Israel

Hamas Confirms Death of its Military Chief Mohammed Deif

Hamas confirmed on Thursday the death of its military chief Mohammed Deif, accused by Israel of being one of the masterminds behind the October 7 attack and whose killing it announced last year. "The Al-Qassam Brigades announce to our great people the martyrdom of a group of distinguished fighters and heroic commanders," Abu Obeida, spokesman for ...

Israeli Strikes on Lebanese-Syrian Border Kill Two

For the first time since the November 27 ceasefire, the Israeli Air Force launched air raids on illegal sites and crossings along the Lebanon-Syria border at dawn on Friday, targeting the Janta region in the eastern mountain range. The strikes triggered powerful explosions and shock waves, escalating regional tensions. According to Lebanon’s ...

UNRWA to Pursue Operations in Palestinian Territories Despite New Israeli Legislation

The United Nations said Thursday its humanitarian relief agency UNRWA would continue working in all Palestinian territories, including east Jerusalem, despite Israeli legislation coming into force that cuts ties with the organization. Israel decided to ban the UN agency for Palestinian refugees following accusations some of its staff belong to ...

Eight Hostages Freed in Gaza as Israel Releases 110 Palestinian Prisoners

Three Israeli hostages and five Thai nationals were released on Thursday in Gaza in exchange for 110 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, a process marked by scenes of chaos during the release of captives in the Palestinian territory. This exchange is the third under the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, brokered by international ...

Two Israeli Strikes Target Taybeh in Southern Lebanon

Two Israeli airstrikes targeted the locality of Taybeh in southern Lebanon’s Marjayoun caza late Thursday afternoon, heightening tensions in the region. The first strike hit bulldozers working near a Husseiniya (a Shiite place of worship), with the drivers narrowly escaping harm. The second strike targeted the town square near a police station, ...

Ten Palestinians Killed in Israeli Raid on West Bank

Israel's military confirmed Thursday that it had killed 10 Palestinians in a strike on a village in the occupied West Bank the day before, saying it had targeted militants. During a joint "counterterrorism" operation by the military and domestic security agency, an air force "aircraft struck a gathering of armed terrorists in the area of Tamun" ...

Gaza Militants Hand Over Eight Israeli Hostages

  Palestinian militants on Thursday freed three Israeli hostages and five foreigners captured in the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel as the third hostage-prisoner exchange of the Gaza ceasefire got under way. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced what he called "shocking scenes" during the hostage releases which came under a ...

The Messiah Wars: How Israel and Iran's Visions Shape Middle Eastern Politics

In the high-stakes chess game of Middle Eastern politics, a hidden force drives both Israel and Iran toward an eerily similar endgame, an unshakable belief that history is hurtling toward a divinely orchestrated climax. On one side, Israel’s religious circles whisper about the long-awaited Messiah, a figure destined to restore their ancient ...

All Hope Lost?

On January 9, at last, after more than two years of deadlock, a “real” President was elected. A man of integrity and independence, committed to Lebanon and its people. Hopes of reconstruction, development and justice began to take shape. Then came the end of the 60-day truce—without the government having prepared a Plan B. As a result, ...

Israeli Violations Persist in Southern Lebanon Amid Extended Withdrawal Deadline

Despite the extended deadline for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, Israeli military operations and violations continue in the region. In an interview with the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth, an Israeli military official revealed that Israel plans to “eliminate numerous Hezbollah weapon sites in the eastern sector ...