Iran launched missiles at Israel in retaliation for a suspected Israeli airstrike on its embassy compound in Syria on April 1. The Iranian attack led to the Israeli Iron Dome air defense system being activated. The United Nations nuclear watchdog expressed concerns about Israel possibly targeting Iranian nuclear facilities. Israel's military chief confirmed that Israel would respond to the missile and drone attack by Iran. There are calls for restraint to avoid escalating conflict in the Middle East.
Iran launched a direct military attack on Israel, firing more than 300 drones and missiles, with most being intercepted by Israel and its allies. This attack was in retaliation for Israel's strike on the Iranian consulate in Syria. Israel, along with the United States, Britain, France, and other allies, formed a coalition to counter Iran's unprecedented attack. Israel's Foreign Minister called for imposing sanctions on Iran's missile project and designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization.
Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles towards Israel over the weekend, showcasing Israel's superior military technology. The attack marked a victory for Israel, the United States, Britain, and France, while humilating Tehran. Concerns about a wider war persist despite Israel's capability to defend itself. Iran retaliated for Israeli strikes on Iranian commanders in Syria through proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah, causing tensions in the region to escalate.
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.
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's military chief Lt Gen Herzi Halevi stated that a response will be made to Iran's recent drone and missile barrage, with concerns of a wider conflict in the Middle East. The US, UK, France, and Jordan assisted in defending Israel against the attack. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called for restraint and plans to speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Foreign Secretary David Cameron described Iran's attack as a 'malign' failure and urged Israel to show restraint.
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.
Israeli sources have stated that Israel postponed its planned ground offensive on the Gaza city of Rafah after Iran's weekend attack, sparking a heated debate in the Israeli war cabinet over the response. The Israeli Air Force intended to drop leaflets on Rafah but paused plans following Iran's projectile attack towards Israel. Israeli officials are considering military and diplomatic responses to Iran, amidst international support but caution against escalation. US President Biden assured non-participation in offensive operations against Iran. Tensions with Iran escalated after Hamas attacks on Israel, prompting discussions on potential responses and de-escalation efforts.
Iran launched a massive attack on Israel over the weekend using over 300 drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles, resembling Russia's tactics in Ukraine. Military analysts noted Iran's attempt to overwhelm Israel's air defense systems by launching slower-moving drones and cruise missiles before ballistic missiles. The attack, 99% intercepted by Israel's defense forces, was compared to Russia's strategies in Ukraine. However, Iran's underestimation of Israel's defense capabilities and assistance from the US and UK distinguishes this event from Russia's actions in Ukraine.
Israel faced an unprecedented attack by Iran, leading to school and university closures for security reasons. The attack on October 7th has heightened a sense of vulnerability and fear among Israelis. The nation is facing a pivotal moment as it is directly attacked by Iran for the first time in history. Israelis feel trapped and are anxious about potential retaliation and the possibility of a broader war in the region. The next 48 hours are crucial as Israel stands on the brink of war with a major regional power.
US Central Command reported destroying more than 80 one-way attack drones and at least six ballistic missiles aimed at Israel from Iran and Yemen. In response, Iran launched its first-ever attack on Israeli territory involving over 300 drones and missiles. Most of the attacks were intercepted by Israels Iron Dome missile defense system. President Joe Biden praised US forces for their response, supporting Israels defense. The US remains ready to protect its troops and allies in the region and enhance regional stability.
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.
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.
GAZA STRIP Israel launched dozens of airstrikes on Gaza overnight, Hamas said on Monday, as the army said it will not be distracted from the fighting after Iran's unprecedented attack heightened fears of a wider conflict. World powers have urged restraint after Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel on Saturday, though the Israeli military said the vast majority were intercepted. Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations said the country's military action against Israel was based on Article 51 of the UN Charter regarding the legitimate right to self-defense and in response to the deadly Israeli attack against the Iranian consulate in Syria on April 1. "Even while under attack from Iran, we have not lost sight, not for one moment, of our critical mission in Gaza" to rescue hostages, Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said on Sunday. As mediators eye a deal to halt the fighting, triggered by Hamas' Oct 7 attack, fears grew over Israeli plans to send troops into Rafah, a far-southern city where the majority of Gaza's 2.
Israel's air defenses successfully intercepted 99% of the over 300 drones and missiles launched towards its territory in response to an unprecedented attack by Iran. Anti-Israeli banners were displayed in downtown Tehran, with one sign in Hebrew warning of consequences and another in Farsi promising a harsh retaliation.
Iran vows to attack Israel in retaliation for an Israeli strike in Syria, leading to airlines canceling flights to and from Israel. United Airlines cancels flights and reevaluates future flights to Tel Aviv, while international airlines like El Al and Air France also cancel flights. Israeli aviation authorities close airspace in preparation for potential Iranian drone strike.
AMMAN -- Jordan's Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission announced on Saturday a temporary closure of the country's airspace to all incoming, outgoing, and transit flights. The decision, effective from 11:00 pm local time (2000 GMT), aimed to maintain the safety and security of civil aviation within Jordanian airspace, following a comprehensive risk assessment based on international standards, according to state broadcaster Al Mamlaka TV. The commission stated that the closure would last for several hours and be subject to continuous updates and reviews in response to ongoing developments. The United States said it anticipated that, in response to the recent assault on its consulate in Damascus, Syria, Iran may execute retaliatory strikes against targets within Israel. Although Iran has declared its intent for retribution, it has not disclosed specific details regarding the timing or strategy of its "revenge.
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.
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 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.
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.
{{User:RMCD bot/subject notice|1=2024 Iranian consulate airstrike in Damascus|2=Talk:2024 Israeli bombing of the Iranian embassy in Damascus#Requested move 2 April 2024}On 1 April 2024, an Israeli airstrike destroyed the Iranian consulate annex building adjacent to the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria, killing 14 people, including a senior Quds Force commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi and seven other IRGC officers.The airstrike occurred at a time of heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, and amid the formers war with Hamas and Hezbollah. Iran has vowed revenge for the attack.
The Israeli military warned Palestinians not to return to northern Gaza after opening fire and killing five people trying to walk back to their homes following Hamas' attack on southern Israel. Around 300,000 Palestinians in the north are on the brink of famine, amidst flattened areas and restricted aid. Defense Minister Gallant plans an invasion of Rafah, met with objections from the international community and the United States. The conflict has displaced most of Gaza's 2.3 million people, with over 33,700 Palestinians killed and 76,200 wounded in bombardments and ground offensives.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commandeered the Portugal-flagged MSC Aries near the Strait of Hormuz following tensions after an Israeli attack in Syria. The vessel, associated with the London-based Zodiac Maritime owned by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer, was guided towards Iranian territorial waters. Footage showed IRGC soldiers rappelling from a Soviet-designed helicopter. The UK-flagged ship, carrying 25 crew members, was en route from the UAE to India. Another Israeli-linked ship was recently attacked in the Indian Ocean, attributed to Iran, prompting international condemnation.
Israel's Iron Dome air defense system, developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries, is a sophisticated defense mechanism designed to intercept short-range rockets and artillery targeting Israeli airspace. It consists of components like radar units, control units, firing units, and interceptor missiles, which work together to detect and destroy incoming threats. Recently, during a five-hour barrage from Iran, Israel's air defense systems, including the Iron Dome, successfully thwarted the attack with the help of U.S.-led allies, showcasing the effectiveness of this defense technology.
An Israeli airstrike in northeastern Lebanon near the city of Baalbek, a stronghold of Hezbollah, wounded at least three people. Hezbollah had used two drones to attack an Israeli Iron Dome system in Kfar Blum prior to this airstrike. The Israeli military targeted a Hezbollah workshop, leading to rockets being fired from Lebanon towards Israel. This incident is part of the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, with multiple attacks occurring in the region recently.
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.
The killing of seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen in Gaza has sparked global outrage and forced Israel to open new points of entry for humanitarian aid. The United Nations reports that a total of 224 humanitarian aid workers have been killed since the beginning of the war, highlighting systemic failings in the Israel Defense Forces' approach to protecting humanitarian workers in the Gaza Strip. Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have expressed remorse over the incident, and the IDF has removed two senior officers from their posts after an investigation found violations of protocol.
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.
Former UK Prime Minister David Cameron has faced criticism for his comments on the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, condemning Iran's attack on Israel while also acknowledging that Britain would react strongly if one of its consulates was attacked. He emphasized the need for strategic thinking and urged nations to use both their heads and hearts in responding to such provocations. Cameron highlighted the disproportionate nature of Iran's attack on Israel and emphasized the importance of focusing on Iran's malign influence rather than escalating the conflict. The UK Foreign Secretary supported Israel's right to respond but discouraged retaliatory strikes, advocating for a smart and tough approach.
Israeli military confirms the killing of Hezbollah commander Ali Ahmad Hussein in an overnight air strike in southern Lebanon, along with three other fighters. The United Nations urges a halt to the cycle of violence as shelling between Hezbollah and Israeli forces escalates, with Hezbollah firing rockets into the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The conflict has resulted in casualties on both sides, with hundreds of Hezbollah fighters and civilians killed in Israeli strikes and several Israeli soldiers and civilians killed by Hezbollah rocket fire. The UN calls for an end to the escalating violence, reminiscent of the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel.
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.
Yael Factor TEL AVIV The Israeli War Cabinet will meet today at 7 a.m. ET, an Israeli official told NBC News. It comes after an Israeli official told NBC News following an hourslong meeting of the War Cabinet last night that the country would respond to the retaliatory strikes but that the scope and timing of that response had not yet been decided. The official said that among the considerations were whether Israel needed to retaliate immediately or could afford to wait, and what impact any escalation against Iran would have on Israeli operations in the Gaza Strip.
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.
The EU could impose new sanctions on Iran after Tehran's direct attack on Israel, several diplomats said on Monday evening after talks between members' envoys. The issue is likely to be discussed this Tuesday during a video conference of foreign ministers called by the bloc's top diplomat Josep Borrell . It comes after Iran directly attacked Israel on Saturday, for the first time in the history of the Islamic Republic, in retaliation for the killing of high-ranking Iranian officers in Syria at the start of the month. New punitive measures could be imposed through a sanctions regime set up after Iran began supporting the Russian war on Ukraine by supplying Moscow with drones. The measures banned the export of components used for the construction and production of unmanned aerial vehicles to Iran.
PM Rishi Sunak faced mounting calls tonight to class Irans Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organisation following the massive attack on Israel. Figures across the political spectrum have urged him to make the move in the wake of Tehrans assault last weekend using 300 missiles and drones . Demands to follow the lead set by America came from ex-Home Secretary Suella Braverman , former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith and the Labour Party . Israel pledged to launch its first direct attack on Iran whose leaders vowed to hit back with a blizzard of more than 3,000 missiles and drones if it did. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is thought to have 125,000 military personnel and is in charge of the countrys ballistic missiles.
President Biden did not respond to a question asked by Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy on Monday, which related to Iran's recent attacks against Israel. President Biden left a question about Iran's recent attacks against Israel unanswered at a press conference on Monday. Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy asked the question shortly before Biden departed from his presser with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. Several reporters began shouting questions at the two world leaders, but Doocy's query rang loud and clear. "President Biden, you told Iran, Don't, and they did it anyway, so what now?" the journalist asked.
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.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed his call for active support from the West in the country's campaign to fend off the full-scale Russian invasion, pointing to Western assistance for Israel against Iran's attacks. It is now clear that not all of Ukraine's facilities can be protected from attacks, Zelensky wrote on Telegram on Monday after a meeting of the Stavka, the Ukrainian armed forces' high command. "But the intensity of the Russian attacks requires greater unity," he said. By defending Israel, the free world showed that unity is not only possible, but also 100% effective, Zelensky said. "The decisive action of the allies prevented the success of terror and the loss of infrastructure and forced the aggressor to cool down," he wrote, referring to Iran's unprecedented attack on Israel last weekend.
Iron Dome (Hebrew: כִּפַּת בַּרְזֶל, romanized: Kippat Barzel) is an Israeli mobile all-weather air defense system developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries. The system is designed to intercept and destroy short-range rockets and artillery shells fired from distances of 4 to 70 kilometres (2–43 mi) away and whose trajectory would take them to an Israeli populated area. From 2011 to 2021, the United States contributed a total of US$1.6 billion to the Iron Dome defense system, with another US$1 billion approved by the US Congress in 2022.Iron Dome was declared operational and initially deployed on 27 March 2011 near Beersheba. On 7 April 2011, the system successfully intercepted a rocket launched from Gaza for the first time. On 10 March 2012, The Jerusalem Post reported that the system shot down 90% of rockets launched from Gaza that would have landed in populated areas. In late 2012 Israel said that it hoped to increase the range of Iron Dome's interceptions, from a maximum of 70 to 250 kilometres (43–155 mi) and make it more versatile so that it could intercept rockets coming from two directions simultaneously.In November 2012, official statements indicated that it had intercepted over 400 rockets. By late October 2014, the Iron Dome systems had intercepted over 1,200 rockets.In addition to their land-based deployment, it was reported in 2017 that Iron Dome batteries would in future be deployed at sea on Sa'ar 6-class corvettes, to protect off-shore gas platforms in conjunction with Israel's Barak 8 missile system.
An Israeli court has ruled to evict a Palestinian family from their home in the contested neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah in east Jerusalem, intensifying the long-standing dispute between Israeli settlers and Palestinian residents. The court decision follows a legal battle over property rights, with the Israeli magistrate court stating the family has no legal claim to the house owned by Jews, despite Palestinians asserting decades-long residency. The case, brought by a Jewish settler organization, reflects broader tensions in the region regarding land ownership and the conflicting claims to Jerusalem as both Israel's capital and a future Palestinian state's capital.
Despite rumors of a closed checkpoint being open, Israel denies allowing Palestinians in Gaza to move to the north, leading to desperate families waiting at the blocked Al-Rashid Street checkpoint. Around 33,729 Palestinians have died and 76,371 have been injured in the conflict since October 7, with reports of civilians, including women and children, being shot at by Israeli soldiers while attempting to cross to the north.
The Israeli Air Defense Command (in Hebrew: מערך ההגנה האווירית) is the Israeli Air and Space Force unit responsible for the surface front of Israel's air defense, complementing the air defense provided by Fighter squadrons. Initially a part of the IDF Artillery Corps, since 1970 the Air Defense Command has been subordinate to the Israeli Air and Space Force.
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.
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.
Several humanitarian aid organizations, including World Central Kitchen, have suspended operations in Gaza after Israeli airstrikes killed seven of their workers. The United Nations reported over 180 humanitarian aid workers have died since the conflict began in October. The organizations are calling for accountability and assurance from the Israeli government to respect international law and ensure the safety of aid workers in the region.
BBC presenter Nick Robinson faced criticism for using the word 'murders' to describe Israeli attacks in Gaza during an interview with Foreign Secretary David Cameron. Downing Street emphasized the importance of careful language and impartiality. The Prime Minister acknowledged civilian deaths in Gaza but reiterated Israel's right to self-defense. The BBC's alleged bias sparked calls for an investigation, with critics condemning the language as irresponsible amid heightened tensions. The conflict in Gaza has resulted in thousands of Palestinian casualties, with differing narratives on civilian casualties between Israel and Hamas.
Mobs of Israeli settlers have rampaged through the occupied West Bank attacking Palestinians and their property, killing two people. The latest violence was sparked by the disappearance of a 14-year-old boy from an illegal outpost, whose body was later found..
The Syrian civil war (Arabic: ٱلْحَرْبُ ٱلْأَهْلِيَّةُ ٱلسُّورِيَّةُ, romanized: al-ḥarb al-ʾahlīyah al-sūrīyah) is an ongoing multi-sided conflict in Syria involving various state-sponsored and non-state actors.In March 2011, popular discontent with the rule of Bashar al-Assad triggered large-scale protests and pro-democracy rallies across Syria, as part of the wider Arab Spring protests in the region. After months of crackdown by governments security apparatus, various armed rebel groups such as the Free Syrian Army began forming across the country, marking the beginning of the Syrian insurgency. By mid-2012, the crisis had escalated into a full-blown civil war.Receiving arms from NATO and GCC states, rebel forces initially made significant advances against the government forces, who were receiving arms from Iran and Russia. Rebels captured the regional capitals of Raqqa in 2013 and Idlib in 2015. Consequently, in September 2015, Russia launched a military intervention in support of the government, shifting the balance of the conflict. By late 2018, all rebel strongholds, except parts of Idlib region, had fallen to the government forces.In 2014, the Islamic State group seized control of large parts of Eastern Syria and Western Iraq, prompting the U.S.-led CJTF coalition to launch aerial bombing campaign against it, while providing ground support to the Kurdish-majority Syrian Democratic Forces. Culminating in the Battle of Raqqa, the Islamic State was territorially defeated by late 2017. In August 2016, Turkey launched a multi-pronged invasion of northern Syria, in response to the creation of Rojava, while also fighting Islamic State and government forces in the process. Since the March 2020 Idlib ceasefire, the frontline fighting during the conflict has mostly subsided, and has been characterized by regular skirmishes.
Iran released two conservationists, Niloufar Bayani and Houman Jowkar, who spent five years in prison on espionage charges after working to save the endangered Asiatic cheetah. They were granted amnesty along with more than 2,000 prisoners on Eid al-Fitr. The United Nations Environment Program praised their release. The conservationists, part of the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation, were arrested in 2018 with others, including the foundation's founder who died awaiting trial. Bayani received a 10-year sentence, while others got six-to-eight-year terms, criticized internationally.
The United Nations Security Council has referred the Palestinian Authority's application for Palestine to become a full member of the UN to its membership committee. The committee, comprised of all 15 members of the Security Council, is expected to make a decision about Palestine's status. This is the second time Palestine has reached this stage, with the last attempt in 2011 failing due to a potential US veto. Approval requires at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the five permanent members: the United States, Russia, China, France, or Britain.
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.
Recent anti-Israel protests in various cities across the United States, including California, New York City, and Chicago, have led to disruptions in traffic and confrontations between protesters and authorities. Demonstrators were seen chanting slogans against Israel and carrying watermelon balloons as a symbol of Palestinian solidarity. The protests have caused delays in transportation, with some culminating in arrests as authorities work to disperse the crowds.
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