Defense/Middle East

Ahmadinejad to Visit Lebanon as Northern Axis Tightens the Knot

Ahmadinejad will visit Lebanon next month and tighten the knot connecting Iran, Syria, Turkey, Hizbullah and Hamas.

Names of American Terror Victims in Israel Missing from US List

The names of dozens of US terror victims in Israel are missing from a State Dept. list that offers up to $5 million for information on terro

IDF Fires Warning Shots at Lebanese 'Fishing Vessel'

A Lebanese fishing vessel entered a restricted Israeli maritime zone and prompted IDF warning shots. Israeli planes allegedly flew over Lebanon.

Egypt Stops Terror Cell in Sinai

Egypt arrested a three-man terrorist cell in the Sinai that was on its way to perpetrate a “giant attack.”

Samaria Warns Central Israel: Don't be the Next Sderot

The Samaria Residents' Council warns residents of central Israel against the dangers of withdrawal.

Report: UN Teaches Jihad in Jerusalem

The UN is using PA textbooks to teach Jerusalem schoolchildren to glorify martyrs and “liberate Palestine,” says David Bedein.

Opposition to 'Bahad City' Withdrawn; Project Now Unimpeded

An environmentalist group has withdrawn its opposition to the IDF's Bahad City, meaning the project may proceed unimpeded.

Egypt Says Gaza-Based Terrorists Fired on Eilat from Sinai

Egypt admitted Wednesday that Monday’s rocket attack on Eilat came from its territory in the Sinai and blamed a Gaza-based terrorist group.

Ahmadinejad Escapes Assassination Attempt; Suspect Arrested

Iran media confirmed that Ahmadinejad escaped an assassination. The president's office denied it, saying a firecracker was thrown in celebration.

Iran Changes Story on Woman to be Executed

Iran appears to be shifting its charges of the woman it has sentenced to stoning from only adultery to murder as well.

IDF Kills Gaza Terrorist in Attack on Third Front

The IDF killed a Gaza terrorist early Wednesday as terror attacks opened on a third front following rockets in Eilat and an ambush in Lebanon.

Lethal Border Clash Was Planned Ambush at Israeli Territory

Conclusive evidence shows that the Lebanese army staged a planned ambush at and invited media to film the lethal attack on the IDF Tuesday.

Netanyahu: Israel will Respond Forcefully to Further Attacks

United States is 'extremely concerned' about violence on the Lebanon/Israel border, urges 'maximum restraint.'

IDF Lt.-Col. Killed, another Officer Badly Hurt in North

Lt.-Col. (res.) Dov Harari will be buried Wednesday at 4:00 P.M. in Netanya IDF cemetery. Israel: Lebanese Army carried out planned sniper ambush.

Soldiers Safe after Helicopter Scare in Romania

Two IDF helicopters land safely in Romania after running into technical trouble a week after six soldiers died in a joint training exercise.

Jihadi Animated Clip Shows Sword Decapitating Obama

New anti-American jihadi incitement shows an animated clip of a sword decapitating Obama. (Warning: graphic material may be offensive.)

Hamas Believed to be Linked to Rockets at Eilat

Israel’s security network believes that Hamas of Gaza is linked, directly or otherwise, to the firing of five Katyushas at Eilat yesterday.

Partial US Withdrawal from Iraq as Al-Qaeda Strengthens

Obama says the US is pulling out of Iraq—but 50,000 “anti-terror” troops will remain as suicide bombings escalate and Al-Qaeda’s presence grows.

IDF's New Rules for Protecting Civilians in Combat

The IDF has released new rules aimed at protecting civilians present in combat zones. Rules created following Cast Lead.

Israel Agrees to UN Flotilla Inquiry of IDF

Israel for the first time gives the UN access to a probe of IDF, which will come under international scrutiny for its part in the flotilla clash.

IDF Commandos Face Off Against US Navy SEALs on TV

An American television program pits the Navy SEALs against Israeli commandos this week in the season finale of Spike TV's “Deadliest Warrior.”

Controversial Hareidi-IDF Rule Changed Quietly

The government quietly changes the rules to allow hareidi-religious men to opt out of IDF service beginning at age 22, not 26.

Britain's New Foreign Undersecretary has PLO Wife

The new UK Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs left an earlier post to wed a terrorism-backing PLO official.

Video Footage of Rocket Damage on Sderot Child Rehab Center

Video and eyewitness accounts from last night's direct hit on a children's hydrotherapy rehabilitation center in Sderot.

Israel Demands UN Condemn Rocket Attacks

Israel has demanded that the UN Human Rights Commission, whose Goldstone report accused Israel of war crimes, condemn the latest rocket attacks.

Hesder Recruits Enlist, are Told 'Be Torah Students in Combat'

Hundreds of soldiers in the IDF's Hesder program enlist. Rabbi Druckman tells recruits: Act like students of Torah in combat as well as in yeshiva.

Kassam Hits Empty School Building at Sderot

A Kassam rocket exploded at the Sderot area college Saturday night, causing heavy damage but no injuries, the IDF retaliated again.

Earthquakes Injure Hundreds in Iran; Nuclear Sites Not Damaged

Two powerful earthquakes hit Iran and more are feared. At least one person was killed and hundreds wounded. Nuclear sites were not damaged.

Assad: Don't Dare Blame Hizbullah for Hariri Murder

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad warned an international tribunal against finding Hizbullah guilty for Rafik al-Hariri's murder;

Rabbi: Romania Disaster Reminds Us to Support IDF

Rabbi Zev Sharon says the helicopter crash in Romania reminds us to support soldiers despite opposition to IDF-backed expulsions.

Italian MPs Call to Ban IHH in Europe

MPs in Rome call to consider an EU ban on the Turkish group IHH, which was behind the violent clash aboard a Gaza-bound flotilla.

Family Undeterred Despite Arson Attack, Government Demolition

In November, the Israeli government tore down the Ben-David family's house at Negohot. Now Arabs have burned down their vineyard.

Arabs Riot Over Jerusalem King's Garden Project

Hundreds of Arabs rioted and hurled rocks Tuesday in Jerusalem over a city project that included plans to demolish 22 homes built without permits.

University Cancels Conference to Defy Anti-Israel Bias

A French university canceled an international conference rather than cave in to an anti-Israel boycott by pro-Palestinian Authority participants.

New British PM Calls Gaza a 'Prison Camp'

British Prime Minister David Cameron calls Gaza a "Prison Camp" and harshly criticizes Israel's blockade of Gaza.

Mubarak Tells Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef: I'm Fine

Egyptian strongman: 'My recovery period is over and I am in fairly good shape.'

IAF Delegation to Romania in Search for the Six

The search for the five IAF officers and an NCO aboard a crashed helicopter in Romania resumes.

Barak Warns Israel Will Attack Lebanon If Hizbullah Starts War

Israel won’t refrain—as it did in 2006—from bombing Lebanese governmental sites if Hizbullah starts another war with Israel, Barak warns.

European Union Puts the Clamps on Iran, Passes Energy Sanction

The European Union followed the lead of the US Monday and approved tough energy sanctions on Iran, which already is feeling hard times.

Charge: PA Pollution Ruins River

Pollution from PA villages is ruining natural spaces in the Binyamin region, and the government is allowing it to happen, residents accuse.

Barak on to Washington Again, Demolished Shomron Home First

Influential Def. Min. Barak is on way to Washington for talks with top Obama Adm. officials. Wash. Post interview leaves out the hard questions.

Violent Sheikh Enters Prison, Tali Fahima Among Supporters

Sheikh Raed Salah, head of the extremist Islamic Movement, began his sentence for assaulting an officer. Tali Fahima demonstrated support.

Saudis High on Speed, According to Drug Abuse Report

The lion's share of amphetamines being consumed in the Middle East are seized in Saudi Arabia, according to the latest global drug abuse report.

Canadian Military Shopping Blue and White?

A Canadian military commander toured an Israeli Air Force base last week while holding talks with Israel's top military brass.

Greece, Israel to Tighten Ties After PM's Visit

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou visits Israel, two countries to forge new ties.

PA Arabs Tell Pop Group: Don't Sing about Babylon

Organizers of Ramallah festival told disco group Boney M not to sing 'Rivers of Babylon,' which quotes Psalms.

Israel and US Near Deal for F-35 Advanced Fighter Plane

Israel nears a $3 billion deal for the F-35 plane that would give it a significant military advantage, a US official says. Video: F-35 in flight.

Iran and Saudi Arabia Closing in on Cooperation

Shiite Iran and Wahabee Saudi Arabia are making overtures towards each other. Iran’s FM: “Disagreements between us only serve the Zionists.”

Israel Tells UN It Will Restrict Use of White Phosphorous

Israel tells the UN it will limit use of white phosphorous in wars, although it’s legal for military targets. US and Russia also use the material.

South African Ambassador Returning

Pretoria sends back ambassador who was recalled following Gaza flotilla incident but still has demands.

Al-Qaeda No. 2 Calls Arab Leaders ’Zionists’ and Mocks Obama

Arab leaders are Zionists in disguise, according to Al-Qaeda’s number two terrorist, Ayman al-Zawahiri, in a new message that also mocks Obama.

Muslim Cleric Teaches Not to Break Bones When Beating Wife

‘Wife beating according to the Koran,” a film from 2005, is a making the rounds again in the Middle East. “Breaking bones is not allowed.”

Bargain Prices for 'Zionist' Clothes in New Gaza Luxury Mall

As Hamas leaders complain Israel is causing poverty, a new luxury mall opens in Gaza, complete with air conditioning, Israeli and foreign goods.

Lockerbie Bomber's Lifespan Sparks Scandal

The early release of the Lockerbie bomber leads to suspicions of corruption involving Blair, Qaddafi, and British oil.

Human Rights Watch Blasts Syria; Obama Tries to ’Engage' Assad

Human Rights Watch reports of a”wasted decade” in which Assad trampled rights. Obama still eyes Assad as key to Middle East peace.

Turkish Hackers Steal Thousands of Email, PayPal, Bank Acct IDs

Turkish hackers have stolen the details of thousands of Israeli bank, credit card and Pay Pal accounts, and posted the information online.

Israeli Spy Escapes from Lebanon, Beirut Daily Reports

One of the four alleged "Telecom” spies for Israel has escaped to Israel from Lebanon, according to a Beirut newspaper.

IHH Linked to Turkish President Erdogan

The IHH “charity, which attacked Israeli Navy commandos and has been termed a terrorist group by Germany, is linked with Turkey’s ruling party.

Turkey Claims Foothold in Old City

Illegal signs in the Old City of Jerusalem bear Turkish flag; Turkish government claims signs hung in “Palestine.”

Police Search at Perlman Family Home

Police and Shin Bet search the home of Jewish terror suspect's parents in what friends say is reaction to his exposure of Shin Bet incitement.