Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel was prepared for any scenario after a cross-border clash with Lebanon's Hezbollah but neither side seemed eager for another conflict.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel was prepared for any scenario after a cross-border clash with Lebanon's Hezbollah but neither side seemed eager for another conflict. Israel's military said anti-tank missiles from Lebanon targeted an army base and vehicles and that it responded with fire into southern Lebanon, after a week of growing tension raised fears of a new war with long-time enemy Hezbollah. Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah movement said its fighters destroyed an Israeli military vehicle, killing and wounding those inside. Israel's military said there were no casualties. Netanyahu, whose re-election campaign ahead of a poll less than three weeks away could have been complicated by war in the north, signalled business as usual after the hostilities erupted along he frontier with Lebanon. The Israeli leader kept to his regular schedule, commenting on the security situation, in Hebrew only, at the start of a meeting with Honduras' visiting president, and did not take questions from reporters. "We were attacked by a few anti-tank missiles. We responded with 100 shells, aerial fire and various measures. We are in consultations about what's to come," Netanyahu said. "I have given instructions to be prepared for any scenario, and we will decide on what's next depending on how things develop," he said, almost dismissively, in a departure from his usually much tougher language towards Israel's enemies. "I can make an important announcement - we have no casualties, no wounded, not even a scratch." The two sides fought a one-month war in 2006 after Hezbollah captured two Israeli soldiers in a cross-border raid. Israel has been on alert for a confrontation with Hezbollah for the past week after two drones crashed in Beirut's southern suburbs. Security officials in the region have described the target as linked to precision-guided missile projects. Any new war between Israel and Hezbollah would raise the risk of a wider conflict in the Middle East, where Iran has defied U.S. attempts to force it to renegotiate a 2015 nuclear deal it reached with world powers. At the same time, Israel is concerned about Tehran's growing influence in the region through militia allies such as Hezbollah in countries such as Syria. In Iraq, powerful Iranian-backed militias have blamed a series of recent blasts at their weapons depots on Israel and the United States. Hezbollah said the operation on Sunday was carried out by a unit named after two of its fighters who were killed by an Israeli air strike inside Syria last week. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said late on Saturday that field commanders were ready to respond to last week's drone attack, which he blamed on Israel. But like Netanyahu, Nasrallah has not indicated Hezbollah was seeking full-scale war. Amid the threats, Israel had moved reinforcements into the border region, which had been largely quiet since the two long-time enemies fought the month-long war in 2006. Without claiming responsibility for the drone attack last week, the Israeli military published what it said were details about an extensive Iranian-sponsored campaign to provide Hezbollah with the means to produce precision-guided missiles. Such missiles - which Hezbollah acknowledges possessing - could potentially pose a counter-balance to Israel’s overwhelming military force in any future war, with the capacity to home in on and knock out core infrastructure sites.

Netanyahu says Israel ready for any scenario after Hezbollah clash

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to annex Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, he said on Sunday, reiterating election promise made five months ago but again giving no timeframe.

Settlements are one of the most heated issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestinians have voiced fears that Netanyahu could defy international consensus and move ahead with annexation with possible backing from US President Donald Trump, a close ally.

"With God`s help we will extend Jewish sovereignty to all the settlements as part of the (biblical) Land of Israel, as part of the State of Israel," Netanyahu said in Sunday`s speech in the West Bank settlement of Elkana, where he attended a ceremony opening the school year.

He did not say when he planned to make such a move.

Netanyahu, who heads the right-wing Likud party, made a similar pledge days before an Israeli general election in April. After the vote he failed to form a governing parliamentary majority and the country will hold a new election on September 17.

With the publication of a US peace plan still pending, Trump has already recognised Israel`s 1981 annexation of the Golan Heights, territory Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war.

Palestinians seek to make the West Bank part of a future state that would include the Gaza Strip and have East Jerusalem as its capital. Israel captured those areas in 1967 and moved troops and settlers out of Gaza in 2005.

After decades of settlement-building, more than 400,000 Israelis now live in the West Bank, according to Israeli figures, among a Palestinian population put at about 2.9 million by the Palestinian Statistics Bureau.

A further 212,000 Israeli settlers live in East Jerusalem, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

"This is our land," Netanyahu said in his speech in Elkana. "We will build another Elkana and in another Elkana and another Elkana. We will not uproot anyone here," Netanyahu said.

The Palestinians and many countries consider settlements to be illegal under the Geneva conventions that bar settling on land captured in war. Israel disputes this, citing security needs and biblical, historical and political connections to the land.

Israeli-Palestinian peace talks collapsed in 2014.

The Trump administration says it intends to release its Israeli-Palestinian peace plan after the Israeli election and has not disclosed whether it will advocate a two-state solution that has been at the foundation of past negotiations. 
&nbsp;

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to annex Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, he said on Sunday, reiterating election promise made five months ago but again giving no timeframe.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to annex Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, he said on Sunday, reiterating election promise made five months ago but again giving no timeframe. Settlements are one of the most heated issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestinians have voiced fears that Netanyahu could defy international consensus and move ahead with annexation with possible backing from US President Donald Trump, a close ally. "With God`s help we will extend Jewish sovereignty to all the settlements as part of the (biblical) Land of Israel, as part of the State of Israel," Netanyahu said in Sunday`s speech in the West Bank settlement of Elkana, where he attended a ceremony opening the school year. He did not say when he planned to make such a move. Netanyahu, who heads the right-wing Likud party, made a similar pledge days before an Israeli general election in April. After the vote he failed to form a governing parliamentary majority and the country will hold a new election on September 17. With the publication of a US peace plan still pending, Trump has already recognised Israel`s 1981 annexation of the Golan Heights, territory Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war. Palestinians seek to make the West Bank part of a future state that would include the Gaza Strip and have East Jerusalem as its capital. Israel captured those areas in 1967 and moved troops and settlers out of Gaza in 2005. After decades of settlement-building, more than 400,000 Israelis now live in the West Bank, according to Israeli figures, among a Palestinian population put at about 2.9 million by the Palestinian Statistics Bureau. A further 212,000 Israeli settlers live in East Jerusalem, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. "This is our land," Netanyahu said in his speech in Elkana. "We will build another Elkana and in another Elkana and another Elkana. We will not uproot anyone here," Netanyahu said. The Palestinians and many countries consider settlements to be illegal under the Geneva conventions that bar settling on land captured in war. Israel disputes this, citing security needs and biblical, historical and political connections to the land. Israeli-Palestinian peace talks collapsed in 2014. The Trump administration says it intends to release its Israeli-Palestinian peace plan after the Israeli election and has not disclosed whether it will advocate a two-state solution that has been at the foundation of past negotiations.

Netanyahu repeats pledge to annex Israeli settlements in occupied West Bank

The Israeli air force struck in Syria to prevent an Iranian force from launching an attack on the Jewish state with drones armed with explosives, the army said Sunday.

While Israel operates regularly in Syria, it rarely acknowledges its actions so swiftly, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warning arch-foe Iran it had no immunity from his state's military.

In a briefing to reporters, military spokesman Jonathan Conricus said that late Saturday the Israeli air force "was able to thwart an Iranian attempt led by the Quds force from Syria to conduct an attack on Israeli targets in northern Israel using killer drones."

According to Conricus, the Israeli attack took place in Aqraba, southeast of Damascus, and targeted "a number of terror targets and military facilities belonging to the Quds force as well as Shiite militias." &nbsp;&nbsp;

The army had on Thursday prevented an earlier attempt to launch the drone attack, Conricus said, without providing further details.

"The threat was significant and these killer drones were capable of striking targets with significant capacity," he said.

A Syrian military source quoted by official Sana news agency said that "At 2330 (2030 GMT) anti-aircraft defences detected enemy targets from Golan heading towards the area around Damascus".

"The aggression was immediately confronted and so far the majority of the enemy Israeli missiles have been destroyed before reaching their targets," the source added.

'Iran has no immunity anywhere'&nbsp;

An AFP correspondent in Damascus heard several large explosions before Sana announced the defensive action.

"The aggression is still going on and the air defence is able to counter the targets, dropping most of them" in the south of the country, the Sana agency said early Sunday.

Since the beginning of the war in Syria in 2011, Israel has conducted hundreds of strikes in Syria, most of them against what it says are Iranian and Hezbollah targets.

Hezbollah is a Lebanese Shiite group that supports Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, who is also backed by Tehran.

Hours after the strike in Syria, a Hezbollah official said one drone had come down and another had exploded in one of the group's strongholds in the Lebanese capital Beirut. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The official could not confirm if the drones were Israeli or if they had been shot down by Hezbollah.

Israel says it is determined to prevent its arch-foe Iran from entrenching itself militarily in Syria, where Tehran backs Assad's regime.

In a statement issued just minutes after the Israeli army announced its attack, Netanyahu hailed the military's "major operational effort" in thwarting the attack planned by "the Iranian Quds force and Shiite militias."

"Iran has no immunity anywhere," Netanyahu said. "Our forces operate in every sector against Iranian aggression."

Military spokesman Conricus said Israel held both Iran and the Syrian regime responsible for the planned drone attack, noting that forces in northern Israel were on "elevated readiness to respond to any development".

He also noted that while Iranian forces had launched rockets and missiles at Israel from Syria three times during 2018, the use of "kamikaze" drones set to explode on their targets was a new and "different tactic".

The Jewish state insists that it has the right to continue to target positions held by Iran and its ally Hezbollah out of self-defence.

The Israeli air force struck in Syria to prevent an Iranian force from launching an attack on the Jewish state with drones armed with explosives, the army said Sunday.

The Israeli air force struck in Syria to prevent an Iranian force from launching an attack on the Jewish state with drones armed with explosives, the army said Sunday. While Israel operates regularly in Syria, it rarely acknowledges its actions so swiftly, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warning arch-foe Iran it had no immunity from his state's military. In a briefing to reporters, military spokesman Jonathan Conricus said that late Saturday the Israeli air force "was able to thwart an Iranian attempt led by the Quds force from Syria to conduct an attack on Israeli targets in northern Israel using killer drones." According to Conricus, the Israeli attack took place in Aqraba, southeast of Damascus, and targeted "a number of terror targets and military facilities belonging to the Quds force as well as Shiite militias." The army had on Thursday prevented an earlier attempt to launch the drone attack, Conricus said, without providing further details. "The threat was significant and these killer drones were capable of striking targets with significant capacity," he said. A Syrian military source quoted by official Sana news agency said that "At 2330 (2030 GMT) anti-aircraft defences detected enemy targets from Golan heading towards the area around Damascus". "The aggression was immediately confronted and so far the majority of the enemy Israeli missiles have been destroyed before reaching their targets," the source added. 'Iran has no immunity anywhere' An AFP correspondent in Damascus heard several large explosions before Sana announced the defensive action. "The aggression is still going on and the air defence is able to counter the targets, dropping most of them" in the south of the country, the Sana agency said early Sunday. Since the beginning of the war in Syria in 2011, Israel has conducted hundreds of strikes in Syria, most of them against what it says are Iranian and Hezbollah targets. Hezbollah is a Lebanese Shiite group that supports Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, who is also backed by Tehran. Hours after the strike in Syria, a Hezbollah official said one drone had come down and another had exploded in one of the group's strongholds in the Lebanese capital Beirut. The official could not confirm if the drones were Israeli or if they had been shot down by Hezbollah. Israel says it is determined to prevent its arch-foe Iran from entrenching itself militarily in Syria, where Tehran backs Assad's regime. In a statement issued just minutes after the Israeli army announced its attack, Netanyahu hailed the military's "major operational effort" in thwarting the attack planned by "the Iranian Quds force and Shiite militias." "Iran has no immunity anywhere," Netanyahu said. "Our forces operate in every sector against Iranian aggression." Military spokesman Conricus said Israel held both Iran and the Syrian regime responsible for the planned drone attack, noting that forces in northern Israel were on "elevated readiness to respond to any development". He also noted that while Iranian forces had launched rockets and missiles at Israel from Syria three times during 2018, the use of "kamikaze" drones set to explode on their targets was a new and "different tactic". The Jewish state insists that it has the right to continue to target positions held by Iran and its ally Hezbollah out of self-defence.

Israeli jets hit targets in Syria to prevent Iranian drone attack: Army

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hinted that his country was behind the latest attacks on ammunition depots in Iraq belonging to the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).

On Tuesday, another blast hit an ammo depot located to the north of Baghdad.

This was the fourth such attack on PMF facilities, which reportedly might be used to transport arms to Syria and Lebanon, since July. The PMF, which is composed of predominantly Shia militias, has claimed that Israeli drones carried out the attack, while acting in coordination with the US-led coalition.

In an interview with Israel’s Channel 9, Netanyahu was asked whether Israel acts in Iraq "if required."

"We do act not only ‘if required.’ We act on many fronts confronting a state that seeks to destroy us. Certainly, I gave freedom of action to the security forces and instructed them to do everything necessary to foil these Iranian initiatives," Netanyahu said.

He added that he led, and, in many aspects was "still leading the world's efforts to neutralize the Iranian threat."

So far, Israel has only publicly admitted that it conducts raids on neighbouring Syria as part of its fight against Iran in the region. The last time Israel officially claimed responsibility for the bombing of Iraq dates back to 1981, when the Israeli Air Force destroyed the Osirak nuclear power plant, which was under construction southeast of Baghdad.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hinted that his country was behind the latest attacks on ammunition depots in Iraq belonging to the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hinted that his country was behind the latest attacks on ammunition depots in Iraq belonging to the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). On Tuesday, another blast hit an ammo depot located to the north of Baghdad. This was the fourth such attack on PMF facilities, which reportedly might be used to transport arms to Syria and Lebanon, since July. The PMF, which is composed of predominantly Shia militias, has claimed that Israeli drones carried out the attack, while acting in coordination with the US-led coalition. In an interview with Israel’s Channel 9, Netanyahu was asked whether Israel acts in Iraq "if required." "We do act not only ‘if required.’ We act on many fronts confronting a state that seeks to destroy us. Certainly, I gave freedom of action to the security forces and instructed them to do everything necessary to foil these Iranian initiatives," Netanyahu said. He added that he led, and, in many aspects was "still leading the world's efforts to neutralize the Iranian threat." So far, Israel has only publicly admitted that it conducts raids on neighbouring Syria as part of its fight against Iran in the region. The last time Israel officially claimed responsibility for the bombing of Iraq dates back to 1981, when the Israeli Air Force destroyed the Osirak nuclear power plant, which was under construction southeast of Baghdad.

Benjamin Netanyahu hints Israel behind attacks on Iran-backed militia depots in Iraq

The contrast could not be starker. As Israel plays a dangerous game of US politics by restricting or banning visits by controversial Democratic members of Congress to seemingly please US President Donald J Trump’s prejudiced electoral instincts, the owner of a notorious Jerusalem soccer club draws a line in the sand in confronting his racist fan base.

The contrast takes on added significance as prime minister Benyamin Netanyahu woes Israel’s far-right in advance of elections on September 17 given that storied club Beitar Jerusalem has long been seen as a stronghold for his Likud party.

Netanyahu’s barring of Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar was as much a response to Trump’s tweeted suggestion that they should not be allowed to visit Israel as it was catering to his right-wing base that includes Beitar’s fans.

Beitar is the only Israeli squad to have never hired a Palestinian player. Its fans, famous for their racist slogans and bullying tactics, have made life impossible for the few Muslim players that the club contracted in its history.

Netanyahu and Moshe Hogeg, the Beitar owner and tech entrepreneur who founded social mobile photo and video sharing website Mobli and crypto transactions platform Sirin Labs, are both treading on slippery ground.

Netanyahu, who initially raised out of respect for the US Congress no objection to the planned visit by Tlaib and Omar, has ensured that Israel for the first time in decades can no longer be sure of bi-partisan support in the Congress and beyond and is likely to become a partisan issue in the run-up to next year’s US presidential election.

His pandering to Trump sparked rare criticism from the American Israel Political Action Committee (AIPAC), Israel’s most powerful and influential lobby in the United States even though AIPAC agrees that Tlaib and Ilham support the Boycott, Diversification and Sanctions (BDS) movement that targets Israel.

"We disagree with Reps. Omar and Tlaib's support for the anti-Israel and anti-peace BDS movement, along with Rep. Tlaib's calls for a one-state solution. We also believe every member of Congress should be able to visit and experience our democratic ally Israel first hand," AIPAC tweeted.

A breakdown of bi-partisan support for Israel may not be what Netanyahu wants, but it may be, in a twist of irony, what Israel needs. It would spark a debate in the United States with a potential fallout in Israel about whether Netanyahu’s annexationist policy and hard-line approach towards Palestinian aspirations serve Israel’s longer-term best interests.

Israel’s toughening stand was evident on Tuesday when police broke up an annual soccer tournament among Palestinian families in East Jerusalem on assertions that it was sponsored by the Palestinian Authority, which is barred from organising events in the city. The tournament’s organiser denied any association with the Authority.

In a dismissive statement, Israeli public security minister Gilad Erdan’s office scoffed: “We’re talking about scofflaws who lie and blame the agency that enforces the law when they know full well that the Palestinian Authority is involved in the event that Minister Erdan ordered halted.”

The incident was emblematic of an environment that prompted columnist and scholar Peter Beinart, writing in The Forward, a more than 100-year old, left-wing Jewish weekly, to argue that “The United States has a national interest in ensuring that Israel does not make permanent its brutal occupation of the West Bank and blockade of the Gaza Strip.

By taking on La Familia, a militant Beitar Jerusalem fan group that has driven the club’s discriminatory policy, Hogeg is going not only against Netanyahu’s policies that emphasise Israeli Jewish nationalism at the expense of the rights of Palestinians with Israeli citizenship as well as those subject to occupation.

Ali Mohammed is Beitar Jerusalem’s latest acquisition. The only Muslim thing about him is his name. Mohammed is a Nigerian Christian.

That wasn’t good enough for the fans who demand that he change his name. During Mohammed’s first training session fans chanted "Mohamed is dead" and "Ali is dead."

Unlike his predecessors, Hogeg seems unwilling to back down. He has threatened to sue the fans for tarnishing Beitar’s already battered reputation and demand up to $500,000 in damages. Lawyers for Hogeg have written to fans demanding an apology.

"They are very good fans; they are very loyal. They love the club and what it represents ... but they're racist and that's a big problem,” Hogeg said.

Convinced that the militants are a minority that imposes its will on the majority of Beitar fans, Hogeg takes the high road at a time that the likes of him threaten to become an endangered species.

"I was surprised to find that Mohamed is not Muslim, but I don't care. Why should it matter? He's a very good player. As long as the player that comes respects the city, respects what he represents, respects Israel, can help the team and wants to play then the door will be open. If those radical fans will fight against it, they will lose. They will simply lose," Hogeg said. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp;

The contrast could not be starker. As Israel plays a dangerous game of US politics by restricting or banning visits by controversial Democratic members of Congress to seemingly please US President Donald J Trump’s prejudiced electoral instincts, the owner of a notorious Jerusalem soccer club draws a line in the sand in confronting his racist fan base.

The contrast could not be starker. As Israel plays a dangerous game of US politics by restricting or banning visits by controversial Democratic members of Congress to seemingly please US President Donald J Trump’s prejudiced electoral instincts, the owner of a notorious Jerusalem soccer club draws a line in the sand in confronting his racist fan base. The contrast takes on added significance as prime minister Benyamin Netanyahu woes Israel’s far-right in advance of elections on September 17 given that storied club Beitar Jerusalem has long been seen as a stronghold for his Likud party. Netanyahu’s barring of Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar was as much a response to Trump’s tweeted suggestion that they should not be allowed to visit Israel as it was catering to his right-wing base that includes Beitar’s fans. Beitar is the only Israeli squad to have never hired a Palestinian player. Its fans, famous for their racist slogans and bullying tactics, have made life impossible for the few Muslim players that the club contracted in its history. Netanyahu and Moshe Hogeg, the Beitar owner and tech entrepreneur who founded social mobile photo and video sharing website Mobli and crypto transactions platform Sirin Labs, are both treading on slippery ground. Netanyahu, who initially raised out of respect for the US Congress no objection to the planned visit by Tlaib and Omar, has ensured that Israel for the first time in decades can no longer be sure of bi-partisan support in the Congress and beyond and is likely to become a partisan issue in the run-up to next year’s US presidential election. His pandering to Trump sparked rare criticism from the American Israel Political Action Committee (AIPAC), Israel’s most powerful and influential lobby in the United States even though AIPAC agrees that Tlaib and Ilham support the Boycott, Diversification and Sanctions (BDS) movement that targets Israel. "We disagree with Reps. Omar and Tlaib's support for the anti-Israel and anti-peace BDS movement, along with Rep. Tlaib's calls for a one-state solution. We also believe every member of Congress should be able to visit and experience our democratic ally Israel first hand," AIPAC tweeted. A breakdown of bi-partisan support for Israel may not be what Netanyahu wants, but it may be, in a twist of irony, what Israel needs. It would spark a debate in the United States with a potential fallout in Israel about whether Netanyahu’s annexationist policy and hard-line approach towards Palestinian aspirations serve Israel’s longer-term best interests. Israel’s toughening stand was evident on Tuesday when police broke up an annual soccer tournament among Palestinian families in East Jerusalem on assertions that it was sponsored by the Palestinian Authority, which is barred from organising events in the city. The tournament’s organiser denied any association with the Authority. In a dismissive statement, Israeli public security minister Gilad Erdan’s office scoffed: “We’re talking about scofflaws who lie and blame the agency that enforces the law when they know full well that the Palestinian Authority is involved in the event that Minister Erdan ordered halted.” The incident was emblematic of an environment that prompted columnist and scholar Peter Beinart, writing in The Forward, a more than 100-year old, left-wing Jewish weekly, to argue that “The United States has a national interest in ensuring that Israel does not make permanent its brutal occupation of the West Bank and blockade of the Gaza Strip. By taking on La Familia, a militant Beitar Jerusalem fan group that has driven the club’s discriminatory policy, Hogeg is going not only against Netanyahu’s policies that emphasise Israeli Jewish nationalism at the expense of the rights of Palestinians with Israeli citizenship as well as those subject to occupation. Ali Mohammed is Beitar Jerusalem’s latest acquisition. The only Muslim thing about him is his name. Mohammed is a Nigerian Christian. That wasn’t good enough for the fans who demand that he change his name. During Mohammed’s first training session fans chanted "Mohamed is dead" and "Ali is dead." Unlike his predecessors, Hogeg seems unwilling to back down. He has threatened to sue the fans for tarnishing Beitar’s already battered reputation and demand up to $500,000 in damages. Lawyers for Hogeg have written to fans demanding an apology. "They are very good fans; they are very loyal. They love the club and what it represents ... but they're racist and that's a big problem,” Hogeg said. Convinced that the militants are a minority that imposes its will on the majority of Beitar fans, Hogeg takes the high road at a time that the likes of him threaten to become an endangered species. "I was surprised to find that Mohamed is not Muslim, but I don't care. Why should it matter? He's a very good player. As long as the player that comes respects the city, respects what he represents, respects Israel, can help the team and wants to play then the door will be open. If those radical fans will fight against it, they will lose. They will simply lose," Hogeg said. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Soccer woes: Israel plays a game of US politics

Israeli forces opened fire at a group of Palestinian gunmen as they tried to cross the Gaza border, the military said on Sunday (August 18). Palestinian health officials said three of the men were killed.

Netanyahu's warning to Hamas, ''Israel could call a wide-scale operation in Gaza''

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday barred US Democratic congresswomen Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar from making a planned trip to Israel, shortly after US President Donald Trump called on his ally not to let them in.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday barred US Democratic congresswomen Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar from making a planned trip to Israel, shortly after US President Donald Trump called on his ally not to let them in. Tlaib and Omar, the first two Muslim women elected to Congress, are members of their party's progressive wing and sharp critics both of Trump and of Israel's policy toward the Palestinians. The moves, which were immediately condemned by many Democratic leaders in the United States as well as Palestinians, could help whip up support among Trump and Netanyahu's conservative voter bases as they head into election campaigns. Israel holds a national election on September 17 and Trump faces re-election in November 2020. Tlaib and Omar have voiced support for the pro-Palestinian Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement over Israel's policies toward Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Under Israeli law, BDS backers can be denied entry to Israel. Omar called Thursday's decision an "affront" and "an insult to democratic values." Israel had initially chosen to allow the visit. A source who took part in consultations Netanyahu held with cabinet members and advisers on Wednesday told that Israel backtracked due to pressure from Trump. The pressure was reported by the Axios news site on Saturday but denied by the White House. "In a discussion held two weeks ago all the officials were in favour of letting them in but, after Trump's pressure, they reversed the decision," the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity. In a tweet on Thursday, Trump wrote: "It would show great weakness if Israel allowed Rep. Omar and Rep. Tlaib to visit ... They are a disgrace!" Asked if he had spoken to Netanyahu about the planned visit, Trump told reporters: "I don't want to comment about who I spoke to, but I think my social media statement pretty well speaks for itself." "But I did speak to people over there," he added. Trump's request appeared to contravene a US government policy that says the United States seeks "equal treatment and freedom to travel" for all US citizens regardless of ethnicity. It says those denied entry should be given a written explanation by Israel.

Israel bars US Democratic lawmakers under pressure from Trump

Israel decided on Friday to allow <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-urges-israel-to-bar-visit-by-us-congresswomen-ilhan-omar-rashida-tlaib-243211">US congresswoman Rashida Tlaib</a> - a critic of Israeli policy towards the Palestinians - to visit family in the occupied West Bank on humanitarian grounds after barring her from making an official visit to Israel.

Under pressure from US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-bars-us-democratic-lawmakers-under-pressure-from-trump-243257">he would not allow Tlaib and fellow Democrat congresswoman Ilhan Omar</a>, to make a planned trip to Israel.

However, Netanyahu said that if Tlaib submitted a request to visit family on humanitarian grounds, Israel would consider it as long as she promised not to promote a boycott against Israel.

Tlaib and Omar have voiced support for the pro-Palestinian Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement which opposes the Israeli occupation and policies toward Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Under Israeli law, BDS backers can be denied entry to Israel.

Tlaib sent a letter to Israel's Interior Ministry on Thursday requesting permission to visit relatives, including her grandmother, who is in her 90s. It could be her last opportunity to see her, she said.

"I will respect any restrictions and will not promote boycotts against Israel during my visit," Tlaib wrote in the request, which was circulated by the website Ynet and other Israeli media.

The Interior Ministry said in a statement it "decided on Friday to approve the entry of US&nbsp;Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib for a humanitarian visit to her 90-year-old grandmother."

Tlaib's office could not be reached for comment, and it was not immediately clear when she might travel.

Tlaib and Omar are the first two Muslim women to be elected to Congress, and the Detroit-born Tlaib is also the first Palestinian-American congresswoman.

Both are members of their party's progressive wing and sharp critics both of Trump and Israeli policy.

Their official visit was to have included visits to the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, territories Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war and which Palestinians envisage as part of an independent state along with Gaza.

Israel had initially chosen to allow the visit, but changed course on Thursday after Trump called on his ally not to let them in.

Trump has in recent months accused Tlaib, Omar and two other first-term Democratic congresswomen of colour - dubbed "the Squad" - of hostility to Israel in a barrage condemned by critics as racist and widely seen as a way to drum up votes for 2020.

Tlaib, 43, has roots in the West Bank village of Beit Ur Al-Fauqa, where her grandmother and extended family live.

The prospects of ending the occupation and resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict under the so-called two-state solution which had guided international peace-making efforts since 1993 have all but evaporated, while Israeli settlements in the territories have expanded.

The Trump administration, which is particularly close to the Netanyahu government, has touted its own peace plan but details remain vague. It fueled Palestinian anger by recognising disputed Jerusalem as Israel's capital in 2017.

Israel decided on Friday to allow US congresswoman Rashida Tlaib - a critic of Israeli policy towards the Palestinians - to visit family in the occupied West Bank on humanitarian grounds after barring her from making an official visit to Israel.

Israel decided on Friday to allow US congresswoman Rashida Tlaib - a critic of Israeli policy towards the Palestinians - to visit family in the occupied West Bank on humanitarian grounds after barring her from making an official visit to Israel. Under pressure from US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday he would not allow Tlaib and fellow Democrat congresswoman Ilhan Omar, to make a planned trip to Israel. However, Netanyahu said that if Tlaib submitted a request to visit family on humanitarian grounds, Israel would consider it as long as she promised not to promote a boycott against Israel. Tlaib and Omar have voiced support for the pro-Palestinian Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement which opposes the Israeli occupation and policies toward Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Under Israeli law, BDS backers can be denied entry to Israel. Tlaib sent a letter to Israel's Interior Ministry on Thursday requesting permission to visit relatives, including her grandmother, who is in her 90s. It could be her last opportunity to see her, she said. "I will respect any restrictions and will not promote boycotts against Israel during my visit," Tlaib wrote in the request, which was circulated by the website Ynet and other Israeli media. The Interior Ministry said in a statement it "decided on Friday to approve the entry of US Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib for a humanitarian visit to her 90-year-old grandmother." Tlaib's office could not be reached for comment, and it was not immediately clear when she might travel. Tlaib and Omar are the first two Muslim women to be elected to Congress, and the Detroit-born Tlaib is also the first Palestinian-American congresswoman. Both are members of their party's progressive wing and sharp critics both of Trump and Israeli policy. Their official visit was to have included visits to the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, territories Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war and which Palestinians envisage as part of an independent state along with Gaza. Israel had initially chosen to allow the visit, but changed course on Thursday after Trump called on his ally not to let them in. Trump has in recent months accused Tlaib, Omar and two other first-term Democratic congresswomen of colour - dubbed "the Squad" - of hostility to Israel in a barrage condemned by critics as racist and widely seen as a way to drum up votes for 2020. Tlaib, 43, has roots in the West Bank village of Beit Ur Al-Fauqa, where her grandmother and extended family live. The prospects of ending the occupation and resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict under the so-called two-state solution which had guided international peace-making efforts since 1993 have all but evaporated, while Israeli settlements in the territories have expanded. The Trump administration, which is particularly close to the Netanyahu government, has touted its own peace plan but details remain vague. It fueled Palestinian anger by recognising disputed Jerusalem as Israel's capital in 2017.

After ban, Israel permits US Representative Rashida Tlaib to make humanitarian visit to family in West Bank

Israeli troops shot dead four heavily armed Palestinians on the Gaza border early Saturday, one of whom had managed to cross and throw a grenade at troops, the army said.

There have been frequent clashes along the Gaza border since the Palestinians began organising regular mass protests there in March 2018 but Saturday's exchange was unusual because of the weaponry the army said was involved in the Palestinian side.

"The terrorists were equipped with AK-47 assault rifles, RPG grenade launchers, and hand grenades," an army statement said.&nbsp;

A spokeswoman said: "The army opened fire after one of the terrorists scaled the barrier and hurled a grenade at the soldiers."

No casualties were reported in Israeli ranks.

Palestinian demonstrations at the Gaza border demanding the lifting of Israel's more than decade-old blockade has often led to violence and deadly response from the Israeli army.

At least 301 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in Gaza or the border area since March 2018, the majority during the demonstrations.

Seven Israelis have also been killed.

The protests have declined in intensity in recent months following a truce brokered by UN officials and Egypt.&nbsp;

Under the truce, Israel agreed to take steps to ease aspects of its blockade in return for calm on the border.

Sporadic violence has continued but the Israeli army has said most of it has consisted of lone-wolf attacks.

On August 1, a Palestinian seeking to avenge his brother's death by Israeli fire entered Israel from Gaza armed with a Kalashnikov assault rifle and hand grenades. He was killed and three Israeli soldiers wounded, the army said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is widely seen as wanting to avoid a major flare-up in the Palestinian territories as Israel prepares for a snap general election on September 17, it's second this year.

But he is likely to face political pressure to act firmly against any significant attack.

Israel and Hamas have fought three wars since 2008.

The border exchange came as Palestinians prepare to mark Eid al-Adha, the feast of the sacrifice.&nbsp;

Israeli troops shot dead four heavily armed Palestinians on the Gaza border early Saturday, one of whom had managed to cross and throw a grenade at troops, the army said.

Israeli troops shot dead four heavily armed Palestinians on the Gaza border early Saturday, one of whom had managed to cross and throw a grenade at troops, the army said. There have been frequent clashes along the Gaza border since the Palestinians began organising regular mass protests there in March 2018 but Saturday's exchange was unusual because of the weaponry the army said was involved in the Palestinian side. "The terrorists were equipped with AK-47 assault rifles, RPG grenade launchers, and hand grenades," an army statement said. A spokeswoman said: "The army opened fire after one of the terrorists scaled the barrier and hurled a grenade at the soldiers." No casualties were reported in Israeli ranks. Palestinian demonstrations at the Gaza border demanding the lifting of Israel's more than decade-old blockade has often led to violence and deadly response from the Israeli army. At least 301 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in Gaza or the border area since March 2018, the majority during the demonstrations. Seven Israelis have also been killed. The protests have declined in intensity in recent months following a truce brokered by UN officials and Egypt. Under the truce, Israel agreed to take steps to ease aspects of its blockade in return for calm on the border. Sporadic violence has continued but the Israeli army has said most of it has consisted of lone-wolf attacks. On August 1, a Palestinian seeking to avenge his brother's death by Israeli fire entered Israel from Gaza armed with a Kalashnikov assault rifle and hand grenades. He was killed and three Israeli soldiers wounded, the army said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is widely seen as wanting to avoid a major flare-up in the Palestinian territories as Israel prepares for a snap general election on September 17, it's second this year. But he is likely to face political pressure to act firmly against any significant attack. Israel and Hamas have fought three wars since 2008. The border exchange came as Palestinians prepare to mark Eid al-Adha, the feast of the sacrifice.

Israel army says killed 4 armed Palestinians on Gaza border

Thousand of people attended the funeral of an Israeli soldier whose body was found near a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-announces-new-homes-for-settlers-palestinians-in-west-bank-239923">Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank</a> on Thursday. The body was found near&nbsp;discovered at the Jewish settlement&nbsp;Migdal Oz on Wednesday evening.

Around 2,000 people attended 19-year-old Dvir Sorek's funeral,&nbsp;held in the Ofra settlement where the soldier's family resides.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during a visit to Migdal Oz, called the incident terrorist attack and vowed that security forces would quickly find "those who perpetrated this heinous murder".

On Wednesday, Sorek's body was found near the settlement where he had been studying at a Jewish seminary in the West Bank that combines religious studies with service in the armed forces. The body was found in civilian clothes and unarmed.

News agency Reuters reported Israeli military saying that he had been stabbed to death by a Palestinian assailant.

The soldier, who the military said was in civilian clothes and unarmed was a student in a Jewish seminary in the West Bank that combines religious studies with service in the armed forces.

Watch: Israel announces new homes in West Bank

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An Israeli military statement said the body was discovered near the settlement of Migdal Oz, north of the city of Hebron, and that the 19-year-old had been killed in a Palestinian attack.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Local reports say that authorities were looking into whether the soldier was killed in a failed kidnapping attempt.

The area of Hebron and surrounding Israeli settlements where the soldier's body was found have often been a flashpoint of Israeli-Palestinian fighting.

(With inputs from agencies)

Thousand of people attended the funeral of an Israeli soldier whose body was found near a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank on Thursday. The body was found near discovered at the Jewish settlement Migdal Oz on Wednesday evening.

Thousand of people attended the funeral of an Israeli soldier whose body was found near a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank on Thursday. The body was found near discovered at the Jewish settlement Migdal Oz on Wednesday evening. Around 2,000 people attended 19-year-old Dvir Sorek's funeral, held in the Ofra settlement where the soldier's family resides. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during a visit to Migdal Oz, called the incident terrorist attack and vowed that security forces would quickly find "those who perpetrated this heinous murder". On Wednesday, Sorek's body was found near the settlement where he had been studying at a Jewish seminary in the West Bank that combines religious studies with service in the armed forces. The body was found in civilian clothes and unarmed. News agency Reuters reported Israeli military saying that he had been stabbed to death by a Palestinian assailant. The soldier, who the military said was in civilian clothes and unarmed was a student in a Jewish seminary in the West Bank that combines religious studies with service in the armed forces. Watch: Israel announces new homes in West Bank × An Israeli military statement said the body was discovered near the settlement of Migdal Oz, north of the city of Hebron, and that the 19-year-old had been killed in a Palestinian attack. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Local reports say that authorities were looking into whether the soldier was killed in a failed kidnapping attempt. The area of Hebron and surrounding Israeli settlements where the soldier's body was found have often been a flashpoint of Israeli-Palestinian fighting. (With inputs from agencies)

Thousands mourn Israeli teen soldier stabbed in West Bank as PM Netanyahu vows to find killers

The United States is acting alone against Tehran and its allies are too "ashamed" to join its forces in the Gulf, Iran's top diplomat said Monday, dismissing its calls for talks as a sham.

The United States is acting alone against Tehran and its allies are too "ashamed" to join its forces in the Gulf, Iran's top diplomat said Monday, dismissing its calls for talks as a sham. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also confirmed he turned down an offer to meet President Donald Trump last month despite the threat of US sanctions against him. "Today the United States in alone in the world and cannot create a coalition. Countries that are its friends are too ashamed of being in a coalition with them," Zarif told a news conference in Tehran. "They brought this situation upon themselves, with lawbreaking, by creating tensions and crises." Tehran and Washington have been locked in a battle of nerves since May 2018 when Trump withdrew the United States from a landmark 2015 deal placing limits on Iran's nuclear programme and began reimposing sanctions. Tensions have soared since the Trump administration began stepping up a US campaign of "maximum pressure" against Iran, with drones downed and tankers mysteriously attacked in Gulf waters. At the height of the crisis, Trump called off airstrikes against Iran at the last minute in June after the Islamic republic's forces shot down a US drone. Iran said on Sunday its forces seized a "foreign" tanker carrying smuggled fuel in what would be the third such seizure in less than a month in Gulf waters - a conduit for much of the world's crude oil. On July 18, the Guards said they had detained the Panama-flagged MT Riah for alleged fuel smuggling. A day later, they announced they had impounded the British-flagged Stena Impero in the Strait of Hormuz for breaking "international maritime rules". In response to such incidents, the United States has been seeking to form a coalition whose mission - dubbed Operation Sentinel - it says is to guarantee freedom of navigation in the Gulf. However, it has been struggling to build such a coalition, with European countries reticent and believed to be concerned about being dragged into a possible conflict. Arsonist cannot be fireman "An arsonist cannot be a fireman," said Zarif, adding that since the Americans had come to the Gulf there was nothing but "violence, war and slaughter". Asked about reports he had been invited to meet Trump in the White House, Zarif said he had turned it down despite the threat of sanctions against him. "I was told in New York I would be sanctioned in two weeks unless I accepted that offer, which fortunately I did not," Iran's top diplomat said. The New Yorker magazine reported on Friday that Senator Rand Paul met Zarif in the US on July 15 and had Trump's blessing when he extended an invitation to the Iranian minister to go to the White House. The United States imposed sanctions against Zarif on Wednesday, targeting any assets he has in America and squeezing his ability to function as a globe-trotting diplomat. The designation of Zarif under the same sanctions already applied to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is the latest in a series of US moves against Iran. Zarif dismissed as disingenuous US "claims" that it wants to engage in dialogue with Iran. "They were the ones who left the table, sanctioned the foreign minister of Iran, sanctioned the highest authority of the Islamic republic. Who do they want to negotiate with?" he said. "The US only wants to impose its will on the Islamic republic. "They should not expect us to negotiate as long as they engage in economic terrorism." But Zarif did not rule out talks in the future. "In my view negotiations and diplomacy will never end. Negotiation has always been and will always be on my agenda. Even in times of war negotiations will exist." Zarif said he did not believe Trump would go to war with Iran unless hawks around him like his national security adviser John Bolton and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had their way. "I believe Mr Trump does not seek war. But Mr Bolton and Netanyahu have always sought war," he said. "They're willing to fight their wars till the last American soldier."

Iran says US acting alone as allies 'ashamed'

Israeli Prime Minister was quick to reply to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/our-bond-is-strong-and-eternal-pm-modis-friendships-day-message-to-israel-240591">PM Modi's tweet on Friendship Day</a> wherein he hailed the 'strong and eternal' friendship between the two nations.&nbsp;

Netanyahu thanked PM Modi and said that "the deep connection between Israel and India is rooted in the strong friendships between Israelis and Indians".

"We cooperate in so many areas," read Netanyahu's tweet wherein he expressed hope that the ties between India and Israel "will only strengthen in the future!"

Prime Minister Narendra Modi&nbsp;on Sunday responded to a tweet posted by 'Israel in India' on the occasion of Friendship&nbsp;Day.&nbsp;

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Thank you, my friend, Indian PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a>. I could not agree with you more. The deep connection between Israel and India is rooted in the strong friendships between Israelis and Indians. We cooperate in so many areas. I know our ties will only strengthen in the future! 🇮🇱🇮🇳 <a href="https://t.co/uXwFsQXoPB">pic.twitter.com/uXwFsQXoPB</a>
— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) <a href="https://twitter.com/netanyahu/status/1158009772127510529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"May our ever-strengthening friendship &amp; #growingpartnership touch greater heights," 'Israel in India' tweeted out along with a line from Bollywood's classic number from 'Sholay', " ये दोस्ती हम नहीं तोड़ेंगे.....". 
The song epitomises and celebrates unconditional friendship.&nbsp;

The tweet also featured a video with clips of PM Modi along with his Israeli counterpart with "Ye Dosti" song playing in the background.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
The PM responded to the tweet thanking Israel for its "strong and eternal"&nbsp;friendship.&nbsp;

"Thank you and wishing a Happy Friendship Day to Israel’s wonderful citizens and my good friend Benjamin Netanyahu. India and Israel are time tested friends," the prime minister tweeted out, adding that "Our bond is strong and eternal!"&nbsp; 
"May the friendship between our nations grow and prosper even more in times to come! Our nations grow and prosper even more in times to come!"&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Israeli Prime Minister was quick to reply to PM Modi's tweet on Friendship Day wherein he hailed the 'strong and eternal' friendship between the two nations. Netanyahu thanked PM Modi and said that "the deep connection between Israel and India is rooted in the strong friendships between Israelis and Indians".

Israeli Prime Minister was quick to reply to PM Modi's tweet on Friendship Day wherein he hailed the 'strong and eternal' friendship between the two nations. Netanyahu thanked PM Modi and said that "the deep connection between Israel and India is rooted in the strong friendships between Israelis and Indians". "We cooperate in so many areas," read Netanyahu's tweet wherein he expressed hope that the ties between India and Israel "will only strengthen in the future!" Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday responded to a tweet posted by 'Israel in India' on the occasion of Friendship Day. Thank you, my friend, Indian PM @narendramodi. I could not agree with you more. The deep connection between Israel and India is rooted in the strong friendships between Israelis and Indians. We cooperate in so many areas. I know our ties will only strengthen in the future! 🇮🇱🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/uXwFsQXoPB — Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) August 4, 2019 × "May our ever-strengthening friendship & #growingpartnership touch greater heights," 'Israel in India' tweeted out along with a line from Bollywood's classic number from 'Sholay', " ये दोस्ती हम नहीं तोड़ेंगे.....". The song epitomises and celebrates unconditional friendship. The tweet also featured a video with clips of PM Modi along with his Israeli counterpart with "Ye Dosti" song playing in the background. The PM responded to the tweet thanking Israel for its "strong and eternal" friendship. "Thank you and wishing a Happy Friendship Day to Israel’s wonderful citizens and my good friend Benjamin Netanyahu. India and Israel are time tested friends," the prime minister tweeted out, adding that "Our bond is strong and eternal!" "May the friendship between our nations grow and prosper even more in times to come! Our nations grow and prosper even more in times to come!"

On Friendship Day, Netanyahu thanks PM Modi; says 'I know our ties will only strengthen'

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-features-in-israeli-pm-benjamin-netanyahus-election-campaign-239056">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> on Sunday responded to a tweet posted by 'Israel in India' on the occasion of Friendship&nbsp;Day.&nbsp;

"May our ever-strengthening friendship &amp; #growingpartnership touch greater heights," 'Israel in India' tweeted out along with a line from Bollywood's classic number from 'Sholay', " ये दोस्ती हम नहीं तोड़ेंगे.....".

The song epitomises and celebrates unconditional friendship.&nbsp;

The tweet also featured a video with clips of PM Modi along with his Israeli counterpart with "Ye Dosti" song playing in the background.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The PM responded to the tweet thanking Israel for its "strong and eternal"&nbsp;friendship.&nbsp;

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Happy <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FriendshipDay2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FriendshipDay2019</a> India! 
 
May our ever strengthening friendship &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/growingpartnership?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#growingpartnership</a> touch greater heights. 
🔊🎧🎶 ये दोस्ती हम नहीं तोड़ेंगे..... 🇮🇱❤🇮🇳 <a href="https://t.co/BQDv8QnFVj">pic.twitter.com/BQDv8QnFVj</a>
— Israel in India (@IsraelinIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/IsraelinIndia/status/1157853112251498498?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"Thank you and wishing a Happy Friendship Day to Israel’s wonderful citizens and my good friend Benjamin Netanyahu. India and Israel are time tested friends," the prime minister tweeted out, adding that "Our bond is strong and eternal!"&nbsp;

"May the friendship between our nations grow and prosper even more in times to come! Our nations grow and prosper even more in times to come!"

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently featured&nbsp;in Netanyahu's election campaign. Netanyahu's party, Likud party, in a campaign video, featured clips of PM Modi with Netanyahu. The clips were from PM Modi's trip to Isreal in 2017, the first standalone visit by any Indian Prime Minister to the West Asian country.&nbsp;

The two other leaders in the video included Rusian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.&nbsp;

The headquarters of Likud party bore a large picture of Netanyahu with PM Modi. On the other sides were the installations of gigantic posters of Netanyahu with Trump and Putin.&nbsp;

This was, perhaps, for the first time when an Indian PM's pictures had been used in a foreign election campaign, particularly in West Asia.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday responded to a tweet posted by 'Israel in India' on the occasion of Friendship Day. "May our ever-strengthening friendship & #growingpartnership touch greater heights," 'Israel in India' tweeted out along with a line from Bollywood's classic number from 'Sholay', " ये दोस्ती हम नहीं तोड़ेंगे.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday responded to a tweet posted by 'Israel in India' on the occasion of Friendship Day. "May our ever-strengthening friendship & #growingpartnership touch greater heights," 'Israel in India' tweeted out along with a line from Bollywood's classic number from 'Sholay', " ये दोस्ती हम नहीं तोड़ेंगे.....". The song epitomises and celebrates unconditional friendship. The tweet also featured a video with clips of PM Modi along with his Israeli counterpart with "Ye Dosti" song playing in the background. The PM responded to the tweet thanking Israel for its "strong and eternal" friendship. Happy #FriendshipDay2019 India! May our ever strengthening friendship & #growingpartnership touch greater heights. 🔊🎧🎶 ये दोस्ती हम नहीं तोड़ेंगे..... 🇮🇱❤🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/BQDv8QnFVj — Israel in India (@IsraelinIndia) August 4, 2019 × "Thank you and wishing a Happy Friendship Day to Israel’s wonderful citizens and my good friend Benjamin Netanyahu. India and Israel are time tested friends," the prime minister tweeted out, adding that "Our bond is strong and eternal!" "May the friendship between our nations grow and prosper even more in times to come! Our nations grow and prosper even more in times to come!" Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently featured in Netanyahu's election campaign. Netanyahu's party, Likud party, in a campaign video, featured clips of PM Modi with Netanyahu. The clips were from PM Modi's trip to Isreal in 2017, the first standalone visit by any Indian Prime Minister to the West Asian country. The two other leaders in the video included Rusian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump. The headquarters of Likud party bore a large picture of Netanyahu with PM Modi. On the other sides were the installations of gigantic posters of Netanyahu with Trump and Putin. This was, perhaps, for the first time when an Indian PM's pictures had been used in a foreign election campaign, particularly in West Asia.

'Our bond is strong and eternal,' PM Modi's Friendship Day message to Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's tweet acknowledging the coverage of Israeli election by WION has been appreciated by Twitter users.

Many users congratulated WION for its coverage and others appreciated the fact the the hard work is "finally being recognised".

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Way to go <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WIONews</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/palkisu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@palkisu</a>! 
Making an impact with news from India's perspective! 
Just what one would hope for watching the western propaganda machinery in the 90s!
— DeeBee (@tweetofdb) <a href="https://twitter.com/tweetofdb/status/1156194052145995776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Wow. What a moment for <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WIONews</a> Congratulations 😊
— Kedar Kulkarni (@kedardk) <a href="https://twitter.com/kedardk/status/1156153330554421250?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Omg! What a big moment for wion! Finally the hardwork, is being recognised by world leaders! Kudos. 😊
— अभियंता आरूँध चौहान (@AarundhChauhan) <a href="https://twitter.com/AarundhChauhan/status/1156156008504315904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Always a pleasure to watch you 🙏
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Netanyahu on Tuesday <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-in-israel-election-campaign-benjamin-netanyahu-tweets-wion-video-239468">tweeted WION's video</a> on the election campaign in Israel. The story which aired on WION's prime time show Gravitas, talked about how Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is integral to the Israeli Prime Minister's election campaign.

"The media in India reports about the personal friendship and tremendous relationship between me and Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Netanyahu said in his tweet written originally in Hebrew.

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התקשורת בהודו מדווחת במהדורות החדשות על החברות האישית והיחסים האדירים ביני לבין ראש ממשלת הודו נרנדרה מודי 🇮🇱🇮🇳 <a href="https://t.co/sNQCGUIni2">pic.twitter.com/sNQCGUIni2</a>
— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) <a href="https://twitter.com/netanyahu/status/1156140229033680896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Israel will be holding elections on September 17 after no party was able to get majority or cobble up a coalition in April elections.

With its focus on global news, WION has presented unbiased coverage of the biggest news stories world over. the channel has been instrumental in giving its users the coverage on Israeli elections. The viewers have appreciated WION's focus and the way it presents news.

WION is available in nearly 30 countries.

Watch the full video

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was one of the first leaders to congratulate Modi after his election victory in the Lok Sabha elections in May this year. Lauding PM Modi's mandate he said, "the election results further reaffirm your leadership of the world's largest democracy."

Netanyahu is expected to visit India on September 9. He had visited India in January 2018 to commemorate 25 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties with India.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's tweet acknowledging the coverage of Israeli election by WION has been appreciated by Twitter users. Many users congratulated WION for its coverage and others appreciated the fact the the hard work is "finally being recognised".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's tweet acknowledging the coverage of Israeli election by WION has been appreciated by Twitter users. Many users congratulated WION for its coverage and others appreciated the fact the the hard work is "finally being recognised". Way to go @WIONews @palkisu! Making an impact with news from India's perspective! Just what one would hope for watching the western propaganda machinery in the 90s! — DeeBee (@tweetofdb) July 30, 2019 × Wow. What a moment for @WIONews Congratulations 😊 — Kedar Kulkarni (@kedardk) July 30, 2019 × Omg! What a big moment for wion! Finally the hardwork, is being recognised by world leaders! Kudos. 😊 — अभियंता आरूँध चौहान (@AarundhChauhan) July 30, 2019 × Always a pleasure to watch you 🙏 — Rajkishore Dutta (@RajkishoreDutt1) July 30, 2019 × Netanyahu on Tuesday tweeted WION's video on the election campaign in Israel. The story which aired on WION's prime time show Gravitas, talked about how Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is integral to the Israeli Prime Minister's election campaign. "The media in India reports about the personal friendship and tremendous relationship between me and Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Netanyahu said in his tweet written originally in Hebrew. התקשורת בהודו מדווחת במהדורות החדשות על החברות האישית והיחסים האדירים ביני לבין ראש ממשלת הודו נרנדרה מודי 🇮🇱🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/sNQCGUIni2 — Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) July 30, 2019 × Israel will be holding elections on September 17 after no party was able to get majority or cobble up a coalition in April elections. With its focus on global news, WION has presented unbiased coverage of the biggest news stories world over. the channel has been instrumental in giving its users the coverage on Israeli elections. The viewers have appreciated WION's focus and the way it presents news. WION is available in nearly 30 countries. Watch the full video Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was one of the first leaders to congratulate Modi after his election victory in the Lok Sabha elections in May this year. Lauding PM Modi's mandate he said, "the election results further reaffirm your leadership of the world's largest democracy." Netanyahu is expected to visit India on September 9. He had visited India in January 2018 to commemorate 25 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties with India.

Benjamin Netanyahu tweets a WION story, twitterati cheers

Benjamin Netanyahu Opts For Modi Magic That India's PM Modi can change electoral fortunes is well known at home. But it looks like 'Modi Magic' goes beyond India too. Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu has opted for Modi's magic too as the Indian PM's image seems to be an integral part of Netanyahu's campaign

Gravitas: Star campaigner in Israel too: Modi in Netanyahu's campaign

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu Tweets WION's Report. Watch video to know more.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu Tweets WION's Report

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday tweeted WION's video on the election campaign in Israel. The story which aired on WION's prime time show Gravitas, talked about how Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is integral to the Israeli Prime Minister's election campaign. 
&nbsp; 
"The media in India reports about the personal friendship and tremendous relationship between me and Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Netanyahu said in his tweet written originally in Hebrew.

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התקשורת בהודו מדווחת במהדורות החדשות על החברות האישית והיחסים האדירים ביני לבין ראש ממשלת הודו נרנדרה מודי 🇮🇱🇮🇳 <a href="https://t.co/sNQCGUIni2">pic.twitter.com/sNQCGUIni2</a>
— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) <a href="https://twitter.com/netanyahu/status/1156140229033680896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Israel will be holding elections on September 17 after no party was able to get majority or cobble up a coalition in April elections. 
&nbsp; 
PM Modi has been featured in Netanyahu's election campaign. Netanyahu's Likud party has in a campaign video shown clips of PM Modi along with Netanyahu. The clips are from PM Modi's visit to Isreal in 2017, the first standalone visit by any Indian Prime Minister to the West Asian country.

Watch: Star campaigner in Israel too - Modi in Netanyahu's campaign

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-star-campaigner-in-israel-too-modi-in-netanyahus-campaign-239316/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The video shows PM Modi being welcomed at the airport in Israel as well as various moments of his trip to Israel. The beach stroll by both the leaders at Haifa's beach to see a demonstration of the mobile desalination unit became one of the highlights of Modi's visit. 
&nbsp; 
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was one of the first leaders to congratulate Modi after his election victory in the Lok Sabha elections in May this year. Lauding PM Modi's mandate he said, "the election results further reaffirm your leadership of the world's largest democracy." 
&nbsp; 
Netanyahu is expected to visit India on September 9. He had visited India in January 2018 to commemorate 25 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties with India.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday tweeted WION's video on the election campaign in Israel. The story which aired on WION's prime time show Gravitas, talked about how Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is integral to the Israeli Prime Minister's election campaign.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday tweeted WION's video on the election campaign in Israel. The story which aired on WION's prime time show Gravitas, talked about how Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is integral to the Israeli Prime Minister's election campaign. "The media in India reports about the personal friendship and tremendous relationship between me and Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Netanyahu said in his tweet written originally in Hebrew. התקשורת בהודו מדווחת במהדורות החדשות על החברות האישית והיחסים האדירים ביני לבין ראש ממשלת הודו נרנדרה מודי 🇮🇱🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/sNQCGUIni2 — Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) July 30, 2019 × Israel will be holding elections on September 17 after no party was able to get majority or cobble up a coalition in April elections. PM Modi has been featured in Netanyahu's election campaign. Netanyahu's Likud party has in a campaign video shown clips of PM Modi along with Netanyahu. The clips are from PM Modi's visit to Isreal in 2017, the first standalone visit by any Indian Prime Minister to the West Asian country. Watch: Star campaigner in Israel too - Modi in Netanyahu's campaign The video shows PM Modi being welcomed at the airport in Israel as well as various moments of his trip to Israel. The beach stroll by both the leaders at Haifa's beach to see a demonstration of the mobile desalination unit became one of the highlights of Modi's visit. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was one of the first leaders to congratulate Modi after his election victory in the Lok Sabha elections in May this year. Lauding PM Modi's mandate he said, "the election results further reaffirm your leadership of the world's largest democracy." Netanyahu is expected to visit India on September 9. He had visited India in January 2018 to commemorate 25 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties with India.

PM Modi in Israel election campaign: Benjamin Netanyahu tweets WION video

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mann-ki-baat-chandrayaan-2-is-indian-in-heart-and-spirit-says-pm-modi-238958">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> has been featured in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-prime-minister-blasts-european-union-for-trying-to-save-iran-nuclear-deal-236278">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a>'s election campaign. Netanyahu's party, Likud party, has in a campaign video shown clips of PM Modi along with Netanyahu. The clips are from PM Modi's visit to Isreal in 2017, the first standalone visit by any Indian Prime Minister to the West Asian country.&nbsp;

The video shows PM Modi being welcomed at the airport in Israel as well as various moments of his trip to Israel. Remember, the beach stroll by both the leaders at Haifa's beach to see a demonstration of the mobile desalination unit became one of the highlights of Modi's visit. &nbsp;

The two other leaders in the video include Rusian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.&nbsp;

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PM Modi in Israeli Election campaign! Benjamin Netanyahu's <a href="https://twitter.com/Likud_Party?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Likud_Party</a> party shows pictures of PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> along with <a href="https://twitter.com/netanyahu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@netanyahu</a> in the election campaign video. <a href="https://t.co/yqRpDP36BC">pic.twitter.com/yqRpDP36BC</a>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1155491801496576001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2019</a></blockquote>
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It is also interesting to note, the headquarters of Likud party has a large picture of Netanyahu with PM Modi. On the other sides are the installations of gigantic posters of Netanyahu with Trump and Putin.&nbsp;

This is perhaps for the first time when an Indian PM's pictures have been used in a foreign election campaign, particularly in West Asia.&nbsp;

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Full Video of Likud party on Election campaign: Along with PM Modi, Other 2 foreign leaders in the campaign include Trump and Putin. This is perhaps for the first time Indian PMs pictures being used in a foreign election campaign. <a href="https://t.co/yjZmqrmgSu">pic.twitter.com/yjZmqrmgSu</a>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1155492940258537472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Isreal will be holding elections on September 17 after no party was able to get majority or cobble up a coalition in April elections.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was one of the first leaders to congratulate Modi after his election victory in the Lok Sabha elections that were conducted in May this year. Lauding PM Modi's mandate he said, "the election results further reaffirm your leadership of the world's largest democracy."&nbsp;

Netanyahu is expected to visit India on September 9. He had visited India in January 2018 to commemorate 25 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties with India.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been featured in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's election campaign. Netanyahu's party, Likud party, has in a campaign video shown clips of PM Modi along with Netanyahu.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been featured in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's election campaign. Netanyahu's party, Likud party, has in a campaign video shown clips of PM Modi along with Netanyahu. The clips are from PM Modi's visit to Isreal in 2017, the first standalone visit by any Indian Prime Minister to the West Asian country. The video shows PM Modi being welcomed at the airport in Israel as well as various moments of his trip to Israel. Remember, the beach stroll by both the leaders at Haifa's beach to see a demonstration of the mobile desalination unit became one of the highlights of Modi's visit. The two other leaders in the video include Rusian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump. PM Modi in Israeli Election campaign! Benjamin Netanyahu's @Likud_Party party shows pictures of PM @narendramodi along with @netanyahu in the election campaign video. pic.twitter.com/yqRpDP36BC — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) July 28, 2019 × It is also interesting to note, the headquarters of Likud party has a large picture of Netanyahu with PM Modi. On the other sides are the installations of gigantic posters of Netanyahu with Trump and Putin. This is perhaps for the first time when an Indian PM's pictures have been used in a foreign election campaign, particularly in West Asia. Full Video of Likud party on Election campaign: Along with PM Modi, Other 2 foreign leaders in the campaign include Trump and Putin. This is perhaps for the first time Indian PMs pictures being used in a foreign election campaign. pic.twitter.com/yjZmqrmgSu — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) July 28, 2019 × Isreal will be holding elections on September 17 after no party was able to get majority or cobble up a coalition in April elections. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was one of the first leaders to congratulate Modi after his election victory in the Lok Sabha elections that were conducted in May this year. Lauding PM Modi's mandate he said, "the election results further reaffirm your leadership of the world's largest democracy." Netanyahu is expected to visit India on September 9. He had visited India in January 2018 to commemorate 25 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties with India.

PM Modi features in Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's election campaign

Israel and the United States have successfully carried out tests of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-fires-missiles-into-south-syria-state-media-238080">ballistic missile interceptor</a> that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday provides protection against potential threats from Iran.

The tests of the Arrow-3 system were carried out in the US state of Alaska and it successfully intercepted targets above the atmosphere, Israel's defence ministry said in a statement.

"The flight tests were conducted in Alaska in order to test capabilities that may not be tested in Israel," the statement said.

Netanyahu said, "today Israel has the ability to act against ballistic missiles that could be launched against us from Iran or anywhere else".

"This is a great achievement for the security of Israel," he added.

US ambassador to Israel David Friedman joined Netanyahu at a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on Sunday to watch video footage of the tests.

In January, Israel said it also carried out a successful test with the United States of the Arrow-3 in Israel.

A series of tests were also conducted before the missiles being deployed in 2017 to Israeli airbases.

Officials said that the one deployed was an older version and the upgraded system will provide more advanced protection.

The Arrow system, partly financed by the United States, was developed and produced by Israeli Aerospace Industries in partnership with Boeing.

Arrow-3 is intended to serve as Israel's highest-altitude missile interception system.

Systems for intercepting incoming missiles at lower altitudes also exist.

Since 2015, Israel's main enemy Iran has continued developing and testing ballistic missiles which it says are for defensive purposes only.

Israel has the most powerful military in the Middle East and is widely considered to be its sole nuclear-armed power, though it has never acknowledged the capability.

The tests come with tensions high between the United States and Iran.

Those tensions followed Washington's sanctions against Tehran after US President Donald Trump's withdrawal from a nuclear deal between the Islamic republic and world powers.

Israel and the United States have successfully carried out tests of a ballistic missile interceptor that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday provides protection against potential threats from Iran.

Israel and the United States have successfully carried out tests of a ballistic missile interceptor that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday provides protection against potential threats from Iran. The tests of the Arrow-3 system were carried out in the US state of Alaska and it successfully intercepted targets above the atmosphere, Israel's defence ministry said in a statement. "The flight tests were conducted in Alaska in order to test capabilities that may not be tested in Israel," the statement said. Netanyahu said, "today Israel has the ability to act against ballistic missiles that could be launched against us from Iran or anywhere else". "This is a great achievement for the security of Israel," he added. US ambassador to Israel David Friedman joined Netanyahu at a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on Sunday to watch video footage of the tests. In January, Israel said it also carried out a successful test with the United States of the Arrow-3 in Israel. A series of tests were also conducted before the missiles being deployed in 2017 to Israeli airbases. Officials said that the one deployed was an older version and the upgraded system will provide more advanced protection. The Arrow system, partly financed by the United States, was developed and produced by Israeli Aerospace Industries in partnership with Boeing. Arrow-3 is intended to serve as Israel's highest-altitude missile interception system. Systems for intercepting incoming missiles at lower altitudes also exist. Since 2015, Israel's main enemy Iran has continued developing and testing ballistic missiles which it says are for defensive purposes only. Israel has the most powerful military in the Middle East and is widely considered to be its sole nuclear-armed power, though it has never acknowledged the capability. The tests come with tensions high between the United States and Iran. Those tensions followed Washington's sanctions against Tehran after US President Donald Trump's withdrawal from a nuclear deal between the Islamic republic and world powers.

Israel, US test ballistic missile interceptor that'll protect against threats from Iran

An <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-dead-21-injured-in-israeli-missile-strikes-syria-231935">Israeli missile attack</a> targeted Syrian military positions held by the government and its allies early on Wednesday, Syria's state news agency said.&nbsp;

The missiles were fired into the south of the country close to the Golan Heights, an area occupied and annexed by Israel.

"The Israeli enemy launched aggression after midnight against the Tall al-Hara area," the SANA news agency said Wednesday, adding that there were reports of damage to property.&nbsp;

The attacks were earlier described as "probably Israeli" by the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, who said they targeted Tall al-Hara in Daraa province, south of Damascus, and two areas in the neighbouring province of Quneitrathe.

"The regime's anti-aircraft defence has been activated to counter the attack," director of the Observatory Rami Abdel Rahmane said.

"Some missiles have been shot down, others have hit their target."

The Observatory reported "loss of life" without giving further details.

Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes in Syria since the beginning of the conflict in 2011, targeting forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and the regime's allies Iran and Hezbollah.

The Syrian conflict has killed more than 370,000 people and drawn in world powers since it started with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

Israeli strikes have previously targeted Tall al-Hara where Hezbollah has installed a radar system and the Syrian regime has erected anti-aircraft batteries, according to the Observatory.&nbsp;

At the end of June, six civilians and nine pro-government fighters were killed in Israeli strikes near Damascus and in the central province of Homs, it added.

Israel says it is determined to prevent its arch-foe Iran from entrenching itself militarily in Syria, where Tehran backs Assad's regime.

The Jewish state insists that it has the right to continue to target positions held by Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah out of self-defence.

The strikes came after Hezbollah's leader said earlier this month that the group's rockets could reach key Israeli sites along the Mediterranean coast, including Tel Aviv.

Hassan Nasrallah also said that Iran was "able to bombard Israel with ferocity and force" but "will not start a war".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-warns-of-crushing-retaliation-after-hezbollah-chiefs-remarks-235756">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a> countered that his country would deliver a "crushing military blow" on the both Hezbollah and Lebanon if it were to attack.&nbsp;

An Israeli missile attack targeted Syrian military positions held by the government and its allies early on Wednesday, Syria's state news agency said. The missiles were fired into the south of the country close to the Golan Heights, an area occupied and annexed by Israel.

An Israeli missile attack targeted Syrian military positions held by the government and its allies early on Wednesday, Syria's state news agency said. The missiles were fired into the south of the country close to the Golan Heights, an area occupied and annexed by Israel. "The Israeli enemy launched aggression after midnight against the Tall al-Hara area," the SANA news agency said Wednesday, adding that there were reports of damage to property. The attacks were earlier described as "probably Israeli" by the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, who said they targeted Tall al-Hara in Daraa province, south of Damascus, and two areas in the neighbouring province of Quneitrathe. "The regime's anti-aircraft defence has been activated to counter the attack," director of the Observatory Rami Abdel Rahmane said. "Some missiles have been shot down, others have hit their target." The Observatory reported "loss of life" without giving further details. Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes in Syria since the beginning of the conflict in 2011, targeting forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and the regime's allies Iran and Hezbollah. The Syrian conflict has killed more than 370,000 people and drawn in world powers since it started with the brutal repression of anti-government protests. Israeli strikes have previously targeted Tall al-Hara where Hezbollah has installed a radar system and the Syrian regime has erected anti-aircraft batteries, according to the Observatory. At the end of June, six civilians and nine pro-government fighters were killed in Israeli strikes near Damascus and in the central province of Homs, it added. Israel says it is determined to prevent its arch-foe Iran from entrenching itself militarily in Syria, where Tehran backs Assad's regime. The Jewish state insists that it has the right to continue to target positions held by Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah out of self-defence. The strikes came after Hezbollah's leader said earlier this month that the group's rockets could reach key Israeli sites along the Mediterranean coast, including Tel Aviv. Hassan Nasrallah also said that Iran was "able to bombard Israel with ferocity and force" but "will not start a war". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu countered that his country would deliver a "crushing military blow" on the both Hezbollah and Lebanon if it were to attack.

Israel fires missiles into south Syria: Report

Israeli government officials on Tuesday condemned the actions of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kushner-holds-open-door-to-wary-palestinians-in-bahrain-peace-push-230685">Palestinians</a> who hurled abuse and chairs at a Saudi blogger visiting Jerusalem as a guest of the Jewish state.

The Saudi visitor, named by Israeli public radio as Mohammed Saud, was one of six invitees from Arab states brought to Israel by its foreign ministry to give them fresh viewpoints on the country.

Such visits have been held before, but Iraq and Saudi Arabia were taking part for the first time, the foreign ministry said.

Delegates were expected to meet <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-warns-of-crushing-retaliation-after-hezbollah-chiefs-remarks-235756">Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a> on Tuesday, an official said.

Video posted online showed mainly young Palestinians spitting, cursing and throwing plastic chairs at Saud as he walked on Monday through the Old City of Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem.

The spitting and abuse continued as he toured the Al-Aqsa mosque complex.

"Go and pray with the Jews, go and pray in the Knesset (Israeli parliament). What are you doing here?" one man shouted.

Ofir Gendelman, a spokesman for Netanyahu, described Saud as a "peace activist".

"When he came to pray at the #AlAqsaMosque, Palestinian thugs attacked him &amp; spat on him, thus defiling this holy place," Gendelman wrote on Twitter Tuesday.

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A Saudi peace activist is currently visiting Israel. When he came to pray at the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AlAqsaMosque?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AlAqsaMosque</a>, Palestinian thugs attacked him &amp; spat on him, thus defiling this holy place. 
 
The Palestinians don't want peace, but Israel's relations w/ the Arab world are getting warmer regardless. <a href="https://t.co/GCcjWi1h7g">pic.twitter.com/GCcjWi1h7g</a>
— Ofir Gendelman (@ofirgendelman) <a href="https://twitter.com/ofirgendelman/status/1153537931719712778?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"It was barbaric, impudent," a foreign ministry spokesman, Hassan Kabia, told AFP.

He would not identify the visitors but described them as "social activists, bloggers and media people."

Jerusalem and its holy sites are the most sensitive issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Al-Aqsa mosque compound is the third-holiest site in Islam.

Jews refer to it as the Temple Mount, revered as the location of the two biblical-era temples, and consider it their holiest place.

It is located in east Jerusalem, occupied by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed in a move never recognised by the international community.

The visit comes as Israel seeks to improve ties with Gulf Arab countries, with which it has no formal diplomatic relations.

Those states have held off offering Israel formal recognition due to its continuing occupation of Palestinian territory, but their relations have warmed of late, largely due to common concerns over Iran.

The journalists were to visit Jerusalem's Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial, parliament and holy sites, among others, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

It said it had "the aim of exposing the journalists some of whom come from countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel to Israeli positions on diplomatic and geopolitical issues".

Jordan is also participating, the ministry said.

It is one of only two Arab countries, along with Egypt, that has diplomatic relations with Israel.

On Thursday, Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz said he had met his Bahraini counterpart publicly for the first time during a visit to Washington last week.

Katz also recently visited Abu Dhabi for a UN climate conference, where he met United Nations chief Antonio Guterres and an unnamed "high ranking UAE official".&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Israeli government officials on Tuesday condemned the actions of Palestinians who hurled abuse and chairs at a Saudi blogger visiting Jerusalem as a guest of the Jewish state.

Israeli government officials on Tuesday condemned the actions of Palestinians who hurled abuse and chairs at a Saudi blogger visiting Jerusalem as a guest of the Jewish state. The Saudi visitor, named by Israeli public radio as Mohammed Saud, was one of six invitees from Arab states brought to Israel by its foreign ministry to give them fresh viewpoints on the country. Such visits have been held before, but Iraq and Saudi Arabia were taking part for the first time, the foreign ministry said. Delegates were expected to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, an official said. Video posted online showed mainly young Palestinians spitting, cursing and throwing plastic chairs at Saud as he walked on Monday through the Old City of Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem. The spitting and abuse continued as he toured the Al-Aqsa mosque complex. "Go and pray with the Jews, go and pray in the Knesset (Israeli parliament). What are you doing here?" one man shouted. Ofir Gendelman, a spokesman for Netanyahu, described Saud as a "peace activist". "When he came to pray at the #AlAqsaMosque, Palestinian thugs attacked him & spat on him, thus defiling this holy place," Gendelman wrote on Twitter Tuesday. A Saudi peace activist is currently visiting Israel. When he came to pray at the #AlAqsaMosque, Palestinian thugs attacked him & spat on him, thus defiling this holy place. The Palestinians don't want peace, but Israel's relations w/ the Arab world are getting warmer regardless. pic.twitter.com/GCcjWi1h7g — Ofir Gendelman (@ofirgendelman) July 23, 2019 × "It was barbaric, impudent," a foreign ministry spokesman, Hassan Kabia, told AFP. He would not identify the visitors but described them as "social activists, bloggers and media people." Jerusalem and its holy sites are the most sensitive issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Al-Aqsa mosque compound is the third-holiest site in Islam. Jews refer to it as the Temple Mount, revered as the location of the two biblical-era temples, and consider it their holiest place. It is located in east Jerusalem, occupied by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed in a move never recognised by the international community. The visit comes as Israel seeks to improve ties with Gulf Arab countries, with which it has no formal diplomatic relations. Those states have held off offering Israel formal recognition due to its continuing occupation of Palestinian territory, but their relations have warmed of late, largely due to common concerns over Iran. The journalists were to visit Jerusalem's Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial, parliament and holy sites, among others, the foreign ministry said in a statement. It said it had "the aim of exposing the journalists some of whom come from countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel to Israeli positions on diplomatic and geopolitical issues". Jordan is also participating, the ministry said. It is one of only two Arab countries, along with Egypt, that has diplomatic relations with Israel. On Thursday, Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz said he had met his Bahraini counterpart publicly for the first time during a visit to Washington last week. Katz also recently visited Abu Dhabi for a UN climate conference, where he met United Nations chief Antonio Guterres and an unnamed "high ranking UAE official".

Israel condemns Palestinian attacks on Saudi blogger at Al-Aqsa mosque

Israel began demolishing a number of Palestinian homes it considers illegal south of Jerusalem early Monday, an AFP journalist said, in a move which has drawn international concern.

Dozens of Israeli police and military sealed off at least four buildings in the Sur Baher area close to the Israeli security barrier cutting off the occupied West Bank early Monday, the journalist said.

An earthmover later started demolishing a partially-built two-storey building.

Reporters were prevented from reaching the area while residents and activists were dragged out of the homes.

One man yelled "I want to die here", after being forced out.

The buildings are close to Israel's separation barrier which cuts off the occupied West Bank and the Jewish state says they were built too close to the wall.

Palestinians accuse Israel of using security as a pretext to force them out of the area as part of long-term efforts to expand settlements and roads linking them.

They also point out that most of the buildings are located in areas meant to be under Palestinian Authority civilian control under the agreements between the Palestinian and Israeli governments.

Ismail Abadiyeh, who lives in one of the buildings under threat with his family, said they would be left homeless. &nbsp;

"We will be on the street," he told AFP.

The Israeli army and police did not immediately comment.

On June 18, residents received a 30-day notice from Israeli authorities informing them of their intent to demolish the homes, many of which are still under construction.

According to the UN humanitarian affairs agency OCHA, the ruling affects 10 buildings already built or under construction, including around 70 apartments.

The demolitions would see 17 people displaced and another 350 affected, according to the United Nations.

European Union diplomats recently toured the area and the United Nations has called on Israel to abandon the demolition plan.

Residents fear another 100 buildings in the area in a similar situation could be at risk in the near future.

It is extremely difficult for Palestinians to receive construction permits from Israeli authorities in areas under their control, and Palestinians and rights activists say a housing shortage has resulted.

Israel occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day War. It later annexed east Jerusalem in a move never recognised by the international community.

Israel began construction of the barrier during the bloody second Palestinian intifada, or uprising, in the early 2000s and says it is necessary to protect against attacks.

Palestinians see it as an "apartheid wall".

Israel began demolishing a number of Palestinian homes it considers illegal south of Jerusalem early Monday, an AFP journalist said, in a move which has drawn international concern.

Israel began demolishing a number of Palestinian homes it considers illegal south of Jerusalem early Monday, an AFP journalist said, in a move which has drawn international concern. Dozens of Israeli police and military sealed off at least four buildings in the Sur Baher area close to the Israeli security barrier cutting off the occupied West Bank early Monday, the journalist said. An earthmover later started demolishing a partially-built two-storey building. Reporters were prevented from reaching the area while residents and activists were dragged out of the homes. One man yelled "I want to die here", after being forced out. The buildings are close to Israel's separation barrier which cuts off the occupied West Bank and the Jewish state says they were built too close to the wall. Palestinians accuse Israel of using security as a pretext to force them out of the area as part of long-term efforts to expand settlements and roads linking them. They also point out that most of the buildings are located in areas meant to be under Palestinian Authority civilian control under the agreements between the Palestinian and Israeli governments. Ismail Abadiyeh, who lives in one of the buildings under threat with his family, said they would be left homeless. "We will be on the street," he told AFP. The Israeli army and police did not immediately comment. On June 18, residents received a 30-day notice from Israeli authorities informing them of their intent to demolish the homes, many of which are still under construction. According to the UN humanitarian affairs agency OCHA, the ruling affects 10 buildings already built or under construction, including around 70 apartments. The demolitions would see 17 people displaced and another 350 affected, according to the United Nations. European Union diplomats recently toured the area and the United Nations has called on Israel to abandon the demolition plan. Residents fear another 100 buildings in the area in a similar situation could be at risk in the near future. It is extremely difficult for Palestinians to receive construction permits from Israeli authorities in areas under their control, and Palestinians and rights activists say a housing shortage has resulted. Israel occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day War. It later annexed east Jerusalem in a move never recognised by the international community. Israel began construction of the barrier during the bloody second Palestinian intifada, or uprising, in the early 2000s and says it is necessary to protect against attacks. Palestinians see it as an "apartheid wall".

Israel demolishes Palestinian homes in Jerusalem area: Report

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-warns-of-crushing-retaliation-after-hezbollah-chiefs-remarks-235756">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a> on Monday slammed EU efforts to save the Iran nuclear deal, saying some would not realize the dangers until <a href="Iranian missiles ">Iranian missiles </a>"land on European soil".

"It seems there are those in Europe who will not wake up until Iranian nuclear missiles land on European soil. By then it will be too late," Netanyahu said in a video posted on his Twitter account.

His comments came as European foreign ministers held crisis talks Monday on the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, after breaches by Tehran, including enrichment above the 3.67 percent ceiling set by the deal.

But EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini said the steps taken by Tehran were reversible and that the other parties to the deal did not regard Iranian breaches up to now as "significant non-compliance".

The deal promised economic benefits and sanctions relief to Iran, but US President Donald Trump withdrew from the accord in May 2018 and reimposed tough punitive measures against the Islamic republic.

Angered that its beleaguered economy is not receiving the sanctions relief it believes it was promised under the deal, Iran has intensified sensitive uranium enrichment work.

Last week, Netanyahu warned that Israeli fighter jets "can reach anywhere in the Middle East, including Iran", his country's arch-foe.

Netanyahu fiercely opposed the nuclear accord and had urged his ally Trump to withdraw from it.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday slammed EU efforts to save the Iran nuclear deal, saying some would not realize the dangers until Iranian missiles "land on European soil".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday slammed EU efforts to save the Iran nuclear deal, saying some would not realize the dangers until Iranian missiles "land on European soil". "It seems there are those in Europe who will not wake up until Iranian nuclear missiles land on European soil. By then it will be too late," Netanyahu said in a video posted on his Twitter account. His comments came as European foreign ministers held crisis talks Monday on the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, after breaches by Tehran, including enrichment above the 3.67 percent ceiling set by the deal. But EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini said the steps taken by Tehran were reversible and that the other parties to the deal did not regard Iranian breaches up to now as "significant non-compliance". The deal promised economic benefits and sanctions relief to Iran, but US President Donald Trump withdrew from the accord in May 2018 and reimposed tough punitive measures against the Islamic republic. Angered that its beleaguered economy is not receiving the sanctions relief it believes it was promised under the deal, Iran has intensified sensitive uranium enrichment work. Last week, Netanyahu warned that Israeli fighter jets "can reach anywhere in the Middle East, including Iran", his country's arch-foe. Netanyahu fiercely opposed the nuclear accord and had urged his ally Trump to withdraw from it.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blasts European Union for trying to save Iran nuclear deal

European Foreign ministers meet to salvage Iran deal.

Europe leaders meet to save Iran Deal

Israeli Education Minister Rafi Peretz has spoken of his belief in therapy to convert gays to heterosexuality and claimed he has engaged in the practice, leading to calls for him to be sacked.

The comments late Saturday in a television interview were only the latest controversial views voiced by the recently installed minister who heads a far-right party popular with Israeli settlers.

Asked by Israel's Channel 12 whether he was in favour of so-called conversion therapy and if he believed he could change a gay person, Peretz, who is also a rabbi, said,&nbsp;"I think you can, I think you can."&nbsp;

"I can tell you that I have a deep knowledge of education, and I have done it too," he said.

He then talked about a student who approached him and told him he was gay.

Peretz said he hugged him, was kind to him and sought to help him "understand himself well and then decide on his own."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-warns-of-crushing-retaliation-after-hezbollah-chiefs-remarks-235756">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a>, who brought Peretz's Union of Right-Wing Parties into his government after April 9 elections, firmly condemned the remarks.

But Netanyahu, who heads what is seen as the most right-wing government in Israel's history, signalled no intention of firing Peretz as members of Israel's opposition demanded.

"The education minister's remarks about the gay community are not acceptable and do not reflect the stance of the government I head," he said in a statement.

He said he spoke with Peretz "who clarified his remarks and stressed the Israeli education system will continue to accept all of Israel's children as they are, without any regard to their sexual orientation."

Gay conversion therapy has been widely found, including by Israel's health ministry, to be unscientific and potentially damaging to young people.

In the same interview, Peretz also appeared undeterred by the suggestion Israel would be engaged in "apartheid" if it annexed the occupied West Bank without giving Palestinians the right to vote in national elections.

"We're in a very complicated reality in Israeli society and Israel, and we will have to find the solutions where sovereignty will be, what will it be applied over, will it apply to people, to the territory," he said.

"They certainly won't be able to vote," he said of Palestinians in the West Bank.

Peretz also caused outrage earlier this month over reported comments to a cabinet meeting.

Israel's Channel 13 reported that he told ministers that Jewish intermarriage and assimilation, particularly in North America, were like a "second Holocaust."

Israeli Education Minister Rafi Peretz has spoken of his belief in therapy to convert gays to heterosexuality and claimed he has engaged in the practice, leading to calls for him to be sacked.

Israeli Education Minister Rafi Peretz has spoken of his belief in therapy to convert gays to heterosexuality and claimed he has engaged in the practice, leading to calls for him to be sacked. The comments late Saturday in a television interview were only the latest controversial views voiced by the recently installed minister who heads a far-right party popular with Israeli settlers. Asked by Israel's Channel 12 whether he was in favour of so-called conversion therapy and if he believed he could change a gay person, Peretz, who is also a rabbi, said, "I think you can, I think you can." "I can tell you that I have a deep knowledge of education, and I have done it too," he said. He then talked about a student who approached him and told him he was gay. Peretz said he hugged him, was kind to him and sought to help him "understand himself well and then decide on his own." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who brought Peretz's Union of Right-Wing Parties into his government after April 9 elections, firmly condemned the remarks. But Netanyahu, who heads what is seen as the most right-wing government in Israel's history, signalled no intention of firing Peretz as members of Israel's opposition demanded. "The education minister's remarks about the gay community are not acceptable and do not reflect the stance of the government I head," he said in a statement. He said he spoke with Peretz "who clarified his remarks and stressed the Israeli education system will continue to accept all of Israel's children as they are, without any regard to their sexual orientation." Gay conversion therapy has been widely found, including by Israel's health ministry, to be unscientific and potentially damaging to young people. In the same interview, Peretz also appeared undeterred by the suggestion Israel would be engaged in "apartheid" if it annexed the occupied West Bank without giving Palestinians the right to vote in national elections. "We're in a very complicated reality in Israeli society and Israel, and we will have to find the solutions where sovereignty will be, what will it be applied over, will it apply to people, to the territory," he said. "They certainly won't be able to vote," he said of Palestinians in the West Bank. Peretz also caused outrage earlier this month over reported comments to a cabinet meeting. Israel's Channel 13 reported that he told ministers that Jewish intermarriage and assimilation, particularly in North America, were like a "second Holocaust."

Calls to sack Israel education minister, Rafi Peretz over gay therapy comments

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hezbollah-warns-iran-able-to-bombard-israel-if-war-started-235425">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a> on Sunday warned the head of Lebanon's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-says-hunti-for-hezbollah-cross-border-tunnels-over-190046">Tehran-backed Hezbollah</a> that "crushing" retaliation would follow any attack after its leader said the group's rockets could reach Tel Aviv.

"Over the weekend we heard (Hassan) Nasrallah's boasting about his attack plans," he said at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting.

"Let me be clear if Hezbollah dares to make the mistake of attacking Israel, we will lay upon it and on Lebanon a crushing military blow."

In a Friday interview broadcast on Hezbollah's Al-Manar television, Nasrallah warned that key Israeli sites along the Mediterranean coast, including Tel Aviv, were "within range of our rockets".

The head of the Lebanese Shiite movement also said that Israel's arch-foe Iran was "able to bombard Israel with ferocity and force," but "will not start a war".

Last week, Netanyahu said that "Iran has been threatening the destruction of Israel" and warned that Israel's fighter jets "can reach anywhere in the Middle East, including Iran."

Hezbollah is considered to be a terrorist organisation by the United States and is the only faction not to have disarmed after Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war.

But it is also a major political player in the small Mediterranean country, taking 13 seats in parliament last year and securing three posts in the current cabinet.

Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes in neighbouring Syria against what it says are Iranian and Hezbollah military targets. It has vowed to keep Iran from entrenching itself militarily there.

The Jewish state recently uncovered and destroyed six tunnels passing under the border from Lebanon into Israel.

It alleges Hezbollah had planned to use the tunnels for attacks in Israel.

Nasrallah's interview was to mark the anniversary of the start of his movement's 2006 war with Israel, which killed more than 1,200 Lebanese, mostly civilians, and more than 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday warned the head of Lebanon's Tehran-backed Hezbollah that "crushing" retaliation would follow any attack after its leader said the group's rockets could reach Tel Aviv.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday warned the head of Lebanon's Tehran-backed Hezbollah that "crushing" retaliation would follow any attack after its leader said the group's rockets could reach Tel Aviv. "Over the weekend we heard (Hassan) Nasrallah's boasting about his attack plans," he said at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting. "Let me be clear if Hezbollah dares to make the mistake of attacking Israel, we will lay upon it and on Lebanon a crushing military blow." In a Friday interview broadcast on Hezbollah's Al-Manar television, Nasrallah warned that key Israeli sites along the Mediterranean coast, including Tel Aviv, were "within range of our rockets". The head of the Lebanese Shiite movement also said that Israel's arch-foe Iran was "able to bombard Israel with ferocity and force," but "will not start a war". Last week, Netanyahu said that "Iran has been threatening the destruction of Israel" and warned that Israel's fighter jets "can reach anywhere in the Middle East, including Iran." Hezbollah is considered to be a terrorist organisation by the United States and is the only faction not to have disarmed after Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war. But it is also a major political player in the small Mediterranean country, taking 13 seats in parliament last year and securing three posts in the current cabinet. Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes in neighbouring Syria against what it says are Iranian and Hezbollah military targets. It has vowed to keep Iran from entrenching itself militarily there. The Jewish state recently uncovered and destroyed six tunnels passing under the border from Lebanon into Israel. It alleges Hezbollah had planned to use the tunnels for attacks in Israel. Nasrallah's interview was to mark the anniversary of the start of his movement's 2006 war with Israel, which killed more than 1,200 Lebanese, mostly civilians, and more than 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warns of 'crushing' retaliation after Hezbollah chief's remarks

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Tuesday that Israel's fighter jets "can reach anywhere in the Middle East, including <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-has-discussed-iran-nuclear-standoff-with-macron-white-house-234187">Iran</a>," in his latest comments directed at his country's arch-foe.

While visiting an air force base where he inspected F-35 jets made by US firm Lockheed Martin, Netanyahu issued a video with one of the planes behind him.

"Recently, Iran has been threatening the destruction of Israel," he said at the Nevatim air base in southern Israel.

"It would do well to remember that these planes can reach anywhere in the Middle East, including Iran and certainly Syria."

Netanyahu has issued a series of statements against Iran in recent weeks.

They follow the Islamic republic's decision to begin breaching some commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers and attacks in the Gulf that Israel and the United States blame on Iran.

On Sunday, Netanyahu called an announcement by Iran that it would <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-uranium-enrichment-passes-45-exceeding-deal-cap-234015">exceed the uranium enrichment cap</a> set by the troubled accord a "very dangerous step".

He urged European countries to sanction Iran in response.

On Monday, Iran breached the enrichment cap as it seeks to press other parties into keeping their side of the bargain under the nuclear deal.

Netanyahu opposed the accord and urged US President Donald Trump to withdraw from it, which he eventually did.

Despite having opposed the deal, Netanyahu is now calling on European nations to enforce its parameters as he and the United States seek to further pressure Iran.

Israel has also carried out hundreds of strikes in neighbouring Syria against what it says are Iranian and Hezbollah military targets.

It has vowed to keep Iran, which has backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in his country's civil war, from entrenching itself militarily there.

In May 2018, Israel's military said it had become the first country to use F-35s in combat.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Tuesday that Israel's fighter jets "can reach anywhere in the Middle East, including Iran," in his latest comments directed at his country's arch-foe.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Tuesday that Israel's fighter jets "can reach anywhere in the Middle East, including Iran," in his latest comments directed at his country's arch-foe. While visiting an air force base where he inspected F-35 jets made by US firm Lockheed Martin, Netanyahu issued a video with one of the planes behind him. "Recently, Iran has been threatening the destruction of Israel," he said at the Nevatim air base in southern Israel. "It would do well to remember that these planes can reach anywhere in the Middle East, including Iran and certainly Syria." Netanyahu has issued a series of statements against Iran in recent weeks. They follow the Islamic republic's decision to begin breaching some commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers and attacks in the Gulf that Israel and the United States blame on Iran. On Sunday, Netanyahu called an announcement by Iran that it would exceed the uranium enrichment cap set by the troubled accord a "very dangerous step". He urged European countries to sanction Iran in response. On Monday, Iran breached the enrichment cap as it seeks to press other parties into keeping their side of the bargain under the nuclear deal. Netanyahu opposed the accord and urged US President Donald Trump to withdraw from it, which he eventually did. Despite having opposed the deal, Netanyahu is now calling on European nations to enforce its parameters as he and the United States seek to further pressure Iran. Israel has also carried out hundreds of strikes in neighbouring Syria against what it says are Iranian and Hezbollah military targets. It has vowed to keep Iran, which has backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in his country's civil war, from entrenching itself militarily there. In May 2018, Israel's military said it had become the first country to use F-35s in combat.

PM Benjamin Netanyahu warns Israel's jets 'can reach' Iran

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cautioned Iran on Tuesday that it is within range of Israeli air strikes, citing what he described as Iranian threats to destroy Israel.

Netanyahu warns Iran it is within range of Israeli air strikes

Iran to lift Uranium enrichment limit, Uranium limit to surpass 3.6%.

Iran to lift Uranium enrichment limit

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday called an announcement Iran that it would breach the uranium enrichment cap set by an endangered nuclear deal a "very dangerous step", reported news agency AFP.

"This measure is a very dangerous step, and I call on my friends, leaders of France, Britain, Germany: You signed the deal and said the moment they'd take this measure, harsh sanctions would be imposed,"&nbsp;Netanyahu was quoted as saying at the start of a cabinet meeting.

Iran said Sunday it was set to breach the uranium enrichment cap set by the 2015 nuclear deal within hours as it seeks to press signatories into keeping their side of the bargain.

The Islamic republic also threatened to abandon more commitments unless a solution is found with parties to Obama era agreement.

Netanyahu repeatedly expressed opposition to the deal and urged US President Trump to withdraw from it, which he eventually did.

Despite having opposed the deal, Netanyahu is now calling on European nations to enforce its parameters as he and the United States seek to further pressure Iran.

(With AFP inputs)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday called an announcement Iran that it would breach the uranium enrichment cap set by an endangered nuclear deal a "very dangerous step", reported news agency AFP.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday called an announcement Iran that it would breach the uranium enrichment cap set by an endangered nuclear deal a "very dangerous step", reported news agency AFP. "This measure is a very dangerous step, and I call on my friends, leaders of France, Britain, Germany: You signed the deal and said the moment they'd take this measure, harsh sanctions would be imposed," Netanyahu was quoted as saying at the start of a cabinet meeting. Iran said Sunday it was set to breach the uranium enrichment cap set by the 2015 nuclear deal within hours as it seeks to press signatories into keeping their side of the bargain. The Islamic republic also threatened to abandon more commitments unless a solution is found with parties to Obama era agreement. Netanyahu repeatedly expressed opposition to the deal and urged US President Trump to withdraw from it, which he eventually did. Despite having opposed the deal, Netanyahu is now calling on European nations to enforce its parameters as he and the United States seek to further pressure Iran. (With AFP inputs)

Netanyahu calls Iran plan to breach uranium cap 'dangerous step'

US President Donald Trump warned Monday that Iran is "playing with fire" after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-nations-chief-antonio-guterres-urges-iran-to-stick-to-nuclear-deal-after-breaching-cap-232148">Tehran said it exceeded a limit</a> on enriched uranium reserves under a 2015 nuclear deal abandoned by Washington.

Israel urged European states to sanction Iran, while Russia voiced regret but said the move was a consequence of US pressure, which has pushed the deal towards collapse.

Britain called on Tehran "to avoid any further steps away" from the landmark deal, and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-it-has-broken-enriched-uranium-stockpile-limit-set-by-2015-nuclear-deal-232067">UN said Iran must stick </a>to its commitments under the accord.

"Iran has crossed the 300-kilogram limit based on its plan" announced in May, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told semi-official news agency ISNA.

But he also said the move could be reversed.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-dispatch-iran-exceeds-uranium-limit-in-2015-deal-232096/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

"They know what they're doing. They know what they're playing with and I think they're playing with fire," Trump told reporters at the White House when asked if he had a message for Iran.

The United States withdrew from the nuclear deal last year and hit Iran's crucial oil exports and financial transactions as well as other sectors with biting sanctions.

Tehran, which has sought to pressure the remaining parties to save the deal, announced on May 8 it would no longer respect the limit set on its enriched uranium and heavy water stockpiles.

It threatened to abandon further nuclear commitments unless the remaining partners -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- helped it circumvent sanctions, especially to sell its oil.

The White House had earlier said that "the United States and its allies will never allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons," vowing to continue exerting "maximum pressure" on the regime.

"It was a mistake under the Iran nuclear deal to allow Iran to enrich uranium at any level," spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said in a statement.

- 'One mustn't dramatize' -&nbsp; 
Zarif insisted Iran had done nothing wrong. "We have NOT violated the #JCPOA," he tweeted, referring to the deal.

He said Iran would "reverse" its decision "as soon as E3 abide by their obligations" -- referring to the European parties to the deal: Britain, France and Germany.

Zarif's American counterpart Mike Pompeo accused Iran of using its nuclear program "to extort the international community and threaten regional security."

The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed Iran had exceeded the limit that the deal imposed on its stockpile of low-enriched uranium (LEU).&nbsp;

A diplomat in Vienna, where the UN's nuclear watchdog is based, told AFP that Iran had exceeded the 300 kilogram (661 pound) limit by two kilograms.

Russia's deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, said Iran's move was a cause for "regret" but also "a natural consequence of recent events" and a result of the "unprecedented pressure" from the US.

"One mustn't dramatize the situation," Ryabkov, whose country is a close ally of Tehran, said in comments reported by Russian news agencies.

Britain's Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt said on Twitter that London was "deeply worried" and urged Iran to "come back to compliance" with the nuclear deal.

UN chief Antonio Guterres said it was "essential" that Iran stick to the deal.

- 'Europe's efforts not enough' - 
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged European countries to impose sanctions on his country's arch-foe Iran.

Trump spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday about Iran's breach of the nuclear deal limit, the White House said.

The European Union said Friday after a crisis meeting aimed at salvaging the deal that a special payment mechanism set up to help Iran skirt the sanctions, known as INSTEX, was finally "operational" and that the first transactions were being processed.

But "the Europeans' efforts were not enough, therefore Iran will go ahead with its announced measures," Zarif said.

INSTEX, which "is just the beginning" of their commitments, has not yet been fully implemented, he added.

The 2015 deal saw Iran commit to never acquiring an atomic bomb, accept drastic limits on its nuclear program and submit to IAEA inspections in exchange for a partial lifting of crippling international sanctions.

Iran has also threatened to start enriching uranium above the agreed maximum purification level of 3.67 percent from July 7. That remains far short of the 90 percent purity required to build a weapon.

The latest tensions coincide with a buildup of US forces in the Gulf and a series of incidents including Iran's shooting down of a US drone it claimed had entered its airspace.

US President Donald Trump warned Monday that Iran is "playing with fire" after Tehran said it exceeded a limit on enriched uranium reserves under a 2015 nuclear deal abandoned by Washington.

US President Donald Trump warned Monday that Iran is "playing with fire" after Tehran said it exceeded a limit on enriched uranium reserves under a 2015 nuclear deal abandoned by Washington. Israel urged European states to sanction Iran, while Russia voiced regret but said the move was a consequence of US pressure, which has pushed the deal towards collapse. Britain called on Tehran "to avoid any further steps away" from the landmark deal, and the UN said Iran must stick to its commitments under the accord. "Iran has crossed the 300-kilogram limit based on its plan" announced in May, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told semi-official news agency ISNA. But he also said the move could be reversed. "They know what they're doing. They know what they're playing with and I think they're playing with fire," Trump told reporters at the White House when asked if he had a message for Iran. The United States withdrew from the nuclear deal last year and hit Iran's crucial oil exports and financial transactions as well as other sectors with biting sanctions. Tehran, which has sought to pressure the remaining parties to save the deal, announced on May 8 it would no longer respect the limit set on its enriched uranium and heavy water stockpiles. It threatened to abandon further nuclear commitments unless the remaining partners -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- helped it circumvent sanctions, especially to sell its oil. The White House had earlier said that "the United States and its allies will never allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons," vowing to continue exerting "maximum pressure" on the regime. "It was a mistake under the Iran nuclear deal to allow Iran to enrich uranium at any level," spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said in a statement. - 'One mustn't dramatize' - Zarif insisted Iran had done nothing wrong. "We have NOT violated the #JCPOA," he tweeted, referring to the deal. He said Iran would "reverse" its decision "as soon as E3 abide by their obligations" -- referring to the European parties to the deal: Britain, France and Germany. Zarif's American counterpart Mike Pompeo accused Iran of using its nuclear program "to extort the international community and threaten regional security." The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed Iran had exceeded the limit that the deal imposed on its stockpile of low-enriched uranium (LEU). A diplomat in Vienna, where the UN's nuclear watchdog is based, told AFP that Iran had exceeded the 300 kilogram (661 pound) limit by two kilograms. Russia's deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, said Iran's move was a cause for "regret" but also "a natural consequence of recent events" and a result of the "unprecedented pressure" from the US. "One mustn't dramatize the situation," Ryabkov, whose country is a close ally of Tehran, said in comments reported by Russian news agencies. Britain's Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt said on Twitter that London was "deeply worried" and urged Iran to "come back to compliance" with the nuclear deal. UN chief Antonio Guterres said it was "essential" that Iran stick to the deal. - 'Europe's efforts not enough' - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged European countries to impose sanctions on his country's arch-foe Iran. Trump spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday about Iran's breach of the nuclear deal limit, the White House said. The European Union said Friday after a crisis meeting aimed at salvaging the deal that a special payment mechanism set up to help Iran skirt the sanctions, known as INSTEX, was finally "operational" and that the first transactions were being processed. But "the Europeans' efforts were not enough, therefore Iran will go ahead with its announced measures," Zarif said. INSTEX, which "is just the beginning" of their commitments, has not yet been fully implemented, he added. The 2015 deal saw Iran commit to never acquiring an atomic bomb, accept drastic limits on its nuclear program and submit to IAEA inspections in exchange for a partial lifting of crippling international sanctions. Iran has also threatened to start enriching uranium above the agreed maximum purification level of 3.67 percent from July 7. That remains far short of the 90 percent purity required to build a weapon. The latest tensions coincide with a buildup of US forces in the Gulf and a series of incidents including Iran's shooting down of a US drone it claimed had entered its airspace.

Iran playing with fire on nuclear deal: Trump

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