#Gravitas Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears to have narrowed the gap with his main challenger in the race for public support for the 2026 national elections.  A poll shows Netanyahu and former Israel Defence Forces chief Gadi Eisenkot tied, with 38 percent of respondents saying they would prefer each of them to lead the country.   

Netanyahu's Poll Numbers Rise Amid Internal Turmoil

Israeli crews began demolishing the Jerusalem headquarters of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees on Tuesday, escalating Israel's campaign against the organisation responsible for providing humanitarian services to millions of people across the region.&nbsp;Israel has repeatedly accused the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) of links with Hamas, allegations the agency has denied. Last year, Israel barred UNRWA from operating within its territory, but the demolition represents one of the most forceful actions taken against the agency so far.<h3>Israeli forces seized equipment and removed security personnel&nbsp;</h3>Roland Friedrich, UNRWA director in the West Bank, said the organisation was informed that demolition crews and police reached their east Jerusalem headquarters early in the morning. Although staff have not worked from the site for nearly a year due to security threats and incitement, Israeli forces seized equipment and removed the private security personnel assigned to protect the premises.&nbsp;“What we saw today is the culmination of two years of incitement and, measures against UNRWA in east Jerusalem,” Friedrich said, news agency Associated Press reported. He also called it a violation of international law guaranteeing such facilities' protection.&nbsp;The UN agency stated that the demolitions could endanger operations at its vocational centre in Qalandia and health facility in Shua’fat, where it has been continuously providing education and health services.&nbsp;Additionally, an Israeli flag was also witnessed hoisted above the facility in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, where some politicians from Israel had arrived on the scene to celebrate the fate of the organisation. In response to it, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called it “a historic day.”&nbsp;UNRWA is tasked with delivering assistance and essential services to nearly 2.5 million Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem, along with another 3 million refugees in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. For decades, the agency has operated facilities in refugee camps, run schools and provided health services. However, its work was restricted last year after Israel’s Knesset passed a law cutting ties with the agency and prohibiting it from operating in areas Israel considers its territory, including east Jerusalem.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lavrov-greenland-colonial-territory-nato-us-criticism-1768907332712">Lavrov claims Greenland is not a natural part of Norway or Denmark</a>&nbsp;

UNRWA is tasked with delivering assistance and essential services to nearly 2.5 million Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem, along with another 3 million refugees in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. 

Israeli crews began demolishing the Jerusalem headquarters of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees on Tuesday, escalating Israel's campaign against the organisation responsible for providing humanitarian services to millions of people across the region. Israel has repeatedly accused the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) of links with Hamas, allegations the agency has denied. Last year, Israel barred UNRWA from operating within its territory, but the demolition represents one of the most forceful actions taken against the agency so far. Israeli forces seized equipment and removed security personnel Roland Friedrich, UNRWA director in the West Bank, said the organisation was informed that demolition crews and police reached their east Jerusalem headquarters early in the morning. Although staff have not worked from the site for nearly a year due to security threats and incitement, Israeli forces seized equipment and removed the private security personnel assigned to protect the premises. “What we saw today is the culmination of two years of incitement and, measures against UNRWA in east Jerusalem,” Friedrich said, news agency Associated Press reported. He also called it a violation of international law guaranteeing such facilities' protection. The UN agency stated that the demolitions could endanger operations at its vocational centre in Qalandia and health facility in Shua’fat, where it has been continuously providing education and health services. Additionally, an Israeli flag was also witnessed hoisted above the facility in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, where some politicians from Israel had arrived on the scene to celebrate the fate of the organisation. In response to it, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called it “a historic day.” UNRWA is tasked with delivering assistance and essential services to nearly 2.5 million Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem, along with another 3 million refugees in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. For decades, the agency has operated facilities in refugee camps, run schools and provided health services. However, its work was restricted last year after Israel’s Knesset passed a law cutting ties with the agency and prohibiting it from operating in areas Israel considers its territory, including east Jerusalem. Also read: Lavrov claims Greenland is not a natural part of Norway or Denmark

UNRWA is tasked with delivering assistance and essential services to nearly 2.5 million Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem, along with another 3 million refugees in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon.&nbsp;

Israeli crews tear down UN Palestinian refugee agency in Jerusalem, UNRWA calls it 'violation' of international law

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has declassified details of "Operation Many Ways," where 120 commandos dismantled a Syrian underground missile production facility reportedly financed by Iran. The mission was carried out on September 8, 2024. The facility, called "Deep Layer," was located near Masyaf in western Syria, a region known for its strong air defence.
<h2 class="p1">Targeted Facility</h2>
The Deep Layer facility was reportedly constructed after a 2017 Israeli airstrike on an aboveground missile production site.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/top-10-world-news-new-orleans-attack-updates-israeli-military-kills-hamas-police-chief-and-more-8586402">Top 10 world news: New Orleans attack updates; IDF kills Hamas police chief, and more</a>
The facility was built 70-130 meters into a mountain and was operational by 2021. It was producing up to 300 missiles annually with a range of 300 kilometres. The missiles were allegedly intended for Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Assad regime.&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m5gia617-1xqvibot-0hkyz8v7">
DECLASSIFIED: In September 2024, before the fall of the Assad Regime, our soldiers conducted an undercover operation to dismantle an Iranian-funded underground precision missile production site in Syria. Watch exclusive footage from this historic moment. <a href="https://t.co/s0bTDNwx77">pic.twitter.com/s0bTDNwx77</a>
&mdash; Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) <a href="https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1874849694012309593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2025</a></blockquote>
<h2 class="p1">Operational Details</h2>
Israeli military planned the operation for several years. It gained urgency amid escalating regional tensions. Commandos were flown into Syrian airspace on CH-53 helicopters, escorted by fighter jets and drones. To evade radar and Syrian air defences, the aircraft flew over the Mediterranean and at low altitudes.
Upon reaching the site, diversionary strikes were launched to misdirect Syrian forces. Commandos breached the facility&rsquo;s fortified entrances using forklifts to access critical areas. Explosives were planted along the production line to target machinery used for missile manufacturing. The explosives were remotely detonated by the Israeli commandos.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hamas-police-chief-deputy-killed-in-israeli-airstrikes-on-gaza-humanitarian-zone-8585896">Hamas police chief, deputy killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza humanitarian zone</a>
<h2 class="p1">Outcome</h2>
The IAF reported 30 Syrian casualties, while Syrian media claimed 14 deaths and 43 injuries. The operation lasted for almost three hours with all commandos returning safely.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: Israel declassified details of "Operation Many Ways," a September 2024 mission where 120 commandos destroyed an underground missile facility in Syria

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has declassified details of "Operation Many Ways," where 120 commandos dismantled a Syrian underground missile production facility reportedly financed by Iran. The mission was carried out on September 8, 2024. The facility, called "Deep Layer," was located near Masyaf in western Syria, a region known for its strong air defence. Targeted Facility The Deep Layer facility was reportedly constructed after a 2017 Israeli airstrike on an aboveground missile production site. Also read: Top 10 world news: New Orleans attack updates; IDF kills Hamas police chief, and more The facility was built 70-130 meters into a mountain and was operational by 2021. It was producing up to 300 missiles annually with a range of 300 kilometres. The missiles were allegedly intended for Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Assad regime. DECLASSIFIED: In September 2024, before the fall of the Assad Regime, our soldiers conducted an undercover operation to dismantle an Iranian-funded underground precision missile production site in Syria. Watch exclusive footage from this historic moment. pic.twitter.com/s0bTDNwx77 — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) January 2, 2025 Operational Details Israeli military planned the operation for several years. It gained urgency amid escalating regional tensions. Commandos were flown into Syrian airspace on CH-53 helicopters, escorted by fighter jets and drones. To evade radar and Syrian air defences, the aircraft flew over the Mediterranean and at low altitudes. Upon reaching the site, diversionary strikes were launched to misdirect Syrian forces. Commandos breached the facility’s fortified entrances using forklifts to access critical areas. Explosives were planted along the production line to target machinery used for missile manufacturing. The explosives were remotely detonated by the Israeli commandos. Also read: Hamas police chief, deputy killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza humanitarian zone Outcome The IAF reported 30 Syrian casualties, while Syrian media claimed 14 deaths and 43 injuries. The operation lasted for almost three hours with all commandos returning safely. (With inputs from agencies)

'Operation Many Ways': Israel declassifies details of strike on Iran-backed Syrian missile facility

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Netanyahu's Poll Numbers Rise Amid Internal Turmoil

Israeli crews demolish UN Palestinian refugee agency in east Jerusalem

'Operation Many Ways': Israel declassifies details of strike on Iran-backed Syrian missile facility