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Egypt's military spokesman Colonel Gharib Abdel-Hafez said two drones were fired from the southern Red Sea aiming north. Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said that combat helicopters had been scrambled when "an aerial threat was spotted in the Red Sea region". EGYPT EXPOSED"The air force and air defence force are intensifying efforts to secure Egyptian airspace on all strategic directions," the Egyptian military said. The U.S. said last week a Navy warship in the Red Sea intercepted projectiles launched by the Houthi, potentially toward Israel. Bordering both Gaza and Israel, Egypt is exposed to the conflict that blew up after Hamas' Oct. 7 assault on Israel and the subsequent bombardment of the Gaza Strip.

Persons: Ahmed Ona, Yemen's, Israel, Houthi, Gharib Abdel, Hafez, Daniel Hagari, Emily Rose, Dan Williams, Ahmed Mohamed Hassan, Nafisa Eltahir, Ahmed Tolba, Hatem Maher, Mai Shams El, Yusri Mohamed, Nayera Abdallah, Nadine Awadalla, Ahmed Elimam, Rami Ayyub, Nafisa, Michael Perry, Andrew Cawthorne, Jonathan Oatis, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Reuters, REUTERS Acquire, Navy, Red, Thomson Locations: Red, Nuweiba, Egypt, Israel, Gaza, CAIRO, JERUSALEM, Yemen's Iran, Iran, Yemen, Taba, EGYPT, United States, Cairo, Eilat, Jerusalem, Ismailia, Dubai

Israel and the U.S. said the cause was a failed rocket launch by anti-Israeli Palestinian militants in Gaza who denied responsibility. Amid fears the conflict could spread beyond Gaza, Biden had planned to meet Arab leaders. But Jordan called off his planned summit there with Egypt and the Palestinian Authority after the hospital blast. During Biden's visit, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Israel would let food, water and medicines reach southern Gaza via Egypt. En route to Washington, Biden told reporters he was blunt with Israel about the need to facilitate aid to Gaza.

Persons: Dilara, Lior Haiat, Joe Biden, Abdel Fattah El, Biden, Sisi, John Kirby, Jordan, Martin Griffiths, Rishi Sunak, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Israel, West Bank . Mark Negev, Netanyahu, that's, Nidal, Steve Holland, Cynthia Osterman, Howard Goller Organizations: Consulate, Hamas, REUTERS, Biden, Gaza UN, TEL, U.S ., Palestinian, Israel's Foreign Ministry, Palestinian West Bank, West Bank, Wednesday, Palestinian Authority, Security, House, British, United Nations, West Bank . Mark, CNN, Aboard Air Force, Thomson Locations: Israel, Istanbul, Turkey, Egypt, Gaza, TEL AVIV, GAZA, U.S, Ahli, Arabi, Israeli, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia, Ukraine, Rafah, Washington, United States, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem

☆ Israeli official: Iran trying to deploy arms in or through Syria
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Iranians attend a rally in support of Palestinians, in Tehran, Iran, October 13, 2023. Acquire Licensing RightsJERUSALEM, Oct 15 (Reuters) - A senior Israeli official accused Iran on Sunday of trying to open a second war front by deploying weapons in or through Syria as Israel steps up a counter-offensive in Gaza to the south. Responding to a post of the X social-media platform that posited such a scenario, Joshua Zarka, head of strategic affairs for Israel's Foreign Ministry, said: "They (Iranians) are." Syria accused Israel of carrying out strikes against Damascus and Aleppo airports last week. Writing by Dan Williams; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Majid Asgaripour, Joshua Zarka, Zarka, Israel, Dan Williams, William Mallard Organizations: West Asia News Agency, REUTERS, Acquire, Rights, Israel's Foreign Ministry, Thomson Locations: Tehran, Iran, Syria, Israel, Gaza, Damascus, Aleppo

☆ Israeli embassy staffer assaulted in Beijing - Israel Foreign Ministry
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Yew Lun Tian | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, Oct 13 (Reuters) - A staffer at the Israeli embassy in Beijing was assaulted on Friday, Israel's foreign ministry said in a statement, adding that the person was in a stable condition in hospital. An investigation into the attack is underway, the statement said. Unverified videos on X, formerly known as Twitter, showed a blood-stained man lying on the pavement by a car, telling bystanders he was from the Israeli embassy. In the video, a police officer can be heard identifying himself as a member of the Xinyuanli police station, located in northeastern Beijing, near the embassy district and a popular market frequented by foreigners for fresh produce. Reporting by Yew Lun Tian, Joe Cash and Ethan Wang; Editing by Kim Coghill and Christina FincherOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Yew Lun Tian, Joe Cash, Ethan Wang, Kim Coghill, Christina Fincher Organizations: Twitter, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Beijing, United States

☆ Hamas is testing the layers of Israel's sophisticated air-defense network. Here's how it fends off threats.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Israel confirmed using its David's Sling air-defense system to intercept a Hamas rocket on Friday. Iron DomeIsrael's Iron Dome defense missile system is on alert, stationed close to the southern Israeli town of Sderot on October 12, 2023. Iron Dome has a reported intercept success rate of around 90%, but some inbound threats do manage to break through. US Missile Defense AgencyThe upper layer of Israel's air-defense network consists of Arrow systems. The Patriot is a top US air and missile defense system and is capable of engaging ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, aircraft, drones, and loitering munitions.

Persons: Israel, —, Daniel Hagari, Jack Guez, Tamir, Sebastian Scheiner, Brian Kimball Organizations: Service, Hamas, Israel Defense Forces, country's Missile Defense Organization, Getty, IDF, Iron, Pentagon, Sling Air Defense, Hatzor, Base, Sunday, David's, AP, Interceptor, US Missile Defense Agency, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Arrow, Patriot US Army Patriot, US Defense Department, Tech, Patriot Locations: Israel, Gaza, Sderot, AFP, U.S, Iranian, Lebanon, Finland, Washington, Midia, Romania, US, Ukrainian

☆ Video shows what's left of desert music festival in Israel, where at least 260 were found dead after Hamas attack
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A video shows the aftermath of the Hamas attack on a music festival in southern Israel. At least 260 bodies were found on the site after Hamas' attack, per the Israeli rescue service Zaka. AdvertisementAdvertisementDrone footage captured the trail of destruction left by Hamas' deadly invasion of the site of a music festival venue, which killed at least 260 people. The widely-shared video, dated October 8, shows the Nova Music Festival site abandoned, with dozens of scorched, burned cars and skid marks. At least 260 bodies were later found at the Tribe of Nova Music Festival, according to the Israeli rescue service Zaka .

Persons: —, Samuel Oakford, Kibbutz Reim —, RXKgEL4fiT, 817EpG9G3X — Samuel Oakford, Millet Ben Haim, Haim, Gili Yoskovich, Shani Nicole Louk, Akbar, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: Service, Nova, Washington Post, New York Times, Hamas, Washington, BBC, Nova Music, Foreign Ministry, Health Ministry, Israeli Locations: Israel, Kibbutz Reim, Gaza, Germany

☆ A woman taken hostage at the Israeli music festival didn't tell her family she was going so they wouldn't worry about her, her mom says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

An Israeli woman didn't tell her family she was going to a music festival, her mother told Insider. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe mother of a 25-year-old woman who was taken hostage at an Israeli music festival said her daughter didn't tell her family she was going because she was afraid they would be concerned for her safety. "She didn't tell us anything because she didn't want us to worry about her," Liora Argamani told Insider, adding: "It is very, very hard for me." AdvertisementAdvertisementGoing to that music festival "wasn't even a consideration" for Marciano, she said, adding: "It didn't even cross my mind." At least 260 bodies were found at the site of the Tribe of Nova Music Festival, according to the Israeli rescue service Zaka .

Persons: didn't, Noa Argamani, —, Liora Argamani, Avi Natan, Argamani, Noa, Shlomit Marciano, Marciano, Argamani's, Libby Weiss Organizations: Service, Saturday, Hamas, Hams, Nova Music, Foreign Ministry Locations: Israeli, Gaza, Israel, Hamas

☆ 11 powerful images of the wave of surprise attacks on Israel by Palestinian militants including burning tanks and rocket barrages
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( Sawdah Bhaimiya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has declared a state of war after Hamas launched a surprise attack. Insider compiled 11 dramatic images showing the consequences of the surprise attack on Israel. AdvertisementAdvertisementIsrael's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared a state of war after Palestinian militant organization Hamas launched thousands of rockets in a surprise attack on Saturday. Palestinian militants infiltrated Israeli territory by land, sea, and some even used motorized paragliders as the attacks continued. AdvertisementAdvertisementImages show the scale of the attacks, including captured Israeli military vehicles, buildings aflame, and Israelis fleeing areas targeted by Hamas.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, —, Mohammad Deif Organizations: Hamas, Service, Israel Defense Forces, Washington Post, Palestinian, Sky Locations: Israel, Aqsa, Washington

☆ How the Hamas attack on Israel unfolded
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( Dan Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Videos issued by Hamas showed fighters breaching the security fences, with the dim light and low sun suggesting it was at around the time of the rocket barrage. A photograph released by Hamas showed a bulldozer tearing down a section of security fence. [1/3]A view of a junction shows the aftermath of a mass-infiltration by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip, in the Sderot area, southern Israel October 7, 2023. Hamas videos and unverified images circulating on social media showed dead civilians, Israeli soldiers and Palestinian fighters. Israel's Foreign Ministry said Hamas gunmen had gone house-to-house killing civilians.

Persons: Erez, Zikim, Ammar Awad, Yaacov Shabtai, Jihad, Dan Williams, Nidal, Angus McDowall, Ros Russell Organizations: Palestinian, Hamas, REUTERS, Fighters, Reuters, Israel's, Ministry, Thomson Locations: Israel, Gaza, Yom Kippur, Tel Aviv, Beersheba, Zikim, Israeli, Reim, Sderot, Ofakim, Jerusalem

☆ Pregnant mother hiding with her small child describes Hamas fighters trying to break into the safe room at their Israeli home
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

AdvertisementAdvertisementA pregnant woman in Kibbutz Sufa, a settlement in southern Israel, told Israel's Channel 12 that Hamas gunmen were attacking her house, per The Times of Israel. Israeli residents around the Gaza Strip are asking for support as Palestinian militants appear to raid with impunity. A woman in the settlement of Be'eri told Channel 12 that her father had been kidnapped and taken to the Gaza Strip. AdvertisementAdvertisement"Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israeli communities and started going house to house and murdering innocent Israelis," it said in a statement. The IDF has carried out several air strikes on the Gaza Strip in response.

Persons: —, Tsafrir, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: Service, Israel's, Israel Defense Forces, Associated Press, Hamas, Sky, IDF Locations: Sufa, Israel, Gaza, Be'eri, Ashkelon, Palestinian

☆ US admits Israel into visa waiver program
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Some Palestinians have protested against Israel's entry into the program, saying Israel for decades has discriminated against Arab Americans and harassed them at its borders. They also must treat all U.S. travelers equally, so Israel must allow free passage for Palestinian Americans at Ben Gurion airport. In a pilot period since July 20, Israel has eased access for Palestinian Americans through its borders and the Israeli-occupied West Bank. According to Israel's Interior Ministry, more than 130,000 Americans entered Israel since the pilot began, including 6,070 Palestinian Americans. Between 45,000 and 60,000 Palestinian Americans live in the West Bank, a U.S. official estimated.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Ronen, Chris Van Hollen, Alejandro Mayorkas, Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, David Shepardson, Dan Williams, Ali Sawafta, Henriette Chacar, Clarence Fernandez, William Maclean, David Gregorio Our Organizations: U.S, Israeli, White, Consulate, REUTERS, Rights, Visa, Arab, . Four Democratic U.S, Israel, U.S . Homeland, West Bank, Palestinian, Palestinian Foreign Ministry, Israel's Interior Ministry, Homeland Security Department, Thomson Locations: U.S, Israeli, Tel Aviv, Israel, Washington, United States, Ben Gurion, Croatia, Palestinian Territories, American, Detroit

☆ Israel says US to announce it has joined Visa Waiver Program
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Israel Foreign Minister Eli Cohen speaks during a press conference with Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis at the Foreign Ministry in Athens, Greece, July 6, 2023. REUTERS/Louiza Vradi/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsJERUSALEM, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Israel's Foreign Ministry said on Monday it expects the United States to announce this week that it will be admitted to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which would allow Israeli citizens visa-free entry to America as of November. "Israel joining the Visa Waiver Program is a diplomatic achievement and good news for all Israeli citizens," said Foreign Minister Eli Cohen. In Israel's case, that would mean free passage for Palestinian Americans at its airports and when travelling into and out of the occupied Palestinian territories. Between 45,000 and 60,000 Palestinian Americans live in the West Bank, a U.S. official estimated.

Persons: Eli Cohen, Giorgos Gerapetritis, Louiza, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Israel, Henriette Chacar, Simon Lewis, Caitlin Webber, James Mackenzie, Mark Heinrich, Sonali Paul Organizations: Israel, Greek Foreign, Foreign Ministry, REUTERS, Rights, Visa, Israeli, U.S . State Department, Homeland Security, State, Palestinian, West Bank, U.S, Thomson Locations: Athens, Greece, United States, America, Israel, U.S, Washington, Palestinian, Croatia

The Old City of Jerusalem and its walls were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1981, but UNESCO doesn't list it under Israel or Palestine. Whereas other sites are listed by country, UNESCO lists the site separately, under "Jerusalem (Site proposed by Jordan)." Source: Screenshot from UNESCOIsrael, which joined UNESCO in 1949, has nine sites named to the list, including Masada, the Old City of Acre and the "White City" of Tel Aviv. A backdrop of political alliancesUNESCO's decision to add Tell es-Sultan/Jericho to its World Heritage Site has angered Israeli officials, with Israel's foreign ministry releasing a statement Sunday calling it a "cynical" ploy by the Palestinians to politicize UNESCO. Kyiv's Saint Sophia Cathedral is now on UNESCO's List of World Heritage in Danger.

Persons: Archivio J, Lange, De Agostini, Mounir, Jordan, Masada, Anastas, Saint Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv's, Kyiv's Saint Sophia, Pollex Organizations: UNESCO, Getty, Bank, Saudi Press Agency, The, City of, UNESCO Israel, politicize UNESCO, Saudi, U.S, Biden, United, UNESCO —, World, Saint Locations: Jericho, Palestine, Old City, Jerusalem, City, City of Jerusalem, Israel, Acre, Tel Aviv, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia, Mecca, Medina, Saudi, United States, Ukraine, Lavra, Kyiv, Pechersk, Lviv, Kyiv's Saint

☆ Papua New Guinea says to open embassy in Jerusalem next week
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Kirsty Needham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Ammar Awad Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Papua New Guinea will open an embassy in Jerusalem next week during a visit by Prime Minister James Marape, a spokesperson for his office said on Monday. "Yes, that is correct," said a spokesperson from Marape's office, when asked whether the country is set to open the embassy and that Marape would visit Israel next week. Israel's foreign ministry said in February Papua New Guinea would open its first embassy in the country some time in 2023. Israeli media including Channel 14 and the Times of Israel reported the inauguration of the embassy would take place on September 5. Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney Writing by Alasdair Pal Editing by Lincoln FeastOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ammar Awad, James Marape, Kirsty Needham, Alasdair Pal, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Times, Thomson Locations: Papua New Guinea, Jerusalem, Israel, Tel Aviv, United States, Kosovo, Guatemala, Honduras, Jerusalem . Israel, Sydney

☆ Israeli and Libyan ministers discussed cooperation, Israel says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

JERUSALEM, Aug 27 (Reuters) - The Israeli and Libyan foreign ministers met in Italy last week despite not having formal relations, Israel said on Sunday, saying they discussed possible cooperation. Since 2020 Israel has moved to normalise ties with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan through the so-called 'Abraham accords' brokered by the United States. "I spoke with the foreign minister about the great potential for the two countries from their relations," Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said in a statement. A spokesperson for Libya's Government of National Unity (GNU) in Tripoli did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Cohen's meeting with Libyan Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush. The meeting was facilitated by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Israel's foreign ministry said, adding they had discussed possible cooperation and Israeli aid in humanitarian issues, agriculture and water management.

Persons: Israel, Abraham, Eli Cohen, Najla Mangoush, Antonio Tajani, Cohen, Emily Rose, Sharon Singleton, Giles Elgood Organizations: Libyan, United Arab, Libya's Government of National Unity, GNU, Libyan Foreign, Italian, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Italy, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan, United States, Tripoli, Libya, Palestinian, Turkey, Reuters Libya

☆ Israeli army mounts rare raid into Palestinian city of Ramallah, clashes ensue
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Ali Sawafta | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] A Palestinians throws stones as the Israeli army raids Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, June 8, 2023. REUTERS/Mohammed TorokmanRAMALLAH, West Bank, June 8 (Reuters) - Clashes erupted after Israeli forces mounted a rare raid into the Palestinian city of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank early on Thursday, in what the military said was an operation to demolish the house of an assailant. Some Palestinian youth hurled stones at the Israeli forces, who fired live bullets, stun grenades and tear gas at the crowd, the witness said. Violence in the West Bank, among territories where Palestinians seek statehood, has risen during the past year. Israel's foreign ministry said 20 Israelis and two foreign nationals have been killed in Palestinian attacks in the same period.

Persons: Mohammed Torokman, Abdel Fattah Dola, Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah, Hady Amr, Hussein Al, Ali Sawafta, Henriette Chacar, Grant McCool Organizations: West Bank, REUTERS, Reuters, Palestinian, Thomson Locations: Ramallah, Mohammed Torokman RAMALLAH, West, Palestinian, Jerusalem, Israel, U.S

Morocco considers Western Sahara its own, but the Algeria-backed Polisario front demands an independent state there. The NSC's head, National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, met Moroccan foreign minister Nasser Bourita on Wednesday, Morocco's foreign ministry said without offering further details. At that meeting, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said: "I hope we will meet very soon in a different desert but with the same spirit." Moroccan media reported a possible plan to reconvene in the Western Sahara town of Dakhla. Holding it in coastal Dakhla could pose a challenge for Washington, which has never followed through on Trump's pledge to open a U.S. consulate in Western Sahara.

Persons: Yair Lapid inaugurates, Moroccan Foreign Ministry Mohcine, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Donald Trump, Tzachi Hanegbi, Nasser Bourita, Eli Cohen, Israel's, Abraham, Dan Williams, Ahmed Eljechtimi, Christina Fincher, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: Moroccan Foreign Ministry, Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, REUTERS, Wednesday, Western, Reuters, National Security Council, National Security, Israeli, Abraham Accords, Moroccan, Washington, Thomson Locations: Rabat, Morocco, REUTERS JERUSALEM, RABAT, Sahara, Western Sahara, Algeria, Polisario, Israel, statecraft, Moroccan, Spain, NEGEV, Abraham, Dakhla, U.S, Laayoune, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain

☆ Tunisia synagogue attack toll up to 6, local media says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Tarek Amara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] Members of the security forces stand near the entrance of Ghriba synagogue, following an attack, in Djerba, Tunisia May 10, 2023. REUTERS/StringerTUNIS, May 10 (Reuters) - A Tunisian security officer who was wounded in Tuesday's shooting attack outside a synagogue on the Tunisian island of Djerba has died, hospital sources said, bringing the death toll to six including the shooter. Israel's Foreign Ministry described the attack as a "lethal shooting incident", with a spokesperson saying it was still under investigation. The United States and France said Tunisian security forces had responded quickly. The pilgrimage has had tight security since al Qaeda militants attacked the synagogue in 2002 with a truck bomb, killing 21 Western tourists.

☆ Jordan says Israel detains lawmaker on suspicion of arms smuggling
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

AMMAN, April 23 (Reuters) - Israel has detained a Jordanian lawmaker on suspicion of smuggling arms and gold into the West Bank and Amman is working to secure his release, the kingdom's foreign ministry said on Sunday. A spokesperson for Israel's foreign ministry declined to comment on reports of the arrest. Prominent lawmaker Khalil Atiya, known for his vocal opposition to Israel and who has led campaigns to repeal the country's peace treaty with Israel, said the government would be held responsible if it failed to act quickly. "There should be no room left for the enemy to harm the dignity of Jordanians by detaining and jailing a member of the parliament," Atiya said. Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi, additonal reporting by Ari Rabinovitch in Jerusalem, editing by Deepa BabingtonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Israel cements ties to Turkmenistan on Iran's border
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Although the countries established diplomatic relations 30 years ago, there had only been a temporary Israeli mission in Ashgabat and predominantly Muslim Turkmenistan still has no embassy in Israel. "I came to open an Israeli embassy 17 kilometres from the border with Iran, and to hold a series of meetings with the president and other officials," Cohen tweeted on Thursday. In English remarks to Israeli reporters accompanying Cohen, his Turkmen counterpart, Rashid Meredov, described the embassy inauguration as "a very shining example of our friendship". Cohen, who also met Turkmen President Serdar Berdymukhamedov, called his visit "historic" and said Israel's ties with Central Asia's "energy superpower" were of strategic importance. "We intend to widen economic relations to include agriculture, water, technology and border defence," Cohen said in a video issued by Israel's Foreign Ministry.

☆ Israeli PM: Peace with Saudi Arabia would be 'giant leap' towards ending Arab-Israeli conflict
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

JERUSALEM, April 17 (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia would be a "giant leap" towards ending the Arab-Israeli conflict. "We want normalization and peace with Saudi Arabia. We view that as perhaps a giant leap towards ending the Arab-Israeli conflict," Netanyahu said, speaking during a meeting in Jerusalem with U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. "This agreement could have monumental consequences, historic consequences both for Israel, for Saudi Arabia, for the region and for the world," Netanyahu said. A huge setback for Netanyahu's efforts came last month when a China-brokered deal saw Israel's major regional foe, Iran, mend its ties with Saudi Arabia.

☆ Israeli forces kill two Palestinian gunmen in West Bank arrest raid
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Mourners react in a hospital, after Palestinians were killed by Israeli troops during a raid, in Nablus, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank April 3,2023. REUTERS/Raneen SawaftaRAMALLAH, West Bank, April 3 (Reuters) - Israeli forces killed two Palestinian gunmen during a clash in the occupied West Bank on Monday, militant factions and medics said, and the army said it launched the incursion to detain suspects in connection with a drive-by ambush last month. The Lion's Den, a coalition of Palestinian gunmen active in Nablus and elsewhere in the northern West Bank, said one of its members was killed while battling the troops. The Israeli military said it arrested two people in Nablus suspected of assisting a Palestinian who carried out a March 25 drive-by shooting in the West Bank that wounded two soldiers. Around 90 Palestinians, including gunmen and civilians, have been killed by Israeli forces in 2023, the Palestinian health ministry said.

☆ Israel, UAE sign free trade pact into effect
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

JERUSALEM, March 26 (Reuters) - Israel and the United Arab Emirates on Sunday signed a free trade pact into effect, reducing or removing tariffs on about 96% of goods traded between the nations, Israel's Foreign Ministry said. The countries first reached the agreement last May, promising to boost bilateral trade after they normalized ties in 2020 in a U.S.-brokered deal. The deal will also allow Israeli companies to gain access to government tenders in the UAE, the ministry said. Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, who on Sunday gave a final signature for the tariff arrangement within the trade pact, said it would "strengthen the connection" with the UAE and that Israel was working to normalize ties with more Arab countries. Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch; Editing by David HolmesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Israel urges Brazil to undock Iranian warships
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

JERUSALEM, March 2 (Reuters) - Israel on Thursday criticised Brazil's decision to grant berth to two Iranian warships in the face of U.S. pressure, and urged President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's government to send them away. Reuters reported that Brazil had declined to admit them in January, in a goodwill gesture from Lula as he flew to Washington to meet U.S. President Joe Biden. Lior Haiat, spokesperson for Israel's Foreign Ministry, called the Brazilian berth for the warships "a dangerous and regretful development," accusing the Iranian navy of cooperating with sanctioned entities in Tehran. In a Feb. 15 press conference, the U.S. ambassador to Brazil had urged it not to allow the ships to dock. A Feb. 23 notice in a Brazilian gazette said the warships had been given permission to dock between Feb. 26 and March 4.

☆ Jordan hosting Israeli-Palestinian talks to avert escalation in violence
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-25 | by ( Suleiman Al-Khalidi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The meeting is aimed at giving Palestinians hope for a political future, a senior Jordanian official told Reuters. In addition to averting violence, it is hoped Sunday's meeting will halt unilateral measures by Israel, the Jordanian official said. Jordan has been concerned about stepped-up Jewish settlement building, and has accused Israel of trying to change the status quo in Jerusalem's holy sites. Most world powers view as illegal the settlements Israel has built on land it captured in a 1967 war with Arab powers. Israel disputes that and cites biblical, historical and political links to the West Bank, as well as security interests.

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