# Israel
Latest news and articles about Israel
Total: 47 articles found
Israeli Strikes Kill 21 in Gaza after Army Says Fighters Opened Fire Near Northern Frontline
Israeli strikes across Gaza killed 21 people, including a Palestinian Red Crescent medic, after the Israel Defense Forces said armed men fired on soldiers near the northern "yellow line." Hamas denied the accusation and condemned the strikes, highlighting the fragility of local ceasefire arrangements and the acute humanitarian risks facing displaced civilians.
Netanyahu Seeks U.S. 'Freedom to Act' on Iran While Pressing Gaza Preconditions
Benjamin Netanyahu told U.S. special envoy Witkoff that Israel needs 'freedom to act' on Iran, demanding Tehran halt ballistic missile production and uranium enrichment. The meeting also covered Gaza reconstruction, with Israel insisting on Hamas disarmament, full demilitarization, and exclusion of the Palestinian Authority from Gaza's governance.
Talk or War? US and Iran Place Diplomacy and Force Side by Side
The United States and Iran have placed both diplomacy and military options on visible display: negotiators are due to meet in Istanbul even as both capitals conduct exercises and issue stark warnings. The dual posture widens room for bargaining but also raises the risk of miscalculation and regional escalation.
Israel Signals Readiness for Multi‑Front War as Chief of Staff Orders Heightened Preparations
Israel’s Chief of Staff Zamir has declared the IDF in a period of heightened war readiness, citing lingering tensions with Iran and lessons from the October 2023 Hamas attacks. He called for both stronger defences and preparations for offensive operations across multiple theatres, signalling planning for a possible multi‑front conflict.
Trump Signals Willingness to Negotiate With Iran While Repeating Military Threats
Donald Trump said he hopes the U.S. can reach an agreement with Iran while emphasising U.S. naval strength and warning of military consequences if talks fail. Iran says it remains confident indirect negotiations are productive, insisting on sanctions relief and the right to peaceful enrichment amid a tense regional military backdrop and recent U.S.-Israel coordination.
Rafah Crossing Reopens in Limited Fashion, Easing Gaza's Humanitarian Strain
The Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt reopened on February 2 for a limited number of two-way passages after being closed since May 2024 when Israeli forces took control of the Palestinian side. The move facilitates urgent medical evacuations and limited staff movement but remains constrained by security, infrastructure and diplomatic coordination, so broader humanitarian relief is not guaranteed.
Eight Foreign Ministers Condemn Israel Over Ceasefire Breaches, Warn of Regional Fallout
Eight foreign ministers from Arab and Muslim-majority states jointly condemned Israeli violations of a Gaza ceasefire that they say caused over 1,000 Palestinian casualties, urging full implementation of the ceasefire’s next phase and restraint to protect stabilization and reconstruction efforts. The coordinated rebuke raises regional diplomatic stakes and could prompt greater international mediation or humanitarian initiatives, though its practical impact will hinge on whether it leads to tangible measures beyond rhetoric.
Eight Mostly Muslim Foreign Ministers Condemn Israel, Warning Ceasefire at Risk
Eight foreign ministers — from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, Qatar, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey — issued a joint denunciation of Israeli violations of a Gaza ceasefire, blaming the incidents for over 1,000 Palestinian casualties. The uncommon cross-regional statement warns that continued breaches could derail the ceasefire's second phase, undermine reconstruction and escalate regional tensions, while renewing calls for Palestinian self-determination and a political solution.
Talks and Triggers: Tehran and Washington Signal Diplomacy as Both Sides Brace for Wider Conflict
Iran and the United States are simultaneously engaging in cautious diplomacy and escalating military postures, with Tehran warning that any U.S. attack would quickly broaden into a regional war. The key impasse centers on uranium enrichment, ballistic missiles and Iran’s regional activities, while naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz and heightened alerts increase the risk of miscalculation.
US Destroyer Concludes Port Call to Eilat, Reinforcing Red Sea Presence
The USS Delbert D. Black completed a port call to Eilat on 1 February before departing, a move framed by the US Fifth Fleet as routine but strategically significant. The visit reinforces Washington's maritime presence in the Red Sea corridor, signaling deterrence and reassurance to regional partners amid persistent security risks to shipping.
Hamas Warns Any Conditions on Rafah Opening Would Breach Gaza Ceasefire
Hamas said on February 1 that any Israeli imposition of obstacles or conditions at the Rafah crossing would breach the Gaza ceasefire, urging mediators to oversee Israeli actions. Gaza authorities warned the mechanism for reopening remains unclear, with over 18,000 people in need of treatment outside the enclave; Israel conducted a one‑day pilot opening and said the crossing would formally open the following day.
Israeli Chief of Staff Holds Intensive Washington Talks with U.S. Military on Possible Strikes Against Iran
Israel’s chief of staff, Zamir, held intensive talks in Washington with U.S. military leaders about the possibility of strikes on Iran and tighter tactical coordination. Israel seeks advance warning from the United States before any potential action, a demand that highlights the risks of escalation and the strategic balancing the U.S. must navigate.