Arab Israeli iranian Conflict

[TomSea]

Israel plans to attack the Houthis in Yemen - report

 Israel's fight against the shipment of weapons from Iran to organizations under its protection may reach new districts. Sources from the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida claim that Israel plans to attack targets of Houthi rebels and Hezbollah in Yemen, near the Straits of Bab-el-Mandeb separating the Red Sea from the Gulf of Aden. According to the source, the Mossad and Military Intelligence are monitoring Iran's attempts to deliver weapons, including missiles and drones, which could be used for terrorist attacks against the region's maritime network.

It has also been claimed that some of the drones and missiles were transferred to Iraq in an attempt to mislead the other party, and that the bombings attributed to Israel in the Arab country were intended to prevent the continuation of the route towards Yemen.

The sources confirmed that Israel shared its intelligence with Arab states that have ports in the area, and that they could be targets for attacks. The United States has also been updated on developments in shipping weapons from Iran to the Red Sea region.

Read more at: https://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Israel-plans-to-attack-the-Houthis-in-Yemen-report-599374

More like Israel plans to attack Iranian weapons storage in Yemen from what I understand.

[edpc]

JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military attacked targets near Damascus late Saturday in what it said was a successful effort to thwart an imminent Iranian drone strike on Israel, stepping up an already heightened campaign against Iranian military activity in the region.

The late-night airstrike, which triggered Syrian anti-aircraft fire, appeared to be one of the most intense attacks by Israeli forces in several years of hits on Iranian targets in Syria.

Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, a military spokesman, said Iran's Revolutionary Guards' Al Quds force, working with allied Shiite militias, had been planning to send a number of explosives-laden attack drones into Israel.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/syrian-says-responding-attack-over-204225306.html

[TomSea]

Hezbollah: Two Israeli drones fall near Beirut
By REUTERS
August 25, 2019 03:53


An Israeli drone fell in the southern suburbs of Beirut, dominated by the Iran-backed movement, and a second drone exploded near the ground before dawn on Sunday, a Hezbollah official told Reuters.

The second drone caused damage when it crashed in a neighborhood of the Dahyeh suburbs close to Hezbollah's media center, the official said. Residents said they had heard the sound of an explosion in the suburbs. No further information was immediately available.

Read more at: https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Large-explosion-heard-south-of-Beirut-report-599596

A lot going on. Indeed.

Lebanon's Naharnet:

Blast Rocks Dahiyeh amid Reports of Downed Israeli Drone
by Naharnet Newsdesk 44 minutes ago



A Hizbullah official said early Sunday that an Israeli drone went down over the southern Beirut suburb of Moawwad and another exploded in the air, amid regional tensions between Israel and Iran.

Residents of the Iranian-backed group's stronghold in Dahiyeh reported one large explosion that shook the area early Sunday, triggering a fire. They said the nature of the blast in the Moawwad neighborhood was not immediately clear, but said it might have been caused by an Israeli drone that went down in the area amid Israeli air activity in neighboring Syria.

Read more at: http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/264058-blast-rocks-dahiyeh-amid-reports-of-downed-israeli-drone

So, it is reported.

Jerusalem Post twitter is pretty good for up-to-the-hour news; even if a lot of it is just using conventional news sources like Reuters.
https://twitter.com/Jerusalem_Post

It's unreal and surreal, some of the things that are going on over there, all of the various players in the region.  I try to post current news stories and for that area, it's pretty unreal how things are going. Iraq, Syria and so on, maybe Yemen.

[TomSea]

Temp sticky, Drudge is giving this red letter treatment.

I'm just sorry sometimes if a "big story" is lost among a bunch of stories.

@edpc and all.

[TomSea]

Israel hits Iranian force in Syria to stop 'killer drones' - military
by Reuters
Saturday, 24 August 2019 23:03 GMT

 Drones were to attack northern Israel, military says

* Syrian army says it destroyed most of the Israeli missiles (Adds quotes by Israeli PM and military, background)

JERUSALEM/DAMASCUS, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Israeli aircraft on Saturday struck Iranian forces near Damascus that had been planning to launch "killer drones" at targets in Israel, an Israeli military spokesman said.

"The strike targeted Iranian Quds Force operatives and Shiite militias which were preparing to advance attack plans targeting sites in Israel from within Syria over the last number of days," the military said in a statement.

Read more at: http://news.trust.org/item/20190824224032-sn519

Of all things, Hamas is accused of attacking the PLO offices in Gaza. Another pretty big story.

https://twitter.com/Jerusalem_Post/status/1165613789934510080

And video of the alleged drone in Lebanon, Lebanon, a country that has largely not been involved in this whole thing though of course, Hezbollah are there in a major way:

Hezbollah Watch®
@HezbollahWatch
If this is the case of #Hezbollah successfully shooting down an #Israel|i
🇮🇱
 drone, it's not a surprise. #IRGC & #Houthis have already successfully targeted several US-made drones in Hormuz & #Yemen.

It's expected that HZB would have the same capabilities.

https://twitter.com/HezbollahWatch/status/1165422233520619520

Drudge red lettered these events... earlier, not now, main story still.

Wendy Acho good twitter to follow for events.

Joyce Karam in DC: https://twitter.com/Joyce_Karam

Matthew Brodsky: https://twitter.com/RJBrodsky
Matthew has now gotten some opinion pieces published at Fox News which is pretty interesting.

[Elderberry]

A suicide drone developed by Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards, October 26, 2016 (AFP)

[edpc]

Broken windows are seen on the 11-floor building that houses the media office in a stronghold of the Lebanese Hezbollah group in a southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019.


Overnight in Lebanon, one alleged Israeli drone crashed in Beirut while another exploded, authorities there said, calling it an Israeli act of aggression and violation of Lebanese sovereignty.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2019/08/25/us-iran-tensions-drone-war-underway-israel-aircraft-beirut/2114889001/


That was definitely a message.

[TomSea]

Kochavi: Iran's Qasem Soleimani personally oversaw planned drone attack

Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps's al Quds Force personally oversaw the training, funding and preparation for the drone attack that the IDF thwarted late Saturday night, Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi said on Sunday.

https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Explosions-heard-above-Damascus-599587

So, he's a big wheel over in Iran. I also saw an article saying he dreams of attacking Israel. How they know all of this, I don't know at this point.

Qasem Soleimani won’t give up on his dream to attack Israel - analysis
The confirmation by Israel came moments after Syrian media reported that regime air defenses had been activated against “hostile enemy targets.”
By Anna Ahronheim
August 25, 2019 21:31
https://www.jpost.com/International/An-angry-Qasem-Soleimani-wont-give-up-on-his-dream-to-attack-Israel-599649

And in the meantime, 1 dead, 4 wounded per early reports of a shooting in Jaffa... few details available.
https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Five-wounded-in-shooting-in-Jaffa-599703
This sounds suspicious though, nothing has been reported to tie in to the current unrest and/or state of affairs.

[TomSea]

Israel's Iron Dome intercepts 2 projectiles from Gaza, see video:

https://twitter.com/ConflictsW/status/1165690314050478080

Unconfirmed at CNW is that maybe more sites in Lebanon bombed. Bekaa valley. I don't know how much credence to give that.

https://twitter.com/ConflictsW

[edpc]

Israel 'strikes inside Lebanon' amid rising tensions in region

Israeli jets reportedly struck a Palestinian fighter base in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley early Monday, as the Lebanese president described earlier Israeli drone strikes as a “declaration of war”.

Local officials confirmed three rockets struck a Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine base in the village of Qusaya on the Lebanese border, causing damage but no fatalities.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/israel-strikes-inside-lebanon-amid-190818472.html

[PeteS in CA]

...
Israeli jets reportedly struck a Palestinian fighter base in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley early Monday, as the Lebanese president described earlier Israeli drone strikes as a “declaration of war”.

Local officials confirmed three rockets struck a Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine base in the village of Qusaya on the Lebanese border, causing damage but no fatalities.
...

Poor babies. When Lebanon stops being a haven from which the Arab Palis prepare and base attacks on Israel, Israel will gladly honor Lebanese sovereignty.

[TomSea]

They are also largely hitting Hezbollah in Lebanon, so, Hezbollah are Shi'ites backed by Iran. It happened again last night though, I did not read of any projectiles fired,

They, Israel, lit up a bunch of flares over Lebanon last night... but no weapons of attack.  Check the news.

http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/264136
Naharnet is from Lebanon and I'd say Western friendly. If you ever have the time, read the comments on articles, all sides seem represented.

[TomSea]

I'll say one thing, I don't know why Iran is at such loggerheads with Israel. It must be taught in their religion.

[TomSea]

Hizbullah Says Explosives Found in Beirut Crashed Drone
http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/264137-hizbullah-says-explosives-found-in-beirut-crashed-drone#comment-624399

The sides will be at it again I'd suspect, tonight which is soon over there I'd suspect.

Per earlier:

Israel Fires Flares over Shebaa Farms Sparking Blaze
by Naharnet Newsdesk 22 hours ago


http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/264136

[TomSea]

Report: 2 suicide bombers hit Hamas checkpoints.

2 Suicide bombers tried to hit Hamas checkpoints according to this. Hamas seems pretty radical to begin with. Branches on the same tree as ISIS.. or however it is described.  This is wild, the articles say Hamas freed Islamic radicals in prison. It's amazing they'd be dealing with this, early reporting so far but it is in the press.

Michael Shuval
🏳️‍🌈
@MichaelShuval
The source added that Hamas launched a large-scale arrest campaign among members of militant groups close to ISIS, where investigators concluded that one of the suicide bombers is a member of the extremist groups and was previously arrested by Hamas.
Via @Rushdibbc

Michael Shuval
🏳️‍🌈
@MichaelShuval
 Â· 1h
Two suicide bombers and 3 Hamas policemen were killed tonight in Gaza. A source close to Hamas security forces told the BBC that two suicide bombers detonated explosive belts near Hamas police checkpoints in two different locations. Via @Rushdibbc

From:

https://twitter.com/MichaelShuval/status/1166484156307709953


World

Hamas: 2 explosions hit checkpoints in Gaza Strip
Associated Press / 06:57 AM August 28, 2019

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip  – Hamas officials in the Gaza Strip say two explosions ripped through police checkpoints in Gaza City.

Hamas’ interior ministry said Tuesday that two policemen were killed in the first explosion at a checkpoint in Gaza City. Two passersby were wounded.

Scarcely an hour later, a second blast occurred at a police post across town. It wasn’t immediately clear who was responsible for the attacks.

Read more: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1158346/hamas-2-explosions-hit-checkpoints-in-gaza-strip#ixzz5xqlPCZqh
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook

Hamas Praises ‘Heroic’ Bombers Who Killed Israeli Teenager Near Hiking Spot
https://www.algemeiner.com/2019/08/26/hamas-praises-heroic-bombers-who-killed-israeli-teenager-near-hiking-spot/

Pretty bad, the poor girl Rina got killed over the weekend, handgrenade per most reports, 2 of her family hurt too. I believe they did haul in some suspects.

[TomSea]

Please see 2nd article too:

Middle East drone attacks: Is Israel banking on Iranian response?
A series of weekend air assaults across three different countries raised fears of a regional escalation.
by Linah Alsaafin    28 Aug 2019

Over the past weekend, Israel seemingly upped the ante against its regional arch foe Iran with a succession of attacks against Iranian-backed forces in three countries in the Middle East.

In an apparent escalation that increased fears of a full-fledged conflagration, Israel's aircraft launched an air attack in Syria, while suspected Israeli drones hit targets in Lebanon and Iraq - all within 48 hours.

Israel in recent years has made no secret of its efforts to deter the advancement of Iran's military influence in the region.

More at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/middle-east-drone-attacks-israel-banking-iranian-response-190827173102152.html

 Netanyahu tried to scuttle a potential Trump-Zarif meeting - report
By Tovah Lazaroff   August 29, 2019

Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu attempted to scuttle a potential meeting between US President Donal Trump and Iranian Foreign Minister Javed Zarif, Israel’s Channel 13 and the Axios news site reported on Thursday.

Zarif had made a surprise visit to the G-7 meeting in France, while Trump was in attendance.

Israel feared that French President Emmanuel Macron might facilitate a meeting between Trump and Zarif. A US president has not held a high-level face-to-face meeting with the Iranians for over four decades.

Read more at: https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Netanyahu-tried-to-scuttle-a-potential-Trump-Zarif-meeting-report-600122

I think one could look at the events over there of the past 10 days or so and wonder if Israel might be trying to goad Iran, if I may say so. Interesting times.

[TomSea]

More relevant news:

'Be Careful', Netanyahu Warns Hizbullah, Iran on Lebanon 'Missile Plants'
by Naharnet Newsdesk

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said Israel “will not stand idly by” regarding alleged efforts by Iran and Hizbullah to produce precision-guided missiles in Lebanon, warning them to “be careful.”

“Today we unveiled a part of Iran and Hizbullah’s precision-guided missile project. We are determined to foil it,” Netanyahu said in a tweet on his Arabic-language Twitter account.

“The publication is aimed at clarifying that we will not stand idly by and will not allow our enemies to obtain lethal weapons to be used against us. I told them this week to be cautious about their actions and today I tell them: ‘Be careful,’” the Israeli premier added.

http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/264266-be-careful-netanyahu-warns-hizbullah-iran-on-lebanon-missile-plants

Israel Says Hizbullah, Iran Intensifying Missile Efforts in Lebanon
by Naharnet Newsdesk 10 hours ago



The Israeli army on Thursday accused Iran and Hizbullah of stepping up attempts to build precision-guided missile production facilities in Lebanon, saying these efforts are putting Lebanese civilians in danger.

The announcement comes at a time of rising tensions. In recent days, Israel has struck Iranian targets in Syria and Iraq, and Hizbullah has accused Israel of a drone strike in Lebanon.

Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, a military spokesman, said Thursday that Israel has detected an "intensified" effort by Iran and Hizbullah to establish missile-production facilities in Lebanon. He released the names of four officials, led by an Iranian brigadier general, allegedly leading the effort.

Read more at: http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/264263-israel-says-hizbullah-iran-intensifying-missile-efforts-in-lebanon

Moving to main thread in top part of forum:

[TomSea]

New articles merged, also, the Jerusalem Post has a section "Arab Israeli Conflict" covering this and that does seem to be what we currently have, so I will use it too.
https://www.jpost.com/

I hope it was okay for all here, to change the name of the thread, if not, please feel free to voice your opinion.

Also, there was an article that wasn't posted saying "Hezbollah runs Lebanon", that's said rather routinely, that is unfortunate if so and probably has some truth to it. To think, Lebanon was once seen as a Christian nation.

Anyway, keeping tabs with events.

[TomSea]

Israel police arrest dozens of Druze on their way to Syria
The men were detained at the border crossing with Jordan
By Anna Ahronheim   September 5, 2019


Members of the Druze community holds Syrian and Druze flags as they sit facing Syria, during a rally marking the anniversary of Israel's annexation of the Golan Heights in the Druze village of Majdal Shams. February 14, 2019. . (photo credit: AMMAR AWAD / REUTERS)

Dozens of Druze Israelis were arrested by police at the Sheikh Hussein border crossing near Beit She’an on Thursday, as they attempted to cross into Jordan en route to Damascus to meet with Syrian government officials in violation of Israeli law.

A police statement said the joint Israel Police and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) operation took place over the last few months, carried out both undercover and in the open.

“It became clear that the group of men – Druze from the Galilee and Carmel regions – intended to go to Syria, which is illegal,” police said. “When their intentions became known to authorities, they were warned that their activities are against the law as it would compromise the security of the State and its citizens.”

Read more at: https://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Druze-convoy-arrested-at-Jordanian-border-while-attempting-enter-Syria-600714

Some Druze have honorably served in the IDF. Interesting story.

[TomSea]

This is blockbuster stuff but it is Debka so I will post here.  I've personally thought, Debka wasn't very accurate, we will see.

DEBKAfile Exclusive: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned Lebanon on Wednesday, Sept. 4, that Israel knows about a second, larger Iranian-Hizballah missile factory and is preparing to bomb it.

Pompeo addressed this urgent message directly to Lebanese Foreign Minister Jubran Basil, who is close to Hizballah’s Hassan Nasrallah, instead of through the usual embassy channels. He sent it on the day after the IDF showed reporters detailed evidence of the existence of a factory at Nebi Shait for arming Hizballah’s surface missiles with precision kits.

The Secretary wrote that Israel intelligence is fully apprised that Iran and Hizballah were building another, more substantial factory in Lebanon, to accommodate their main missile upgrade project. They had hoped to use the Nebi Shait plant as window dressing to throw Israel off the scent.

Pompeo directed Lebanon to dismantle this second factory without delay since Israel was in advanced preparations for its destruction. He stressed that Israel would be acting with full American support, whatever the consequences of the operation. Our sources note that the American message did not specify the location of Missile Factory No. 2.

Read more at: https://www.debka.com/pompeo-to-lebanon-get-rid-of-2nd-iranian-missile-factory-or-face-us-backed-israeli-attack/

[TomSea]

Israeli PM Netanyahu sparks anger with vow to annex Jordan Valley
Arab News

JERUSALEM: The United Nations on Tuesday warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that his plan to annex the Jordan Valley in the occupied West Bank if re-elected would have no “international legal effect.”

Netanyahu issued the deeply controversial pledge as he gears up for September 17 elections. He also said Israel would move to annex Israeli settlements throughout the West Bank.

Such moves could effectively kill any remaining hopes for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, long the focus of international diplomacy.

Read more at: https://www.arabnews.com/node/1552661/middle-east

Lots of coverage here, I'm not using Arab News for any kind of point, no one posted this and I saw it there. News story for today everywhere.

Netanyahu whisked offstage at campaign rally after rockets fired from Gaza Strip
Bradford Betz

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was briefly pulled offstage during a campaign rally in southern Israel on Tuesday night after two rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip toward the cities of Ashkelon and Ashdod.

Netanyahu told the audience at the Likud rally in Ashdod to remain calm as security guards led him away and air raid sirens blared. He returned minutes later and continued addressing the crowd.

Israel Defense Forces said both rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system. No injuries were reported and there was no immediate claim of responsibility for the rocket launches.

Read more at: https://www.foxnews.com/world/netanyahu-whisked-away-from-campaign-rally-after-rockets-fire-from-gaza-strip

[/quote]