The US strikes Iran | Eyal Hulata

The US strikes Iran | Eyal Hulata

The Middle East is facing its most serious escalation since the April ceasefire, after Iran launched attacks against Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan in retaliation for US strikes on Iranian targets. Despite the violence, President Trump insists negotiations with Tehran remain on track and says there is no reason the latest confrontation should derail a nuclear deal. At the same time, Israel continues to strike Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, with the IDF issuing fresh evacuation orders and accusing the terror group of repeatedly violating a US-brokered ceasefire. Today’s guest is Israel’s former National Security Advisor and FDD senior fellow Eyal Hulata, who expresses concern over how much the US and Israel share the same goals with regard to Iran and who says Israel’s political considerations are affecting national security decisions. Concerns are also growing that Iran has activated its proxies in Yemen. A UK-flagged cargo ship has reported coming under fire in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, while the Houthis have announced a complete ban on Israeli-linked maritime traffic in the Red Sea. Former hostage Rom Braslavski has met President Trump at the White House, thanking him for helping secure his freedom after 738 days in Hamas captivity. Braslavski has previously spoken about the torture and abuse he endured while being held in Gaza. And despite the regional turmoil, ties between Israel and the UAE appear stronger than ever. More than 30 Israeli religious and civil society leaders have travelled to Abu Dhabi as part of the largest interfaith delegation ever to visit the Gulf state, in a show of support for the Abraham Accords and regional cooperation. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Sign up to receive Israel in 10 daily: https://izs.activetrail.biz/Israel-in-10-Sign-Up [https://izs.activetrail.biz/Israel-in-10-Sign-Up] Sponsorship inquiries: MisgavDailyBrief@gmail.com

Diplomacy won’t stop Iran | Mark Dubowitz

Israel continues to strike Hezbollah targets in Lebanon despite a ceasefire with Iran, and pressure from President Trump not to attack Beirut amid ongoing negotiations with Tehran. Yemen’s Houthis fire a drone at the Red Sea city of Eilat. The Iranian-backed group resumed strikes on Israel for the first time in months. Today’s guest is FDD CEO Mark Dubowitz, who argues that linking the Lebanon front to negotiations with Iran would hand Tehran a major victory. He also warns that diplomacy alone will not stop Iran’s nuclear ambitions nor will it keep the Strait of Hormuz permanently open. In Gaza, three senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad commanders have been killed in an Israeli airstrike. The IDF says they were involved in rebuilding the terror group’s military infrastructure and planning attacks against Israeli forces despite the ceasefire. Karim Khan, the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, has been officially suspended over allegations of sexual misconduct. Khan denies the accusations, but member states will now decide on his fate. And a British Museum lecture on the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah will go ahead this week after being postponed over fears it would be disrupted by anti-Israel activists. Sign up to receive Israel in 10 daily: https://izs.activetrail.biz/Israel-in-10-Sign-Up [https://izs.activetrail.biz/Israel-in-10-Sign-Up] Sponsorship inquiries: MisgavDailyBrief@gmail.com

Back to war with Iran | Saul Sadka

President Trump tells Iran and Israel to stop shooting at each other after the first direct attacks since a ceasefire was brokered two months ago Sirens sound across Israel as Iran fires more than 20 ballistic missiles and Israel responds with strikes on multiple Iranian targets, including the strategically important Mahshahr petrochemical facility. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it is prepared for a war on multiple fronts and claims the missile barrage was retaliation for Israeli strikes on Hezbollah’s Beirut stronghold. Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthis have announced a “complete and total ban” on Israeli maritime navigation in the Red Sea, threatening to target all Israeli-linked vessels and raising fresh concerns about global shipping routes through the Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint. Today’s guest is analyst and Tanakh scholar Saul Sadka who tells us not to pay too much attention to reports of a spat between PM Netanyahu and President Trump, that Iran is less of a threat to Israel than to its neighbours and that today is a great time to be a Jew! In Cairo, Egypt, Qatar and Turkey are holding talks with Palestinian factions including Hamas in an effort to advance the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire, though Hamas continues to reject demands that it disarm before a full Israeli withdrawal from the Strip. And in Europe, Slovenia’s new Prime Minister Janez Janša has lowered the Palestinian flag from government headquarters and pledged a more balanced foreign policy, reversing the strongly anti-Israel stance of the previous administration. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Watch now for your fast, fact-based Middle East briefing. Sign up to receive Israel in 10 daily: https://izs.activetrail.biz/Israel-in-10-Sign-Up [https://izs.activetrail.biz/Israel-in-10-Sign-Up] Sponsorship inquiries: MisgavDailyBrief@gmail.com

Israel did not drag America in to war with Iran | Shabbos Kestenbaum

President Trump says a new agreement with Iran could be reached as early as this weekend, despite fresh Iranian attacks on Gulf allies and growing doubts over the negotiations. According to a Wall Street Journal report, Trump has privately told advisers he would only resume full-scale military operations if American troops are killed. At the same time, the IDF continues to strike Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon despite a US-brokered truce. Defence Minister Israel Katz says Israeli forces will maintain positions north of the border, including at the strategic Beaufort Castle captured this week. Talks between Hamas and former UN envoy Nickolay Mladenov have been postponed until at least next week. Reports suggest Hamas may be willing to give up heavy weapons such as rocket launchers while retaining small arms. The head of the UN nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi visits the UAE and Riyadh and urges the Saudis to remain transparent and cooperative as they develop their civilian nuclear program. A German hotel in Munich, yes Munich, has been kicked off Booking.com after an employee told Israeli guests that ‘Jews were not allowed’ at the hotel. An investigation is under way. Today’s guest is activist Shabbos Kestenbaum, who demolishes the narrative that Israel dragged America into a war with Iran and that Israel controls US politics. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Sign up to receive Israel in 10 daily: https://izs.activetrail.biz/Israel-in-10-Sign-Up [https://izs.activetrail.biz/Israel-in-10-Sign-Up] Sponsorship inquiries: MisgavDailyBrief@gmail.com

The Strait must be opened by force | Dr Eric Mandel

Iran attacks its Arab neighbours, killing one in Kuwait, as the US strikes Iranian military targets in the worst escalation since the ceasefire was brokered 2 months ago. At the same time, Israel and Hezbollah continue to trade fire despite a partial ceasefire brokered by the United States. The IDF has issued evacuation warnings for several towns and villages in southern Lebanon ahead of fresh airstrikes, while four Israeli soldiers were wounded in a Hezbollah drone attack on Tuesday. Israel’s government has meanwhile approved a major financial package aimed at rebuilding and fortifying communities along the Lebanese border. The plan includes thousands of new bomb shelters, compensation for damaged homes and a sweeping five-year reconstruction effort focused on infrastructure, healthcare and local industry. And Israel has barred entry to Palestinian-American activist Linda Sarsour, accusing her of promoting anti-Israel campaigns and supporting protests backing Hamas after the October 7 attacks. Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli said Israel would no longer “open its gates to those who work to destroy it.” Today’s guest is Dr. Eric Mandel, who says President Trump is wasting time ‘trying to do a deal with the devil’ and that the Strait must be opened by force. He also says Israel needs to figure out what it wants when it comes to Lebanon. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Watch now for your fast, fact-based Middle East briefing. Sign up to receive Israel in 10 daily: https://izs.activetrail.biz/Israel-in-10-Sign-Up [https://izs.activetrail.biz/Israel-in-10-Sign-Up] Sponsorship inquiries: MisgavDailyBrief@gmail.com