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

Syrian President claims:

Syrian President claims Israel ‘changed its mind at the last minute’ in talks

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa says direct talks with Israel reached promising points but collapsed when Israel changed its position at the last minute.

Syrian President claims Israel ‘changed its mind at the last minute’ in talks

Trump:

Trump: We will be leaving Iran very soon

President Trump tells reporters in the Oval Office that the US will leave Iran “very soon," possibly within two or three weeks, says US strikes have destroyed Iran’s missile facilities, navy, air force, telecommunications, and leadership.

Trump: We will be leaving Iran very soon

Trump to NBC News:

Trump to NBC News: The war in Iran ‘is coming to an end’

President Trump signals the US war in Iran is nearing its end, after having earlier said the US is delivering “total obliteration" to Iranian forces.

Trump to NBC News: The war in Iran ‘is coming to an end’

Report:

Report: Gulf allies urge Trump to continue strikes until Iran regime is crippled

Gulf allies led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE are pressing President Trump to prolong military operations against Iran until significant changes occur in Tehran's leadership or behavior, reports The Associated Press.

Report: Gulf allies urge Trump to continue strikes until Iran regime is crippled

French FM demands UN meeting after peacekeeper killed in Lebanon

France requests emergency UN Security Council meeting after an Indonesian UNIFIL peacekeeper killed in southern Lebanon. While the origin remains unclear, French FM blames Israeli army “violations and intimidations." IDF says it is investigating.

French FM demands UN meeting after peacekeeper killed in Lebanon

Report:

Report: Iran urges Houthis to ready Red Sea shipping attacks

European officials tell Bloomberg Iran is pressing the Houthis to prepare renewed attacks on Red Sea shipping if the US escalates its war on the Islamic Republic.

Report: Iran urges Houthis to ready Red Sea shipping attacks

UN peacekeeper killed as projectile hits position in Lebanon

UNIFIL peacekeeper killed and another critically injured when a projectile explodes at a position in southern Lebanon. The origin of the strike remains unknown.

UN peacekeeper killed as projectile hits position in Lebanon

Trump:

Trump: Iran talks progressing well, deal possible quickly

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, President Trump says US-Iran talks mediated by Pakistan are "progressing well" and a deal could come quickly. On new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, Trump says he "may be alive" but is "seriously wounded".

Trump: Iran talks progressing well, deal possible quickly

IAEA: Iran’s heavy water plant is no longer operational

IAEA reports that Iran’s heavy water production plant at Khondab has been severely damaged and is no longer operational following an Israeli strike.

IAEA: Iran’s heavy water plant is no longer operational

Hezbollah denies any presence in Kuwait

Hezbollah rejects Kuwait’s announcement of arrests linked to the group and planning assassinations, insists it has “no presence" in Kuwait or any other country.

Hezbollah denies any presence in Kuwait

Israel fires back

EU slams Israel’s death penalty bill, Israel fires back at its double standards

The EU strongly criticizes Israel for advancing a bill allowing the death penalty for terrorists, calling it a “grave step backward." Israel’s Foreign Ministry hit back, accusing the EU of blatant double standards.

EU slams Israel’s death penalty bill, Israel fires back at its double standards

'They asked for 7, I gave them 10'

'They asked for 7, I gave them 10': Trump gives Iran reprieve on energy plant strikes

President Trump announces he is pausing planned strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure for another 10 days, says he gave Iran more time than it asked.

'They asked for 7, I gave them 10': Trump gives Iran reprieve on energy plant strikes

Kuwait foils Hezbollah plot to assassinate state leaders

Kuwait's Interior Ministry announces it has foiled a Hezbollah-linked terrorist plot to assassinate leaders of the state, says six suspects confessed to espionage and receiving advanced training.

Kuwait foils Hezbollah plot to assassinate state leaders

Trump:

Trump: Iran desperately seeks a deal but is afraid to admit it

US President states that the Iranians want to make a deal with the United States but are afraid to say so, fearing they will be killed by their own people or by American forces.

Trump: Iran desperately seeks a deal but is afraid to admit it

Toronto:

Toronto police ban protests on residential streets in Jewish neighborhood

Toronto police ban protesters from demonstrating on residential streets near Bathurst and Sheppard in North York, citing increased volatility and fear in the predominantly Jewish community.

Toronto police ban protests on residential streets in Jewish neighborhood

Again:

GOP again rejects resolution requiring Congressional approval for future Iran strikes

US Senate votes to reject a Democratic resolution that would require President Donald Trump to obtain congressional approval for future military action against Iran, marking the third failed attempt by Democrats since the conflict began.

GOP again rejects resolution requiring Congressional approval for future Iran strikes

US and Israel barred

Iran allows 'non-hostile' ships through Strait of Hormuz, bars US and Israel

Iran announces it will permit “non-hostile" ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz if coordinated with Iranian authorities, while excluding US, Israeli and other “aggressor" vessels.

Iran allows 'non-hostile' ships through Strait of Hormuz, bars US and Israel

Report:

Report: US sent Iran a 15-point plan to end the war

The Trump administration has delivered a 15-point plan to Iran aimed at ending the four-week war, according to The New York Times. Pakistan's army chief serves as the main channel.

Report: US sent Iran a 15-point plan to end the war

Albanese at it again:

UN rapporteur Albanese at it again: World gave Israel 'license to torture Palestinians'

Controversial UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese again criticizes Israel, claiming torture against Palestinian Arabs has become state policy. Israel: Albanese is an "agent of chaos" who promotes extremist narratives.

UN rapporteur Albanese at it again: World gave Israel 'license to torture Palestinians'

US Education Dept targets Harvard for failing Jewish students

US Department of Education opens probes into Harvard for antisemitic harassment of Jewish students and refusal to provide admissions data.

US Education Dept targets Harvard for failing Jewish students

Strait of Hormuz closure

Bahrain seeks UN mandate to counter Iran threats in Strait of Hormuz

Bahrain submits UN Security Council draft authorizing "all necessary means" to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz amid Iranian threats. Resolution backed by Gulf states and US.

Bahrain seeks UN mandate to counter Iran threats in Strait of Hormuz

Report:

Report: 2,200 US Marines to arrive in Mideast on Friday

Thousands of US Marines set to arrive in Middle East Friday aboard USS Tripoli and USS New Orleans, after Trump extends ultimatum for Iran to reopen Strait of Hormuz.

Report: 2,200 US Marines to arrive in Mideast on Friday

Turkey's spy chief meets Hamas leadership in Istanbul

Turkey's spy chief Ibrahim Kalin meets Hamas political bureau members to discuss Gaza ceasefire phase 2, among other issues.

Turkey's spy chief meets Hamas leadership in Istanbul

Araghchi defies Trump:

Araghchi defies Trump: We will not be intimidated by threats

Iran's FM Araghchi rebuffs Trump's 48-hour threat to strike power plants, insisting Hormuz remains open but ships avoid it due to US-initiated war risks.

Araghchi defies Trump: We will not be intimidated by threats

'Unacceptable interference'

'Unacceptable interference': Serbia slams UN's Albanese over latest Israel criticism

Serbia condemns UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese after she criticized the country’s military cooperation with Israel.

'Unacceptable interference': Serbia slams UN's Albanese over latest Israel criticism

Again:

Again: Bernie Sanders pushes for US arms sale block to Israel

Sen. Bernie Sanders files resolutions to block US arms sales to Israel, marking his latest attempt to do so.

Again: Bernie Sanders pushes for US arms sale block to Israel

Saudi FM warns Iran:

Saudi FM warns Iran: We reserve the right to military action

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud condemns Iran’s attacks on neighboring countries, stating Saudi Arabia reserves the right to respond militarily and demands Iran halt support for proxies.

Saudi FM warns Iran: We reserve the right to military action

Trump:

Trump: No more Israeli strikes on Iran’s gas field, but US will act if Qatar is targeted

President Trump denies US knowledge of Israel’s attack on Iran’s South Pars field, condemns Iran's retaliation on Qatar, and warns of massive US retaliation if Qatar’s LNG facility is targeted again.

Trump: No more Israeli strikes on Iran’s gas field, but US will act if Qatar is targeted

US forces target Iranian missile sites near Strait of Hormuz

US Central Command launches successful strikes on Iranian missile sites near the Strait of Hormuz, using deep penetrator munitions to eliminate threat to international shipping.

US forces target Iranian missile sites near Strait of Hormuz

Trump:

Trump: Iran realizes it can't have nuclear weapons

US President Trump says the war with Iran is going “very well," emphasizing that Iran now understands it cannot acquire nuclear weapons.

Trump: Iran realizes it can't have nuclear weapons

Police investigating

Police investigate antisemitic signs at protest near Toronto Jewish community

Toronto police are investigating reports of antisemitic imagery displayed at a protest in the city’s Jewish community as Jewish leaders call for enforcement of Canada’s hate laws.

Police investigate antisemitic signs at protest near Toronto Jewish community

Western leaders warn:

Five Western leaders warn Israel against major ground offensive in Lebanon

Leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the UK condemn Hezbollah attacks on Israel but warn that a major Israeli ground offensive in Lebanon could have severe consequences.

Five Western leaders warn Israel against major ground offensive in Lebanon

Iran:

Iran arrests 500 accused of sharing intelligence with Israel and US

Iranian police say 500 people have been arrested for allegedly sharing intelligence with Israel and the US.

Iran arrests 500 accused of sharing intelligence with Israel and US

Macron to Iran’s President:

Macron presses Iran’s President to stop attacks across the Middle East

French President Emmanuel Macron urges Iran’s President to halt attacks across the region, restore navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and release two detained French nationals.

Macron presses Iran’s President to stop attacks across the Middle East

Trump:

Trump: Israel working with US to secure Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump says Israel is working with the US to secure the Strait of Hormuz and confirms talks with other countries about joining a coalition, while stating Iran “badly" wants negotiations.

Trump: Israel working with US to secure Strait of Hormuz

Trump on Iran:

Trump on Iran: Watch what happens to these scumbags today

In a post on Truth Social, President Trump declares the US is "totally destroying" Iran’s regime and threatens further action.

Trump on Iran: Watch what happens to these scumbags today

Trump on Mojtaba Khamenei: He’s probably alive, but damaged

US President Donald Trump believes Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is alive but seriously injured.

Trump on Mojtaba Khamenei: He’s probably alive, but damaged

Trump:

Trump: War with Iran progressing 'very rapidly' but isn’t over

President Trump says the US war against Iran is moving "very rapidly", describes Iran as "a nation of terror and hate".

Trump: War with Iran progressing 'very rapidly' but isn’t over

Canada allocates $10M to boost security at Jewish institutions

Canada will allocate $10 million to help Jewish institutions strengthen security after gunfire struck three Toronto-area synagogues.

Canada allocates $10M to boost security at Jewish institutions

Trump:

Trump: Iran 'pretty much at the end of the line'

US President Donald Trump says Iran is “pretty much at the end of the line," claiming it has lost key military capabilities, but indicates the conflict will not end immediately.

Trump: Iran 'pretty much at the end of the line'