Israel’s leaders have articulated various goals for their expanding ground and air assault in Gaza, spreading confusion over how the objectives might be achieved and on what terms the renewed campaign might end. They agree on the primary objective — to squeeze Hamas into releasing the dozens of hostages still being held in the enclave,…
Israel has built a growing network of outposts and fortifications in Syria and Lebanon, deepening concerns about a protracted occupation in parts of the two countries. Israel says it wants to prevent another surprise attack across its borders like the October 2023 Hamas-led attack that ignited the war in Gaza. It has not said how…
The Israeli defense minister tried on Friday to turn up the pressure on Hamas to release more hostages, saying Israel was preparing to seize more territory in Gaza and intensify attacks by air, sea and land if the armed Palestinian group does not cooperate. The statement by the defense minister, Israel Katz, came days after…
Israeli operations against militants in the West Bank have escalated to a level not seen since the Second Intifada of the early 2000s. Tens of thousands have been forced to flee their homes, with Israel’s defense minister saying they will not be allowed to return. And for the first time in two decades, Israeli forces…