Beyond the Brink: Washington’s Secret Fear that Israel’s Nuclear Trigger is Set to "Hair-Trigger"

Trump administration officials are quietly raising alarms about Israel's nuclear weapons program, with one official warning of a "low boil of unease" over what could push Israel to use its nuclear arsenal even absent a direct weapons-of-mass-destruction threat. a disclosure that adds a new and volatile dimension to the ongoing war with Iran. Recent discussions among Trump administration officials have focused on what might trigger an Israeli nuclear response, with concerns emerging that the threshold may be lower than Washington previously assessed, according to U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

One administration official said U.S. officials are worried that Washington does not fully understand Israel's red lines, adding that scenarios involving an overwhelmed Israeli air defense system and an unusually high civilian death toll have been discussed "frequently." A scenario gaining fresh scrutiny involves Israel's air defenses becoming overwhelmed by missile or rocket fire from its neighbors. Those concerns were sharpened after a dramatic episode earlier this year: in March, Iranian missiles struck the cities of Dimona and Arad, near Israel's main nuclear research facilities.

The private anxiety within the executive branch is now colliding with a public push from Capitol Hill. In a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio obtained by The Washington Post, more than two dozen lawmakers led by Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) argued that Washington's silence on Israel's nuclear program is indefensible amid the war with Iran and the acute threat of military escalation. The lawmakers argued that the U.S. policy of ambiguity no longer reflects current realities and undermines congressional oversight during a period of heightened regional tensions. They also asked whether Israel had conveyed to the United States its "red lines" for using nuclear weapons in the current conflict.

"We cannot develop coherent nonproliferation policy for the Middle East while maintaining a policy of official silence about the nuclear weapons capabilities of one party central to the ongoing conflict," the lawmakers wrote. The letter challenges a policy with roots stretching back more than half a century. The origin of U.S.-Israeli silence on the nuclear issue dates back to an informal agreement between President Richard Nixon and Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir in 1969, when Washington effectively accepted Israel's policy of nuclear ambiguity and agreed to shield it from international scrutiny.

Israel has never publicly acknowledged possessing a nuclear arsenal. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, independent estimates suggest Israel holds roughly 90 plutonium-based nuclear warheads. (Ed note: President Jimmy Carter, in April 1977 officially terminated federal support for commercial nuclear fuel reprocessing and deferred the breeder reactor program to curb nuclear proliferation. It is known that some of the unemployed scientists went to France and some went to Israel.  In September 1979, the Vela incident that happened in the South African territory of Prince Edward Islands in the Indian Ocean,is thought to have been done by Israel.)  (Read More)

US-Iran deal won't meet Isael's war goals on nukes, missiles and proxies

Israeli officials warn the proposed agreement may leave Iran’s missile arsenal intact, ease financial pressure on Tehran and limit the IDF’s freedom of action in Lebanon; They support continuing siege on Iran and say Iran likely will cheat from the outset. 

  

Israel fears the emerging agreement between the United States and Iran will not restrict Tehran’s development of ballistic missiles. Israeli officials are also concerned it could undermine the IDF’s freedom of action in Lebanon, and perhaps even lead to a demand for withdrawal. Some diplomatic officials are warning that the IDF could be handcuffed and paralyzed in Lebanon. Added to that are a series of objectives cited at the start of the war as goals Israel sought to achieve — and the emerging agreement does not necessarily address them.

Another concern raised in Israel is that the agreement will unfreeze billions of dollars for Iran, funds that could ultimately be directed toward rearmament and strengthening Tehran’s proxies across the region. Israeli officials said Wednesday night that most of the Israeli defense establishment supports continuing the siege on Iran, arguing that the Islamic Republic is collapsing from within — and that an agreement would be harmful because Iran is expected to cheat from the outset.

“It is terrible for Israel,” said an Israeli official familiar with the details. “This is a bad agreement that only perpetuates the ayatollahs’ rule. It is a lifeline for them, when every day that passes brings them closer to collapse.” Israel is also disappointed that the emerging agreement would limit uranium enrichment for only 15 years, even though U.S. President Donald Trump declared that “Iran will never have a nuclear weapon.” “How is this much different from Obama’s nuclear deal?” one Israeli official asked. “That deal had a sunset clause, and so does this one. Iran cheated anyway and will have to wait in any case, then break out to a bomb when Trump is no longer here.” (Read More)

Trump reportedly paused Hormuz naval escorts after Saudi Arabia denied use of its airspace

US President Donald Trump halted the naval operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz after Saudi Arabia told the United States it wouldn’t allow American aircraft taking part involved in the effort to take off from or fly through the Gulf kingdom’s skies, NBC News reports. Citing US officials, the report says the Saudis and other Gulf states were surprised by Trump’s announcement of Project Freedom on Sunday, adding that the US president later spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about the matter but was unable to reach a resolution.

Asked by the network if the operation caught Saudi leaders off guard, a source from the kingdom tells NBC that “the problem with that premise is that things are happening quickly in real time.” The source also says Saudi Arabia is “very supportive of the diplomatic efforts” by Pakistan to broker an agreement between the US and Iran.

A White House spokesperson says “regional allies were notified in advance,” though a Middle Eastern diplomat quoted by NBC says the US didn’t coordinate with Oman until after Trump’s announcement. “The US made an announcement and then coordinated with us,” the diplomat says, adding, “we were not upset or angry.”  (Source)

"Absurd War": Saudi Royals Slam Trump’s Strategy Against Iran

Senior members of the Saudi royal family have characterized President Trump’s military campaign as absurd, warning that the pressure is actually pushing Iran to obtain nuclear weapons in secret.

A senior official within the Saudi royal house has delivered a blunt critique of American strategy, suggesting that the current war against Iran is achieving the exact opposite of its intended goals. In a conversation with N12, the source argued that rather than weakening the Iranian regime, the intense military and economic pressure is forcing Tehran to accelerate its efforts to obtain a nuclear weapon through sophisticated and indirect means.

The Saudi source labeled the campaign an "absurd war," suggesting that unless the administration is prepared to completely topple the regime, the current strategy serves little purpose. The official compared the situation to the 2003 fall of Baghdad, noting that a halfway measure only leaves the region more dangerous. Riyadh believes that Tehran’s recent attacks in the Gulf were merely a pressure tactic to stop the war, rather than a desire for a wider conflict.

"Trump went to an absurd war," the Saudi royal source remarked, "he either overthrows the Iranian regime as his predecessor Bush did in Baghdad, or he shouldn't have gone to this war in the first place." The official expressed deep concern that the fear of a surprise American or Israeli strike will lead Iran to seek a nuclear deterrent at any cost. This assessment highlights a growing rift in how the Gulf states view the effectiveness of Washington's "maximum pressure" model. (Read More)

IDF targets top Hezbollah commander in first strike in Beirut in almost a month

Israel on Wednesday evening carried out its first airstrike in Beirut since before the ceasefire in Lebanon entered into effect last month, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz saying the Air Force targeted the commander of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force. Hezbollah and Israel have continued to attack each other since US President Donald Trump first announced a ceasefire on April 16, which has now largely unraveled, though fighting remains at a lower level than before. After the Israeli Air Force struck the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, a Hezbollah stronghold, Netanyahu and Katz issued a joint statement saying, “The IDF has just struck in Beirut the commander of the Radwan Force in the Hezbollah terror organization to eliminate him.”

The Israeli leaders said Radwan Force operatives “were responsible for firing [rockets] at Israeli communities and harming IDF soldiers.” “No terrorist has immunity, Israel’s long arm will reach every enemy and murderer. We promised to bring security to the residents of the north. This is how we act, and this is how we will continue to act,” they added. A source close to Hezbollah told AFP that “Malek Ballout, the operations commander in the Radwan Force,” was killed in the Israeli strike. The Israel Defense Forces did not immediately comment on the rare strike in the Lebanese capital, the first in almost a month, with the last having been on April 8 — after Trump asked Israel to stop targeting Beirut.

Earlier on Wednesday, three Israeli soldiers were injured in Hezbollah explosive drone attacks in southern Lebanon, as the Iran-backed terror group continued to launch attacks on troops and on northern communities. According to the IDF, Hezbollah launched several explosive drones and rockets at Israeli troops stationed in southern Lebanon throughout the day. In one incident, a soldier was severely wounded by an explosive drone. In another incident, two drones exploded near Israeli forces, injuring one soldier moderately and another lightly. All three were taken to hospitals and their families were notified, the army said. (Read More)

Gaza rebuild priced at $71 billion, with most homes and nearly all businesses destroyed

Rebuilding Gaza to its prewar state will cost upwards of $71 billion over five years, according to a recent report by the World Bank, United Nations and European Union, the first such assessment of the damage caused to the enclave afteran October ceasefire halted two years of war there. The sweeping report, which is more highly detailed than previous assessments conducted during the war, found that the war caused $35.2 billion in physical damage, and it put economic losses — including lost income, displacement-induced costs and more — at an estimated at $22.7 billion. The total is some $5 billion higher than the last Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment, or RDNA, reported by the World Bank, UN and EU as of October 2024.

Reconstruction in the Strip is largely at a standstill due to the lack of progress toward phase two of the US peace plan, which envisioned the ceasefire reached on October 9, 2025, leading to a transition that will end the Hamas terror group’s rule of the Strip. The Israel Defense Forces continues to hold over 50 percent of the enclave’s territory, and has refused to allow most heavy equipment into the part of the Strip outside of its control — where nearly all Gazans now live — without Hamas first disarming under the plan.

“Economically, the situation in Gaza has not changed since the ceasefire until now,” said Saif al-Din Odeh, an economist based in Gaza who previously worked for the Palestinian Monetary Authority, on the stagnation in the Strip over the past six months. The study, published April 20, outlines a three-phase reconstruction plan aimed not only at restoring prewar conditions but also at improving governance and service delivery, starting with a focus on food assistance, temporary housing, temporary learning spaces, and field hospitals over the first year and a half. It envisions large-scale rebuilding of housing, healthcare, and education systems over the next 18 months, followed by a two-year process centered on modernization of housing, the health system and education. (Ed note: Who wants to be a construction worker in Gaza with Hamas taking shots at you all day long as you are trying to clean up the mess they created?)    (Read More)

Hamas disarmament 'almost impossible to bridge' as gaps with BoP grow, source tells ‘Post’

The gaps between Hamas and the Board of Peace on the issue of Gaza’s disarmament are very wide, according to several sources who spoke to The Jerusalem Post. “Hamas didn’t say no, but essentially it is almost impossible to bridge the gaps,” the sources told the Post. In recent weeks, a number of meetings have taken place between senior Board of Peace officials, including the council’s director-general Nickolay Mladenov, and senior Hamas figures, in an attempt to reach an agreement on Hamas disarmament.

According to sources familiar with the details of the talks, the negotiations have not produced an agreement. Hamas’s response has effectively been “yes, but” with the “but” reflecting extensive demands and conditions. An Israeli source told the Post that Israel is coordinating with the Board of Peace and the US administration to plan the next steps following Hamas’s refusal.“No one was surprised six months ago, and no one is surprised today that Hamas refuses to disarm – including the US and the mediators,” the official said.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Mladenov, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, and other senior Board of Peace officials, including Aryeh Lightstone, the chief director of the Trump administration’s Gaza reconstruction project. According to two sources, the meeting was described as positive. One source said that “there is no gap between Israel and the Board of Peace regarding the ultimate goal for the situation in Gaza – namely, the disarmament of Hamas – and that only this can lead to the reconstruction of the Strip.” The Board of Peace’s plan envisions that, in the first phase, Hamas would give up its heavy offensive weapons, and its tunnels would be destroyed. In a later phase, Hamas operatives, or members of any other organization, would not be permitted to possess even light weapons. (Read More)

Board of Peace won’t hold Israel to truce terms if Hamas doesn’t okay disarmament offer

The US-led Board of Peace tasked with overseeing the postwar management of Gaza does not intend to hold Israel to the terms of the October 2025 Gaza ceasefire if Hamas does not accept the international panel’s framework for the terror group’s disarmament, a document obtained by The Times of Israel shows. While the Board of Peace’s High Representative for Gaza Nickolay Mladenov has warned that refusal from Hamas to disarm could lead to the resumption of the war, he goes much further in the document, saying that Israel will not be expected to halt attacks in Gaza or ensure humanitarian aid enters the Strip.

“Failure by Hamas to accept the framework within a reasonable timeframe, as determined by the Board of Peace and after consultation with the parties, shall render such commitments null and void,” Mladenov writes in the document — a letter that he and senior US official Aryeh Lightstone sent to the head of the Palestinian technocratic government that is meant to replace Hamas in Gaza.

The Board of Peace has been engaged in negotiations with Hamas for several months, conditioning major reconstruction projects for the war-flattened Gaza on the decommissioning of the group’s weapons. Hamas has refused to comply, arguing that Israel must first adhere to the terms of the ceasefire’s first phase, which included a hostage-prisoner exchange along with the scale-up of humanitarian aid into the Strip and the partial withdrawal of Israeli forces.

In an apparent effort to meet Hamas halfway, Mladenov and Lighstone state in the letter that they approached Israel in early April to secure guarantees that it would fully implement US President Donald Trump’s 20-point planfor ending the war. While the Board of Peace has preferred using the 20-point plan as the foundation of its work, the ceasefire document that Israel and Hamas actually signed last year only focused on the first phase. Hamas has argued that progressing to the second phase’s defining issue of disarmament cannot take place before phase one is fully implemented. (Ed note: If the US Presidents would keep their noses out of Israel's business, maybe the IDF could take care of both Hamas and Hezbollah.)  (Read More)

IDF: Eight Gaza tunnels destroyed, dozens of terrorists killed

Israeli troops in Gaza dismantled eight tunnel routes and killed dozens of terrorists, the military said on Sunday, as reservists from the 205th Brigade completed a two-month operation in the northern Strip. The brigade, operating under the 252nd Division east of the Yellow Line, worked alongside the elite Yahalom combat engineering unit to locate and destroy tunnel infrastructure, including through drilling operations, according to the Israel Defense Forces. The Yellow Line demarcates areas held by the IDF from those under Hamas control under the terms of the U.S.-brokered Oct. 10, 2025, ceasefire.

The deployment marked the brigade’s sixth since the start of the war, following previous operations in southern Gaza and Southern Lebanon. Troops from the 14th Brigade are set to replace them in the area.
The IDF said forces under Southern Command remain deployed in accordance with the ceasefire framework and will continue operations to eliminate immediate threats. Israeli troops killed several Hamas terrorists in separate incidents near the Yellow Line in the Gaza Strip over the past few days, according to the military.

On Sunday, forces killed a member of Hamas’s Beit Lahia Battalion who, according to IDF intelligence, had launched rockets at Israeli territory during the war. The suspect was identified moving toward troops and was deemed an “immediate threat,” the military said. In a separate incident earlier Monday, Israeli forces killed another terrorist who approached troops in the Yellow Line area of the southern Gaza Strip.

Additionally, ground troops killed a Palestinian terrorist during operations in southern Gaza on Sunday after he advanced toward soldiers, also posing an immediate threat, the IDF said. On Saturday, ground troops killed at least three terrorists in southern Gaza after they crossed the ceasefire line and approached Israeli soldiers, the military said. The truce ended the two-year war that began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas, other Palestinian terrorist groups and civilians from Gaza invaded the northwestern Negev. (Source)

IDF issues unusual evacuation order

IDF Arabic spokesperson Col. Avichay Adraee issued an urgent evacuation warning to about ten villages in southern Lebanon. In an unusual move, the warning also included villages north of the Litani River, amid continued operations against Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure in the area. "In light of the terrorist Hezbollah party's violation of the ceasefire agreement, the Defense Army is compelled to act against it forcefully," Adraee wrote on X. "The Defense Army does not intend to harm you.

"To ensure your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately and move away from the villages and towns by a distance of at least 1000 meters to open areas. Anyone present near Hezbollah elements, their facilities, and combat means exposes their life to danger!" On Tuesday, the Israeli Air Force, guided by IDF soldiers of the 226th Brigade, struck several structures used by the Hezbollah terrorist organization for military purposes.

The structures were struck while Hezbollah terrorists were operating inside, advancing and carrying out terror attacks against IDF soldiers and the State of Israel. During the strikes, several terrorists were eliminated. Over the past 24 hours, the IDF struck approximately 25 Hezbollah targets, including a weapons storage facility, structures used for military purposes, and additional terrorist infrastructure. In addition, in several incidents over the past few hours, the Hezbollah terrorist organization launched several rockets, explosive drones, and mortar shells that fell adjacent to the soldiers. No IDF injuries were reported. (Source)

Hezbollah rockets, drones target Israeli forces in Southern Lebanon

Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorists launched several rockets and drones at Israeli soldiers on Sunday, according to the Israel Defense Forces. No injuries were reported. “A short while ago, an interceptor was launched toward a suspicious aerial target that was identified in the area in which IDF soldiers are operating in Southern Lebanon,” the military stated. “The results of the interception are under review." In additional incidents throughout the day on Sunday, several projectiles and explosive drones fired by Hezbollah struck near IDF soldiers, the army said. The terrorist group overnight on Saturday also launched several rockets and drones at Israeli soldiers, with no injuries reported.

Hezbollah began firing rockets and drones at Israel on March 2, after the Jewish state’s targeted killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Feb. 28. In response to the terrorist organization’s violation of the U.S.-brokered Nov. 27, 2024, truce agreement, Jerusalem launched an aerial campaign against Hezbollah and ordered the IDF to advance and take control of additional areas in Southern Lebanon to halt cross-border attacks. Jerusalem and Beirut on April 16 agreed to a 10-day ceasefire following mediation by U.S. President Donald Trump. The two countries on April 23 agreed to extend the truce for three more weeks following historic direct talks in Washington, D.C. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on April 26 accused Hezbollah of “essentially disintegrating” the ceasefire through its incessant terrorist attacks.

“Therefore, as far as we are concerned, what obligates us is the security of Israel, the security of our soldiers, and the security of our communities,” the premier said. “We are acting vigorously according to the rules we agreed upon with the United States, and incidentally, with Lebanon as well.” On Sunday morning, the IDF ordered tens and thousands of noncombatants to evacuate their homes ahead of airstrikes in the Southern Lebanese villages of Al-Duwayr, Arab Salim, Al-Sharqiya, Jibshit, Braashit, Sarafand, Dounin, Briqa, Qaaqaiya Al-Jisr, Al-Qasiba and Kafra Sir. “Hezbollah’s violation of the ceasefire is compelling the IDF to act against Hezbollah infrastructure,” tweeted IDF Col. Avichay Adraee, from the Arab Media Branch in the Israeli army’s Spokesperson’s Unit. (Read More)

Dr. Bill Salus comments: This article informs, “the IDF ordered tens and thousands of noncombatants to evacuate their homes ahead of airstrikes in Zarafand.” Modern-day Zarafand is historic Zarephath, which shows up in Bible prophecy.

“The exiles of Israel will return to their land and occupy the Phoenician coast as far north as Zarephath.” (Obadiah 1:20)

Israel is ordering evacuations in a town that the Bible predicts Israel will possess in the future. It’s possible these evacuees from Zarafand may never return to their homes!

Iran Bombs UAE Oil Facility, Announces Plans to Take Control of Emirati Ports

Iran ramped up its missile and drone attacks on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday night, setting a major oil port known as the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone ablaze. Three Indian nationals were injured, prompting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to denounce Iran’s actions. Oil prices jumped about six percent on news of the fire at Fujairah, which was attacked by a dozen Iranian ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles, and four drones, according to Emirati defense officials. Iranian state media claimed the attack was a justified response to “U.S. military adventurism.”

Fujairah is one of the seven emirates that comprise the UAE, which was founded in 1971. The Fujairah Oil Industry Zone is located on the coast of the Gulf of Oman, about 80 miles from the Strait of Hormuz. The facility receives huge quantities of oil from a pipeline called the Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline (ADCOP), which runs about 235 miles to the gas fields in the south of another emirate, Abu Dhabi. The port is also a significant hub for refueling ships, storing oil, and loading other forms of cargo. The Fujairah Anchorage Area is large enough to accommodate 174 ships and provide necessary services for their crews while they await new sailing orders.

The ADCOP pipeline is one of the major oil arteries of the Middle East, and it figures prominently in discussions of how global oil flows might be adjusted to reduce the importance of the Strait of Hormuz. This is probably why Iran attacked it, using a much more intensive bombardment than the offhanded drone strikes it launched at Fujairah during Operation Epic Fury in April. Civil defense officials in Fujairah said the port fire was “under control” on Tuesday, but they would conduct a “cooling exercise” to prevent the fire from reigniting. (Read More)

Iran launches fresh wave of drones, missiles at UAE, Defense Ministry says

United Arab Emirates air defenses were engaged against Iranian missiles and drones, the UAE Defense Ministry said on Tuesday in an X/Twitter post.The post noted that the incident involved several areas of the country and involved both ballistic and cruise missiles. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, with the UAE Foreign Ministry saying the country reserves its "full and legitimate right" to respond.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry denied launching missiles and drones at the UAE, claiming that they were conducting “defense measures” aimed at US assets in a statement released later on Tuesday. The Foreign Ministry accused the UAE of “collaboration with hostile parties” by hosting US military bases, warning that such collaboration could have “dangerous consequences.”

Shortly after the UAE statement, Iranian opposition media reported a huge explosion and a plume of smoke in western Tehran, with an Iranian fire department chief saying a seven-story building had been evacuated. On Monday, three indian citizens were moderately wounded in an Iranian drone attack on the UAE's Fujairah oil industry complex, Fujairah's media office said. Later on Monday, Iranian state television reported, citing a military official, that Iran had no premeditated plan to attack oil facilities in Fujairah.

What happened at the port was a result of the "US military's adventurism to create passage for illegal ship transit" through the Strait of Hormuz, added the official, according to Iranian state media. The UAE Defense Ministry confirmed that it confronted 12 Iranian ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles, and four drones on Monday. Also on Monday, a South Korean ship sailing near the Strait of Hormuz was attacked, according to the Korean media outlet Chosun Daily, citing a government official. US President Donald Trump acknowledged the attack later on Monday, urging South Korea to join the American effort in the Strait. (Source)

Range of 6,000 KM: Turkey Unveils "Yildirim" Missile Capable of Hitting Europe

Turkey has shocked the international defense community by unveiling an intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of 6,000 kilometers at the SAHA 2026 expo. The Turkish Ministry of National Defense Research and Development Center has officially unveiled the "Yildirim" intercontinental ballistic missile at the SAHA 2026 defense exhibition in Istanbul. This public debut marks a significant milestone in Ankara's military capabilities, representing one of its most advanced long-range weapon systems to date. The missile’s introduction signals Turkey’s growing ambition to be recognized as a major independent player in global defense and aerospace technology.

According to technical specifications released by the Ministry of Defense, the Yildirim is capable of reaching a staggering speed of Mach 25. It boasts a reported operational range of 6,000 kilometers, or roughly 3,728 miles, putting large swaths of Europe, Asia, and Africa within its reach. The missile is powered by four rocket propulsion engines and utilizes liquid nitrogen tetroxide as its primary fuel source, highlighting a sophisticated leap in Turkish aerospace engineering.

The unveiling took place during the International Defense and Aerospace Exhibition, an event organized by SAHA Istanbul that draws military delegations and procurement officials from around the world. The Yildirim was the centerpiece of a massive display of Turkish ingenuity, which also included new high-tech air defense systems. The fair serves as a platform for Turkish defense firms to showcase platforms that were once considered beyond their technical reach. (Read More)

Iran Infuriates Pakistan

Tehran faces a heavy diplomatic price as its last major ally, Pakistan, breaks ranks. Following a breach of the ceasefire, Islamabad issued a blistering condemnation of the attacks on the UAE, signaling a collapse in the diplomatic chanel between Iran and the West. The Pakistani government has issued a rare and exceptionally harsh condemnation of the Iranian regime's actions following missile and drone launches from southern Iran toward Gulf nations last night. The incident marks the first major violation of the regional ceasefire since it was established. In an official statement released in response to the escalation, Pakistani officials expressed outrage, stating they "firmly reject and abhor the unjustified attacks on sovereign nations and civilian infrastructure."

For months, Pakistan has been viewed as Iran's last true ally on the international stage. More importantly, Islamabad has served as the primary intermediary, coordinating sensitive diplomatic talks between the Iranian regime and the United States. However, the latest barrage appears to have exhausted Pakistan's patience with Iranian "stubbornness." By publicly siding with the Gulf states, Pakistan has effectively signaled that Iran is now more isolated than ever.

While the strongly worded statement avoided mentioning Iran by name, the target of the message was unmistakable. Pakistan directly addressed the strikes against the United Arab Emirates: The timing of this rift is critical. With Pakistan distancing itself, Iran loses its most credible bridge to the West. Diplomatic analysts suggest that without Islamabad's mediation, the chances of maintaining the current ceasefire or progressing in negotiations with the U.S. have diminished significantly. (Source)

Netanyahu holds top-level consultations as Israel readies for collapse of Iran truce

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held top-level security talks on Monday to prepare for the collapse of the ceasefire between Iran and the United States, officials told the Channel 12 News outlet on Tuesday. Monday evening’s consultations with senior political and security officials deliberately excluded some Cabinet ministers to prevent leaks, according to the Hebrew outlet. “We are aware of the possible implications of the American action, including renewed Iranian hostilities against Israel,” said one unnamed official, referencing U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Project Freedom” to ensure the free flow of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.   

Tehran launched missile and drone attacks on the United Arab Emirates on Monday for the first time since the U.S.-brokered ceasefire took effect last month, moderately injuring three. Also on Monday, the U.S. military sank seven Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps boats in the Strait of Hormuz after a South Korean cargo vessel came under Iranian fire. An anonymous Israeli security source who spoke to Channel 12 said that, “until now, the ball was in Trump’s hands—now it has moved to the Iranians.” “If they decide to fight over passage through the Strait of Hormuz, it will mean a return to hostilities,” the source added.

Tally Gotliv, a lawmaker for Netanyahu’s ruling Likud Party, told JNS on Monday evening that Trump was “managing the situation very wisely.” “After a 40-day joint coalition campaign against Iran, he identified the critical issue for Tehran—the Strait of Hormuz—and that is where he stepped in and maintained pressure,” said Gotliv. “Iran is making proposals, and he is rejecting them because he understands that Iran must not be allowed to entrench a form of tyranny or maintain control that could influence the global economy. That is why he remains engaged, showing both strength and patience,” she continued.    (Read More)

Pezeshkian brands IRGC escalation ‘madness’ as tensions rise in Tehran

Exclusive information obtained by Iran International points to a growing clash between Iran’s moderate president Masoud Pezeshkian and the country’s military leadership over Monday’s escalation in the Persian Gulf and attacks on the United Arab Emirates. According to sources familiar with Tehran’s deliberations, Pezeshkian has expressed strong anger at actions by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, led by Ahmad Vahidi, describing missile and drone strikes on the UAE as “completely irresponsible” and carried out without the government’s knowledge or coordination.

Pezeshkian is said to have described the IRGC’s approach to escalating tensions with regional countries as “madness,” warning of potentially irreversible consequences. Amid a worsening situation and the risk of the country sliding back into war, Pezeshkian has requested an urgent meeting with Mojtaba Khamenei to press for an immediate halt to IRGC attacks on Gulf states and to prevent further escalation. He is expected to argue that a narrow window remains to salvage the ceasefire through urgent diplomatic action, and that he should be allowed to signal to international mediators Tehran’s readiness to return to negotiations. The tensions come as diplomatic efforts to preserve the ceasefire continue, but with a widening gap between military and political approaches inside Iran’s leadership.

At sea, accounts of recent developments remain sharply contested. US officials say commercial ships are continuing to transit and that Iranian threats have been contained. The IRGC, however, has denied that any passage is taking place and warned that “violating vessels” would be stopped, while Iranian media reported that ships were forced to turn back. President Donald Trump has stopped short of declaring the ceasefire breached, saying recent exchanges were “not heavy firing” and that “ships are moving.” In Iran’s power structure, major security and military decisions are ultimately taken at the highest levels of the system and in coordination with key state bodies, underscoring the significance of the president’s request.

Sources close to the presidency, who shared the information with Iran International, say Pezeshkian is deeply concerned about potential international reactions and believes the country cannot withstand a new full-scale war. He has warned that continued unilateral attacks could trigger heavy US retaliation against critical energy and economic infrastructure—an outcome he reportedly said could lead to widespread destruction and an irreversible collapse in livelihoods. The political deadlock comes as some observers warn that divided command on the battlefield risks pushing the Islamic Republic toward what they describe as “military self-destruction.” (Ed note: The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) report only to the Ayatollah and not the Iranian Parliament. I'm sure that President Pezeshkian is well aware of that fact.) (Source)

US, Israel weigh strikes on Iranian missile launchers and energy sites after UAE attack

The US and Israel are weighing a military response against missile launchers and energy facilities in Iran following the attack on the UAE. As CENTCOM reports the sinking of Iranian attack boats, the Israeli Air Force has returned to its highest state of readiness. Despite reports that Iron Dome was involved in interceptions in the Gulf, Israel remains tense, and wating. The Iranian response to the US operation to move ships through the Strait of Hormuz surprised the West. The Iranians chose not to settle for firing at vessels passing through the strait, and also directly attacked the United Arab Emirates, the country that has absorbed the heaviest Iranian fire throughout the war because of its ties with Israel and its firm policy against Tehran.

Iran's focus on the southern port of Fujairah points to a strategic intention to disrupt activity at the port, which bypasses the need to sail through the Strait of Hormuz. The Americans and Israel are now holding intensive consultations on the nature of the response and on assistance to their loyal ally. According to three officials familiar with the matter, the most likely options include targeted strikes on launchers and military targets threatening the strait, or a parallel strike on an Iranian energy facility in response to the attack on Fujairah. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump sent an especially forceful message, making clear that Iran would be "wiped off the face of the earth" if it dared attack American vessels taking part in "Project Freedom," the operation to reopen the strait. Trump stressed that the buildup of US forces in the region was continuing at all times.

Despite the threats, the US intention is to continue the operation to reopen the strait. The commander of US Central Command, Adm. Brad Cooper, said vessels representing 87 countries were in the Gulf, calling them "neutral and innocent bystanders." He said contact had been made in the past 12 hours with dozens of shipping companies in an effort to encourage the flow of traffic through the narrow trade corridor, while providing close security by US forces. Cooper ordered his forces at sea and in the air to prevent threats to ships, both through active defense and offensive action against attack boats and missile launch sites on the Iranian coast, a move that constitutes a significant change in the rules of engagement. Cooper said cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles had been aimed mainly at commercial shipping, but all were intercepted. He added that small boats moving toward merchant ships had been sunk by Apache and Seahawk helicopters. (Read More)

US report: Iran’s nuclear breakout time unmoved by recent strikes

US intelligence indicates Iran's nuclear timeline is unchanged despite recent war, as the regime retains uranium stockpiles in deep bunkers.

Recent assessments from the United States intelligence community indicate that Tehran’s path toward a nuclear weapon has not been significantly altered by recent hostilities, Reuters reported on Monday. According to three sources familiar with the data, the "breakout time" for the Islamic Republic remains estimated at nine months to a year, the same timeline established following the joint US-Israeli strikes of last summer. This evaluation persists despite the recent military campaign, a primary goal of which was the permanent neutralization of the Iranian nuclear threat. While Israel has successfully targeted specific nuclear facilities, the broader American-led effort has largely concentrated on conventional military infrastructure and the regime’s industrial base, according to Reuters.

Experts suggest that the stagnant timeline is a result of Iran retaining its stockpile of highly enriched uranium (HEU). While "Operation Midnight Hammer" and "Operation Epic Fury" successfully damaged known enrichment sites like Natanz and Fordow, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) warns that the regime still possesses enough material for approximately ten bombs if further refined. Current intelligence suggests much of this material is hidden within deep underground fortifications, specifically at the Isfahan Nuclear Research Center. These "deeply buried" sites present a challenge for standard munitions, leading some US officials to consider high-risk ground operations to seize or destroy the HEU.

Within the Trump administration, the focus remains on total prevention. White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales emphasized the President's resolve, stating, “While Operation Midnight Hammer obliterated Iran’s nuclear facilities, Operation Epic Fury built on this success by decimating Iran’s defense industrial base that they once leveraged as a protective shield around their pursuit of a nuclear weapon. President Trump has long been clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon - and he does not bluff. Vice President JD Vance echoed this sentiment, asserting that the mission's core objective is to ensure "Iran can never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon." (Source)

Israel Admits to Attacking Convent in Lebanon, Claims Hezbollah Was Using It

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed a report this weekend that they had “operated” on a convent in Southern Lebanon, claiming that the jihadist terrorist organization Hezbollah had used the compound to which it belonged to attack Israel and that the building did not have overt religious symbols on it. The confirmation followed reports this weekend, which the IDF denied, that they had “bulldozed” the convent. Locals reported that the convent had not been operational for some time due to evacuations made necessary by Israel’s ongoing and expanding occupation of southern Lebanon.

The Israeli government announced an operation in Lebanon in mid-March, responding to attacks by Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy operating primarily in Lebanon. Hezbollah resumed attacks on Israel in response to a joint Israeli-American campaign against Iran that began on February 28 and has killed dozens of top Iranian leaders since, including “supreme leader” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Given the deep entrenchment of Hezbollah terrorists within much of the Lebanese south, the Israeli government announced it would engage in an occupation project similar to its actions in Gaza, where it has destroyed entire neighborhoods and forced the evacuation of civilians to create a “buffer zone” that prevents the construction of terrorist infrastructure near the Israeli border.

Caught in the operation is the large population of Lebanese Christians native to the south of the country, who the IDF has demanded evacuate their villages. Many have refused, insisting they are not participants in the Israel-Hezbollah war, and at least one priest has been killed in ensuing military operations. In this context, the Vatican’s L’Osservatore Romano newspaper reported on Sunday that Israeli “bulldozers have torn down the Holy Savior Christian School in the village of Yaroun — located in the Bint Jbeil district — which also housed the living quarters of the nuns dedicated to the spiritual and cultural growth of hundreds of students.” (Read More)

Night of Rage: Iran’s Chilling Vow to Unleash Chaos on the Gulf Tonight

Iranian officials and state-affiliated media have threatened a "Night of Rage" and the closure of the Bab al-Mandab Strait in response to American naval pressure.

The rhetoric coming out of Tehran has reached a fever pitch, with various officials and state-affiliated voices promising devastating consequences for the U.S. and its regional allies. A military source told the Tasnim news agency that if the UAE continues to act as a "tool" for Israel, they will be taught a lesson they will never forget. "If the Emirates perform an unwise action, all of their interests will become a target for Iran, and no place in their facilities will be safe," the source warned. This was punctuated by a tweet from an Iranian military spokesperson promising a "Night of Rage" in response to recent American naval successes.

Adding a new layer of strategic threat, Hossein Shariatmadari, a close associate of the regime and editor of the Kayhan newspaper, suggested that Iran should retaliate against the U.S. naval blockade by closing the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Shariatmadari argued that seizing or blocking ships carrying oil and goods to "enemy countries" is a legitimate response to American aggression. He noted that nearly 6 million barrels of oil and up to 70 commercial vessels pass through that point daily, representing over 10 billion dollars in trade. Closing this artery, he claims, would cause "irreversible damage" to the U.S. and its partners, forcing ships to take significantly longer and more expensive routes.

The Iranian regime is also engaging in a war of metaphors, with Ali Akbar Velayati, an advisor to Mojtaba Khamenei, mocking President Trump’s approach to global politics. Velayati stated that the political world is not an adventure movie like "Pirates of the Caribbean" and that anyone trying to interfere with the "lifeline of the world" will find themselves at a dead end. He further warned that Trump is ignoring the fact that global food security and fertilizer supply chains passing through Hormuz are under Iranian control. Meanwhile, Mohsen Rezaee, another top advisor, labeled the U.S. as the world's "only pirate" and warned that American aircraft carriers will soon become "graveyards" for their crews. (Ed note: Let us see what the night brings. This people are known to be trash talking, lying with trying to intimidate everyone around them.)   (Source)

Small Boats Destroyed: Navy Obliterates Iranian Vessels Attempting to Harass Shipping

A senior American Admiral, speaking to Reuters, has declared that the ongoing U.S. military blockade of Iran is exceeding all strategic expectations. The Admiral noted that while Iran has made several attempts to disrupt international shipping and retaliate against American forces, these efforts have largely ended in failure. According to the report, U.S. forces recently engaged and destroyed six Iranian small boats that were attempting to interfere with commercial shipping lanes. The Admiral used the occasion to issue a direct warning to Tehran, stating that Iranian forces are strongly advised to keep their distance from all American military assets to avoid further destruction.

The naval standoff has seen a rise in direct kinetic engagements, with the Admiral confirming that Iran has targeted both commercial vessels and U.S.Navy ships using cruise missiles. Despite the use of these advanced weapons, the American defensive shield has remained effective in preventing significant damage to the blockade's operations. "Iran tried but failed to disrupt the movement of commercial shipping by firing at it," the Admiral noted, emphasizing that the U.S. remains committed to maintaining the flow of global trade while simultaneously strangling the Iranian military's logistics.

The success of the blockade represents a major pillar of the current administration's strategy to force Iran into a disadvantaged position. By cutting off access to maritime routes and successfully intercepting hostile attack craft, the U.S. has maintained a firm grip on the Persian Gulf and the surrounding waters. The Admiral’s comments suggest that the military pressure is achieving its goal of isolating the Iranian regime, leaving their naval forces struggling to find a way to break the American encirclement. As the war continues, the U.S. maintains that any further interference with the "humanitarian" movement of neutral ships will be met with the same decisive force that sank the six Iranian vessels earlier this week. (Source)

Trump threatens to 'blow Iran off face of the Earth' if US vessels attacked

US President Donald Trump threatened that Iran would be "blown off the face of the Earth" if US vessels were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz during an interview with FOX News on Monday. “We have more weapons and ammunition at a much higher grade than we had before," Trump said. “We have the best equipment. We have stuff all over the world. We have these bases all over the world. They’re all stocked up with equipment. We can use all of that stuff, and we will, if we need it.”

Trump's comments came just after several missiles were launched from Iran at the UAE, and the head of US Central Command (CENTCOM), Admiral Brad Cooper, said the US had destroyed six Iranian small boats and intercepted Iranian cruise missiles and drones fired by Tehran. Cooper said he "strongly advised" Iranian forces to remain clear of US military assets as it launches the operation. He said a US blockade of Iran, which prevents ships from going to Iran or departing Iranian territory, also remains in effect and is exceeding expectations.

Earlier on Monday, a South Korean ship sailing near the Strait of Hormuz was attacked, according to the Korean media outlet Chosun Daily, citing a government official. Trump acknowledged the attack in his FOX News interview, emphasizing that no other damage had been reported in the Strait. He added that South Korea should join US efforts to protect ship movements near Iran, noting that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth would hold a news conference on Tuesday with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Caine.

Also on Monday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-aligned Fars News Agency claimed that two missiles had hit a US naval frigate near the port of Jask at the southern entrance to the strait, forcing it to turn back. A US official later told The Jerusalem Post that the IRGC claim was false, with CENTCOM noting two US-flagged ships had successfully transited the Strait on Monday, something Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) denied. (Read More)

Trump says US to begin escorting ships out of Persian Gulf through Strait of Hormuz

The US will start guiding ships out of the Strait of Hormuz from Monday morning (Middle East Time), according to a Sunday statement by US President Donald Trump shared on Truth Social. "This process, Project Freedom, will begin Monday morning, Middle East time. I am fully aware that my representatives are having very positive discussions with the country of Iran, and that these discussions could lead to something very positive for all," he said in the statement.

According to Trump, the operation will be centered on helping the vessels leave the Persian Gulf, with countries asking "the United States if we could help free up their Ships, which are locked up in the Strait." "They are merely neutral and innocent bystanders! For the good of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, we have told these Countries that we will guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business," he added.

According to his statement, the ships to be escorted out "will not be returning until the area becomes safe for navigation," and he calls the operation a "humanitarian process" to save the crews of ships trapped in the Gulf. "If, in any way, this Humanitarian process is interfered with, that interference will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully," he warned at the end of the post. (Ed note: What is your guess, will the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have the nerve to go after the US Navy?)     (Read More)

Trump to Kan News: Iranian proposal is unacceptable

US President Donald Trump told Kan News on Sunday that the new Iranian proposal is "not acceptable." Trump stated that he had reviewed the proposal and rejected it. "I studied the new Iranian proposal, and it is not acceptable to me," he said in the interview. He added that "the campaign is progressing very well. The US President also reiterated his call for President Isaac Herzog to grant a pardon to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "He is a prime minister during wartime. Israel would not have existed without me and Bibi, in that order. You need a prime minister who can focus on the war and not on nonsense," Trump stated.

A short time earlier, Iran announced that it had received the US administration’s response to its proposal and was "reviewing it." Earlier on Sunday, a report by Al Jazeera detailed the 14-point proposal, outlining terms for a permanent end to the ongoing conflict, including a timeline to resolve all issues within 30 days. According to the report, the proposal, delivered via Pakistan in response to a US-backed nine-point plan, prioritizes a comprehensive resolution rather than an extension of the current ceasefire. The plan calls for guarantees against future military attacks, the withdrawal of US forces from areas surrounding Iran, and the lifting of sanctions imposed over decades.

The proposal also includes demands for the release of frozen Iranian assets worth billions of dollars and the payment of war reparations. Tehran is further seeking an end to all hostilities, including fighting in Lebanon, as part of a broader regional de-escalation. A central component of the proposal is the establishment of what was described as a new mechanism governing the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of global energy supplies pass. The issue of navigation in the strait remains a key point of contention between the sides. (Read More)

Two Weeks to Breakout: The Chilling New Estimate for Iran's Nuclear Weapon

Major General (Res.) Tamir Hayman, the head of the Institute for National Security Studies and a former high ranking intelligence official, has issued a sobering assessment of the war against Iran. In his first major interview since returning from reserve duty, Hayman told News 12 that while the Iranian military and economy have been severely degraded, the core existential threat to Israel, the nuclear program, remains largely intact. He warned that without a definitive resolution through either a "perfect deal" or a massive military strike, the region remains at a dangerous stalemate similar to the start of the war.

Hayman analyzed the three primary goals defined by the Israeli government: toppling the regime, removing the nuclear threat, and eliminating the missile threat. He noted that while Iran is significantly weaker than it was months ago, the regime has survived its most difficult challenge yet. "Iran is weaker, especially in the military field, with the erosion of the Revolutionary Guard's air and sea capabilities," Hayman stated. However, he cautioned that the "breakout time" to a nuclear weapon is essentially back to where it was before the war. He revealed that before the current campaign, Iran was only "two weeks" away from having enough fissile material for a bomb.

The General explained that because Israel is fighting as part of a coalition rather than in a simple partnership, there have been "limitations and restraints" imposed by the United States that prevented a total strike on nuclear infrastructure. "We hardly touched the nuclear issue," he warned, noting that the 440 kilograms of enriched uranium currently held by Tehran is just one component of a larger problem. He emphasized that a true breakout time assessment must include the number of underground sites and advanced centrifuges, all of which continue to exist despite the months of fighting. 

Looking forward, Hayman warned that relying solely on a siege to topple the regime is a "complete gamble" with no historical precedent for success. He argued that if the war ends without addressing the nuclear file, the overall balance of the campaign could be seen as negative for Israel. "If the nuclear threat is not treated, then the question is asked, what did we do in this whole event?" he remarked. With President Trump’s patience potentially wearing thin, Hayman suggested that the window for a decisive military or diplomatic victory is closing, leaving Israel at a critical crossroads.  (Ed note: If this Major General is anywhere close to correct in his assessment of Iran's nuclear situation, Israel could be in trouble!)

 (Source)

Dr. Bill Salus comments: “In this article the Major General identifies the three primary goals defined by the Israeli government: toppling the regime, removing the nuclear threat, and eliminating the missile threat. These three goals are also specified in the Jeremiah 49:34-39 Elam prophecy.

1.     toppling the regime, (Jer.49:38) “I will destroy its king and officials.” (Regime change), 

2.     removing the nuclear threat, (Jer.49:35), 

3.      eliminating the missile threat, (Jer.49:35) “‘Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, (eliminate Iran’s missile threat), The foremost of their might.” (eliminate Iran’s nuclear threat). 

Jeremiah’s 2600 hundred year old Elam prophecy appears to be in the process of finding fulfillment.

Air force expansion propels Israel to a major military power - analysis

Israel’s rapid expansion of its air force amidst the current multi-front war is transforming the nation into a major military power. Although Israel doesn’t have aircraft carriers or the ability to project its air power globally, the decision to proceed with additional F-35 purchases makes Israel a global leader in the use of the 5th-generation aircraft. Israel will become one of the largest users of the F-35 and likely the global leader per capita in terms of aircraft.

According to Lockheed Martin data from the end of January 2026, there are currently 20 countries using the F-35. These include large users like the US, with some 2,000 aircraft in multiple services. The UK has acquired 138 of the warplanes, while Australia wants 100 of them, Canada has procured 88, and Italy wants a total of 115. In addition, Japan is acquiring 142 of the planes, and South Korea has 60. Israel will now have 100 of them in four squadrons, making it a major user. For a country of Israel’s size and population, this is a lot of 5th-generation aircraft.

Israel has shown throughout the recent multi-front war that began with the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, that it will use its air force to confront threats around the region. This has included around 939 days of combat on numerous fronts. Israel has had to fight Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iran. There was also one airstrike in Qatar. Israel’s air force has led the way in this effort. While Israel has a large and advanced ground force and has also bolstered its navy in recent years with the acquisition of the Sa’ar 6 corvette and new submarines, the air force is Israel’s long arm in terms of being able to carry out wars around the region. (Read More)

Hezbollah MP vows terror group will ‘thwart’ Lebanon-Israel talks as clashes persist

A Hezbollah lawmaker on Sunday said that the terror group will be able to “thwart” the objectives of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, as the Iranian proxy fired several rockets and drones at IDF troops operating across the border despite a declared ceasefire. Speaking at an event honoring killed Hezbollah operatives, Hassan Fadlallah said that “these negotiations with all their results do not concern us, and we will not implement them.” “We have a free people and a steadfast resistance capable of thwarting all the objectives of these negotiations, which increase the sharp division in the country between the factions of our people and within the state itself,” Fadlallah said.

The Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors to the US have held two meetings in Washington in recent weeks, the first of their kind in decades. Washington has urged Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun, whose government seeks to disarm Hezbollah, to meet directly with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which Aoun has so far avoided. Hezbollah has strongly rejected the talks, with its leader Naim Qassem calling them a “sin.” Fadlallah said on Sunday that “any new agreement that will be established in Lebanon must guarantee that our country will not be attacked in any way.”

Hezbollah and Israel have continued to attack each other since US President Donald Trump first announced a ceasefire on April 16, which has now largely unraveled, though fighting remains at a lower level than before. On Saturday, the Lebanese army said its commander Gen. Rudolf Haykal met with US Gen. Joseph Clearfield, who heads the committee monitoring the ceasefire. The participants at the meeting underlined the importance of the Lebanese army’s role and the need to support it during the current phase, the Lebanese statement added.    (Read More)

IDF takes responsibility for 16 front-line communities in security shift

The Cabinet approved on Sunday Defense Minister Israel Katz’s proposal for the Israel Defense Forces to assume responsibility for the security of 16 communities in front-line areas. The move shifts to the IDF exclusive operational authority and responsibility for thwarting terrorism and hostile activity and in those areas. The communities include nine in the north and seven in the center of the country, Israeli website N12 reported. The nine communities in the IDF Northern Command area of responsibility are Bar Yohai, Beit Jann, Kibbutz Hulata, Moshav Kfar Hoshen (Safsufa), Kisra-Sumei, Moshav Meron, Or HaGanuz, Moshav Sde Eliezer and Yesud HaMa’ala. Falling under Central Command are six kibbutim: Afikim, Beit Zera, Degania Alef, Degania Bet, Gesher and Hamadia, and the village of Menahemia.

The selection of the communities was made on the basis of a security analysis that examined parameters such as distance from the border and threat level, as opposed to the distance from the nearest police stations and military forces, N12 reported. Israeli police will continue to manage civilian security in these communities, including maintaining public order, the security of life and property, and handling criminal offenses. Special emphasis was placed on Meron. While overall security envelope will be managed by the IDF, police will still hold responsibility for ensuring order and security at the tomb of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, a popular Jewish religious pilgrimage site that normally attracts hundreds of thousands during the Lag Ba’Omer holiday.

Israel has canceled this year’s Lag B’Omer pilgrimage to Mount Meron to ensure public safety. The holiday this year runs from the evening of May 14 through May 15. Forty-two million shekels (~$14.2 million) were allocated from the Ministry of Defense (spread over 2028-2030) and an additional 18 million shekels (~$6 million) from the National Security Ministry’s budget for the security effort. (Source)