the Israel Defense Forces IDF

2024-04-15

The United States has noted a significant surge in aid delivery to the Gaza Strip, White House National Security spokesman John Kirby revealed on Monday. In an interview with MSNBC, Kirby emphasized the recent spike in humanitarian assistance, stating, "The aid has increased, and quite dramatically in just the last few days. According to Kirby, over 2,000 trucks have managed to deliver aid to Gaza, with approximately 100 of them reaching the region in the past 24 hours alone. The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), a unit under the Israeli Defense Ministry responsible for liaising with Palestinians, announced on Sunday that three bakeries in northern Gaza, which reopened in the past week, are now producing around three million pita breads daily. Additionally, food aid convoys are continuing via the newly established Northern Crossing. This surge in aid delivery comes amidst growing international concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, exacerbated by the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. U.S. President Joe Biden recently issued a warning, threatening to condition U.S. support for Israel's actions in Gaza on concrete steps to protect aid workers and civilians. The warning followed a tragic incident on April 1, when a mistaken Israeli strike resulted in the deaths of seven aid workers from the World Central Kitchen in Gaza. It marked the first instance of the Biden administration seeking to leverage US aid to influence Israeli military conduct. Kirby reiterated Biden's stance, stating in a separate interview on CNBC, "Our policy with respect to Gaza will change if we don’t see significant changes over time." Despite the ongoing war, Israel has intensified efforts to deliver aid to Gaza, including opening a new land crossing, amid warnings of a looming humanitarian crisis and potential famine. In response to recent attacks launched by Iran against Israel, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) affirmed its unwavering commitment to its mission in Gaza. IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari emphasized that, despite external threats, efforts to secure the held by Hamas in Gaza remain a top priority. "Hamas is still holding our hostages in Gaza," Hagari stated, referring to the 129 individuals, including 34 presumed dead, who remain in captivity since the October 7 attack by Hamas.  "We also have hostages in Rafah, and we will do everything we can to bring them back home," he affirmed. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-15

An Israeli military drone, identified as a Skylark model, crashed earlier today in the West Bank city of Nablus, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed.  The incident, which occurred during a reconnaissance mission, has raised questions about the cause of the drone's sudden descent. The Skylark drone, a tactical surveillance aircraft manufactured by Elbit Systems and operated by the IDF's Artillery Corps, was reportedly on a routine mission when it fell out of the sky for reasons yet to be determined. Despite the crash, the IDF assured the public that there is no risk of sensitive information being compromised from the aircraft. The "sky rider," as it is known in Hebrew, is designed to provide real-time video footage to ground forces, aiding in reconnaissance and surveillance operations.  With its compact size and ease of deployment, the Skylark drone is a valuable asset for gathering intelligence in various operational environments. This post can't be displayed because social networks cookies have been deactivated. You can activate them by clicking manage preferences. While the exact cause of the drone's malfunction remains under investigation, incidents of this nature are not uncommon in military operations involving unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).  Technical glitches, environmental factors, or human error could potentially contribute to such accidents. The IDF has not provided further details regarding the circumstances surrounding the crash or the extent of damage incurred.  ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-14

Iran launched over 300 drones and a range of missiles, most of which were intercepted before reaching Israeli territory by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and allied forces in the region. U.S. President Joe Biden reportedly informed Jerusalem that Washington would not participate in any offensive operations against Tehran. To catch up on the full events of the war from Saturday, . Read more in-depth updates on the . Herzog praises IDF and U.S.-led coalition following Iranian attack on Israel U.S. embassy in Israel tells employees to 'shelter in place until further notice' Israeli airspace is opened after 7 hours, airport open for arrivals and departures Israeli Defense Minister: World saw the true face of Iran and also the power of a coalition in 'unparalleled' thwarting of attack U.S. condemns Iran's attack on Israel, Blinken repeats IDF spokesperson confirms Iranian ballistic missiles hit army base, only causing 'minor damage' Mossad: Hamas has rejected latest ceasefire-hostage deal proposal IDF confirms striking Hezbollah position with Radwan Forces in south Lebanon ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-12

The outgoing United Nations humanitarian coordinator, Jamie McGoldrick, is calling for a direct hotline between the UN and Israeli forces engaged in the conflict to facilitate the safe and effective delivery of aid while combating mistrust. In a press briefing held in Geneva, McGoldrick emphasized the need for direct communication channels between humanitarian actors and those involved in the conflict, rather than relying solely on liaison bodies.  "We need to be speaking to people who are firing guns," he stressed. Speaking from Jerusalem via video link, McGoldrick underscored the necessity for improved understanding and cooperation between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and humanitarian groups operating in Gaza.  "The IDF have never worked with humanitarian organizers before in this type of environment," he remarked, noting the prevailing mistrust and misunderstanding between the two parties. Highlighting the critical importance of effective communication in preventing security incidents and facilitating aid delivery, McGoldrick emphasized the inadequacy of existing notification systems. "The deconfliction system and the notification system are not fit for purpose," he lamented. McGoldrick's remarks come in the wake of a fatal attack on staff from the World Central Kitchen charity on April 1, underscoring the urgency of addressing systemic flaws in communication and coordination between humanitarian actors and Israeli forces. "We've been asking for a couple of things since day one," McGoldrick emphasized, urging a fundamental shift in the approach to communication and collaboration between the UN and the IDF.  "We have to have a hotline and the ability to speak to them," he said. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-12

A large-scale search operation has been initiated by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), alongside the Israel Police and other security forces, to locate a 14-year-old boy who went missing earlier in the day in the Angels of Peace area within the Binyamin Brigade region of the West Bank. According to an IDF spokesperson, forces from the air and on the ground, including special forces, have been mobilized since the early afternoon to assist in the search efforts.  The operation is being led by high-ranking officials, including the commander of the Central Command, the commander of the IOS division, and the commander of the Binyamin brigade, who are personally overseeing the search operations in the field. Roads have been blocked, and extensive scanning of the area is underway as part of the intensive search operation.  The involvement of the Shin Bet, Israel's internal security service, has also been reported, indicating the gravity of the situation and the level of coordination among various security agencies. The search efforts are concentrated in the vicinity of the villages of Almu'ayir and Duma, where the IDF has deployed additional resources to aid in the search. Residents of the area have also joined in the search efforts, with reports indicating that individuals have entered the village of El Muayir to assist in the search for the missing boy. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-11

The Coordinator for Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) has revealed a significant impediment to the transfer of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, citing a backlog of approximately 600 trucks waiting on the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom Crossing. In a statement issued through its official channels, COGAT emphasized its efforts to facilitate aid deliveries, including extending crossing hours and increasing operational capacities. However, the unit underscored that the bottleneck preventing the transfer of additional aid does not originate from the Israeli side. This post can't be displayed because social networks cookies have been deactivated. You can activate them by clicking manage preferences. "We extended crossing hours and scaled up our capacities. Do your job. The bottlenecks are not on the Israeli side," COGAT stated, addressing the United Nations via social media platform X. Accusing the UN of logistical inefficiencies and personnel gaps, COGAT pointed to the accumulation of aid on the Palestinian side of the crossing as a major hurdle. This accumulation, according to COGAT, hampers the transfer of additional humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. Responding to COGAT's assertions, the UN countered by highlighting discrepancies in aid delivery methods. The UN claimed that Israel sends half-full trucks into Gaza, necessitating repacking upon arrival in the Strip. This ongoing disagreement over aid logistics has contributed to the current impasse in relief efforts. The aid bottleneck comes amidst heightened efforts by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and COGAT to increase aid shipments to Gaza in recent days. However, the inability to clear the backlog of trucks waiting for pickup poses a significant challenge to these relief initiatives. Addressing the humanitarian situation in Gaza, U.S. envoy David Satterfield underscored the pressing issue of limited truck availability within the Strip. Satterfield identified this scarcity as the primary obstacle hindering the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-10

In a press conference held in Sderot on Wednesday, National Unity chairman Benny Gantz asserted that Hamas had been militarily defeated following the recent operation by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Gaza. Gantz emphasized the significant achievements made by the IDF, stating, "From a military point of view - Hamas is defeated. Its fighters are eliminated or in hiding. Its abilities are cut off, and we will continue to strike what remains." Furthermore, Gantz outlined a steadfast commitment to securing victory, affirming, "Victory will come step by step. We are on our way to it, and we will not stop. We will enter Rafah. We will return to Khan Yunis. And we will operate in Gaza. Wherever there are terror targets - the IDF will be there." In addition to addressing military matters, Gantz proposed the necessity of building a regional alliance led by the United States.  He advocated for the expansion of normalization agreements with countries like Saudi Arabia, aiming to bring about a strategic shift in the region. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-10

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has issued a stern warning regarding what he describes as Israel’s “disproportionate response” in the Gaza conflict with Hamas, stating that such actions could have far-reaching consequences for global stability.  Sanchez made these remarks while addressing Spanish lawmakers, emphasizing the importance of recognizing a Palestinian state as a strategic move in Europe's geopolitical interests. Sanchez expressed his concerns on Wednesday, asserting that Israel’s actions in Gaza risk destabilizing the Middle East and subsequently impacting the entire world.  e stressed the urgency of recognizing the existence of a Palestinian state, arguing that the international community cannot effectively support Palestine without acknowledging its sovereignty. During a recent visit to Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, Sanchez hinted at Spain's potential recognition of Palestine as a nation by the end of June, indicating a shift in Spain's stance on the matter. He reiterated this position to lawmakers, underlining the need for Europe to accord recognition to Palestine, particularly in light of ongoing tensions in the region. Sanchez has been vocal in his criticism of Israel’s response to the Gaza conflict, which erupted following Hamas's assault on October 7.  The Gaza health ministry, under Hamas control, reports a staggering death toll of over 33,000 individuals in the Strip, although these figures remain unverified and do not distinguish between civilians and combatants.  Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claim to have targeted over 13,000 Hamas operatives in Gaza, in addition to combating terrorist incursions into Israel on October 7. Sanchez's stance on the Gaza conflict has strained relations with Israel in recent months. His administration's calls for recognition of Palestine and inquiries into Israel's human rights obligations have drawn sharp rebukes from Israeli officials.  In response to Sanchez's remarks, Israel recalled its ambassador to Madrid for consultations in November, denouncing his comments as "outrageous." ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-09

On Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported the demolition of three significant Hamas attack tunnels in the southern Gaza area of Khan Yunis. One of these tunnels extended several hundred meters into Israeli territory and had been monitored by Israeli forces in recent years. This tunnel, which the IDF discovered in 2019, was being monitored for Hamas use. "This tunnel was detected by the IDF during the construction of the barrier and since then has been clandestinely under IDF control. Inside the tunnel, IDF soldiers placed explosives and sensors," said Daniel Hagari, IDF spokesperson, during a televised statement on Saturday.  Construction of the IDF's underground barrier concluded in 2021, and the IDF has asserted for years that no more tunnels were penetrating Israeli territory.  Former Deputy National Security Advisor and Vice President of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security, Dr. Eran Lerman, told The Media Line that he believes the IDF did not publicly announce their knowledge of this penetrating tunnel in an attempt to mislead Hamas in terms of what Israel knows regarding their tunnels.  The IDF spokesperson's statement said that Hamas did not use the tunnel for the Oct. 7 terror attack but added that destroying it is part of Israel's effort to restructure the security measures around the Gaza border. "As part of our renewed assessments for defense in the area of the Gaza Division, we destroyed the tunnel," said Hagari.  IDF soldiers operate in the Gaza Strip. 2024 (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) Lerman explained that it takes a lot of specific intelligence to destroy these tunnels despite the knowledge of their existence. This is because only Hamas knows their starting and ending points, and they do not uncover these points when the IDF is present in the region. "Therefore, you have to have specific intelligence as to where they begin and go there and destroy them from there," Lerman said, adding that, most likely, the IDF collected those intelligence details during the ongoing ground operation in Gaza. The IDF discovered the tunnel that penetrated a few hundred meters into Israel in 2019, while the other two tunnels were discovered about a decade ago during the 2014 ground operation.  Prof. Kobi Michael, senior researcher on National Security and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at Misgav Institute and the Institute for National Strategic Studies, says that although the IDF did not disclose the existence of the tunnels to the public, this does not mean that the Gaza Envelope citizens were not protected from the threat.  "It was sort of a trap that the IDF prepared in advance," Michael told The Media Line. "The IDF posted the explosives and sensors, and once it would be operated by Hamas, the tunnel would have exploded on the head of Hamas operatives. They were under intelligence and technological surveillance," he added.  “Sensors and explosives were placed in [the tunnel] in order to be used by the IDF if needed, as part of a special operation against the underground network of the Hamas terror organization,” said the IDF in a statement. Lerman added that if there had been an explosion of the tunnel, it would not have caused harm to the people above the ground in the Gaza Envelope. "If Hamas would have tried to use such a tunnel and its people would have been killed there, there would not have been much danger to the people above ground. We know this from former operations," he said. According to Lerman, the ongoing IDF ground operation in the Gaza Strip has mitigated the threat of the Hamas tunnels penetrating Israel. "Now, given the intelligence that was gained during the operation and the access that Israel has to the immediate perimeter of the border, I think the risk has been greatly reduced," he continued.  However, Michael believes that some tunnels must still remain in the area of Rafah, the only area in Gaza that has not been reached by a full-scale IDF ground operation. "I assume that in the Rafah area, there are some additional tunnels, not in high numbers, along the border," he said, adding that in the Philadelphia corridor, which extends through the Gaza-Egypt border, "there is no doubt that there are dozens of active tunnels," he said. While speaking about this, Michael stressed the necessity for the IDF to launch an operation in the Rafah area, even if it is not a full-scale ground operation such as it did in the areas of Khan Yunis and Gaza City.  "Hamas still has governmental and military assets in the Rafah area. Therefore, if nothing is done there, it means that Israel will leave the Gaza Strip with a valid anchor for Hamas: a governmental and military core," he said, adding that this anchor will enable Hamas to recover and regroup in the other parts of the Gaza Strip as well.  However, Michael noted that this regrouping would not be on the same scale as it was before Oct. 7. "Israel succeeded in dismantling most of the crucial centers of gravity of Hamas," he explained, but reiterated that Hamas could regain strength if it is left with a stronghold within the Gaza Strip. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-09

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his counterpart from Israel, Yoav Gallant, to discuss developments in the Gaza Strip, with focus on the hostages and humanitarian aid with “hope” for ongoing . The U.S. readout, provided by Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder, emphasized the “urgent need to dramatically increase humanitarian assistance delivery to Gaza,” and acknowledged steps approved on the issue by Israel’s war cabinet but called for them to be implemented. The Israeli media update stated the conversation focused “primarily on efforts to ensure the release of 133 hostages held by Hamas,” while repeatedly expressing appreciation to Austin and the U.S. administration for their leadership on this issue. Austin and Gallant also discussed developments of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Gaza, particularly withdrawals from portions of the area, as well as the tragic accidental killing of World Central Kitchen humanitarian aid workers, with the U.S. readout saying there’s a “need for procedural changes to ensure such incidents never happen again.” The two defense chiefs also discussed threats of an attack from Iran, including such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Austin “affirmed unwavering U.S. support for Israel’s defense in light of threats posed by Iran and its proxy network.” “Upon completing the discussion, Minister Gallant expressed his appreciation to Secretary Austin for their ongoing communication and for the longstanding support shown by the Secretary and the entire U.S. Administration,” the Israeli readout concluded. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-09

Tuesday morning began with rocket alert sirens sounding for northern Israeli communities, near the Lebanon border, while overnight the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intercepted an aerial target near the southernmost coastal city of Eilat. To catch up on the full events of the war from Monday, . Read more in-depth updates on the . IDF eliminates Hatem Alramery, Hamas Emergency Bureau chief, responsible for rocket launches from central Gaza Rocket alert sirens sound in Israel-Lebanon border communities ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-08

In a significant development within religious circles, a group of recognized rabbis from religious Zionism has issued a public letter strongly advising Israeli girls against enlisting in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).  The directive, rooted in religious principles, underscores the rabbis' firm stance on the matter, asserting that it is forbidden for girls to join the military. "The order of the rabbis that cannot be disputed - prohibiting girls from enlisting in the IDF in any way," the letter reads, highlighting the unanimity among religious leaders on the issue. The statement comes amidst heightened discussions surrounding the conscription law and the role of women in the IDF, particularly within the ultra-Orthodox community. The Union of Rabbis of Torah Ha'aretz Tova Ha'otva, representing a significant segment of religious Zionism, penned the letter, emphasizing their responsibility to uphold religious teachings and preserve the sanctity of Israeli society. "Out of responsibility for the State of Israel and the life of the Israeli people, we educate our students out of Torah and fear of God - to protect our people and the holy Land of Israel with self-sacrifice," the rabbis assert. Furthermore, the letter underscores the pivotal role of girls in national service, advocating for their involvement in activities that align with religious values. "Thereby, our girls have a large and significant role both in education and in shaping and building the next generation," the statement continues, emphasizing the importance of maintaining traditional roles and values. he directive carries significant weight within religious communities and adds a new dimension to the ongoing debate surrounding conscription and religious observance in Israel. In response to the statement, various religious leaders and community members have expressed support for the rabbis' stance, highlighting the importance of adhering to religious teachings and principles. The letter's issuance is expected to fuel further discussions and deliberations on the role of women in the military and the broader implications for Israeli society. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-07

Houthi forces based in Yemen say the have launched rockets and drones targeting vessels from Israel and the United Kingdom, as well as a United States warship, within the last 72 hours in the Red Sea. Yahya Saree, the military spokesperson for the Houthi group, made the announcement via a televised statement, detailing the operations conducted over the past three days. While there has been no immediate confirmation from Israeli or US authorities regarding the reported attacks, two British maritime organizations have reported incidents involving vessels in the vicinity of Yemen overnight. The Houthi statement follows shortly after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced earlier today that the hostile aircraft intrusion sirens heard in Israel's southernmost city of Eilat and its surrounding areas were false alarms. This latest series of attacks marks a continuation of hostilities initiated by the Iran-backed Houthi group, which has been targeting ships in the Red Sea since November.  The group, classified as a terrorist organization by the United States, claims its actions are aimed at compelling Israel to cease its offensive operations in the Gaza Strip against Hamas. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-05

In a statement on Friday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Friday explained the series of errors which led it to mistakenly kill seven aid workers on Monday night. According to the IDF, there were seven different actions points in the incident regarding attacking the three WCK. There were multiple suspicious actions which the drone unit saw. The drone unit said it saw a Hamas terrorist climb onto one of the trucks and fire in the air at what it called action point two. According to the IDF, this tactic is frequent and is used by Hamas to send signals to other Hamas fighters in the area regarding his position. At action point three, the convoy split up.A Palestinian inspects near a vehicle where employees from the World Central Kitchen (WCK), including foreigners, were killed in an Israeli airstrike (credit: Ahmed Zakot/Reuters) At action point four, the convoy entered a hangar which obscured which vehicles might be going in and out and who might be in the vehicles compared to who was in the vehicles before entering the hangar. In the first four action points, the IDF drone unit refrained from attacking the aid trucks because they questioned their commanders and were ordered by Division 162 Brig. Gen. Itzik Cohen not to, despite a suspicion of Hamas terrorists being involved. At the fifth action point, the aid trucks had left the hangar. As the events developed, the tried to call the aid workers involved in the field and was unable to reach them. Next, the IDF called the WCK headquarters. The WCK headquarters tried to call its own aid workers in the field who also did not answer. When vehicles left the hangar, the IDF drone unit believed that this was not the same vehicles and believed that these were Hamas vehicles. According to the IDF, attacking the trucks after all of this was a mistaken identity issue, but could not lead to criminal charges. Accordingly, the drone unit believed that the order not to attack no longer applied. Around a kilometer later, the drone unit believed it had the right to engage the trucks. Also, the drone unit had thermal imaging that did not see the WCK aid worker sign posted on the roof of the trucks. When the drone unit attacked three times, it believed that the “coast was clear” completely to attack what it believed were clearly Hamas targets. The IDF said that even though this could not be a criminal issue, that a colonel and major involved in the attack were being fired from their positions as they still could have refrained from attacking based on a general worry that it could still be aid workers. Likewise, Cohen and his commanding officer, Maj. Gen. Yoel Finkleman were censured for not having standing orders which would have infused even grater restraint within their troops. Further, the IDF said that only an attack on the first truck could be somewhat more justified because only there had the drones positively identified a Hamas terrorists, whereas the suspicions about Hamas terrorists in the second and third trucks were based on more on conjecture regarding the character pf the trucks themselves. Regarding identifying the trucks themselves, the IDF said that a source of complexity was the involved which usually are a characteristic of Hamas and were not usually used by the aid workers. The IDF was uncertain about what happened to any of the Hamas terrorists who might have weaved in or out of the incident. The IDF said it had presented the findings to the WCK and were still in a process of answering questions, and were not sure how the organization would respond. Following the incident, the WCK suspended all operations in the Gaza Strip and appeared to be leaning to permanently ending all operations. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-02

In a recent operation in southern Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) arrested dozens of terror operatives attempting to leave Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis.  The IDF, through its Commando Brigade, conducted searches in Nasser and al-Amal hospitals to prevent the establishment of Hamas infrastructure. According to IDF reports, the suspects were apprehended to ensure that Hamas does not re-establish its presence in these medical facilities.  The captured individuals have been transferred to the Shin Bet security agency and Military Intelligence Directorate's Unit 504 for further interrogation. During the operation in the al-Amal neighborhood of Khan Younis, IDF commandos seized weapons and engaged in clashes with armed gunmen, resulting in casualties among the terrorists. ...قراءة المزيد

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2024-04-02

Following an attack which killed senior Iranian military officials in Syria, the Washington informed Tehran it "had no involvement" or advanced knowledge of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) strike on Iran's diplomatic compound in Damascus, Axios reported citing an American official. To catch up on the full events of the war from Monday, Read more in-depth updates on the IDF investigating Hamas claim that 5 aid workers were killed in Gaza Rocket alert sirens sound in Israel-Lebanon border communities Rocket alert sirens sound in Israel-Lebanon border communities ...قراءة المزيد

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