Sept. 16: Blinken to travel to Egypt Tuesday to discuss Gaza ceasefire efforts

Blinken to travel to Egypt Tuesday to discuss ceasefire-hostage deal efforts

Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Egypt on Tuesday to discuss hostage release-ceasefire deal efforts with Egyptian officials, the State Department says Monday.

Blinken “will meet with Egyptian officials to discuss ongoing efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza that secures the release of all hostages, alleviates the suffering of the Palestinian people, and helps establish broader regional security,” spokesman Matthew Miller says in a statement.

Along with Qatar, the US and Egypt have been leading indirect negotiations for the release of the hostages and a halt in the Gaza fighting.

Times of Israel Staff contributed to this report.

Suspected Trump gunman fired no shots — US Secret Service

The man arrested on suspicion of seeking to assassinate Donald Trump in Florida had no clear line of sight on the former president and did not fire his weapon, the US Secret Service says.

“He did not fire or get off any shots at our agent,” Secret Service acting director Ronald Rowe tells reporters, referring to suspect Ryan Routh, who has been charged with illegal firearms possession in the case.

US sanctions spyware ex-IDF officer’s firm behind tool used to spy on dissidents, journalists

A screenshot from a 2019 Forbes profile of Tal Dilian, founder of the Intellexa Consortium, sanctioned by the US. (Screenshot from YouTube, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

The United States announced new sanctions against a commercial spyware company headed by a former Israeli military officer, whose program allowed easy access to almost any information stored on a smartphone.

US officials and private researchers say Intellexa Consortium’s products have been used for mass surveillance campaigns around the world, allowing unscrupulous users to track and obtain sensitive information from dissidents, journalists, political candidates, and opposition figures.

The penalties target five people and one organization connected to Intellexa, a Greece-based network of companies with subsidiaries in North Macedonia, Hungary, Ireland, and the British Virgin Islands. The company developed and sold a suite of spyware tools known as Predator that allowed entry into a target’s device without requiring them to click on a link or attachment.

The program would then grant access to the camera and microphone as well as any data or files stored on the compromised phone.

“The United States will not tolerate the reckless propagation of disruptive technologies that threatens our national security and undermines the privacy and civil liberties of our citizens,” says Bradley T. Smith, acting undersecretary of the treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence.

Several subsidiaries of Intellexa and two employees, including its founder, were sanctioned earlier this year by the Biden administration. Last year, the Commerce Department blacklisted Intellexa and one of its subsidiaries, denying them access to US technology.

The five people subject to the new penalties each held senior positions at Intellexa or one of its subsidiaries, US officials say. The Aliada Group, another subsidiary based in the British Virgin Islands, also was sanctioned over allegations of enabling financial transactions for Intellexa that totaled tens of millions of dollars, officials said.

Intellexa was created in 2019 by former Israeli military officer Tal Dilian. Dilian and Sara Hamou, a corporate offshoring specialist who has provided managerial services to Intellexa, were penalized earlier this year, in what Biden administration officials said was the first time sanctions were issued over the misuse of spyware.

US said looking for new framework for hostage deal to replace previous phased approach

Israelis calling for a hostage-ceasefire deal to secure the release of the remaining captives, held by the Hamas terror group in Gaza, protest in Tel Aviv, September 14, 2024. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

Channel 12 reports that senior Biden administration officials have told the families of the American hostages that the phased ceasefire deal framework that has been under negotiation to date is no longer working.

Accordingly, the US and other mediators are considering other formulas that will coax Israel and Hamas to make a deal. The frameworks now being discussed would be shorter, instead of three phases of six weeks each.

Israel’s negotiating team is also working on alternative frameworks, the network says.

Trump blames Biden and Harris ‘rhetoric’ for assassination bids

Donald Trump blames his election rival US Vice President Kamala Harris and US President Joe Biden after he was targeted in a second apparent assassination attempt, saying their “rhetoric” about him endangering democracy is to blame.

Trump — who was not hurt in Sunday’s event — tells Fox News Digital that rhetoric from Biden and Harris “is causing me to be shot at, when I am the one who is going to save the country.”

Trump, 78, referred to frequent comments that he poses a “threat to democracy.”

Trump — whose main election message against Harris is built on dark warnings about immigrant “invasion” and claims that the United States is a “failing nation” that only he can save — says his opponents “use highly inflammatory language.”

“I can use it too — far better than they can — but I don’t,” he adds.

In a later post on his Truth Social network, Trump says, “The bullets are flying, and it will only get worse,” before launching into an all-caps attack on immigrants.

US still working on revised proposal for Gaza ceasefire deal, says State Dept

The United States is still working with mediators Egypt and Qatar to present a revised proposal for a ceasefire in the war in Gaza, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller says

Miller tells reporters that he does not have a timetable for the proposal, which has been expected for several weeks, but says Washington wanted to make sure it is a proposal that can get Israel and Hamas to an ultimate agreement.

Initial probe into US citizen’s killing does not exonerate Israeli security forces, US says

This undated family photo provided by the International Solidarity Movement on September 6, 2024, shows Aysenur Ezgi Eygi of Seattle. (Courtesy of the Eygi family/International Solidarity Movement via AP)

Israel’s initial findings on the killing of US citizen Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi do not exonerate Israeli security forces, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller says, warning that Washington would consider other measures if it is not satisfied with a full Israeli probe.

Israel has acknowledged that its troops shot 26-year-old Eygi on September 6, as she took part in a protest against settlement expansion in the West Bank, but says it was an unintentional act during a demonstration that turned violent.

Houthi official says group received ‘temptations’ from US to stop attacks

A member of the Iran-aligned Yemeni Houthi rebel movement’s political bureau, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, says to Qatar’s Al Jazeera TV on Monday that the group received “temptations” from the United States to acknowledge their Sanaa government in an effort to stop Yemeni attacks.

The remarks come a day after a Houthi ballistic missile reached central Israel for the first time.

IDF hits another Hezbollah weapons depot, observation post, buildings used to target Israel

Another Hezbollah weapons depot, along with an observation post and other buildings used by the terror group were struck by Israeli fighter jets in southern Lebanon, the IDF says.

The strikes were carried out in Rab al-Thalathine, Houla, Maroun al-Ras, and Blida.

Meanwhile, a projectile launched from Lebanon struck the border community of Metula this evening, causing damage to a building.

A barrage of another 10 rockets was fired from Lebanon at the Ramot Naftali area, setting off sirens. The IDF says some of the rockets were intercepted by air defenses, and others impacted the area.

There were no injuries in the attack.

מטוסי קרב תקפו מוקדם יותר היום מחסן אמצעי לחימה, עמדת תצפית ומבנים צבאיים של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה במרחבים רב א-תלתין, חולא, מרון א-ראס ובליידא שבדרום לבנון.

בנוסף, צה״ל תקף בירי ארטילרי במרחב א-נקורה שבדרום לבנון>> pic.twitter.com/MWSAmqP8lR

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) September 16, 2024

‘I don’t know how I let my son make aliyah’: Hostage dad fumes over PM’s planned ‘politically motivated’ firing of Gallant

Orna and Ronen Neutra are interviewed on Channel 13 on September 16, 2024. (Screen capture/X)

The parents of Israeli-American hostage Omer Neutra fume over reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning on appointing New Hope chair Gideon Sa’ar as defense minister instead of Yoav Gallant, who has been the loudest voice in the government for a hostage deal.

“The prime minister knowingly has created a situation in which he is taking a defense minister who is interested and knows that the state is able and must reach a hostage deal — one that the majority of the country supports — and through Gallant’s firing will take someone who might not be interested in a deal, thereby leaving our kids in Gaza,” Ronen Neutra tells Channel 13.

“The thought that political motives are the only determining factors here is just shocking,” he adds.

“I don’t know how I let my son immigrate to Israel and enlist,” Neutra laments.

His wife Orna acknowledges that this is a very devastating statement, but explains that they educated their son on values that they believed the State of Israel stood for — sanctifying life and mutual solidarity.

It was because of those values that Omer chose to move to Israel, enlist in the army, and become an officer, but he has been “abandoned” by the government since October 7, she says.

Lapid urges US not to allow Hamas to skirt deal, says party will provide PM with political safety net

Opposition Chair Yair Lapid (L) meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, at the State Department in Washington on September 16, 2024. (Shahar Azran)

Opposition chairman Yair Lapid tells US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during their meeting earlier today at the State Department that Israel “will not be able to recover” if it leaves the 101 remaining hostages in Gaza.

“Don’t let Hamas to skirt a hostage deal,” Lapid told Blinken, according to a readout from his office, adding that his party will provide a political safety net to counter far-right coalition parties threatening to bring down the government over the deal being negotiated.

1,000 outside Sa’ar’s home in protest of his reported plan to join gov’t as defense minister

Over 1,000 Israelis are marching toward Begin Road in Tel Aviv after gathering outside the home of New Hope chairman Gideon Sa’ar to protest his reported efforts to join Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government as defense minister.

מפגינים רבים, ביניהם משפחות חטופים, מחו בתל אביב מול ביתו של ח"כ סער בנוגע לפרסומים על הצטרפותו לממשלה ומינויו לשר ביטחון: "הפקרת וגם ירשת?"
הדיווח של @hadasgrinberg מהחסימה בדרך נמיר#חדשותהערב pic.twitter.com/q0ui0sSdsE

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) September 16, 2024

Security cabinet meeting delayed amid reports PM nearing deal to replace Gallant

The security cabinet meeting has been pushed back to 10:00 p.m. in Tel Aviv, an Israeli official tells The Times of Israel.

The meeting has been moved several times today, as there have been reports that Netanyahu is close to replacing Defense Minister Yoav Gallant with opposition New Hope leader Gideon Sa’ar.

US urges Israel to ‘give hostage talks time to succeed’

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, right, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, left, listen to the playing of the Israeli National Anthem during an arrival ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington, June 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told Defense Minister Yoav Gallant during their phone call yesterday that “Israel should give [hostage] negotiations time to succeed,” according to a Pentagon readout.

Austin noted “the devastating consequences that escalation would have on the people of Israel, Lebanon, and the broader region,” the US readout adds.

The pair spoke following the Iran-backed Houthi ballistic missile attack against Israel hours earlier along with the barrage of rocket attacks into northern Israel by the Iran-backed terrorist organization Hezbollah earlier over the weekend.

Austin “reinforced the United States’ ironclad commitment to Israel’s security and its right to self-defense,” the US readout says.

US official: Politically-motivated replacement of Gallant mid-war ‘would be crazy’

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant attends a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting on the ultra-Orthodox draft law at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on July 1, 2024. (Yonatan Sindel/ Flash90)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reported plan to replace Defense Minister Yoav Gallant with New Hope chair Gideon Sa’ar in the middle of the war in Gaza and as Israel is on the brink of a full-on war with Hezbollah “would be crazy,” a US official tells reporters.

The US official touts Gallant’s experience in his current role and argues that the reasons behind his potential firing are political.

Report: Barring last-minute surprises, PM to announce Sa’ar as defense minister in coming hours

Then-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (2nd L), then-interior minister Gideon Sa'ar (L) then-minister for regional development, minister for the development of the Negev and Galilee and minister of energy and water Silvan Shalom (2nd R) and then-minister of strategic and intelligence affairs Yuval Steinitz (R) attend a session of the Knesset, Israel's parliament in Jerusalem, on March 19, 2013. (Flash90)

The Kan public broadcaster reports that the fundamental issues of the negotiations between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and New Hope chairman Gideon Sa’ar have been settled.

The sides have agreed that Sa’ar will replace Yoav Gallant as defense minister, Kan says.

If there are no last minute surprises, an announcement regarding New Hope’s addition to the government will be made in the coming hours, according to the report.

Gallant has promised to remain in the Likud party, even if fired, Kan adds.

PM reportedly moved to replace Gallant with Sa’ar after ultimatum from Haredi parties

Channel 12 reports that the reason Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has moved to replace Defense Minister Yoav Gallant with New Hope chair Gideon Sa’ar is an ultimatum the premier received from the ultra-Orthodox parties.

The pair of Haredi factions demanded an end to the delay in passing the Haredi draft bill, which has been held up — among other reasons — by Gallant, who has insisted on a version that has support from both the coalition and the opposition, along with the security establishment.

Sa’ar reportedly is more flexible in his stance regarding the legislation, which would presumably allow it to move forward if he were defense minister, instead of Gallant.

Houthis release footage of yesterday’s ballistic missile attack on central Israel

The Iran-backed Houthis release footage of yesterday’s ballistic missile attack on central Israel yesterday.

According to an Israeli Air Force probe, the missile launched from Yemen was hit by an Arrow 3 interceptor over Israeli airspace, causing it to break apart in the air.

Shrapnel from the Houthi missile impacted open areas in the Ben Shemen forest, sparking a fire, and shrapnel from interceptors hit a train station near Modiin, causing slight damage.

The IAF has found that the missile was not a hypersonic projectile, as the Houthis have claimed.

مشاهد إطلاق الصاروخ البالستي الفرط صوتي الذي استهدف هدفا عسكريا في منطقة يافا الفلسطينية المحتلة. pic.twitter.com/WqmF4Umhkz

— العميد يحيى سريع (@army21ye) September 16, 2024

Hamas chief says terror group ready for ‘long war of attrition’ against Israel

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar says his Palestinian terror group is prepared for prolonged fighting against Israel, in a message to Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels nearly a year into the Gaza war.

“We have prepared ourselves to fight a long war of attrition that will break the enemy’s political will,” the Hamas leader says, asserting that the militants in Gaza and allied Iran-aligned groups in Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen would defeat Israel.

Sinwar says in the message addressed to Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Huthi: “I congratulate you on your success in sending your missiles deep into the enemy entity, bypassing all layers and defense and interception systems.”

“Our combined efforts with you” and with groups in Lebanon and Iraq “will break this enemy and inflict defeat on it,” Sinwar adds.

Report: Sara Netanyahu revokes opposition to Sa’ar’s appointment as defense minister, leading to breakthrough in talks

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) with his wife Sara on board the Wing of Zion official plane, July 22, 2024. (Amos Ben Gershom/GPO)

Haaretz reports that the recent breakthrough in talks between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and New Hope chairman Gideon Sa’ar aimed at appointing the latter as defense minister to replace Yoav Gallant, was a result of the premier’s wife Sara withdrawing her opposition to the idea.

Netanyahu’s wife and son Yair have long been known to have significant influence over the prime minister’s decision-making.

Sara Netanyahu has also long been reported to hold a grudge over Sa’ar, since his days trying to challenge her husband, when Sa’ar was still in the Likud Party.

Iran’s new president vows to ensure morality police don’t ‘bother’ women

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian holds a press conference in Tehran, on September 16, 2024. (Atta Kenare/AFP)

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian vows to ensure that the morality police will no longer “bother” women, in remarks to the media on the second anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death in custody.

Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd, died in police custody on September 16, 2022, days after the morality police arrested her in Tehran for an alleged breach of the Islamic republic’s strict dress code for women.

Her death triggered months-long protests across the country, with hundreds of people, including dozens of security personnel, killed in the unrest. Thousands of demonstrators were arrested.

“The morality police were not supposed to confront (women). I will follow up so they don’t bother” them, Pezeshkian says, during his first press conference since he took office in July.

Pezeshkian replaced the ultra-conservative Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in May.

During his election campaign, he had vowed to “fully” oppose police patrols enforcing the mandatory hijab headscarf, as well as easing long-standing internet restrictions.

Iran has over the years tightly controlled internet use, restricting popular social media platforms, such as Facebook and X.

Harsher curbs were enforced following 2019 protests against fuel price hikes and during the wave of demonstrations triggered by Amini’s death.

Pezeshkian says his government was working to ease restrictions online, especially on social media.

PM to Hochstein: Can’t return evacuees without fundamental change in security in north

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) meets with US special envoy Amos Hochstein in Tel Aviv, January 4, 2024. (Prime Minister's Office via X, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told visiting US envoy Amos Hochstein in their meeting earlier today that it would not be possible for Israel to return its 60,00 evacuated residents to their homes in the north “without a fundamental change in the security situation” there, his office says.

Netanyahu “also said that Israel appreciates and respects the support of the United States, but in the end will do what is necessary to maintain its security and to return the residents of the north to their homes safely,” the Israeli readout adds.

US envoy to Gallant: IDF offensive against Hezbollah won’t return northern residents to their homes

US envoy Amos Hochstein (left) meets with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in Tel Aviv on September 16, 2024. (Ariel Hermoni/ Defense Ministry)

Visiting US special envoy Amos Hochstein warned Defense Minister Yoav Gallant during their meeting in Tel Aviv earlier today that a major Israeli offensive against Hezbollah will not lead to the return of the evacuated northern residents to their homes.

Instead, it would raise the risk of a prolonged regional war, a source familiar with the matter tells reporters

Hochstein told Gallant that the US supports a diplomatic solution to Hezbollah tensions, be it through a Gaza ceasefire or another path, the source says.

For his part, Gallant told Hochstein that only military action against Hezbollah will allow Israel to return the tens of thousands of evacuated northern residents to their homes.

Suspect in Trump assassination attempt charged with gun crimes

This screengrab taken from AFPTV on September 16, 2024 shows Ryan Wesley Routh speaking during an interview at a pro-Ukraine rally in 2022 (AFPTV / AFP)

A man suspected of plotting to assassinate former US president Donald Trump has been charged with federal gun crimes.

Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, is charged with possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number at his initial court appearance.

Routh, who was arrested yesterday after an alleged abortive bid to shoot the former president at his West Palm Beach golf course, is expected to face further charges at a later arraignment.

Routh appears calm during the brief court hearing, answering “yes” in a soft voice to several questions from District Judge Ryon McCabe of the Southern District of Florida.

Routh was arrested after a US Secret Service agent noticed the barrel of a rifle pointing out of shrubbery at the Trump International Golf Course.

Agents, who were deployed in a moving security bubble extending about one or two holes ahead of the former president, “engaged” an individual, the US Secret Service’s Rafael Barros said.

Trump was unharmed.

Hostage families warn Sa’ar against joining ‘hostage-abandoning government’

New Hope chair Gideon Sa'ar leads a faction meeting, at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, on July 22, 2024. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

The Hostage Families Forum warns New Hope chair Gideon Sa’ar against joining Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “hostage-abandoning government” amid mounting reports that the right-wing opposition party leader plans to do so.

“Anyone who chooses to continue to serve or join the hostage-abandoning government will forever be a partner in the greatest abdication in the history of the country,” the forum says in a statement.

The hostage families call on the public to join them in a protest tonight outside Sa’ar’s home. “We must stop this reckless and dangerous move before it is too late for the 101 remaining hostages.”

Visiting DC, Lapid urges Sullivan to pull out all the stops to prevent Hezbollah war, free hostages

Opposition leader Yair Lapid meets US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan in Tel Aviv on May 20, 2024 (Elad Guttman)

Speaking with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Washington, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid calls for making every effort to prevent war in the north and to bring home the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

“There are about 60,000 citizens in Israel who have not lived in their homes in the north for almost a year. Hezbollah is destroying a region that had flourished and prospered. It serves Iran and destroys Lebanon and the lives of its citizens,” Lapid says, according to a readout of their conversation released by his spokesman.

“We have given a great deal of time for diplomatic activity, and we are close to the danger of a severe war that will threaten large parts of Israel. Anyone who is able to prevent it must invest every effort in doing so,” he continues.

Turning to the hostages, Lapid argues that “the time for the hostages in the Hamas tunnels is running out. Every hour that passes brings them closer to their deaths. We must bring about a hostage deal.”

Gallant tells Biden envoy military action against Hezbollah needed to return evacuated northern residents

US envoy Amos Hochstein (left) meets with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in Tel Aviv on September 16, 2024. (Ariel Hermoni/ Defense Ministry)

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant tells visiting Biden envoy Amos Hoschstein that only military action against Hezbollah will allow Israel to return the tens of thousands of evacuated northern residents to their homes.

“Gallant emphasized that the possibility for an agreement is running out as Hezbollah continues to ‘tie itself’ to Hamas and refuses to end the conflict. Therefore, the only way left to ensure the return of Israel’s northern communities to their homes will be via military action,” says the Defense Ministry in its readout of their meeting in Tel Aviv.

Security cabinet to huddle tonight after PM wraps up talks on Hezbollah tensions with US envoy

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convenes a security cabinet meeting on July 28, 2024. (Haim Zach/GPO)

The security cabinet will meet tonight at 6:30 p.m. in Tel Aviv, an Israeli official tells The Times of Israel.

The meeting will take place after Netanyahu’s meeting with US special envoy Amos Hochstein on attempts to stop attacks from Hezbollah in Lebanon. It also comes among reports that Netanyahu is close to replacing Defense Minister Yoav Gallant with opposition New Hope leader Gideon Sa’ar.

A separate discussion of the Temple Mount and the situation in the West Bank is expected “in the coming days,” an Israeli official tells The Times of Israel.

PM to sit down with Macron, Modi on UNGA sidelines; meetings with Biden, Harris unlikely — official

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is slated to give his speech at the United Nations on the afternoon of Friday, September 27, an Israeli official tells The Times of Israel.

A significant part of Netanyahu’s speech will focus on the progress Iran has made on its nuclear program and on the Iranian effort to surround Israel with its armed proxies.

Netanyahu is scheduled to meet French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A meeting with US President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris is currently “not expected,” says an Israeli official.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres reached out to arrange a meeting with Netanyahu, says the official, but “it is not going to happen.”

There have been contacts with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about arranging a meeting, says the official.

There is currently no meeting scheduled with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Hamas chief tells Yemen’s Houthis their latest attack sent a message to Israel

Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar says the Houthi attack yesterday sent a message to Israel, in a letter sent to Houthi leader Abdel-Malek al-Houthi, the Houthis’ Al-Massirah TV reports.

IDF says it struck Hezbollah weapons depot, other buildings used by terror group in south Lebanon

Hezbollah weapon depots and other buildings used by the terror group in southern Lebanon were struck by Israeli fighter jets a short while ago, the IDF says.

The strikes were carried out in Tayr Harfa, Odaisseh, Blida, and Kafr Shuba.

The military releases footage of the strikes.

מטוסי קרב תקפו בשעה האחרונה מחסני אמל״ח ומבנים צבאיים של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה במרחבים טיר חרפא, אל עדייסא, בליידא ובכפר שובא שבדרום לבנון.

בהמשך להתרעות שהופעלו בשעה 16:27 במרחב מג׳דל שמס, מדובר בזיהוי שווא. pic.twitter.com/F8Pbt05Aag

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) September 16, 2024

Meanwhile, a barrage of three rockets was launched from Lebanon at the Matat area, setting off sirens in the community. The IDF says the projectiles struck open ground.

A separate barrage of 10 rockets was fired at the Upper Galilee, also all impacting open areas, according to the IDF. Sirens had sounded in Kiryat Shmona and nearby communities.

There are no injuries in the attacks.

Israel yet to receive new hostage deal formula from mediators, official says

Israel still has not received a new formula for a hostage deal from the United States, an Israeli official tells The Times of Israel.

Mossad chief David Barnea was in Qatar last week to try to find a way to make progress in the talks, but currently there are no teams in Doha or Cairo.

The Americans are being cautious and are trying to avoid presenting a proposal that is likely to be rejected, says the Israeli official.

The official says that on the Philadelphi Corridor, Israel is willing to show some flexibility on the deployment and number of troops on the Gaza-Egypt border but will not withdraw fully.

A major focus of Israel’s Gaza campaign moving forward will be destroying the pillars of Hamas’s civil rule in Gaza, especially the distribution of humanitarian aid, which Israel sees as a core component of the terror group’s ability to show that it still controls the lives of Palestinians in the Strip, the Israeli official says.

PM meets with Biden envoy, as chances of Hezbollah escalation grow

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, meets with US Special Envoy Amos Hochstein in Jerusalem, June 17, 2024. (Amos Ben Gershom/GPO)

With Gaza ceasefire talks stuck and chances growing for a significant escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, US special envoy Amos Hochstein meets with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Kirya, the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv, an Israeli official tells The Times of Israel.

Hochstein, who is working to find a diplomatic solution to the fighting over the Israel-Lebanon border, first met with Netanyahu’s staff while the premier was in a separate meeting. Netanyahu then convened a meeting with Hochstein, US Ambassador Jack Lew, and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer.

Israeli economy struggling even more than expected amid grueling war, CBS data finds

Israel’s economy expanded at an even slower pace in the second quarter of the year than initially estimated, as the months-long war with the Hamas terror group continues to take a heavy toll on exports and investments, data by the Central Bureau of Statistics shows.

Gross domestic product (GDP) grew by an annualized 0.7 percent in the April to June period from the previous three months, the statistics bureau says in its second estimate, a downward revision from its initial estimate of 1.2% reported on August 18. The figure is far below economists’ expectations, which ranged from 2.3% to 5% for the quarter.

The Finance Ministry recently lowered its economic growth forecast for this and next year. It now expects the economy to expand by 1.1% in 2024 and 4.4% in 2025. That is down from a previous growth forecast of 1.9% for 2024 and 4.6% for 2025.

Swifties raise $40k for Harris campaign in wake of Trump post hating on star

This combination of pictures created on September 10, 2024 shows (L) American singer and songwriter Taylor Swift performs on stage as part of her Eras Tour in Lisbon on May 24, 2024, and (R) US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris listens to former US president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speak during a presidential debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 10, 2024. (Andre Dias Nobre and Saul Loeb/AFP)

An organization of Taylor Swift fans says they raised more than $40,000 for the Kamala Harris campaign following Donald Trump’s post that he hates the pop megastar.

The Republican hopeful fired a Sunday morning missive on Truth Social saying “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!”, which the “Swifties for Kamala” organization capitalized on to raise money for his Democratic rival.

“As soon as we saw the post, we knew this was an opportunity. Our team was ready to go with lyric response ideas and ways to tie in our calls to donate and volunteer,” says Carly Long, a member of the group’s communications team, in a statement.

“We use the memes to catch people’s attention, and then tell them how to turn that emotion into action. Swifties know that haters gonna hate, but we also know we can do more than just shake, shake, shake.”

The superfans stumping for Kamala Harris are not formally affiliated with the artist who unites them.

They say they’ve now raised more than $207,000 since kicking off their fundraising and outreach efforts less than two months ago.

Biden: Secret Service ‘needs more help’ after apparent Trump assassination bid

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at Harry Reid International Airport to board a plane after a campaign trip, September 14, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

US President Joe Biden says that the US Secret Service needs more personnel to perform its duties after a second apparent assassination attempt against Republican election candidate Donald Trump.

“One thing I want to make clear, the (secret) service needs more help, and I think the Congress should respond to their needs,” Biden tells reporters at the White House.

“I think we may need more personnel.”

Biden adds that “thank God the president’s OK” following Sunday’s incident in which the Secret Service opened fire on a gunman, who was later arrested, at Trump’s golf course in Florida.

Iran president denies providing hypersonic missiles to Yemen’s Houthis

Police near the remains of a ballistic missile fired by the Iran-backed Houthis from Yemen, near Moshav Kfar Daniel, September 15, 2024. (Yossi Aloni/Flash90)

Tehran has not sent hypersonic missiles to Yemen’s Houthis, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says in a televised news conference, a day after the Iran-backed group said a missile it fired at Israel was a hypersonic one.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would inflict a “heavy price” on the Houthis who control northern Yemen, after they reached central Israel with a missile yesterday for the first time.

“It takes a person a week to travel to Yemen [from Iran], how could this missile have gotten there? We don’t have such missiles to provide to Yemen,” Pezeshkian says.

However, last year Iran presented what it described as Tehran’s first domestically made hypersonic ballistic missile, with state media publishing pictures of the missile named “Fattah” at a ceremony.

Pezeshkian also denies that his government transferred any weapons to Russia since he took office in August.

Saudi Arabia plans to allow tougher nuclear oversight by IAEA

Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud speaks to a panel during the World Economic Forum Special Meeting in Riyadh on April 28, 2024. (Fayez Nureldine / AFP)

Saudi Arabia plans to scrap light-touch oversight of its nuclear facilities by the UN atomic watchdog and switch to regular safeguards by the end of this year, the kingdom says, a step the watchdog has long been calling for.

Saudi Arabia has a nascent nuclear program that it wants to expand to eventually include activities like proliferation-sensitive uranium enrichment. It is unclear where its ambitions end, since Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has said for years it will develop nuclear weapons if regional rival Iran does.

Riyadh has yet to fire up its first nuclear reactor, which allows its program to still be monitored under the Small Quantities Protocol (SQP), an agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency that exempts less advanced states from many reporting obligations and inspections.

“The kingdom… has submitted a request to the agency in July 2024 to rescind the Small Quantities Protocol and implement to the full Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement,” Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman tells the IAEA’s annual General Conference, speaking through an interpreter.

“We are currently working with the agency to finalize all necessary subsidiary agreements for the SQP to be effectively rescinded by the end of December of this year.”

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi has been calling on the dozens of states that still have SQPs to amend or rescind them, calling them a “weakness” in the global non-proliferation regime.

“Saudi Arabia’s decision to rescind its Small Quantities Protocol increases (the IAEA)’s ability to verify the peaceful use of nuclear material in the country,” Grossi says on social media platform X, adding he commended Riyadh for the move.

Iran president: If we don’t have missiles, Israel will bomb us, just like in Gaza

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian meets Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, unseen, at the government palace in Baghdad, Iraq, September 11, 2024. (Ahmed Jalil/Pool Photo via AP)

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says that Tehran will never give up on its missile program, as it needs such deterrence for its security in a region where its arch-foe Israel is able to “drop missiles on Gaza every day.”

The Islamic Republic has for years defied Western calls to limit its missile program.

The United States and its allies have more recently accused Iran of transferring ballistic missiles to Russia for its war in Ukraine, imposing fresh sanctions on Moscow and Tehran.

Both countries have denied the claims.

“If we don’t have missiles, they will bomb us whenever they want, just like in Gaza,” Pezeshkian said, referring to the conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.

He reiterates Tehran’s official stance, calling on the international community “to first disarm Israel before making the same demands to Iran.”

Iran could hold direct talks with the United States if Washington proved in practice that it was not hostile to the Islamic Republic, Pezeshkian adds.

State proposes taking more cash, imposing stricter regulations for Dead Sea mineral extraction

Aerial view of hotel complexes in Ein Bokek, at the Dead Sea, in March 2021. (Moshe Shai/Flash90)

A raft of proposals for the next franchise for Dead Sea mineral extraction published by the Finance and Environmental Protection ministries and the Tax Authority include deducting more cash for the state from operating profits, reducing allocated land, charging for the use of water and imposing planning and building and other laws on the company.

The franchise, which dates back to 1961 and runs out in 2030, is currently held by ICL Group, formerly Israel Chemicals Ltd., a subsidiary of the Ofer family’s Israel Corporation, the country’s largest holding company.

According to a media briefing, 53% to 64% of ICL’s total operating profitability comes from the Dead Sea Works, which extract potassium-rich potash, a key ingredient in fertilizers. The company, said the briefing, has seen average operating profits of $690 million to $830 million annually between 2017 and 2023.

Among the proposals unveiled are halving the land in southern Israel earmarked for the franchise, raising the government take from around 35 percent to 50% of operating profits, charging for the use of both salty and fresh water, abolishing government subsidies for keeping water levels stable in evaporation pools adjacent to hotels, and removing the current exemption for certain laws that apply to the rest of Israel.

A joint statement by the Finance and Environmental Protection ministries and the Tax Authority says, “In light of the importance of the area from an economic, tourist and historical point of view, the report places great emphasis on creating a balance between the continued production of essential minerals, which are an important pillar of Israel’s economy, and the need to preserve the special environment of the Dead Sea. The report’s recommendations aim to… ensure sustainable utilization of the Dead Sea’s resources while protecting the area for future generations.”

After clash between settlers and Palestinians, only latter group sees arrests

Settlers attack a school in the Palestinian village of Mu'arrajat East in the Jordan Valley of the West Bank on September 16, 2024. (Sceen capture/X)

Violence breaks out in the southern Jordan Valley area of the West Bank between local Palestinians and Israeli settlers from the region, with one settler and several Palestinians injured.

An Israeli herder from the illegal farming outpost of Zohar’s Farm who was grazing his sheep close to the settlement of Mevo’ot Yeriho reported early in the morning that he was attacked and beaten with clubs by Palestinians from the hamlet of Mu’arrajat East, leaving him with a head injury.

Footage provided by settler activists show the herder with blood running down his hair and face.

According to the IDF, the assailants fled but were pursued by other settlers, who had been alerted to the incident, into Mu’arrajat.

Video footage from the organization Looking the Occupation in the Eyes shows settler activists armed with clubs beating Palestinians inside a school in the village, apparently while looking for the perpetrator of the attack on the Israeli herder.

טרור יהודי במערג׳את, דרום בקעת הירדן. הבוקר שוב חדר עדר מתנחלים לשטח הקהילה. פעילים שהיו במקום חצצו בין בתי הקהילה לבינו. לאחר שעזבו את המקום, חזר המתנחל והתיישב עם העדר ליד בית הספר המקומי. כעשרה מתנחלים נוספים הגיעו לבית הספר במערג׳את, תקפו תלמידים ואת מנהלת בית הספר. המורים… pic.twitter.com/1DSpJK5MUz

— מסתכלים לכיבוש בעיניים (@Mistaclim) September 16, 2024

Looking the Occupation in the Eyes says that pupils, the school principal, and pro-Palestinian Israeli activists were assaulted during the incident by the settlers.

“Upon reports [of the incident], IDF and police forces went to the spot, dealt with the clash, and arrested several suspects at the site,” the IDF says in a statement responding to the incident.

Two Palestinians were arrested in the incident, the IDF says. The police say no Israelis have been arrested yet, but added that an investigation is underway.

Mu’arrajat East is an unauthorized hamlet north of Jericho. Residents have reported a series of violent attacks and harassment by local settlers in recent months.

Sa’ar’s party denies reports of talks with Haredi party heads aimed at smoothing entry into coalition

MK Gideon Sa'ar meets with Haredi supporters after the release of exit poll results of the general election, at Likud party headquarters in Tel Aviv on March 2, 2020. (Gili Yaari/Flash90)

The opposition New Hope party denies media reports that its leader, MK Gideon Sa’ar, has been negotiating with the Knesset’s Haredi parties in order to reach a compromise on the conscription of the ultra-Orthodox community, which would smooth the way for his inclusion in the coalition.

“Contrary to media reports, there were no negotiations on the content of the conscription law between Sa’ar or anyone on his behalf and the ultra-Orthodox parties or any other party,” New Hope says in a statement.

“MK Sa’ar’s position was and remains that any legislation should be based on the needs of the IDF and coordinated with the security establishment,” the statement adds.

The Ynet news site reported earlier that Sa’ar has been discussing supporting a quota-based draft law, which would keep a majority of previously exempt yeshiva students out of the army. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Yuli Edelstein have both expressed opposition to advancing legislation regulating the Haredi draft without wide agreement, including from the opposition.

According to previous reports — which both sides have denied — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering tapping Sa’ar to replace Gallant. Supporting a compromise with the Haredim would make Netanyahu’s life easier, as United Torah Judaism chief Yitzhak Goldknopf has reportedly threatened to vote against the upcoming budget several months from now if the law does not advance, which could force elections.

If the post of defense minister does not pan out, Sa’ar may receive the position of foreign minister while Israel Katz takes over for Gallant, Channel 12 has reported. It also claimed that New Hope MKs Ze’ev Elkin and Sharren Haskel may be offered ministerial portfolios.

Smotrich defends NIS 3.4 billion addition to 2024 budget, says it’s still within target deficit

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attends a Knesset Finance Committee meeting, in Jerusalem, on September 16, 2024. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich pushes back against critics during a Knesset Finance Committee hearing on the amended 2024 state budget, to which the government wishes to add around NIS 3.4 billion ($924 million) in order to help fund evacuated civilians and reserve soldiers until the end of the year.

When the coalition passed the first amendment to the 2024 budget in March, it was assumed “that the war would end by the end of July,” Smotrich says in an explanation of why additional appropriations are currently necessary.

“We are not increasing the deficit. We set a target of a 6.6 percent deficit and we are still within the deficit target. The deficit has increased and will continue to increase for another month, and then it will converge again with the target we defined,” he continues, pushing back at claims that the new spending will increase the deficit and lead to further credit downgrades.

“There is no such thing as the government losing control of its civil spending. The total amount of cash that the state can spend in one budget year is what was approved for it plus surpluses left over from the previous year,” he continues. “Up to this moment, there are revenues of NIS 19 billion more than we predicted. What limits me is not the deficit target, but the spending rule.”

“We will end the year with a deficit that is lower than the target unless a war starts in the north and then we will come here again. You can argue about politics and the war, but you can’t argue about the need to finance the displaced.”

Last week lawmakers passed the first readings of two related bills needed to increase the budget for the second time this year. The legislation increases the state budget to NIS 727.4 billion ($194 billion) while increasing the spending limit to NIS 587.45 billion ($157 billion), an increase of NIS 3.35 billion.

The two bills are currently being debated in the Knesset Finance Committee in preparation for the second and third readings necessary for them to become law.

This legislation has come under criticism from officials within the Finance Ministry as well as members of the opposition.

Sparring with members of the opposition during the hearing, Smotrich claims that the current government is “correcting 30 years of defeat by the Israeli left who fled and retreated and hid behind walls and fences.”

Trial begins for French jihadi with ties to Charlie Hebdo attackers

A court sketch shows French national Peter Cherif, alleged associate of the Kouachi brothers who carried out the attack on Charlie Hebdo in 2015, at his trial before the Paris Special Assize Court, in Paris, September 16, 2024. (Benoit PEYRUCQ / AFP)

PARIS, France — A French jihadist, who was close to the brothers behind the 2015 massacre at the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, is on trial in Paris today.

Peter Cherif, also known as Abou Hamza, was arrested in Djibouti in 2018 after years of allegedly fighting in the ranks of al-Qaeda in the Middle East.

He is being tried for terrorism-related offenses allegedly committed between 2011 and 2018, and the 2011 kidnapping of three French aid workers in Yemen.

In 2015, Cherif was placed on a US blacklist as a member of the Yemen-based terror group al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).

Cherif, 42, was linked to a Paris jihadist cell and was named in the inquiry into the January 2015 attack on satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, due to his regular contact with the perpetrators, brothers Said and Cherif Kouachi.

Twelve people were killed in the massacre that sent shock waves across France.

File: People are evacuated from the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo’s office, in Paris, January 7, 2015. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

Peter Cherif has not been formally charged over the attack but his potential involvement is expected to be at the center of the trial.

Investigating judges believe that he “facilitated the integration into AQAP of one of the Kouachi brothers, most probably Cherif” and that he had knowledge of the plan to carry out an attack in France.

According to several witnesses, AQAP advised foreign fighters in Yemen to return to their countries of origin to stage attacks.

Peter Cherif is also believed to have maintained contact with Cherif Kouachi on his return to France.

He has denied having knowledge of the planned attack.

In 2020, he was called as a witness during a trial over the 2015 attacks and claimed to have had “nothing to do” with the massacre.

According to Sefen Guez Guez, one of his lawyers, Cherif “knows that the Charlie Hebdo trial weighs heavily in the balance but he will come forward with a sincere statement.”

Cherif, who converted to Islam in 2003, faces life in prison if convicted.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.

IDF jets strike Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon; rockets fired at Upper Galilee

Israeli fighter jets struck buildings used by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon’s Houla a short while ago, the IDF says.

The military releases footage of the strikes.

מטוסי קרב תקפו לפני זמן קצר מבנים צבאיים של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה במרחב חולא שבדרום לבנון.

בהמשך להתרעות שהופעלו בשעה 14:19 במרחב הגליל העליון, זוהו מספר שיגורים שחצו משטח לבנון, חלקם יורטו, השאר נפלו בשטחים פתוחים, אין נפגעים pic.twitter.com/MUUjYwAa6Z

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) September 16, 2024

The IDF also says that several rockets were fired from Lebanon at the Upper Galilee around half an hour ago, setting off sirens in the communities of Snir and She’ar Yashuv.

Some of the rockets were intercepted and others struck open areas, according to the military.

There were no injuries in the attack.

90% of Gazan children received first dose of polio vaccine, UNWRA chief says

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Polio vaccination coverage in Gaza has reached 90 percent, the head of the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency says, adding that the next step is to ensure hundreds of thousands of children get a second dose at the end of the month.

“Parties to the conflict have largely respected the different required ‘humanitarian pauses’ showing that when there is a political will, assistance can be provided without disruption. Our next challenge is to provide children with their second dose at the end of September,” he writes on X.

A rare positive story from #Gaza: the 1st. round of the #polio vaccination campaign ended successfully. @UNRWA & partners vaccinated hundreds of thousands of children, reaching 90% vaccination coverage.

Parties to the conflict have largely respected the different required… pic.twitter.com/QjOS7RRmrD

— Philippe Lazzarini (@UNLazzarini) September 16, 2024

Rocket sirens sound in Upper Galilee communities

Incoming rocket sirens are activated in the Upper Galilee communities of She’ar Yashuv and Snir.

צבע אדום (16/09/2024 14:19): שאר ישוב, שניר pic.twitter.com/9bpqRaq968

— צופר – צבע אדום (@tzevaadom_) September 16, 2024

Reports say talks took place last night on bringing Sa’ar into government; he may take FM role

Reports emerge of additional details regarding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans to replace Defense Minister Yoav Gallant by bringing New Hope chair Gideon Sa’ar into the government.

Citing unnamed political sources, Channel 12 reports that talks took place last night on the matter. According to the report, Netanyahu was interested in bringing Sa’ar into the government without using him to replace Gallant.

In addition to Sa’ar’s potential appointment as defense minister, Ze’ev Elkin will be given a ministerial position, the report says.

According to Kan news, other options are also being discussed. Sa’ar may be appointed as foreign minister, while the current top diplomat, Israel Katz, would be appointed as defense minister — indicating that the prime minister is set on firing Gallant.

Gantz slams PM for ‘contemptible political plans’ amid reports he is set to fire Gallant

L-R Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Minister Benny Gantz attend a press conference at the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, December 16, 2023. (Noam Revkin Fenton/Flash90)

Responding to a press report that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing to replace Defense Minister Yoav Gallant with New Hope chairman Gideon Sa’ar, National Unity chairman Benny Gantz slams the premier for playing political games in the middle of a war.

“Instead of the prime minister of Israel dealing with victory over Hamas, the return of the hostages, the war with Hezbollah, and the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes, he is busy with contemptible political plans and the replacement of the defense minister ahead of a massive campaign in the north,” the former war cabinet minister declares.

“This indicates poor judgment and distorted priorities.”

Hostage families respond to reports PM to sack Gallant: ‘This is not the time for musical chairs’

The Hostage and Missing Families Forum responds to reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing to fire Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and replace him with New Hope chair Gideon Sa’ar.

The families note that Sa’ar has said a proposed agreement is tantamount to “surrender” to Hamas and has advocated the use of military pressure to free the hostages, which the forum says has only led to dozens of captives being killed in Gaza.

“Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu, this is not the time for musical chairs or to engage in political survival. It is appropriate that this week when our hostages are languishing in Hamas tunnels, all your time and efforts should be devoted to achieving the goals of the war and returning all the captives home — the living for rehabilitation and the fallen and murdered for a proper burial in their country,” the forum says.

Environmental Protection Ministry to grant millions to repair pest control services in areas affected by war

The Environmental Protection Ministry announces that it will give NIS 7.1 million ($1.89 million) to restore and rehabilitate pest prevention, monitoring, and control systems in northern regional councils and the Tekuma region in the south, due to damage caused by the ongoing war.

The support will allow local authorities to prepare for the return of residents by monitoring and addressing health-related pests such as mosquitoes, sand flies, rodents, flies, and cockroaches to protect public health and the environment.

The proposed financial support for qualifying local authorities will cover additional costs for rehabilitating municipal pest control systems.

The ministry says that environmental hazards that are not addressed efficiently and quickly over time may become a significant source of harm to the health of the environment and humans. These actions aim to reduce the health risks that may arise from unwanted exposure to sanitary pests.

Netanyahu said preparing to fire Gallant, bring Sa’ar into government to replace him; PM’s office, New Hope chief deny report

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant attend vote on the state budget at the Knesset plenum in Jerusalem, March 13, 2024. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing to fire Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and is considering appointing New Hope chairman Gideon Sa’ar as his replacement, national broadcaster Kan reports, citing an official within the Prime Minister’s Bureau.

Following the report, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir tweets that he had been demanding Gallant’s ouster for months “and the time has come to do so immediately.”

Rumors that Netanyahu would replace Gallant have been circulating for months, with Sa’ar denying in July that he had received an offer that would bring him back into the coalition.

In August, Channel 12 reported that alleged discussions aimed at having Sa’ar take over at the Defense Ministry had broken down after the premier’s wife and advisers indicated that they would not trust the hawkish former Likud politician as defense minister.

According to Channel 12, Sa’ar had demanded the defense portfolio but was rebuffed, instead being offered other roles such as foreign or justice minister rather than anything related to national security.

A spokesman for Sa’ar denied the report, telling The Times of Israel at the time that “there were no negotiations so there was no breakdown.”

As trust has dwindled between Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, rumors have begun circulating that the prime minister was prepared to offer the position to Sa’ar, whose New Hope party quit the coalition earlier this year after its leader was denied a spot on the now-defunct war cabinet.

Sa’ar has since harshly criticized the government’s management of the war in Gaza and has said he would be willing to make “concessions” to create a right-wing bloc opposing Netanyahu.

Relations between Gallant and Netanyahu have been tense ever since Netanyahu announced he was firing Gallant in March 2023 over his criticism of the government’s judicial overhaul — before reversing course two weeks later under intense public pressure.

Members of Netanyahu’s cabinet have been calling for Gallant’s termination for months, angered, among other issues, by his opposition to an ultra-Orthodox enlistment bill backed by the government and his public break with the prime minister over a hostage deal and control over the so-called Philadelphi Corridor in Gaza.

In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office says that reports of negotiations with Gideon Sa’ar “are incorrect.”

Sa’ar also denied the report, with a spokesman stating “there is nothing new in this matter.”

PM to hold meeting about Temple Mount after Ben Gvir’s claims of change to status quo — report

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir visits the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, on Tisha B'Av, August 13, 2024. (Courtesy Otzma Yehudit)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to hold a special meeting tomorrow on changes to the status quo on the Temple Mount, in light of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s repeated statements declaring that Jewish prayer is now permitted at the flashpoint holy site in Jerusalem.

According to Hebrew media reports, the meeting is being held at the urging of the security establishment and will be attended by the Defense, Foreign, Justice and Strategic Affairs ministers. National broadcaster Kan reported on Sunday that security officials have warned that changes to the status quo could lead to an escalation in attacks against Israel.

In August, Ben Gvir stood on the Temple Mount and, for the third time in as many months, declared the end to the longstanding status quo governing the contentious Jerusalem holy site. This prompted a quick rebuff from Netanyahu, who reasserted his support for restrictions on Jewish worship at the site where the two Jewish Temples once stood and which is now the home of the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque.

The vague status quo governing the compound allows Muslims to pray and enter with few restrictions, while non-Muslims, including Jews, can visit only during limited time slots via a single gate, with visibly religious Jews only allowed to walk on a predetermined route, closely accompanied by police. While Jews are not officially allowed to pray, police have increasingly tolerated limited prayer.

Under Ben Gvir, Jews, who in years past would have been removed for merely silently mouthing a prayer, have even begun prostrating themselves on the mount. He has also expressed support for a synagogue being placed atop the Temple Mount.

Religious Services Ministry director general Yehudah Avidan stated that “there is absolutely no budget for a synagogue on the Temple Mount” and there has been “no policy change,” Army Radio reported.

Gafni says a proposed unity government was ‘dropped’

Knesset Finance Committee chairman Moshe Gafni tells MKs that there was a proposal on the table for a unity government but it is no longer extant.

Addressing a hearing on amending the 2024 state budget, the senior ultra-Orthodox lawmaker states that “there was a proposal for a unity government [but] it was dropped.”

Responding to relatives of Israelis being held in Gaza demanding that he use his leverage in the coalition to demand a hostage deal as a condition for the government’s continued stability, he replies that he is in favor of an agreement.

His comments come on the heels of a similar remark by Labor and Welfare Committee Chair MK Eichler, who said that the position of their United Torah Judaism party “is a deep commitment to the mitzvah of redeeming captives.”

ח"כ גפני: "היתה הצעה של ממשלת אחדות – היא ירדה מהפרק"@mk_moshe_gafni pic.twitter.com/b9qfkPaEhW

— ערוץ כנסת (@KnessetT) September 16, 2024

Army’s 5th Brigade redeployed in Gaza’s Netzarim Corridor

Troops of the 5th Reserve Infantry Brigade operate in the Netzarim Corridor in central Gaza, in a handout image published September 16, 2024. (Israel Defense Forces)

The IDF’s 5th Brigade has been redeployed to the Netzarim Corridor area in the central Gaza Strip, the military announces.

The reserve infantry brigade will operate under the 252nd Division, which has been carrying out operations against Hamas and working to expand the corridor in recent months.

Drone fired from Lebanon hits open area in Upper Galilee, sparking fire

A drone launched from Lebanon struck an open area in the Upper Galilee a short while ago, the IDF says.

Firefighters are working to extinguish a blaze sparked by the drone. There are no injuries.

Hostage families call on IDF chief to allow hostage photos to be displayed on bases

Protesters gather on Tel Aviv's Begin Street near the IDF headquarters to call for a deal to free hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, September 8, 2024. (Pro-Democracy Movement/Danor Aharon)

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum appeals to IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi to ensure that photos of captives held in Gaza are posted at every base, after claiming to discover that such images and expressions of solidarity with them are forbidden.

In addition to an absence of photos on bases, the forum says that “the IDF forbids its soldiers, officers, and commanders to wear the [yellow] hostage ribbon on the lapel of the uniform, like other symbols they carry,” the families say.

The forum says that the IDF must remember its responsibility in failing to protect citizens on October 7, when Hamas-led terrorists massacred and abducted those under its protection, adding, “It is reasonable that every soldier and commander is presented with the face and picture of all 101 hostages.”

Health Ministry revokes license of doctor convicted of sex offenses

File: Dr. Roi Babila recounts the experience of identifying 39 bodies in the Mount Meron disaster, in an interview on May 2, 2021. (Screen capture: Ynet)

The Health Ministry says it has permanently revoked the medical license of Roi Babila, a former Magen David Adom (MDA) staffer, after he was convicted of serious sexual offenses committed against several women. Most of the victims were minors.

Babila was sentenced to a 32-month jail sentence in December 2023.

An undercover investigation, conducted by the police’s Lahav 433 criminal investigation unit and the National Headquarters for the Protection of Children, collected evidence linking Babila to establishing contact with dozens of minors aged 12-16 through Instagram, according to Maariv.

A complaint was filed against Babila by the Health Ministry’s disciplinary prosecutor in November 2023, immediately following his conviction in court.

The ministry says it has a “zero-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment and assault,” and it has recently intensified the penalties imposed on offenders.

The ministry also encourages anyone who has been sexually harassed or assaulted to contact its Division of Public Complaints for Medical Professions.

Three Israelis charged with terrorism offenses for attacks on West Bank Palestinians

Palestinians inspect a damaged car after settlers threw stones at it earlier this morning at the Awarta checkpoint, south of the West Bank city of Nablus, on August 9, 2024. (Nasser Ishtayeh/Flash90)

Three Israelis — one adult and two minors — are indicted for conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism over an incident in which they violently attacked Palestinians in their cars in the northern West Bank in August, following a joint investigation by the Shin Bet security service and Israel Police.

Acts of terrorism of this kind are punishable by up to 14 years in prison under the 2016 Law for the Fight Against Terrorism.

The attacks took place in the early hours of August 9, between midnight and four o’clock in the morning in the area close to the Palestinian villages of Burin and Awarta in the northern West Bank.

According to the indictment, the three suspects set out from the settlement of Itamar to attack Palestinians after an associate of theirs told them he had been attacked by Palestinians on a nearby road.

The three suspects — an 18-year old from Bat Yam, and two 17-year-olds from the settlement of Elon Moreh and the Jewish neighborhood of Hebron — then set out in their own car to find Palestinians to attack.

They blockaded one of the entrances to Burin and, when a Palestinian-owned car stopped, exited their vehicle and attacked the Palestinian car, with the driver and another passenger sitting inside, smashing the windows and windscreens with metal baseball bats and throwing rocks at the car as the driver fled the scene.

They then drove towards Awarta and forced another Palestinian car to stop, and once again smashed the windows and windscreens of that vehicle, and struck the driver with a baseball bat.

All three suspects are charged with conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism, as well as aggravated assault, intentionally damaging a vehicle, and stone throwing, all of which were done with “nationalistic or ideological motives with intent to arouse fear and panic among the public,” among other offenses.

“The security forces will continue to thwart and prevent terrorism of all kinds, in all sectors. More arrests are expected in the coming days,” say the Shin Bet and police in a joint statement.

There has been a significant increase in settler attacks against Palestinian civilians since October 7. In August, two extremist residents of the illegal outpost of Givat Ronen, just north of Awarta, were indicted on terrorism charges for a violent attack against Arab Israelis.

Last Wednesday, olive groves belonging to Palestinians in the town of Burin, a few kilometers northwest of Awarta and close to the radical settlement of Yitzhar, were set on fire.

Man shot dead in Rahat, bumping 2024 Arab crime wave toll to 170

A 50-year-old man has been shot in the Bedouin city of Rahat, medics say, marking the latest victim of the ongoing crime wave in the Arab community.

Paramedics who arrived on the scene found the man unconscious and without signs of life, according to a Magen David Adom ambulance service statement.

The medics declared him dead at the scene, MDA says.

According to the Abraham Initiatives nonprofit, 170 members of the Arab community have been killed in homicides since the beginning of 2024.

Health minister defends medical care for terrorists, saying some later assisted with hostage rescue and recovery missions

Health Minister Uriel Buso defends the provision of medical care to captured Gazan terrorists, saying that some have assisted IDF troops on the ground during missions to bring back hostages.

“At the end of the day, the system has to treat everyone who comes under its auspices. A doctor that has been in the health system for 30 years explained to me that terrorists whose condition had stabilized were brought in for questioning, and [with that information] we knew how to save lives,” Buso tells the Yedioth Ahronoth Health Conference.

“Some of those terrorists treated in the system entered with [troops] into Gaza, into tunnels,” in the search for hostages, he says.

He adds, “We take them for treatment in order to stabilize them, not to give them a massage.”

Earlier in the year, the Shin Bet published an image of an operation to recover the bodies of five slain hostages from the Gaza Strip, showing a detained Palestinian aiding members of the security agency to locate the tunnel where the remains were held.

Emanuel Fabian contributed to this report.

US ambassador: ‘We don’t know what Hamas is willing to accept’ in hostage talks

US Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew (left) speaks over video chat at the Haaretz Security Conference, September 16, 2024. (YouTube video screenshot: used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

US Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew discusses efforts to reach a hostage-ceasefire deal with Hamas at the annual Haaretz Security Conference.

“We don’t know what Hamas is willing to accept,” he says, adding mediators in talks — the US, Egypt, Qatar — along with Israel are trying “to bring together as close as we can one position in the end so we can force a decision by Hamas,” he says.

Lew adds that the Israeli government has indicated it can be flexible on certain issues, without elaborating.

Houthis claim to down US drone over Yemen

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Yemen’s Houthis downed a US MQ-9 drone in Dhamar province, the Iran-aligned group’s military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, says.

97 civilian teams in north equipped with 9,000 assault rifles

IWI Arad assault rifles provided to civilian defense squads in northern Israel, September 16, 2024. (Defense Ministry)

The Defense Ministry and military have finished equipping civilian defense squads in 97 communities near the northern border as part of a project to reinforce the teams.

Some 9,000 IWI Arad assault rifles purchased for NIS 50 million ($13 million) have been distributed to the communities, in addition to the 5,000 weapons purchased at the beginning of the ongoing war, the Defense Ministry says in a statement.

Defense Ministry Director General Eyal Zamir says the purchase is part of the ongoing project to “strengthen civilian defense squads that fought bravely on October 7.”

Underequipped civilian teams in the south defended their communities alone for hours when Hamas terrorists launched their massacre before security forces arrived, leading the Defense Ministry to launch a project to boost such squads.

“After we reequipped communities near the Gaza border, we are now completing the reequipment of 100 civilian defense squads in the north with weapons, including the Arad — an advanced weapon developed in Israel,” Zamir says.

FM Katz sends best wishes to Trump, pans political violence after apparent assassination attempt

Foreign Minister Israel Katz expresses his best wishes for US presidential candidate Donald Trump, following an apparent assassination attempt against the Republican on Sunday, the second in two months.

“Israel is deeply grateful for President Trump’s contributions to the security and prosperity of our nation, and we pray for his health and well-being,” Katz tweets.

“We must strongly condemn any attempts to impose political views through threats and violence — political violence must never undermine the American people’s right to freely and democratically choose their path.”

The people of Israel send their best wishes to the 45th President of the United States, @realDonaldTrump, following the despicable second assassination attempt on his life recently.

Israel is deeply grateful for President Trump’s contributions to the security and prosperity of…

— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) September 16, 2024

Lapid set to meet Blinken, top Biden aide in Washington

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid is slated to meet with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Monday morning in Washington, DC, his office announced in a statement.

The meeting will be followed in the afternoon by one with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and another with Lindsay Graham and other Republican senators.

Gallant tells US counterpart time passing for deal with Hezbollah, ‘direction is clear’

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant tells US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin the time for a diplomatic solution to clashes with Hezbollah on the northern border is passing.

In a phone conversation overnight, Gallant tells Austin that “the possibility of a settlement in the north is passing. Hezbollah continues to tie itself to Hamas — the direction is clear,” the defense minister’s office says.

In addition to Israel’s duty to enable its residents to return safely to their homes in the north, the two also discussed efforts to bring home the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

Rocket sirens sound in northern community

Incoming rocket sirens activate in the northern community of Kfar Giladi.

Some minutes earlier, rocket sirens also sounded in the northern town of Metula.

צבע אדום (16/09/2024 07:17): כפר גלעדי pic.twitter.com/0G8dSO7kpK

— צופר – צבע אדום (@tzevaadom_) September 16, 2024

Israeli actor wears hostage pin at Emmys; Bridgerton star wears red pin for ceasefire

Israeli actor Ido Samuel wears a yellow pin in solidarity with hostages held in Gaza as he attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images/AFP)

Israeli actor Ido Samuel, who stars in “We Were the Lucky Ones,” wears a yellow pin in solidarity with hostages held by Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles.

The breakout star from Netflix’s most recent season of “Bridgerton,” Nicola Coughlan adds an Artists4Ceasefire red pin to her glittering off-the-shoulder gown. Coughlan has been outspoken in supporting Palestinians and calling for a ceasefire.

‘Bridgerton’ actress Nicola Coughlan wears a red pin calling for a ceasefire in Gaza in the press room during the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images/AFP)

Actors across the award season have been wearing the Artists4Ceasefire red pin with a hand holding a heart to demand a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the Israeli hostages.

Meanwhile, Japan-set historical epic “Shogun” smashes all-time records and is named best drama at the awards, as “Hacks” and “Baby Reindeer” rack up big wins at the glitzy gala in Los Angeles.

“Shogun,” the tale of warring dynasties in feudal Japan, ends the night with an astounding 18 statuettes, becoming the first ever non-English-language winner of the highly coveted award for best drama series.

The previous record for any season of a television show was 13.

Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada (C), along with cast and crew, accept the Outstanding Drama Series award for ‘Shogun’ onstage during the 76th Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles on September 15, 2024. (VALERIE MACON / AFP)

“It was an East-meets-West dream project, with respect,” says veteran leading man Hiroyuki Sanada, who becomes the first Japanese actor to win an Emmy.

Anna Sawai follows him onto the Emmys stage minutes later with a best actress win, before the cast and producers of “Shogun” return for the overall best drama award.

The series from Disney-owned FX, based on James Clavell’s historical fiction, had led the nominations with 25 overall.

Shot in Canada, it features a primarily Japanese cast and subtitles.

Showrunner Justin Marks thanks producers for commissioning “a very expensive, subtitled, Japanese period piece, whose central climax revolves around a poetry competition.”

“Shogun is a show about translation — not what is lost, but what is found when you do safety meetings in two languages, and you learn not to walk on tatami mats with your utility boots,” he says

It also wins the Emmy for best directing of a drama series, in addition to the 14 won in minor categories at a separate gala last weekend.

US police probes antisemitic attack on Michigan man by mob who asked if he’s Jewish

Police in the US state of Michigan are probing an antisemitic attack in which a Jewish student was asked whether he was Jewish and was then attacked after answering affirmatively.

The Ann Arbor Police Department says the incident happened on Hill Street and South Forest Avenue at 12:45 a.m. local time on Sunday — a day ago.

“The 19-year-old male victim reported he was walking when a group of unknown males behind him asked if he was Jewish,” a police statement says. “When the victim replied yes, the group of males proceeded to assault him. The suspects fled the area on foot.”

The victim was lightly hurt and did not require hospitalization.

Ethnic Intimidation Investigation pic.twitter.com/nfY8SgPu9N

— Ann Arbor Police (@A2Police) September 16, 2024

The Ann Arbor Police chief, Andre Anderson, says in a statement: “I have communicated with the University of Michigan, and our goal is to discuss safety over the next few weeks. There is absolutely no place for hate or ethnic intimidation in the City of Ann Arbor. Our department stands against antisemitism and all acts of bias-motivated crimes. We are committed to vigorously investigat[ing] this and other hate-motivated incidents and will work with the County Prosecutor’s office to aggressively prosecute those who are responsible.”

Michigan Hillel CEO Davey Rosen says in a statement: “In hard times, we at Michigan Hillel draw strength from this incredible community — students, parents, alumni, and friends — and that strength powers our pride and joy in being Jewish and, in particular, being Jewish at the University of Michigan.”

Israel-born Shapovalov enjoys Davis Cup redemption, sends Canada into finals

Tennis player Denis Shapovalov of Canada watches for the ball against Brandon Nakashima of the United States in the Men's Singles first round match during Day Two of the ATP Masters 1000 National Bank Open at Stade IGA on August 7, 2024 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Denis Shapovalov lets out a roar of delight as he seals 2022 champions Canada’s place in this year’s Davis Cup finals in tennis, beating Britain’s Dan Evans 6-0, 7-5 — redemption for the last time he faced the same opponents.

Back in 2017, Shapovalov’s wild hitting of a ball in frustration hit the umpire leading to him being defaulted and Britain awarded the tie as a result 3-2.

The 25-year-old makes no such slip-up now, as he wins the opening rubber and ensures the Canadians and not Britain will be joining Argentina as the two countries to progress from the group in Manchester, England.

The Israel-born Shapovalov, who has slipped to 100 in the world having once been as high as 10th, admits having cruised through the first set it was tough to keep the momentum going.

“Very happy to get the win, he’s a tricky opponent and he fights so well,” says Shapovalov who managed to silence the partisan 15,700 crowd.

“He was clawing his way back in the second set. I haven’t played a cleaner first set than that in my life so super happy to get the win. I could feel Dan getting pumped up and the crowd too so I was definitely starting to turn so I was happy to get it done in straights.”

Felix Auger-Aliassime settles the tie for Canada with a 7-6 (10/8), 7-5 win over Jack Draper.

The British win the final doubles to make it 2-1 but it is not enough to guide them into the finals.

Biden says ‘no place for political violence’ in US, works to ensure Trump is protected

US President Joe Biden says he has been briefed about the apparent assassination attempt on Donald Trump, commending the Secret Service work and adding he’s relieved the former president and GOP candidate is unharmed.

“As I have said many times, there is no place for political violence or for any violence ever in our country, and I have directed my team to continue to ensure that Secret Service has every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure the former President’s continued safety,” Biden tweets.

UTJ source accuses Netanyahu of disregarding threat to bring down coalition over draft law

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf, right, arriving for a cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on September 27, 2023. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

The United Torah Judaism party is fuming over what it perceives as an inadequate response by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to its demands, and is assailing the premier over his planned five-day trip abroad next week, Channel 13 news reports.

Despite Netanyahu having reportedly promised UTJ leader and Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf to expedite a planned law facilitating sweeping exemptions for the ultra-Orthodox community from mandatory military service, the Kan public broadcaster has reported such legislation will not be completed by the upcoming Rosh Hashanah holiday.

Goldknopf has threatened to vote against the upcoming budget several months from now if the law does not advance, which could force elections.

Channel 13 quotes an unnamed Goldknopf associate as saying: “The prime minister is taking off next week for a trip with [his wife] Sara to the United States, instead of working to ensure we don’t go to elections. It’s clear the prime minister doesn’t really think the threat [to vote down the budget] is real; he is wrong.”

Trump’s would-be-assassin previously voted for him, believes Jews have no right to Holy Land

Donald Trump’s would-be-assassin Ryan Wesley Routh’s social media indicates that he voted for Trump in 2016 but was disappointed and later wrote he “will be glad when you [are] gone.”

Social media companies like Meta/Facebook are working quickly to delete the pages of Trump assassin Ryan Wesley Routh.

Thanks to @realjakejacks, who managed to archive his entire Facebook page, we have a record of it.

The page contained posts about recruiting mercenaries for… pic.twitter.com/GiUXowBBko

— Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) September 15, 2024

Routh, 60, shared COVID-19 conspiracy theories and has a history of mental illness. He was also involved in efforts to send people to fight in Ukraine, according to his now-deleted Facebook page.

He also appears to believe Jews have no right to the Holy Land. In December 2023, he shared an ancient map about Jesus’ journeys and wrote: “I am unclear what part of Isreal [sic] the Jews owned based on this historic map; Judea perhaps? It seems to historically all be Palestinian.”

Ryan Wesley Routh Facebook page was taken down
He doesn't think #Israel should exist pic.twitter.com/VhP43Ml8xp

— Kevin (@kevinpost) September 15, 2024

In fact, Judea was an ancient Jewish kingdom, while the name Palestine given to the land by the Romans is unconnected to modern day Palestinians.

Report: Hamas recuperating faster than it’s being dismantled in northern Gaza

Hamas is recovering in Gaza at a greater pace than the IDF is dismantling its military capabilities, particularly in the northern Strip, the Kan public broadcaster reports.

The unsourced report says Israel hasn’t entered parts of northern Gaza for months, and the Palestinian terror group has been using this time to regroup and prepare for the “next phase of the war.”

This is reportedly the main reason for the recent increase in Israeli airstrikes targeting Hamas command centers in northern Gaza.

Netanyahu ‘shocked’ by new hit attempt on Trump, says ‘we should not rely on luck’

Former US president Donald Trump (left) hosts Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago resort, Florida, July 26, 2024 (Amos Ben Gershom/GPO)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweets that he and his wife “were shocked by the second assassination attempt against” former US president Donald Trump at the latter’s golf course in Florida.

The Netanyahus are “relieved to hear that it too failed,” they say, “But we should not rely on luck.”

“We send our best wishes to Donald and Melania along with our hopes that all measures will be taken to ensure that such deadly attacks on a candidate for the US presidency will be foiled in advance,” the statement adds.

Campaign: For 2nd time in 2 months, ‘evil monster attempted to take the life of President Trump’

Donald Trump’s campaign leaders are crediting the Secret Service with keeping the former US president safe following an apparent assassination attempt in Florida.

In an email sent to staff, senior campaign advisers Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles write: “Today, for the second time in two months, an evil monster attempted to take the life of President Trump.”

“Thankfully, no one was injured at the Golf Course. President Trump and everyone accompanying him are safe thanks to the great work of the United States Secret Service,” they write.

They add that campaign staffers’ safety is “always our top priority” and ask those receiving the email to “remain vigilant” and “observant and maintain a constant level of situational awareness.”

Trump, golf partner heard gunfire mid-game, agents ‘pounced’ on ex-president — report

Fox News host Sean Hannity, a close friend of Donald Trump, says on air that he spoke with both the former US president and the latter’s golf partner, Steve Witkoff, after the incident.

They told Hannity that they had been on the fifth hole and were about to go up to putt when they heard a “pop pop, pop pop.” Within seconds, he says Witkoff recounted, Secret Service agents “pounced on” Trump and “covered him” to protect him.

In the aftermath, Trump checked in with allies, including his vice presidential nominee, JD Vance, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham and several Fox News hosts.

Rocket sirens blare in Upper Galilee

Rocket alerts have sounded in the Upper Galilee towns of Avivim and Yir’on.

There are no immediate reports of impacts or injuries.

Netanyahu once again said threatening to fire Gallant as latter opposes imminent Lebanon attack

In this handout photo, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (R) visit an IDF Central Command base, August 1, 2023. (Kobi Gideon/GPO)

Reports indicate that Defense Minister Yoav Gallant opposes a major military operation against Lebanon at this time, as a senior IDF commander is actively pushing for a ground offensive, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appearing, at least outwardly, to back the demand for an operation and even threatening once again to fire his defense minister.

The Kan public broadcaster and Channel 13 news both report that Northern Command chief Ori Gordin is pressuring decision-makers to launch a large-scale attack, while Gallant and IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi are far more reserved.

Gallant reportedly believes now is not the right time and wants to give a chance to efforts to achieve a diplomatic solution in the north and a ceasefire-hostage deal in Gaza.

The two reports diverge, however, regarding Netanyahu’s stance on the matter.

Kan reports that the premier is pushing for an operation in Lebanon, though one that is limited. Furthermore, the outlet quotes an unnamed Netanyahu associate threatening that “if Gallant tries to thwart an operation in the north, he will be replaced.”

Kan says an unnamed “diplomatic official” is denying the report.

But Channel 13 reports that Netanyahu is “keeping his cards close to his chest” and that while he appears to be supporting Gordin’s calls for an imminent offensive, some sources are doubting that this is genuine.

Man who pointed rifle into Trump’s golf club identified as Ryan Wesley Routh

Martin County Sheriff's vehicles surround an SUV on the northbound I-95 in Martin County, Florida, on September 15, 2024, after a gunman fled having apparently attempted to assassinate former US president Donald Trump. (Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP)

The man who US authorities say pointed a rifle with a scope into former president Donald Trump’s golf club and was arrested is Ryan Wesley Routh, three law enforcement officials tell The Associated Press.

The officials identify the suspect to the AP but speak on the condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation.

Secret Service agents shot at the suspect, who was taken into custody after fleeing the scene of what the FBI is calling an apparent attempted assassination of the Republican presidential nominee. Authorities are working to determine a motive.

Gunman was around 400 meters from Trump when he pointed gun at ex-president — sheriff

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw says the gunman who who aimed a gun at Donald Trump’s Florida estate was about 400 to 500 yards (365-460 meters) away from Trump and hidden in shrubbery while the former US president played golf on a nearby hole.

The man had an AK-style rifle with a scope, two backpacks hanging on a fence and a GoPro camera, the sheriff says.

Bradshaw says the backpacks had ceramic tile in them and that the suspect’s belongings are being processed.

FBI says shooting near Trump ‘appears to be an attempted assassination’

The FBI says a shooting near Donald Trump’s golf course “appears to be an attempted assassination” of the Republican US presidential candidate.

“The FBI has responded to West Palm Beach Florida and is investigating what appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump,” it says in a statement.