Senior&nbsp;government&nbsp;officials&nbsp;in multiple US-allied countries were&nbsp;targeted&nbsp;earlier this year with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-israel-spyware-firm-nso-operates-in-shadowy-cyber-world-218782">hacking&nbsp;software</a> that used Facebook Inc's&nbsp;WhatsApp&nbsp;to take over users' phones, according to people familiar with the messaging company's investigation.

Sources&nbsp;familiar with&nbsp;WhatsApp’s internal investigation into the breach said a “significant” portion of the known victims are high-profile&nbsp;government&nbsp;and military&nbsp;officials&nbsp;spread across at least 20 countries on five continents. Many of the nations are US&nbsp;allies, they said.

The&nbsp;hacking&nbsp;of a wider group of top&nbsp;government&nbsp;officials' smartphones than previously reported suggests the&nbsp;WhatsApp&nbsp;cyber intrusion could have broad political and diplomatic consequences.

WhatsApp&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/whatsapp-sues-israels-nso-for-alleged-cyber-espionage-targeting-civil-society-worldwide-258713">filed a lawsuit</a> on Tuesday against Israeli&nbsp;hacking&nbsp;tool developer NSO Group. The Facebook-owned software giant alleges that NSO Group built and sold a&nbsp;hacking&nbsp;platform that exploited a flaw in&nbsp;WhatsApp-owned servers to help clients hack into the cellphones of at least 1,400 users between April 29, 2019, and May 10, 2019.

The total number of&nbsp;WhatsApp&nbsp;users hacked could be even higher. A London-based human rights lawyer, who was among the targets, sent Reuters photographs showing attempts to break into his phone dating back to April 1.

While it is not clear who used the software to hack&nbsp;officials' phones, NSO has said it sells its spyware exclusively to&nbsp;government&nbsp;customers.

Some victims are in the United States, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Mexico, Pakistan and India, said people familiar with the investigation.&nbsp;Reuters could not verify whether the&nbsp;government&nbsp;officials&nbsp;were from those countries or elsewhere.

Some Indian nationals have gone public with allegations they were among the targets over the past couple of days; they include journalists, academics, lawyers and defenders of India's Dalit community.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-nso-secretly-transmitted-malicious-code-to-infect-phones-with-spyware-258836">NSO</a> said in a statement that it was "not able to disclose who is or is not a client or discuss specific uses of its technology." Previously it has denied any wrongdoing, saying its products are only meant to help&nbsp;governments catch terrorists and criminals.

Cybersecurity researchers have cast doubt on those claims over the years, saying NSO products were used against a wide range of targets, including protesters in countries under authoritarian rule.

Citizen Lab, an independent watchdog group that worked with&nbsp;WhatsApp&nbsp;to identify the&nbsp;hacking&nbsp;targets, said on Tuesday at least 100 of the victims were civil society figures such as journalists and dissidents, not criminals.

John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at Citizen Lab, said it was not surprising that foreign&nbsp;officials&nbsp;would be&nbsp;targeted&nbsp;as well.

“It is an open secret that many technologies branded for law enforcement investigations are used for state-on-state and political espionage,” Scott-Railton said.

Prior to notifying victims,&nbsp;WhatsApp&nbsp;checked the target list against existing law enforcement requests for information relating to criminal investigations, such as terrorism or child exploitation cases. But the company found no overlap, said a person familiar with the matter.&nbsp;Governments can submit such requests for information to&nbsp;WhatsApp&nbsp;through&nbsp;an online portal the company maintains.

WhatsApp&nbsp;has said it sent warning notifications to affected users earlier this week. The company has declined to comment on the identities of NSO Group's clients, who ultimately chose the targets.

Senior government officials in multiple US-allied countries were targeted earlier this year with hacking software that used Facebook Inc's WhatsApp to take over users' phones, according to people familiar with the messaging company's investigation.

Senior government officials in multiple US-allied countries were targeted earlier this year with hacking software that used Facebook Inc's WhatsApp to take over users' phones, according to people familiar with the messaging company's investigation. Sources familiar with WhatsApp’s internal investigation into the breach said a “significant” portion of the known victims are high-profile government and military officials spread across at least 20 countries on five continents. Many of the nations are US allies, they said. The hacking of a wider group of top government officials' smartphones than previously reported suggests the WhatsApp cyber intrusion could have broad political and diplomatic consequences. WhatsApp filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against Israeli hacking tool developer NSO Group. The Facebook-owned software giant alleges that NSO Group built and sold a hacking platform that exploited a flaw in WhatsApp-owned servers to help clients hack into the cellphones of at least 1,400 users between April 29, 2019, and May 10, 2019. The total number of WhatsApp users hacked could be even higher. A London-based human rights lawyer, who was among the targets, sent Reuters photographs showing attempts to break into his phone dating back to April 1. While it is not clear who used the software to hack officials' phones, NSO has said it sells its spyware exclusively to government customers. Some victims are in the United States, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Mexico, Pakistan and India, said people familiar with the investigation. Reuters could not verify whether the government officials were from those countries or elsewhere. Some Indian nationals have gone public with allegations they were among the targets over the past couple of days; they include journalists, academics, lawyers and defenders of India's Dalit community. NSO said in a statement that it was "not able to disclose who is or is not a client or discuss specific uses of its technology." Previously it has denied any wrongdoing, saying its products are only meant to help governments catch terrorists and criminals. Cybersecurity researchers have cast doubt on those claims over the years, saying NSO products were used against a wide range of targets, including protesters in countries under authoritarian rule. Citizen Lab, an independent watchdog group that worked with WhatsApp to identify the hacking targets, said on Tuesday at least 100 of the victims were civil society figures such as journalists and dissidents, not criminals. John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at Citizen Lab, said it was not surprising that foreign officials would be targeted as well. “It is an open secret that many technologies branded for law enforcement investigations are used for state-on-state and political espionage,” Scott-Railton said. Prior to notifying victims, WhatsApp checked the target list against existing law enforcement requests for information relating to criminal investigations, such as terrorism or child exploitation cases. But the company found no overlap, said a person familiar with the matter. Governments can submit such requests for information to WhatsApp through an online portal the company maintains. WhatsApp has said it sent warning notifications to affected users earlier this week. The company has declined to comment on the identities of NSO Group's clients, who ultimately chose the targets.

Government officials around the globe targeted for hacking through WhatsApp: Report

The Indian government has asked WhatsApp for an explanation on the snowballing snooping scandal.

The information technology ministry has asked for a detailed response from WhatsApp on the issue of Israeli spyware that allegedly targeted Indian journalists and human rights activists through its platform.

The ministry has written to the Facebook-owned messaging company, seeking its response on the matter.

Facebook owned-WhatsApp had earlier confirmed that Indian journalists and human rights activists were among those globally spied upon by Israeli spyware called Pegasus.

The journalists and activists are believed to have been targets of surveillance for two weeks until May when the national election was held.

The users were informed about the hacking spree just before Facebook sued the Israeli cybersecurity company NSO on Tuesday. WhatsApp's parent company Facebook has alleged that NSO had spread malware to around one thousand and four hundred users across twenty countries.

However, it did not say on whose behest the phones of journalists and activists across the world were targeted.

India's technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has put out a tweet explaining the govt position on the WhatsApp spyware attack controversy. The minister has said that WhatsApp has been asked to explain the nature of the breach and the steps being taken to protect the privacy of Indians using the social media platform.

He has gone on to say that there is a proper procedure &amp; protocols in place for an interception which needs sanction from senior-level authorities for clearly stated reasons for national interests.

Now, WhatsApp has been asked to submit a reply by November 4.

WhatsApp has over 1.5 billion users globally, of which India alone has accounted for about 400 million users.

The Indian government has asked WhatsApp for an explanation on the snowballing snooping scandal. The information technology ministry has asked for a detailed response from WhatsApp on the issue of Israeli spyware that allegedly targeted Indian journalists and human rights activists through its platform.

The Indian government has asked WhatsApp for an explanation on the snowballing snooping scandal. The information technology ministry has asked for a detailed response from WhatsApp on the issue of Israeli spyware that allegedly targeted Indian journalists and human rights activists through its platform. The ministry has written to the Facebook-owned messaging company, seeking its response on the matter. Facebook owned-WhatsApp had earlier confirmed that Indian journalists and human rights activists were among those globally spied upon by Israeli spyware called Pegasus. The journalists and activists are believed to have been targets of surveillance for two weeks until May when the national election was held. The users were informed about the hacking spree just before Facebook sued the Israeli cybersecurity company NSO on Tuesday. WhatsApp's parent company Facebook has alleged that NSO had spread malware to around one thousand and four hundred users across twenty countries. However, it did not say on whose behest the phones of journalists and activists across the world were targeted. India's technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has put out a tweet explaining the govt position on the WhatsApp spyware attack controversy. The minister has said that WhatsApp has been asked to explain the nature of the breach and the steps being taken to protect the privacy of Indians using the social media platform. He has gone on to say that there is a proper procedure & protocols in place for an interception which needs sanction from senior-level authorities for clearly stated reasons for national interests. Now, WhatsApp has been asked to submit a reply by November 4. WhatsApp has over 1.5 billion users globally, of which India alone has accounted for about 400 million users.

Government asks explanation from WhatsApp over Israeli Spyware Pegasus

How NSO secretly transmitted malicious code to infect phones with spyware

An ancient tomb in Jerusalem prized for its archaeological and religious importance was reopened for visits Thursday by France, which owns it after a dispute over access scuttled an earlier attempt.

The site known as the Tomb of the Kings in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem can now be visited during set hours twice per week, but visitors must pre-register online and pay a $3, 2.50 euros, the French consulate said.

Around 30 people,&nbsp;the most allowed at one time due to the sensitivity of the site,&nbsp;visited when the gates opened on Thursday morning, mainly ultra-Orthodox Jews who wanted to pray inside.

Around a dozen other ultra-Orthodox danced and prayed outside the gates while they waited for their turn to visit the 2,000-year-old tomb as police kept a close eye.

"This is a special event," said Yehuda Twerski, a 20-year-old ultra-Orthodox Jew from New York studying religion in Jerusalem.

"We're going in there to pray. Perhaps with proper negotiations maybe it will be open more often to the public."

Ultra-Orthodox Jews describe the tomb as a holy burial site of ancient ancestors.

France had attempted to open the site to visitors in June after having kept it closed since 2010, initially due to renovations but later because attempts to contest its ownership complicated its reopening.

It however immediately re-closed the site after a group of more than a dozen ultra-Orthodox tried to enter and pray despite not having signed up as requested, shoving toward the gate.

The site is a remarkable example of a Roman-era tomb, considered among the largest in the region.

Its unique status, Jewish veneration of the burial site and its location in the disputed east of the city added to complications in reopening it.

Archaeological sites in east Jerusalem are often freighted with religious significance and questions linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

There had been a challenge at Israel's rabbinical court, which rules on matters related to Jewish law and holy sites, over access to the tomb and France's ownership.

Before reopening the site, France sought guarantees from Israel it would not face legal challenges as well as commitments on how visits would be managed.

Visitors are not allowed to descend into the tomb itself and can only visit the exterior, which includes ritual baths and an ancient frieze above its entry.

An ancient tomb in Jerusalem prized for its archaeological and religious importance was reopened for visits Thursday by France, which owns it after a dispute over access scuttled an earlier attempt.

An ancient tomb in Jerusalem prized for its archaeological and religious importance was reopened for visits Thursday by France, which owns it after a dispute over access scuttled an earlier attempt. The site known as the Tomb of the Kings in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem can now be visited during set hours twice per week, but visitors must pre-register online and pay a $3, 2.50 euros, the French consulate said. Around 30 people, the most allowed at one time due to the sensitivity of the site, visited when the gates opened on Thursday morning, mainly ultra-Orthodox Jews who wanted to pray inside. Around a dozen other ultra-Orthodox danced and prayed outside the gates while they waited for their turn to visit the 2,000-year-old tomb as police kept a close eye. "This is a special event," said Yehuda Twerski, a 20-year-old ultra-Orthodox Jew from New York studying religion in Jerusalem. "We're going in there to pray. Perhaps with proper negotiations maybe it will be open more often to the public." Ultra-Orthodox Jews describe the tomb as a holy burial site of ancient ancestors. France had attempted to open the site to visitors in June after having kept it closed since 2010, initially due to renovations but later because attempts to contest its ownership complicated its reopening. It however immediately re-closed the site after a group of more than a dozen ultra-Orthodox tried to enter and pray despite not having signed up as requested, shoving toward the gate. The site is a remarkable example of a Roman-era tomb, considered among the largest in the region. Its unique status, Jewish veneration of the burial site and its location in the disputed east of the city added to complications in reopening it. Archaeological sites in east Jerusalem are often freighted with religious significance and questions linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. There had been a challenge at Israel's rabbinical court, which rules on matters related to Jewish law and holy sites, over access to the tomb and France's ownership. Before reopening the site, France sought guarantees from Israel it would not face legal challenges as well as commitments on how visits would be managed. Visitors are not allowed to descend into the tomb itself and can only visit the exterior, which includes ritual baths and an ancient frieze above its entry.

France reopens disputed ancient tomb in Jerusalem

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin will on Wednesday task centrist politician Benny Gantz with trying to form the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netanyahu-suffers-defeat-in-failing-to-form-israeli-government-257515">next coalition government</a> after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed, Rivlin's office said on Tuesday.

Netanyahu, a fourth-term conservative whose party tied with Gantz's in a September election, told Rivlin on Monday (October 21) that he was giving up on forming the government after failing to win support from a majority of parliament.

For the first time in a decade, someone other than Netanyahu will be asked to form a government in Israel.

The 70-year-old prime minister has called two elections this year, has twice been given the chance by the president to put together a ruling coalition and has twice failed.

Rivlin will on Wednesday turn to Gantz, leaving Netanyahu even more vulnerable in his fight for political survival.

But although he has failed, Gantz - a former general and political novice - also has no clear path to success.

Gantz's Blue and White party said in a statement it was "determined to form a liberal unity government."

Netanyahu, in power for the past decade and 13 years in total, has seen his political strength wane as he faces a looming indictment on corruption allegations he denies. Gantz, a former military chief, has pledged not to serve in a government under a premier facing criminal charges.

Likud placed second in the September ballot with 32 seats in the 120-member parliament, behind 33 for Blue and White.

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin will on Wednesday task centrist politician Benny Gantz with trying to form the next coalition government after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed, Rivlin's office said on Tuesday.

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin will on Wednesday task centrist politician Benny Gantz with trying to form the next coalition government after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed, Rivlin's office said on Tuesday. Netanyahu, a fourth-term conservative whose party tied with Gantz's in a September election, told Rivlin on Monday (October 21) that he was giving up on forming the government after failing to win support from a majority of parliament. For the first time in a decade, someone other than Netanyahu will be asked to form a government in Israel. The 70-year-old prime minister has called two elections this year, has twice been given the chance by the president to put together a ruling coalition and has twice failed. Rivlin will on Wednesday turn to Gantz, leaving Netanyahu even more vulnerable in his fight for political survival. But although he has failed, Gantz - a former general and political novice - also has no clear path to success. Gantz's Blue and White party said in a statement it was "determined to form a liberal unity government." Netanyahu, in power for the past decade and 13 years in total, has seen his political strength wane as he faces a looming indictment on corruption allegations he denies. Gantz, a former military chief, has pledged not to serve in a government under a premier facing criminal charges. Likud placed second in the September ballot with 32 seats in the 120-member parliament, behind 33 for Blue and White.

Netanyahu rival Gantz to be named to try to form next Israeli government

Israeli archaeologists on Sunday unveiled the&nbsp;remains&nbsp;of a&nbsp;5,000-year-old&nbsp;city&nbsp;they said was among the biggest from its era in the region, including fortifications, a ritual temple and a cemetery.

"We have here an immense urban construction, planned with streets that separate neighbourhoods and public spaces," Yitzhak Paz of the&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;Antiquities Authority told AFP at the site near the Mediterranean in the country's centre.

He called it a major discovery in the region from the Bronze Age.

The archaeological site, known as En Esur "is the largest site and the most important from that era" in the region, said Itai Elad, another archaeologist overseeing the excavation.

"It is 0.65 square kilometres, meaning double of what we know", said Elad.

A ritual temple was found within the ancient&nbsp;city&nbsp;along with rare figurines with human and animal faeces, they said.

It also included burnt animal bones in a stone basin that they called proof of sacrificial offerings.

The excavation allowed for an older settlement from some 7,000 years ago from the Chalcolithic period to be uncovered as well, though smaller than the other discovery.

Paz said the ancient&nbsp;city&nbsp;was the "first steps in the process of urbanisation" in what was Canaan at the time.

Dina Shalem, another of the archaeologists, noted it included fortifications some 20 metres long and two metres high as well as a cemetery.

Around four million fragments were found at the site, including pieces of pottery, flint tools and vases of stone and basalt, said Elad.

Some of the tools came from Egypt, the archaeologists said.

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An amazing find: Israeli archeologists have uncovered a 5000 year old huge city from the Early Bronze Age, the largest from that era in the entire Middle East. Underneath it, they also found a 7000 year old settlement! 
 
The Land of Israel - it's where it all started. <a href="https://t.co/A8bETYbHDd">pic.twitter.com/A8bETYbHDd</a>
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Standing before a wooden table where some of the findings were displayed, Elad showed some of the more impressive of the fragments, including a club that could have been used as a weapon.

"Thousands of people lived here from agriculture and commerce," said Paz, with estimates putting the number at between&nbsp;5,000 and 6,000.

He said the site was abandoned in the third century BC for unknown reasons.

The excavations carried out over the course of two and a half years included the participation of&nbsp;5,000 teenagers and volunteers.

The dig preceded the construction of a road in the area, a project whose plans were modified to preserve the site.

Israeli archaeologists on Sunday unveiled the remains of a 5,000-year-old city they said was among the biggest from its era in the region, including fortifications, a ritual temple and a cemetery.

Israeli archaeologists on Sunday unveiled the remains of a 5,000-year-old city they said was among the biggest from its era in the region, including fortifications, a ritual temple and a cemetery. "We have here an immense urban construction, planned with streets that separate neighbourhoods and public spaces," Yitzhak Paz of the Israel Antiquities Authority told AFP at the site near the Mediterranean in the country's centre. He called it a major discovery in the region from the Bronze Age. The archaeological site, known as En Esur "is the largest site and the most important from that era" in the region, said Itai Elad, another archaeologist overseeing the excavation. "It is 0.65 square kilometres, meaning double of what we know", said Elad. A ritual temple was found within the ancient city along with rare figurines with human and animal faeces, they said. It also included burnt animal bones in a stone basin that they called proof of sacrificial offerings. The excavation allowed for an older settlement from some 7,000 years ago from the Chalcolithic period to be uncovered as well, though smaller than the other discovery. Paz said the ancient city was the "first steps in the process of urbanisation" in what was Canaan at the time. Dina Shalem, another of the archaeologists, noted it included fortifications some 20 metres long and two metres high as well as a cemetery. Around four million fragments were found at the site, including pieces of pottery, flint tools and vases of stone and basalt, said Elad. Some of the tools came from Egypt, the archaeologists said. An amazing find: Israeli archeologists have uncovered a 5000 year old huge city from the Early Bronze Age, the largest from that era in the entire Middle East. Underneath it, they also found a 7000 year old settlement! The Land of Israel - it's where it all started. pic.twitter.com/A8bETYbHDd — Ofir Gendelman (@ofirgendelman) October 6, 2019 × Standing before a wooden table where some of the findings were displayed, Elad showed some of the more impressive of the fragments, including a club that could have been used as a weapon. "Thousands of people lived here from agriculture and commerce," said Paz, with estimates putting the number at between 5,000 and 6,000. He said the site was abandoned in the third century BC for unknown reasons. The excavations carried out over the course of two and a half years included the participation of 5,000 teenagers and volunteers. The dig preceded the construction of a road in the area, a project whose plans were modified to preserve the site.

Israel unveils remains of 5,000-year-old city

A massive, new underground necropolis is being built in Jerusalem to help overcome a looming shortage of gravesites for Jewish people in the holy city.

The mile-long labyrinth, with 23,000 burial chambers lining the walls and ground, was tunnelled into the hillside beneath Jerusalem's main Jewish cemetery, Givat Shaul, which is quickly running out of space.

Chevra Kadisha, the main group overseeing Jewish burials in&nbsp;Israel, has invested some&nbsp;$86 million&nbsp;in the modern twist on an ancient burial practice that it hopes will ease the pressure on the city's cemeteries.

Dozens of graveyards in&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;have already closed their gates to new burials. Non-Jews, who make up a minority in&nbsp;Israel, are buried in separate cemeteries.

The first 8,000 graves will be ready to use at the end of the month.

"According to our plan, after we finish the first part of 23,000 graves, probably we will have enough space to continue digging underground," Chananya Shachor, director of a local chapter of Chevra Kadisha, said on Sunday as the media got a first glimpse of the work.

"We will continue if people will accept this new method of burying", Shachor added.

A massive, new underground necropolis is being built in Jerusalem to help overcome a looming shortage of gravesites for Jewish people in the holy city. The mile-long labyrinth, with 23,000 burial chambers lining the walls and ground, was tunnelled into the hillside beneath Jerusalem's main Jewish cemetery, Givat Shaul, which is quickly running out of space.

A massive, new underground necropolis is being built in Jerusalem to help overcome a looming shortage of gravesites for Jewish people in the holy city. The mile-long labyrinth, with 23,000 burial chambers lining the walls and ground, was tunnelled into the hillside beneath Jerusalem's main Jewish cemetery, Givat Shaul, which is quickly running out of space. Chevra Kadisha, the main group overseeing Jewish burials in Israel, has invested some $86 million in the modern twist on an ancient burial practice that it hopes will ease the pressure on the city's cemeteries. Dozens of graveyards in Israel have already closed their gates to new burials. Non-Jews, who make up a minority in Israel, are buried in separate cemeteries. The first 8,000 graves will be ready to use at the end of the month. "According to our plan, after we finish the first part of 23,000 graves, probably we will have enough space to continue digging underground," Chananya Shachor, director of a local chapter of Chevra Kadisha, said on Sunday as the media got a first glimpse of the work. "We will continue if people will accept this new method of burying", Shachor added.

Underground necropolis to ease Jerusalem's grave shortage

Israeli Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netanyahu-to-meet-centrist-rival-in-last-ditch-bid-to-form-unity-government-252696">Benjamin Netanyahu</a> faces a key day Wednesday in his attempt to remain premier, with both a planned corruption hearing and his unity government talks nearing a dead end.

The hearing comes as deadlocked results from a September 17 general election leave Netanyahu plotting how to survive politically and continue his reign as Israel's longest-serving prime minister.

To do so, he will have to navigate the twin challenges of a potential corruption indictment against him in the weeks ahead and election results that give neither him nor his challenger Benny Gantz a clear path to a majority coalition.

Both will collide Wednesday when Israel's attorney general convenes a pre-indictment hearing for Netanyahu after having said he intends to charge him with bribery, fraud and breach of trust.

Only Netanyahu's lawyers and not the premier himself are expected to attend the closed-door hearing, which gives him a final chance to convince Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit he should not be indicted.

The hearing is to last four days, covering three separate cases in which Netanyahu is accused of acting on behalf of wealthy supporters and businessmen in exchange for gifts or favourable news coverage.

Netanyahu, who denies all the allegations, asked that the hearing be broadcast live because he has "nothing to hide."

Mandelblit dismissed the request in no uncertain terms, saying the hearing was intended to convince the legal authorities, not the public.

Following the hearing, the attorney general's deliberations on whether to issue the indictments are expected to continue for weeks.

'Last effort'

While the hearing is underway, Netanyahu may be preparing to inform President Reuven Rivlin he is unable to form a government after being tasked with doing so a week ago.

Negotiators for Netanyahu's right-wing Likud had intended to meet with Gantz's centrist Blue and White on Wednesday as part of so far unsuccessful efforts to hammer out a unity government.

Netanyahu had also sought to meet Gantz later on Wednesday.

But Blue and White announced late Tuesday that there was no reason for either meeting now since "pre-conditions" is sought for further talks were not met.

Both sides held out hope for a change of heart by their opponents, but Netanyahu had already labelled Wednesday's talks a "last effort".

Should he follow through with the negotiating tactic and tell Rivlin he cannot form a government, the president must then decide whether to ask Gantz to try.

Alternatively, Rivlin could call on parliament to agree on a candidate for prime minister with a vote of at least 61 of 120 members.

Netanyahu and Gantz have traded blame over failed efforts so far to reach a deal.

They are divided on a range of issues, but one major point: who would be prime minister first in a unity government.

Gantz argues that since his party finished as the largest, with one seat more than the Likud, he should be prime minister first under any rotation arrangement.

He also says Blue and White cannot be part of a government with a prime minister facing indictment.

Netanyahu says even though Likud has fewer seats, more of the smaller parties in parliament back him.

He wants to negotiate based on a compromise Rivlin proposed, which could see him remain prime minister for now but step aside if indicted while retaining the title.

Gantz would step in as acting prime minister in the interim.

'Game of chicken'

Both are engaged in a game of "chicken" and the result could be yet another election, a third in the space of a year after April polls also ended inconclusively, said Gideon Rahat of Jerusalem's Hebrew University and the Israel Democracy Institute think tank.

In that case, much will depend on who the public blames for causing a third vote, he said.

"It's all about threats," said Rahat.

"In the game of chicken, sometimes the result is that both drivers are killed. And that would be like chicken: We'll have third elections because nobody will move."

However, it could also buy Netanyahu time as he awaits the attorney general's decision, and while it seems a long shot, holding a third election as soon as possible may allow it to occur before indictments are issued.

Both Gantz and Netanyahu have already begun seeking to lay blame in case another election is called as it is likely to spur public anger.

Rahat said he believed a unity government would have already been formed if Netanyahu were not at the helm, but Likud members have so far shown no sign of an insurrection against him.

Though weakened, Netanyahu may still emerge victorious, at least temporarily, said Rahat.

"Yes, he can," said Rahat, when asked if Netanyahu could, in the end, remain prime minister despite the multiple challenges.

But "he lost some of his magic".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a key day Wednesday in his attempt to remain premier, with both a planned corruption hearing and his unity government talks nearing a dead end.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a key day Wednesday in his attempt to remain premier, with both a planned corruption hearing and his unity government talks nearing a dead end. The hearing comes as deadlocked results from a September 17 general election leave Netanyahu plotting how to survive politically and continue his reign as Israel's longest-serving prime minister. To do so, he will have to navigate the twin challenges of a potential corruption indictment against him in the weeks ahead and election results that give neither him nor his challenger Benny Gantz a clear path to a majority coalition. Both will collide Wednesday when Israel's attorney general convenes a pre-indictment hearing for Netanyahu after having said he intends to charge him with bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Only Netanyahu's lawyers and not the premier himself are expected to attend the closed-door hearing, which gives him a final chance to convince Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit he should not be indicted. The hearing is to last four days, covering three separate cases in which Netanyahu is accused of acting on behalf of wealthy supporters and businessmen in exchange for gifts or favourable news coverage. Netanyahu, who denies all the allegations, asked that the hearing be broadcast live because he has "nothing to hide." Mandelblit dismissed the request in no uncertain terms, saying the hearing was intended to convince the legal authorities, not the public. Following the hearing, the attorney general's deliberations on whether to issue the indictments are expected to continue for weeks. 'Last effort' While the hearing is underway, Netanyahu may be preparing to inform President Reuven Rivlin he is unable to form a government after being tasked with doing so a week ago. Negotiators for Netanyahu's right-wing Likud had intended to meet with Gantz's centrist Blue and White on Wednesday as part of so far unsuccessful efforts to hammer out a unity government. Netanyahu had also sought to meet Gantz later on Wednesday. But Blue and White announced late Tuesday that there was no reason for either meeting now since "pre-conditions" is sought for further talks were not met. Both sides held out hope for a change of heart by their opponents, but Netanyahu had already labelled Wednesday's talks a "last effort". Should he follow through with the negotiating tactic and tell Rivlin he cannot form a government, the president must then decide whether to ask Gantz to try. Alternatively, Rivlin could call on parliament to agree on a candidate for prime minister with a vote of at least 61 of 120 members. Netanyahu and Gantz have traded blame over failed efforts so far to reach a deal. They are divided on a range of issues, but one major point: who would be prime minister first in a unity government. Gantz argues that since his party finished as the largest, with one seat more than the Likud, he should be prime minister first under any rotation arrangement. He also says Blue and White cannot be part of a government with a prime minister facing indictment. Netanyahu says even though Likud has fewer seats, more of the smaller parties in parliament back him. He wants to negotiate based on a compromise Rivlin proposed, which could see him remain prime minister for now but step aside if indicted while retaining the title. Gantz would step in as acting prime minister in the interim. 'Game of chicken' Both are engaged in a game of "chicken" and the result could be yet another election, a third in the space of a year after April polls also ended inconclusively, said Gideon Rahat of Jerusalem's Hebrew University and the Israel Democracy Institute think tank. In that case, much will depend on who the public blames for causing a third vote, he said. "It's all about threats," said Rahat. "In the game of chicken, sometimes the result is that both drivers are killed. And that would be like chicken: We'll have third elections because nobody will move." However, it could also buy Netanyahu time as he awaits the attorney general's decision, and while it seems a long shot, holding a third election as soon as possible may allow it to occur before indictments are issued. Both Gantz and Netanyahu have already begun seeking to lay blame in case another election is called as it is likely to spur public anger. Rahat said he believed a unity government would have already been formed if Netanyahu were not at the helm, but Likud members have so far shown no sign of an insurrection against him. Though weakened, Netanyahu may still emerge victorious, at least temporarily, said Rahat. "Yes, he can," said Rahat, when asked if Netanyahu could, in the end, remain prime minister despite the multiple challenges. But "he lost some of his magic".

Netanyahu faces key day in bid to remain Israel Prime Minister

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will make a final effort this week to salvage a deal from talks to form a unity government with his centrist election rival, he said on Sunday.

An inconclusive ballot on Sept. 17, the second this year, has created a political deadlock and left Israel's longest-serving prime minister weakened.

Netanyahu, facing a looming indictment on corruption allegations he denies, has failed to secure a clear election victory twice in six months. His right-wing Likud party came second with 32 seats in the 120-member parliament, against 33 for former military chief Benny Gantz's centrist Blue and White party.

With neither party leader appearing able on his own to put together a coalition with a ruling majority, Israel's president on Wednesday tasked Netanyahu with forming the next government in the hope of securing a power-sharing deal between the Blue and White party and Likud.

If Netanyahu fails to clinch a deal, President Reuven Rivlin is then likely to ask Gantz to try to form a government, though he, like Netanyahu, also has no clear path to power.

The parties' negotiators met on Friday without success, with each side blaming the other for the stalemate. Likud said Netanyahu then telephoned Gantz and the two men would probably meet on Wednesday after another round of talks.

"Prime Minister Netanyahu is making a last effort to bring about a breakthrough in the talks for a unity government," Likud's spokesman said.

The Blue and White party said it would spare no effort to form "a broad, liberal, unity government".

In a video posted on Twitter, Netanyahu said there was no other solution than for him to serve first as prime minister and Gantz to serve second within a unity government.

Gantz, however, has pledged not to serve in a government under a premier facing criminal charges. His party has accused Likud of stalling in the talks in the hope of triggering yet another election.

Netanyahu, for his part, has said that the Blue and Whites were trying to instigate a coup within Likud that would see the party join a unity government with the Blue and White party after casting aside its veteran leader.

Israel’s attorney-general is due to hold a pre-trial hearing this week on his announced intention to indict Netanyahu on fraud and bribery charges in three corruption cases.

Netanyahu, who says he is a victim of a political witchhunt, can argue at the session against prosecution.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will make a final effort this week to salvage a deal from talks to form a unity government with his centrist election rival, he said on Sunday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will make a final effort this week to salvage a deal from talks to form a unity government with his centrist election rival, he said on Sunday. An inconclusive ballot on Sept. 17, the second this year, has created a political deadlock and left Israel's longest-serving prime minister weakened. Netanyahu, facing a looming indictment on corruption allegations he denies, has failed to secure a clear election victory twice in six months. His right-wing Likud party came second with 32 seats in the 120-member parliament, against 33 for former military chief Benny Gantz's centrist Blue and White party. With neither party leader appearing able on his own to put together a coalition with a ruling majority, Israel's president on Wednesday tasked Netanyahu with forming the next government in the hope of securing a power-sharing deal between the Blue and White party and Likud. If Netanyahu fails to clinch a deal, President Reuven Rivlin is then likely to ask Gantz to try to form a government, though he, like Netanyahu, also has no clear path to power. The parties' negotiators met on Friday without success, with each side blaming the other for the stalemate. Likud said Netanyahu then telephoned Gantz and the two men would probably meet on Wednesday after another round of talks. "Prime Minister Netanyahu is making a last effort to bring about a breakthrough in the talks for a unity government," Likud's spokesman said. The Blue and White party said it would spare no effort to form "a broad, liberal, unity government". In a video posted on Twitter, Netanyahu said there was no other solution than for him to serve first as prime minister and Gantz to serve second within a unity government. Gantz, however, has pledged not to serve in a government under a premier facing criminal charges. His party has accused Likud of stalling in the talks in the hope of triggering yet another election. Netanyahu, for his part, has said that the Blue and Whites were trying to instigate a coup within Likud that would see the party join a unity government with the Blue and White party after casting aside its veteran leader. Israel’s attorney-general is due to hold a pre-trial hearing this week on his announced intention to indict Netanyahu on fraud and bribery charges in three corruption cases. Netanyahu, who says he is a victim of a political witchhunt, can argue at the session against prosecution.

Netanyahu to meet centrist rival in last-ditch bid to form unity government

Israeli Arab political parties are backing ex-military chief <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/benny-gantz-meet-the-three-star-general-running-for-israeli-prime-minister-208484">Benny Gantz</a> as the country's next prime minister in a break with precedent, they announced Sunday.

The mainly Arab Joint List alliance made the announcement at roughly the same time as its leader, Ayman Odeh, published an opinion piece on the New York Times website speaking of the move.

It was the first time since 1992 that majority Arab parties have endorsed a candidate for prime minister.

Shortly later, Odeh told Israeli President Reuven Rivlin the alliance's priority was to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from power, and was therefore recommending Gantz.

He made the comments as Rivlin consulted with Israeli political parties on who should form the next government following Tuesday's deadlocked general elections.

The Joint List won 13 seats in the election, making them the third-largest force in the 120-seat legislature.

One party within the alliance, accounting for three seats, signalled it was against the decision.

Even with the endorsement of all 13 seats, Gantz and his centrist Blue and White alliance would fall short of 61 needed for a majority.&nbsp;

He is expected to have the endorsement of 57 seats during Rivlin's consultations. Netanyahu is expected to receive 55.

Rivlin has said he believes a unity government should include both Netanyahu's Likud and Blue and White in order to create a stable coalition.

Israeli Arab political parties are backing ex-military chief Benny Gantz as the country's next prime minister in a break with precedent, they announced Sunday. The mainly Arab Joint List alliance made the announcement at roughly the same time as its leader, Ayman Odeh, published an opinion piece on the New York Times website speaking of the move.

Israeli Arab political parties are backing ex-military chief Benny Gantz as the country's next prime minister in a break with precedent, they announced Sunday. The mainly Arab Joint List alliance made the announcement at roughly the same time as its leader, Ayman Odeh, published an opinion piece on the New York Times website speaking of the move. It was the first time since 1992 that majority Arab parties have endorsed a candidate for prime minister. Shortly later, Odeh told Israeli President Reuven Rivlin the alliance's priority was to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from power, and was therefore recommending Gantz. He made the comments as Rivlin consulted with Israeli political parties on who should form the next government following Tuesday's deadlocked general elections. The Joint List won 13 seats in the election, making them the third-largest force in the 120-seat legislature. One party within the alliance, accounting for three seats, signalled it was against the decision. Even with the endorsement of all 13 seats, Gantz and his centrist Blue and White alliance would fall short of 61 needed for a majority. He is expected to have the endorsement of 57 seats during Rivlin's consultations. Netanyahu is expected to receive 55. Rivlin has said he believes a unity government should include both Netanyahu's Likud and Blue and White in order to create a stable coalition.

Israeli Arab parties back Gantz for PM in break with precedent

Benny Gantz, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's main opponent in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/benjamin-netanyahu-urges-rival-benny-gantz-to-form-a-unity-government-with-him-250546">country's general election</a>, said Thursday he should be prime minister in a broad unity government.

Gantz spoke to journalists after Netanyahu called for them to join together in a unity government as results from Tuesday's vote showed neither with an obvious path to form a majority coalition.

Gantz's centrist Blue and White is nevertheless two seats ahead of Netanyahu's right-wing Likud, according to results so far published by Israeli media.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on his main challenger Benny Gantz Thursday to form a unity government together, a major development after deadlocked election results put his long tenure in office at risk.

Netanyahu, in a video message, said he preferred to form a right-wing coalition, but the results showed it was not possible.

The stark admission followed Israel's general election on Tuesday that has threatened Netanyahu's status as the country's longest-serving prime minister as he faces possible corruption charges in the weeks ahead.

"During the elections, I called for the establishment of a right-wing government," Netanyahu said in a video message.

"But unfortunately the election results show that this is not possible."

He went on to call on Gantz to form a "broad unity government today."

Second election this year

Netanyahu was seeking to seize momentum by announcing his intention to form a unity government and head off attempts to oust him.

Blue and White, a centrist alliance, has in the past sought to appeal to members of Netanyahu's right-wing Likud to abandon him and form a unity government with it.

But there has so far been no signal that any Likud members would be willing to do that, and in his speech following the closure of Tuesday's polls Gantz made no such demand.

Official results have not been announced, but Israeli media have reported that Blue and White has 33 parliamentary seats and Likud 31 out of 120 with 97 percent of the votes counted.

Gantz's slim lead, however, gave no obvious path for either party to form a majority coalition.

Ex-defence minister Avigdor Lieberman has emerged as a potential kingmaker, with the reported results showing his nationalist Yisrael Beitenu party with eight seats.

Israel's newly reunified Arab parties, running together under the Joint List alliance, have also emerged as an important force, with the reported results showing them with 13 seats -- the third-largest.

That could allow them to block Netanyahu from continuing on as prime minister if they decided to break with precedent and endorse Gantz.

Israel's Arab parties have traditionally not endorsed anyone for prime minister.

After complete, official results are in, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin will hold consultations with all parties voted into parliament and then choose someone to try to form a government.

It will be the second time he has done so since April.

Netanyahu suffered one of the biggest defeats of his political career after April elections.

His Likud along with its right-wing and religious allies won a majority, but he failed to form a coalition and opted for a second election rather than risk having Rivlin choose someone else to try.

Benny Gantz, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's main opponent in the country's general election, said Thursday he should be prime minister in a broad unity government.

Benny Gantz, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's main opponent in the country's general election, said Thursday he should be prime minister in a broad unity government. Gantz spoke to journalists after Netanyahu called for them to join together in a unity government as results from Tuesday's vote showed neither with an obvious path to form a majority coalition. Gantz's centrist Blue and White is nevertheless two seats ahead of Netanyahu's right-wing Likud, according to results so far published by Israeli media. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on his main challenger Benny Gantz Thursday to form a unity government together, a major development after deadlocked election results put his long tenure in office at risk. Netanyahu, in a video message, said he preferred to form a right-wing coalition, but the results showed it was not possible. The stark admission followed Israel's general election on Tuesday that has threatened Netanyahu's status as the country's longest-serving prime minister as he faces possible corruption charges in the weeks ahead. "During the elections, I called for the establishment of a right-wing government," Netanyahu said in a video message. "But unfortunately the election results show that this is not possible." He went on to call on Gantz to form a "broad unity government today." Second election this year Netanyahu was seeking to seize momentum by announcing his intention to form a unity government and head off attempts to oust him. Blue and White, a centrist alliance, has in the past sought to appeal to members of Netanyahu's right-wing Likud to abandon him and form a unity government with it. But there has so far been no signal that any Likud members would be willing to do that, and in his speech following the closure of Tuesday's polls Gantz made no such demand. Official results have not been announced, but Israeli media have reported that Blue and White has 33 parliamentary seats and Likud 31 out of 120 with 97 percent of the votes counted. Gantz's slim lead, however, gave no obvious path for either party to form a majority coalition. Ex-defence minister Avigdor Lieberman has emerged as a potential kingmaker, with the reported results showing his nationalist Yisrael Beitenu party with eight seats. Israel's newly reunified Arab parties, running together under the Joint List alliance, have also emerged as an important force, with the reported results showing them with 13 seats -- the third-largest. That could allow them to block Netanyahu from continuing on as prime minister if they decided to break with precedent and endorse Gantz. Israel's Arab parties have traditionally not endorsed anyone for prime minister. After complete, official results are in, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin will hold consultations with all parties voted into parliament and then choose someone to try to form a government. It will be the second time he has done so since April. Netanyahu suffered one of the biggest defeats of his political career after April elections. His Likud along with its right-wing and religious allies won a majority, but he failed to form a coalition and opted for a second election rather than risk having Rivlin choose someone else to try.

Israel: Netanyahu's rival Benny Gantz says he should be PM in unity government

Palestinians in the Jordan Valley on Wednesday accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of trying to steal their land after the right-wing leader pledged to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netanyahu-vows-to-annex-west-banks-jordan-valley-if-re-elected-248927">annex the West Bank territory </a>if successful in an election just six days away.

Netanyahu's declaration was widely seen as a bid to siphon away support from far-right rivals who have long advocated annexation of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, territory Israel captured in a 1967 war, ahead of a tightly-contested September 17 vote.

While some in Israel consider the country's control over the Jordan valley as a security necessity, Palestinians see it as theirs and want it for a future state.

In the village of Jiftlik, farmers tilled land for vegetable and seed production along a long a stretch of the fertile valley that juts up against the biblical Jordan River, surrounded by desert mountain ranges.

"We tell Netanyahu, and whoever follows him, you will not break the Palestinians' will," said Hassan Al-Abedi, a Palestinian farmer who lives in the village.

"It's our parents' and grandparents land. We will hold onto it no matter what it costs," 55-year-old Abedi said.

Netanyahu on Tuesday (September 10) announced he intended, "after the establishment of a new government, to apply Israeli sovereignty to the Jordan Valley and the northern Dead Sea," drawing condemnation from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and leaders across the Arab world.

Around 65,000 Palestinians and 11,000 Israeli settlers live in the Jordan Valley and northern Dead Sea area, according to the Israeli human rights group B'Tselem. The main Palestinian city is Jericho, with around 28 villages and smaller Bedouin communities.

Palestinians in the Jordan Valley on Wednesday accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of trying to steal their land after the right-wing leader pledged to annex the West Bank territory if successful in an election just six days away.

Palestinians in the Jordan Valley on Wednesday accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of trying to steal their land after the right-wing leader pledged to annex the West Bank territory if successful in an election just six days away. Netanyahu's declaration was widely seen as a bid to siphon away support from far-right rivals who have long advocated annexation of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, territory Israel captured in a 1967 war, ahead of a tightly-contested September 17 vote. While some in Israel consider the country's control over the Jordan valley as a security necessity, Palestinians see it as theirs and want it for a future state. In the village of Jiftlik, farmers tilled land for vegetable and seed production along a long a stretch of the fertile valley that juts up against the biblical Jordan River, surrounded by desert mountain ranges. "We tell Netanyahu, and whoever follows him, you will not break the Palestinians' will," said Hassan Al-Abedi, a Palestinian farmer who lives in the village. "It's our parents' and grandparents land. We will hold onto it no matter what it costs," 55-year-old Abedi said. Netanyahu on Tuesday (September 10) announced he intended, "after the establishment of a new government, to apply Israeli sovereignty to the Jordan Valley and the northern Dead Sea," drawing condemnation from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and leaders across the Arab world. Around 65,000 Palestinians and 11,000 Israeli settlers live in the Jordan Valley and northern Dead Sea area, according to the Israeli human rights group B'Tselem. The main Palestinian city is Jericho, with around 28 villages and smaller Bedouin communities.

'You will not break us, Palestinians tell Netanyahu after Jordan Valley annexation pledge

Hezbollah said Monday it had shot down an "Israeli drone" as it crossed the border into Lebanon, a week after a flash confrontation between the arch-foes. Fighters from the Lebanese Shiite movement "confronted with the appropriate weapons an Israeli drone" heading towards the border village of Ramyeh, a statement said.

Hezbollah said Monday it had shot down an "Israeli drone" as it crossed the border into Lebanon, a week after a flash confrontation between the arch-foes. Fighters from the Lebanese Shiite movement "confronted with the appropriate weapons an Israeli drone" heading towards the border village of Ramyeh, a statement said. The drone is now in the hands of Hezbollah, it added. Israel did not immediately comment. The incident follows an escalation in tensions between the two, which included an exchange of fire on Sunday, September 1. The Iran-backed Shiite movement said it had fired anti-tank missiles into Israel, destroying a military vehicle and killing or wounding those inside. Israel's army said it had responded with around 100 artillery shells after Hezbollah targeted a battalion headquarters and military ambulance, hitting both. Israeli officials denied claims of casualties. Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah later said his organisation would respond to any further Israeli attacks with strikes "deep inside Israel" and not just along the border. Iran-backed Hezbollah, considered a terrorist organisation by Israel and the United States, is a major political actor in Lebanon and a key government backer in war-torn Syria. The flare-up was sparked by an Israeli strike in Syria which killed two Hezbollah fighters on August 24 and was followed by what the movement described as an Israeli drone strike on its Beirut stronghold. Israel has not acknowledged that attack, but accused Hezbollah and Tehran of colluding to produce precision-guided missiles on Lebanese soil. Israel has staged hundreds of strikes against what it says are Iranian and Hezbollah targets in Syria since the civil war began there in 2011, vowing to prevent its arch-foe Iran from entrenching itself militarily in the neighbouring country. But a drone attack by Israel inside Lebanon would mark a departure -- what Nasrallah labelled the first such "hostile action" since a 2006 war between them. The 33-day war killed 1,200 Lebanese -- mostly civilians -- and 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers. The flaring tensions come just a week ahead of Israel's September 17 election, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen as wanting to avoid a major conflict ahead of the vote.

Hezbollah says shot down 'Israeli drone' at Lebanese border

Israel heads into the final week of campaigning Monday for an unprecedented second general election in five months, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu battling for political survival while facing a potential corruption indictment.

With the September 17 vote looming, Netanyahu and his right-wing Likud have drawn outrage from opposition parties with a push for last-minute legislation that would allow party officials to bring cameras to polling stations.

His critics have labelled it a naked attempt to depress turnout among Israel's Arab population, as it could intimidate many into staying away.

They also point out that it could serve to energize Netanyahu's base of right-wing voters due to his warnings so far unfounded that the election could be stolen.

The Likud chief says he is only interested in protecting the integrity of the vote and preventing irregularities.

But the main opposition Blue and White centrist alliance's leader Benny Gantz retorted: "The only fraud in our political system is Netanyahu."

The veteran premier has used similar tactics in the past, including warning on election day in 2015 that Israeli Arabs were voting in "droves," a comment for which he later apologized.

Parliament had planned to hold the first of three required votes on the bill on Monday, but it failed to receive necessary backing from a committee, and its future was unclear.

Gantz vowed to vote against it, and ex-defence minister Avigdor Lieberman said his nationalist Yisrael Beitenu would do the same.

The bill would allow election supervisors from political parties to bring cameras to polling stations, though not inside voting booths.

Netanyahu's camera legislation comes as he struggles to remain in office and continue his reign as Israel's longest-serving prime minister.

After April elections, Likud along with its right-wing and religious allies won a majority of seats, but Netanyahu was unable to form a governing coalition, suffering one of the biggest defeats of his political career.

He was unable to do so because he could not convince his old nemesis Lieberman to abandon a key demand and join the government.

Netanyahu then opted to move toward a second election rather than risk Israeli President Reuven Rivlin choosing someone else to try to form a government.

Trump, Putin posters

Lieberman has only gained in support since the last election, opinion polls show, and Netanyahu may face a similar conundrum after the upcoming vote.

His main challenger is ex-military chief Gantz and his centrist alliance, as was the case in April.

Netanyahu has once again sought to highlight his links with world leaders, posting giant posters of himself alongside US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He says he hopes to visit Russia later this week to hold talks with Putin.

Ahead of April polls, Trump made controversial moves seen as backing Netanyahu, including recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights.

So far Netanyahu has not benefited from similar decisions in the run-up to next week's vote.

Gantz has sought to maintain a stoic presence as part of a campaign to present himself as someone Israelis can trust on security issues.

He has criticized Netanyahu's approach to the Gaza Strip, where UN and Egyptian officials have negotiated a truce between Islamist movement Hamas and Israel.

But his main approach has been to argue that he can restore dignity to the prime minister's office after years of investigations into Netanyahu's affairs.

Israel's attorney general has said he intends to indict Netanyahu on charges of fraud, bribery and breach of trust, pending a hearing expected in early October.

Netanyahu is not required to step down if indicted only if convicted with all appeals exhausted.

Gantz, who has ruled out serving in a government with a prime minister under indictment, has sought to convince other members of Likud to abandon Netanyahu and form a unity government with his Blue and White, so far without success.

The two sides won 35 seats each in the last election, but a majority of lawmakers endorsed Netanyahu as prime minister.

It is not clear whether Lieberman will endorse Netanyahu again.

Israel heads into the final week of campaigning Monday for an unprecedented second general election in five months, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu battling for political survival while facing a potential corruption indictment.

Israel heads into the final week of campaigning Monday for an unprecedented second general election in five months, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu battling for political survival while facing a potential corruption indictment. With the September 17 vote looming, Netanyahu and his right-wing Likud have drawn outrage from opposition parties with a push for last-minute legislation that would allow party officials to bring cameras to polling stations. His critics have labelled it a naked attempt to depress turnout among Israel's Arab population, as it could intimidate many into staying away. They also point out that it could serve to energize Netanyahu's base of right-wing voters due to his warnings so far unfounded that the election could be stolen. The Likud chief says he is only interested in protecting the integrity of the vote and preventing irregularities. But the main opposition Blue and White centrist alliance's leader Benny Gantz retorted: "The only fraud in our political system is Netanyahu." The veteran premier has used similar tactics in the past, including warning on election day in 2015 that Israeli Arabs were voting in "droves," a comment for which he later apologized. Parliament had planned to hold the first of three required votes on the bill on Monday, but it failed to receive necessary backing from a committee, and its future was unclear. Gantz vowed to vote against it, and ex-defence minister Avigdor Lieberman said his nationalist Yisrael Beitenu would do the same. The bill would allow election supervisors from political parties to bring cameras to polling stations, though not inside voting booths. Netanyahu's camera legislation comes as he struggles to remain in office and continue his reign as Israel's longest-serving prime minister. After April elections, Likud along with its right-wing and religious allies won a majority of seats, but Netanyahu was unable to form a governing coalition, suffering one of the biggest defeats of his political career. He was unable to do so because he could not convince his old nemesis Lieberman to abandon a key demand and join the government. Netanyahu then opted to move toward a second election rather than risk Israeli President Reuven Rivlin choosing someone else to try to form a government. Trump, Putin posters Lieberman has only gained in support since the last election, opinion polls show, and Netanyahu may face a similar conundrum after the upcoming vote. His main challenger is ex-military chief Gantz and his centrist alliance, as was the case in April. Netanyahu has once again sought to highlight his links with world leaders, posting giant posters of himself alongside US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. He says he hopes to visit Russia later this week to hold talks with Putin. Ahead of April polls, Trump made controversial moves seen as backing Netanyahu, including recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights. So far Netanyahu has not benefited from similar decisions in the run-up to next week's vote. Gantz has sought to maintain a stoic presence as part of a campaign to present himself as someone Israelis can trust on security issues. He has criticized Netanyahu's approach to the Gaza Strip, where UN and Egyptian officials have negotiated a truce between Islamist movement Hamas and Israel. But his main approach has been to argue that he can restore dignity to the prime minister's office after years of investigations into Netanyahu's affairs. Israel's attorney general has said he intends to indict Netanyahu on charges of fraud, bribery and breach of trust, pending a hearing expected in early October. Netanyahu is not required to step down if indicted only if convicted with all appeals exhausted. Gantz, who has ruled out serving in a government with a prime minister under indictment, has sought to convince other members of Likud to abandon Netanyahu and form a unity government with his Blue and White, so far without success. The two sides won 35 seats each in the last election, but a majority of lawmakers endorsed Netanyahu as prime minister. It is not clear whether Lieberman will endorse Netanyahu again.

Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu fights for political life a week before Israel votes

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

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

Netanyahu says Israel ready for any scenario after Hezbollah clash

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

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

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

Netanyahu repeats pledge to annex Israeli settlements in occupied West Bank

Israel accused Iran on Thursday of stepping up efforts to provide the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netanyahu-warns-hezbollah-lebanon-to-be-careful-246001">Hezbollah militia</a> with precision-guided missile production facilities, a warning to Beirut that Israeli counter-strikes could escalate.

"Dir balak," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in public remarks directed at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-strikes-hit-pro-syria-palestinian-group-in-lebanon-245680">Lebanon</a>, using the Arabic for "watch out".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-says-air-strike-in-syria-sent-no-immunity-message-to-iran-245618">Israel and Lebanon</a>'s Hezbollah, which last fought a war in 2006, are on high alert after drones were used at the weekend to attack what a security official in the region described as a target linked to precision-guided missile projects.

Hezbollah has blamed Israel for the rare strike in Beirut, and said it will retaliate. The heavily armed Shi'ite movement has denied harbouring such missile facilities. Lebanon has accused Israel of seeking pretexts for aggression.

Without claiming responsibility for the drone attack, the Israeli military published what it said were details about an extensive Iranian-sponsored campaign to provide Hezbollah with the means to produce precision-guided missiles.

Such missiles - which Hezbollah acknowledges possessing - could potentially pose a counter-balance to Israel's overwhelming military force in any future war, with the capacity to home in on and knock out core infrastructure sites.

Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus, an Israeli military spokesman, said that in recent months Iran had increased the pace of the project such that it was "faster in terms of buildings, facilities, locations, conversion and manufacturing facilities, and it means more people, operatives involved in doing so".

"It is time for them (the Lebanese government) to understand their responsibility and understand the fact that what they are letting Hezbollah and Iran do on Lebanese soil is their responsibility," Conricus said.

"They are the ones who are complicit in endangering Lebanon and Lebanese civilians which Hezbollah and Iran are using as human shields."

There was no immediate response from Tehran, Israel's arch-foe, whose nuclear programme and regional activities have been a focus of redoubled US&nbsp;pressure under President Donald Trump - with knock-on tensions in the Gulf.

After Hezbollah said it would respond to the Beirut strike by downing Israeli drones that enter Lebanon's skies, the Lebanese army on Wednesday shot at drones that it said had crossed the border. Israel said there was no damage to them.

In the past Israel has argued that the Lebanese army is too close to Hezbollah to warrant the more than $1.5 billion in US&nbsp;military assistance it has received since the 2006 war. Washington regards the army as a counter-weight to Hezbollah.

Conricus said there was no change to Israel's position on the Lebanese army. But he appeared to play down the threat.

"We continue to classify Hezbollah as our main enemy and the Lebanese Armed Forces as a potential enemy," he said. "If they fire at Israel, tactically speaking, ... then that specific force on the ground will be considered an active enemy, but strategically speaking Hezbollah is the enemy."

Israel accused Iran on Thursday of stepping up efforts to provide the Hezbollah militia with precision-guided missile production facilities, a warning to Beirut that Israeli counter-strikes could escalate.

Israel accused Iran on Thursday of stepping up efforts to provide the Hezbollah militia with precision-guided missile production facilities, a warning to Beirut that Israeli counter-strikes could escalate. "Dir balak," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in public remarks directed at Lebanon, using the Arabic for "watch out". Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah, which last fought a war in 2006, are on high alert after drones were used at the weekend to attack what a security official in the region described as a target linked to precision-guided missile projects. Hezbollah has blamed Israel for the rare strike in Beirut, and said it will retaliate. The heavily armed Shi'ite movement has denied harbouring such missile facilities. Lebanon has accused Israel of seeking pretexts for aggression. Without claiming responsibility for the drone attack, the Israeli military published what it said were details about an extensive Iranian-sponsored campaign to provide Hezbollah with the means to produce precision-guided missiles. Such missiles - which Hezbollah acknowledges possessing - could potentially pose a counter-balance to Israel's overwhelming military force in any future war, with the capacity to home in on and knock out core infrastructure sites. Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus, an Israeli military spokesman, said that in recent months Iran had increased the pace of the project such that it was "faster in terms of buildings, facilities, locations, conversion and manufacturing facilities, and it means more people, operatives involved in doing so". "It is time for them (the Lebanese government) to understand their responsibility and understand the fact that what they are letting Hezbollah and Iran do on Lebanese soil is their responsibility," Conricus said. "They are the ones who are complicit in endangering Lebanon and Lebanese civilians which Hezbollah and Iran are using as human shields." There was no immediate response from Tehran, Israel's arch-foe, whose nuclear programme and regional activities have been a focus of redoubled US pressure under President Donald Trump - with knock-on tensions in the Gulf. After Hezbollah said it would respond to the Beirut strike by downing Israeli drones that enter Lebanon's skies, the Lebanese army on Wednesday shot at drones that it said had crossed the border. Israel said there was no damage to them. In the past Israel has argued that the Lebanese army is too close to Hezbollah to warrant the more than $1.5 billion in US military assistance it has received since the 2006 war. Washington regards the army as a counter-weight to Hezbollah. Conricus said there was no change to Israel's position on the Lebanese army. But he appeared to play down the threat. "We continue to classify Hezbollah as our main enemy and the Lebanese Armed Forces as a potential enemy," he said. "If they fire at Israel, tactically speaking, ... then that specific force on the ground will be considered an active enemy, but strategically speaking Hezbollah is the enemy."

Israel says Iran boosting bid to set up Hezbollah precision-missile plants in Lebanon

Israel launched an air strike against Gaza's Hamas rulers on Tuesday after militants in the strip fired a mortar round across the border, the army said. Witnesses in the coastal enclave told AFP that fire from an Israeli drone hit Hamas facilities east of Al-Bureij refugee camp.

Israel launched an air strike against Gaza's Hamas rulers on Tuesday after militants in the strip fired a mortar round across the border, the army said. Witnesses in the coastal enclave told AFP that fire from an Israeli drone hit Hamas facilities east of Al-Bureij refugee camp. No injuries were reported. "A short while ago a mortar shell was identified as having been fired from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory," an Israeli army statement said in English. "In response, an Israel Defence Forces aircraft targeted a Hamas military post in the northern Gaza Strip." Israeli media said the shell fell on open ground, causing no injuries or damage. Tuesday's events were the latest in a string of cross-border incidents which have raised concerns of further escalation before Israel's September 17 elections. On Monday Israeli warplanes hit what the military said were "terror targets in a Hamas military compound in the northern Gaza Strip, including the office of a Hamas battalion commander." Israel also announced it was slashing by half the fuel it pipes to the strip's main power station, meaning a cut to Gaza's already meagre electricity supply. The measures came after three rockets were fired from Gaza into southern Israel on Sunday night, according to the army, which said two of them were intercepted by air defence systems. Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza have fought three wars since 2008. August has seen rocket fire from Gaza, infiltration attempts by armed Palestinians and return fire by Israel, threatening a fragile ceasefire. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is fighting for reelection in the September polls, with political opponents calling for tougher action against Islamist movement Hamas.

Israeli aircraft strikes Gaza after Palestinian mortar fire

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah to "calm down" after he said his movement was preparing a response to the crash of two Israeli drones in a Beirut suburb.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah to "calm down" after he said his movement was preparing a response to the crash of two Israeli drones in a Beirut suburb. "I heard what Nasrallah said. I suggest to Nasrallah to calm down. He knows well that Israel knows how to defend itself and to pay back its enemies," Netanyahu said in a speech. In a speech on Sunday, Nasrallah, whose Iran-backed movement fought a month-long war with Israel in 2006, accused Israel of carrying out a suicide drone attack earlier that day. "I say to the Israeli army on the border from tonight, stand guard (on high alert). Wait for us one, two, three, four days," Nasrallah said. One drone fell and a second exploded near the ground and caused some damage to Hezbollah's media centre in the southern suburbs of the capital which it dominates. Israel has not claimed responsibility for the incident.

Netanyahu tells Hezbollah's Nasrallah to 'calm down' after drone incident

Israel said on Sunday an air strike against an arm of Iran's Revolutionary Guards in Syria that it accused of planning "killer drone attacks" showed Tehran that its forces were vulnerable anywhere.

Israel said on Sunday an air strike against an arm of Iran's Revolutionary Guards in Syria that it accused of planning "killer drone attacks" showed Tehran that its forces were vulnerable anywhere. A senior Revolutionary Guards commander denied that Iranian targets had been hit late on Saturday and said its military "advisory centres have not been harmed", the semi-official ILNA news agency reported. The Israeli military said its aircraft struck "Iranian Quds Force operatives and Shiite militias which were preparing to advance attack plans targeting sites in Israel from within Syria over the last number of days". The elite Quds Force is the overseas arm of Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC). Lieutenant-Colonel Jonathan Conricus, an Israeli military spokesman, told reporters "a number of attack drones", each armed with several kilogrammes of explosives, were to have been launched simultaneously at targets in northern Israel on Thursday but the plan was thwarted. He did not disclose what measures Israel took that day. He described the "killer drones" - designed to slam into targets - as highly accurate. The military released grainy black-and-white surveillance footage purporting to show the Iranian operatives on Thursday near the drones' launching site. In the footage, four people are seen walking in an open area, one of them carrying an object that the military identified as a killer drone. Conricus said the drones, accompanied by the Iranian operatives, had arrived at Damascus airport from Iran several weeks ago and were taken to a Quds-controlled compound in a village southeast of the city. Israel carried out Saturday's attack, Conricus said, after learning that another attempt to launch drones was imminent. Writing on Twitter after Saturday's Israeli strike, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: "Iran has no immunity anywhere. Our forces operate in every sector against the Iranian aggression. If someone rises up to kill you, kill him first." Speaking on Sunday on the Syrian front, Netanyahu added: "Any country that allows its territory to be used for attacks against Israel will face the consequences, and I repeat, the country will face the consequences."

Israel says air strike in Syria sent 'no immunity' message to Iran

Israeli police and Palestinian worshippers clashed at a flashpoint Jerusalem holy site on Sunday as overlapping Jewish and Muslim holidays led to tensions there, an AFP journalist reported.

Police fired sound grenades as Palestinian protests intensified at the highly sensitive Al-Aqsa mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount.

The Palestinian Red Crescent reported injuries without specifying a number.

Sunday marked the start of the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday and<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-condemns-attacks-on-saudi-guest-237916"> thousands of Palestinians prayed at the Al-Aqsa mosque.</a>

It coincided with the Jewish Tisha B'av holiday, which typically sees an increase in Jewish visits to the holy site.

In a bid to ease tensions, police barred Jewish visits to the site on Sunday but Muslim worshippers still feared they would be allowed in and protested there. The clashes with police broke out afterwards.

The compound, which includes the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock, is one of the most sensitive sites in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

It is the third-holiest site in Islam and the most sacred for Jews, who revere it as the location of the two biblical-era temples.

It is located in east Jerusalem, occupied by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed in a move never recognised by the international community.

Jews are allowed to visit but not pray there to avoid provoking tensions.

Israeli police and Palestinian worshippers clashed at a flashpoint Jerusalem holy site on Sunday as overlapping Jewish and Muslim holidays led to tensions there, an AFP journalist reported.

Israeli police and Palestinian worshippers clashed at a flashpoint Jerusalem holy site on Sunday as overlapping Jewish and Muslim holidays led to tensions there, an AFP journalist reported. Police fired sound grenades as Palestinian protests intensified at the highly sensitive Al-Aqsa mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported injuries without specifying a number. Sunday marked the start of the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday and thousands of Palestinians prayed at the Al-Aqsa mosque. It coincided with the Jewish Tisha B'av holiday, which typically sees an increase in Jewish visits to the holy site. In a bid to ease tensions, police barred Jewish visits to the site on Sunday but Muslim worshippers still feared they would be allowed in and protested there. The clashes with police broke out afterwards. The compound, which includes the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock, is one of the most sensitive sites in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is the third-holiest site in Islam and the most sacred for Jews, who revere it as the location of the two biblical-era temples. It is located in east Jerusalem, occupied by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed in a move never recognised by the international community. Jews are allowed to visit but not pray there to avoid provoking tensions.

Israel police, Palestinians clash at flashpoint Jerusalem holy site

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Israel fires missiles into south Syria: Report

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