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☆ US aid to Israel and Ukraine: Here’s what’s in the $105 billion national security package Biden requested
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Tami Luhby | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The Biden administration on Friday laid out the details of a $105 billion national security package that includes military and humanitarian assistance for the conflicts in Ukraine and Israel. House Republicans are still struggling to unite behind a speaker to lead their conference, and until one is elected, the national security package will remain in limbo. The Biden administration’s prior request for $24 billion in Ukraine aid was not included in a stopgap government funding measure Congress approved in late September. Here’s what’s in the package, according to the White House:$61.4 billion in aid for Ukraine$30 billion for the Defense Department for equipment for Ukraine and the replenishment of US stocks. $10 billion for humanitarian assistance$9.15 billion for aid for Ukraine, Israel, Gaza and other humanitarian needs.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Joe Biden, Here’s Organizations: CNN, House Republicans, Ukraine, White, Defense Department, National Nuclear Security Administration, Israel, Iron, State Department, West Bank, Treasury Department, World Bank Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, Mexico, Taiwan, Congress, Europe, assertiveness, China

☆ Ukraine's first ATACMS strikes may leave a lasting impact on Russia's airpower and send it scrambling to pull bases back from the front lines, Western intel says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Ukraine revealed it has ATACMS this week after launching several strikes on Russian airbases. The attack destroyed multiple helicopters and other weaponry, Kyiv's defense ministry said. According to Western intelligence, this may cause lasting damage to Russian airpower and force a change in basing. On Tuesday, Ukraine's special operations forces used ATACMS to carry out strikes on Russian airfields in Berdyansk and Luhansk — two locations in Russian-occupied territory. —Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) October 18, 2023Russia has had to do this before in response to other Western weapons.

Persons: —, there's, wishlist, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Biden, Mykhailo Podolyak, Zelenskyy Organizations: Service, MGM, Tactical Missile Systems, —, Artillery Locations: Ukraine, Moscow, Berdyansk, Luhansk, Russia, Azov, Russian, France, Sevastopol, Washington, United States

The total cost of the supplemental funding request was pegged at just over $105 billion. “This budget request is critical to advancing America’s national security and ensuring the safety of the American people,” Sullivan said. He's hopeful that combining several different issues, from border security to countering China's influence, will foster a political coalition that can move the legislation forward. The White House wants roughly $14 billion to, among other things, boost the number of border agents, install new inspection machines to detect fentanyl and increase staffing to process asylum cases. The biggest line item in the supplemental funding request is $61.4 billion to support Ukraine.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jake Sullivan, ” Sullivan, Jim Jordan of, Donald Trump, Biden, Shalanda Young, we’ve, White, Israel Organizations: WASHINGTON, Democratic, Republican, Capitol, Management Locations: Israel, Ukraine, U.S, Mexico, Hamas, Jim Jordan of Ohio

☆ Biden speech aims to sell US on funding Ukraine, Israel wars
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Trevor Hunnicutt | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The White House has said Biden would unveil his additional funding request this week. The administration is considering $60 billion for Ukraine and $10 billion for Israel, according to a source familiar with the matter. The package is also expected to include tens of billions in funding for priorities from Asia to U.S. border security. Republicans in the House are also divided over whether to back more aid, with some far-right conservatives particularly opposed to money for Ukraine. Biden returned overnight from his brief Israel trip aimed at offering U.S. support following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israeli villages and military bases.

Persons: Joe Biden, Ken Cedeno, Biden, Jon, Conservative Jim Jordan, Donald Trump, Republican Patrick McHenry, Biden's, Mount, Trevor Hunnicutt, Susan Heavey, Doina, Idrees Ali, Mike Stone, Jason Lange, Chizu Nomiyama, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Human, Washington Convention Center, REUTERS, Rights, U.S . House, West Bank, U.S, MSNBC, Senate, Conservative, Republican, Reuters, U.S ., U.S . Navy, Department of Defense, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Israel, Ukraine, Gaza, U.S, Asia, Tel Aviv, McHenry, Washington, Jordan

☆ US to Send Two Iron Dome Systems Back to Israel - Sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Mike StoneWASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Pentagon plans to send the two Iron Dome missile defense systems it had previously purchased from Israel back to that country to defend itself against inbound missiles, a U.S. official and a congressional aide said. The Department of Defense told members of Congress at a briefing on Wednesday it planned to lease the Iron Dome systems back to Israel, the U.S. official and the congressional aide told Reuters. The transfer back to Israel could come within days, the congressional aide said. Biden promised replenishment of interceptors used by Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system as well as ammunition in addition to redoubling the U.S. military presence in the region. In August 2022, Israel said Iron Dome interceptor had shot down 97% of Palestinian rockets it had engaged during a weekend surge of Gaza fighting.

Persons: Mike Stone WASHINGTON, Biden, Israel, Mike Stone, Chris Sanders, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Pentagon, U.S, The Department of Defense, U.S ., Reuters, Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, Iron Locations: Israel, Guam, Lebanon, Gaza, Washington

☆ US to send two Iron Dome systems back to Israel - sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Mike Stone | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

An Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system is seen in position near Ashdod, Israel May 13, 2023 REUTERS/Ammar Awad/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 19 (Reuters) - The Pentagon plans to send the two Iron Dome missile defense systems it had previously purchased from Israel back to that country to defend itself against inbound missiles, a U.S. official and a congressional aide said. The Department of Defense told members of Congress at a briefing on Wednesday it planned to lease the Iron Dome systems back to Israel, the U.S. official and the congressional aide told Reuters. The transfer back to Israel could come within days, the congressional aide said. Biden promised replenishment of interceptors used by Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system as well as ammunition in addition to redoubling the U.S. military presence in the region. In August 2022, Israel said Iron Dome interceptor had shot down 97% of Palestinian rockets it had engaged during a weekend surge of Gaza fighting.

Persons: Ammar Awad, Biden, Israel, Mike Stone, Chris Sanders, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Pentagon, U.S, The Department of Defense, U.S ., Reuters, Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, Iron, Thomson Locations: Ashdod, Israel, Guam, Lebanon, Gaza, Washington

☆ Ukraine says it downed 3 Russian Su-25 fighter jets in just one week
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ukraine said it destroyed three Russian Su-25 aircraft in a single week. The jets fly low to give air support, making them vulnerable to antiaircraft attacks. AdvertisementAdvertisementUkraine said it shot down three of Russia's Su-25 fighter jets in a single week. AdvertisementAdvertisementTarnavskyi said that Ukraine, over the past week, had destroyed multiple Russian ammunition depots, dozens of tanks, antitank missiles, and antiaircraft missiles, and killed thousands of Russian soldiers in the region. This included 797 Russian soldiers between Friday night and Saturday night, he said.

Persons: —, Russia's Su, Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, Ukraine's, Tarnavskyi Organizations: Service, Strategic Group, Military Today Locations: Ukraine, Russian, Ukrainian, Donetsk, Ukraine's, Russia, Avdiivka

CNN —The US secretly provided Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missiles, according to two US officials, providing Ukraine with a significant new capability that could allow its forces to hit new Russian targets that were previously out of reach. The confirmation came on Tuesday after images of the missiles’ submunitions inside Ukraine began circulating on social media. In August 2022, the Pentagon acknowledged that it had sent HARM anti-radiation missiles to Ukraine unannounced. Ukraine also has the UK-provided long-range Storm Shadow missiles, which have a range of about 155 miles. ATACMS missiles are fired from HIMARS rocket launchers, the same type of vehicle that launches the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles that Ukraine already employs.

Persons: Russia’s, Joe Biden, Defense Lloyd Austin, Volodymyr Zelensky, Biden, Zelensky’s, Andriy Yermak, Zelensky, “, he’s, we’ve Organizations: CNN, US, Pentagon, Patriot, Defense, Ukrainian Armed Forces Locations: Ukraine, Luhansk, Ukrainian, Russia, Washington, DC

☆ 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

Chief among those is getting munitions for Israel's Iron Dome air defense system sped along. President Joe Biden said Tuesday that resupplying Iron Dome munitions and air defense systems was an immediate priority. “We’re surging additional military assistance, including ammunition and interceptors to replenish Iron Dome,” Biden said. Raytheon produces most of the missile components for Iron Dome in the U.S., and the Army has two Iron Dome systems in its stockpile. Neither the Air Force nor Central Command would comment on what additional missions U.S. airpower might take on in response to the conflict.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Joe Biden, ” Biden, “ We’re, Gerald R, Dwight D, Eisenhower, Biden, John Kirby, Frank Kendall, Kendall, hadn't, Colleen Long Organizations: WASHINGTON, Hamas, Israel . Defense, Raytheon, Israel Defense Forces, Iron Dome, Army, Pentagon, Ford, Italian Navy, Hawkeye, Eisenhower, AIR FORCE, Air Force, Atlantic Council, U.S . Air Force, Central Command, Associated Press Locations: U.S, Norfolk , Virginia, Israel, Iran, Iron, Syria

☆ In Gaza, Palestinians have no safe place from Israel’s bombs
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Yahya Abou-Ghazala | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

This is the reality for Palestinians living in Gaza without the protection of a robust civil defense infrastructure. “In Gaza, we don’t have anything…you have nowhere to go, no bomb shelters, no refuge, you are in the street,” Baroud said. In Gaza, the call or text alerts are far from guaranteed and – at most – give residents a few minutes to evacuate. These warning systems are able to calculate the location where a rocket is projected to land and set off a siren in the targeted area, often giving residents advance notice to find shelter. With far less resources, Gaza hasn’t built anything comparable to the Israeli defense systems.

Persons: CNN —, Maisara, Baroud, –, ”, “, ” Baroud, ’, Barbara Zind, Israel, Azriel Bermant, ” Bermant, Bermant, hasn’t, Tareq Baconi, he’s Organizations: CNN, Institute of International Relations Prague, Israeli Defense Forces, Hamas, Human Rights Watch Locations: Israel, Gaza, US

☆ What is Israel's Iron Dome? Here’s what you need to know about the missile defense system
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip, as seen from the city of Ashkelon, Israel October 9, 2023. What is Israel's Iron Dome? The Iron Dome, or "Kippat Barzel" in Hebrew, is widely regarded as one of the most important tools in Israel's arsenal. An Iron Dome launcher fires an interceptor missile as rockets are fired from Gaza, in Ashkelon, Israel May 10, 2023. The Center for Strategic International Studies, a U.S. think tank, has previously estimated that a complete Iron Dome battery costs roughly $100 million to produce.

Persons: Amir Cohen, Israel, Rafael, —, Tamir Organizations: Reuters, Palestinian Ministry of Health, Israel's Defense Ministry, Iron Dome, European Union, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Reuters Israel's Defense Forces, Dome, Congressional Research Service, Strategic International Studies Locations: Gaza, Ashkelon, Israel, Reuters Israel, Jihad, U.S, Washington

☆ U.S. Sending Additional Iron Dome Systems to Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The U.S. is preparing to send its Iron Dome air-defense systems to Israel, a senior Pentagon official said Thursday. The Army has two of the Israeli-developed Iron Domes, which have been tested in Guam, and an estimated 200 interceptors. Israel has 10 of the systems, which serve as its last line of defense against rocket and shell attacks.

Organizations: Pentagon, Army Locations: Israel, Guam

☆ Why Israel's Iron Dome couldn't stop every rocket strike from Hamas
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Marianne Guenot | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The Iron Dome has been a crucial part of Israel's first line of defense for the past decade. The cost of the Iron Dome is under scrutinyAn ongoing controversy about the Iron Dome is its cost — some of which has come out of US pockets. If the Iron Dome were shown to be less effective under heavy fire, that cost-to-benefit ratio might shift. Per reports, the Iron Dome has continued to intercept short-range fire coming from Gaza over the past few days. One of the unique things about Iron Dome to date has been its ability to learn as it goes on and become more effective.

Persons: —, Israel, Tamir, Israel Ilia Yefimovich, John Erath, Erath, MAHMUD HAMS, that's, It's, Joe Biden Organizations: Service, Iron Dome, Raytheon Technologies, Rafael Advance, Center for Arms Control, Israel Defense Forces, CNN, ABC, US Locations: Israel's, Israel, Ashdod, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Ashkelon, North, Gaza, Al Jazeera, Israeli, Netivot, States, Germany, Ukraine

☆ Opinion: How long can America continue to be arsenal to the world?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( David A. Andelman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +20 min

Tamir Kalifa/The New York Times/Redux Palestinians walk amid the rubble following Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City on October 10. Samar Abu Elouf/The New York Times/Redux Children run for cover as bombs fall near the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on October 9. Erik Marmor/AP Six-month-old Sama Alwadia is rescued from the rubble in Gaza City on October 9. Tamir Kalifa/The New York Times/Redux Fire and smoke rise from Gaza City following an Israeli airstrike on October 8. Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters Palestinian citizens inspect damage to their homes caused by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City on October 8.

Persons: David A, CNN —, David Andelman, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Ukraine —, Eden Guez, Violeta Santos Moura, Mohammed Salem, CNN Sergey Ponomarev, Mohammed Abed, Atef Safadi, Fatima Shbair, Tamir Kalifa, Ohad, Mohammed Soboh, Said, Noam Elimeleh Rothenberg, Yuri Cortez, Belal Khaled, Samar Abu, Amir Cohen, Ilai Bar Sade, Erik Marmor, Ali Jadallah, Oren Ziv, Mohammed Saber, Ronen Zvulun, Majdi, Ilia Yefimovich, Ramez Mahmoud, Mahmud Hams, Roi Levy, Alleruzzo, Tali Touito, Khan, Ibraheem Abu Mustafa, Jalaa Marey, Oded, Khan Younis, Ahmad Hasballah, Mohammed Fayq Abu Mostafa, Tsafrir, Ahmad Gharabli, Baz Ratner, Mustafa Hassona, Ilan Rosenberg, Eyad Baba, Itai Ron, Hadas Parush, ” Ely Ratner, ” Ratner, Ratner, “, Julianne Smith, Will, Will Israel Organizations: CNN, French Legion of, The New York Times, CBS News, David Andelman CNN, America, Ukraine, Defense, Fighters, Nova Festival, Reuters, Israel Defense Forces, New York Times, Getty, Ben Gurion, AP, Mount, Anadolu Agency, Shifa, West Bank, Rockets, Israel's, United Nations, Palestinian, Reuters Police, Reuters Rockets, [ Peoples Liberation Army, House Armed, Committee, Taiwan Relations, Senate, Washington Post, Israel, Capitol, House, Ukraine –, NATO, Taiwan Locations: United States, Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Gaza, Iran, China, Taiwan, Washington, Ashkelon, Gaza City, Kfar Azza, Kfar Aza, AFP, Tel Aviv, Mount Herzel, Jerusalem, Samar, Samar Abu Elouf, Yassin, Palestinian, Beitar Ilit, Mount Herzl, Sderot, Ramat Gan, Khan Younis, Israeli, Kiryat Shmona, Itai, Beit Hanun, Rishon Lezion, Taiwan Strait, Beijing, Will Ukraine, Crimea, America

☆ Ukraine war live updates: Russia and Saudi Arabia set to meet as Middle East crisis rattles oil markets
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Oil-producing giants Russia and Saudi Arabia are set to meet in Moscow Wednesday to discuss the oil market situation amid ongoing violence and geopolitical uncertainty between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas. Expect a flurry of international diplomacy in Europe today as allies meet to discuss the war, oil market stability and Israel. NATO defense ministers are due to meet in Brussels, as are Zelenskyy and officials from 54 nations supporting Ukraine as part of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. The meeting comes amid signs of flagging support for continuing military aid Ukraine as the war drags on to its 19th month. The nascent war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas is also a distraction for Western leaders hoping to avoid a wider and more destabilizing Middle Eastern conflict.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskyy Organizations: Russia, Hamas, Western, NATO, Ukraine Defense Contact Group, Air Locations: Saudi Arabia, Moscow, Israel, Palestinian, Europe, Gaza, Belgium, Brussels, Ukraine

BRUSSELS (AP) — Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at NATO for Wednesday's meetings with alliance defense ministers to further drum up support for Ukraine’s fight against Russia. There are air defense systems. NATO allies and partner countries will be waiting to hear precisely what kinds of military equipment Kyiv needs. Following that meeting, the 31 allies and Ukraine will take part in the first NATO-Ukraine Council at this level. A key demand has been more air defense systems and munitions.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, “, Zelenskyy, Lloyd Austin, ”, Austin Organizations: —, NATO, Russia, Ukraine, . Defense, U.S, AIM, High Mobility Artillery, Pentagon Locations: BRUSSELS, — Ukraine, U.S, Ukraine, Brussels, Kyiv, Israel, russia, ukraine

For nearly three decades – from fiscal years 1974 to 2002 – Israel was the top recipient of U.S. aid, the longest-standing duration for a top aid recipient dating back to 1946, according to figures from ForeignAssistance.gov. While 2003 to 2020 saw the most aid going to either Iraq or Afghanistan, Israel nevertheless remained a top three aid recipient throughout that time. In 2021, U.S. obligations to Israel amounted to $3.31 billion, a figure that saw Israel returning to the top spot among aid recipients that year. Almost all U.S. aid to Israel recently has been military aid rather than economic aid, in the form of Foreign Military Financing grants – U.S. grants and loans to Israel for acquiring U.S. military equipment and services. Israel saw that rate peak at 30.5% in 1975, but it has slowly been descending since.

Persons: Biden, Gerald R, Ford, Israel, – Israel, Christine Wormuth, Kevin McCarthy’s, Israel’s Rafael, – Organizations: United, Foreign Military Financing, U.S, Congressional Research Service, CRS, Israel Defense Forces, Defense Systems, Raytheon, Raytheon Rafael, Protection Systems, Israel Aerospace Industries, Boeing, Israel, World Bank, Russia, USAID . Missile Locations: Israel, U.S, United States, Egypt, ForeignAssistance.gov, Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine, – Israel

☆ Japan and South Korea defense stocks jump after Hamas attack, aviation stocks slide
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

At his first troop review Saturday, Kishida renewed his pledge to consider "all options," including acquiring enemy base strike capability. Japanese and South Korean defense stocks surged on Tuesday as both stock markets returned to their first day of trading following the weekend attack of Israel by Palestinian militants Hamas. In South Korea, defense heavyweights Hanhwa Aerospace — which builds artillery and air defense systems — gained 2.23%, while Korea Aerospace Industries rose 4.07%. KAI produces fighter jets and aviation platforms for the South Korean military. Smaller South Korean defense players saw bigger gains.

Persons: Fumio Kishida, Kishida, Israel, KAI Organizations: Japan's, Defense Force, Hamas, Hanhwa Aerospace, Korea Aerospace Industries, South Korean, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Japan's Self Defense Forces Locations: Japan, Tokyo, Israel, Gaza, South Korea

☆ How Hamas likely used rudimentary drones to 'blind and deafen' Israel's border and pave the way for its onslaught
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Hamas has shared drone footage, saying it used drones in its attack on Israel over the weekend. AdvertisementAdvertisementVideos circulated by Hamas suggest that a fleet of simple drones helped pave the way for its massive, deadly onslaught in Israel over the weekend. But experts, along with Hamas' own allies, have suggested that they were deployed early to help the militants cross the border. AdvertisementAdvertisementGaza |Hamas published footage showing their aerial attack on a merkava tank near the border, all soldiers inside were eliminated. IRNA shared an apparent training video of the rudimentary, fixed-wing Zouari drone.

Persons: —, Libby Weiss, James Patton Rogers, Patton Rogers, Israel, DroneSec, TIW0IibtZ4 — Younis Tirawi, IRNA, Mohamed Zouari, Al, Zawari, jerry, He's, Bernard Hudson Organizations: Service, Cornell University, CIA Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Gaza, Al Jazeera

☆ U.S., Allies Prep for More Military Support to Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The U.S. and its allies are ready to supply Israel with more weapons and munitions without affecting shipments to Ukraine and their own readiness, said a senior Pentagon official. “If Israel needs additional support as well, we’re ready,” Army acquisition chief Doug Bush said at an industry event on Monday, though no decision has been made on the type of support. That could include small arms, sophisticated munitions and potentially two U.S. missile defense systems similar to Israel’s own Iron Dome platform.

Persons: Doug Bush Organizations: U.S, Pentagon, Army Locations: Israel, Ukraine

The White House has been working urgently in the past 24 hours to get a Senate confirmation process in motion for President Joe Biden's nominee to be U.S. ambassador to Israel, according to two White House officials. But the White House officials said they hope lawmakers in both parties will agree with the president on the need to quickly confirm Lew amid the war between Israel and Hamas. "Everyone understands the importance behind it," one White House official said. Tom Nides, Biden's former ambassador to Israel, told NBC News in an interview that the Senate needs to confirm his successor "immediately" upon return. One official said Lew is "eager" to get to work, and the White House hopes he is confirmed with bipartisan support.

Persons: Jack Lew, Joe Biden's, Obama, Biden, Lew, Tom Nides, Nides, Sen, Chris Murphy, Israel, Chris Coons, Coons, hasn't, Ted Cruz, Bill Clinton Organizations: International Monetary Fund, World Bank Group, IMF, White, Foreign Relations, White House, West Bank, Palestinian Health Ministry, NBC News, Connecticut, U.S, State, Counterterrorism, U.S . Agency for International Development, USAID, Republicans, Senate, Washington, Management, Israel, Organization, Economic Locations: Europe, Washington , DC, Israel, Gaza, U.S, Oman, Kuwait, Egypt, Ted Cruz of Texas

CNN —As thousands of rockets have rained down on Israel, the country has been relying once again on the Iron Dome system to protect its citizens. The missile defense system is one of the most important tools in Israel’s arsenal and has saved countless civilian lives over various conflicts in the last decade, analysts say. The Israel Defense Forces said the system boasted a 95.6% success rate during a rocket salvo fired by Islamic Jihad in May. After tests in 2008 and 2009, the first Iron Dome batteries were deployed in 2011. The US government has spent over $1.5 billion on the Iron Dome program, and research related to it as well.

Persons: IHS Jane’s Organizations: CNN, Israel Defense Forces, Islamic Jihad, Development, Dome, Raytheon, Center for Strategic, International Studies, IHS Locations: Israel, Gaza, Washington

☆ Hamas fooled Israel's advanced surveillance by doing all of its planning offline, retired US general says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A retired US general called it a "classic failure of technology," given Israel's surveillance apparatus. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe latest attack on Israel by the militant group Hamas was a failure of Israel's huge surveillance and defense systems, a retired US general told CNN. Retired US Air Force Colonel Cedric Leighton called the deadly attacks a ''classic failure of technology," given the strength of Israel's defenses. But Leighton said that Hamas launched missiles with a short, lower trajectory, making them harder for Israel to shoot down. In a separate CNN interview, Leighton said it doesn't make sense that this attack could happen, given Israel's vast intelligence apparatus.

Persons: Israel, —, Cedric Leighton, Leighton, Col, Alexander Vindman, Eli Maron Organizations: Hamas, Service, CNN, US Air Force, Israeli Navy, Israel Defense Forces Locations: Israel, US, Gaza

“Zero chance.”“Just four years ago we had the signing of the historic Abraham Accords, and today we have an attack on Israel,” he said. Senior members of Hamas said that Iranian security officials helped them plan the attack and gave it their blessing last week. According to the State Department, Iran provides roughly $100 million a year to Palestinian militia groups like Hamas. “Israel is now paying the price for those policies.”He also blasted Biden for “sleeping on the job.”"I saw the president's comments with respect to the attacks on Israel. America needs to wake up.”The Hamas attack caught Israeli defense systems off guard and is being characterized by officials as a catastrophic intelligence failure.

Persons: Joe Biden, Joe Biden’s, Donald Trump, “, ” “, Abraham, ”, Trump, Biden, Ron DeSantis, ” DeSantis, hasn’t, Joe Biden's, You’ve, you’ve, DeSantis, Benjamin Netanyahu, Nikki Haley, Haley, NBC’s Kristen Welker, America’s, ” Haley, they’re, Vivek Ramaswamy, Sen, Tim Scott of, Ramaswamy Organizations: Hamas, GOP, Abraham Accords, United Arab, U.S, White, UAE, Republican Party, Trump, State Department, White House National Security Council, Florida Gov, Israeli, United Nations, “, Press, Israel Locations: Israel, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Iran, U.S, South Korea, Qatar, Iowa, Florida, South Carolina, Gaza, Mexico, Israel’s, America, Tim Scott of South Carolina

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