Results for: Israel

The Senate is set to vote on a $95 billion war aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan on Tuesday. The legislation has been delayed for months due to internal debates over U.S. involvement abroad. The aid to Ukraine is crucial as the country faces escalating Russian attacks. The package also includes assistance to Israel and measures to counter China in Taiwan. Despite bipartisan support, a growing number of conservative Republicans oppose the aid, causing potential career implications for top Republican leaders.

On April 14, Iran launched its first direct military offensive against Israel, comprising over 300 Shahed drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. The strike, detected promptly, was intercepted by the US-led Middle East Air Defence Alliance and Israel’s Air Defence Systems. Five munitions penetrated Israeli defenses, causing structural damage but no casualties. Israel retaliated on April 19, striking a military airbase near Isfahan, targeting an air defense radar site near Natanz nuclear facility. Iranian officials claimed to have shot down small drones near Tabriz. Iran’s response, labeled as “sub-threshold,” aimed to restore deterrence while avoiding escalation. The strikes were a strategic gamble, signaling Iran’s growing might and willingness to challenge Israel’s regional dominance. However, tensions remain high, with each side seeking to avoid a full-scale conflict.

Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, has increased its rocket attacks on Israeli targets in recent days. This escalation comes amid ongoing cross-border fire between Hezbollah and the Israeli army since the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas. On Tuesday, Hezbollah announced that two of its members were killed by Israeli fire, while the Israeli army claimed to have eliminated ‘significant’ members of the group in south Lebanon.

The Senate is set to vote on a $61 billion aid package for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel, and $8 billion for Taiwan. The legislation has faced months of delays and internal debate over the U.S.’s involvement abroad.

An independent review conducted by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna found no evidence to support Israel’s claims that employees of the UN relief agency UNRWA are associated with terrorist organizations. The review was commissioned by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in response to Israel’s allegations.

An independent review led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna has concluded that Israel has not provided sufficient evidence to support its allegations that employees of the UN relief agency UNRWA are members of terrorist organizations. The review was launched following a series of accusations by Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, who claimed that UNRWA was being used as a cover for terrorist activities in the Gaza Strip. However, the review found that there was no evidence to support these claims. The report also stated that UNRWA plays a vital role in providing humanitarian assistance to Palestinian refugees and that any attempt to undermine the agency’s work would have serious consequences for the region.

Major-General Yehuda Fox, a senior Israeli military officer, plans to resign in August following the failure of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to effectively stop Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Fox’s resignation is the second high-profile departure of a military commander in recent days, following the resignation of Major-General Aharon Haliva, head of the IDF’s Military Intelligence Directorate.

Peter Lerner, a former IDF spokesman, returned to active duty during the recent Gaza conflict to help convey Israel’s message to the international media. He discusses the challenges of communicating in an era of heightened skepticism toward institutions, the importance of Israel’s right to self-defense, and the internal debate over the opening of border crossings for humanitarian aid.

US State Secretary Antony Blinken has denied allegations of a ‘double standard’ in the investigation of human rights violations by the Israeli military in Gaza. He emphasized that the State Department’s investigation adheres to the same standards applied to all countries.

The U.S. Congress has passed a $95 billion foreign aid package, which includes $61 billion for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel and humanitarian efforts in Gaza, and $8 billion for Taiwan and other U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific region. The portion of funding earmarked for Ukraine received the most opposition from lawmakers but ultimately passed the house on Saturday with bipartisan support 311-112. The bill is expected to pass the Senate and be signed into law by President Biden.