Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters clashed with police in Sydney during Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit. Authorities used tear gas and pepper spray to disperse crowds as tensions escalated in the city.


Sydney Erupts as Pro-Palestinian Protest Turns Violent During Israeli President’s Visit

Israel’s security cabinet has approved a new set of measures that significantly expand Israeli control across the occupied West Bank-effectively redrawing the Palestinian map in ways that could permanently alter the future of a Palestinian state.


Israel Redraws West Bank Map via Settler Land Grab 

Saudi Arabia and seven other muslim countries on Monday (Feb 09) denounced fresh measures announced by the Israeli government to expand its presence and additional steps to tighten control of the West Bank, including allowing more settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory.&nbsp;Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defence Minister Israel Katz announced the new provisions on Sunday. These include allowing Jewish Israelis to buy West Bank land, as per a joint statement from ministers.&nbsp;The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, Qatar, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey "condemned in the strongest terms the illegal Israeli decisions and measures aimed at imposing unlawful Israeli sovereignty", a Saudi statement said.&nbsp;They are an attempt at "entrenching settlement activity, and enforcing a new legal and administrative reality in the occupied West Bank, thereby accelerating attempts at its illegal annexation and the displacement of the Palestinian people", the foreign ministry statement added.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-avoided-lok-sabha-over-naravane-memoir-row-not-security-concerns-rahul-gandhi-claims-1770646011052">PM avoided Lok Sabha over Naravane memoir row, not security concerns, Rahul Gandhi claims</a>&nbsp;Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas described the decision as a de facto annexation of the West Bank and urged the US president and the United Nations Security Council to intervene.&nbsp;The measure will also allow Israeli authorities to take charge of managing some religious sites and increase the scope of Israeli interference and enforcement in areas run by the Palestinian Authority.&nbsp;Finance Minister Smotrich said these steps are aimed at "deepening our roots in all regions of the Land of Israel and burying the idea of a Palestinian state".&nbsp;The timing of the decision raised eyebrows, as it comes days ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the United States, where he is due to meet the US president. Donald Trump previously stated his disapproval of Israeli annexation of the West Bank and endorsed the US stance on the issue.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Israel announced new measures, including allowing its citizens to buy land in the West Bank and expanding Jewish settlements there, aimed at tightening its grip on the territory.

Saudi Arabia and seven other muslim countries on Monday (Feb 09) denounced fresh measures announced by the Israeli government to expand its presence and additional steps to tighten control of the West Bank, including allowing more settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defence Minister Israel Katz announced the new provisions on Sunday. These include allowing Jewish Israelis to buy West Bank land, as per a joint statement from ministers. The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, Qatar, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey "condemned in the strongest terms the illegal Israeli decisions and measures aimed at imposing unlawful Israeli sovereignty", a Saudi statement said. They are an attempt at "entrenching settlement activity, and enforcing a new legal and administrative reality in the occupied West Bank, thereby accelerating attempts at its illegal annexation and the displacement of the Palestinian people", the foreign ministry statement added. Also Read: PM avoided Lok Sabha over Naravane memoir row, not security concerns, Rahul Gandhi claims Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas described the decision as a de facto annexation of the West Bank and urged the US president and the United Nations Security Council to intervene. The measure will also allow Israeli authorities to take charge of managing some religious sites and increase the scope of Israeli interference and enforcement in areas run by the Palestinian Authority. Finance Minister Smotrich said these steps are aimed at "deepening our roots in all regions of the Land of Israel and burying the idea of a Palestinian state". The timing of the decision raised eyebrows, as it comes days ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the United States, where he is due to meet the US president. Donald Trump previously stated his disapproval of Israeli annexation of the West Bank and endorsed the US stance on the issue.

Israel announced new measures, including allowing its citizens to buy land in the West Bank and expanding Jewish settlements there, aimed at tightening its grip on the territory.

Eight Muslim nations condemn Israel's 'illegal' West Bank control measures in joint statement

Israel's security cabinet has approved measures to expand control over the West Bank, easing land purchases for Jewish settlers and strengthening Israeli authority, prompting Hamas to call for escalation and urge Muslim states to cut ties with Israel.


Israel Bolsters West Bank Control; Hamas Pushes Escalation 

Iran-U.S. nuclear talks remain stalled despite recent indirect sessions in Oman, with Iran insisting on its right to uranium enrichment and Trump warning of severe consequences absent a deal, heightening war risks.


Iran vs US: Iran Defies US Threats To Insist on Right To Enrich Uranium

Israel Tightens West Bank Grip as Hamas Urges Escalation, Tie Cuts

In the newly released tranche of the Epstein files, an unclassified audio conversation featured Jeffrey Epstein and former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak discussing Barack Obama, Israel and Russia. Ehud Barak approached Putin with the prospect of immigrants transforming the region in favour of Israel. Barak suggested that Israel could “easily absorb another one million” Russian-speaking immigrants, hinting at the White-Slavic ethnicity.&nbsp;“I think, with [a] much more open mind about turning Jews, we can easily absorb another million. I have to tell Putin always that what we need is not just one more million. We need, dramatically, the million Russians,” he said. “I see that many prefer to be Belarusian, or maybe young, handsome girls will come.”"I believe we have to break the monopoly of the Orthodox rabbinate on marriage and funerals and whatever, and on the definition of a Jew,” said Barak.In 1948, during the formation of Israel, Eastern European Ashkenazi Jews made up the majority population of Israel, along with Sephardi Jews from the Middle East and North Africa. In the audio, Barak seems to disparage the Middle East and North African Jews. With the fall of the Soviet Union, a massive influx of migrants spread across the newly independent states, as well as Germany, Israel, and the United States. Nearly a million Russians emigrated to Israel.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/epstein-files-designer-baby-genetic-enhancement-transhumanism-1770553755631">Epstein files reveal ‘designer baby’ project, genetic experiments and links to transhumanism</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">BREAKING: 🇺🇸🇷🇺🇮🇱 Ex-Israeli PM Ehud Barak tells Jeffrey Epstein he repeatedly told Putin he wanted a million Russians to convert to Judaism and become Israeli to dramatically transform Israel: &quot;I used to tell Putin, always, what we need is just one more million to change Israel… <a href="https://t.co/K5n28cEiMQ">pic.twitter.com/K5n28cEiMQ</a>&mdash; Megatron (@Megatron_ron) <a href="https://twitter.com/Megatron_ron/status/2018825395655659886?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“We can control the quality much more effectively, much more than the founding fathers of Israel did,” he said. “They took whatever came. They had to save people. Now, we can be more selective.” He further added that the Haredim are more productive than the Arabs, hinting at the high population growth. But he also discussed the disparity between secular and orthodox. Secular people usually has less children than the Haredim. If there is a failure of the two-state solution, then it will be an “Arab majority” in the case of ”one state". He said that it was the “collective blindness” of Jewish society, pointing out the growing population of Arab Israelis.&nbsp;The audio recording, which ran over three hours, has references to Iran, Barak's perceived strategy of the Iranian regime of continuity. Iran is determined to follow in the footsteps of Pakistan and North Korea, and they want to avoid the trap of Libya and Iraq. He suggested that something more drastic is needed; only sanctions will not produce the desired result.&nbsp;

Unreleased Epstein Files audio reveals former Israeli PM Ehud Barak discussing Russian immigration, Israeli demographics, Iran strategy and one-state fears.

In the newly released tranche of the Epstein files, an unclassified audio conversation featured Jeffrey Epstein and former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak discussing Barack Obama, Israel and Russia. Ehud Barak approached Putin with the prospect of immigrants transforming the region in favour of Israel. Barak suggested that Israel could “easily absorb another one million” Russian-speaking immigrants, hinting at the White-Slavic ethnicity. “I think, with [a] much more open mind about turning Jews, we can easily absorb another million. I have to tell Putin always that what we need is not just one more million. We need, dramatically, the million Russians,” he said. “I see that many prefer to be Belarusian, or maybe young, handsome girls will come.” "I believe we have to break the monopoly of the Orthodox rabbinate on marriage and funerals and whatever, and on the definition of a Jew,” said Barak. In 1948, during the formation of Israel, Eastern European Ashkenazi Jews made up the majority population of Israel, along with Sephardi Jews from the Middle East and North Africa. In the audio, Barak seems to disparage the Middle East and North African Jews. With the fall of the Soviet Union, a massive influx of migrants spread across the newly independent states, as well as Germany, Israel, and the United States. Nearly a million Russians emigrated to Israel. Also Read: Epstein files reveal ‘designer baby’ project, genetic experiments and links to transhumanism

Unreleased Epstein Files audio reveals former Israeli PM Ehud Barak discussing Russian immigration, Israeli demographics, Iran strategy and one-state fears.

Epstein Files: Ehud Barak discussed bringing a million Russian immigrants to counter Arab majority in Israel

Israel’s cabinet has approved new measures to expand control over the West Bank as regional tensions rise. Hamas has urged escalation and called on Muslim states to cut ties with Israel, while January saw Palestinian terror victims outnumber Israeli casualties, highlighting the intensifying conflict.


Israel-Hamas Tensions: Hamas Urges Escalation, Demands Muslim States Cut Ties With Israel 

Israel and the United States are pushing Tehran to go beyond nuclear discussions by pressing Iran to limit the range of its ballistic missiles and curb support for regional proxies as part of revived talks aimed at avoiding further conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet US President Donald Trump to align on strategy, with Israel demanding broader security measures and stricter limits on Iran’s missile program. The diplomatic push highlights deep disagreements over how to handle Iran’s strategic arsenal while keeping negotiations alive.

Israel & US Push Iran to Curb Missile Capabilities in Nuclear Talks

Israel has announced measures to tighten its control over the West Bank, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who called the decision “dangerous” and warned it could escalate tensions in the region. The development comes amid ongoing disputes over settlements, security, and territorial governance. International observers are closely monitoring the situation, highlighting concerns about potential unrest and the impact on Israeli-Palestinian relations.

Israel Moves to Tighten West Bank Control | Abbas Calls Decision ‘Dangerous’

Israel is reportedly pressuring U.S. to ask Iran to reduce the range of its ballistic missiles, and decimate its uranium enrichment. Iran says it is ready for war, however, it will not give up on its nuclear or missile program.


Israel & US Plan To Weaken Iran; Iran & US Exchange Threats After Talks in Oman

Israel Wants Iran to Reduce the Range of Its Missiles

Syrian authorities dismantled a cell behind recent rocket attacks on Damascus's Mezzeh military airport, seizing Hezbollah-sourced weapons, launchers, and drones during raids in Darayya and Kafr Sousa. The group executed multiple strikes over months with no casualties reported, but arrests followed surveillance of launch sites.

Hezbollah Implicated in Deadly Syria Rocket Strikes?

Israel is urging the United States to take military action against Iran, pressing President Donald Trump for tougher deal terms. Trump, however, has held back on launching a new war, even as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warns Washington that Iran cannot be trusted.


Israel Urges US Strikes on Iran as Trump Resists New War, Netanyahu Warns Washington

Israeli strikes resume in southern Gaza despite the fragile US-brokered ceasefire's second phase, with IDF confirming precise hits on Hamas targets after reopening Rafah for limited evacuations.


Ceasefire Tested: IDF Strikes Southern Gaza Post-Rafah Reopening

Gaza continues to come under Israeli fire even as a ceasefire fails to translate into lasting peace. Deaths and strikes persist, underscoring the fragility of truce efforts and the absence of a durable political settlement as violence continues on the ground.

Israel-Gaza War: Gaza Bleeds Under Israeli Fire as Ceasefire Fails to Bring Lasting Peace 

Senior Israeli officials have been urging the United States to launch military strikes against Iran, according to US officials, as tensions over Tehran’s nuclear programme and regional actions persist. Despite sustained pressure from Jerusalem, including from defence and intelligence chiefs, President Donald Trump has so far resisted ordering direct attacks on Iran, with aides saying he “really does not want to do it.” Analysts say Trump’s reluctance stems from concerns over the broader risks of escalation, even as Washington continues to deploy forces to the region and pursue diplomatic talks with Tehran aimed at averting conflict.


Iran-US Tensions: Israel Urges US Strikes on Iran as Trump Resists Military Action, Officials Say

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has submitted his response to the October 7 probe, shifting responsibility toward the Israel Defense Forces and the Shin Bet. The reply comes amid intense scrutiny over security failures surrounding the attacks, as questions over political and institutional accountability continue to dominate public debate.

Israel: Israel's Netanyahu Submits Reply to Oct 7 Probe, Deflects Blame Toward IDF, Shin Bet | WION

The brother of Israel’s Shin Bet chief has been indicted, with officials alleging that a cigarette trade financially benefited Hamas. Authorities say the case centres on illicit trading activities, raising concerns over indirect funding channels linked to militant groups.


Israel: Brother of Israeli Shin Bet Chief Indicted Over Alleged Cigarette Trade | WION

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has submitted his response to the probe into the October 7 Hamas attack, pushing back against personal responsibility and shifting blame toward the IDF and Shin Bet. The submission comes amid intense scrutiny over intelligence failures and decision-making ahead of the attack.


Israel: Netanyahu Submits Reply On Oct 7 Probe, Deflects Blame Towards IDF, Shin Bet 

Israeli strikes on Gaza have killed at least 24 people, including women and children, with dozens wounded, according to local reports. Israel says the attacks followed a militant strike that injured soldiers, as tensions rise after the Rafah border reopening.


Gaza Truce: Israel Accuses Hamas Of Violating Ceasefire Deal

Gaza Truce: Israeli Strikes on Gaza Kill at Least 24 as Israel Accuses Hamas of Ceasefire Violation

A Gaza panel has unveiled a new and controversial logo, drawing criticism from Israel, which says the design is nearly identical to the Palestinian Authority’s symbol. The resemblance has triggered debate over political messaging and symbolism amid heightened regional tensions.


Isreal-Gaza" Gaza Panel Unveils New Logo, Israel Flags Similarity With Palestinian Authority Symbol

A newly unveiled Gaza committee logo has sparked controversy after Israel claimed it is nearly identical to the Palestinian Authority’s official symbol. Israeli officials say the design raises serious political and legal concerns, while critics argue it blurs institutional lines amid ongoing tensions in Gaza. The dispute adds another layer to the already fragile situation surrounding Gaza governance and regional diplomacy.

Gaza Panel Unveils New Logo as Israel Says It Mirrors PA Symbol

A newly unveiled Gaza panel logo has sparked controversy, drawing strong rejection from Israel. As tensions simmer, dozens of Palestinians have begun leaving Gaza following the reopening of the Rafah crossing.


Gaza Ceasefire: Gaza Panel Unveils Controversial New Logo, Israel Rejects Palestinian Emblem 

Thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets to protest against government discrimination toward Arab citizens, demanding equal treatment for all. Activists highlight that only 8% of murder cases involving Israeli Arabs see charges filed, with 252 Israeli Arabs killed in 2025, fueling nationwide calls for justice and accountability.


Israel: Thousands Of Israelis Protest Discrimination Against Arabs 

Israel, thousands of citizens have taken to the streets to protest against the government, demanding an end to discrimination against Arabs, highlighting growing tensions and calls for social justice, demonstrations continue across major cities, as citizens voice concerns over equality, human rights, and government policies, stay tuned for live updates, expert analysis, and the latest developments shaping Israel’s political and social landscape.

Israel Unrest: Massive Anti-Government Protests Ongoing

Thousands marched in Tel Aviv on Saturday, demanding that the Israeli government address violence against Arab communities. The protest highlighted the stark disparity in police handling of crimes, with only 8% of killings in Palestinian communities leading to charges, compared to 55% in Jewish communities. Activists argue that the government's failure to act is fueling violence and discrimination, with the recent toll on Palestinian lives continuing to rise.


Thousands Of Israelis Protest Discrimination Against Arabs

Iranian army chief Amir Hatami on Saturday warned the United States and Israel against an attack, saying his country's forces were on high alert following Washington's heavy military deployments in the Gulf.


BREAKING: Iran Warns of Military Response to US & Israel in Case of Any Attack

Israel said Friday that it will reopen the pedestrian border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt over the weekend, marking an important step forward for U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan.


Israel to Reopen Rafah Crossing on Sunday Under Trump's Gaza Ceasefire Plan

Hamas signals willingness to cede formal Gaza governance to a U.S.-backed technocratic committee while pushing to integrate its police and fighters, defying the new authority's design to exclude the group.



Gaza Handover Twist: Hamas Police Join US-Backed Regime

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