Israel at War, Day 553 | Latest on US-Iran talks, Gaza war, Syria
IDF establishes corridor separating Khan Yunis and Rafah • IDF evacuates southern Gaza, prepares to strike after Khan Yunis rocket launch
IDF orders evacuation of Khan Yunis's south after Gaza rocket launch
The demand evacuations from Khan Yunis neighborhoods was announced by IDF's Arabic-language spokesperson, Col. Avichay Adraee.
The IDF called for the immediate evacuation of the southern neighborhoods of Khan Yunis following the interception of three rockets launched from the southern Gaza city on Saturday morning.
The IDF's Iron Dome air defense system intercepted three rockets launched after sirens sounded in the Nir Yitzhak, Sufa, and Holit areas.
'Final warning' on evacuations
The Israeli military's Arabic-language spokesperson, Col. Avichay Adraee, issued on Saturday a "final warning" of evacuation for the Khan Yunis neighborhoods of Qizan al-Najjar, Qizan Abu Rashwan, al-Salam, al-Manara, al-Qurain, Maan, al-Batn al-Sameen, Jurt al-Lot, and al-Fakhar.
"We will attack with great force every area from which rockets are launched," Adraee posted on X/Twitter.
#عاجل ‼️ إلى جميع سكان قطاع غزة المتواجدين في مناطق خان يونس وفي الأحياء: قيزان النجار، قيزان ابو رشوان، السلام، المنارة، القرين، معن، البطن السمين، جورت اللوت، الفخاري وأحياء بني سهيلا الجنوبية
— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) April 12, 2025
🔴هذا انذار مسبق وأخير قبل الهجوم!🔴
⭕️سنهاجم بقوة شديدة كل منطقة يتم إطلاق قذائف… pic.twitter.com/350ljlC0Wr
"Once again, Palestinian terrorist organizations are launching their senseless rockets among civilians and bear full responsibility for their suffering.
"For your safety, you must move immediately west to the known shelters in Al-Mawasi."
This is a developing story.
Go to the full article >>WATCH: IDF fully encircles Rafah, creates corridor to separate Gaza's south
The IDF has completed the encirclement of Rafah in southern Gaza, establishing control over the Morag Axis to separate Rafah from Khan Younis.
The IDF has completed the encirclement of Gaza's Rafah, the Israeli military said on Saturday, part of an announced plan to seize more areas of the Gaza Strip, accompanied by large-scale evacuations of the population.
Israel said on April 2 that troops had begun seizing an area it called the Morag Corridor, a reference to a former Israeli settlement once located between the cities of Rafah and Khan Yunis in southern Gaza.
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have since fled Rafah, a 60 square km area that borders Egypt to the south.
"Over the past 24 hours, the 36th Division's troops completed the establishment of the Morag route, separating Rafah and Khan Yunis," the military said on Saturday.
Following the IDF’s takeover of the Morag Corridor, Defense Minister Israel Katz addressed Gaza residents, stating: “This is the final opportunity to dismantle Hamas, release all the hostages, and bring the war to an end."
"The IDF will soon intensify its operations across most of Gaza. Those who are interested will also be able to voluntarily move to various countries in the world in accordance with the vision of the US President, which we are working on," he added.
Go to the full article >>IDF reservist severely wounded after crossing minefield near Lebanese border
The reservist was wounded while crossing a minefield and was evacuated to a hospital to receive medical treatment.
An IDF reservist was severely wounded during operational activity in the area of the Lebanese border on Saturday, the IDF announced.
He was evacuated to a hospital to receive medical treatment, and his family has been notified. The reservist was wounded while crossing a minefield, according to Army Radio.
In February, the IDF withdrew most of its forces from southern Lebanon but erected and maintained five new outposts in Lebanese territory a few hundred meters from the border. The Jerusalem Post embedded with Israeli forces at the beginning of this month to see the new positions inside the country.
Go to the full article >>US-Iran nuclear talks held in 'positive atmosphere,' negotiator tells Iran media
Iran and the United States began high-level talks in Oman on Saturday in the Omani capital, Muscat, aimed at jump-starting negotiations over Tehran's fast-advancing nuclear program, with US President Donald Trump threatening military action if there is no deal.
A member of Iran's delegation was quoted by Iranian state-affiliated media Tasnim as saying the talks with the US are being held in a "positive atmosphere."
Go to the full article >>US-Iran talks focused on sanctions, Middle East wars, Omani source says
Iran and the US began high-level talks in Oman to address Iran's advancing nuclear program amid rising regional tensions and threats of military action.
The talks between Iran and the United States are focused on de-escalating regional tensions, prisoner exchanges, and limited agreements to ease sanctions in exchange for controlling Iran's nuclear program, an Omani source told Reuters on Saturday.
Go to the full article >>Iranian FM, US envoy Witkoff meet in Oman for mediated nuclear deal talks
Iran and the US began high-level talks in Oman to address Iran's advancing nuclear program amid rising regional tensions and threats of military action.
Iran and the United States began high-level talks in Oman on Saturday in the Omani capital, Muscat, aimed at jump-starting negotiations over Tehran's fast-advancing nuclear program, with US President Donald Trump threatening military action if there is no deal.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is leading the Iranian delegation, while the talks are handled on the US side by Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.
"Indirect talks between Iran and the United States with the mediation of the Omani foreign minister have started," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei posted on X.
Each delegation had their separate room and would exchange messages via Oman's foreign minister, Baghaei said.
Go to the full article >>IDF establishes Morag Corridor, separating Khan Yunis and Rafah
The IDF has completed the encirclement of Rafah in southern Gaza, establishing control over the Morag Axis to separate Rafah from Khan Younis.
The IDF has completed the encirclement of Gaza's Rafah, the military said on Saturday, part of an announced plan to seize more areas of the enclave, accompanied by large-scale evacuations of the population.
The IDF has issued repeated evacuation warnings to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians across Rafah since it resumed operations in Gaza on March 18, forcing them into a diminishing space limited by the sea.
Israel said on April 2 that troops had begun seizing an area it called the Morag Axis, a reference to a former Israeli settlement once located between the cities of Rafah and Khan Younis in southern Gaza.
Go to the full article >>Iron Dome intercepts three rockets launched from Gaza
The Iron Dome intercepted three rockets launched from the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday, the Home Front Command announced.
Sirens sounded in the Nir Yitzhak, Sufa and Holit areas.
Go to the full article >>Iran, US to start talks on nuclear program in Oman under shadow of regional conflict
Iran and the US will hold high-level talks in Oman to address Iran's advancing nuclear program amid rising regional tensions and threats of military action.
The Iranian delegation, headed by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, has arrived in the Omani capital, Muscat. Iran and the United States will hold high-level talks in Oman on Saturday aimed at jump-starting negotiations over Tehran's fast-advancing nuclear program, with US President Donald Trump threatening military action if there is no deal.
Iranian media reported that Iran and US delegations have arrived in Muscat. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is leading the Iranian delegation, while the talks will be handled on the US side by Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.
Iran is approaching the talks warily, skeptical that they could lead to a deal and suspicious of Trump, who has repeatedly threatened to bomb Iran if it does not halt its nuclear program.
Go to the full article >>Iranian officials urge Khamenei to negotiate with US, claim that war could topple regime - NYT
Officials warned in the case of negotiations falling through, the US would strike Natanz and Fordow, which are two Iranian nuclear sites.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was reportedly told by two of his senior officials to enter nuclear negotiations with the Trump administration, saying that not doing so could risk war with Washington and could lead to the fall of the regime, The New York Times reported Friday, citing the senior officials.
Khamenei eventually heeded the officials' warnings and granted permission for talks with Washington, according to the report, which would first be indirect negotiations through an intermediary and then evolve into direct talks between the two countries. The NYT report comes a day before the two countries will meet in Oman for the indirect talks.
Go to the full article >>Israel at war: 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 Supernova music festival and hundreds of Israeli civilians across Gaza border communities.
59 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 a.m.
Netanyahu confirmed the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire on January 17, 2025.