Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced on Tuesday (Nov 5) that he had dismissed Defence Minister Yoav Gallant due to a loss of trust during the ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza, according to a statement from the Israeli PM’s office.

Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced on Tuesday (Nov 5) that he had dismissed Defence Minister Yoav Gallant due to a loss of trust during the ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza, according to a statement from the Israeli PM’s office. The statement added that Foreign Minister Israel Katz would be taking over Gallant’s position. "Over the past few months that trust has eroded. In light of this, I decided today to end the term of the defence minister," Netanyahu's statement read. Also read: Israeli attack in Gaza kills 20, including women and children, say Palestinian officials Minutes after Netanyahu announced his dismissal, Gallant wrote on X, "The security of the State of Israel was and will always remain the mission of my life." Gideon Saar was then appointed to replace Katz as the foreign minister. Netanyahu and Gallant have often disagreed regarding Israel's military response in Gaza after Hamas carried out a deadly assault on Israel on October 7 last year. Also read: United Nations Security Council asks North Korea to give up missiles and other weapons According to Israeli officials, the October 7 Hamas attack led to the deaths of 1,206 people, most of whom were civilians. Israel's offensive has resulted in the deaths of 43,391 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, based on figures from Gaza's health ministry. (With inputs from agencies)

'Trust has eroded': Netanyahu dismisses Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, replaces him with Foreign Minister Katz

His leadership strained by conflicts on two fronts, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told world leaders at the United Nations on Friday that his nation will “continue degrading Hezbollah” until achieving its goals along the Lebanon border, further dimming hopes for an internationally backed cease-fire to halt the spiral into an all-out regional war. He said his government would no longer tolerate daily rocket fire from the area.

Shortly after Netanyahu wrapped up his speech, the Israeli military said it carried out a strike on Hezbollah’s headquarters in Beirut, which caused huge blasts in the city.

“Israel has every right to remove this threat and return our citizens to their home safely. And that’s exactly what we’re doing ... we’ll continue degrading Hezbollah until all our objectives are met,” Netanyahu said to a gallery that — at least from the crowd noise — appeared replete with his supporters.

“Just imagine if terrorists turned El Paso and San Diego into ghost towns ... How long would the American government tolerate that?” he said, shaking his fist in emphasis. “Yet Israel has been tolerating this intolerable situation for almost a year. Well, I’ve come here today to say: Enough is enough.”

Netanyahu, armed with visual aids as he has been in the past, defended his nation’s response to the October&nbsp;7, 2023, attacks by Hamas on Israel that triggered an Israeli military operation that has devastated the Gaza Strip. He said he travelled to the United Nations to refute the untruths he had heard from other leaders on the same rostrum earlier in the week.

“I didn’t intend to come here this year. My country is at war fighting for its life,” Netanyahu said. “But after I heard the lies and slanders leveled at my country by many of the speakers at this podium, I decided to come here and set the record straight.”

He insisted that Israel wanted peace but said of Iran: “If you strike us, we will strike you.” He once again blamed Iran for being behind many of the problems in the region.

“For too long, the world has appeased Iran,” Netanyahu said. “That appeasement must end.”

As he spoke, the seats in the Iran delegation sat empty. Outside, protesters against Netanyahu and Israel’s policies demonstrated behind police barricades.

<h2>Israel is fighting on two fronts</h2>

Israel’s campaign in Gaza has killed more than 41,500 Palestinians and wounded more than 96,000 others, according to the latest figures released Thursday by the Health Ministry. The ministry, part of Gaza’s Hamas government, doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants, but more than half the dead have been women and children, including about 1,300 children under the age of two.

Israel has maintained its military operations are justified and are necessary to defend itself.

“This war can come to an end now. All that has to happen is for Hamas to surrender, lay down its arms and release all the hostages,” Netanyahu said. “But if they don’t – if they don’t – we will fight until we achieve total victory. Total victory. There is no substitute for it. “

He said Israeli forces have destroyed “90%” of Hamas’ rockets and killed or captured half of its forces. But he insisted nonetheless that he was pursuing peace. “Israel has made peace and will make peace again,” he said.

In recent days, Israel has turned its attention to the border with Lebanon, where it is has stepped up strikes targeting Hezbollah but has inflicted civilian casualties as well. Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel almost immediately after the Hamas attack, saying it was a show of support for the Palestinians. That triggered Israeli counterfire and the two sides have traded fire almost daily for the 11 months since, driving tens of thousands of people from their homes on both sides of the border.

Israel vows to drive Hezbollah away from the border to allow its citizens to return safely to their homes. Hezbollah says it won’t stop firing rockets until the Gaza war ends. Late Wednesday, the United States, France and other allies jointly called for an “immediate” 21-day cease-fire to allow for negotiations as fears grow that this week’s escalation could spiral into an all-out war. Hezbollah hasn’t officially responded to the ceasefire proposal.

The United Nations says over 90,000 people have been displaced by five days of Israeli strikes on Lebanon, bringing the total to 200,000 people who have been displaced in Lebanon since the cross-border exchanges began.

<h2>His speech impacted the rest of the General Assembly</h2>

Netanyahu also made a lengthy appeal for Israeli relations with Saudi Arabia — but did it without mentioning what’s blocking any action: Saudi Arabia’s demand for an independent Palestinian state.

As Netanyahu took the stage Friday morning, there was enough ruckus in the audience that the presiding diplomat had to shout, “Order, please.”

The two speakers who preceded Netanyahu on Friday each made a point of calling out Israel for its actions. “Mr. Netanyahu, stop this war now,” Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob said as he closed his remarks, pounding the podium. And Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, speaking just before the Israeli leader, declared of Gaza: “This is not just a conflict. This is systematic slaughter of innocent people of Palestine.” He thumped the rostrum to audible applause.

And after the Israeli leader left the stage, the next speaker, Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, started speaking but then paused for noises in the gallery, saying, “We can wait.” She did so for about 20 seconds before she continued.

It wasn’t just Friday, either. On Thursday, the leader of the Palestinian Authority and a top Lebanese official both made their cases to fellow leaders — cases that included harsh words for Israel as well. Mahmoud Abbas’ first words to the General Assembly were a sentence repeated three times in reference to Gaza: “We will not leave. We will not leave. We will not leave.” He accused Israel of destroying Gaza and making it unlivable. And Abdallah Bouhabib, Lebanon’s foreign minister, decried Israel’s “systematic destruction of Lebanese border villages.”

“The crisis in Lebanon threatens the entire Middle East,” Bouhabib said. “We wish today to reiterate our call for a cease-fire on all fronts.”

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for&nbsp;WION&nbsp;audience.

His leadership strained by conflicts on two fronts, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told world leaders at the United Nations on Friday that his nation will “continue degrading Hezbollah” until achieving its goals along the Lebanon border, further dimming hopes for an internationally backed cease-fire to halt the spiral into an all-out regional war.

His leadership strained by conflicts on two fronts, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told world leaders at the United Nations on Friday that his nation will “continue degrading Hezbollah” until achieving its goals along the Lebanon border, further dimming hopes for an internationally backed cease-fire to halt the spiral into an all-out regional war. He said his government would no longer tolerate daily rocket fire from the area. Shortly after Netanyahu wrapped up his speech, the Israeli military said it carried out a strike on Hezbollah’s headquarters in Beirut, which caused huge blasts in the city. “Israel has every right to remove this threat and return our citizens to their home safely. And that’s exactly what we’re doing ... we’ll continue degrading Hezbollah until all our objectives are met,” Netanyahu said to a gallery that — at least from the crowd noise — appeared replete with his supporters. “Just imagine if terrorists turned El Paso and San Diego into ghost towns ... How long would the American government tolerate that?” he said, shaking his fist in emphasis. “Yet Israel has been tolerating this intolerable situation for almost a year. Well, I’ve come here today to say: Enough is enough.” Netanyahu, armed with visual aids as he has been in the past, defended his nation’s response to the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas on Israel that triggered an Israeli military operation that has devastated the Gaza Strip. He said he travelled to the United Nations to refute the untruths he had heard from other leaders on the same rostrum earlier in the week. “I didn’t intend to come here this year. My country is at war fighting for its life,” Netanyahu said. “But after I heard the lies and slanders leveled at my country by many of the speakers at this podium, I decided to come here and set the record straight.” He insisted that Israel wanted peace but said of Iran: “If you strike us, we will strike you.” He once again blamed Iran for being behind many of the problems in the region. “For too long, the world has appeased Iran,” Netanyahu said. “That appeasement must end.” As he spoke, the seats in the Iran delegation sat empty. Outside, protesters against Netanyahu and Israel’s policies demonstrated behind police barricades. Israel is fighting on two fronts Israel’s campaign in Gaza has killed more than 41,500 Palestinians and wounded more than 96,000 others, according to the latest figures released Thursday by the Health Ministry. The ministry, part of Gaza’s Hamas government, doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants, but more than half the dead have been women and children, including about 1,300 children under the age of two. Israel has maintained its military operations are justified and are necessary to defend itself. “This war can come to an end now. All that has to happen is for Hamas to surrender, lay down its arms and release all the hostages,” Netanyahu said. “But if they don’t – if they don’t – we will fight until we achieve total victory. Total victory. There is no substitute for it. “ He said Israeli forces have destroyed “90%” of Hamas’ rockets and killed or captured half of its forces. But he insisted nonetheless that he was pursuing peace. “Israel has made peace and will make peace again,” he said. In recent days, Israel has turned its attention to the border with Lebanon, where it is has stepped up strikes targeting Hezbollah but has inflicted civilian casualties as well. Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel almost immediately after the Hamas attack, saying it was a show of support for the Palestinians. That triggered Israeli counterfire and the two sides have traded fire almost daily for the 11 months since, driving tens of thousands of people from their homes on both sides of the border. Israel vows to drive Hezbollah away from the border to allow its citizens to return safely to their homes. Hezbollah says it won’t stop firing rockets until the Gaza war ends. Late Wednesday, the United States, France and other allies jointly called for an “immediate” 21-day cease-fire to allow for negotiations as fears grow that this week’s escalation could spiral into an all-out war. Hezbollah hasn’t officially responded to the ceasefire proposal. The United Nations says over 90,000 people have been displaced by five days of Israeli strikes on Lebanon, bringing the total to 200,000 people who have been displaced in Lebanon since the cross-border exchanges began. His speech impacted the rest of the General Assembly Netanyahu also made a lengthy appeal for Israeli relations with Saudi Arabia — but did it without mentioning what’s blocking any action: Saudi Arabia’s demand for an independent Palestinian state. As Netanyahu took the stage Friday morning, there was enough ruckus in the audience that the presiding diplomat had to shout, “Order, please.” The two speakers who preceded Netanyahu on Friday each made a point of calling out Israel for its actions. “Mr. Netanyahu, stop this war now,” Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob said as he closed his remarks, pounding the podium. And Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, speaking just before the Israeli leader, declared of Gaza: “This is not just a conflict. This is systematic slaughter of innocent people of Palestine.” He thumped the rostrum to audible applause. And after the Israeli leader left the stage, the next speaker, Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, started speaking but then paused for noises in the gallery, saying, “We can wait.” She did so for about 20 seconds before she continued. It wasn’t just Friday, either. On Thursday, the leader of the Palestinian Authority and a top Lebanese official both made their cases to fellow leaders — cases that included harsh words for Israel as well. Mahmoud Abbas’ first words to the General Assembly were a sentence repeated three times in reference to Gaza: “We will not leave. We will not leave. We will not leave.” He accused Israel of destroying Gaza and making it unlivable. And Abdallah Bouhabib, Lebanon’s foreign minister, decried Israel’s “systematic destruction of Lebanese border villages.” “The crisis in Lebanon threatens the entire Middle East,” Bouhabib said. “We wish today to reiterate our call for a cease-fire on all fronts.” Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Netanyahu told world leaders that Israel will keep ‘degrading Hezbollah’ until its objectives are met

Israeli Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu's explosive comments on Sunday (Nov 5) regarding the potential use of a nuclear bomb on the Gaza Strip forced Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into damage control mode as he rushed to disassociate himself from it.

Eliyahu, while speaking in a radio interview, said that the use of nuclear weapon&nbsp;in Gaza is an option, media reports said. He also opposed providing humanitarian assistance in the war-besieged area saying that it will mean "failure."

"There are no non-combatants in Gaza," he added.&nbsp;When asked if a nuclear attack on Gaza is possible according to him, he said, "That's one way." In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suspended Eliyahu and prohibited him&nbsp;from Cabinet meetings for an indefinite period of time.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkeys-main-opposition-elects-ozgur-ozel-as-new-leader-in-run-up-to-local-elections-655338">Turkey's main opposition elects Ozgur Ozel as new leader in run-up to local elections</a>

“Amichai Eliyahu’s words are detached from reality,” Netanyahu said in a statement adding, “Israel and the IDF are acting in accordance with the highest standards of international law in order to prevent harm to uninvolved people, and we will continue to do that all the way to victory.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-israeli-protestors-breach-netanyahus-residence-cordons-in-jerusalem-655323">WATCH | Israeli protestors breach Netanyahu's residence cordons in Jerusalem</a>

Backtracking from his comments, the minister took to X writing, "It is clear to all sensible people that the statement about the atom is metaphorical. However, a strong and disproportionate response to terrorism is definitely required, which will clarify to the Nazis and their supporters that terrorism is not worthwhile. This is the only formula that democratic states can use to deal with terrorism. At the same time, it is clear that the State of Israel is committed to doing everything possible to return the hostages safe and sound."&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-secy-of-state-antony-blinken-visits-jordan-blinkens-2nd-west-asia-tour-655336">US Secy of state Antony Blinken visits Jordan | Blinken's 2nd West Asia tour</a>

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Moreover, Opposition leader Yair Lapid also reprimanded Eliyahu and called his comments as “a horrifying and insane remark by an irresponsible minister.”

“[Eliyahu] offended the families of the [241 Gaza] captives, offended Israeli society, and harmed our international standing,” said Lapid and added, “Netanyahu must fire him this morning.”

(With inputs from agencies)

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Israeli Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu's explosive comments on Sunday (Nov 5) regarding the potential use of a nuclear bomb on the Gaza Strip forced Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into damage control mode as he rushed to disassociate himself from it.

Israeli Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu's explosive comments on Sunday (Nov 5) regarding the potential use of a nuclear bomb on the Gaza Strip forced Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into damage control mode as he rushed to disassociate himself from it. Eliyahu, while speaking in a radio interview, said that the use of nuclear weapon in Gaza is an option, media reports said. He also opposed providing humanitarian assistance in the war-besieged area saying that it will mean "failure." "There are no non-combatants in Gaza," he added. When asked if a nuclear attack on Gaza is possible according to him, he said, "That's one way." In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suspended Eliyahu and prohibited him from Cabinet meetings for an indefinite period of time. Also Read | Turkey's main opposition elects Ozgur Ozel as new leader in run-up to local elections “Amichai Eliyahu’s words are detached from reality,” Netanyahu said in a statement adding, “Israel and the IDF are acting in accordance with the highest standards of international law in order to prevent harm to uninvolved people, and we will continue to do that all the way to victory.” WATCH | Israeli protestors breach Netanyahu's residence cordons in Jerusalem Backtracking from his comments, the minister took to X writing, "It is clear to all sensible people that the statement about the atom is metaphorical. However, a strong and disproportionate response to terrorism is definitely required, which will clarify to the Nazis and their supporters that terrorism is not worthwhile. This is the only formula that democratic states can use to deal with terrorism. At the same time, it is clear that the State of Israel is committed to doing everything possible to return the hostages safe and sound." Watch | US Secy of state Antony Blinken visits Jordan | Blinken's 2nd West Asia tour × Moreover, Opposition leader Yair Lapid also reprimanded Eliyahu and called his comments as “a horrifying and insane remark by an irresponsible minister.” “[Eliyahu] offended the families of the [241 Gaza] captives, offended Israeli society, and harmed our international standing,” said Lapid and added, “Netanyahu must fire him this morning.” (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Netanyahu rushes for damage control, suspends minister for Gaza nuclear bombing remark

Multiple US&nbsp;MQ-9 Reaper drones have been dispatched to the skies over Gaza, coinciding with Israeli military operations and strikes, as confirmed by the Pentagon.

Pentagon spokesperson Brig Gen Pat Ryder went on record and said the drones were operating in "support of hostage recovery efforts".

"These UAV flights began after the Oct 7 attack by Hamas on Israel," he said in a brief statement.

The acknowledgment follows reporters' observations of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on flight-tracking websites, reported the BBC.

"The US is conducting unarmed UAV flights over Gaza, as well as providing advice and assistance to support our Israeli partner as they work on their hostage recovery efforts," the Pentagon's statement on Friday (Nov 3) said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indias-jaishankar-emphasises-on-two-state-solution-in-talks-with-israeli-counterpart-655142">Also read |&nbsp;India's Jaishankar emphasises on 'two-state solution' in talks with Israeli counterpart</a>

<h2>What does the MQ-9 Reaper drone exactly do?</h2>

The MQ-9 Reaper is an unmanned aerial vehicle developed by General Atomics. What sets it apart is its ability to linger at altitudes of around 50,000 feet, performing reconnaissance missions for more than 27 hours continuously.

It is equipped with state-of-the-art cameras, sensors, and radar systems, making it a powerful intelligence-gathering tool.

The drone boasts an impressive wingspan of 66 feet (about 20.12 metres), powered by a Honeywell engine, and has a fuel capacity of 3,900 pounds (approximately 1769 kg), all while achieving a maximum speed of 240 knots (around 444 km&nbsp;per hour).

Additionally, it has the capacity to carry air-to-ground missiles. The MQ-9 Reaper has been an integral part of the US&nbsp;Air Force for 16 years and is also employed by various international entities, including the US&nbsp;Department of Homeland Security, NASA, the UK Royal Air Force, the Italian Air Force, the French Air Force, and the Spanish Air Force, as reported by Reuters.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-airstrikes-hit-un-school-serving-as-a-shelter-in-gaza-kills-15-655074">Also read |&nbsp;Israeli airstrikes hit UN school serving as a shelter in Gaza, kills 15</a>

<h2>What is the reason for the presence of MQ-9 drones in the skies over Gaza?</h2>

Over the skies of Gaza, the MQ-9 Reapers have been deployed for a specific mission—locating hostages.

These drones are unarmed and rely on advanced onboard sensors to accomplish this task.

Among these sensors are high-powered cameras capable of detecting heat signatures and operating in low-light conditions.

Reports suggest that a minimum of six MQ-9 Reaper drones have been utilized in the region, with their flight paths primarily concentrated in the southern area of Gaza.

Amelia Smith, an aviation researcher cited by the New York Times, noted that the Reapers would typically hover over the region for approximately three hours at an altitude of around 25,000 feet.

It's worth noting that this deployment marked the first recorded instance of US&nbsp;drones being dispatched over Gaza.

Drones, like the MQ-9 Reaper, offer several key advantages. They are generally more cost-effective compared to crewed aircraft with similar capabilities.

Additionally, they are safer for operators since they do not require a human pilot onboard. One of their standout features is the ability to remain in the air for extended periods, making them well-suited for intelligence-gathering missions.

The cost of operating a drone like the MQ-9 Reaper is approximately $3,500 per flight hour, in contrast to about $8,000 per flight hour for an F-16, as indicated by General Atomics.

According to the US&nbsp;Air Force, a package consisting of four MQ-9 aircraft with sensors, a ground control station, and a satellite link costs roughly $56.5 million.

General Atomics also says&nbsp;that the MQ-9 Reaper has demonstrated air-to-air weaponry capability in Air Force tests. Furthermore, it can be equipped with a "Self Protect Pod" designed to detect threats and deploy countermeasures against surface-to-air weapons.

Also watch |&nbsp;Israeli strikes pound Gaza overnight

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<h2>No temporary ceasefire without our hostages released: Netanyahu</h2>

In a brief televised statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conveyed to visiting US&nbsp;Secretary of State Antony Blinken that he opposes any temporary cessation of hostilities against Hamas unless it includes "the release of our hostages."

Additionally, he stated that Israel will not allow the entry of fuel into Gaza. Netanyahu expressed his commitment to achieving a decisive victory that will have a lasting impact, ensuring the safety of Israeli citizens and the return of the hostages while eliminating the threat posed by Hamas.

He says he told Blinken that “Israel refuses a temporary ceasefire that does not include the release of our hostages. Israel will not enable the entry of fuel to Gaza and opposes sending money to the Strip.”

Netanyahu also stated that those hostile to Israel have intentions of undermining the nation, but he asserted their ultimate failure. He reiterated Israel's determination to persist until victory is achieved, which entails the eradication of Hamas, the safe return of the hostages, and the reestablishment of security for Israeli citizens and children.

US State Secretary Antony Blinken&nbsp;met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday (Nov 3), for the third time since Israel declared war on the terrorist group Hamas.

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

(With inputs from agencies)

Multiple US MQ-9 Reaper drones have been dispatched to the skies over Gaza, coinciding with Israeli military operations and strikes, as confirmed by the Pentagon.

Multiple US MQ-9 Reaper drones have been dispatched to the skies over Gaza, coinciding with Israeli military operations and strikes, as confirmed by the Pentagon. Pentagon spokesperson Brig Gen Pat Ryder went on record and said the drones were operating in "support of hostage recovery efforts". "These UAV flights began after the Oct 7 attack by Hamas on Israel," he said in a brief statement. The acknowledgment follows reporters' observations of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on flight-tracking websites, reported the BBC. "The US is conducting unarmed UAV flights over Gaza, as well as providing advice and assistance to support our Israeli partner as they work on their hostage recovery efforts," the Pentagon's statement on Friday (Nov 3) said. Also read | India's Jaishankar emphasises on 'two-state solution' in talks with Israeli counterpart What does the MQ-9 Reaper drone exactly do? The MQ-9 Reaper is an unmanned aerial vehicle developed by General Atomics. What sets it apart is its ability to linger at altitudes of around 50,000 feet, performing reconnaissance missions for more than 27 hours continuously. It is equipped with state-of-the-art cameras, sensors, and radar systems, making it a powerful intelligence-gathering tool. The drone boasts an impressive wingspan of 66 feet (about 20.12 metres), powered by a Honeywell engine, and has a fuel capacity of 3,900 pounds (approximately 1769 kg), all while achieving a maximum speed of 240 knots (around 444 km per hour). Additionally, it has the capacity to carry air-to-ground missiles. The MQ-9 Reaper has been an integral part of the US Air Force for 16 years and is also employed by various international entities, including the US Department of Homeland Security, NASA, the UK Royal Air Force, the Italian Air Force, the French Air Force, and the Spanish Air Force, as reported by Reuters. Also read | Israeli airstrikes hit UN school serving as a shelter in Gaza, kills 15 What is the reason for the presence of MQ-9 drones in the skies over Gaza? Over the skies of Gaza, the MQ-9 Reapers have been deployed for a specific mission—locating hostages. These drones are unarmed and rely on advanced onboard sensors to accomplish this task. Among these sensors are high-powered cameras capable of detecting heat signatures and operating in low-light conditions. Reports suggest that a minimum of six MQ-9 Reaper drones have been utilized in the region, with their flight paths primarily concentrated in the southern area of Gaza. Amelia Smith, an aviation researcher cited by the New York Times, noted that the Reapers would typically hover over the region for approximately three hours at an altitude of around 25,000 feet. It's worth noting that this deployment marked the first recorded instance of US drones being dispatched over Gaza. Drones, like the MQ-9 Reaper, offer several key advantages. They are generally more cost-effective compared to crewed aircraft with similar capabilities. Additionally, they are safer for operators since they do not require a human pilot onboard. One of their standout features is the ability to remain in the air for extended periods, making them well-suited for intelligence-gathering missions. The cost of operating a drone like the MQ-9 Reaper is approximately $3,500 per flight hour, in contrast to about $8,000 per flight hour for an F-16, as indicated by General Atomics. According to the US Air Force, a package consisting of four MQ-9 aircraft with sensors, a ground control station, and a satellite link costs roughly $56.5 million. General Atomics also says that the MQ-9 Reaper has demonstrated air-to-air weaponry capability in Air Force tests. Furthermore, it can be equipped with a "Self Protect Pod" designed to detect threats and deploy countermeasures against surface-to-air weapons. Also watch | Israeli strikes pound Gaza overnight No temporary ceasefire without our hostages released: Netanyahu In a brief televised statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conveyed to visiting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken that he opposes any temporary cessation of hostilities against Hamas unless it includes "the release of our hostages." Additionally, he stated that Israel will not allow the entry of fuel into Gaza. Netanyahu expressed his commitment to achieving a decisive victory that will have a lasting impact, ensuring the safety of Israeli citizens and the return of the hostages while eliminating the threat posed by Hamas. He says he told Blinken that “Israel refuses a temporary ceasefire that does not include the release of our hostages. Israel will not enable the entry of fuel to Gaza and opposes sending money to the Strip.” Netanyahu also stated that those hostile to Israel have intentions of undermining the nation, but he asserted their ultimate failure. He reiterated Israel's determination to persist until victory is achieved, which entails the eradication of Hamas, the safe return of the hostages, and the reestablishment of security for Israeli citizens and children. US State Secretary Antony Blinken met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday (Nov 3), for the third time since Israel declared war on the terrorist group Hamas. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. (With inputs from agencies)

Explained | How are US-deployed MQ-9 Reaper drones helping locate hostages in Gaza?

Israel's Minister of Economy Nir Barkat, currently on a visit to India, expressed the potential for collaboration between the two countries, stating that India is seen as a "brother" and such cooperation can "boost and scale our growth".

Speaking to WION’s diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, he said, "I understand the potential of collaboration with India...we could actually together provide to the world new ideas, new initiatives in food production from the sea in agrotech".

Nir Barkat is&nbsp;on a four-day official trip to India and is the first minister under the current Netanyahu government to visit the country.

Barkat, who has served as mayor of Jerusalem in the past, will hold a meeting with Indian trade minister Piyush Goyal and travel to Mumbai as well.

WION: What is the key focus of your visit to India?

Nir Barkat: Israelis and Indians have a lot in common. For 2000 years, Jews felt comfortable living in India, feeling secure. And our government-to-government ties are also strong. Both PM Modi and PM Netanyahu have a really good relationship and the governments understand that we have a lot in common and a lot to cooperate. Having said that, our goal is how do we have more and more business development together. How do we grow our economy? We understand in Israel that India is going to be very soon the third largest economy in the world, and we want to help you get there. And we want to make sure that Israel and India collaborate together for the benefit of the growth of both people.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

WION: What will you discuss with the Indian ministers for increasing trade between the two countries?

Nir Barkat: The focus will be on how we can help each other. Israel is&nbsp;very strong on technology, innovation, new ideas, and new ways of thinking. We know how to collaborate with governments that complement Israeli skills. Israel is at the forefront of security and counterterrorism. Moreover, Israel is very strong in what we call a desert tech, such as Agrotech, food tech, and creating food from the sea. We're now looking at areas like this, and while we're only less than 10 million, India with 1.4 billion people has to work in collaboration with us to scale the ideas that we have. So, I believe that by working together, we can help each other to improve our economies.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

WION: Can you elaborate on that?

Nir Barkat: &nbsp;Technology has a big huge cluster in Israel.&nbsp; 25 per cent of all companies in the world in cybersecurity are fundamentally Israelis. Since we have our threats, we've developed to outsmart our enemies in terror and other challenges, and we're willing to share those ideas with our friends here in India. Now, counterterrorism is not only an Israeli challenge, it's a global challenge. So, we've learnt that the best way to challenge terror is not just being reactive, but also being good at offensive strategies. We are very strong in satellites, and creating new kinds of tools to have better security. I believe it will scale in a big way.

&nbsp;

WION: India-Israel Free Trade Agreement is something that everyone has been talking about. What is the status and when do you think this agreement can be concluded?&nbsp;

Nir Barkat: I will raise this in my meetings with ministers here. But it's not just the free trade agreement. There is a lot of collaboration between business clusters that are successful in Israel and successful here.

&nbsp;

WION: How optimistic&nbsp;are you when it comes to the free trade agreements?&nbsp;

Nir Barkat: I think that both India and Israel have had more free trade agreements lately, in the last few years, and we both recognise how the collaboration between Israel and India can boost and scale our growth. And that's why I believe, at least I'm going to be raising with my peers here in the government, the value of free trade agreements, how they could decrease all kinds of obstacles and improve the collaboration between the two people. It's not just the&nbsp;people-to-people relationship, which is excellent and love, we also see you folks as brothers in this region.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

WION: How do you see the rise of India impacting West Asia?

Nir Barkat: &nbsp;I'm very happy because I believe the (kind of) relationship we have, we're going to benefit from it because we can help you get there. I think the government here is doing a phenomenal job of understanding the opportunity and leading the country to more and more open markets. The I2U2 is a great example of that. How do we, the United States and India and the United Arab Emirates and Israel can collaborate for the benefit of all four partners involved here. I think that kind of relationship is a booster that will help us boost and swiftly move for better economies. So, the fact that now India is becoming a superpower, and I believe, in a few years from now, it is going to be the third largest economy in the world. So, Israel working with India together will help us grow, and I believe it will help you grow faster.

&nbsp;

WION: How do you see the Indian PM's leadership in terms of bringing Israel and India closer? Since 2014, the relationship between the two nations has been taking a different level altogether.

Nir Barkat: Indeed, that's why I'm here. This is one of my first trips as the new Minister of Economy and Industry.&nbsp;I understand the potential of collaboration with India. But to scale big numbers, we need partners like India, that “know how” to take and scale big numbers of creating food from the sea. These are futuristic ideas that we can work together. And so, we could actually together provide to the world new ideas, new initiatives in food production from the sea in Agrotech and desert-tech.

&nbsp;

WION: Are we looking at trading in national currencies? 

Nir Barkat: Well, these are the details we could solve, the motivation is there, and&nbsp;we can rely on each other for futuristic and new ideas. We know that when India will grow and scale, the relationship between the two countries will be stable and we can build on them. In other words, we can rely on the relationship with India, and I believe India can rely on the relationship with Israel. So, when I go back home, I'm going to convey to my government and my prime minister how beautiful and how big the opportunity is to work with one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

WION: Adani has invested in a port in Israel, and there have been some controversies regarding the group. Do you have any concerns? 

Nir Barkat: No, I think that we are&nbsp;proud of the fact that an Indian businessman invested in Israel, the fact that Israel accepted that investment in a positive way. There are only good complimentary things I hear in Israel about Adani, and actually is a good testimony that when we do business in each other's country, it's accepted well.

&nbsp;

WION: There have been a lot of protests against the Netanyahu government. Has it impacted the government's stability?

Nir Barkat: I'm very proud of our democracy. When you think about Israel's democracy, the fact that people care and they come on the street, and demonstrate against some of the reforms we proposed because we believe that it will make us a better democracy, some object to it and feel concerned. But we will overcome our differences. We're an exciting democracy. And I look at this in a positive way. Very few democracies in the world have that kind of care.

&nbsp;

WION: But has it impacted the stability of the government?

Nir Barkat: We understand that there are challenges in our country, in a democracy and I believe you'll see that the Prime Minister and I will support them on this, has to consider the different opinions in the country and work out when we talk about infrastructure ideas in our democracy. Our goal is to make them as widely accepted as possible. And I believe that you will see that we will overcome the majority of these challenges. You know why, because we have no choice.&nbsp;We're a strong democracy, we want to thrive and succeed and we all understand eventually, then we need to come together, certainly against threats in Israel and for the benefit of our future.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

WION: Now coming to an issue that perhaps has been a long-standing one.&nbsp;We saw the recent&nbsp;flare-up in Palestine. Can you talk about what's the situation there?

Nir Barkat: I think that unfortunately, we have terrorists challenging Islam. And by the way, they're supported by the regime in Iran, using proxies in Lebanon. We have Hezbollah in Lebanon, we have Hamas in Gaza. We have challenges from Iraq, with long-term missiles in Syria. And we have internal challenges in Judea and Samaria and others. I recommend our enemies to reconsider their thoughts.&nbsp;Because if God forbid, they decide to challenge us, we're going to hit them very hard.&nbsp;And they have to understand that while there may be internal challenges in Israel when it comes to uniting against the enemies that want to combat and fight us, we know how to hit them extremely hard. We're not afraid to go into&nbsp;their backyard and find those terrorists and kill them if needed before they use terror against us.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

WION: Since both nations are dealing with terrorism, how has Israel been helping India in terms of combating this menace? 

Nir Barkat: There are things that are not going to be discussed. I prefer that rather than speak about it and give knowledge to our enemies, sharing of knowledge and information and exchange of ideas and weaponry should not be done over the TV. But trust me, I know that the collaboration is very, very strong, and we will help in all ways possible to help India become a stronger, more independent, better economy and of course more secure.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

WION: You are the first minister from the current government to come to India. Can we expect more ministers and Prime Minister Netanyahu to visit India? 

Nir Barkat: My strong recommendation when I go back home is to speak to my peer ministers, and to better explain to them the opportunity. There are no shortcuts here. We need to collaborate and exchange knowledge and information and make an ecosystem even stronger and better, leverage what we have to make it much, much better. And as big as the opportunity Israel has with the United States, we could develop that opportunity with one of the superpowers, the economic superpowers of the future, which is India. And because the relationship between the Indian people and the Jewish people in Israel is so good, the fact that this could happen faster than anything else depends on us. It's ours to lose. We'll do everything we can to make this happen.

&nbsp;

WION: At the start, you mentioned how Jews have been in India for centuries and haven’t faced any violence. Can you elaborate on that? 

Nir Barkat: Israelis,&nbsp;Jews and Indian people have a long history, and that memory is only positive. Unfortunately, we have memories in Europe just 70 plus years, in which we are reminded of the Holocaust. On the other hand, we remember how the Indian people protected the Jewish people through tough times. We never forget our history. I'm really for the fact that I can represent Israel here and thank the Indian people, not only for the past, and not only for the present but actually together discuss a better future.&nbsp;

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Israel's Minister of Economy Nir Barkat, currently on a visit to India, expressed the potential for collaboration between the two countries, stating that India is seen as a "brother" and such cooperation can "boost and scale our growth".

Israel's Minister of Economy Nir Barkat, currently on a visit to India, expressed the potential for collaboration between the two countries, stating that India is seen as a "brother" and such cooperation can "boost and scale our growth". Speaking to WION’s diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, he said, "I understand the potential of collaboration with India...we could actually together provide to the world new ideas, new initiatives in food production from the sea in agrotech". Nir Barkat is on a four-day official trip to India and is the first minister under the current Netanyahu government to visit the country. Barkat, who has served as mayor of Jerusalem in the past, will hold a meeting with Indian trade minister Piyush Goyal and travel to Mumbai as well. WION: What is the key focus of your visit to India? Nir Barkat: Israelis and Indians have a lot in common. For 2000 years, Jews felt comfortable living in India, feeling secure. And our government-to-government ties are also strong. Both PM Modi and PM Netanyahu have a really good relationship and the governments understand that we have a lot in common and a lot to cooperate. Having said that, our goal is how do we have more and more business development together. How do we grow our economy? We understand in Israel that India is going to be very soon the third largest economy in the world, and we want to help you get there. And we want to make sure that Israel and India collaborate together for the benefit of the growth of both people. WION: What will you discuss with the Indian ministers for increasing trade between the two countries? Nir Barkat: The focus will be on how we can help each other. Israel is very strong on technology, innovation, new ideas, and new ways of thinking. We know how to collaborate with governments that complement Israeli skills. Israel is at the forefront of security and counterterrorism. Moreover, Israel is very strong in what we call a desert tech, such as Agrotech, food tech, and creating food from the sea. We're now looking at areas like this, and while we're only less than 10 million, India with 1.4 billion people has to work in collaboration with us to scale the ideas that we have. So, I believe that by working together, we can help each other to improve our economies. WION: Can you elaborate on that? Nir Barkat: Technology has a big huge cluster in Israel. 25 per cent of all companies in the world in cybersecurity are fundamentally Israelis. Since we have our threats, we've developed to outsmart our enemies in terror and other challenges, and we're willing to share those ideas with our friends here in India. Now, counterterrorism is not only an Israeli challenge, it's a global challenge. So, we've learnt that the best way to challenge terror is not just being reactive, but also being good at offensive strategies. We are very strong in satellites, and creating new kinds of tools to have better security. I believe it will scale in a big way. WION: India-Israel Free Trade Agreement is something that everyone has been talking about. What is the status and when do you think this agreement can be concluded? Nir Barkat: I will raise this in my meetings with ministers here. But it's not just the free trade agreement. There is a lot of collaboration between business clusters that are successful in Israel and successful here. WION: How optimistic are you when it comes to the free trade agreements? Nir Barkat: I think that both India and Israel have had more free trade agreements lately, in the last few years, and we both recognise how the collaboration between Israel and India can boost and scale our growth. And that's why I believe, at least I'm going to be raising with my peers here in the government, the value of free trade agreements, how they could decrease all kinds of obstacles and improve the collaboration between the two people. It's not just the people-to-people relationship, which is excellent and love, we also see you folks as brothers in this region. WION: How do you see the rise of India impacting West Asia? Nir Barkat: I'm very happy because I believe the (kind of) relationship we have, we're going to benefit from it because we can help you get there. I think the government here is doing a phenomenal job of understanding the opportunity and leading the country to more and more open markets. The I2U2 is a great example of that. How do we, the United States and India and the United Arab Emirates and Israel can collaborate for the benefit of all four partners involved here. I think that kind of relationship is a booster that will help us boost and swiftly move for better economies. So, the fact that now India is becoming a superpower, and I believe, in a few years from now, it is going to be the third largest economy in the world. So, Israel working with India together will help us grow, and I believe it will help you grow faster. WION: How do you see the Indian PM's leadership in terms of bringing Israel and India closer? Since 2014, the relationship between the two nations has been taking a different level altogether. Nir Barkat: Indeed, that's why I'm here. This is one of my first trips as the new Minister of Economy and Industry. I understand the potential of collaboration with India. But to scale big numbers, we need partners like India, that “know how” to take and scale big numbers of creating food from the sea. These are futuristic ideas that we can work together. And so, we could actually together provide to the world new ideas, new initiatives in food production from the sea in Agrotech and desert-tech. WION: Are we looking at trading in national currencies? Nir Barkat: Well, these are the details we could solve, the motivation is there, and we can rely on each other for futuristic and new ideas. We know that when India will grow and scale, the relationship between the two countries will be stable and we can build on them. In other words, we can rely on the relationship with India, and I believe India can rely on the relationship with Israel. So, when I go back home, I'm going to convey to my government and my prime minister how beautiful and how big the opportunity is to work with one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. WION: Adani has invested in a port in Israel, and there have been some controversies regarding the group. Do you have any concerns? Nir Barkat: No, I think that we are proud of the fact that an Indian businessman invested in Israel, the fact that Israel accepted that investment in a positive way. There are only good complimentary things I hear in Israel about Adani, and actually is a good testimony that when we do business in each other's country, it's accepted well. WION: There have been a lot of protests against the Netanyahu government. Has it impacted the government's stability? Nir Barkat: I'm very proud of our democracy. When you think about Israel's democracy, the fact that people care and they come on the street, and demonstrate against some of the reforms we proposed because we believe that it will make us a better democracy, some object to it and feel concerned. But we will overcome our differences. We're an exciting democracy. And I look at this in a positive way. Very few democracies in the world have that kind of care. WION: But has it impacted the stability of the government? Nir Barkat: We understand that there are challenges in our country, in a democracy and I believe you'll see that the Prime Minister and I will support them on this, has to consider the different opinions in the country and work out when we talk about infrastructure ideas in our democracy. Our goal is to make them as widely accepted as possible. And I believe that you will see that we will overcome the majority of these challenges. You know why, because we have no choice. We're a strong democracy, we want to thrive and succeed and we all understand eventually, then we need to come together, certainly against threats in Israel and for the benefit of our future. WION: Now coming to an issue that perhaps has been a long-standing one. We saw the recent flare-up in Palestine. Can you talk about what's the situation there? Nir Barkat: I think that unfortunately, we have terrorists challenging Islam. And by the way, they're supported by the regime in Iran, using proxies in Lebanon. We have Hezbollah in Lebanon, we have Hamas in Gaza. We have challenges from Iraq, with long-term missiles in Syria. And we have internal challenges in Judea and Samaria and others. I recommend our enemies to reconsider their thoughts. Because if God forbid, they decide to challenge us, we're going to hit them very hard. And they have to understand that while there may be internal challenges in Israel when it comes to uniting against the enemies that want to combat and fight us, we know how to hit them extremely hard. We're not afraid to go into their backyard and find those terrorists and kill them if needed before they use terror against us. WION: Since both nations are dealing with terrorism, how has Israel been helping India in terms of combating this menace? Nir Barkat: There are things that are not going to be discussed. I prefer that rather than speak about it and give knowledge to our enemies, sharing of knowledge and information and exchange of ideas and weaponry should not be done over the TV. But trust me, I know that the collaboration is very, very strong, and we will help in all ways possible to help India become a stronger, more independent, better economy and of course more secure. WION: You are the first minister from the current government to come to India. Can we expect more ministers and Prime Minister Netanyahu to visit India? Nir Barkat: My strong recommendation when I go back home is to speak to my peer ministers, and to better explain to them the opportunity. There are no shortcuts here. We need to collaborate and exchange knowledge and information and make an ecosystem even stronger and better, leverage what we have to make it much, much better. And as big as the opportunity Israel has with the United States, we could develop that opportunity with one of the superpowers, the economic superpowers of the future, which is India. And because the relationship between the Indian people and the Jewish people in Israel is so good, the fact that this could happen faster than anything else depends on us. It's ours to lose. We'll do everything we can to make this happen. WION: At the start, you mentioned how Jews have been in India for centuries and haven’t faced any violence. Can you elaborate on that? Nir Barkat: Israelis, Jews and Indian people have a long history, and that memory is only positive. Unfortunately, we have memories in Europe just 70 plus years, in which we are reminded of the Holocaust. On the other hand, we remember how the Indian people protected the Jewish people through tough times. We never forget our history. I'm really for the fact that I can represent Israel here and thank the Indian people, not only for the past, and not only for the present but actually together discuss a better future. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Israel's economy minister Nir Barkat sees India as brother, eyes growth through collaboration

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the International Criminal Court of anti-semitism on Sunday over its chief prosecutor's plan to pursue a war crimes probe in the Palestinian Territories.

The right-wing leader - Benjamin Netanyahu -&nbsp;is fighting for his political life in a March <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-heads-to-new-election-third-in-twelve-months-as-stalemate-continues-267768">election</a>, made the allegation against the international Criminal Court, with Judaism's holy Western Wall as a backdrop during a candle-lighting ceremony marking the start of the eight-day Hanukkah holiday.

"New edicts are being cast against the Jewish people - anti-semitic edicts by the International Criminal Court telling us that we, the Jews standing here next to this wall ... in this city, in this country, have no right to live here and that by doing so, we are committing a war crime," he said.

"Pure anti-semitism," Netanyahu said, raising an argument likely to strike a chord with many Israelis who believe that criticism, especially in Europe, of Israeli policies towards the Palestinians has its roots in anti-Jewish sentiment.

The Hague-based International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, said on Friday she would launch a full investigation into alleged war crimes in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip as soon as the court's jurisdiction had been established.

Israel captured those areas in the 1967 Middle East war and withdrew troops and settlers from the Gaza Strip in 2005.

Bensouda's announcement opens the possibility of charges being filed against Israelis or Palestinians. Israeli media, however, largely portrayed it as a bid to subject Israeli leaders and military officers to arrest and trial if they travel overseas.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/benjamin-netanyahu-will-resign-from-other-ministries-but-will-remain-pm-lawyers-267872">Netanyahu</a>'s accusations appeared to be centred on a scenario in which Israeli settlement activities in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, where the Western Wall stands within the walled Old City, could be viewed by the court as war crimes.

ICC prosecutors have said a preliminary investigation on the West Bank focused on "reported settlement-related activities engaged in by Israeli authorities".

The Palestinians and many countries consider the settlements to be illegal. Israel disputes this, citing security needs and biblical and historical connections to the land.

The Palestinians have welcomed Bensouda's decision.

Netanyahu said on Friday the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/icc-to-probe-alleged-war-crimes-in-palestinian-territories-269444">ICC</a> had no jurisdiction to investigate events in the Palestinian Territories, arguing it could only examine petitions submitted by a sovereign state.

The ICC has the authority to hear cases of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity committed on the territory of the 123 countries that have signed up to it.

Israel has not joined the court but the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the occupied West Bank, has done so. The Gaza Strip is run by the PA's rival, the Islamist Hamas group.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the International Criminal Court of anti-semitism on Sunday over its chief prosecutor's plan to pursue a war crimes probe in the Palestinian Territories.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the International Criminal Court of anti-semitism on Sunday over its chief prosecutor's plan to pursue a war crimes probe in the Palestinian Territories. The right-wing leader - Benjamin Netanyahu - is fighting for his political life in a March election, made the allegation against the international Criminal Court, with Judaism's holy Western Wall as a backdrop during a candle-lighting ceremony marking the start of the eight-day Hanukkah holiday. "New edicts are being cast against the Jewish people - anti-semitic edicts by the International Criminal Court telling us that we, the Jews standing here next to this wall ... in this city, in this country, have no right to live here and that by doing so, we are committing a war crime," he said. "Pure anti-semitism," Netanyahu said, raising an argument likely to strike a chord with many Israelis who believe that criticism, especially in Europe, of Israeli policies towards the Palestinians has its roots in anti-Jewish sentiment. The Hague-based International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, said on Friday she would launch a full investigation into alleged war crimes in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip as soon as the court's jurisdiction had been established. Israel captured those areas in the 1967 Middle East war and withdrew troops and settlers from the Gaza Strip in 2005. Bensouda's announcement opens the possibility of charges being filed against Israelis or Palestinians. Israeli media, however, largely portrayed it as a bid to subject Israeli leaders and military officers to arrest and trial if they travel overseas. Netanyahu's accusations appeared to be centred on a scenario in which Israeli settlement activities in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, where the Western Wall stands within the walled Old City, could be viewed by the court as war crimes. ICC prosecutors have said a preliminary investigation on the West Bank focused on "reported settlement-related activities engaged in by Israeli authorities". The Palestinians and many countries consider the settlements to be illegal. Israel disputes this, citing security needs and biblical and historical connections to the land. The Palestinians have welcomed Bensouda's decision. Netanyahu said on Friday the ICC had no jurisdiction to investigate events in the Palestinian Territories, arguing it could only examine petitions submitted by a sovereign state. The ICC has the authority to hear cases of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity committed on the territory of the 123 countries that have signed up to it. Israel has not joined the court but the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the occupied West Bank, has done so. The Gaza Strip is run by the PA's rival, the Islamist Hamas group.

Netanyahu accuses international court of anti-semitism in war crimes probe

Bezeq Israel Telecom reported a slightly larger-than-expected fall in third-quarter profit on Monday and reiterated it was on track for a large 2019 loss after two major write-downs in its business units.

Israel's largest telecoms group, which is in the midst of a change in ownership, reported a profit of 191 million shekels ($55 million), down from 234 million a year earlier and slightly short of the 198 million forecast by analysts.

Bezeq attributed the decline mainly to higher financing expenses.

Revenue fell 2.3 per cent&nbsp;to 2.25 billion shekels, slightly above the 2.23 billion expected by analysts.

The company maintained its 2019 forecast of a net loss of 1.1 billion shekels.

Bezeq is the dominant telecoms group in Israel and owns mobile phone operator Pelephone, satellite TV firm YES and internet service provider Bezeq International.

"Bezeq is in the midst of a major restructuring with several parallel early retirement plans and cost-cutting measures," Barclays analyst Tavy Rosner said. "These are starting to pay off, as demonstrated by the 4 per cent&nbsp;decrease in salaries."

Last week the communications ministry approved the sale of a controlling share in Bezeq to the foreign private investor group Searchlight Capital Partners.

For the past few years Bezeq has been locked in a battle with the telecoms regulator over deployment of a fibre optics network, with Bezeq unwilling to meet demands it provide the service for 100 per cent&nbsp;of the country, saying that was not economically viable.

Rivals Cellcom and Partner Communications have started their own fibre networks.

This month the ministry said it was willing to ease up on its demands and would allow Bezeq to choose where to roll out its network.

"We hope that the new policy that will be formulated will enable us to launch fibre optic services for the private sector in Israel on an economic basis," CEO David Mizrahi said in a statement.

Rosner noted that although Bezeq was losing market share in fixed line, that will likely change once Bezeq and the regulator reach a final agreement.

Bezeq's shares were down 1.5 per cent&nbsp;in morning trade in Tel Aviv. They are down 23 per cent&nbsp;this year.

Bezeq Israel Telecom reported a slightly larger-than-expected fall in third-quarter profit on Monday and reiterated it was on track for a large 2019 loss after two major write-downs in its business units.

Bezeq Israel Telecom reported a slightly larger-than-expected fall in third-quarter profit on Monday and reiterated it was on track for a large 2019 loss after two major write-downs in its business units. Israel's largest telecoms group, which is in the midst of a change in ownership, reported a profit of 191 million shekels ($55 million), down from 234 million a year earlier and slightly short of the 198 million forecast by analysts. Bezeq attributed the decline mainly to higher financing expenses. Revenue fell 2.3 per cent to 2.25 billion shekels, slightly above the 2.23 billion expected by analysts. The company maintained its 2019 forecast of a net loss of 1.1 billion shekels. Bezeq is the dominant telecoms group in Israel and owns mobile phone operator Pelephone, satellite TV firm YES and internet service provider Bezeq International. "Bezeq is in the midst of a major restructuring with several parallel early retirement plans and cost-cutting measures," Barclays analyst Tavy Rosner said. "These are starting to pay off, as demonstrated by the 4 per cent decrease in salaries." Last week the communications ministry approved the sale of a controlling share in Bezeq to the foreign private investor group Searchlight Capital Partners. For the past few years Bezeq has been locked in a battle with the telecoms regulator over deployment of a fibre optics network, with Bezeq unwilling to meet demands it provide the service for 100 per cent of the country, saying that was not economically viable. Rivals Cellcom and Partner Communications have started their own fibre networks. This month the ministry said it was willing to ease up on its demands and would allow Bezeq to choose where to roll out its network. "We hope that the new policy that will be formulated will enable us to launch fibre optic services for the private sector in Israel on an economic basis," CEO David Mizrahi said in a statement. Rosner noted that although Bezeq was losing market share in fixed line, that will likely change once Bezeq and the regulator reach a final agreement. Bezeq's shares were down 1.5 per cent in morning trade in Tel Aviv. They are down 23 per cent this year.

Israel's Bezeq Tel third-quarter profit falls, headed for big 2019 loss

'Only Bibi' no more: Why does Israel's Netanyahu want to power-share?

In this video, we brings to you some of the latest reactions on the Iran-US tension. Watch full video to know more.

International reactions on the Israel-US tension

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