Israel News for 1-21-19
Israel Attacks
Israeli warplanes launched a massive attack on Iranian targets in Syria early today, in response to a rocket fired by Iranian soldiers at the Golan Heights from Syria on Sunday. The rocket was intercepted by Iron Dome. The Israeli attack targeted an airport in Damascus and killed at least 11 combatants, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring organization.
In an official statement, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said munition storage sites, a site located in the Damascus International Airport, along with an Iranian intelligence site and an Iranian military training camp, had also been targeted. The statement also said, “During the strike, dozens of Syrian surface-to-air missiles were launched, despite clear warnings to avoid such fire. In response, several of the Syrian Armed Forces’ aerial defense batteries were targeted.”
The Russian Interfax news agency quoted Moscow’s defense control center as saying that Syrian military air defenses destroyed more than 30 cruise missiles and guided bombs during the Israeli air strikes.
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Chad Visit
PM Netanyahu visited the central African nation of Chad on Sunday to officially restore relations after nearly 50 years. Speaking from the capital city of N’Djamena, Netanyahu said, “Israel is making inroads into the Islamic world. This is the result of considerable effort in recent years. We are making history and we are turning Israel into a rising global power. We are continuing on, up the mountain, to new heights.”
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New Airport
Israel officially inaugurated the new Ramon International Airport today. The airport, located 11 miles north of Eilat will initially handle up to two million passengers annually, but will expand to a capacity of 4.2 million by 2030. But for the time being the airport will only handle Israeli domestic flights. The Ramon airport replaces the old airport located within the city of Eilat and the Ovda airport, which is around 37 miles from Eilat.
Israeli media have reported that a 26-meter (85 foot) high, 4.5-kilometer (2.8 mile) long “smart” anti-missile fence has been installed to help protect Ramon, which is adjacent to the border with Jordan.
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Tree Day
Today is Tu Bishvat (the 15th day in the Hebrew month of Shvat), which marks the new year for trees. It marks the time when the earliest-blooming trees in the Land of Israel emerge from their winter sleep and begin a new fruit-bearing cycle. It also represents the idea that renewal and redemption begins even in the darkest times. Tu Bishvat is marked by eating fruit of the Land of Israel, including dates, figs, pomegranates, grapes, olives, as well as wheat and barley.
To read more about the holiday and the different ways to commemorate and celebrate the day, check out the tons of content offered by our partner The Israel Forever Foundation. Click here.
