Iran's supreme leader praised the country's retaliatory strikes against Israel a week ago, while dismissing the country's low success rate in hitting targets as a minor problem.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Hamas political leaders on Saturday to discuss the need for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and accelerated humanitarian aid.
Prime Minister Netanyahu condemns reported plans to impose sanctions on US military forces
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned a reported US plan to sanction an ultra-Orthodox army battalion for human rights abuses in the West Bank, but the move comes amid concerns over Israel's war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. It can increase tension.
Referring to the Israel Defense Forces, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote to Ta.
The United States is expected to announce the punitive measures within days, marking the first time the United States has sanctioned an Israeli military unit. Axios report The report Saturday cited three U.S. officials familiar with the matter, who declined to be named.
Blacklisting the Netza Yehuda Battalion would prohibit it from receiving U.S. military equipment or training. Accusations of abuse against Palestinians, including in January 2022, when Omar Assad, an elderly American-Palestinian man, was found dead after being detained by members of his forces in the West Bank has been done.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday that a decision on whether certain Israeli military or police units could be sanctioned under the so-called Leahy Act, which prohibits military assistance to other countries' security, was expected “within the next few days.” He said he would clarify. Forces that violate human rights.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has repeatedly clashed with President Joe Biden's administration over pressure to step up efforts to protect civilians and reach a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.He praised the US House of Representatives for passing the $26 billion bill. aid bill On Saturday, he delivered a statement to Israel that included both missile defense assistance and humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip, demonstrating “strong bipartisan support for Israel,” X said.
Iran-backed Hamas, listed as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union, killed 1,200 people and abducted 250 in an unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7. More than 100 people are still held captive along the coast.
Hamas-run health authorities say more than 34,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza since Israel launched a devastating offensive aimed at clearing out the militants. International organizations have warned that a lack of aid puts most of the region's more than 2 million people at risk of starvation, a charge Israel denies.
The United States has criticized Israel's plan to attack the southern Gaza city of Rafah, the only safe haven remaining in the enclave, which is home to more than 1 million displaced people. Negotiations for a deal to release the hostages have stalled, with Hamas rejecting Israeli proposals for a pause in fighting.
“In the coming days, we will increase diplomatic and military pressure on Hamas, because this is the only way to free the hostages and achieve victory,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video address ahead of Passover.
Iran's supreme leader: Number of missiles that hit Israel is a 'minor issue'
Iran's supreme leader praised the country's retaliatory strikes against Israel a week ago, while dismissing the country's low success rate in hitting targets as a minor problem.
“The number of missiles launched and the number of missiles that hit the target, which the other side focuses on, is a secondary and trivial issue,” Khamenei said on Sunday.
The Iranian leader spoke at a meeting of military leaders but did not address what he said afterwards. Israeli attack early Friday morning.
His comments come as military aggression between Israel and Iran escalates, raising fears of an all-out war in the region.
Tensions have escalated as Iran, which supports the Palestinian extremist group Hamas in its war with Israel, has vowed to retaliate for the April 1 attack on its consulate in Syria believed to have been carried out by Israel that killed several military officers. Ta. The Iranian government carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel last weekend, firing an estimated 300 drones and missiles at the Jewish state.
read more: A week of Iranian and Israeli attacks marks a 'game changer' for the Middle East
Israeli officials said most of the projectiles were intercepted by Israeli air defense systems, causing limited damage and no fatalities. However, Iranian state media reported that the attack dealt “heavy blows” to targets including an air base in Israel.
President Erdogan and Hamas officials meet in Gaza, Prime Minister Abbas insists on US veto
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Hamas political leaders on Saturday to discuss the need for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and accelerated humanitarian aid.
Separately on Saturday, the head of the Palestinian Authority criticized the United States' veto of a resolution on Palestine's full membership in the United Nations Security Council this week.
President Erdogan received a delegation that included Ismail Haniyeh and former Hamas leader Khalid Mashaal at Istanbul's historic Dolmabahce Palace.
“It is vital that Palestinians act in unity in this process. According to the General Directorate of Communications, the Turkish leader said that the strongest response against Israel and the path to victory lies in unity and honesty. .
After two and a half years of conflict in Gaza, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced the Turkish government's decision to mediate a suspension of the six-month long conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, according to a statement on X (formerly Twitter). He emphasized diplomatic efforts.-Time meeting.
President Erdogan has repeatedly criticized Israel's actions in the war, calling Hamas militants “freedom fighters.”
President Erdogan stopped short of completely severing ties with Israel.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the Palestinian Authority would “reexamine” its bilateral relationship with the United States following Washington's veto this week of a resolution recognizing the Palestinian Authority as a full member of the United Nations. Ta.
Thursday's move “is a blatant violation of the rights, history, land and sanctity of the Palestinian people and challenges the will of the international community.” Abbas said. This was reported by state news agency Wafa. DM
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