hamas terrorist activities and stockpiles within civilian areas pose significant risks to both combatants and non-combatants.

In related developments, JNS also reported on Tuesday that Israeli tanks rolled into the center of Rafah, as per Palestinian reports and eyewitness accounts provided to Reuters. The Israel Defense Forces tanks were seen near the Al-Awda mosque, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing ground offensive in Gaza. The JNS report said that although the Israeli military had not immediately confirmed these movements, it indicated that a formal statement on the Rafah operation would be issued later in the day.

This development comes three weeks after Israel initiated its ground offensive targeting the last Hamas stronghold in southern Gaza. According to the information provided in the JNS report, the operation, which initially began in eastern Rafah, has since expanded to other critical areas, signaling a comprehensive approach to dismantle Hamas’s infrastructure and operational capabilities in the region.

Palestinian reports indicated that IDF infantry and tanks were advancing in the Tel Sultan neighborhood of northwestern Rafah. This marks the first ground operation in that part of the city. JNS also reported that Tel Sultan is strategically significant as it hosts one of the four Hamas battalions in Rafah. The other battalions are located in Yabna (south), Shaboura (north), and east Rafah, all of which have seen IDF activity in recent weeks.

During his remarks at the press conference early on Tuesday, Hagari announced that the Bislamach Brigade under Division 162 has joined the fighting in Rafah. This addition reinforces the three brigades already active in the area, enhancing the operational capabilities of the IDF, the JNS report revealed. The troops are conducting targeted operations along the Philadelphi Corridor, an 8.7-mile-long border area between Gaza and Egypt. This corridor is a critical zone for counter-terrorism operations, aimed at disrupting Hamas’s logistical and operational infrastructure.

JNS also reported that the area is notorious for its network of tunnels used by Hamas for smuggling weapons, supplies, and personnel. By intensifying operations in this region, the IDF aims to cut off critical supply routes and weaken Hamas’s operational capabilities.

The intensification of the ground offensive in Rafah underscores the broader strategic objectives of the IDF in its ongoing campaign against Hamas. The operation seeks to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure of Hamas, neutralize key operatives, and restore security to southern Israel.

The IDF’s efforts to minimize civilian casualties and collateral damage are evident in their strategic planning and execution of operations. Nonetheless, the complex urban environment and the embedding of terrorist assets within civilian areas present significant challenges, as was noted in the JNS report.

According to the IDF, troops from the Nahal Brigade’s combat team located tunnel shafts, seized weapons and killed many terror operatives in the Rafah area in recent days.

Last week, Nahal Brigade soldiers found a large weapons cache and a lathe for the production of rockets and grenades, as well as explosive vests, a rocket-launch complex, platforms for making rockets and more.

Troops are also active elsewhere in Gaza, according to the IDF, including in Jabalia in the north, where dozens of terror sites were destroyed, including observation posts, weapons depots and a building used by Hamas.

Several terrorists were also killed by IDF troops over the past day in Jabalia, including a mortar-launching cell that was hit by a fighter jet.

In central Gaza, the IDF said that it expanded operations in the Netzarim Corridor, killing terrorists and conducting targeted raids.

Also on Tuesday, JNS reported that the US. Department of Defense has announced a temporary removal of a critical pier off the Gazan coast for at least a week to undergo necessary repairs. This decision follows a significant structural failure on Tuesday when the top of the T-shaped pier, known as the Trident pier, separated and drifted into the coast, according to the JNS report. This incident adds to the operational challenges faced by the U.S. military in the region, compounded by four U.S. Army vessels running aground between the Gaza pier and the Israeli city of Ashkelon.

Sabrina Singh, the deputy Pentagon press secretary, provided details during a press briefing on Tuesday. She explained that earlier in the day, a portion of the Trident pier detached from its anchored position and required immediate attention. “The Trident pier was damaged and sections of the pier need rebuilding and repairing,” Singh stated, as was noted in the JNS report.

The Trident pier is a crucial component of the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) operation, facilitating the offloading of supplies and equipment in regions lacking fixed port facilities. As detailed in the JNS report, the damage to the pier disrupts this operation, necessitating swift and comprehensive repairs to restore its functionality.

Edited by: Fern Sidman

On a visit on Monday to the ravaged communities in Israel following the October 7 massacre, former US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley unequivocally pointed fingers at Iran, Russia, and China for their alleged roles in the catastrophic attack executed by Hamas, according to a report that appeared on Monday in the Times of Israel. Speaking at the remains of the Sderot police station alongside Likud MK and former UN envoy Danny Danon, Haley’s statements sparked a flurry of debate and concern regarding the broader geopolitical entanglements and their implications.

Haley’s claims were direct and alarming: she contended that the attack was orchestrated by Iran, supported by Russian intelligence, and financed by Chinese money. Her assertion, “if we are arrogant enough,” such an attack “could absolutely happen in America too,” was a stark warning meant to shine a spotlight on the very real threat posed by these nations, as was reported by the TOI. Haley argued that China’s ongoing financial support to Iran facilitated the latter’s role in training Hamas operatives, while Russian intelligence allegedly provided crucial information to aid the assault.

While Haley’s accusations are severe, it’s essential to recognize the current geopolitical stances and actions of the implicated countries. To date, there is no publicly available evidence linking Russia or China directly to the planning or execution of the October 7 attack. The information contained in the TOI report indicated that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s administration has indeed been vocally critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza and has hosted Hamas officials, calling for a ceasefire through a UN Security Council resolution that notably did not mention Hamas.

China, on the other hand, has shown a strategic inclination to foster stronger ties with Arab nations. Beijing’s announcement to host Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and other Arab leaders to articulate a unified stance on the Palestinian issue further exemplifies China’s diplomatic maneuvers to assert its influence in the region, as was observed in the TOI report.

Iran’s support for terrorist groups, including Hamas, is well-documented. The Iranian regime has been a longstanding patron of various proxy groups throughout the Middle East, providing financial support, training, and weaponry, the TOI report said. Iran’s strategic objective has often been to destabilize rivals and extend its influence through asymmetric warfare. The link between Iran and Hamas fits within this broader pattern of Iranian foreign policy.

Danon confirmed Iranian involvement but was cautious about definitively linking Russia and China to the attack. “We have to look very carefully [at] who trained the Hamas terrorists. We have evidence about Iranian involvement,” he told the TOI. When pressed for credible information linking Moscow and Beijing to the attack, Danon noted, “No, we have to look at the rockets and missiles that they were using. Definitely, they came from Russia and China. You have to look deeply who brought it and who gave it to them.”

This trip to Israel which was organized by Danon, came at a time when Haley’s name is being floated as a possible vice-presidential candidate for Donald Trump, despite Trump’s public dismissal of the notion. Noted in the TOI report was that Haley’s visit to the war-torn regions of southern Israel served both to solidify her foreign policy credentials and to demonstrate her unwavering support for Israel—a key factor for many Republican voters.

Haley’s participation in the Republican primary, where she was a contender against Trump, has kept her in the political limelight. The report in the TOI added that visiting Israel, a country that holds substantial symbolic and strategic importance for many American politicians, is a common move for those looking to bolster their foreign policy experience and credentials.

Despite the conjecture, Haley has stated that Trump has explicitly communicated she will not be his running mate. Yet, the TOI also reported that Trump himself has indicated that he envisions a role for Haley within his team, reflecting the ambiguous but strategic nature of her political positioning.

MK Danny Danon, who served concurrently with Haley at the United Nations, organized her visit. He has been active in bringing international attention to the southern regions of Israel that have suffered significantly since the October 7 massacre. The TOI report pointed out that Haley’s tour included stops at Kibbutz Nir Oz and the Nova festival site in Re’im, key locations impacted by the violence. These visits allowed her to engage directly with survivors and local residents, offering a platform to express solidarity and empathy while reinforcing her image as a staunch supporter of Israel.

Throughout her visit, Haley made several pointed remarks that reflect her political ethos and the broader ideological stance she aims to project. Emphasizing her support for Trump, Haley articulated a vision of American leadership characterized by unwavering support for allies and a firm stance against adversaries.

“I want to know that we’re going to have the backs of our allies and hold our enemies to account. I want to know that we’re going to protect freedom at all costs. We’re going to protect capitalism at all costs,” she stated in Sderot, according to the report in the TOI. Haley’s remarks displayed a commitment to a strong bilateral relationship between the United States and Israel, framed within a broader agenda of promoting freedom and capitalism.

Haley’s narrative positions her support for Trump as aligned with the ideals of a “strong America” and a “strong Israel,” the report added. This messaging is designed to resonate with Republican voters who prioritize national strength, security, and the protection of economic principles.

While in Israel, Haley also articulated strong criticisms of President Biden’s Middle East policies, despite her initial statement of restraint. The TOI report affirmed that Haley’s remarks were particularly focused on the current conflict in Gaza and its implications for US domestic security, calling attention to her broader political and strategic objectives.

Haley did not mince words when addressing President Biden’s approach to the Middle East. She argued that the administration’s reluctance to provide unequivocal military support to Israel could undermine the country’s security. “The sure way to not help Israel is to withhold weapons,” Haley asserted, according to the TOI report. Her remarks emphasized that robust military aid is crucial for Israel’s defense against hostile entities.

Haley extended her critique by linking the conflict in Gaza to domestic US issues, particularly immigration and border security. She warned that the threats faced by Israel could easily extend to the United States if similar vulnerabilities are not addressed. “If you think this will only be in Israel, if we are arrogant enough, this could absolutely happen in America too and this is the moral of this story,” she stated, the TOI report said.

“First of all, an American president should do everything in his power to make sure that that border is secure,” she said, as was noted in the TOI report. Haley used the example of Hamas using bombs to breach the Gaza border fence to underscore her point, contrasting it with the US’s perceived leniency in border enforcement. “We’re not even requiring them to [use] bombs. We’re just saying: ‘Come on in. Go wherever you want,’” she argued.

Netanyahu laments ‘tragic mishap’ after 45 Gazans killed in strike targeting Hamas

By: World Israel News Staff

The Israeli military has launched an internal investigation into an airstrike in southern Gaza, late Sunday, which eliminated two senior Hamas terrorists but also reportedly resulted in the deaths of dozens of Gaza civilians, the IDF announced Monday.

The army said that the incident, which occurred in the Tel Sultan area west of Rafah, will be investigated by the General Staff Fact-Finding Assessment Mechanism.

This mechanism, an independent military body, is responsible for examining unusual incidents during wartime. The probe was ordered by the military advocate general, the IDF stated.

The IDF emphasized that the strike did not occur in the designated humanitarian zone in the al-Mawasi region on the coast, where Gazan civilians have been advised to evacuate in recent weeks.

The airstrike, which took place in the Tel Sultan area west of Rafah, successfully eliminated the commander of Hamas’ operations in Judea and Samaria.

For years, the terror group has remotely orchestrated attacks against Israel in Judea and Samaria as well as in pre-1967 Israel from its operations hub in Gaza.

Yassin Rabia, the director of this operations hub, was killed in Sunday night’s airstrike, along with another senior member of the unit, identified as Khaled Nagar.

Hamas health authorities have claimed that approximately 45 people were killed in the strike, which the Palestinian Red Crescent claimed also affected several tents and shelters housing civilians.

According to a preliminary investigation, the airstrike sparked a fire which destroyed a number of nearby tents.

“Despite our efforts not to hurt them, there was a tragic mishap,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.

“We are investigating the incident. For us it’s a tragedy, for Hamas it’s a strategy.”

Speaking at an Israel Bar Association event Monday, the IDF’s advocate general, Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, called the incident “very grave,” while adding it is “still under investigation.”

“The IDF regrets any harm to noncombatants during the war.”

A military source mentioned that the strike utilized two missiles with a “reduced in size” warhead, specifically adapted for such targets.

World Israel News also reported on Monday that an Egyptian soldier was killed after a gun battle erupted between IDF and Egyptian troops stationed on the border separating Egypt and the Gaza Strip.

It is unclear what initiated the gunfight, though Israeli military sources told Hebrew-language media outlets that the incident was sparked by Egyptian soldiers who opened fire on IDF troops, prompting the Israeli soldiers to return fire.

The Egyptian soldiers reportedly shot at an IDF engineering corps unit operating on the edge of Rafah.

The Israeli army has launched an investigation into the incident, an IDF spokesperson said.

Egypt confirmed that one soldier was killed in the gun battle, adding that Cairo has opened its own probe into the shooting.

“The Egyptian Armed Forces are conducting an investigation through the competent authorities regarding a shooting incident in the border area in Rafah, which led to the martyrdom of one of the personnel,” the Egyptian army tweeted Monday.

A report by i24NEWS claimed that two Egyptian soldiers were killed Monday, with several more wounded.

Israeli security officials contacted their Egyptian counterparts to halt the shooting.

Last year, a 22-year-old Egyptian police officer, Muhammad Salah Ibrahim, opened fire and killed three IDF soldiers.

          (WorldIsraelNews.com)

British media reports that former Mossad director Yossi Cohen held secret meetings with the ICC prosecutor to dissuade her from investigating Israel for war crimes.

By: A7Staff

Former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen lobbied to pressure the former prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in The Hague to refrain from opening an investigation against Israel.

According to The Guardian, Cohen initiated a plan to pressure the prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, who had already left her position, before she made the decision in 2021 to open an investigation against Israel on suspicion of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Palestinian territories.

Various sources told the newspaper that the former Mossad chief threatened the former prosecutor, allegedly, in closed meetings he held with her prior to the decision to open an investigation against Israel. The investigation was opened three years ago and was behind the current prosecutor at the International Criminal Court, Kareem Khan, requesting the issuance of arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Several sources told the newspaper that the prosecutor had shared with a small group of senior ICC officials the former Mossad chief’s attempts to prevent her from opening an investigation and had even claimed to feel threatened by his behavior. An Israeli source said that Cohen had acted with the authority and approval of the government, and had explained that the ICC had repeatedly threatened Israel with indictments of senior officials.

Last week, the Attorney General Gali Beharav-Miara and the State Prosecutor Amir Ohana responded negatively to the request of the prosecutor at the International Criminal Court in The Hague to issue arrest warrants against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. “The request for the issuance of arrest warrants against the Prime Minister and the Defense Minister is devoid of any basis,” they wrote in a joint statement.

The two added that, “The State of Israel is a democratic state, which is fighting terrorism and defending its security while adhering to the binding legal rules and out of a deep commitment to the law. The security forces, and the IDF in particular, are fighting with a full commitment to the rules of international law.”

“The Israeli legal system is equipped to examine any serious claim, both with regard to matters of policy and with regard to individual cases. As the State of Israel has made clear over the years, the ICC lacks any authority to conduct an investigation into the matter,” they concluded.

In other news, on Tuesday, Arutz Sheva also reported that IDF troops are continuing to operate in the northern Gaza Strip, eliminating terrorists and locating weapons in the area.

Over the past day, the troops dismantled terrorist infrastructure in the Jabaliya area, including terror tunnel shafts, observation posts, a weapons storage facility, and a military structure used by Hamas. In one operation, a terrorist cell that had fired mortar shells toward IDF troops was eliminated in an aerial strike directed by ground troops.

IDF troops also continued to operate in the Rafah area. Overnight, IDF troops operated on the Philadelphi Corridor while conducting precise operational activity based on intelligence indicating the presence of terror targets in the area. The activity is being conducted as efforts are continuing to be made in order to prevent harm to uninvolved civilians in the area. The troops are engaging with terrorists in close-quarters combat.

          (IsraelNationalNews.com)

By: Amelie Botbol

Evacuees from Israel’s north set up a tent encampment on Tuesday outside the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem to protest their ongoing displacement due to daily attacks by the Iran-backed terrorist group Hezbollah in Lebanon.

“We’ve been unable to return to our homes for more than seven months. We won’t go back until we know we’re safe,” Raphael Salve, co-founder of Lobby 1701, a group representing displaced people from northern towns and villages, told JNS.

Lobby 1701 is named after the U.N. Security Council Resolution that ended the 2006 Second Lebanon War and mandated that Hezbollah terrorists remain north of the Litani River, around 18 miles from the Israeli border.

The Lebanese Shi’ite group has since entrenched itself along the frontier, violating the resolution.

“We don’t want there to be an agreement with Hezbollah. We want a full-fledged operation and intense military pressure,” said Salve, who has relocated from Kiryat Shmona to Jerusalem with his wife and five children.

Over 60,000 residents from more than 40 northern communities located within 6.2 miles of the Lebanon border have been internally displaced since Hezbollah joined Hamas’s war against the Jewish state following the Gaza-based terrorist group’s Oct. 7 massacre.

Hezbollah attacks have killed more than 20 Israelis and led to extensive damage to property.

Salve said that demonstrators will remain in the encampment until the Israeli government takes serious steps to eliminate the threat.

The Israeli government on Monday unveiled a 3.5 billion-shekel ($950 million) plan to rehabilitate Israel’s north. Its short-term goals include: 1) increasing security for the northern communities and population under threat; 2) providing assistance for defending and unifying those communities; and 3) offering aid for northern businesses and strengthening employment security.

Its long-term aim is to reinforce the economy of the north and enhance the well-being of its populace. One element specified in the plan is the creation of an innovation and food-tech ecosystem in the area, as well as the establishment of a university in Kiryat Shmona.

“We will scream and shout so that nobody forgets the north. It feels like everybody has forgotten us,” Rita Benyair—who together with Matan Davidian, represents the northern town of Shlomi at Lobby 1701—told JNS.

“They put us in small hotels and want us to take care of ourselves. They forgot about our kids’ education. They forgot about those who had to close their businesses. We want answers. It’s about time,” Benyair added.

After Hamas’s Oct. 7 murderous assault, Benyair relocated to the Dan Boutique Jerusalem Hotel, along with 65 families from Shlomi.

“I’m a mother of soldiers. One of them fought in Gaza for three months. My daughter is a soldier in the Israeli Air Force, and I have a 14-year-old son who’s supposed to go to school,” she said. “We don’t even know what we’ll be doing in September—whether to put him in school in Jerusalem or somewhere else. No one told us.”

During a visit to the Israel Defense Forces Northern Command headquarters last Thursday, Netanyahu said that the military had eliminated “hundreds” of Hezbollah operatives in Southern Lebanon.

“We have detailed, important and even surprising plans,” the premier told IDF troops. “But I will not share these plans … with the enemy,” he said.

          (JNS.org)

The move is “another step towards the transformation of a curriculum into an educational framework which encourages tolerance, peace and greater equality,” said IMPACT-se CEO Marcus Sheff.

By: JNS.org

Saudi Arabia has removed practically all anti-Semitism and anti-Israel material from its schoolbooks, in a major shift from the past and a harbinger of a better future, a study released Tuesday found.

The study, conducted by the Institute for Monitoring Peace and Cultural Tolerance in School Education (IMPACT-SE)—an international research organization—found a “marked reduction” in anti-Israel content in the Saudi curriculum, which no longer teaches that Zionism is a “racist” European movement, nor denies the historical Jewish presence in the region dating back 3,000 years.

In addition, according to the study, hostile references to Israel in the textbooks have been modified, while the word “Palestine” has been removed from maps of Israeli sites.

The study also noted that all remaining violent interpretations of jihad, which had been in place for years, were removed or altered in this year’s textbooks.

References to homosexuality as a “monstrous atrocity,” or claims that emulating the opposite sex is a “deviation from normality,” were removed, as well. While retaining a traditional approach to gender roles, there has been a notable improvement in the depiction of women, the study revealed.

“Saudi textbooks published for the 2023/24 school year constitute another step towards the transformation of a curriculum into an educational framework which encourages tolerance, peace and greater equality,” said IMPACT-se CEO Marcus Sheff. “Having already removed anti-Semitism from the textbooks, it is particularly encouraging that Saudi curriculum designers have made further revisions which portray Israel in a more positive light. These changes bode well for the future of the region as a whole.”

The significant positive changes in the Gulf Kingdom’s educational curriculum come amid renewed reports of a United States-brokered Saudi-Israeli normalization deal. This is despite Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on the Jewish state—which some Mideast analysts assess was launched, in part, to scuttle such a deal—and the ongoing war in Gaza.

In other news, JNS reported on Tuesday that the head of Israel’s Upper Galilee Regional Council received threatening WhatsApp messages on Tuesday from a source claiming to belong to Hezbollah, according to Israeli media reports.

“To the settlers of the north, if you do not ask your government to stop the aggression against Gaza, there will be no homes left to return to,” read one message sent to Amit Sofer, according to Kan News.

Another message read, “The only equation is: stopping the aggression against Gaza = your return to the north. Hezbollah.”

Other text messages to Sofer ostensibly from the Iran-backed terror group included, “[Israeli Defense Minister Yoav] Gallant is selling you illusions. You must live with reality, we are here forever and ever.”

“Hezbollah does not scare us; the ball is not in their court but with the Israeli government and its policies,” Sofer told Kan.

“We have already said several times: We have patience, but the government should not interpret our patience as consent to a situation where the economy is collapsing and the north is losing its residents. I expect the government to bring back security to the north and take actions that will improve the quality of life in every aspect,” he added.

Hezbollah has carried out near-daily attacks on northern Israel since Oct. 7, killing 20 Israelis and an Indian worker and inflicting considerable damage.

(JNS.org)

“I will not end the war before achieving all our goals. Our fallen heroes will not have died in vain,” declared the Israeli prime minister.

By: JNS.org

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday responded to attacks against the Israel Defense Forces operation in Hamas’s last stronghold in Gaza.

“In Rafah, we have evacuated about one million civilians. Tragically, despite our immense efforts to avoid harming non-combatants, an incident occurred yesterday,” Netanyahu said in reference to a mass-casualty event in the city that caused international outcry.

“For us, any noncombatant hurt is a tragedy; for Hamas, it is a strategy. That is the core difference,” he added, during a speech from the Knesset rostrum.

Israeli officials have told the Biden administration that shrapnel from the strike in Rafah may have ignited a fuel tank, starting a fire that engulfed tents housing displaced Gazans and leading to dozens of noncombatant deaths.

The targets of the strike were named as Yassin Rabia, head of Hamas’s Judea and Samaria headquarters, and Khaled Nagar, a senior official in the terrorist group’s Judea and Samaria wing.

The IDF spokesperson said earlier that the strike, based on intelligence and executed using precision weaponry, was carried out in accordance with international law.

In his speech, Netanyahu also pushed back against allegations that he is preventing a deal that would see the return to Israel of the 125 Israeli and other nationals—dead and alive—in exchange for a pause in fighting.

“The repeated false claims that we are the obstacle are not only harmful to the families—that much is obvious, and I sympathize with them,” he said. “But it goes beyond that: It delays the release of the hostages and undermines negotiations. Instead of focusing pressure on [Hamas chief in Gaza Yahya] Sinwar, who holds the hostages in his dungeons, the pressure is misdirected at the Israeli government.”

Netanyahu continued, “Israel is constantly asked to make concession after concession. So why would Sinwar feel any pressure? He sits in his bunker, rubbing his hands in satisfaction, delighted that others are doing the work for him.”

Hostage-release talks have been stalled since Hamas demanded that Israel implement an immediate ceasefire and withdraw all forces from Gaza, a demand that Netanyahu has refused to accept. On Sunday, it was announced that negotiations in Egypt may restart this week.

Israel’s prime minister said, however, that he would not give into unreasonable demands and fight until the end.

“Let me be clear: I will not yield or surrender. I will not end the war before achieving all our goals. Our fallen heroes will not have died in vain,” he said.

Surrender means more Oct. 7 attacks, rapes, the failure to return the hostages and a win for Iran and its proxies, he declared.

“I will continue the fight until we raise the flag of victory,” he said.

In other news, JNS also reported on Tuesday that around 100 students participated in an anti-Israel protest at the Hebrew University’s Mount Scopus campus in Jerusalem, waving PLO flags and chanting inflammatory slogans, according to Hebrew media reports.

Kan News shared video of the demonstration to its X account, quoting some of the slogans being chanted, such as “there is no solution but to expel the occupier” and “Al Aqsa has been redeemed in spirit and blood.”

(JNS.org)

A Strategic Expansion into the US Defense Market

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In a strategic move aimed at bolstering its presence in the United States, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has inaugurated its first visitor center in Washington, D.C. As was reported by The Jerusalem Post, this milestone event, announced on Thursday, marks a significant step for IAI, a state-owned Israeli defense company renowned for its cutting-edge aerospace technologies.

Israel Aerospace Industries has long been a cornerstone of Israel’s defense and aerospace sectors. The company is at the forefront of designing, developing, producing, and maintaining a broad spectrum of aerospace tools. According to the information provided in the JPost report, these range from advanced drones and civilian and military aircraft to sophisticated missile systems and space-based technologies. IAI’s contributions are integral to Israel’s national security and its technological prowess in aerospace.

IAI’s technologies have proven critical in real-world defense scenarios. Notably, two of its systems played pivotal roles in defending Israel against an Iranian attack in April. The information contained in the JPost report affirmed that the Arrow anti-ballistic missile system and IAI’s radar technologies, which are integral components of the Iron Dome defense system, were instrumental in neutralizing the threat. These systems exemplify the advanced defensive capabilities that IAI brings to the table, reinforcing its reputation as a leader in aerospace and defense innovation.

Moreover, IAI reported remarkable financial performance in 2023, with a 49% increase in profits and a 7% growth in sales, as detailed by Calcalist. This robust growth illustrates the company’s successful strategies and its strong market position. The JPost also reported that significant contracts, such as Germany’s $4 billion purchase of Arrow-3 defense systems, have played a pivotal role in bolstering IAI’s financial standing.

Despite the positive financial outcomes, IAI remains cautious about the future. The company has flagged potential challenges arising from recent changes in Israel’s political landscape. These geopolitical shifts have led to a suspension of purchases from European defense clients, impacting IAI’s export prospects, according to the JPost report. Additionally, foreign insurance companies have started raising rates for IAI, reflecting heightened security concerns and the associated risks.

The new visitor center in Washington, D.C., is a testament to IAI’s commitment to deepening its relationships with US-based clients and expanding its footprint in the US defense market. As per the JPost report, the choice of location is strategic, providing direct access to key government officials, the US military, and local defense contractors. This proximity is expected to facilitate stronger collaborations and partnerships, enhancing IAI’s influence and operational capacity within the US.

The visitor center is designed to offer a comprehensive showcase of IAI’s state-of-the-art technologies. Among the highlights are virtual reality simulators, which allow visitors to experience IAI’s products and their capabilities firsthand. Indicated in the JPost report was that this immersive experience is intended to provide a deeper understanding of the technological innovations that underpin IAI’s offerings and their practical applications in both civilian and military contexts.

The opening of the visitor center was a high-profile event, attended by a host of distinguished Israeli and American officials. The JPost report said that among the attendees were Michael Herzog, Israel’s ambassador to the US; Gilad Erdan, Israel’s ambassador to the UN; and General Hedi Zilberman, the IDF Defense Attaché to the US. Their presence called attention to the importance of this initiative.

Dublin’s announcement comes on the heels of similar official moves by Madrid and Oslo.

By: Troy Osher Fritzhand

Ireland joined Spain and Norway on Tuesday in officially recognizing a “sovereign and independent” Palestinian state, agreeing to “establish full diplomatic relations between Dublin and Ramallah.”

According to the Irish government, “an Ambassador of Ireland to the State of Palestine will be appointed along with a full Embassy of Ireland in Ramallah.”

Dublin also reiterated its call “for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of Israeli hostages and unhindered access for humanitarian aid.”

Ireland’s announcement came on the heels of Spain’s formal recognition of a “State of Palestine” within the 1967 lines, with eastern Jerusalem as its capital and including the Gaza Strip.

“With this decision, Spain joins the more than 140 countries that already recognize Palestine,” said Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez at an event marking the announcement. “This is a historic decision that has a single goal: to contribute to achieving peace between Israelis and [Palestinians].”

For the Palestinian state to be viable, he continued, Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip must be connected via a corridor; eastern Jerusalem must be its capital; and it must be unified under the “legitimate government” of the Palestinian Authority.

Oslo also announced its formal recognition of Palestine on Tuesday.

“For more than 30 years, Norway has been one of the strongest advocates for a Palestinian state,” said Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide ahead of the move.

“Today, when Norway officially recognizes Palestine as a state, is a milestone in the relationship between Norway and Palestine,” he said.

Oslo’s top diplomat then turned to Jerusalem, saying, “It is regrettable that the Israeli government shows no signs of engaging constructively.”

Speaking in Brussels on Sunday, P.A. Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa told Eide, “Recognition means a lot to us. It is the most important thing that anybody can do for the Palestinian people. It is a great deal for us.”

Meanwhile, lawmakers in Denmark on Tuesday rejected a bill to recognize “Palestine,” after Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said the prerequisites for an independent state were lacking.

The bill was first proposed in late February by the country’s Red-Green Alliance, the Social Liberals, the Alternative and Socialist People’s Party.

“We cannot recognize an independent Palestinian state for the sole reason that the preconditions are not really there,” Rasmussen had noted when the legislation was first debated in parliament in April.

          (JNS.org)