Below is your weekly edition of E-News recapping key developments affecting Israel’s security.
Qasem Soleimani Killed in an American Strike Last Thursday Night
Last week, the United States brought to justice one of the world’s most dangerous terrorists, who was responsible for the deaths of over 600 U.S. service members. As the commander of Iran’s IRGC-Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani ruthlessly carried out the regime’s revolutionary ambitions, causing death and destruction across the Middle East while endangering America’s allies and interests. Like Osama bin Laden, Soleimani led a global terrorist network responsible for killing civilians, including many Americans. Under Soleimani’s command, the Quds Force planned terrorist attacks throughout the world, including in the United States, Israel, Europe, Asia and South America.
At approximately 5:30 p.m. (EST) on Jan. 7, Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against U.S. military and coalition forces in Iraq. These missiles were launched from Iran and targeted at least two Iraqi military bases hosting U.S. military and coalition. In recent days, and in response to Iranian threats and actions, the Department of Defense took measures to safeguard American personnel and partners. These bases have been on high-alert due to indications that the Iranian regime planned to attack American forces and interests in the region.
President Trump: Iran Now “Appears to be Standing Down”
After Iranian missiles fell on bases housing American troops in Iraq, the president said that no Americans were harmed and that Iran now “appears to be standing down.” In his statement on Wednesday morning, President Trump backed away from further military action against Iran. The president vowed again not to let Iran obtain a nuclear weapon and warned it against future terrorism or destabilizing actions in the region. He added that Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China should recognize that the nuclear agreement they sealed along with President Barack Obama in 2015 is effectively dead, and called on them to join him in negotiating a replacement that would go further to constrain Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Iran Shot Down Ukrainian Plane by Mistake, Pentagon Sources Tell U.S. Media
The Ukrainian airplane that crashed outside of Tehran on Tuesday was mistakenly struck down by an Iranian anti-aircraft missile system, according to a Pentagon official and a senior American intelligence official. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that his country has evidence which indicates that the Ukrainian plane Wednesday "was shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile." He added that it may have been "unintentional" and noted an in-depth investigation is under way into the crash, which killed more than 60 Canadians. According to satellite data, the Ukrainian International Airlines Boeing 737-800 bound for Kiev was airborne for two minutes after departing Tehran when the heat signatures of two surface-to-air missiles were detected.
Israel Achieves Milestone by Pumping Gas From its Leviathan Field
Last week, Israel achieved an important milestone by pumping gas for the first time from its Leviathan field, which is one of the world’s largest offshore gas finds of the past decade. Leviathan holds enough natural gas to meet Israel’s energy needs for the next 40 years. This is remarkable for a nation whose historical lack of energy resources has imperiled its existence. “This is an historic day for Noble [Energy] and for the State of Israel,” Bini Zomer, Noble Energy’s vice president for regional affairs, said. “With the flow of gas from Leviathan, Israel has achieved a level of energy security that, only a few short years ago, would have been unimaginable.”
