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Shafaq News
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Israel warns of renewed strikes against Iran
Shafaq News – Tel Aviv On Tuesday, Israeli leaders signaled that military strikes on Iran could resume if necessary, a month after a fragile ceasefire ended their 12-day war. Israeli Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir declared in a public briefing that 'the campaign against Iran is not over,' emphasizing that Tehran and its regional allies remain firmly in Israel's sights. Israeli Blue and White Party chairman Benny Gantz echoed the warning during the Conference of Presidents in Jerusalem that Iran poses 'a global and regional problem and a threat to the State of Israel.' 'We cannot allow a nuclear Iran, and it was right that we struck there. We may need to strike there again," he added. Earlier, US President Donald Trump stood by last month's American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. 'We will do it again, if necessary!' he wrote on Truth Social, responding to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's admission that the targeted sites had suffered extensive damage. Tensions between both sides have remained high since the June conflict, which involved nearly two weeks of missile and drone exchanges before a truce was reached. Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and top military commanders warned Israel and the US of attacking the country again. 'Iran is capable of delivering a stronger blow to its enemies than what it carried out during last month's conflict with Israel,' Khamenei noted in a televised address.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Netanyahu: 'My Druze brothers, do not cross the border into Syria, let the IDF do its job'
Israeli officials react to the ongoing violence in Syria's Sweida between regime forces and the local Druze community. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Israeli Druze citizens not to cross the border amid ongoing clashes in Sweida in southern Syria on Wednesday afternoon. "You are endangering your lives; you could be killed, you could be kidnapped, and you are harming the IDF's efforts," Netanyahu said. "The IDF, air force, and other forces are operating. We are taking action to save our Druze brothers and to eliminate the regime's militias. Therefore, I ask you — return to your homes. Let the IDF do its job," he added. "To our Druze brothers in Israel: You can trust the IDF to protect your brothers in Syria. Netanyahu and I, as defense minister, have made a commitment, and we will uphold it," Defense Minister Israel Katz added. "The IDF will continue to operate forcefully in Sweida to destroy the forces that attacked the Druze until their full withdrawal," he continued. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar alleged that Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's regime has committed "persecution and pogroms" against minority groups in Syria. "What is the international community waiting for?' he asked. 'Our interests in Syria are well known and clear, including preventing harm to the Druze community, with whom we have strong ties. If the regime in Damascus doesn't come to its senses, it will ultimately distance itself from all the key goals it has set for itself, foremost among them governance and economic prosperity. It would be best for it to come to its senses and restore order." "The shocking images from Syria prove one thing, once a jihadist, always a jihadist," National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir commented. "Whoever kills, cuts off mustaches, humiliates, rapes, should not be engaged in negotiations, and the only thing that should be done with Sharaa is to eliminate him," he threatened. "I love the Druze citizens of the State of Israel, I send them a warm hug and say – we need to eliminate the head of the snake," he concluded. Opposition Leader Yair Lapid spoke with Israeli-Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Muwafaq Tarif, affirming that he stands by the Druze community and its security, and will always stand by it. "The government has the backing to assist in protecting the Druze in Syria and the demilitarized zone," Blue and White Party leader, Benny Gantz, commented. "This is not only a moral duty but also an Israeli security interest," Gantz added. "We must continue to act actively to establish a reality where Israel's allies are safe, and its interests are preserved," he added. Gantz is also notably the former defense minister and former IDF chief of staff. Senior IDF staff hold situational assessment near Syrian border IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Tamir Yadai, Northern Command chief, Maj.-Gen. Uri Gordin, and 210th Division Commander Brig.-Gen. Yair Palai, along with Israel Police's Northern District Commander Assistant-Chief Meir Eliyahu held a situational assessment in Majdal Shams earlier on Wednesday with the heads of local councils, the military confirmed. Syria's Presidency condemns recent violence Meanwhile, the office of the Syrian Presidency issued a statement condemning the recent violence between the regime's forces and the local Druze community. "The Syrian government strongly condemns these heinous actions and reaffirms our full commitment to investigating all related incidents and holding accountable anyone proven to be involved, whether individuals or foreign organizations operating outside the law. Legal consequences will be imposed, and impunity will not be tolerated," the statement said. Amichai Stein and Avraham Bloch contributed to this report. Solve the daily Crossword
