Israel news summary

Israel News for 8-8-2022

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News Update

The IDF Homefront Command has lifter all restrictions implemented on the home front during the 3 days of fighting between the IDF and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terror group in Gaza. Israel reopened the border crossings into Gaza as well as the roads in Israel near the Gaza border. A ceasefire agreement with the PIJ was implemented on Sunday at 8pm. Right before the ceasefire, the PIJ fired 50 rockets, some at targets in central Israel including Tel Aviv. One rocket was intercepted above Ben Gurion Airport. A rocket that hit near a factory in Ashkelon injured a Palestinian worker. Another rocket hit near a house in Sderot, but the family was in a shelter and emerged unharmed.

According to the IDF, during the 3 days of fighting, 1,100 rockets were launched towards Israel, 200 of which fell in Gaza and 610 fell in open areas in Israel. The Iron Dome intercepted 380 rockets that were heading for populated areas, resulting in a 96% success rate. The IDF hit 170 PIJ targets, resulting in 35 killed, including 11 civilians. Misfired PIJ rockets killed 16 civilians in Gaza.  Israeli officials said that they were pleased that Hamas did not join in the fighting, even though it did nothing to curb the PIJ in Gaza.

Internal Security Minister Omer Bar Lev said that the ceasefire deal did not include releasing two senior members of PIJ who are in Israeli custody.

The IDF released footage of a planned IDF strike on a PIJ commanded that was called off because some children were noticed playing near the intended target. To see the video (Hebrew), click here. 

President Isaac Herzog visited Sderot today and met with the mayors and council heads of the towns surrounding Sderot. He said, “I have come here in the name of all the people of Israel to say thank you to you and all the residents of the Gaza envelope and the city of Sderot. Without this area, there is no Israel. You are the entryway to Israel, and you are the wall that protects the country.”

Israel news summary

Israel News for 8-5-2022

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News Update

The IDF remains on high alert along the Gaza border and has redeployed reinforcements and called up reserves to the area. The IDF continues to maintain road closures in the border area. This comes after security forces arrested an Islamic Jihad commander, al Saadi, earlier this week in Jenin. The IDF says that it has intelligence that the Islamic Jihad terror group in Gaza is planning attacks on Israeli targets in the border area.

According to a report in the Palestinian al Quds news paper in Jerusalem, Islamist Jihad told Egyptian moderators that they demand to see proof that al Saadi was unharmed by his Israeli captors as well as a resolution of the 144 day hunger strike of another member of the Islamic Jihad held in prison in Israel. The terror group also said that they were not interested in a violent conflict but reserved the right to respond to the “the crimes perpetrated by the enemy occupiers.”

Prime Minister Lapid spoke with Australian Prime Minister Albanese yesterday to discuss relations between the two countries and to thank him for his support of Israel. Albanese’s government has recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and listed Hezbollah in its entirety as a terrorist organization.

The latest election poll released today indicates a Netanyahu led coalition of 62 seats could be successfully formed. This is assuming that the new Zionist Spirit party formed by Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked and Communications Minister Yoaz Hendel wins 4 seats. For more, click here.

The Royal Family of Dubai is getting serious about finding and facilitating business and investment opportunities and cooperation between Israel and the UAE. To read more about this, click here.

The first commercial flight crossed Saudi Arabian airspace to get to Israel from Hong Kong yesterday. Last month the Saudis agreed to open their airspace to all civilian flights, including those departing from and arriving to Israel. Israeli carriers have still not entered Saudi airspace, but EL Al is expected to receive approval from the Saudis next week. With this change, flights to and from India, Thailand, China and other countries can now fly over the Saudi peninsula, saving several hours of flight time. The decision will also benefit Muslims from Israel who wish to participate in the hajj, as direct charter flights to Saudi Arabia will be available annually for pilgrims.

Israel news summary

Israel News for 8-3-2022

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News Update

The IDF is on high alert along the Gaza border after security forces arrested the West Bank leader of Islamic Jihad on Monday night in Jenin. More than 50 Islamic Jihad terror suspects have been arrested in recent weeks. The Prime Minister ordered roads to be closed near the Gaza border and suspended railway service in the Ashkelon area in expectation of retaliation by the terror group. The IDF also called up 100 reservists to reinforce units in the border area. Israel is working with Egyptian mediators to pressure Hamas to restrain Islamic Jihad and keep the peace. For more, click here.

Security forces arrested 12 terror suspects in raids last night in the West Bank.

Amos Hochstein, the U.S. envoy mediating between Israel and Lebanon on the maritime border dispute arrived in Israel late on Monday and met with Prime Minister Yair Lapid. Israel and Lebanon are reportedly getting close to reaching an agreement regarding the Karish offshore oilfields, which Lebanon claims are in its territory.

A special Knesset committee is investigating charges that prison wardens and supervisors at the Gilboa maximum security prison allowed a convicted Palestinian terrorist to roam freely in the prison and sexually assault and rape a female prison guard. The Shin Bet is also being accused of allowing this situation to continue.

Israel news summary

Israel News for 8-1-2022

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News Update

Security forces arrested 13 terror suspects in raids in the West Bank overnight Sunday. The forces raided the homes of 39 suspects. Many Palestinians rioted in response, throwing rocks and explosives. No injuries were reported.

Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai is heading to Morocco for an official 5 day visit during which he will meet with senior officials of the Moroccan police force and the General Directorate for National Security. He will discuss cooperation between the two countries in various policing related areas.

Government ministers voted last night to withhold tax revenue payments from the Palestinian Authority because of the PA’s policy of paying stipends to the families of terrorists. For more, click here.

Public Security Minister Omer Barlev said on Sunday that he would pursue an investigation into allegations an Israeli female prison guard was raped by a Palestinian terror convict. The woman, who identified herself by the alias Hila, launched an online crowdfunding campaign last week in which she claimed that the rape had taken place during her military service at the high-security Gilboa Prison in northern Israel. She accused Mahmoud Atallah — a Palestinian terrorist convicted for the murder of Israelis — of raping her and said he had enjoyed special privileges from prison authorities, who allowed him to roam around freely inside the facility and were quick to fill any of his requests and demands.

Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Lapid said it was “unthinkable” that an IDF soldier was raped by a convicted terrorist during her military service. Gilboa Prison commander Freddy Ben Sheetrit revealed last year that female IDF soldiers were routinely subjected to sexual harassment by Palestinian security prisoners at the facility.