IDF Thwarted Smuggling of Iranian Explosives from Jordan – Report: The IDF thwarted an attempt to smuggle Iranian-produced explosives from Jordan to Israel in July, the IDF cleared for publication on Sunday, August 27.
At the end of July, the IDF announced that it had thwarted an “unusual” weapons smuggling attempt in the Jordan Valley near Ashdot Yaakov.
It is estimated that the explosives were intended for terrorist organizations in Judea and Samaria. The investigation of the smuggling was assigned to the Shin Bet.
The announcement comes as Israeli officials place a greater focus on Iran’s efforts to aid terrorism and crime in the region. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has recently stated that the wave of terrorist attacks in Judea and Samaria was being “encouraged, directed, and financed by Iran and its affiliates.”
On Thursday, the Shin Bet announced that 4 Arab Israelis from Lod and Kafr Kassem had been arrested and indicted after receiving Iranian-made explosives and ammunition through Hezbollah, which they intended to use for criminal purposes. (JPost / VFI News)
“God, we thank You for shielding Israel from terrorists’ malevolent plans. We are humbly grateful for You, as well as all for our defense forces that act in time to prevent the victimization of innocent Israeli citizens and to apprehend terrorists before they wreak havoc in our country.”
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Netanyahu Warns Hamas to Pay ‘Full Price,’ After Its Leader Threatens War: Hamas and Iran will pay “full price” for their terrorist attacks against Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the cabinet at the start of its weekly meeting, after Hamas senior leader Saleh al-Arouri threatened regional warfare.
“Hamas and other Iranian proxies understand very well that we will fight with all means against their attempts to promote terrorism against us … Whoever tries to harm us, whoever finances, whoever organizes, whoever sends terror against Israel – will pay the full price,” Netanyahu said.
It was a message he had broadcast two weeks ago as well, in the aftermath of two deadly Palestinian terrorist shootings in Judea and Samaria in which three Israelis were murdered. Israel blamed both Iran and Hamas for the attacks, linking the latest wave of terrorism in particular to funding from Iran.
“I would also like to appeal to the citizens of Israel: We are facing waves of terrorism, both internal and external. These are not simple times; these are challenging times. We need to unite our forces against terrorism … I appeal to the Arab public. I appeal to the MKs, local council heads, and opinion-makers, and I tell them – stand together with the government in the joint effort against the criminal organizations” Netanyahu added. (JPost / VFI News)
“God, we thank You for helping our leaders understand the severity of the situation regarding terrorist organizations roaming the Israeli streets and being assisted by foreign entities. We are glad that such terrorist plans are called out in public so that our allies can also be alerted, condemn them, and assist us practically in our fight against terrorism.”
IDF, Palestinians Clash as Explosives Thrown at Judea and Samaria Post: Israeli security forces shot at Palestinian terrorists who hurled explosives at an IDF post near Yabad, in Judea and Samaria, on Monday morning, August 28.
Several suspects who were injured by the gunfire were arrested, with their vehicle confiscated. Israeli forces launched scans of the area in search of suspects who fled the scene, the IDF said.
In total, 16 Palestinian suspects were arrested as part of an overnight raid, the IDF added later on Monday morning.
Elsewhere in Judea and Samaria, Border Police officers arrested three Palestinians who attempted to cross into Israel on Sunday night. One of the suspects was found carrying a knife, Border Police said. The armed suspect, a 32-year-old resident of Bethlehem, was detained ahead of an interrogation. (JPost /VFI News)
“Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.” – Proverbs 14:22
Israel to Have Partial Laser Defenses by Next Year: Israel will have partial laser defenses by this time next year, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems chairman Yuval Steinitz told IDF radio network on Sunday, August 27.
“One year from now – Israel will be the first country to have partial laser protection. In two years there may be complete protection – against missiles, shells, rockets, or anything else. This will protect us both in the South and in the North,” said Steinitz.
This past February, senior Defense Ministry official Brig.-Gen. (res.) Danny Gold said Israel’s air-defense lasers, when fully deployed, will be able to shoot down the drones Iran has been sending Russia to use against Ukraine.
Speaking at an Artificial Intelligence conference he talked about multiple successful tests destroying rockets “with a very sophisticated laser-weapons system… We have done the same for mortars, rockets, and UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles], like the Iranian UAVs they are sending to Ukraine. The same concept of UAV, we can shoot them down.”
In February 2022, then-prime minister Naftali Bennett also proclaimed that Israel’s ability to use lasers had progressed significantly and could be operational much sooner than people had expected. (JPost / VFI News)
“God, we thank You, for always assisting brilliant Israelis in making important discoveries, progressing technologically, and protecting our people with their new-found systems. We pray that all Israeli citizens will be safe and enjoy peace and prosperity in our country due to Your provisions, as well as the hard work of our distinguished citizens.”
Iran Tests Its ‘Electronic Warfare’ Capabilities in New Drills: Iran on Friday, August 25, launched exercises to test its “electronic warfare” capabilities against mock enemy drones, fighter jets, and helicopters, British media reported, citing Iranian state television.
According to the report, units from the Iranian military’s navy, ground and air forces as well as air defenses took part in the drills in the central, largely desert region of the Islamic Republic.
The exercises featured domestically manufactured radars, drones, manned and unmanned fighter jets, micro aerial vehicles, and other military equipment, state TV said.
“The army has the appropriate infrastructure, and we have achieved favorable results in countering threats in today’s world and predicting future threats in this sensitive and complicated arena,” Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, deputy chief of the army’s coordination department, was quoted as having said.
Iran often boasts of its military accomplishments, though it is not always possible to determine with certainty that it is telling the truth about those accomplishments. Previously, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed it had successfully tested a Hormuz 2-type ballistic missile. (INN / VFI News)
“There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.” – Proverbs 21:30
Libyan Foreign Minister Fired After Meeting with Israel, Fleeing Country: Libyan Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush was fired on Monday, August 28, a Libyan government source told British media, after Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said Sunday that he had met her last week in Rome, even though the countries lack formal relations.
The initial suspension notice was signed by Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, who heads Libya’s Government of National Unity. According to media reports, Mangoush left Libya for Turkey early Monday morning.
Israel said the face-to-face conversation facilitated by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani had been pre-arranged, lasted for over an hour, and included a discussion on cooperation in a wide array of arenas including agriculture and water technology.
The report of the meeting sparked anger on the Libyan streets, prompting protests, including against the Foreign Ministry building there.
Libya’s Foreign Ministry said Mangoush had refused a proposed meeting with Israeli representatives and that what had occurred was “an unprepared, casual encounter during a meeting at Italy’s Foreign Affairs Ministry.” The Foreign Ministry also issued a statement stressing its support for the Palestinians and affirming Jerusalem’s status as the capital of a Palestinian state.
Despite the statements by the Libyan government, two senior Libyan government officials told American media that al-Dbeibah knew about the talks between Mangoush and Cohen, and had given the green light for the meeting last month. (JPost / VFI News)
“Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal.” – Psalm 69:4
‘Don’t Erase Us:’ Hundreds of Women Demonstrate Against Haredim in Bnei Brak: Hundreds of left-wing women activists marched in protest in the largely haredi city of Bnei Brak Thursday evening, August 24, against what they called the “erasure of women” due to haredi pressure and influence.
Women’s organizations that announced the march sent out a message that said: “They want to throw us into the back seat of the bus, they demand that our daughters cover up, they fired all the women who were CEOs of government offices, they want us only to be anxious mothers to serving soldiers.”
The left-wing activist organization noted that they concurrently initiated a women’s solidarity conference in Beni Brak. More than 100 ultra-Orthodox, secular, and Arab women attended.
A group of well-known rabbis in Bnei Brak issued a joint call to their followers not to go to the locations of the demonstration, where confrontations could occur. In their letter, the rabbis stated that the purpose of the demonstration was to oppose “the Torah and commandment-observant public, and against the preservation of modesty and holiness.”
“We address this to the entire community, we should not be dragged into a confrontation with them at all. It is the responsibility of each and every one of us not to approach their places of gathering, not to respond to them positively or negatively, and not to be drawn to go near them, and certainly not to argue with them and, God forbid, cause the name of Heaven to be profaned,” the rabbis warned. (INN / VFI News)
History: Israel Wins Gold Medal at World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships: Israel made history on Friday, August 25, as it won its first-ever group all-around gold medal at the 2023 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships taking place in Valencia, Spain.
This is only Israel’s second medal in the event all-time, joining the historic silver medal the squad claimed last year at the global event in Sofia, Bulgaria.
The Israeli team totaled 70.800 points, to hold off the People’s Republic of China, which earned a two-event score of 70.050. Spain took the bronze medal with a total of 68.600.
The Israeli team, which consists of Shani Bakanov, Eliza Banchuk, Adar Friedmann, Romi Paritzki, Ofir Shaham, and Diana Svertsov, earned event scores of 38.150, five hoops, and 32.650, three ribbons and two balls. (INN / VFI News)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
The suggestions, opinions, and scripture references made by VFI News writers and editors are based on the best information received.
