Israel/Middle East/Armageddon

[Matthew]

>Against the backdrop of the tensions on the northern front, Russia recently established observation posts in southern Syria and began operating aerial patrols near the border with Israel.
https://twitter.com/kann_news/status/1749139154812715485

[Matthew]

>A large explosion was heard in an industrial complex in Garmsar, southeast of Iran’s capital Tehran, according to the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency.
https://archive.is/l27AH

[Matthew]

>Diaa Rashvan, Director of the Government Information Bureau in Egypt, says this evening that any Israeli move to occupy the Philadelphia axis on the border between Egypt and Gaza will lead to a grave and serious threat to relations between Israel and Egypt
https://twitter.com/kaisos1987/status/1749514051015831607

>The warning of Foreign Minister Israel Katz in a closed meeting with the foreign ministers of the European Union: "Hezbollah receives instructions from Iran. If you do not apply pressure to push Hezbollah from the border according to Resolution 1701 - there will be war: and all of Lebanon will be complicit in this destruction"
https://t.me/moriahdoron/7031

>Gantz met with France's defense minister: "The stage is approaching when we will need a broad operation deep in Lebanon"
https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/bje00fmhta

[Matthew]

>Israel informed Egypt this evening of its intention to send troops into Rafah and the Philadelphia Axis area, despite Egypt's firm opposition
https://www.maariv.co.il/news/military/Article-1071465

>The Lebanese LBC channel reports from its sources that one of the Arab countries has informed Hezbollah that, according to intelligence information, Israel is preparing to launch an extensive military operation in Lebanese territory that may lead to a deterioration of the situation
https://twitter.com/kaisos1987/status/1751342053085057066

[Matthew]

>Three US troops killed in drone attack in Jordan, more than 30 injured
>Officials said the drone was fired by Iran-backed militants and appeared to come from Syria.
https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/28/politics/us-troops-drone-attack-jordan/index.html

>BREAKING: The White House and US military are drawing up plans on how to respond to the attack that killed three US troops
https://twitter.com/spectatorindex/status/1751750236203254088

>The Lebanese Al-Mayadeen channel is reporting tonight from Palestinian sources that Egypt has informed the Palestinian terrorist organizations of its firm decision to prevent Israel from invading the border between Egypt and Gaza in the Rafah area. Egypt, according to the report, sent a message that any attack on the border between Egypt and Gaza would be considered an attack on Egyptian national security
https://twitter.com/kaisos1987/status/1751699386734645533

[Matthew]

>Quds Force Commander Qaani met Tuesday in Baghdad with Iraqi Prime Minister al-Sudani and the commanders of the pro-Iranian militias to stop the escalation against the US. Qaani asked in the meeting with the Iraqi Prime Minister to convey a message to the Americans that Iran is not connected to the attack on the Jordan-Syria border, that it is not interested in expanding the fighting in the region and that any attack against Iran will set the entire region on fire
https://twitter.com/kaisos1987/status/1752673899744014808

>Local media in southern Syria reports that in the IDF's attack tonight on Daraa, Lui al-Ali, head of the security branch in the district, with the rank of colonel, close to Iran, was injured.
https://t.me/baruchyedid/1866

[Matthew]

>The Gulf International Forum issued a report warning that vital undersea cables may be targeted by Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, posing a threat that could significantly impact global communications and the economy.
https://en.royanews.tv/news/48904/2024-01-31

>On December 24, 2023, a Telegram channel affiliated with Yemen's Iran-backed Ansar Allah Movement (the Houthis) shared a map of networks of submarine communications cables in the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and the Persian Gulf. The map was accompanied by an implied threat: "There are maps of international cables connecting all regions of the world through the sea. It seems that Yemen is in a strategic location, as internet lines that connect entire continents – not only countries – pass near it."
>On the same day, a Telegram channel affiliated with Lebanese Hizbullah published a satellite image of the Red Sea, the Arabian Peninsula and the Arabian Sea, and wrote: "Did you know that internet lines connecting the east to the west pass through [the] Bab-el-Mandeb [strait]?" The "Al-Fatih110" Telegram channel, which supports Iran-backed militias in Iraq, similarly quoted the Houthis as stating that "the global internet cables which pass through the Bab-el-Mandeb strait are in our grip"
https://www.memri.org/jttm/veiled-threat-telegram-channels-linked-houthi-ansar-allah-movement-point-submarine-internet

[Matthew]

>Egypt warns Israel their 1979 peace treaty at stake over border conflict - report
>Egyptian officials reportedly say 'if even one Palestinian refugee crosses over – the peace agreement will be nullified'
>Egypt now strongly opposed any Israeli military activity in the Philadelphi Corridor buffer zone, nor in the Rafah area due to its proximity to the border, in fear that Palestinian refugees would flee the fighting toward Egyptian territory.
https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel-at-war/1707135327-egypt-warns-israel-their-1979-peace-treaty-at-stake-over-border-conflict-report

[Matthew]

>Iran has enough weapons-grade uranium to produce its first nuclear weapon within a week and a total of six bombs within a month, a scenario that is increasingly likely to unfold as conflict in the Middle East reaches critical levels, according to a report from a watchdog group.
https://freebeacon.com/national-security/iran-can-build-nuclear-bomb-in-one-week-signaling-extreme-danger-for-western-world-report-says

[Matthew]

>Iran’s proxy umbrella announces a full resumption of attacks on the U.S. in Iraq & Syria, seeking to expel it from the region.
>The “Islamic Resistance” says “painful strikes and broad attacks” are forthcoming.
https://twitter.com/Charles_Lister/status/1756057959593873525

[Matthew]

>Hezbollah fires dozens of rockets at northern towns, 2nd such barrage in as many days
https://www.timesofisrael.com/hezbollah-fires-dozens-of-rockets-at-northern-towns-2nd-such-barrage-in-as-many-days

[Matthew]

>Cairo threatens to suspend peace deal with Israel amid tensions over Rafah
>Cairo remains steadfast in its opposition to any Israeli action in the southern Gaza city.
>Reuters reports that Egypt has deployed approximately 40 tanks and armored vehicles to northeastern Sinai in recent weeks to fortify its position along the border.
https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel-at-war/1707582651-cairo-threatens-to-suspend-peace-deal-with-israel-amid-tensions-over-rafah

>A senior member of the Houthi rebels threatens: any Israeli escalation in Rafah will be met with escalation from our side
https://twitter.com/kaisos1987/status/1756412717856940296

[Matthew]

>Iran gas pipeline blast caused by 'terrorist attacks', authorities say
>Emergency services say explosion near Borujen city ruptured the country's main gas transmission line
https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/iran/2024/02/14/gas-pipeline-explodes-in-iran-but-no-casualties-reported

[Matthew]

>Israel launches ['extensive wave of attacks'] on Lebanon
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68292471

>The head of Hezbollah's executive council, Hashem Safi al-Din: "The aggression that happened today in southern Lebanon, as a result of which civilians and children were killed, cannot go without a response. There will certainly be a response and it will be at the required and appropriate level." Until this moment, Hezbollah has not accepted official responsibility for the barrage towards Safed
https://twitter.com/kaisos1987/status/1757791775509348632

>Iran gas pipeline blast caused by 'terrorist attacks', authorities say
>Emergency services say explosion near Borujen city ruptured the country's main gas transmission line
https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/iran/2024/02/14/gas-pipeline-explodes-in-iran-but-no-casualties-reported

[Matthew]

>Gantz: If in Ramadan our abductees are not at home - the fighting will expand to Rafah as well
https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/hjwvv00kht

[Matthew]

>10 precision missiles were launched from Lebanon at military targets in Israel and a direct hit was detected in Safed.

>Hezbollah this morning (Wednesday) launched a number of missiles towards Israeli territory and among them towards a military base

>our reporter added that the incident in the north is defined in Israel as a serious incident more than the outbreak of the war in the Gaza strip, and that Israel is currently discussing the nature of the response following the serious incident.
https://www.now14.co.il/%d7%97%d7%99%d7%96%d7%91%d7%90%d7%9c%d7%9c%d7%94-%d7%a9%d7%99%d7%92%d7%a8-10-%d7%98%d7%99%d7%9c%d7%99%d7%9d-%d7%9e%d7%93%d7%95%d7%99%d7%a7%d7%99%d7%9d-%d7%a9%d7%9b%d7%95%d7%95%d7%a0%d7%95-%d7%9c%d7%a2

[Matthew]

>Head of the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc, MP Hajj #Mohamed_Raad : If the war expands against Lebanon, we will block the sunlight with our missiles... Until now, we are using old missiles and weapons before the end of their expiration date.
https://twitter.com/abosalehjouni/status/1760386432374305232

[Matthew]

>The Rebbe of Mashlag informed his followers last Shabbat, following the difficult situation prevailing in the Holy Land, that there is going to be a great danger and they must leave the land immediately for a period of time.
https://www.bhol.co.il/news/1651293 

>Israel is determined to push ahead with a goal to move a million or more civilians from Rafah before an attack on the Hamas-held city in Gaza
>Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he’s ordered the military to come up with a plan to move civilians and is awaiting its arrival.
https://archive.is/4B0JD

>In the background of the prime minister's consideration of imposing restrictions on Muslim worshipers in Ramadan, a Jordanian official privy to the details told news here: "Any tension in the Al Aqsa Mosque will significantly increase the possibility of the conflict expanding to the entire region."
https://www.kan.org.il/content/kan-news/politic/708835

>'Arrow' defense system downs Houthi ballistic missile aimed at Israel
https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-788400

[Matthew]

>On Monday, Houthi fighters claimed to have sunk the Rubymar. It would have been the most significant incident since attacks on ships began in November.
>But the BBC has obtained an image of the ship from Wednesday - which shows it still above water.
>The vessel's operator said it was being towed to Djibouti but could still sink.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68363692

[Matthew]

>Houthis hit submarine communications cables
>"Globes" has learned that four submarine communications cables have been damaged in the Red Sea between Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and Djibouti in East Africa.
>According to the reports, these are cables from the companies AAE-1, Seacom, EIG and TGN. This is causing serious disruption of Internet communications between Europe and Asia, with the main damage being felt in the Gulf countries and India.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-houthis-hit-underwater-communications-cables-1001472165

>Lebanon: Al-Mayadeen correspondent in the south: More than 25 missiles were launched from Lebanon towards Western Galilee
https://twitter.com/AlMayadeenLive/status/1762165691774329038

[Matthew]

>Defense Minister Yoav Gallant says Israel has identified that Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas are aiming to take advantage of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and turn it into “the second stage of October 7, and ignite the ground.”
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/gallant-iran-hezbollah-hamas-hoping-to-turn-ramadan-into-second-stage-of-october-7

[Matthew]

>Israel sets Ramadan deadline for assault on Gazan city Rafah
https://archive.is/jLwFB

>Egypt warns: Attack on Rafah in Ramadan will endanger entire region
https://archive.is/q5Vdy

[Matthew]

>100-plus killed as Israeli soldiers open fire on Palestinians waiting for aid: Gaza officials
https://thehill.com/policy/defense/4497061-100-killed-gaza-israel-forces-open-fire

>Iran to Hezbollah: to prepare for an all-out war against Israel that will open soon
>The commander of the Iranian Quds Force recently met with Nasrallah in Lebanon
>Iran has given the terrorist organization Hezbollah the green light to carry out a more extensive attack on Israel, the American media reported. The order was given due to the fear in Tehran that the IDF will soon invade Rafah, and then carry out a ground maneuver in Lebanon.
>So far, Hezbollah has ordered Hezbollah to carry out a more extensive attack on Israel only if it enters Rafah
https://www.maariv.co.il/news/military/Article-1080057

>Russia may have just carried out its first direct action against the West
>Many commentators, myself included, thought that despite increasing Russian presence on the ground there – this is known from phone intercepts – the Houthis lacked the expertise to do this in a way that wouldn’t be immediately obvious while it was happening.
>The lessons from the Bab el Mandeb, Nord Stream and other undersea disruptions are clear. The risk to our Critical Undersea Infrastructure – be that electricity, oil, gas or any of the vital applications of data and communications – is going up.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/02/27/russia-red-sea-nord-stream-gugi-sub-cables-pipelines

[Matthew]

>A report in the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, which is affiliated with Hezbollah: Israel informed the Western countries of an ultimatum date for reaching a political settlement with Lebanon - until March 15. According to the report, in the event that an agreement is not reached, it is preparing to escalate military operations in Lebanon into a full-scale war
https://twitter.com/sapirlipkin/status/1765638785788694880

[Matthew]

>Biden warns Netanyahu that Rafah invasion is ‘red line’
https://archive.is/IacbS

[Matthew]

>Netanyahu vows to defy Biden’s ‘red line’ and invade Rafah
https://www.politico.eu/article/israels-netanyahu-says-he-will-defy-bidens-red-line-and-invade-rafah

[Matthew]

>Israeli sources told CNN: The IDF has not yet prepared its forces for a military operation in Rafah, the plans for evacuating the population from the city have not yet been finalized, and such a thing will take at least two weeks
https://t.me/SuleimanMasNews/2991

[Matthew]

>The Iran-backed Houthi rebels have successfully tested a hypersonic rocket in Yemen, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reports
>According to the report, the Houthis are planning to begin manufacturing the missiles for use against targets in the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden, as well as Israel.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/report-houthis-successfully-test-hypersonic-missile-plan-to-begin-production

[Matthew]

>An acquaintance of ours who owns a business that has Palestinian employees said that two of them, each at a different time, half-heartedly hinted to him that if he loves his children, then he shouldn't be in the area [Judea and Samaria aka the West Bank] on Purim and that he shouldn't move around in the summer, because the Arabs are planning something.
https://twitter.com/AyeletLash/status/1768225744314859672

>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved plans for a military operation in Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip on Friday
https://www.yahoo.com/news/netanyahu-approves-rafah-operation-delegation-134424966.html

[Matthew]

>Israel is determined to act in Rafah: "If the negotiations for the release of hostages fail, Israel will act in Rafah before the end of Ramadan "
https://twitter.com/kann_news/status/1769065570190622738

[Matthew]

>Following the failure of the latest round of negotiations in Qatar, Israel is not willing to make any further concessions to Hamas and is gearing up for an invasion of Rafah after Eid al-Fitr — the three-day holiday that follows Ramadan and ends around April 12 — or in early May at the latest, according to Egyptian sources who have been in contact with IDF officials, quoted by the pro-Hezbollah Al-Akhbar daily.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/report-israel-preparing-for-rafah-ground-operation-in-mid-april-or-early-may

[Matthew]

>The army is gearing up for its campaign in the north: "We are already at war"
>News 12 reporter Nir Dabouri, updates tonight (27.3) on a policy change in the north - any attack by Hezbollah will be answered by a sharp attack by Israel, the IDF has increased preparations for war in the north.
https://www.migdalor-news.co.il/95797-2

>Israel's Channel 12 reports that the military has started operations to evacuate civilians out of Rafah
https://twitter.com/spectatorindex/status/1773140559407780218

[Matthew]

>As Russian warships from the Pacific Fleet enter the Red Sea amid heightened tensions, and with Russian forces establishing new observation posts along the Israel-Syria border, questions arise about Russia's intentions in the Middle East.
>Simultaneously, Russian forces continue to expand their presence in the Syrian Golan Heights, with plans to inaugurate an 11th observation post soon.
https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/analysis-opinion/artc-russia-raises-stakes-with-moves-along-israel-s-borders-analysis

[Matthew]

>AFP reports that 36 Syrian soldiers have been killed in an Israeli strike near Aleppo
https://twitter.com/spectatorindex/status/1773538785701110249

>Reuters reports that 5 Hezbollah fighters were killed in Israeli strikes on Aleppo, Syria.
https://twitter.com/spectatorindex/status/1773544974199484910

[Matthew]

>Report: Fear in Lebanon of an "elevation" of the IDF, Hezbollah is preparing for a "big war"
>A source close to Hezbollah told the Kuwaiti newspaper "Al-Anbaa" that the organization continues with its main military plan, for what it calls "the great war".
https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/bjvgyi8ya

[Matthew]

>Strategic blow: Alleged Israeli airstrike takes out Iranian general in Damascus
>Zahedi is the highest-ranking Iranian killed since the current war started, even higher than Sayyed Reza Mousavi, who was killed in December, The Jerusalem Post has learned.
>Initial reports indicate that at least six people were killed in the strike, which targeted a building adjacent to the Iranian consulate, reported to be used as a military command center for the IRGC.
>The Iranian Embassy in Lebanon responded with fury to the alleged strike, saying: "This barbaric Israeli aggression is a flagrant violation of international laws, diplomatic norms, and the requirements of the Vienna Convention."
>The strikes come less than a day after the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center in Jamraya, near Damascus, was hit in alleged Israeli airstrikes.
https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-794796

>The deputy of the senior commander of the Quds Force, Muhammad Haji Rahimi, was also killed in an attack in Damascus
https://twitter.com/kaisos1987/status/1774853992658424104

>A third person was killed in the attack, Hussein Amir Allah, the head of the General Staff of the Revolutionary Guards in Syria and Lebanon
https://twitter.com/kaisos1987/status/1774849906282225911

>Iran's ambassador to Syria: "Tehran's reaction will be severe"
https://twitter.com/kaisos1987/status/1774835647045390537

[Matthew]

>The Russian Ministry of Defense: the attack on the Iranian embassy is a very dangerous escalation that could develop into an open war. This is an attack on Iranian soil because that is what the Iranian embassy is considered to be.
https://t.me/abualiexpress/64032

[Matthew]

>An Israeli airstrike that demolished Iran’s consulate in Syria on Monday killed two Iranian generals and five officers, according to Syrian and Iranian officials. The strike appeared to signify an escalation of Israel’s targeting of military officials from Iran
https://apnews.com/article/israel-syria-airstrike-iranian-embassy-edca34c52d38c8bc57281e4ebf33b240

[Matthew]

>IDF Spokesman: Fighter jets attacked military buildings of Hezbollah and "Amal" in southern Lebanon
https://www.ynet.co.il/iphone/json/api/article/ryhwc36jr/android

>Israel, U.S. believe Iran is about to retaliate for Israeli bombing of Syria consulate, officials say
>The U.S. has picked up intelligence that Iran is planning a retaliatory attack that would include a swarm of Shaheed loitering drones and cruise missiles. Officials say the timing and target are unknown, but a proportional response to the Damascus attack would be to hit an Israeli diplomatic facility. The attack is likely to come between now and the end of Ramadan next week.>The Israelis are already warning publicly that they will retaliate, so an attack by Iran on an Israeli facility would be another step closer to a regional war.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-to-retaliate-israeli-bombing-syria-consulate-officials-believe

[Matthew]

>US preparing for significant Iran attack on US or Israeli assets in the region as soon as next week
>Senior US officials currently believe that an attack by Iran is “inevitable” – a view shared by their Israeli counterparts, that official said.
https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/05/politics/us-israel-iran-retaliation-strike/index.html

>Two Iranian officials who asked not to be named because they were not authorized to speak publicly said that Iran had placed all its armed forces on full high alert and that a decision had been made that Iran must respond directly to the Damascus attack to create deterrence.https://archive.is/vthWl

[Matthew]

>“It is still our opinion the first successful red heifer sacrifice will take place in the spring of 2024 around the Passover to Pentecost timeframe."
>Passover will be towards the end of April while Pentecost is in mid-May.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/9/what-do-texan-red-heifers-have-to-do-with-al-aqsa-and-a-jewish-temple

>US intelligence assesses that Iran has urged several of its proxy militia groups to simultaneously launch a large-scale attack against Israel, using drones and missiles, and that they could attack as soon as this week.
https://edition.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news-04-09-24/h_86aa9d484693299afc4bae0026255385

[Matthew]

>An IDF representative to the members of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee: "We have received a target date for the readiness to enter Rafah."
https://t.me/HallelBittonRosen/7223

>The US and its allies believe major missile or drone strikes by Iran or its proxies against military and government targets in Israel are imminent, in what would mark a significant widening of the six-month-old conflict
https://archive.is/oIiLv

[Matthew]

>Israel says Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles, 99% of which were intercepted
>Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Iran fired 170 drones, more than 30 cruise missiles and more than 120 ballistic missiles. Of those, several ballistic missiles reached Israeli territory, causing minor damage to an air base.
>The Iranian attack, less than two weeks after a suspected Israeli strike in Syria that killed two Iranian generals in an Iranian consular building, marked the first time Iran has launched a direct military assault on Israel
>Israel’s military said its Arrow system, which shoots down ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere, handled most interceptions and noted that “strategic partners” were involved.
>“At my direction, to support the defense of Israel, the U.S. military moved aircraft and ballistic missile defense destroyers to the region over the course of the past week,” Biden said in a statement. “Thanks to these deployments and the extraordinary skill of our service members, we helped Israel take down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles.”
>Iran’s mission to the United Nations issued a warning to both Israel and the U.S. “Should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran’s response will be considerably more severe”
>Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported heavy Israeli airstrikes and shelling on multiple locations in south Lebanon following Iran’s launch of drones. The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah said it launched “dozens” of Katyusha rockets at an Israeli military site in the Golan Heights early Sunday.
https://apnews.com/article/strait-of-hormuz-vessel-33fcffde2d867380e98c89403776a8ac

>Senior Israeli official: There will be a very significant reaction
https://t.me/amitsegal/34157

>Massive explosion took place in Amir Al-Momenin ballistic missile base of the #IRGC Aerospace Force near #Tehran four minutes ago! That base launched four MRBMs at #Israel 20 minutes ago!
https://twitter.com/BabakTaghvaee1/status/1779286606530118083

[Matthew]

>Herzog: Israel considering all options after Iran’s ‘declaration of war’
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/herzog-israel-considering-all-options-after-irans-declaration-of-war

>The Russian warship "Marshal Shopusnikov", armed with Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, entered the Mediterranean Sea from the Suez Canal in the last day
https://t.me/asafroz/18502

[Matthew]

>Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister: If Israel attacks - Iran will respond "within a second". "They won't have 12 days to prepare"
https://t.me/US2020US/19866

>AN OFFICIAL FROM THE IRANIAN PARLIAMENTARY NATIONAL SECURITY COMMISSION STATED THAT IRAN IS PREPARED TO UTILIZE A 'WEAPON WE HAVE NEVER USED BEFORE' IN RESPONSE TO ANY RETALIATORY ATTACK FROM ISRAEL
https://twitter.com/FirstSquawk/status/1779979033846894950

[Matthew]

>Iran threatens: "A minimal response will be met with a massive response"
>Iranian President Raisi: "The smallest act against Tehran's interests will be met with a massive, extensive and painful response against all its perpetrators."
https://www.93fm.co.il/radio/1005066

[Matthew]

>Egypt hints to Israel: a ground operation in Rafah will endanger peace
>The spokesman for the Egyptian Ministry of Information Diaa Rashvan addressed this morning (Wednesday) the issue of Israel's ground operation in Rafah , and issued an implicit threat towards Israel. In an interview with the Al-Arabiya channel, Rashvan wondered: "Does Israel fully understand the meaning of Egypt's warnings against entering Rafah? Will it choose this option at the expense of peace that has lasted for 45 years, and put Egypt in a position where Israel does not really know how it will react?".
https://www.kan.org.il/content/kan-news/defense/739122

[Matthew]

>Israeli media reported that Israel is not expected to attack Iran until after Passover, based on reports from a senior American official told ABC News Thursday morning.
>The senior official also claimed that this statement depends on "upcoming events."
https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-797672

>US approves Rafah op in exchange for no Israeli counterstrikes on Iran - report
https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-797675

[Matthew]

>Israel has reportedly deployed extra artillery and armoured personnel carriers to the Gaza Strip periphery, suggesting that the military is preparing for its long-threatened ground offensive on Rafah
>Israeli daily Ma’ariv also said on Wednesday that troops had been put on alert and “the governing principle of the operation” had been approved by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) general staff and Yoav Gallant, the defence minister.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/17/israel-reportedly-deploys-extra-weapons-for-assumed-rafah-offensive

>Peak vigilance in the northern sector: the security establishment assesses that Hezbollah is facing a much wider conflict, perhaps in the coming days.
https://t.me/HallelBittonRosen/7286

>Ahmed Hektalev, commander of the headquarters for the security of the nuclear centers of the Revolutionary Guards, told the Iranian news agency "Tasnim" that Tehran may reexamine its "nuclear doctrine" - against the background of Israel's threat to respond to the Iranian attack.
>He also said that "If Israel dares to attack our nuclear sites - we will certainly attack back. We are ready to launch powerful and advanced missiles to destroy designated targets in Israel. Our hands are on the trigger, Israel's nuclear facilities have been identified."
>At the same time, the Commander of the Air and Space Forces of the Revolutionary Guards, Amir Ali Haji Zadeh, said: "We faced Israel with an old weapon with little power. We did not use Harmshahr, Sejil, Haj Qasim, Khebir Gahar and Hypersoni 2 missiles."
https://www.ynet.co.il/iphone/json/api/article/rjgpqtrxc/android