The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/ricky-ben-david/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Mon, 20 Jul 2026 21:56:35 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Ricky Ben-David | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/ricky-ben-david/ 32 32 Built to battle ‘woke’ academia, a new Texas school takes on fresh relevance after Oct. 7 https://www.timesofisrael.com/built-to-battle-woke-academia-a-new-texas-school-takes-on-fresh-relevance-after-oct-7/ Sat, 24 Aug 2024 07:25:10 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3249741 With a notable contingent of Jewish students and faculty, the University of Austin private liberal arts college is about to launch its inaugural undergraduate class

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]]> March 31: Three seriously wounded in terror stabbing at Gan Yavne mall https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-march-31-2024/ Sun, 31 Mar 2024 00:59:46 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3257236 Palestinian suspect reportedly worked at shopping center illegally * Netanyahu undergoes hernia surgery * Israel accused of airstrike near Damascus

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]]> March 28: Israel not getting every weapon it asks for, US military chief says https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-march-28-2024/ Thu, 28 Mar 2024 03:38:18 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3255315&preview=true&preview_id=3255315 High Court orders halt to yeshiva funding from April 1 for students eligible for draft * PM meets with families of IDF soldiers held hostage in Gaza, says Israel won't 'leave anyone behind'

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]]> March 7: CIA chief said in region to try and salvage floundering hostage talks https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-march-7-2024/ Thu, 07 Mar 2024 01:59:35 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3239915 Burns arrives in Doha after spending day in Egypt in last-ditch effort to secure deal by Ramadan * Biden to announce effort to establish Gaza maritime corridor in SOTU address

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]]> March 3: US VP Harris cheered over ‘immediate ceasefire’ call, clarifies she means 6-week truce https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-march-3-2024/ Sun, 03 Mar 2024 01:41:10 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3236865 Gantz arrives in US for high-level talks * Soldier killed fighting in Gaza, bringing ground op toll to 246 * Israel not sending team to Cairo talks as Hamas digs in

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]]> March 2: IDF targets Hezbollah in Lebanon; heavy airstrikes reported in central, south Gaza https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-march-2-2024/ Sat, 02 Mar 2024 01:15:45 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3236343 Three IDF soldiers killed fighting Hamas in Strip * US drops aid into Gaza for the first time * Four-day hostage march finishes in Jerusalem * Gantz heading to DC, irking Netanyahu

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]]> Feb. 10: UNRWA head pleads ignorance after Hamas data center found under agency’s HQ https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-february-10-2024/ Sat, 10 Feb 2024 00:20:09 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3220736 Katz calls for UNRWA head's resignation as army casts doubt on claim UN didn't know * Soldiers deliver oxygen tanks, medical supplies to Khan Younis hospital

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]]> Jan. 23: PM to hostages’ families: Qatar as mediator ‘problematic,’ US could apply more pressure https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-january-23-2024/ Tue, 23 Jan 2024 00:58:13 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3207185 IDF says over 100 Hamas operatives killed in Khan Younis area today, troops find largest underground weapons production site to date * Hezbollah, Iranian ‘asset’ hit in Lebanon

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]]> Jan. 9: White House stresses US doesn’t support Gaza ceasefire: Only benefits Hamas right now https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-january-09-2024/ Tue, 09 Jan 2024 04:28:07 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3196511 Blinken urges statehood for Palestinians, regional integration for Israel * Tank shell caused blast that killed 6 troops * Gallant: Khan Younis op to intensify until Hamas leaders found

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]]> Jan. 4: Three people missing since October 7 determined to be hostage in Gaza https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-january-4-2024/ Thu, 04 Jan 2024 02:04:54 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3192887 Rockets fired at Ashkelon * Jordan hits Iran-linked drug smugglers in Syria * Khameini said to seek 'strategic patience' with US, Israel, avoid escalation

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]]> Jan. 2: IDF ‘at very high level of readiness’ after Hamas leader’s assassination in Beirut https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-january-2-2024/ Tue, 02 Jan 2024 03:14:09 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3191178 Hezbollah vows response to alleged Israeli strike killing Saleh Arouri * Israel does not take responsibility * PM's spokesman: 'Whoever did this has gripe with Hamas' not Hezbollah

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]]> Dec. 23: Thousands rally in Tel Aviv to press government for immediate hostage deal https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-december-23-2023/ Sat, 23 Dec 2023 01:46:40 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3184545 White House says Biden discussed 'phasing' of war with Netanyahu * 5 soldiers killed in Gaza, raising ground op toll to 144 * IDF hits Hezbollah command post in Lebanon

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]]> Dec. 22: Blinken, Gallant discuss ‘active efforts’ to free hostages, deliver more aid to Gaza https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-december-22-2023/ Fri, 22 Dec 2023 01:37:07 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3184048 IDF spokesman says army close to securing ‘full operational control’ in northern Gaza Strip * Soldier killed by Hezbollah rocket, Israel strikes in Lebanon * Ground op toll at 139

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]]> Dec. 19: Biden says Israel must differentiate between Hamas and Palestinian civilians in Gaza https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-december-19-2023/ Tue, 19 Dec 2023 02:59:36 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3181636 3 soldiers killed as Gaza ground op death toll reaches 132 * UNSC Gaza vote again delayed, as diplomats seek language to avoid US veto * Houthis vow to keep up Red Sea attacks

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]]> Dec. 18: US defense chief tells Israel to plan for ‘transitioning to next phase’ of Gaza war https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-december-18-2013/ Mon, 18 Dec 2023 02:41:52 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3180718 Austin says he's not dictating timelines * US-led coalition to counter Houthis * IDF shells Syrian Army outpost after rocket fire * 7 soldiers killed in Gaza; ground op toll at 129

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