With US President Joe Biden announcing that a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas is on the brink of being finalized, the question has emerged of whether Jerusalem will hand over the body of former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar as part of that agreement. Watch in for more details!

Israel-Hamas war: Deal between Hamas and Israel on the brink of being finalized, says Biden

Israel raised a record amount of debt last year to fund its multi-front war against Hamas and other Iran-backed militias.

Israel Raised A Record Amount Of Debt In 2024 | World Business Watch

US President Joe Biden has stressed the immediate need for a ceasefire in Gaza and the return of the hostages. Watch in for more details!

Israel-Hamas War: Joe Biden Says Both Sides On The Brink Of Sealing Ceasefire Deal | World DNA

Iran's military on Monday said it had added 1,000 "strategic drones" to its fleet amid tensions with the US and Israel. Watch this report for more details!

Iran adds 1,000 strategic drones to its fleet

Qatar has provided a final ceasefire and hostage release draft to Israel and Hamas to end the Gaza war. Watch this report for more details!

Israel-Hamas war: Qatar presents final ceasefire draft to Israel, Hamas

Israel-Hamas war: Norway hosts global meet on Israel-Palestine two-state solution

Israel-Hamas war: Qatar presents final draft of Gaza ceasefire deal to Israel, Hamas

Israel-Hamas war: Netanyahu updates Biden on 'progress' in Gaza hostage deal talks

Iran conducted air defence exercises on Saturday as the country braces for more friction with Israel and the United States under incoming US president Donald Trump. Watch this report for more details!

Iran's Strategic Air Drills Amid Rising Tensions | World DNA | WION

With two weeks left in office, US President Joe Biden's administration notified Congress of a proposed $8 billion arms sale to Israel. Watch this report for more details!

Joe Biden planning on sending another arms package to Israel

Top developments from West Asia: 
-  Israel seizes over 90% of Syria's water resources
- Lebanon reports multiple violations of ceasefire deal
- Iran considers moving capital from Tehran to Makran
- Saudi Arabia hit by catastrophic torrential rains

Israel seizes over 90% of Syria's water resources

The Israeli military has successfully intercepted drones launched by the Houthi group in its ongoing efforts to neutralize threats in the region. This interception is part of Israel's broader strategy to secure its airspace and counter hostile drone activities.

Israeli Military intercepts drones in ongoing efforts against Houthi targets

As the talks aimed at cementing a truce in Gaza between Israel and Hamas are ongoing efforts to achieve a host's deal is intensifying. In a press conference on Thursday, US President Joe Biden stated that real progress is being made in the talks for a ceasefire and a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Watch in for more details!

Israel-Hamas War: Biden Pushes For Hostage Deal Before Leaving Office

The Israeli military says its troops have found the body of a hostage held by Hamas in Gaza, along with evidence suggesting that his son may also have been killed. Watch in for more details!

Israel-Hamas war: Over 46,000 Palestinians killed in IDF's offensive against Hamas

Israel-Hamas war: Blinken says Gaza deal may not happen before Trump takes over

Israel-Hamas war: Israeli troops find body of Bedouin hostage Youssef Ziyadne

An Israeli TV reporter has regained the ability to speak thanks to advanced AI technology. The breakthrough showcases how AI can aid in overcoming speech impairments, offering hope for similar cases in the future.

Israeli TV reporter restores speech with AI assistance

In a strong warning to Israel, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) announced that it plans to reveal two new underground missile and floating cities along the coasts of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naeini, head of the IRGC's Public Relations Department, stated that these Iranian facilities are capable of housing a wide variety of cruise and ballistic missiles. He mentioned that the military installations would be launched during a ceremony as part of the extensive "Payambar-e-Azam 19" military exercise.

Iran Displays Bomb-Proof Missile Cities | 'Ready for War,' IRGC Commander Warns Israel

Iran has launched air defense drills near the Natanz nuclear facility, a move aimed at enhancing security in the region amid rising tensions and growing concerns about its nuclear program.

Iran Conducts Air Defense Drills Near Natanz Nuclear Site

Hamas official Osama Hamdan threatened US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, saying that he would be prosecuted for his role in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?title=gaza+war+" rel="dofollow">Gaza war</a>, calling him "a partner in the war of extermination".&nbsp;
Hamas politburo member Hamdan stressed that Blinken's partnership in the crimes will be pursued legally, The Times of Israel reported.&nbsp;
&ldquo;His statements are misleading and we do not trust them, and his partnership in the crimes against our people will be pursued legally,&rdquo; Hamdan threatened.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-state-secy-warned-netanyahu-biden-would-not-visit-israel-if-they-wont-allow-aid-into-gaza-8591823" rel="dofollow">US top diplomat Blinken warned Netanyahu, Biden would not visit Israel if he won't allow aid into Gaza</a>
US top diplomat Blinken, in an interview with The New York Times, blamed Hamas for the failure to reach a hostage release agreement with Israel.&nbsp;
&ldquo;What we&rsquo;ve seen time and again is Hamas not concluding a deal that it should have concluded,&rdquo; Blinken said.
&ldquo;Why there hasn&rsquo;t been a unanimous chorus around the world for Hamas to put down its weapons, to give up the hostages, to surrender &mdash; I don&rsquo;t know what the answer is to that. Israel, on various occasions, has offered safe passage to Hamas&rsquo;s leadership and fighters out of Gaza. Where is the world? Where is the world saying, Yeah, do that! End this! Stop the suffering of people that you brought on!,&rdquo; he said.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/west-asia-crisis-antony-blinken-warns-against-triggering-further-conflicts-in-syria-783566" rel="dofollow">West Asia crisis: Antony Blinken warns against triggering further conflicts in Syria</a>
Hamdan continued that negotiations with Israel have proven that the only way to achieve rights for the Palestinians is by force.&nbsp;
Moreover, Blinken said in the interview that the US does not believe that Israel is carrying out genocide in Gaza, although he says that there were times when Israel was not &ldquo;doing enough&rdquo; to allow in humanitarian assistance.
Hamdan further stressed that Hamas is determined to stop the aggression, adding that "for the enemy to withdraw from the Gaza Strip, and for relief and reconstruction to be without Israeli conditions."
Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-secretary-of-state-blinken-meets-with-lebanons-pm-amid-rising-israel-hezbollah-tensions-770651" rel="dofollow"> US Secretary of State Blinken meets with Lebanon&rsquo;s PM amid rising Israel-Hezbollah tensions</a>
&ldquo;We hope that this will be achieved as soon as possible," Hamdan added.&nbsp;
<h2>Call for national committee to manage Gaza</h2>
Hamdan called for a "national committee" to manage Gaza and "block the path of every corrupt argument that seeks to oppress our people."&nbsp;
Notably, Hamas and Israel have been negotiating on the potential deal in Qatar, however, the progress has been slow.&nbsp;
Hamdan said Hamas hopes that Syria &ldquo;will remain in the position of resistance&rdquo; due to Israel&rsquo;s control of the Golan Heights and beyond. &ldquo;One of the most important values ​​launched by Al-Aqsa Flood [the Hamas name for the October 7, 2023, terror onslaught] is that peoples will not be liberated except through resistance.&rdquo;
Disclaimer: WION takes the utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq, and non-state actors like the Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.
(With inputs from agencies)

World | Middle East: Hamas politburo member Osama Hamdan stressed that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's partnership in the crimes will be pursued legally, The Times of Israel reported.

Hamas official Osama Hamdan threatened US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, saying that he would be prosecuted for his role in the Gaza war, calling him "a partner in the war of extermination". Hamas politburo member Hamdan stressed that Blinken's partnership in the crimes will be pursued legally, The Times of Israel reported. “His statements are misleading and we do not trust them, and his partnership in the crimes against our people will be pursued legally,” Hamdan threatened. Also read: US top diplomat Blinken warned Netanyahu, Biden would not visit Israel if he won't allow aid into Gaza US top diplomat Blinken, in an interview with The New York Times, blamed Hamas for the failure to reach a hostage release agreement with Israel. “What we’ve seen time and again is Hamas not concluding a deal that it should have concluded,” Blinken said. “Why there hasn’t been a unanimous chorus around the world for Hamas to put down its weapons, to give up the hostages, to surrender — I don’t know what the answer is to that. Israel, on various occasions, has offered safe passage to Hamas’s leadership and fighters out of Gaza. Where is the world? Where is the world saying, Yeah, do that! End this! Stop the suffering of people that you brought on!,” he said. Also read: West Asia crisis: Antony Blinken warns against triggering further conflicts in Syria Hamdan continued that negotiations with Israel have proven that the only way to achieve rights for the Palestinians is by force. Moreover, Blinken said in the interview that the US does not believe that Israel is carrying out genocide in Gaza, although he says that there were times when Israel was not “doing enough” to allow in humanitarian assistance. Hamdan further stressed that Hamas is determined to stop the aggression, adding that "for the enemy to withdraw from the Gaza Strip, and for relief and reconstruction to be without Israeli conditions." Also read: US Secretary of State Blinken meets with Lebanon’s PM amid rising Israel-Hezbollah tensions “We hope that this will be achieved as soon as possible," Hamdan added. Call for national committee to manage Gaza Hamdan called for a "national committee" to manage Gaza and "block the path of every corrupt argument that seeks to oppress our people." Notably, Hamas and Israel have been negotiating on the potential deal in Qatar, however, the progress has been slow. Hamdan said Hamas hopes that Syria “will remain in the position of resistance” due to Israel’s control of the Golan Heights and beyond. “One of the most important values launched by Al-Aqsa Flood [the Hamas name for the October 7, 2023, terror onslaught] is that peoples will not be liberated except through resistance.” Disclaimer: WION takes the utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq, and non-state actors like the Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos. (With inputs from agencies)

Hamas official threatens to take legal action against US diplomat Blinken for 'partnership' in Israeli crimes

In a move to reduce the country's dependence on the United States for military equipment, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?title=Israel+" rel="dofollow">Israel</a>i Defence Ministry on Tuesday (Jan 7) signed two major deals with Elbit Systems, an Israel-based international military technology company, for the arms contractor to supply the defence forces with thousands of heavy bombs and other materials.&nbsp;
Elbit Systems will also establish a new plant to manufacture raw materials for Israel, according to The Times of Israel.&nbsp;
The two deals are estimated at USD 275 million (NIS 1 billion).&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-state-secy-warned-netanyahu-biden-would-not-visit-israel-if-they-wont-allow-aid-into-gaza-8591823" rel="dofollow">US top diplomat Blinken warned Netanyahu, Biden would not visit Israel if he won't allow aid into Gaza</a>
The Israeli military said the agreements are "crucial for enhancing the IDF's operational endurance and force build-up capabilities."
According to the first agreement, Elbit, an Israeli defence contractor firm, will supply thousands of heavy air munitions used by the Israeli Air Force.
This will reduce Israel's dependence on the United States, which held up a shipment of heavy bombs in late spring.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hamas-hostage-deal-at-impasse-unlikely-to-be-completed-before-end-of-bidens-term-report-8583822" rel="dofollow">Israel-Hamas hostage deal hit impasse; 'unlikely before end of Biden's term': Report</a>
Meanwhile, under the second agreement, Elbit will establish a "national raw materials plant to produce raw materials that were sourced mainly from abroad before the war.&rdquo;
&ldquo;The new facility will feature advanced production lines for energetic materials that Israel&rsquo;s defence industry uses,&rdquo; the ministry said.&nbsp;
The Israeli ministry added that the project is expected to boost domestic manufacturing independence and reduce reliance on imported raw materials.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-initiate-major-8-billion-defence-deal-with-israel-report-8592558" rel="dofollow">US to initiate major $8 billion defence deal with Israel: Report</a>
<h2>US to initiate arms deal with Israel</h2>
Last week, US President Joe Biden's administration informed Congress of a proposed $8 billion arms sale to Israel, according to two US officials, as reported by Reuters.
The deal, which includes munitions for fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery shells, requires approval from the House of Representatives and Senate committees. However, the State Department has not issued a comment on the proposed arms deal.
Disclaimer: WION takes the utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq, and non-state actors like the Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: The Elbit Systems will also establish a new plant to manufacture raw materials for Israel, according to The Times of Israel. The two deals are estimated at USD 275 million.

In a move to reduce the country's dependence on the United States for military equipment, the Israeli Defence Ministry on Tuesday (Jan 7) signed two major deals with Elbit Systems, an Israel-based international military technology company, for the arms contractor to supply the defence forces with thousands of heavy bombs and other materials. Elbit Systems will also establish a new plant to manufacture raw materials for Israel, according to The Times of Israel. The two deals are estimated at USD 275 million (NIS 1 billion). Also read: US top diplomat Blinken warned Netanyahu, Biden would not visit Israel if he won't allow aid into Gaza The Israeli military said the agreements are "crucial for enhancing the IDF's operational endurance and force build-up capabilities." According to the first agreement, Elbit, an Israeli defence contractor firm, will supply thousands of heavy air munitions used by the Israeli Air Force. This will reduce Israel's dependence on the United States, which held up a shipment of heavy bombs in late spring. Also read: Israel-Hamas hostage deal hit impasse; 'unlikely before end of Biden's term': Report Meanwhile, under the second agreement, Elbit will establish a "national raw materials plant to produce raw materials that were sourced mainly from abroad before the war.” “The new facility will feature advanced production lines for energetic materials that Israel’s defence industry uses,” the ministry said. The Israeli ministry added that the project is expected to boost domestic manufacturing independence and reduce reliance on imported raw materials. Also read: US to initiate major $8 billion defence deal with Israel: Report US to initiate arms deal with Israel Last week, US President Joe Biden's administration informed Congress of a proposed $8 billion arms sale to Israel, according to two US officials, as reported by Reuters. The deal, which includes munitions for fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery shells, requires approval from the House of Representatives and Senate committees. However, the State Department has not issued a comment on the proposed arms deal. Disclaimer: WION takes the utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq, and non-state actors like the Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel to produce arms locally, aims to reduce dependence on US

Yemen's Houthi militant group has claimed to have attacked U.S. and Israeli targets. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said that the Iran-backed group targeted the American aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman in the Red Sea, following the U.S. plan to attack Yemen. Watch in for more details!

Houthis Attack US And Israeli Targets, Group Says Foiled Major Attack Against Yemen

Israel-Hamas war: Military sites targeted in Israel's Jaffa and Ashkelon: Houthis

A shooting attack on a bus carrying Israeli passengers in the occupied West Bank results in the deaths of three individuals, escalating tensions in the region.

West Bank Raid: Three Israelis Killed in Shooting Attack on Bus in Occupied West Bank

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expresses confidence that a deal regarding hostages in Gaza will be reached soon, amid ongoing Israel-Hamas tensions.

Israel-Hamas war: Blinken 'confident' Gaza hostage deal to come soon

A Hamas official said the Palestinian militants were ready to free 34 hostages in the “first phase” of a potential deal with Israel. Watch this report for more details!

Israel-Hamas War: Reports citing Hamas official suggest new prisoner swap proposal

Israel-Hamas War: 'Ready to release 34 Israeli hostages in first phase', says Hamas official

The latest Israeli strikes in Gaza have killed 12 people, including five in the Nuseirat refugee camp, four in the southern city of Khan Younis, and three in the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. They say that at least 88 people had been killed in the past 24 hours. Watch in for more details!

Israel-Hamas War: Israel says Hamas command centers targeted

2025 has begun with Israelis facing one of the toughest economic years in recent memory. The approximately 11 billion dollar war bill has triggered a wave of austerity measures. For every household, this means higher costs. Watch in for more details!

Israel’s Economy Faces Rising Interest Rates & Slumping Tourism

Israel-Hamas War: Gaza's Health Ministry Says 88 People Died In Last 24 Hours

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu convenes a security meeting with top ministers as reports indicate progress in ongoing hostage negotiations.

Netanyahu to hold security meeting with key ministers amid hostage talks progress

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