Join our Community
Support ToI and remove all ads
Learn more

ISRAEL AT WAR - DAY 568

Amir Bar Shalom

Amir Bar Shalom

An Israeli protester holds a sign with bloody hands and Hebrew writing that reads, 'prison release form,' during a demonstration against a proposed release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office in Jerusalem, July 28, 2013. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
January 22, 2025, 4:13 pm
As terrorists go free, Israel debates keeping enemies close or sending them far away
History shows dangers and possible benefits of setting killers loose in West Bank or Gaza, but also points to risks that come with exiling terror leaders beyond Israel’s reach
By Amir Bar Shalom
Thousands of ultra-Orthodox -- photographed here through a metal fence -- attend a rally against the conscription of Haredi yeshiva students to the military, in Jerusalem's Mea Shearim neighborhood on June 30, 2024. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
November 17, 2024, 3:53 pm
Haredi draft is no longer a mere political issue: The IDF’s readiness depends on it
Over the past year, the outgoing head of the Personnel Directorate devoted most of his time to quiet diplomacy with rabbis in the ultra-Orthodox community. It didn’t work
By Amir Bar Shalom
Commuters drive along a street in Tehran, Iran, October 26, 2024. (Atta Kenare / AFP)
October 27, 2024, 4:22 pm
Israel’s strikes in Iran set the stage for future attacks and a change in US policy
Tehran is assessing the damage from Israeli strikes, possibly hiding that nuclear sites were targeted; the ‘limited’ strikes allow for de-escalation and leave Iran vulnerable
By Amir Bar Shalom and ToI Staff
A Hezbollah supporter holds up portraits of Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, right, and Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, left, during activities to mark the ninth of Ashura, a 10-day ritual commemorating the death of Imam Hussein, in a southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, on September 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
September 28, 2024, 5:10 pm
Nasrallah’s elimination is a direct blow to Iran, and a revival of Israeli deterrence
Deadly strike culminates a relentless IDF assault on Iran’s strategic asset Hezbollah. Israel believes it will hit back, but Khamenei faces a critical dilemma
By Amir Bar Shalom
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah gives a televised address following an attack, largely thwarted by Israel, in retaliation for the killing of Fuad Shukr, August 25, 2024. (Screenshot)
August 27, 2024, 10:13 pm
Why Nasrallah scaled down his Sunday attack, and why Israel had limited its pre-emption
Hezbollah retaliated for Shukr’s assassination while striving to avoid all-out war; Israel, still focused primarily in Gaza, has the same goal, at least for now
By Amir Bar Shalom
IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi meets soldiers in Gaza, August 1, 2024 (IDF Spokesman)
August 6, 2024, 5:06 pm
IDF chief’s multifront battle — to maintain army values, free hostages, tackle Iran
Herzi Halevi is operating beyond full stretch: He couldn’t even get to a meeting to okay the strike on Hezbollah’s top commander, diverting instead to a base under attack at home
By Amir Bar Shalom
Iran's new President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a mourning ceremony commemorating the 7th-century martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Hussein, in Tehran, July 12, 2024. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)
July 16, 2024, 6:06 pm
Pezeshkian courts EU, rules out nukes, but flirts with leaving non-proliferation pact
Iran’s president, the regime’s new ‘reformist’ face, accuses ‘US and its Western allies’ of undermining NPT through sanctions, cites ‘harmful consequences’ of killing Soleimani
By Amir Bar Shalom
Newly elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks during a visit to the shrine of the Islamic Republic's founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in Tehran, Iran, on July 6, 2024. (Atta Kenare/AFP)
July 7, 2024, 7:37 pm
Election of Iran’s Pezeshkian raises prospects of new nuclear talks with the West
For Israel, win for conservative candidate would have led West to up its pressure on Tehran, but newly elected reformist’s offer of negotiations will likely be embraced
By Amir Bar Shalom
Israeli security forces operate in the West Bank city of Jenin, June 6, 2024. (Nasser Ishtayeh/Flash90)
July 5, 2024, 2:07 am
The IED threat: Terrorism in the West Bank is fast becoming more sophisticated, deadly
2 soldiers have been killed recently by explosive devices buried under roads. Data on IED manufacture shows a fast-growing threat. The fear is that civilians will be targeted next
By Amir Bar Shalom
View of a large fire after missiles launched from Lebanon hit open areas near Kadita, in the Galilee area, northern Israel, on June 12, 2024. (Ayal Margolin/Flash90)
June 13, 2024, 3:01 pm
In the north and south, diplomacy has become more decisive than military might
The war against Hamas is petering out, pressuring Israel to find a way to end fighting on its own terms — a maneuver made tricky by narrow constraints within the cabinet
By Amir Bar Shalom
Family and friends of the remaining hostages held in the Gaza Strip launch a blimp calling for their release in Tel Aviv, June 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
June 10, 2024, 1:28 am
Jubilant over the hostage rescue, Netanyahu knows more difficult times lie ahead
Daring Gaza op provided a welcome boost to national morale but is unlikely to mark a turning point, with the fate of the remaining captives in the balance and Hamas obdurate
By Amir Bar Shalom
The Combined Air Operations Center at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, in 2018. (US Air Force/Alexander W. Riedel)
April 16, 2024, 6:32 pm
With attack, Iran breathes life into nascent US-led alliance from Qatar to Israel
Israeli official calls joint air defense operation run out of war room near Doha a real breakthrough, marking first time coalition has actively banded together against Tehran
By Amir Bar Shalom
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei leads Eid al-Fitr prayer marking the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, April 10, 2024. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)
April 11, 2024, 5:14 pm
As Iran vows revenge, Israel worries it could get even by going nuclear
While Israel and US brace for retaliation after a strike on the Revolutionary Guard in Damascus, rhetoric in the Islamic Republic hints that Ayatollah Khamenei may have other ideas
By Amir Bar Shalom
Troops of the 226th Reserve Paratroopers Brigade carry out a drill in northern Israel, in a handout image published January 27, 2024. (Israel Defense Forces)
March 30, 2024, 2:38 pm
While diplomatic efforts go on, IDF is bracing for short but devastating war in Lebanon
As Defense Minister Gallant met with US envoy Amos Hochstein in DC, escalations by Hezbollah cast doubt on notion anything but a military solution will deter the terror group
By Amir Bar Shalom
A soldier stands near the border between southern Israel and the Gaza Strip on January 31, 2024. (JACK GUEZ / AFP)
March 21, 2024, 12:33 pm
On both sides of Gaza’s border, the IDF is remaking security from the (under)ground up
From a buffer zone to attack drones and more troops, the army plans to keep Israel safe by taking a zero-tolerance approach to tunnel building or any other disturbance
By Amir Bar Shalom
Load More
Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community
Paying ToI Community members are invited to comment on articles
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By joining you agree to the terms and conditions
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community
Only ToI Community members can comment below articles
Forgot your password? / Send me a login link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.
Never miss breaking news on Israel
Get notifications to stay updated
You're subscribed
image
Register for free
and continue reading
Registering allows you to manage your newsletters and alerts and helps us improve your experience. It takes just a few seconds.
Already registered? Enter your email to sign in.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. Once registered, you’ll receive our Daily Edition email for free.
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Register
I forgot my password / Send me a sign in link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.