Latest news with #occupiedterritories
Sky News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Israel-Iran live: Eight killed in Israel as Iran breaches Iron Dome; Tehran preparing to leave key nuclear treaty
Explained: What is Israel's Iron Dome? Israel's Iron Dome defence system was penetrated overnight as Iran launched renewed airstrikes, with at least eight people killed and nearly 300 injured. Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed to have used a new attack method that caused the multi-layered defence system to target itself. "The initiatives and capabilities used in this operation, despite the comprehensive support of the United States and Western powers and the possession of the most up-to-date and newest defence technology, led to the successful and maximum hitting of the missiles on the targets in the occupied territories," it said. But what is the Iron Dome and how does it work? The Iron Dome is Israel's highly prized air defence system. It uses radar to detect and intercept aerial attacks targeting the country. Mobile launchers and 'battle management centres' It was developed by Israel's state-owned Rafael Advanced Defence Systems with US support. It consists of a series of truck-towed mobile units placed throughout the country. When their radars detect a threat, the information is sent to a "battle management centre" where military personnel analyse it, anticipating its path and impact point, and decide which missile launcher to use to intercept it. Counter missiles are then fired directly at the threat - or near it - so the shrapnel can neutralise it. The dome, known as Kippat Barzel in Hebrew, reacts within a matter of seconds and is manned 24 hours a day. Originally, it was designed to protect cities and strategic sites against missiles with a range of 2.5 to 43 miles, but it is thought to have been expanded. More than 90% effective It has blocked more than 90% of rockets fired towards Israel, with a naval version deployed to protect ships and other assets in 2017. This is at least partly why the number of Israeli deaths in the current fighting with Iran and Hamas has remained relatively low. Soon after it began operating, it became the envy of other militaries. Rafael says it has supplied at least two Iron Dome batteries to the US army, with Ukraine having made a similar request. Saturation point unknown Although extremely effective, it is not perfect. Overnight, a number of cities in Israel were hit by Iranian strikes, leading to several deaths, with more people trapped under the rubble. The dome also has a saturation point at which it would become overwhelmed, but this level is unknown. When fighting between Hamas and Israel broke out on 7 October 2023, 3,000 rockets were fired from Gaza at once. Israel also has medium and long-range defence systems, known as David's Sling, Patriot and Arrow.
Arab News
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Two Palestinians killed in Nablus assault
NABLUS: Israel launched a large-scale military operation on Tuesday in the old city of Nablus in the occupied West Bank, AFP journalists reported, with the army reporting injured troops and two Palestinians 'eliminated.' Dozens of military vehicles entered the city shortly after midnight, an AFP journalist reported, after a curfew had been announced over loudspeakers the day before. Military operations are focused on the old city, a densely populated area bordering a large downtown square where young men and boys gathered to burn tires and throw stones at armored vehicles. The Israeli army said that one soldier was 'moderately injured' and three others 'lightly injured' when two Palestinians attempted to steal a soldier's weapon. Troops opened fire and 'eliminated' both Palestinians, the army said in a statement, using a term the military often uses when killing militants. AFPTV footage showed Israeli soldiers standing in one of the old city's narrow streets, next to the bodies of two civilians. Neither Palestinian medics nor the Israeli army confirmed the two deaths. The Palestinian Red Crescent said on Tuesday that three people were injured from bullet shrapnel, four from 'physical assaults,' and dozens more from tear gas inhalation. It added that many injuries had to be handled within the old city after its ambulances were blocked from entering. Nablus is located in the northern West Bank, a Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967. The territory's north has been the target of a major Israeli military operation dubbed 'Iron Wall' since Jan. 21. On Tuesday, Israeli soldiers entered shops to search them and arrested several people for questioning, according to an AFP correspondent at the scene. The correspondent added that Israeli flags were raised over the roofs of buildings in the Old City that had been turned into temporary bases for Israeli troops. Violence has surged in the West Bank since the start of the Gaza war, triggered by the unprecedented Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. At least 938 Palestinians, including fighters but also many civilians, have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli soldiers or settlers, according to data from the Palestinian Authority.
Asharq Al-Awsat
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Israeli Forces Storm Major West Bank City of Nablus
Israel launched a large-scale military operation on Tuesday in the old city of Nablus in the occupied West Bank, AFP journalists reported, with the army reporting injured troops and two Palestinians "eliminated". Dozens of military vehicles entered the city shortly after midnight, an AFP journalist reported, after a curfew had been announced over loudspeakers the day before. Military operations are focused on the old city, a densely populated area bordering a large downtown square where young men and boys gathered to burn tires and throw stones at armored vehicles. The Israeli army said that one soldier was "moderately injured" and three others "lightly injured" when two Palestinians attempted to steal a soldier's weapon. Troops opened fire and "eliminated" both Palestinians, the army said in a statement, using a term the military often uses when killing gunmen. AFPTV footage showed Israeli soldiers standing in one of the old city's narrow streets, next to the bodies of two civilians. Neither Palestinian medics nor the Israeli army confirmed the two deaths. The Palestinian Red Crescent said on Tuesday that three people were injured from bullet shrapnel, four from "physical assaults", and dozens more from tear gas inhalation. It added that many injuries had to be handled within the old city after its ambulances were blocked from entering. Nablus is located in the northern West Bank, a Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967. The territory's north has been the target of a major Israeli military operation dubbed "Iron Wall" since January 21. On Tuesday, Israeli soldiers entered shops to search them and arrested several people for questioning, according to an AFP correspondent at the scene. The correspondent added that Israeli flags were raised over the roofs of buildings in the Old City that had been turned into temporary bases for Israeli troops. Violence has surged in the West Bank since the start of the Gaza war, triggered by the unprecedented October 7, 2023 attack by the Palestinian movement Hamas on Israel. At least 938 Palestinians, including fighters but also many civilians, have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli soldiers or settlers, according to data from the Palestinian Authority. During the same period, least 35 Israelis, both civilians and soldiers, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military raids, according to official Israeli figures.
Sky News
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Sanctioning of ministers adds to Israel's growing ostracisation over Gaza and West Bank
This is a major step from Britain and a number of other countries against Israel, and one that puts them at odds with Washington. It adds to the growing ostracisation of Israel over its war in Gaza and conduct in the occupied West Bank. Bezalel Smotrich is Israel's far-right finance minister, a Jewish settler and someone who has denied the existence of Palestinians as a people. He has most recently said "not a grain of wheat" should be allowed to enter Gaza, saying it will be "entirely destroyed" and its people should be encouraged to leave in great numbers to go to other countries. Itamar Ben-Gvir, the country's far-right national security minister, was once convicted of supporting a Jewish terrorist organisation and advocated the expulsion of Palestinians from their lands. Their critics will say their sanctioning has been a long time coming, is largely symbolic, and will achieve little. The British government singles out Israel's conduct in the West Bank as grounds for its action against the two men. Extremist Jewish settlers have run rampant across the occupied territories under Benjamin Netanyahu 's government, with 1,900 recorded acts of violence against Palestinians since January last year. The Netanyahu government has approved a record number of new Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Under international law, all settlements on occupied land are illegal. Israel is increasingly isolated over its war in Gaza and actions on the West Bank. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Mr Netanyahu and other senior figures over alleged war crimes. A number of countries and observers have deemed its conduct in Gaza as genocidal. Israel described the sanctions as unacceptable and outrageous. However, critics will wonder why the Israeli prime minister is not sanctioned himself for keeping two such deeply controversial figures in his government. There is, though, a good reason for keeping them. Without them, his fragile coalition would almost certainly fall from power. The price for that though is only increasing.
Al Jazeera
30-05-2025
- General
- Al Jazeera
Ending the 'unjustified violence' in Gaza is a 'US political decision'
Dr Feroze Sidhwa, an American trauma surgeon who has volunteered in Gaza, told the UN Security Council on May 28 that only one country can end the dire medical situation in the occupied territory.
