ISRAEL (IINO)
Ezra Yachin 95-year-old Reservist
Smotrich: If Hezbollah doesn’t withdraw from border, IDF must take southern Lebanon
After Gantz’s ultimatum to Netanyahu, far-right leader issues his own demands to PM, including for military to establish a ‘permanent presence in the entire Gaza Strip’
May 19, 2024 4:37 pm Times of Israel – Israel should not shy away from launching a military takeover of southern Lebanon if Hezbollah does not withdraw from the border, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declared Sunday, becoming the latest minister to publicly challenge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the handling of the conflict on Israel’s northern and southern borders.
Speaking at a faction meeting of his far-right Religious Zionism party held, unusually, in northern Israel, Smotrich demanded that Netanyahu make a clear announcement of a plan to deal with the Iran-backed terror group, saying that if necessary, Hezbollah must be dealt with through military action.
“A public ultimatum must be issued to Hezbollah that they completely stop firing and withdraw all forces to beyond the Litani River,” said Smotrich, who also serves as a minister in the Defense Ministry.
Promoting a plan reminiscent of Israel’s security zone in southern Lebanon in the years following the First Lebanon war in 1982, Smotrich warned, “If the ultimatum is not fully met, the IDF will launch an assault deep in Lebanese territory to defend the northern communities, including ground entry and Israeli military takeover of the southern Lebanese area.”
“The way to bring the [evacuated] residents home to the north is through a military decision with a devastating assault on Hezbollah, its infrastructure and the destruction of its power,” he said.
Israel should not shy away from launching a military takeover of southern Lebanon if Hezbollah does not withdraw from the border, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declared Sunday, becoming the latest minister to publicly challenge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the handling of the conflict on Israel’s northern and southern borders.
Speaking at a faction meeting of his far-right Religious Zionism party held, unusually, in northern Israel, Smotrich demanded that Netanyahu make a clear announcement of a plan to deal with the Iran-backed terror group, saying that if necessary, Hezbollah must be dealt with through military action.
“A public ultimatum must be issued to Hezbollah that they completely stop firing and withdraw all forces to beyond the Litani River,” said Smotrich, who also serves as a minister in the Defense Ministry.
IDF finds footage of 8-year-old hostage in Gaza
IDF soldiers in Gaza in recent days located a video showing 8-year-old Ela Elyakim a few days after she was abducted from her father’s home in Nahal Oz during the October 7th massacre.
May 19, 2024, 9:08 PM (GMT+3) Israel National News – IDF soldiers in Gaza in recent days located a video showing 8-year-old Ela Elyakim a few days after she was abducted from her father’s home in Nahal Oz during the October 7th massacre.
In the footage, Ela is seen standing in front of the flag of Hamas’ military wing the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, and says: “I’m Ela Elyakim, the daughter of Noam, and I’m eight years old. And I ask that someone frees us from Hamas captivity.”
In addition, the IDF published a photo of Ela with her 15-year-old sister, Dafna, who was abducted together with her.
The two were released in the previous hostage deal, after 51 days in Hamas captivity in Gaza.
IDF Spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari commented on the video, stating: “The video, which is being released today for the first time, was intended to be used by Hamas for psychological terror.
“But Ela’s family asked us to share it with the world to expose Hamas’s terror, to expose Hamas’s cruelty, to expose Hamas’s barbarism.”
He added: “8-year-old Ela Elyakim told us that Hamas terrorists forced her to read from a script, forced her to change her clothes, and forced her to re-film this terrifying scene over and over and over again.”
He concluded: “Our hearts go out to Ela, her family, and all the hostage families. Please help us respect the wishes of Ela’s family by sharing this video far and wide. We will continue doing everything in our power to bring our hostages back home.”
“The cabinet should stop humanitarian aid trucks” Ben Gvir says
This statement follows a weekend incident where militants attacked a truck in central West Bank mistakenly believing it was delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza
May 19, 2024 at 11:12 AM i24NEWS – National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has condemned recent attacks on trucks carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza by extremists, while expressing support for the protesters’ demands to halt these aid shipments until all Israeli hostages are released by terrorist groups in Gaza.
In an interview with Army Radio, Ben Gvir articulated his position clearly. “We are in a democratic country and I am in favor of the freedom to demonstrate.
“They have the right to demonstrate,” he said. “I am against the fact that they attack and burn trucks,” he added. “It is the cabinet which should stop the trucks.”
This statement follows a weekend incident where Israelis attacked a truck in central West Bank mistakenly believing it was delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, and assaulted its driver. This attack is part of a larger pattern of violence that began last month, when Israel agreed to widen the aid route from Jordan to ensure more humanitarian supplies reached Gaza.
The Tzav 9 group has been at the forefront of these protests, organizing numerous demonstrations in the West Bank and within Israel, aiming to prevent aid trucks from reaching Gaza. They argue that no aid should be sent while Israeli citizens remain captive.
“The protesters’ frustration is understandable, but violence is not the answer,” said Ben Gvir. He reiterated his stance that the decision to halt aid should come from governmental authorities, not through vigilantism. “The cabinet needs to take a firm stand on this issue,” he added.
The situation has sparked a broader debate within Israel about balancing humanitarian aid obligations and national security concerns. Many Israelis support the idea of providing humanitarian aid but are conflicted given the current hostage situation. The government’s decision to increase aid routes was initially seen as a humanitarian necessity but has faced backlash from groups demanding a tougher stance against Hamas.
A spokesperson for the Tzav 9 group stated, “Our goal is to ensure that no aid reaches Gaza until all Israeli hostages are released. We will continue to protest peacefully, but we understand the anger and frustration driving these attacks.”
🟢 May 19, 2024 9:35 am Eastern Sun late afternoon – ISRAEL REALTIME – Connecting to Israel in Realtime
▪️IRANIAN PRESIDENTIAL HELICOPTER.. missing, crashed, hard landing, was hit, being rescued, emergency landing in a mountainous area during poor weather. Various reports indicate the Iranian presidents helicopter went down during a trip home from Azerbaijan, where he inaugurated a new cross-border dam.
The helicopter was carrying the President, Imam Juma of Tabriz, Foreign Minister Hossein, the Governor of East Azerbaijan and several other.
Actual situation not known, of the helicopter or the president of Iran. Rescue reported to be problematic.
New reports have arrived saying president ok, but other reports conflict that rescue has not yet been able to arrive.
One source says fake info – the president is traveling by land, the reports of crash put out by Iranian opposition websites.
Missing for 1 hour so far.
Absolute fog of war situation – no solid info.
▪️20-YEAR OLD IRANIAN JEW SET FOR EXECUTION IN IRAN.. execution delayed for 1 month.
▪️AID.. “Humanitarian aid” in Rafah: Nutella chocolate, snacks and cola cans on video (not shared here). And cigarettes.
.. Aid that entered through the American floating pier loaded onto trucks, was looted before reaching its destination.
🔥FOREST FIRE.. Har Huma neighborhood in Jerusalem. Firefighters are working to extinguish the fire and prevent its spread. An elementary school, a kindergarten and a number of houses on the nearby street were evacuated. This could be fire-terrorism.
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[Ed.: Each update about the 20-year old Irani Jew’s execution differs from the previous ones! I cannot find any information about this elsewhere. Getting accurate news from Iran is very difficult, and not always even possible. We must keep praying for him!]
May 18, 2024 8:37 Eastern – Miracle in Iran: The Jewish man condemned to death by hanging was not executed over Shabbat due to growing international pressure to have his sentence reduced. Another hearing is scheduled for Monday.
Please continue to pray for the life of Netanel ben Sonya!
𝗜𝗦𝗥𝗔𝗘𝗟 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 https://chat.whatsapp.com/KNkVfZGi6bC7w7UcuiRrCt
INNER STRIFE: Is the Israeli Defense Minister Rebelling Against Netanyahu [36:52] Caroline Glick
May 16, 2024 – Defense Minister Gallant goes behind the Prime Minister’s back and joins forces with Biden to end the war. Netanyahu fires back. Is this just political bickering or is there something bigger taking place? Should the Netanyahu government fall, what is at stake?
[Ed.: Israel’s “Defense Minister” Gallant is a State Department lacky. He should have been arrested for treason six months ago! But now he’s parroting US threats and ultimatums. Why? Because he/they/them wants Netanyahu out. Isn’t that the cat’s meow!]
Israel war cabinet member Gantz threatens Netanyahu with ultimatum about Gaza plan [9:24]
May 18, 2024 #CNN #News – Former Israeli defense minister and war cabinet member Benny Gantz is demanding that the cabinet lays out a plan for the war against Hamas by June 8, threatening to withdraw from the government if his demands are not met. Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) weighs in on the ultimatum and what he thinks Netanyahu should do.
Dr. Phil & Yair Pinto Examine the Devastation on the Gaza Border After Oct. 7th [14:54] Yair Pinto
May 18, 2024 TBN – Israel’s Yair Pinto reports on the Israel-Hamas War. Dr. Phil joins Yair Pinto in Israel to survey the damage and destruction inflicted upon innocent civilians on Oct. 7th. Yair recounts the events of that morning, while speaking with survivors of the Hamas terror attacks. Stay up-to-date with the latest developments here on TBN Israel.
❗️Sat Night after Shabbat – ISRAEL REALTIME – Connecting to Israel in Realtime
May 18, 2024 1:56 pm Eastern – We normally start the week with a Shavua Tov – good week blessing. But we start with difficult news.
❗️OFFICIAL IDF STATEMENT
Besides the previous 3 hostage bodies recovered from Gaza, 1 additional hostage body has been recovered and identified:
Ron Binyamin. The family have been notified.
May his family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem, and may G-d AVENGE HIS BLOOD!
❗️STRONG RUMORS are an additional 11 bodies have been recovered and are still being identified. Apparently the condition is making identification extremely difficult.
▪️ISRAEL POLITICS – War Cabinet / National Unity leader MK Gantz gives PM Netanyahu an ultimatum:
“While the IDF soldiers fight bravely, some of our leaders behave cowardly. War is won with determination and strength on the battlefield, but war is also won with a strategic compass.
In order for us to fight shoulder to shoulder, the War Cabinet must adopt an unequivocal strategy by June 8:
1. Return the kidnapped.
2. Destroy Hamas
3. Not Israeli control of Gaza the day after.
4. The return of all residents of the north by September 1
5. Rehabilitation of the southern settlements.
We will give the people of Israel a horizon of hope, restore Israeli strength and prepare all the necessary military systems.
We will have to resign from the government if Netanyahu does not choose the path of unity and strength.”
(Amit Segal) The conditions that Gantz lays out for the strategic plan:
1. To return home our hostages.
2. To topple the rule of Hamas, manage the Gaza Strip and ensure Israeli security control.
3. Along with maintaining Israeli security control, establish an American-European-Arab-Palestinian administration that will civil manage the Strip and lay the foundation for a future alternative that is not Hamas or Palestinian Authority/Abbas.
4. Return the residents of the north to their homes by September 1 and restore the Western Negev.
5. Promote normalization with Saudi Arabia as part of a comprehensive move that will create an alliance with the free world and the Arab world against Iran.
6. Adopt a service outline that will result in all Israelis serving the state and contributing to the national effort.
♦️COUNTER TERROR BATTLE IN JENIN.. IDF airstrike by jet and helicopter! “Terror squad “Jenin Regiment” attacked where there were terrorists who wanted to carry out an attack in the immediate time frame.”
♦️GOT ONE, TARGETED ASSASSINATION in LEBANON.. leader of al-Jamaa al-Islamiya, Hamas says it was one of their leaders.
▪️A HERO SOLDIER HAS FALLEN.. Ben Avishay, 20, from Manhariya, fell in battle in Gaza. May his family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem, and may G-d AVENGE HIS BLOOD!
▪️US NAT SECURITY ADVISOR.. Jake Sullivan will arrive in Israel on Sunday and meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu.
▪️AID – KEREM SHALOM CLOSED.. Kerem Shalom cargo terminal is closed to aid entry (following multiple attacks by Hamas).
( More to come! )
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⚫Sat Night after Shabbat – ISRAEL REALTIME – Connecting to Israel in Realtime
May 18, 2024 2:45 pm Eastern – 2nd after-Shabbat edition
♦️RAFAH.. heavy fighting and artillery fire continues.
▪️THE RECOVERED MURDERED HOSTAGES.. recovered by the military in a special operation late Thursday, were found in a tunnel in the northern Gaza Strip.
▪️WAR CABINET TO MEET AT 22:00.. though after MK Gantz’s public ultimatum how is that going to work?
.. Senior officials in Israel say: there are currently no contacts for the release of the hostages.
.. However – the Israeli negotiating team is expected to soon present to the war cabinet ministers a proposal to revive the negotiation.
▪️HAMAS THREATENS THE US AID PIER.. “We reject any presence of military force in our territory. This is not an alternative to opening all land crossings under Palestinian supervision.” Cost of the pier: US$ 400 million.
▪️US SAYS ON AID.. White House adviser John Kirby to the “Al-Arabiya” network: Israel is being pressured to deliver more supplies to the Gaza Strip (( while EGYPT has refused to allow aid through Rafah because Israel? ))
▪️UNWRA IS 1/2 HAMAS? UNRWA’s former legal counsel testifies before Congress: “I would not be surprised if half of the organization’s employees are Hamas operatives, it is not true that the organization has no replacement.”
▪️UNWRA CONFIRMS ISRAEL REPORT – RAFAH ALMOST EMPTY.. UNRWA confirms the Israeli report: almost 800,000 people have been evacuated from Rafah since the Israeli entry on May 6. (( That’s almost 70%. ))
▪️LARGE PRO-DEAL PROTEST IN TEL AVIV.. 75,000+ protestors demanding a deal (there is no offer on the table) and/or the government resign.
▪️MILITARY DRILL – KEDUMIM AREA.. “lively movement of forces” – it’s (probably) a drill through Sunday evening.
⭕HOUTHIS SHOOT AN OIL TANKER in the Red Sea carrying oil from Russia to China because Israel.
⭕16 HEZBOLLAH SUICIDE DRONE attacks at northern towns over Shabbat, several BARRAGES.
⭕2 HEZBOLLAH ROCKET attacks at northern towns over Shabbat.
⭕2 HAMAS ROCKET attacks on Ashkelon and Zikim over Shabbat and tonight.
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Palestine Fails the Test of Statehood By Antonio Graceffo
May 17, 2024 4:20 pm – There are four conditions for statehood; Palestine arguably meets one of them.
The most widely accepted definition of a sovereign nation is found in the Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States, which was adopted at the Seventh International Conference of American States in Montevideo, Uruguay, in 1933. The Montevideo Convention lays out the criteria for statehood, including a defined territory, a permanent population, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states. These criteria are widely accepted as the basic requirements for statehood in international law.
- Defined Territory: The entity seeking statehood must have a clearly defined territory over which it exercises sovereignty. Palestine does not meet this criterion. The original mandate granted it the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem. However, these territories are not contiguous, and the Palestinians are demanding more territory, including the whole of Jerusalem. Hamas, moreover, wants all of Israel. Thus, there is no clearly defined territory for Palestine, and even the Palestinians have not agreed on what their territory should be.
- Permanent Population: The entity must have a permanent population residing within its defined territory. This is the only criterion that Palestine more or less meets, as Gaza and the West Bank do have a permanent population. However, the phrase ‘within its defined territory’ suggests that the territory of Palestine would need to be clearly established first before it can be said to have a permanent population within that territory.
- Government: The entity must have a functioning government capable of exercising control and authority over its territory and population. Palestine fails this test. Power in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank is divided among three entities: the Palestinian Authority, the terrorist organization Hamas, and the state of Israel. Generally, the Palestinian Authority exerts control over the West Bank, Hamas over Gaza, and Israel over both. Therefore, it cannot be said that Palestine has a functioning government.”
- Capacity to Enter into Relations with Other States: The entity must possess the capacity to enter into relations with other states, indicating its independence and sovereignty. Palestine does not have the authority to enter into international agreements or treaties. The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), previously designated as a terrorist organization, represents Palestine at international bodies but does not hold memberships or voting rights in those bodies. For example, the PLO has permanent observer status at the UN.
These criteria are widely recognized as the fundamental requirements for statehood in international law. Most countries and international organizations adhere to the principles laid out in the convention. Additionally, the criteria specified in the convention are commonly used by governments, legal scholars, and international bodies to determine the statehood of entities seeking recognition as sovereign states. Therefore, the definition provided by the Montevideo Convention is broadly accepted by the international community.
UN members recently voted to recognize Palestine. According to the UN Charter, “States are admitted to membership in the United Nations by a decision of the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council.” However, as a member of the Security Council, the US exercised its veto power, preventing Palestine’s admission.
The United Nations (UN) does not have an official definition of statehood, as it is not explicitly defined in the UN Charter. Instead, the UN generally follows the criteria outlined in the Montevideo Convention. Additionally, the UN has three more requirements for membership.
