Australian nurse charged after video threatening Israeli patients
Sarah Abu Lebdeh, a nurse from New South Wales, charged by police following social media video in which she stated she would refuse to treat Israeli patients.
News writer based in North America
Elad was born in Haifa, Israel, and currently resides in Canada.
News by Elad Benari
Trump on Hamas ultimatum:
Trump on Hamas ultimatum: It's up to Netanyahu and Israel
Trump comments on his previous ultimatum to Hamas: It's up to Bibi Netanyahu and Israel. I may have done it differently than him. It's not my decision, it's his decision.
Iran and European powers hold constructive nuclear talks in Geneva
Iran holds discussions with Germany, France, and Britain regarding its nuclear program. Senior Iranian diplomat says both sides "exchanged views on nuclear and sanctions lifting issues" and agreed to continue talks.
ICC arrest warrant:
Germany’s incoming leader stands by Netanyahu against ICC warrant
Germany's likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, invites Netanyahu for a visit, says arrangements would be made to prevent Netanyahu from being arrested.
Europe rolls back sanctions on Syria amid leadership change
European Union rolls back energy, transport, and banking sanctions against Syria, provided its new leadership remains committed to peace.
Barnard College:
Barnard College expels two students for disrupting Israeli history class
Barnard College expels two senior students who disrupted an Israeli history class last month by banging drums and chanting “Free Palestine”.
Senior Hamas member:
Senior Hamas member: Ceasefire talks conditioned on release of prisoners
Hamas official Basem Naim tells Reuters that talks with Israel about the next steps of the ceasefire agreement are contingent on the release of terrorist prisoners as previously agreed.
Four detained
Islamic extremism suspected in fatal stabbing in France, four detained
Four individuals in custody following Saturday's fatal stabbing in eastern France, which has been linked to Islamic extremism.
Anti-Israel protest in NYC marks Nasrallah’s funeral
Several dozen anti-Israel protesters hold funeral for Hezbollah leader in Manhattan’s Washington Square Park, chant “From the river to the sea, Palestine is almost free”.
Turkey:
ISIS terrorist arrested in Turkey over plot to attack synagogues in Istanbul
Turkish authorities arrest ISIS terrorist who plotted attacks on synagogues and Jewish schools in Istanbul, The suspect entered Turkey legally from a European country, according to local reports.
After murder of Ariel and Kfir:
Argentinian President declares two days of mourning after murder of Ariel and Kfir Bibas
Argentinian President Javier Milei condemns Hamas after confirmation by Israel that Ariel and Kfir Bibas were brutally murdered in November of 2023: Their deaths stem from a single motivation - being Jewish.
Sisi: Gaza must be rebuilt without displacing Palestinians
Egyptian President urges global community to support a plan for rebuilding Gaza without forcing its residents to leave.
Yemeni Minister:
Yemeni Minister calls for arrest of Houthis at Nasrallah's funeral
Yemeni Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani calls for arrest of several leaders from the Iran-backed Houthi movement, stating they plan to attend the funeral of Lebanese Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut.
Stefanik after hostage news:
Stefanik after hostage news: Never been more important to show our support for Israel
Elise Stefanik, US Ambassador-Designate to the UN, stresses importance of support for Israel after announcement that the bodies of Shiri Bibas and her young sons Ariel and Kfir will be returned: This must not be Israel’s fight alone but a fight between good and evil.
UAE rejects US Gaza plan, calls for comprehensive peace
UAE President informs Secretary of State Marco Rubio that his nation opposes any proposal to forcibly remove Gazans from their homeland.
Egypt’s Sisi to visit Riyadh for talks on $20B Gaza reconstruction plan
Egyptian President expected to visit Riyadh on Thursday to discuss an Arab initiative for Gaza that could include up to $20 billion for reconstruction.
Senate Majority Leader:
Senate Majority Leader: Imperative that hostages be returned as soon as possible
Senate Majority Leader John Thune begins his speech at the Capitol with a call for the swift return of the remaining hostages being held by Hamas: I'm grateful that the Trump administration is making this a priority.
Iran: US and Israel ‘cannot do a damn thing’ against us
Iran says US and Israeli threats against it are a blatant violation of international law: When it comes to a country like Iran, they cannot do a damn thing.
Talks on Gaza:
Rubio, Saudi Crown Prince emphasize regional security in talks on Gaza
Secretary of State visits Riyadh, tells Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that any resolution for Gaza must enhance regional security. State Department statement makes no mention of Trump's Gaza plan.
Mike Waltz:
Mike Waltz: Trump ‘dead serious’ about stopping Iran’s nuclear ambitions
US National Security Advisor states that “all options are on the table” to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Report:
Report: Saudi Arabia seeks to broker new nuclear deal between Trump and Iran
CNN report: Saudi Arabia has expressed openness to mediating between the Trump administration and Iran in the efforts to negotiate a new agreement aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear program.
Yemeni government thwarts smuggling of weapons to Houthis
US Central Command says that the internationally recognized Yemeni government had thwarted an attempt to smuggle Iranian weapons to the Houthi rebels on February 12.
Hezbollah leader:
Hezbollah leader: No justification for Israeli troops in Lebanon after Feb. 18
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem states that Israeli forces must fully withdraw from Lebanese territory by February 18: Any Israeli military presence on Lebanese soil beyond the deadline will be considered an occupation.
Strike in Syria:
US army eliminates senior member of Al-Qaeda offshoot in strike in Syria
CENTCOM announces that its forces eliminated a terrorist from the Hurras al-Din organization, an Al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria.
Trump on ultimatum to Hamas:
Trump on ultimatum to Hamas: Up to Israel what to do next, in consultation with me
US President comments on the ultimatum he gave to Hamas that it must release all the hostages. "I told Bibi, you do whatever you want...the next step is up to Israel, in consultation with me."
Iran’s President:
Iran’s President: Iran will rebuild its nuclear sites if attacked
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian unfazed by reports of possible strikes on his country’s nuclear facilities: If you strike a hundred of those we will build a thousand other ones.
Erdogan:
Erdogan: Trump’s Gaza plan a major threat to peace
Turkish President again criticizes Trump's plan for Gaza: Nobody can take Gaza away from Palestinians.
Rubio:
Rubio: Arab states must present Gaza plan if they reject Trump’s proposal
Secretary of State says the United States is open to hearing new proposals from Arab nations regarding Gaza: All these countries say how much they care about the Palestinians, but none of them want to take any Palestinians.
'We won't bow to pressure'
Iranian President criticizes US dual approach, vows to resist pressure
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian criticizes US policy towards Tehran, after Trump says he's interested in a deal with Iran.
White House spokesperson:
White House spokesperson: Trump won't waiver from Gaza relocation plan
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt acknowledges that Trump and King Abdullah II of Jordan hold differing views on Trump's proposal to relocate Gazans, but says Trump won't waiver from the plan.
State Department:
State Department: Rubio's Israel visit to center on Phase II of hostage deal
US State Department issues official statement about Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to the Middle East from February 15-18, which will include a stop in Israel.
'Reckless and inflammatory'
Iran protests Trump’s ‘bombs or deal’ comment: Reckless and inflammatory
Iran’s UN mission criticizes Trump's comments suggesting that preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons could be achieved either through negotiations or military action.
Macron against Trump plan:
Macron against Trump plan: Mass displacement of Gazans ‘not the right answer’
French President rejects Trump’s plan for Gaza: The right answer is not a real estate operation, this is a political operation.
Jordanian King:
Jordanian King: We are against the displacement of Palestinians
After meeting Trump, Jordan’s King Abdullah II says he reaffirmed his country’s firm stance against the displacement of Palestinian Arabs in Gaza and Judea and Samaria.
Egypt to present its own Gaza reconstruction plan
Egypt announces it intends to present a "comprehensive proposal" for rebuilding Gaza, rejects any proposals that would involve relocating Gaza residents outside the Strip.
‘Are you kidding me?’
‘Are you kidding me?’ British journalist floored by activist’s Hamas 'kindness' claims
Pro-Palestinian Arab activist Yvonne Ridley cites Hamas' "goody bags" that were given to freed hostages as examples of Hamas' kindness. Journalist Julia Hartley-Brewer: The hostages must have had a wonderful time at that holiday camp that Hamas ran for them for the last 16 months.
Moscow waits for clarity on Trump’s Gaza plan
Kremlin spokesperson says Russia is awaiting further details regarding US President Donald Trump's proposal to purchase the Gaza Strip.
Trump:
Trump: Iran is scared, and a deal is the best option
Trump reiterates his position that he would rather reach a deal with Iran on its nuclear program than have Israel attack Iran’s nuclear facilities: I think they're scared. I think Iran would love to make a deal.
Trump:
Trump: I could conceivably withhold aid to Egypt and Jordan
US President says he could “conceivably” withhold aid to Egypt and Jordan if they refuse to take in Gazans as part of Trump’s plan for the Strip.
Trump threatens Hamas:
Trump threatens Hamas: Release all the hostages by 12:00 p.m. on Saturday
US President warns Hamas that if all hostages in Gaza are not released by 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, the ceasefire should be cancelled, but leaves the decision to Israel.