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The Times of Israel liveblogged Saturday’s events as they unfolded.
Ben Gvir tells Druze community leader he believes Israel should launch war against Hezbollah
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir spoke to Druze community leader Sheikh Muafak Tari following the Hezbollah strike and reiterated his belief that Israel should launch a military offensive against the terror group, his office says.
In a statement, his office says that the hardline minister vowed to speak up on behalf of the Druze community, and make sure their voices and pain are heard “in every forum he attends.”
EU foreign policy chief calls for independent probe into ‘shocking’ Majdal Shams strike
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell condemns the “bloodbath” in the Golan Heights after a rocket fired by the Hezbollah terror group in Lebanon hit a soccer pitch, killing at least 12 youngsters, and called for an independent probe.
“Shocking images from the soccer field in the Druze town of Majdal Shams. I strongly condemn this bloodbath. We need an independent international investigation into this unacceptable incident. We urge all parties to exercise utmost restraint and avoid further escalation,” Borrell says in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Shocking images from the soccer field in the Druze town of Majdal Shams.
I strongly condemn this bloodbath.
We need an independent international investigation into this unacceptable incident.
We urge all parties to exercise utmost restraint and avoid further escalation.
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) July 27, 2024
IDF spokesman: Majdal Shams death toll risen to 12, Hezbollah used Iranian-made rocket
Local residents comfort each other as they gather at the site of a Hezbollah rocket attack on the Druze town of Majdal Shams in northern Israel, July 27, 2024.(Jalaa Marey/AFP)
The death toll of the Hezbollah rocket attack on the Golan Heights town of Majdal Shams has risen to 12, IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari says in a press conference from the scene.
He identifies the rocket that struck a soccer field where children were playing as an Iranian-made Falaq-1 rocket.
“A Falaq-1 rocket struck here in the soccer field, it is an Iranian rocket, manufactured in Iran, a rocket with a warhead of over 50 kilograms of explosives,” he says in a press conference.
“The forensic findings at the scene point to this rocket. Falaq-1 is only in use by the Hezbollah terror group, which carried out this attack from Chebaa,” Hagari says.
Hezbollah in an earlier statement said it fired one Falaq rocket at an Israeli army base just north of Majdal Shams, although it has denied attacking the town.
IDF’s Arabic spokesman names Hezbollah commander responsible for Majdal Shams attack
Col. Avichay Adraee, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman, reveals the name of the Hezbollah commander who directed the deadly rocket attack on Majdal Shams.
He says the attack was directed by Ali Muhammad Yahya, who is the commander of a rocket launching site in the Chebaa area in southern Lebanon.
“Despite its attempts to deny: Hezbollah is responsible for the massacre in Majdal Shams and the killing of children and boys on the soccer field,” Adraee adds.
Netanyahu: Israel won’t let deadly Hezbollah strike ‘pass in silence’
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks in a video statement about a deadly Hezbollah rocket attack on Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights, July 27, 2024. (Screenshot/GPO)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he was “shocked” to see the attack by Hezbollah on Majdal Shams.
“Among the murdered were small children who were playing soccer,” he says in a video statement, “and others were also other murdered. Our hearts are all broken by these sights.”
“We embrace the families, embrace the entire Druze community in its difficult time, which is also our difficult time,” he says.
Netanyahu pledges that Israel will “not let this pass in silence.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to land back in Israel at noon, according to a member of his entourage.
IDF chief visits soccer field struck in deadly Hezbollah rocket attack
IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi speaks with members of the Druze community after a deadly Hezbollah rocket attack on the northern Golan Heights town of Majdal Shams, July 27, 2024. (Israel Defense Forces)
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi visited the scene of the deadly Hezbollah rocket attack on Majdal Shams, and spoke with members of the community.
Speaking with Druze leader, Gallant says Israel will ‘strike the enemy hard’
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant tells Sheikh Muafak Tarif, the spiritual leader of Israel’s Druze community, that the country will “strike the enemy hard,” in response to Hezbollah’s deadly rocket attack.
Gallant says on X that he spoke with Tarif to “share in the heavy sorrow that befell the Druze community and the entire Israeli nation, in light of Hezbollah’s murderous attack on Majdal Shams.”
“In my conversation with the sheikh, I emphasized — we will strike the enemy hard,” he adds.
Herzog’s office says Macron called to express ‘deep horror’ over Majdal Shams strike
French President Emmanuel Macron has called President Isaac Herzog to express “condolences and deep horror” over the deadly strike in Majdal Shams, according to the President’s Residence.
Herzog to return from Paris Olympics tomorrow due to lack of commercial flights
French President Emmanuel Macron (R) greets President Isaac Herzog ahead of a reception for heads of state and governments ahead of the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris, on July 26, 2024. (Ludovic Marin / AFP)
President Isaac Herzog will not be returning early to Israel in the wake of the deadly Hezbollah strike in Majdal Shams, The Times of Israel has learned, since he flew on a commercial flight and there are no such flights from France to Israel on Shabbat.
He will take off tomorrow morning for Israel.
Herzog held officials meetings with a series of foreign leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Dutch Premier Dick Schoof, and Slovenia’s President Nataša Pirc Musar.
On the sidelines of the event Macron hosted on Friday night for world leaders, Herzog also spoke with the kings of Spain, Denmark, Belgium, and The Netherlands, as well as Germany’s Chancellor, and the presidents of Finland, Estonia, Bulgaria, Ethiopia, Portugal, Cyprus, Paraguay, Argentina, and Poland. He also spoke with the heads of international organizations, including the International Olympic Committee.
On Shabbat morning, Herzog walked to a synagogue in Paris in order to pray with the local Jewish community.
Israeli gymnast advances to Olympic finals after shaky floor exercise in qualifiers
Artem Dolgopyat of Israel competes on the floor exercise during a men's artistic gymnastics qualification round at the 2024 Summer Olympics, July 27, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Despite a surprisingly shaky qualifying round, Israeli gymnast Artem Dolgopyat — a heavy favorite — advances to the final in the men’s floor exercise in artistic gymnastics, with a score placing him 7th out of the 8 qualifiers at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Dolgopyat — who won a gold medal for Israel at the Tokyo Olympics — qualified with 14.466 points after he had a couple of stumbles and a small hop following one of his landings. He is slated to compete in the final on Saturday.
French cybercrime unit enlisted to remove leaked private data on Israeli athletes
PARIS — France’s cybercrime unit (OFAC) has been asked to remove leaked private data for several Israeli athletes competing in the Paris Olympic Games from social media, police sources say.
Data including blood test results and login credentials were published on Telegram on Friday in an apparent doxing cyberattack, the sources say. Doxxing is the malicious publication of private details online.
Hackers also leaked personal information revealing Israeli athletes’ military status on social media Thursday.
Pharos, a platform that reports unlawful content online, has called on France’s Anti-Cybercrime Office (OFAC) to remove the athletes’ details, says a source close to the case.
Israel on Thursday warned France of potential threats from Iran-backed groups against Israeli athletes and tourists during the Paris Olympic Games.
France has mounted a vast security operation to ensure the Olympics — which began Friday and end on August 11 — are safe.
Around 18,000 French troops have been deployed to secure the Games in addition to regular police.
In a statement Thursday, the Israeli embassy accused Iran of being behind a cyber-campaign to send social media threats to intimidate the Israeli delegation.
US condemns ‘horrific’ attack on Majdal Shams, stresses ‘iron-clad’ backing of Israel
The White House condemns the deadly rocket attack on the northern Druze town of Majdal Shams, calling the strike on a soccer field “horrific.”
“Our support for Israel’s security is iron-clad and unwavering against all Iranian backed terrorist groups, including Lebanese Hezbollah,” a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council says in a statement.
Head of IDF Northern Command meets local officials in Majdal Shams
Chief of the IDF Northern Command, Maj. Gen. Ori Gordin meets with local officials at the site of a rocket impact in Majdal Shams, July 27, 2024. (Israel Defense Forces)
The chief of the IDF Northern Command, Maj. Gen. Ori Gordin meets with local officials in Majdal Shams this evening, following the deadly Hezbollah rocket attack on the Golan Heights town.
Gordin also holds an assessment with the head of the 210th “Bashan” Regional Division, Brig. Gen. Yair Peli, and other commanders.
Earlier today, Gordin spoke with Sheikh Muafak Tarif, the spiritual leader of Israel’s Druze community, to “express his deep sorrow” over the deadly Hezbollah attack, the military adds.
Israeli source to Sky News Arabic: We’ll respond forcefully to Hezbollah but don’t plan to start war
An Israeli security source is quoted by Sky News Arabic as saying Israel will respond forcefully to the deadly Hezbollah rocket strike on Majdal Shams, “but we don’t intend to spark a war.”
US said concerned deadly Hezbollah attack could spark all-out war
The Biden administration is concerned that today’s deadly Hezbollah strike could spark an all-out war between Israel and the Iran-backed terror group, an administration official tells Axios.
“What happened today could be the trigger we have been worried about and tried to avoid for 10 months,” says the official.
PM to Israeli Druze leader: Hezbollah ‘will pay heavy price it hasn’t paid to this point’
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Muafak Tarif in his office in Jerusalem on June 21, 2023. (Haim Zach/GPO)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks by phone to Sheikh Muafak Ṭarif, spiritual leader of Israel’s Druze community.
Netanyahu expresses “his deep horror at the murder of the children and innocents by Hezbollah,” according to the Prime Minister’s Office.
He also expresses “heartfelt condolences in the name of all Israel” to the families of the murdered and to the entire Druze community.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu made clear that Israel will not allow the murderous attack to simply pass on by, and that Hezbollah will pay a heavy price for this that it has not paid to this point,” says the Prime Minister’s Office.
Protesters march in silence to PM’s residence in light of deadly Hezbollah attack
Anti-government activist Tomer Lev gives an impromptu speech instructing protesters to march silently to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence, in light of a deadly Hezbollah attack on the Golan Heights, July 27, 2024. (Charlie Summers/Times of Israel)
Around a thousand protesters in Jerusalem are marching in silence to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official residence, protesting his government and demanding an immediate hostage deal.
The marchers are refraining from chanting slogans in light of Hezbollah’s deadly rocket attack on the Druze-majority town of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights, which killed 11 and injured some 30 others.
“This government has the privilege to do one thing and one thing only, to rescue the hostages and go home in silence… We deserve a government that cares for everyone, Jews and Arabs,” says Tomer Lev, an activist leading the march.
“We will walk in complete silence in order to show this government exactly what they need to do,” he continues.
At the coming rally outside Netanyahu’s home, protesters will partake in a minute of silence for those murdered in the Hezbollah attack.
Security cabinet to meet at IDF headquarters tomorrow after Netanyahu returns from US
The security cabinet meeting will take place tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. in the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv, hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is slated to land in Israel from Washington.
The meeting takes place in the wake of the Hezbollah rocket strike that killed 11 children in the Golan Heights.
Ron Polonsky fails to reach Olympic final after setting Israeli breaststroke record
Israeli swimmer Ron Polonsky competes in the 100m breaststroke at the Paris Olympics on July 27, 2024. (Simona Castervillari/ Israeli Swimming Association)
Israeli swimmer Ron Polonsky fails to advance to the final after finishing 16th out of 16 in the men’s 100m breaststroke semifinal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In the qualifying round, Polonsky set a new Israeli record with a time of exactly 1:00:00, securing him a spot in the semifinal, where his time was 1:00:37. Polonsky — whose sister Leah is also swimming for Israel in Paris — will compete in the 200 m individual medley and the mixed 4 × 100 m medley relay later this week.
New Hope MK calls on Israel to ‘tear apart Beirut’
New Hope lawmaker Mishel Buskila calls on the government to “tear apart Beirut” in the wake of the Hezbollah rocket strike on a soccer field in the northern Druze town of Majdal Shams.
FM says Israel seeking international ‘support and legitimacy’ to act against Hezbollah
File - Foreign Minister Israel Katz speaks during a plenum session at the Knesset in Jerusalem, May 29, 2024. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Foreign Minister Israel Katz tells The Times of Israel that Hezbollah has “crossed all red lines” — repeating language he used in an interview earlier in the day — “and we will respond accordingly.”
“This is not an army against an army,” Katz continues. “It is an Iranian terrorist organization against civilians and children.”
Israel is “approaching the moment of an all-out war against Hezbollah and Lebanon,” he says, pledging that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah will be destroyed along with his organization, and that Lebanon will be severely damaged.
He says that the Foreign Ministry is preparing for an international campaign “to obtain support and legitimacy for Israeli action in Lebanon and to point the finger directly at Iran.”
He also calls on the world to impose heavy sanctions on Hezbollah “and to stop [the organization] before it’s too late.”
Coalition whip says non-urgent bills pulled from Knesset agenda after Majdal Shams attack
Coalition whip Ofir Katz of Likud announces that all nonessential bills will be removed from the Knesset agenda tomorrow, the final day of the summer legislative session.
“Following Hezbollah’s shocking massacre of the children of Majdal Shams, it was decided that only urgent government bills will be on the Knesset’s agenda tomorrow. Our hearts are with the residents and the entire Druze community,” he states.
According to the public broadcaster Kan, one of the bills dropped from the agenda is a controversial Shas-backed proposal which seeks to grant the religious services minister the power to allocate additional funds to local religious councils around the country. Voting on the bill was already postponed more than once due to coalition infighting.
The coalition intends to try and pass the bill during the recess, the report says.
Prior to his announcement, the National Unity party called on Katz to remove all controversial legislation from the Knesset agenda, with MK Pnina Tamano-Shata stating that it was “unthinkable that while we are burying our dead, the Knesset will deal with patronage laws and political deals.”
Tomorrow’s plenum session is the final one of the current legislative session prior to the beginning of a three-month break on Monday. Over the past several days, lawmakers have rushed to pass a slew of last-minute bills before most parliamentary activity is put on hold until October 27.
IDF says ‘reliable intel information’ shows Hezbollah carried out rocket attack
A handout photo from the military shows the aftermath of a deadly rocket attack by Hezbollah on a soccer field in the northern Golan Heights town of Majdal Shams, July 27, 2024. (Israel Defense Forces)
The IDF says it has determined that the Hezbollah rocket that struck Majdal Shams, killing 11 civilians and wounding dozens more, was launched by the terror group from an area just north of Chebaa.
“According to the reliable intelligence information available to the IDF, the Hezbollah terror group is behind the rocket launch,” the military says.
Despite its denials of involvement, Hezbollah had claimed to have launched dozens of rockets at an Israeli military base in the Golan Heights, located just north of Majdal Shams.
Meeting top brass, Gallant decides on ‘courses of action’ against Hezbollah
Top military and security officials presented Defense Minister Yoav Gallant with “options for action against Hezbollah” in response to the terror group’s rocket fire on Majdal Shams that killed 11 civilians and wounded dozens more, his office says.
“Gallant determined the courses of action and instructed the defense establishment accordingly,” the Defense Ministry says, without elaborating.
The minister had held an assessment with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, head of the Shin Bet Ronen Bar, head of the Mossad David Barnea, and other officials.
EU envoy to Israel condemns deadly strike in Majdal Shams, doesn’t mention Hezbollah
The European Union’s ambassador to Israel condemns the deadly rocket strike on Majdal Shams, but does not mention Hezbollah.
“Condolences to the bereaved families, wishes for speedy recovery to all injured,” writes Dimiter Tzantchev on X.
MKs from across political spectrum urge tough response to Majdal Shams rocket attack
Politicians across the political spectrum call on the government to take the fight to Hezbollah for today’s deadly rocket attack on the northern town of Majdal Shams.
In an English-language post on X, National Unity chairman Benny Gantz pledges “wide support from outside the government for any determined and effective response that will restore security to the citizens of the north.”
On the 7th of October Hamas' massacring of children and kidnapping of innocent civilians did not discriminate between race, religion or ethnicity. All were guilty of the high crime of being Israeli.
As innocent Israeli children in the Druze village of Majdal Shams were murdered…
— בני גנץ – Benny Gantz (@gantzbe) July 27, 2024
Meanwhile, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir declares: “Since October 8th I said that we are in a state of war in the north and the enemy needs to be defeated,” but Israeli decision-makers “avoided acknowledging that we are in a battle against Hezbollah for ten months.”
“Today, no one, in any forum, including the defense minister who strived only for containment against Hezbollah, can avoid the bloody reality – we are at war,” the far-right Otzma Yehudit party chief continues. “I call on the prime minister to immediately convene the cabinet, [even] by encrypted phone, to make the decision that I have been demanding for a long time – war in the north now!”
In a video address from Majdal Shams, Otzma Yehudit MK Yitzhak Kreuzer says that “the blood of the children of the Golan is not cheap” and calls on the government “to go to war, to destroy Hezbollah, to hit the state of Lebanon from which came the rocket that hit here and caused this severe disaster.”
Knesset whip Ofir Katz of Likud says that “a difficult and painful response is required” while Labor MK Merav Michaeli posts that “whoever launched these rockets must pay a heavy price.”
Israeli soccer team loses 2-4 to Paraguay at Paris Olympics
Paraguay's midfielder #06 Marcos Gomez fights for the ball with Israel's midfielder #17 Ido Shahar in the men's soccer match between Israel and Paraguay during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Parc des Princes in Paris, July 27, 2024. (GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT / AFP)
Israel’s soccer team loses 2-4 to Paraguay during a match in Paris at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Omri Gandelman and Oscar Gloukh scored the two goals for Israel.
The team’s first game against Mali earlier this week ended in a 1-1 tie. Israel will face Japan on Tuesday evening in its final game of the qualifier round, which will determine if it advances to the knockout stage of the competition.
Lebanese government condemns ‘all acts of violence and aggression against civilians’
The Lebanese government condemns “all acts of violence and aggression against civilians,” after 11 people were killed in a rocket attack on the Golan Heights town of Majdal Shams.
“Targeting civilians is a flagrant violation of international law and goes against the principles of humanity,” a government statement says, calling “for an immediate cessation of hostilities” after months of cross-border exchanges between Hezbollah and Israeli forces.
Smotrich calls for Hezbollah chief to ‘pay with his head’ for Majdal Shams attack
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich calls for the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, after a rocket attack by the terrorist group hits a soccer field in the northern town of Majdal Shams, killing 11 people.
“For the deaths of small children, Nasrallah should pay with his head,” Smotrich tweets.
“Lebanon as a whole has to pay the price,” he continues, adding that his “position regarding the necessary steps is known. The prime minister must return immediately. It’s time for action!”
Smotrich’s call to take action is echoed by opposition MK Avigdor Liberman, who heads the hawkish Yisrael Beytenu party.
“The person responsible for the murder of many children and boys in Majdal Shams is Nasrallah and it is time for him to pay the price,” tweets Liberman.
Raising toll to 11, IDF says Majdal Shams attack the most serious on civilians since Oct. 7
IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari says the toll of the Hezbollah rocket attack in Majdal Shams has risen to 11.
He says the rocket fire that led to the deaths of 11 children and youths in the northern Golan Heights town is the most serious attack on civilians since Hamas’s October 7 onslaught.
“Hezbollah is behind this disaster and is responsible for its consequences. We embrace the families of the dead and wounded, and the entire Druze community, citizens of the State of Israel,” Hagari adds in a post on X.
MDA medics declared 10 of the victims dead at the scene, and more than 30 were taken to hospitals.
PM’s office insists he decided on moving up flight ‘as soon as terrible disaster became known’
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects criticism that he only decided to return from Washington early after significant public criticism.
“The prime minister made the decision to move his return up as soon as the terrible disaster in Majdal Shams became known, and even informed the defense minister about it before the false criticism was heard in the media,” his office asserts.
“The prime minister will assemble the security cabinet immediately upon his return to Israel.”
Education Ministry opens emotional distress hotline after Majdal Shams attack
The Education Ministry announces the activation of an emotional distress hotline “to provide emotional and mental support to parents, students and the education staff” in the wake of today’s deadly rocket attack on a soccer field in the northern town of Majdal Shams.
“The hotline is staffed by experts in emergency and crisis situations” and is available in both Arabic and Hebrew,” the ministry says in a statement.
The hotline’s number is *6552, extension 5.
Ehud Barak reiterates calls for non-violent ‘revolt,’ mass strike to topple government
Speaking at a protest rally in Tel Aviv, former prime minister Ehud Barak reiterates his call for civil disobedience, telling the crowd a mass strike is needed to bring down the government.
Barak tells thousands on Kaplan Street in Tel Aviv that what’s needed is “civil non-violent non-compliance.” When the Knesset returns from summer break, he says, “the revolt must be extended to a mass strike around the parliament together with opposition leaders until the government falls.”
Likud minister: Israel ‘must stop procrastinating and deal a fatal blow to Hezbollah’
Israel “must stop procrastinating and deal a fatal blow to Hezbollah,” demands Culture and Sport Minister Miki Zohar of the ruling Likud party, following today’s rocket strike on a soccer field in the northern town of Majdal Shams.
Bemoaning the deaths of “kids who just wanted to play soccer” and were instead “brutally murdered by the cursed enemy,” Zohar says that “the more we postpone the campaign, the more painful prices we will pay.”
“The red line was crossed a long time ago. It is time for action.”
Lapid calls to ‘put an end to abandonment of the north,’ rips PM for not being in Israel
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid calls on the government to “put an end to abandonment of the north” following the rocket strike on a soccer field in the northern Druze town of Majdal Shams, killing 10 people, including children.
“My heart breaks for the heavy loss in Majdal Shams. Children and civilians should not lose their lives like this,” he says, insisting that events “cannot go on like this.”
“Prime Minister Netanyahu should be in Israel at such times and take part in the management of the war. The fact that he has not yet decided on returning to Israel is another shameful proof of his complete detachment and above all that he does not care about anything but himself,” he adds.
The statement came shortly before the Prime Minister’s Office announced Netanyahu’s flight back to Israel from Washington was moved up by 3.5 hours.
Herzog: World ‘cannot sit in silence’ when Hezbollah kills children playing soccer
Calling the deadly Hezbollah attack on the northern Druze town of Majdal Shams “heartbreaking,” President Isaac Herzog says “the world cannot continue to sit in silence in the face of [Hassan] Nasrallah’s terror attacks, which come at the behest of the empire of evil in Iran.”
Promising that “the State of Israel will firmly defend its citizens and its sovereignty,” the president says that his “prayers are with the victims and for the recovery of the wounded,” adding that “there are no words that can comfort the families of the young victims who lost their lives through no fault of their own.”
“Hezbollah, armed and funded by Iran, does not distinguish between child or adult, soldier or civilian, Jew or Muslim, Druze or Christian. Hezbollah terrorists brutally attacked and murdered children today, whose only crime was going out to play soccer. They did not return,” he says.
Netanyahu’s return flight moved up several hours after deadly Hezbollah rocket attack
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sits in the Watergate Hotel in Washington with his military secretary, Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman, to discuss the deadly Hezbollah rocket attack on Majdal Shams on July 27, 2024. (Prime Minister's Office)
Immediately after he was informed of the deadly rocket strike on Majdal Shams, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave instructions for his flight back to Israel from Washington to depart as early as possible, according to his office.
A member of Netanyahu’s entourage tells reporters the flight will depart from Washington at 6 p.m. local time (1 a.m. in Israel), after being initially scheduled for 11:00 p.m.
IDF says probe indicates sirens sounded in Majdal Shams but for ‘too short’ a time
Israeli rescue forces at the site of deadly a Hezbollah rocket attack on a soccer field in the northern Golan Heights town of Majdal Shams, July 27, 2024. (Michael Giladi/Flash90)
IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari in a press conference says the Hezbollah rocket attack on Majdal Shams killed 10 children and youths.
“All the fatalities are children, aged 10 to 20. We share in the grief of the families and embrace the Druze community in its difficult time,” Hagari says.
He says that according to an initial probe, rocket sirens had sounded in the town in the Golan Heights “but this is an immediate alert, too short.”
“From the Israeli Air Force’s investigation it has emerged that a single rocket” struck the soccer field in Majdal Shams, Hagari says, adding that the military is further investigating.
He says that there are no changes to Home Front Command guidelines currently.
“In the past hour, Hezbollah has been lying and denying responsibility for the incident. Our intelligence is clear, Hezbollah is responsible for the murder of innocent children,” Hagari says.
“Once again the brutality of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization is exposed. This is a very serious incident and we will act accordingly,” he adds.
Hostage’s mother urges defense chiefs to reveal ‘what goes on’ in negotiations for deal
Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is held hostage in Gaza, calls on Defense Minister Yova Galant and other top security figures to reveal to the public the content of negotiations to retrieve Israelis in Hamas captivity.
“I say to the defense minister, the chief of staff, the heads of the Shin Bet and Mossad and Major General Nitzan Alon: your silence means you are party to the deliberate abandonment of the security and future of the state. Without the hostages’ return, there will be no revival and no state,” she tells thousands of people attending the weekly rally at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv.
She accuses Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “deliberately thwarting a deal and trying to bury the hostages” and calls on the defense establishment figures she named to “call a press conference and reveal what goes on behind closed doors” concerning the negotiations.
After Zangauker’s address, Rami Beja, the emcee of the weekly demonstration for the hostages, addresses the crowd with a reference to Netanyahu’s trip yesterday from Washington to Florida to meet with presidential candidate Donald Trump.
“The distance between Washington and Miami Beach is much longer than the distance between Jerusalem and Nir Oz so when you land go to Nir Oz,” Beja says, adding the word “bitch” in English.
Unnamed officials vow ‘severe response’ to deadly Hezbollah rocket attack
Israeli officials signal the military response to the Hezbollah rocket attack that killed 10 people in the Golan’s Majdal Shams, mostly kids, will likely be a very aggressive one.
Channel 12 cites a senior Israeli official in the prime minister’s delegation to Washington as saying: “The events in the north will bring about a dramatic turn in fighting in the area.”
Kan news sites an unnamed senior official as saying “The disaster at Majdal Shams could signal a change of direction in the war.”
A security source tells Kan: “This is an incident that we will not gloss over. There will be a severe response.”
Walla news also reports the IDF is preparing for harsh retaliation.
Medical officials say over 30 people hospitalized after Majdal Shams rocket strike
Israeli rescue forces at the site of deadly a Hezbollah rocket attack on a soccer field in the northern Golan Heights town of Majdal Shams, July 27, 2024. (Michael Giladi/Flash90)
More than 30 people were taken to hospitals following the rocket strike on Majdal Shams, according to medical officials.
Ziv Hospital in Safed says it has admitted 26 wounded, including five currently being treated in the trauma ward, 11 in moderate-to-serious condition, and 10 who are lightly hurt.
Baruch Padeh Medical Center near Tiberias says four people in moderate condition were brought to the hospital.
Additional casualties were taken to Rambam Hospital in Haifa.
Druze spiritual leader in Israel says deadly rocket attack ‘crossed all possible lines’
File: Muafak Tarif, head of the Druze community in Israel, at a ceremony held at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem on May 29, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
The spiritual leader of Israel’s Druze community decries “the brutal and murderous attack” on a soccer field in the northern Golan Heights town of Majdal Shams.
“It’s impossible to image and describe the horrific images of children and their smashed [body] parts strewn on the grass,” says Sheikh Muafak Tarif in a statement.
“A proper country cannot allow itself the continued harming of its citizens and residents. This is the ongoing reality for nine months in northern communities. This evening crossed all possible lines.”
Citing his “terrible shock and pain,” Tarif adds he “doesn’t want to say anything further now.”
Death toll in Hezbollah rocket attack climbs to 10
The death toll in the Hezbollah rocket attack on Majdal Shams rises to 10, mostly children, according to the Magen David Adom ambulance service.
More than a dozen others were wounded, including six in serious condition, three in moderate condition, four lightly hurt, and several others who were treated for anxiety.
Rejecting denial, IDF stresses Hezbollah carried out deadly rocket attack on Majdal Shams
In a statement following Hezbollah’s denial of carrying out the deadly rocket attack on Majdal Shams, the IDF says that “following assessments carried out in the IDF and the intelligence available to us, the rocket fire at Majdal Shams was carried out by the Hezbollah terror group.”
“Hezbollah is behind the launch of the rocket that hit the soccer field in Majdal Shams and caused many civilian casualties, including children, earlier this evening,” the military adds.
As death toll climbs, Hezbollah now claiming it didn’t carry out rocket attack
Hezbollah in a statement denies it launched rockets at Majdal Shams, in an attack that killed and wounded civilians, including children.
The terror group says it “has no connection to the incident at all, and categorically denies all false allegations.”
Hezbollah said earlier it launched dozens of rockets at an army base in the Golan Heights, near Majdal Shams.
The IDF has assessed that Hezbollah was behind the rocket fire that struck the town and killed and wounded civilians.
At least 6 killed, over 30 wounded in Hezbollah attack; IDF probing why rocket not downed
Ambulances evacuate people wounded in a deadly Hezbollah rocket attack on the Druze town of Majdal Shams in the northern Golan Heights, July 27, 2024. (Ayal Margolin/Flash90)
At least six were killed and more than 30 were wounded in the Hezbollah rocket attack on Majdal Shams in the northern Golan Heights this evening.
The death toll is expected to rise, as at least three are listed in critical condition.
The IDF assesses that the rocket that struck the soccer field where kids were playing was relatively heavy.
The military is investigating why it failed to intercept the projectile.
Top IDF brass are currently holding assessments on the attack, the deadliest by Hezbollah amid the ongoing skirmishes on the northern border, and will determine a response against the terror group.
Northern junction blocked as protesters gather for weekly anti-government rallies
A handout photo shows protestors blocking the Karkur Junction on July 27, 2024. (Amos Gil/Israeli Pro-Democracy Protest Movement)
Several dozen protesters block the Karkur Junction on Route 65, holding signs and chanting slogans that call on the government to make a deal to free the hostages in Gaza.
The demonstration near Pardes Hanna is the first in the weekly anti-government protests that have been taking place in dozens of locales across Israel, especially on Saturday nights.
The largest event is held in Tel Aviv on Kaplan Street. Some of the protesters regularly block the adjacent Ayalon Highways. Groups that splinter off from the main protest sometimes march down to King George Street to rally outside the headquarters of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party.
Separately, thousands of people gather at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, near Kaplan Street, for a protest in support of the captives. It is organized by the Forum of Hostages and Missing Families, which says the demonstration is nonpartisan. Speakers critical of the government’s failure to retrieve the hostages are featured, as they call for ministers to reach a deal or resign.
Additional protest rallies are held in Jerusalem, Haifa, Karmiel, Rehovot and the Amiad Junction in the Galilee.
At the Tel Aviv Rally, the feminist group Women in Pink hold posters alluding to Netanyahu’s speech at the US congress last week. “A good speech won’t save them, a deal would,” declare the signs.
FM Katz says ‘no doubt Hezbollah crossed all red lines,’ Israel facing ‘all-out war’
Foreign Minister Israel Katz says he spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the deadly Hezbollah attack on Majdal Shams, without giving details about what they discussed.
“There is no doubt that Hezbollah crossed all red lines,” Katz tells Channel 12 news. “We are facing an all-out war.”
“I have no doubt that we’ll pay a cost,” he adds, but insists Israel will exact an even higher cost from Hezbollah.
He also claims that Israel will have “full backing” from the US and Europe.
But pressed to give specifics though about what will change in Israel’s actions, he demurs.
Gallant huddles with IDF chief after deadly Hezbollah strike on Majdal Shams
Following the deadly rocket Hezbollah rocket attack on Majdal Shams, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is holding an assessment with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi and other senior defense officials, his office says.
Medics say several killed, including children, in rocket strike on Majdal Shams
Israeli rescue forces at the site of a deadly Hezbollah rocket attack on a soccer field in the northern Golan Heights town of Majdal Shams, July 27, 2024. (Michael Giladi/Flash90)
There are more than 30 casualties in the rocket strike in Majdal Shams, according to medics.
Among them are several dead, including children.
Netanyahu’s office says PM holding security consultations in US after Hezbollah attack on Golan
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is holding security consultations in the United States following the Hezbollah rocket attack on a soccer field in Majdal Shams, according to an unnamed diplomatic source quoted in a statement from his office.
Northern council head tears into PM and cabinet members after Majdal Shams rocket attack
The head of the Confrontation Line Forum, a grouping of northern regional council heads, tears into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the government after numerous people were injured — including nine critically — in a Hezbollah rocket attack on a soccer field in Majdal Shams.
“I’m furious!” Moshe Davidovich, head of the Mateh Asher Regional Council and the forum’s chairman, says in a statement.
“It seems that until rockets land in Caesarea, the prime minister and cabinet members will continue with the policy of ignoring the north,” he continues, referring to the coastal town where Netanyahu has a home. “I call on the government to wake up from the coma and act now.”
Medics say 9 in critical condition after Hezbollah attack, victims between ages 10-20
The Magen David Adom ambulance service says nine victims of the Hezbollah rocket attack in Majdal Shams are in critical condition.
MDA says the victims are aged 10 to 20.
There are additional casualties who were taken to local clinics for treatment, it adds.
Video appears to show Hezbollah rocket striking Majdal Shams soccer field
Footage purportedly shows the moment the Hezbollah rocket struck a soccer field in the northern Druze town of Majdal Shams, causing numerous casualties.
According to medics, there are at least 11 casualties in serious and critical condition, including children.
Footage purportedly shows the moment the Hezbollah rocket struck a soccer field in the northern Druze town of Majdal shams, causing numerous casualties. pic.twitter.com/awfFomVEJ2
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) July 27, 2024
IDF says north targeted by over 40 rockets from Lebanon this evening
A barrage of some 30 rockets were fired from Lebanon at northern Israel earlier this evening, the IDF says.
Most of the rockets were shot by air defenses, and no injuries were caused, according to the IDF.
The IDF says that about half an hour later, another 10 rockets were fired at the Neve Ativ area, which all impacted open areas.
A short while after that attack, the IDF says one rocket was fired from Lebanon at Majdal Shams, which impacted a soccer field, causing numerous casualties.
Olympics rejects Iraq’s request to move Israeli flag at Lyon Stadium
LYON, France — The head of Iraq’s delegation says Olympic chiefs have rejected their request not to display Israel’s flag next to Iraq’s during the Paris Games.
Iraq’s men’s soccer team beat Ukraine 2-1 on Wednesday in Lyon and lost 3-1 to Argentina today.
“When we arrived at Lyon Stadium (Wednesday), we found the Iraqi flag displayed next to the Israeli flag,” despite Israel’s team not having any matches in Lyon, Herda Raouf tells AFP.
Raouf, whose country does not recognize Israel and supports the Palestinian cause, adds that his delegation had asked a representative of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) “to relocate or remove the Israeli flag,” but their wish was denied.
The committee’s representative argued, according to Raouf, that the “flags of all participating countries in the men’s and women’s [soccer] games needed to be displayed in alphabetical order.”
Raouf adds that his delegation sent a formal protest by email to the IOC with the same demand before the game with Argentina, but the request was once again rejected.
Hezbollah claims rocket attack on Golan that wounded civilians, including kids
Hezbollah takes responsibility for the rocket attack that wounded numerous civilians in Majdal Shams.
In a statement, the terror group says it fired dozens of rockets at a military base in the Golan Heights.
Most of the casualties in Majdal Shams are children, as the rocket struck a soccer field in the city.
According to medics, there are at least 11 casualties in serious and critical condition.
Another image from the scene of the impact in Majdal Shams pic.twitter.com/CoG7D7OoEy
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) July 27, 2024
Sirens sound in northern towns due to suspected hostile aircraft
Air raid sirens have been activated in several northern Israeli communities as the IDF Home Front Command warns of suspected hostile aircraft.
Medics say at least 11 hurt, including 5 critically, in attack on Druze town in Golan
At least 11 people are wounded in an apparent rocket strike at a soccer field in the northern Druze town of Majdal Shams, medics say.
According to the Magen David Adom ambulance service, five people are listed in critical condition and another six are seriously wounded.
Hamas captive’s mother: Netanyahu ‘carrying out targeted killing’ of hostage deal
Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, speaks outside the military's headquarters in Tel Aviv, April 6, 2024. (Screen capture: Ynet, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
The families of hostages held by Hamas rally with supporters outside the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv for a weekly demonstration, urging a deal to free the captives.
“There’s a deal on the table and [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu is carrying out a targeted killing on it,” charges Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan Zangauker was kidnapped by terrorists during the Hamas-led October 7 attack.
Multiple casualties reported after rocket impact in Golan’s Majdal Shams
Medics are responding to reports of casualties in a rocket impact in the northern Druze-majority town of Majdal Shams.
Sirens had sounded in the town in the northern Golan Heights a short while ago.
No further details are immediately available.
Hezbollah announces 4 operatives killed following IDF airstrike
The Hezbollah terror group announces the deaths of four members killed “on the road to Jerusalem,” its term for operatives slain in Israeli strikes.
The announcement comes after an Israeli airstrike on a weapons depot in Kafr Kila in southern Lebanon, where the IDF says several Hezbollah operatives were spotted.
They are named as Ahmed Musa from Ali al-Nahri, Muhammad Marish from Beirut, Naeem Farhat from Beit Shama, and Hassan al-Saidi, from Toul.
Their deaths bring the terror group’s toll since the beginning of the war in the Gaza Strip to at least 381.
שלושה מההרוגים של חיזבאללה בכפר כילא "בדרך לירושלים" https://t.co/YiMFl4liQK pic.twitter.com/BH8om8Io7O
— roi kais • روعي كايس • רועי קייס (@kaisos1987) July 27, 2024
‘Free Palestine’ and ‘Stop the Genocide’ chants at Trans+ Pride Parade in London
Marchers at a Trans+ Pride Parade in central London on July 27, 2024 (Times of Israel)
Large crowds march in central London for an annual London Trans+ Pride Parade, which this year’s organizers say is a “celebration for trans+ lives, past and present, standing for trans+ rights and marching in solidarity with Palestine, Sudan, Haiti and Congo.” They said before the event that they were hoping for 50,000 participants.
As they march at Oxford Circus, participants, some of whom are carrying Palestinian flags, shout “Free, free Palestine” and “Stop the genocide.”
A marcher at a Trans+ Pride Parade in London on July 27, 2024 (Times of Israel)
A section of the march is led by people holding a banner that reads, “Queers for Palestine. You can’t pinkwash colonialism.”
One marcher carries a placard reading, “We will be free when everyone is free.”
Another has a placard reading, “Queer Arabs for a Free Palestine.”
IDF says reserve division now securing central Gaza corridor that bisects Strip
IDF troops of the 252nd Reserve Division are seen operating in the Netzarim Corridor of central Gaza, in a handout photo published July 27, 2024. (Israel Defense Forces)
The IDF’s 252nd Reserve Division has replaced the 99th Division in the Netzarim Corridor area of central Gaza.
The swap took place several days ago, according to the IDF.
The 252nd Division is operating in the corridor with two brigades and an artillery regiment.
In recent days, the IDF says reservists with the division killed dozens of terror operatives, demolished hundreds of sites belonging to terror groups, and located tunnels that are currently being investigated.
The Netzarim Corridor is built around a road south of Gaza City, enabling the IDF to carry out raids in northern and central Gaza while allowing Israel to control access to the north for Palestinians seeking to return after fleeing south. It also enables Israel to coordinate deliveries of humanitarian aid directly to northern Gaza.
The 252nd Division was previously deployed to Gaza, during the initial stages of the ground offensive
Numerous rocket warning sirens sound in Galilee Panhandle
Incoming rocket sirens are blaring in Kiryat Shmona and other communities in the northern Galilee Panhandle near the border with Lebanon.
IDF says fighter jets struck Hezbollah operatives at weapons depot in south Lebanon
A cell of Hezbollah operatives spotted at a weapons depot in southern Lebanon’s Kafr Kila was struck by Israeli fighter jets a short while ago, the IDF says.
The military says the operatives were identified by troops of the 869th Combat Intelligence Collection Unit entering the weapons depot, and a short while later, an airstrike was carried out.
Meanwhile, two explosive-laden drones were launched by Hezbollah this afternoon.
According to the IDF, one was shot down over northern Israel, while the second struck the Yiftah area, causing no injuries.
Hezbollah claimed to have targeted a military position in the attack.
Additionally, two rockets launched from Lebanon struck the Shtula area, the IDF says. There were no injuries in that attack either.
במהלך היום, כוח מיחידה 869 זיהה חוליית מחבלים שנכנסה למבנה צבאי ולמחסן אמל"ח בשימוש ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה, במרחב כפר כילא.
זמן קצר לאחר הזיהוי, מטוסי קרב תקפו את המבנה ואת מחסן האמל"ח, בו שהו המחבלים.בהמשך להתרעה על חדירת כלי טיס עוין שהופעלה במרחב יפתח בשעה 14:34, לוחמי ההגנה… pic.twitter.com/qNwgvYYCfs
— Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) July 27, 2024
Rocket sirens sound in Kiryat Shmona and nearby kibbutz
Incoming rocket sires are activated in the northern city of Kiryat Shmona and nearby Kibbutz Manara, close to Israel’s border with Lebanon.
US receives latest Israeli proposal for hostage-ceasefire deal
US President Joe Biden meets with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, July 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Israeli negotiators have relayed Israel’s latest proposal to the United States for a hostage-ceasefire deal with Hamas, an Arab diplomat confirms to The Times of Israel.
According to the Walla news site, the offer factors in the new conditions raised by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, particularly his demand for a mechanism to ensure gunmen are not among displaced Palestinians returning to their homes in northern Gaza.
Top members of the negotiating team and security officials are quoted as saying the believe Hamas will reject this demand, leading to a crisis in the talks.
Palestinian reported killed in IDF strike on Balata, is named as member of armed group
The Palestinian Authority health ministry reports one dead and nine wounded as a result of the Israeli drone strike in the Balata camp in the West Bank city of Nablus.
The slain Palestinian is identified by Palestinian media as Louay Masha, 17, a member of an armed group in Balata.
إستشهاد المطارد لؤي مشه (عبسي) متأثراً بجراحه جراء القصف الذي نفذه الاحتلال على مخيم بلاطة شرق نابلس pic.twitter.com/SMJE5roLuz
— Newpress | نيو برس (@NewpressPs) July 27, 2024
IDF carries out drone strike in West Bank’s Balata camp; several casualties reported
Illustrative: Black smoke billows amid clashes as Israeli forces raid the Balata camp near Nablus in the northern West Bank on April 9, 2024. (Jaafar Ashtiyeh/AFP)
The Israeli military carried out a drone strike a short while ago in the Balata camp in the West Bank city of Nablus.
Palestinian media report several casualties in the strike.
The IDF says the strike took place amid an operation in Nablus, and that it will provide further details soon.
من مكان القصف في #مخيم #بلاطة شرق مدينة #نابلس pic.twitter.com/rxIjGw5pbs
— Newpress | نيو برس (@NewpressPs) July 27, 2024
Rocket sirens sounding again in north near Lebanon border
Rocket sirens again are sounding near the northern border with Lebanon, after several alerts in the area throughout the day.
The alerts are sounding in the largely evacuated town of Shtula.
Red Alert [15:22:45] – 1 Alert:
• Confrontation Line — Shtula#Israel #RocketAlert #RedAlert pic.twitter.com/FON0YyiTWW
— ILRedAlert (@ILRedAlert) July 27, 2024
Participants wave Israeli flags during Pride parade in Berlin
Participants hold up rainbow and Israeli flags during the Christopher Street Day (CSD) demonstration in Berlin on July 27, 2024. (Ralf Hirschberger/AFP)
Some participants at Berlin’s annual Pride parade, known as Christopher Street Day (CSD), wave rainbow and Israeli flags during as they march through Berlin.
Members of the LGBTIQA+ community and their allies take to the streets every year in memory of the Stonewall Riots, the first big uprising of homosexuals against police assaults in New York City on June 27, 1969.
IDF: Soldier lightly injured in shooting near West Bank city of Nablus this morning
An IDF soldier was lightly injured in a shooting attack against an army post near the West Bank city of Nablus this morning, the military says.
According to the IDF, Palestinian gunmen opened fire from deep within Nablus at the army post. Troops are searching for the assailants.
The soldier was taken to a hospital in good condition.
Trump: Netanyahu’s meeting with Harris in Washington was ‘terrible and insulting’
Republican presidential candidate former US president Donald Trump meets with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago estate, July 26, 2024, in Palm Beach, Florida. (AP/Alex Brandon)
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump reiterates criticism of his presumptive opponent, US Vice President Kamala Harris, saying she had a “terrible and insulting” meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington earlier this week.
In a post on his Truth Social platform published the day after he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida, Trump says, “Her ineptness will greatly prolong the war [in Gaza] and delay the hostage release.”
In his meeting with Netanyahu yesterday, Trump claimed that the world would see “major wars in the Middle East and maybe a third world war” if he doesn’t win the election in November.
“Any Jewish person that votes for Kamala, or a Democrat, should immediately have their head examined,” he writes, again repeating charges he made yesterday when he falsely accused Harris of being an antisemite.
The vice president, who is married to a Jewish man, has gained ground on Trump in polling since she replaced Joe Biden on the top of the Democratic ticket just days ago.
IDF gives the all-clear after drone alert sirens in northern border town
The IDF gives the all-clear after drone alert sirens sounded in the northern town of Yiftach a short while ago.
No further details are given.
French police foil climate protest in Paris on first day of Olympics
Environmental activists from Extinction Rebellion (XR) hold a banner reading 'Our planet is burning and we watch the flame' during an action in front of Paris City Hall on June 22, 2024. (Olympia De Maismont/AFP)
PARIS – French police have blocked climate activists from holding a demonstration in central Paris on the first official day of the Olympic Games.
Protesters from Extinction Rebellion (XR), once notorious for shutting down bridges over the Thames River in London, had planned to occupy the Pont des Arts bridge over the Seine, which hosted the Games’ opening ceremony only hours earlier.
Security forces are on high alert nationwide after saboteurs disrupted train travel throughout France yesterday.
The stint on the bridge, which organizers previously said would be “more visible than disruptive,” was called off after police kettled a group of journalists preparing to cover the protest.
“The French government has deployed great resources to block our special Olympic action,” Extinction Rebellion France says in a statement on X.
“Our democracy burns and we are watching the flame of Paris 2024.”
Activists are calling for more participative democracy and the creation of a citizen assembly to design a new climate-focused constitution for France, which finds itself in a political impasse following elections earlier this month.
Sirens sounding again in north near Lebanon border
Drone alert sirens are sounding in the north near the border with Lebanon.
Sirens can be heard in the border community of Yiftach, following several rocket alert sirens in nearby towns earlier today.
Since October 8, Hezbollah-led forces have attacked Israeli communities and military posts along the border on a near-daily basis, with the group saying it is doing so to support Gaza amid the war there.
Red Alert [13:46:53] – 1 Alert:
• Confrontation Line — Iftach#Israel #RocketAlert #RedAlert pic.twitter.com/wkM5eoMaSp
— ILRedAlert (@ILRedAlert) July 27, 2024
Israeli gold medalist Artem Dolgopyat completes first floor routine at Paris Olympics
Israel's Artem Dolgopyat competes on the Floor during the Men's Team Finals event at the Artistic Gymnastics European Championships, in Rimini, on the Adriatic coast, northeastern Italy, on April 28, 2024. (Gabriel Bouys/AFP)
Israeli gymnast Artem Dolgopyat, who won the country’s first-ever gymnastics Olympic gold in the men’s floor exercise in 2021, finishes his floor routine in the qualifiers at the Paris Olympics.
He’s stayed in top form since Tokyo – winning gold at the World Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp, Belgium on October 7, 2023, as news of the mass assault on Israel was still unfolding.
Dolgopyat is considered Israel’s top contender in Paris for a medal, and possibly even a second gold.
IDF strikes Hamas command room, terror operatives embedded within Gaza school used as shelter for displaced Palestinians
Illustrative - Palestinians search through debris in the yard of the Asma school run by UNRWA, in Gaza City's Shati camp, in the aftermath of overnight Israeli strike the IDF says targeted Hamas terrorists, on June 25, 2024. (Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP)
A Hamas command and control center embedded within a school in central Gaza’s Deir al-Balah was struck by Israeli fighter jets a short while ago, the IDF says.
The Hamas-run media office in Gaza claims that 31 people were killed in the attack.
According to the IDF, the strike killed Hamas operatives hiding within the United Nations school being used as shelter for displaced Palestinians.
The military says that the command room was used by Hamas operatives to plan and carry out attacks against IDF troops in Gaza and against Israel.
Additionally, the IDF says the site was used to develop and store weaponry.
To mitigate harm to civilians, the IDF says it carried out “many steps,” including using a “munition adapted to the type of strike,” aerial surveillance, and other intelligence.
“This is a further example of the Hamas terrorist organization’s systematic violation of international law and exploitation of civilian structures and population as human shields for its attacks against the State of Israel,” the military says in a statement.
In recent weeks, more than 50 airstrikes have been carried out against Hamas sites embedded within schools and other sites used as shelters for civilians, according to the IDF.
Swimmer Ron Polonsky breaks Israel’s record in the 100m breaststroke heat at the Paris Olympics
Israeli swimmer Ron Polonsky competes at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics on July 28, 2021. (Simona Castrovillari/Israel Olympic Committee)
Israeli swimmer Ron Polonsky breaks the country’s record in the 100m breaststroke heat at the Paris Olympics, with a time of 1:00:00.
He also held the previous record of 1:00:07.
Polonsky finishes sixth in the race and qualifies for the semi-finals.
His sister, Leah Polonsky, is also a breaststroke swimmer on the Israeli team in Paris.
Hamas refusing to review new proposals for hostage-truce deal — Lebanese report
Families and friends of Israeli hostages being held by Hamas hold a vigil on the National Mall calling for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a permanent ceasefire deal to bring the hostages home, July 23, 2024. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/AFP)
Hamas refuses to review new proposals for a hostage-ceasefire deal, according to a Lebanese outlet affiliated with the Hezbollah terror group, amid reports that Israel is about to send an updated offer to mediators.
“Hamas insists on adopting the latest proposal that it had submitted to the mediators,” Al-Mayadeen quotes an unnamed senior Palestinian source, apparently from the terror group, as saying.
The source adds that the terror group “remains steadfast in its position on the complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, including the Netzarim and Philadelphi corridors.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has recently toughened Israel’s positions in internationally mediated talks for a deal, reportedly spurred on by intelligence assessments that Hamas is weary, weakened and keen to end the fighting.
Two key points that the prime minister has focused on are ensuring Israel’s ability to directly prevent weapons smuggling to Hamas through tunnels under the Egypt-Hamas border, and preventing the terror group from moving its operatives from southern to northern Gaza by embedding them among Palestinian civilians displaced by the war when they are permitted to return home.
Israel’s top security chiefs are said to be in agreement that if a truce and hostages-for-prisoners deal is reached with Hamas, the IDF can stand fully withdrawing from Gaza for the first six weeks of a potential truce.
The report adds that the terror group “does not object to a government taking over the administration of the Gaza Strip with national consensus and on a temporary basis if an agreement is not reached on a national consensus government for the West Bank and the Gaza Strip,” quoting the same source.
The report comes as CIA Director William Burns is set to meet in Rome tomorrow with Mossad chief David Barnea, along with Egypt’s spy chief and Qatar’s prime minister, for talks on the deal.
Rocket sirens sounding in northern town of Metula near Lebanon border
Sirens are sounding in the northern town of Metula near the border with Lebanon, warning of incoming rocket fire.
The alerts follow a series of attacks by terrorists in Lebanon on largely northern evacuated communities earlier this morning, one of which caused damage to a home in Arab al-Aramshe.
Red Alert [12:53:10] – 1 Alert:
• Confrontation Line — Metulla#Israel #RocketAlert #RedAlert pic.twitter.com/63AO5KisPl
— ILRedAlert (@ILRedAlert) July 27, 2024
Hezbollah drone apparently heading for offshore gas rig downed by Iron Dome system mounted on warship — IDF
Illustrative: A Hezbollah drone is seen being shot down by air defenses over northern Israel, June 23, 2024. (Israel Defense Forces)
The Hezbollah drone apparently heading toward offshore gas infrastructure in Israel’s territorial waters this morning was shot down by the ship-mounted Iron Dome system, known as C-Dome.
According to the IDF, one of the Navy’s Sa’ar 6-class corvettes intercepted the drone at a significant distance from the Karish gas field, and there was no threat to the offshore infrastructure amid the incident.
The IDF is still investigating if the drone was laden with explosives or used by Hezbollah for surveillance.
Hostage families read prayer for PM to ‘accept responsible’ proposals in meeting with Biden, Netanyahu
Rachel (left) and Jon Goldberg-Polin (right), parents of Hamas-held hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a meeting hosted by US President Joe Biden in the White House on July 25, 2024. (GPO)
The families of the American hostages read aloud a prayer urging Israeli leaders to “accept responsible proposals” for a ceasefire at the end of their meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday, participants tell The Times of Israel.
Earlier in the meeting, hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin‘s parents Jon and Rachel gave Netanyahu a photo that showed their son together with childhood friends Aner Shapira and Ben Zussman.
Shapira saved the lives of ten partygoers at the Supernova music festival near Kibbutz Re’im on October 7, by tossing back seven grenades that Hamas terrorists hurled into a roadside shelter packed with people, including Hersh.
The eighth grenade thrown into the shelter killed Shapira, whose great-grandfather Haim Moshe Shapiro signed Israel’s Declaration of Independence.
Zussman, 22, was killed fighting in Gaza in December.
These 3 boys grew up together and now their fate is tied together by October 7
Left: Aner Shapira. Unarmed, he fended off 7 grenades thrown by Hamas. The next one they threw killed him.
Middle: Ben Zussman. Ben was a soldier in the Combat Engineers. He died fighting Hamas in… pic.twitter.com/qe0JjaXvNV
— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) December 5, 2023
Hersh’s parents told Netanyahu that Zussman and Shapira’s parents have been unable to move forward since their sons’ deaths knowing that 115 hostages are still being held in Gaza.
The prayer that the hostage families read aloud in front of Netanyahu and Biden was written by Zussman’s father Tzvi.
“May it be Your will, Lord our G-d and G-d of our forefathers, that You send Your light and truth to the prime minister, ministers, and advisors of the government of the State of Israel, and guide them with good counsel.
Enlighten their eyes to accept responsible proposals placed before them in order to bring about the release of our loved ones that are hostages. Father, our King, help us to bring our captives from darkness to light, so that we all may be crowned with the crown of victory and life, and let us say: Amen.”
Israeli judoka Yam Wolczak wins his first match at the Paris Olympics
Israeli judoka Yam Wolczak wins his first match at the Paris Olympics, defeating Arnold Kisoka from the Democratic Republic of Congo, 10-0.
The results qualify him for the next elimination round.
And @Israel just won its first men’s judo match by surrender.
How appropriate. #Paris2024
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— Yoni Leviatan (@songsofyoni) July 27, 2024
Israel Meteorological Service issues warnings of high seas, heavy heat stress around the country
Illustrative: Israelis enjoy the beach in Tel Aviv during a heatwave, on April 24, 2024. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
The Israel Meteorological Service issues a warning against swimming at beaches along the coast between Tel Aviv and Haifa today, citing high and dangerous seas.
The statement notes the risk danger of drowning amid the weather conditions.
The service also warns of heavy heat stress with high temperatures around the country, especially in areas including the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, the Arava Desert and the Galilee.
Two Israeli judokas set to begin their first matches at the Paris Olympics
Shira Rishony of Israel (white) competes against Asmita Dey of India during the women's -48Kg round of 64 bout of the Judo World Championship in Abu Dhabi on May 19, 2024. (Ryan Lim/AFP)
Two Israeli judokas will shortly begin their first matches at the Paris Olympics this morning, in the country’s most-decorated Olympic sport.
Shira Rishony – at her third Olympics – will compete against Kazakhstan’s Abiba Abuzhakynova, while newcomer Yam Wolczak is fighting Arnold Kisoka from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Israel’s delegation consists of 12 Israeli judokas vying for medals, with a number of them heavy favorites.
Israel qualified female judokas in all 7 weight classes (something only Japan and Italy also managed) and male judokas in 5 weight classes.
Several of the women are considered strong contenders for medals, and while the male delegation contains many well-known, experienced athletes, they are not internationally ranked.
Israeli athletes will also be competing in swimming, artistic gymnastics and badminton events today, while the country’s soccer team is set to play Paraguay this evening.
Amy Spiro contributed to this report.
Home in northern Bedouin village damaged in rocket attack from Lebanon this morning
A rocket launched from Lebanon at the border community of Arab al-Aramshe this morning damaged a home.
Another four rockets were fired earlier at the Misgav Am area, according to the IDF.
There are no injuries in the attacks.
נזק נגרם לבית מגורים מרקטה בערב אל עראמשה, אין נפגעים בגוף – הדיירים פונו עם תחילת המלחמה pic.twitter.com/RdtZm7awyl
— גלצ (@GLZRadio) July 27, 2024
IDF: Fighter jets hit dozens of terror targets including rocket launcher in Gaza City primed for attack on Israel
Dozens of targets were struck by Israeli fighter jets across the Gaza Strip over the past day, the military says.
The targets included a rocket launching site in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighborhood, which was primed for an attack on Israel, as well as buildings used by terror groups and cells of gunmen, according to the IDF.
The strikes come as troops continue to operate in southern Gaza’s Rafah and Khan Younis.
IDF troops seen operating in the Gaza Strip in this handout photo published on July 27, 2024. (Israel Defense Forces)
In Khan Younis, the IDF says troops with the 98th Division raided several Hamas sites, including tunnels, and located numerous weapons.
In Rafah, troops with the 162nd Division raided more Hamas sites, and killed several cells of gunmen in close-quarters combat, according to the IDF.
IDF: Drone from Lebanon shot down by Navy over Israel’s territorial waters
A drone launched from Lebanon was shot down a short while ago by an Israeli Navy missile boat, the military says.
The drone was intercepted over Israel’s territorial waters.
It is unclear what the drone was attempting to target. In the past, Hezbollah has attempted to attack offshore infrastructure at the Karish gas field.
No sirens sounded amid the incident as no communities were threatened.
Hezbollah has launched more than 300 drones at Israel amid the ongoing fighting, most of them packed with explosives but some also for surveillance purposes.
לפני זמן קצר ספינת טילים משייטת 3 של זרוע הים בשיתוף חיל האוויר, יירטה בהצלחה כלי טיס בלתי מאויש שעשה את דרכו מכיוון לבנון במרחב המים הכלכליים של ישראל pic.twitter.com/vVCpR34H1D
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) July 27, 2024
Washington claims TikTok collected US user views on divisive issues like abortion, gun control
Employees seen inside the TikTok Inc. building in Culver City, California, March 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a fresh broadside against one of the world’s most popular technology companies, the US Justice Department accuses TikTok of harnessing the capability to gather bulk information on users based on views on divisive social issues like gun control, abortion and religion.
Government lawyers write in a brief filed to the federal appeals court in Washington that TikTok and its Beijing-based parent company ByteDance used an internal web-suite system called Lark to enable TikTok employees to speak directly with ByteDance engineers in China.
TikTok employees used Lark to send sensitive data about US users, information that has wound up being stored on Chinese servers and accessible to ByteDance employees in China, according to federal officials.
One of Lark’s internal search tools, the filing states, permits ByteDance and TikTok employees in the US and China to gather information on users’ content or expressions, including views on sensitive topics, such as abortion or religion.
Last year, The Wall Street Journal reported TikTok had tracked users who watched LGBTQ content through a dashboard the company said it had since deleted.
The new court documents represent the government’s first major defense in a consequential legal battle over the future of the popular social media platform, which is used by more than 170 million Americans. Under a law signed by US President Joe Biden in April, the company could face a ban in a few months if it doesn’t break ties with ByteDance.
The Justice Department warns, in stark terms, of the potential for what it called “covert content manipulation” by the Chinese government, saying the algorithm could be designed to shape content that users receive.
The concern, they said, is more than theoretical, alleging that TikTok and ByteDance employees are known to engage in a practice called “heating” in which certain videos are promoted in order to receive a certain number of views.
While this capability enables TikTok to curate popular content and disseminate it more widely, US officials posit it can also be used for nefarious purposes.
Rocket sirens sound in Bedouin village of Arab al-Aramshe near Lebanese border
Sirens sounded a short while ago in the Bedouin village of Arab al-Aramshe near the Lebanese border, warning of incoming rocket fire.
There are immediate reports of casualties or damage.
Red Alert [08:26:34] – 1 Alert:
• Confrontation Line — Arab al-Aramshe#Israel #RocketAlert #RedAlert pic.twitter.com/GK4BSKT1lp
— ILRedAlert (@ILRedAlert) July 27, 2024
IDF issues fresh evacuation orders, citing intelligence Hamas operating in south Gaza humanitarian zone
A map showing an adjusted Israeli-designated humanitarian zone in the Gaza Strip, published on July 27, 2024. (Israel Defense Forces)
The IDF issues fresh evacuation orders to Gazans in the southern city of Khan Younis, citing intelligence that Hamas is operating in the designated humanitarian zone.
In a statement, the military notes the adjustments to the boundaries of the humanitarian zone and calls on Palestinians sheltering in the area to temporarily evacuate to the adapted zone in al-Mawasi.
עקב פעולות טרור רבות וירי תמ״ס לעבר מדינת ישראל מהשכונות הדרומיות של חאן יונס, השהות במרחב זה הפכה מסוכנת. לכן, בעת הזו תתבצע התאמה של המרחב. ההתאמה הינה ביחס למידע מודיעיני מדויק לפיו ארגון הטרור חמאס מיקם תשתיות טרור באזור שהוגדר כמרחב הומניטרי>> pic.twitter.com/ojs8Ipf8uX
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) July 27, 2024
The IDF warns that it will carry out forceful strikes against the terror group’s operatives and infrastructure in the area.
In a message relayed via SMS, voice messages, phone calls and media broadcasts, the military instructs civilians in specific areas of the humanitarian zone to move elsewhere, warning that “remaining in the area has become dangerous.”
A military source says hospitals in the area do not need to evacuate, and that the IDF has communicated this to Palestinian health officials and officials in the international community.
The IDF issued similar orders last week, adjusting the boundaries of the Israel-designated humanitarian zone in Khan Younis ahead of an operation that saw the extraction of the bodies of five Israelis who were murdered and seized by Hamas terrorists on October 7.
Rocket alert sirens sounding in northern communities near border with Lebanon
Sirens are sounding in towns and cities near the border with Lebanon, warning of incoming rocket fire.
The alerts can be heard in the largely evacuated communities of Tel Hai, Kiryat Shmona, Kfar Yuval and Kfar Giladi.
Red Alert [07:50:49] – 3 Alerts:
• Confrontation Line — Tel Hai, Kiryat Shmona#Israel #RocketAlert #RedAlert pic.twitter.com/hLOAl1Lglg
— ILRedAlert (@ILRedAlert) July 27, 2024
US troops in eastern Syria return fire after missile attacks — British war monitor
Illustrative: American soldiers drive a Bradley fighting vehicle during a joint exercise with Syrian Democratic Forces at the countryside of Deir Ezzor in northeastern Syria, December 8, 2021. (Baderkhan Ahmad/AP)
US troops stationed in eastern Syria have returned fire after they were attacked with at least ten missiles, a UK-based war monitor reports, noting that this was the second attack in two days.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the American forces fired heavy artillery shells at “regime and Iranian forces” who attacked bases hosting troops from the US-led anti-jihadist coalition in the Deir Ezzor area near the border with Iraq as fighter jets scour the region.
Yesterday the war monitor said that at least one rocket had landed near a base of the coalition in the Conoco gas field in Deir Ezzor province.
Such attacks by Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq were frequent early in the war in Gaza, sparked by Hamas’s October 7 onslaught in southern Israel, but since then have largely halted.
There is no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks.
The latest attack comes after a security meeting this week between Iraqi and US officials in Washington on the future of the international anti-jihadist coalition in Iraq. Iran-backed groups have demanded a withdrawal.
AFP contributed to this report.
Biden said set to announce plans to reform Supreme Court on Monday
President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, July 24, 2024, about his decision to drop his Democratic presidential reelection bid. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool)
US President Joe Biden will reportedly announce plans to reform the Supreme Court on Monday, according to two people familiar with the matter who add that he was likely to back term limits for justices and an enforceable code of ethics.
Biden said earlier this week during an Oval Office address that he would call for reform of the court.
He is also expected to seek a constitutional amendment to limit immunity for presidents and some other officeholders, Politico reports, in the aftermath of a July Supreme Court ruling that presidents have broad immunity from prosecution.
Biden will make the announcement in Texas on Monday and the specific proposals could change, the report adds.
The White House declines to comment on the Politico report, referring to remarks from press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Thursday that Biden “believes if you are serving in high office, you should be held to a transparency, accountability and you should be held to a high ethics.”
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
Trump makes baseless claim that Harris skipped Netanyahu’s speech due to antisemitism
Former US president and 2024 Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump arrives onstage to speak at Turning Point Action's "The Believers Summit" in West Palm Beach, Florida, on July 26, 2024. (Chandan Khanna/AFP)
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida — US presidential candidate Donald Trump falsely accuses election rival Kamala Harris of being an antisemite who plans to allow the murder of newborn babies, in a speech meant to rally religious supporters that quickly went off the rails.
The vice president, who is married to a Jewish man, has gained ground on Trump in polling since she replaced Joe Biden on the top of the Democratic ticket just days ago.
Former Republican president Trump dedicates much of his address at a religious convention in southern Florida to assailing Harris’s record as a senator and as Biden’s number two, but many of his attacks are smears untethered to reality.
Explaining why 59-year-old Harris had missed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyau’s speech to the US Congress on Wednesday to instead honor a prior commitment, Trump accuses her, baselessly, of antisemitism.
“She doesn’t like Jewish people. She doesn’t like Israel. That’s the way it is, and that’s the way it’s always going to be. She’s not going to change,” he says.
EU countries add neo-Nazi movement to terror list
European Union member states add the neo-Nazi movement The Base to the EU Terrorist List, freezing its funds in EU countries and prohibiting anyone in the EU from providing funds to it.
“The Base is an organization of right-wing extremists involved in terrorist acts, which was founded by Rinaldo Nazzaro in 2018,” the EU Council says in a statement.
Border cop shoots driver who police say accelerated toward them in East Jerusalem
A Border Police officer shoots a car accelerating toward cops in East Jerusalem’s Issawiya, the force says, “neutralizing” the driver.
Police say the officer opened fire after feeling his life was in danger, adding that an investigation into the incident was opened.
The driver was seriously wounded and taken to a local hospital, according to Hebrew media reports. No policemen were injured.
2 men drown in separate incidents off Bat Yam
Two men have drowned in separate incidents off the coast of Bat Yam.
The two were declared dead by paramedics after being pulled from the water.
In another unrelated incident, the Magen David Adom ambulance service says a young man is being taken to a hospital in critical condition after being found in the water by a beach in nearby Tel Aviv.
No major security issues reported at Olympics opening ceremony, says French minister
Soldiers patrol outside Gare du Nord train station at the 2024 Summer Olympics, July 26, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
PARIS — France’s interior minister praises security forces after no major issues are reported during the opening ceremony of the Olympics.
“We did it,” French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin says on the social platform X, praising an “event without incident.”
“After four years of intense work to prepare for the world’s biggest sport event, we have never been prouder of our security forces,” he tweets.
Authorities had deployed a massive security operation in Paris to keep the event safe. The capital’s streets were blocked off, with squadrons of police patrolling and imposing metal-fence security barriers erected like an iron curtain on both sides of the River Seine. Up to 45,000 police and gendarmes as well as 10,000 soldiers have been deployed for Olympic security.
2 declared dead in Katzrin house fire
First responders have declared the deaths of two men found at a home that caught fire in the Golan Heights city of Katzrin.
Firefighters are looking into what caused the blaze.
Trump holds narrow lead over Harris in WSJ poll
This combination of pictures created on July 22, 2024, shows US Vice President Kamala Harris and former US President Donald Trump. (Brendan Smialowski and Patrick T. Fallon/AFP)
Republican Donald Trump has a two-percentage point lead over Democratic US Vice President Kamala Harris, according to a new Wall Street Journal poll, narrower than the six-point lead in a survey earlier this month over President Joe Biden, who has since withdrawn from the presidential contest.
Trump leads Harris by 49% to 47% according to the poll of 1,000 registered voters that has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
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