President Biden, surrounded by a small group of advisers, watched over 100 Iranian ballistic missiles heading towards Israel in real time, a moment of intense tension as the attack unfolded. The scope of the attack, including the use of ballistic missiles, surprised US officials. Despite anticipating an Iranian strike and preparing to defend Israel to the maximum extent, the potential for uncontrolled escalation was dangerously high. The Israeli ambassador was quickly brought to the White House during the attack, highlighting the close relationship between America and Israel despite disagreements over Gaza.
President Joe Biden warned Iran against retaliating for an air raid on its consulate in Damascus, but analysts anticipate an Iranian attack, heightening fears of a regional war. The US faces tensions between fully backing Israel and preventing Gaza conflict escalation, critic Trita Parsi notes a flawed approach. Despite condemning the attack on the Iranian embassy, the US supports Israel, emphasizing not being involved. Diplomatic efforts aim to deter Iran while ensuring unwavering support for Israel, potentially risking direct confrontation with Tehran.
Israel cancels school trips and youth activities, places armed forces on full alert due to potential Iranian attack. President Biden cuts short weekend trip to discuss Middle East events after predicting Iranian attack against Israel. Tensions escalated after Iran vowed retaliation for Israel's attack in Damascus. Biden meets with national security team in response to ongoing airborne attack from Iran.
President Biden's policies of appeasing Iran and withholding consequences for its actions have emboldened Tehran to launch a massive attack on Israel, including ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and suicide drones. The US pressure on Israel to show restraint against Iran's proxies and the lack of severe consequences for Iran-backed groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis have normalized their attacks. Meanwhile, the US continues to provide sanctions relief to Iran, allowing its oil to flow freely to destinations like China.
WASHINGTON -- US President Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a call on Saturday that the United States will oppose any Israeli counterattack against Iran, US news portal Axios reported, citing a senior White House official. "You got a win. Take the win," Biden told Netanyahu, thanking Israel, the United States, and other countries for their joint efforts, which failed Iran's attacks, according to the official. The official was quoted as saying that when Biden told Netanyahu that the United States would not participate in any offensive operations against Iran and would not support such operations, Netanyahu said he understood. Also on Saturday night, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke for the second time with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, during which the Pentagon chief reiterated Washington's "ironclad" support for Israel's defense, Pentagon press secretary Pat Ryder said in a statement.
Israel, with help from the U.S., France, Jordan, and the United Kingdom, thwarted over 300 Iranian drones and missiles aimed at Israel, with approximately 99% of the attack being intercepted. President Biden deployed U.S. military aircraft and ballistic missile defense destroyers to assist in this effort. France, with ground-air defense elements in the region, intercepted projectiles over Iraq and Jordan. The U.K.'s Royal Air Force also participated in intercepting drones bound for Israel. President Biden called for a G7 meeting in response to the attack.
The U.S. military has shot down dozens of ballistic and cruise missiles, along with attack drones, launched by Iran towards Israel. Leaders from countries like the UK, Canada, Germany, and the U.S. have condemned Iran's actions and expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself. President Biden announced a G7 meeting to coordinate a diplomatic response, and China expressed deep concern over the escalating situation, calling for calm and restraint to prevent further conflict.
John Kirby, White House national security communications adviser, attributed Iran's recent attacks on Israel to the policies of former President Trump, while the Biden administration has urged Israel against retaliatory strikes. Israel successfully defended itself from over 300 drones and missiles from Iran, with assistance from the US and other allies. Biden's team has permitted waivers on sanctions, including a recent approval for Iraq to purchase energy from Iran, potentially granting the terrorist regime access to $10 billion. Kirby defended Biden's approach, countering claims of being soft on Iran by pointing out Trump's withdrawal from the Iran deal and Iran's progress towards nuclear capabilities during his presidency.
Former President Trump expressed support for Israel and criticized the Biden administration's response to Iran's drone attack on Israel, claiming the attack wouldn't have happened if he were in office. GOP politicians echoed concerns and urged strong support for Israel. Iran warned the US to stay away as America shot down the drone. President Biden affirmed support for Israel and committed to defending it. Trump also accused Biden of taping a response and criticized his handling of the situation, prompting Biden to address the attack live. Iran launched drones and missiles at Israel, sparking tensions in the region.
Iran's Ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, described Israel's promise of a significant response to Iran's weekend attack as a threat and not an action. Following an emergency UN Security Council meeting in New York, Iran launched over 300 drones and missiles into Israel in retaliation to a strike on an Iranian consular building in Syria. Israel's war cabinet discussed possible retaliation, with Iran warning of further decisive actions if provoked. The conflict has raised fears of wider escalation in the Middle East region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved an air strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, violating the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, in an attempt to divert attention from failures in the Israeli war on Gaza. Iran retaliated with a limited attack from its territory, showcasing its military capabilities. The international response was muted, with the US and Israel intercepting most drones and missiles. The incident has left the Arab world fearful of potential regional and global repercussions from escalating tensions.
Iran launched a barrage of missiles and drones at Israel, with most intercepted, following an attack on its consulate in Damascus. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel has been preparing for such attacks and will defend itself. Hamas rejected truce proposals in Gaza, leading to ongoing conflict. Iran's allies like Yemen's Huthi rebels and Lebanon's Hezbollah also joined the attack. The UK, France, and Egypt condemned Iran's actions, while Saudi Arabia urged restraint. Egypt placed its air defense on high alert and voiced concern over the escalating tensions.
Iran launched a large-scale attack with over 300 drones and missiles at Israel, resulting in some damage and injuries. The attack was in response to an airstrike that hit Iran's consulate in Damascus. Tensions remain high in the Middle East as Israel contemplates its response to the escalation, with approved operational plans for both offensive and defensive actions.
Prior to Iran's attack on Israel, a poll revealed that 34% of Americans think President Biden is not tough enough on Israel, with Democrats more likely to want him to toughen up. Additionally, 47% of the public support a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, and 29% of respondents sympathize with Israel while 14% sympathize with the Palestinians. Furthermore, there is increasing pressure for Biden to encourage Israel to stop military actions in Gaza, and most Americans prefer the U.S. to support Israel in case of an Iranian attack.
Israel and Iran accused one another at the United Nations of being the main threat to peace in the Middle East, with Israel calling on the Security Council to impose sanctions on Iran after Tehran's unprecedented attack on Israel. Iran launched a direct attack on Israel for the first time, firing over 300 missiles and drones in response to an air strike on Tehran's consulate building in Syria. Israel's UN Ambassador requested the designation of Iran's Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization and the reimposition of sanctions against Tehran.
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.
Iran conducted the largest drone attack in history and its biggest missile strike targeting Israel, in retaliation for an Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus. This marked the first direct Iranian attack on Israel in almost 50 years, aiming to strengthen Iran's deterrence and fulfill vows of punishing aggressors. The operation, named True Promise, was carried out by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to demonstrate Tehran's resolve. The attack raises fears of a larger regional conflict and could impact Israel's war on Gaza.
Former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe joins Sunday Morning Futures to provide analysis of Irans unprecedented attack on Israel. Republicans have taken aim at President Biden in the wake of Iran's unprecedented attack on Israel, claiming the presidents "dont deterrence" has only emboldened Iran. "So much for President Biden telling bad guys Dont actually being an effective deterrent. Every time he says Dont,' they do," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.
The United States is warning Iran that if it or its proxies attack the United States or Israel, it will be held responsible. The warning came during a UN Security Council meeting Sunday in which the US condemned what it called Irans unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel..
This video can not be played This video has been removed for rights reasons. This video has been removed for rights reasons. Video, 00:00:10 This video has been removed for rights reasons Up Next. BBC Verify examines video from Iran's attack on Israel. Video, 00:00:58 BBC Verify examines video from Iran's attack on Israel 'A very long night for Israel and a dangerous moment' Video, 00:00:58 'A very long night for Israel and a dangerous moment' The view from Israel as Iran launches dozens of missiles.
A 7-year-old girl named Amina al-Hassouni from Al-Fur'ah in southern Israel is in critical condition after being hit by shrapnel in an Iranian missile strike that escalated tensions in the Middle East. Iran launched 170 drones, 30 cruise missiles, and 120 ballistic missiles, with 99% intercepted by Israel. The attack, in response to an earlier strike in Syria, marks Iran's first direct military assault on Israel, sparking global concern. Western leaders including the US President condemned the attack, and the UK's RAF shot down Iranian drones. G7 leaders are coordinating a diplomatic response to prevent further escalation.
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.
U S Cardinal Timothy Dolan visited Israel to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) and had to seek shelter during an Iranian missile attack on Israel while in Bethlehem. Despite the tense situation, Cardinal Dolan expressed gratitude for safety and security, led mass, met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and plans to engage with various religious and human rights groups during his visit in Israel and the Palestinian-controlled territories.
US House Speaker Mike Johnson intends to push for a bill providing wartime aid to Israel following Iran's recent attack, without specifying if aid for Ukraine will be included. Political tensions have stalled US assistance to both nations, with Johnson blocking an earlier $95 billion aid package for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan sought by President Joe Biden. Johnson faces pressure from fellow Republicans divided on supporting Ukraine, as some are hesitant to allocate billions towards Kyiv's conflict with Russia. The White House and bipartisan Senate leaders urge Johnson to approve the aid package.
Iran's government celebrated a missile and drone attack on Israel, with supporters chanting 'Death to Israel' while lawmakers cheered in parliament. Ordinary Iranians experienced terror and panic, with many fleeing Tehran amid fears of retaliation. Streets in Tehran were filled with celebratory scenes, while residents queued at petrol stations and packed up belongings to escape potential targets. A resident expressed fear, calling the government's actions a gamble that could backfire, leaving the public to suffer the consequences.
Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. ( , BY-dən; born November 20, 1942) is an American politician who is the 46th and current president of the United States. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the 47th vice president from 2009 to 2017 under President Barack Obama and represented Delaware in the United States Senate from 1973 to 2009.Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Biden moved with his family to Delaware in 1953. He graduated from the University of Delaware before earning his law degree from Syracuse University. He was elected to the New Castle County Council in 1970 and to the U.S. Senate in 1972. As a senator, Biden drafted and led the effort to pass the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act and the Violence Against Women Act. He also oversaw six U.S. Supreme Court confirmation hearings, including the contentious hearings for Robert Bork and Clarence Thomas. Biden ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1988 and 2008. In 2008, Obama chose Biden as his running mate, and he was a close counselor to Obama during his two terms as vice president. In the 2020 presidential election, Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris, defeated incumbents Donald Trump and Mike Pence. He is the oldest president in U.S. history, and the first to have a female vice president.As president, Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent recession. He signed bipartisan bills on infrastructure and manufacturing. He proposed the Build Back Better Act, which failed in Congress, but aspects of which were incorporated into the Inflation Reduction Act that he signed into law in 2022. Biden appointed Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. He worked with congressional Republicans to resolve the 2023 United States debt-ceiling crisis by negotiating a deal to raise the debt ceiling. In foreign policy, Biden restored America's membership in the Paris Agreement. He oversaw the complete withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan that ended the war in Afghanistan, during which the Afghan government collapsed and the Taliban seized control. He responded to the Russian invasion of Ukraine by imposing sanctions on Russia and authorizing civilian and military aid to Ukraine. During the Israel–Hamas war, Biden announced military support for Israel, and condemned the actions of Hamas and other Palestinian militants as terrorism. In April 2023, Biden announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination in the 2024 presidential election.
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.
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.
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.
The Iran–Israel proxy conflict, also known as the Iran–Israel proxy war or Iran–Israel Cold War, is an ongoing proxy conflict between Iran and Israel. In the Israeli–Lebanese conflict, Iran has supported Lebanese Shia militias, most notably Hezbollah. In the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Iran has backed Palestinian groups such as Hamas. Israel has supported Iranian rebels, such as the People's Mujahedin of Iran, conducted airstrikes against Iranian allies in Syria and assassinated Iranian nuclear scientists. In 2018 Israeli forces directly attacked Iranian forces in Syria.Motivated by the periphery doctrine, Imperial Iran and Israel had close relations, seeing Arab powers as a common threat. After the 1979 Islamic revolution, Iran cut off relations, but covert ties continued during the subsequent Iran–Iraq War. Iran trained and armed Hezbollah during Israel's 1982 invasion of Lebanon, and continued to back Shia militias throughout the Israeli occupation of Southern Lebanon. Even before 1979, Iranian Islamists had materially supported the Palestinians; after 1979 Iran attempted relations with the Palestine Liberation Organization, and later with Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas. Israel fought a war with Hezbollah in 2006. Israel has fought several wars with Palestinians in and around the Gaza Strip: in 2008-2009, 2012, 2014, 2021 and 2023-2024. The 1982 Lebanon War and Israel–Hamas war have been the deadliest wars of the Arab–Israeli conflict.Various reasons have been given for the Iran-Israel conflict. Iran and Israel had previously enjoyed warm ties due to common threats, but by 1990s the USSR had dissolved and Iraq had been weakened. Iranian Islamists have long championed the Palestinian people, whom they perceive as "oppressed". Scholars believe that by supporting the Palestinians, Iran seeks greater acceptance among Sunnis and Arabs, both of whom dominate the Middle East. Ideologically, Iran seeks to replace Israel with a one-state solution (though Iran has at times also supported the two-state solution) and has predicted Israel's demise. Israel sees Iran as an existential threat, and accuses its regime of harboring genocidal intentions. Consequently, Israel has sought sanctions and military action against Iran to stop it from acquiring nuclear weapons.
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.
House Speaker Mike Johnson is in talks with the White House to secure funding for Ukraine and Israel, diverging from the Senate's $95 billion foreign security package to include Republican demands. Johnson faces challenges within a divided Republican conference on supporting Ukraine, with President Biden criticizing those unwilling to help Kiev while Donald Trump leans towards a more isolationist approach. Johnson seeks agreement within his party and White House to move forward, consulting with Trump and seeking support ahead of a crucial political decision.
The Gaza War, also known as Operation Cast Lead (Hebrew: מִבְצָע עוֹפֶרֶת יְצוּקָה), also known as the Gaza Massacre (Arabic: مجزرة غزة), and referred to as the Battle of al-Furqan (معركة الفرقان) by Hamas, was a three-week armed conflict between Gaza Strip Palestinian paramilitary groups and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) that began on 27 December 2008 and ended on 18 January 2009 with a unilateral ceasefire. The conflict resulted in 1,166–1,417 Palestinian and 13 Israeli deaths. Over 46,000 homes were destroyed in Gaza, making more than 100,000 people homeless.A six month long ceasefire between Israel and Hamas ended on 4 November, when the IDF made a raid into Deir al-Balah, central Gaza to destroy a tunnel, killing several Hamas militants. Israel said the raid was a preemptive strike and Hamas intended to abduct further Israeli soldiers, while Hamas characterized it as a ceasefire violation, and responded with rocket fire into Israel. Attempts to renew a truce between Israel and Hamas were unsuccessful. On December 27, Israel began Operation Cast Lead with the stated aim of stopping rocket fire. In the initial air assault, Israel attacked police stations, military targets including weapons caches and suspected rocket firing teams, as well as political and administrative institutions, striking in the densely populated cities of Gaza, Khan Yunis and Rafah. After hostilities broke out, Palestinian groups fired rockets in retaliation for the aerial bombardments and attacks. The international community considers indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian structures that do not discriminate between civilians and military targets as illegal under international law.An Israeli ground invasion began on 3 January. On 5 January, the IDF began operating in the densely populated urban centers of Gaza. During the last week of the offensive (from 12 January), Israel mostly hit targets it had damaged before and struck Palestinian rocket-launching units. Hamas intensified its rocket and mortar attacks against mostly civilian targets in southern Israel, reaching the major cities of Beersheba and Ashdod for the first time during the conflict. Israeli politicians ultimately decided against striking deeper within Gaza amid concerns of higher casualties on both sides and rising international criticism. The conflict ended on 18 January, when the IDF first declared a unilateral ceasefire, followed by Hamas' announcing a one-week ceasefire twelve hours later. The IDF completed its withdrawal on 21 January.In September 2009, a UN special mission, headed by the South African Justice Richard Goldstone, produced a report accusing both Palestinian militants and the Israeli army of war crimes and possible crimes against humanity, and recommended bringing those responsible to justice. In 2011, Goldstone wrote that he does not believe that Israel intentionally targeted civilians in Gaza as a matter of explicit policy. The other authors of the report, Hina Jilani, Christine Chinkin, and Desmond Travers, stated that no new evidence had been gathered that disputed the report's findings. The United Nations Human Rights Council ordered Israel to conduct various repairs of the damages. On 21 September 2012, the United Nations Human Rights Council concluded that 75% of civilian homes destroyed in the attack were not rebuilt.
At a rally in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, supporters of former President Donald Trump chanted 'genocide Joe' in reference to President Joe Biden's support for Israel during the conflict in Gaza. Trump endorsed the chant, stating 'They're not wrong. He's done everything wrong.' The rally occurred after Iran launched drone and missile strikes into Israel, with most intercepted. Biden and world leaders condemned the retaliatory attacks. Democratic voters are organizing efforts to warn Biden about potential loss of votes if military aid to Israel continues. Trump also criticized Biden on gas prices and immigration at the rally.
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 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.
The Gaza Strip is experiencing a humanitarian crisis as a result of the Israel–Hamas war. The crisis includes both a famine and a healthcare collapse. At the start of the war, Israel implemented a complete blockade on the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in significant shortages of fuel, food, medication, water, and essential medical supplies. This siege resulted in a 90% drop in electricity availability, impacting hospital power supplies, sewage plants, and shutting down the desalination plants that provide drinking water. Widespread disease outbreaks have spread across Gaza.Heavy bombardment by Israeli airstrikes caused catastrophic damage to Gaza’s infrastructure, further deepening the crisis. By mid-November, Israel had dropped the equivalent of two nuclear bombs on Gaza. The Gaza Health Ministry reported over 4,000 children killed in the war's first month. UN Secretary General António Guterres stated Gaza had "become a graveyard for children."Organizations such as Doctors Without Borders, the Red Cross, and a joint statement by UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the UN Development Programme, United Nations Population Fund, and World Food Programme have warned of a dire humanitarian collapse. On November 8, UN Human Rights chief Volker Turk described the Rafah Crossing as "gates to a living nightmare."
On the evening of 27 October 2023, Israel launched a large-scale invasion of the Gaza Strip, with the stated goals of eliminating and destroying Hamas, a military and political movement which led an attack against Israel earlier in October, and to free hostages taken by Hamas. Following the attack, Israel declared a state of war, tightened its blockade, ordered the evacuation of the northern Gaza Strip, and launched "Operation Swords of Iron".More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the start of the Israeli operation, including over 12,500 children and 7,000 women, with another 7,000 people missing and presumed dead under the rubble of destroyed buildings. By mid-December Israel had dropped 29,000 munitions on Gaza, destroying or damaging 70 percent of homes in the Strip. Experts say that the scale and pace of destruction in Gaza is among the most severe in recent history. During the invasion, Israel destroyed at least a third of Gaza's homes and hundreds of cultural landmarks, and desecrated dozens of cemeteries in the strip.A severe humanitarian crisis has developed, with healthcare in a state of collapse, shortages of food, clean water, medicine and fuel due to the blockade, electricity and communications blackouts, and the UN warning of potential famine. It was widely reported that there is "no safe place in Gaza" as Israel struck areas it had previously told Palestinians to evacuate to. The widespread civilian deaths have led to accusations of war crimes against both Israel and Hamas. Nearly all of Gaza's 2.3 million population have been internally displaced and around 250,000–500,000 Israelis were internally displaced, while thousands of Palestinians have been detained by Israel, and Israel has stated it lost 225 additional soldiers in its invasion as of 4 February 2024.As a result of the invasion, South Africa instituted proceedings against Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ), charging that Israel was guilty of committing a genocide, and requesting that the ICJ render provisional measures of protection.
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.
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.
President Joe Biden recently held trilateral meetings with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in the White House. Biden is headed to Scranton, Pennsylvania, to discuss taxes, proposing a minimum tax for billionaires. The President aims to convince voters he is the best choice for the middle class. Reporters missed Biden's opening remarks at the trilateral meeting due to a logistical error. Biden also hosted a state dinner for Kishida and answered questions on various topics.
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 Gaza–Israel conflict is a localized part of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict beginning in 1948, when 200,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled from their homes, settling in the Gaza Strip as refugees. Since then, Israel has fought 15 wars against the Gaza Strip. The number of Gazans killed in the most recent 2023 war — 27,000 — is higher than the death toll of all other wars of the Arab-Israeli conflict.Israel fought four wars against the Egyptian-administered Gaza Strip: 1948 Palestine War, border attacks of 1949–1956, first occupation of Gaza during the Suez Crisis and the capture of Gaza in 1967. During the first occupation, 1% of Gaza Strip's population was either killed, tortured or imprisoned by Israel. Following two periods of low-level insurgencies, a major conflict between Israelis and Palestinians erupted in the First Intifada (523 Gazans killed). The 1993 Oslo Accords brought a period of calm. But, in 2000 the Second Intifada erupted. Towards the end of the Second Intifada, Israel disengaged from Gaza in 2005, Hamas won the 2006 election and seized control of Gaza in 2007.In 2007, Israel imposed a land, air and sea blockade of the Gaza Strip, turning it into an "open-air prison". The blockade was widely condemned as a form of collective punishment, while Israel defended it as necessary to stop Palestinian rocket attacks. Hamas considered it a declaration of war. A 2008–2009 Israeli invasion of Gaza resulted in more than 1,000 deaths and widespread destruction of homes, schools and hospitals. A 2012 Israeli operation also killed more than 100 people.In 2014, Israel invaded Gaza in a major war that resulted in the deaths of 73 Israelis (mostly soldiers) and 2,251 Palestinians (mostly civilians). The invasion resulted in "unprecedented" destruction, damaging 25% of homes in Gaza city and 70% of homes in Beit Hanoun. After 2014, notable events in the conflict included the "Great March of Return" (2018-2019) and clashes in November 2018, May 2019 and November 2019. The 2021 crisis saw 256 Palestinians and 15 Israelis killed.On October 7, 2023, Palestinian militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people (mostly civilians). Israel responded with bombing Gaza Strip and launching an invasion that has killed more than 29,000 Gazans as of February 2024.
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.
Hamas presented a counter-proposal for a hostage deal in indirect negotiations in the Gaza war, demanding the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops, and a ceasefire. The proposal includes phases for ceasefire, troop withdrawal, hostage-prisoner exchange, and reconstruction. In response, Israel rejected Hamas' demands for complete troop withdrawal. Mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the US are involved in ceasefire negotiations. The conflict has resulted in over 33,000 deaths in Gaza and about 1,200 in Israel.
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.
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