After Donald Trump became the 47th U.S. President, major developments unfolded in the Middle East. Trump pushed for a "hard stance" on Gaza and even suggested a U.S. takeover of the Palestinian enclave. Hostages, including Iair Horn, Sagui Dekel-Chen, and Sasha Troufanov, were freed in Gaza, following Trump's strong warning to Hamas. At an event in Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu praised Trump’s plan for Gaza. Both the U.S. and Israel are focused on stopping Iran's nuclear ambitions and reducing its influence in the region. This comes amid long-standing Israeli-Iranian tensions, marked by covert operations, attacks by land, sea, air, and in cyberspace.
17 February,2025 11:46 AM ISTIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on February 11 that the ceasefire in Gaza would end if Hamas did not release hostages by noon on Saturday. In a video statement, Netanyahu warned that the military would resume intense fighting until Hamas is fully defeated. He also mentioned having held a detailed discussion with Israel's political-security cabinet, where members expressed support for U.S. President Trump's "Revolutionary vision for the future of Gaza." Watch the video for more information.
12 February,2025 11:40 AM ISTUS President Donald Trump hosted Israeli PM Netanyahu as first guest in his second term at White House. Netanyahu’s US visit drew global attention because of Trump’s major announcement of ‘Gaza takeover plan’. However, in another significant news, Trump-Netanyahu alliance comes under radar again. Israeli PM Netanyahu gifted a ‘special’ gift to his ‘Greatest Friend, Greatest Ally’ Donald Trump post meeting at White House. Affixed to wooden base with a golden plaque, Bibi gifted Trump a ‘Golden Pager’ which read ‘To…Greatest Friend, Greatest Ally…’. However, the ‘pager’ wasn’t just any other gift, it was an allusion to Israel’s September 2024 operation in Lebanon. In that deadly operation, hand-held radios and pagers used by Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah detonated across Lebanon. The pager attack and next-day walkie-talkie blasts killed 39 in total and wounded more than 3,400. Lebanon and Hezbollah blamed Israel, later confirmed by Netanyahu’s office as his approved order.
07 February,2025 12:50 PM ISTOn December 25, sirens sounded across central Israel as a missile, launched from Yemen, was intercepted. The Israeli military confirmed the missile was shot down before it reached Israeli land. Reuters footage from Tel Aviv showed the missile streaking through the sky followed by a loud explosion. The missile attack is believed to have been carried out by the Houthi rebels from Yemen, who have previously launched drones and missiles toward Israel. The Houthis claim these attacks are acts of solidarity with Palestinians. In response, Israel has asked its embassies in Europe to push for the Houthis to be declared a terrorist group, as they are backed by Iran.
25 December,2024 05:45 PM ISTThe Syrian civil war has led to significant changes in the Middle East, including the fall of the al-Assad regime after 50 years. Meanwhile, Israel continues to focus on rescuing hostages held by Hamas since the October 7, 2023 attacks. On December 15, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke with US President-elect Donald Trump about the ongoing Syria crisis and efforts to secure the hostages’ release. Netanyahu emphasized that Israel would set its Syria policy based on the evolving situation. This conversation follows previous discussions between Netanyahu and Trump since the latter's election win. The United States, under both President Biden and President-elect Trump, has been a strong supporter of Israel, particularly in its conflict with Iran and its allies.
16 December,2024 12:54 PM ISTOn December 3, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked former U.S. President Donald Trump for his strong demand for the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Trump called for the hostages' release by his inauguration on January 20. Over 250 people were taken during the deadly Hamas attack on Israel in October, including Israeli-American nationals. Netanyahu also addressed the situation with Hezbollah, stating that while Israel would honor its ceasefire agreement, the war was not over. He accused Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire on December 2, prompting Israel to strike over 20 targets in Lebanon in retaliation. Watch video
04 December,2024 03:20 PM ISTRebels in Syria have taken control of most of Aleppo, marking a significant setback for President Assad’s forces after a surprise offensive. The violence has caused thousands to flee, with many seeking refuge in unsafe open areas, according to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Curfews were imposed in Aleppo City on Friday and Saturday, and all public facilities, including schools and universities, have been suspended. Hospitals are overwhelmed with casualties, and banks and ATMs are running out of cash. On November 30, Israel carried out airstrikes on facilities in Syria used by Hezbollah. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated on December 1 that Israel is closely monitoring developments in Syria and will defend its interests.
02 December,2024 12:30 PM ISTAmid the ongoing Israel-Hezbollah war, International Criminal Court’s decision has sent shockwaves. In a major blow to Netanyahu, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against him on November 21, 2024. Notably, Israel’s ex defence chief, as well as a Hamas leader, Ibrahim Al-Masri, were included in the warrant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. The decision was met with an outrage in Israel, where Benjamin Netanyahu’s supporters expressed their disappointment on ICC warrant. Netanyahu's office said the ICC decision was "anti-semitic" and he will "not yield to pressure, will not be deterred" until Israel's war objectives are met. The EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said the decision was not a political one but made by a court and thus should be respected and implemented. Notably, Israel's 13-month campaign in Gaza has killed about 44,000 Palestinians and displaced nearly all the enclave's population, Gaza officials say.
22 November,2024 12:34 PM ISTOn November 16, two flash bombs were fired towards Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's residence in Caesarea amid ongoing missile exchanges between the IDF and the "axis of resistance." The bombs landed in the garden of Netanyahu's home, but fortunately, neither the Prime Minister nor his family were present at the time, and no damage was reported. The police confirmed the attack but assured that there were no injuries or harm. In response, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant called the incident a serious escalation, saying it crossed "all red lines." The attack comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with ongoing missile salvos between Israeli forces and militant groups.
17 November,2024 04:00 PM ISTIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a significant statement following the death of Hamas leader Yahaya Sinwar on October 17. He suggested that the war in Gaza could end if Hamas surrendered their weapons and returned all hostages. Netanyahu highlighted that the deaths of Sinwar and other leaders from Hamas and Hezbollah might create a new opportunity for peace in the Middle East. He emphasized that this moment could lead to a chance for stability and safety in the region if the conditions he mentioned are met. This statement reflects ongoing tensions and hopes for resolution amid the conflict.
18 October,2024 05:41 PM ISTADVERTISEMENT