Archive for August 5, 2018

Israel’s Navy intercepts Swedish-flagged, Gaza-bound vessel

IDF Spokesperson’s Unit reported the Israeli Navy intercepted a second Gaza-bound vessel, supposedly carrying ‘humanitarian aid’ for the Palestinians.

By AFP & Arutz Sheva Staff

 

The Israeli navy intercepted a Swedish-flagged boat aiming to reach Gaza, the IDF said on Saturday.

“The ship was monitored and was intercepted in accordance with international law,” an IDF spokesperson said. “It was brought to the Ashdod base.”

The Kårstein (top) was intercepted Sunday 29 July, and the Hurriyah (Freedom) was intercepted today trying to reach Gaza – Facebook

“The incident ended with no unusual events.”

Twelve people were aboard the “Freedom for Gaza.” Continue Reading »

Standard & Poor’s upgrades Israel’s global credit rating

In a press release, S&P reports the financial upgrade was due to an improvement in the Israel’s fiscal policy.
– Israel’s Finance Minister welcomed the announcement.

By Ben Ariel

 

Financial services company S&P on Friday upgraded Israel’s credit rating to AA- from A+ with a stable outlook.

The company said in a press release that the upgrade was due to an improvement in the Israeli government’s fiscal policy.

S&P predicted that the Israeli economy will grow by an average of 3.3% between 2018 and 2021. The main growth factors in these years are expected to be private consumption, continued investment by corporations, and strong performance in the export of services. Continue Reading »

Palestinian killed by IDF, 125+ injured rushing Gaza’s border with Israel

The IDF issued a statement estimating the number of “violent rioters” at 8,000, and to those that infiltrated into Israel hurling firebombs and explosive devices, the IDF was “responding with riot dispersal means and operating according to standard operating procedures.”

By i24NEWS

 

A 25-year-old Palestinian was killed Friday evening and at least 120 more were injured, most from live fire in clashes with the Israeli army on the border, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

Ahmed Yaghi was killed by a sniper east of Gaza City, spokesman Ashraf Al-Qudra said.

The IDF issued a statement earlier, estimating the number of “violent rioters” at 8,000, “gathering in five locations along the Gaza Strip border, attempting to sabotage security infrastructure,” after protests broke out Friday afternoon. 

Continue Reading »

Israel mum to Syrian claims IAF jets destroyed 3 Iranian targets in Syria

Syrian State media claims regime’s air defenses “engaged & destroyed ‎hostile targets,” including a drone near the capitol, noting Israeli ‎fighter jets bombed 3 Iranian ‎posts, but was unclear to number of casualties.
• Adhering to policy, IDF declines to comment on foreign speculations.

Daniel Siryoti, Reuters & Israel Hayom Staff

 

Syrian state media said late Thursday that Syrian air defenses were triggered by Israeli fighter jets that had allegedly bombed three Iranian positions in Syria.

The Syrian defense systems “engaged and destroyed ‎hostile targets” near the capital of Damascus, the report said.

IAF jet takes off on mission to defend Israel.

Continue Reading »

As Assad retakes Golan Heights, IDF closes Field Clinic for internal refugees

IDF closes it’s Golan Heights medical field clinic, the Mazor Ladach, that had provided treatment to some 6,800 displaced and deprived Syrians that had no access to medical help or medicines in their war-torn country.

By ANNA AHRONHEIM

 

A field clinic built by the IDF and providing care to injured Syrians has been closed, the IDF’s Spokesperson’s Unit announced on Friday.

The Mazor Ladach (whose name translates into Bandaging Those In Need) was a field clinic opened in August 2017 and located in an unused military post in the southern Golan Heights on the Syrian border.

IDF medics provide urgent medical assistance to Syria refugees, June 30, 2018.

Continue Reading »

Captain of seized Gaza bound boat accuses IDF of breaking int’l law

Captain of the Norwegian vessel that ignored the Gaza blockade claims the Israeli Navy illegally boarded his ship in international waters (actually that’s a requirement under maritime law when enforcing a legal blockade – I&S) and used violent force against activists (who “were reluctant to cooperate and to follow orders,”).

By AFP

 

The captain of a Norwegian boat carrying pro-Palestinian activists en route to Gaza has accused Israeli authorities of violating the law by boarding the vessel in international waters and using violent force against its crew, who were arrested.

Norway has asked Israel to explain the circumstances surrounding the arrests and “the allegations of excessive use of force,” a Norwegian government spokesman told AFP on Thursday. Continue Reading »

Netanyahu nixed important Colombia trip, citing Gaza as reason

PM Netanyahu’s South America trip wasn’t just to bolster exports and much-needed diplomatic support in int’l forums, the Prime Minister wanted to attend the inauguration ceremony of Colombia’s new president, and Israel supporter, Ivan Duque, so the cancelation may be a sign of things to come regarding Gaza.

By i24NEWS

 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has cancelled a planned trip to Colombia next week due to the volatile security situation on the Gaza border, the premier’s office announced Thursday.

Netanyahu had been slated to meet with South American heads of state during the August 6-9 trip to Bogota for the swearing-in of Colombia’s new president Ivan Duque. Continue Reading »

IDF air-strike kills 7 ISIS terrorists in Syria, issues warning to Assad

IDF fighter-jets killed 7 armed Islamic State terrorists in the Syrian part of the southern Golan Heights on Wednesday night, and after search of the area this morning, explosive belts and an AK-47 assault weapon were recovered.
• ‘IDF is on high alert.’

By Arutz Sheva Staff,

 

Israeli planes attacked a number of armed terrorists in the southern part of the Syrian Golan Heights on Wednesday night, killing seven terrorists.

After the area was searched this morning, explosive belts and a Kalashnikov rifle were found.

7 armed ISIS terrorists approching Israeli border in Syrian Golan Heights before IDF eliminated them 2 Aug 2018.

Continue Reading »

158 volunteers from 18 countries arrive in Israel to volunteer for the IDF

Majority of the new IDF recruits, new immigrants and foreign volunteers, come from North America, followed by 43 volunteers from France, 16 from the UK.

By ANNA AHRONHEIM

 

IDF volunteers from 18 different countries arrived in Israel over this summer, the Defense Ministry’s Social Defense Branch announced Wednesday.

The 158 new recruits comprised of 120 male volunteers and 38 females, the majority from North America with 69 volunteers (45%) followed France with 43 volunteers (30%).

Gathering of the 158 volunteers from 18 different countries arrive in Israel to volunteer for the IDF. – Photo courtesy: Israel’s Defense Ministry

According to the Defense Ministry, the number of volunteers from Australia has “quadrupled” since last year with eight volunteers, and the number from Britain doubled with 16 volunteers this year. Continue Reading »

Israel’s Defense Minister warns Iran of Israel’s wrath should Red Sea be blocked

Israel’s DM Liberman warns Iran of repercussions if it blockades Bab al-Mandab Strait: ‘I want to emphasize, in such a case we will be less selective, and the damage to our enemies will be far more acute.’

By Gary Willig

 

Prime Minister Binyaamin Netanyahu warned Iran not to attempt to block a key naval passage connecting Israel to the Red Sea.

PM Netanyahu addresses 2018 Naval Officers’ Graduation ceremony. – Photo: Haim Zach/Israel’s GPO

“The sea provides us with many opportunities. Above all it increases the small size of the State of Israel and allows us to deploy our vessels above and below the waves across a vast area. Continue Reading »