Latest news with #Ofer
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hamas's gains and Israel's strategic loss: What has the last ceasefire taught us?
In the interview with Maariv, Ofer criticized Israel's approach since Operation Gideon's Chariots, arguing that Hamas 'gets everything it wants.' More than four months have passed since the end of the last ceasefire in Gaza, and despite this, Israel has failed to achieve any strategic gains, neither through the fighting nor the political negotiations, Eyal Ofer, an expert on Hamas's economy and regional relations, told Maariv. In the interview, Ofer criticized Israel's approach since Operation Gideon's Chariots, arguing that Hamas 'gets everything it wants.' "It's been four months since the ceasefire ended, and Hamas is still negotiating hard, setting demands, and Israel is yielding," Ofer said. "What does this teach us? That the main principle of the previous agreement—the option for the IDF to return to fighting—hasn't led to any strategic outcomes for Israel." The consequences of further agreements Ofer warns that any further deal with Hamas would likely lead to Israel's near-total withdrawal from areas captured during the operation, particularly from strategic positions in the southern Gaza Strip. "If there is another deal now, Hamas will get Israeli withdrawal from nearly all the areas captured during Operation 'Gideon's Chariots,' including the Morag Corridor and most of the Rafah urban area." Ofer believes the situation is already visible on the ground, particularly for the Abu Shabab clan, which controls parts of the eastern areas of Gaza City under IDF protection. Recently, the clan appealed in The Times for international protection from Hamas's threats. "It seems that the message that Israel will not control all of Gaza forever is starting to be taken into account," he said. Philadelphi corridor as a rare exception The only exception, according to Ofer, is the Philadelphi corridor. 'Hamas only concedes to Israel in one area—Hamas is willing to let us stay in the Philadelphi corridor. Why? Hamas knows that the disconnection between Gaza and Egypt and its economic connection to Israel have benefited it in the past and will continue to do so in the future. Hamas wants Gaza's reconstruction resources, funded globally, to flow into the Gaza Strip from Israel. For example, the quality of cement from Israel is much better than Egyptian cement, and Israel can always be pressured.' Hamas's growing leverage Ofer claims that Hamas is already benefiting from this extortion. "Hamas is already receiving, even before any agreement, fuel and increased aid. This is because Israel has put itself in an impossible situation: We've taken responsibility for the economy and health of two million Gazans, but we don't control the population centers. Hamas does. Therefore, we have no choice. Implementing the civilian responsibility we've taken on requires transferring aid through Hamas, Gaza's looting gangs, and traders—unless we simply pile up a huge stack of boxes in aid distribution camps, without asking, 'Who wants it, come and take.'" For Ofer, this is what Israeli "civilian responsibility" in Gaza looks like today: 'A complete loss. We're transferring aid to Hamas, and the world blames us for the hunger in Gaza. In the end, just like in the tale of the rotten fish, we'll be kicked out of the city.' Hamas's continued strength and Israeli failure Ofer explains that Hamas has become stronger due to two major successes. 'Hamas has blended into the civilian population, from where it carries out guerrilla operations against the IDF. On the one hand, Hamas manages to harm our soldiers every few days, portraying itself to its people and the Arab world as a strong military force in the region. On the other hand, the mixing of the IDF and Hamas with the civilian population creates the images of dead and starving children—the main Hamas weapon.' Therefore, it is no surprise that Hamas continues to make unreasonable demands without feeling any urgency to end the conflict. 'When they feel strong, they keep demanding everything—including the release of murderers they want freed and sent abroad, where it's harder for us to eliminate them. Of course, they've already received the biggest prize: the return of a million displaced people to Gaza City and northern Gaza.' Hostages versus strategic gains He does not underestimate the importance of securing the return of hostages, but highlights the cost of such actions. "And what did Israel get? The hostages. Important. But the insistence was on 'returning to combat.' We did. So what did we get from it (apart from another 40 dead and dozens of wounded)? Did Hamas 'become convinced' by Operation 'Gideon's Chariots' to demand less? Is Hamas begging for a deal that will stop the fighting of five divisions in Gaza? Not at all." The standoff continues Ofer concludes that Hamas remains in the same position. "Hamas is still in the same place, stalling (just like Netanyahu—it's a mutual interest) and knows they're not threatened militarily in any way. They'll keep creating a false image to the world and occasionally achieve successes in guerrilla warfare. That is, until the next deal."
Al Mayadeen
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Mayadeen
'Israel' extends detention of Al Mayadeen bureau chief until Sunday
The Israeli military court at Ofer has extended the detention of Palestinian journalist Nasser Al-Lahham until next Sunday to allow for "continued interrogation," according to a joint statement by the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs and the Palestinian Prisoner's Society (PPS). Earlier today, the head of the PPS, Abdullah al-Zaghari, confirmed that Nasser al-Lahham, Al Mayadeen's bureau chief in the occupied Palestinian territories, was being subjected to interrogation proceedings before the Israeli military court at Ofer prison, following his arrest from his residence in Beit Lahm several days ago. Speaking to Al Mayadeen, al-Zaghari stated that al-Lahham appeared in court earlier in the day, amid indications that the Israeli authorities plan to extend his detention under the pretext of 'continuing the investigation.' He added that several legal outcomes remain under consideration: al-Lahham may be released, his detention may be further extended pending investigation, or he could be placed under administrative detention. Administrative detention permits "Israel" to hold Palestinians without formal charges for up to six months at a time, with the option for indefinite renewals. This practice enables military prosecutors to withhold evidence from suspects while arguing that the individual poses a significant threat despite insufficient evidence for an indictment. Israeli authorities have significantly escalated their use of administrative detention against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. This increase in arbitrary detentions, along with extended emergency measures that enable inhumane treatment of Palestinians, has been accompanied by a lack of investigation into incidents of torture and deaths in Israeli detention recently. Released detainees, human rights lawyers, and video evidence have provided accounts of the severe torture and mistreatment prisoners have endured, including violent beatings, sexual abuse, forced humiliation, and cruel treatment such as being forced to kneel during inmate counts or sing Israeli songs. Administrative detention is one of the key tools through which "Israel" has enforced its system of apartheid against Palestinians. Testimonies and video evidence also point to numerous incidents of torture and other ill-treatment by Israeli forces including severe beatings and deliberate humiliation of Palestinians who are detained in dire conditions. The Palestinian Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs, along with the Palestinian Prisoner's Society (PPS), confirmed on Tuesday that the Israeli occupation authorities have transferred Al Mayadeen's bureau chief in Palestine, Nasser al-Lahham, from the Maskoubiyeh interrogation center to Ofer Prison. Member of the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, Omar Nazzal, said the Israeli interrogation of al-Lahham was focused on his work with Al Mayadeen TV. The occupation forces detained al-Lahham at dawn from his home in Beit Lahm, amid an intensified campaign by "Israel" targeting journalists at an unprecedented scale since the start of the ongoing genocide in Gaza, the Commission and the PPS stated. According to the statement, the number of journalists who have been arrested or detained since the beginning of the genocide has reached 193. Of those, 50 journalists remain in detention, including Al Mayadeen's al-Lahham. The Commission and the PPS noted that the majority of detained journalists are facing charges related to so-called 'incitement' through social media platforms and news outlets, while others are held under administrative detention based on alleged 'secret files'. The Israeli occupation also categorizes journalists in Gaza as so-called "unlawful combatants". Al Mayadeen Media Network issued a strong-worded statement on Monday denouncing the violent detention of its bureau chief in occupied Palestine. The network said the arrest was carried out with "brutality and repression," demanding al-Lahham's immediate release. Al Mayadeen labeled al-Lahham's detention as part of a wider campaign of repression carried out by Israeli authorities against Palestinian journalists. "We are not surprised by the occupation's sadistic practices," Al Mayadeen said, "nor by its persistent hostility toward journalism, journalists, and the right to report the truth." Al Mayadeen's statement asserted that al-Lahham is one of the most renowned names in Palestinian media, with more than 30 years of experience in journalism. His arrest drew immediate condemnation from across the Arab world, with media figures, press freedom advocates, and political movements expressing solidarity. "For us, Nasser is more than a bureau chief. He is a leading voice in Palestinian journalism, a symbol of purposeful reporting, and a steadfast defender of his people's rights," Al Mayadeen's statement asserted. In late October 2023, Israeli forces raided al-Lahham's home, assaulting his wife and children, conducting an intrusive search, and detaining his two sons, Basil and Basel. Read more: Al Mayadeen holds Beirut, Tehran rallies in support of Nasser Lahham
Forbes
08-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Predicting The Unpredictable: AI's New Role In Aviation Safety
Just last week, a small plane crashed in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and another small plane flying from Iowa to Minnesota crashed into a home, killing all on board. According to the USA's NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board), between 2008 and 2023, there were 20,684 total accidents, of which 3,764 were fatal, resulting in 6,254 fatalities and 3,745 serious injuries. As the predictive maintenance market is witnessing significant growth, could there finally be a solution for these fatal incidents? Israeli video-sensor solutions for critical systems developer OdysightAI (Nasdaq: ODYS) claims to have successfully implemented Predictive Maintenance and System Health Monitoring across the Aviation & Aerospace, Energy, Transportation, and Industry 4.0 markets. 'Our technology predicts hazards early, reduces maintenance costs and labor, and enhances safety,' says CEO Col. (res.) Yehu Ofer, a former IAF Hercules squadron commander. 'With advanced micro-cameras and specialized AI models, we provide predictive maintenance and monitoring in the most challenging environments.' A small propeller plane crashed into a field in St. Augustin near Bonn and caught fire. Photo: ... More Benjamin Westhoff/dpa (Photo by Benjamin Westhoff/picture alliance via Getty Images) While the company's solution was initially created for the healthcare realm, they discovered, almost by accident, that it could be a game-changer for Aerospace & Aviation. 'In 2017, an IDF Apache helicopter crashed during a training mission, resulting in the death of a pilot and critically injuring another,' Ofer explains. 'According to the final report, the crash was caused by the improper installation of the aircraft's push-pull mechanical rod, which is part of the flight control system. The helicopter was equipped with a fully functional Health and Usage Monitoring System that monitors dynamic components such as gears, bearings, and shafts but was not designed to monitor other critical components, including the one that caused the accident.' After the investigative committee determined the root cause of the failure, the IAF and IMOD approached OdysightAI for a proof-of-concept system to prevent similar future mishaps. The system integrated vision-based technology for health monitoring of critical flight control components like the one that failed. 'This accident led us to develop a new layer of preventative maintenance which we believe will save future lives and valuable equipment,' Ofer says. The company's first priority became improving flight safety and preventing incidents that aren't currently addressed by existing PHM technologies. Today, the first IDF Apache is already flying with OdysightAI's cameras installed at critical fail points. These cameras record sensitive parts that are not readily accessible even to mechanics and use artificial intelligence to analyze images for cracks starting to propagate or parts that are loosening. 'In the Apache, the part that failed was checked only once every five years during the Level D check at the Air Force Maintenance Unit. But now, the camera prototype constantly monitors this part, an increasingly important matter given that some of the Air Force's Apache fleet is 30 years old. The entire military aviation world is dealing with the challenge of keeping them safely flying.' "'We are rapidly increasing the adoption of our system in the aerospace industry while expanding ... More into new verticals with significant value-add.' CEO Col. (res.) Yehu Ofer. Their solution also won a Ministry of Defense contract to install its system in the new Seahawk helicopters, second-hand U.S. Navy aircraft that have been taken out of service, renovated, and are now operated by the Air Force for the Navy's missile boats. 'There are now systems that are supposed to identify malfunctions before they happen by analyzing vibrations. Our system is based on a camera and is more accurate,' Ofer says. 'For example, the Seahawk will have 20 cameras at critical points, enabling the early identification of cracks that could cause the tail of the aircraft to disintegrate.' The company recently marked another milestone collaborating with NASA. Odysight's PdM and Condition-Based Monitoring (CBM) systems are now being integrated into several aeronautical flight trials, investigating their operations at high speed and extreme environments. NASA aims to embed cameras within aircraft to continuously photograph key components and detect any damage during takeoff, damage which often occurs unnoticed during launch and is only discovered in space or upon return. As recent research indicates that predictive maintenance solutions today result in cost reductions of up to 40% compared to reactive maintenance and between 8% and 12% when compared to preventive maintenance, this solution seems to be aligned: 'The information collected can dramatically reduce preflight check time by 40% compared to current procedures, saving mechanics' work and shortening turnaround time between sorties, a critical factor during wartime, and beyond.' These days, the company is already targeting the civil aviation industry as its next sector. 'Civil aviation makes decisions more slowly than the military, but we intend to become its strong maintenance standard.' It seems like the future of transportation will combine intelligent infrastructure with advanced AI technologies. As global aviation regulators begin mandating AI-based predictive maintenance, how drastically could the safety landscape change? Ofer believes that adding a vision-based AI layer is a natural progression of safety improvements in the industry and he doesn't plan on stopping there: 'We are rapidly increasing the adoption of our system in the aerospace industry while expanding into new verticals with significant value-add.' If AI-powered predictive maintenance can help us catch what we've been blind to, perhaps fewer stories will begin with news of another preventable crash.
