Category: Middle East

TEL AVIV, Israel (NPA) — The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has announced the completion of a large-scale air operation targeting strategic air defence systems across Iran, days after Tehran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles toward Israeli territory.

According to the Israeli military, the strikes were aimed at dismantling key defence installations that Iran had been rebuilding following damage sustained during previous Israeli military operations.

“The IDF completed a large-scale strike on strategic defence systems belonging to the Iranian regime,” the military said in a statement.

Israeli authorities stated that the targeted systems formed part of Iran’s efforts to restore military capabilities that had been degraded during what the IDF referred to as “Operation Roaring Lion.”

The military said the operation resulted in the destruction of several strategic air defence assets deployed across the country.

The latest strikes mark a significant escalation in the growing confrontation between Israel and Iran, which has intensified following a series of military exchanges involving Iran and Iran-backed groups in the region.

Earlier, the IDF said its air defence systems intercepted multiple ballistic missiles launched by Iran toward northern Israel.

Air raid sirens were activated across several parts of the country after the missiles were detected heading toward Israeli territory.

“The IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat,” the military said at the time.

Israeli authorities did not immediately release details regarding casualties or damage resulting from the missile attacks.

Iran, however, said the missile barrage was carried out in response to recent Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon and the Dahieh suburb of Beirut, a known stronghold of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

The Iranian response came after Israel launched strikes against Hezbollah targets and infrastructure in Lebanon, including what the IDF described as command centres and underground military facilities linked to the group.

The latest developments underscore mounting tensions across the Middle East, raising concerns about the possibility of a broader regional conflict involving Israel, Iran and allied armed groups.

More details are expected as military authorities on both sides continue to assess the situation.

TEL AVIV, Israel (NPA) — The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said its air defence systems intercepted multiple ballistic missiles launched by Iran toward northern Israel, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between the two regional adversaries.

According to the IDF, air raid sirens were activated across several areas of the country after missiles were detected heading toward Israeli territory.

“The IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat,” the military said in a statement.

Israeli authorities did not immediately provide details on casualties or damage resulting from the missile barrage.

Iran said the attacks were carried out in response to recent Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon and the Dahieh suburb of Beirut, areas known to be strongholds of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

The latest exchange follows a series of Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon.

Earlier, the IDF announced that it had struck a Hezbollah command centre following rocket attacks launched by the group against communities in northern Israel.

According to the Israeli military, the facility was being used by Hezbollah operatives to coordinate attacks against Israeli civilians and troops operating in southern Lebanon.

The IDF also disclosed that its operations uncovered what it described as an extensive underground Hezbollah tunnel network beneath the Beaufort Ridge area.

Israeli military officials said the tunnel complex included living quarters, water and electricity infrastructure, as well as anti-tank and air defence systems allegedly intended for use against Israeli forces and civilian targets.

The military further alleged that the network was built with Iranian support and located near areas where the Lebanese Armed Forces operate.

According to the IDF, Israeli authorities had previously requested that the Lebanese military address the site as part of efforts to enforce existing agreements between Israel and Lebanon.

However, the military claimed that Hezbollah prevented such action from being taken.

The latest developments underline the growing volatility across the region amid heightened military confrontations involving Israel, Iran and Iran-backed armed groups operating in Lebanon and elsewhere in the Middle East.

More details are expected as the situation continues to unfold, especially Isreal’s immediate response.

TEL AVIV, Israel (NPA) — A terrorist attack in central Israel today claimed the life of one man and left at least five others wounded in a shooting spree across multiple communities near Kochav Ya’ir, Tzur Yitzhak, and Tzur Natan.

According to Israeli police, the attacker — identified as an Arab Israeli from Tayibe — opened fire at several locations, including a petrol station and road junctions, using a makeshift submachine gun known as a “Carlo.”

The assailant was later neutralised by security forces after fleeing towards Tayibe.

Initial reports suggested two attackers, but authorities confirmed only one was involved.

Emergency services evacuated the wounded to Meir Medical Centre in Kfar Saba and Beilinson Hospital in Petach Tikva, with at least two victims reported in serious condition. The man killed was in his 30s.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency security assessment following the incident.

Hamas praised the attack as “heroic” but did not claim responsibility, as security agencies launched raids in nearby Arab villages to rule out accomplices.

Police issued a terrorist infiltration alert in the Sharon region during the attack, urging residents to shelter in place. The swift response by Israeli forces prevented further casualties, but the incident underscores the persistent threat of lone‑actor terrorism in areas bordering the West Bank.

Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity as investigations continue.

JERUSALEM, Israel (NPA) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) to carry out strikes on Hezbollah targets in the Dahiyeh district of Beirut, citing what he described as repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement by the Lebanese armed group.

Dahiyeh, located in southern Beirut, is widely regarded as Hezbollah’s political, social and military stronghold.

In a statement issued on Monday, Netanyahu said the action was taken in response to ongoing attacks against Israeli communities and citizens.

“Following the repeated and ongoing violations of the ceasefire in Lebanon by the terrorist organisation Hezbollah and the attacks against our cities and citizens, I have instructed the IDF to strike terrorist targets in the Dahiyeh neighbourhood in Beirut,” he said.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz also confirmed the directive, saying the military operation was intended to target Hezbollah positions in the area.

The latest development comes amid heightened tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, where exchanges of fire and accusations of ceasefire violations have continued despite diplomatic efforts to prevent a wider conflict.

Katz also disclosed that Israeli forces had expanded military operations in southern Lebanon and captured the strategic Beaufort ridge, a prominent hilltop position overlooking parts of the border region.

According to the defence minister, the operation involved troops from the Golani Brigade, who raised Israeli and brigade flags on the ridge after securing the position.

He described the location as a key strategic asset for protecting communities in northern Israel and supporting military operations in the area.

Katz warned that Israel would continue to target what it considers strategic assets of hostile groups threatening its security. “This is a clear message to our enemies: whoever threatens Israeli citizens will lose their strategic assets one after another,” he said.

The defence minister added that military operations against Hezbollah would continue until Israel achieves its stated objective of restoring security to residents of the country’s northern region.

The announcement is expected to raise concerns about a possible escalation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which have been engaged in periodic cross-border confrontations since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict, spilling into the United States, Israel, and Iran’s war.  

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (NPA) — The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence has announced that the country’s air defence systems successfully intercepted and neutralised six hostile drones over the past 48 hours.

According to the ministry, the drones attempted to target civilian and strategic facilities across the country but were detected and engaged with what officials described as the highest levels of readiness and operational efficiency.

The ministry stated that the air defence operation was carried out successfully without any human casualties or damage to critical infrastructure.

In a related development, the Ministry of Defence disclosed the origin of the drones involved in the May 17, 2026, attack on the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant.

According to the ministry, investigations and technical monitoring confirmed that the three drones involved in the earlier attack, alongside those intercepted in subsequent operations, originated from Iraqi territory.

Officials said two of the drones used in the May 17 attack were intercepted, while a third struck an electrical generator located outside the internal perimeter of the nuclear facility.

The ministry described the incident as a “brazen attack” and warned that the United Arab Emirates reserves the right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and national security in accordance with international law.

“The Ministry of Defence affirms that the United Arab Emirates reserves its full right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and national security, in accordance with international laws and covenants,” the statement read.

The UAE further stressed that its armed forces remain fully prepared to confront any threat targeting the country’s security, strategic facilities and national capabilities.