MY MOHAWK RACEWAY PREDICTIONS 2025 RD 057 MON APR 14, 2025

    MOHAWK STANDARDBREAD HARNESS RACEWAY 2025 - RESULTS AS OF MON APR-14, 2025 - DAY-057

MOHAWK PICKS
01-7-8-3-5 W-3.00 - 3.00
02-5-6-1-3 W-2.50, P-2.20, 4TH (24-1), SEX-2.90, DD-4.60 - 15.20
03-9-10-6-7 W-4.50, P-2.80, S-2.60, 4TH (10-1), SEX-15.50, STRI-9.90, SSUP-73.20, DD-6.60, P3-7.25 - 137.55
04-6-5-1-0
05-3-1-4-8 W-2.50, S-3.80, 4TH WBP (12-1) - 143.85
06-8-1-6-2 W-3.30, MTRI-11.15, DD-4.10 - 162.40
07-4-10-9-3
08-4-3-5-8 P-3.50 - 165.90
09-7-4-3-2 W-2.70, 4TH (29-1) - 168.60
10-4-5-2-0 MEX-8.20 - 176.80
11-3-8-4-1-0 4TH WBP (3-1)
MOHAWKS TONIGHTS TOTAL $176.80 OVERALL TOTAL $19,777.50

STANS PICKS
01-3-4-7-8-9
02-1-4-5-6-2 4TH WBP (7.2)
03-7-9-10-6-4 4TH WBP (7.2), MSUP-73.25 - 73.25
04-1-6-2-5-3 P-2.70, 4TH WBP (8-1) - 75.95
05-3-1-4-9-10 W-2.50, S-3.80 - 82.25
06-4-8-1-3-10 S-3.00 - 85.25
07-7-4-6-10-1
08-3-9-1-2-8
09-4-7-3-1-8
10-4-2-5-3-1 4TH (13-1)
11-8-1-3-9-4 4TH (16-1), MTRI-44.20, MSUP-143.60, MHI-5-323.15 - $596.20
HI-5 MONEY BEFORE TONIGHT = $FRESH START
STANS TONIGHTS TOTAL $596.20 OVERALL TOTAL $13,621.40

ACTUAL RACE RESULTS
01-7 (1.2)-1 (21-1)-6 (8-1)-9 (23-1) (10-SCR)
02-5 (1.5)-6 (7.2)-2 (32-1)-3 (24-1)
03-9 (6.5)-10 (2-1)-6 (7.2)-7 (10-1)
04-8 (9.2)-6 (6.5)-5 (8-1)-2 (33-1) (4,7-SCR)
05-3 (1.5)-8 (12-1)-4 (18-1)-6 (9-1)
06-8 (3.5)-6 (9.2)-1 (4-1)-5 (23-1)
07-5 (21-1)-2 (55-1)-4 (4.5)-7 (7-1)
08-7 (33-1)-3 (3.2)-9 (32-1)-1 (59-1)
09-7 (1.5)-3 (9-1)-6 (25-1)-2 (29-1)
10-5 (1-1)-4 (6.5)-7 (10-1)-3 (13-1) (6-SCR)
11-1 (3-1)-3 (5.2)-8 (5.2)-9 (16-1)-4 (4-1) (6,7-SCR)

MOHAWK PREDICTIONS)-RECORD 2025
01-194-BIG-$22.00 (FEB 21-6TH) (10-1), $13.60 (MAR 10-10TH) (5-1), $13.50 (FEB 28-11TH) (5-1)    
02-120-BIG-$20.90 (APR 11-1ST) (14-1), $11.20 (FEB 24-10TH (17-1), $09.50 (APR 12-4TH) (12-1)
03-075-BIG-$12.70 (JAN 24-1ST) (20-1), $06.20 (MAR 20-5TH) (11-1), $06.10 (MAR 14-5TH) (9-1)
04-086-BIG-55-1 (FEB 22-10TH), 41-1 (FEB 14-10TH), 28-1 (FEB 24-7TH), 28-1 (FEB 27-1ST)
04-182-W B P-BIG-37-1 (JAN 24-1ST), 37-1 (JAN 04-11TH), 37-1 (MAR 07-10TH), 32-1 (MAR 29-5TH)
S EX-068-BIG-$45.10 (FEB 14-1ST)
M EX-033-BIG-$40.30 (MAR 17-10TH)
S TRI-021-BIG-$75.10 (APR 04-9TH)
M TRI-034-BIG-$149.10 (APR 04-7TH)
S SUP-009-BIG-$202.20 (APR 04-9TH)
M SUP-035-BIG-$2,393.10 (APR 10-8TH)
DD-1,2-08-BIG-$45.50 (FEB 14-2ND)
DD-2,3-12-BIG-$29.10 (FEB 01-3RD)
DD-3,4-07-BIG-$61.10 (JAN 20-4TH)
DD-4,5-01-BIG-$07.80 (JAN 03-5TH)
DD-5,6-06-BIG-$29.40 (FEB 07-6TH)
DD-6,7-08-BIG-$75.10 (FEB 07-7TH)
DD-7,8-10-BIG-$38.20 (FEB 07-8TH)
DD-8,9-05-BIG-$24.90 (FEB 21-9TH)
DD-9,10-04-BIG-$60.10 (MAR 10-10TH)
DD-10,11-01-BIG-$16.20 (JAN 04-11TH)
DD-11,12-00-BIG-$
DD-12,13-00-BIG-$
P3 (1-3)-04-BIG-$23.50 (FEB 01-3RD)
P3 (2-4)-03-BIG-$32.00 (FEB 01-4TH)
P3 (3-5)-00-BIG-$
P3 (4-6)-01-BIG-$06.90 (JAN 03-6TH)
P3 (5-7)-03-BIG-$41.90 (FEB 07-7TH)
P3 (6-8)-04-BIG-$68.50 (FEB 07-8TH)
P3 (7-9)-03-BIG-$17.00 (FEB 21-9TH)
P3 (8-10)-00-BIG-$
P3 (9-11)-00-BIG-$
P3 (10-12)-00-BIG-$
P3 (11-13)-00-BIG-$
P4 (3-6)-00-BIG-$
P4 (4-7)-00-BIG-$
P4 (7-10)-00-BIG-$
P4 (8-11)-00-BIG-$
P5 (1-5)-00-BIG-$
P5 (6-10)-00-BIG-$
P6 (4-9)-00-BIG-$
10TH -P5 (HF)-S-00-BIG-$
10TH -P5 (HF)-M-02-BIG-$1,660.20 (JAN 13-10TH)
11TH -P5 (HF)-S-00-BIG-$
11TH -P5 (HF)-M-01-BIG-$720.10 (MAR 21-11TH)
12TH -P5 (HF)-S-00-BIG-$
12TH -P5 (HF)-M-00-BIG-$
13TH -P5 (HF)-S-00-BIG-$
13TH -P5 (HF)-M-00-BIG-$
5-1+ LONG-(03)-194
5-1+ LONG TOT-(13)-778-24.9%
PICK 4 PLACINGS-24-44
OA PICK 4 PLAC TOT-1,385-2,248-61.6%
TOTAL RACES-(11)-562
TOP 4 PICKS EACH RACE-01-01,02-03,03-03-04-02,05-02,06-03,07-01,08-01,09-03,10-02,11-03,12-00,13-00=24-44-OATOT 1,385-2,248-61.6%


(STANS PREDICTIONS)-RECORD AT MOHAWK 2025
01-140-BIG-$40.00 (APR 10-4TH) (19-1), $39.70 (FEB 03-1ST) (18-1), $39.40 (APR 12-10TH) (18-1)   
02-093-BIG-$27.90 (MAR 06-8TH) (44-1), $24.70 (APR 10-3RD) (35-1), $22.90 (APR 07-4TH) (32-1)
03-063-BIG-$14.90 (MAR 17-7TH) (22-1), $13.60 (APR 03-10TH) (34-1), $12.70 (JAN 24-1ST) (20-1)
04-075-BIG-43-1 (FEB 01-2ND), 42-1 (JAN 11-10TH), 40-1 (JAN 02-10TH), 32-1 (JAN 25-7TH)
04-197-W B P-BIG-93-1 (JAN 25-3RD), 73-1 (APT 05-6TH), 52-1 (FEB 17-8TH), 51-1 (FEB 20-3RD)   
S EX-029-BIG-$115.20 (MAR 07-6TH)
M EX-023-BIG-$84.60 (FEB 24-5TH)
S TRI-006-BIG-$427.40 (FEB 14-2ND)
M TRI-019-BIG-$498.30 (MAR 22-8TH)
S SUP-001-BIG-$31.90 (FEB 17-5TH)
M SUP-026-BIG-$1,120.05 (FEB 08-1ST)
DD-1,2-09-BIG-$29.70 (MAR 21-2ND)
DD-2,3-04-BIG-$24.00 (FEB 24-3RD)
DD-3,4-05-BIG-$40.00 (JAN 09-4TH)
DD-4,5-02-BIG-$12.80 (MAR 21-5TH)
DD-5,6-01-BIG-$68.00 (FEB 14-6TH)
DD-6,7-05-BIG-$67.50 (MAR 07-7TH)
DD-7,8-04-BIG-$16.80 (MAR 14-8TH)
DD-8,9-03-BIG-$13.70 (FEB 28-9TH)
DD-9,10-02-BIG-$79.30 (APR 12-10TH)
DD-10,11-01-BIG-$82.80 (FEB 03-11TH)
DD-11,12-00-BIG-$
DD-12,13-00-BIG-$
P3 (1-3)-01-BIG-$9.80
P3 (2-4)-02-BIG-$12.75 (FEB 10-4TH)
P3 (3-5)-01-BIG-$14.60 (JAN 03-5TH)
P3 (4-6)-00-BIG-$
P3 (5-7)-00-BIG-$
P3 (6-8)-00-BIG-$
P3 (7-9)-01-BIG-$07.80 (MAR 15-9TH)
P3 (8-10)-00-BIG-$
P3 (9-11)-00-BIG-$
P3 (10-12)-00-BIG-$
P3 (11-13)-00-BIG-$
P4 (3-6)-00-BIG-$
P4 (4-7)-00-BIG-$
P4 (7-10)-00-BIG-$
P4 (8-11)-00-BIG-$
P5 (1-5)-00-BIG-$
P5 (6-10)-00-BIG-$
P6 (4-9)-00-BIG-$
10TH -P5 (HF)-S-00-BIG-$
10TH -P5 (HF)-M-02-BIG-$1,660.20 (JAN 13-10TH)
11TH -P5 (HF)-S-00-BIG-$
11TH -P5 (HF)-M-01-BIG-$323.15 (APR 14-11TH)
12TH -P5 (HF)-S-00-BIG-$
12TH -P5 (HF)-M-00-BIG-$
13TH -P5 (HF)-S-00-BIG-$
13TH -P5 (HF)-M-00-BIG-$
5-1+ LONG-(03)-251
5-1+ LONG TOT-(13)-778-32.3%
PICK 4 PLACINGS-28-44
OA PICK 4 PLAC TOT-1,272-2,248-56.6%
TOTAL RACES-(11)-562
TOP 4 PICKS EACH RACE-01-01,02-02,03-04-04-03,05-02,06-02,07-02,08-03,09-02,10-03,11-04,12-00,13-00=28-44-OATOT 1,272-2,248-56.6%

US PENTEGON CHIEF SAYS MILITARY READY TO ENSURE IRAN NEVER GETS A NUCLEAR BOMB.

JEWISH KING JESUS IS COMING AT THE RAPTURE FOR US IN THE CLOUDS-DON'T MISS IT FOR THE WORLD.THE BIBLE TAKEN LITERALLY- WHEN THE PLAIN SENSE MAKES GOOD SENSE-SEEK NO OTHER SENSE-LEST YOU END UP IN NONSENSE.GET SAVED NOW- CALL ON JESUS TODAY.THE ONLY SAVIOR OF THE WHOLE EARTH - NO OTHER. 1 COR 15:23-JESUS THE FIRST FRUITS-CHRISTIANS RAPTURED TO JESUS-FIRST FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT-23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.ROMANS 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.(THE PRE-TRIB RAPTURE)

US PENTEGON CHIEF SAYS MILITARY READY TO ENSURE IRAN NEVER GETS A NUCLEAR BOMB.

INVENTION OF THE ATOMIC BOMB.

2 PETER 3:10-11
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements (NUKES) shall melt with fervent heat,(BLAST) the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.(BUT ITS NO END OF THE WORLD HOGWASH)
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved,(BY NUKES INCLUDING 3 BILLION PEOPLE) what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

NUCLEAR WEAPONS WILL BE USED.

JESUS SHED HIS BLOOD FOR US THAT WE CAN BE SAVED FOREVER.AND DURING WW3 PEOPLES BLOOD WILL BE SHED AS A JUDGEMENT FOR HATING HIM AND ISRAEL.GOD IS NOT MOCKED.

ZEPHANIAH 1:2-3
2  I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD.
3  I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD.

PSALMS 97:3
3 A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.

EZEKIEL 5:15-17
15  So it shall be a reproach and a taunt, an instruction and an astonishment unto the (ARAB/MUSLIM) nations that are round about thee,(ISRAEL) when I shall execute judgments in thee in anger and in fury and in furious rebukes. I the LORD have spoken it.
16  When I shall send upon them the evil arrows of famine, which shall be for their destruction, and which I will send to destroy you: and I will increase the famine upon you, and will break your staff of bread:
17  So will I send upon you famine and evil beasts,(WHEN RUSSIA/MUSLIMS GET DEFEATED THIER BODIES GET EATEN BY BIRDS,ANIMALS IN ISRAEL MIGRATION SEASON) and they shall bereave thee; and pestilence and blood shall pass through thee;(NUKES) and I will bring the sword upon thee. I the LORD have spoken it.

REVELATION 14:18-20
18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.
19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.
20 And the winepress was trodden without the city,(JERUSALEM) and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.(200 MILES) (THE SIZE OF ISRAEL)

ISAIAH 66:15-18
15 For, behold, the LORD will come with fire,(NUKES) and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
16 For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.
17 They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.
18 For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.

ISAIAH 26:21
21 For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity:(GOD/ISRAEL HATE AND BRAKING OF HIS COMMANDMENTS) the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.(WW3,1/2 earths population die - 3 BILLION).

ISAIAH 13:6-13 KJV
6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.
7 Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt:(FROM FRIGHT)
8 And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.
9 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.
11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
12 I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.
13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.

ISAIAH 24:17-23 KJV
17 Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth.
18 And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.
19 The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly.
20 The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.
21 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.
22 And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.
23 Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.

2 TIMOTHY 3:1
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous (DANGEROUS) times shall come.

JOEL 2:3,30

ZECHARIAH 14:12-13
12 And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet,(DISOLVED FROM ATOMIC BOMB) and their eyes shall consume away in their holes,(DISOLVED FROM ATOMIC BOMB) and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.(DISOLVED FROM ATOMIC BOMB)(BECAUSE NUKES HAVE BEEN USED ON ISRAELS ENEMIES)(GOD PROTECTS ISRAEL AND ALWAYS WILL)
13 And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour.(1/2-3 BILLION DIE IN WW3)(THIS IS AN ATOMIC BOMB EFFECT)

EZEKIEL 20:47
47 And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.

ZEPHANIAH 1:18
18 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD'S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.

MALACHI 4:1
1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven;(FROM ATOMIC BOMBS) and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

REVELATION 8:7
7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

REVELATION 9:18
18 By these three was the third part of men killed,(2 BILLION) by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.(ATOMIC BOMBS)(RUSSIA CHINA DESTROYED BY ISRAELS ATOMIC BOMBS)

REVELATION 16:12-16
12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates;(WERE WW3 STARTS IN IRAQ OR SYRIA OR TURKEY) and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon,(SATAN) and out of the mouth of the beast,(WORLD DICTATOR) and out of the mouth of the false prophet.(FALSE POPE)
14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.(WERE 2 BILLION DIE FROM NUKE WAR)
15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

PROOF HALF ON EARTH DIE DURING THE 7 YR TRIBULATION PERIOD (8 BILLION ON EARTH)

REVELATION 6:7-8 (8 BILLION- 2 BILLION = 6 BILLION)
7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse:(CHLORES GREEN) and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth,(2 BILLION) to kill with sword,(WEAPONS) and with hunger,(FAMINE) and with death,(INCURABLE DISEASES) and with the beasts of the earth.(ANIMAL TO HUMAN DISEASE).

REVELATION 9:15,18 (6 BILLION - 2 BILLION = 4 BILLION)
15 And the four(DEMONIC WAR) angels were loosed,
18 By these three was the third part of men killed,(2 BILLION) by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.(NUCLEAR ATOMIC BOMBS)

HALF OF EARTHS POPULATION DIE DURING THE 7 YR TRIBULATION.(THESE VERSES ARE JUDGEMENT SCRIPTURES NOT RAPTURE SCRIPTURES)

LUKE 17:34-37 (8 TOTAL BILLION - 4 BILLION DEAD IN TRIB = 4 BILLION TO JESUS KINGDOM) (HALF DIE DURING THE 7 YR TRIBULATION PERIOD JUST LIKE THE BIBLE SAYS)(GOD DOES NOT LIE)(AND NOTICE MOST DIE IN WAR AND DISEASES-NOT COMETS-ASTEROIDS-QUAKES OR TSUNAMIS)
34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken,(IN WW3 JUDGEMENT) and the other shall be left.(half earths population 4 billion die in the 7 yr trib)
35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken,(IN WW3 JUDGEMENT) and the other left.
36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken,(IN WW3 JUDGEMENT) and the other left.
37 And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.(Christians have new bodies,this is the people against Jerusalem during the 7 yr treaty)(Christians bodies are not being eaten by the birds).THESE ARE JUDGEMENT SCRIPTURES-NOT RAPTURE SCRIPTURES.BECAUSE NOT HALF OF PEOPLE ON EARTH ARE CHRISTIANS.AND THE CONTEXT IN LUKE 17 IS THE 7 YEAR TRIBULATION OR 7 YR TREATY PERIOD.WHICH IS JUDGEMENT ON THE EARTH.NOT 50% RAPTURED TO HEAVEN.

MATTHEW 24:37-42 (THESE ARE JUDGEMENT SCRIPTURES-SURE NOT RAPTURE SCRIPTURES)
37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken,(IN WW3 JUDGEMENT) and the other left.
41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken,(IN WW3 JUDGEMENT) and the other left.
42 Watch therefore:(FOR THE LAST DAYS SIGNS HAPPENING) for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

NAHUM 3:13
13 Behold, your troops are women in your midst. The gates of your land are wide open to your enemies; fire has devoured your bars.

DR DOCTORION-ANGEL OF THE MIDEAST
"The angel showed me that the United Nations shall be broken in pieces because of the crisis in the Middle East. There shall be no more United Nations. The angel with the sickle shall reap the harvest.

US Pentagon chief says military ready to ensure Iran never gets a nuclear bomb-Washington, April 13 (AFP) Apr 13, 2025

The US defense secretary reiterated Sunday that the United States hopes for a diplomatic solution to keep Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, but if that failed the military was ready "to go deep and to go big."US and Iranian diplomats opened indirect talks Saturday in Oman in an effort to resolve Western concerns about Iran's nuclear program.US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Sunday described the first, tentative contacts in Oman as "productive" and "a good step."He told CBS's "Face the Nation" that while President Donald Trump hoped to never have to resort to a military option, "We've shown a capability to go far, to go deep and to go big.""Again, we don't want to do that, but if we have to, we will to prevent the nuclear bomb in Iran's hands."Trump said Wednesday that military action was "absolutely" possible -- in conjunction with Israel -- if the talks in Oman failed."If it requires military, we're going to have military," he told reporters. "Israel will obviously be very much involved in that, be the leader of that."That followed a blunt warning in late March that "if they don't make a deal, there will be bombing."Trump pulled the United States out of an earlier multi-nation nuclear agreement with Iran in 2018, during his first term in the White House.Analysts say Iran may now be just weeks away from producing a deliverable nuclear weapon -- though Tehran denies it is building such arms.

Iran says talks with US to focus solely on nuclear issue, lifting sanctions.

Tehran, April 13 (AFP) Apr 13, 2025-Iran's foreign ministry said Sunday that talks with the United States slated for next weekend would remain "indirect" with Omani mediation, and be focused solely on the nuclear issue and lifting of sanctions.Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff held a first round of talks on Saturday in Muscat, marking the highest-level Iran-US nuclear negotiations since the collapse of a 2015 accord.They agreed to meet again in seven days."Negotiations will continue to be indirect. Oman will remain the mediator, but we are discussing the location of future negotiations," foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said in an interview with state TV.He said the talks would only focus on "the nuclear issue and the lifting of sanctions", and that Iran "will not have any talks with the American side on any other issue".Analysts had said the US would push to include on the agenda discussions over Iran's ballistic missile programme, along with Tehran's support for the "axis of resistance" -- a network of militant groups opposed to Israel.Tehran has, however, maintained it will talk only about its nuclear programme.Donald Trump in 2018 pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers during his first term as US president.He reimposed sweeping economic sanctions against Iran, which continued to adhere to the agreement for a year after Washington's pullout but later began rolling back its own commitments.Iran has consistently denied seeking to acquire nuclear weapons.Saturday's negotiations came weeks after Trump sent a letter to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urging nuclear talks while warning of possible military action if Iran refuses.Iran and the US separately described Saturday's discussions as "constructive".Iran said the talks were held indirectly, with Oman's foreign minister acting as intermediary.The negotiators, Araghchi and Witkoff, spoke directly for "a few minutes" after the talks, Tehran's foreign ministry said.Another round of talks will be held on Saturday, April 19. The official IRNA news agency reported that they would be held in Europe, without elaborating.Asked about the talks, Trump told journalists aboard Air Force One: "I think they're going OK. Nothing matters until you get it done."The process took place in a "friendly atmosphere", Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said.- 'Turning point' -Several Iranian websites that track the unofficial exchange rate reported Sunday a strengthening of the Iranian rial to around 850,000 to the US dollar, from more than one million in recent days.Iran, reeling from Israel's pummelling of its allies Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, is seeking relief from wide-ranging sanctions hobbling its economy.Tehran has agreed to the meetings despite baulking at Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign of ramping up sanctions and repeated military threats.On Sunday, Iranian media largely welcomed the talks as a "decisive turning point" in relations between the longtime foes.Iran's conservative Javan daily praised the US for "not seeking to expand the negotiations to non-nuclear issues".The government-sponsored Iran newspaper described the discussions as "constructive and respectful", quoting Araghchi.Meanwhile, the reformist Shargh newspaper said it was a "decisive turning point" in Iran-US relations.The hardline Kayhan newspaper, which was largely sceptical in the days leading up to the talks, lamented that Iran does not have a "plan B" while there was "no clear prospect for an agreement with Donald Trump."It however lauded the fact that the American side did not bring up "the dismantling of nuclear facilities" and "the possibility of a military attack" during the discussions.Tehran and Washington have had no diplomatic relations since shortly after Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution that toppled the Western-backed shah.Iran has been wary about engaging in talks with the United States, often citing previous experience and undermined trust.

US in hurry for nuclear deal, Iran says after high-stakes talks.

Muscat, Oman, April 13 (AFP) Apr 13, 2025-The United States wants a nuclear agreement "as soon as possible", Iran said after rare talks on Saturday, as US President Donald Trump threatens military action if they fail to reach a deal.The long-term adversaries, who have not had diplomatic relations for more than 40 years, are seeking a new nuclear deal after Trump pulled out of an earlier agreement during his first term in 2018.Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, a seasoned diplomat and key architect of the 2015 deal, and Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff led the delegations in the highest-level Iran-US nuclear talks since the previous accord's collapse.Araghchi, who briefly spoke face-to-face with Witkoff, a real estate magnate, during the otherwise indirect meeting in Oman, said the talks would resume next Saturday."The American side also said that a positive agreement was one that can be reached as soon as possible but that will not be easy and will require a willingness on both sides," Araghchi told Iranian state television."I think we came very close to a basis for negotiation... Neither we nor the other party want fruitless negotiations, discussions for discussions' sake, time wasting or talks that drag on forever," he added.The White House called the discussions "very positive and constructive"."Special Envoy Witkoff's direct communication today was a step forward in achieving a mutually beneficial outcome," it said in a statement.Asked about the talks, Trump told journalists aboard Air Force One: "I think they're going OK. Nothing matters until you get it done."Oman's foreign minister acted as an intermediary in the talks in Muscat, Iran said. The Americans had called for the meetings to be face-to-face.However, the negotiators also spoke directly for "a few minutes", Iran's foreign ministry said. It said the talks were held "in a constructive and mutually respectful atmosphere".The two parties were in "separate halls" and "conveying their views and positions to each other through the Omani foreign minister", Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei posted on X.The process took place in a "friendly atmosphere", Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said.- Witkoff open to 'compromise' -Iran, weakened by Israel's pummelling of its allies Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, is seeking relief from wide-ranging sanctions hobbling its economy.Tehran has agreed to the meetings despite baulking at Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign of ramping up sanctions and repeated military threats.Meanwhile the United States, hand-in-glove with Iran's arch-enemy Israel, wants to stop Tehran from ever getting close to developing a nuclear bomb.There were no visible signs of the high-level meeting at a luxury hotel in Muscat, the same venue where the 2015 agreement was struck when Barack Obama was US president.Witkoff told The Wall Street Journal earlier that the US position starts with demanding that Iran completely dismantle its nuclear programme -- a view held by hardliners around Trump that few expect Iran to accept."That doesn't mean, by the way, that at the margin we're not going to find other ways to find compromise between the two countries," Witkoff told the newspaper."Where our red line will be, there can't be weaponisation of your nuclear capability," he added.The talks were revealed in a surprise announcement by Trump during a White House appearance with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.Hours before the talks began, Trump told reporters: "I want Iran to be a wonderful, great, happy country. But they can't have a nuclear weapon."Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's adviser Ali Shamkhani said Iran sought "a real and fair agreement".Saturday's meetings followed repeated threats of military action by both the United States and Israel."If it requires military, we're going to have military," Trump said Wednesday when asked what would happen if the talks fail.- 'Survival of the regime' -The 2015 deal that Trump abandoned aimed to make it practically impossible for Iran to build an atomic weapon, while at the same time allowing it to pursue a civil nuclear programme.Iran, which insists its nuclear programme is only for civilian purposes, stepped up its activities after Trump withdrew from the agreement.The latest International Atomic Energy Agency report said Iran had an estimated 274.8 kilogrammes of uranium enriched to 60 percent, nearing the weapons grade of 90 percent.Karim Bitar, a Middle East Studies lecturer at Sciences Po university in Paris, said the Iranian government's very survival could be at stake."The one and only priority is the survival of the regime, and ideally, to get some oxygen, some sanctions relief, to get their economy going again, because the regime has become quite unpopular," he told AFP.

Saltzman details Space Force's international partnership strategy at Space Symposium-by Staff Sgt. Emmeline James.

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 14, 2025-Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman gave insights into a new, soon-to-be-released International Partnership Strategy to unify like-minded nations' efforts in the space domain during his keynote at the 40th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, April 9.Saltzman described this strategy as a critical evolution in response to growing threats and rapid technological advancements, declaring space to be "the central nervous system of joint and combined operations."The document will serve as a roadmap for building a "seamless multinational space coalition," with core objectives to empower partners, improve interoperability, and fully integrate allied capabilities."Space superiority is now a prerequisite for battlefield success," Saltzman stated. "Regardless of whether or not you believe space superiority will win the next war; it must be recognized that we will most certainly lose without it."Saltzman noted that space capabilities are integral to global military operations, enabling everything from air superiority to maritime coordination. He cautioned that America's critical advantages, like space, could turn into "strategic vulnerabilities" if not safeguarded.The new strategy prioritizes international integration in three main areas: capitalizing on partner strengths, improving data and system interoperability, and aligning service-level force development across allied nations. It also builds on previous Department of Defense and Space Force international and commercial space initiatives.Saltzman cited examples of successful cooperation, including the Joint Commercial Operations Cell and the increasing involvement of allied nations in ride share satellite programs. He also highlighted the work of Guardians supporting U.S. Southern Command in partnering with Latin American countries for tracking, disaster relief, and countering foreign interference."Spacepower is the ultimate team sport," he said. "The domain is too big, too complex, too dynamic for a single nation to secure alone."Additionally, Saltzman described plans to develop the Objective Force, an ever-evolving document that details the Space Force's future operating environment and outlines investment priorities to global partners and industry."The real power is in sharing it broadly," he said. "It will shape national investment, inform research and development, and provide a starting point for collaboration and innovation."Saltzman also advocated for faster declassification of space intelligence to improve allied coordination and announced plans to embed more international partners into the Space Force's force design processes and exercises.Reflecting on the 66th anniversary of NASA's Mercury Seven, Saltzman connected their legacy of innovation and cooperation to the Space Force's mission today."The Mercury Seven were pioneers of space exploration," he said. "Today's Guardians carry that legacy forward - not just by protecting the space domain, but by building the partnerships that will define its future."With increasing global interest and mounting security challenges in space, Saltzman said the success of the Space Force will depend not just on technological edge but on collective resolve."This is our moment to lead - not alone, but together," he said.

The war to cut off Hezbollah: HTS battling against Iran-backed smuggling routes - Washington Post-Syrian armed forces and patrols are facing frequent fire from Hezbollah terrorists seeking to rearm after its war against Israel.By JERUSALEM POST STAFF-APRIL 12, 2025 18:12

Deadly clashes have broken out between the Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group and Syrian armed forces as the latter attempted to destroy smuggling routes used during the Assad regime, the Washington Post reported on Saturday after speaking with a number of soldiers involved in the operations.The terror group has reportedly attempted to tighten its grip on previous routes as a way to rearm following its war with Israel, which saw much of Hezbollah’s arsenal and senior leadership destroyed in strikes and a limited land operation.Syrian patrol cars have come under frequent fire, and the patrolmen shot, according to the report. Last month, three soldiers were reportedly killed in the conflict.While Syrian forces are attempting to guard the 233-mile border with Lebanon, Iran has reportedly begun expanding its smuggling contacts in Syria - allegedly trying to destabilize the new HTS government, which replaced Bashar al-Assad’s regime. European officials reportedly denied knowledge that Iran was directly trying to destabilize the country’s new leadership, in contrast with statements given by Syrian authorities.Behind Hezbollah's smuggling“They are trying to open gaps,” Maher Ziwani, the Syrian army commander, said, speaking on the recent border clashes.Despite his efforts, the Syrian commander told the American newspaper that he didn’t trust the border’s security “even 1%.”“It’s quite difficult to draw a clear line between the clans and Hezbollah. There’s clear and strong cooperation between the two,” said Haid Haid, a Syria analyst with Chatham House who tracks transnational smuggling routes, told the Washington Post.Ahmed Adbelhakim Ammar, the head of security for Qusayr, claimed the new Syrian government had halted more than a dozen shipments to Hezbollah.“There is a huge stockpile in Syria that Hezbollah is trying to move out of Syria,” Haid said. “They know where those are, and they are working with Syrian networks to get them out.”Beyond Syrian efforts, the IAF has frequently targeted Hezbollah strongholds around the border. Despite this, the Washington Post reported local officials finding stockpiles of Iranian weapons in Qusayr, just six miles from the Lebanese border.Sharing photographs of the weapons, Samer Abu Qassim, head of general security for Qusayr, said all the local shops had been used as a storage facility for Tehran. A nearby school had also been used as a training base for Hezbollah, according to the source, who claimed boxes of munition were discarded in the building’s stairwell.  

Yemeni gov't reportedly preparing 80,000 man assault on Houthi-controlled Hodeidah port-"We might be at the stage of counting down the end of the Houthis," a leading expert said as the Yemeni government prepares a massive 80,000 soldier assault on Hodeidah.By YUVAL BARNEA-APRIL 13, 2025 01:11

Yemen's government is reportedly preparing to launch a massive assault to recapture Hodeidah Port in western Yemen from the Houthis, according to a Friday report in Emirati state media.Yemen's internationally recognized government is preparing to mass nearly 80,000 troops for what would be the largest offensive of the civil war, according to statements by Dr. Abdulaziz Sager, chairman of the Gulf Research Center based in Saudi Arabia, on Friday."To my best knowledge, there is a preparation of almost 80,000 soldiers from the legitimate Yemeni government in different locations in order to take over [Hodeidah]," Dr. Sager said. 80,000 soldiers would represent a majority of all non-Houthi forces in Yemen. This would constitute the largest offensive of the civil war and would also set the stage for an assault on the capital city Sana'a, which has been under Houthi control since 2014.Airstrikes paving the way-Emirati state newspaper, The National, reported on Friday that renewed airstrikes on the Houthis generally, but in particular on Hodeidah, had helped pave the way for an upcoming assault, with reports indicating that strikes had killed several key Houthis.Hodeidah is considered one of Yemen's key ports and was a major source of food imports before the war.Dr. Sager pointed to the meeting between US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla and the Chief of Staff of the Yemeni Armed Forces Lt. Gen. Sagheer Hamoud Ahmed Aziz in Saudi Arabia last week. Kurilla visited several Middle Eastern countries in the first week of April, including Israel, Jordan, Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.He continued by saying that the US would be providing air cover and drone surveillance to the Yemeni government forces."I think we might be at the stage of counting down the end of the Houthis," Dr. Sager said. "They've had every chance for a political discussion and be a part of a government that would save Yemen from all this suffering."He warned, however, that the assault on Hodeidah would face serious challenges in the form of international scrutiny.UN intervention-The previous assault in 2018 involved a coalition of Yemeni, Saudi, and Emirati troops who encircled Hodeidah and began cutting off supplies to Houthi fighters trapped in the port city.The UN and several states became concerned that this would lead to a deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Yemen, which would have led to a famine.Significant pressure was applied to the coalition forces and the Houthis, leading to the signing of the 2018 Stockholm Agreement in which all military forces were to withdraw and allow for humanitarian corridors to be opened.By at least 2019, the Houthis had violated this agreement with separatist troops present in Hodeidah; by 2021, they had retaken the entire city and expelled all non-Houthi forces.Dr. Sager warned that any new assault on the port will be met with similar pressure and that due to the recent cuts to the American and British foreign aid budgets, it may be more difficult to prevent a humanitarian disaster.

Targeting terror from the sea': How Israel Navy operates on Gaza's shores-"We will continue to operate from the sea against the terrorist organizations operating in the Strip in order to return the hostages," said IDF Navy Commander Vice Admiral David Saar Salama.By JERUSALEM POST STAFF-APRIL 12, 2025 18:07

The Israel Navy published documentation of its operational activities in the Gaza Strip on Saturday afternoon.The footage included missile ship activity in the Gaza Strip and observation of Israeli forces maneuvering on the ground."We will continue to operate from the sea against the terrorist organizations operating in the Strip in order to return the hostages and eliminate Hamas terrorists," said IDF Navy Commander Vice-Admiral David Sa'ar Salama. "We maintain close cooperation with maneuvering Israeli ground forces and the Air Force."Our soldiers at sea continue to operate 24/7, in near and far arenas, in both many defensive and offensive missions," Salama added.The Israel Navy official also held a situation assessment alongside other IDF commanders this week on the Navy's multi-front activity while having the Navy maintain the highest level of preparation for any terrorist attacks during the Passover holiday.Warships increasing for the Navy-The publication of its operational activities comes nearly two months after the Defense Ministry and Israel Shipyards began production of new warships for the navy, with the two starting to manufacture five advanced ‘Reshef’ naval vessels.The deal was brokered by now-IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, who was the director-general of the Defense Ministry at the time of the announcement.Nearly two weeks earlier than the production announcement, the Israel Navy conducted an operational test launch of the Gabriel 5 sea-to-sea missile. The test involved the launching of a missile at a vessel simulating an enemy ship.

Dozens of terrorists killed by IDF as northern Gaza fighting continues-The IDF also assisted Gazan civilians to evacuate via organized routes during the operation.By JERUSALEM POST STAFF-APRIL 12, 2025 21:32

The IDF killed dozens of terrorists and dismantled terrorist infrastructure in between Friday night and Saturday morning, the military said.Operational activities in the area began in order to enhance the IDF's security control and expand its security zone, the military added.The IDF also assisted Gazan civilians to evacuate via organized routes, the statement said.Other recent IDF activities in the enclave-The military operational update came hours after Defense Minister Israel Katz told Gaza residents in an official statement that "the IDF would soon intensify its operations across most of Gaza."Those who are interested will also be able to voluntarily move to various countries in the world in accordance with the vision of the US President, which we are working on," he added.The military said that the IDF has completed the encirclement of Gaza's Rafah, as part of an announced plan to seize more areas of the Gaza Strip, accompanied by large-scale evacuations of the population.The same day, the military called for the immediate evacuation of the southern neighborhoods of Khan Yunis following the interception of three rockets launched from the southern Gaza city earlier in the morning.Reuters contributed to this report.

IDF orders evacuation of Khan Yunis's south after Gaza rocket launch-The demand evacuations from Khan Yunis neighborhoods was announced by IDF's Arabic-language spokesperson, Col. Avichay Adraee.By JERUSALEM POST STAFF-APRIL 12, 2025 12:32

The IDF called for the immediate evacuation of the southern neighborhoods of Khan Yunis following the interception of three rockets launched from the southern Gaza city on Saturday morning. The IDF's Iron Dome air defense system intercepted three rockets launched after sirens sounded in the Nir Yitzhak, Sufa, and Holit areas.'Final warning' on evacuations-The Israeli military's Arabic-language spokesperson, Col. Avichay Adraee, issued on Saturday a "final warning" of evacuation for the Khan Yunis neighborhoods of Qizan al-Najjar, Qizan Abu Rashwan, al-Salam, al-Manara, al-Qurain, Maan, al-Batn al-Sameen, Jurt al-Lot, and al-Fakhar."We will attack with great force every area from which rockets are launched," Adraee posted on X/Twitter."Once again, Palestinian terrorist organizations are launching their senseless rockets among civilians and bear full responsibility for their suffering."For your safety, you must move immediately west to the known shelters in Al-Mawasi."This is a developing story.

IDF establishes Morag Corridor, separating Khan Yunis and Rafah-The IDF has completed the encirclement of Rafah in southern Gaza, establishing control over the Morag Axis to separate Rafah from Khan Younis.By JERUSALEM POST STAFF, REUTERS-APRIL 12, 2025 12:21

The IDF has completed the encirclement of Gaza's Rafah, the Israeli military said on Saturday, part of an announced plan to seize more areas of the Gaza Strip, accompanied by large-scale evacuations of the population.The IDF has issued repeated evacuation warnings to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians across Rafah since it resumed operations in Gaza on March 18, forcing them into a diminishing space limited by the sea.Israel said on April 2 that troops had begun seizing an area it called the Morag Corridor, a reference to a former Israeli settlement once located between the cities of Rafah and Khan Yunis in southern Gaza.Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have since fled Rafah, a 60 square km area that borders Egypt to the south."Over the past 24 hours, the 36th Division's troops completed the establishment of the Morag route, separating Rafah and Khan Yunis," the military said on Saturday.Following the IDF’s takeover of the Morag Corridor, Defense Minister Israel Katz addressed Gaza residents, stating: “This is the final opportunity to dismantle Hamas, release all the hostages, and bring the war to an end.""The IDF will soon intensify its operations across most of Gaza. Those who are interested will also be able to voluntarily move to various countries in the world in accordance with the vision of the US President, which we are working on,"  he added.Bring them back home-The Israeli offensive in Gaza was launched after Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 hostage, according to Israeli tallies.Israel restarted the offensive in March after effectively abandoning a ceasefire in place since January. The campaign will continue, it says, until the remaining 59 hostages are freed and Hamas is stamped out of Gaza.Hamas says it will free hostages only as part of a deal that will end the war and has rejected demands to lay down its arms. A Hamas delegation was expected in Cairo over the weekend to discuss new truce proposals, according to a source in the terror group.

Component in F-35 stealth fighter jets creates safety issue in aircraft-F lights on the aircrafts were approved after the component was inspected and a series of tests were performed.By AMIR BOHBOT-APRIL 11, 2025 18:29

There is likely a safety issue with one of the components in the Israeli Air Force's recently acquired F-35 fighter jets, referred to as the Adir model, Walla learned Friday.Following information provided by the US manufacturer, flights of all newly received aircraft were delayed. After the component was inspected and a series of tests were performed, flights on those aircrafts were approved.“No grounding of the Adir fleet was carried out in the past week,” the IDF Spokesperson's Unit stated. A source familiar with the details said that scans were conducted on the aircraft, and a single component was replaced.According to the source, the operational capability of the air force was not affected.Israel's fleet in the future-Last year, the Defense Ministry signed a procurement deal with the US government for the third squadron of F-35 fighter jets. The Defense Ministry’s procurement mission in the US to acquire the third squadron was for the IAF.The deal includes 25 aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Martin. Once completed, it will expand the IAF's fleet of the world’s most advanced stealth fighter jets to 75.The IDF will receive three to five aircraft per year beginning in 2028.During the current war, the F-35 has flown over 15,000 flight hours on all war fronts.Its stealth technology allows it to strike targets throughout the Middle East with impunity. Its surveillance and intelligence capabilities far exceed those of Israel’s older aircraft models.Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.

IDF to reinforce Judea and Samaria Division with six companies over holiday period-Over the past week, the IDF apprehended nearly 100 terror suspects, confiscated weapons, and demolished homes of terrorists in the West Bank.By JERUSALEM POST STAFF-APRIL 11, 2025 14:46

The IDF will reinforce the Judea and Samaria Division with six companies that will operate during the holidays and Hol Hamoed as part of preparations for the holiday period, the military announced on Friday.IDF troops apprehended approximately 85 terror suspects, and several weapons were confiscated throughout several brigade-level overnight operations across the West Bank in the past week.IDF soldiers operated in Balata and Tubas, where they detained dozens of suspects.Security forces demolished the home In Deir Ibzi of the terrorist that carried out a shooting attack next to the Talmon-Dolev Junction in the West Bank, in which Sgt.-Maj. Ilay David Garfinkel was killed, and seven others were wounded in March of last year. The military killed the terrorist after soldiers, along with a helicopter and a drone, pursued him and engaged in a firefight for several hours. Demolitions of terrorist homes in TulkarmIn Tulkarm, security forces demolished the home of terrorist Muhammad Shakhur, who took part in the shooting attack at the Beit Lid Junction in the West Bank in which Sgt.-Maj. (res.) Elhanan Ariel Klein was killed in November 2023. Klein, 29, was married with three children from Enav in the West Bank. The home of another terrorist who had partaken in the same attack, Mahmoud Salit, was demolished in January of this year, also in Tulkarm.

Israeli Air Force joins 'Iniochos' air exercise in Greece with international allies-IAF Squadron 122 represented Israel in Greece's "Iniochos" exercise, strengthening military ties with Greece and other international allies.By JERUSALEM POST STAFF-APRIL 11, 2025 14:02

The Israeli Air Force participated in an international air exercise called "Iniochos", which was held in Greece last week under the leadership of the Hellenic Air Force.Dozens of aircraft and units from foreign militaries - including Qatar - took part in the exercise, which trained together on air combat scenarios, air-to-ground strikes, dealing with advanced surface-to-air missile threats, and diverse combat scenarios.Squadron 122 represented the IAF, which operates "Eagle" reconnaissance aircrafts.The IDF Spokesperson's Unit said that the exercise aimed to "strengthen strategic cooperation with foreign militaries, enhance the readiness of participating forces, and provide aircrews with professional challenges in unfamiliar flight environments and under evolving threat scenarios."Israeli-Greek military cooperation Israel has previously held talks with Greece to help the country modernize its military. In late 2024, Greek defense officials announced that they were in talks with Israel to develop a 2 billion euro anti-aircraft and missile defense dome."Our effort is for a quick transition of our armed forces to the 21st century," Greek defense Minister Nikos Dendias said.Former defense minister Yoav Gallant said that Israeli-Greek relations proved to Iran that there was a regional alliance against the so-called axis of resistance. "Our close relations between the countries sends a clear message to our friends and to our enemies [Iran] - Israel and Greece stand side by side for regional stability," said Gallant.Reuters contributed to this report.

Trump envoy: Ukraine could be divided like post-war Berlin-Keith Kellogg proposed a partition of Ukraine resembling post-WWII Berlin, with the UK and France controlling the western zone, Russia in the east, and a demilitarized buffer zone in between.By JERUSALEM POST STAFF-APRIL 12, 2025 11:51

One of President Donald Trump’s representatives, retired General Keith Kellogg, suggested a plan to divide Ukraine into different zones, each controlled by a major world power, in an exclusive interview with The Times of London. He stressed this solution could bring an end to the war between Ukraine and Russia.The proposed partition plan included no US ground forces, the Dnipro River as a natural dividing line, a demilitarized zone of 18 miles, and peace enforced by a “coalition of the willing”  nations, led by Anglo-French troops.Russia wants Ukraine to withdraw from four regions and abandon NATO plans, and Zelensky refuses to cede territory.Kellogg explained in the interview, “We could do it like we did with Berlin after World War II, where there was a Russian, French, British, and American zone.”The Berlin analogy is seen as symbolically provocative, especially near the 80th anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) Day. Ukraine might reject comparisons to Nazi Germany, considering Russia’s justification of the war, according to the Times.Ukraine, Russia might reject plan-Under this idea, the British (UK pledged £4.5 billion in aid to Ukraine) and French troops would be sent to western Ukraine to help keep the peace, while Russian soldiers would stay in the eastern areas they now control.A special area with no fighting, called a demilitarized zone, would sit in between. Ukrainian troops could be present in that zone.This suggestion comes shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin said Ukraine should be placed under "external management"—meaning other countries would help run it.At the same time, a Ukrainian official recently said that Russia offered the West a deal: it would stop the war if the world accepted the land Russia now controls and agreed that Ukraine would not join NATO. The deal also included putting international peacekeepers along the fighting line.Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has strongly rejected this idea.  He said Ukraine would not give away any of its land to make peace. Kellogg acknowledged Putin might also reject the plan, The Times reported, but he insisted monitoring the demilitarized zone would be feasible. He proposed elections in Ukraine after a ceasefire, noting that this decision lies with Ukrainians.Another Trump envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Putin in Moscow on Thursday. The Kremlin confirmed that they talked about “issues related to Ukraine” but didn’t share details. Trump publicly pressured Russia to end the war. However, the Kremlin warned not to expect breakthroughs.The war has now gone on for more than three years. Russia controls about 20% of Ukraine, mostly in the east. Millions have been forced to leave their homes, and many lives have been lost.It is not yet clear if Kellogg’s plan will go forward, according to the report, but many Ukrainian officials are against it - arguing it would reward Russia for using force and would go against the idea that countries should be free to decide their own future.

South Korea establishes diplomatic ties with Syria, a North Korea ally-South Korea and Syria have formed diplomatic relations, marking a shift from Syria’s past alignment with North Korea.By REUTERS, JERUSALEM POST STAFF-APRIL 12, 2025 07:06

South Korea and Syria have signed an agreement in Damascus establishing diplomatic relations, the South Korean foreign ministry said on Friday, opening new ties with a traditional ally of its rival North Korea.The event marks a milestone for South Korea now having established diplomatic ties with all 191 UN member states and opening "a new chapter for bilateral cooperation with Syria, which had long remained distant due to its close ties with North Korea," the South Korean foreign ministry said.South Korea established diplomatic relations with Cuba last year, another old ally of the North.North Korea's state media ceased mentions of Syria since the overthrow of former President Bashar al-Assad in December except leader Kim Jong Un once referring to "the Middle East crisis" in passing.A joint communique was signed by South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Syria's Asaad al-Shibani on Thursday, and Cho expressed willingness to share South Korea's development experience to support Syria's reconstruction, the ministry said.Cho later met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, it said.Priorities of Syria's new government-Syria’s transitional government, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, held its first meeting on April 7, focusing on reconstruction, national unity, and addressing the country’s widespread devastation after years of civil war.The cabinet, formed in late March, includes members from various backgrounds, including former affiliates of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, as well as minority representatives.Al-Sharaa outlined plans to revitalize the economy, restore infrastructure, and prioritize the needs of returning citizens, emphasizing civil peace and inclusive governance.In a sign of growing international engagement, Syria also took part for the first time in the Anatolia Forum in Turkey, signaling a potential shift in its regional diplomacy.The new government, which does not yet control all of Syria, faces major challenges, with parts of the country still under the control of Turkish forces and the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).The administration is also working to dismantle militias, curb armed groups, promote public-private partnerships, and boost domestic tourism as displaced Syrians begin to return home.

US, Iran confirm further discussions to be held next weekend-Trump envoy Witkoff and Iranian FM meet after first round of nuclear talks in Oman-White House calls meeting ‘a step forward in achieving a mutually beneficial outcome’; Iran’s top diplomat says US wants to reach a new agreement ASAP but ‘that will not be easy’By Jacob Magid-and Agencies Today, 7:27 pmUpdated at 9:58 pm-APR 12,25

US special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff met briefly with Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi shortly after their two countries held their first round of talks on Tehran’s nuclear program in Oman and agreed to hold a second round next week.The first known meeting between US and Iranian officials in years appeared to be a way for both sides to save face after US President Donald Trump announced at the beginning of the week that the talks would be direct, while Araghchi insisted that they would be indirect.Regardless, both the over two-hour-long session mediated by Oman — with the US and Iran delegations in separate rooms — and the subsequent minutes-long conversation between Witkoff and Araghchi represented a potentially major tipping point in ties between the US and Iran.Trump has warned that the failure of these talks could lead the US to strike Iran’s nuclear program. The US president said earlier this week that Israel would participate in such a strike, if not lead it.Meanwhile, Iranian officials increasingly warn that they could pursue a nuclear weapon with their stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels.But initial comments from Iran indicated that the sides were trending toward de-escalation. “After the end of more than 2-1/2 hours of indirect talks, the heads of the Iranian and American delegations spoke for a few minutes in the presence of the Omani foreign minister as they left the talks,” Araghchi posted on his Telegram channel.He said the talks — a first between Iran and the Trump administration, including his first term in 2017-21 — took place in a “productive and positive atmosphere.”Araghchi later told Iranian state TV that the next round of talks will take place on April 19. He added that the location of next weekend’s talks may not be in Oman, but will still take place under Omani intermediation.“Neither we nor the other party want fruitless negotiations, discussions for discussions’ sake, time-wasting, or talks that drag on forever,” Araghchi clarified.He also said the US wants an agreement on a new nuclear deal “as soon as possible.”“That will not be easy and will require a willingness on both sides,” he said.American officials did not immediately acknowledge the Iranian reports, which Tehran likely sped out to its public ahead of a possible Trump post on social media. But declaring that the two sides spoke face-to-face — even if briefly — suggests the negotiations went well.The White House later put out a statement that characterized the discussions as “very positive and constructive.”While noting the “very complicated” issues at hand, the White House said Witkoff’s “direct communication” with Araghchi “was a step forward in achieving a mutually beneficial outcome.”The White House statement also confirmed that the sides “agreed to meet again next Saturday” and thanked Oman for hosting the talks.Witkoff told Araghchi “that he had instructions from President Trump to resolve our two nations’ differences through dialogue and diplomacy, if that is possible,” according to the the White House statement.Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who mediated Saturday’s talks, tweeted they were held in a “friendly atmosphere” and launched a quest for a “fair and binding agreement.”Talks between Iran and the US were focused on de-escalating regional tensions, prisoner exchanges, and limited agreements to ease sanctions in exchange for controlling Iran’s nuclear program, an Omani source told Reuters.The talks began at around 3:30 p.m. local time. The two sides spoke for over two hours at a location in the outskirts of Oman, ending the talks around 5:50 p.m. local time. A convoy believed to be carrying Witkoff returned to Muscat, the capital of Oman, before disappearing into traffic around a neighborhood that is home to the US Embassy.AP journalists saw Witkoff’s convoy leave the Omani Foreign Ministry earlier Saturday afternoon, speeding off into the outskirts of Muscat where the indirect talks were held at an undisclosed compound. A few minutes later, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei wrote on the social platform X that the “indirect talks” had begun.“These talks will be held at a location planned by the Omani host, with representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States seated in the halls and sides, conveying their points of view and positions to each other through the Omani Foreign Minister,” Baghaei wrote before the meeting.About an hour later, Baghaei appeared on Iranian state television and acknowledged the talks had been going on all that time.“The objective of the Islamic Republic of Iran is very clear — we have only one goal, and that is to safeguard Iran’s national interests,” he said. “We are giving a genuine and honest opportunity to diplomacy, so that through dialogue, we can move forward on the nuclear issue on one hand, and more importantly for us, the lifting of sanctions.”Baghaei added: “Look, this is just a beginning. So it is natural that, at this stage, both sides will present their foundational positions through the Omani mediator. Therefore, we do not expect this round of negotiations to be lengthy.”Araghchi also spoke earlier to Iranian journalists.“If there is sufficient will on both sides, we will decide on a timetable. But it is still too early to talk about that,” Araghchi said in an audio clip published by IRNA. “What is clear now is that the negotiations are indirect, and in our view only on the nuclear issue, and will be conducted with the necessary will to reach an agreement that is on an equal footing and leads to securing the national interests of the Iranian people.”Trump and Witkoff both had described the talks as being “direct” in the days before the meeting..“I think our position begins with dismantlement of your program. That is our position today,” Witkoff told The Wall Street Journal before his trip. “That doesn’t mean, by the way, that at the margin we’re not going to find other ways to find compromise between the two countries.”He added: “Where our red line will be, there can’t be weaponization of your nuclear capability.”That red line indicated a degree of flexibility in the Trump administration’s position and a potential break with Israel, whose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asserted that he will only accept the full dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear facilities.Iran “can’t have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said ahead of high-stakes weekend talks over the state’s nuclear program.“I want Iran to be a wonderful, great, happy country. But they can’t have a nuclear weapon,” the US president told reporters aboard Air Force One, hours before Witkoff’s meeting in Oman.While the US side can offer sanctions relief for Iran’s beleaguered economy, it remains unclear just how much Iran will be willing to concede. Under the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran could only maintain a small stockpile of uranium enriched to 3.67%.Today, Tehran’s stockpile could allow it to build multiple nuclear weapons if it so chooses, and it has some material enriched up to 60%, a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels. Judging from negotiations since Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the deal in 2018, Iran will likely ask to keep enriching uranium up to at least 20%.One thing it won’t do is give up its program entirely. That seemingly makes Netanyahu’s proposal of a so-called Libyan solution — “you go in, blow up the facilities, dismantle all the equipment, under American supervision, American execution” — unworkable.Iranians, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have held up what ultimately happened to the late Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi, who was killed with his own gun by rebels in the country’s 2011 Arab Spring uprising, as a warning about what can happen when you trust the United States.

White House says 'all hell to pay' should Iran develop nuclear weapon-Trump warned Iran to abandon its nuclear program or face harsh consequences.By REUTERS-APRIL 11, 2025 21:29

President Donald Trump wants Iran to know that there will be "all hell to pay" if it does not abandon its nuclear program, his press secretary told reporters on Friday ahead of talks on Saturday between US and Iranian delegations.White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump's "ultimate objective is to ensure that Iran can never obtain a nuclear weapon" and that Trump believes in diplomacy, but that "all options are on the table" if diplomatic efforts fail."But he's made it very clear to the Iranians, and his national security team will as well, that all options are on the table, and Iran has a choice to make. You can agree to President Trump's demand, or there will be all hell to pay, and that's how the president feels. He feels very strongly about it," Leavitt said.US special envoy Steve Witkoff is set for talks on Saturday with an Iranian delegation in Oman.Iranian state media said Iran would be represented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi as intermediary.Maximum pressure campaign-Trump in February restored his "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran, which includes efforts to drive its oil exports down to zero, in order to stop Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.He said earlier this week that if the talks are unsuccessful, "Iran is going to be in great danger."

Back to Muscat: Oman is the Venue for last-chance US-Iran talks - analysis-With Iran's alliances weakening and US military threats rising, Oman provides a discreet, neutral venue for a possible last bid to resolve the nuclear standoff.By HUDHAIFA EBRAHIM/THE MEDIA LINE-APRIL 11, 2025 16:17

Negotiations between the United States and Iran are expected to take place in Oman on Saturday, with the Iranian nuclear issue as the primary focus. This is not the first time the Gulf sultanate, overlooking the Strait of Hormuz, has hosted these negotiations. Oman was also the site of negotiations that led to the signing of the Iranian nuclear agreement with the administration of President Barack Obama in 2015.Uncertainty regarding the talks remains. President Donald Trump has said that direct talks with Iran will take place, while Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said that they would be indirect.The talks are taking place amid President Trump’s threats to bomb Iran and impose additional sanctions on its oil sector if diplomatic efforts fail. Tehran is also facing internal pressures due to the deteriorating economic situation and divisions among the various influential parties in Iran.What differs from previous negotiations is that Iran has lost much of its regional influence. The ongoing war in Gaza, which expanded to Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, has drastically diminished Iran’s regional proxies. Hamas has been almost completely destroyed, and multiple of its leaders have been assassinated, including Ismail Haniyeh in the heart of Tehran and Yahya Sinwar in Gaza.After the assassination of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, the killing of many other Hezbollah’s leaders, and the near-total destruction of the group’s infrastructure, Iran also lost its influence in Lebanon. This was in addition to the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad, who was aligned with Iran, and the resulting dominance in Syria of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa.Iran also withdrew its leaders from Yemen, abandoning its support for the Houthi group, against which US forces are launching airstrikes. Meanwhile, Iranian influence in Iraq has declined significantly, with the disintegration of many of its loyal militias, their shift toward economic activities, and their refusal to engage in defending Iran against successive attacks.On March 5, President Trump sent a letter to Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. In a television interview, he said that he had written, “I hope you will negotiate, because if we have to intervene militarily, it would be a terrible thing.”Since then, the president has continued to push for talks while escalating sanctions and suggesting a military strike by Israel or the United States against Iranian nuclear sites.Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has rejected direct negotiations with the United States over Tehran’s nuclear program, saying that the US must first act to rebuild Iran’s trust.“We are not avoiding talks,” he said in televised remarks during a cabinet meeting. “It is our broken promises that have caused us problems so far.”Supreme Leader Khamenei said in a statement: “They are threatening to commit sabotage, but we are not entirely certain that it will happen. We do not believe it is very likely that trouble will come from abroad. However, if it does happen, they will undoubtedly face a strong retaliatory strike.”According to a report from the state-run Tehran Times in early April, Iran has prepared missiles “capable of striking sites linked to the United States” and has increased its naval capacities.Why Oman? According to a source from the Iraqi Foreign Ministry who spoke to The Media Line, Iraq offered to host the talks between the US and Iran. “The US administration rejected the request, considering it a non-neutral and unsafe country for such negotiations, and that the Iraqi government is taking orders from Iran,” the source said.Unlike Iraq, Oman is broadly seen as a neutral country. It refused to participate in Operation Decisive Storm in 2015, which was led by Saudi Arabia against the Houthis in Yemen. It also maintains good relations with the United States, Europe, Iran, Russia, China, and other major powers.Oman’s ruling family adheres to the Ibadi sect, which differs from both the Sunni sect to which all Arab countries’ rulers adhere and the Shiite sect of Iran. This distances it from the sectarian divisions in the region. It is also geographically close to Iran, sharing the Strait of Hormuz.Although Oman is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council, which generally has an uneasy relationship with Iran, it has enjoyed good relations with Iran for more than two decades and has not entered into the Gulf-Iran conflict. Rather, it has attempted to mediate numerous times between other Gulf states and Tehran. It previously mediated dialogue between Egypt and Iran, and in 2016, it hosted talks between Washington and the Houthis.Omani journalist Ahmed Al-Jawhari emphasized that Oman is “not a party to the negotiations.” “It is merely presenting common ground and trying to bring viewpoints closer together,” he told The Media Line. “The sultanate of Oman has always been a mediator in conflicts and tries to resolve them through the negotiating table.”He characterized the Omani environment as one with “complete confidentiality and freedom” without pressure exerted on any party.Will the talks succeed? Moqtada Maqdisi, an Iranian political analyst, said that Iran “resorts to war” only when attempts to seek negotiations and peace have failed. “We are not warmongers, but peaceniks,” he told The Media Line.“The problem with these negotiations is that America is always threatening,” he continued. “You cannot use the carrot and stick approach against Iran. We are not a weak country, but a strong one, and we can repel any attacks against it. We have not been able to break the siege over the past years. We have fought long wars, and our internal front is cohesive.”Maqdisi rejected the idea that Iran has lost regional influence. “The resistance is still present and will remain until all its goals are achieved. Hezbollah will regain its strength, Hamas will too, and the Houthi Ansar Allah are destroying ships that aid Israel in killing the Palestinian people. Iraq is still strong, and Iran is still strong,” he said.“We have allies who will not abandon us,” Maqdisi said. “All countries reject President Donald Trump’s aggressive policy, and we have all seen how upset they are by his attempt to destabilize the global economy.”The ball is now in America’s court, he said. “If it wants the negotiations to succeed, it must abandon its arrogance, respect Iran, and not attempt to impose any conditions on it. It must recognize that Iran is an important country in the region and the world, and deal with it accordingly,” he cautioned.Saudi political analyst Khaled Al-Dosari expressed skepticism about how successful the negotiations will be. In the US, there’s clarity around the intended outcomes of the talks—getting Iran to halt its ballistic missile program, avoid obtaining nuclear weapons, and stop supporting armed groups in the region—but in Iran, there’s internal disagreement about the agenda, Al-Dosari said.“Iran always uses negotiations to buy time. It always tries to evade and uses all means to achieve this. We may see an announcement from Tehran that it is close to fully enriching uranium, in order to gain more in these negotiations,” he added.If Iran doesn’t take advantage of these negotiations, it will face the same fate as many of its proxies, he warned. “The US and Israel are very serious about preventing Tehran from continuing its approach, even if it costs them a war or an airstrike,” he said, noting that Israel has successfully carried out dozens of intelligence and assassination operations against Iran.Iraqi political analyst Mohammed al-Najfi, on the other hand, predicted that the negotiations would succeed.“Iran will make all the required concessions, given that it has lost everything in the region,” he said. “Hezbollah and Bashar Assad no longer exist. The militias in Iraq have disintegrated and fear Trump’s sanctions, and the Houthis in Yemen are receiving daily blows.”Like Al-Dosari, he pointed to internal decisions within Iran. “Tehran will try to save itself, but the Iranian Revolutionary Guard may have other ideas,” he said. “And we may witness provocative operations from it in the Arabian Gulf during these negotiations, especially since it is the most hardline faction within the Iranian leadership, refuses to make any concessions, and believes that President Donald Trump must be punished for the killing of Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani in 2020.”

IDF fully surrounds Rafah as Katz warns Gazans of ‘final moment to remove Hamas’Army says it is in complete control of Morag Corridor, cutting off Strip’s southernmost city from Khan Younis, where some Gazans ordered to leave after 3 rockets fired at border town shot down-By Emanuel Fabian,ToI Staff and Agencies Today, 1:17 pm-APR 12,25

The Israel Defense Forces announced at noon Saturday that it had completed the capture of the Morag Corridor in the southern Gaza Strip, cutting off the city of Rafah from Khan Younis.The military said Rafah was now surrounded by its forces, with the 36th Division holding the Morag Corridor and the Gaza Division operating in the Philadelphi Corridor along the Egypt-Gaza border area.Defense Minister Israel Katz called on Palestinians to “remove Hamas and release all the hostages” before the military further expands its operations in the Strip.“This is the final moment to remove Hamas and release the hostages and bring about an end to the war,” Katz said in a statement. “Intensive IDF activity will soon expand to additional places in most of Gaza, and you will have to evacuate the combat zones.”Also on Saturday, three rockets launched from Gaza at the border community of Nir Yitzhak were intercepted by air defenses, the military said. The rocket fire set off alerts in open areas but not in any towns. No one was hurt.In response to the rocket fire, the IDF issued an evacuation order for Palestinians in the Khan Younis area. In a post on X, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman, Col. Avichay Adraee, published a map of the area to be evacuated, saying that it was a “final warning” before the IDF carried out strikes there.Inside Gaza, the 36th Division’s 188th Armored Brigade pushed into the Morag Corridor from the northwest, while the division’s Golani Infantry Brigade entered from the border in the southeast. Overnight, the two units joined up.Engineering forces were now constructing a road along the corridor, similar to other Gaza corridors captured by the IDF during the war.The military said it would now operate inside areas of Rafah that it had not previously entered to defeat the remaining Hamas forces there. The IDF issued evacuation warnings for civilians in Rafah nearly two weeks ago.Eventually, the IDF’s buffer zone in southern Gaza will stretch from the Egyptian border to the outskirts of Khan Younis — more than 5 kilometers away — and include the entire city of Rafah within it, totaling around 20% of the Strip.The IDF’s buffer zone elsewhere along the border with Gaza has also been expanded from several hundred meters to around 2 kilometers in most areas.Katz, in his Saturday statement to Gazans, said, “Hamas is unable to protect the residents or the territory. Hamas leaders are hiding in tunnels with their families and in luxury hotels abroad with billions in their bank accounts and are using you as hostages.“It is time to stand up and remove Hamas and release all the Israeli hostages. This is the only way to end the war,” he continued, adding that “those interested will also be able to voluntarily move to various countries around the world, in accordance with the vision of the US president, which we are working to carry out.”Over the past week and a half, during operations in the Morag Corridor area, the IDF says it has eliminated dozens of terror operatives and destroyed Hamas infrastructure, including tunnels.On Friday, two soldiers were wounded in southern Gaza, one of them seriously, as troops expanded control in the area. An officer was moderately wounded in an exchange of fire with gunmen, with three gunmen killed. Separately, a soldier was seriously injured, apparently from an accidental discharge of a bullet.The IDF also said Friday that a Hamas sniper commander in Rafah was killed in a recent strike. Ahmad Iyad Muhammad Farhat, the commander of the Hamas terror group’s sniper forces in the terror group’s Tel Sultan Battalion in Rafah, was responsible for advancing and carrying out numerous attacks on Israeli troops in Gaza and against Israel, the IDF said.The military has struck dozens of targets across Gaza in the past few days, including cells of operatives, buildings used by terror groups, weapons, and other infrastructure.Also, on Friday, the IDF issued an evacuation warning for Palestinians residing in some areas of eastern Gaza City.In a post on X, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman, Col. Avichay Adraee, published a map of the area to be evacuated, which includes the neighborhoods of Shejaiya, Zeitoun, and Tuffah.He said that the military would soon operate “with great force” there to “destroy terror infrastructure.” Civilians were called to head for shelters in western Gaza City.On Saturday, the IDF said it expanded operations in area overnight, with troops pushing into Tuffah and the Daraj neighborhood.The military said the operation was intended to expand the buffer zone along the Gaza border.So far, the IDF said troops killed several terror operatives and destroyed observation posts, tunnels, and other Hamas infrastructure.The IDF added that it was enabling Palestinian civilians to evacuate the area “for their safety.”The war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, when some 5,000 Hamas-led terrorists invaded southern Israel from the Gaza Strip, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages amid acts of brutality and sexual assault.Terror groups in the Gaza Strip are still holding 59 hostages — 24 of whom are believed to be alive, and 35 of whom have been confirmed dead — including 58 of those abducted on October 7.According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, more than 50,000 people in the Strip have been killed or are presumed dead in the fighting so far. The toll cannot be verified and does not differentiate between civilians and fighters.Israel assesses it has killed about 20,000 combatants in Gaza as of January, as well as some 1,600 terrorists inside Israel during the Hamas onslaught.Israel’s toll in the Gaza ground offensive and military operations along the border stands at 410.

Ten murders in just three days as violence grips Arab society-Ten people were murdered in different parts of the country as violence gripped the Arab community, with most of the murders occurring as part of family and criminal feuds.By ALON HACHMON-APRIL 13, 2025 17:54

Ten people were murdered over the past three days in the Arab sector, raising the number of those killed in the community to 76 this year, according to the Abraham Initiatives nonprofit organization.In the latest incident, Elias Motran, 31, was murdered on Sunday in Nazareth. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition and was pronounced dead upon arrival.Motran was on his way to work when he stopped at a bakery to buy pastries and a drink while the shooters, who were apparently ambushing another family member, decided to shoot this father of two instead – at close range.A large police force arrived on the scene and opened an investigation into the circumstances of the murder, which was marked as criminal. Investigators collected evidence from the scene, including security cameras, and police began extensive searches in an attempt to track down the suspects in the act.Following the incident, Police Commissioner Insp.-Gen. Daniel Levy visited Nazareth and met with police officers who were securing the city during the Christian holiday of Palm Sunday (the Sunday before Easter).“I have instructed that the North District continue to be reinforced by a large presence of police forces and special units in order to ensure the general public’s safety,” Levy said.“Special units will operate there in order to combat serious crimes. We will not allow criminals to disrupt the daily lives of normative citizens – and we will act with all our might to stop criminals, bringing them to justice.”A wave of violence-Several hours before Motran’s murder, Mohammed Abd Tarabieh, a 28-year-old resident of Sakhnin, was shot dead in the city while sitting in a car also outside a bakery.Tarabieh was critically wounded and taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.The police believe that the killing was part of a conflict between criminal gangs. Large police forces arrived at the scene and began an investigation, including an attempt to track down the suspects.Also on Saturday, Anan Younis Nassar, 49, from Arrabe, was killed by an explosion of a bomb that was planted in his car. Police are investigating the incident.In the midst of this wave of murders, a triple murder took place in Ramle when two shooters riding electric bicycles and wearing helmets arrived at the entrance to a hookah business.They opened fire with automatic weapons, spraying bullets in all directions, although there were passersby present. Their aim was to kill Bilal Abu Ghanem, a member of a well-known crime family who was present in the store.Abu Ghanem was killed along with two employees in the shop – Saleh Afifi and Baha Amira – who were both residents of Ramle.A police investigation found that Ghanem was not involved in the criminal aspects of the family and that he was murdered only because of his family ties.The police believe that the murders occurred in the context of a bloody clan conflict. After the shootings, they arrested a Lod resident in his 20s on suspicion of smuggling. This came after carrying out various investigative actions, including the use of advanced technological means.Simultaneously, task forces from the Central District, together with the Gidonim Unit for intelligence gathering and special operations that operate as part of the Lahav 433 Unit, as well as the Border Police, acted against criminal strongholds in Ramle and Lod.A day earlier, two brothers – Jalal and Matin al-Shamali – were killed as part of the clan war in Ramle. A number of suspects in connection with these latest murders were arrested.Central District police forces under the command of Commander Maj.-Gen. Yair Hetzroni arrested three suspects.The incident in question is suspected to have led to a revenge killing in the hookah business in which three Ramle residents lost their lives; only Ghanem, as mentioned, allegedly belonged to one of the families involved in this bloody conflict.Another killing took place in Shfaram, where a 60-year-old man was shot to death in his vehicle near his home.Police arrived at the scene and began an investigation, during which suspicions grew that this was a direct continuation of the war between two clans in the city – a conflict that has already claimed quite a few lives.In addition to the deaths, two different violent events were recorded in Tira on Sunday, in which two people were wounded, one moderately and the other critically, after being shot while in their vehicle. The police have opened an investigation into this incident.

IDF strikes Hamas command center inside Al Ahli Hospital, patients evacuated-Army says dozens of terrorists killed in other parts of Gaza as the cities of Rafah and Khan Yunis are cut off.By REUTERS, JERUSALEM POST STAFF-APRIL 13, 2025 03:56

The IDF and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) struck a Hamas command and control center located within the Al Ahli Hospital in northern Gaza on Sunday, the military announced.The center was reportedly used to plan and coordinate attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers.Medics claimed that two Israeli missiles hit a building inside a main Gaza hospital, destroying the emergency and reception department and damaging other structures.Health officials at the Al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital evacuated the patients from the building after one person said he received a call from someone who identified himself with the Israeli security shortly before the attack took place.Measures were taken to minimize civilian harm, including advance warnings, precise munitions, and aerial surveillance, the IDF claimed.The military emphasized that Hamas continues to violate international law by operating within civilian infrastructure and using the population as human shields.Military officials reiterated their demand for an end to terrorist activity in Gaza’s medical facilities, saying that their operations against Hamas would continue to protect Israel.Hamas condemns attacks-Images circulating on social media, which Reuters could not immediately authenticate, showed dozens of displaced families leaving the location. Some of them dragging sick relatives on hospital beds.In its statement, the Hamas-run government media office condemned the attack as a “heinous and filthy crime,” saying that Israel “deliberately destroyed and rendered out of service 34 hospitals as part of a systematic plan to dismantle what remains of the healthcare sector in the Gaza Strip.”In October 2023, an attack on the Al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital killed hundreds of people. Palestinian officials blamed an Israeli air strike for the blast; Israel said the blast was caused by a failed rocket launch by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist group, which denied blame.British Foreign Minister David Lammy condemned the strike in a post on social media.“Israel’s attacks on medical facilities have comprehensively degraded access to healthcare in Gaza,” Lammy said.“Al-Ahli Hospital has been attacked repeatedly since the conflict began. These deplorable attacks must end. Diplomacy, not more bloodshed, is how we will achieve a lasting peace.”

IDF kills deputy head of Hamas sniper cell in Deir el-Balah-The IDF also announced it completed its encirclement of Rafah over Passover, seizing an area it called the Morag Corridor.By JERUSALEM POST STAFF-APRIL 13, 2025 19:16

The IDF killed Ubayd Allah Na'im al-Hadhud Musa, who served as the deputy head of a Hamas sniper cell in the Deir el-Balah area, the military announced Sunday."Prior to the strike, steps were taken to mitigate harm to civilians, including the use of precise munitions, aerial surveillance, and additional intelligence," the IDF said.The military had confirmed earlier on Sunday that it had targeted a Hamas command and control center in the area in a joint operation with Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency)."At the time of the strike, numerous Hamas terrorists were operating from within the compound, planning terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops. The targeted terrorists had further plans to carry out additional attacks," the IDF and Shin Bet said in a joint statement.IDF activity in Gaza over Passover-The IDF completed the encirclement of Gaza's Rafah, the Israeli military said on Saturday, part of an announced plan to seize more areas of the Gaza Strip, accompanied by large-scale evacuations of the population.The IDF has issued repeated evacuation warnings to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians across Rafah since it resumed operations in Gaza on March 18, forcing them into a diminishing space limited by the sea.Israel said on April 2 that troops had begun seizing an area it called the Morag Corridor, a reference to a former Israeli settlement once located between the cities of Rafah and Khan Yunis in southern Gaza."The more Hamas continues to refuse, the more the IDF will intensify its operations—targeting its operatives and destroying its infrastructure," Defense Minister Israel Katz said on X/Twitter."Gaza will become smaller and more isolated, and more of its residents will be forced to evacuate combat zones."

Manchester Arena terrorist attacks three with weapons, hot oil-Two of the three officers are reportedly in life-threatening condition as a result of the attack.By DANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD-APRIL 13, 2025 07:32

One of the terrorists responsible for the Manchester Arena bombing attack in 2017, which saw 22 people killed while attending an Ariana Grande concert, allegedly attacked three prison officers with weapons and hot oil, according to British media reports on Saturday.Hashem Abedi reportedly left two of the officers with life-threatening injuries. He reportedly used makeshift weapons to stab the officers and then burned them with hot cooking oil at HMP Frankland in Durham.One of the officers was reportedly stabbed in the throat and face, resulting in him being airlifted for immediate treatment at the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough. One female officer has since been released from the hospital, although the other two continue to receive treatment.It is currently believed that Abedi either stole the weapon from the kitchen or constructed it himself, according to the Telegraph.This is not the first time that Abedi was said to have attacked prison staff, as he was sentenced in 2020 to three years and 10 months for an attack on an officer in Belmarsh prison.A prison service spokesman said: “Three prison officers have been treated in hospital after an attack by a prisoner at HMP Frankland. Police are now investigating, so it would be inappropriate to comment further. Violence in prison will not be tolerated, and we will always push for the strongest punishment for attacks on our hard-working staff.”Criminal history-Abedi was also found to have helped his brother Salman carry out the bombing attack on the Manchester Arena. He was found guilty in 2020 of 22 counts of murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to cause an explosion likely to endanger life and sentenced to a minimum term of at least 55 years.Greater Manchester Police said Abedia persuaded close acquaintances to purchase chemicals on his behalf that could be used to manufacture explosives, sourcing metal drums that were used to build bomb prototypes and buying a Nissan Micra that was used to store the bomb components back in Manchester whilst the brothers were in Libya.

Mossad veterans, reserve medical officers sign letters calling for deal to end war, return captives-Both letters have added to the growing list of letters addressed to the government, calling for a swift end to the war and the return of all hostages.By JERUSALEM POST STAFF-APRIL 13, 2025 22:50

A group of more than 250 Mossad veterans and nearly 200 reserve medical officers have signed letters calling for the end of the war, Israeli media reported on Sunday.The two new letters add to the two already existing letters signed by veteran pilots and Unit 8200 veterans published on Tuesday and Friday, respectively.The Mossad veteran's letter included three former Mossad heads, Danny Yotam, Ephraim Halevi, and Tamir Pardo; a former deputy head of the Mossad; and dozens of department heads and deputy department heads. The initiative is reportedly led by David Midan and Gail Shoresh."We, the Mossad intelligence and special services veterans, who have dedicated many years to safeguarding the country's security, will not continue to stand by. We express our full support for the pilots' letter, which also reflects our deep concern for the future of the country, and we join the call to act immediately to reach an agreement to return all 59 abductees home, without delay, even at the cost of ceasing fighting."They concluded the letter saying, "The sanctity of life, Mr. Prime Minister, takes precedence over 'God of Revenge.'"The letter was organized through a Mossad veterans society, which Ynet confirmed also exists in the security services.Medical officers join the call-Around 200 reserve medical officers signed a similar letter on Sunday, calling for an end to the war and the return of the hostages."We will return [to service] and stand firm whenever necessary. We feel with pain that the continued fighting in Gaza is intended primarily to serve political and personal interests without a security purpose. The continued fighting does not advance the achievement of the goals of the war declared from the beginning and only endangers IDF soldiers and the lives of our citizens being held hostage.""As medical officers, we serve in the reserve force out of a commitment to the sanctity of life, to the spirit of the IDF and the doctor's oath, and as an expression of mutual guarantee in Israeli society. We warn that the continued fighting and abandonment of the kidnapped is contrary to these values ​​and to the Medical Corps' commitment not to leave any of our people behind.""The continued fighting and abandonment of the kidnapped, as wounded people abandoned on the battlefield, irreversibly erodes the values ​​of the sanctity of life and the commitment to the security of the state and its residents. We call on the Israeli leadership to come to its senses and act in accordance with the values ​​of the State of Israel and the spirit of the IDF."The medical officers specified that they had addressed the letter only to the political echelon.Both letters have added to the growing list of letters addressed to the government, calling for a swift end to the war and the return of all hostages.

US House resolution calls for curriculum reforms to strengthen Abraham Accords-US lawmakers introduced a resolution urging the expansion of the Abraham Accords through education reforms promoting peace and tolerance.By JERUSALEM POST STAFF-APRIL 11, 2025 18:46

US House of Representatives lawmakers introduced a bipartisan resolution on Wednesday in Washington, DC, calling on the State Department and civil society to promote peace and tolerance through education as part of efforts to expand the Abraham Accords. The resolution closely mirrors the mission of the Israeli research institute IMPACT-se, which advocates for educational reform as a cornerstone of regional normalization. Introduced by Abraham Accords Caucus co-chairs Representatives Brad Schneider, Ann Wagner, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and Craig Goldman, the resolution promotes the expansion of the Abraham Accords through curriculum reform that fosters peace, tolerance, and mutual understanding.The resolution explicitly recognizes the role of civil society organizations—such as IMPACT-se—in supporting textbook reform throughout the Arab and Muslim world.The resolution cites Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Egypt, the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco as countries that have implemented “transformative and positive changes” in national curricula. It underscores how education can shape long-term regional peace.'Education rooted in peace'Rep. Goldman warned, “If left unaddressed, extreme, antisemitic, and hateful curricula will continue to fuel instability and violence in the region.”“The Accords offer the region a chance to break free from the gravity of history, to move beyond conflict and toward connection,” said Rep. Schneider. “That future depends on education rooted in peace, tolerance, and mutual recognition.”The resolution also calls on the State Department to prioritize curriculum reform in diplomatic dialogues—especially with countries like Saudi Arabia and Indonesia—and encourages US partners and civil society to continue collaborating on education for peace.“Encouraging and investing in those principles in classrooms throughout Abraham Accords countries is one critical way to build a safer world,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz.“This resolution encourages the State Department to proactively engage with regional countries to build new and stronger relationships that will enhance and entrench the Abraham Accords,” added Rep. Wagner.IMPACT-se CEO Marcus Sheff welcomed the resolution, stating, “We commend the countries that have taken meaningful steps toward curriculum reform and urge others to follow. Our research highlights the critical link between education and normalization. We applaud the Abraham Accords Caucus co-chairs for advancing this important resolution.”

Judicial reform, 'deep state,' and more: Netanyahu tightens his grip on Israel - analysis-A bitterly divided country, already at war for a year and a half, could be facing even more challenging times ahead.By MARK WEISS-APRIL 13, 2025 19:51

The Knesset’s winter session, which ended early in April, was dominated by the return of the government’s controversial judicial reform and the upcoming summer session promises more divisive legislation.Despite the fact that the country is still at war and 59 hostages remain in captivity in Gaza for more than 500 days, it appears that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is more determined than ever to push through a radical political agenda, removing the gatekeepers of Israeli democracy and replacing them with people he considers more loyal.The first year of Netanyahu’s government in 2023 was dominated by efforts to shift the balance of power away from the judiciary to the executive. Opponents of the radical reforms claimed the measures would undermine Israeli democracy by weakening the traditional system of checks and balances, and hundreds of thousands took part in weekly protests. In response to the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023 the coalition suspended the judicial overhaul legislation, as it urged the country to unite around the war effort.Pushing out the key independent gatekeepers critical of the government-But in recent months the coalition renewed the legislative drive while acting against key independent gatekeepers critical of the government. Ronen Bar, the head of the Israel Security Agency (ISA) Shin Bet, was dismissed (pending a High Court ruling on the move) and efforts are also underway to replace Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara.Justifying the decision to remove Bar, the prime minister said he had lost confidence in him since the events of October 7th.Bar wrote that his dismissal was an attempt to interfere with the ISA’s ability to perform its job in a nonpartisan way for the benefit of the citizens of Israel and not for anyone’s personal benefit. He accused the cabinet of attempting to prevent the “pursuit of truth” regarding the events that led to the October 7 massacre and the ISA investigation into the affair known as Qatargate, in which senior advisors in the Prime Minister’s Office are suspected of receiving payments from Qatar, a hostile state with close ties to Hamas.The attorney-general described the decision to sack Bar as “fundamentally flawed,” but the real bombshell was a letter that was written by Bar himself, which was appended to her statement.Bar made several accusations against Prime Minister Netanyahu in the letter, including a demand by the prime minister that Bar make implicitly illegal use of the Shin Bet and its powers against Israeli citizens, and that he act to get Netanyahu out of testifying in his corruption trial. Bar wrote that he surmised that it was his refusal to accommodate Netanyahu’s wishes about his trial that spurred Netanyahu’s decision to expedite his removal from office.Bar has accepted personal responsibility for the failures related to the Hamas attack but the Shin Bet report into the events of October 7 reportedly included a recommendation for a state commission of inquiry that would also examine the role played by the political echelon, a move fiercely resisted by Netanyahu, who has refused to accept any personal culpability.A few days after Bar’s dismissal, the cabinet approved a no-confidence motion against attorney general Gali Baharav–Miara and after the vote, Justice Minister Yariv Levin called on her to resign, saying “substantial and prolonged differences of opinion” prevented effective cooperation between the government and its chief legal adviser. “A way to restore trust no longer exists,” Levin said in a statement. “This situation seriously harms the functioning of the government and its ability to implement its policy.”However, the attorney general has refused to step down and any step to remove her is likely to face administrative hurdles and an appeals process that could delay it for months.The return of judicial reform-At the center of the legislative onslaught in the winter session was the bill changing the system of appointing judges, increasing political control over the process, a key element of the right wing coalition’s judicial overhaul.After a marathon debate the measure passed 64-0 following a boycott by opposition lawmakers and will go into effect when the next Knesset is elected.The new legislation reduces the influence of justices and removes members of the Israel Bar Association from the selection panel. The judges selection committee will now be comprised of three supreme court justices, the justice minister and another minister, one coalition Knesset member and one opposition lawmaker and two civilian representatives who are lawyers – one chosen by the coalition and one by the opposition.Demonstrations were held outside the Knesset and elsewhere across Israel against the measure, the culmination of eight days of consecutive protests. Critics described the bill as an attempt by the government to seize control over the judiciary.Justice Minister Yariv Levin argued that the measure was an attempt to address a longstanding constitutional imbalance that granted excessive power to the judiciary. “When you vote for the Knesset and discover that your vote has been taken by the courts; when you elect a government and discover that its ability to govern has been taken away from it – it is predictable that in a case such as this, at the very least it would be given – via its elected officials – the ability to influence the election of judges,” he said.Opposition party Yesh Atid, along with pro-democracy NGOs, petitioned the High Court against the legislation, and opposition leaders published a joint statement saying they would repeal the law when the next Knesset takes office.A bill was also passed granting the government de-facto power to appoint the next ombudsman of the judiciary, who is responsible for hearing complaints against judges. Levin, the architect of the judicial overhaul, also tried to postpone the appointment of Isaac Amit as Supreme Court chief justice. After he failed, Levin refused to recognize Amit’s appointment and will not cooperate with him, leading to deadlock on pending judicial appointments and other key decisions.Netanyahu, addressing the Knesset, denied democracy was under threat. “Democracy isn’t in danger; rule by bureaucrats is. The deep state is. A small group of bureaucrats who are fighting to retain control over the levers of state power. In a democracy, the people are sovereign; that demands that their votes at the ballot box gain expression in terms of policy,” he said.The war on KAN and Army Radio-The Knesset summer session will likely be dominated by another key element of the government’s radical agenda: the reform of public broadcasting, spearheaded by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, who has both the KAN public broadcaster and Army Radio in his crosshairs.Karhi seeks to cut funding to KAN and privatize its news section, effectively closing it down. He is also working together with Defense Minister Israel Katz to close Army Radio.Another bill expected to be advanced in the summer session, after the measure passed its preliminary reading in the Knesset, will impose an 80% tax on any donation from foreign governments to civil society organizations. Many NGOs, especially human rights organizations, receive the bulk of their financing from donations from abroad and receiving only 20% of these funds would effectively shut them down.There is no doubt that the election of Donald Trump for a second term as US president provided a tailwind for Netanyahu.He was the first foreign leader invited by Trump to visit the White House and came back from Washington impressed by the president’s attack on what Trump terms the “Deep State” and his moves to limit the influence of the judiciary. For Netanyahu, this was a model to be copied.In a telling social media post, Netanyahu compared himself to Trump.“In America and in Israel, when a strong right wing leader wins an election, the leftist Deep State weaponizes the justice system to thwart the people’s will,” he wrote. “They won’t win in either place! We stand strong together.”While the focus remains for now on the judicial overhaul, opposition lawmakers have already expressed concern that the coalition could make a major effort ahead of the next election, which has to be held at the latest by October 2026, to ban Arab parties and/or Arab Knesset members from standing by changing the legal definition of what constitutes support for terror and, in parallel, limit the Supreme Court’s authority over the Central Elections Committee.A bitterly divided country, already at war for a year and a half, could be facing even more challenging times ahead.

Netanyahu says he disagrees with son's style of response to Macron-Netanyahu outlined his view that Macron's call to establish a Palestinian state was a "grave mistake" and that the sole ambition of a Palestinian state was "the destruction of Israel."By JERUSALEM POST STAFF-APRIL 13, 2025 21:48

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday evening on X/Twitter that while he loves and supports his son Yair Netanyahu, whom he called a "true Zionist," he disagrees with his son's response to French President Emmanuel Macron's calling for the establishment of a Palestinian state. Netanyahu then outlined his view that Macron's call to establish a Palestinian state was a "grave mistake" and that the sole ambition of a Palestinian state was "the destruction of Israel."He highlighted that until now, no Hamas or Palestinian Authority figure had condemned October 7, which indicated their true intentions.He ended by saying that Israel would not accept "moralizing sermons" about the establishment of a Palestinian state, which would pose a threat to Israel, from those who also oppose the independence "Corsica, New Caledonia, French Guinea, and other territories," whose independence would not pose a threat to France."Screw you!"Yair Netanyahu had tweeted on Sunday night telling Macron, "Screw you!" and then called for independence for several French territories.Screw you! Yes to independence of New Caledonia! Yes to independence to French Polynesia! Yes to independence of Corsica! Yes to independence of the Basque Country! Yes to independence of French Guinea! Stop the neo imperialism of France in west Africa! https://t.co/Vwa3a8fN2c— Yair Netanyahu (@YairNetanyahu) April 12, 2025This came after Macron had said that France could recognize a Palestinian state as early as June, which was followed by a tweet clarifying his position.In his clarification, Macron said he supported a Hamas-free Palestinian state and wanted progress on the peace process as part of a two-state solution.

Peace between Israel and Syria is possible, Damascus businessman tells 'Post'Syrian-born businessman Yahya Kirdi told the 'Post' that the new Syrian regime is an extremist Islamist regime.By OHAD MERLIN-APRIL 11, 2025 21:01

Yahya Kirdi, a Syrian businessman and owner of several sports clubs, lays down his vision for the prospects of a new Syrian-Israeli peace.Syrian-born businessman Yahya Kirdi envisions a future where Syria and Israel can coexist peacefully despite decades of hostility. In an extensive interview, he shared his background, thoughts on Syria’s political landscape, and aspirations for regional peace.Born in Aleppo, Syria, to parents of Turkish descent from Kilis, Kirdi’s identity straddles some of the multiple cultures that are Syria’s hallmark. After being stripped of his Syrian citizenship by the Assad regime, he now holds Canadian citizenship and has built a successful business career.“I own soccer clubs in Europe and Dubai, as well as companies specializing in sports marketing and petroleum trade,” Kirdi explained. His professional background includes being a former professional soccer player and working with UNICEF in 2009.When asked about his willingness to speak with Israeli media, Kirdi expressed no reservations. “Israeli media are advanced, developed, and free, pursuing truth regardless of where it leads,” he stated. “This presents an opportunity to convey my voice and that of Syrians to the Israeli and Jewish people – that we desire to live peacefully alongside our Jewish neighbors.”Kirdi rejected the notion that Arab populations are inherently hostile toward Israel, characterizing this as “a deception perpetuated by Arab rulers to prevent their people from seeing the truth.”When prompted to describe the reasons for the fall of the Assad regime in his view, Kirdi spoke frankly about what he sees as the geopolitical realities behind recent developments.“The collapse of [Bashar al-]Assad was essentially a convergence of American, Turkish, and Russian interests,” he commented. “To be realistic, the fall involved surrendering territories without fighting. Additionally, Israeli strikes against Hezbollah and the withdrawal of Iranian militias played a crucial role in bringing down Assad’s regime.”Kirdi expressed concern about the rise of Ahmed al-Sharaa’s administration in parts of Syria. “A man unknown to Syrians before, yet on terrorist watch lists and wanted by international justice, who pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda leaders Ayman al-Zawahiri and Osama bin Laden,” Kirdi said with evident frustration, questioning the international community’s relative silence about Sharaa’s rise to power despite his connections to ISIS, Jabhat al-Nusra, and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham.“His current rule is totalitarian and sectarian, knowing only the language of bloodshed,” Kirdi asserted about the new Syrian leader. “We should understand that changing Afghan-style clothing doesn’t mean changing the ideology within al-Sharaa himself.”The Islamists backing Sharaa's admin.The businessman criticized Sharaa’s administration for relying on non-Syrian, hardline Islamists, including “elements from Hamas and Islamic Jihad among his fighters, as well as militants from Chechnya, Uzbekistan, Uyghurs, Egyptians, Moroccans, Tunisians, Algerians, and Libyans.”Kirdi questioned whether such a diverse array of foreign fighters could truly represent Syrian interests.“This is an Islamic jihadist movement with no connection to Syrian identity,” he argued. “We rose against Assad senior and then Assad junior and sacrificed our lives. There are thousands of honorable military personnel who defected from Assad’s regime and paid a heavy price – they are now marginalized under a one-color totalitarian rule that gives no space for others to participate in political life.”The businessman emphasized that Sharaa’s rule fails to respect Syria’s diverse fabric, which includes “Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Armenians, Druze, Circassians, Kurds, and Syrian Turkmen.”He characterized the new Syrian leader’s inclusive gestures as “merely theatrical performances for global media,” while the reality remains “a totalitarian Islamic rule – an extremist Islamic emirate relying on non-Syrians for governance.”Kirdi revealed he had filed complaints against the UN secretary-general and UN envoys to Syria Geir Pedersen and his predecessor Staffan de Mistura, accusing them of corruption and collusion with certain Syrian opposition members. He also mentioned he is promoting legal action against Bashar Assad and “4,000 members of Assad’s gang” through Canadian courts, with the case reportedly transferred to the International Court of Justice.The Syrian-Canadian businessman also referred to the role of Qatar as a mediator in Middle Eastern conflicts, particularly after October 7. Kirdi expressed skepticism. “My point of view, which I shared with close friends in the US and Canada, was that Israel should be careful, very careful. Because first, Qatar relies on information from people who are not Qataris. It has Palestinian, Arab, European, and even American political advisers. Even media professionals who hold Israeli citizenship through media outlets it [Qatar] owns. This is clear to everyone. How can this be a mediator and a judge at the same time? With all due respect to the Qataris, you cannot succeed with this mediation, because it will not be fair. Qatar succeeded in moving the World Cup it hosted from June in the summer to winter, but it failed in the negotiations on the Hamas and Israelis case.”Kirdi suggested Canada would be a more suitable mediator than Qatar, claiming the war might have ended sooner with different facilitation.“I, personally, have a solution and plan to stop the war that would benefit all parties and end the conflict in Gaza – a very suitable solution for the Israelis and Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu, which friends in Israel appreciated,” he claimed, without providing further information.When discussing the future political landscape of Syria, Kirdi advocated against federalization or division into multiple states.“We are deeply concerned that the current policies pursued by authorities may lead to partition, which benefits no one, neither internally nor externally. Partition or federalism would make Syria available to extremists and radicals who threaten regional security,” he warned.Instead, Kirdi envisioned “a single Syrian state led by an authority built on modern foundations, where businessmen contribute significantly to reconstruction and improving the economy.”He stressed the need for “wise leaders who understand the people’s interests and how to protect them, who are aware of international conditions and work diligently with others to prepare Syria and the region for peace.”On the possibility of peace between Syria and Israel, Kirdi was optimistic.“Yes, we believe peace is possible and see that the Syrian people are ready for a peace process with Israel,” he stated. “We don’t believe that the long-term incitement carried out by the regime has established eternal hatred. The people have become rational and aware, knowing their interest lies in peace, provided there is a reasonable leadership capable of securing Syrians’ rights diplomatically, and Israeli cooperation with the idea of peace that guarantees people’s peace, not regimes’ peace.”Kirdi highlighted the potential role of business leaders in fostering peace.“We believe that businessmen can play a major role in this, and historical experience has proven that the best to lead peace are sincere businessmen surrounded by a rational group of politicians and thinkers,” he said. “We hope to have a role in peace because this serves Syrians and all peoples of the region.”Regarding his own political future in Syria, Kirdi distanced himself from the current administration, despite rumors of being offered a high-ranking position.“We don’t see a political role for ourselves under an authority that seeks to entrench dictatorship, and we don’t accept holding a position in such an atmosphere. We want a civil, democratic state,” he affirmed. He would participate only when the system genuinely serves Syrian society and fulfills its aspirations, he indicated.On the Kurdish question in Syria, Kirdi acknowledged strong fraternal relations between his community and Kurdish Syrians but expressed concern about certain Kurdish political factions.“Everyone knows our relationship with the Kurdish component is fraternal, with unbreakable ties between us, having lived side by side in this region,” he said. “However, the problem is that there are Kurdish political parties that want to carve out a part of Syrian territory and attach it to separatist projects that threaten Syria’s national security and the security of our neighbor Turkey and other neighboring countries.”On regional dynamics, Kirdi referred to Turkey’s significant influence in Syria.“Turkey has a tremendous ability to influence Syria, exceeding any neighboring country,” he said, citing shared borders, social interconnections, and history. “I cannot imagine a solution and stability in Syria without reaching an understanding with Turkey. We must address their concerns and accept their soft contribution to reconstruction and stability, but also stand against any hegemonic tendencies.”Perhaps most striking were Kirdi’s views on peace with Israel. “Peace has always been possible if it were from people to people,” he asserted. “There is no enmity between Syrians and Jews; the dispute between the Syrian state and Israel concerns the Golan Heights, which can be managed through dialogue.”He characterized the current moment as a “historic opportunity” for peace between the two peoples, contingent upon Israel’s willingness and international support for developing a moderate, democratic civil authority in Syria.Kirdi highlighted the role of business leaders in fostering peace.“You cannot talk about the triumph of democracy without a free economic system,” he stated, emphasizing that economic development would be decisive in gaining popular support and shaping politics.”Kirdi spoke warmly about Syria’s cultural heritage and openness. “The Syrian people are simple and kind. They love others, love goodness, love work, and hate wars,” he said. “In all Syrian cities, from Latakia to Aleppo to Damascus to Deir el-Zor to Raqqa to Hasakah, we have neighborhoods and streets named after Jewish quarters. Jews were our neighbors.”His message to readers emphasized the Syrian people’s exhaustion with both authoritarianism and war.“Trust the Syrians, for they are the children of ancient civilizations. They are not extremists and are open to all cultures of peoples who seek peace,” Kirdi concluded.

Iran's water crisis at tipping point in threat to Islamic regime's stability-Iran expert Dr. Sharona Mazalian Levi says prolonged water outages, empty reservoirs, and crop failures may be a recipe for social unrest.By OHAD MERLIN-MARCH 30, 2025 19:06

“Iran is drying up,” Dr. Sharona Mazalian Levi from The Alliance Center for Iranian Studies at Tel Aviv University affirmed, painting a grim picture of what she described as one of the most pressing environmental challenges facing the Islamic Republic today.“Iran is facing an unprecedented water crisis that threatens the nation’s stability,” Mazalian Levi said. She explained that multiple factors have converged to create this critical situation, with several major provinces now reaching what she deemed “a tipping point.”Has Iran reached the tipping point in its water crisis? A thread It’s no secret that Iran is drying up. For years, the country has been facing a severe and widespread water crisis, but recently it has reached its peak: prolonged water outages >> pic.twitter.com/5wX5EG1LL0- Sharona Mazalian (@SharonaMazalian) March 27, 2025-According to Mazalian Levi, the Iranian Energy Ministry declared last week that the provinces of Tehran, Isfahan, Razavi Khorasan, and Yazd are facing a severe water crisis. She highlighted the alarming state of the Karaj Dam, which supplies water to millions in Tehran and the surrounding areas.“The Karaj Dam is now at only 6% of its capacity,” she noted, referencing reports from Tasnim news agency that 94% of the reservoir is empty. “This isn’t just an environmental issue; it’s a potential catalyst for civil unrest and disorder that could lead to national instability.”Two of the main catalysts for the crisis are what Mazalian Levi named “poor management of the water sector,” as well as a population growth of more than 250% in only 50 years. “This includes over-extraction from natural water sources and aquifers to the point of depletion,” she added.However, Mazalian Levi traced the origins of the crisis further back in history. According to the researcher, following the 1979 revolution, Iran found itself internationally isolated and was forced to develop an autarkic economic system. Religious leaders, including then-supreme leader Ruhollah Khomeini, encouraged citizens to embrace farming and agriculture as a way of life, drawing from texts regarding the Prophet Muhammad himself.“This agricultural push significantly increased water usage at a time when the country was still relying on outdated and inefficient irrigation technologies,” she explained. “Simultaneously, Iran experienced tremendous population growth, from approximately 37 million on the eve of the revolution to around 90 million today.”Mazalian Levi also pointed out that the influx of millions of undocumented Afghani migrants has further strained resources, creating an exponential rise in demand for water. Urban migration has compounded the problem, with rural residents moving to major cities like Tehran, Mashhad, and Karaj, placing even greater pressure on urban water supplies.“The most important river in Afghanistan, the Helmand, flows into Iran,” Mazalian Levi explained.“According to a 1973 agreement, the Afghans pledged to transfer around 820 million cubic meters of water to neighboring Iran yearly (with an option to lower the quantities in case of water scarcity). However, recently, the Afghan government violated the agreement and blocked the flow to the Islamic Republic, which intensified the already tense relations between the Shi’ite and Sunni neighbors,” the Iran expert added.Social upheaval and frustration -The consequences of these developments are being felt across Iranian society. Mazalian Levi described a dire situation where authorities deliberately cut off water supply lines, often for extended periods and without prior notice.“People are left with murky water and even mud coming out of their taps,” she said, citing video evidence from the city of Ahvaz. “Water tankers are being dispatched across the country, medical teams find themselves preparing for surgery without water, and household activities are disrupted without warning.”She shared an example from a news report about a frustrated resident in the city of Pardis in Tehran Province who complained that water flows through taps for only two hours per day.The agricultural sector has been hit particularly hard. Farmers are being forced to abandon water-intensive crops like wheat and rice in favor of varieties more suited to drought conditions. Many are giving up farming altogether and migrating to cities in search of alternative employment.“Crop variety is shrinking, and the country’s food security is being undermined,” Mazalian Levi warned. “There are real shortages of fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, and oils, leading to rising food prices and increased dependence on imported food.”This dependence is especially problematic given the hyperinflation Iran has experienced in recent years, making imported food prices increasingly volatile and unaffordable for many Iranians.Nature directly affected-Another actor directly affected by the water crisis in Iran is nature itself, as demonstrated by Lake Urmia, a salty lake located in northwestern Iran between the provinces of West Azerbaijan and East Azerbaijan.According to Mazalian Levi, in the past, the lake was one of the largest salt lakes in the world and the largest in the Middle East at about 5,700 square kilometers. However, according to estimates, its area is now less than 1,000 sq.km.“Over the past few decades, Lake Urmia has experienced significant drying, which has led to a drastic decrease in its size,” Mazalian Levi explained.“The reasons for this are varied. First, the country has built many dams on the rivers and streams that flow into the lake for the benefit of the agricultural and irrigation industries in the region and industrial plants. In this way, the diversion of water sources has reduced the amount of water flowing into the lake."“Secondly, climate change and the decrease in precipitation have also reduced the amount of water reaching the lake. Thirdly, over-pumping of groundwater and salt in the area for the production of industrial salt and food [has impacted the water level].”According to Mazalian Levi, the drying up of Lake Urmia has also damaged the regional ecosystem that existed there.“The lake was an important and central habitat for a wide variety of animals, including Persian ibex, goats, sheep, fish with special tolerance to the salty environment of the water, birds such as pelicans, ducks, flamingos, and more” the researcher elaborated. “Some of the unique animals became extinct or disappeared from the regional landscape, and the diversity of the fauna has decreased dramatically.”However, this was not the only damage; it also affected the residents of the area. The decrease in the water level has brought with it new phenomena that have made it difficult for the residents of the area, such as salt and dust storms, which cause respiratory diseases and burning eyes.“Local tourism and fishing have also been affected. Over the past decade, the Iranian government has promised to restore the lake, but this is a very complex challenge. Dams have been opened to restore natural flow to the lake, but this does not seem to be enough to turn the tide.”Finally, Mazalian Levi emphasized that water – the most fundamental source of life – has become a critical factor that could determine Iran’s future stability and resilience. The government’s appeals for water conservation appear to have had limited impact in a society where, as she put it, “It’s every person for themselves in the face of this escalating crisis.”