Israel at war: What happened on day 434?
Trump team considers hitting Iran nuke sites • Egyptian sources say both sides showing flexibility • US says hostage deal may be close • IDF finds weapons, ammo in Syria buffer zone
Defence minister orders Israeli troops to prepare to remain on Mount Hermon during winter
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has ordered Israeli troops to prepare to remain on Mount Hermon, a strategic location overlooking Damascus, during winter, a statement from his office said on Friday.
"Due to what is happening in Syria - there is enormous security importance to our holding on to the peak of Mount Hermon," the statement said.
Go to the full article >>Iran’s Qaani meets Iraqi militia leaders to discuss Israeli strikes in Syria - report
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Ismail Qaani met with leaders of Iran-backed militias in Iraq to "discuss developments in Syria and the continuation of the Israeli attacks," London-based Qatari news outlet Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported Friday morning.
Some Iraqi faction leaders reportedly expressed their commitment to a neutral position and expressed concern about the impact of the situation in Syria on Iraq, especially in light of the upcoming elections.
Go to the full article >>Trump team eyes preemptive strikes on Islamic Republic's nuclear sites - WSJ
The move would mark a significant change from previously established US policy on diplomacy and sanctions when dealing with Tehran.
Ahead of his January 20 inauguration, President-elect Donald Trump is evaluating the possibility of preemptive strikes on Iran to stop its growing nuclear program, according to a Friday morning Wall Street Journal report.
According to the WSJ, this move would mark a significant change from previously established US policy on diplomacy and sanctions when dealing with Tehran.
Go to the full article >>'Required to act': Israel's message to PA amid its Jenin operation - report
"The operation in Jenin is proceeding too slowly and on too small a scale. It is mostly defensive rather than offensive," the Israeli message read.
Israel has warned Palestinian Authority officials over a recent Palestinian Security Services operation in Jenin, Channel 12 reported Thursday.
Go to the full article >>IDF strikes permanently alter Syrian military threat, troops begin Lebanon withdrawal
The IDF said it destroyed over 90% of Syria's advanced anti-aircraft missiles, especially the SA22 and SA17 systems.
The IDF air force's attacks on more than 500 targets of Syria's military assets in a 48-hour period this week since the fall of the Assad regime have permanently and radically altered the threat that any future Syrian regime can pose to the State of Israel, the IDF said on Thursday.
Go to the full article >>US security adviser Sullivan says Israel is acting in Syria for its own defense
Blinken reiterated Israel's claim that its incursion into Syria is temporary.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on Thursday he believes a deal on a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release may be close, as Israel signaled it was ready, and there were signs of movement from Hamas.
Go to the full article >>What you need to know
- Hamas launched a massive attack on October 7, with thousands of terrorists infiltrating from the Gaza border and taking some 240 hostages into Gaza.
- Over 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals were murdered, including over 350 at the Re'im music festival and hundreds of Israeli civilians across Gaza border communities
- 100 hostages remain in Gaza
- 49 hostages in total have been killed in captivity, IDF says
- The IDF launched a ground invasion of Lebanon on September 30
- The Israel-Lebanon ceasefire came into effect on November 27 at 4:00 a.m.