Category: Middle East

Israel Arrests Top Hamas Terror Leader in West Bank

The Israeli military announced on Wednesday it has arrested a senior leader of the Hamas terrorist group in the occupied West Bank. Sheikh Jamal al Tawil, a senior Hamas leader, was arrested late Tuesday in the city of Ramallah by the Israel Defense Forces’ elite Duvdevan Unit in cooperation with the Israel Security Agency, the IDF announced. The IDF alleges…


Iran Nuclear Deal Talks Set to Break for a Week, Diplomats Say

VIENNA—Talks aimed to revive Iran’s nuclear pact with global powers were expected on June 2 to adjourn for a week, diplomats said, with the remaining parties to the deal due to meet in the evening to sign off on the move. The adjournment to June 10 would leave only eight days to reach an agreement…


Israel’s Lapid Reaches Deal to Form New Government, Set to Unseat Netanyahu

JERUSALEM—Israel’s opposition leader moved closer to unseating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday when he officially informed the country’s president that he has reached agreements with political allies to form a new government. About 30 minutes before a midnight deadline, Yair Lapid, according to a party statement, told President Reuven Rivlin in an email: “I…


Isaac Herzog Elected 11th President of the State of Israel

JERUSALEM—Isaac Herzog, a veteran politician and the scion of a prominent Israeli family, was elected president Wednesday, a largely ceremonial role that is meant to serve as the nation’s moral compass and promote unity. Herzog is set to become Israel’s 11th president after securing 87 votes in a secret ballot among the 120 members of…


Israel’s Lapid Enlists Gantz, Moves Closer to Unseating Netanyahu

JERUSALEM—Israel’s opposition leader moved closer to unseating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday and forming a new government after agreeing on terms with several parties including one led by Defence Minister Benny Gantz, a spokesman said. During a 12-year run in the top office, Netanyahu has been an often polarizing figure at home and abroad….


Sen. Graham says Israel will Request $1 Billion From US to Replenish Iron Dome

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said that Israel will request $1 billion from the United States to replenish its Iron Dome missile defense system following the 11-day conflict between the Jewish state and Hamas terrorist group. Graham, who met with top Israeli officials this week, made the announcement during a press conference in Jerusalem on Tuesday….


Israel Sees Probable Link Between Pfizer Vaccine and Rare Myocarditis Cases

JERUSALEM—Israel’s Health Ministry said on Tuesday it had found the small number of heart inflammation cases observed mainly in young men who received Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine in Israel were likely linked to their vaccination. Pfizer has said it has not observed a higher rate of the condition, known as myocarditis, than would normally be expected in the…


Canadian Military Goods Exports Dropped Last Year as Sales to Saudi Arabia Fell

OTTAWA—The federal government reports the value of Canadian military-goods exports fell last year as its sales to Saudi Arabia dropped. Canada’s annual report on exports of military equipment says in 2020 it sent approximately $1.966 billion in controlled military goods compared to $3.757 billion in 2019. The report says this decrease in export value was…


Netanyahu Challenge to Legality of Rival’s PM Bid Is Rebuffed

JERUSALEM—A last-gasp legal challenge by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to thwart a bid by a rival to head a new government was rejected on Tuesday as his opponents raced to seal a pact that would unseat him. Naftali Bennett, Netanyahu’s former defense minister, announced on Sunday he would join a proposed alliance with opposition…


Egypt’s Intelligence Chief Holds Truce Talks With Hamas in Gaza

GAZA—Egypt’s intelligence chief met Hamas leaders in Gaza on Monday to try to bolster a ceasefire between the Palestinian terrorist group and Israel and to discuss reconstruction plans following the recent fighting, Egyptian and Palestinian officials said. The visit was the first by an Egyptian intelligence chief to the enclave since the early 2000s. Eleven…