Tensions are once again high between the state of Israel and Gaza. The Israeli defence forces reportedly have launched airstrikes and bombings on the Gaza strip on Sunday.

Israel launches airstrike on Gaza strip after border protests

US and Israeli administrations are meeting in Washington. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is on a two-day tour to the US capital. Bennett met with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's two day tour to US Capital

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is going to meet top United States officials in the 2-day visit. Watch this report to know more.

Israel's PM Naftali Bennett to meet top US officials in 2-day visit

Twice a year, a team of cleaners equipped with long sticks clear out tens of thousands of written prayers and wishes crammed into the crevices of Judaism's Western Wall in Jerusalem by worshippers and visitors, making room for fresh ones. It is time again for this cleaning at the wall on Wednesday (August 25). But this time, the rite was held with precautions against coronavirus infection in place, after a relapse in the infection rate.

'Notes to God' cleared from Western Wall ahead of Jewish New Year

Last spring, Israel’s remarkably swift vaccination campaign was seen as a global model. Coronavirus infections plummeted, an electronic pass allowed the vaccinated to attend indoor concerts and sporting events, and distancing rules and mask mandates were eventually scrapped.

Israel offered the world a hopeful glimpse of the way out of the pandemic.

No longer.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nearly-652000-people-have-started-smoking-in-pandemic-study-408282">Nearly 652,000 people have started smoking in pandemic: Study</a>

A fourth wave of infections is rapidly approaching the levels of Israel’s worst days of the pandemic last winter. The daily rate of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">confirmed new virus cases</a> has more than doubled in the past two weeks, making Israel a rising hot spot on the international charts.

Restrictions on gatherings and commercial and entertainment venues were reinstated this week, and the government is considering a new lockdown.

Some experts fear that Israel’s high rate of infections among early vaccine recipients may indicate a waning of the vaccine’s protections over time, a finding that contributed to a US decision Wednesday to begin offering <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">booster shots</a> to Americans widely starting next month.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-faces-new-surge-of-coronavirus-cases-408060">WATCH |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-faces-new-surge-of-coronavirus-cases-408060/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The vaccine may be less effective at preventing infection with the highly contagious delta variant, now the primary version of the virus in Israel. And the first cohort to be vaccinated was an older group whose immune systems may have been weaker to begin with.

The vast majority of Israel’s older population had received two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine by the end of February, and by now about 78 per cent of the population age 12 and older are fully vaccinated.

Seeing infection levels dropping in the spring and determined to reboot the economy, Israel retired its electronic pass system, eased travel bans and lifted all other restrictions. The last to go was the indoor mask mandate June 15.

However, as summer approached, infections began to spiral. School was out, families crowded local hotels, and up to 40,000 people a day were flying abroad. After many days of zero COVID-19 deaths in June, at least 230 Israelis have died this month.

Unlike previous epicenters of infection in Israel’s crowded, less-vaccinated ultra-Orthodox communities, this scourge primarily took hold in well-vaccinated, middle-class suburbs.

Israel is now pinning its hopes on booster shots. Beginning with those 60 and older and quickly expanding the drive to those 50 and older, more than 1 million citizens have already received a third dose this month.

Last spring, Israel’s remarkably swift vaccination campaign was seen as a global model. Coronavirus infections plummeted, an electronic pass allowed the vaccinated to attend indoor concerts and sporting events, and distancing rules and mask mandates were eventually scrapped.

Last spring, Israel’s remarkably swift vaccination campaign was seen as a global model. Coronavirus infections plummeted, an electronic pass allowed the vaccinated to attend indoor concerts and sporting events, and distancing rules and mask mandates were eventually scrapped. Israel offered the world a hopeful glimpse of the way out of the pandemic. No longer. Also read | Nearly 652,000 people have started smoking in pandemic: Study A fourth wave of infections is rapidly approaching the levels of Israel’s worst days of the pandemic last winter. The daily rate of confirmed new virus cases has more than doubled in the past two weeks, making Israel a rising hot spot on the international charts. Restrictions on gatherings and commercial and entertainment venues were reinstated this week, and the government is considering a new lockdown. Some experts fear that Israel’s high rate of infections among early vaccine recipients may indicate a waning of the vaccine’s protections over time, a finding that contributed to a US decision Wednesday to begin offering booster shots to Americans widely starting next month. WATCH | The vaccine may be less effective at preventing infection with the highly contagious delta variant, now the primary version of the virus in Israel. And the first cohort to be vaccinated was an older group whose immune systems may have been weaker to begin with. The vast majority of Israel’s older population had received two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine by the end of February, and by now about 78 per cent of the population age 12 and older are fully vaccinated. Seeing infection levels dropping in the spring and determined to reboot the economy, Israel retired its electronic pass system, eased travel bans and lifted all other restrictions. The last to go was the indoor mask mandate June 15. However, as summer approached, infections began to spiral. School was out, families crowded local hotels, and up to 40,000 people a day were flying abroad. After many days of zero COVID-19 deaths in June, at least 230 Israelis have died this month. Unlike previous epicenters of infection in Israel’s crowded, less-vaccinated ultra-Orthodox communities, this scourge primarily took hold in well-vaccinated, middle-class suburbs. Israel is now pinning its hopes on booster shots. Beginning with those 60 and older and quickly expanding the drive to those 50 and older, more than 1 million citizens have already received a third dose this month.

Israel, once the model for beating COVID-19, faces new surge of infections

We have seen a visit this week to Israel by Egypt and an invitation to reciprocate. So, what exactly is brewing in West Asia? WION's Correspondent Jodie Cohen brings you a report.

Israeli PM planning first visit to meet Egypt's Sisi

A fourth wave of infections is rapidly approaching Israel. The daily rate of confirmed new virus cases has more than doubled in the past two weeks.

Israel faces new surge of Coronavirus cases

Israeli aircraft have launched attacks on Hamas targets in Gaza strip on Saturday. In the latest escalation in hostilities between the two forces the strike came in response to the clashes between the Israeli troops and the Palestinian protesters that left dozens injured including an Israeli police officer.

Israel launches airstrikes on Gaza after border clashes

Israeli troops fired at Palestinian protesters who hurled firebombs and burned tires from behind the Gaza Strip's border fence Saturday, with the Gaza health ministry reporting 24 injuries.

"Twenty-four civilians were injured, including 10 children," the ministry said in a statement.

"Two of the injuries are critical, one of whom is a 13-year-old boy, who was hit in the head east of Gaza City."

The Israeli army told AFP "hundreds of rioters and demonstrators" had gathered along the border fence.

"Troops are prepared in the area and are using riot dispersal means, and if necessary, .22 calibre rounds," the army said.

The Hamas Islamic movement that rules Gaza had called a protest Saturday to mark the burning 52 years ago of Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam.

"Al-Aqsa Mosque is a red line, and any attack on it will be met with valiant resistance from our people," the movement said in a statement.

The protest came exactly three months since Israel and Hamas reached a truce following their deadliest fighting in years.

Over 11 days in May, Israel pounded Gaza with airstrikes in response to rockets fired from the enclave.

Hamas said it took action after Israeli security forces stormed Al-Aqsa.

Reconstruction in Gaza has stalled since a May 21 ceasefire, in part because of a crippling blockade Israel has maintained on the enclave since Hamas seized power in 2007.

On Thursday, Israel announced it would allow funds from Qatar to reach impoverished Palestinians in Gaza. Other restrictions remain.

In 2018, Gazans began a protest movement demanding an end to Israel's blockade and a right for Palestinians to return to lands they fled after the Jewish state was founded.

The Hamas-backed weekly demonstrations, often violent, sputtered as Israel killed some 350 Palestinians in Gaza over more than a year.&nbsp;

Israeli troops fired at Palestinian protesters who hurled firebombs and burned tires from behind the Gaza Strip's border fence Saturday, with the Gaza health ministry reporting 24 injuries.

Israeli troops fired at Palestinian protesters who hurled firebombs and burned tires from behind the Gaza Strip's border fence Saturday, with the Gaza health ministry reporting 24 injuries. "Twenty-four civilians were injured, including 10 children," the ministry said in a statement. "Two of the injuries are critical, one of whom is a 13-year-old boy, who was hit in the head east of Gaza City." The Israeli army told AFP "hundreds of rioters and demonstrators" had gathered along the border fence. "Troops are prepared in the area and are using riot dispersal means, and if necessary, .22 calibre rounds," the army said. The Hamas Islamic movement that rules Gaza had called a protest Saturday to mark the burning 52 years ago of Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam. "Al-Aqsa Mosque is a red line, and any attack on it will be met with valiant resistance from our people," the movement said in a statement. The protest came exactly three months since Israel and Hamas reached a truce following their deadliest fighting in years. Over 11 days in May, Israel pounded Gaza with airstrikes in response to rockets fired from the enclave. Hamas said it took action after Israeli security forces stormed Al-Aqsa. Reconstruction in Gaza has stalled since a May 21 ceasefire, in part because of a crippling blockade Israel has maintained on the enclave since Hamas seized power in 2007. On Thursday, Israel announced it would allow funds from Qatar to reach impoverished Palestinians in Gaza. Other restrictions remain. In 2018, Gazans began a protest movement demanding an end to Israel's blockade and a right for Palestinians to return to lands they fled after the Jewish state was founded. The Hamas-backed weekly demonstrations, often violent, sputtered as Israel killed some 350 Palestinians in Gaza over more than a year.

Israel fires on protesting Palestinians in Gaza, 24 wounded

Syria's air defence system engaged "hostile targets" over the capital Damascus late Thursday, state news agency SANA reported, with a military source claiming they were Israeli missiles.

"The Israeli enemy launched an aerial attack... targeting positions near Damascus and around the city of Homs," the military source told SANA.

"Our air defence responded to the missiles and shot most of them down," it added.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, said that "Israeli missiles targeted arms depots and military positions of" Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah, between Damascus and Homs.

Neither SANA nor the Observatory reported any damage or casualties.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-than-2200-people-have-died-in-deadly-haiti-earthquake-locals-claim-406983">Also read |&nbsp;More than 2,200 people have died in deadly Haiti earthquake, locals claim</a>

Lebanese media also reported two missiles fell in the Qalamoun region bordering Lebanon.

The Israeli army rarely acknowledges its strikes in Syria and a spokesperson told AFP it did "not comment on foreign media information".&nbsp;

However, since the start of the war in Syria ten years ago, Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes on Syrian territory, targeting regime positions as well as allied Iranian forces and members of Iran-backed Hezbollah.

Israel regularly underlines that it will not allow Syria to become a stronghold of its sworn enemy Iran.

The Syrian conflict, which began in 2011 with the regime's repression of pro-democracy protests, has grown increasingly complex over the past decade, drawing in more and more parties.&nbsp;

According to the Observatory, the war has left nearly half a million people dead.

Syria's air defence system engaged "hostile targets" over the capital Damascus late Thursday, state news agency SANA reported, with a military source claiming they were Israeli missiles.

Syria's air defence system engaged "hostile targets" over the capital Damascus late Thursday, state news agency SANA reported, with a military source claiming they were Israeli missiles. "The Israeli enemy launched an aerial attack... targeting positions near Damascus and around the city of Homs," the military source told SANA. "Our air defence responded to the missiles and shot most of them down," it added. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, said that "Israeli missiles targeted arms depots and military positions of" Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah, between Damascus and Homs. Neither SANA nor the Observatory reported any damage or casualties. Also read | More than 2,200 people have died in deadly Haiti earthquake, locals claim Lebanese media also reported two missiles fell in the Qalamoun region bordering Lebanon. The Israeli army rarely acknowledges its strikes in Syria and a spokesperson told AFP it did "not comment on foreign media information". However, since the start of the war in Syria ten years ago, Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes on Syrian territory, targeting regime positions as well as allied Iranian forces and members of Iran-backed Hezbollah. Israel regularly underlines that it will not allow Syria to become a stronghold of its sworn enemy Iran. The Syrian conflict, which began in 2011 with the regime's repression of pro-democracy protests, has grown increasingly complex over the past decade, drawing in more and more parties. According to the Observatory, the war has left nearly half a million people dead.

Syria says air defence shot down Israeli missiles

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali&nbsp;Bennett&nbsp;received a coronavirus vaccine&nbsp;booster&nbsp;shot&nbsp;on Friday, as the country began administering them to people aged 40 and over amid a spike in&nbsp;infections.

At a public hospital in Kfar Saba, a central city near&nbsp;Bennett's home, the 49-year-old Israeli premier kept his eyes on the nurse administering the&nbsp;shot&nbsp;to his left shoulder, with his office saying he was the first head of government in the world to receive a&nbsp;booster.

"We're at the height of the battle now, together we can win; it's within arm's reach, but we're not there yet,"&nbsp;Bennett&nbsp;said shortly before receiving the&nbsp;shot.&nbsp;

"I'm asking of you, use this unique privilege you have as Israelis, and go get vaccinated."

Infections&nbsp;in&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;have in recent weeks surged, raising fears of a lockdown over the Jewish High Holidays, which will take place in September.&nbsp;

"If you go get the third&nbsp;shot, we can avoid a fourth lockdown,"&nbsp;Bennett&nbsp;said. "We're seeing profound efficacy of the vaccines working, it's safe and it's the way to defeat this virus.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/capitol-hill-bomb-threat-standoff-ends-as-suspect-surrenders-407037">Also read |&nbsp;Capitol Hill bomb threat standoff ends as suspect surrenders</a>

The World Health Organization has called for a moratorium on&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;vaccine&nbsp;booster&nbsp;shots to help ease the drastic inequity in dose distribution between rich and poor nations.

On Wednesday, WHO's emergency director Mike Ryan said that&nbsp;booster&nbsp;shots were like "planning to hand out extra life jackets to people who already have life jackets, while we're leaving other people to drown without a single life jacket."

On Friday,&nbsp;Bennett&nbsp;reiterated his defence of&nbsp;Israel's "pioneering"&nbsp;booster&nbsp;practice, stressing again that his country would provide the world valuable data.

"We from&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;are going to share all the data, all the information all the insights in this pioneering" scheme, he said.&nbsp;

"I'm happy to hear that other countries are following suit, because at the end of the day, this is a global war on&nbsp;Covid&nbsp;and we've got to win."

Israel&nbsp;was one of the first countries to launch a vaccination drive in mid-December via an agreement with Pfizer to obtain millions of paid vaccine doses in exchange for sharing data on their effectiveness.

The inoculation campaign was hailed as a success story that helped drastically reduce&nbsp;infections&nbsp;in the country of nine million.

But cases have been rising due to the spread of the Delta variant among the unvaccinated and waning immunity in others.

To try and contain the spread, authorities last week began administering a&nbsp;booster&nbsp;shot&nbsp;to those aged 50 and older, after starting a campaign for over-60s late last month.

Israel&nbsp;has recorded more than 970,000 coronavirus&nbsp;infections&nbsp;since the pandemic started early last year, and over 6,700 deaths.

More than 5.4 million people have received two doses of the vaccine, while 1.2 million have had a third jab.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett received a coronavirus vaccine booster shot on Friday, as the country began administering them to people aged 40 and over amid a spike in infections.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett received a coronavirus vaccine booster shot on Friday, as the country began administering them to people aged 40 and over amid a spike in infections. At a public hospital in Kfar Saba, a central city near Bennett's home, the 49-year-old Israeli premier kept his eyes on the nurse administering the shot to his left shoulder, with his office saying he was the first head of government in the world to receive a booster. "We're at the height of the battle now, together we can win; it's within arm's reach, but we're not there yet," Bennett said shortly before receiving the shot. "I'm asking of you, use this unique privilege you have as Israelis, and go get vaccinated." Infections in Israel have in recent weeks surged, raising fears of a lockdown over the Jewish High Holidays, which will take place in September. "If you go get the third shot, we can avoid a fourth lockdown," Bennett said. "We're seeing profound efficacy of the vaccines working, it's safe and it's the way to defeat this virus. Also read | Capitol Hill bomb threat standoff ends as suspect surrenders The World Health Organization has called for a moratorium on COVID-19 vaccine booster shots to help ease the drastic inequity in dose distribution between rich and poor nations. On Wednesday, WHO's emergency director Mike Ryan said that booster shots were like "planning to hand out extra life jackets to people who already have life jackets, while we're leaving other people to drown without a single life jacket." On Friday, Bennett reiterated his defence of Israel's "pioneering" booster practice, stressing again that his country would provide the world valuable data. "We from Israel are going to share all the data, all the information all the insights in this pioneering" scheme, he said. "I'm happy to hear that other countries are following suit, because at the end of the day, this is a global war on Covid and we've got to win." Israel was one of the first countries to launch a vaccination drive in mid-December via an agreement with Pfizer to obtain millions of paid vaccine doses in exchange for sharing data on their effectiveness. The inoculation campaign was hailed as a success story that helped drastically reduce infections in the country of nine million. But cases have been rising due to the spread of the Delta variant among the unvaccinated and waning immunity in others. To try and contain the spread, authorities last week began administering a booster shot to those aged 50 and older, after starting a campaign for over-60s late last month. Israel has recorded more than 970,000 coronavirus infections since the pandemic started early last year, and over 6,700 deaths. More than 5.4 million people have received two doses of the vaccine, while 1.2 million have had a third jab.

Israel's PM Bennett receives COVID-19 booster shot as infections surge

At least&nbsp;four&nbsp;Palestinians&nbsp;were&nbsp;killed&nbsp;Monday in&nbsp;clashes&nbsp;with Israeli security&nbsp;forces&nbsp;at Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank, an Israeli official and the Palestinian health ministry said.

The&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;Border Police, which operates in the Israeli occupied West Bank, said its&nbsp;forces&nbsp;came under fire during a search for a Palestinian suspected of involvement in "terrorist" activities.&nbsp;

The Palestinian health ministry said that "two citizens were&nbsp;killed&nbsp;by the occupation at dawn in Jenin", identifying them as Raed Abu Saif, 21, and Saleh Omar, 19.

An AFP journalist saw two bodies at the Jenin hospital morgue, where witnesses said Israeli&nbsp;forces&nbsp;had also taken the bodies of two other&nbsp;Palestinians.

An Israeli border police spokesman said two other bodies were in the custody of his&nbsp;forces.

"Heavy gunfire was opened at a short range by a large number" of people, the Israeli official said.

"The border police force fired back at the terrorists and neutralised them. There were no victims among our ranks," he told AFP.

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In recent weeks there have been numerous&nbsp;clashes&nbsp;between Israeli&nbsp;forces&nbsp;and&nbsp;Palestinians&nbsp;in the northern occupied West Bank, mainly in Jenin and Beita.

The inhabitants of Beita have held a number of demonstrations in recent weeks against the Israeli occupation and the settlement expansion, triggering violent confrontations.

The&nbsp;clashes&nbsp;with the Israeli security&nbsp;forces&nbsp;have claimed the lives of several&nbsp;Palestinians&nbsp;and left hundreds more injured.

Beita residents have been demonstrating since May against the wildcat Jewish settlement of Eviatar set up nearby without official permission from Israeli authorities.

The settlement was evacuated in early July but Israeli army troops remain stationed there while authorities deliberate on its fate.

If the settlement is approved, its founders will be allowed to take up residence there more permanently.

Beita's residents have vowed to continue their campaign until the army also leaves the outpost.

Israel&nbsp;occupied the West Bank during the 1967 Six-Day War and all Jewish settlements there are considered illegal by most of the international community.

Almost half a million people live in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, alongside 2.8 million&nbsp;Palestinians.

At least four Palestinians were killed Monday in clashes with Israeli security forces at Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank, an Israeli official and the Palestinian health ministry said.

At least four Palestinians were killed Monday in clashes with Israeli security forces at Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank, an Israeli official and the Palestinian health ministry said. The Israel Border Police, which operates in the Israeli occupied West Bank, said its forces came under fire during a search for a Palestinian suspected of involvement in "terrorist" activities. The Palestinian health ministry said that "two citizens were killed by the occupation at dawn in Jenin", identifying them as Raed Abu Saif, 21, and Saleh Omar, 19. An AFP journalist saw two bodies at the Jenin hospital morgue, where witnesses said Israeli forces had also taken the bodies of two other Palestinians. An Israeli border police spokesman said two other bodies were in the custody of his forces. "Heavy gunfire was opened at a short range by a large number" of people, the Israeli official said. "The border police force fired back at the terrorists and neutralised them. There were no victims among our ranks," he told AFP. Also read | At least 5 dead at Kabul airport as US officials leave Afghanistan: Report In recent weeks there have been numerous clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians in the northern occupied West Bank, mainly in Jenin and Beita. The inhabitants of Beita have held a number of demonstrations in recent weeks against the Israeli occupation and the settlement expansion, triggering violent confrontations. The clashes with the Israeli security forces have claimed the lives of several Palestinians and left hundreds more injured. Beita residents have been demonstrating since May against the wildcat Jewish settlement of Eviatar set up nearby without official permission from Israeli authorities. The settlement was evacuated in early July but Israeli army troops remain stationed there while authorities deliberate on its fate. If the settlement is approved, its founders will be allowed to take up residence there more permanently. Beita's residents have vowed to continue their campaign until the army also leaves the outpost. Israel occupied the West Bank during the 1967 Six-Day War and all Jewish settlements there are considered illegal by most of the international community. Almost half a million people live in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, alongside 2.8 million Palestinians.

Four Palestinians killed in clashes with Israel forces

Poland's&nbsp;president&nbsp;has decided to sign a&nbsp;bill&nbsp;that would set&nbsp;limits on the ability of Jews to recover&nbsp;property&nbsp;seized by Nazi German occupiers and retained by post-war communist rulers, drawing fury from&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;which branded the law anti-Semitic.

"I made a decision today on the act, which in recent months was the subject of a lively and loud debate at home and abroad," Andrzej Duda said in a statement published on Saturday. "After an in-depth analysis, I have decided to sign the amendment."

Before World War Two, Poland had been home to one of the world's biggest Jewish communities, but it was almost entirely wiped out by the Nazis and Jewish former&nbsp;property&nbsp;owners and their descendants have been campaigning for compensation.

Up to now, Jewish expatriates or their descendants could make a claim that a&nbsp;property&nbsp;had been seized illegally and demand its return, but Polish officials argued this was causing uncertainty over&nbsp;property&nbsp;ownership.

In 2015&nbsp;Poland's&nbsp;Constitutional Tribunal ruled there should be specific deadlines after which administrative decisions over&nbsp;property&nbsp;titles could no longer be challenged. Changes to the law were adopted by the Polish parliament earlier this week.

The&nbsp;bill&nbsp;sets a 30-year&nbsp;limit&nbsp;for restitution&nbsp;claims.

The issue of Jewish&nbsp;property&nbsp;rights in Poland is further complicated because, unlike other EU states, it has not created a fund to give compensation to people whose&nbsp;property&nbsp;was seized.

'Immoral law'

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett condemned the law and said&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;would not simply stand by at its approval. "It is a shameful decision and a disgraceful contempt for the memory of the Holocaust," he said in a statement.

Israel's foreign minister, Yair Lapid, said: "Poland today, for the first time, approved an anti-Semitic and immoral law." In response, the head of&nbsp;Israel's embassy in Warsaw was being called back immediately, he said.

"Poland has tonight become an anti-democratic, non-liberal country that does not honour the greatest tragedy in human history," Lapid said in a statement.

A new ambassador to Warsaw will not be sent at this stage, Lapid said. He also suggested&nbsp;Poland's&nbsp;ambassador to&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;extend his vacation and not return to the country.

"He should use the time he has on his hands to explain to the Poles what the Holocaust means to&nbsp;Israel's citizens and the extent to which we will not tolerate contempt for the memory of those who perished and for the memory of the Holocaust. It will not stop here," Lapid said.

Israel&nbsp;was discussing further steps with the United States, he added.

The Polish foreign ministry said in a statement it disapproves of the&nbsp;Israeli foreign ministry's behavior, adding that the government "will take appropriate political and diplomatic actions, bearing in mind the principle of symmetry in bilateral relations."

"The steps taken by&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;are seriously damaging our relationship," the ministry also said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday said Washington was deeply concerned that the Polish parliament had passed the&nbsp;bill, and urged Duda not to sign it into law.

Washington is one of Warsaw's most important allies, but relations between the two countries have been strained by the&nbsp;property&nbsp;issue, as well as other issues such as plans to introduce changes that the opposition says aim to silence a U.S.-owned news channel critical of the government.

The World Jewish Restitution Organization (WJRO) on Saturday urged the Polish government to work on resolving the issue of&nbsp;property&nbsp;seized in the past.

"Democracy &amp; justice hits new low in Poland, as&nbsp;President&nbsp;Duda&nbsp;signs&nbsp;a law making it virtually impossible for all former Polish&nbsp;property&nbsp;owners to secure redress for&nbsp;property&nbsp;illegally seized during the Communist era," Gideon Taylor, chair of operations of the WJRO, said in a statement sent to Reuters.

Poland's president has decided to sign a bill that would set limits on the ability of Jews to recover property seized by Nazi German occupiers and retained by post-war communist rulers, drawing fury from Israel which branded the law anti-Semitic.

Poland's president has decided to sign a bill that would set limits on the ability of Jews to recover property seized by Nazi German occupiers and retained by post-war communist rulers, drawing fury from Israel which branded the law anti-Semitic. "I made a decision today on the act, which in recent months was the subject of a lively and loud debate at home and abroad," Andrzej Duda said in a statement published on Saturday. "After an in-depth analysis, I have decided to sign the amendment." Before World War Two, Poland had been home to one of the world's biggest Jewish communities, but it was almost entirely wiped out by the Nazis and Jewish former property owners and their descendants have been campaigning for compensation. Up to now, Jewish expatriates or their descendants could make a claim that a property had been seized illegally and demand its return, but Polish officials argued this was causing uncertainty over property ownership. In 2015 Poland's Constitutional Tribunal ruled there should be specific deadlines after which administrative decisions over property titles could no longer be challenged. Changes to the law were adopted by the Polish parliament earlier this week. The bill sets a 30-year limit for restitution claims. The issue of Jewish property rights in Poland is further complicated because, unlike other EU states, it has not created a fund to give compensation to people whose property was seized. 'Immoral law' Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett condemned the law and said Israel would not simply stand by at its approval. "It is a shameful decision and a disgraceful contempt for the memory of the Holocaust," he said in a statement. Israel's foreign minister, Yair Lapid, said: "Poland today, for the first time, approved an anti-Semitic and immoral law." In response, the head of Israel's embassy in Warsaw was being called back immediately, he said. "Poland has tonight become an anti-democratic, non-liberal country that does not honour the greatest tragedy in human history," Lapid said in a statement. A new ambassador to Warsaw will not be sent at this stage, Lapid said. He also suggested Poland's ambassador to Israel extend his vacation and not return to the country. "He should use the time he has on his hands to explain to the Poles what the Holocaust means to Israel's citizens and the extent to which we will not tolerate contempt for the memory of those who perished and for the memory of the Holocaust. It will not stop here," Lapid said. Israel was discussing further steps with the United States, he added. The Polish foreign ministry said in a statement it disapproves of the Israeli foreign ministry's behavior, adding that the government "will take appropriate political and diplomatic actions, bearing in mind the principle of symmetry in bilateral relations." "The steps taken by Israel are seriously damaging our relationship," the ministry also said. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday said Washington was deeply concerned that the Polish parliament had passed the bill, and urged Duda not to sign it into law. Washington is one of Warsaw's most important allies, but relations between the two countries have been strained by the property issue, as well as other issues such as plans to introduce changes that the opposition says aim to silence a U.S.-owned news channel critical of the government. The World Jewish Restitution Organization (WJRO) on Saturday urged the Polish government to work on resolving the issue of property seized in the past. "Democracy & justice hits new low in Poland, as President Duda signs a law making it virtually impossible for all former Polish property owners to secure redress for property illegally seized during the Communist era," Gideon Taylor, chair of operations of the WJRO, said in a statement sent to Reuters.

Israel furious as Poland's president signs bill to limit property claims

Relations between Israel and Poland are deteriorating. At the heart of the matter is a euro property law. But what does this have to do with Israel ? To know, watch this report of WION.

Israel slams Polish vote on holocaust restitution

A shadow war between Israel and Iran is taking a dangerous turn - with the battle moving to the high seas. Will the retaliatory attacks lead to a full-blown war? On The West Asia Post tonight, Ghadi Francis takes a look at this growing conflict.

Iran, Israel clash yet again, Will the retaliatory attacks lead to a full-blown war

Poland is looking at a more difficult relationship with two allies, the United States and Israel after lawmakers approved separate bills on foreign ownership of media and affecting the property rights of Holocaust survivors’ families.

Media, Holocaust bills test Poland’s ties with US, Israel

Did China carry out a cyber-attack on Israel? A new investigation claims Chinese hackers disguised themselves as Iranians to strike Israeli assets. Palki Sharma gets you the details.

Gravitas: Did China carry out a cyberattack on Israel?

The foreign ministers of Morocco and Israel signed three accords on Wednesday during the first visit by a top official from the Jewish state since ties were normalised last year. Nasser Bourita and his Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid signed agreements on political consultations, aviation, and culture.

Foreign ministers of Morocco, Israel sign accords on political consultations, aviation, culture

Iran's population of 84 million is much larger than the roughly 9 million people in Israel, allowing Iran to field an active-duty force of 525,000 troops, compared to Israel's 170,000.

A comparison between the militaries of Iran and Israel

West Nile virus has been detected in the northern region of the country. Every summer, the Israeli environmental protection ministry conducts tests on mosquitoes in various regions of Israel.

West Nile virus found in dead sea

Maritime tensions are running high in west Asia after an oil tanker managed by an Israeli billionaire was hit by a drone attack last month. Iran has now been isolated over the attack it denied any involvement in.

Israel Tanker Attack: G7 Blames Iran in lethal tanker attack

Israel and Iran have been engaged in a clandestine maritime showdown that has left commercial tankers belonging to the two countries damaged. However, tensions have escalated between both countries after the recent tanker attack and Israel has threatened to strike Iran alone. Israel has said that it possesess 'hard evidence' against Iran. But Iran has denied any involvement in the attack.

Tensions between Israel, Iran escalate after tanker attack

A&nbsp;Palestinian&nbsp;shot by&nbsp;Israeli&nbsp;forces in the occupied&nbsp;West&nbsp;Bank&nbsp;died of his wounds on Friday, the&nbsp;Palestinian&nbsp;health&nbsp;ministry&nbsp;said.

Imad Ali Mohammad Dweikat, 38, reached hospital in the city of Nablus "in a critical state"&nbsp;after&nbsp;receiving "a live bullet to the chest" in the nearby town of Beita, it said in a statement.

Beita sees regular demonstrations against the&nbsp;Israeli&nbsp;occupation and settlement expansion, which often degenerate into&nbsp;clashes.

An AFP reporter saw hundreds of demonstrators protesting outside the town on Friday afternoon, some throwing rocks at&nbsp;Israeli&nbsp;troops.

The&nbsp;Israeli&nbsp;army told AFP a "riot" had been instigated by "700 Palestinians who burned tires and hurled rocks and Molotov cocktails at IDF troops and border police officers, who responded with riot dispersal means".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-orders-massive-reinforcement-of-forces-to-quell-unrest-in-cities-after-gaza-violence-384790">Also read |&nbsp;Israel orders 'massive reinforcement' of forces to quell unrest in cities after Gaza violence</a>

"We are aware of reports that a&nbsp;Palestinian&nbsp;was killed and a number of Palestinians were injured", it said, without adding details.

Last Friday, some 270 Palestinians were wounded in&nbsp;clashes&nbsp;with&nbsp;Israeli&nbsp;troops during protests in Beita and during the funeral of a young&nbsp;Palestinian&nbsp;killed the day before, the&nbsp;Palestinian&nbsp;Red Crescent reported.&nbsp;

On July 23, 320 Palestinians were wounded or suffered from tear gas inhalation in&nbsp;clashes&nbsp;with&nbsp;Israeli&nbsp;forces in Beita, medics said. A teenager shot by&nbsp;Israeli&nbsp;forces later died of his wounds.

Beita residents have been demonstrating since May against a the wildcat Eviatar Jewish settlement set up nearby without official permission from&nbsp;Israeli&nbsp;authorities.&nbsp;

The settlement was evacuated in early July but&nbsp;Israeli&nbsp;army troops remain stationed there while authorities deliberate on its fate.

If the settlement is approved, its founders will be allowed to take up residence there more permanently.

Beita's residents have vowed to continue their campaign until the army also leaves the outpost.

Israel occupied the&nbsp;West&nbsp;Bank&nbsp;during the 1967 Six-Day War and all Jewish settlements there are considered illegal by most of the international community.

Almost half a million people live in&nbsp;Israeli&nbsp;settlements in the&nbsp;West&nbsp;Bank, alongside 2.8 million Palestinians.

A Palestinian shot by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank died of his wounds on Friday, the Palestinian health ministry said. Imad Ali Mohammad Dweikat, 38, reached hospital in the city of Nablus "in a critical state" after receiving "a live bullet to the chest" in the nearby town of Beita, it said in a statement.

A Palestinian shot by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank died of his wounds on Friday, the Palestinian health ministry said. Imad Ali Mohammad Dweikat, 38, reached hospital in the city of Nablus "in a critical state" after receiving "a live bullet to the chest" in the nearby town of Beita, it said in a statement. Beita sees regular demonstrations against the Israeli occupation and settlement expansion, which often degenerate into clashes. An AFP reporter saw hundreds of demonstrators protesting outside the town on Friday afternoon, some throwing rocks at Israeli troops. The Israeli army told AFP a "riot" had been instigated by "700 Palestinians who burned tires and hurled rocks and Molotov cocktails at IDF troops and border police officers, who responded with riot dispersal means". Also read | Israel orders 'massive reinforcement' of forces to quell unrest in cities after Gaza violence "We are aware of reports that a Palestinian was killed and a number of Palestinians were injured", it said, without adding details. Last Friday, some 270 Palestinians were wounded in clashes with Israeli troops during protests in Beita and during the funeral of a young Palestinian killed the day before, the Palestinian Red Crescent reported. On July 23, 320 Palestinians were wounded or suffered from tear gas inhalation in clashes with Israeli forces in Beita, medics said. A teenager shot by Israeli forces later died of his wounds. Beita residents have been demonstrating since May against a the wildcat Eviatar Jewish settlement set up nearby without official permission from Israeli authorities. The settlement was evacuated in early July but Israeli army troops remain stationed there while authorities deliberate on its fate. If the settlement is approved, its founders will be allowed to take up residence there more permanently. Beita's residents have vowed to continue their campaign until the army also leaves the outpost. Israel occupied the West Bank during the 1967 Six-Day War and all Jewish settlements there are considered illegal by most of the international community. Almost half a million people live in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, alongside 2.8 million Palestinians.

Palestinian dies of Israeli gunfire after West Bank clashes: Ministry

In Pics | Lebanon's Hezbollah and Israel trade cross-border fire

As rockets hit Israel, the country's Air Force said it carried out airstrikes on Lebanon for the first time in seven years. The rockets had hit northern Israel on Wednesday as Israel hit back with artillery fire and then launched air attacks. The strikes were reportedly carried out in the Lebanese town of Mahmudiya which is located a few km away from the Israeli border, however, there were no reports of any casualties.

Israel carries out airstrikes in Lebanon's Mahmudiya town

Lebanon's&nbsp;Hezbollah&nbsp;movement said it&nbsp;fired&nbsp;"dozens" of&nbsp;rockets&nbsp;Friday at open areas of the disputed Shebaa Farms district, drawing retaliatory Israeli strikes for a second straight day.

It is the first time that&nbsp;Hezbollah&nbsp;has directly claimed an attack on&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;since 2019, as tensions boil along the border following a week of tit-for-tat exchanges.

The latest round of rocket fire on Friday morning came "in response to the Israeli air raids" that hit south Lebanon on Thursday,&nbsp;Hezbollah&nbsp;said in a statement.&nbsp;

"The Islamic Resistance shelled open territory near positions of Israeli occupation forces in the Shebaa Farms with&nbsp;dozens&nbsp;of&nbsp;rockets," it said.

An AFP correspondent in south Lebanon said he heard several explosions and saw smoke rising from the Shebaa Farms.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hezbollah-says-it-downed-an-israeli-drone-360682">Also read |&nbsp;Hezbollah says it downed an Israeli drone</a>

The Israeli military said it was "currently striking the launch sources in Lebanon".

On Thursday,&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;carried out air strikes &nbsp;on Lebanon for the first time in seven years in response to a previous salvo of cross-border rocket fire. It had prviously&nbsp;

Israel&nbsp;has warned repeatedly that it will not allow a power vacuum and a deepening economic crisis in Beirut to undermine security on its northern border.

The Israeli military said it "views the state of Lebanon as responsible for all actions originating in its territory, and warns against further attempts to harm Israeli civilians and&nbsp;Israel's sovereignty".

The Shebaa Farms district is claimed by Lebanon and&nbsp;Hezbollah, but the United Nations, which has maintained a peacekeeping force in south Lebanon since 1978, regards it as part of the Syrian Golan Heights, which&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;has occupied since 1967 and unilaterally annexed in 1981.

Lebanon's Hezbollah movement said it fired "dozens" of rockets Friday at open areas of the disputed Shebaa Farms district, drawing retaliatory Israeli strikes for a second straight day.

Lebanon's Hezbollah movement said it fired "dozens" of rockets Friday at open areas of the disputed Shebaa Farms district, drawing retaliatory Israeli strikes for a second straight day. It is the first time that Hezbollah has directly claimed an attack on Israel since 2019, as tensions boil along the border following a week of tit-for-tat exchanges. The latest round of rocket fire on Friday morning came "in response to the Israeli air raids" that hit south Lebanon on Thursday, Hezbollah said in a statement. "The Islamic Resistance shelled open territory near positions of Israeli occupation forces in the Shebaa Farms with dozens of rockets," it said. An AFP correspondent in south Lebanon said he heard several explosions and saw smoke rising from the Shebaa Farms. Also read | Hezbollah says it downed an Israeli drone The Israeli military said it was "currently striking the launch sources in Lebanon". On Thursday, Israel carried out air strikes on Lebanon for the first time in seven years in response to a previous salvo of cross-border rocket fire. It had prviously Israel has warned repeatedly that it will not allow a power vacuum and a deepening economic crisis in Beirut to undermine security on its northern border. The Israeli military said it "views the state of Lebanon as responsible for all actions originating in its territory, and warns against further attempts to harm Israeli civilians and Israel's sovereignty". The Shebaa Farms district is claimed by Lebanon and Hezbollah, but the United Nations, which has maintained a peacekeeping force in south Lebanon since 1978, regards it as part of the Syrian Golan Heights, which Israel has occupied since 1967 and unilaterally annexed in 1981.

Hezbollah says it fired 'dozens' of rockets toward Israel

Tehran denies involvement in either of the incidents, which are the latest in a years-long shadow war being waged on Middle East waterways crucial to oil exports.

Israel prepared to attack Iran, says 'We'll strike Iran alone'

2 rockets fired from Lebanon has struck a town in Northern Israel. This comes days after an Israeli-managed ship was attacked off the coast of Oman. Are the two attacks linked?

Gravitas: Rockets fired from Lebanon strike Israel

Israel, US and Britain have accused Iran of attacking an oil tanker off the Oman coast. Iran has denied the allegations - calling it a 'distraction'. Are the new regimes in Israel & Iran flexing their muscles?

Gravitas: Israel accuses Iran of attacking oil tanker

Israel’s top court has adjourned an appeal from four Palestinian families against their forced expulsion from the Sheikh Jarrah. The families say they have rejected a court proposal for them to stay as “protected tenants” but recognise Israeli ownership.

Israel’s top court adjourns appeal of Palestinian families against expulsion from Sheikh Jarrah

Palestinians who have been facing eviction in Jerusalem have rejected a proposal from Israel's Supreme Court that they rent their homes from a Jewish settlement organization.

The judges have suggested they become "protected tenants" and stay in the city's eastern Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-orders-massive-reinforcement-of-forces-to-quell-unrest-in-cities-after-gaza-violence-384790">Also read |&nbsp;Israel orders 'massive reinforcement' of forces to quell unrest in cities after Gaza violence</a>

However, the four families involved in the long-running legal dispute, and dozens of others who have been affected by the threat of expulsion, said that they would not recognise Israeli ownership.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Let me rephrase this: instead of making a ruling on land ownership, the court decided to evade its responsibilities and pressure us into reaching an agreement with settlers. No decision or agreement has been reached. <a href="https://t.co/ecPbBTOqZ6">https://t.co/ecPbBTOqZ6</a>
— Mohammed El-Kurd (@m7mdkurd) <a href="https://twitter.com/m7mdkurd/status/1422208485236879360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Mohammed El-Kurd, who is one of the Palestinians and a part of the case, criticised the move on social media. "Instead of making a ruling on land ownership, the court decided to evade its responsibilities and pressure us into reaching an agreement with settlers," he tweeted.

"No decision or agreement has been reached."

Palestinians who have been facing eviction in Jerusalem have rejected a proposal from Israel's Supreme Court that they rent their homes from a Jewish settlement organization.

Palestinians who have been facing eviction in Jerusalem have rejected a proposal from Israel's Supreme Court that they rent their homes from a Jewish settlement organization. The judges have suggested they become "protected tenants" and stay in the city's eastern Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood. Also read | Israel orders 'massive reinforcement' of forces to quell unrest in cities after Gaza violence However, the four families involved in the long-running legal dispute, and dozens of others who have been affected by the threat of expulsion, said that they would not recognise Israeli ownership. Let me rephrase this: instead of making a ruling on land ownership, the court decided to evade its responsibilities and pressure us into reaching an agreement with settlers. No decision or agreement has been reached. https://t.co/ecPbBTOqZ6 — Mohammed El-Kurd (@m7mdkurd) August 2, 2021 × Mohammed El-Kurd, who is one of the Palestinians and a part of the case, criticised the move on social media. "Instead of making a ruling on land ownership, the court decided to evade its responsibilities and pressure us into reaching an agreement with settlers," he tweeted. "No decision or agreement has been reached."

Palestinians reject offer to end Jerusalem evictions threat

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