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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is lobbying U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Donald Trump to block the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, citing Ankara’s expanding influence in Syria. During his White House visit on April 7, 2025, Netanyahu pressed Trump on the issue, following multiple discussions with Rubio in March and April. Israel fears Turkey’s control of Syrian bases, like T4, could threaten its security, especially as Ankara negotiates a defense pact with Damascus and deploys air defense systems.
Tag: Hezbollah
The U.S. Air Force is assessing upgrades to Cyprus’ Andreas Papandreou Air Base to enhance its role as a humanitarian staging post for Middle East operations. Situated near Lebanon, the base has historically been vital for evacuations and aid delivery. Proposed improvements include runway expansions, radar systems, and facilities for U.S. air assets, reflecting deepening U.S.-Cyprus military ties and the island’s strategic importance in the Eastern Mediterranean.
King Abdullah II of Jordan emphasized the urgent need for regional stability in a phone call with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, as Jordanians staged large-scale protests in solidarity with Gaza. The monarch reiterated Jordan’s commitment to supporting Palestinian rights and regional peace, highlighting the importance of collective international efforts to de-escalate the ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s southern border remains tense, with the Lebanese army deployed to Khiam as Israeli airstrikes continue, despite a fragile ceasefire. In Jordan, the demonstrations reflect growing public support for Palestine amid the broader Middle East crisis.
In a bid to maintain temporary peace, Israel’s cabinet has approved a ceasefire agreement with Lebanon. Prime Minister Netanyahu warned that Israel retains the right to resume military action if Hezbollah violates the terms. This strategic move allows Israel to shift focus towards addressing the Iranian threat. The success of the ceasefire hinges on regional dynamics and Hezbollah’s compliance.
Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen has canceled his planned visit to Athens where he was due to sign a significant energy agreement with Greece. The cancelation was due to a critical cabinet meeting on a ceasefire with Hezbollah. The agreement, focusing on the Greece-Cyprus-Israel electrical interconnection project and broader energy collaborations, remains unscheduled.
The Israeli cabinet is poised to vote on a ceasefire agreement with Lebanon after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave preliminary approval. Negotiations are ongoing, and while the deal is expected to pass, some reservations remain. The U.S. is actively mediating talks to achieve a 60-day cessation of hostilities, aiming for lasting peace.
Two Royal Australian Air Force planes have arrived in Cyprus to evacuate thousands of Australians stranded in Lebanon amidst a regional crisis. The move comes as tensions escalate with Israel’s ground invasion of southern Lebanon and Hezbollah’s retaliatory rocket attacks.
Iran launched a massive ballistic missile attack on Israel Tuesday night, firing an estimated 500 rockets at targets across the country. The assault, confirmed by both Israeli and US officials, triggered air raid sirens nationwide and sent Israelis scrambling for bomb shelters. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility, stating the attack was in retaliation for the recent assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Lebanese militant group Hezbollah on Tuesday said it had targeted the Israeli military intelligence base of Glilot near Tel Aviv.
Biden called for a ‘ceasefire now’ before IDF ground operations began The Israel Defense Forces…
Beirut – Reports of an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) ground invasion of southern Lebanon on…
Citing escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, the European Union has advised airlines to steer clear of both Lebanese and Israeli airspace until at least October 31st.”
With a potential full-scale war looming in Lebanon, Western nations are scrambling to prepare evacuation plans for their citizens, eyeing Cyprus and Turkey as potential safe havens. As ceasefire talks falter and Israel intensifies strikes on Beirut, concerns are mounting over the safety of tens of thousands of foreigners in Lebanon.
In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict, Israel launched a massive airstrike targeting Hezbollah’s central headquarters in Beirut, claiming it housed senior officials including leader Hassan Nasrallah. While Nasrallah’s fate remains unclear, the strike caused civilian casualties and drew international condemnation, jeopardizing fragile ceasefire efforts and raising fears of a wider regional conflict.
New York/Beirut – Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has joined international calls for a 21-day…
As the situation in Lebanon deteriorates following intensified Israeli airstrikes, Greece has announced it will urge the European Union to provide medical assistance to injured Lebanese citizens. This announcement came after a meeting between Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis and his Lebanese counterpart, Abdallah Bou Habib, in New York.
Fears of a widening conflict between Israel and Hezbollah have prompted the US and UK to deploy troops to Cyprus, preparing for potential evacuations of their citizens from Lebanon. Both countries are urging citizens to leave Lebanon immediately as tensions rise following Israeli airstrikes and retaliatory rocket attacks by Hezbollah.
Greece will call on the European Union to provide medical assistance to injured Lebanese citizens…
The USS Harry S. Truman has set sail for the Red Sea as part of a U.S. 6th Fleet deployment amid rising tensions in the Middle East. The carrier will deter threats while Israel conducts military operations in Gaza and Lebanon. The Navy is prepared for potential evacuations but has not yet received orders to proceed.
Lebanon’s Health Minister Firas Abiad announced that the death toll from Israeli airstrikes has risen to 558, including 50 children and 94 women, with 1,835 people wounded. The strikes, which began yesterday, have primarily affected unarmed civilians, according to the minister. This marks the highest casualty count since the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel.