Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian villages in search of a missing teenager, killing one Palestinian and injuring at least 25 others. The attacks included setting homes on fire in villages like al-Mughayyir, Duma, Beit Furik, and Qusra. The Israeli army found the body of the missing Israeli teenager. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the murder. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized the violence and urged leadership to intervene to prevent further bloodshed.
Hundreds of armed Israeli settlers stormed the village of Al-Mughayyir in the occupied West Bank, leaving at least one Palestinian dead and around 25 others injured. The settlers set fire to homes and cars during the attack, which was one of the largest by settlers this year. Israeli security forces allegedly informed Palestinian officials that the settlers were looking for a missing Israeli teenager. Videos show parts of the village burning with smoke billowing over buildings. The Israeli military did not intervene to stop the attack, and the settlers reportedly stole around 70 sheep from the village.
The Israeli military confirmed killing three sons and grandchildren of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in an air attack on the Shati refugee camp on the first day of Eid al-Fitr. Haniyeh stated that Palestinian leaders will not back down despite these killings and will not change their demands for a ceasefire. He criticized Israel's actions as brutal and emphasized a war of ethnic cleansing and genocide in Gaza.
The body of Israeli hostage Elad Katzir was discovered in Khan Younis, Gaza, after being abducted with his mother from their home in Nir Oz in October. Katzir's father was killed during the incident. His sister criticized the Israeli government for not rescuing him in time. The Israeli Defence Forces reported intelligence suggesting Katzir was murdered by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group after being seen in propaganda videos pleading for release. Katzir, an agricultural worker, was described as a man of joy and dedication by his kibbutz.
Following a strike in Damascus blamed on Israel that killed 12 people, including two Iranian generals, Gen Rahim Safavi warned Israel that none of its embassies are safe. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel is prepared for any response. Regional tensions have escalated as Hamas marks six months of conflict with Israel, resulting in casualties on both sides.
Israeli forces conducted a targeted operation around Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, resulting in at least six deaths and numerous injuries, including journalists. Reporters Without Borders and Gazas media office condemned the attack, with evidence suggesting it was intentional. Over 100 journalists have been killed by Israel in Gaza over the past six months, sparking international outrage and calls to stop the violence. The UN has warned that targeting journalists is a war crime. Turkish President Erdogan has denounced the attack, vowing to stand firm against Israeli aggression.
A married Israeli couple from Neria, Eitam Simon Henkin, a doctoral student at Tel Aviv University who also held American citizenship, and Na'ama Henkin, a graphic designer, were shot and killed on October 1, 2015, in the West Bank. The Henkins were driving past the town of Beit Furik, when the attack occurred. The Henkins' four children were in the van at the time of their parents' killing.According to a statement released by Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a group affiliated with the Fatah Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack. However, the Israeli prosecution indicated that the attack was carried out by a Hamas cell.
Jacob Flickinger, a 33-year-old American-Canadian aid worker, was one of seven charity workers killed by an IDF airstrike in Gaza while distributing aid. He was planning to leave the region for Egypt due to safety concerns. Jacob, described as a loving husband and new father, had been volunteering with the World Central Kitchen. His death has sparked international outrage and raised questions about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's response to recent attacks in the region.
Israel sent 468 aid trucks into Gaza, but the United Nations reported lower figures and highlighted trucks were only half full. World Health Organization teams assisted at Al-Shifa hospital to identify bodies. Palestinian nurse Maha Sweylem expressed concern about her missing husband arrested by Israeli forces. The Israeli military has clashed with Palestinian militants inside hospitals. Gaza faces a humanitarian crisis with scarce resources and lack of forensic experts. WHO and OCHA are assisting in identifying the dead in the rubble.
Yair Lapid (Hebrew: יָאִיר לַפִּיד, IPA: [jaˈʔiʁ laˈpid]; born 5 November 1963) is an Israeli politician of the centrist Yesh Atid party, and a former journalist. He has been the Leader of the Opposition since January 2023, having previously served in that role from 2020 to 2021. He served as the 14th Prime Minister of Israel from 1 July to 29 December 2022. He previously served as the Alternate Prime Minister of Israel and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2021 to 2022. He served as Minister of Finance from 2013 to 2014. Lapid is the chairman of Yesh Atid.Before entering politics in 2012, Lapid was an author, TV presenter and news anchor. The centrist Yesh Atid party, which he founded, became the second-largest party in the Knesset by winning 19 seats in its first legislative election in 2013. The greater-than-anticipated results contributed to Lapid's reputation as a leading centrist.From 2013 to 2014, following his coalition agreement with Likud, Lapid served as Minister of Finance under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In 2013, Lapid ranked first on the list of the "Most Influential Jews in the World" by The Jerusalem Post. He was also recognized in 2013 as one of the leading Foreign Policy Global Thinkers, and ranked as one of Time magazine's 100 "Most Influential People in the World". He serves on the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, and the Sub-Committee on Intelligence and the Security Services.On 17 May 2020, Lapid became the Leader of the Opposition, after the thirty-fifth government of Israel was sworn in. On 5 May 2021, he began talks with other parties to try to form a coalition government. On 2 June 2021, Lapid informed Israeli President Reuven Rivlin that he had agreed to a rotation government with Naftali Bennett and was prepared to replace the incumbent prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. The new government was sworn in on 13 June 2021.Lapid became the prime minister of Israel on 1 July 2022 after Bennett stepped down as prime minister following the dissolution of the Knesset. Lapid remained prime minister until a new government was formed after the November 2022 election.
Poland's Foreign Ministry has called in the Israeli ambassador following the death of a Polish man, who was among the seven World Central Kitchen aid workers killed in an Israeli airstrike. Deputy Foreign Minister Andrzej Szejna said the "new situation in Polish-Israeli relations and the moral, political and financial responsibility" for the incident would be discussed with the ambassador. Comments from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the ambassador, Yacov Livne, on the incident have caused disquiet in Poland..
Polands government labels the killing of Damian Sobol, a Polish aid worker, and six others by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza as a murder. They demand Israels support for a Polish investigation into the case, seeking full cooperation and an independent trial in Israel. The Israeli military dismissed officers but Poland deems the disciplinary actions inadequate, with calls for the incident to be treated as a war crime. Poland, along with other countries like Australia, Britain, Canada, and the United States, is pushing for a detailed investigation into the attack targeting a humanitarian convoy.
The Israeli military has dismissed two officers and reprimanded three others for a mistaken attack in central Gaza that killed seven aid workers, believing they were targeting Hamas fighters. The United States-based charity World Central Kitchen (WCK) called for an independent investigation and CEO Erin Gore emphasized the need for Israel to assure the safety of humanitarian aid workers. The Israeli military accepted responsibility for the incident, attributing it to a serious failure in identification, decision-making errors, and deviation from Standard Operating Procedures. US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, stressed the importance of prioritizing civilian protection to prevent such incidents in the future.
An armed conflict between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups has been taking place chiefly in and around the Gaza Strip since 7 October 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel from the Gaza Strip. After clearing Hamas militants from its territory, the Israeli military embarked on an extensive aerial bombardment of the Gaza Strip followed by a large-scale ground invasion beginning on 27 October. Clashes have also occurred in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and with Hezbollah along the Israel–Lebanon border. The hostilities constitute the fifth war of the Gaza–Israel conflict since 2008 and are part of the broader Israeli–Palestinian conflict. They are considered to be the most significant military escalation in the region since the Yom Kippur War 50 years earlier.The Hamas offensive involved 3,000 militants breaching the Gaza–Israel barrier and attacking Israeli communities and military bases. During this attack, 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals were killed, while 253 Israelis and foreigners were taken captive to the Gaza Strip. The attack was proclaimed as a response to the continued Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements, the prospect of Arab–Israeli normalization, and the plight of Palestinian refugees and prisoners. In response, Israel declared a state of war, tightened its existing blockade of Gaza and launched one of the most severe bombing campaigns in history, before commencing the ground invasion on 27 October. Israeli forces laid siege to Gaza City on 2 November and moved south to attack Khan Yunis a month later on 3 December; both sieges remain ongoing. Israel's next objective is the capture of Rafah. An estimated 6,000-12,000 militants have been killed during the conflict, and Israel has lost over 200 soldiers during its invasion. A United Nations resolution calling for a humanitarian pause passed on 15 November; the seven-day truce took effect at the end of that month.A humanitarian crisis has developed in the Gaza Strip, with healthcare in a state of collapse, shortages of food, clean water, medicine and fuel due to the blockade, electricity and communications blackouts, and potential famine conditions. More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza during the conflict, including over 12,300 children and 8,400 women. Nearly all of Gaza's 2.3 million population have been internally displaced. The widespread civilian deaths have led to accusations of war crimes against both Israel and Hamas. In February 2024 576,000 people were "facing catastrophic levels of deprivation and starvation", stated The United Nations. More than 100 Palestinians were killed by Israeli troops that opened fire when huge crowds raced to pull goods off an aid convoy.The war has had significant international repercussions. Popular protests that primarily call for a ceasefire have occurred across the world. Israel's actions have been denounced by the Islamic world and much of the Global South; South Africa launched an International Court of Justice case alleging that Israel committed genocide. Israel has however received significant support from its traditional Western allies, especially the United States, which vetoed multiple UN Security Council resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire. In response, Iran-backed militias have attacked American military bases in the Middle East, while the Yemeni Houthi movement attacked commercial ships they alleged were linked to Israel, incurring a military response from a number of countries.
Israel is on high alert following an airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Syria that killed several senior Iranian military officers. Iran blames Israel for the attack and has vowed to retaliate. Tensions are rising in the region, with many countries warning their citizens against visiting due to fears of an imminent Iranian attack and potential escalation of the war in Gaza. Iranian leaders have strongly criticized Israel's military actions in Gaza, with Tehran openly supporting attacks on Israelis. Human Rights Watch has verified videos showing Hamas violence, prompting calls for an investigation into war crimes.
The Israeli military engaged in a fierce battle with Palestinian Hamas operatives at the Al-Shifa hospital in northern Gaza, leading to patients being trapped inside and chaos ensuing. Maha Sweylem, a Palestinian nurse, shared her ordeal of not knowing the fate of her husband, a doctor at the hospital, who was arrested during the assault. The situation at the hospital was described as dire, with bodies littering the ruins and a lack of food and drink for those trapped inside. WHO teams were called to assist in identifying the deceased as Gaza lacked forensic experts.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is delaying an offensive in Rafah due to unfavorable timing and conditions politically and militarily. Netanyahu's pressure tactics aim to maintain ceasefire talks and manage domestic protests. Recent actions include opening aid crossings, sending negotiators to Cairo, and transitioning to a lower-tempo fighting phase. Biden warns of policy change if Israel doesn't adjust tactics, while thousands protest against Netanyahu in Israel. Netanyahu undergoes successful hernia surgery amidst the ongoing crisis, with potential for a six-week ceasefire for hostage release and peace negotiations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a political crisis as the ultra-Orthodox community, known as the Haredim, is at the center of controversy over their military draft exemption. The issue has sparked resentment among secular and conventionally religious Israelis, with 70% of the population supporting the end of exemptions. Netanyahu's coalition is at risk as he must choose between alienating ultra-Orthodox factions or secular supporters. The demographic growth of the ultra-Orthodox community and their societal impact, particularly during the Gaza war, have raised concerns about Israel's future.
Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed seven workers from World Central Kitchen, leading to the suspension of operations by three aid providers including WCK and Anera. The Israeli government is being criticized internationally for the killings and for restricting humanitarian aid. Famine is looming in Gaza with half the population on the brink of starvation. The UAE is also reportedly suspending operations in Gaza. The UN's Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) expresses concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Iran launched armed drones and missiles at Israel in retaliation for a strike in Syria, resulting in most projectiles being intercepted with minor damage and injuries, prompting a phone call between US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Iran claimed the attack was a defensive response and warned the US to stay away from the conflict. Multiple alarms sounded in Israeli cities, and US forces in the region successfully shot down Iranian-launched drones targeting Israel.
Yosef "Tommy" Lapid (Hebrew: יוסף "טומי" לפיד; born Tomislav Lampel [Serbian Cyrillic: Томислав Лампел]; 27 December 1931 – 1 June 2008) was a Yugoslav-born Israeli radio and television presenter, playwright, journalist, politician and government minister known for his sharp tongue and acerbic wit. Lapid headed the secular-liberal Shinui party from 1999 to 2006. He fiercely opposed the ultra-Orthodox political parties and actively sought to exclude any religious observance from the legal structure of the Israeli State. He was the father of Yair Lapid, who served as the 14th Prime Minister of Israel in 2022.
The Arab–Israeli conflict is the phenomenon involving political tension, military conflicts, and other disputes between various Arab countries and Israel, which escalated during the 20th century. The roots of the Arab–Israeli conflict have been attributed to the support by Arab League member countries for the Palestinians, a fellow League member, in the ongoing Israeli–Palestinian conflict; this in turn has been attributed to the simultaneous rise of Zionism and Arab nationalism towards the end of the 19th century, though the two national movements had not clashed until the 1920s.Part of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict arose from the conflicting claims by these movements to the land that formed the British Mandatory Palestine, which was regarded by the Jewish people as their ancestral homeland, while at the same time it was regarded by the Pan-Arab movement as historically and currently belonging to the Arab Palestinians, and in the Pan-Islamic context, as Muslim lands. The sectarian conflict within the British Mandate territory between Palestinian Jews and Arabs escalated into a full-scale Palestinian civil war in 1947. Taking the side of the Palestinian Arabs, especially following the Israeli Declaration of Independence, the neighbouring Arab countries invaded the by-then former Mandate territory in May 1948, commencing the First Arab–Israeli War. Large-scale hostilities mostly ended with ceasefire agreements after the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Peace agreements were signed between Israel and Egypt in 1979, resulting in Israeli withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula and the abolition of the military governance system in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, in favor of Israeli Civil Administration and consequent unilateral annexation of the Golan Heights and East Jerusalem.The nature of the conflict has shifted over the years from the large-scale, regional Arab–Israeli conflict to a more local Israeli–Palestinian conflict, which peaked during the 1982 Lebanon War when Israel intervened in the Lebanese Civil War to oust the Palestinian Liberation Organization from Lebanon. With the decline of the 1987–1993 First Intifada, the interim Oslo Accords led to the creation of the Palestinian National Authority in 1994, within the context of the Israeli–Palestinian peace process. The same year, Israel and Jordan reached a peace accord. In 2002, the Arab League offered recognition of Israel by Arab countries as part of the resolution of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict in the Arab Peace Initiative. The initiative, which has been reconfirmed since, calls for normalizing relations between the Arab League and Israel, in exchange for a full withdrawal by Israel from the occupied territories (including East Jerusalem) and a "just settlement" of the Palestinian refugee problem based on UN Resolution 194. In the 1990s and early 2000s, a ceasefire had been largely maintained between Israel and Syria, while limited warfare continued in Lebanon against Iranian proxy militias. Despite the peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan, the interim peace accords with the Palestinian Authority and the generally existing ceasefire, until the mid-2010s the Arab League and Israel had remained at odds with each other over many issues. Among Arab belligerents in the conflict, Iraq and Syria are the only states who have reached no formal peace accord or treaty with Israel, with both supporting Iran.The Syrian civil war reshuffled the situation near Israel's northern border, putting the Syrian Arab Republic, Hezbollah and the Syrian opposition at odds with each other and complicating their relations with Israel, upon the emerging warfare with Iran. The conflict between Israel and Hamas-ruled Gaza, is also attributed to the Iran–Israel proxy conflict. By 2017, Israel and several Arab Sunni states led by Saudi Arabia formed a semi-official coalition to confront Iran. This move and the Israeli normalization with Gulf states was marked by some as the fading of the Arab–Israeli conflict.
President Biden reevaluated his approach towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's conduct of the war in Gaza after the deaths of seven World Central Kitchen workers prompted a shift. Secretary of State Antony Blinken outlined specific steps Biden wanted Israel to take, such as opening land crossings for aid deliveries. The U.S. policy on Gaza will depend on Israel's immediate actions. Consideration is being given to placing conditions on military aid to Israel.
Yair Netanyahu (Hebrew: יאיר נתניהו; born 26 July 1991) is an Israeli podcaster and political activist. He is the eldest son of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Israeli–Palestinian conflict is an ongoing military and political conflict in the Levant. Beginning in the mid-20th century, it is one of the world's longest-continuing conflicts. Key areas of the conflict include the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the status of Jerusalem, Israeli settlements, borders, security, water rights, Palestinian freedom of movement, and the Palestinian right of return.The conflict has its origins in the arrival of Jewish immigrants and settlers to Palestine in the late 19th and 20th centuries and the advent of the Zionist movement. The local Arab population opposed Zionism, primarily out of fear of territorial displacement and dispossession. The Zionist movement garnered the support of an imperial power in the 1917 Balfour Declaration issued by Britain, which promised to support the creation of a "Jewish homeland in Palestine". Following World War I, Mandatory Palestine was established, and tensions grew into open sectarian conflict between Jews and Arabs. In 1936, an Arab revolt erupted demanding independence, which the British suppressed.The 1947 United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine triggered the 1948 Palestine war, which saw the expulsion and flight of most Palestinian Arabs, the establishment of Israel on most of the Mandate's territory, and the control of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank by Egypt and Jordan, respectively. In the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel occupied the West Bank and the Gaza Strip (which became known as the Palestinian territories), which is now considered to be the longest military occupation in modern history, and has drawn international condemnation for violating the human rights of the Palestinians.The conflict has claimed many civilian casualties, mostly Palestinian, since its inception. Various attempts have been made to resolve the conflict as part of the Israeli–Palestinian peace process, alongside efforts to resolve the broader Arab–Israeli conflict. Progress towards a negotiated solution between the Israeli government and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was made with the Oslo Accords of 1993–1995. The majority of recent peace efforts have been centred around the two-state solution, which involves the establishment of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. Public support for a two-state solution, which formerly enjoyed support from both Israeli Jews and Palestinians, has dwindled in recent years. Official negotiations are mediated by the Quartet on the Middle East, which consists of the United Nations, the United States, Russia, and the European Union. The Arab League, which has proposed the Arab Peace Initiative, is another important actor, along with Egypt and Jordan. Since 2006, the Palestinian side has been split between Fatah dominating the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and Hamas that gained control of the Gaza Strip. Attempts to remedy this have been repeated and continuing. Since 2019, the Israeli side has also been experiencing political crisis. The latest round of peace negotiations began in July 2013 but were suspended in 2014. Since 2006, Hamas and Israel have fought five wars, the most recent of which began in 2023 and is ongoing as of March 2024.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing mounting domestic and international pressure, including protests demanding early elections, criticism from US President Joe Biden over the killing of aid workers in Gaza, and opposition from coalition members on issues like mandatory military conscription for ultra-Orthodox Jews. Despite the challenges, Netanyahu's grip on power remains resilient as his governing coalition shows no signs of collapse.
President Joe Biden's upcoming call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will showcase the contradiction in US policy towards the conflict in Gaza. While expressing frustration over civilian casualties and demanding changes, the US remains staunch in supporting Israel, planning an $18 billion F-15 warplane sale. Fears of regional escalation due to Israeli actions, including a strike in Syria attributed to Israel by the US, add pressure to the call. Biden faces domestic pressure to end the conflict before the election, while Netanyahu may seek to prolong it to avoid potential losses in elections.
Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu ( NET-ən-YAH-hoo; Hebrew: בִּנְיָמִין נְתַנְיָהוּ, romanized: Binyāmīn Nētanyāhū, pronounced [binjaˈmin netanˈjahu] ; born 21 October 1949) is an Israeli politician who has been serving as the prime minister of Israel since 2022, having previously held the office from 1996 to 1999 and again from 2009 to 2021. He is the chairman of the Likud party. Netanyahu is the longest-serving prime minister in the country's history, having served for a total of over 16 years. He is also the first prime minister to have been born in Israel after its establishment.Born in Tel Aviv to secular Jewish parents, Netanyahu was raised in Jerusalem and in Philadelphia in the United States. He returned to Israel in 1967 to join the Israel Defense Forces. He became a team leader in the Sayeret Matkal special forces and took part in several missions, achieving the rank of captain before being honorably discharged. After graduating from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Netanyahu became an economic consultant for the Boston Consulting Group. He moved back to Israel in 1978 to found the Yonatan Netanyahu Anti-Terror Institute. From 1984 to 1988, Netanyahu was Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations. Netanyahu rose to prominence after being elected as the chairman of Likud in 1993, becoming Leader of the Opposition. In the 1996 election, Netanyahu beat Shimon Peres, becoming the first Israeli prime minister elected directly by popular vote, and its youngest-ever. Netanyahu and Likud were heavily defeated in the 1999 election by Ehud Barak's One Israel alliance; and Netanyahu chose to retire from politics entirely, entering the private sector. Netanyahu later returned to politics, and served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Finance under Ariel Sharon. During the latter position, he initiated reforms of the Israeli economy that led to significant growth, before ultimately resigning over disagreements regarding the Gaza disengagement plan.Netanyahu returned to the leadership of Likud in December 2005 after Sharon stepped down to form a new party, Kadima. He was the leader of the opposition from 2006 to 2009. After the 2009 election, Netanyahu formed a coalition government with other right-wing parties and was sworn in as prime minister for a second time. He went on to lead Likud to victory in the 2013 and 2015 elections. A period of political deadlock ensued after three consecutive elections in 2019 and 2020 failed to produce a government, which was solved after a coalition rotation agreement was reached between Netanyahu and centrist Blue and White alliance's Benny Gantz. The coalition collapsed in December 2020, before the rotation could take place, and a new election was held in March 2021. In his penultimate government, Netanyahu led Israel's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis. In June 2021, after Naftali Bennett formed a government with Yair Lapid, Netanyahu was removed from the premiership, becoming opposition leader for the third time, before returning as prime minister again after forming a coalition with right-wing parties after the 2022 election. Netanyahu and his coalition partners pursued a wide-ranging judicial reform, which was met with a polarized reaction, with opponents holding mass protests across the country over the first nine months of 2023. On 7 October 2023, Israel suffered a large-scale attack by Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups, triggering the Israel–Hamas war. Due to the Israeli government's failure to anticipate the attack, Netanyahu has been heavily criticized by opponents for presiding over Israel's biggest intelligence failure in 50 years, and massive protests calling for his removal from office have been held.Netanyahu made his closeness to Donald Trump, a personal friend since the 1980s, central to his political appeal in Israel from 2016. During Trump's presidency, the United States recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and brokered the Abraham Accords, a series of normalization agreements between Israel and various Arab states. Netanyahu has faced international criticism over his decades-long policy as prime minister of expanding Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, deemed illegal under international law. In 2019, Netanyahu was indicted on charges of breach of trust, bribery, and fraud, following a three-year investigation, due to which he relinquished all his ministerial posts, except for the position of prime minister.
The Israeli military has pulled back all ground troops from the southern Gaza Strip except for one brigade, with uncertain plans for a potential incursion into Rafah. Talks for a ceasefire and hostage release, hosted by Egypt, are underway. The offensive, initiated in response to a Hamas attack six months ago, has taken a toll with over 33,100 Palestinians killed. Rafah is a major refuge for many Palestinians near the Egyptian border. Hamas remains resolute despite the situation, anticipating a significant role in Gaza's future.
The Israeli defence ministry is buying 40,000 tents in preparation for an assault on Rafah in Gaza to eliminate remaining Hamas battalions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hinted at invading Rafah, the last city in Gaza not targeted. Plans include evacuating civilians to 'humanitarian islands' in central Gaza before the assault. The US has cautioned against the assault, predicting global isolation for Israel. France's foreign minister suggests pressure and sanctions on Israel for humanitarian aid access to Gaza. International journalists' exclusion from Gaza allows misinformation to spread amidst the conflict.
This video can not be played A British surgeon who recently returned from Gaza has told the BBC how she was struck by the high number of wounded children she operated on. Dr Victoria Rose said a "huge amount" of her work was on children under 16, including many under six. Over 76,000 Gazans - mainly civilians - have been injured by Israel over the course of the war, the Hamas-run health ministry says, while 33,000 people have been killed. The war was sparked by Hamas attacking Israeli communities near Gaza last October, killing about 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and taking about 250 hostages to Gaza. 'Huge amount' of Gaza surgery on children - UK doctor Doctor's video diary shows reality inside Gaza hospital.
Egyptian, French, and Jordanian leaders caution Israel about launching an offensive on Gaza's southern city of Rafah, stating it would lead to "dangerous consequences" and increased death and suffering, as well as risk regional escalation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirms a set date for the offensive focused on releasing hostages and defeating Hamas. US opposes any assault on Rafah, emphasizing the need for a deal over hostages and ceasefire talks in Cairo involving Israeli and Hamas representatives.
The Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza sparked surprise globally, with only one brigade left in the enclave, coinciding with the six-month mark since the conflict sparked by Hamas. Officials downplayed the significance, emphasizing the IDF's capability for necessary actions. The timing raised speculation, perceived differently by Israeli media; with Israel Hayom linking it to ceasefire talks pressure, while Maariv suggested it as preparation for a future operation in Rafah.
Lihi Lapid (Hebrew: ליהיא לפיד; born 12 May 1968) is an Israeli author, photojournalist, and newspaper columnist. She is an activist for people with disabilities. Her husband is Yair Lapid, the former Prime Minister of Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to carry out an offensive in Rafah, stating 'It will happen' without specifying a date. Recent images show Israeli soldiers near the Israeli-Gaza border and Palestinians walking through the destruction in the wake of an air and ground offensive in Khan Younis.
The United States has restricted travel for its employees in Israel due to concerns of a potential attack by Iran. Iran has blamed Israel for a recent strike on its consulate in Syria, prompting fears of retaliation. UK's Foreign Secretary has urged Iran to avoid further escalation. The US President has expressed support for Israel, warning of a possible significant attack from Iran. Diplomatic efforts are ongoing to prevent conflicts in the region. US officials have engaged in talks with Israeli counterparts on security threats, amidst heightened tensions.
President Joe Biden praised American forces for assisting Israel in intercepting nearly all of the drones and missiles launched by Iran. This marked the first direct military assault by Iran on Israel, escalating regional tensions. Biden assured unwavering support for Israel's defense, deploying military assets and coordinating with global allies. The conflict stemmed from retaliatory threats after an alleged Israeli strike in Syria killed Iranian generals. Biden held meetings with his national security team, increasing military presence in the region, emphasizing commitment to Israel's security against Iran and its proxies.
Yesh Atid (Hebrew: יֵשׁ עָתִיד, lit. 'There Is a Future') is a centrist, liberal Zionist political party in Israel. It was founded in 2012 by former TV journalist Yair Lapid, the son of the former Shinui party politician and Israeli Justice Minister Tommy Lapid.In 2013 the first election it contested in, Yesh Atid placed second, winning 19 seats in the 120-seat Knesset. It then entered into a coalition led by the Likud party. In the 2015 election the party refused to back the Likud; after suffering a significant setback and losing seats it joined the opposition.On 21 February 2019, Yesh Atid united with the Israel Resilience Party to form a centrist alliance named Blue and White for the upcoming election. Yesh Atid and Telem left the alliance on 29 March 2020 and formed an independent faction in the Knesset. Yesh Atid ran in the 2021 election alone and won 17 seats, the second-largest party in the Knesset, making up the largest party in Israel's governing coalition at the time, with party leader Yair Lapid serving as Prime Minister in 2022.In the 2022 elections Yesh Atid won 24 seats, more than in any previous election, but was unable to form a government. Likud, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, formed a government, with Yesh Atid returning to opposition.
Benzion Netanyahu (Hebrew: בֶּנְצִיּוֹן נְתַנְיָהוּ, IPA: [bentsiˈjon netaˈnjahu]; born Benzion Mileikowsky; March 25, 1910 – April 30, 2012) was an Israeli encyclopedist, historian, and medievalist. He served as a professor of history at Cornell University. A scholar of Judaic history, he was also an activist in the Revisionist Zionism movement, who lobbied in the United States to support the creation of the Jewish state. His field of expertise was the history of the Jews in Spain. He was an editor of the Hebrew Encyclopedia and assistant to Benjamin Azkin, Ze'ev Jabotinsky's personal secretary.Netanyahu was the father of current Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; Yonatan Netanyahu, ex-commander of Sayeret Matkal; and Iddo Netanyahu, a physician, author and playwright.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that Israel would respond directly to any attack by Iran, emphasizing that they will not tolerate an Iranian attack on their territory. This comes amidst concerns of a possible Iranian retaliatory attack following the killing of seven Iranians in an Israeli airstrike on Iran's consulate in Syria. US officials, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Commander of the US Central Command Michael Kurilla, have been in talks with Israeli counterparts to coordinate responses to a potential Iranian attack.
The 1948 Arab–Israeli War, also known as the First Arab–Israeli War, followed the civil war in Mandatory Palestine as the second and final stage of the 1948 Palestine war. It formally began following the end of the British Mandate for Palestine at midnight on 14 May 1948; the Israeli Declaration of Independence had been issued earlier that day, and a military coalition of Arab states entered the territory of Mandatory Palestine in the morning of 15 May.The day after the 29 November 1947 adoption of the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine – which planned to divide the territory into an Arab state, a Jewish state, and the Special International Regime encompassing the cities of Jerusalem and Bethlehem – a civil war began. There had been tension and conflict between Arabs, Jews, and the British since the 1917 Balfour Declaration and the 1920 creation of the British Mandate of Palestine. British policies dissatisfied both Arabs and Jews. Arab opposition developed into the 1936–1939 Arab revolt in Palestine, while the Jewish opposition developed into the 1944–1947 Jewish insurgency in Palestine.On 15 May 1948, the civil war transformed into a conflict between Israel and the Arab states following the Israeli Declaration of Independence the previous day. Egypt, Transjordan, Syria, and expeditionary forces from Iraq entered Palestine. The invading forces took control of the Arab areas and immediately attacked Israeli forces and several Jewish settlements. The 10 months of fighting took place mostly on the territory of the British Mandate and in the Sinai Peninsula and southern Lebanon, interrupted by several truce periods.As a result of the war, the State of Israel controlled the area that the UN had proposed for the Jewish state, as well as almost 60% of the area proposed for the Arab state, including the Jaffa, Lydda and Ramle area, Upper Galilee, some parts of the Negev and a wide strip along the Tel Aviv–Jerusalem road. Israel also took control of West Jerusalem, which was meant to be part of an international zone for Jerusalem and its environs. Transjordan took control of East Jerusalem and what became known as the West Bank, annexing it the following year. The territory which became the Gaza Strip was occupied by Egypt.Over 700,000 Palestinian Arabs fled or were expelled from their homes in the area that became Israel, marking the beginning of the Palestinian refugee problem, in what they refer to as the Nakba (Arabic for "the catastrophe"). A similar number of Jews moved to Israel during the three years following the war, including 260,000 from the surrounding Arab states.
President Biden warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that U.S. policy could change if the humanitarian situation in Gaza doesn't improve, criticizing Netanyahu for prioritizing political survival over national interest. Democrats have called for arms withholding from Israel to reduce civilian casualties, with progressive base in Michigan warning of losing support for Biden over his stance on Israel. Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, including an incident where World Central Kitchen workers died, have sparked criticism. Biden's call for a ceasefire and Schumer's push for new elections in Israel highlight tensions within the Democratic party.
The Israeli military has withdrawn its ground forces from Khan Younis in southern Gaza after months of fighting, with the 98th division leaving to recuperate and prepare for future operations. The Nahal brigade and the 162nd division remain in Gaza. It is unclear how many troops have withdrawn, and the IDF has not commented on the reasons for the withdrawal. The withdrawal raises questions about Israel's plans for an offensive in Rafah. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vows no truce until Hamas frees all hostages, amidst international pressure for a ceasefire and escalating tensions with Iran.
Police in Berlin interrupted and cancelled a pro-Palestine conference due to one speaker being subject to a ban on political activity in Germany. The conference, attended by about 250 people, was cut short over concerns that the banned speaker might speak again, accused of past anti-Semitic statements. Organisers denounced Israeli actions in Gaza and accused Germany of complicity. 930 officers were dispatched by Berlin police to secure the event, with speakers like Salman Abu Sitta and Ghassan Abu Sittah facing entry denials into Germany.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed dissatisfaction to his Israeli counterpart over Israel's lack of prior notification before carrying out a strike on an Iranian site in Syria, heightening risks for American forces in the Middle East. The ongoing Israel-Gaza war, escalating tensions in the region, and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip are major concerns. The US continues to support Israel despite tensions between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and some US politicians. The historical roots of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict fuel deep mistrust and complexity in the region.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF; Hebrew: צְבָא הַהֲגָנָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל , lit. 'The Army for the Defense of Israel'), alternatively referred to by the Hebrew-language acronym Tzahal (צה״ל), is the national military of the State of Israel. It consists of three service branches: the Israeli Ground Forces, the Israeli Air Force, and the Israeli Navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security apparatus. The IDF is headed by the Chief of the General Staff, who is subordinate to the Israeli Defense Minister.On the orders of David Ben-Gurion, the IDF was formed on 26 May 1948 and began to operate as a conscript military, drawing its initial recruits from the already-existing paramilitaries of the Yishuv—namely Haganah, the Irgun, and Lehi. It was formed shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence, and has participated in every armed conflict involving Israel. In the wake of the 1979 Egypt–Israel peace treaty and the 1994 Israel–Jordan peace treaty, the IDF underwent a significant strategic realignment. Previously spread across various fronts—Lebanon and Syria in the north, Jordan and Iraq in the east, and Egypt in the south—the IDF redirected its focus towards southern Lebanon and its occupation of the Palestinian territories, the Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. In 2000, the IDF withdrew from Southern Lebanon and in 2005 from Gaza. Conflict between Israel and Islamist groups based in Gaza, notably Hamas, has continued since then. Moreover, notable Israeli–Syrian border incidents have occurred frequently since 2011, due to regional instability caused by the Syrian civil war.Since 1967, the IDF maintains a close security relationship with the United States, including in research and development cooperation, with joint efforts on the F-15I, the Tactical High-Energy Laser, and the Arrow defense systen, among others. The IDF is believed to have maintained an operational nuclear weapons capability since 1967, possibly possessing between 80 and 400 nuclear warheads.
Qusra (also Kusra) (Arabic: قُصرة) is a Palestinian village in the Nablus Governorate of the State of Palestine, in the northern West Bank, located 28 kilometers southeast of Nablus. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS), Qusra had a population of 5,418 inhabitants in 2017.According to ARIJ, Israel confiscated land from the two Palestinian villages of Jalud and Qusra in order to construct the two illegal Israeli outposts of Ahiya and Esh Kodesh.
Iran launched a barrage of drones and missiles in its first direct attack on Israeli territory, with Israel successfully intercepting the majority of launches using the Arrow Aerial Defense System alongside its strategic allies The Arrow Defence System, developed in collaboration with the US, forms an upper tier in Israel's multi-layered air defence system, capable of intercepting short and medium-range missiles The objective of these defence systems is to neutralize incoming missiles before they reach Israeli territory The Iron Dome system was also actively deployed to intercept drones and short-range threats
Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in West Asia. It is bordered by Lebanon to the north, Syria to the northeast, Jordan to the east, the Red Sea to the south, Egypt to the southwest, the Mediterranean Sea to the west, and the Palestinian territories – the West Bank along the east and the Gaza Strip along the southwest. Tel Aviv is the financial, economic, and technological center of the country, while its seat of government is in its proclaimed capital of Jerusalem, although Israeli sovereignty over East Jerusalem is unrecognized internationally.Israel is located in the Southern Levant, a region known historically as Canaan, Palestine, or the Holy Land. In antiquity, it was home to several Canaanite, Israelite and Jewish kingdoms, and is referred to as the Land of Israel in Jewish tradition. The region was ruled by powers such as the Assyrians, Babylonians, Achaemenids, Greeks, and Romans. During Roman rule, Jews became a minority in Palestine. The region later came under Byzantine and Arab rule. In the Middle Ages, it was part of the Islamic Caliphates, the Crusader Kingdom, and the Ottoman Empire. The late 19th century saw the rise of Zionism, a movement advocating for the establishment of a Jewish homeland. Under the British Mandate placed by the League of Nations after World War I, Jewish immigration to the region increased considerably leading to intercommunal conflict between Jews and the Arab majority. The 1947 UN partition plan triggered a civil war between these groups which would see the expulsion or fleeing of most Palestinians from Mandatory Palestine. The British terminated the Mandate on 14 May 1948, and Israel declared independence on the same day.On 15 May 1948, the armies of five neighboring Arab states invaded the area of the former Mandatory Palestine, starting the First Arab–Israeli War. An armistice in 1949 left Israel in control of more territory than the UN partition plan had called for; no new Arab state was created, as the rest of the former Mandate territory was divided between Egypt, which occupied the Gaza Strip, and Jordan, which annexed the West Bank. The 1967 Six-Day War ended with Israel occupying both the West Bank and Gaza alongside the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula and the Syrian Golan Heights. Israel has since effectively annexed both East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights, and has established settlements across the occupied territories, actions which are deemed illegal under international law. Since the 1973 Yom Kippur War, Israel has signed peace treaties with Egypt, returning the Sinai Peninsula, and with Jordan, and more recently normalized relations with several Arab countries. However, efforts to resolve the Israeli–Palestinian conflict have not succeeded. Israel's practices, in the longest military occupation in modern history, have drawn international condemnation for violating the human rights of the Palestinians.The country has a parliamentary system elected by proportional representation. The prime minister serves as head of government, and is elected by the Knesset, Israel's unicameral legislature. Israel has the highest Human Development Index of all countries in the Middle East and is one of the richest countries in the Middle East and Asia, and an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development member since 2010. It has the highest standards of living in the Middle East, and has been ranked as one of the most advanced and technological countries, with a population of nearly 10 million people, as of 2023. It has the world's 29th-largest economy by nominal GDP and 16th by nominal GDP per capita.
Israel is set to open new routes for humanitarian deliveries into Gaza, including the reopening of the Ashdod Port and access to the Erez Crossing. US President Joe Biden urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to allow more aid trucks into Gaza following the deaths of seven aid workers. The US National Security Council supports Israel's plan to increase aid flow into Gaza, emphasizing the importance of protecting civilians and aid workers. However, the timeline for opening these routes remains uncertain.
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