DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Israel Strikes Near Beirut as U.S. Envoy Pushes Ahead on Cease-Fire Talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-21 | by ( Euan Ward | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Israel resumed its bombing campaign on Thursday in the Hezbollah-controlled area south of Beirut, as a top U.S. envoy visited Israel to talk to officials there and try to nail down the terms of a cease-fire between the two warring sides. Amos Hochstein, the senior Biden administration official, was expected to meet on Thursday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to Omer Dostri, the prime minister’s spokesman. A day earlier, Mr. Hochstein wrapped up two days of talks with Lebanese officials and spoke of having made “additional progress” in the quest to end Israel’s yearlong conflict with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Speaking to reporters in Beirut on Wednesday, Mr. Hochstein said he would go to Israel “to try to bring this to a close if we can.”After days of tense calm in the Lebanese capital, Israel issued new evacuation orders early on Thursday for the Dahiya, the densely packed area south of the city where Hezbollah holds sway. That was soon followed by airstrikes, which the Israeli military said had targeted the group’s command headquarters and military infrastructure.

Persons: Israel, Amos Hochstein, Benjamin Netanyahu, Omer Dostri, Hochstein, Israel “, ” Organizations: Biden Locations: Beirut, U.S, Israel, Lebanese

☆ Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of mass displacement in Gaza amounting to a war crime
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-14 | by ( Mick Krever | Irene Nasser | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Israel has overseen the forced mass displacement of Palestinians in Gaza in a deliberate and systematic campaign that amounts to a war crime and a crime against humanity, according to a new Human Rights Watch report. Several Israeli ministers, however, have said they would like to see Palestinians leave Gaza and reestablish Israeli settlements there. And far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who also holds a position in the Defense Ministry, has said Israel “will rule (in Gaza). Human Rights Watch said the Israeli campaign in northern Gaza would likely lead to the displacement of hundreds of thousands more civilians. It also called on the International Criminal Court to investigate the alleged forced displacement of Palestinians as a crime against humanity.

Persons: CNN —, “, ”, Nadia Hardman, “ Israel, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Gideon Sa’ar, Itamar Ben, Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich, Israel “ Organizations: CNN, Rights Watch, United Nations, HRW, UN, Hamas, National, Defense Ministry, US State Department, Court Locations: CNN — Israel, Gaza, Israel, ”, States

Charlotte Kates, a New Jersey native and Rutgers Law School graduate who co-founded the pro-Hamas organization Samidoun, has become the focus of an ongoing legal debate: When does free speech cross the line into breaking federal anti-terrorism laws? Germany banned the organization last November, and Israel designated it a terrorist organization in 2021. Kates’ open support of terrorist organizations puts her in the middle of a growing legal dispute: When does free speech cross the line into breaking federal anti-terrorism laws? “As far as I’m concerned, this is legitimate political advocacy, unpleasant as it may be.”What is ‘knowingly’ coordinating with a terrorist organization? “You don’t have a right to pick and choose which law to follow.”Not all federal law enforcement experts agree with Burns’ approach.

Persons: Charlotte Kates, Kates, “, ” Kates, Samidoun, Tom Petrowski, ” Petrowski, Dr Basem Naim, Odysee Petrowski, David Goldberger, Goldberger, ”, —, Basem Naim, Naim, Israel “, Andrew Lichtenstein, they’re, John Roberts, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, “ We’re, “ It’s, Frank Figliuzzi, ” Figliuzzi, Daniel Richman, webinars, ” Richman, “ Definitionally, Khaled Barakat, Barakat, ” Samidoun, Lara Burns, Burns, George, ” Burns, Barbara McQuade, ” McQuade, McQuade, webinar Organizations: Rutgers Law School, NBC News, Treasury, Canadian, Republican, Justice Department, FBI, Civil, Terrorism Task Force, Hamas, Samidoun, Odysee, Palestine Islamic, American Civil Liberties Union, YouTube, ”, Columbia University, Supreme, Kurdistan Workers ’ Party, Liberation Tigers, NBC, Columbia, Treasury Department, Front, Liberation, PFLP, Palestine, Palestinian, Columbia University Apartheid, World Trade, Patriot, Brandenburg, Land Foundation, George Washington University’s Program, Extremism, Islamic State, Eastern, Eastern District of Locations: New Jersey, Vancouver , British Columbia, U.S, South Africa, Germany, Israel, Vietnam, Dallas, Palestine, American, Skokie , Illinois, New York, Chicago, New York City, Kurdistan, Tamil Eelam, webinars, Swiss, Instagram, Brandenburg v . Ohio, Texas, Eastern District, Eastern District of Michigan

☆ Israel plans to use lasers to shoot down incoming missiles
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-01 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Dubbed the Iron Beam, the shield aims to use high-power lasers to counter an array of projectiles, including missiles, drones, rockets and mortars, Israel’s defense ministry said this week. “The initial capability of the ground-based laser system… is expected to enter operational service within one year,” he said. Israel first unveiled a prototype of the Iron Beam in 2021 and has since been working to get it up and running. From Social MediaIt is unclear if Iran has developed a laser defense system of its own. Experts say the Iron Beam could also act as a deterrent to further attacks by Iran or its proxies.

Persons: ” Eyal Zamir, ”, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu’s beachside, Yehoshua Kalisky, Rafael, Naftali Bennett, ” Sascha Bruchmann, Kalisky, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Hunter, Bruchmann, Israel “, ” Bruchmann Organizations: CNN, Rafael, Defense Systems, Elbit Systems, Israel’s, Institute for National Security Studies, Israel Defense Forces, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, ”, Institute for Strategic Studies, US Navy, Pentagon, New York Times, Hamas, Times . CNN Locations: Iran, Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Caesarea, Lebanese, Tel Aviv, London, United Kingdom, China, Russia

☆ The US wants this to be ‘the end’ of direct Israel-Iran fire. It may be too soon to tell
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-26 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —After Israel’s attack on Iran Saturday, US officials were quick to caution both countries against perpetuating the cycle of violence, but analysts say lasting de-escalation is not a foregone conclusion. The airstrikes “should be the end of this direct exchange of fire between Israel and Iran,” a senior US administration official said after the attacks. After reports emerged of explosions heard in Tehran, Israel in a statement said it launched what it described as “precise strikes on military targets in Iran” early Saturday. Iran said Israel “attacked parts of military centers” on Saturday in the provinces of Tehran, Khuzestan and Ilam, causing “limited damage” in some areas. A general view of Tehran after several explosions were heard, in Tehran, Iran on Saturday.

Persons: ”, Hassan Nasrallah, Israel “, Iran’s, Behnam Ben Taleblu, Israel, Majid Asgaripour, Sean Savett, “, Danny Citrinowicz, ” Citrinowicz, …, ” Parsi, Hellyer, CNN’s Paula Newton Organizations: CNN, Quincy Institute, Responsible, Foundation for Defense for Democracies, Wana News Agency, Reuters, Iran, National Security, White House, Institute for National Security, Israel Defense Intelligence, Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, Royal United Services Institute for Defense, Security Studies Locations: Iran, Israel, Tehran, Khuzestan, Ilam, Washington ,, DC, “ Iran, Gaza, Lebanon, Tel Aviv, “ Israel, Beirut, London

☆ Israel’s ties with Europe strained by wars in Gaza and Lebanon
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-20 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Adding impetus to their effort is the fact Israeli military strikes are now hitting UN peacekeeping bases in southern Lebanon, which house European troops. European reproach of Israel reached new levels when Israeli military strikes began hitting posts of the UN peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon. The UN has said Israel’s military has fired on its peacekeepers multiple times in recent weeks, injuring more than a dozen. ‘We have blocked everything’Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also condemned Israel’s actions in Lebanon, including an Israeli military strike that hit a UN peacekeeping base where around 1,100 Italian troops are stationed. In an earlier move that protested Israel’s war in Gaza, Spain, Ireland and Norway formally recognized Palestinian statehood in May.

Persons: CNN —, Benjamin Netanyahu, “, ” Hugh Lovatt, Josep Borrell, Ali Moustafa, ” Lovatt, ”, Biden, It’s, ” Borrell, Lovatt, Israel, Maya Sion, Netanyahu, António Guterres, Emmanuel Macron, “ Netanyahu, Macron, Carl Court, ” Macron, ” Netanyahu, Borrell, Guterres, Giorgia Meloni, ” Meloni, Meloni, Tzidkiyahu, Keir Starmer, of National Security Itamar Ben, Bezalel Smotrich, David Cameron, Ben Gvir, Smotrich, ” Ben Gvir’s, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Israel “ Organizations: CNN, UN, EU, North Africa, Foreign Relations, Hamas, European Union, Red Crescent, Reuters, UNIFIL, Europe, Agence France, Presse, United Nations Interim Force, AFP, Israel, UK, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Foreign Affairs Council, Getty, of National Security, Finance, Sky News, DPA, Nazi Locations: CNN — Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Israel, East, Berlin, Rafah, Egypt, United States, “, Iran, Spain, Ireland, Italy, France, Tzidkiyahu, Jerusalem, Paris, AFP, Marjayoun, Vichy, Stockholm, Germany, United Kingdom, Irish, Sion, Norway, Britain, Lebanese, Khiam, Palestine

CNN —At least 87 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike that hit several multi-story buildings overnight Saturday on Beit Lahia in northern Gaza, the enclave’s health ministry said. The number killed includes 27 bodies retrieved so far and 60 people under the rubble. More than 40 people had been injured, including a number of very critical cases, the ministry said. CNN has approached the Israeli military for fresh comment on the strike. Sinwar’s death is the latest blow to the Palestinian militant group in Gaza, where the enclave’s health ministry says more than 42,000 people have been killed since October 7.

Persons: Kamal Adwan, ”, “, Israel “, Beit, Islam Ahmed, Hussam Abu Safiya, Dr, Maher Shamiya, Yahya Sinwar Organizations: CNN, Israel Defense Forces, Office, Getty, Kamal Adwan Locations: Lahia, Gaza, ”, Beit Lahia, AFP, Israel, Lebanon

This is the picture painted of Jabalya, northern Gaza, by the emergency services chief in the area. “You can see the signs of hunger on the people in northern Gaza,” Fares Afana, the head of emergency services in northern Gaza, told CNN by phone on Monday. The 400,000 who remain in northern Gaza are stalked by hunger and face thunderous bombardment. The UN has accused the Israeli military of forcing residents of northern Gaza to choose between starvation or relocation. On Tuesday, at least 17 people were killed in northern Gaza, according to Gaza’s Civil Defense.

Persons: ” Afana, ”, Afana, ’, ” Philippe Lazzarini, “, Israel “ Organizations: CNN, Israel Defense Forces, Humanitarian Affairs, UN, “, Palestine, UNRWA, Monday, Sa’eed, ” CNN, Gaza’s, Media, Civil Defense Locations: Gaza, Israel, Yemen, Jabalya

☆ Israel’s weapons: Where do they come from and who supplies them?
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-16 | by ( Antoinette Radford | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —The United States has warned Israel it may stop supplying the country with weapons unless the humanitarian situation in Gaza improves. This is not the first time Israel’s major ally has threatened to turn off supplies. Here’s a breakdown of who supplies Israel with weapons:The United States:The United States is overwhelmingly the biggest supplier of arms to Israel. In 2023 69% of Israel’s arm imports came from the US, according to a report into international arms transfers by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Germany:While in 2023, Germany contributed 30% of Israel’s weapons, that supply has significantly reduced over the course of 2024.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Hassan Nasrallah, Olaf Scholz, Kay Nietfeld, Israel “, Antonio Tajani, SIPRI, David Lammy, Gil Cohen, Pedro Sanchez, “, ”, Emmanuel Macron, Macron, CNN’s Mia Alberti, Christian Edwards, Inke Kappeler Organizations: CNN, United, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, US State Department, Foreign Military, International Court, Justice, Bundestag, Pagella, Labour, MIM, Magen, Getty, Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Israel, Spanish, International Court of Justice Locations: United States, Israel, Gaza, Rafah, Stockholm, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Beirut, Nicaragua, Nazi, United Kingdom, AFP, Lebanon

A pro-Hamas organization that has helped organize protests on American college campuses is a “sham charity” that fundraises for a terrorist group, the Treasury Department said Tuesday. Kates’ husband, Khaled Barakat, was also sanctioned by the Treasury Department. The Treasury Department said its actions would help protect legitimate charity organizations. Barbara McQuade, the former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, said the Treasury designation will impact Samidoun’s fundraising efforts. Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesperson, said in a statement that the “United States will continue to disrupt sham organizations that function under the guise of humanitarian organizations while funding terrorism.”

Persons: ”, Charlotte Kates, Samidoun, Bradley Smith, Kates, Khaled Barakat, Barakat, Israel “, Barbara McQuade, ” McQuade, it’s, Matthew Miller Organizations: Treasury Department, U.S, Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, NBC News, Treasury, Popular Front, Liberation, Palestine, Terrorism, Financial, West Bank, “, Attorney, Eastern, Eastern District of, State Department hasn’t, State Department Locations: Vancouver, Gaza, Germany, Israel, Eastern District, Eastern District of Michigan, webinars, United States

☆ US to deploy about 100 troops to operate advanced anti-missile system in Israel amid heightened tensions
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-13 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The US will send an advanced anti-missile system — and US troops to operate it — to Israel “to help bolster Israel’s air defenses following Iran’s unprecedented attacks against Israel on April 13 and again on October 1,” the Pentagon said Sunday. But the deployment of additional US troops to Israel is notable amid the heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, and as the region braces for a potential Israeli attack on Iran that could continue to escalate hostilities. Approximately 100 US troops are deploying to Israel to operate the THAAD battery, according to a US defense official. It is rare for US troops to deploy inside Israel, but this is a typical number of troops to operate the anti-missile defense system. The THAAD system is specifically meant for anti-ballistic missile defense and could help Israel better defend itself against a future Iranian attack if Iran decides to respond to any Israeli strike.

Persons: Israel “, Patrick Ryder, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: CNN, Pentagon, Defense, Israel, Wednesday, US, Street Journal Locations: Israel, Maj, Iran, Sea, Cyprus

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Bracing itself for a retaliatory strike for last week’s ballistic missile attack, Iran has been urging its Arab neighbors not to allow Israel to use their airspace as part of any potential attack, two diplomats from Gulf nations told NBC News Friday. Israel has vowed to respond to the strikes and while the nature and timing of the attack remain unclear, Iran warned countries that do help Israel in any way could potentially become part of a war, one of the diplomats said. His death came days after several Hezbollah leaders were killed by exploding pagers and walkie-talkies, an attack which Israel was widely believed to have been behind. Both militant groups are backed by Tehran and Pezeshkian has portrayed Iran as “exercising restraint” because it waited for two months after Haniyeh's death before launching the attack on Israel. NBC News has reached out to the Israel Defense Forces for comment but has not received a response.

Persons: Israel, Masoud Pezeshkian, Abbas Araghchi, Araghchi, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Pezeshkian, Vladimir Putin, Sameh Khadr Hassan Al, Ismail Haniyeh, Hassan Nasrallah, Haniyeh, Nasrallah, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, Biden, Rasoul, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ” Biden, Abu al, Askari, Matthew Savill, wouldn’t, ”, Israel “ Organizations: NBC, Gulf Cooperation Council, United, United Arab Emirates, U.S, European Union, West Bank, Israel, AFP, Getty, Israeli, Iran’s, Hezbollah, Military Sciences, Royal United Services Institute, NBC News, Israel Defense Forces Locations: DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Israel, Jordan, United Arab, Washington, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Ashgabat, Russian, United States, Tehran, Syria's, Damascus, Brig, Gen, Fars, Iraq, U.S, London, Gaza, Lebanon, Beirut, Deir el

A view from the surroundings of damaged Al-Awda Hospital after Israeli attacks, in Beit Lahia, Gaza on May 18. Mousa Salem/Anadolu Agency/Getty ImagesA United Nations inquiry has accused Israel of carrying out a “concerted policy” of destroying the health care system in Gaza during its year-long conflict with Hamas in attacks it said amount to war crimes. The Israeli attacks resulted in “fuel, food, water, medicines and medical supplies not reaching hospitals, while also drastically reducing permits for patients to leave the territory for medical treatment,” it said. Israel has released footage they say is evidence of those Hamas operations. The commission previously alleged that both Israel and Hamas committed war crimes in the early stages of the Gaza war, and that Israel’s actions also amounted to crimes against humanity.

Persons: Mousa, Israel, “, Pillay, Israel “, Hind Rajab Organizations: Awda, Anadolu Agency, UN’s Independent International Commission of, CNN, Israel Defense Forces, Office, Hamas, IDF, UN, Human Rights, Israeli Army’s 162nd, Assembly Locations: Beit Lahia, Gaza, Mousa Salem, Nations, Palestinian, East Jerusalem, Israel

☆ UN inquiry accuses Israel of ‘crime of extermination’ through deliberate destruction of Gaza’s health care system
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-11 | by ( Niamh Kennedy | Muhammad Darwish | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —A United Nations inquiry has accused Israel of carrying out a “concerted policy” of destroying the health care system in Gaza during its year-long conflict with Hamas in attacks it said amount to war crimes. Israel’s actions in the besieged Palestinian enclave “constitute the war crimes of willful killing and mistreatment and the crime against humanity of extermination,” the commission said in a statement Thursday. The Israeli foreign ministry rejected “accusations of widespread ill-treatment and torture of detainees,” saying Israel is “fully committed to international legal standards” on treatment of detainees. “Children in particular have borne the brunt of these attacks, suffering both directly and indirectly from the collapse of the health system,” she said. The commission previously alleged that both Israel and Hamas committed war crimes in the early stages of the Gaza war, and that Israel’s actions also amounted to crimes against humanity.

Persons: Israel, “, Pillay, Israel “, Hind Rajab Organizations: CNN, United, UN’s Independent International Commission of, Hamas, UN, Human Rights, Israeli Army’s 162nd, Assembly Locations: United Nations, Gaza, Palestinian, East Jerusalem, Israel, Jihad

☆ Michigan young voters enthused for Harris, but their level of support is still a big question
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-02 | by ( John King | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

“If she comes up short in Michigan, I don’t think it’s because of young voters,” said Gray, a former co-president of the University of Michigan College Democrats who graduated in May. But young voters’ level of support is a big question for 2024 because of anger and disappointment with how the Biden-Harris administration has handled the Israel-Hamas conflict. In the two prior conversations, both said Biden’s age was a concern for many young voters who felt little connection to the octogenarian president. ‘We feel a sense of betrayal’The biggest risk for Harris is that young voters stay home, skip the presidential line on the ballot, or vote third party. Wayne State student Maya Siegmann talks with John King on campus in Detroit, Michigan.

Persons: Ann, Gray, Kamala Harris, ”, “, Joe Biden’s, Harris, ” Gray, Anushka Jalisatgi, Jalisatgi, ” Jalisatgi, Gretchen Whitmer, ” Whitmer, Debbie Dingell, “ I’m, Max Scheske, John King, Donald Trump, ‘ Trump, ” Scheske, Scheske, Matkin, Biden, Wahbeh Nuseibeh, Wahbeh, Hillary Clinton, Nuseibeh, Israel “, ” Nuseibeh, Maya Siegmann, ” Siegmann, Siegmann, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: Ann Arbor , Michigan CNN, University of Michigan College Democrats, ” Voters, Democratic, Michigan, Biden, College Democrats, CNN, University of Michigan, overconfidence, Ann, ” University of Michigan, Ann Arbor College Republicans, Trump, Israel, Republican, Wayne State, Wayne State Syrian Students Association, Hillel, Jewish, Wayne, Israeli Locations: Ann Arbor , Michigan, Michigan, Israel, Ann Arbor, Dearborn , Michigan, American Dearborn, Detroit, United States, Detroit , Michigan

☆ Biden administration fears Iranian attack and is working with Israel on defenses, US official says
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-30 | by ( Alex Marquardt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The Biden administration is worried that an attack from Iran is being planned in the wake of Israel’s killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and is working with Israel on defenses, a US official said Sunday night. Joint defenses are being prepared to ward off an attack with changes in US military posture, the official added. The Biden administration spearheaded a multi-national defense of Israel in mid-April when Iran launched over 300 drones and missiles at Israel in response to the Israeli bombing of senior Iranian Revolutionary Guard officers in Syria. The US official told CNN the US-led statement issued Wednesday had been greenlit by Israel after working on it together for several days. On a hastily-arranged call that night, senior Biden administration officials told reporters with confidence: “the ceasefire will be for 21 days” across the Lebanon-Israel border.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Hassan Nasrallah, Patrick Ryder, Nasrallah, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Netanyahu, Israel “, “, ”, Ron Dermer, Jake Sullivan, John Kirby Organizations: CNN, Iranian Revolutionary Guard, US, Pentagon, ” Defense, USS, Lincoln Carrier Strike, Biden, Israeli, Lebanese, US National Security Locations: Iran, Israel, Syria, Lebanon, United States, Beirut, France

☆ Hezbollah fires rockets deep into northern Israel as tensions flare. Here’s what we know
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-22 | by ( Sophie Tanno | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

On Saturday Israel pounded Hezbollah targets with nearly 300 strikes it what they described as preemptive action to thwart a planned attack. Hezbollah meanwhile has been launching a barrage of rockets and other projectiles at Israel in what it says is retaliation for Israeli attacks in Lebanon. Israel meanwhile fired nearly 300 projectiles into southern Lebanon on Saturday in what the military said was pre-emptive action against a planned Hezbollah attack. Israel continued its strikes into Sunday, with Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA) reporting two people were killed Sunday morning in southern Lebanon. Speaking on Sunday, Netanyahu again put the focus on ensuring the return of Israel citizens to their homes in northern Israel and to restore security in that region.

Persons: pagers, Firass Abiad, Ibrahim Aqil, Tsur Shalom, Israel, Bilal Hussein, Israel Herzog, Israel “, Naim Qassim –, Hassan Nasrallah –, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, ” Organizations: CNN, Israel, Hezbollah –, Hezbollah, National News Agency, Sky News, Hamas Locations: Israel, Gaza, Lebanese, Lebanon, Hezbollah, Iran, Beirut, Wednesday, Kiryat, Moreshet, Haifa, Will, United States, Beirut's, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Israeli

☆ Wigs, robotic guns and exploding pagers: Israel has a long history of hunting down its enemies
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-20 | by ( Dan De Luce | Dan De Luce Is A Reporter For The Nbc News Investigative Unit. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

Over the years, Israel has viewed “targeted killings” as a way to deter attacks on the county, fuel fear among its enemies and exact revenge. Iran’s nuclear program is closer to building a bomb than ever, even after several nuclear scientists were killed, he said. But the Mossad operation dismayed Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion, who demanded the resignation of the spy service’s chief. Almost four decades later, Israel killed a major Hamas official, Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, in a Dubai hotel in a complex plot involving more than two dozen Mossad operatives. In an echo of this week’s attacks in Lebanon, Israel killed a Hamas bombmaker, Yahya Ayyash, in 1996 with a cellphone outfitted with explosives.

Persons: ”, Bruce Riedel, Adolf Eichmann, Eichmann, David Ben, Gurion, God —, Russell Mcphedran, Ehud Barak, Ahmed Bouchikhi, Ali Hassan Salameh, Yasser Arafat, Bouchikhi, Israel, Mahmoud al, Mabhouh, Mohammed Salem, Ahmed Jibril, Ronen Bergman, Jibril, Yahya Ayyash, Ayyash, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, Fakhrizadeh, Ismail Haniyeh, David Barnea, Israel “, ” Barnea Organizations: Lebanese, CIA, Argentine, Nazi, Damocles, Palestinian, Fairfax Media, Getty, Palestine Liberation Organization, Hamas, New York Times Locations: Israel, British, Nazi, Argentina, Egypt, Munich, Beirut, Moroccan, Norwegian, Lillehammer, Europe, Dubai, Gaza, Israeli, Lebanon, U.S, Iran’s, Absad, Tehran, Syria, Iran, Mossad’s

☆ Middle East on the precipice after Hezbollah leader vows retribution and Israel launches strikes. Here’s what we know
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-20 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

In a speech Thursday, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah condemned the twin attacks, calling them “massacres” that “crossed all the red lines” because the devices exploded in public areas, with civilians among those harmed. Though Hezbollah “suffered a major blow,” a “reckoning will come,” he added, and vowed the attacks would not bring the group down. The Hezbollah chief also warned Israel that fighting on the Lebanese front will not stop until hostilities end in Gaza. Hours later, Israel launched a barrage of strikes in Lebanon, saying it hit about 100 Hezbollah rocket launchers and “terrorist infrastructure sites.”Meanwhile, Hezbollah said it launched at least 17 attacks on military sites in northern Israel. For months, the international community has been trying to de-escalate tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

Persons: CNN — Israel, Israel’s, Hassan Nasrallah, “, Israel, Nasrallah, –, Hossein, Israel “, Ismail Haniyeh Organizations: CNN, Hamas, Hezbollah, United Nations Security, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, UN Security Locations: Lebanon, Israel, Gaza, Iran, Lebanese, Beirut, Tehran, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Argentina, India, Georgia, Thailand, United States

☆ With $20 Billion Weapons Deal, U.S. Aims to Help Israel and Deter Iran
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-23 | by ( Lara Jakes | Johnatan Reiss | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

Top NewsFor months, the Biden administration waited to formally approve $20 billion in future American weapons sales to Israel, including F-15s and medium-range missiles. Almost none of the arms — which also include tank ammunition, tactical vehicles and mortars — are expected to be delivered to Israel for several years at least. The White House has tried to contain domestic opposition to arms for Israel in Congress, while attempting to keep the war against Hamas from escalating into a wider regional conflict. “We will continue to do what is necessary to ensure Israel can defend itself in the face of these threats.”Image An Israeli F-15 in southern Israel last year. Here is a look at the arms sales that the Biden administration notified Congress on Aug. 13 that it has approved.

Persons: Biden, Antony J, Blinken, ”, “, Jack Guez, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, —, Bradley Bowman, Mr, Bowman, Israel “, Northrop Grumman, AMRAAMs Organizations: Department, Agence France, Getty, U.S . Army, Foundation of Defense of Democracies, Boeing Corp, Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Dynamics, Northrop, Street Journal, CNN, State Department, Tactical, Oshkosh Corp, General Dynamic Ordnance, U.S, AIM, RTX Corp Locations: Israel, Gaza, United States, Congress, Israeli, Washington, Iran, Ukraine, Russia

☆ Israel and US brace for Iranian attack as diplomats push hard for Gaza ceasefire
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-12 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Israel and the United States are preparing for a potential Iranian attack on Israel as efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza intensify, with talks set to resume this week amid intense diplomacy to avert a wider regional war. A major Iranian attack reprisal against Israel could risk derailing the ceasefire talks that US officials have said were at an advanced stage prior to the assassination of Hamas’ political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, which Iran blamed on Israel. But the country’s mission to the United Nations said on Saturday that Tehran’s retaliation to Israel’s suspected killing of Haniyeh is “totally unrelated to the Gaza ceasefire,” adding that it has a right to self-defense. Palestinians pray next to the bodies of those killed in an Israeli strike on a school sheltering displaced people in Gaza City on Saturday. Egyptian and Qatari mediators have told Israel that Sinwar wants a deal, an Israeli source familiar with the matter told CNN.

Persons: CNN —, –, Ismail Haniyeh, Israel hasn’t, Israel, hasn’t, Iran’s, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, “, ”, Haniyeh, Lloyd Austin, Israel “, William Gore, Lebanon –, Fu’ad Shukr, Abed Sabah, Yahya Sinwar –, Israel –, Joe Biden, Sinwar, Benjamin Netanyahu, Bibi, Netanyahu Organizations: CNN, Qatari, Doha, United, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, United Nations, US, USS, Pentagon, Congress, UN, Spc, US Navy, Reuters, –, US National Security Council, Israel Defense Forces Locations: CNN — Israel, United States, Israel, Gaza, Iran, Cairo, Egypt, Qatar, Tehran, France, Germany, United Kingdom, USS Georgia, Manama, Bahrain, Lebanon, Beirut, Gaza City

Beirut, Lebanon CNN —Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said his group will respond to Israel “regardless of the consequences” to avenge the assassination of the group’s top commander a week ago, but keeping Israelis waiting is “part of the punishment.”“Their government, their army, their society, their settlements and their occupiers are all waiting,” Nasrallah said. Keeping Israel waiting is “part of the battle,” he added. The monthslong, cross-border exchange of fire intensified Tuesday morning after Hezbollah launched a “swarm” of drones towards what it said are military targets in northern Israeli cities. The Israeli military said the building was used by Hezbollah. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his Islamic Revolutionary Guard promised Israel a “painful” response for the killing of Haniyeh in Tehran.

Persons: Hassan Nasrallah, ” “, ” Nasrallah, ”, Fuad Shukr, Ismail Haniyeh, Ali Khamenei, Israel, Asad, Defense Lloyd Austin, Antony Blinken, Haniyeh Organizations: Lebanon CNN, CNN, Israel Defense Forces, Iran’s, Islamic Revolutionary Guard, Al, Pentagon, Defense, Officials, Organization of Islamic Cooperation Locations: Beirut, Lebanon, Israel, Nahariya, Iran, Shukr, Tehran, Haniyeh, Asad Airbase, Iraq, Jordanian, Jeddah

This came after the Israeli military said it had struck a “terrorist cell operating a drone” in southern Lebanon after “numerous projectiles” were fired at northern Israel. Rockets fired from southern Lebanon are intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome air defence system over the Upper Galilee region in northern Israel. The killing came a day after Shukr, a senior Hezbollah leader died in an Israel airstrike on Lebanon’s capital Beirut. Israel’s military said it struck a Hamas military compound embedded in the schools. It came after an Israeli airstrike hit a tent camp inside a hospital in central Gaza earlier in the day.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jordan, Jalaa Marey, Ismail Haniyeh, Fuad Shukr, Haniyeh, Masoud Pezeshkian, Israel “, ” Israel, Shukr, ”, Menahem Kahana, Burcu Ozcelik, Mahmoud Zayyat Organizations: NBC News, Rockets, Israel's, Getty, Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Israel, Pentagon, Navy, Royal United Services Institute, NBC, Diplomats, Health Locations: Israel, Gaza, United States, Australia, France, Canada, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Turkey, Lebanon, Beirut, Galilee, AFP, Iran, Tehran, Golan, Shams, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, U.S, Britain, Haniyeh’s, London, Lebanese, Sidon, Gaza City

☆ Iran claims Hamas leader Haniyeh killed by ‘short-range projectile,’ vowing ‘blood vengeance’ amidst regional tensions
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-03 | by ( Radina Gigova | Jeremy Diamond | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Iran has claimed that the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran earlier this week was carried out by a “short-range projectile” and a “severe explosion” outside a guest house where he was staying. The Iranian government and Hamas say that Israel carried out the assassination. On Saturday, Iran warned that “blood vengeance” for the killing was “certain.”An image published by the New York Times shows the building where Haniyeh is believed to have been assassinated. US officials were briefed on the operation by Israeli officials only after the assassination, the source said. Iran calls Israel the Zionist regime.

Persons: Ismail Haniyeh, Haniyeh, Israel, ”, Israel “, Daniel Hagari, ” Hagari Organizations: CNN, Hamas, New York Times, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Zionist, Israel Defense Forces, IDF Locations: Iran, Tehran, Israel

☆ Opinion | The Dangerous Game That Iran Is Playing
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Thomas L. Friedman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

One of my ironclad rules of reporting in the Middle East is that sometimes you need to rereport a story to see things even more clearly than you did earlier. I’m having that experience with the Iran-Israel-Hamas-Hezbollah war, which could soon draw in the United States. Iran has been building that network to supplant America as the most powerful force in the Middle East and to bleed Israel to death by a thousand cuts inflicted by its proxies. But America must always be wary about what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is up to. As a former Israeli diplomat, Alon Pinkas, observed in Haaretz on Thursday, one has to wonder why Netanyahu chose now to assassinate the Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran — in the middle of delicate hostage talks.

Persons: Biden, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Alon Pinkas, Netanyahu, Ismail Haniyeh, Haniyeh, Israel “, ” Organizations: Hamas, Israeli Locations: Iran, Israel, United States, Jerusalem, America, Israeli, Tehran —

Search resuls for: "Israel “"

25 mentions found