News Digest — 8/1/24
Netanyahu: ‘Israel Will Exact A Heavy Price For Any Aggression Against Us’
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday evening (7/31) addressed the growing threats on Israel after it dealt “crushing blows” to Iran’s proxies, and vowed to “exact a heavy price for any aggression against us.”
“Since the start of the war, I have made it clear that we are fighting against Iran’s Axis of Evil. This is a war for survival against a stranglehold of terrorist armies and missiles that Iran seeks to tighten around our necks,” he said in a statement shortly after a two-and-a-half hour Security Cabinet meeting following the assassination of top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukri and Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh.
“The axis has three arms – Hamas, the Houthis and Hezbollah. In recent days we have delivered crushing blows to each of them. In the attacks, we eliminated Nasrallah’s deputy, responsible for the murder of children and other Israelis. He was behind the relentless attacks on our northern citizens and was one of the most wanted terrorists in the world.
Netanyahu recalled visiting the site of the Hezbollah massacre in Majdal Shams, where 12 children and teenagers were killed, and expressed solidarity with the Druze community. “We settled the score with Mohsen and will settle the score with anyone who harms us,” he said, referring to Shukri by his call sign.
“Citizens of Israel, challenging days are ahead. Since the Beirut attack, threats have been heard from all sides. We are prepared for any scenario and will face any threat with focus and determination. Israel will exact a heavy price for any aggression against us.”
“Every week, voices urge me to end the war, claiming it is unwinnable. We did not yield then, and I will not yield now. We have made significant achievements by making brave decisions despite heavy pressure.”
Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran around 2:00 a.m.local time, hours after attending the inauguration of Iran’s new President Masoud Pezeshkian. Reports claim he was killed by a missile strike, but the circumstances remain unclear. Unlike Shukri’s assassination in Beirut, Israel has not officially claimed responsibility for Haniyeh’s killing, despite accusations from Hamas and Iran.
The dual assassinations have raised concerns of a broader escalation leading to regional war. Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya said that both Hamas and Tehran do not seek regional conflict but stressed that Haniyeh’s assassination was a “crime” that must be punished. Iran has also threatened a severe response, with its UN delegation hinting at “special actions” to “make Israel regret its deeds.”
In light of these threats, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant visited a missile defense battery and praised the soldiers, emphasizing the importance of their role. He highlighted the precision and quality of the Beirut operation and reiterated Israel’s readiness for all scenarios.
IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi visited a Kfir Brigade exercise on the northern border and declared confidence in Israel’s future actions. He emphasized that Israel will not revert to the pre-war situation with Hezbollah and is prepared to act decisively in any theater of operation.
Iran’s Khamenei Orders Attack On Israel As Revenge For Haniyeh Elimination – Report
Iran is expected to directly attack Israel in response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday morning (7/31), according to a New York Times report citing three sources.
The directive was issued at an emergency meeting of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, the report added.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had earlier in the day spoken of retribution in a post on X.
“Following this bitter, tragic event which has taken place within the borders of the Islamic Republic, it is our duty to take revenge,” he wrote.
Iran had already attacked Israel in April. Ninety-nine percent of its 300 drones and missiles were shot out of the sky by a coalition of five armies belonging to the US, Israel, Jordan, and the United Kingdom.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had earlier in the day said, “If Israel is attacked, we certainly will help defend Israel.”
US National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby said, “We have and will maintain a level of readiness to preserve our national security interest in the region.”
“It’s not like we turn a blind eye to what Iran is capable of doing and has shown their capability of doing in the region.”
“It’s not like we’ve demonstrated an unwillingness to defend Israel from threats in the region, including from Iran if that happens,” Kirby said.
“We maintain that capability and that readiness to do so now,” he added.
Prime MInister Benjamin Netanyahu had on Wednesday night (7/31) warned that there could be challenging days ahead and that Israel was prepared for any scenario as he spoke of Israel’s existential battle against Tehran.
Earlier in the day he held a security cabinet meeting and security consultations.
Report: Haniyeh’s Bodyguard Leaked Information To Assassins, Spike Missile Used
One of the bodyguards of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh leaked information to the assassins who eliminated him, Iranian media reported on Wednesday (7/31).
According to the report, an Israeli-made Spike short-range missile was launched at the leader’s bedroom in northern Tehran from within Iranian territory.
Sky News Arabia, citing Iranian sources, reported that the Hamas political leader was killed by a missile that was launched from a building near the one where he was staying.
Senior Iranian officials told the New York Times earlier in the day that Tehran’s top leadership was “in utter shock,” by the dramatic assassination.
According to the officials, this assassination also questions Iran’s security reputation and its ability to protect its borders against such attacks.
The Al-Mayadeen network reported that an Iranian source claimed that Haniyeh was eliminated by a missile that was launched from another country. Even so, Tehran officially stated that they are still investigating exactly how the senior terrorist was eliminated.
Leader of the Islamic JIhad terror organization, Ziyad al-Nakhalah, was also inside the building where Haniyeh was staying, although according to estimates he was not injured, which may also indicate the precise attack against Haniyeh, who was on a different floor than al-Nakhalah.
The head of Hamas’ political bureau was visiting Tehran to participate in the inauguration ceremony of the new president of Iran which took place Tuesday (7/30). Saudi media reported that Haniyeh was killed in his bedroom by a guided missile launched at him at 02:00, Tehran time.
Hamas issued a statement accusing Israel of the assassination: “The Islamic Resistance movement mourns its leader Ismail Haniyeh, who died as a result of a treacherous Zionist raid on his residence in Tehran after he had participated in the inauguration ceremony of the new Iranian president,” the movement announced.
Following Assassinations, Security Of Israel’s Olympic Delegation Increased
Security officials protecting the Israeli delegation to the 2024 Paris Olympics have reassessed the security situation of the Israeli athletes at the Games in the wake of the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh early Wednesday morning (7/31) in Tehran, along with the assassination of Hezbollah senior Fuad Shukri in Beirut on Tuesday night (7/30). Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth both reported that the Shin Bet will increase the security of the delegation.
Additional security guards were added to the security force of the Shin Bet’s personnel and delegation security unit attached to the members of the delegation living in the Olympic Village and to those staying in facilities outside of it. Safety instructions to the members of the delegation have been tightened and the security of the local forces who provide services alongside the Israeli security, was increased. The Shin Bet says that daily situation assessments are being conducted and the security arrangements are determined accordingly.
Even before the assassinations, the Israeli athletes received death threats on social networks, as part of a hate attack that the Israeli delegation is undergoing – which led to an investigation of the events in France and an unusual announcement by the National Security Council that this was an attack initiated by Iran.
As the security around Israel’s embassies around the world has been increased, there is a fear that the Israeli delegation in Paris will become a target, and therefore the Israeli security officials held a specific situational assessment out of fear that Israeli athletes would be the target of revenge attacks. French security forces are also involved in the matter.
Israeli Man Seriously Wounded In West Bank Shooting And Stabbing Attack
On Wednesday morning (7/31), an Israeli man in his 50s was stabbed and severely wounded by a Palestinian terrorist at a junction on Route 60 near the southern West Bank village of Beit Einun, medics and the Israeli military said.
According to the Israel Defense Forces, the terrorist arrived in the area by vehicle armed with a handgun and knife. He then opened fire at the Israeli man’s car, before getting out and stabbing him.
Soldiers at the scene fired at the assailant and apparently injured him, but he managed to flee, the military said. He left behind his gun, knife and car.
According to an initial investigation, the Israeli man had stopped at the junction after a malfunction with his car. He was driving with his teenage daughter and another teenage girl who had hitched a ride with them.
The terrorist then arrived at the area and fired a volley of six shots from the handgun, which then jammed. At that point he attacked the Israeli driver with a knife.
MDA said in a statement that its medics found the man conscious and near his vehicle with stab wounds to his upper body. The two girls in the car were not injured.
The attack came hours after a Palestinian tried to stab a soldier at the Beit Einun junction, close to the city of Hebron. Soldiers opened fire and killed the attacker. No Israeli forces were injured.
Last week, two Israeli soldiers were injured in a drive-by shooting in the West Bank.
Tensions have been high in the West Bank amid the war in the Gaza Strip which began on October 7 when thousands of Hamas terrorists attacked southern Israel under a barrage of rockets fired at population centers all over the country. In the massacre, 1,200 people were killed, amid instances of torture and rape. 251 hostages were seized and taken to the Gaza Strip.
During the same time period, 23 Israelis, including security personnel, have been killed in terror attacks in Israel and the West Bank. Another five members of the security forces were killed in clashes with terror operatives.
Israeli-Druze Pharmacist Becomes Doctor, Rejoins IDF With A Mission
Amir Salameh, a Druze from the village of Hurfeish, completed his pharmacy studies as a military cadet in the IDF. However, after his studies, he decided not to give up on his true dream, so he enrolled in medical studies and received his doctoral degree from Bar-Ilan University earlier this week.
Later, he said, “The Druze community proves time and again our uncompromising loyalty to the state. I am proud to join the IDF as a doctor and to have the privilege of serving Israel.
From a young age, Salameh’s parents knew their son would achieve his dreams. Salameh, now 30 years old, married and the father of one, began his studies in pharmacy at 19 through the IDF’s military cadet program after not being accepted into medical school.
Upon completing his pharmacy studies, he pursued his true passion and enrolled in Bar Ilan University’s new medical program, which accepted applicants with academic degrees based on their grades. As an outstanding student, he was readily accepted and received his Doctor of Medicine degree this week.
“I knew from childhood that I had to be a doctor,” he told Maariv. After completing my studies and starting to work as a pharmacist, I realized the profession didn’t fully utilize all I had to offer. I wanted to do more, have a greater impact on patients, and heal and save lives. I enrolled in medical school in Safed for bachelor’s degree holders. After being accepted, the army preferred to let me go as a pharmacist to take me in as a military doctor after my studies.
At 23, after a year of service as a military pharmacist, he returned to school at the faculty of medicine in the Galilee. “I was happy to study in the North, not only because it was close to home but because I connected with the faculty’s mission to impact life in the periphery. I am a proud resident of the Galilee, and will stay here,” he said.
After his studies, Salameh continued to a year-long internship at Ziv Hospital in Safed, which he completed with honors. In recent months, he had been working there as a practicing doctor. In the coming month, he will return to military service as a battalion doctor, and later, he intends to study again, specializing in neurology.
“Very few pharmacists transition to medicine because the first degree in pharmacy is very complex and requires significant investment. As a pharmacist, I already knew how medication works, how it would affect patients, and exactly what diseases it was for. Therefore, the combination of pharmacy and medicine is a winner, and I believe it makes me a better doctor.”
