Search focused on the Middle East

8+ min ago (344+ words) Israeli President Isaac Herzog responded to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request for pardon, describing it to Politico as an "extraordinary" request. Confirming that his office had received Netanyahu's request for pardon, Herzog stressed: "This is certainly an extraordinary request and above all when dealing with it I will consider what is the best interest of the Israeli people. The well-being of the Israeli people is my first, second and third priority." Politico also referred to pardon granted by Herzog's father, the late President Chaim Herzog, to senior Shin Bet officials involved in the Kav 300 affair, even before there was a conviction to pardon. "Everybody understands that any pre-emptive pardon has to be considered on the merits," he told the news outlet. "On the one hand, the full equality under the law, or in front of the law, as we…...

17+ min ago (88+ words) [A woman holds a picture of dead hostage Ran Gvili, whose body hasn]The Coordinator for Hostages and Missing Persons Gal Hirsch left for Cairo for talks on Gvili's return, as well as advancement to the second phase of the hostage and ceasefire deal. Hamas, PIJ know where to reach slain hostage Ran Gvili, Israel tells mediators - N12 The Coordinator for Hostages and Missing Persons Gal Hirsch left for Cairo for talks on Gvili's return, as well as advancement to the second phase of the hostage and ceasefire deal....

40+ min ago (48+ words) Israel's Ambassador Danny Danon welcomes noticeable shift in UN voting on 'Palestinian Package,' as more countries opposed or abstained, calling it evidence of a changing international stance and thanking states that backed Israel. Danon: Shift in UN voting shows growing opposition to automatic anti-Israel majorities...

40+ min ago (310+ words) Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Danny Danon on Friday commented on the passage of the "Palestinian Package" resolutions in the General Assembly, promising: "We will continue to fight for the truth. More countries are beginning to see reality as it is and act accordingly." On Friday, the UN General Assembly passed six resolutions as part of the "Palestinian Package." However, this year a clear trend stood out: a change in the voting patterns of member states, signaling a decline in traditional and unconditional support on anti-Israel resolutions and an expansion of countries that chose to oppose or abstain from each of the resolutions. In the vote on the "settlements" issue, 146 countries voted in favor, 13 opposed and 17 abstained. In the vote on UNRWA activities, 145 countries voted in favor, 10 opposed and 18 abstained. In the vote on aid to "Palestinian refugees,…...

43+ min ago (237+ words) ISRAEL AT WAR - DAY 792 Eilat was cut off from the rest of the country Saturday due to flooding, with police closing all highway access to the southern resort city as heavy rains continued to batter the region. The storms began Friday night and continued unabated into Saturday, causing major floods throughout southern Israel, where the desert landscape is especially susceptible to severe weather and flash floods. Flooding along several sections of Route 90, the main highway that passes through southern Israel's Arava region, forced the full closure of the city's northern exit, police said Saturday afternoon. Earlier in the day, Routes 12 and 40 " the only other main roads connecting Eilat to the rest of the country " were also closed amid flash flood warnings. Videos posted to social media showed hundreds of cars backed up along Route 90, as thousands tried to return home…...

53+ min ago (30+ words) Real time news brief - Rain and flooding in southern Israel - Israel National News flashes around the clock are waiting for you on the site Rain and flooding in southern Israel...

53+ min ago (218+ words) Rains fell throughout Shabbat in the southern Negev and the Arava, accompanied by thunderstorms and hail. The rainfall is expected to continue in the coming hours and may cause flash floods in the region's riverbeds. Later in the day, rain also began falling along the central coastal plain. Due to flooding, police closed Route 40 from Ne'ot Smadar to Mitzpe Ramon. Because of flooding along several sections of Route 90 in the Arava, the northern exit from Eilat was closed to traffic. All access roads to and from Eilat are currently blocked, including Route 12 from the Shizafon Junction to the city. Eilat Mayor Eli Lankri said municipal teams are fully prepared and equipped for rapid response. The Nature and Parks Authority announced that several sites were closed due to the weather and road closures. Closed sites in the south include the Ein…...

1+ hour, 8+ min ago (139+ words) In two separate incidents Saturday, IDF troops identify terrorists who crossed the yellow line, posing immediate threat. IDF eliminates terrorists who crossed yellow line in southern Gaza In two separate incidents Saturday, IDF troops identify terrorists who crossed the yellow line, posing immediate threat. Earlier on Saturday, in two separate incidents, IDF troops identified several terrorists who crossed the yellow line and posed an immediate threat to them. Following the identification, the troops fired and eliminated three of the terrorists in order to remove the threat. IDF troops in the Southern Command remain deployed in accordance with the ceasefire agreement and will continue to operate to remove any immediate threat. - Rafah tunnel terrorists in constant contact with Hamas leadership - Rafah Crossing to reopen, allowing Gazans to exit to Egypt - Delegation flies to Cairo to secure release of final hostage...

1+ hour, 9+ min ago (56+ words) Real time news brief - IDF eliminates terrorists who crossed yellow line in southern Gaza - Israel National News flashes around the clock are waiting for you on the site IDF eliminates terrorists who crossed yellow line in southern Gaza In two separate incidents Saturday, IDF troops identify three terrorists who crossed the yellow line, posing immediate threat....

1+ hour, 15+ min ago (424+ words) ISRAEL AT WAR - DAY 792 Former chief justice Esther Hayut on Saturday accused unspecified elected officials of trampling the rule of law as the government pushes to curb the judiciary's powers and sideline sensitive investigations. "One of the most dangerous instances of this is the systematic campaign to de-legitimize the judiciary," said Hayut at the annual conference of the Israeli Association of Public Law in Haifa, in a quote carried by Hebrew media. Some elected officials have called "not to comply with High Court rulings," noted Hayut in footage from the event. "This is a dangerous decline, which tramples the rule of law and harms the stature of the High Court and its ability to carry out its role as guardian of individual rights and the rule of law." Her warning came out of a place of "great concern, but also…...