Netanyahu backs Trump’s warning that Iran is rearming, says 'Iran will not possess nuclear weapons' | LIVE BLOG

Rosh Hashanah: Israel will close the Kerem Shalom terminal on Sunday

Israel will close the Kerem Shalom crossing on Sunday, on the border with the Gaza Strip, for Rosh Hashanah, announced COGAT, the Defense Ministry's agency responsible for civil affairs in the territories. Despite the closure, humanitarian aid already received at the crossing can continue to be collected on the Gaza side during the holiday. Starting the following day, Kerem Shalom will resume its normal operations and continue to function at a steady pace, with hundreds of trucks of aid entering daily to meet the needs identified by the international community.

US officials believe hundreds of IRGC officers are currently in Yemen assisting Houthis to shut down Bab el-Mandeb Strait - report

An Israeli airstrike targeted a vehicle in northern Khan Younis in Gaza, killing one person

IDF destroys Hezbollah's underground infrastructure on the Ali Taher ridge

The IDF said it destroyed more than two kilometers of Hezbollah tunnels beneath southern Lebanon’s Ali al-Taher Ridge, including a command complex and stores of Iranian-made weapons. Israel’s geological institute recorded the controlled demolition as a “seismic event.”

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Netanyahu backs Trump’s warning that Iran is rearming, vows: ‘As long as I am Prime Minister, Iran will not possess nuclear weapons'

Netanyahu backed President Trump’s warning that Iran is attempting to rebuild its nuclear weapons capabilities, pledging: “As long as I am Prime Minister, Iran will not possess nuclear weapons.” He also said Israel is intensifying strikes against Iran’s regional axis in Gaza and Lebanon.

IAEA chief Grossi: Satellite imagery shows construction at Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain site, but 'no concrete info on what may be taking place’

Yemeni government establishes "kill zone" outside Mocha after Houthis seized the strategic port city

‘No damage, no nothing,’ Trump denies reports of damage to US aircraft in recent Iranian strike

IDF kills Hamas Nukhba operative Ismail Kandil, who participated in the Oct. 7 attack and the killing of Col. Yonatan Steinber

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced Thursday that it had killed Ismail Kandil, a member of Hamas's Nukhba Force, earlier this week in a strike in the Khan Younis area of the southern Gaza Strip. According to the army, the terrorist had participated in the October 7 attack on Israeli territory that killed Colonel Yehonatan Steinberg, commander of the Nahal Brigade.

The IDF stated that Kandil had recently been working on planning attacks against Israeli forces and civilians, as well as rebuilding Hamas's capabilities, in repeated violations of the ceasefire. He was killed to eliminate the threat he posed, the army added, stating that its Southern Command forces remain deployed in accordance with the agreement and will continue to act against any immediate threat.

Two Israeli airstrikes on Nabatiyeh El Faouqa, southern Lebanon

Ahmad Tibi promises "unprecedented measures" to prevent Netanyahu from remaining Prime Minister

When asked by Kan about the possibility of a lack of a clear majority after the elections, which would allow Benjamin Netanyahu to remain interim Prime Minister, Ahmad Tibi stated that his party would act to prevent it.

"After the elections, we will take measures that we have never taken before to ensure that Benjamin Netanyahu is not acting prime minister," the MK said.

Algeria severs diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates

Algeria has announced the severing of diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates, according to a statement from the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The reasons for this decision were not immediately specified.

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Herzog visits Cyprus, expresses hope for future trilateral meeting with Lebanon

President Isaac Herzog landed in Cyprus on Thursday for a diplomatic visit, where he was welcomed by President Nikos Christodoulides at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia

The two leaders discussed deepening cooperation and strengthening ties between Israel and Cyprus. Herzog called Christodoulides "a great friend" and praised their "open and frank" dialogue, saying, "my dream is for the President of Israel and the President of Cyprus to meet together with the President of Lebanon here," adding that the region should move toward peace "while making sure that terror is shunned and removed"

Christodoulides welcomed Herzog, saying he looked forward to discussing how to enhance the countries' strategic partnership "at all levels" including tourism, trade, security, energy, and defense, as well as exchanging views on regional developments and working with other like-minded countries "to create conditions of stability, security, and cooperation"

Missing Israeli man, Yaniv Sardal, who entered Palestinian village found alive by Israeli law enforcement

IDF and law enforcement search for missing Israeli man who entered Palestinian village

Pakistan says no military response yet under Mecca pact despite Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia

Pakistan said Thursday there are no discussions underway about a military response under the Mecca agreement despite Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, though it would act under the pact "when time comes"

Foreign ministry spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said at a weekly briefing, "there is no such thing under discussion right now," when asked how Islamabad planned to fulfill its obligations under the joint defense accord signed with Turkey and Saudi Arabia last month

The question came after Iran-backed Houthis struck Saudi cities and energy infrastructure this week, part of an escalation that has become a second theater of war in the region

Pakistan condemned this week's attacks without detailing how it might respond under the defense pact

Iranian-backed Houthis take control of Yemeni Red Sea port city of Mocha, less than 50 miles from the Bab el-Mandeb Strait - report

The Houthis advanced overnight along Yemen’s western coastline near the port city of Mocha, as government forces retreated from the area, despite making advances in the desert areas

White House advisers privately warn Trump that an Iran war could extend throughout the remainder of his presidential term – report

In the Oval Office and Situation Room, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and others have discussed with the president that Tehran could continue to resist, according to The Wall Street Journal

The closed-door discussions come as Trump told reporters Wednesday that the war will end “immediately” after the midterm elections in November “because they can’t hold out any longer

US military aircraft suffered damages in overnight Iranian strike on Jordan – report

Multiple American military aircraft suffered damage in strikes overnight on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, sources told

According to sources who spoke with CBS News, One A-10 Thunderbolt lost a wing, and eight F-15s were lightly damaged

American forces in Jordan launched more than 30 Patriot missiles in defense against the Iranian strikes