Syrian and Israeli Officials Hold Paris Talks to Ease Tensions
Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, who is Benjamin Netanyahu's closest adviser on foreign policy, headed the Israeli delegation, the Jerusalem Post reported. He met Tuesday with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani.
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New York Times
a few seconds ago
- New York Times
U.S. Kills Islamic State Operative in Rare Raid in Syria
U.S. military forces conducted a rare ground raid in Syria this week, killing a senior Islamic State financier, the Pentagon's Central Command said on Thursday. It was the second such raid in less than a month. In a statement, Central Command said that U.S. commandos killed the Islamic State operative, whom they did not identify, on Tuesday. The operative planned attacks in Syria and Iraq, and had relationships throughout the Islamic State network in the region, the statement said. Central Command provided few details on the ground operation or where in Syria it happened. But military counterterrorism raids — as opposed to airstrikes — have typically involved helicopter-borne Special Operations commandos, often supported by attack planes and drones. Such ground operations are riskier than drone strikes because they put troops in harm's way. They often mean that the target is particularly important and likely to be near civilians to try to ward off an air attack. And the location of the raid may contain sensitive information — like computer hard drives, cellphones and other data — that could help counterterrorism forces plan future raids. 'We will continue to pursue ISIS terrorists with unwavering determination, throughout the region,' Adm. Brad Cooper, who this month took over as head of Central Command, said in the statement. 'Together with our partners and allies, Centcom remains steadfast in our commitment of ensuring the lasting defeat of ISIS and the protection of the U.S. homeland.' A U.S. military official said on Thursday there were no American casualties in the mission. In late July, U.S. military forces conducted a raid in northwestern Syria, killing a senior Islamic State leader, Dhiya' Zawba Muslih al-Hardani, and his two adult sons in the Aleppo area. The raids come just weeks after President Trump signed an executive order in late June that lifted most of the U.S. economic sanctions on Syria, tightening his embrace of the country's new government despite concerns about its leaders' past ties to Al Qaeda. The move delivered on a surprise announcement by Mr. Trump in May during a trip to the Middle East. At a stop in Saudi Arabia, Mr. Trump met with President Ahmed al-Shara of Syria, who assumed power in December after his fighters deposed the longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad. Mr. Trump described Mr. al-Shara as 'young, attractive' and 'tough,' and said Syria deserved 'a chance' to rebuild after a devastating civil war that began in March 2011. Mr. al-Shara previously led a rebel group designated by the U.S. government as a terrorist organization.
CNN
a few seconds ago
- CNN
Netanyahu orders ‘immediate negotiations' to release hostages as Israel advances Gaza City operation
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has ordered negotiations for the release of all hostages and an end to the war in Gaza 'on terms acceptable to Israel.' The Israel military still intends to advance plans to take control of Gaza City, Netanyahu said. The Israeli leader's remarks came in a video recorded on Thursday, ahead of a high-level security meeting Netanyahu convened with defense chiefs and cabinet ministers focused on approving the operational plans to take Gaza City and 'decisively defeat Hamas.' Netanyahu stressed that Israel is now at a critical juncture. 'We are at the decisive stage,' he said, underlining that 'defeating Hamas and securing the release of all hostages go hand in hand.' This is the first time Netanyahu has publicly addressed the Gaza war ceasefire talks since Hamas responded positively earlier this week to the latest proposal put forth by mediators from Qatar and Egypt. Still, the Israeli prime minister did not say to whom he had given the order to start immediate negotiations and avoided referring to the current proposal framework, which begins with a 60-day ceasefire during which half of the remaining Israeli hostages are to be released. Israeli officials believe that 50 hostages remain in Gaza, at least 20 of whom are thought to be alive. In his recent public statements and official briefings, Netanyahu has emphasized that Israel is seeking a comprehensive agreement that would secure the release of all hostages and meet Israel's conditions for ending the war. He continues to push forward plans for a massive assault on Gaza City, and on Wednesday instructed the military to shorten the timeline of the operation – despite concern from residents of Gaza City, who have described Israel's plans as the 'beginning of a new war.' Israel has called up tens of thousands of reservists to take part in the impending military operation. The Israeli military is already on the outskirts of Gaza City, according to an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman. 'We are at the stage of decision,' Netanyahu said in a video address. 'Today I came to the Gaza Division to approve the plans that the (Israel Defense Forces) presented to me and to the minister of defense for taking control of Gaza City and defeating Hamas.' At the same time, Netanyahu refrained from making any official reference to the mediators' proposal, leaving open the possibility of a partial agreement. Two Israeli sources say that Netanyahu is managing the developments under tight secrecy and confidentiality.
CNN
14 minutes ago
- CNN
Netanyahu orders ‘immediate negotiations' to release hostages as Israel advances Gaza City operation
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has ordered negotiations for the release of all hostages and an end to the war in Gaza 'on terms acceptable to Israel.' The Israel military still intends to advance plans to take control of Gaza City, Netanyahu said. The Israeli leader's remarks came in a video recorded on Thursday, ahead of a high-level security meeting Netanyahu convened with defense chiefs and cabinet ministers focused on approving the operational plans to take Gaza City and 'decisively defeat Hamas.' Netanyahu stressed that Israel is now at a critical juncture. 'We are at the decisive stage,' he said, underlining that 'defeating Hamas and securing the release of all hostages go hand in hand.' This is the first time Netanyahu has publicly addressed the Gaza war ceasefire talks since Hamas responded positively earlier this week to the latest proposal put forth by mediators from Qatar and Egypt. Still, the Israeli prime minister did not say to whom he had given the order to start immediate negotiations and avoided referring to the current proposal framework, which begins with a 60-day ceasefire during which half of the remaining Israeli hostages are to be released. Israeli officials believe that 50 hostages remain in Gaza, at least 20 of whom are thought to be alive. In his recent public statements and official briefings, Netanyahu has emphasized that Israel is seeking a comprehensive agreement that would secure the release of all hostages and meet Israel's conditions for ending the war. He continues to push forward plans for a massive assault on Gaza City, and on Wednesday instructed the military to shorten the timeline of the operation – despite concern from residents of Gaza City, who have described Israel's plans as the 'beginning of a new war.' Israel has called up tens of thousands of reservists to take part in the impending military operation. The Israeli military is already on the outskirts of Gaza City, according to an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman. 'We are at the stage of decision,' Netanyahu said in a video address. 'Today I came to the Gaza Division to approve the plans that the (Israel Defense Forces) presented to me and to the minister of defense for taking control of Gaza City and defeating Hamas.' At the same time, Netanyahu refrained from making any official reference to the mediators' proposal, leaving open the possibility of a partial agreement. Two Israeli sources say that Netanyahu is managing the developments under tight secrecy and confidentiality.
