Israel and Hezbollah trade attacks amid cease-fire talks
As reports indicate a cease-fire deal between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah could soon become a reality, the countries traded deadly and destructive strikes. Monday morning, Nov. 25, reports said Hezbollah attacked Galilee from Lebanon, while Israel continued to focus on the Lebanese capital of Beirut.
The latest round of attacks started with an Israeli strike on Beirut Saturday night, Nov. 23, that left more than two dozen people dead, according to the Lebanese health ministry. Hezbollah responded to that strike by launching more than 200 rockets and drones at Israel, marking one of the heaviest bombardments of Israel since fighting intensified in September.
Israel said its goal is to return tens of thousands of people home who evacuated from the northern part of the country due to rocket attacks by Hezbollah. Meanwhile, Israeli attacks on Beirut have led the Lebanese education ministry to postpone school there until January.
On Sunday, Nov. 24, the European Union’s foreign policy chief said a U.S. cease-fire proposal was awaiting final approval from Israel.
CNN reported on Monday morning, citing sources, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved the cease-fire deal with Hezbollah “in principle” during a security consultation with Israeli officials Sunday night.
An agreement would also need to be approved by the Israeli cabinet.
Israeli and Hamas leaders targeted for war crimes by ICC
The International Criminal Court at The Hague has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for their roles in the ongoing war in the Middle East. In addition, it has issued a warrant for Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif.
The court announced that it issued the warrants against the two Israelis for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes in the country’s attacks on Gaza.
Palestinian officials have claimed the death toll in the region has topped 40,000 since Israel responded to the Hamas-led terror attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
The ICC says the warrants include the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare and intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population. It found there was reason to believe both Netanyahu and Gallant intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of food, water, medicine, fuel and electricity from October 2023 to May 2024.
The prosecutor also alleges they hampered humanitarian organizations from providing food and other aid to people in Gaza, who were in desperate need. Netanyahu’s office has called the court’s decision “antisemitic” and the charges “absurd and false.”
The court also issued an arrest warrant for Mohammed Deif. Deif is accused of war crimes for his role in Hamas’s attack on Israel. However, Israel claims it killed Deif earlier this year. The prosecutor had filed similar warrants against Hamas leaders Sinwar and Haniyeh, but withdrew those warrants after confirmation that Israel had killed both.
Israel and the United States do not recognize the International Court’s jurisdiction. However, many countries in Europe do, which puts Israeli officials at risk for arrest in those countries.
Incoming Senate Republican Majority Leader John Thune, S.D., warned Sunday, Nov. 17, that the U.S. could impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court if it issues war crimes arrest warrants against Israeli officials.
New drone using hydrogen to win the fight: Weapon of the Week
Spend enough time on the floor of a defense exposition, and you’ll find just about any kind of drone you can imagine. But recently, the Weapons and Warfare team came across something they hadn’t seen before, and that’s why HevenDrones is the weapon of the week.
To look at HevenDrones’ newest project, the H2D250, one might not think it’s all that different from dozens of other similar-looking models vying for a piece of the market. However, the company’s founder said it’s what’s under the hood that makes it something new to be reckoned with.
“We said we have to solve the energy piece. And when we’re looking for the ideal energy source for drones, we got the hydrogen. So it’s really one long story, which is, how can drones do more than just be flying robots, heavy lift, great. Getting to long endurance is what led us to hydrogen,” Ben Levinson, founder and CEO of HevenDrones, said.
So why hydrogen? Levinson says it offers three to five times the energy density of traditional batteries, extending flight time by hours. It’s ideal for places like the Indo-Pacific region.
“So it’s highly pressurized hydrogen that is sitting in a tank, small amount, about a pound of hydrogen. That’s it. And then we have a fuel cell. The fuel cell is taking that hydrogen and slowly making that into electricity. So we’re kind of creating, it’s like a power plant in the sky. So that’s how it works. So we’re going from again 30 minutes to about three hours, and our new systems, that actually include a wing, can already achieve 10 hours of flight time,” Levinson explained.
Operating in austere conditions, such as a small island in the Pacific, presents a host of challenges. Levinson said the drones don’t need much in the way of infrastructure. In fact, they don’t even need to add fuel to the supply chain.
“We actually have portable hydrogen refueling stations. So trailer-based, imagine your pickup truck or your Hummer, and there’s solar panels on the roof. So wherever you are in the world, once you have this station, you’re just creating your hydrogen. You’re using it. So if you’re on an island or wherever you are, there’s no need to get more fuel into the country. You just create your hydrogen with thin air every single day,” Levinson said.
The ultimate question is: What can HevenDrones provide to the warfighter? Levinson says they are focused on three aspects: logistics, a launch platform for other drones or ground robots and finally, delivering munitions.
“I think we as the U.S. and Israel, for example, realized over the past year after Oct. 7, that without its safety and security, our way of life, everything else is irrelevant. I think that we all have to work together again, as individuals, as companies, etc., to make sure that we as the U.S., we as the Western world, have these strengths and have the capability to continue to live our lives in the way of freedom that we all believe in,” Levinson emphasized.
At the moment, HevenDrones is still working with the Department of Defense and its various branches to secure a deal with U.S. forces. And if they are looking for proof of performance, they don’t have to look too far.
“Our drones are the leading drones working heavy lift in Israel today. We have a lot of experience on the ground, actually scaling up, and we’re just kind of getting ahead of the curve and what we’re expecting for the conflicts in the years and decades to come,” Levinson said.
But isn’t a hydrogen-powered drone super dangerous if it crashes or gets shot? Well, we asked Levinson says that while it may seem counterintuitive, they’ve done the testing to show hydrogen batteries are as safe, or safer, than traditional electric batteries.
Access all Weapons and Warfare podcast episodes here.
Netanyahu offers $5M reward for each hostage freed from Gaza
As cease-fire talks to end the fighting in Gaza continue to stall, Israel estimates around a hundred hostages remain in Hamas custody. Now, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is offering a $5 million reward for anyone who returns a hostage and to provide those who do with safe passage out of Gaza.
Netanyahu announced the reward during a visit to Gaza on Tuesday, Nov. 19, where he was shown the Israeli military’s Netzarim corridor — a key access road and buffer zone constructed by Israel’s army to dissect northern Gaza from the southern part.
“I want to say to those who are holding our hostages: Whoever dares to harm our hostages will pay the price. We will pursue you and we will find you,” Netanyahu said.
“To those who want to leave this entanglement, I say: Whoever brings us a hostage, will find a safe way out for himself and his family. We will also give $5 million for every hostage,” he added .”The choice is yours but the result will be the same: We will bring them all back.”
Of the 101 captives still estimated to remain in Gaza, about a third of them are believed to already be dead.
IDF says a majority of weapons seized from Hezbollah are Russian
Israel uncovered large caches of advanced Russian-made weapons during a ground operation in southern Lebanon. The findings reveal the extent of Hezbollah’s growing arsenal, including weapons manufactured as recently as 2020, and raise concerns over regional security.
The seized weapons include Kornet anti-tank missiles and guided systems, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. Military officials said many of these weapons were transported from Russia through Syria to Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon.
Reuters
Israel has long been aware of Hezbollah’s possession of older Soviet-era weapons, but this operation marked the first opportunity since 2006 to assess the full scale of its arsenal.
Approximately 60% to 70% of the weapons seized in the operation were Russian-made, significantly more advanced than initially expected.
The Kornet missiles, in particular, have been used frequently against Israeli forces, posing a considerable threat along the border. Analysts say the newly uncovered stockpile highlights Hezbollah’s bolstered combat capabilities and the strategic challenges facing Israel.
Backlash after UK police investigate columnist over social media post
Essex Police are under fire after launching an investigation into a social media post by columnist Allison Pearson. Critics are calling the probe an overreach that infringes on free speech.
The investigation centers on a year-old tweet about the Gaza conflict and has drawn widespread condemnation from political and civil liberties figures.
Pearson, a columnist for The Telegraph, revealed two Essex police officers arrived at her home on Remembrance Sunday, Nov. 10, to investigate the tweet. However, they couldn’t tell her what specific post they were investigating or who had filed the complaint.
Police categorized the tweet in question as a “non-crime hate incident.” This designation doesn’t result in criminal charges but is recorded in police databases. Some have labeled the tweet as inciting racial hatred.
The case has sparked a broader debate about the role of law enforcement in policing online speech. However, the controversy surrounding Pearson’s case is not isolated.
Earlier investigations into “non-crime hate incidents” have involved individuals being questioned over posts or statements that others found offensive. In one such instance, police investigated feminist writer Julie Bindel after a transgender activist filed a complaint about a tweet.
The Home Office has ordered a review of guidelines for investigating non-crime hate incidents. Officials said this is to ensure they aren’t being misused to restrict free speech.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper acknowledged the need for a balance between protecting individuals from harmful speech and safeguarding the right to express lawful opinions.
Families of US victims sue Iran over 2023 Hamas-led attack in Israel
Families of American victims of the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack in Israel have filed a federal lawsuit against Iran and several affiliated terror groups, accusing them of funding and orchestrating the deadly assault. The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., alleges Tehran funneled millions of dollars to Hamas to carry out what plaintiffs call “the deadliest single massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.”
The legal complaint relies on evidence, including secret documents and reports, that reveal financial and military support provided by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to Hamas and other militant groups.
One document outlines a $7 million monthly funding request from Hamas to Iran to prepare for “the big project,” later revealed as the Oct. 7 attack.
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The attack, which killed over 1,200 people, including 46 Americans, also resulted in 250 hostages being taken, among them 12 U.S. citizens.
While the lawsuit targets Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, it notably omits Qatar and Turkey despite reports of their financial contributions to Hamas.
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Among the 37 families involved in the lawsuit is Yechiel Leiter, father of fallen Israeli soldier Moshe Leiter, who was killed in Gaza in November 2023. Leiter, who is set to become Israel’s ambassador to the United States, expressed a desire for accountability for those responsible for enabling the attack.
Legal documents also outline a defense pact between Hamas, Hezbollah and other Iran-backed proxies, which reportedly ensured military coordination during the Oct. 7 assault. In response to the attack, Hezbollah launched near-daily strikes in northern Israel, forcing the evacuation of over 60,000 residents.
The families are seeking financial damages under the U.S. Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act and Anti-Terrorism Act. Previous lawsuits against Iran have sought billions in damages for its alleged role in supporting Hamas and facilitating attacks against Israeli and American citizens.
Gunmen hijack aid trucks in Gaza, UN warns of growing food shortages
Nearly 100 aid trucks carrying food into war-torn Gaza were hijacked and looted by masked gunmen, according to the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, also known as UNRWA. Officials said a criminal Gaza gang held the drivers at gunpoint, forced them out and made them unload the aid as they crossed into Gaza on Saturday, Nov. 16.
Nearly 2 million Palestinians living in the enclave desperately need food and supplies. Humanitarian agencies warn food shortages in Gaza will worsen if aid isn’t quickly brought into the area.
“Without immediate intervention, severe food shortages are set to worsen, further endangering the lives of over 2 million people who depend on humanitarian aid to survive.”UNRWA officials said in a post on X.
UNRWA’s commissionergGeneral appeared on CNN last week, just days before the attack. He said Gaza is “a post-apocalyptic environment,” with “people just waiting to be killed, either by airstrike, by disease or even by hunger.”
He said there’s a “total breakdown of civil order” and that Gaza has become “an impossible environment to operate in.”
Authorities haven’t identified the gunmen who robbed the aid trucks.
UNRWA issued a separate statement on X, accusing Israeli authorities of ignoring their legal obligations under international law to meet the basic needs and allow the safe delivery of aid into Gaza.
UNRWA officials previously accused several members of the group of partaking in Hamas’ attack against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. At least two of the accused were confirmed to have been killed in Gaza. At least 21 others were fired by the UNRWA.
The Oct. 7 attacks started the Israel-Hamas war.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military has previously accused Hamas militants of stealing aid.
Early Monday, Nov. 18, the Israeli military authority in charge of humanitarian affairs in the Gaza Strip, known as COGAT, wrote in a statement on X saying they’re working together on various measures that will help get more aid to Gazans in need.
Thune vows sanctions if ICC targets Netanyahu, Israeli officials
Incoming Senate Republican Majority Leader John Thune warned Sunday, Nov. 17, that the U.S. could impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court if it issues war crimes arrest warrants against Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The controversy adds to a growing divide over the ICC’s actions, which some U.S. lawmakers have condemned as politically motivated.
The ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan has asked the court to approve warrants alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders, two of whom have been killed in recent months.
Israel rejected the allegations, calling them antisemitic and akin to historical blood libels.
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Thune vowed that if the court moves forward, Senate Republicans will prioritize sanctions legislation similar to the bill passed by the Republican-led House in June.
That bill would bar ICC officials involved in the prosecution from entering the U.S. and impose financial restrictions.
Thune wrote on X,“If Majority Leader Schumer does not act, the Senate Republican majority will stand with our key ally Israel and make this – and other supportive legislation – a top priority in the next Congress.”
The ICC’s actions have drawn bipartisan criticism, with some Democrats joining Republicans in denouncing the court’s investigations. Still, President Joe Biden has opposed reinstating the sanctions that former President Donald Trump enacted in 2020 and that Biden later lifted in 2021.
Further complicating the ICC’s position are sexual misconduct allegations against Khan, which are under external investigation. Khan has denied the accusations, claiming they are part of a misinformation campaign.
Israel has also raised concerns about potential bias within the ICC, questioning the impartiality of a judge on the panel reviewing the arrest requests. The court, based in The Hague, typically takes several months to rule on such matters but has no set timeline for a decision.
Biden allows Ukraine to strike Russia with long-range US missiles
With North Korea entering the war, the Biden administration is now allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles inside Russia. And President-elect Donald Trump returned to New York for a UFC showdown this weekend while also making more presidential picks. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Nov. 18, 2024.
Biden allows Ukraine to strike Russia with long-range US missiles
It’s been nearly three years since Russia invaded Ukraine, and while the U.S. has supported Ukraine since the start, President Joe Biden is now easing limitations on how U.S.-supplied weapons can be used.
The policy shift comes as President Biden’s time in office winds down and President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to limit U.S. support for Ukraine. Trump has also promised to quickly put an end to the war with Russia but has yet to say how.
Biden’s decision comes as Russia unleashed a barrage of its own missiles in Ukraine Sunday, Nov. 17. Ukrainian authorities said 10 people, including two children, were killed and dozens injured in a Russian strike on a residential building in Sumy, near the Russian border.
Earlier in the day, Russia launched its largest attack against Ukraine since August, once again targeting power plants and energy infrastructure across the country. Ukrainian authorities said at least five people were killed in those strikes.
On the social site Telegram, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said about 120 missiles and 90 drones were fired into the country, with Ukrainian air defenses downing more than 140 targets.
Israeli strike in Beirut kills Hezbollah’s top spokesman
An Israeli strike on a neighborhood in Beirut killed Hezbollah’s top spokesman, according to the militant group.
Mohammed Afif was an adviser to the late Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, whom Israel killed in an attack on Beirut in September. Afif had been responsible for Hezbollah’s media relations since 2014.
Lebanon’s health ministry said no evacuation warning was issued before the strike, which happened in the middle of the day, and four people were killed.
🔴ELIMINATED: Chief Propagandist and Spokesperson of Hezbollah, Mohammed Afif
Afif was a senior Hezbollah military operative, in contact with senior officials and directly involved in advancing and executing Hezbollah’s terrorist activities against Israel.
The Israel Defense Forces said it carried out a “precise, intelligence-based strike” that “eliminated the terrorist Mohammed Afif, the chief propagandist and spokesperson of the Hezbollah terrorist organization.”
Trump attends UFC event in New York City, makes more picks for 2nd term
Over the weekend, President-elect Trump returned to Madison Square Garden to see the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s pay-per-view event. It was the first time Trump was back at the New York City venue since his rally last month and he received roaring applause from the UFC crowd Saturday night, Nov. 16, including chants of “USA!”
Trump was joined by friend and UFC President Dana White, as well as some of the names he’s recently picked to join his administration, including Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Tulsi Gabbard. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and Trump’s oldest sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, were also in attendance.
The president-elect also shook hands with Joe Rogan, one of the commentators for the event. Trump was a guest on Rogan’s podcast in the days leading up to the election.
Trump’s weekend also involved filling more key positions in his administration, including nominating Chris Wright to lead the Department of Energy. Wright is the chief executive of Liberty Energy, a Denver, Colorado based fracking company.
He also picked current FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr to be the agency’s chairman. Carr recently made headlines after claiming Vice President Kamala Harris’ appearance on Saturday Night Live violated FCC rules.
More nominations from the president-elect are expected to come this week.
Biden becomes first sitting president to visit Amazon rainforest
President Biden made history Sunday, Nov. 17, becoming the first sitting president to visit the Amazon rainforest.
While there, Biden met indigenous leaders and visited a museum at the gateway to the amazon. He also toured the drought-shrunken waters of the Amazon River’s greatest tributary and signed a U.S. proclamation designating Nov. 17 International Conservation Day, highlighting his commitment to the preservation of the region.
He also touched on concerns the incoming Trump administration might change U.S. climate policy.
“It’s no secret that I’m leaving office in January,” Biden said. “I will leave my successor and my country in a strong foundation to build on if they choose to do so.”
Today I issued an official proclamation to support the conservation of nature around the world.
That was the most that Biden publicly referenced President-elect Trump during his South American tour.
The transition was briefly mentioned during Chinese president Xi Jinping’s remarks on Saturday, Nov. 16 during his final meeting with Biden. While he also did not mention Trump by name, Xi appeared to signal his concern over what the new administration could mean for China’s relationship with the U.S. During his campaign, Trump promised to levy 60% tariffs on Chinese imports.
Reports: WBD, NBA settle with 11-year deal; ‘Inside the NBA’ to air on ABC
Warner Brothers Discovery is back in the game when it comes to the NBA. Though the company will no longer be airing games on its TNT network after this season, the Wall Street Journal and other outlets report the two sides have come to an agreement to keep NBA programming in the Warner Bros. family.
The reports said the new deal will settle Warner Brothers Discovery’s breach of contract lawsuit, which it filed against the league after the NBA signed rights deals with Disney’s ESPN, Comcast’s NBC, and Amazon.
This 11-year agreement will see NBA content remain on Warner Bros. Discovery’s digital platforms Bleacher Report and House of Highlights. It also gives Warner Brothers Discovery the right to distribute games overseas in places such as northern Europe and parts of Latin America, excluding Mexico and Brazil.
Reports said Warner Brothers Discovery also struck a deal with Disney to license its popular TNT show “Inside the NBA,” featuring former-players-turned-commentators Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley starting next season. The show will air throughout the season on ABC and ESPN.
The deals are expected to be officially announced this week.
Netflix says 60 million households tuned in live for Tyson vs. Paul
Netflix also said 50 million households watched the co-main event that saw Katie Taylor retain her championship against Amanda Serrano. The streaming giant said that would make it the most-watched professional women’s sporting event in United States history.
Netflix said more information, like total viewers, will be released later this week.
Netflix’s future live sporting events will include NFL games on Christmas Day and WWE weekly programming starting next year.
