Report: Trump ‘Disappointed’ in Netanyahu, Will Go It Alone in Middle East

A report in Israel’s Israel Hayom says that President Donald Trump is “disappointed” in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and has decided to make his next moves in the Middle East without him.
The report, published in Hebrew and citing two sources close to Trump, would seem to corroborate the observation that Trump has cut Netanyahu out of his decision-making process on major policy steps.

Last month, Trump surprised Netanyahu by announcing that the U.S. would begin “direct” talks with the Iranian regime over a new nuclear deal. And this week, he surprised Israel again by announcing that the U.S. had reached a separate ceasefire with the Houthi rebels in Yemen — who said they would still attack Israel.

Trump has expressed frustration with Netanyahu before — notably after Netanyahu congratulated Joe Biden on winning the 2020 election, but also over Netanyahu’s reluctance to compromise with the Palestinians. During his first term, Trump appeared to blame Netanyahu for the lack of progress in peace talks — before finding that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was unwilling to compromise on key issues. ( Read More)

Trump no longer demanding Saudis recognize Israel for nuclear deal with US — sources

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — The United States is no longer demanding Saudi Arabia normalize ties with Israel as a condition for progress on civil nuclear cooperation talks, two sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters ahead of US President Donald Trump’s visit to Riyadh next week.

Dropping the demand that Saudi Arabia establish diplomatic relations with Israel would be a major concession by Washington. Under former US president Joe Biden, nuclear talks were an element of a wider US-Saudi deal tied to normalization and Riyadh’s goal of a defense treaty with Washington.

The kingdom has repeatedly said it would not recognize Israel without a guarantee of a viable path to a Palestinian state, frustrating Biden administration attempts to expand the Abraham Accords signed during Trump’s first term. Under those accords, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco normalized relations with Israel. Progress toward Saudi recognition of Israel has been halted by fury in Arab countries over the war raging in Gaza. The nuclear talks had also stumbled over Washington’s non-proliferation concerns. In a possible sign of a new approach, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said that Saudi Arabia and the United States were on a “pathway” to a civil nuclear agreement when he visited the kingdom in April. (Ed note: I had to post this news twice!)  (Read Morer)

Trump drops Israel ties as condition for Saudi nuclear talks

The United States is no longer demanding Saudi Arabia normalize ties with Israel as a condition for progress on civil nuclear cooperation talks, two sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters ahead of US President Donald Trump's visit next week. Dropping the demand that Saudi Arabia establish diplomatic relations with Israel would be a major concession by Washington.

Under former President Joe Biden, nuclear talks were an element of a wider US-Saudi deal tied to normalization and to Riyadh's goal of a defense treaty with Washington. The kingdom has repeatedly said it would not recognize Israel without a Palestinian state, frustrating Biden administration attempts to expand the Abraham Accords signed during Trump's first term.

Under those accords the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco normalized relations with Israel. Progress towards Saudi recognition of Israel has been halted by fury in Arab countries over the war raging in Gaza. The nuclear talks had also stumbled over Washington's non-proliferation concerns. In a possible sign of a new approach, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said that Saudi Arabia and the United States were on a "pathway" to a civil nuclear agreement when he visited the kingdom in April.    (Read More)

IRGC chief threatens to 'open gates of hell' on Israel, US

Iran's IRGC chief Hossein Salami issues grave threats to the US and Israel, warning of devastating retaliation if either acts against Iran. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Hossein Salami warned on Thursday that Iran would retaliate against Israel and the US should the two countries strike Iran. "I’m issuing a serious warning: if you make one wrong move, we will open up the gates of hell on you," said Salami, as quoted by Iran International.

"Sit down and stay in your place ... we have made extensive preparations. These are serious warnings to Zionist officials, to US officials. The criminal Prime Minister of the Zionist regime talks a lot these days, threatens Iran," he added. "If you make a mistake, we’ll act on you in a way that you forget the True Promise 1 and 2," he said, in reference to Iran’s attacks on Israel last year. "Don't count on THAAD. Every time you fire a projectile, we will fire more than you," Salami threatened.

The threats come amid renewed tensions over Iran’s nuclear program. While the US and Iran held three rounds of talks recently, a planned fourth round of negotiations was postponed without a new date announced. On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump said that Iran has a choice when it comes to its nuclear program: Blow up its nuclear facilities peacefully or blow them up viciously.  (Read More)

Iran's hidden nuclear facility uncovered by satellite imagery - report

New satellite images obtained by Fox News on Thursday have shown a secret Iranian nuclear weapons facility in an exclusive report by the American source.

The facility is located in the country's northern province, the Semnan Province. Iranian officials have code-named the facility the "Rainbow Site" and have masked it as a chemical production company under the name "Diba Energy Siba."

The site reportedly covers over 2,500 acres, according to the source, and has been operational for over 10 years.  (Source)

Rules in Gaza to change ‘very soon,’ Netanyahu warns Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning to Hamas on Thursday, declaring that the “rules are about to change” as the IDF prepares to expand its offensive in the Gaza Strip.

“To Hamas, I say one thing: The rules are about to change very soon,” Netanyahu said during a visit to reservists of the IDF’s 5th “HaSharon” Infantry Brigade at the Tze’elim training base in the Negev. “I came to see firsthand the quality of our soldiers—our heroes—in preparation for the intense action we are about to undertake in Gaza,” he said in remarks released by the Prime Minister’s Office.

Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s two key objectives: “First—to defeat Hamas, to be victorious over Hamas, to eliminate Hamas. The second, of course, simultaneously—is to release our hostages.”The prime minister also marked the anniversary of the 1972 rescue of hostages from Sabena Flight 571—a mission in which he participated, as a member of the General Staff Reconnaissance Unit (Sayeret Matkal), and was wounded. “The spirit has not changed—it is the exact same spirit I see here, pulsing among the soldiers and commanders, uniting everyone with one goal—to achieve a great victory.”  (Read more)

Vance Calls for European Self-Sufficiency in Address to World Leaders

WASHINGTON—Vice President JD Vance emphasized a transformation of U.S.–European relations in an address to the Munich Security Conference in Washington on May 7. “Fundamentally, we have to be, and we are on the same civilizational team,” Vance said. “There’s a big question about what that means in the 21st century.” The high-profile gathering brought together diplomats, global leaders, and security experts to discuss Europe’s defense and industrial capacity.

Vance said that Europe must become more self-sufficient, reflecting the Trump administration’s broader foreign policy shift toward prioritizing American interests and encouraging allies to share the burden of collective security. He suggested European nations need to increase defense spending to about 5 percent of gross domestic product, saying some countries were too comfortable with the existing security arrangement.

Vance’s remarks aligned with the Trump administration’s push for NATO members to exceed the 2 percent GDP defense spending target, with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte recently advocating for spending “north of 3 percent” by the alliance’s European members. Vance reinforced the idea that a solid partnership is mutually beneficial. “I do still very much think that the United States and Europe are on the same team,” he said. “European culture and American culture are very much linked, and they’re always going to be linked.” Vance said relations between the United States and Europe are at a turning point.“I do think that we’re in one of these phases where we’re going to have to rethink a lot of big questions,” he said. (Ed note: At the start of WW2, the US Congress favored a policy of neutrality and isolationism.)   (Read More)

An underwater volcano off the coast of Oregon may be about to erupt

About 300 miles off the coast of Oregon, an underwater volcano appears to be rumbling to life. Scientists who have been monitoring the vast submarine volcano for decades say a flurry of recent activity — including an uptick in earthquakes in the vicinity, and swelling of the structure itself — signals that it’s ready to erupt.

Current forecasts project that the volcano, known as Axial Seamount, could erupt anytime between now and the end of the year, according to Bill Chadwick, a volcanologist and research professor at Oregon State University. Chadwick and colleagues at the University of Washington and the University of North Carolina Wilmington have been using a network of sensors on the seafloor to eavesdrop on the volcano. 

Over the past few months, the instruments have picked up clues that Axial Seamount is stirring. In late March and early April, for instance, researchers were recording more than 1,000 earthquakes a day. The volcano has also been steadily swelling, a telltale sign that it’s filling with molten rock, Chadwick said. “This volcano is similar to the ones in Hawaii that erupt very fluid lavas,” he said. “They tend to inflate like a balloon in between eruptions. At Axial, the seafloor is actually rising, and that’s a big signal.”  (Read More)

India Launches ‘Precision Strike’ Blitz Targeting Alleged Terrorist Sites — Pakistan Vows to Retaliate

Pakistani officials vowed to retaliate for India’s “Operation Sindoor” strikes against alleged terrorist camps on Tuesday night, while India insisted its actions were “measured, non-escalatory, proportionate, and responsible.”

The Indian Army said it launched “precision strikes” against four targets in Pakistan, plus five on the Pakistani side of the disputed Kashmir region. The Indian Defense Ministry described these targets as “terrorist hideouts” belonging to three groups that could be linked to the savage April 22 terrorist attack on the tourist haven of Pahalgam in Indian Kashmir. “We are living up to the commitment that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable,” the Defense Ministry said. The name of the operation, sindoor, was taken from a red cosmetic powder used in traditional Indian weddings — a reference to the innocent honeymooning tourists who were murdered in Pahalgam.

India released a detailed description of the nine sites it attacked and its rationale for choosing each one. The sites were allegedly controlled by three different terrorist organization: Jaish-e-Mohammed (JM), Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), and the prime suspect in the Pahalgam massacre, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LT). In response to Pakistan’s complaint that some of India’s bombs struck mosques, India confirmed that it targeted mosques and madrassas (Islamic religious schools) that were headquarters for “training and indoctrination” by the terrorist groups. The Indian government pointed out that one of the madrassas used as a training camp by LT was funded by Osama bin Laden, the late founder of al-Qaeda and mastermind of the 9/11 attack on America.  (Read More)

Who Is Going To Use Nuclear Weapons First?

Will we soon witness the world’s first nuclear war? Following nuclear-armed India’s attack on nuclear-armed Pakistan, media outlets all over the globe quickly published stories about the possibility of nuclear war. In fact, this morning the main headline on the Drudge Report was “WORLD HOLDS BREATH” in all capital letters. Yes, it is entirely possible that a nuclear war could erupt between India and Pakistan. But will someone else use nuclear weapons first? In the Middle East, a showdown is looming between Israel and Iran. We know that Israel possesses nuclear weapons, and there are some experts that are convinced that the Iranians have also acquired nukes. If an all-out war erupts between Israel and Iran, I have a feeling that both sides will be forced to show what cards they are holding.

If the Iranians do have nukes, they may have gotten them from the North Koreans. If a major war erupts on the Korean peninsula, and that is a very real possibility, the North Koreans would not hesitate to use nuclear weapons.

In Europe, the conflict in Ukraine definitely has the potential to go nuclear. The Ukrainians have targeted Moscow with drone attacks for three days in a row, and they are threatening to attack Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9th. If that happens, we are being warned that Kyiv could be wiped “off the face of the Earth”. Let us hope that the Russians will continue to resist the temptation to use tactical nukes against Ukraine, because if that line is crossed any hope of peace with Russia will be completely gone.   (Read More)

What does Trump mean by ‘total dismantling’ of Iran’s nuclear program? - opinion

As the fourth round of negotiations between the US and Iran approaches, a barrage of conflicting statements, reports, and analyses continues to emerge—many riddled with inaccuracies. These stem either from a lack of understanding of technical details or from a deliberate desire to maintain ambiguity and prolong the talks. Before this new round begins, it is crucial to clarify the current status of Iran’s nuclear program and define the steps needed to ensure the international community’s stated objective—one that all, except Iran, agree on: Iran must not obtain nuclear weapons or the capability to produce them.

US President Donald Trump has returned to office with a clear message: Iran will never possess nuclear weapons. But clarity on what that entails—and how to achieve it—is still lacking. Two main camps have emerged within his administration and Republican leadership, each with its own approach to this goal. The first group includes Vice President JD Vance and Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff. The second includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio—who is also serving as National Security Advisor—and senior Republican senators Lindsey Graham and Tom Cotton.

Former National Security Advisor Michael Waltz had been a key figure in this camp before stepping down, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appears to remain undecided. Trump has emphasized the need for the “total dismantling” of Iran’s nuclear capabilities, particularly its enrichment activities. He has made clear he does not oppose Iran pursuing peaceful nuclear energy, provided it is strictly civilian. (Read More)

Defense Minister Katz warns Iran: 'What we did to the Houthis – we'll do in Tehran'

Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz warns Iranian leadership amid ongoing Houthi threats, declaring the end of the 'proxy era' and vowing direct retaliation for any attacks.
Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning to Iran on Thursday morning, asserting that Israel will not hesitate to respond to any Houthi attacks on its territory.

"Israel must be capable of defending itself independently against any threat and enemy. This has been true in the past and will remain so in the future. The Houthis will suffer heavy blows from Israel if they continue to fire at us. The IDF is prepared for any mission," Katz stated. He also directed a pointed message to the Iranian regime, which he accused of funding, arming, and operating the Houthi terrorist organization.

"I warn the Iranian leadership: the era of proxies is over, and the axis of evil has collapsed. You bear direct responsibility. What we did to Hezbollah in Beirut, to Hamas in Gaza, to [former Syrian President Bashar al-]Assad in Damascus, and to the Houthis in Yemen – we will do to you in Tehran. We will not allow anyone to harm Israel – and those who harm us will be severely harmed," Katz concluded.   (Read More)

Houthi missile targeting Israel falls short over Saudi Arabia - report

The IDF identified a missile launched towards Israel from Yemen by Houthi terrorists that fell over Saudi Arabia without being intercepted on Wednesday, according to reports in Israeli media. On Tuesday, Israel carried out airstrikes targeting Sanaa International Airport, electric power stations, and a cement factory. The damages caused by the Israeli strike on Yemen's Sanaa International Airport amount to half a billion dollars, according to reports in Yemen.

Dozens of aircraft were involved in the strikes, the IDF shared, dropping over 50 munitions to weaken the Houthis, as the air force did on Monday and on January 11. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday the US would stop bombing the Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen, saying that the group had agreed to stop attacking US ships.

A ceasefire deal between the Houthis and the US does not include sparing Israel, the group said on Wednesday, suggesting its shipping attacks that have disrupted global trade and challenged world powers will not come to a complete halt.    (Source)

China announces sweeping measures to ease policy in bid to shore up trade-war hit economy

China's central bank and financial regulators announced sweeping policy steps Wednesday, including interest rate cuts, as Beijing ramps up efforts to bolster growth amid mounting trade worries. China will cut the seven-day reverse repurchase rates by 10 basis points to 1.4% from 1.5%, the People's Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng said at a press briefing. That will bring down the loan prime rate, the main policy rate, by around 10 basis points, the governor said. 

The central bank will also lower the reserve requirement ratio, which determines the amount of cash banks must hold in reserves, by 50 basis points, unleashing additional liquidity of 1 trillion yuan ($138.5 billion) to the market. The lower policy rates will come into effects Thursday, while the RRR relaxation will be effective May 15, according to state media Xinhua.

The officials also announced measures to support financing for several key sectors, including technology and real estate, along with establishing of a 500-billion-yuan relending tool for consumption and elderly care. The PBOC will reduce the mortgage rates under the nation's housing provident fund, a government-backed housing lender, by 25 basis points. Rates on five-year loans for first-time homebuyers will be trimmed to 2.6% from 2.85%, the governor said. It will also gradually lower the amount of cash that auto financing firms must hold in reserves to zero from the current 5%. These measures, however, may have limited impact on boosting domestic credit demand, said Tianchen Xu, senior economist at Economist Intelligence Unit, as "borrowing has been somewhat insensitive to interest rates." (Ed note: Trump can win with the Tariffs, if he is given enough time.)   (Read More)

India launches air strikes on Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir

If you're just joining us...
Things have been moving fast in the hours since India launched airstrikes on Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. If you're just joining us, here's a quick recap:Delhi says it has struck nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir in a "focused, measured and non-escalatory" manner
Pakistan has confirmed three locations have been hit in what it described as a "cowardly attack". Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar has said eight civilians have died and 35 others have been injured. India has not commented on the toll.Pakistan has said Islamabad will respond "at a time and place of its choosing".

Reuters and AFP quote Indian army sources as saying three Indian civilians have been killed in military action by Pakistani troops in Indian-administered Kashmir. Official confirmation is awaited. Residents in Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-administered Kashmir told the BBC they were jolted awake by huge explosions. Locals in Indian-administered Kashmir said they heard explosions near the Line of Control, the de-facto border between the two countries.

Relations between India and Pakistan - both nuclear-armed states - have declined sharply following a deadly militant attack on tourists in Kashmir last month. Pakistan has denied involvement in the attacks, but Indian police say two of the four militants they suspect for the attack were Pakistani citizens. A manhunt by the security forces is still under way. Both India and Pakistan have announced a range of retaliatory measures against one another including closing borders and suspending a river water treaty. Troops from both sides have also traded small arms fire.  (Source)

War on the horizon? India fires missiles towards Pakistan, which downs Indian fighter jets

India confirmed on Tuesday that it launched missiles towards Pakistan, amid heightened tensions between the two countries following a series of terrorist attacks in Kashmir. Pakistani security officials said the missiles struck locations in Kashmir and in the country’s eastern Punjab province. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

India’s Defense Ministry said in a statement that it had targeted at least nine sites “where terrorist attacks against India have been planned.” “Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistan military facilities have been targeted,” the statement said, adding that “India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution.”

Later, Pakistan's air defense forces shot down two Indian fighter jets, and an exchange of fire between Pakistani and Indian forces erupted at several points along the border in Kashmir. Earlier on Tuesday, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif issued a threatening message, stating that if India were to launch a nuclear missile at Pakistan, Pakistan would retaliate. “If India dares to attack Pakistan and Pakistan’s existence is threatened, no one will survive in this world,” he said. The escalation follows a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed.  (Source)

India Orders Civilian Defense Drills as Tensions with Pakistan Mount

India’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday ordered several states, including the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region and areas close to the Pakistani border, to conduct civilian defense drills amid rising tensions with Pakistan.

India and Pakistan have yet to engage in open hostilities beyond some ineffectual small-arms fire exchanged by border guards, but each has imposed a raft of sanctions and penalties on the other following the deadly April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the Himalayan tourist haven of Indian-controlled Kashmir. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to pursue the perpetrators of the terror attack “to the ends of the earth” and make them “pay beyond their imagination” for gunning down dozens of tourists in Pahalgam.

Many Indians believe the Pakistani government either turned a blind eye to the terrorists responsible or actively colluded in the attack. Pakistan has denied any involvement with the terrorists and criticized India for suggesting it might be responsible for the bloodshed. Pakistani officials have repeatedly said they believe India is hours or days away from launching some form of military action. On Monday, MHA instructed several Indian states to test civilian readiness for an attack by rehearsing evacuation plans, checking communication systems, testing their air raid warning sirens, teaching emergency procedures to civilian residents, and deploying camouflage around vital installations. (Read more)

Iran Tests Missile It Claims Can Penetrate U.S. and Israeli Defenses

Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said on Sunday that Iran has successfully tested an advanced solid-fueled ballistic missile that can penetrate the American-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system and strike targets in Israel. According to Nasirzadeh and Iranian state media, the new Qassem Basir missile is an upgrade of the old Martyr Hajj Qassem ballistic missile, which performed rather poorly during Iran’s two missile attacks on Israel last year.

Both the old and new versions of the missile are named after Iranian terrorist mastermind Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who was killed while plotting attacks against Americans in Iraq by an airstrike ordered by President Donald Trump in January 2020.

The Iranian regime has long claimed its missile strikes were actually highly effective and struck terror into the heart of Israel, despite reports that 99 percent of its weapons were intercepted before reaching their targets. Nasirzadeh’s rollout of the new missile was something of a landmark in that he tacitly admitted the missiles Iran used in 2024 had some problems. He claimed “weaknesses” revealed during what Iran refers to as “Operation True Promise” have been corrected, so the Qassem Basir missile is now capable of getting past THAAD.  (Ed note: Solid state propellant is not required or necessary for a rocket to reach Israel or Saudi Arabia, but will be used on ICBM's to reach America!)   (Read More)

Israel Warns Iran Will Also Bear ‘Full Consequences’ for Houthi Attacks

In the wake of Israel’s massive attack Tuesday on Sana’a International Airport — along with several power stations and a concrete factory — Iran was warned that it, too, will bear the consequences of the missile attacks on Israel by its Yemeni proxy, the Houthis. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said Tuesday following the Israeli airstrikes that whoever harms the Jewish State will themselves be struck. “I have said many times that whoever attacks the State of Israel – his blood is on his head,” Netanyahu said.

“Yesterday I said that the attack by the Houthi will be answered not with ‘a blow and we are done’ – but with ‘blows’. So yesterday we dealt a blow, a heavy blow to the port of Hodeidah. Today our planes attacked the airport in Sana’a, the airport that enables the terrorist army and the air entry into the terrorist state, which enables the firing of missiles against us.

Our choice of when to respond, how to respond, and on what targets to respond – this is a consideration we make every time,” the prime minister said, adding, “This also concerns the patron of the Houthis – Iran, without whose approval and their support over time, the Houthis cannot carry out their criminal missile attack on us.” Defense Minister Israel Katz also issued a statement, reiterating a statement he made following the Houthi missile attack that struck Ben Gurion International Airport. “Whoever harms us – we will harm them sevenfold,” Katz said. He added a warning to Iran as well.   (Read More)

Smotrich says Gaza to be ‘totally destroyed,’ population ‘concentrated’ in small area

Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich shared his vision for the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, predicting that within half a year, the population of the territory would be confined to just a narrow swath of land, with the remainder of the enclave “totally destroyed.”

In remarks at a “Settlements Conference” organized by the Makor Rishon newspaper in the West Bank settlement of Ofra, Smotrich also declared that Israel would “apply sovereignty” in the West Bank within the lifetime of the current government, which is due to expire in October 2026, unless elections are called earlier.

“Within a few months, we will be able to declare that we have won. Gaza will be totally destroyed,” Smotrich said. “In another six months, Hamas won’t exist as a functioning entity.” He told the listening audience that the population of Gaza, some 2.3 million Palestinians, would be “concentrated” in a narrow strip of land between the Egyptian border and the so-called Morag Corridor, which runs the width of Gaza between Khan Younis and the border city of Rafah. The area would be a “humanitarian” zone, the Religious Zionism leader said, “absent of Hamas and terrorism.” "The rest of the Strip, he added, “will be empty.”    (Read More)

Almost half of Gaza Palestinians willing to ask Israel to help them leave — poll

Ramallah think tank finds majorities in Gaza and West Bank oppose Hamas disarmament, unconvinced Israel will withdraw if demands met; 87% deny Hamas committed ‘the atrocities seen in videos’ from Oct. 7. Almost half of Gazans may be willing to apply to Israel to help them leave to other countries, according to a survey released Tuesday that also showed that support for anti-Hamas protests is much higher in the Gaza Strip than in the West Bank. 

The poll also showed that for the first time since the Gaza war was sparked by the Hamas onslaught of October 7, 2023, more Gazans thought Israel rather than Hamas would emerge victorious, though a plurality thought the war would end in a stalemate. Gazans were also more likely to support concessions from Hamas, but a majority still thought these would not make Israel withdraw from the Strip.    

The survey by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PCPSR), which is based in Ramallah and funded by Western donors, was based on polling of people across the Gaza Strip and West Bank on May 1-4, some six weeks after Israel resumed hostilities in Gaza. The survey found that 49 percent of respondents would be willing to apply to Israel to help them emigrate via Israeli ports and airports, versus 50% who said they would not be willing to do so.  (Read More)

Trump: There are only 21 living hostages remaining in Gaza

US President Donald Trump spoke to reporters on Tuesday and stated that 21 of the 59 remaining hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza are still alive. "They told me a few days ago that there are only 21 hostages alive in Gaza," he said. “As of today, it’s 21. Three have died.”He did not provide additional details

Following the remarks, Coordinator for the Hostages and Missing Gal Hirsch issued a statement in which he clarified, “Currently, 59 hostages are being held by the Hamas terrorist organization. 24 of them are listed as living hostages. 35 of them are listed as deceased hostages, with their deaths having been officially confirmed.”

Hirsch added, "54 of the hostages are Israeli citizens. Five of the hostages are foreign citizens. The Captives and Missing Persons Unit maintains continuous contact with all the hostages' families, and we are available to them for updates, clarifications, and reviews through various means at all times. All the hostages' families are always updated with the information we have regarding their loved ones." Trump told the reporters that he is not planning to make a stop in Israel during his trip to the Middle East next week, but added that he might visit Israel at some point in the future. (Read More)

UAE mediating secret talks between Israel and Syria, sources say

The United Arab Emirates has set up a backchannel for talks between Israel and Syria, three people familiar with the matter said, as Syria's new rulers seek regional help to manage an increasingly hostile relationship with their southern neighbor.

The indirect contacts, which have not been previously reported, are focused on security and intelligence matters and confidence-building between two states with no official relations, a person with direct knowledge of the matter, a Syrian security source, and a regional intelligence official said.

The first source described the effort, which began days after Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa visited the UAE on April 13, as currently focused on "technical matters," and said there was no limit to what may eventually be discussed. The senior Syrian security source told Reuters the backchannel was limited strictly to security-related issues, focusing on several counterterrorism files.The source said that purely military matters, particularly those concerning Israeli army activities in Syria, fell outside the scope of the current channel.   (Read More)

Israel strikes Houthi port in Yemen after attack on Ben-Gurion Airport

Israeli fighter jets attacked the Houthi-controlled Hudaydah port in Yemen, which serves as a “major” income source for the terror regime, the Israel Defense Forces said on Monday night. “The strike was conducted in response to the repeated attacks by the Houthis against Israel, during which surface-to-surface missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles were launched toward Israeli civilians,” the IDF stated.

“The terrorist infrastructure sites struck in the Hudaydah port serve as a central supply source for the Houthis, used for the transfer of Iranian weapons,” per the IDF, which said it also attacked a concrete plant, located east of the city.

The plant “functions as a significant economic resource and is used for the construction of underground tunnels and terrorist infrastructure for the Houthis,” the Israeli military stated. “The strike on the terrorist infrastructure sites was conducted precisely, with measures taken to mitigate harm to vessels docked at the port.”   (Read More)

20 Israeli fighter jets strike in Yemen after Houthi missile hits Ben Gurion Airport

The Israeli Air Force on Monday evening carried out airstrikes in the Houthi-held port city of Hodeidah in Yemen in response to the Iran-backed terror group’s ballistic missile attack on Ben Gurion Airport that left several injured a day earlier.

According to the military, the strikes carried out by some 20 IAF fighter jets targeted Houthi infrastructure along the coast of Yemen, including at the Hodeidah port and a concrete factory near the nearby city of Bajil, some 2,000 kilometers from Israel.

The jets dropped 50 munitions on the Houthi targets, the military said, publishing images showing the jets preparing for takeoff. IAF refuelers and spy planes also participated in the operation. The Israel Defense Forces said the Hodeidah port was used by the Houthis “for the transfer of Iranian weapons, equipment for military needs, and other terror purposes.” (Read More)

Smotrich: Israelis should embrace the word ‘occupation,’ IDF won’t withdraw from Gaza

Israel will not withdraw from the Gaza Strip even if there is another hostage deal, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich insists, calling on Israelis to embrace “occupation.” “We are finally going to occupy the Gaza Strip. We will stop being afraid of the word ‘occupation,'” Smotrich tells Channel 12 journalist Amit Segal during a conference organized by the right-wing Besheva newspaper.   

“We are finally taking control of all humanitarian aid, so that it does not become supplies for Hamas. We are separating Hamas from the population, cleansing the Strip, returning the hostages — and defeating Hamas,” he says — adding that once the new offensive in Gaza begins there will be “no retreat from the territories we have conquered, not even in exchange for hostages.”   

“The only way to release the hostages is to subdue Hamas. Any retreat will bring about the next October 7,” he says. “Once as we occupy and stay [in Gaza] we can talk about sovereignty. But I did not demand that this be included among the goals of the war. First, we will defeat Hamas and prevent it from existing,” Smotrich says.   (Source)

Netanyahu: ‘Gideon’s Chariots’ to seize, hold Gaza ground

The IDF operation in Gaza will intensify and Israeli forces will remain in every area they capture, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Monday in a direct video message. Speaking in a Q&A video posted to his X account and translated from Hebrew by Ynet, Netanyahu said the decision followed a late-night Security Cabinet meeting and was based on a recommendation from IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir.

We decided on intensified action in Gaza,” the prime minister said. “That was the IDF chief of staff’s recommendation—to move, as he said, toward the defeat of Hamas. He believes this will also help us rescue the hostages. I agree with him. “We are not letting up on this effort and will not give up on anyone,” Netanyahu continued.

“We decided on intensified action in Gaza,” the prime minister said. “That was the IDF chief of staff’s recommendation—to move, as he said, toward the defeat of Hamas. He believes this will also help us rescue the hostages. I agree with him.

“We are not letting up on this effort and will not give up on anyone,” Netanyahu continued. He added that, unlike in past wars, the military would station reserve forces in territories seized during fighting. “There will be movement of the population in order to protect them,” he said.   (Read More)

Trump: 'We'll help people of Gaza, Hamas is taking everything'

US President says America will help ensure Gazans receive food, blames Hamas for situation when asked if the US supports Israel's decision to expand combat operations in Gaza.

US President Donald Trump commented today (Monday) on the expansion of IDF operations in the Gaza Strip. “We're going to help the people of Gaza get some food. People are starving, and we're going to help them get some food," Trump said when asked if he supports Israel's decision.

"A lot of people are making it very, very bad. If you look, Hamas is making it impossible because they're taking everything," he added. Trump vowed, "We're gonna help the people of Gaza, because they're being treated very badly by Hamas.”   (Source)

Hamas: We oppose the transfer of humanitarian aid through Israel

The Hamas terrorist organization accuses Israel of "deliberate actions to cause starvation and bearing full responsibility for the escalating humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip." The Hamas terrorist organization describes Israel’s plan to expand its military operation in the Gaza Strip, which includes humanitarian aid, as a "deception designed to reduce international pressure." 

  

The plan approved by the government early Monday morning stipulates that the IDF will reinforce its troops and act decisively to defeat and subdue Hamas, destroy its military and governing capabilities, while exerting strong pressure to secure the release of all hostages.

A key component of the plan is the widespread evacuation of the entire Gazan population from combat zones, including northern Gaza, to areas in southern Gaza, while creating a separation between them and Hamas terrorists—to allow the IDF operational freedom. In a statement issued on Monday, Hamas expressed strong opposition to turning humanitarian aid into what it described as a tool for political extortion or subjecting it to Israel’s conditions.  (Read More)

'Al-Sharaa’s grip is weak': IDF doubts Syria’s control as Golan buffer zone expands

Six months after entering the Syrian Golan without resistance, Israeli troops face a divided landscape—stability in the north under Ahmad al-Sharaa, volatility in the south, and uncertainty over who truly controls the fractured country next door. An Israeli paratrooper from the 202nd Battalion swings open the yellow gate at the Quneitra crossing, the only passage point between Israel and Syria. He steps forward without a helmet—a sign of the relatively low threat level. Eight yards ahead, a fellow soldier opens the inner gray gate with the press of a button. 

 
Once a symbol of Syrian sovereignty, the crossing has faded. The Syrian flag that flew above the checkpoint just months ago is now tattered, and a portrait of Hafez al-Assad—the late president who negotiated a 1974 ceasefire with Israel—lies in fragments across the abandoned border post. Roughly 50 miles east, Israeli helicopters recently delivered supplies to Druze communities in As-Suwayda, and more than 20 wounded Druze have crossed into Israel for treatment. 

But at the border, the gunfire remains distant for now. Six months after Israeli forces entered the Syrian side of the Golan Heights without a fight, the Israel Defense Forces has tripled its deployment in the area. After an initial period of calm, two diverging realities have taken shape.  (Read more)

US Tariffs May Drive China’s Economy Into a Depression, Experts Say

Exports made up one-third of China’s economic growth last year. Export numbers are hard for the regime to forge as they have to match other countries’ imports. Li, a garment exporter in southern China, said the United States’ steep tariffs have dealt a devastating blow to his business. The business owner from Guangzhou Province said his orders from the United States “evaporated” as the levies escalated.

Li is not alone. Most Chinese exporters are in the same boat. On social media platforms in China, they discuss their dilemma. A few said they were immune from the impact of U.S. tariffs owing to their irreplaceable products. These exporters reported that U.S. orders formed the majority of their business—and were the most lucrative. Without the American market, no other region, including Europe, can fill the void. Exports had been among the few bright spots during China’s bumpy economic recovery since late 2022, when the regime ended its strict COVID-19 lockdown measures. Now it’s hit hard by tariffs.

Beijing’s official economic data show that China’s economy has still been growing, albeit at a slower pace. Some experts dispute these figures—they say China’s economy is already in recession, and U.S. tariffs may make things a lot worse. “China’s in a real problem period,” Rod Martin, founder and CEO of Martin Capital, told The Epoch Times. Beijing will have trouble backing down from its standoff with the United States, he said, because Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping “has clearly created his whole persona around being the leader who can stand up to America.”  (Read More)

Press Release: Zion Oil & Gas Announces Gas to Surface Onshore in Israel During Initial Flowback

Targeted perforation zone and stimulation operations are successful.

DALLAS, Texas, and CAESAREA, Israel, May 5, 2025. Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. (OTC: ZNOG) announces that initial flowback operations from its Megiddo-Jezreel #1 (MJ-01) well re-entry have resulted in gas reaching the surface onshore in Israel.

Perforation and stimulation operations were successfully completed, with gas observed at surface during early flowback.

The well is currently in the stimulation fluid recovery and cleaning phase. Zion is sourcing additional equipment for that to continue flowback testing and conduct volumetric analysis to evaluate reservoir characteristics. These efforts are part of Zion’s ongoing plan to assess the well’s production potential.
About Zion Oil & Gas, Inc.

Zion Oil & Gas, a U.S. public company traded on OTCQB: ZNOG, is dedicated to exploring for oil and gas onshore in Israel under its Megiddo Valleys License 434 which covers approximately 75,000 acres. For more information, visit www.zionoil.com.  (Source)

Houthis threaten: We will impose an aerial blockade on Israel

The military spokesperson of the Houthis in Yemen announces the imposition of a "comprehensive aerial blockade on Israel." The Houthi military spokesperson in Yemen, Yahya Saree, threatened on Sunday evening to impose a "comprehensive aerial blockade on Israel," following the group's launch of a missile that struck Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday morningHe warned the move will be carried out "through repeated strikes on airports, primarily Ben Gurion Airport." Additionally, he called on international airlines to cease flying to Israel.

Earlier, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shared remarks made by US President Donald Trump about a month and a half ago regarding the need to exact a price from the Houthis, emphasizing that Israel will strike not only the Houthis but also their backers in Iran. "President Trump is absolutely right! Attacks by the Houthis emanate from Iran. Israel will respond to the Houthi attack against our main airport AND, at a time and place of our choosing, to their Iranian terror master," Netanyahu wrote.

The Israel Air Force’s inquiry into its failure to intercept the missile which landed near Ben Gurion Airport found that the source of the failure was a technical error in the interceptor missile, and not in the Arrow system battery, Kan 11 News reported. The inquiry found that the first interceptor did not operate as expected due to a technical error, and the second interceptor, which was launched by the American THAAD system, missed its target. (Source)

After Houthi strike near Israel’s main airport, officials signal shift: 'Time for restraint is over'

Israel will respond to Houthi missile attack near Ben Gurion Airport, officials say, after flight cancellations; Netanyahu echoes Trump’s past warning that Iran would face consequences. Israel signaled a significant policy shift Sunday following a Houthi missile strike from Yemen that landed near Ben Gurion International Airport, its primary air gateway. In an emergency security meeting convened just hours after the strike, top Israeli officials concluded that “the time for restraint is over” and that Israel is preparing direct action against Houthi targets in Yemen. 

The missile strike, which Israel says caused “significant strategic damage,” prompted multiple foreign airlines to cancel flights to and from Israel. The resulting disruption to international air traffic, officials noted, has had broader economic and security implications. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with senior ministers and heads of the Mossad, Shin Bet and IDF, participated in the call, which was followed by a session of the Security Cabinet. Until now, Israel had refrained from striking Houthi targets, reportedly out of deference to the United States, which has led a broad offensive against the Iran-backed militia since the collapse of the ceasefire in Gaza in March.

Israeli officials acknowledged that while U.S. operations in Yemen have been “very effective,” the Houthis still possess a significant arsenal of ballistic missiles, dozens of which have been fired at Israel in recent weeks. Washington has told Jerusalem it prefers to act alone but will not oppose an Israeli response following Sunday’s strike. (Ed Note:Remember that besides Israel's Air Force, they maintain a Navy which includes Corvette Sa'ar 5 and Sa'ar 6 ships, along with Dolphin-class diesel-electric submarines that are capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear weapons.) (Read more)

'Israel will respond to Iran' | Netanyahu's hint to Trump following strike on airport

Prime Minister echoes Trump's post, which blamed Iran for the Houthi attacks, and promised 'Israel will respond to the Houthi attack against our main airport AND, at a time and place of our choosing, to their Iranian terror master.' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shared a post by US President Donald Trump from a month and a half ago, in which he warned that Iran would be held responsible for attacks by the Houthis. "President Trump is absolutely right! Attacks by the Houthis emanate from Iran. Israel will respond to the Houthi attack against our main airport AND, at a time and place of our choosing, to their Iranian terror master," Netanyahu wrote.

In his post from March, the US President wrote: "Let nobody be fooled! The hundreds of attacks being made by Houthi, the sinister mobsters and thugs based in Yemen, who are hated by the Yemeni people, all emanate from and are created by Iran. Any further attack or retaliation by the 'Houthis' will be met with great force, and there is no guarantee that that force will stop there. Iran has played "the innocent victim" of rogue terrorists from which they've lost control, but they haven't lost control.

They're dictating every move, giving them the weapons, supplying them with money and highly sophisticated Military equipment, and even, so-called, "Intelligence." Every shot fired by the Houthis will be looked upon, from this point forward, as being a shot fired from the weapons and leadership of Iran, and Iran will be held responsible, and suffer the consequences, and those consequences will be dire!"    (Read More)

Israeli security analyst: Iran at its weakest in 45 years, Israel could strike before US deal

Israel could attack Iran’s nuclear sites before the end of the U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, says Israel analyst Dr. Dan Diker, president of the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs. Dr. Diker spoke at an event last week called Voices of Valor, organized by Ynet, ILTV News, and Israel+ for Memorial Day and Independence Day, where he stated that the Islamic Republic has “been hit very hard” by Israel over the last year.

During an interview with ILTV’s Lidar Grave-Lazi, Dr. Diker spoke about the possibility of an Israeli strike against Iran. Responding to the question, “Is Israel missing an historic opportunity to deal a deadly blow to the regime once and for all, in your view?” Dr. Diker said the Jewish state still has an opportunity, but also affirmed that “Iran has been dealt a blow” by Israel.

“There have been two direct attacks by Israel,” Dr. Diker pointed out. “Israel has just completely destroyed its air defense system in strategic strikes.”Dr. Diker noted that the Iranian proxy strategy, which appeared to be very solid at the outbreak of the Oct. 7 Gaza War in 2023, “has essentially been destroyed.” “Let's remember, Iran is not Iran only,” Diker argued. “It's Iran and what they call the axis of resistance, the terror proxy network. That has essentially been destroyed. It has been dismantled.”This has led to an unprecedented weakening of Iran, according to Dr. Diker. “Iran is at its most vulnerable that it's been in 45 years. And Israel has the opportunity to take military action.” However, the analyst also argued that this weakness gives Israel time to make a decision.    (Read More)