CIA chief Bill Burns and US Middle East envoy Brett McGurk are set to visit the Middle East to push for a hostage deal and a ceasefire in Gaza - according to an American official and two other sources familiar with the matter.
Burns and McGurk's trip is part of a US move to "press on" with efforts to bring about a breakthrough in hostage deal negotiations, the sources said.
Go to the full article >>The IDF initiated a second invasion of el-Bureij in central Gaza on Thursday, with Palestinian and foreign media carrying the earliest reports on the attacks.
Although the military has continued smaller clean-up operations and airstrikes in parts of central Gaza and Rafah over the past month, it has not carried out a large-scale invasion of the area since early February.
The results of the second invasion were still unclear at press time, but it followed an increase in air strikes in the area that appeared to be an attempt to pave the way for easier entry by IDF troops.
Go to the full article >>IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi said on Tuesday that the IDF was prepared to open up the northern theater against the Lebanon-based Hezbollah terror organization, the military and fire authority reported in a joint statement.
Halevi's comments came during a visit to northern Israel on Tuesday along with the head of the National Fire and Rescue Authority, Eyal Caspi.
Halevi stated, "We are approaching the point where a decision will have to be made, and the IDF is prepared and very ready for this decision."
Go to the full article >>The Defense Ministry has signed a deal with the US administration for the procurement of the third squadron of F35 jets, the ministry announced on Tuesday.
The extent of the deal is estimated at $3 billion from the US monetary aid to Israel.
Earlier on Tuesday, Ynet reported that the Knesset's finance committee approved the transfer of NIS 1.3 billion to the Defense Ministry.
According to Ynet, the committee did not discuss the subject, but it approved it as an urgent application.
Go to the full article >>Healthcare systems of neighboring countries are feeling the strain as thousands of critical patients from the Gaza Strip are evacuated for treatment of complex injuries and ailments, a top WHO official said on Tuesday.
Go to the full article >>The 679th Brigade Combat Team, under the command of the 99th Division, operated in the central Gaza Strip corridor, which included targeted raids, the IDF announced on Tuesday.
During these raids, IDF soldiers located rockets and anti-aircraft missile launchers.
The IDF said that while the soldiers operated, a terrorist cell fired an RPG, with the IDF responding with artillery fire.
On Monday night, a terror tunnel route that was one and a half kilometers long and 23 meters deep was destroyed, in cooperation with the Yahalom Unit.
The IDF continued to operate with the Israel Air Force, and eliminated dozens of terrorists and destroyed more than 70 terrorist infrastructure locations.
Go to the full article >>US National Security adviser Jake Sullivan is expected to meet with family members of hostages who hold American citizenship on Tuesday, NBC reported citing a senior US administration official.
Go to the full article >>The aid group World Central Kitchen (WCK) announced on Tuesday that it restarted operations and is feeding civilians in the Gaza Strip.
The group also announced that it has delivered more than 50 million meals in Gaza, after suspending operations in April when seven of its workers were killed by an Israeli strike.
WCK said it now has two main kitchens in operation in Gaza, and another 65 community kitchens spread throughout the small seaside enclave. "We're always looking to expand as much as possible," John Torpey, the group's Middle East activation manager, said.
Go to the full article >>Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's biggest coalition partner Shas said on Tuesday it would lend "full support" for a prospective deal to free hostages from Hamas captivity even if that would entails "far-reaching steps" in the Gaza war strategy.
The statement by Shas, an ultra-Orthodox party that wields 11 of the Knesset's 120 seats, followed open opposition to such a deal by two far-right coalition partners.
Go to the full article >>An Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) struck a motorcycle in Naqoura in southern Lebanon, according to Israeli media on Tuesday, citing Lebanese reports.
The reports also claimed there had been casualties following the attack.
