Today was another heartbreaking day in Israel as seven civilians were killed by Hezbollah rocket attacks. An Israeli farmer and four foreign workers were killed in Metula, and two Israelis were killed near Haifa.
Since Hezbollah opened this front on October 8, 2023, it has killed more than 60 Israelis, including children. The Iranian-backed terrorist group continues to fire daily onslaughts of rockets, missiles and drones into Israel.
As the IDF increases the pressure on Hezbollah and works to eliminate both its leadership and its terror infrastructure across Lebanon, White House senior advisers Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk met with senior Israeli officials to discuss progress toward a ceasefire in the north that would reportedly seek to add strict enforcement mechanisms to implement U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701.
A U.S. official described the meetings as "substantive and constructive."
"There was a particular focus on efforts to secure a ceasefire deal in Lebanon that allows people on both sides of the Blue Line to return safely to their homes as well as new initiatives to secure the release of hostages, which Hamas must do without delay," the U.S. official added.
Meanwhile, CIA Director Bill Burns was in Cairo today, following talks in Qatar earlier this week, trying to secure a ceasefire-hostage deal between Israel and Hamas.
Report: Iran preparing to attack Israel from Iraq
Israeli intelligence indicates that Iran is preparing a major attack against Israel from Iraqi territory, possibly before the upcoming U.S. elections.
The attack is expected to utilize a large number of drones and ballistic missiles. By attacking from Iraqi territory, Iran would hope to avoid a direct Israeli response against the regime.
A high-ranking Iranian official told CNN yesterday that Iran is planning a "definitive and painful" response that "will probably take place before the day of the U.S. presidential election."
Iran, Russia to soon sign military treaty
Iran and Russia intend to sign a treaty "in the near future" that will include closer defense cooperation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
"The treaty on a comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and Iran that is being prepared will become a serious factor in strengthening Russian-Iranian relations," Lavrov told Russian state television.
"It will confirm the parties’ desire for closer cooperation in the field of defense and interaction in the interests of peace and security at the regional and global levels," he added.
1,300 drones launched at Israel since October 7
The IDF announced today that around 1,300 drones have been launched at Israel by Iran and its terror proxies since the start of the war on October 7.
While around 80 percent of the drones have been intercepted, 231 have struck Israel, causing casualties and damage throughout the Jewish state.
Omer Shem-Tov’s second birthday in Hamas captivity
Israeli hostage Omer Shem-Tov turned 22 today, marking his second birthday in Hamas captivity.
He and 100 other hostages have been held captive by barbaric terrorists for 391 days.
Instead of celebrating with family and friends, he’s enduring unthinkable torture and trauma at the hands of Hamas terrorists.
The war in Gaza ends today if Hamas surrenders and frees the 101 remaining hostages.
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