Middle East Crisis: Israel Says Ceasefire In Effect Again

[Stellar Colonies]

egypt's growing a spine?

don't count on it,

Egypt also signed a 35 billion dollar gas deal with Israel and still participates in the blockade of Gaza.

Sisi should hang for that fact alone.

Also,

Chevron, Israeli pipeline operator to kickstart new gas pipeline to Egypt (Reuters)
By Shadia Nasralla and Stephanie Kelly

- Nitzana to carry 600 mln cubic feet/day from Leviathan gasfield
- Part of bigger effort to increase Israeli gas exports to Egypt
- Nitzana to bring Israel-Egypt exports to 2.2 bln cubic feet/day

LONDON, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Chevron (CVX.N) has signed a deal with state-owned pipeline operator Israel Natural Gas Lines to kickstart construction of the Nitzana natural gas pipeline to transport gas from the Leviathan gasfield to Egypt, the U.S. company said on Tuesday.

Nitzana would ease an energy crisis in Egypt, which has spent billions of dollars on importing liquefied natural gas and is part of a concerted effort to boost Israeli gas exports to the Arab world's most populous nation.

Last month, the owners of the Leviathan natural gas field off Israel signed a $35 billion export deal to supply gas to Egypt. Leviathan, owned by NewMed (NWMDp.TA) Chevron and Ratio Energies (RATIp.TA) holds gas reserves of some 600 billion cubic metres.

The Nitzana pipeline route will transport around 600 million cubic feet of natural gas per day, once construction finishes in about three years, Chevron said, adding this would bring Israel's total export capacity to Egypt to more than 2.2 billion cubic feet per day.

Gas producer Energean (ENOG.L) has said it plans to send up to 2 billion cubic metres of gas a year on Nitzana from its Katlan field offshore Israel, due to start production in 2027.

The plan was announced on the same day a United Nations Commission of Inquiry concluded that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza. Israel called the assessment "scandalous" and "fake."

[Jibjibistan]

don't count on it,

Egypt also signed a 35 billion dollar gas deal with Israel and still participates in the blockade of Gaza.

Sisi should hang for that fact alone.

Also,

Chevron, Israeli pipeline operator to kickstart new gas pipeline to Egypt (Reuters)
By Shadia Nasralla and Stephanie Kelly

- Nitzana to carry 600 mln cubic feet/day from Leviathan gasfield
- Part of bigger effort to increase Israeli gas exports to Egypt
- Nitzana to bring Israel-Egypt exports to 2.2 bln cubic feet/day

LONDON, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Chevron (CVX.N) has signed a deal with state-owned pipeline operator Israel Natural Gas Lines to kickstart construction of the Nitzana natural gas pipeline to transport gas from the Leviathan gasfield to Egypt, the U.S. company said on Tuesday.

Nitzana would ease an energy crisis in Egypt, which has spent billions of dollars on importing liquefied natural gas and is part of a concerted effort to boost Israeli gas exports to the Arab world's most populous nation.

Last month, the owners of the Leviathan natural gas field off Israel signed a $35 billion export deal to supply gas to Egypt. Leviathan, owned by NewMed (NWMDp.TA) Chevron and Ratio Energies (RATIp.TA) holds gas reserves of some 600 billion cubic metres.

The Nitzana pipeline route will transport around 600 million cubic feet of natural gas per day, once construction finishes in about three years, Chevron said, adding this would bring Israel's total export capacity to Egypt to more than 2.2 billion cubic feet per day.

Gas producer Energean (ENOG.L) has said it plans to send up to 2 billion cubic metres of gas a year on Nitzana from its Katlan field offshore Israel, due to start production in 2027.

The plan was announced on the same day a United Nations Commission of Inquiry concluded that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza. Israel called the assessment "scandalous" and "fake."

Every day, I find new reasons to be ashamed of my country

[Slembana]

My dads response to this:

‘Well they have a right to defend themselves’

Seriously? Is he actually trying to justify genocide?

Hamas has caused a lot of death directly by killing Jews and indirectly by starting a war that has resulted in some loss of life and an extensive loss of property. Collateral damage is not genocide. When the allies bombed occupied territory, there were some civilians and good guys that got hurt and killed. This was not the intent but it happens. Collateral damage is not genocide. Genocide is killing large numbers of a particular ethnicity for no other reason than their ethnicity. Civilians are killed in war because they are in the wrong place at the wrong time and that is all there is to it.

Your father is correct.

This is NOT collateral damage. Once again, Israel is deliberately targeting civilians. It wants all Palestinians to be dead and/or out of Palestine.

[The Democratic Kingdom of Sanadia]

Israel’s military begins its ground offensive in Gaza City and thousands of residents flee (AP News)
By Melanie Lidman, Jon Gambrell and Samy Magdy

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel launched its offensive in Gaza City on Tuesday, threatening to overwhelm a city already in ruins from nearly two years of raids and bombardment. Vehicles strapped with mattresses and other belongings clogged a coastal road as thousands of Palestinians fled, but hundreds of thousands more remain.

The operation into the largest Palestinian city further escalates a conflict that has roiled the Middle East and likely pushes any ceasefire farther out of reach. The military wouldn’t offer a timeline for the offensive, which it says aims to “destroy Hamas’ military infrastructure,” but Israeli media suggested it could take months.

It began the same day that independent experts commissioned by the United Nations’ Human Rights Council accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. Israel rejected the allegation, calling the report “distorted and false.”

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that “Gaza is burning” as the operation began. Heavy bombardment battered the city overnight and into the morning.

One woman, Saud al-Sakani, said her daughter, son-in-law and their children were killed in a strike that flattened their home with about 40 people inside. “An entire family!” she cried, weeping over their bodies at Shifa Hospital’s morgue. “Many are still under the rubble.”

On a brief visit to the region, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that there was a “very short window of time in which a deal can happen” to end the war.

Israel also bombed Yemen’s port city of Hodeida in response to drone and missile fire from Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who say they are acting in solidarity with the Palestinians.

Palestinians flee Gaza City

Israeli forces have carried out multiple large-scale raids into Gaza City over the course of the war, causing mass displacement and heavy destruction, only to see militants regroup later. This time, Israel has vowed to take control of the entire city, which experts say is experiencing famine.

An Israeli military official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with military guidelines, said that the “main phase” of the Gaza City operation had begun. Airstrikes have pounded Gaza City for weeks, knocking down several high-rises.

The official said the Israeli military believes there are approximately 2,000 to 3,000 Hamas militants left in Gaza City, as well as tunnels used by the militant group. Hamas’ military capabilities have been vastly diminished over nearly two years of war, and nowadays it mainly carries out guerrilla-style attacks, with small groups of fighters planting explosives or attacking military outposts before melting away.

Ismail Zaydah, 39, said he fled from his home in Gaza City’s Sheikh Radwan neighborhood to an area near the coastal road. He said trucks carrying people south to an Israeli-designated humanitarian zone charge around $1,000, even as many families in Gaza City are starving.

“We fled with nothing but a few pieces of clothing. People are pitching their tents in western Gaza City, and they are sleeping among human waste because there is no place for them to go,” he said.

An estimated 1 million Palestinians were living in the Gaza City region before warnings to evacuate began ahead of the offensive, and the Israeli military estimates 350,000 people have left the city.

A U.N. estimate on Monday, however, said that over 220,000 Palestinians have fled northern Gaza over the past month.

By the end of the current operation, an Israeli military graphic suggested its troops hope to control all of the Gaza Strip except for a large swath along the coast.

At least 69 Palestinians killed in Gaza City

Palestinian residents reported heavy strikes across Gaza City on Tuesday morning, with hospitals in the city saying there were at least 69 deaths.

“A very tough night in Gaza,” Dr. Mohamed Abu Selmiya, the director of Shifa Hospital, told The Associated Press. “The bombing did not stop for a single moment.”

Several women gathered at the hospital’s morgue, where AP footage showed many dead in body bags.

Shifa received the bodies of 49 people, including 22 children, according to Dr. Rami Mhanna, a hospital official, who said dozens of wounded had also come into the facility. Al-Ahli Hospital received 17 bodies, and Al-Quds three.

The Israeli military did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the deadly strikes but in the past has accused Hamas of building military infrastructure inside civilian areas.

The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. Forty-eight hostages, fewer than half believed to be alive, remain in Gaza.

Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed more than 64,900 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t say how many were civilians or combatants. The ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals, says women and children make up around half the dead.

Families of hostages beg Netanyahu to halt the operation

Overnight, families of the hostages still being held in Gaza gathered outside of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence, imploring him to stop the offensive.

“Netanyahu gave the order to bomb my child,” said Anat Angrast, whose son is held in Gaza. “He knows that Matan is in immediate danger due to the Gaza operation, yet he decided to bomb him to death. He is the only one who will decide whether Matan lives or dies.”

Israel believes around 20 of the hostages are alive. Hamas has said it will only free remaining captives in return for Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

On a visit to Israel, Rubio suggested that there might still be time for a negotiated end the war.

“At some point, this has to end. At some point, Hamas has to be defanged, and we hope it can happen through a negotiation,” he said. “But I think time, unfortunately, is running out.”

He continued on to Qatar, where he met with its ruling emir. Qatar is incensed over an Israeli strike last week that killed five Hamas members and a local security official.

Rubio thanked Qatar, which has been a key negotiator in efforts to reach a ceasefire, for playing that role, according to a statement from his office, which did not directly acknowledge the Israeli strike. He also highlighted the countries’ close ties.

Arab and Muslim nations denounced the strike at a summit Monday but stopped short of any major action targeting Israel.

Egypt escalates its rhetoric against Israel

Egypt, which has had a peace deal with Israel for decades and has also served as a mediator in the war, appears to be losing its patience.

Egypt’s president, Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, described Israel as “an enemy” in a fiery speech at the Qatar summit Monday. It was the first time an Egyptian leader used the term since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1979, said Diaa Rashwan, head of Egypt’s State Information Service.

Egypt was the first Arab country to establish ties with Israel and their peace treaty is seen as a cornerstone for stability in the volatile region.

El-Sissi’s “enemy” comment played prominently across Egyptian newspapers’ front pages on Tuesday and while Cairo has taken no steps to change its status with Israel, the Egyptian government likely is trying to signal just how seriously it takes Israel’s recent actions.

...
It began the same day that independent experts commissioned by the United Nations’ Human Rights Council accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. Israel rejected the allegation, calling the report “distorted and false.”

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that “Gaza is burning” as the operation began. Heavy bombardment battered the city overnight and into the morning.
...

...
By the end of the current operation, an Israeli military graphic suggested its troops hope to control all of the Gaza Strip except for a large swath along the coast.
...

...
Overnight, families of the hostages still being held in Gaza gathered outside of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence, imploring him to stop the offensive.

“Netanyahu gave the order to bomb my child,” said Anat Angrast, whose son is held in Gaza. “He knows that Matan is in immediate danger due to the Gaza operation, yet he decided to bomb him to death. He is the only one who will decide whether Matan lives or dies.”

Israel believes around 20 of the hostages are alive. Hamas has said it will only free remaining captives in return for Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
...

...
Egypt, which has had a peace deal with Israel for decades and has also served as a mediator in the war, appears to be losing its patience.

Egypt’s president, Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, described Israel as “an enemy” in a fiery speech at the Qatar summit Monday. It was the first time an Egyptian leader used the term since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1979, said Diaa Rashwan, head of Egypt’s State Information Service.
...

egypt's growing a spine?

Highly doubt it.

[Fahran]

Highly doubt it.

Banging the drums about Israel is the go-to release valve in the Arab world. Better the disgruntled masses rant about Jews, and it will almost certainly be Jews rather than Zionists when we're discussing the lower middle classes, across the border and the injustices experienced by Arabs and Muslims else-where than the poor economy, the brutal police state, the systemic corruption, and the injustices experienced by Arabs and Muslims at home. As far as demonstrations go, these are a bit more manageable than anything else.

[Jibjibistan]

Highly doubt it.

Banging the drums about Israel is the go-to release valve in the Arab world. Better the disgruntled masses rant about Jews, and it will almost certainly be Jews rather than Zionists when we're discussing the lower middle classes, across the border and the injustices experienced by Arabs and Muslims else-where than the poor economy, the brutal police state, the systemic corruption, and the injustices experienced by Arabs and Muslims at home. As far as demonstrations go, these are a bit more manageable than anything else.

I don't think they use this as a pressure release anymore, as the conversation in the Arab street tends to shift back to the culpability of Arab governments.

part of the reason Egypt cracked down so hard on pro-Palestine movements is that the revolutionary rhetoric employed by Palestinians is the same used by anti-regime activists

Arab governments would rather just pretend the Israel-Palestine conflict doesn't exist anymore.

Edit: Blaming Israel is still a useful tool for Arab governments to deflect from their own failures, but only when it's from the top down in the form of government propagandists, when spontaneous protests do erupt for Palestine, all hell breaks loose as Arab governments crack down.

[Oceasia]

Israeli troops press forward into Gaza City as Palestinians flee and death toll passes 65,000

The official death toll is approaching the 3 percent mark, a horrifically high number for such a short amount of time.

UN warns on supplies for famine-stricken north Gaza after Israel shuts crossing

The hundreds of thousands of people that will remain in northern Gaza are just expected to perish if Israel gets its way.

[Krangkor]

Thank you. I would also submit that one of the joys of writing and speaking is to try to come up with new words to convey meaning. When I write, "Hamasian" it conveys a meaning that the receiver can understand. When I write "Hamasian" this is not a nonsense word. The receiver knows that I am referring to members and supporters of Hamas. It is very similar to saying "Republicans" to mean people who support the idea of a republican form of government.

If I say Hamas is the lesser evil in the Israel-Hamas conflict, does that make me a "Hamasian"?

No. It just makes you wrong in that opinion.

[Oceasia]

EU proposes action on Israel trade and ministers over Gaza

This might actually go better than I initially expected, but we'll just have to see how it unfolds tbh.

[Greater Guantanamo]

EU proposes action on Israel trade and ministers over Gaza

This might actually go better than I initially expected, but we'll just have to see how it unfolds tbh.

Not quite, actually. It's in regards to an FTA they have, so the only thing that would happen is Israel is subject to tariffs, and that's if it is implemented. Which I don't think it will considering Israel is advancing relatively quick in Gaza compared to other offensives from what I've seen.

[Jibjibistan]

EU proposes action on Israel trade and ministers over Gaza

This might actually go better than I initially expected, but we'll just have to see how it unfolds tbh.

Not quite, actually. It's in regards to an FTA they have, so the only thing that would happen is Israel is subject to tariffs, and that's if it is implemented. Which I don't think it will considering Israel is advancing relatively quick in Gaza compared to other offensives from what I've seen.

The IDF still said that the Gaza city offensive would likely take months

[Mogul Azam]

Highly doubt it.

Banging the drums about Israel is the go-to release valve in the Arab world. Better the disgruntled masses rant about Jews, and it will almost certainly be Jews rather than Zionists when we're discussing the lower middle classes, across the border and the injustices experienced by Arabs and Muslims else-where than the poor economy, the brutal police state, the systemic corruption, and the injustices experienced by Arabs and Muslims at home. As far as demonstrations go, these are a bit more manageable than anything else.

What you are describing does not happen . The Arab public is genuinely dissatisfied and angry with their government's passiveness when it comes to Israeli crimes, on top of various social inequalities. Look at the Doha meeting the other day, no sanctions, no cutting off diplomatic ties (for those countries that recognize Israel), no talk of a counterstrike. Just a "strongly worded letter." The public in Muslim countries was fuming. Meanwhile I bet Netanyahu was laughing, while likely getting ready to bomb a few more Arab states for the hell of it.

[Imperializt Russia]

Banging the drums about Israel is the go-to release valve in the Arab world. Better the disgruntled masses rant about Jews, and it will almost certainly be Jews rather than Zionists when we're discussing the lower middle classes, across the border and the injustices experienced by Arabs and Muslims else-where than the poor economy, the brutal police state, the systemic corruption, and the injustices experienced by Arabs and Muslims at home. As far as demonstrations go, these are a bit more manageable than anything else.

What you are describing does not happen . The Arab public is genuinely dissatisfied and angry with their government's passiveness when it comes to Israeli crimes, on top of various social inequalities. Look at the Doha meeting the other day, no sanctions, no cutting off diplomatic ties (for those countries that recognize Israel), no talk of a counterstrike. Just a "strongly worded letter." The public in Muslim countries was fuming. Meanwhile I bet Netanyahu was laughing, while likely getting ready to bomb a few more Arab states for the hell of it.

At the end of the day, in complete seriousness, what were any of them going to do?

Israel has pretty clearly established it can strike anyone, anywhen for anyreason and the US is not going to tell them to knock it off. Middle Eastern countries - who, in general, have militaries with deficiencies in skill, intelligence-gathering and counter-intelligence and raw means compared to Israel's sugar-daddy - can't really "counterstrike". Two planes immediately destroyed over the Sinai? A drone blown up in the skies over Tel Aviv? And their presidential palace smacked in response.

[Fahran]

What you are describing does not happen .

It does happen, and it's not even particular to Arab or Islamic polities. Pounding the drums about a geopolitical enemy, especially one who has dealt your group a deep and collective psychological wound, has always been a popular public relations and political strategy because it shifts focus and decreases the salience of domestic policy failures.

The Arab public is genuinely dissatisfied and angry with their government's passiveness when it comes to Israeli crimes, on top of various social inequalities.

I didn't say they weren't. I said that permitting demonstrations against Israel is less inherently threatening than permitting demonstrations against national governments, domestic human rights violations, or deteriorating costs of living. Because, in most instances, you can pretty easily adopt a harsher line against Israel without sacrificing in other areas. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Yemen, Oman, and Syria don't recognize Israel. The two notable countries in the immediate vicinity that do are Egypt and Jordan, and neither is on good terms with the Palestinian groups.

Look at the Doha meeting the other day, no sanctions, no cutting off diplomatic ties (for those countries that recognize Israel), no talk of a counterstrike.

What is a counter-strike going to accomplish exactly? Did the last few coalitions manage any great achievements in the field? Is the plan to sue for peace once the IDF is camped outside Cairo, has torn down the border wall, and has driven the Palestinians of Gaza into the Sinai, ensuring that the Islamist insurgencies grow more severe for the next decade or two?

Egypt has already adopted a sterner rhetorical approach towards Israel. They could negate or abrogate existing diplomatic deals or take the unusual diplomatic step of withdrawing official recognition. Jordan could do so as well. But that would leave no neutral intermediaries to negotiate between Israel and Hamas, and would likely hand that role over to the Americans, who are less favorable overall towards Palestine.

Just a "strongly worded letter." The public in Muslim countries was fuming. Meanwhile I bet Netanyahu was laughing, while likely getting ready to bomb a few more Arab states for the hell of it.

Most of the states that have been bombed were more than willing to launch projectiles at Israel. I have sympathy for the common people of Palestine, Yemen, Lebanon, and Iran, but the militias and/or the governments present in those countries pursued violence and were met with violence. Don't want to experience war? Don't make war on others.

[Stellar Colonies]

Israeli anti-missile laser system 'Iron Beam' ready for military use this year (Reuters)
By Steven Scheer

JERUSALEM, Sept 17 (Reuters) - A low-cost, high-power laser-based system aimed at destroying incoming missiles has successfully completed testing and will be ready for operational use by the military later this year, Israel's Defence Ministry said on Wednesday.

Co-developed by Elbit Systems (ESLT.TA) and Rafael Advance Defense Systems, "Iron Beam" will complement Israel's Iron Dome, David's Sling and Arrow anti-missile systems, which have been used to intercept thousands of rockets fired by Hamas militants in Gaza, by Hezbollah from Lebanon and by the Houthis in Yemen.

Current rocket interceptors cost at least $50,000 each while the cost is negligible for lasers, which focus primarily on smaller missiles and drones. "Now that the Iron Beam’s performance has been proven, we anticipate a significant leap in air defence capabilities through the deployment of these long-range laser weapon systems," the ministry said.

After years in development, the ministry said it tested Iron Beam for several weeks in southern Israel and proved its effectiveness in a "complete operational configuration by intercepting rockets, mortars, aircraft, and UAVs across a comprehensive range of operational scenarios".

The first systems are set to be integrated into the military's air defences by year-end, it said.

Shorter-range and less powerful laser systems are already in use.

Iron Beam is a ground-based, high-power laser air defence system designed to counter aerial threats, including rockets, mortars and UAVs.

"This is the first time in the world that a high-power laser interception system has reached full operational maturity," said defence ministry Director-General Amir Baram.

Rafael Chairman Yuval Steinitz said that Iron Beam, which is built with the company's adaptive optics technology, "will undoubtedly be a game-changing system with unprecedented impact on modern warfare".

For its part, Elbit was working on the development of high-power lasers for other military applications, "first and foremost an airborne laser that holds the potential for a strategic change in air defence capabilities," CEO Bezhalel Machlis said.

[Ifreann]

Israeli anti-missile laser system 'Iron Beam' ready for military use this year (Reuters)
By Steven Scheer

JERUSALEM, Sept 17 (Reuters) - A low-cost, high-power laser-based system aimed at destroying incoming missiles has successfully completed testing and will be ready for operational use by the military later this year, Israel's Defence Ministry said on Wednesday.

Co-developed by Elbit Systems (ESLT.TA) and Rafael Advance Defense Systems, "Iron Beam" will complement Israel's Iron Dome, David's Sling and Arrow anti-missile systems, which have been used to intercept thousands of rockets fired by Hamas militants in Gaza, by Hezbollah from Lebanon and by the Houthis in Yemen.

Current rocket interceptors cost at least $50,000 each while the cost is negligible for lasers, which focus primarily on smaller missiles and drones. "Now that the Iron Beam’s performance has been proven, we anticipate a significant leap in air defence capabilities through the deployment of these long-range laser weapon systems," the ministry said.

After years in development, the ministry said it tested Iron Beam for several weeks in southern Israel and proved its effectiveness in a "complete operational configuration by intercepting rockets, mortars, aircraft, and UAVs across a comprehensive range of operational scenarios".

The first systems are set to be integrated into the military's air defences by year-end, it said.

Shorter-range and less powerful laser systems are already in use.

Iron Beam is a ground-based, high-power laser air defence system designed to counter aerial threats, including rockets, mortars and UAVs.

"This is the first time in the world that a high-power laser interception system has reached full operational maturity," said defence ministry Director-General Amir Baram.

Rafael Chairman Yuval Steinitz said that Iron Beam, which is built with the company's adaptive optics technology, "will undoubtedly be a game-changing system with unprecedented impact on modern warfare".

For its part, Elbit was working on the development of high-power lasers for other military applications, "first and foremost an airborne laser that holds the potential for a strategic change in air defence capabilities," CEO Bezhalel Machlis said.

Iron Beam is a cringe name.

[Europa Undivided]

Israeli anti-missile laser system 'Iron Beam' ready for military use this year (Reuters)
By Steven Scheer

JERUSALEM, Sept 17 (Reuters) - A low-cost, high-power laser-based system aimed at destroying incoming missiles has successfully completed testing and will be ready for operational use by the military later this year, Israel's Defence Ministry said on Wednesday.

Co-developed by Elbit Systems (ESLT.TA) and Rafael Advance Defense Systems, "Iron Beam" will complement Israel's Iron Dome, David's Sling and Arrow anti-missile systems, which have been used to intercept thousands of rockets fired by Hamas militants in Gaza, by Hezbollah from Lebanon and by the Houthis in Yemen.

Current rocket interceptors cost at least $50,000 each while the cost is negligible for lasers, which focus primarily on smaller missiles and drones. "Now that the Iron Beam’s performance has been proven, we anticipate a significant leap in air defence capabilities through the deployment of these long-range laser weapon systems," the ministry said.

After years in development, the ministry said it tested Iron Beam for several weeks in southern Israel and proved its effectiveness in a "complete operational configuration by intercepting rockets, mortars, aircraft, and UAVs across a comprehensive range of operational scenarios".

The first systems are set to be integrated into the military's air defences by year-end, it said.

Shorter-range and less powerful laser systems are already in use.

Iron Beam is a ground-based, high-power laser air defence system designed to counter aerial threats, including rockets, mortars and UAVs.

"This is the first time in the world that a high-power laser interception system has reached full operational maturity," said defence ministry Director-General Amir Baram.

Rafael Chairman Yuval Steinitz said that Iron Beam, which is built with the company's adaptive optics technology, "will undoubtedly be a game-changing system with unprecedented impact on modern warfare".

For its part, Elbit was working on the development of high-power lasers for other military applications, "first and foremost an airborne laser that holds the potential for a strategic change in air defence capabilities," CEO Bezhalel Machlis said.

Ah yes, the Death Star of David.

[Ifreann]

Israeli anti-missile laser system 'Iron Beam' ready for military use this year (Reuters)
By Steven Scheer

JERUSALEM, Sept 17 (Reuters) - A low-cost, high-power laser-based system aimed at destroying incoming missiles has successfully completed testing and will be ready for operational use by the military later this year, Israel's Defence Ministry said on Wednesday.

Co-developed by Elbit Systems (ESLT.TA) and Rafael Advance Defense Systems, "Iron Beam" will complement Israel's Iron Dome, David's Sling and Arrow anti-missile systems, which have been used to intercept thousands of rockets fired by Hamas militants in Gaza, by Hezbollah from Lebanon and by the Houthis in Yemen.

Current rocket interceptors cost at least $50,000 each while the cost is negligible for lasers, which focus primarily on smaller missiles and drones. "Now that the Iron Beam’s performance has been proven, we anticipate a significant leap in air defence capabilities through the deployment of these long-range laser weapon systems," the ministry said.

After years in development, the ministry said it tested Iron Beam for several weeks in southern Israel and proved its effectiveness in a "complete operational configuration by intercepting rockets, mortars, aircraft, and UAVs across a comprehensive range of operational scenarios".

The first systems are set to be integrated into the military's air defences by year-end, it said.

Shorter-range and less powerful laser systems are already in use.

Iron Beam is a ground-based, high-power laser air defence system designed to counter aerial threats, including rockets, mortars and UAVs.

"This is the first time in the world that a high-power laser interception system has reached full operational maturity," said defence ministry Director-General Amir Baram.

Rafael Chairman Yuval Steinitz said that Iron Beam, which is built with the company's adaptive optics technology, "will undoubtedly be a game-changing system with unprecedented impact on modern warfare".

For its part, Elbit was working on the development of high-power lasers for other military applications, "first and foremost an airborne laser that holds the potential for a strategic change in air defence capabilities," CEO Bezhalel Machlis said.

Ah yes, the Death Star of David.

This is a good name.

[Jibjibistan]

I didn't say they weren't. I said that permitting demonstrations against Israel is less inherently threatening than permitting demonstrations against national governments, domestic human rights violations, or deteriorating costs of living. Because, in most instances, you can pretty easily adopt a harsher line against Israel without sacrificing in other areas. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Yemen, Oman, and Syria don't recognize Israel. The two notable countries in the immediate vicinity that do are Egypt and Jordan, and neither is on good terms with the Palestinian groups.

Protests against the Israeli government and protests against arab regimes are basically becoming interchangeable at this point. There haven't been a lot of pro-Palestine demonstrations outside of Jordan for that exact reason

[Fahran]

Protests against the Israeli government and protests against arab regimes are basically becoming interchangeable at this point. There haven't been a lot of pro-Palestine demonstrations outside of Jordan for that exact reason

I would say that's more true than not in the case of Jordan, where Palestine has become a rallying point for both Palestinian voters and the local branch of the Muslim Brotherhood. With regard to Egypt, I think it's a bit more complicated. Sure, you'll get the always charming argument that this or that person is a Zionist and a decadent western sellout, but that isn't anything new and doesn't seem like to bring any regime to its knees. Mind you, I could be misreading the room. You're Egyptian and I trust you to have insight into your country's politics that I generally lack.

[Jibjibistan]

Protests against the Israeli government and protests against arab regimes are basically becoming interchangeable at this point. There haven't been a lot of pro-Palestine demonstrations outside of Jordan for that exact reason

I would say that's more true than not in the case of Jordan, where Palestine has become a rallying point for both Palestinian voters and the local branch of the Muslim Brotherhood. With regard to Egypt, I think it's a bit more complicated. Sure, you'll get the always charming argument that this or that person is a Zionist and a decadent western sellout, but that isn't anything new and doesn't seem like to bring any regime to its knees. Mind you, I could be misreading the room. You're Egyptian and I trust you to have insight into your country's politics that I generally lack.

Arab leaders aren't zionists, that would imply they believe in something.

The Egyptian government has been going through its own "red scare" for the better part of the last decade, except it was with Islamism, so they treat any expression of sympathy for Palestine with suspicion due to the ties Hamas shares with the Muslim Brotherhood, as well as the religiously charged rhetoric that gets used often by Islamists.

While the revolutionary rhetoric Palestinians use has been co-opted by Egyptian liberals, and what's left of the trade unionists who are opposed to the regime. When Arabs think of the conflict in Palestine, they tend to project their own struggles with their regimes onto the Palestinian struggle against Israeli occupation.

Egypt is also unique in that it views itself as a major regional power (mostly Nasserist nostalgia at this point), the Egyptian government plays into this by showcasing military parades, building dumb mega projects, and pursuing any other vanity project they can think of just to project strength to their own population.

Now these last two years have been humiliating for Egypt as it has been unable to meaningfully change the behaviour of the Israeli government, it has failed to deliver food into Gaza without Israeli consent, and it has failed to defend Red Sea trade from a second-rate Iranian proxy. There is a lot of anger towards the perceived weakness of the government, which has been seen as a sellout ever since it ceded the islands of Tiran and Sanafir to the Saudis, "allowed" Ethiopia to build the Grand Renaissance Dam, and became dependent on Israeli gas.

When you add in an economy fucked up beyond repair, deeply wounded national pride, and an authoritarian regime that has no release valve to ease the anger of the population, you get a political system ready to blow up at any moment, so any minor disturbance like pro-Palestinian protests is taken very seriously.

This government has spent its 12 years in power preparing for the next revolution by widening roads, so they are more difficult to block by protestors, demolishing parks so there are fewer gathering spaces for revolutionaries, and building a whole new capital surrounded by military checkpoints away from the main Egyptian population so mass protests like the ones in 2011 won't paralyze the government.

I know this isn't very readable, I wrote this pretty late at night I'm sorry

[Vile Island]

Pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil ordered by a judge to be deported to Algeria or Syria.

[Greater Britannian Realm]

My question in all of this is the conduct of the Arab states around palestine.
Why does Egypt not take any Palestinians? Why do they keep the border closed.
Surely as a fellow Arab state they should be supporting their fellow Arab Muslims.

It just looks extremely hypocritical when such states denounce israel yet are not doing anything to help said Palestinians
If they are in fact doing that please correct me

[Oceasia]

Israeli attacks across Gaza kill 79, wound 228 in latest 24-hour reporting period

The Palestinian Health Ministry has just released its latest daily statistical update on the casualties caused by Israel’s war on Gaza.

It said the bodies of at least 79 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks had been brought to hospitals across the besieged territory while 228 people had been wounded.

The figures bring the overall number of people killed and wounded to at least 65,141 and 165,925, respectively.

The ministry added that a number of people remain trapped under the rubble of buildings that collapsed in Israeli attacks.

Saudi Arabia signs a mutual defense pact with nuclear-armed Pakistan after Israel’s attack on Qatar

Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and other countries would have better luck asking Pakistan to give them some nukes for free rather than depend on USA/NATO protection against Israeli aggression, so this is definitely a smart move by KSA.

Gaza hit by telecoms blackout as Israeli tanks advance

This blackout could last days or even longer, depending on the ability of the telecoms company to fix the main network routes under Israeli bombardment and gunfire.

[Greater Guantanamo]

Saudi Arabia signs a mutual defense pact with nuclear-armed Pakistan after Israel’s attack on Qatar

Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and other countries would have better luck asking Pakistan to give them some nukes for free rather than depend on USA/NATO protection against Israeli aggression, so this is definitely a smart move by KSA.

The article makes it very clear it was made to oppose both India and Iran, even if it does send a message to Israel – that is despite they didn't cut ties or anything in the latest meeting, just a strongly worded letter . Also that nuke comment is Infected Mushroom-tier lol.