Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu on the safety of Israeli diplomats in the aftermath of a blast near its mission in Delhi. The blast took place on Friday evening near the Israeli embassy in the high-profile area of Delhi even as beating retreat was underway just 20 minutes away from the site.

Condemning the "terror attack" near the Israeli embassy, PM Modi "assured" Prime Minister Netanyahu that India "accords the highest importance to the safety and security of Israeli diplomats and premises", and would "deploy all its resources to find and punish the perpetrators", the Indian readout said. &nbsp;

The Israeli PM thanked Indian government for its efforts to "safeguard Israeli representatives in the aftermath of the terrorist event" near the Israeli Embassy in India, the Israeli readout highlighted.&nbsp;

Both leaders during the talks expressed satisfaction about the close coordination between Indian and Israeli security agencies in this context. The minor blast resulted in little damage and no casualties were reported. A letter was recovered after the incident that mentioned the assassination of 2 high profile Iranians, &nbsp;Major general Qassam Soleimani and nuclear scientist Mohsin Fakhrizadeh. Local authorities in Delhi are probing all angles.

The Israeli readout said that PM Modi noted "that his country is committed to the security of our people" and added, "that India would continue to cooperate with Israel in the fight against terrorism.".&nbsp;

During the talks, both leaders also spoke on COVID cooperation. Indian PM congratulated Prime Minister Netanyahu on the successful vaccines operation in Israel and both discussed possible cooperation in the production and supply of vaccines to Israel. Mutual recognition of certificates of vaccination was also discussed during the talks.&nbsp;

Hours after the blast on Friday, foreign ministers and national security advisors of India and Israel spoke to each other.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu on the safety of Israeli diplomats in the aftermath of a blast near its mission in Delhi.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu on the safety of Israeli diplomats in the aftermath of a blast near its mission in Delhi. The blast took place on Friday evening near the Israeli embassy in the high-profile area of Delhi even as beating retreat was underway just 20 minutes away from the site. Condemning the "terror attack" near the Israeli embassy, PM Modi "assured" Prime Minister Netanyahu that India "accords the highest importance to the safety and security of Israeli diplomats and premises", and would "deploy all its resources to find and punish the perpetrators", the Indian readout said. The Israeli PM thanked Indian government for its efforts to "safeguard Israeli representatives in the aftermath of the terrorist event" near the Israeli Embassy in India, the Israeli readout highlighted. Both leaders during the talks expressed satisfaction about the close coordination between Indian and Israeli security agencies in this context. The minor blast resulted in little damage and no casualties were reported. A letter was recovered after the incident that mentioned the assassination of 2 high profile Iranians, Major general Qassam Soleimani and nuclear scientist Mohsin Fakhrizadeh. Local authorities in Delhi are probing all angles. The Israeli readout said that PM Modi noted "that his country is committed to the security of our people" and added, "that India would continue to cooperate with Israel in the fight against terrorism.". During the talks, both leaders also spoke on COVID cooperation. Indian PM congratulated Prime Minister Netanyahu on the successful vaccines operation in Israel and both discussed possible cooperation in the production and supply of vaccines to Israel. Mutual recognition of certificates of vaccination was also discussed during the talks. Hours after the blast on Friday, foreign ministers and national security advisors of India and Israel spoke to each other.

PM Modi assures Israel PM Netanyahu on safety of Israeli diplomats in India

Hezbollah said on Monday that it downed an Israeli drone after it flew over UN-demarcated Blu Line border. Israel has also acknowledged that an unmanned aircraft has crashed. Hezbollah said that it has downed the drone in southern Lebanon. It said that it "downed a drone belonging to the Israeli enemy that had entered Lebanese airspace outside Blida"

Israel Defence Forces said that &nbsp;"during IDF operational activity along the Blue Line, an IDF drone fell in Lebanese territory".

"There is no risk of breach of information," it said.

The development has taken place just 10 days after Israel shot down unmanned aircraft which it said had entered its airspace from Lebanon. Israel&nbsp;and Hezbollah are technically still at war. A UN force, UNIFIL, patrols the border between the two.

In August 2020, Hezbollah also said it downed and seized an Israeli drone that flew into Lebanese airspace. Israel at the time also said the drone had "fallen".

Hezbollah had in September 2019 vowed to down Israeli drones overflying Lebanon following an incident a month earlier when two drones packed with explosives targeted Hezbollah's stronghold in south Beirut.

The group is the only side not to have disarmed following Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war, and it is also a powerful player in Lebanese politics with seats in parliament.

(With AFP inputs)

Hezbollah said on Monday that it downed an Israeli drone after it flew over UN-demarcated Blu Line border. Israel has also acknowledged that an unmanned aircraft has crashed.

Hezbollah said on Monday that it downed an Israeli drone after it flew over UN-demarcated Blu Line border. Israel has also acknowledged that an unmanned aircraft has crashed. Hezbollah said that it has downed the drone in southern Lebanon. It said that it "downed a drone belonging to the Israeli enemy that had entered Lebanese airspace outside Blida" Israel Defence Forces said that "during IDF operational activity along the Blue Line, an IDF drone fell in Lebanese territory". "There is no risk of breach of information," it said. The development has taken place just 10 days after Israel shot down unmanned aircraft which it said had entered its airspace from Lebanon. Israel and Hezbollah are technically still at war. A UN force, UNIFIL, patrols the border between the two. In August 2020, Hezbollah also said it downed and seized an Israeli drone that flew into Lebanese airspace. Israel at the time also said the drone had "fallen". Hezbollah had in September 2019 vowed to down Israeli drones overflying Lebanon following an incident a month earlier when two drones packed with explosives targeted Hezbollah's stronghold in south Beirut. The group is the only side not to have disarmed following Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war, and it is also a powerful player in Lebanese politics with seats in parliament. (With AFP inputs)

Hezbollah says it downed an Israeli drone

Israel started one of the biggest and most widespread coronavirus vaccines drives nearly a month ago. The vaccine drive may have led to a decrease in the number of coronavirus cases now, studies suggest.

As per the statistics, one in three Israelies has received at least the first shot of the coronavirus vaccine, in a population of nearly nine million people. This has been one of the biggest inoculation drives yet.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-to-send-5000-vaccine-doses-to-palestinians-health-ministry-360445" hreflang="en">Israel to send 5,000 vaccine doses to Palestinians: Health ministry</a>

After being administered with the vaccine, only 317 people out of 715,425 (0.04 per cent) have been infected by the deadly coronavirus within a week. Of the vaccinated people, nearly 16 (0.002 per cent) had to be hospitalised. These figures have been provided by Israel's health ministry.

Another smaller-level (and independent) study has revealed that only 31 people out of 163,000 have been infected by the deadly virus after being vaccinated. This, when compared to 6,500 infections in the unvaccinated people, comes as a relief.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-are-in-war-with-very-low-intelligence-says-israel-minister-on-coronavirus-vaccination-359920">We are in war with very low intelligence, says Israel minister on coronavirus vaccination</a>

This data has been released almost a month after the Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has been promised continuous and faster deliveries of coronavirus vaccines by pharmaceutical companies in exchange for 'statistical data' which will help the companies understand how can their product put a stop to this deadly pandemic.

Israel has managed to administer both doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech's coronavirus vaccine in the main vulnerable population, which includes people in their 70s and 60s.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israels-mass-vaccination-drive-helping-in-decreasing-coronavirus-cases-study-360465" hreflang="en">Israel's mass vaccination drive helping in decreasing coronavirus cases: Study</a>

As of now, the Netanyahu-run country is administering the vaccine to nearly 200,000 people on a daily basis. The government had also recently announced that it will now be administering the vaccine to all citizens over the age of 35.

The government has also suggested administering a job of the vaccine to secondary school students — aged between 16 and 18 — with the aim of keeping them safe when they appear for examinations.&nbsp;

Israel started one of the biggest and most widespread coronavirus vaccines drives nearly a month ago. The vaccine drive may have led to a decrease in the number of coronavirus cases now, studies suggest.

Israel started one of the biggest and most widespread coronavirus vaccines drives nearly a month ago. The vaccine drive may have led to a decrease in the number of coronavirus cases now, studies suggest. As per the statistics, one in three Israelies has received at least the first shot of the coronavirus vaccine, in a population of nearly nine million people. This has been one of the biggest inoculation drives yet. Also read| Israel to send 5,000 vaccine doses to Palestinians: Health ministry After being administered with the vaccine, only 317 people out of 715,425 (0.04 per cent) have been infected by the deadly coronavirus within a week. Of the vaccinated people, nearly 16 (0.002 per cent) had to be hospitalised. These figures have been provided by Israel's health ministry. Another smaller-level (and independent) study has revealed that only 31 people out of 163,000 have been infected by the deadly virus after being vaccinated. This, when compared to 6,500 infections in the unvaccinated people, comes as a relief. Also read| We are in war with very low intelligence, says Israel minister on coronavirus vaccination This data has been released almost a month after the Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has been promised continuous and faster deliveries of coronavirus vaccines by pharmaceutical companies in exchange for 'statistical data' which will help the companies understand how can their product put a stop to this deadly pandemic. Israel has managed to administer both doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech's coronavirus vaccine in the main vulnerable population, which includes people in their 70s and 60s. Also read| Israel's mass vaccination drive helping in decreasing coronavirus cases: Study As of now, the Netanyahu-run country is administering the vaccine to nearly 200,000 people on a daily basis. The government had also recently announced that it will now be administering the vaccine to all citizens over the age of 35. The government has also suggested administering a job of the vaccine to secondary school students — aged between 16 and 18 — with the aim of keeping them safe when they appear for examinations.

Israel's mass vaccination drive helping in decreasing coronavirus cases: Study

The Israeli envoy to India Ron Malka has said that the blast near the country's mission in New Delhi&nbsp;was a terror attack and there was "some evidence from the scene" to suggest that. Speaking to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Malka said that it was "too early to say who is standing behind this evil attack... it is a terrorist attack, the target being the Israel embassy."

The minor blast near the Israeli mission in the high-security zone of India's national capital came even as the Beating Retreat ceremony was underway just 20 minutes away from the location.

The envoy pointed out, "this kind of events only strengthen us, give us more strength to go ahead, grow, progress" and "Israel, India ties will grow and thrive, and no one will be able to stop this."&nbsp;

The incident happened as both countries celebrate 29 years of the formal establishment of diplomatic ties.&nbsp;

WION: If you can give us the details of the Friday blast that took place near your mission?

Ambassador Ron Malka: Yesterday around 5 PM, there was a blast, an explosion just outside the Israeli embassy in Delhi. Once it happened, we raised an alert, and fortunately, nobody was hurt, and all the diplomats and families of diplomats are safe. We have our guidelines in these kinds of situations, and we follow them. We are safe now.

WION: What kind of conversations are you having with your Indian counterparts? The details.

Ambassador Ron Malka: Yesterday when this evil attack happened, we celebrated the 29th anniversary of the establishment of full diplomatic relations between India and Israel. Very fruitful and rewarding 29 years of diplomatic relations, so it might not be a coincidence.&nbsp;

The collaboration between India and Israel is a shining example for the world, how 2 countries should collaborate and cooperate.&nbsp; 
Yesterday, EAM Jaishankar called our minister of foreign affairs. The foreign secretary called our DG, your NSA called our NSA, they know each other very well.&nbsp;

On a continuous basis we share, we collaborate, we joint effort in many aspects, and in this investigation, Israeli and Indian authorities' agencies are working together. Putting all the parts together, pieces together, and building the puzzle to understand what happened here as we get full support and assistance.

WION: Do you think Iran has been responsible for the incident near the Israeli embassy?

Ambassador Ron Malka: Investigation still in its early stages. Too early to say who is standing behind this evil attack. Our assumption, yes, it is a terrorist attack, the target being the Israel embassy. It will take some more time to bring all the pieces together and who is standing behind this attack. All the options on the table and will take some time. Will find those responsible for the attack and will bring them to justice.

WION: You said, it's a terror attack. What is the evidence which makes you believe that it's a terror attack?

Ambassador Ron Malka: There is some evidence from the scene. We know what kind of bomb is used in this kind of event and other pieces. I don't want to get into the details of the investigation. Its still ongoing, but can share with you, Israeli diplomats all over the world, we are considered as a target in the eyes of our enemies. We are very well prepared.&nbsp;

There was an attack in 1992 at the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires, there was a terror attack against Israeli diplomats in 2012. So we are very well prepared. In the last few weeks, due to some incidents that happened all over the world, some of them are related to Israel, we raised the level of alert.

So we are not surprised, we are very well prepared and those who think they might stop us, or threaten us, this kind of events only strengthen us, give us more strength to go ahead, grow progress and Israel, India ties will grow and thrive and no one will be able to stop this.&nbsp;

WION: Since it's anniversary year, how do you see ties between India and Israel?

Ambassador Ron Malka: Even under the Pandemic, we collaborated and whatever happened under the pandemic will shape what will happen in the future.&nbsp;

Israel and India are shining examples of how countries, friend countries should collaborate and work together. After the pandemic, we did join research on a rapid test for covid, a scientist from India and Israel joined forces and conducted a very high research effort.&nbsp;

We supported and helped each other in exchange of shared practices, medicines, and all over achievements, medical supplies, and medical equipment for tackling the pandemic.

This kind of collaboration is based on mutual respect and trust is a shining example of countries that should collaborate and even under the pandemic, we signed new agreements on water projects, innovation, health care, culture. Even under the pandemic, new centers of excellence for agriculture were established. That is what is going on between India and Israel. Ties are growing and expanding.&nbsp;

WION: How has been the counter-terror collaboration between the 2 countries?

Ambassador Ron Malka: As I always say, Israel and India, not only share the same values and interests, we also have similar hostilities and threats. As far as counter-terrorism is concerned, we collaborate, share information and knowledge, and practices. This is a shining example for our countries, to get united, collaborate, and work together. If the world will get united against terror, we are going to win against terrorism. Because terrorism is a global disease, the world should internalize that and get united and once this happens, we will defeat terror.

The Israeli envoy to India Ron Malka has said that the blast near the country's mission in New Delhi was a terror attack and there was "some evidence from the scene" to suggest that.

The Israeli envoy to India Ron Malka has said that the blast near the country's mission in New Delhi was a terror attack and there was "some evidence from the scene" to suggest that. Speaking to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Malka said that it was "too early to say who is standing behind this evil attack... it is a terrorist attack, the target being the Israel embassy." The minor blast near the Israeli mission in the high-security zone of India's national capital came even as the Beating Retreat ceremony was underway just 20 minutes away from the location. The envoy pointed out, "this kind of events only strengthen us, give us more strength to go ahead, grow, progress" and "Israel, India ties will grow and thrive, and no one will be able to stop this." The incident happened as both countries celebrate 29 years of the formal establishment of diplomatic ties. WION: If you can give us the details of the Friday blast that took place near your mission? Ambassador Ron Malka: Yesterday around 5 PM, there was a blast, an explosion just outside the Israeli embassy in Delhi. Once it happened, we raised an alert, and fortunately, nobody was hurt, and all the diplomats and families of diplomats are safe. We have our guidelines in these kinds of situations, and we follow them. We are safe now. WION: What kind of conversations are you having with your Indian counterparts? The details. Ambassador Ron Malka: Yesterday when this evil attack happened, we celebrated the 29th anniversary of the establishment of full diplomatic relations between India and Israel. Very fruitful and rewarding 29 years of diplomatic relations, so it might not be a coincidence. The collaboration between India and Israel is a shining example for the world, how 2 countries should collaborate and cooperate. Yesterday, EAM Jaishankar called our minister of foreign affairs. The foreign secretary called our DG, your NSA called our NSA, they know each other very well. On a continuous basis we share, we collaborate, we joint effort in many aspects, and in this investigation, Israeli and Indian authorities' agencies are working together. Putting all the parts together, pieces together, and building the puzzle to understand what happened here as we get full support and assistance. WION: Do you think Iran has been responsible for the incident near the Israeli embassy? Ambassador Ron Malka: Investigation still in its early stages. Too early to say who is standing behind this evil attack. Our assumption, yes, it is a terrorist attack, the target being the Israel embassy. It will take some more time to bring all the pieces together and who is standing behind this attack. All the options on the table and will take some time. Will find those responsible for the attack and will bring them to justice. WION: You said, it's a terror attack. What is the evidence which makes you believe that it's a terror attack? Ambassador Ron Malka: There is some evidence from the scene. We know what kind of bomb is used in this kind of event and other pieces. I don't want to get into the details of the investigation. Its still ongoing, but can share with you, Israeli diplomats all over the world, we are considered as a target in the eyes of our enemies. We are very well prepared. There was an attack in 1992 at the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires, there was a terror attack against Israeli diplomats in 2012. So we are very well prepared. In the last few weeks, due to some incidents that happened all over the world, some of them are related to Israel, we raised the level of alert. So we are not surprised, we are very well prepared and those who think they might stop us, or threaten us, this kind of events only strengthen us, give us more strength to go ahead, grow progress and Israel, India ties will grow and thrive and no one will be able to stop this. WION: Since it's anniversary year, how do you see ties between India and Israel? Ambassador Ron Malka: Even under the Pandemic, we collaborated and whatever happened under the pandemic will shape what will happen in the future. Israel and India are shining examples of how countries, friend countries should collaborate and work together. After the pandemic, we did join research on a rapid test for covid, a scientist from India and Israel joined forces and conducted a very high research effort. We supported and helped each other in exchange of shared practices, medicines, and all over achievements, medical supplies, and medical equipment for tackling the pandemic. This kind of collaboration is based on mutual respect and trust is a shining example of countries that should collaborate and even under the pandemic, we signed new agreements on water projects, innovation, health care, culture. Even under the pandemic, new centers of excellence for agriculture were established. That is what is going on between India and Israel. Ties are growing and expanding. WION: How has been the counter-terror collaboration between the 2 countries? Ambassador Ron Malka: As I always say, Israel and India, not only share the same values and interests, we also have similar hostilities and threats. As far as counter-terrorism is concerned, we collaborate, share information and knowledge, and practices. This is a shining example for our countries, to get united, collaborate, and work together. If the world will get united against terror, we are going to win against terrorism. Because terrorism is a global disease, the world should internalize that and get united and once this happens, we will defeat terror.

Exclusive: Evidence suggests Delhi blast was terror attack, says Israeli envoy to India

Four civilians, including two children, were killed by Israeli strikes on the Syrian province of Hama at dawn on Friday, the Syrian state news agency SANA reported.

SANA cited a Syrian military source as saying that the country's air defences responded to Israeli missiles in the central province, "intercepting most" of them.

It later said "the Israeli aggression resulted in the martyrdom of a family, including a father, mother and two children", adding another four people were wounded and three houses destroyed on the western edges of Hama city.

Also read|<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/is-attack-kills-seven-regime-loyalists-in-eastern-syria-355768">&nbsp;IS attack kills seven regime loyalists in eastern Syria</a>

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the Israeli raids targeted Syrian military sites and resulted in the "destruction" of five of them in an area of Hama where Iran-backed fighters are present.

But the war monitor said the civilians were killed by "debris from one of the Syrian anti-aircraft defence missiles that fell on a house in a densely populated neighbourhood".

The Israeli army rarely acknowledges individual raids on Syria and refused to comment on the latest reports when contacted by AFP on Friday.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/at-unsc-india-warns-of-syrian-chemical-weapons-falling-into-the-hands-of-terrorists-354693">At UNSC, India warns of Syrian chemical weapons falling into the hands of terrorists</a>

Israeli strikes on eastern Syria killed 57 government and allied fighters on January 13, in the deadliest raids since the Jewish state launched its air assault on targets in the war-torn country, the Observatory said.

The Observatory is a Britain-based monitor that relies on sources on the ground in Syria for its reports.

Israel rarely confirms it has carried out strikes in Syria, but the army said it hit about 50 targets in the war-torn country in 2020, without providing details.

The Jewish state routinely carries out raids in Syria, mostly against targets linked to Iran in what it says is a bid to prevent its arch foe from consolidating a foothold on its northern border.

Four civilians, including two children, were killed by Israeli strikes on the Syrian province of Hama at dawn on Friday, the Syrian state news agency SANA reported.

Four civilians, including two children, were killed by Israeli strikes on the Syrian province of Hama at dawn on Friday, the Syrian state news agency SANA reported. SANA cited a Syrian military source as saying that the country's air defences responded to Israeli missiles in the central province, "intercepting most" of them. It later said "the Israeli aggression resulted in the martyrdom of a family, including a father, mother and two children", adding another four people were wounded and three houses destroyed on the western edges of Hama city. Also read| IS attack kills seven regime loyalists in eastern Syria The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the Israeli raids targeted Syrian military sites and resulted in the "destruction" of five of them in an area of Hama where Iran-backed fighters are present. But the war monitor said the civilians were killed by "debris from one of the Syrian anti-aircraft defence missiles that fell on a house in a densely populated neighbourhood". The Israeli army rarely acknowledges individual raids on Syria and refused to comment on the latest reports when contacted by AFP on Friday. Also read| At UNSC, India warns of Syrian chemical weapons falling into the hands of terrorists Israeli strikes on eastern Syria killed 57 government and allied fighters on January 13, in the deadliest raids since the Jewish state launched its air assault on targets in the war-torn country, the Observatory said. The Observatory is a Britain-based monitor that relies on sources on the ground in Syria for its reports. Israel rarely confirms it has carried out strikes in Syria, but the army said it hit about 50 targets in the war-torn country in 2020, without providing details. The Jewish state routinely carries out raids in Syria, mostly against targets linked to Iran in what it says is a bid to prevent its arch foe from consolidating a foothold on its northern border.

Israeli strikes kill 4 civilians in Syria: State media

After a rocket attack from Palestinian enclave towards Israel on Tuesday night, Israeli tanks battered Hamas positions in Gaza.

"Late in the evening a rocket was launched from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory," Israeli Army said. It was quoted by AFP.

"In response Israeli tanks struck Hamas positions" in the south of the Gaza strip, it said. &nbsp;

An earlier statement from Israeli military indicated that the rockets had fallen on open ground. There was no immediate report of casualties.

Early Monday, militants in the Gaza Strip fired two rockets towards the Israeli coastal city of Ashdod with Israeli military sources indicating they had dropped into the Mediterranean Sea.

Israel responded a few hours later with fighter planes striking Hamas facilities in southern Gaza.

Palestinians in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank are heading for legislative and presidential elections in May and July, the first in 15 years.

The polls are part of a warming of ties between Hamas and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's West Bank-based Fatah party.

The dates were announced on Friday in a presidential decree by Abbas.

In late December, Hamas and Islamic Jihad staged joint military exercises in the coastal territory, during which they fired rockets out to sea, in the first exercise of its kind.

The Palestinian forces also simulated various combat scenarios with Israeli troops, an AFP reporter said.

The events marked the anniversary of the first Hamas war with Israel in 2008, a year after the Islamists took power in Gaza. Since then they have fought two more wars, in 2012 and 2014.

(With AFP inputs)

After a rocket attack from Palestinian enclave towards Israel on Tuesday night, Israeli tanks battered Hamas positions in Gaza. "Late in the evening a rocket was launched from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory," Israeli Army said.

After a rocket attack from Palestinian enclave towards Israel on Tuesday night, Israeli tanks battered Hamas positions in Gaza. "Late in the evening a rocket was launched from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory," Israeli Army said. It was quoted by AFP. "In response Israeli tanks struck Hamas positions" in the south of the Gaza strip, it said. An earlier statement from Israeli military indicated that the rockets had fallen on open ground. There was no immediate report of casualties. Early Monday, militants in the Gaza Strip fired two rockets towards the Israeli coastal city of Ashdod with Israeli military sources indicating they had dropped into the Mediterranean Sea. Israel responded a few hours later with fighter planes striking Hamas facilities in southern Gaza. Palestinians in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank are heading for legislative and presidential elections in May and July, the first in 15 years. The polls are part of a warming of ties between Hamas and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's West Bank-based Fatah party. The dates were announced on Friday in a presidential decree by Abbas. In late December, Hamas and Islamic Jihad staged joint military exercises in the coastal territory, during which they fired rockets out to sea, in the first exercise of its kind. The Palestinian forces also simulated various combat scenarios with Israeli troops, an AFP reporter said. The events marked the anniversary of the first Hamas war with Israel in 2008, a year after the Islamists took power in Gaza. Since then they have fought two more wars, in 2012 and 2014. (With AFP inputs)

Israeli tanks strike Hamas after rocket attack: Military

Israel on Sunday advanced plans for 780 new settler homes in the occupied West Bank, settlement watchdog Peace Now said, adding the move puts Israel "on a collision course" with the incoming US administration.&nbsp;

Right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had last week directed authorities to approve construction of the units in occupied Palestinian territories.&nbsp;

That came less than two weeks before President Donald Trump's pro-settler administration was due to leave office.&nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-prison-service-to-vaccinate-palestinian-inmates-357346">Israel Prison Service to vaccinate Palestinian inmates</a>

All Jewish settlements in the West Bank are regarded as illegal by much of the international community.&nbsp;

But Trump's administration, breaking with decades of US policy, declared in 2019 that Washington no longer considered settlements as being in breach of international law.&nbsp;

US President-elect Joe Biden, who will be sworn on Wednesday, has indicated that his administration will restore Washington's pre-Trump policy of opposing settlement expansion.

Peace Now, an Israeli civil society group that opposes the occupation, said that Israeli planning authorities had approved "plans to build 780 housing units in settlements, most of them deep in the West Bank."

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/13-in-israel-experience-facial-paralysis-after-receiving-covid-19-vaccine-report-356985">13 in Israel experience facial paralysis after receiving Covid-19 vaccine: Report</a>

"Not only will this settlement activity erode the possibility for a conflict-ending resolution with the Palestinians in the long-term, but in the short-term it needlessly sets Israel on a collision course with the incoming Biden administration," the group said.&nbsp;

Beyond the change in Washington, experts say Netanyahu also has domestic political reasons for pushing settlement expansion.&nbsp;

Electioneering is intensifying ahead of Israel's March 23 poll, in which Netanyahu is expected to face a fierce right-wing challenge from Gideon Saar, a defector from the premier's Likud party.&nbsp;

Saar, a prominent pro-settler voice, split with Likud late last year to challenge Netanyahu, Israel's longest serving premier.&nbsp;

"Prime Minister Netanyahu is once again putting his personal political interests over those of the country," Peace Now said.&nbsp;

Israel has occupied the West Bank since the 1967 Six Day War.&nbsp;

Following years of settlement expansion, there currently some 450,000 Jews living in the West Bank amid an estimated 2.8 million Palestinians.

Governments worldwide largely see settlements as an obstacle to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.&nbsp;

Israel on Sunday advanced plans for 780 new settler homes in the occupied West Bank, settlement watchdog Peace Now said, adding the move puts Israel "on a collision course" with the incoming US administration.

Israel on Sunday advanced plans for 780 new settler homes in the occupied West Bank, settlement watchdog Peace Now said, adding the move puts Israel "on a collision course" with the incoming US administration. Right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had last week directed authorities to approve construction of the units in occupied Palestinian territories. That came less than two weeks before President Donald Trump's pro-settler administration was due to leave office. Also read| Israel Prison Service to vaccinate Palestinian inmates All Jewish settlements in the West Bank are regarded as illegal by much of the international community. But Trump's administration, breaking with decades of US policy, declared in 2019 that Washington no longer considered settlements as being in breach of international law. US President-elect Joe Biden, who will be sworn on Wednesday, has indicated that his administration will restore Washington's pre-Trump policy of opposing settlement expansion. Peace Now, an Israeli civil society group that opposes the occupation, said that Israeli planning authorities had approved "plans to build 780 housing units in settlements, most of them deep in the West Bank." Also read| 13 in Israel experience facial paralysis after receiving Covid-19 vaccine: Report "Not only will this settlement activity erode the possibility for a conflict-ending resolution with the Palestinians in the long-term, but in the short-term it needlessly sets Israel on a collision course with the incoming Biden administration," the group said. Beyond the change in Washington, experts say Netanyahu also has domestic political reasons for pushing settlement expansion. Electioneering is intensifying ahead of Israel's March 23 poll, in which Netanyahu is expected to face a fierce right-wing challenge from Gideon Saar, a defector from the premier's Likud party. Saar, a prominent pro-settler voice, split with Likud late last year to challenge Netanyahu, Israel's longest serving premier. "Prime Minister Netanyahu is once again putting his personal political interests over those of the country," Peace Now said. Israel has occupied the West Bank since the 1967 Six Day War. Following years of settlement expansion, there currently some 450,000 Jews living in the West Bank amid an estimated 2.8 million Palestinians. Governments worldwide largely see settlements as an obstacle to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel authorities approve new W. Bank settler homes: Group

The Israel Prison Service said Sunday it will begin <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccinating</a> all incarcerated people against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a>, including Palestinians, following calls from right groups, Palestinian officials and Israel's attorney general.&nbsp;

Israel has given at least one vaccine dose to more than two million of its citizens, a pace widely described as the world's fastest per capita.&nbsp;

But the Jewish state faced harsh criticism when Public Security Minister Amir Ohana said Palestinian prisoners would be the last to get innoculated.&nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/13-in-israel-experience-facial-paralysis-after-receiving-covid-19-vaccine-report-356985">13 in Israel experience facial paralysis after receiving Covid-19 vaccine: Report</a>

Israel's Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit wrote to Ohana condemning the comment as "tainted with illegality", Israel's Ma'ariv newspaper reported.&nbsp;

Israeli and global rights groups, including Amnesty International, as well as the Palestine Liberation Organization have also issued public calls for Israel to vaccinate the estimated 4,400 Palestinians held in its jails. &nbsp;

According to the Palestinian Prisoner's Club, about 250 Palestinians in Israeli prisons have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. &nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-european-unions-pfizer-vaccine-deliveries-to-be-delayed-for-next-3-4-weeks-356982">Covid-19: European Union's Pfizer vaccine deliveries to be delayed 'for next 3-4 weeks'</a>

Health Minister Yuli Edelstein announced last week that the first vaccine doses would be distributed to prisons over the coming days.

The prison service issued a statement Sunday saying, "following the vaccination of staff... the vaccination of detainees will begin in prisons in accordance with medical and operational protocol established by the Prison Service."

A prison service spokesperson told AFP the directive applied to "all prisoners, without distinction".

Reacting to the announcement, a spokesman for the Hamas Islamists, who control the Gaza Strip, said Israel "had an obligation to provide vaccines to prisoners".

Human Rights Watch on Sunday also called on Israel to provide vaccinations for the 2.8 million Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and the two million Palestinians in Israeli-blockaded Gaza.&nbsp;

Israel and Palestine director for HRW, Omar Shakir, particularly criticised the practice of vaccinating Jewish settlers in the West Bank, but not their Palestinian neighbours.&nbsp;

"Nothing can justify today's reality in parts of the West Bank, where people on one side of the street are receiving vaccines, while those on the other do not, based on whether they're Jewish or Palestinian," Shakir said.

"Everyone in the same territory should have equitable access to the vaccine, regardless of their ethnicity," he added.&nbsp;

The Palestinian Authority has said it has signed contracts with four vaccine providers, including the maker's of Russia's Sputnik V.

The PA said it expects to have sufficient doses to vaccinate 70 percent of the Palestinian population, in both the West Bank and Gaza, with doses expected by mid-March.&nbsp;

The Israel Prison Service said Sunday it will begin vaccinating all incarcerated people against COVID-19, including Palestinians, following calls from right groups, Palestinian officials and Israel's attorney general.

The Israel Prison Service said Sunday it will begin vaccinating all incarcerated people against COVID-19, including Palestinians, following calls from right groups, Palestinian officials and Israel's attorney general. Israel has given at least one vaccine dose to more than two million of its citizens, a pace widely described as the world's fastest per capita. But the Jewish state faced harsh criticism when Public Security Minister Amir Ohana said Palestinian prisoners would be the last to get innoculated. Also read| 13 in Israel experience facial paralysis after receiving Covid-19 vaccine: Report Israel's Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit wrote to Ohana condemning the comment as "tainted with illegality", Israel's Ma'ariv newspaper reported. Israeli and global rights groups, including Amnesty International, as well as the Palestine Liberation Organization have also issued public calls for Israel to vaccinate the estimated 4,400 Palestinians held in its jails. According to the Palestinian Prisoner's Club, about 250 Palestinians in Israeli prisons have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Also read| Covid-19: European Union's Pfizer vaccine deliveries to be delayed 'for next 3-4 weeks' Health Minister Yuli Edelstein announced last week that the first vaccine doses would be distributed to prisons over the coming days. The prison service issued a statement Sunday saying, "following the vaccination of staff... the vaccination of detainees will begin in prisons in accordance with medical and operational protocol established by the Prison Service." A prison service spokesperson told AFP the directive applied to "all prisoners, without distinction". Reacting to the announcement, a spokesman for the Hamas Islamists, who control the Gaza Strip, said Israel "had an obligation to provide vaccines to prisoners". Human Rights Watch on Sunday also called on Israel to provide vaccinations for the 2.8 million Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and the two million Palestinians in Israeli-blockaded Gaza. Israel and Palestine director for HRW, Omar Shakir, particularly criticised the practice of vaccinating Jewish settlers in the West Bank, but not their Palestinian neighbours. "Nothing can justify today's reality in parts of the West Bank, where people on one side of the street are receiving vaccines, while those on the other do not, based on whether they're Jewish or Palestinian," Shakir said. "Everyone in the same territory should have equitable access to the vaccine, regardless of their ethnicity," he added. The Palestinian Authority has said it has signed contracts with four vaccine providers, including the maker's of Russia's Sputnik V. The PA said it expects to have sufficient doses to vaccinate 70 percent of the Palestinian population, in both the West Bank and Gaza, with doses expected by mid-March.

Israel Prison Service to vaccinate Palestinian inmates

An Israeli security officer shot a Palestinian who threw a knife towards him in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, Israel`s military said, and Palestinian officials said the man had been killed.

The incident occurred at a road junction situated near a cluster of Israeli settlements southwest of the Palestinian town of Bethlehem, the military said in a statement.

Also read|<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-allegations-are-nonsense-says-israeli-minister-354228">&nbsp;Iran's allegations are 'nonsense', says Israeli minister</a>

"(A) community security officer spotted a suspect approaching the junction. Following the suspicion, the security officer and an IDF (Israeli military) soldier operated to stop the suspect by firing into the air," the statement said.

"The suspect threw a knife at the officer, who responded with fire and neutralised the suspect," the statement added.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-israel-became-a-world-leader-in-vaccinating-against-covid-19-353951">How Israel became a world leader in vaccinating against COVID-19</a>

The Palestinian health ministry confirmed the man`s death, but said it did not have details of his identity.

Israel captured and occupied the West Bank in the 1967 Middle East War. Palestinians seek the territory for a future state that would include the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem.

An Israeli security officer shot a Palestinian who threw a knife towards him in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, Israel`s military said, and Palestinian officials said the man had been killed.

An Israeli security officer shot a Palestinian who threw a knife towards him in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, Israel`s military said, and Palestinian officials said the man had been killed. The incident occurred at a road junction situated near a cluster of Israeli settlements southwest of the Palestinian town of Bethlehem, the military said in a statement. Also read| Iran's allegations are 'nonsense', says Israeli minister "(A) community security officer spotted a suspect approaching the junction. Following the suspicion, the security officer and an IDF (Israeli military) soldier operated to stop the suspect by firing into the air," the statement said. "The suspect threw a knife at the officer, who responded with fire and neutralised the suspect," the statement added. Also read| How Israel became a world leader in vaccinating against COVID-19 The Palestinian health ministry confirmed the man`s death, but said it did not have details of his identity. Israel captured and occupied the West Bank in the 1967 Middle East War. Palestinians seek the territory for a future state that would include the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem.

Israeli officer shoots dead alleged Palestinian assailant in West Bank

Israel on Sunday said that two million people will be receiving a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine by the end of January. As per Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the vaccination drive will be the world's fastest.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sydneys-opera-house-to-reopen-on-sunday-after-combating-covid-19-fears-354152" hreflang="en">Sydney's Opera House to reopen on Sunday after combating COVID-19 fears</a>

Netanyahu's administration launched a fiery push on December 19 to administer the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine made by US-German pharma alliance.&nbsp;

Hezi Levy, Health Ministry Director-General, said that they will slow the pace of the vaccination to keep some stock for the second dose.&nbsp;

"We are slowing the pace of vaccinations of the first dose so that we can keep reserved stock for a second dose for all those who got a first shot," Levy told public broadcaster KAN.

The doses need to be administered with a gap of three weeks.&nbsp;

"By the end of January, we shall have inoculated two million residents, most of them elderly," he said.

One million people have received the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine, as of Friday.&nbsp;

"We are breaking all the records," Netanyahu said Friday, during a visit to the Israeli Arab city of Umm Al-Fahm, where the millionth jab was reported administered.

"We are ahead of the entire world," the premier said.

The country of 9.29 million population has a total of 435,866 cases since reporting their the first confirmed case was reported in February. Almost 3,400 people have died, as per the country's health ministry.

The ministry said on Friday that it had confirmed 18 local cases of a new strain of coronavirus first detected in Britain.

(Inputs from AFP)

Israel on Sunday said that two million people will be receiving a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine by the end of January. As per Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the vaccination drive will be the world's fastest.

Israel on Sunday said that two million people will be receiving a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine by the end of January. As per Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the vaccination drive will be the world's fastest. Also read: Sydney's Opera House to reopen on Sunday after combating COVID-19 fears Netanyahu's administration launched a fiery push on December 19 to administer the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine made by US-German pharma alliance. Hezi Levy, Health Ministry Director-General, said that they will slow the pace of the vaccination to keep some stock for the second dose. "We are slowing the pace of vaccinations of the first dose so that we can keep reserved stock for a second dose for all those who got a first shot," Levy told public broadcaster KAN. The doses need to be administered with a gap of three weeks. "By the end of January, we shall have inoculated two million residents, most of them elderly," he said. One million people have received the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine, as of Friday. "We are breaking all the records," Netanyahu said Friday, during a visit to the Israeli Arab city of Umm Al-Fahm, where the millionth jab was reported administered. "We are ahead of the entire world," the premier said. The country of 9.29 million population has a total of 435,866 cases since reporting their the first confirmed case was reported in February. Almost 3,400 people have died, as per the country's health ministry. The ministry said on Friday that it had confirmed 18 local cases of a new strain of coronavirus first detected in Britain. (Inputs from AFP)

2 million planned to be vaccinated in Israel by end of January

More than 10% of Israel’s population has received a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, a rate that has far outstripped the rest of the world and buoyed the battered domestic image of the country’s leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, at a critical juncture.

Israel’s campaign, which began Dec. 20, has distributed the vaccine to three times as much of its population as the second-fastest nation, the tiny Persian Gulf kingdom of Bahrain, according to figures compiled mostly from local government sources by Our World in Data.

By contrast, less than 1% of the population of the United States and only small fractions of the population in many European countries received a vaccine dose by the end of 2020, according to Our World in Data, though China, the United States and Britain have each distributed more doses overall.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/is-pakistan-set-to-normalise-ties-with-israel-353460">Is Pakistan set to normalise ties with Israel?</a>

“It’s quite an astonishing story,” said professor Ran Balicer, chair of the national advisory team of experts that is counseling the Israeli government on its COVID-19 response.

Israel’s heavily digitized, community-based health system — all citizens, by law, must register with one of the country’s four HMOs — and its centralized government have proved adept at orchestrating a national inoculation campaign, according to Israeli health experts.

With a population of 9 million, Israel’s relatively small size has played a role as well, said Balicer, who is also the chief innovation officer for Clalit, the largest of the country’s four HMOs.

An aggressive procurement effort helped set the stage.

The health minister, Yuli Edelstein, said in an interview Friday that Israel had entered into negotiations with drugmakers as an “early bird,” and that the companies were interested in supplying Israel because of its HMOs’ reputation for efficiency and gathering reliable data.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-than-50-countries-launch-covid-19-vaccination-campaigns-353687">More than 50 countries launch Covid-19 vaccination campaigns</a>

“We are leading the world race thanks to our early preparations,” he said.

Internal political conflicts, confusing instructions and a lack of public trust in the government left Israel seemingly fractured in October as the country struggled to cope with a surge in coronavirus cases and deaths that, relative to the size of the population, were among the worst in the world.

While restrictions imposed in the fall reduced the number of new coronavirus cases, in recent weeks, Israel has seen them rise to more than 5,000 a day, sending the country back into a third, if partial, lockdown. More than 420,000 Israelis have been infected and 3,325 have died.

Israeli officials have not publicized the exact number of vaccine doses that it has received so far, or how much it paid for them, saying the agreements are confidential. But if it turns out that Israel overpaid compared to other countries, Edelstein said, the cost would still be worth it even to reopen the Israeli economy one week earlier than it otherwise could have done.

Professor Jonathan Halevy, president of Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, said getting in early had been a “correct strategy.”

With Israel having prioritized health workers and citizens ages 60 and older, Edelstein said that a majority of its high-risk population should receive the second of two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine by late January. About 150,000 Israelis are being vaccinated per day.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-mutated-wuhan-virus-targets-the-young-353941">WATCH|</a>

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Netanyahu — who is on trial on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust — has made the vaccination campaign something of a personal mission, taking credit for signing agreements and securing millions of doses from Pfizer, along with Moderna and other companies.

With Israel heading toward another election in March, the country’s fourth in two years, Netanyahu has made the prospect of a speedy emergence from the health and economic crisis wrought by the pandemic a keystone of his fight for political survival. He has held out the prospect of Israel becoming the first country in the world to be fully vaccinated.

Political motives aside, the prime minister has won praise for his efforts even from some longtime critics, after being widely blamed for mishandling the crisis last year.

“We can’t blame Netanyahu for all of Israel’s ills — correctly, most of the time — and then ignore his contribution when something works,” wrote Gideon Levy, a columnist for the left-leaning Haaretz newspaper this week.

Netanyahu became the first Israeli to be inoculated against COVID-19 on December 19, saying he wanted to set an example. On Tuesday, he dropped into a Jerusalem facility to congratulate the 500,000th Israeli to receive a vaccine.

On Thursday, he visited a vaccination center in the town of Tira, in central Israel, to encourage a higher turnout among the country’s Arab minority. Arab citizens, who make up one-fifth of the population, have been more hesitant than others to get the vaccine.

“We brought millions of vaccines here, more than any other country in the world relative to its population,” Netanyahu said, adding, “We brought them to everyone: Jews and Arabs, religious and secular.”

“Come and be vaccinated,” he urged in Arabic.

Arab representatives say they have been battling a flood of disinformation about the vaccine in the Arabic news and social media. Dr. Samir Subhi, the mayor of Umm al-Fahm, where Netanyahu and Edelstein visited Friday, told Israeli television that he had sent a voice message to 25,000 phones in the area urging people to get vaccinated and describing the fight against the virus as “holy for everyone.”

Israel’s ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, which has been hit particularly hard by the pandemic, was also seen as a population that might resist vaccinations. But those initial fears appear to have dissipated.

Rabbi Yitzchok Zilberstein, a leading ultra-Orthodox authority in Jewish law, issued a public ruling after consulting with Balicer saying that any dangers posed by the vaccine were negligible compared with the dangers of the virus. Several important figures in the community were photographed getting the vaccine.

So far, the government’s inoculation campaign has not extended to Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, who have not had access to any vaccinations yet, and the Palestinian Authority does not appear to have publicly requested them. Legal experts and human rights activists said Israel was obliged to provide the Palestinians with vaccines.

The United Nations humanitarian affairs agency for the occupied territories said this week that the Palestinian Authority had applied for financial support from the global vaccine-sharing system Covax, and was working with international organizations on the logistics.

Edelstein said the government’s first obligation was to its own citizens, but it was in Israel’s interest to help suppress the infection among the Palestinians. “If, God willing, there will be a situation where we can say we are in a position to help others,” he said, “no doubt it will be done.”

At the headquarters of one of the HMOs in Jerusalem this week, the atmosphere was calm and orderly. A constant stream of people were seated in small booths and injected within a minute or two of their arrival — much less time than it had taken them to get through on the phone to make the appointment.

In Tel Aviv, City Hall and the Sourasky Medical Center said that to meet demand, they were opening a huge vaccination center in the city’s iconic Rabin Square in the first week of January.

Facilities have been accommodating toward younger Israelis who have shown up with older relatives and have sometimes called on the general public to come rather than throw away leftover trays of thawed vaccine that cannot be stored until the next day.

“We make use of every drop,” Sharon Alroy-Preis, a senior Health Ministry official, said on television Thursday.

More than 10% of Israel’s population has received a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, a rate that has far outstripped the rest of the world and buoyed the battered domestic image of the country’s leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, at a critical juncture.

More than 10% of Israel’s population has received a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, a rate that has far outstripped the rest of the world and buoyed the battered domestic image of the country’s leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, at a critical juncture. Israel’s campaign, which began Dec. 20, has distributed the vaccine to three times as much of its population as the second-fastest nation, the tiny Persian Gulf kingdom of Bahrain, according to figures compiled mostly from local government sources by Our World in Data. By contrast, less than 1% of the population of the United States and only small fractions of the population in many European countries received a vaccine dose by the end of 2020, according to Our World in Data, though China, the United States and Britain have each distributed more doses overall. Also read| Is Pakistan set to normalise ties with Israel? “It’s quite an astonishing story,” said professor Ran Balicer, chair of the national advisory team of experts that is counseling the Israeli government on its COVID-19 response. Israel’s heavily digitized, community-based health system — all citizens, by law, must register with one of the country’s four HMOs — and its centralized government have proved adept at orchestrating a national inoculation campaign, according to Israeli health experts. With a population of 9 million, Israel’s relatively small size has played a role as well, said Balicer, who is also the chief innovation officer for Clalit, the largest of the country’s four HMOs. An aggressive procurement effort helped set the stage. The health minister, Yuli Edelstein, said in an interview Friday that Israel had entered into negotiations with drugmakers as an “early bird,” and that the companies were interested in supplying Israel because of its HMOs’ reputation for efficiency and gathering reliable data. Also read| More than 50 countries launch Covid-19 vaccination campaigns “We are leading the world race thanks to our early preparations,” he said. Internal political conflicts, confusing instructions and a lack of public trust in the government left Israel seemingly fractured in October as the country struggled to cope with a surge in coronavirus cases and deaths that, relative to the size of the population, were among the worst in the world. While restrictions imposed in the fall reduced the number of new coronavirus cases, in recent weeks, Israel has seen them rise to more than 5,000 a day, sending the country back into a third, if partial, lockdown. More than 420,000 Israelis have been infected and 3,325 have died. Israeli officials have not publicized the exact number of vaccine doses that it has received so far, or how much it paid for them, saying the agreements are confidential. But if it turns out that Israel overpaid compared to other countries, Edelstein said, the cost would still be worth it even to reopen the Israeli economy one week earlier than it otherwise could have done. Professor Jonathan Halevy, president of Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, said getting in early had been a “correct strategy.” With Israel having prioritized health workers and citizens ages 60 and older, Edelstein said that a majority of its high-risk population should receive the second of two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine by late January. About 150,000 Israelis are being vaccinated per day. WATCH| × Netanyahu — who is on trial on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust — has made the vaccination campaign something of a personal mission, taking credit for signing agreements and securing millions of doses from Pfizer, along with Moderna and other companies. With Israel heading toward another election in March, the country’s fourth in two years, Netanyahu has made the prospect of a speedy emergence from the health and economic crisis wrought by the pandemic a keystone of his fight for political survival. He has held out the prospect of Israel becoming the first country in the world to be fully vaccinated. Political motives aside, the prime minister has won praise for his efforts even from some longtime critics, after being widely blamed for mishandling the crisis last year. “We can’t blame Netanyahu for all of Israel’s ills — correctly, most of the time — and then ignore his contribution when something works,” wrote Gideon Levy, a columnist for the left-leaning Haaretz newspaper this week. Netanyahu became the first Israeli to be inoculated against COVID-19 on December 19, saying he wanted to set an example. On Tuesday, he dropped into a Jerusalem facility to congratulate the 500,000th Israeli to receive a vaccine. On Thursday, he visited a vaccination center in the town of Tira, in central Israel, to encourage a higher turnout among the country’s Arab minority. Arab citizens, who make up one-fifth of the population, have been more hesitant than others to get the vaccine. “We brought millions of vaccines here, more than any other country in the world relative to its population,” Netanyahu said, adding, “We brought them to everyone: Jews and Arabs, religious and secular.” “Come and be vaccinated,” he urged in Arabic. Arab representatives say they have been battling a flood of disinformation about the vaccine in the Arabic news and social media. Dr. Samir Subhi, the mayor of Umm al-Fahm, where Netanyahu and Edelstein visited Friday, told Israeli television that he had sent a voice message to 25,000 phones in the area urging people to get vaccinated and describing the fight against the virus as “holy for everyone.” Israel’s ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, which has been hit particularly hard by the pandemic, was also seen as a population that might resist vaccinations. But those initial fears appear to have dissipated. Rabbi Yitzchok Zilberstein, a leading ultra-Orthodox authority in Jewish law, issued a public ruling after consulting with Balicer saying that any dangers posed by the vaccine were negligible compared with the dangers of the virus. Several important figures in the community were photographed getting the vaccine. So far, the government’s inoculation campaign has not extended to Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, who have not had access to any vaccinations yet, and the Palestinian Authority does not appear to have publicly requested them. Legal experts and human rights activists said Israel was obliged to provide the Palestinians with vaccines. The United Nations humanitarian affairs agency for the occupied territories said this week that the Palestinian Authority had applied for financial support from the global vaccine-sharing system Covax, and was working with international organizations on the logistics. Edelstein said the government’s first obligation was to its own citizens, but it was in Israel’s interest to help suppress the infection among the Palestinians. “If, God willing, there will be a situation where we can say we are in a position to help others,” he said, “no doubt it will be done.” At the headquarters of one of the HMOs in Jerusalem this week, the atmosphere was calm and orderly. A constant stream of people were seated in small booths and injected within a minute or two of their arrival — much less time than it had taken them to get through on the phone to make the appointment. In Tel Aviv, City Hall and the Sourasky Medical Center said that to meet demand, they were opening a huge vaccination center in the city’s iconic Rabin Square in the first week of January. Facilities have been accommodating toward younger Israelis who have shown up with older relatives and have sometimes called on the general public to come rather than throw away leftover trays of thawed vaccine that cannot be stored until the next day. “We make use of every drop,” Sharon Alroy-Preis, a senior Health Ministry official, said on television Thursday.

How Israel became a world leader in vaccinating against COVID-19

Iran on Monday issued a warning to Israel not to cross its "red lines" in the Gulf after reports emerged that the country had deployed a submarine in the region.

Foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh stressed the Islamic republic would defend itself against any American military "adventure" in the runup to the January 20 handover of power in Washington.

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The statement came a week after the US Navy announced a nuclear submarine was being deployed to the Gulf, in a new show of force directed at Iran.

Earlier, Israeli media&nbsp;reported that the country's&nbsp;submarine has crossed the Suez Canal also headed for the Gulf, a report that has not been officially confirmed or denied.

Khatibzadeh told an online news conference,&nbsp;"Everyone knows what the Persian Gulf signifies for Iran. Countries&nbsp;very well how high the risk is raised if the red lines of Iran are crossed."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-khamenei-awards-military-medal-to-slain-nuclear-scientist-349483">Iran's Khamenei awards military medal to slain nuclear scientist</a>

Iran has threatened to attack Israel since the assassination of its top nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, in late November, in a raid blamed on the Jewish state.

In a strikingly similar move to the reported Israeli submarine crossing of the Suez Canal, a US nuclear submarine crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Monday as the anniversary of the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani by a US drone approached.

"We have sent messages to the US government and our friends in the region (warning) the current US regime not to embark on a new adventure in its final days at the White House," said Khatibzadeh.

He said Iran was not seeking to increase tension and called for "rational people in Washington" to take the same line until President-elect Joe Biden replaces Trump in the White House.

Decades-old tensions between Washington and Tehran have soared since 2018 when Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States from the Iran nuclear deal.

The arch enemies have twice come to the brink of war since June 2019, especially following the killing of Soleimani.

Iran on Monday issued a warning to Israel not to cross its "red lines" in the Gulf after reports emerged that the country had deployed a submarine in the region.

Iran on Monday issued a warning to Israel not to cross its "red lines" in the Gulf after reports emerged that the country had deployed a submarine in the region. Foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh stressed the Islamic republic would defend itself against any American military "adventure" in the runup to the January 20 handover of power in Washington. Also read: Iran accuses Israel of killing nuclear scientist, vows 'revenge' The statement came a week after the US Navy announced a nuclear submarine was being deployed to the Gulf, in a new show of force directed at Iran. Earlier, Israeli media reported that the country's submarine has crossed the Suez Canal also headed for the Gulf, a report that has not been officially confirmed or denied. Khatibzadeh told an online news conference, "Everyone knows what the Persian Gulf signifies for Iran. Countries very well how high the risk is raised if the red lines of Iran are crossed." Also read: Iran's Khamenei awards military medal to slain nuclear scientist Iran has threatened to attack Israel since the assassination of its top nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, in late November, in a raid blamed on the Jewish state. In a strikingly similar move to the reported Israeli submarine crossing of the Suez Canal, a US nuclear submarine crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Monday as the anniversary of the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani by a US drone approached. "We have sent messages to the US government and our friends in the region (warning) the current US regime not to embark on a new adventure in its final days at the White House," said Khatibzadeh. He said Iran was not seeking to increase tension and called for "rational people in Washington" to take the same line until President-elect Joe Biden replaces Trump in the White House. Decades-old tensions between Washington and Tehran have soared since 2018 when Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States from the Iran nuclear deal. The arch enemies have twice come to the brink of war since June 2019, especially following the killing of Soleimani.

Iran warns Israel not to cross ‘red lines’ in the Gulf after it deploys submarine

With an alarming increase in the number of coronavirus cases in the country, a nationwide lockdown has bene reimposed in Israel for the third time in this pandemic year.

Voicing a tone of optimism and hope, Israel's&nbsp;Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a "world record" vaccination will bring things back to normal within weeks, but urged people to stay indoors till the point of normal is reached.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-to-inoculate-quarter-of-its-population-against-coronavirus-in-a-month-says-netanyahu-352705">Israel to inoculate quarter of its population against coronavirus in a month, says Netanyahu</a>

The country went into a third nationwide lockdown to limit the transmission by following strict regulations that have previously, too, helped the country bounce back to near-normal conditions.

Starting from 5 pm on Sunday, people will not be allowed to step out of their houses unless they are seeking&nbsp;medical care, attending legal proceedings, going to school or exercising.&nbsp;

Unlike last time, the Israel government has decided to keep the schools open amid this lockdown. However, children under the age of six, students in grade one to four and teenagers finishing secondary school in grades 11 and 12 will only be allowed to attend the school physically. Grades five to 10 will stay closed and continue with virtual classes.

Also read|<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-announces-third-nationwide-virus-lockdown-352002">&nbsp;Israel announces third nationwide virus lockdown</a>

The decision to keep&nbsp;grades five through 10 home has attracted criticism from experts who believe this decision will negatively affect the emotional and mental wellbeing of these teenagers.

"The decision to ignore this age bracket means the abandonment of hundreds of thousands of children, only because in theory they can be left at home alone while (their parents) go to work," NCC head Vered Windman was quoted by a local newspaper. "But this is precisely the age group that is at a higher risk of developing emotional difficulties, fears and isolation."

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister, on Saturday after&nbsp;Shabbat, told the masses he has personally spoken to head of companies developing the coronavirus vaccine and has been assured that the companies will be able to provide the requisite number of doses to Israel.

Appreciating the efforts of the local officials for starting the vaccine drive, he said the targets set by the country's administration for vaccination drive of "such a magnitude (they amount to) a world record".

With an alarming increase in the number of coronavirus cases in the country, a nationwide lockdown has bene reimposed in Israel for the third time in this pandemic year.

With an alarming increase in the number of coronavirus cases in the country, a nationwide lockdown has bene reimposed in Israel for the third time in this pandemic year. Voicing a tone of optimism and hope, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a "world record" vaccination will bring things back to normal within weeks, but urged people to stay indoors till the point of normal is reached. Also read| Israel to inoculate quarter of its population against coronavirus in a month, says Netanyahu The country went into a third nationwide lockdown to limit the transmission by following strict regulations that have previously, too, helped the country bounce back to near-normal conditions. Starting from 5 pm on Sunday, people will not be allowed to step out of their houses unless they are seeking medical care, attending legal proceedings, going to school or exercising. Unlike last time, the Israel government has decided to keep the schools open amid this lockdown. However, children under the age of six, students in grade one to four and teenagers finishing secondary school in grades 11 and 12 will only be allowed to attend the school physically. Grades five to 10 will stay closed and continue with virtual classes. Also read| Israel announces third nationwide virus lockdown The decision to keep grades five through 10 home has attracted criticism from experts who believe this decision will negatively affect the emotional and mental wellbeing of these teenagers. "The decision to ignore this age bracket means the abandonment of hundreds of thousands of children, only because in theory they can be left at home alone while (their parents) go to work," NCC head Vered Windman was quoted by a local newspaper. "But this is precisely the age group that is at a higher risk of developing emotional difficulties, fears and isolation." Meanwhile, the Prime Minister, on Saturday after Shabbat, told the masses he has personally spoken to head of companies developing the coronavirus vaccine and has been assured that the companies will be able to provide the requisite number of doses to Israel. Appreciating the efforts of the local officials for starting the vaccine drive, he said the targets set by the country's administration for vaccination drive of "such a magnitude (they amount to) a world record".

Israel enters third nationwide lockdown; PM hopes for 'world record' of vaccinated people

Syrian state news agency SANA said on Friday that Syria's air defences intercepted missiles fired by Israel. The missiles were reportedly fired on the western province of Hama.

"Our air defences intercepted an Israeli attack on the Masyaf area" in rural Hama, SANA reported.

Syrian state TV aired footage purporting to show air defences responding to the Israeli attack.

As per AFP, Israeli warplanes were heard flying over neighbouring Lebanon just before the strikes.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported strikes on Masyaf, saying Israel was "likely responsible".

The war monitor said the attack targeted "positions of regime forces and Iran-backed militias," without providing additional details.&nbsp;

Israel, which did not immediately comment on the reports, has launched hundreds of strikes in Syria since the start of the civil war in 2011.

It has targeted government troops, allied Iranian forces and fighters from the Lebanese Shiite militant group Hezbollah.

It rarely confirms details of its operations in Syria, but says Iran's presence in support of President Bashar al-Assad is a threat and that it will continue its strikes.

(With AFP inputs)

Syrian state news agency SANA said on Friday that Syria's air defences intercepted missiles fired by Israel. The missiles were reportedly fired on the western province of Hama.

Syrian state news agency SANA said on Friday that Syria's air defences intercepted missiles fired by Israel. The missiles were reportedly fired on the western province of Hama. "Our air defences intercepted an Israeli attack on the Masyaf area" in rural Hama, SANA reported. Syrian state TV aired footage purporting to show air defences responding to the Israeli attack. As per AFP, Israeli warplanes were heard flying over neighbouring Lebanon just before the strikes. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported strikes on Masyaf, saying Israel was "likely responsible". The war monitor said the attack targeted "positions of regime forces and Iran-backed militias," without providing additional details. Israel, which did not immediately comment on the reports, has launched hundreds of strikes in Syria since the start of the civil war in 2011. It has targeted government troops, allied Iranian forces and fighters from the Lebanese Shiite militant group Hezbollah. It rarely confirms details of its operations in Syria, but says Iran's presence in support of President Bashar al-Assad is a threat and that it will continue its strikes. (With AFP inputs)

Israeli strike intercepted in Syria, says Syrian state media

As of 2013, Israel had been condemned in 45 resolutions by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Since the creation of the Council in 2006, it has resolved almost more resolutions condemning Israel than on the rest of the world combined.&nbsp;

In the year 2020, The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a total of 17 resolutions criticizing Israel versus six resolutions singling out any other country, according to a tally by pro-Israel watchdog UN Watch.&nbsp;

According to The Times of Israel, Israel and activists have long slammed the UN for routinely adopting decision after decision directed against Israel, saying it exploits an overwhelming automatic majority that votes to censure Jerusalem no matter the subject.&nbsp;

The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a number of resolutions saying that the strategic relationship with the United States encourages Israel to pursue aggressive and expansionist policies and practices.

(With inputs from agencies)

As of 2013, Israel had been condemned in 45 resolutions by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Since the creation of the Council in 2006, it has resolved almost more resolutions condemning Israel than on the rest of the world combined.

As of 2013, Israel had been condemned in 45 resolutions by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Since the creation of the Council in 2006, it has resolved almost more resolutions condemning Israel than on the rest of the world combined. In the year 2020, The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a total of 17 resolutions criticizing Israel versus six resolutions singling out any other country, according to a tally by pro-Israel watchdog UN Watch. According to The Times of Israel, Israel and activists have long slammed the UN for routinely adopting decision after decision directed against Israel, saying it exploits an overwhelming automatic majority that votes to censure Jerusalem no matter the subject. The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a number of resolutions saying that the strategic relationship with the United States encourages Israel to pursue aggressive and expansionist policies and practices. (With inputs from agencies)

UN criticised Israel 17 times in 2020, singled out any other country just 6 times

Israel on Saturday set new coronavirus rules obliging residents returning to the country from Sunday to self-isolate, ending exemptions for arrivals from a few countries previously classed as "green".

Among countries stripped of their green status are the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, which signed US-sponsored normalisation accords with the Jewish state in September.

Dubai has since become a magnet for Israelis itching to travel who have been deterred from flying to Europe or the United States by the countries' "red" status, meaning Israelis would have to quarantine on their return home.

"Beginning December 20, all countries will be considered red and all those returning will have to isolate for 14 days," the health ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israels-netanyahu-to-enter-precautionary-virus-quarantine-349774">Israel's Netanyahu to enter precautionary virus quarantine</a>

The ministry did not mention any change in rules for foreign travellers, although Israel's coronavirus cabinet is expected on Sunday to announce further restrictions. &nbsp;

Saturday's statement said Israeli travellers already in green countries and returning home by December 26 would be exempt from the new quarantine rules.

The Jerusalem Post wrote last week that "dozens of Israelis were in isolation in Dubai after testing positive abroad".

It said that "hundreds" were in quarantine in Israel after learning they had returned from the Gulf on a flight found to have carried confirmed Covid-19 cases.&nbsp;

Over 370,000 people in Israel have tested positive for the virus since the first confirmed case was reported in February.

Just over 3,000 people have died, in a country of around nine million.

Israel imposed a second nationwide lockdown in September, when the country had one of the world's highest per capita infection rates.

Restrictions have since been gradually eased but case numbers are again on the rise.

Israel on Saturday set new coronavirus rules obliging residents returning to the country from Sunday to self-isolate, ending exemptions for arrivals from a few countries previously classed as "green".

Israel on Saturday set new coronavirus rules obliging residents returning to the country from Sunday to self-isolate, ending exemptions for arrivals from a few countries previously classed as "green". Among countries stripped of their green status are the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, which signed US-sponsored normalisation accords with the Jewish state in September. Dubai has since become a magnet for Israelis itching to travel who have been deterred from flying to Europe or the United States by the countries' "red" status, meaning Israelis would have to quarantine on their return home. "Beginning December 20, all countries will be considered red and all those returning will have to isolate for 14 days," the health ministry said in a statement on Saturday. Also read| Israel's Netanyahu to enter precautionary virus quarantine The ministry did not mention any change in rules for foreign travellers, although Israel's coronavirus cabinet is expected on Sunday to announce further restrictions. Saturday's statement said Israeli travellers already in green countries and returning home by December 26 would be exempt from the new quarantine rules. The Jerusalem Post wrote last week that "dozens of Israelis were in isolation in Dubai after testing positive abroad". It said that "hundreds" were in quarantine in Israel after learning they had returned from the Gulf on a flight found to have carried confirmed Covid-19 cases. Over 370,000 people in Israel have tested positive for the virus since the first confirmed case was reported in February. Just over 3,000 people have died, in a country of around nine million. Israel imposed a second nationwide lockdown in September, when the country had one of the world's highest per capita infection rates. Restrictions have since been gradually eased but case numbers are again on the rise.

Israelis face tighter travel rules as COVID-19 cases increase

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will self-isolate on Monday after having come into contact with a coronavirus patient, his office said calling it a precautionary step.

Netanyahu tested negative for the virus on Sunday and on Monday, but he will still "enter isolation until Friday following contact with a confirmed coronavirus patient", the statement said.&nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-to-start-mass-vaccination-against-coronavirus-this-month-348783">Israel to start mass vaccination against coronavirus this month</a>

Several Israeli media outlets have reported that Netanyahu met last week with a member of his right-wing Likud party, Michael Kleiner, who has subsequently tested positive for the virus.&nbsp;

The statement from the prime minister's office did not provide details regarding Netanyahu's potential exposure.&nbsp;

Also read|<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-gets-first-delivery-of-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-348538">&nbsp;Israel gets first delivery of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine</a>

Netanyahu was at Israel's Ben Gurion airport last week to welcome a first shipment of Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine.

He declared that the end of the pandemic was "in sight" and offered to take the first jab in a mass vaccination campaign due to start later this month.&nbsp;

Israel, a country of nine million people, has registered more than 358,000 coronavirus cases, including 3003 deaths.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will self-isolate on Monday after having come into contact with a coronavirus patient, his office said calling it a precautionary step.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will self-isolate on Monday after having come into contact with a coronavirus patient, his office said calling it a precautionary step. Netanyahu tested negative for the virus on Sunday and on Monday, but he will still "enter isolation until Friday following contact with a confirmed coronavirus patient", the statement said. Also read| Israel to start mass vaccination against coronavirus this month Several Israeli media outlets have reported that Netanyahu met last week with a member of his right-wing Likud party, Michael Kleiner, who has subsequently tested positive for the virus. The statement from the prime minister's office did not provide details regarding Netanyahu's potential exposure. Also read| Israel gets first delivery of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine Netanyahu was at Israel's Ben Gurion airport last week to welcome a first shipment of Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine. He declared that the end of the pandemic was "in sight" and offered to take the first jab in a mass vaccination campaign due to start later this month. Israel, a country of nine million people, has registered more than 358,000 coronavirus cases, including 3003 deaths.

Israel's Netanyahu to enter precautionary virus quarantine

In an interesting comment, Morocco's foreign minister said on Sunday that the country's ties with Israel were 'already normal' before diplomatic relations were normalised recently.

Morocco on Thursday announced a "resumption of relations" with Israel, shortly after US President Donald Trump tweeted that Rabat and the Jewish state had "agreed to full diplomatic relations". &nbsp;

Morocco had closed its liaison office in Tel Aviv in 2000 when second Palestinian uprising started.

Morocco's announcement is widely seen as making it the fourth Arab country this year to unveil plans to normalise ties with Israel through a US-brokered deal, following the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan.&nbsp;

But in an interview with Israel's Yediot Ahronot newspaper published Sunday, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said, "Israel's relations with Morocco are special and can't be compared to the relations that Israel has with any other Arab country."&nbsp;

"From our perspective, we aren't talking about normalisation because relations were already normal," Bourita was quoted as saying by the paper. &nbsp;

"We're talking about (re-formalising) the relations between the countries to the relations we had, because there have been relations the entire time. They never stopped," he added.&nbsp;

A palace statement last week said King Mohammed VI had agreed to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel with "minimal delay".

That followed Trump's recognition of Morocco's contested sovereignty in Western Sahara, infuriating the Algerian-backed Polisario Front, which controls about one-fifth of the vast, arid region.&nbsp;

Bourita, in the interview, highlighted Morocco's enduring connection to Israel through its domestic Jewish community and the estimated 700,000 Israeli Jews of Moroccan descent.&nbsp;

"Morocco has an important history with the Jewish community, a history that is special in the Arab world," he told the paper.

(With AFP inputs)

In an interesting comment, Morocco's foreign minister said on Sunday that the country's ties with Israel were 'already normal' before diplomatic relations were normalised recently.

In an interesting comment, Morocco's foreign minister said on Sunday that the country's ties with Israel were 'already normal' before diplomatic relations were normalised recently. Morocco on Thursday announced a "resumption of relations" with Israel, shortly after US President Donald Trump tweeted that Rabat and the Jewish state had "agreed to full diplomatic relations". Morocco had closed its liaison office in Tel Aviv in 2000 when second Palestinian uprising started. Morocco's announcement is widely seen as making it the fourth Arab country this year to unveil plans to normalise ties with Israel through a US-brokered deal, following the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan. But in an interview with Israel's Yediot Ahronot newspaper published Sunday, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said, "Israel's relations with Morocco are special and can't be compared to the relations that Israel has with any other Arab country." "From our perspective, we aren't talking about normalisation because relations were already normal," Bourita was quoted as saying by the paper. "We're talking about (re-formalising) the relations between the countries to the relations we had, because there have been relations the entire time. They never stopped," he added. A palace statement last week said King Mohammed VI had agreed to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel with "minimal delay". That followed Trump's recognition of Morocco's contested sovereignty in Western Sahara, infuriating the Algerian-backed Polisario Front, which controls about one-fifth of the vast, arid region. Bourita, in the interview, highlighted Morocco's enduring connection to Israel through its domestic Jewish community and the estimated 700,000 Israeli Jews of Moroccan descent. "Morocco has an important history with the Jewish community, a history that is special in the Arab world," he told the paper. (With AFP inputs)

Ties with Israel were 'already normal', says Morocco

Morocco has agreed to resume diplomatic relations with Israel, becoming the fourth Arab nation this year to recognise the Jewish state under a deal brokered by the US, according to the White House.

US President Donald Trump spoke to Morocco's King Mohammed VI on Thursday and reaffirmed his country's support to Morocco's 'realistic autonomy proposal' for sovereignty over the Western Sahara region.

King Mohammed VI agreed to resume diplomatic ties between his kingdom and Israel to expand economic and cultural cooperation, which would advance regional stability, the White House said on Thursday.

Trump reiterated that he, as president, recognised the Moroccan sovereignty over the entire Western Sahara territory. The Polisario Front -- a Sahrawi rebel national liberation movement -- and the Kingdom of Morocco claim sovereignty over the Western Sahara territory.

The US-Morocco friendship is rooted in our shared belief in the promise of peace, stability and economic opportunity, and has endured since Morocco became the first country to recognise the United States in 1777, the White House said in a readout of the conversation between the two leaders.

'The President reaffirmed his support for Morocco's serious, credible and realistic autonomy proposal as the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute over the Western Sahara territory and as such the President recognised Moroccan sovereignty over the entire Western Sahara territory,” it said.

They also discussed cooperation in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, including ways to minimise its economic impact. They also spoke on critical regional issues of common interest, the White House said.

Morocco has now become the fourth Arab nation to resume ties with Israel. The development comes as the US is expanding the number of countries under the “Abraham Accords”, as part of which the United Arab Emirates and Israel resumed bilateral ties earlier in the year, with a series of trade and technology pacts.

Bahrain and Sudan have followed the UAE, becoming the second and third Arab countries respectively to resume ties with Israel.

Trump’s Special Advisor and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, during a conference call with reporters on Thursday, said that “this is the fourth peace agreement that President Trump and his administration have been able to broker in the last four months. This comes on the heels of four years of very, very hard work and very intense diplomacy that has occurred”.

As part of this deal, Morocco will establish full diplomatic relations and resume official contacts with Israel. It will grant overflights and direct flights to and from Israel for all Israelis, he said.

The two countries will reopen the liaison offices in Rabat and Tel Aviv immediately, with the intention to open the embassies in the near future. They'll be promoting economic cooperation between Israeli and Moroccan companies.

Describing this as a great part of the President's efforts towards bringing peace and stability and understanding in the world, Kushner said that this is a great success that the Abraham Accords have had so far.

“People are seeing the nonstop visitation between Israelis and Arabs and Muslims throughout the world -- going to each other's countries, whether it's going to Dubai or Abu Dhabi or Tel Aviv,” he said.

Kushner said that bringing Jews and Muslims and Christians together has been a core focus of the President's efforts.

“That's why he did his first trip to Saudi Arabia, the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques; and then Israel; and then Rome, to the Vatican. And that's been a real effort of his,” he said.

“If you look back at the last four years when the President came into power, Iran was greatly empowered. You know, they'd just done the terrible JCPOA deal, ISIS was running rampant, all of America's allies in the region felt very alienated, and obviously, there'd been a lot of issues that had to be dealt with.

“Now we have peace sprouting in the Middle East. You know, President Trump took a contrarian approach -- one that was different than not just Democrat but also Republican administrations. Just a different approach than the experts had been taking in the region. And the fruits of these efforts have become very apparent, but we also believe that there is a lot more fruits to come in the short, medium and long term,” he said.

Senator Lindsey Graham congratulated Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Moroccan Prime Minister Saad-Eddine El Othmani on the historic achievement.

'It is a win-win-win for Israel, Morocco, and the United States,” Graham said.

Senator Mike Lee said that this agreement, along with the Abraham Accords, “demonstrates that we are truly living in a historic time for Middle Eastern relations with the West”.

Congressman Eliot L Engel, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, welcomed the news.

“At the same time, I am concerned this announcement upends a credible, internationally supported UN process to address the territorial dispute over Western Sahara, which successive administrations of both parties have supported. Casting aside legitimate multilateral avenues of conflict resolution only empowers countries like Russia and China to continue trampling on international rules and norms and rewards those who violate borders and the rights of free peoples,” Engel said.

Senator James Lankford commended both the nations for taking this step and encouraged other nations to open diplomatic ties with Israel.

Morocco has agreed to resume diplomatic relations with Israel, becoming the fourth Arab nation this year to recognise the Jewish state under a deal brokered by the US, according to the White House.

Morocco has agreed to resume diplomatic relations with Israel, becoming the fourth Arab nation this year to recognise the Jewish state under a deal brokered by the US, according to the White House. US President Donald Trump spoke to Morocco's King Mohammed VI on Thursday and reaffirmed his country's support to Morocco's 'realistic autonomy proposal' for sovereignty over the Western Sahara region. King Mohammed VI agreed to resume diplomatic ties between his kingdom and Israel to expand economic and cultural cooperation, which would advance regional stability, the White House said on Thursday. Trump reiterated that he, as president, recognised the Moroccan sovereignty over the entire Western Sahara territory. The Polisario Front -- a Sahrawi rebel national liberation movement -- and the Kingdom of Morocco claim sovereignty over the Western Sahara territory. The US-Morocco friendship is rooted in our shared belief in the promise of peace, stability and economic opportunity, and has endured since Morocco became the first country to recognise the United States in 1777, the White House said in a readout of the conversation between the two leaders. 'The President reaffirmed his support for Morocco's serious, credible and realistic autonomy proposal as the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute over the Western Sahara territory and as such the President recognised Moroccan sovereignty over the entire Western Sahara territory,” it said. They also discussed cooperation in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, including ways to minimise its economic impact. They also spoke on critical regional issues of common interest, the White House said. Morocco has now become the fourth Arab nation to resume ties with Israel. The development comes as the US is expanding the number of countries under the “Abraham Accords”, as part of which the United Arab Emirates and Israel resumed bilateral ties earlier in the year, with a series of trade and technology pacts. Bahrain and Sudan have followed the UAE, becoming the second and third Arab countries respectively to resume ties with Israel. Trump’s Special Advisor and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, during a conference call with reporters on Thursday, said that “this is the fourth peace agreement that President Trump and his administration have been able to broker in the last four months. This comes on the heels of four years of very, very hard work and very intense diplomacy that has occurred”. As part of this deal, Morocco will establish full diplomatic relations and resume official contacts with Israel. It will grant overflights and direct flights to and from Israel for all Israelis, he said. The two countries will reopen the liaison offices in Rabat and Tel Aviv immediately, with the intention to open the embassies in the near future. They'll be promoting economic cooperation between Israeli and Moroccan companies. Describing this as a great part of the President's efforts towards bringing peace and stability and understanding in the world, Kushner said that this is a great success that the Abraham Accords have had so far. “People are seeing the nonstop visitation between Israelis and Arabs and Muslims throughout the world -- going to each other's countries, whether it's going to Dubai or Abu Dhabi or Tel Aviv,” he said. Kushner said that bringing Jews and Muslims and Christians together has been a core focus of the President's efforts. “That's why he did his first trip to Saudi Arabia, the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques; and then Israel; and then Rome, to the Vatican. And that's been a real effort of his,” he said. “If you look back at the last four years when the President came into power, Iran was greatly empowered. You know, they'd just done the terrible JCPOA deal, ISIS was running rampant, all of America's allies in the region felt very alienated, and obviously, there'd been a lot of issues that had to be dealt with. “Now we have peace sprouting in the Middle East. You know, President Trump took a contrarian approach -- one that was different than not just Democrat but also Republican administrations. Just a different approach than the experts had been taking in the region. And the fruits of these efforts have become very apparent, but we also believe that there is a lot more fruits to come in the short, medium and long term,” he said. Senator Lindsey Graham congratulated Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Moroccan Prime Minister Saad-Eddine El Othmani on the historic achievement. 'It is a win-win-win for Israel, Morocco, and the United States,” Graham said. Senator Mike Lee said that this agreement, along with the Abraham Accords, “demonstrates that we are truly living in a historic time for Middle Eastern relations with the West”. Congressman Eliot L Engel, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, welcomed the news. “At the same time, I am concerned this announcement upends a credible, internationally supported UN process to address the territorial dispute over Western Sahara, which successive administrations of both parties have supported. Casting aside legitimate multilateral avenues of conflict resolution only empowers countries like Russia and China to continue trampling on international rules and norms and rewards those who violate borders and the rights of free peoples,” Engel said. Senator James Lankford commended both the nations for taking this step and encouraged other nations to open diplomatic ties with Israel.

Morocco to normalise ties with Israel; US recognises kingdom's claim of sovereignty over West Sahara

Israel is set to start with mass vaccination against coronavirus On December 27, said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He said this during a speech late Wednesday that was broadcast by Israeli TV channels. Israel got its first delivery of coronavirus vaccine on Wednesday.

"We will start the first vaccinations on December 27 - in two and a half weeks .... Israel is ready to make 60,000 vaccinations per day, and this is a huge figure, "Netanyahu said&nbsp;

Netanyahu added that Israeli health authorities will grant the so-called green passport for those inoculated. This will allowe them to roam freely. He said that he himself will be vaccinated.

In November, Netanyahu had announced signing of the contract with Pfizer to secure two-dose jabs for 4 million of its citizens.

Israel also has deals with US company Moderna and other vaccine manufacturers. The country also launched trials of its own vaccine in November. Phase-3 of these trials are scheduled for April-May.

Earlier, Jerusalem`s Hadassah Medical Center, one of Israel`s most authoritative medical facilities, said it had ordered 1.5 million doses of Russian-made coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V, with the deliveries pending the ministry`s approval. If the ministry refuses authorization, Hadassah plans to use the vaccine in its foreign branches.&nbsp;

Israel is set to start with mass vaccination against coronavirus On December 27, said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He said this during a speech late Wednesday that was broadcast by Israeli TV channels.

Israel is set to start with mass vaccination against coronavirus On December 27, said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He said this during a speech late Wednesday that was broadcast by Israeli TV channels. Israel got its first delivery of coronavirus vaccine on Wednesday. "We will start the first vaccinations on December 27 - in two and a half weeks .... Israel is ready to make 60,000 vaccinations per day, and this is a huge figure, "Netanyahu said Netanyahu added that Israeli health authorities will grant the so-called green passport for those inoculated. This will allowe them to roam freely. He said that he himself will be vaccinated. In November, Netanyahu had announced signing of the contract with Pfizer to secure two-dose jabs for 4 million of its citizens. Israel also has deals with US company Moderna and other vaccine manufacturers. The country also launched trials of its own vaccine in November. Phase-3 of these trials are scheduled for April-May. Earlier, Jerusalem`s Hadassah Medical Center, one of Israel`s most authoritative medical facilities, said it had ordered 1.5 million doses of Russian-made coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V, with the deliveries pending the ministry`s approval. If the ministry refuses authorization, Hadassah plans to use the vaccine in its foreign branches.

Israel to start mass vaccination against coronavirus this month

Iran's top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was killed by a satellite-controlled machine gun, according to the country's state media.

Fakhrizadeh, the architect of Tehran’s nuclear strategy, was killed on a highway near the capital in a carefully planned assassination that has led to a serious escalation of tensions in the Middle East.

He died in hospital on 27 November after bullets fired at his car, in an ambush Iran's president has blamed on Israel.

Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency quoted Commodore Ali Fadavi, deputy commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as saying: "The machine gun was equipped with online control and artificial intelligence to target Martyr Fakhrizadeh." 
&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-who-killed-mohsen-fakhrizadeh-346563/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was driving on a highway outside Iran's capital Tehran with a security detail of 11 Guards on November 27, when the machine gun "zoomed in" on his face and fired 13 rounds, said rear-admiral Ali Fadavi.

The machine gun was mounted on a Nissan pickup and "focused only on martyr Fakhrizadeh's face in a way that his wife, despite being only 25 centimetres (10 inches) away, was not shot," Mehr news agency quoted him as saying.

Fadavi said that Fakhrizadeh's head of security took four bullets "as he threw himself" on the scientist and that there were "no terrorists at the scene".

Iran’s supreme leader has already called for the “definitive punishment” of those behind the killing of one of the country’s most senior scientists, who was identified by Israel as having headed a secret nuclear weapons programme.

(With inputs from agencies)

Iran's top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was killed by a satellite-controlled machine gun, according to the country's state media. Fakhrizadeh, the architect of Tehran’s nuclear strategy, was killed on a highway near the capital in a carefully planned assassination that has led to a serious escalation of tensions in the Middle East.

Iran's top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was killed by a satellite-controlled machine gun, according to the country's state media. Fakhrizadeh, the architect of Tehran’s nuclear strategy, was killed on a highway near the capital in a carefully planned assassination that has led to a serious escalation of tensions in the Middle East. He died in hospital on 27 November after bullets fired at his car, in an ambush Iran's president has blamed on Israel. Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency quoted Commodore Ali Fadavi, deputy commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as saying: "The machine gun was equipped with online control and artificial intelligence to target Martyr Fakhrizadeh." Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was driving on a highway outside Iran's capital Tehran with a security detail of 11 Guards on November 27, when the machine gun "zoomed in" on his face and fired 13 rounds, said rear-admiral Ali Fadavi. The machine gun was mounted on a Nissan pickup and "focused only on martyr Fakhrizadeh's face in a way that his wife, despite being only 25 centimetres (10 inches) away, was not shot," Mehr news agency quoted him as saying. Fadavi said that Fakhrizadeh's head of security took four bullets "as he threw himself" on the scientist and that there were "no terrorists at the scene". Iran’s supreme leader has already called for the “definitive punishment” of those behind the killing of one of the country’s most senior scientists, who was identified by Israel as having headed a secret nuclear weapons programme. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran’s nuke scientist was killed using satellite-controlled gun, IRGC says

Israel Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi on Sunday said that landmark Abraham Accords were like an 'opportunity' and that they were not struck at the 'expense' of the Palestinians. He was speaking at a regional security conference in Manama, Bahrain.

"The Abraham accords do not come at the expense of the Palestinians. Quite the opposite, they are an opportunity that should not be missed," he said in a virtual address.

The Abrham Accords, through which UAE and Bahrain broke decades of Arab consensus were decried by Palestinian leaders as a "stab in the back". The consensus among Arab countries meant that they would be no relations between them and Israel until it made peace with the Palestinians

Israeli foreign minister on Sunday said that the diplomati shift could help resolve Israel-Palestine conflict.

"I call on the Palestinians to change their minds and enter direct negotiation with us without preconditions. This is the only way to solve this conflict," he said.&nbsp;

"We believe as Israel moves from annexation to normalisation, there is a window to solve this conflict," he said, referring to its agreement to put annexation plans on hold in return for the normalisation deal.

The United States, which brokered the Abraham Accords, has been intensively negotiating for more Arab nations to come in board, notably Saudi Arabia, the biggest Gulf power.

Saudi to sign up?

Mutual concern over Iran has gradually brought Israel and Gulf nations closer, and there were reports last month that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had held secret talks in Saudi Arabia, fuelling speculation a normalisation accord could be in the making.

Riyadh, however, denied that the meeting, reportedly between Netanyahu and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, had occurred.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan told AFP in Manama Saturday that the kingdom's position remained resolute.

"We've been quite clear that in order for us to proceed with normalisation we will need to see a settlement of the Palestinian dispute and the formation of a viable state of Palestine along the lines envisioned in the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative," he said.

"Without a settlement between the Palestinians and the Israelis we are not going to see true peace and stability in the region."

Asked whether that effectively ruled out the establishment of ties with Israel any time soon, he said he was "optimistic that there is a path towards a resolution between the Palestinians and Israelis".&nbsp;

However, Prince Turki al-Faisal, the Saudi former intelligence chief who is said to be close to the top leadership, gave voice to the strong support that the Palestinian cause still has in the region, with a fiery presentation to the Manama meeting.&nbsp;

He accused Israel of depicting itself as a "small, existentially threatened country, surrounded by bloodthirsty killers who want to eradicate her from existence".

"And yet they profess that they want to be friends with Saudi Arabia," he said, outlining a history of forcible eviction of Palestinians and destroyed villages.

"You cannot treat an open wound with palliatives and painkillers. The Abraham Accords are not divine writ."

(With AFP inputs)

Israel Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi on Sunday said that landmark Abraham Accords were like an 'opportunity' and that they were not struck at the 'expense' of the Palestinians.

Israel Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi on Sunday said that landmark Abraham Accords were like an 'opportunity' and that they were not struck at the 'expense' of the Palestinians. He was speaking at a regional security conference in Manama, Bahrain. "The Abraham accords do not come at the expense of the Palestinians. Quite the opposite, they are an opportunity that should not be missed," he said in a virtual address. The Abrham Accords, through which UAE and Bahrain broke decades of Arab consensus were decried by Palestinian leaders as a "stab in the back". The consensus among Arab countries meant that they would be no relations between them and Israel until it made peace with the Palestinians Israeli foreign minister on Sunday said that the diplomati shift could help resolve Israel-Palestine conflict. "I call on the Palestinians to change their minds and enter direct negotiation with us without preconditions. This is the only way to solve this conflict," he said. "We believe as Israel moves from annexation to normalisation, there is a window to solve this conflict," he said, referring to its agreement to put annexation plans on hold in return for the normalisation deal. The United States, which brokered the Abraham Accords, has been intensively negotiating for more Arab nations to come in board, notably Saudi Arabia, the biggest Gulf power. Saudi to sign up? Mutual concern over Iran has gradually brought Israel and Gulf nations closer, and there were reports last month that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had held secret talks in Saudi Arabia, fuelling speculation a normalisation accord could be in the making. Riyadh, however, denied that the meeting, reportedly between Netanyahu and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, had occurred. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan told AFP in Manama Saturday that the kingdom's position remained resolute. "We've been quite clear that in order for us to proceed with normalisation we will need to see a settlement of the Palestinian dispute and the formation of a viable state of Palestine along the lines envisioned in the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative," he said. "Without a settlement between the Palestinians and the Israelis we are not going to see true peace and stability in the region." Asked whether that effectively ruled out the establishment of ties with Israel any time soon, he said he was "optimistic that there is a path towards a resolution between the Palestinians and Israelis". However, Prince Turki al-Faisal, the Saudi former intelligence chief who is said to be close to the top leadership, gave voice to the strong support that the Palestinian cause still has in the region, with a fiery presentation to the Manama meeting. He accused Israel of depicting itself as a "small, existentially threatened country, surrounded by bloodthirsty killers who want to eradicate her from existence". "And yet they profess that they want to be friends with Saudi Arabia," he said, outlining a history of forcible eviction of Palestinians and destroyed villages. "You cannot treat an open wound with palliatives and painkillers. The Abraham Accords are not divine writ." (With AFP inputs)

Israel calls Abraham Accords an 'opportunity' for Palestinians

Hundreds of mourners mourned the death of 15-year-old Palestinian boy at his funeral in West Bank on Saturday (December 5). The boy, Ali Abu Alia, was shot by an Israeli soldier on Friday.

Ali Abu Alia had been at a protest against Israeli settlements at al-Mughayyir village near Ramallah, where stones were thrown at Israeli soldiers.

The boy was hit by a bullet in his abdomen. He was taken to hospital in Ramallah, where he died.

Israeli military has denied using live ammunition. It said only rubber bullets were used.

The United Nations' Middle East envoy, Nickolay Mladenov, said he was appalled by the killing. "Israel must swiftly and independently investigate this shocking and unacceptable incident," he tweeted.

(With Reuters inputs)

Hundreds of mourners mourned the death of 15-year-old Palestinian boy at his funeral in West Bank on Saturday (December 5). The boy, Ali Abu Alia, was shot by an Israeli soldier on Friday.

Hundreds of mourners mourned the death of 15-year-old Palestinian boy at his funeral in West Bank on Saturday (December 5). The boy, Ali Abu Alia, was shot by an Israeli soldier on Friday. Ali Abu Alia had been at a protest against Israeli settlements at al-Mughayyir village near Ramallah, where stones were thrown at Israeli soldiers. The boy was hit by a bullet in his abdomen. He was taken to hospital in Ramallah, where he died. Israeli military has denied using live ammunition. It said only rubber bullets were used. The United Nations' Middle East envoy, Nickolay Mladenov, said he was appalled by the killing. "Israel must swiftly and independently investigate this shocking and unacceptable incident," he tweeted. (With Reuters inputs)

Hundreds gather for funeral of Palestinian teenager shot dead by Israeli soldier

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Thursday held a rare meeting with Israel foreign minister to press for restarting Israel-Palestine negotiations. The meeting came on the heels of Palestinian Authority leader Mahmud Abbas' visit to Jordan as part of and Arab tour to shore up support for Palestine.

Jordanian foreign minister, during the meeting at the King Hussein (Allenby) Bridge crossing between Jordan and the Israeli-occupied West Bank said the creation of an independent Palestinian state was key to ending the conflict with Israel.

"There is no alternative to a two-state solution" between Israel and the Palestinians, he told Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, quoted by the official Petra news agency.

"It is necessary to return to the negotiating table according to international law in order to find a real solution to achieve a just peace," Safadi said.

On Friday, Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz called on the Palestinians to return to the negotiating table, in a video statement addressing the "Palestinian people and their leadership".

"The Middle East is changing. It is in your interest to come return to negotiate," Gantz said in the statement that was posted online with Arabic subtitles.

"Don't stay behind," he said, promising to "promote big projects" in the Israeli-blockaded Gaza Strip. 
Thursday's meeting was the first with Jordan officially reported between Safadi and Ashkenazi since the latter, a former army chief of staff, become foreign minister in May.

Jordan and Israel have been bound by a peace treaty since 1994, but relations between the two neighbours are often tense.

Eyes on Biden

Safadi said resuming Israeli- Palestinian talks was timely, "particularly in light of the Palestinian Authority's decision to resume security cooperation with Israel".

The Palestinians announced last month they were restoring coordination that they had stopped in May over Israeli plans to annex parts of the West Bank.

Israel put on hold its annexation plans, in return for an agreement to normalise ties with the United Arab Emirates announced in August.

Abbas held talks in Jordan last week with King Abdullah II ahead of visits to Egypt, where he met separately with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

During the tour, Arab leaders stepped up international efforts for a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on a two-state solution.

Talks between Israel and the Palestinians have been frozen since 2014, and a US peace plan announced in January has been welcomed by Israel but rejected outright by the Palestinians as biased.

The plan was among moves pushed by President Donald Trump -- including recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's "undivided capital"-- that have angered the Palestinians.

The Palestinians, who want to set up an independent state with east Jerusalem as its capital, broke ties with the Trump administration, and are now hoping to build ties with Biden's incoming team.

(With AFP inputs)

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Thursday held a rare meeting with Israel foreign minister to press for restarting Israel-Palestine negotiations. The meeting came on the heels of Palestinian Authority leader Mahmud Abbas' visit to Jordan as part of and Arab tour to shore up support for Palestine.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Thursday held a rare meeting with Israel foreign minister to press for restarting Israel-Palestine negotiations. The meeting came on the heels of Palestinian Authority leader Mahmud Abbas' visit to Jordan as part of and Arab tour to shore up support for Palestine. Jordanian foreign minister, during the meeting at the King Hussein (Allenby) Bridge crossing between Jordan and the Israeli-occupied West Bank said the creation of an independent Palestinian state was key to ending the conflict with Israel. "There is no alternative to a two-state solution" between Israel and the Palestinians, he told Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, quoted by the official Petra news agency. "It is necessary to return to the negotiating table according to international law in order to find a real solution to achieve a just peace," Safadi said. On Friday, Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz called on the Palestinians to return to the negotiating table, in a video statement addressing the "Palestinian people and their leadership". "The Middle East is changing. It is in your interest to come return to negotiate," Gantz said in the statement that was posted online with Arabic subtitles. "Don't stay behind," he said, promising to "promote big projects" in the Israeli-blockaded Gaza Strip. Thursday's meeting was the first with Jordan officially reported between Safadi and Ashkenazi since the latter, a former army chief of staff, become foreign minister in May. Jordan and Israel have been bound by a peace treaty since 1994, but relations between the two neighbours are often tense. Eyes on Biden Safadi said resuming Israeli- Palestinian talks was timely, "particularly in light of the Palestinian Authority's decision to resume security cooperation with Israel". The Palestinians announced last month they were restoring coordination that they had stopped in May over Israeli plans to annex parts of the West Bank. Israel put on hold its annexation plans, in return for an agreement to normalise ties with the United Arab Emirates announced in August. Abbas held talks in Jordan last week with King Abdullah II ahead of visits to Egypt, where he met separately with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit. During the tour, Arab leaders stepped up international efforts for a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on a two-state solution. Talks between Israel and the Palestinians have been frozen since 2014, and a US peace plan announced in January has been welcomed by Israel but rejected outright by the Palestinians as biased. The plan was among moves pushed by President Donald Trump -- including recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's "undivided capital"-- that have angered the Palestinians. The Palestinians, who want to set up an independent state with east Jerusalem as its capital, broke ties with the Trump administration, and are now hoping to build ties with Biden's incoming team. (With AFP inputs)

Jordan, Israel go in huddle on Palestine issue

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