Senior Israeli officials vowed Tuesday evening that Jerusalem will not remain silent following Iran’s large-scale missile attack. A defense official promised a “severe response,” while another Israeli official warned, “What Iran has suffered so far is only a fraction of what it will face now.”

A high-ranking government official added, “Israel has full legitimacy for an unprecedented strike on Iranian soil—this is the time to strike at the head of the Iranian snake.”

Shortly after the missile barrage began, and minutes after the Home Front Command lifted the order to remain in shelters, IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari addressed the nation, saying, “There will be consequences for the missile fire from Iran.”

As part of the Iranian assault, approximately 180 ballistic missiles were fired on Israel, which had repeatedly warned in recent days that any attack from Tehran would trigger a harsh response, and earlier Tuesday, the United States also warned Iran of “severe consequences” should it launch an attack. Against this backdrop, Israeli threats of retaliation were issued throughout the evening.

Despite the heavy Iranian missile barrage, Israel’s air defense systems, potentially with assistance from foreign forces, appeared to have successfully intercepted most of the rockets. The Magen David Adom (MDA) ambulance service reported that two people were lightly injured from shrapnel near Tel Aviv, and several others were injured while rushing to shelters across the country.

Source:
‘Response will be severe; what Iran faced so far is just a fraction,’ Israeli official says, by Itamar, Yossi Yehoshua/Ynetnews, October 1, 2024

Israel National News – Arutz Sheva has received dozens of complaints regarding an untenable reality: There are no bomb shelters or protected spaces in dozens of young settlements in Judea and Samaria.

“Other than a select few, most of the residents in our town have no bomb shelters,” the residents said. “It is unnecessary to add that the vast majority of the young settlements are caravans and prefabricated construction, so in times of emergency we are helpless and forced to rely only on Heavenly mercy.”

A number of local authorities who were advised of this urgent matter said they are aware of the issues, but budgets have not yet been issued and processes have not yet been implemented on the matter. So, the upshot is that there is no solution in sight.

Source:
Residents complain: ‘There are no bomb shelters in young settlements’, by Dvir Amar/Israel National News, October 2, 2024

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday night related to the elimination of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, calling him the “central engine” of Iran’s axis of evil.

Beginning his speech, Netanyahu quoted, “‘If someone rises up to kill you – rise up early and kill him first.’ Yesterday, the State of Israel eliminated the mass murderer Hassan Nasrallah. We evened the score with the one who is responsible for the murder of an immeasurable number of Israelis and many citizens of other countries, including hundreds of Americans and dozens of French,” Netanyahu said.

“Nasrallah was not just another terrorist – he was THE terrorist. He was the axis of the axis, the central engine of Iran’s axis of evil. He and his men were the architects of the plan to destroy Israel. He was not just activated by Iran – many times he activated Iran.

Turning to Israelis, Netanyahu stressed: “Citizens of Israel, these are important days. We are in what seems to be an historic turning point.”

This military operation increased Israel’s prestige in this war and weakened Iran’s. It also brings the residents of the north a step closer to returning to their homes and another day closer to the safe release of ALL the hostages. U.S. officials have reported that the IDF has begun conducting a “limited” ground operation in Lebanon with the goal of clearing out the terrorist infrastructure. Nasrallah’s elimination alone has caused tremendous embarrassment to Iran. Hezbollah was always Iran’s strength, and many see Iran as the weaker entity. While Hezbollah plans to announce a successor to Nasrallah, it remains to be seen how Iran will carry on and what its fate will be now that Israel has significantly destroyed Hezbollah.

Source:
Netanyahu on Nasrallah elimination: These are important days, an historic turning point, by Israel National News, September 28, 2024

Hezbollah is reeling from the death of leader Hassan Nasrallah and top commanders. Over the past two weeks, Israel has systematically killed or removed from the battlefield thousands of Hezbollah fighters and commanders.

If Israel wants to defeat Hezbollah, however, it must not only defeat it on the battlefield; it must also dry up its resources so the terrorist group no longer can launder money, fund salaries or subsidize goods for its members. This will require economic warfare beyond the sanctions Western countries now slap on the group. Hezbollah’s financial networks, spanning continents and infiltrating legitimate businesses, demand the multi-pronged pursuit of economic warfare against the group. Hezbollah’s labyrinth of front companies and shell corporations needs unraveling.

Just last week Israeli Police confiscated 2,400,000 shekels ($648,000) suspected of being destined for terror financing after officers stopped a suspicious Palestinian driver, the police said on Monday.

Sources:
Choke the money flow: The next step in the war against Hezbollah, by Gregg Roman/Middle East Forum, September 28, 2024

Israeli Police Seize 2.4 Million Shekels in Terror Money, by Pesach Benson/TPS-IL

The High Court of Justice on Monday unanimously rejected a petition filed against Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and the Political-Security Cabinet over their decision to hold the body of terrorist Walid Deka for the purpose of negotiations for the release of the hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Judges Yitzhak Amit, Ofer Grosskopf, and Gila Kanafi-Steinitz ruled that the decision of the minister and the cabinet did not deviate from the limits of reasonableness and proportionality, and therefore there was no reason for the court’s intervention.

The verdict also stated that Deka had been adopted as a symbol by the terrorist organization Hamas, which gave added credence to the minister’s decision.

Source:
High Court Sides with Israel, Rejects Release of Terrorist’s Body before the Hostages Go Free, by David Israel/Jewish Press, September 30, 2024

Hezbollah continued firing missiles at Israel on Thursday after several countries proposed a ceasefire to resolve the crisis diplomatically. However, any claims of an impending ceasefire with Hezbollah were immediately rejected by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Office,

The proposed ceasefire would last 21 days and take effect immediately “to provide space for diplomacy towards the conclusion of a diplomatic settlement.” The statement, signed by the US, EU, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar did not mention Israel or Hezbollah by name. Critics said it did not take into account Iran’s support for Hezbollah.

It seems those who crafted this newest ceasefire proposal did so while Prime Minister Netanyahu was en route to New York City to deliver his speech at the United Nations General Assembly. Maybe they tried to pull a fast one once again and make it look like a surefire deal was on the table. Circulating stories also tell us that there is a 50%-50% chance of Netanyahu’s UN speech taking place. Conflicting stories everywhere. The one thing we do know with certainty is that the residents in the North are under fire and must be returned safely to their homes.

Sources:
Hezbollah Continues Missile Barrages as West Proposes Ceasefire, by Pesach Benson/TPS-IL, September 26, 2024

Live updates: IDF strikes in Beirut reportedly target top Hezbollah commander, by Israel National News, September 26, 2024

Argentine President Javier Milei criticized the United Nations for what he said was its anti-Israeli bias during a fiery address at the General Debate of the General Assembly’s 79th session in New York on Tuesday.

He called out the world body for systematically voting against the Jewish state, “the only democracy in the Middle East, which protects liberal democracy,” adding that the United Nations has “simultaneously shown a total inability to respond to the scourge of terrorism.”

Following the speech, Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon thanked him for supporting the Jewish state. “President Milei, you are a true friend of the State of Israel. In this hall, where we were slandered all day, you showed courage and supported Israel! Thank you!”

AFSI thanks you too, President Milei.

Source:
Argentina’s Milei scorches UN for anti-Israel bias, by JNS Update Desk, September 25, 2024

Early Sunday afternoon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video statement on the incessant terror attacks by Hezbollah: “At present, residents of northern Israel are indeed unable to live in their own homes due to the security risk posed by the Hezbollah terrorist army. After 11 months of attempts to reach a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, Israeli military and political leaders alike have reached the realization that Hezbollah will never acquiesce to a diplomatic agreement.”

This weekend, Israeli forces began escalating and intensifying their attacks on Hezbollah forces with the intent to put an end to the drones and rocket fire, once and for all.

At a security assessment meeting on Monday, Netanyahu stated, “I would like to clarify Israel’s policy to whoever does not yet understand: We are not waiting for the threat, we are pre-empting it – everywhere, in every sector, constantly. We are eliminating senior figures, terrorists and missiles – and our arm is still extended. Whoever tries to harm us, we will harm them all the more forcefully.”

Just today, rocket barrages have been reported for the first time in Samaria. Between the pager explosions last week and Israel’s pre-emptive strikes on Hezbollah, one can only imagine that both Lebanon itself and Hezbollah are in a complete state of shock. The death toll and wounded numbers are very high and increasing. Hospitals are collapsing, local channels are begging citizens to come donate blood and contact the authorities. With that said, it’s in their best interest to understand Israel’s policy.

Sources:
PM: ‘I promised we’d change balance of power in north; that’s exactly what we’re doing.’, by Hezki Baruch/Israel National News, September 23, 2024

Netanyahu: ‘We Will Take Whatever Action is Necessary to Restore Security’, by Hana Levi Julian/Jewish Press, September 22, 2024

First time: Hezbollah fires long-range rockets at Samaria, by Israel National News, September 23, 2024

Israel has issued a fierce response to last Wednesday’s vote by the United Nations General Assembly demanding the Jewish State withdraw from all post-1967 territories. This includes “disputed” areas in Judea, Samaria and the Jordan Valley which were previously designate as Area C, under full Israeli administrative and security control, under the internationally recognized Oslo Accords.

Among the many demands, the resolution calls for Israel to comply with international law and withdraw its military forces, immediately cease all new development activity, evacuate all “settlers” from occupied land, and dismantle parts of the separation wall it constructed inside the “occupied West Bank.”

Israel’s Foreign Ministry issued a fierce response, rejecting the “distorted and disconnected from reality” decision and thanking the leaders of those nations who voted to oppose it. They key points are:

• “The political theater called the General Assembly today adopted a distorted decision that is disconnected from reality, encourages terrorism and harms the chances for peace.”
• “The decision of the General Assembly tells a one-sided, fictional story, in which countless murderous terrorist attacks on the citizens of the State of Israel do not take place.”
• “The General Assembly decision bolsters and strengthens the Hamas terrorist organization and the Iranian terrorist state that stands behind it.”
• “The General Assembly decision also undermines the foundation of any attempt to promote a peaceful solution to the conflict.”

While this sick resolution clearly boggles the mind of those educated on the facts about Israel, it should come as no surprise as to the extent the world body we call the “Useless Nations” will go to defame and destroy Israel. This is indeed political theater at its worst – or best -depending on how you view it. In either case, please spare us from an encore.

Source:
Israel Issues Fierce Response to UN Resolution Demanding Disengagement from Post 1967 Areas of Israel, by Hana Levi Julian/Jewish Press, September 20, 2024

Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, spoke to Eric Shawn of Fox News to discuss the latest developments in Lebanon.

Commenting on Israel’s elimination of Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Aqil in an air strike in Beirut, Danon said, “We attacked him during a meeting in Beirut, [in which he and other terrorists] were plotting another major attack against Israel. So, I think justice was served for what he did to the American people and for what he was planning to do to us, and we are very proud of this air strike, and we will continue to hunt down these terrorists.”

He continued, “I think many countries should thank Israel, but the UN is exactly the opposite. When [PA chairman] Abbas arrives in New York and speaks at the General Assembly, maybe someone should ask him: ‘Why don’t you condemn what happened to the Israelis? If you want to have peace with them, if you want to live peacefully with us, how can you ignore what Hamas did to us?’ The PA supports Hamas. They are terrorists wearing suits. If you cannot condemn them, you are part of them,” stated Danon.

Source:
Amb. Danon to Fox News: Countries should thank Israel, but they condemn it instead, by Israel National News, September 23, 2024