Houthi Missile Triggers Sirens In Wide Swaths Of Israel, Is Intercepted By IDF
Israeli air defenses intercepted a ballistic missile launched at the country by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen on Monday night (2nd), the military said, in what has become an almost daily occurrence.
The missile set off sirens shortly before 9 p.m. across central Israel, the Jerusalem area, several West Bank settlements, and some areas in southern Israel, sending millions to bomb shelters.
There were no reports of injuries or damage in the attack, which marked the fourth from Yemen in the past week and the ninth in two weeks.
Footage posted on social media showed the aftermath of the missile interception, with burning shrapnel failing from the sky.
The Houthis took responsibility for Monday’s (2nd) missile fire,claiming to have targeted Ben Gurion Airport.
Last month a Houthi missile slipped through air defenses and hit the grounds of the airport , injuring six people, none seriously.
Since March 18, when the IDF resumed its offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the Houthis in Yemen have launched 44 ballistic missiles and at least 10 drones at Israel. Several of the missiles have fallen short.
Netanyahu: Boulder Attack Fueled By Blood Libels Against The Jewish State
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he trusts “the United States authorities to prosecute the cold-blooded perpetrator to the fullest extent of the law and to do everything possible to prevent future attacks against innocent civilians,” the Prime Minister’s office announced on Sunday (1st).
The statement followed a potential terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, that occurred at an event raising awareness for the Israeli hostages.
“This attack was aimed against peaceful people who wished to express their solidarity with the hostages held by Hamas, simply because they were Jews,” the PMO announcement remarked.
The anti-Semitic attacks around the world are “a direct result of blood libels against the Jewish state and people, and this must be stopped,” Netanyahu urged.
After the conclusion of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, Israeli President Isaac Herzog said on X that the attack in Boulder was sickening and outrageous, and expressed his solidarity with the Jewish community there.
“The vile act of terror is a painful reminder that anti-Semitism knows no borders. But let me be clear, we will never let terror win. The American and Israeli peoples stand united – determined to bring all our hostages home and to ensure no Jew, anywhere, stands alone,” Herzog concluded.
On Sunday afternoon, (1st), a man threw Molotov cocktails and used an improvised flamethrower to target participants of a weekly walking group that raises awareness for the hostages in Hamas captivity. At least 12 people were hurt, some elderly, including a Holocaust survivor..
Israeli Opposition Leader Yair Lapid also condemned the violent terror attack in Colorado against protesters who were calling for the release of Israeli hostages, adding that this situation is the “direct result of the extreme media rhetoric that has fanned the flames of anti-Semitism,” and that the events illustrate the true meaning of “when extremists call to ‘Globalize the Intifada.’”
“I Have faith that the perpetrator will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” Lapid stated.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum also expressed concern about the tragic attack in Colorado.
“For over 600 days, this community – along with so many others around the world – has stood with us marching, praying, and raising its voice for the hostages still held in Gaza. Today we stand with you – with care, with solidarity, and with deep appreciation for your unwavering support.”
“We remain steadfast in our mission: 58 of our brothers and sisters are still held captive in the tunnels of Gaza. They need us to be their voice, their strength, their hope. We will not stop until each and every one of them is brought home,” the forum concluded in the statement.
Eran Doron, head of the Ramat HaNegev Regional Council , Boulder’s sister city, commented on the attack.
“I am shocked by the tragic event in Colorado. This is our sister community; we have personal connections with some of the wounded and with the entire community. It is a Zionist, committed community that has always tirelessly worked to promote Israel and support us, even more so after October 7th.”
“Just three weeks ago, I met with the mayor and members of the Jewish community on Pearl Street – all of them sent us messages of encouragement. I, together with the entire Ramat HaNegev community, stand with the Boulder community in its difficult hour,” the council head said.
An Egyptian national who has been arrested and charged with the hate crime and attempted murder in the Boulder attack, was identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman.
According to court documents, Soliman admitted to planning the attack for over a year, expressing a desire to “kill all Zionist people” and stating he would repeat the act if given the opportunity.
Hamas’ Gaza City Commander, IZZ al-Din al Haddad, To Replace Sinwar As Hamas Chief
IZZ al-Din al-Haddad, the commander of the northern Gaza brigade, is expected to replace Mohammed Sinwar as leader of Hamas’ military wing, The Times reported on Sunday (1st).
According to the European Council on Foreign Relations, al-Haddad is a member of Hamas’ Military Council, and was head of the Izz al-Din Qassam Brigades (Hamas’ military wing) in Gaza City since 2021, and commander of the northern Gaza brigade since November 2023.
Al-Haddad reportedly survived six assassination attempts and was reportedly charged with rebuilding civilian and military infrastructure during ceasefires with Israel, The Times noted.
He was also responsible for ensuring that hostage handovers went smoothly, according to the report.
It was previously reported that it was likely al-Haddad would take over as he is the last man standing out of the pre-war original five Hamas commanders of that brigade.
With so many Hamas commanders killed, it is possible that if Haddad is also killed, there will no longer be a senior Hamas official capable of coordinating a full hostage deal.
Additionally, al-Haddad controls the group, holds the Israeli hostages, and has veto power on the proposal put forward by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
The Times said that al-Haddad coordinated the initial invasion on October 7, including rallying Hamas commanders the night before with written documents of how to carry out the attack.
Al-Haddad has a previous bounty of $750,000 for information on his whereabouts, and is reportedly cautious of appearing in public or the media, and ensuring limited communication, The Times stated.
Syria Continues To Build Its New Army As It Looks To Integrate Various Armed Groups
Members of the Syrian military took part in a graduation ceremony for what Syrian reports said was the 56th Division of the new Syrian army. Syria has been rebuilding its armed forces since the fall of the Assad regime. It has also been working to integrate various armed groups into the new army.
The backbone of the army are the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham units that came out of Idlib and had fought Assad’s military for years. There are other units from southern Syria, as well as units linked to Turkey, that have joined the new forces.
In addition, the Syrian Democratic Forces, backed by the U.S., are seeking to come to an agreement about integration. Another small force called the Syrian Free Army, backed by the U.S. at Tanf, is reported to now be part of the new 70th division of the Syrian army.
According to reports, around 1,200 soldiers graduated from a new course for the 56th Division. The unit had already been in combat in early May against gangs linked to the old Assad regime, Levant24, Syrian media said. The graduation took place at a former Assad regime base in Hama province.
“In the presence of Chief of the General Staff, MG Ali al-Nassan, the 56th Division held a graduation ceremony for a level-up course. The course is part of a military, physical, and tactical training program aimed at raising the readiness of fighters and enhancing their combat efficiency, in accordance with the approved plan for qualifying the armed forces,” the Syrian Defense Ministry said.
Syria recently appointed a new deputy defense minister, MG Mohammed Khair Hassan. He has more than a decade of experience fighting in key battles in Idlib and Aleppo when HTS was fighting the Assad regime.
Syria has made some controversial appointments in the new military. Ahmad al-Hayes (also known as Abu Hatem Shaqra) has been appointed to the 86th Division. He formerly led Ahrar al-Sharqiya and was involved in human rights abuses against Kurds. He was sanctioned for his role in these abuses by the U.S.
The new integration of the army and graduation ceremony comes as Syria’s president went to Kuwait on Sunday (1st). It also comes amid discussions between Syria and Jordan. It also comes as there was an important meeting between representatives from the eastern Syrian authorities of the DAANES and Damascus.
“Syrian government officials and a delegation from the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES) convened in Damascus on Sunday, June 1, for a formal round of negotiations aimed at implementing the March 10 agreement between President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Commander, Mazloum Andi,” Levant 24 noted.
Iran Preparing For Israel, U.S. Strikes, Building Up Air Defense Systems-FI
Iran is strengthening its air defense systems amid preparation for the possibility of an American or Israeli attack on the country’s nuclear infrastructure should nuclear negotiations fail, the Financial Times reported on Sunday (1st).
“We are witnessing impressive improvement in the capabilities and competence of the country’s air defense system,” Iran’s Armed Forces Chief of Staff Mohammed Bageri reportedly said recently, adding that “Iran’s military has seen a multi-fold increase in investments.”
“The enemies of the Iranian nation should understand that any violation of our airspace will cause them significant harm,” he added.
According to Western intelligence assessments and security analysts’ investigation of satellite imagery, Iran has appeared to have relocated several anti-aircraft missile launchers to positions close to key nuclear sites like Natanz and Fordow, the report says.
A significant portion of Iran’s most advanced anti-aircraft missiles and radar systems – including its long-range Russian S-300 systems – were destroyed or damaged during Israeli air strikes on the country in October and April 2024, the FT states.
Despite that, experts believe that many components of Iran’s air defense system remain intact or appear to have been repaired in recent months.
“Israel currently has almost complete air superiority over Iran,” Robert Tolasi, a researcher at the British RUSI Institute, told the FT. “But such an attack would require waves upon waves of aircraft for hours. Crew fatigue comes into play – the longer they are over Iran, the greater the chance that something will go wrong.”
“Dealing with this defense system would not be easy for Israel,” John Alterman, a chairman of the Global Security and Geopolitical Strategy Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington told the FT. “But is it beyond Israel’s capabilities? No, of course not. The Israelis have been training for exactly this scenario for decades.”
The Essence Of Anti-Semitism – William Choslovsky
The essence of anti-Semitism was laid bare to me by what happened the day after October 7, 2023, and every day since. It was laid bare by listening to people call unto talk-radio programs in the U.S. and debate whether babies were beheaded or “just murdered and burned,” as if that is a relevant distinction.
It was laid bare watching LGBTQ activists march in support of Hamas, even though they’d be murdered for their identity in Gaza, but welcomed in Israel. It was laid bare as supposed intellectuals stated that the murder, rape, torture and kidnapping of civilians were somehow legitimate forms of resistance.
It was laid bare by false reports of “war crimes” by Israel, without mentioning that Hamas has been committing actual war crimes since 2005 by indiscriminately launching thousands of rockets at Israeli civilians. It was laid bare by my alma mater, Harvard University, that holds lectures on “microaggressions”but then allows protesters to chant “Kill the Jews” at campus rallies. It was laid bare by Western media trying to show “balance” and “both sides” of the story, as if terrorism and the response to terrorism are equivalent
It was laid bare as people demanded the creation of a Palestinian state – the 58th Muslim-majority country – to replace the only Jewish country in the world – whose “Zionist empire” is the size of New Jersey. It was laid bare by much of the world’s response, or lack of response, to Hamas and its actions. Long after Hamas is gone, anti-Semitism will still be here. The issue isn’t where Jews live, but that Jews have the audacity to live.
(jns.org)
