IDF intercepts second Houthi missile in hours
(JNS) — Israeli air defenses intercepted a second missile from Yemen on Thursday, hours after a similar projectile was downed, as the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists ramp up their aerial assault on the Jewish state.
The latest missile was detected shortly before noon, triggering sirens in Jerusalem, the Dead Sea area and surrounding communities. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed that the missile was intercepted and alerts sounded “in accordance with protocol.” No injuries or damage were reported.
Another Houthi missile was intercepted by Israeli aerial defense systems early on Thursday morning. The attack triggered air-raid sirens across central Israel, including in Tel Aviv, sending millions of civilians rushing to bomb shelters around 3 a.m. local time. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.
Netanyahu: ‘Gideon’s Chariots’ will end Gaza war with decisive victory
(JNS) — Hamas terrorists “realize very well the destruction they have brought upon themselves,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Wednesday, speaking at his first press conference since the start of “Operation Gideon’s Chariots” against the terror organization in Gaza.
“Gideon’s Chariots is there in order to complete this war,” he said, noting “huge blows” against Hamas in recent days, including the “probable” death of de facto Hamas leader in Gaza, Mohammed Sinwar.
Southern Israeli cities like Sderot are now shaking “not because of Hamas missiles but the magnitude of IDF fire,” the premier charged, referring to the Israel Defense Forces.
An embattled Netanyahu says ‘Trump plan’ for Gaza emigration is a condition for ending war
(JTA) — Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is taking complete control of Gaza and that he would not end the war there without the implementation of what he called the “Trump plan” to encourage voluntary migration from the territory.
“At the end of this move, all of the territories of the Gaza strip will be under Israeli security control and Hamas will be completely defeated,” he said.
Reporters at the press conference quoted back to Netanyahu previous instances when he had said Israel was on the verge of winning the war. The prime minister refused to give a timeline for the end of the war, saying only, “It won’t take a year and a half, I promise you.”
Netanyahu lauds Israel’s Eurovision star after 2nd-place finish
(JNS) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Wednesday with Israel’s Eurovision star Yuval Rapahel, who took second place in the international song contest on Saturday night, praising her performance.
“You brought so much honor and pride to your country, especially after what you went through,” Netanyahu told Raphael, a survivor of the Hamas massacre at the Nova music festival on Oct. 7, 2023, according to a transcript of the call released by his office. “When you stood there with your hands up [at the end of the song] and said ‘Am Yisrael Chai,’ it moved all of our hearts.”
