Israel strongly rejects the possibility of US sanctions on the IDF “Netzach Yehuda” Battalion for “human rights violations” in the West Bank. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and also Minister Benny Gantz, went on the attack: the “height of absurdity”, reacts the prime minister.
Meanwhile new details and confirmations on Israel’s attack on Iran they come from satellite images that sthey seem to confirm the attack on the radar of the defense complex of the Natanz nuclear plantabout 120 kilometers from Isfahan.
If it is relative calm with Iran, the raids on Gaza and the military operations in the West Bank do not stop as Israel prepares to celebrate the Jewish Passover which begins tonight and which sees security measures strengthened throughout Israel, including Jerusalem.
Passover will not stop Israel’s action. “In the coming days we will increase military and political pressure on Hamas because this is the only way to free our hostages and achieve victory,” Netanyahu announces. But it is the threat of sanctions on the military unit that alarms the Israeli war cabinet: it would be the first time and restrictive measures would prohibit the battalion and its members to receive any type of assistance or US military training. The Battalion in question (97th) was founded in 1999 and gradually grew to around a thousand soldiers, almost entirely Haredim religious. Now she is employed in the war in Gaza.
Even though the operation in Rafah has not yet officially started, it is the second day of heavy raids. Yesterday’s attack, according to the Guardian which cites health officials operating in the Strip, took place in two stages, killing first “a couple and their child” and then an entire family. The toll speaks of 22 people in total, of which 18 are minors.
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10.44am
Israel intelligence chief: “I carry with me that black day, not up to the task”
«The intelligence under my command was not up to the task assigned. I carry with me that black day (October 7) and the pain of war.” This is what we read in the resignation letter written by Israel’s intelligence chief Aharon Haliva, who after 38 years of service decided to renounce the position and take responsibility for October 7th. “The intelligence division under my command was not up to the task entrusted to us.”
09:41
IDF: Israel’s military intelligence chief resigned after 7 October
Israeli military intelligence chief Aharon Haliva has resigned over flaws related to the October 7 Hamas attack. This was reported by the Israeli army, the IDF. He is the first senior Israeli figure to resign in connection with the Hamas attack. In October, the week after the attack, Haliva publicly took responsibility for what had happened, having failed to prevent the attack that breached Israel’s defenses.
09:16
Borrell: “We are asking Israel in every way not to attack Rafah”
«We are asking Israel in every possible way» not to attack Rafah, where «over a million civilians are taking refuge who would be massacred if there were an attack. I can only insist that it not be done, but I am not in command of the Israeli army.” This was underlined by High Representative Josep Borrell, on the sidelines of the Foreign and Defense Council in Luxembourg. “Attacks in the West Bank are increasing and we must look to greater sanctions against violent settlers,” he added. “There are over a million people in Rafah and they would be massacred by a military operation, we are asking Israel in any way not to attack.”
07:04
Gaza, Blinken hears Gantz and Gallant: let’s not extend the conflict
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke yesterday with Israeli Ministers Benny Gantz of the War Cabinet and Yoav Gallant of Defense. They spoke of “efforts to ensure that the conflict does not spread” and of the “importance of measures to ease tensions in the region”. Beyond this, Blinken reiterated the United States’ commitment to Israel’s security.
07:02
West Bank, 6 injured in an Israeli raid near Ramallah
The Palestinian Ministry of Health says six Palestinians were injured during a raid by Israeli forces in Burqa near Ramallah, in the West Bank. They would have been hit by live bullets and two of them would be in serious condition. Previously, a barn in Burqa was burned during an attack by Israeli settlers
1 o’clock
Iran’s Supreme Leader tacitly acknowledges that Tehran has struck Israel in a limited way
Iran’s Supreme Leader tacitly acknowledges that Tehran has struck Israel in a limited way. Iran’s Supreme Leader has dismissed any doubt that Tehran’s unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel has hit anything.
00:16
Rockets from northern Iraq on a US-led anti-ISIS base in Syria
At least 5 rockets were launched from northern Iraq towards a base of the international anti-ISIS coalition in neighboring Syria: this was announced by the Iraqi security forces who found the vehicle used to carry out the launches. A “large search and inspection operation” has been launched in Nineveh province to find the perpetrators of the shooting, Iraqi security forces said in a statement. This is the first major attack against the troops of the coalition led by Washington, after several weeks of calm: this winter, pro-Iranian armed factions have carried out dozens of missile and drone attacks against American soldiers in the Middle East.
