Iran

In the shadow of the war, Iranian hostility toward Israel is growing while denying its existence

Since the outbreak of the war in the Gaza Strip, there has been a significant escalation in Iran’s hostility towards Israel while denying its existence. Hostility towards Israel is the central issue on which Iran’s policy has remained uncompromising and consistent.[1] Iran’s revolutionary ideology categorically rejects the existence of the State of Israel, which is epitomized in the slogan, “Israel must be wiped off the map.” Opposition to Israel is a central pillar of the Islamic regime’s revolutionary doctrine and policy, reflecting various revolutionary goals, including fundamental hostility to the Jewish state and hostility to Western imperialism, of which Israel is perceived as a representative. Read more...

Speech given by Hezbollah secretary general Hassan Nasrallah and reactions in the Arab world

On November 3, 2023, Hezbollah secretary general Hassan Nasrallah delivered a speech entitled "Martyrs who died on the way to Jerusalem.” it was Nasrallah's first public appearance since the outbreak of Operation Iron Swords. The speech, which raised high expectations in the Arab world, claimed the war in Gaza was completely Palestinian. He threatened the United States and Israel and emphasized that "all options are open.”He claimed, straight-faced, that he had no advance knowledge of the Hamas attack, and that Hamas was winning, therefore by implication they did not need external aid. He noted Hezbollah's contribution to the war effort through its operatives’ attacks on northern Israel and was proud they were forcing Israel to keep a significant portion of the IDF forces in the northern arena because Israel was concerned about having to fight on another front. As for further aid in the future, Nasrallah was ambiguous, apparently to keep Israel tense while claiming that all options were on the table. Reactions to the speech in the Arab world were diverse, as reflected in the media and social networks. Some supported the speech and its messages, while others criticized him for not fulfilling their high expectations. Read more...

Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., November 7, 2023)

The southern sector: After encircling Gaza City, the IDF forces began operating inside the city, focusing on Hamas strongholds in the Shati refugee camp, in the northwest of the city and the area of the Shifa, al-Quds and Indonesian hospitals. The operation revealed more evidence of Hamas' use of civilian compounds for terrorist activities. Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) continue claiming they have the upper hand, are prepared for prolonged fighting, and that most of the dead are civilians and not military “operatives” [terrorists] or commanders. In the meantime, sporadic rocket fire attacking Israel continues. So far, since October 7, more than 1,400 civilian and soldier deaths have been reported; 240 civilian and soldier abductees are still being held by the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip. A PIJ source claimed Israel would be forced to trade 6,000 prisoners in Israeli jails for the abductees. The Gaza Strip: According to the Hamas-controlled ministry of health, the number of dead in the Gaza Strip stands at 10,328. The IDF continued to urge the population to evacuate the combat arena, while Hamas continued to prevent their exodus in order to keep them as human shields during the fighting. The Rafah Crossing was reopened for the passage of foreign citizens. The northern sector: Hezbollah attacks along the border continued. A barrage of rockets, unusual in number and range, was launched at the Haifa area. Hamas’ military-terrorist wing claimed responsibility for the launch. In response, IDF forces attacked Hezbollah terrorist targets in south Lebanon. Judea and Samaria: An attempted stabbing attack was carried out at the Qalandiya Crossing. IDF forces eliminated a squad of four Hamas operatives who were planning to carry out attacks in Tulkarm. Iran: Iran continues its efforts in the international arena to bring about a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The Iranian foreign minister has been operating on the diplomatic level in preparation for Read more...

Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., November 6, 2023)

The integrated activity of the IDF forces in the Gaza Strip intensified and the forces currently encircle Gaza City. During the night, a massive integrated attack was carried out on Hamas targets. Sources in the Gaza Strip said it was the most severe attack since the outbreak of the war. Hamas strongly denied the IDF spokesman’s statement that Hamas exploited the hospitals in the Gaza Strip for military-terrorist use. The IDF continued urging the population to evacuate to the south, while Hamas continued preventing them from leaving the northern Gaza Strip. A senior Hamas figure in Beirut claimed there were still 900,000 Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip, indicating the failure of the Israeli plan. Hezbollah continued attacking IDF posts and the cities, towns and villages near the border, firing mortar shells and anti-tank missiles. Rocket barrages were launched at Kiryat Shemonah In Jerusalem, a Palestinian terrorist stabbed a Border Police fighter who later died. The Iraqi prime minister visited Iran. Many Arab sources condemned the Israeli minister of heritage regarding the possibility of dropping an atomic bomb on the Gaza Strip. They called it a “violent and racist” proposal and called on the international community to take action. Read more...

Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., November 5, 2023)

The IDF’s integrated aerial, land and naval maneuver in the Gaza Strip intensified. According to reports, more than 2,500 terrorist targets have been attacked since the beginning of the ground maneuver. The forces exposed Hamas’ exploitation of civilian facilities for positioning rocket launchers. Sources in the Gaza Strip claimed the “resistance” had the upper hand in combat and Israel had made no operational achievements. Hamas accused Israel of attacking UNRWA ambulances, hospitals and schools which shelter local residents. Officials in the Gaza Strip noted that the humanitarian situation was deteriorating and the aid delivered through the Rafah Crossing was insufficient. According to the Hamas-controlled ministry of health in Gaza, so far 9,770 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip.Hezbollah continued attacking IDF posts and the cities, towns and villages on the northern border. Hamas’ military-terrorist wing claimed responsibility for launching a barrage of rockets. In Judea and Samaria Palestinians terrorists carried out three shooting attacks and an attempted stabbing attack. Read more...

Profile of Saleh al-Arouri, a Senior Hamas Terrorist

On the morning of October 31, 2023, in the village of ‘Arura (north of Ramallah), Israeli security forces demolished the home of Saleh al-Arouri, deputy chairman of Hamas' political bureau and in charge of the Hamas terrorist activity in Judea and Samaria. Palestinians rioted during the activity, throwing rocks and IEDs at the forces, who responded with riot control measures. Al-Arouri has not lived in the house for the past 15 years. After the Israeli forces left, residents came carrying Hamas flags to express their solidarity and see the destroyed house up close (QudsN Twitter account, October 31, 2023). Saleh al-Arouri is considered number two in Hamas. He serves as deputy chairman of Hamas' political bureau and is responsible for Hamas’ terrorist activity in Judea and Samaria. Al-Arouri is responsible for Hamas' military buildup, its entrenchment in Lebanon, and the strengthening of the movement's ties with Iran. He is known for his militant statements against Israel, in which he often called for the killing of IDF soldiers and settlers in Judea and Samaria. He is also known for encouraging the escalation of terrorist activity in Judea and Samaria. At the same time, he conducts political activity. Since 2018, al-Arouri has also been wanted by the American State Department. In recent years, al-Arouri has been staying regularly in Beirut, in the southern suburb (al-Dahiya), which serves as Hezbollah's stronghold. Since the beginning of the war in the Gaza Strip, al-Arouri has continued to be interviewed by the media, especially al-Manar TV and al-Jazeera. He stressed Hamas' determination to wage a prolonged war against Israel. Read more...

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