Israeli Air Force Grounds F-16 Squadron After Targeting Errors in Gaza

 The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has temporarily grounded an F-16 squadron stationed at Ramon Air Base for three weeks due to two significant incidents of incorrect targeting in Gaza. These errors, which the IAF described as a “landmark error,” occurred twice within a span of two weeks, revealing critical flaws in target verification and operational procedures.

The first incident was caused by the incorrect entry of ground coordinates, leading to an unintended target being hit. Despite changes to procedures after this mistake, a similar error happened days later during an overnight mission targeting five locations in Gaza. A digit error in the target coordinates led to another incorrect strike.

An IAF spokesperson highlighted the failure to follow ground verification procedures, attributing the mistakes to “negligence in entering waypoints, non-compliance with additional control procedures by the crew, and a failure to adapt to the updated procedures after the initial error.”

Fortunately, there were no casualties or damage from these incidents. The grounding of the squadron aims to prevent future errors and reinforce strict adherence to targeting protocols. The IAF plans a thorough investigation to address the root causes and implement stronger preventive measures.

This incident follows another significant error by the IAF nearly a month earlier when a combat aircraft accidentally dropped a bomb intended for Gaza on Israeli territory. The unexploded bomb, found on May 17 in Yated village near the Gaza border, posed a serious risk to local residents.

The recent grounding of the squadron comes amid escalating tensions and ongoing conflict in the region, emphasizing the critical need for precise military operations to maintain international credibility and minimize unintended consequences.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the “intense phase of the war with Hamas in Gaza is about to end,” but military operations would continue until Hamas is eliminated. He indicated that the conflict might soon shift focus to the northern border with Lebanon, where clashes with Hezbollah have intensified, underscoring the broader regional instability Israel faces.

Hezbollah Destroys Israeli Iron Dome with Iranian Almas Missile: Details and Implications

 In a significant show of strength, Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah recently claimed to have destroyed Israel's famed 'Iron Dome' using an Iranian-made missile. On June 5, Hezbollah announced it had struck an Iron Dome launcher near Ramot Naftali, referred to by the group as "northern occupied Palestine."

A video released by Hezbollah confirmed the strike, showing a guided missile hitting the launcher. The following day, photos and information circulated on social media, indicating that the Iron Dome battery was destroyed by an Iran-origin Almas missile, reportedly supplied to Hezbollah by Tehran.

Various military bloggers and open-source intelligence accounts confirmed that Hezbollah used the 'Almas-3' anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) for the attack. Ironically, the Almas is based on Israel's Spike ATGM. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have not officially acknowledged the destruction, with some pro-Israeli bloggers suggesting the target could have been a decoy or inactive launcher.

Elijah J. Magnier, a veteran Middle East correspondent, noted on social media that Hezbollah's action was a message to stop the war on Gaza, implying that the Lebanese front would cease its activities in response. Pro-Iranian commentators praised the effectiveness of Iranian weapons, highlighting the Almas missile's capabilities.

The Almas missile is believed to be an Iranian reverse-engineered version of Israel's Spike missile, captured by Hezbollah during the 2006 war and subsequently brought to Iran. Hezbollah has been using various Iranian-supplied weapons against Israel since October last year.

Hezbollah's video of the attack shows the Almas missile approaching and striking the Iron Dome launcher. This wasn't the first use of the Almas against Israel; earlier footage from January showed the missile being used against an Israeli intelligence installation near the Lebanon border.

The Almas missile, capable of precise indirect attacks, poses a significant threat to Israeli military and border infrastructure. The Spike missile, used by the IDF with great success, is renowned for its precision and first-person control capabilities. The Almas' possession by Hezbollah, therefore, is concerning for Israel.

The Almas, meaning 'Diamond' in Persian, is a high-precision anti-tank guided missile developed by Iran and supplied to Hezbollah. The missile's sophisticated technology reflects Iran's robust missile development capabilities, with a range of about eight kilometers and a tandem warhead designed for high precision.

Hezbollah's acquisition of advanced weapons like the Almas underscores Iran's extensive support, providing the militant group with sophisticated missiles and rockets. Iran has a history of replicating Western ammunition, demonstrating its ability to produce weapons close to the originals in capability.

The development and deployment of the Almas missile by Hezbollah highlight the evolving threat landscape and the growing sophistication of Iran's missile technology, posing new challenges for Israel's defense systems.

Hezbollah Claims Destruction of Israel's Iron Dome, Releases Video Amid Escalating Tensions

 

Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah has announced the destruction of Israel’s well-regarded Iron Dome air defense system. This claim came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of potential "very intense" operations near Lebanon.

On June 5, Hezbollah claimed it struck an Iron Dome launcher near Ramot Naftali, referred to by Hezbollah as “northern occupied Palestine.” The group supported this claim with a video showing a guided missile hitting the launcher. Israeli media, however, did not confirm the aftermath of the attack.

Additional visuals emerged on social media showing an Iron Dome battery stationed at an Israel Defense Force (IDF) barrack being hit in a precision strike. Despite this, the IDF has not acknowledged any attack on the Iron Dome system. Earlier, on June 2, Hezbollah claimed to have destroyed an Iron Dome radar in the Golan Heights using attack drones, causing an explosion and casualties.

The video has sparked celebrations among pro-Iranian and pro-Palestinian social media users, who hailed it as the first-ever destruction of an Iron Dome battery.

Observers noted that while Hamas has attempted to destroy the Iron Dome in the past, there is no credible evidence of success, making Hezbollah’s claim more significant. Some users pointed out the irony of a system designed to destroy incoming missiles being destroyed by a missile.

Israel has extensively used the Iron Dome against incoming targets from Hezbollah and Hamas, particularly since launching a bombing campaign against Gaza following a Hamas attack in October 2023. The Iron Dome is credited with intercepting 99% of aerial targets launched by Iran in a large-scale attack in April 2024. Developed with US support, the Iron Dome is designed to intercept short-range rockets and has a reported success rate of over 90%.

The system’s reported failure to intercept a Hezbollah rocket has become a focal point on social media, highlighting Hezbollah’s growing capabilities. There are claims that Hezbollah has acquired more sophisticated weapons, allegedly supplied by Iran via Syria.

Israel and Hezbollah have been in continuous conflict since October last year, with Hezbollah opposing Israel’s war on Gaza, which has resulted in over 36,000 civilian deaths and widespread condemnation. In November, Hezbollah warned the US that Israel’s ongoing campaign could lead to regional escalation.

The recent destruction of an Iron Dome battery has intensified hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. Following months of daily clashes, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that Israel was “prepared for a very intense operation” in the north.

Fighting has increased over the past week, with Israel conducting deeper strikes into Lebanese territory, raising fears of a larger conflict. Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s readiness to restore security in the north during a visit to the border area.

Israel has intensified its attacks on Hezbollah members and Palestinian and Lebanese fighters in Lebanon. In retaliation, Hezbollah launched a drone attack on June 5, injuring at least ten people.

Netanyahu’s coalition partners, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have also called for aggressive action against Hezbollah. Israel’s Chief of the General Staff, Herzi Halevi, emphasized the military’s preparedness for an offensive in the north following extensive training.

Since October 7, Israeli strikes have killed around 300 Hezbollah members and 80 civilians. The Israeli military reported 18 soldiers and 10 civilian deaths from attacks originating in Lebanon.

Hezbollah's deputy head, Sheikh Naim Qassem, stated that while the group has not decided to expand the conflict, it is prepared to do so if necessary, warning that Israel would face significant destruction if the conflict escalated.

France Bars Israeli Companies from Eurosatory Defense Show Over Gaza Conflict

 France has prohibited Israeli companies from participating in Eurosatory, Europe’s largest defense exhibition, due to Israel's military actions in Gaza. The French Armed Forces Ministry stated that "conditions are no longer suited" for Israeli companies to attend, aligning with French President Emmanuel Macron's calls for Israel to cease operations in Rafah.

President Macron has expressed outrage over Israeli strikes in Rafah, which have resulted in numerous casualties. This decision reflects ongoing debates in France regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the country's defense exports to Israel. Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu has faced multiple inquiries from lawmakers about these exports.

Over 70 Israeli companies, including major firms like Israel Aerospace Industries, Elbit Systems, and Rafael Advance Defense Systems, were set to participate in the show starting June 17. Elbit had planned to showcase its PULS multiple-rocket launcher and Sigma next-generation howitzer.

In compliance with the French government's decision, there will be no representation from the Israeli defense industry at Eurosatory 2024, as confirmed by the event organizer Coges Events.

Israel, the world's ninth-largest arms exporter, saw its defense exports rise to a record $12.5 billion in 2022, with $3.67 billion in sales to Europe. Unmanned aerial vehicles and related systems comprised a significant portion of these exports, followed by missiles, rockets, and air-defense systems.

Saudi Arabia Eyes F-35 Stealth Fighters in Historic US Defense Deal Amidst China’s Rising Influence

 

Saudi Arabia is on the brink of securing a landmark defense deal with the United States, potentially involving the purchase of F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters. This development comes as the US seeks to counter China's growing influence in the Persian Gulf.

On May 20, the White House announced significant progress in negotiations between US national security officials and Saudi Arabia, edging closer to finalizing a bilateral defense agreement. John Kirby, the White House national security spokesperson, indicated that both nations are "closer than we’ve ever been" to reaching a near-final agreement.

While specifics of the deal remain undisclosed, it is believed that the agreement could include a formal US commitment to defend Saudi Arabia in return for Riyadh limiting or suspending arms purchases from China. An American official hinted that discussions about supplying F-35 fighter jets and other weapons to Saudi Arabia are part of the talks, though no definitive promises have been made.

Historically, a major barrier to selling F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia has been the US's obligation to maintain Israel’s military superiority in the region. This agreement ensures that US-supplied weapons to Israel remain superior to those sold to neighboring countries. Consequently, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states have considered alternative fighter jets like the French Dassault Rafale or the Eurofighter Typhoon.

Analysts believe that a sale of F-35s to Saudi Arabia could reinforce US commitment to the region's security, ensuring Saudi dependence on US training, maintenance, logistics, and interoperability. Despite these potential benefits, maintaining Israel's air superiority remains a critical factor.

The US's interest in securing this deal is driven by concerns over China's expanding footprint in the Middle East. Since the launch of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013, China has increased its economic and military presence in the region. In 2022, Saudi Arabia reportedly signed $4 billion in arms deals with China, including drones and missile systems, but not high-value assets like fighter jets.

China and Saudi Arabia's military cooperation has intensified, evidenced by their joint naval drills in 2023. Additionally, China brokered a détente between Saudi Arabia and Iran, highlighting its growing diplomatic influence.

US officials worry that China’s increasing influence is filling a void left by strained US-Saudi relations, worsened by incidents like the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and disagreements over oil production during the Ukraine war.

Speculation is growing that the impending US-Saudi defense pact might not match a NATO-style agreement but will still involve substantial military cooperation. Reports suggest the deal could include sharing advanced technology like artificial intelligence and quantum computing, as well as supporting Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear program.

The Biden administration’s negotiations also seek to address Israel and Palestinian issues, aiming for regional stability. Last year’s attempts to broker peace between Saudi Arabia and Israel failed following renewed conflict in Gaza.

While optimism surrounds the potential defense deal, challenges remain, particularly Saudi demands for Israel to cease actions against Hamas and progress towards an independent Palestinian state. Kirby noted that while an exact timeline for the deal is uncertain, talks are on a positive trajectory.

Israel's Livni Urges U.S. to Step Up Iran Sanctions

JERU.S.ALEM - Israeli opposition leader Tzipi Livni urged U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta to ratchet up sanctions against Iran" without delay," a statement from her Kadima party said on Dec. 3.

It said that the two met in Washington on Dec. 2.

Israeli media said that the meeting took place before Panetta delivered a speech urging Israel to break out of growing regional "isolation" by repairing diplomatic ties with Egypt and Turkey, and renewing peace efforts with the Palestinians.

"The world needs to stop Iran," the Kadima statement quoted Livni as telling Panetta.

"Stronger, tougher sanctions are required without delay."

Israel and much of the international community fear that Iran's nuclear program masks a drive for a weapons capability. Tehran denies any such ambition and says the program is for peaceful civilian energy and medical purposes only.

In his comments on Friday to the Brookings Institution's Saban Centre for the Middle East, a Washington think-tank, Panetta vowed to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, saying the Obama administration had not ruled out possible military action.

But he warned of the potential downside of any strike, which he said could actually strengthen the Tehran regime while not necessarily destroying all targets.

The Pentagon chief said he understood Israel's anxieties over turmoil in the Middle East but said the Arab Spring offered an opportunity for the country to forge a more secure place in the region.

It was crucial for Israel to reach out and "mend fences" with countries such as Turkey, Egypt and Jordan that share an interest in regional stability, said Panetta, who issued similar appeals in a visit to the region in October.

Israel also needed "to lean forward on efforts to achieve peace with the Palestinians," Panetta said.

Livni said that neutralizing Iran and making peace with the Palestinians were both factors for Middle East stability.

"The struggle against a nuclear Iran, and renewed movement in negotiations with the Palestinians will strengthen the pragmatic camp in the region," she told Panetta.

Mossad, IDF Websites Online After 'Server Crash'

JERUSALEM - The websites of Israel's military, Mossad and the Shin Bet intelligence services were back online on Monday after being unavailable the previous day due to what officials said was a "server crash."
The three sites, along with numerous other government websites, crashed on Sunday, two days after the international hackers' group Anonymous apparently threatened to take action after Israel blocked two boats of pro-Palestinian activists from reaching the blockaded Gaza Strip.

All three sites appeared to be working normally on Monday after being unavailable all day on Sunday. A spokesman for the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose website was not affected, blamed the outage on a "server malfunction" technical glitch rather than an attack by hackers.
"Israeli government websites crashed today because of a server malfunction, not as a result of a cyber attack," Ofir Gendelman wrote in a posting on Twitter late on Sunday.
The sites went down shortly after a video was posted on YouTube, allegedly by "hacktivist" group Anonymous, in which they threatened the Israeli government with retaliation after Friday's interception of two activist vessels that had been hoping to run Israel's naval blockade on the territory.
An earlier attempt to run the Gaza blockade in May 2010 had ended in bloodshed when Israeli naval commandos stormed the lead vessel of a six-ship flotilla, killing nine Turkish activists and sparking a wave of international condemnation - and a flurry of new attempts to reach the coastal enclave.
Entitled "An open letter from Anonymous to the Government of Israel," the video accused the Jewish state of "piracy on the high seas" and warned that if it continued to block ships heading to Gaza "then you will leave us no choice but to strike back," it said. It was not immediately possible to confirm whether the video was posted by Anonymous, which has been involved in scores of hacking exploits, many of them targeting governments. Last year, hackers associated with Anonymous launched retaliatory attacks on companies perceived to be enemies of the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks.

Israel, Gaza Trade Strikes After Attacks

GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories - Gazan rockets hit southern Israel on Aug. 19 after a long night of air strikes as Israel sought to smash the militants behind desert attacks that killed eight Israelis.
As the air force pounded targets across the Gaza Strip, militants there lobbed 12 rockets at south Israel early on Aug. 19, injuring two - one seriously and one moderately - in the city of Ashdod, police said.

Several hours earlier, one Gazan was killed and 17 injured as Israel pounded targets across the strip following a day of violence in which gunmen unleashed bloody mayhem on a desert road near the Red Sea resort town of Eilat.
Six Israeli civilians, a soldier and a police officer were killed in several hours of attacks on a desert road some 12 miles north of Eilat.
Israeli warplanes responded immediately, attacking targets in southern Gaza which killed six people, including five militants from the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) - the group it said was behind the violence.
The PRC vowed bitter revenge for the attack, which killed its leader and three other top cadres, and on Friday claimed responsibility for firing at least seven rockets and mortars into Israel.
Overnight, the Israeli air force hit seven targets in Gaza, including two training camps for Hamas militants, a weapons factory, two smuggling tunnels and a "terror tunnel."
Palestinian sources reported two more raids on Aug. 19, lightly injuring one person.
"The Israeli Defense Forces will not tolerate any malicious attempt to harm Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers and will not hesitate to respond with strength and determination to any element that uses terror against the State of Israel and until calm is restored," a statement said.
In Egypt, state television said two "unidentified Egyptians" had been killed by Israeli gunfire on Aug. 18 in an area near the site of the attacks; overnight security officials said three Egyptian policemen were also killed in the same area when an Israeli Apache fired a rocket at militants.
Israel officials were quick to point the finger at Gaza, although the territory's Hamas rulers denied any connection to the attacks.
But the Israeli military said it held the Islamist group ultimately responsible for violence coming from the territory it controls.
"If Hamas wants an escalation, it will pay a high price," Brigadier General Yoav Mordechai told public radio on Aug. 19, saying some form of ground operation in Gaza was not out of the question.
"All options are open, including a pin-point (ground) operation," he said.
Both sides were burying their dead on Aug. 19, with funerals in Jerusalem for the soldier and the police officer and a burial procession due to take place in southern Gaza for the five militants and the toddler.
As Israeli police went on high alert across Israel, the country's main newspapers painted a much clearer picture of how events unfolded on Aug. 18 involving an estimated 15 to 20 gunmen, some wearing Egyptian army fatigues.
The first attack saw three gunmen open fire on a packed bus heading to Eilat, injuring seven people. Shortly afterwards, they opened fire on a civilian car in the same area, killing four people.
Then one of the militants detonated an explosives-packed belt he was wearing as an empty bus drove past, blowing himself up and killing the driver.
Further gunfire was directed at another car, killing one man. The soldier and the police officer were killed in two separate gun battles with the attackers which lasted into the evening, the papers said.
Six of the attackers were killed by Israeli troops and special police forces, while the seventh blew himself up; others are believed to have fled across the Egyptian border.
Egypt's state television on Aug. 18 showed footage of rifles, grenades and army uniforms seized during an ongoing security operation in northern Sinai, while in a separate development, security officials said they had uncovered a workshop capable of producing suicide belts.

Israeli, Chinese Defense Chiefs Meet in Tel Aviv

JERUSALEM - China's chief of staff Gen. Chen Bingde for the first time met his Israeli counterpart, Gen. Benny Gantz, and Defense Minister Ehud Barak in Tel Aviv, the Defense Ministry said in a statement.
"The defense minister and the Chinese chief of staff discussed the situation in the region, relations with the Palestinian Authority and the situation in Pakistan and Iran, as well as the fight against global terrorism," the statement said.

During his trip Chen will "meet senior security officials and attend strategic and security briefings, visit the IDF Urban Warfare Training Centre, and observe a display of IDF forces training," an Israeli military spokesman said earlier.
Israeli army radio has described the visit as "historic."
The Israeli military declined to say how long Chen would be in the country.
In June, Barak made a rare visit to Beijing for talks with Chinese leaders, at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, Liang Guanglie.
Defense ties had been frosty after U.S. intervention twice scuttled Israeli arms deals with China: the sale of advanced Phalcon spy planes in 2000 and of spare parts for Israeli-built Harpy drones five years later.
Chen's visit comes as Israel seeks to convince the international community to vote against a bid by the Palestinians for recognition of a state at the U.N. General Assembly in September.
Israel has in the past also sought tougher measures from Beijing, a key U.N. Security Council member, against Iran's controversial nuclear program.

Israel Nabs Boat Smuggling Weapons on Dead Sea

JERUSALEM - The Israeli military and police captured a boat on the Dead Sea which was trying to smuggle weapons from Jordan, and detained two Palestinians on board, officials said on July 25.

The Israeli military said the boat was smuggling weapons from Jordan and that 10 Kalashnikov assault rifles and 10 magazines were found on board the dinghy.

"This was effectively a smuggling attempt from Jordan to the (Palestinian) territories. They were stopped at dawn. There were 10 Kalashnikovs, and 10 full magazines in the boat," an Israeli military spokeswoman told AFP.

She said the men detained, who were being questioned by police, were Palestinians from the West Bank.

The Dead Sea is the lowest place in the world and it stretches some 43 miles along the border with Jordan, while its northern and western shores touch Israel and the West Bank.

Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld confirmed that the boat had come from Jordan.

"There is an ongoing police investigation involving a number of arms that were attempted to be smuggled from Jordan," he told AFP. "Two suspects have been arrested and are being questioned. The arrests were made this morning and a number of weapons were confiscated."

Israel's army radio said the vessel was a dinghy that had come from Jordan and was trying to traffic arms into the West Bank.

Very few vessels are able to sail on the inland lake. Due to the density of the water - the Dead Sea has a salt and mineral content which is seven times more concentrated than sea water - boats float very high and run a considerable risk of capsizing.

It was not the first time the army has stopped a boat containing weapons on the Dead Sea, although such attempts are rare.

In October 2006, Israeli troops thwarted an attempt to smuggle weapons and drugs from Jordan into Israel via the Dead Sea.

A military patrol spotted an inflatable craft approaching from Jordan and gave chase, arresting the two men on board - an Israeli Bedouin from Khirbet Khasif in the southern Negev desert, and a Palestinian resident of Jordan.

Months later, media reports said the navy had started looking into the possibility of organising regular patrols on the sea in an bid to prevent the infiltration of people and weapons from Jordan into the Palestinian territories.

Because of the high salinity of the water, tests were being conducted to examine what kind of patrol vessel could withstand erosion from the salt, they said.

In February 1998, the Israeli army has arrested a Palestinian man after discovering a large quantity of arms on the northern coast of the Dead Sea which had been brought in from Jordan in two motor boats.