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

US official:

US official: Gaza ceasefire holding, Hamas disarmament to begin in March

Despite Hamas’s insistence that it will not disarm, US official declares disarmament will begin in March, with international stabilization force expected to expand.

US official: Gaza ceasefire holding, Hamas disarmament to begin in March

Iran claims:

Iran claims Netanyahu's US visit aimed at undermining negotiations

Iran warns that Netanyahu’s US visit is aimed at derailing nuclear talks as it insists it is serious about negotiations.

Iran claims Netanyahu's US visit aimed at undermining negotiations

Netanyahu arrives in Washington

Netanyahu arrives in Washington | Trump: Iran would be foolish not to make a deal

Prime Minister Netanyahu arrives in Washington and meets Trump's envoys ahead of his talks with the President, who suggests Iran seeks a deal and warns they would be foolish not to pursue it.

Netanyahu arrives in Washington | Trump: Iran would be foolish not to make a deal

Hezbollah leader:

Hezbollah leader accuses US and Israel of coordinated offensive against Lebanon

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem accuses Israel and the US of waging a coordinated offensive against Lebanon, claims Israel is targeting civilians and infrastructure.

Hezbollah leader accuses US and Israel of coordinated offensive against Lebanon

CENTCOM commends Lebanese forces for dismantling Hezbollah tunnel

CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper praises Lebanese forces for uncovering a Hezbollah tunnel, highlighting efforts to dismantle threats to regional peace and stability.

CENTCOM commends Lebanese forces for dismantling Hezbollah tunnel

US official reiterates:

US official reiterates: Trump opposed to Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria

White House official reiterates President Trump’s opposition to Israel applying sovereignty over Judea and Samaria. Trump made similar remarks to reporters last September.

US official reiterates: Trump opposed to Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria

Iranian Foreign Minister:

Iranian Foreign Minister: US must drop unrealistic demands

Iran may continue indirect nuclear talks if the US shows seriousness, says FM Araghchi, who calls on Washington to drop what he describes as its “unrealistic demands".

Iranian Foreign Minister: US must drop unrealistic demands

Hamas leader Mashaal rejects Trump disarmament plan

Senior Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal rejects President Trump’s call for Hamas to disarm, vowing to defeat Israel and defending Hamas’s October 7 massacre.

Hamas leader Mashaal rejects Trump disarmament plan

Iran arrests reformist figures for 'supporting the Zionist regime'

Iranian authorities arrest three reformist figures, including Reform Front leader Azar Mansouri. State media cite charges of acting against the constitution and coordinating with enemy propaganda.

Iran arrests reformist figures for 'supporting the Zionist regime'

Senate probes Mamdani over scrapping NYC antisemitism, anti-BDS orders

Senate panel investigating Mayor Mamdani for rescinding his predecessor’s antisemitism and anti-BDS orders, warning the move could jeopardize $2.2B in federal funding and weaken protections for Jewish students.

Senate probes Mamdani over scrapping NYC antisemitism, anti-BDS orders

Trump:

Trump: Hamas must disarm or they won’t be around any longer

At the National Prayer Breakfast, Trump says Hamas must disarm or be destroyed and says Iran is negotiating because it fears US military action.

Trump: Hamas must disarm or they won’t be around any longer

Iranian FM arrives in Oman for new round of talks with US

Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi arrives in Oman for a new round of nuclear talks with the US and is set to meet Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.

Iranian FM arrives in Oman for new round of talks with US

Graham walks out

Lebanese army chief denies Hezbollah is a terror group, Graham walks out

Sen. Lindsey Graham says he ended a meeting with Lebanon’s defense chief after the general refused to call Hezbollah a terrorist group, warns the US cannot rely on partners who deny the threat.

Lebanese army chief denies Hezbollah is a terror group, Graham walks out

UK:

UK: Six anti-Israel activists cleared in Elbit burglary trial

UK jury acquits six Palestine Action activists over a 2024 raid on an Elbit factory, while prosecutors consider retrial on charges where no verdict was reached.

UK: Six anti-Israel activists cleared in Elbit burglary trial

Australian charged over death threats against President Herzog

Australian police charge 19-year-old for alleged online death threats against President Herzog ahead of his visit.

Australian charged over death threats against President Herzog

Trump:

Trump: Khamenei should be very worried

Trump tells NBC that Iran’s Supreme Leader should be “very worried," warning of severe consequences if Iran tries to restart its nuclear program.

Trump: Khamenei should be very worried

Queens:

Queens teen arrested for antisemitic death threat emails to high school

17-year-old Queens teen arrested for sending antisemitic emails threatening to kill Jews, amid a rise in hate crimes.

Queens teen arrested for antisemitic death threat emails to high school

Trump:

Trump: I don’t think Iran wants another Midnight Hammer

Trump says the US is negotiating with Iran and declines to reveal where talks will take place.

Trump: I don’t think Iran wants another Midnight Hammer

Report:

Report: Trump nearly pulled out of Iran talks after Gulf aggression

Wall Street Journal reports that Trump considered abandoning Iran talks after a drone incident and harassment of a US vessel, but negotiations are still expected to proceed later this week.

Report: Trump nearly pulled out of Iran talks after Gulf aggression

Saif Al-Islam Qaddafi, son of former Libyan leader, assassinated at his home

Saif Al-Islam Qaddafi, long seen as his father’s heir, reportedly assassinated in Libya, with conflicting accounts of where he was killed and no clarity on who carried out the attack.

Saif Al-Islam Qaddafi, son of former Libyan leader, assassinated at his home

As tensions surge

US shoots down Iranian drone near USS Lincoln as tensions surge

US jet shoots down an Iranian drone near the USS Lincoln as Iran harasses a US-flagged tanker, escalating tensions while Washington and Tehran prepare for possible negotiations.

US shoots down Iranian drone near USS Lincoln as tensions surge

Abbas announces first-ever direct elections for PLO parliament

PA chairman sets November 1 elections for the PLO’s parliament, the first time its members will be chosen by direct popular vote.

Abbas announces first-ever direct elections for PLO parliament

'Iran can't be trusted'

'Iran can't be trusted': Nikki Haley warns against deal with Iran

Nikki Haley warns the US against striking a deal with Iran, saying the regime lies and spreads terror, as officials prepare for possible nuclear talks in Istanbul.

'Iran can't be trusted': Nikki Haley warns against deal with Iran

Netanyahu’s office:

Netanyahu’s office stresses: PA will have no role in Gaza

Israel rejects newly revealed Gaza committee logo featuring a PA symbol, saying it contradicts Netanyahu’s pledge and differs from the version originally shown to Israel.

Netanyahu’s office stresses: PA will have no role in Gaza

Trump:

Trump: We have big ships heading there, we have talks going with them

Trump reiterates that major US forces are heading toward Iran as Washington continues talks, warning that while a deal is possible, failure could lead to “bad things."

Trump: We have big ships heading there, we have talks going with them

Lindsey Graham:

Lindsey Graham: Peace requires Iran regime’s fall

Sen. Lindsey Graham says peace requires Iran’s regime to fall, as Trump urges Tehran to reach a deal and responds to Khamenei’s warning that any conflict would become a regional war.

Lindsey Graham: Peace requires Iran regime’s fall

Iran denies Guards planned live-fire drills in Strait of Hormuz

Iran denies reports that the Revolutionary Guards planned live-fire drills in the Strait of Hormuz, saying media claims were incorrect.

Iran denies Guards planned live-fire drills in Strait of Hormuz

Israeli history:

Israeli history: Deni Avdija selected to the NBA All‑Star Game

Deni Avdija makes history by being selected for the NBA All‑Star Game and will play alongside international stars in an innovative new format.

Israeli history: Deni Avdija selected to the NBA All‑Star Game

'We’ll see if he’s right'

Trump counters Khamenei’s warning: We’ll see if he’s right

Trump responds to Khamenei’s warning that any US attack would spark a regional war, saying the US hopes for a deal but is prepared to test the threat if diplomacy fails.

Trump counters Khamenei’s warning: We’ll see if he’s right

Iran threatens instant strike on US bases if attacked

Iran threatens to retaliate against US bases and carriers if attacked: “It won’t unfold the way Trump imagines."

Iran threatens instant strike on US bases if attacked

Man charged with assaulting Ilhan Omar at Minneapolis town hall

Man charged with assaulting Rep. Ilhan Omar by spraying her with vinegar and water at a Minneapolis town hall.

Man charged with assaulting Ilhan Omar at Minneapolis town hall

Trump on Iran:

Trump says he's had talks with Iran: I told them no nukes, stop killing protesters

US President says he's had conversations with Iran and plans more, confirms US ships are sailing to Iran but hopes not to use them.

Trump says he's had talks with Iran: I told them no nukes, stop killing protesters

Khamenei aide:

Khamenei aide: Any US strike will trigger attack on heart of Tel Aviv

Senior Iranian adviser to Khamenei warns that any US military action against Iran will trigger an immediate, all-out response targeting Tel Aviv and supporters of the “aggressor".

Khamenei aide: Any US strike will trigger attack on heart of Tel Aviv

Suspect arrested

Ilhan Omar sprayed with liquid at Minneapolis Town Hall, suspect arrested

Man arrested after spraying substance on Rep. Ilhan Omar at a Minneapolis town hall.

Ilhan Omar sprayed with liquid at Minneapolis Town Hall, suspect arrested

BBC apologizes for omitting Jews from Holocaust Memorial Day coverage

BBC apologizes after its Holocaust Memorial Day coverage failed to mention the six million victims were Jews, with critics calling the omission "Holocaust distortion" and "hurtful."

BBC apologizes for omitting Jews from Holocaust Memorial Day coverage

11 nations condemn Israel's demolition of UNRWA headquarters in Jerusalem

11 nations condemn Israel's demolition of UNRWA's Jerusalem headquarters, urging adherence to international law and calling for unimpeded humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza and Judea and Samaria.

11 nations condemn Israel's demolition of UNRWA headquarters in Jerusalem

Over IHRA reversal

NY Governor candidate Blakeman attacks Hochul, Mamdani over IHRA reversal

Bruce Blakeman urges New York to adopt the IHRA antisemitism definition, criticizing Gov. Hochul and Mayor Mamdani for resisting or reversing it amid rising antisemitism.

NY Governor candidate Blakeman attacks Hochul, Mamdani over IHRA reversal

Bin Salman to Iran:

Bin Salman to Iran: No Saudi territory will be used for military strikes

Saudi Arabia tells Iran it will not allow its airspace or territory to be used for attacks, as US forces build up in the region and concerns grow over possible military action.

Bin Salman to Iran: No Saudi territory will be used for military strikes

Trump urges Iran deal:

Trump: A beautiful armada is headed towards Iran, I hope they make a deal

Trump urges Iran to make a deal while highlighting a major US military buildup in the region as the death toll in the Iranian protests continues to climb.

Trump: A beautiful armada is headed towards Iran, I hope they make a deal

Iran threatens 'regret‑inducing' response to US attack

Iran warns it will deliver a “comprehensive and regret‑inducing" response to any attack as US forces move toward the region.

Iran threatens 'regret‑inducing' response to US attack