Latest news with #GovernmentPressOffice
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Iran strikes damage hard to assess under Israeli military censorship
Israel has acknowledged being hit by more than 50 missiles during the 12-day war with Iran, but the true extent of the damage may never be known due to stringent press restrictions. Such regulations are nothing new in Israel, where any written or visual publication deemed potentially harmful to the loosely defined concept of "national security" can be banned by law. Censorship predates the creation of Israel in 1948, when the territory was under a British mandate. But with the recent missile barrages from Iran that managed to breach Israel's vaunted air defences and kill 28 people, the restrictions were further tightened. Any broadcast from a "combat zone or missile impact site" requires written authorisation from the military censor, according to the Israeli Government Press Office, which is responsible for government communications and for accrediting journalists. This requirement is particularly stringent when strikes land near military bases, oil refineries, or other facilities deemed strategic. "There is, of course, a very real national security dimension. You don't want to tell the enemy exactly where its bombs landed, or help them improve targeting," said Jerome Bourdon, professor of media sociology at Tel Aviv University. "But this also maintains uncertainty around the country's vulnerability to external threats. We probably will never know the full extent of the damage," he added. – 'Reverse the narrative' – Most of the government's communication during the war focused on its military successes, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday praising a "historic victory" over Iran. For Bourdon, the tightening of media coverage also reflects "a very clear desire to reverse the narrative", at a time when Israel faces harsh international criticism over its war in Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands and triggered dire humanitarian conditions. On June 19, Defence Minister Israel Katz accused Tehran of "deliberately targeting hospitals and residential buildings" after a hospital in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba was hit, injuring around 40 people. Katz accused Iran of "the most serious war crimes", while Iran denied intentionally targeting the health centre. Meanwhile, human rights defenders regularly condemn Israel's destruction of the healthcare system in Gaza and the targeting of hospitals under the claim that they are used by Palestinian militants. During the war with Iran, media coverage near sites of missile strikes in Israel's civilian areas was occasionally hindered, as foreign reporters were prevented from filming wide shots or specifying the exact location of the impacts. In the central Israeli city of Ramat Gan, police interrupted the live broadcast of two Western news agencies filming a gutted building, suspecting them of providing the footage to Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera. Israel banned the outlet in May 2024, alleging it has ties with Palestinian militant group Hamas, which Al Jazeera has denied. – 'Illegal content' – In a statement, police said they had acted to stop the broadcast of "illegal content" in accordance with the "policy" of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. The far-right cabinet member, known for his incendiary rhetoric against critics, vowed on June 16 to take tough action against anyone who "undermines the security of the state". "Zero tolerance for those who help the enemy," echoed Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi. The two ministers "make claims that exceed the legal framework of their powers, and also are very, very extreme," said Tehilla Shwartz Altshuler, a researcher at the Israel Democracy Institute. "Usually, they make a lot of noise" in order to "get political gain from this publicity," she told AFP. Beyond political calculations, "these officials show a deep mistrust, a real hostility toward the liberal Israeli media, and especially toward the foreign media," said professor Bourdon. The Government Press Office on Thursday reaffirmed its commitment to "freedom of the press... as a fundamental right" and insisted it makes "no distinction between Israeli and non-Israeli journalists". cl/mj/glp/acc/rlp/dv
Khaleej Times
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
Israel admits being hit by 50 missiles during Iran conflict
Israel has acknowledged being hit by more than 50 missiles during the 12-day conflict with Iran, but the true extent of the damage may never be known due to stringent press restrictions. Such regulations are nothing new in Israel, where any written or visual publication deemed potentially harmful to the loosely defined concept of "national security" can be banned by law. Censorship predates the creation of Israel in 1948, when the territory was under a British mandate. But with the recent missile barrages from Iran that managed to breach Israel's vaunted air defences and kill 28 people, the restrictions were further tightened. Any broadcast from a "combat zone or missile impact site" requires written authorisation from the military censor, according to the Israeli Government Press Office, which is responsible for government communications and for accrediting journalists. This requirement is particularly stringent when strikes land near military bases, oil refineries, or other facilities deemed strategic. "There is, of course, a very real national security dimension. You don't want to tell the enemy exactly where its bombs landed, or help them improve targeting," said Jerome Bourdon, professor of media sociology at Tel Aviv University. "But this also maintains uncertainty around the country's vulnerability to external threats. We probably will never know the full extent of the damage," he added. 'Reverse the narrative' Most of the government's communication during the war focused on its military successes, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday praising a "historic victory" over Iran. For Bourdon, the tightening of media coverage also reflects "a very clear desire to reverse the narrative", at a time when Israel faces harsh international criticism over its war in Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands and triggered dire humanitarian conditions. On June 19, Defence Minister Israel Katz accused Tehran of "deliberately targeting hospitals and residential buildings" after a hospital in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba was hit, injuring around 40 people. Katz accused Iran of "the most serious war crimes", while Iran denied intentionally targeting the health centre. Meanwhile, human rights defenders regularly condemn Israel's destruction of the healthcare system in Gaza and the targeting of hospitals under the claim that they are used by Palestinian militants. During the war with Iran, media coverage near sites of missile strikes in Israel's civilian areas was occasionally hindered, as foreign reporters were prevented from filming wide shots or specifying the exact location of the impacts. In the central Israeli city of Ramat Gan, police interrupted the live broadcast of two Western news agencies filming a gutted building, suspecting them of providing the footage to Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera. Israel banned the outlet in May 2024, alleging it has ties with Palestinian militant group Hamas, which Al Jazeera has denied. 'Illegal content' In a statement, police said they had acted to stop the broadcast of "illegal content" in accordance with the "policy" of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. The far-right cabinet member, known for his incendiary rhetoric against critics, vowed on June 16 to take tough action against anyone who "undermines the security of the state". "Zero tolerance for those who help the enemy," echoed Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi. The two ministers "make claims that exceed the legal framework of their powers, and also are very, very extreme," said Tehilla Shwartz Altshuler, a researcher at the Israel Democracy Institute. "Usually, they make a lot of noise" in order to "get political gain from this publicity," she told AFP. Beyond political calculations, "these officials show a deep mistrust, a real hostility toward the liberal Israeli media, and especially toward the foreign media," said professor Bourdon. The Government Press Office on Thursday reaffirmed its commitment to "freedom of the press... as a fundamental right" and insisted it makes "no distinction between Israeli and non-Israeli journalists".
Al Arabiya
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Iran strikes damage hard to assess under Israeli military censorship
Israel has acknowledged being hit by more than 50 missiles during the 12-day war with Iran, but the true extent of the damage may never be known due to stringent press restrictions. Such regulations are nothing new in Israel, where any written or visual publication deemed potentially harmful to the loosely defined concept of 'national security' can be banned by law. Censorship predates the creation of Israel in 1948, when the territory was under a British mandate. But with the recent missile barrages from Iran that managed to breach Israel's vaunted air defenses and kill 28 people, the restrictions were further tightened. Any broadcast from a 'combat zone or missile impact site' requires written authorization from the military censor, according to the Israeli Government Press Office, which is responsible for government communications and for accrediting journalists. This requirement is particularly stringent when strikes land near military bases, oil refineries, or other facilities deemed strategic. 'There is, of course, a very real national security dimension. You don't want to tell the enemy exactly where its bombs landed, or help them improve targeting,' said Jerome Bourdon, professor of media sociology at Tel Aviv University. 'But this also maintains uncertainty around the country's vulnerability to external threats. We probably will never know the full extent of the damage,' he added. Reverse the narrative Most of the government's communication during the war focused on its military successes, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday praising a 'historic victory' over Iran. For Bourdon, the tightening of media coverage also reflects 'a very clear desire to reverse the narrative,' at a time when Israel faces harsh international criticism over its war in Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands and triggered dire humanitarian conditions. On June 19, Defense Minister Israel Katz accused Tehran of 'deliberately targeting hospitals and residential buildings' after a hospital in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba was hit, injuring around 40 people. Katz accused Iran of 'the most serious war crimes,' while Iran denied intentionally targeting the health center. Meanwhile, human rights defenders regularly condemn Israel's destruction of the healthcare system in Gaza and the targeting of hospitals under the claim that they are used by Palestinian militants. During the war with Iran, media coverage near sites of missile strikes in Israel's civilian areas was occasionally hindered, as foreign reporters were prevented from filming wide shots or specifying the exact location of the impacts. In the central Israeli city of Ramat Gan, police interrupted the live broadcast of two Western news agencies filming a gutted building, suspecting them of providing the footage to Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera. Israel banned the outlet in May 2024, alleging it has ties with Palestinian militant group Hamas, which Al Jazeera has denied. Illegal content In a statement, police said they had acted to stop the broadcast of 'illegal content' in accordance with the 'policy' of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. The far-right cabinet member, known for his incendiary rhetoric against critics, vowed on June 16 to take tough action against anyone who 'undermines the security of the state.' 'Zero tolerance for those who help the enemy,' echoed Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi. The two ministers 'make claims that exceed the legal framework of their powers, and also are very, very extreme,' said Tehilla Shwartz Altshuler, a researcher at the Israel Democracy Institute. 'Usually, they make a lot of noise' in order to 'get political gain from this publicity,' she told AFP. Beyond political calculations, 'these officials show a deep mistrust, a real hostility toward the liberal Israeli media, and especially toward the foreign media,' said professor Bourdon. The Government Press Office on Thursday reaffirmed its commitment to 'freedom of the press... as a fundamental right' and insisted it makes 'no distinction between Israeli and non-Israeli journalists.'
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Business Standard
5 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Iranian missile, drone strikes have forced evacuations of 8,000 Israelis
Iran's attacks have killed 24 people and injured 1,272 others, including 14 in serious condition ANI Middle East Since the start of Israel's military operations against Iran on June 13, more than 450 missiles and over 400 drones have been launched toward Israeli territory, according to figures released Saturday night by the Government Press Office. Iran's attacks have killed 24 people and injured 1,272 others, including 14 in serious condition. The Israel Tax Authority has received 30,735 damage claims, with most--25,040--related to buildings, followed by 2,623 for vehicles and 3,006 for other property. The Home Front Command has evacuated 8,190 civilians from their homes due to the ongoing threat. Israel's military on Saturday said it was preparing for a potentially prolonged conflict, after launching overnight strikes on an Iranian nuclear research facility and killing three senior Iranian commanders in targeted attacks. The military confirmed the target was a centrifuge production site. Isfahan, a critical nuclear hub, had also been struck during the first 24 hours of the war, as part of Israel's declared aim to dismantle Iran's nuclear programme. The International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed the latest attack. The threat of a wider regional war also loomed. Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels warned they would resume attacks on US vessels and warships in the Red Sea if Washington formally joins Israel's military campaign. The Houthis had suspended such attacks in May under a deal with the United States. In a significant move, the US ambassador to Israel announced that the US has begun assisted departure flights—marking the first such evacuation effort from Israel since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault that triggered the ongoing war in Gaza. Meanwhile in Iran, smoke was seen rising from a mountainous area near Isfahan. The province's deputy governor for security affairs, Akbar Salehi, confirmed the Israeli strike damaged a nuclear facility but said there were no casualties. In retaliation, Iran again launched drones and missiles at Israeli territory, though there were no immediate reports of significant damage. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Wall Street Journal
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Wall Street Journal
Watch: Last Living U.S. Hostage in Gaza Reunited with Family After Release
Edan Alexander was freed as part of a deal between the U.S. and Hamas. Israel said it would provide a safe corridor for his exit from Gaza, but wouldn't give Hamas anything in return for his freedom. Photo: Government Press Office/Reuters
