April 19, 2024 9:05 AM

Israel fires missiles in retaliatory strike against Iran, says US official

Israel launched missile strikes against Tehran during early hours on Friday morning (local time), ABC News reported citing a senior US official. However, the official could not confirm whether Syria and Iraq sites were hit as well. The report came shortly after local sources reported blasts in Isfahan region in Central Iran. Iran's air defence systems were activated in several locations after multiple explosions were heard close to the airport and an army base in the Iranian city of Isfahan, st...

April 18, 2024 11:09 AM

EU leaders back new Iran sanctions after attack on Israel

European Union leaders decided on Wednesday to step up sanctions against Iran after Tehran's missile and drone attack on Israel left world powers scrambling to prevent a wider conflict in the Middle East. The summit in Brussels is the first meeting of the EU's 27 national leaders since Saturday's attack, more than six months into the war between Israel and the Iran-backed Palestinian militant group Hamas. Israel has signalled it will retaliate but has not said how. EU leaders condemned the Ira...

April 17, 2024 6:44 PM

UN appeals for $2.8 bln for Gaza, West Bank aid

The United Nations appealed on Wednesday for $2.8 billion in funding to assist more than three million people in Gaza and the West Bank until the end of the year, to help ease food shortages and prevent looming famine in Gaza. A flash appeal published by the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that sum was needed to help 3.1 million people and "reduce human suffering and prevent further loss of life." A major chunk of funding - $782.1 million - will be destined...

April 16, 2024 12:18 PM

Israeli military vows response to Iran attack as calls for restraint mount

Israelis awaited word on how Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would respond to Iran's first-ever direct attack as international pressure for restraint grew amid fears of an escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. Netanyahu on Monday summoned his war cabinet for the second time in less than 24 hours to weigh a response to Iran's weekend missile and drone attack, a government source said. Military Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi said Israel would respond. He provided no details. "This launc...

April 16, 2024 9:17 AM

Israeli military vows response to Iran attack as calls for restraint mount

Israelis awaited word on how Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would respond to Iran's first-ever direct attack as international pressure for restraint grew amid fears of an escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. Netanyahu on Monday summoned his war cabinet for the second time in less than 24 hours to weigh a response to Iran's weekend missile and drone attack, a government source said. Military Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi said Israel would respond. He provided no details. "This launch ...

April 15, 2024 5:01 PM

Europe joins US in urging restraint by Israel after Iranian attack

Israel's European allies urged it on Monday to show restraint over Iran's weekend missile and drone attack, calling on Israeli leaders to step away from "the edge of the cliff" of escalation in the Middle East. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's war cabinet, which is empowered to decide on the country's response, was set to convene on Monday afternoon, a government source said. Israeli officials said the war cabinet, which also met on Sunday, favoured retaliation but was divided over ...

April 13, 2024 11:56 AM

Biden says he expects Iran to attack Israel soon, warns: ‘Don’t’

U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday said he expected Iran to attack Israel "sooner, rather than later" and warned Tehran not to proceed. Asked by reporters about his message to Iran, Biden said simply, "Don't," and he underscored Washington's commitment to defend Israel. "We are devoted to the defense of Israel. We will support Israel. We will help defend Israel and Iran will not succeed," he said. Israel braced on Friday for an attack by Iran or its proxies as warnings grew of retaliation for...

April 9, 2024 3:53 PM

Turkey imposes export restrictions on Israel until Gaza ceasefire

Turkey will restrict exports of a wide range of products to Israel, including steel and jet fuel, until a ceasefire is declared in Gaza, the Turkish Trade Ministry said on Tuesday, in Ankara's first significant measure against Israel after six months of war. Turkey has denounced Israel for its campaign on Gaza, which was launched following Palestinian militant group Hamas' Oct. 7 rampage. Ankara has called for an immediate ceasefire, supported steps to try Israel for genocide, and sent thousand...

April 9, 2024 12:01 PM

Hamas: Israeli ceasefire proposal fails to meet demands, under review

Hamas said early on Tuesday Israel's proposal that it received from Qatari and Egyptian mediators did not meet any of the demands of Palestinian factions. However, the group added in a statement it would study the proposal, which it described as “intransigent”, and deliver its response to the mediators. A Hamas official told Reuters on Monday that the group has rejected the Israeli ceasefire proposal made at talks in Cairo, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a date was set ...

April 9, 2024 9:04 AM

Victim of October 7 attack lauds Indian support for Israel, thanks to PM Modi

As the Israel-Hamas war completed its six months, Moran, a survivor of the October 7 attack, conveyed appreciation towards India and its people for their steadfast support during a challenging period. Moran's words reflect the profound bond shared between the two nations in times of adversity. "I see the Indian support that started much before, years before October 7 and after October 7," Moran expressed, highlighting the enduring nature of India's solidarity, adding, "Thanks to Prime Minister ...