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Business News›Magazines›Panache›Panache People 101›Benjamin Netanyahu
    Benjamin Netanyahu

    Benjamin Netanyahu

    Ex-Prime Minister, Israel
    Birth DetailsOctober 21, 1949 | Tel Aviv, Israel
    NationalityIsraeli
    LeaguePolitician
    EducationB.Sc. in Architecture, MIT; M.Sc. in Management Studies, MIT
    Benjamin Netanyahu’s Journey so far ...
    • Son of a historian, Benjamin Netanyahu was brought up in Israel and later in the United States. He returned to Israel in 1967 and served in the country’s military as a soldier and officer in an elite commando unit of the IDF called Sayeret Matkal
    • After spending six years in the military, he returned to the US to attend college at MIT
    • In 1976, he joined Boston Consulting Group as a consultant
    • He then moved to Jerusalem in 1980 and started working in Rim Industries as a member of the senior management
    • In 1982, he was appointed to the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC, as the deputy chief of mission
    • Netanyahu became Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations in 1984
    • He was elected to Israel’s parliament, Knesset, as the deputy minister of foreign affairs in 1988
    • In 1991, he was appointed as a deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s office in Yitzhak Shamir’s cabinet
    • In 1993, he was elected as the chairman of the Likud party
    • Netanyahu was elected as the ninth Prime Minister of Israel in 1996 and held the office till 1999
    • After the end of his term as PM, he started consulting tech-based companies in Israel
    • He resumed his career in politics in 2002 when he became the minister of foreign affairs
    • Next, he was elected as the minister of finance in 2003
    • Netanyahu took oath for his second term as the Prime Minister of Israel on March 31, 2009
    • His third term as the PM began in 2013
    • In 2015, he was re-elected as the Prime Minister for a fourth term
    • He assumed office for a record fifth time as the Prime Minister of Israel in 2020
    • Israel's longest-serving prime minister has clung to a record 12 years in power through several conflicts and a long period of political turmoil. He resigned in June 2021 when his party lost a vote of confidence
    • In his last year in office, Netanyahu clinched historic normalisation agreements with four Arab states and unrolled a world-beating Covid-19 vaccination campaign
    • In one controversial episode, he addressed a joint session of the US Congress in 2015 without having been invited by then-president Barack Obama -- using the platform to condemn Obama's nuclear negotiations with Iran

    Before you go ...
    • Netanyahu started an NGO called the Jonathan Institute to work against terrorism
    • His biography, Bibi, written by Anshel Pfeffer, was released in 2018
    • His brother, Yonatan, was the only Israeli soldier killed in a 1976 commando raid to free hostages at Uganda's Entebbe airport

    Last Updated: 25/08/2021

    Benjamin Netanyahu News

    • Israel conducted a massive strike on Saturday in the southern Gaza Strip, targeting a Hamas military commander, resulting in at least 90 deaths, including children, according to local health officials. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted that "there still isn't absolute certainty" that Mohammed Deif and another Hamas commander, Rafa Salama, were killed.
    • Argentina, under President Javier Milei, designated Hamas as a terrorist organization and froze their financial assets in a symbolic move aligning with the US and Israel. The decision follows Hamas' deadly attack on Israel and close ties to Iran, blamed for previous attacks on Jewish sites in Argentina. Milei aims to strengthen ties with Israel amidst global pressure over the Gaza conflict.
    • The United States is resuming the delivery of 500-pound bombs to Israel after pausing over concerns about the use of 2,000-pound munitions in populated areas. This decision follows a halt in May due to fears related to an Israeli operation near Rafah in Gaza. Despite previous tensions, both sides have indicated progress in resolving differences. The U.S. remains a key military supporter of Israel but has expressed concerns over civilian casualties amid ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
    • Negotiations to secure a ceasefire in the Gaza war will resume in Doha on Wednesday. The talks will see the participation of intelligence chiefs from Egypt, the United States, and Israel, according to Egypt's state-affiliated Al-Qahera News TV and sources. Egypt's security delegation, led by intelligence chief Abbas Kamel, aims to mediate between Hamas and Israel to reach a truce.
    • Hamas appears to be softening its demands in Gaza cease-fire negotiations following the Israeli offensive. Internal divisions within the group are reported. Talks with US officials are making progress, but a deal is not guaranteed. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues as efforts to end the nine-month war persist.
    • The three-phase plan for the Palestinian enclave was put forward at the end of May by U.S. President Joe Biden and is being mediated by Qatar and Egypt. It aims to end the war and free around 120 Israeli hostages being held by Hamas. Another Palestinian official, with knowledge of the ceasefire deliberations, said Israel was in talks with the Qataris.
    • The Israeli military said its aircraft had targeted "terrorists" operating around the Al-Jawni school. The military earlier said it had conducted operations across much of the Gaza Strip, including Shujaiya in the north, Deir al-Balah and Rafah in the south.
    • The Israeli army instructed a large-scale evacuation of Palestinians from much of Khan Younis on Monday. This order indicates that Israeli troops are likely preparing to launch a new ground assault into Gaza's second-largest city. The directive suggests Khan Younis will be the next target of Israel's raids into areas of Gaza previously invaded during the ongoing conflict, as they continue to pursue regrouping Hamas militants.
    • Anti-government protesters gathered in Jerusalem on Thursday, converging outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's home. The demonstrators lit a bonfire and called for Netanyahu's resignation. "We've been abandoned - Elections now!" read one sign that rose above the crowd. Demonstrators yelled through megaphones, waved flags, and banged on snare drums, while police officers stood at barricades.
    • Israeli tanks also pressed deeper overnight into western areas of Rafah in the enclave's south, blowing up homes, residents said.Two of the Israeli airstrikes hit two schools in Gaza City, killing at least 14 people, medics said. Another strike on a house in the Shati (Beach) camp, one of the Gaza Strip's eight historic refugee camps, killed 10 others.
    • Israel's Supreme Court ruled that ultra-Orthodox men must be drafted for military service like other citizens, potentially shaking Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition amid the Gaza conflict. The decision, aimed at ending exemptions for seminary students, highlights a longstanding divide between secular and religious sectors over military service.
    • Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant is heading to Washington to discuss the next phase of the Gaza war and escalating hostilities on the border with Lebanon. Hezbollah began attacking Israel shortly after Hamas' October 7 assault sparked the war in Gaza, and the sides have been trading blows in the months since then. Hezbollah has said it will not stop until there is a ceasefire in Gaza.
    • Tens of thousands protested across Israel on Saturday, demanding new elections and the return of hostages held in Gaza. In Tel Aviv, author David Grossman and former Shin Bet chief Yuval Diskin criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu, calling for immediate elections. Demonstrations also occurred outside Likud party headquarters and Netanyahu’s residence. Protests included calls to end the Gaza conflict and highlighted the plight of hostages. Hostages and Missing Families Forum held rallies nationwide, demanding hostages' release. Protests have persisted since the war began on October 7.
    • The proposed cease-fire deal for Gaza is influenced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas' leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar. Both leaders face significant political and personal pressures that may influence their decision-making. Hamas has accepted the broad outline of the plan but requested "amendments," while Netanyahu has publicly disputed aspects of it, even though the U.S. has framed it as an Israeli plan.
    • Iran-backed Hezbollah has been trading fire with Israel for the last eight months in parallel with the Gaza war. Last week, the group fired the largest volleys of rockets and drones of the hostilities so far at Israeli military sites, after an Israeli strike killed the most senior commander yet.
    • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has disbanded his war Cabinet, consolidating his influence over the Israel-Hamas war and potentially diminishing the chances of a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. The move came days after his chief political rival, Benny Gantz, withdrew from the three-member cabinet. Major war policies will now be approved by Netanyahu's security Cabinet, a larger body dominated by hard-liners who oppose the U.S.-backed cease-fire proposal and want to press ahead with the war.
    • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dissolved the six-member war cabinet following the departure of centrist former general Benny Gantz from the government. Netanyahu will now consult with a smaller group, including Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, regarding the Gaza conflict amid tensions with nationalist-religious coalition partners.
    • The army said that the daily pause would begin at 8 a.m. (0500 GMT) and last until 7 p.m. (1600 GMT) and continue until further notice. It's aimed at allowing aid trucks to reach the nearby Israel-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing, the main entry point, and travel safely to the Salah a-Din highway, a main north-south road, the military said. The crossing has had a bottleneck since Israeli ground troops moved into Rafah in early May.
    • Last month, Israel’s Supreme Court ordered an end to government subsidies for many ultra-Orthodox men who don’t serve in the army. A new draft law hasn't been passed, but the coalition of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week voted in favor of extending exemptions for religious men. Although the vote was only procedural, it caused an uproar by being approved during a war in which hundreds of soldiers have died and many others remain inside Gaza or on the front lines against Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.
    • US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recommitted to a Gaza ceasefire proposal during their meeting in Jerusalem. Blinken noted Hamas' positive response to a UN vote on the US-drafted resolution as a hopeful sign, but emphasised the need for Hamas to confirm their acceptance. He underlined the importance of a political and humanitarian plan to ensure lasting security in the region.
    • The proposed legislation, originally introduced by Gantz in 2022, aims to gradually integrate ultra-Orthodox Jews into the military, a group that has historically resisted military service. While some former generals like Gantz and Yoav Gallant oppose the bill for not meeting the military's evolving needs, religious parties in the coalition have backed it with plans to propose amendments during the review process.
    • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that "Israel does not surrender to terrorism" after troops rescued four hostages held by militants in the Gaza Strip. The four were identified as Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv. Netanyahu praised the security forces for their successful operation and vowed to continue until all hostages are returned. The rescued individuals were in good medical condition.
    • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his election victory, expressing hopes for stronger bilateral relations on social media platform X.
    • While US President Joe Biden, Russian President Vladimir Putin and UK PM Rishi Sunak and telephoned Modi to congratulate Modi, French President Emmanuel Macron sent a congratulatory message. Among the P5 Putin was the first leader to telephone the PM. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan President, PMs of Nepal, Bangladesh and Mauritius besides the Bhutanese leadership have been invited for the swearing in ceremony likely on June 8.
    • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Israel's readiness for a significant operation along the Lebanon border, where clashes with Hezbollah have escalated. The Iran-backed group, allied with Hamas, launched attacks on Israeli positions, including a strike on an Iron Dome platform. Israel has intensified its targeting of Hezbollah and allied militants in Lebanon. Netanyahu's coalition partners called for strong action to restore security. The violence since October has claimed hundreds of lives in Lebanon and several in Israel.
    • Israel's military intensified air strikes in central Gaza while US, Qatari, and Egyptian mediators prepared for truce and hostage release talks. The situation remained tense in east Jerusalem due to Israel's "flag March," which has previously led to clashes. The ongoing Gaza conflict, triggered by Hamas's October 7 attack on southern Israel, has resulted in significant casualties and destruction. Amid renewed fighting, the US proposed a three-phase plan to exchange hostages for Palestinian prisoners and increase aid, but Hamas demands a permanent truce and full Israeli withdrawal.
    • "China is ready to work with India to promote the healthy and stable development of relations between the two countries, in the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, with an eye to the big picture and a view to the future," foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular press conference.
    • U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held separate phone calls with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Benny Gantz, a centrist minister who joined Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an emergency coalition, to discuss the proposed ceasefire deal in Gaza, the State Department said on Sunday.
    • Palestinian militant group Hamas, meanwhile, has said it "views positively" what Biden described as an Israeli proposal. Netanyahu, a hawkish political veteran leading a fragile right-wing coalition government, is under intense domestic pressure from two sides.
    • In an interview with Britain's Sunday Times, Ophir Falk, chief foreign policy advisor to Netanyahu, said Biden's proposal was "a deal we agreed to — it's not a good deal but we dearly want the hostages released, all of them". "There are a lot of details to be worked out," he said, adding that Israeli conditions, including "the release of the hostages and the destruction of Hamas as a genocidal terrorist organisation" have not changed.
    • Netanyahu is under pressure from two sides. Protesters supporting the hostages, who rallied again in their tens of thousands in Tel Aviv on Saturday, are urging him to strike a truce deal - but right-wing extremist allies are threatening to bring down his fragile coalition government if he does.
    • ​The image depicts densely packed rows of tents stretching endlessly across a desert landscape overshadowed by mountains, alluding to the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who fled there during Israel's military campaign against Hamas.
    • All Eyes on Rafah: Recent Israeli strikes in Gaza's Rafah killed at least 45 Palestinians, including children. The attack targeted the Tal as-Sultan "safe zone" and sparked fires due to a fuel tank explosion. The "All Eyes on Rafah" campaign emerged in response, using AI-generated images to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis, gaining global support and celebrity endorsements.
    • Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the chief military spokesman, said Tuesday that the military fired two 17-kilogram (37-pound) munitions that targeted two senior Hamas militants. He said the munitions would have been too small to ignite a fire on their own and the military is looking into the possibility that weapons were stored in the area.
    • Ireland and Norway were also to make official their recognition of a Palestinian state later in the day. While dozens of countries have recognized a Palestinian state, none of the major Western powers has done so.
    • In his address at the Israeli Knesset on Monday, Netanyahu said, "Despite our best effort, not to harm those not involved, unfortunately a tragic mistake happened last night. We are investigating the case."
    • UN Secretary-General and High Commissioner for Human Rights condemn Israeli strike in Rafah. 45 killed in Gaza camp. IDF targeted Hamas officials. Netanyahu acknowledges 'tragic mistake.' Paramedics, firefighters respond in safe zones. Sirens in Tel Aviv.
    • Borrell insisted Israel had driven the Palestinians to the edge of a catastrophe because "the situation in Gaza is beyond words. The occupied West Bank is on the brink, risking an explosion any time." While most of the global attention is centered on Gaza, Borrell said that "we should not forget what's happening in the West Bank," where the seat of the Palestinian Authority is based.
    • The Israeli military has claimed to have recovered the bodies of Hanan Yablonka, Michel Nisenbaum and Oryon Hernandez Radoux, the 30-year-old boyfriend of Louk. The remains of former Israeli international footballer Lior Assouline have also been found.
    • Israel signals defiance of ICJ order, citing protection of citizens, while Russia ignores court order on Ukraine invasion.
    • An Israeli campaign group released footage of five female soldiers captured by Hamas on October 7, with permission from their families. This occurs as Spain, Norway, and Ireland recognize an independent Palestinian state, signaling Israel's increasing global isolation amid its ongoing Gaza offensive. The video shows the soldiers' traumatic treatment, prompting urgent pleas from their families for action.
    • The International Criminal Court seeks arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh, supported by France, Belgium, and Slovenia for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza and Israel.
    • United States lawmakers are considering imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) if it issues an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that Congress is exploring all options to punish the ICC for threatening Israeli leaders. He said that the ICC had no authority over Israel or the US and called the decision baseless and illegitimate.
    • The death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has not significantly altered the regime's trajectory, with little hope for political reform or reduced hostility towards the US and its allies, according to Western officials. The focus has shifted to succession planning, especially given the aging Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. However, Iran's detente with Saudi Arabia is expected to continue, as is its support for regional proxies. In Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's ascension to the throne is expected to maintain continuity in oil policy and regional relations.
    • The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor has requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders over alleged war crimes during the Gaza conflict. ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan believes these leaders bear criminal responsibility for crimes against humanity. Established in 2002, the ICC prosecutes severe atrocities globally but lacks enforcement power, relying on member states to arrest suspects. Israel and the U.S. oppose the investigation, complicating potential prosecutions and reflecting ongoing disputes over the court's jurisdiction and actions.
    • The ICC was established in 2002 as the permanent court of last resort to prosecute individuals responsible for the world's most heinous atrocities - war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression. The Rome Statute creating the ICC was adopted in 1998 and took effect when it got 60 ratifications on July 1, 2002. The U.N. General Assembly endorsed the ICC, but the court is independent.
    • The International Criminal Court's prosecutor has requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Gallant, and three Hamas leaders over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Prosecutor Karim Khan claims the five men bear criminal responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity. A panel of judges will decide on the warrants, but enforcement remains uncertain as the ICC lacks the means to compel arrests, and both Israel and the U.S. oppose the investigation.
    • The Israeli army has been battling Hamas militants across Gaza for more than seven months while also exchanging near-daily fire with Iran-backed Hezbollah forces along the northern border with Lebanon.
    • Israel is set to defend itself against allegations of genocide in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) brought by South Africa over the military operation in Rafah. Israel claims is targeting Hamas militants. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the offensive despite warnings of civilian casualties. South Africa is seeking emergency orders to cease military operations, provide humanitarian access, and report progress in compliance with the UN Genocide Convention.
    • Israel's tanks advance into Jabalia in Gaza, fighting Hamas militants. The offensive targets eradicating Hamas, with clashes in Rafah. International pressure mounts to stop the assault led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Rafah. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant announces troop deployment in Rafah, while Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri vows to defend.
    • President Joe Biden said last week he had delayed a shipment of 2,000-pound (907-kg) bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs to Israel over concerns they might be used for a major invasion of Rafah, a town in southern Gaza.
    • Hamas has reemerged in parts of Gaza, Blinken said, and that "heavy action" by Israeli forces in the southern city of Rafah risks leaving America's closest Mideast ally "holding the bag on an enduring insurgency."
    • Israeli strikes in Gaza escalate, risking disaster. UN warns of humanitarian crisis. Netanyahu vows action in Rafah. Army active at crossing. Residents flee Rafah. Guterres calls for ceasefire and aid access.
    • The World Food Program will run out of food for distribution in southern Gaza by Saturday, said Georgios Petropoulos, an official with the U.N. Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Rafah. Aid groups have said fuel will also be depleted soon, forcing hospitals to shut down critical operations and bringing to a halt trucks delivering aid across south and central Gaza.
    • Biden and Netanyahu's strained relationship over the Gaza war and weapons suspension may impact their political futures. Netanyahu faces pressure over Gaza conflict and hostages, while Biden grapples with domestic protests and backlash.
    • Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the country will "stand alone" in its war against Hamas, following President Joe Biden's announcement that the US would not provide offensive weapons for Israel's Rafah assault.
    • Israeli tanks and warplanes have bombarded areas of Rafah, Palestinian residents said, following President Joe Biden's statement that the US would withhold weapons from Israel if its forces mounted a major invasion of the southern Gaza city. A senior Israeli official said that the latest round of indirect negotiations in Cairo had ended and Israel would proceed with its operation in Rafah and other parts of the Gaza Strip as planned. Israel has submitted to mediators its reservations about a Hamas proposal for a hostage release deal, and the Israeli delegation is returning from the Egyptian capital.
    • The spectre of Palestine is haunting America, with a few powerful powers forming an alliance to exorcise it. This has led to the idea of a free Palestine being conceived as a threat by the few, who have made it their mission to impress upon the many that only their perspective carries the burden of proof, the blessing of history, and the benefit of reason. The current conflict bears many similarities to the war in Vietnam, with the US having supported South Vietnam between 1963 and 1973 and just approved a $17 billion aid package for Israel.
    • Israeli tanks entering Rafah raised concerns of a potential offensive endangering over a million Palestinian civilians. The move dimmed hopes for an immediate cease-fire deal. Palestinians in Rafah face evacuation with uncertain shelter plans. Israel has directed evacuees to Muwasi, but its conditions are described as squalid and inadequate. The UN warns that an attack on Rafah could collapse aid operations, pushing Gaza into greater crisis. The international community, including the US and Egypt, has urged Israel to avoid actions that could harm civilians.
    • The U.N. warned of a potential collapse of the flow of aid to Palestinians from the closure of Rafah and the other main crossing into Gaza, Kerem Shalom, at a time when officials say northern Gaza is experiencing "full-blown famine."
    • Israeli forces entered Rafah in southern Gaza, taking control of the border crossing with Egypt, amid escalating tensions. This operation, following a warning to evacuate, disrupted UN humanitarian access. Tanks flew Israeli flags as they secured the area, but no sign of specific targets. The region faced heavy bombardment overnight, resulting in casualties. Hamas claimed responsibility for attacks, further fueling conflict. Negotiations for a ceasefire are ongoing, with international concern mounting over civilian safety and the potential for broader escalation.
    • Israel carried out airstrikes on Gaza's city of Rafah, aiming to pressure Hamas ahead of truce talks in Egypt. This followed reports of a Chinese fighter jet firing flares near an Australian navy helicopter in the Yellow Sea. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned China's actions as "unprofessional and unacceptable." The Australian Defence Department reported the incident occurred during UN sanctions enforcement on North Korea. Albania said Australia's concerns were raised with China through diplomatic channels.
    • Fears are growing of a full-blown assault in Rafah, long threatened by Israel, against holdouts of the Palestinian militant group Hamas as ceasefire talks in Cairo stall. There was no immediate comment from Israel, which Hamas-affiliated Al-Aqsa TV said had targeted areas in eastern Rafah near neighbourhoods given evacuation orders.
    • Hamas has accepted an Egyptian-Qatari proposal for a cease-fire to halt the seven-month-long war with Israel in Gaza. The deal follows Israel ordering 100,000 Palestinians to evacuate from Rafah, signaling a potential ground invasion. The cease-fire would take place in stages, with Hamas releasing hostages in exchange for Israeli troop pullbacks from Gaza. It is unclear whether the deal will meet Hamas' key demand of bringing about an end to the war and complete Israeli withdrawal.
    • Israel calls for Rafah evacuation before potential ground invasion, escalating tensions with Hamas. International leaders intervene amid concerns for civilians. Truce talks stalled, violence escalates in Gaza.
    • Hezbollah, in a statement, said it fired "dozens of Katyusha and Falaq rockets" at Kiryat Shmona in northern Israel "in response to the horrific crime that the Israeli enemy committed in Mais al-Jabal". The Lebanese movement has repeatedly declared that only a ceasefire in Gaza will put an end to its attacks on Israel, which it says are in support of the people of Gaza as well as its ally Hamas.
    • Video circulated online showed plainclothes officers dismantling camera equipment in a hotel room. The Al Jazeera source said the hotel was in East Jerusalem.
    • Israel closes Gaza crossing, hindering ceasefire efforts after Hamas attack. Defence minister hints at Rafah operation. UN warns of famine. Cabinet approves Al Jazeera shutdown. Netanyahu downplays hopes due to Hamas' extreme demands and ongoing conflict.
    • Al Jazeera's coverage of the Gaza war has been widely praised for its in-depth reporting and on-the-ground perspective. The network has faced challenges and dangers in its reporting, including the loss of journalists in the line of duty. The ban on Al Jazeera's operations in Israel is seen as a significant blow to media freedom and transparency in the region.
    • The decision escalated Israel's long-running feud against Al Jazeera. It also threatened to heighten tensions with Qatar, which owns the channel, at a time when the Doha government is playing a key role in mediation efforts to halt the war in Gaza.
    • Gaza truce talks stalled as Hamas rejects deals not ending war, involving British, Qatari, and US mediators. Famine crisis worsens, reminiscent of post-World War II efforts. Qatari, Egyptian and US mediators met a Hamas delegation in Cairo on Saturday and a senior Hamas source close to the negotiations told there would be "a new round" of talks on Sunday.
    • US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that Hamas is the main obstacle to a ceasefire in Gaza, as the militants prepared to send a delegation to Cairo for talks. Blinken emphasized that the only thing preventing a ceasefire is Hamas, which the US considers a terrorist group. He highlighted the difficulty of negotiating with Hamas, as its leaders are not directly engaged with the US or Israel. Blinken's comments came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue the assault on Rafah, a southern Gaza city, to eliminate Hamas.
    • The World Health Organization (WHO) warned of a potential "bloodbath" if Israel launches a military incursion into Gaza's southern city of Rafah. WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed deep concern for the 1.2 million people seeking refuge in Rafah, stating that the already strained health system could not cope with a surge in casualties. The WHO announced contingency plans to address potential casualties, but emphasized that these measures would not prevent substantial additional mortality and morbidity resulting from a military operation.
    • A separate letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested his office has been dragging its feet on sharing relevant documents. In February, the Israel Defense Forces' Chief of Staff, Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi ordered an internal probe of the military's failures of October 7. That inquiry will investigate the IDF General Staff, military intelligence, the deficiencies of the Gaza border defenses, and general operational matters.
    • Oil fell more than 1% on Wednesday, losing ground for a third straight session, sapped by the prospect of a ceasefire agreement in the Middle East and persistent U.S. inflation dampening the expected pace of interest rate cuts.
    • Netanyahu's comments came hours before U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was to arrive in Israel to advance the truce talks - which appear to be one of the most serious rounds of negotiations between Israel and Hamas since the war began. The deal is meant to free hostages, bring some relief to the population and avert an Israeli offensive into Rafah and the potential harm to civilians there.
    • Netanyahu pledges to enter Rafah to eliminate Hamas, aiming for total victory. International concern rises over civilian safety. Operation crucial after Oct. 7 attacks triggered conflict. U.S. alarm and demands from hard-line Cabinet members pose challenges.
    • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has written in general terms about ICC action against Israeli troops and officials, and Israel's foreign ministry has said it is also tracking reports of pending action.
    • "In this moment the only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a ceasefire is Hamas," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told World Economic Forum (WEF) President Borge Brende in the Saudi capital Riyadh. "They (Hamas) have to decide and they have to decide quickly," he said. "I'm hopeful that they will make the right decision."
    • US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived in Riyadh for a visit to Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel. He will participate in a Gulf Cooperation Council Ministerial meeting to coordinate regional security. Blinken will also coordinate with US partners at the World Economic Forum's special meeting on global collaboration, growth, and energy for Development. He will discuss efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, the recent increase in humanitarian assistance, and preventing the conflict from spreading. He will also travel to Israel and Jordan.
    • The pro-Palestinian anger is earnest, and many Jewish students are participating. But some of the slogans have crossed into hate speech. 'We are Hamas' is a common chant and placards saying 'Al-Qasam's next targets' have been spotted. Al-Qasam is the armed wing of Hamas -not that the rest of Hamas are Gandhian. Loud threats that the Oct 7 attacks on Israel will be repeated, not once, not twice, not a hundred but ten thousand times, have gone viral.
    • US universities have never been shy about calling in the police to deal with protesting students. Authorities must weigh the justification of taking precautionary measures to prevent violence, or exploitation of student protests by non-university actors when evaluating actions of university authorities in similar situations.
    • Israel persists with Hamas operation in Rafah despite global outcry. Netanyahu aims to destroy Hamas in Gaza, rejecting ceasefire. Concerns over civilian impact of military assault in Rafah.
    • The protests have continued as the war in Gaza moves through its seventh month and amid growing anger over the government's approach to the 133 Israeli hostages still held by the Islamist movement Hamas.
    • A total of $13 billion in military assistance has been allocated for America's historic ally in its war against Hamas, despite growing international concern for the fate of civilians in Gaza.
    • Israeli forces began an extended raid in the early hours of Friday in the Nur Shams area, near the flashpoint Palestinian city of Tulkarm and were still exchanging fire with armed fighters well into Saturday.
    • Iran downplayed Israel's reported retaliation for its unprecedented drone and missile attack, tamping down fears that escalating attacks between the arch enemies could tip over into a broader war in the Middle East.
    • The two leaders statement came after the US House of Representatives approved a USD 95.3 billion foreign-aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and other American allies on Saturday. Lawmakers approved the package, most of which is direct military assistance, in separate votes, New York Post reported.
    • Iran-Israel conflict aftermath raises concerns about wider conflict, economic impact, and US involvement. Diplomats stress de-escalation to avoid broader war risk in the region.
    • The signal sent by the decision to hit a conventional military target in Isfahan was clear: Israel demonstrated that it could pierce Isfahan's layers of air defenses, many of them arrayed around key sites such as the Isfahan uranium conversion facility.
    • Since Hamas's deadly October 7 attack on Israel sparked devastating retaliation against Gaza, Qatar has been an important conduit to the Palestinian militant group, whose political office is in Doha. The gas-rich emirate, which also hosts the region's largest US military base, successfully brokered a week-long break in fighting in late November when scores of Israeli and foreign hostages were released.
    • The Israeli army said it had bombed dozens of targets in the Palestinian coastal territory of 2.4 million people, more than six months into the bloodiest ever Gaza war.
    • Setting aside the wider diplomatic and strategic costs that are likely to be the strongest deterrent to any counter-strike, experts say Israel would have little trouble hitting targets inside Iran, which has an obsolete air force and indigenous air defence systems based on ageing Russian models.
    • The tense situation between Israel and Iran escalated dramatically. The Israeli strike, which killed several senior Iranian commanders, caught the United States off guard, leading to private expressions of anger from U.S. officials towards Israel for not consulting them beforehand. Iran retaliated with a barrage of more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel, signaling a significant shift in the conflict dynamics. The unexpected scale of Iran's response raised fears of an all-out war, prompting concerns about further escalation.
    • ​​Israel has vowed to respond to Iran's unprecedented attack without saying when or how, leaving the region bracing for further escalation after months of unrest linked to the ongoing war in Gaza.
    • While Saturday night's attack caused no deaths and little damage thanks to the air defences and countermeasures of Israel and its allies, it has increased fears that violence rooted in the six-month-old Gaza war is spreading, with the risk of open war between long-time adversaries Iran and Israel.
    • Military chief of staff Herzi Halevi had promised that Saturday night's launch of more than 300 missiles, cruise missiles and drones from Iran into Israeli territory "will be met with response", but gave no details. While the attack caused no deaths and little damage, thanks to the air defences and countermeasures of Israel and its allies, it has increased concerns that violence rooted in the Gaza war is spreading, and fears of open war between the long-time foes.
    • Netanyahu vows to fight Hamas 'without mercy' amidst ongoing Gaza bombings. Civilian death toll rises, sparking humanitarian crisis. Iran attack heightens tensions. 33,843 deaths in Gaza. Netanyahu assures IDF's determination to combat brutal enemy.
    • ​​The Indian rupee ended at a record closing low on Tuesday, as rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and worries that the Federal Reserve will delay interest rate cuts triggered a selloff in risky assets.
    • Iran Israel War: In the midst of escalating tensions, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian echoed similar sentiments, cautioning Israel against further aggression while asserting Iran's right to defend itself. Raisi hinted at the possibility of a severe response, while Abdollahian framed Iran's actions as legitimate self-defense measures.
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    The Economic Times
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