Israel

Israel is pulling thousands of troops from Gaza as combat focuses on enclave’s main southern city

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Thousands of Israeli soldiers are being shifted out of the Gaza Strip, the military said Monday, in the first significant drawdown of troops since the war began as forces continued to bear down on the main city in the southern half of the enclave.

The number of wounded Israeli soldiers is mounting, representing a hidden cost of war

RAMAT GAN, Israel (AP) — Igor Tudoran spent just 12 hours inside the Gaza Strip before a missile slammed into his tank, leaving him with a life-altering injury.

“Already within the tank, I understood from the condition of my leg that I would lose it. But the question was how much of it will I lose,” he said, seated on a bed in the hospital where he has been treated since he was wounded last month.

Israel launches 28-mln-USD plan to integrate Arab youths into job market

JERUSALEM, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- Israel launched a plan on Wednesday to enhance the integration of young Arab-Israelis into the country's job market, according to a statement issued by the Israeli Ministry for Social Equality.

The plan, named Gap Year, was initiated by the ministry in collaboration with the humanitarian organization Joint to address unemployment and narrow gaps.

Israel uncovers major Hamas command center in Gaza City as cease-fire talks gain momentum

JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military on Wednesday said it had uncovered a major Hamas command center in the heart of Gaza City, inflicting what it described as a serious blow to the Islamic militant group as pressure grows on Israel to scale back its devastating military offensive in the coastal enclave.

The army said it had exposed the center of a vast underground network used by Hamas to move weapons, militants and supplies throughout the Gaza Strip. Israel has said destroying the tunnels is a major objective of the offensive.

In Israel, US defence chief to look to next phase of Gaza war

TEL AVIV, Dec 18 (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in Israel on Monday for talks expected to focus on Israel's eventual end to high intensity war in Gaza and its transition to a more limited, focused conflict, officials say.

For Austin, the trip is a delicate balancing act. He has steadfastly supported Israel's right defend itself following Palestinian militant group Hamas' surprise Oct. 7 attacks. But he has also become increasingly vocal about the plight of civilians in Gaza as Israeli strikes drive up casualties.

In Israel, the US defense secretary is expected to press for a more targeted approach in Gaza

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was expected to press Israel to wind down major combat operations in Gaza on a visit Monday, in the latest test of whether the U.S. can leverage its unwavering support for the offensive to blunt its devastating impact on Palestinian civilians.

In Hamas captivity, an Israeli mother found the strength to survive in her 2 young daughters

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Tantrums, tears, temperature, toilet accidents. These travails of childhood are familiar to any parent. But for Doron Katz Asher, the daily whims of children took on a new, frightening dimension while in Hamas captivity with her two young daughters.

If the girls cried, militants would bang on the door of the room where she was being held. When they were hungry, she didn’t always have anything to feed them. She slept with one eye open, always keeping watch over her daughters.

Israeli armed forces killed 3 hostages by mistake -spokesperson

JERUSALEM Dec 15 (Reuters) - The Israeli military mistakenly killed three hostages being held in Gaza by Hamas during an incident which is "under review", a military spokesperson said on Friday.

The military said the hostages were killed during combat with militants in Gaza and expressed its condolences to the families while saying there would be "full transparency" in the investigation into the incident.

Israel: Hamas claims rocket attack in Jerusalem

JERUSALEM, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Rocket sirens sounded at sunset Friday in Jerusalem and several nearby cities, including Bet Shemesh.

Loud explosions echoed in the center of Jerusalem and Israel's Iron Dome air defense system intercepted the rocket, according to a Xinhua reporter stationed there.

Israeli media reported that the alarms sounded after a long-range rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip. There have been no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

The rocket attack was later claimed by Hamas's armed wing al-Qassam Brigades.

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