Elad Benari

Elad Benari

News writer based in North America

Elad was born in Haifa, Israel, and currently resides in Canada.

News by Elad Benari

Hamas official claims:

Hamas official claims: We don't know how many hostages are alive

Amid talks on a hostage release deal, senior Hamas leader Bassem Naim claims a ceasefire is needed in order for Hamas to verify how many hostages are still alive.

Hamas official claims: We don't know how many hostages are alive

Biden:

Biden: I will not let up on a hostage release deal

US President pledges to continue pushing for six-week ceasefire during which Hamas would release the hostages it is holding.

Biden: I will not let up on a hostage release deal

UNRWA chief warns:

UNRWA chief warns: Without additional funding, we will be in uncharted territory

UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini accuses Israel of "a deliberate and concerted campaign" against the agency.

UNRWA chief warns: Without additional funding, we will be in uncharted territory

Harris to Gantz:

Harris to Gantz: A credible humanitarian plan is needed before an operation in Rafah

US Vice President meets Minister Benny Gantz at the White House, calls on Hamas to accept ceasefire deal.

Harris to Gantz: A credible humanitarian plan is needed before an operation in Rafah

Joins other countries

Spain sanctions 12 residents of Judea and Samaria, joining the US, the UK and France

Spanish Foreign Minister announces that Spain has initiated a process of sanctioning 12 residents of Judea and Samaria who it claims committed violent acts against Palestinian Arabs.

Spain sanctions 12 residents of Judea and Samaria, joining the US, the UK and France

Houthis vow:

Houthis vow: We will continue targeting British ships

Yemen's Houthis say they will continue targeting British ships in the Gulf of Aden following the sinking of a UK-owned vessel on the weekend.

Houthis vow: We will continue targeting British ships

Attack on military facility:

Iran executes alleged 'Mossad agent' over 2023 attack on military facility

Iran’s judiciary says it executed a “terrorist” over a 2023 drone attack that targeted a defense ministry site in Isfahan.

Iran executes alleged 'Mossad agent' over 2023 attack on military facility

North of Toronto:

Man arrested at pro-Palestinian protest near synagogues north of Toronto

Man arrested after allegedly bringing a nail gun to a demonstration in the vicinity of synagogues in a suburb of Toronto.

Man arrested at pro-Palestinian protest near synagogues north of Toronto

VP Harris:

VP Harris: There must be in immediate ceasefire in Gaza

US Vice President calls on Israel and Hamas to accept a deal that would begin a six-week ceasefire in the Gaza Strip: Hamas claims it wants a ceasefire. There is a deal on the table.

VP Harris: There must be in immediate ceasefire in Gaza

UNRWA investigation:

UN hoping to receive material from Israel on UNRWA probe

UN spokesperson says investigators expect to receive materials from Israel related to its accusations that UNRWA staff took part in October 7 attacks.

UN hoping to receive material from Israel on UNRWA probe

Iranian satellite put into orbit with Russian help

Iran launches Pars-I satellite with a Russian Soyuz-2.1b rocket. The satellite was launched from a base located some 8,000 kilometers east of Moscow.

Iranian satellite put into orbit with Russian help

After agreement with Israel:

Norway transfers PA tax money after agreement with Israel

Norway says PA received 407 million shekels from Israel as part of deal to release the frozen tax funds through Norway.

Norway transfers PA tax money after agreement with Israel

Due to spike in antisemitism:

UK increases security funding for Jewish community following spike in antisemitism

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announces 54 million pounds in new funding to protect Jewish communities against antisemitism over the next four years.

UK increases security funding for Jewish community following spike in antisemitism

Including political wing

New Zealand designates all of Hamas, including its political wing, as a terrorist entity

New Zealand's says "we can no longer distinguish between the military and political wings of Hamas" following October 7. At the same time, sanctions against "extremist Israeli settlers" were announced as well.

New Zealand designates all of Hamas, including its political wing, as a terrorist entity

Reports in Syria:

Reports: Two pro-Hezbollah fighters killed in Israeli strike in Syria

Syria’s Defense Ministry claims that Israel carried out strikes near Damascus. Syrian opposition organization says two were killed and six injured.

Reports: Two pro-Hezbollah fighters killed in Israeli strike in Syria

Bypassing UNRWA

US announces humanitarian aid for Palestinian Arabs, but bypasses UNRWA

USAID says the aid will go through the World Food Program and non-governmental groups rather than UNRWA, whose employees took part in October 7 massacre.

US announces humanitarian aid for Palestinian Arabs, but bypasses UNRWA

Blinken to Saudi FM:

Blinken to Saudi FM: US committed to two-state solution

US Secretary of State reiterates the Biden administration’s commitment to a Palestinian state in conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister.

Blinken to Saudi FM: US committed to two-state solution

EU top diplomat doubles down:

EU top diplomat doubles down: Israel helped create Hamas

European Union foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell says Israel "enabled the development of Hamas" as a rival to Fatah.

EU top diplomat doubles down: Israel helped create Hamas

Due to imminent threats

US Army destroys Houthi targets which presented imminent threats

CENTCOM says it destroyed three unmanned surface vessels, two mobile anti-ship cruise missiles and a one-way attack unmanned aerial vehicle in the Red Se area.

US Army destroys Houthi targets which presented imminent threats

IAEA report:

IAEA report: Iran has further increased its stockpile of uranium

UN nuclear watchdog says Iran continues to bar its most seasoned inspectors from monitoring its nuclear program.

IAEA report: Iran has further increased its stockpile of uranium

Saudi Arabia denies its minister met Barkat

Saudi Arabia denies a meeting took place between its commerce minister and Economy Minister Nir Barkat, even though a viral video showed their interaction.

Saudi Arabia denies its minister met Barkat

Pentagon review:

Pentagon review: No ill intent in not disclosing Austin's hospitalization'

Pentagon releases results of review that found no attempt to hide Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s secret hospitalizations in December and January.

Pentagon review: No ill intent in not disclosing Austin's hospitalization'

Biden:

Biden: My hope is that by next Monday we’ll have a ceasefire

US President speaks to reporters in New York: My national security adviser tells me that they’re close. My hope is by next Monday we’ll have a ceasefire.

Biden: My hope is that by next Monday we’ll have a ceasefire

Harvard University:

Co-chair of Harvard University's antisemitism task force resigns

Harvard Business School professor Raffaella Sadun resigns from presidential task force on antisemitism, in the latest setback for the initiative.

Co-chair of Harvard University's antisemitism task force resigns

Iran:

Iran: US and Britain seek to escalate tensions

Iran criticizes US and British strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, says the two countries seek to "escalate tensions and crises" in the region.

Iran: US and Britain seek to escalate tensions

Report:

Report: PA cabinet to resign in favor of technocratic government

Hamas has reportedly agreed to the creation of a technocratic government tasked with the reconstruction of Gaza and the restoration of security in the region.

Report: PA cabinet to resign in favor of technocratic government

Report:

Report: Biden’s dog bit Secret Service agents at least 24 times

New internal documents show the extent to which the situation with Commander, Biden's dog, had become a serious workplace issue White House support staff.

Report: Biden’s dog bit Secret Service agents at least 24 times

Houthis vow to ramp up attacks in Red Sea

Houthis claim responsibility for attacks on UK-owned cargo ship and a drone assault on an American destroyer, as well as missile attack on Eilat.

Houthis vow to ramp up attacks in Red Sea

UNRWA chief:

UNRWA chief: We've reached a breaking point

UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini tells General Assembly the agency's ability to fulfill its mandate is "seriously threatened".

UNRWA chief: We've reached a breaking point

Over Israel criticism

Rep. Ritchie Torres quits Congressional Progressive Caucus over its criticism of Israel

New York Democrat has been one of the most vocally pro-Israel Democrats in the House.

Rep. Ritchie Torres quits Congressional Progressive Caucus over its criticism of Israel

UK and Jordan air-drop aid into Gaza

The aid includes four tons of supplies which were floated down to the Tal Al-Hawa Hospital in northern Gaza.

UK and Jordan air-drop aid into Gaza

Iran blames Israel for gas pipeline explosions

Iran’s claims follow a New York Times report last Friday which said that Israel carried out the covert attacks on the two major gas pipelines inside Iran.

Iran blames Israel for gas pipeline explosions

Blinken to Brazilian Pres.:

Blinken to Brazilian President: We do not agree with your comments on Gaza

Secretary of State tells Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during meeting that the US does not agree with his comparing Israel's actions in Gaza to those of Hitler.

Blinken to Brazilian President: We do not agree with your comments on Gaza

'Strong disappointment'

'Strong disappointment': China criticizes US veto of resolution on Gaza

China's permanent representative to the UN after US vetoes Security Council resolution calling for ceasefire in Gaza: The US veto sends a wrong message.

'Strong disappointment': China criticizes US veto of resolution on Gaza

Qatar claims:

Qatar claims: The medications were transferred to the hostages

Prime Minister's Office: Israel will examine the credibility of the report and continue to work for the welfare of our hostages.

Qatar claims: The medications were transferred to the hostages

'There's genocide in Gaza'

Colombian President backs Brazilian President: There is a genocide in Gaza

Colombian President Gustavo Petro expresses support for comments made by Brazilian President da Silva, who compared Israel’s actions in Gaza to those of Hitler during World War II.

Colombian President backs Brazilian President: There is a genocide in Gaza

Brazil's FM:

Brazil's FM: Israel is putting up a smoke screen to hide massacre in Gaza

Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira accuses Israeli counterpart Israel Katz of “lying” amid tensions between the two countries.

Brazil's FM: Israel is putting up a smoke screen to hide massacre in Gaza

US official:

US official: We won't rush to vote on UNSC resolution on Gaza

Senior US official says the Biden administration is not planning “to rush” passage of UN Security Council resolution that urges a temporary ceasefire in Gaza.

US official: We won't rush to vote on UNSC resolution on Gaza

Except for Hungary

26 EU countries call for humanitarian pause in the Gaza war, Hungary doesn't join the call

The EU countries also reiterate their calls for Israel not to launch an assault on the Gaza city of Rafah.

26 EU countries call for humanitarian pause in the Gaza war, Hungary doesn't join the call

Saudi Foreign Minister:

Saudi Foreign Minister: Recognition of a Palestinian state not enough for normalization

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan says normalization with Israel requires both an end to the fighting in the Gaza Strip as well as the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Saudi Foreign Minister: Recognition of a Palestinian state not enough for normalization