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Middle East latest: Netanyahu vows to ‘increase pressure’ on Hamas; Iran ‘displayed power’ in attack on Israel, Supreme Leader claims
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has spoken for the first time since his country attacked Israel. It follows news of Palestinians being killed in Rafah and the West Bank, and the IDF launching strikes in Lebanon.
Sunday 21 April 2024 17:10, UK
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Key points
Iran ‘displayed power’ in attack on Israel, Supreme Leader insists – despite failure View post
Sean Bell:New details hint at impact of Israeli strike on Iran View post
13 children from same family killed in strike on Rafah, hospital says View post
IDF sanctions a ‘dangerous precedent’, senior Israeli politician warns View post
At least 14 Palestinians killed in West Bank raid, authorities say View post
Israel says it has attacked ‘terrorist targets’ in Lebanon View post
US Congress approves aid package for Israel View post
Analysis: Iran isn’t biggest threat to the coalition right now View post
Live reporting by Bhvishya Patel and (earlier) Narbeh Minassian
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4m ago
12:10
What could be next between Israel and Iran?
Israel and Iran have been at war for decades but they have been fighting in the shadows.
Analysts believe both countries are now trying to ease tensions following a series of escalatory attacks between them.
Here, our international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn explains how we got here and what could be next.
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45m ago
11:29
IDF responds to overnight strikes on Rafah
We have been reporting today on Israeli strikes on the southern Gaza city of Rafah overnight which killed 22 people, including 18 children, according to health officials.
Now, the IDF has responded to the overnight strikes.
“At the given times, the IDF struck several military targets of the terrorist organisations in Gaza including military compounds, launch posts and armed terrorists,” it said in a statement.
For context: Israel has carried out near-daily air raids on Rafah, where more than half of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million have sought refuge from fighting elsewhere.
It has also vowed to expand its ground offensive to the city on the border with Egypt despite international calls for restraint, including from the US.
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1h ago
10:53
Israel will increase pressure on Hamas ‘in coming days’
Israel will “increase the political and military pressure on Hamas in the coming days”, Benjamin Netanyahu has said.
Speaking before the Jewish holiday of Passover that starts tomorrow, the Israeli leader said all proposals for the release of hostages had been “outright rejected by Hamas”.
“In the coming days we will increase the military and political pressure on Hamas because this is the only way to free our hostages and achieve our victory,” he said.
He also responded to reports of imminent US sanctions on the IDF religious battalion Netzah Yehuda saying: “If anyone thinks they can impose sanctions on a unit in the IDF I will fight it with all my might.”
AP
AP
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1h ago
10:46
Balance between right to protest and rights of everyone else ‘completely lost’, Jewish charity says
The balance between the right to protest and the rights of everyone else had been completely lost, a charity that protects British Jews from antisemitism has said.
We have been reporting this weekend on a Met Police officer who was recorded preventing a Jewish man from crossing a road by a pro-Palestinian march because he is “openly Jewish”.
The force has since apologised.
Responding to the incident in a statement on X, the Community Security Trust (CST) noted that since 7 October it had seen a “record increase in anti-Jewish hate crime against a backdrop of constant anti-Israel hate demonstrations”.
It said CST was working with the police to protect the Jewish community but despite “all the good work” there had been “mistakes”.
“This latest case fits that profile, with the context and detail lost in the heat of controversy. An individual officer tried to do the right thing but ended up making things worse in a very difficult moment,” the charity said.
The broader question, the CST said, was “how much longer these costly and disruptive protests will be allowed to continue”.
“It feels like any balance between the right to protest and the rights of everyone else had been completely lost, with extremists the only ones to benefit, Jews the first to suffer and the police often caught in the middle,” it added.
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1h ago
10:30
Two Palestinians ‘killed’ after allegedly trying to attack IDF soldiers
The Israeli military says its soldiers shot two Palestinians who tried to attack them in the West Bank this morning.
We reported earlier today the IDF claimed two Palestinians tried to stab and shoot its soldiers near the city of Hebron (see our 9.13am post).
One was reported dead, but now the Palestinian health ministry says both have been killed.
The Israeli military said: “One of the terrorists attempted to stab IDF soldiers that were in the area, who responded with live fire and neutralised him.”
The force added: “At the same time, the other terrorist opened fire at the soldiers, who responded with live fire and neutralised him too.”
Israeli troops stand guard near the scene of the shooting
Israeli troops stand guard near the scene of the shooting
Reuters
The official Palestinian news agency WAFA, quoting local sources, said ambulance crews were prevented from reaching the two men.
Palestinian security sources told WAFA the two men, aged 18 and 19, died and that they were still unable to collect their bodies.
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2h ago
10:01
Tory minister ‘appalled’ as ‘more children killed’ in Israeli strikes on Rafah
A Tory peer has called for the Gaza conflict to end “immediately” as he criticised Israel for an alleged attack on Rafah that killed at least 22 people.
Israel has been carrying out air raids on the southern Gazan city almost daily, with the latest round reportedly killing 17 children of the same extended family overnight (see our 1.46pm post).
Lord Ahmad, a minister at the foreign office, said on X: “Appalled by the Israeli strike on a residential apartment in the densely populated Rafah in Gaza, which resulted in more children being killed.
“We must stop this fighting immediately and bring an end to this conflict.”
It comes just one day after nine people were reportedly killed in another airstrike on the city, including six children, according to Palestinian authorities.
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are seeking safety in Rafah, having fled attacks elsewhere in the Gaza Strip.
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2h ago
09:33
IDF ‘unaware’ of US sanctions
The IDF says it is unaware of any US sanctions against one of its battalions, after a report claimed Washington is planning such a step against a unit for alleged human rights violations in the West Bank (see our 8.14am post).
The military said that its Netzah Yehuda battalion – which is reportedly the target of potential sanctions – is an active combat unit that operates according to the “principles of international law”.
“Following publications about sanctions against the battalion, the IDF is not aware of the issue,” military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said.
“If a decision is made on the matter it will be reviewed.
“The IDF works and will continue to work to investigate any unusual event in a practical manner and according to law.”
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3h ago
09:05
Jewish leadership groups to meet police chief this week
We reported this morning the Board of Deputies of British Jews has called for an urgent meeting with Met Police chief Sir Mark Rowley, following an officer’s handling of an antisemitism campaigner near a pro-Palestinian march (see our 10.14am post).
The group has now said it will meet with Sir Mark later this week, along with the Jewish Leadership Council and antisemitism charity CST.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism, whose chief executive Gideon Falter was the campaigner called “openly Jewish” by a police officer last weekend, has told Sky News it has not been invited to the meeting.
Mr Falter had earlier called for Sir Mark to resign, as did former home secretary Suella Braverman.
In a video of the incident, an officer appears to prevent Mr Falter from crossing the road and tells him: “You are quite openly Jewish.
“This is a pro-Palestinian march. I am not accusing you of anything, but I am worried about the reaction to your presence.”
A government source said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is “appalled” at what happened.
The Met Police has apologised.
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3h ago
08:46
Number of deaths from Rafah strikes rises – with victims mostly children
The number of people killed in Israeli strikes on the southern Gaza city of Rafah overnight has risen to 22, Palestinian health officials say.
One of the strikes killed 17 children and two women of the same extended family, according to hospital records. Earlier, these records showed 13 children of the same family had died (see our 10.38am post).
First responders are still searching the rubble, The Associated Press reports.
Another strike killed a married couple and their three-year-old child, according to the nearby Kuwaiti Hospital, which says the woman was pregnant and doctors managed to save the baby.
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3h ago
08:20
Analysis: New details hint at impact of Israeli attack on Iran
By military analyst Sean Bell
In response to Iran’s unprecedented attack a little over a week ago when Iran fired at least 331 missiles at Israel, Israel launched its own retaliatory strike on Friday.
Although neither side has commented on the effectiveness or otherwise of the Israeli response, it was evidently of a significantly smaller scale than the Iranian barrage.
However, more details are now emerging about the impact of the Israeli strikes, which provide an insight into their intended objectives.
Israel’s interest in Iran’s High Value Targets (HVTs)
The Isfahan airbase is located near some of Iran’s nuclear development sites, where more than 3,000 scientists work on Iran’s nuclear programme.
The base also forms a central core of Iran’s military defensive capability.
Satellite imagery shows one of several air defence sites which include a central radar – at the centre of the facility – and a number of missile launchers facing towards the anticipated threat and protected within berms to avoid a strike against one destroying others.
An image from before the attack
An image from before the attack
Umbra Space
Such missile sites protect High Value Targets (HVT), and their priority is to detect, track and target incoming threats.
Before Israel targeted a HVT it would need to degrade such defensive capability, and the immediate priority would be to take out the long-range radar – the eyes of the system – at the centre of the facility.
Israel would target Iran’s defensive missiles
Satellite imagery appears to show that the Israelis successfully destroyed the radar during their most recent wave of precision strikes, with large scorch marks around the area, as seen in the New York Times.
With the radar destroyed, the Iranian missiles cannot find their target and are thus superfluous – later satellite imagery shows that the missiles were no longer in their berms and were probably hidden away to protect them from further strikes.
An image taken after the attack, with four missile launchers on the left gone
An image taken after the attack, with four missile launchers on the left gone
Umbra Space
So why is this important?
Iran launched a massive wave of attacks against Israel a week ago, but with very limited effect.
In response, Israel was able to punch holes in critical Iranian air defence systems, thus demonstrating clearly that all Iran’s HVTs are vulnerable to Israeli attack.
Although neither Israel nor Iran has publicised the impact of the Israelis strikes, the surgical nature of the Israeli attack demonstrated clearly Israel’s military dominance.
A message that will not have been lost on its intended recipient – the Iranian political leadership.
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4h ago
07:51
In pictures: Aftermath of Israeli raid in West Bank
New images taken on Sunday show the aftermath of the Israeli raid at Nur Shams, in the occupied West Bank.
We reported earlier that Palestinian authorities say at least 14 people have been killed in the raid, which began on Friday and continued into yesterday (see 7.53am post).
Israel’s military said a number of militants were killed or arrested during the raid, with at least four soldiers wounded in exchanges of fire.
Reuters
Reuters
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4h ago
07:22
Israel summons ambassadors after countries supported motion to recognise Palestine
Israel is summoning ambassadors from six countries today after each voted in favour of recognising a Palestinian state at the UN earlier this week.
Japan, France, South Korea, Malta, Slovenia and Ecuador supported a motion at the UN Security Council on Thursday, but the US vetoed the move.
Spokesperson for Israel’s foreign ministry Oren Marmorstein said their ambassadors to the country will receive a “strong protest” today.
“The unambiguous message that will be delivered to the ambassadors: A political gesture to the Palestinians and a call to recognise a Palestinian state – six months after the 7 October massacre – is a prize for terrorism,” he said.
“Israel will not agree to the establishment of a terror state that will endanger its citizens.”
He added those countries should instead focus on pressuring Hamas to release the remaining hostages taken during attacks on Israel on 7 October.
An “identical protest” will be made to other countries who supported the move, he said.
The UK and Switzerland abstained from voting in the 15-member council, while Russia, China, Algeria, Sierra Leone, Mozambique and Guyana also supported the motion.
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5h ago
06:53
Iran’s Supreme Leader says country ‘displayed power’ in attack on Israel
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said Iran showed its power during its attack on Israel – and that the key issue is not how many targets were hit.
Iran’s official news agency has reported he thanked the country’s armed forces for their 13 April operation against Israel.
The agency adds he called upon the military to “ceaselessly pursue military innovation and learn the enemy’s tactics”.
He also played down the importance of how many missiles were launched or hit their target in the attack on Israel.
“How many missiles were launched and how many of them hit their target is not the primary question, what really matters is that Iran demonstrated its will-power during that operation,” Khamenei said.
The vast majority of missiles launched by Iran were intercepted by Israeli air defence systems, with help from the US and the UK, as well as neighbouring Arab countries like Jordan.
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5h ago
06:35
Iranian president to visit Pakistan this week
Iran’s president will make an official visit to Pakistan this week, according to Islamabad.
The visit, which Pakistan’s foreign ministry said would take place from Monday to Wednesday, comes three months after tit-for-tat missile strikes between the Muslim neighbours.
During his visit, Ebrahim Raisi will meet Pakistan’s president and prime minister, as well as the chairman of the Senate and speaker of the National Assembly, Pakistan’s foreign office said in a statement.
“They will also discuss regional and global developments and bilateral cooperation to combat the common threat of terrorism,” the statement said, adding he will visit major cities including Lahore and Karachi and focus on trade ties.
Iran’s president (right) with Shehbaz Sharif last year
Iran’s president (right) with Shehbaz Sharif last year
West Asia News Agency via Reuters
Iran and Pakistan have had a history of rocky relations, but the missile strikes in January were the most serious clashes in years.
Swift efforts to de-escalate subsequently led to assurances they respected each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while vowing to build on security cooperation.
Pakistan has called on all parties in the Middle East to “exercise utmost restraint and move towards de-escalation”, following attacks between Iran and Israel.
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6h ago
06:07
Gaza health ministry reports 34,097 Palestinians killed since 7 October
At least 34,097 Palestinians have been killed by Israel, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, since 7 October.
The ministry also reports 76,980 others have been injured in that time.
Some 48 Palestinians have been killed and 79 others injured in the past 24 hours, the ministry added.
The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and fighters in its reports, but says most of those killed are women and children.
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6h ago
05:55
Israel claims attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon
The Israeli Air Force has claimed it has attacked “several terrorist targets” in Lebanon, as fire continues to be exchanged across the border daily.
Fighter jets targeted a “military structure” in the area of Tir Harfa and destroyed it, the military said.
This claim has not been independently verified.
The air force also claims it attacked an observation post and two military buildings belonging to Hezbollah in two different parts of Lebanon.
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6h ago
05:38
Number killed in overnight Rafah airstrikes rises after 13 children from same family killed
Earlier, we reported 13 Palestinians were killed in overnight airstrikes in Rafah, according to Palestinian health officials (see our 9.45am post).
But that total now stands at 18, after hospital records showed 13 children and two women all from the same family have been killed in one of the strikes.
Initially, reports said eight children were killed.
In another airstrike on the city overnight, a married couple and their three-year-old child were also killed, according to the nearby Kuwait Hospital.
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7h ago
05:14
Board of Deputies calls for ‘urgent meeting’ with police chief after officer’s ‘openly Jewish’ remark
We’ve been reporting on the fallout from the Met Police’s handling of an antisemitism campaigner near a pro-Palestinian march.
The force apologised twice after an officer prevented Gideon Falter, chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, from crossing the road last weekend near the protest in London because he was “openly Jewish”.
Both the CAA and former home secretary Suella Braverman have called for Met Police chief Sir Mark Rowley to resign or be sacked.
Now the Board of Deputies of British Jews has called for an urgent meeting with the Met Commissioner after “a series of high-profile errors”.
Met Police sorry for incident
“The entirely avoidable mistakes have had a devastating effect on the previously high level of trust held by the UK’s Jewish community in the police,” the board said in a statement.
“We have written to the commissioner to ask for an urgent meeting to reinforce the gravity of the situation and to begin to repair this grievous loss of confidence.”
The board also said many marchers may have “genuine concerns” regarding the “terrible situation” in Gaza, but others have amplified “hideous antisemitic conspiracy theories” and a number “clearly wish for the complete destruction of the world’s only Jewish state”.
Read the full story…
Met Police chief faces calls to quit after force threatened to arrest ‘openly Jewish’ man
Sky News
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7h ago
04:45
Nine children among 13 killed in latest Rafah airstrikes
Nine children are among 13 Palestinians killed in the latest round of strikes on the southern Gazan city of Rafah, according to health officials.
The first strike, which happened overnight, killed a married couple and their three-year-old child, according to the Kuwait Hospital nearby, where the bodies were taken.
The woman was pregnant, the hospital said, but doctors managed to save the baby.
A second strike killed eight children and two women all from the same family, according to hospital records.
It comes just one day after nine people were killed in another airstrike on the city, including six children.
A Palestinian youth mourns his relative at the hospital yesterday
A Palestinian youth mourns his relative at the hospital yesterday
AP
Israel has carried out near-daily air raids on Rafah, where more than half of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million has taken refuge from fighting elsewhere in the enclave.
It has also vowed to expand its ground offensive to the city on the border with Egypt, despite international calls for restraint, including from the US.
The Israeli military says Hamas militants are holed up in Rafah.
Around 80% of the population in Gaza have fled their homes to other parts of the territory, which experts say is on the brink of famine.
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8h ago
04:13
One Palestinian killed after two attack Israeli soldiers, IDF says
A Palestinian has been killed after two tried to shoot and stab Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank this morning, according to the IDF.
While the IDF says both were “neutralised”, Israel’s Army Radio said one of the attackers was killed at a junction near the Palestinian city of Hebron.
“One of the terrorists attempted to stab IDF soldiers that were in the area, who responded with live fire and neutralised him,” the military said.
“At the same time, the other terrorist opened fire at the soldiers, who responded with live fire and neutralised him too.”
A cameraman for Reuters news agency saw a body at the scene of the incident, while Palestinian officials have not yet commented.
The scene near Hebron
The scene near Hebron
Reuters
Thousands of Palestinians have been arrested and hundreds killed during regular operations in the West Bank by Israeli army and police since the start of the Gaza war on 7 October.
Most are members of armed groups, but stone-throwing youths and uninvolved civilians have also been targeted.
There are regular clashes and riots in the West Bank, aggravated by Israeli settlers both threatening and inflicting violence on Palestinians if they do not give up their land – which has been condemned by even the strongest international supporters of Israel, like t
