Latest news with #RonDermer
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
IDF's 98th Division finishes mission in northern Gaza
The 98th Division has spent the past few months conducting combat operations in Khan Yunis, Zeitoun, and Shejaia, destroying terror infrastructure, and killing terrorists. The IDF's 98th Division completed its activities in the northern Gaza Strip and is "now preparing for additional missions," the military confirmed on Thursday. The 98th Division has spent the past few months conducting combat operations in Khan Yunis, Zeitoun, and Shejaia, the IDF said. These operations have included destroying over 1,500 pieces of terrorist infrastructure, both above and below ground, and killing dozens of terrorists, as well as causing "significant damage" to Hamas's Shejaia Battalion, the military stated. Among the terrorists killed during the 98th Division's operations were several who participated in Hamas's October 7 massacre. The 98th Division also participated in operations in the enclave's Deir el-Balah, both from June 5-10, 2024 as well as sometime during the August 16-30, 2024, period. Does Hamas still have terror capability? However, Israel's Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer on Monday estimated that there are still approximately 20,000 Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip. If Hamas still has 20,000 men, that would appear to indicate that it has made up for many of its losses in 2023 and 2024, The Jerusalem Post previously analyzed. It has lost many brigades and battalions, but continues to refill the ranks. The new recruits may not be able to replace the hardened terrorists who planned October 7. Nevertheless, Hamas has not collapsed. The IDF is continuing counterterrorism operations in the enclave, including in Khan Yunis, where soldiers on Tuesday seized terrorists' weapons and destroyed a terror tunnel. Yonah Jeremy Bob and Seth J. Frantzman contributed to this report. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Syria, US and France hold 'frank' talks, urge success of Syria's transition
Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer met in Paris with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem, also known as Asaad al-Shaibani, in the presence of US Ambassador Tom Barrack. Syria, the United States, and France issued a joint statement on Friday, stating that they had agreed to expedite efforts to ensure the success of Syria's transition, unity, and territorial integrity. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani, French Foreign Minister Jean Noel Barrot, and US Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack met in Paris, days after a ceasefire halted bloodshed in Syria's southern province of Sweida. Hundreds of people were reported killed in the clashes between Druze fighters, Sunni Bedouin tribes, and government forces, and Israel carried out airstrikes to prevent what it said was the mass killing of Druze. In a joint statement, the Syrian, US, and French officials said they had held "a very frank and productive meeting at a critical moment for Syria." Underlining the importance of engaging quickly to ensure the success of Syria's political transition following the fall of deposed president Bashar al-Assad, they said they had agreed on the need to ensure Syria's neighbors do not pose a threat and that Syria does not pose a threat to its neighbors. They also agreed to support efforts to hold those responsible for violence accountable, the statement said. They committed to cooperating on the 'shared fight against terrorism in all forms' and to strengthening the capacity of the Syrian government to address security challenges. Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer had met in Paris earlier with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, in the presence of US Ambassador Tom Barrack. This meeting was held to discuss dialogue and de-escalation, according to the ambassador. Last week's clashes underlined the challenges interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa faces in stabilising Syria and maintaining centralised rule, despite warming ties with the US and his administration's evolving security contacts with Israel. Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report. Solve the daily Crossword
Business Recorder
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Syrian, Israeli ministers to hold meeting in Baku today
DAMASCUS: A Syrian-Israeli ministerial meeting is set to take place Thursday in Baku to discuss security matters in southern Syria, a diplomat told AFP. The meeting between Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer follows a similar meeting between the two ministers in Paris last week. It will take place after an unprecedented visit by Shaibani to Moscow on Thursday, added the diplomat, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
Express Tribune
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Syrian, Israeli ministers to meet in Baku
Ron Dermer, Israel's Ambassador to the U.S. speaks to members of the news media after meeting with U.S. President Elect Donald Trump at Trump Tower in the Manhattan borough of New York City, US, November 17, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS A Syrian-Israeli ministerial meeting is set to take place on Thursday in Baku to discuss security matters in southern Syria, a diplomat told AFP. The meeting between Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer follows a similar meeting between the two ministers in Paris last week. It will take place after an unprecedented visit by Shaibani to Moscow on Thursday, added the diplomat, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. Russia was a key backer of former President Bashar al-Assad, overthrown in an Islamist-led offensive in December. Israel and Syria have technically been at war since 1948. The meeting in Baku will focus on "the security situation, particularly in southern Syria". The Paris meeting focused mainly on "recent security developments and attempts to contain the escalation in southern Syria", according to Syrian state television. It came after deadly clashes in southern Syria's Druze-majority Sweida province which killed over 1400 people, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor. The clashes initially pitted local Druze fighters against Sunni Bedouin tribes but soon saw the involvement of Syrian government forces and Israel, with the latter saying it wanted to protect the Druze. Israel struck the Syrian presidential palace and the army headquarters in Damascus. The United States, an ally of Israel who has also expressed support for Syria's authorities, announced a ceasefire between the two sides overnight on July 18. Before the violence in Sweida, Syrian and Israeli officials had met in Baku on July 12. Israel has occupied Syria's Golan Heights since 1967, annexing it in 1981 in a move not recognised by the international community. The two signed a disengagement agreement a year after the 1973 war, establishing a UN-patrolled buffer zone between Syria and the occupied Golan Heights. Since the fall of Assad, Israel deployed its troops to the buffer zone and has carried out hundreds of strikes on Syria. Damascus admitted to holding indirect talks with Israel to reduce escalations. The diplomat said Shaibani will head on Thursday to the Russian capital, where Assad sought refuge, and will meet with Russian officials to discuss several issues, including Russian military bases in Syria, to negotiate "the terms of the bases' continued existence and operating rights". Moscow wishes to keep its naval base in Tartus and its airbase in Hmeimim.
Shafaq News
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Syrian, Israeli officials to meet again in Baku
Shafaq News – Baku Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani is set to meet with Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer on Thursday in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, a diplomatic source told AFP. The meeting will focus primarily on the security situation in southern Syria and will follow al-Shibani's scheduled visit to Moscow the same day, according to the source. This will mark the second meeting between the two ministers, following a similar US-brokered encounter held in Paris last week. Damascus recently acknowledged indirect talks with Israel focused on restoring the 1974 disengagement agreement that created the Golan buffer zone. Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar indicated a potential policy shift late last month, saying 'Israel is open to pursuing a peace and normalization agreement with Syria.' Israel, a key arms supplier to Azerbaijan and a prominent diplomatic actor in the Caucasus, has carried out hundreds of airstrikes in Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December. Israeli forces also entered the UN-monitored buffer zone on the Golan Heights, conducting further operations in southern Syria.
