Middle East Experience

Through tears and tight embraces, freed Israeli-American hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen on Saturday finally learnt the name of his youngest daughter, born two months after he was abducted by Gaza militants in October 2023.In footage published by the Israeli government, Dekel-Chen's wife Avital, shedding tears of joy as the two embraced after 16 months apart, told him that the baby girl was named Shahar Mazal, which could translate into "lucky dawn" in English."That's perfect," the 36-year-old responded, moments after he was brought back to Israel.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Freed Israeli hostage finally learns name of youngest daughter

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel late Saturday on the first leg of a Middle East tour, an AFP journalist reported.Rubio landed at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv and is due to hold talks with Israeli officials on Sunday when he will highlight President Donald Trump's controversial proposal to take control of the Gaza Strip, which has been devastated by more than 15 months of war between Hamas and Israel.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Rubio arrives in Israel on first Middle East tour

Top US diplomat Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented a united front Sunday against their common enemies, threatening to "open the gates of hell" on Hamas and "finish the job" against Iran.The pledges came during a joint address to reporters in Jerusalem, where Rubio began his first Middle East trip as secretary of state in President Donald Trump's new administration.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: US, Israel present united front on Gaza, Iran

Zamir is somewhat unusual for an IDF chief given that his military background is in tank command, but his top posts in the later years of his resume made him a favorite from the start of the race.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Israeli government finalizes appointment of Eyal Zamir as new IDF chief

I could hardly keep myself from jumping up and down when an IDF spokesperson named Shira offered to try to find some units that could use my unique talents.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: How to join the IDF at (almost) any age and stage

According to the IDF, controversially, Halevi will not lay specific blame publicly on individual officers in the written reports.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: October 7 massacre investigations: IDF to present probes in late February

In the coming days, it will be clear if Israel can convince Hamas to resolve post-Gaza war issues or if conflict will continue, potentially undermining stability from the past month.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: The real test begins: Can Israel make the Hamas, Hezbollah ceasefires hold?

After nearly 500 days, Sasha was freed from Gaza captivity. The next morning, he turned to his faith.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Ex-hostage Sasha Troufanov wraps tefillin with Russian chief rabbi day after release

Lebanese media on Sunday reported that Israeli gunfire killed a woman as Washington pressed Beirut to disarm Hezbollah, two days before a deadline in the ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed group.Lebanon has faced unrest this week after a government decision to block Iranian flights from landing in Beirut, with a UN peacekeeper convoy attacked during protests by supporters of Hezbollah, which on Sunday urged the government to reverse the move.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: One killed in Lebanon as Israel-Hezbollah truce deadline looms

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Monday against what he called "soft war" tactics employed by enemies in a bid to sow discord within the Islamic republic."Today, we have no concerns regarding hard defence or the enemy's military threats. Islamic Iran possesses strong capabilities to counter such threats, ensuring a high level of security for its people," said Khamenei during a speech in Tehran.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Khamenei warns of attempts to create 'discord' in Iran