Summary

This page provides news and information about the various Israeli retaliations and military campaigns in the Middle East. More information will be added as it becomes available. There is a brief contextual commentary, and then news stories listed in chronological order.

Context

From approximately 1951 B.C. when Abraham was alive, through 6 Oct 2023, the Jewish people have had periodic struggles with people who attack them. Attacks have often been carried out during festivals and holy days in the Jewish calendar.

On 7 Oct 2023, Israel was attacked by a militant group operating out of Gaza. In retaliation, Israel has been bombing Gaza for 9 months reaching a death toll of over 30,000 people. The devastation is similar in appearance to tornados or hurricanes that turn entire towns to rubble. This has some people referring to the attacks as carpet bombing. Israel claims they are using surgical strikes, smart bombs, and precision targeting of militants. The tolerance of Israel for collateral damage seems to be unrestrained.

Opposition

Groups and nations opposed to Israel’s actions have proposed various sanctions and penalties. Some are less willing to consider a peaceful response and instead are taking military action against Israel.

Critics

Some people have criticized Israel, saying that the Israeli response has not been proportional. Some critics emphasize the futility of fighting a war on terror, pointing to many examples where the U.S. waged war on terror with counterproductive results — fueling conditions for more terrorism in the future.

Pro-Israel Anti-War

Some people who are very supportive of Israel have spoken against the military actions of Israel, proclaiming that it harms the short-term and long-term interests of Israel and the world Jewish community.

Vulnerable to Manipulation

Given the fast retaliatory actions, back and forth, the situation is very susceptible to manipulation. A rogue group, militant faction, or a well disguised state-sponsored attack could be blamed on a third party thus escalating the war.

News

Below are news stories about the multiple ongoing military conflicts that Israel is now engaged in. The stories below are in chronological order with the most recent at the top. Time, if indicated, is in Central Time U.S. timezone.

It is understood that a myopic sectarian one-sided view may feel good to one group or another, but long term positive outcomes are achieved by greater awareness and understanding of events. Self-reflection and critique is important for improvement and progress. In other words, an observation or comment about something Israel should do better, it not a criticism of Israel, it is to offer a suggestion of how Israel may better serve its own interests and the interests of others. So, these news reports are intended to present a broad view of the tensions and violence in the area.

IDF (25 Oct 2024)

“IDF Spox. On Conclusion to Israel’s Response to Iran’s Aggression” — “I can now confirm that we have concluded the Israeli response to Iran’s attacks against Israel. We conducted targeted and precise strikes on military targets in Iran — thwarting immediate threats to the State of Israel.” Watch IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari talk about the conclusion of Israel’s response to Iran’s aggression. [Source]

NY Times (20 Sep 2024)

“Israel vs. Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran — and Itself” — It’s been almost a year since Oct. 7. More than 40,000 Palestinians in Gaza are dead. The hostages are not all home, and it doesn’t look like there will be a cease-fire deal that brings them home anytime soon. Israeli politics is deeply divided, and the country’s international reputation is in tatters. The Palestinian Authority is weak. A war may break out in Lebanon soon. There is no vision for the day after and no theory of what comes next. [Source]

France 24 (19 Sep 2024)

“Israeli planes bomb southern Lebanon after radio blasts” — Israel bombed southern Lebanon on Thursday, a day after explosions of Hezbollah radios that came on the heels of blasts in booby trapped pagers, setting the foes hurtling towards war. [Source]

BBC (18 Sep 2024)

“Fears grow of wider war as Israel sends more troops to Lebanon border” — Fears are growing of all-out conflict between Israel and Lebanon, as Israel’s defense minister said his country was “opening a new phase in the war” and more troops were sent to the border. Yoav Gallant said the “centre of gravity is shifting to the north”. His warning came hours after a new wave of explosions killed 14 people and injured at least 450 across Lebanon when walkie-talkies exploded, according to the country’s health ministry. That came a day after exploding pagers killed 12 people in Lebanon including two children and left almost 3,000 people in hospital. Multiple sources said that Mossad, the Israeli spy agency, was targeting Hezbollah fighters and had managed to place explosives in the electronic devices. Israel has declined to comment on those claims and the United States declared that it had no prior knowledge of the attacks. The defense minister’s announcement suggests that Israel is shifting its focus towards its conflict with Hezbollah – the Iran-backed group based in Lebanon. Around 60,000 people have been displaced in the north of Israel due to rocket and drone attacks by Hezbollah since the October 7th attacks in Israel and the war in Gaza. Thousands of people in Lebanon have been killed and injured by Israeli attacks. Sophie Raworth presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Orla Guerin, Gordon Corera and Jeremy Bowen. [Source]

Mobile Devices Exploding in Lebanon (17 Sep 2024)

A developing story that began on 17 Sep 2024 involves mobile devices exploding in Lebanon. The incidents are being attributed to Israel. [Learn More]

Al Jazeera (9 Sep 2024)

“Israeli attack kills at least 14 in central Syria: State media” — Israeli missiles have killed at least 14 people in central Syria, state media outlets have reported. The attack on Sunday night sparked a fire and caused material damage near the city of Masyaf, in the Hama province, according to SANA, Syria’s official news agency. The update, which also reported 43 injured, raises the toll of five dead and 19 wounded reported earlier. Separately, Hezbollah carried out its own attack against Israel on August 25, responding to the killing of one of its top commanders in an Israeli air raid in Beirut which also killed several civilians. Israel had said that it thwarted the operation with a preemptive attack, but the Iran-allied Lebanese group said it successfully hit an Israeli military intelligence site near Tel Aviv. Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr reports from Beirut. Hassan Barari, is a Professor of International Affairs at Qatar University. He joins us in the studio to discuss the latest developments. [Source]

PBS (21 Aug 2024)

“Hardliners violently expel Palestinians to expand Israeli settlements in West Bank” — While Gaza endures a devastating war, an increasingly brutal battle is being fought over land in another Palestinian territory: the West Bank. Israeli settlers are attacking Palestinians there more frequently and ferociously than ever before and forcing them to flee their homes. Special correspondent Leila Molana-Allen reports. [Source]

Deutsche Welle (17 Aug 2024 at 1100)

“Reconstructing the Hamas terror attack on Israel on 7 October” — 6:30 am on 7 October 2023: the militant Islamist group Hamas launches a terrorist attack on Israel. A film team interviews survivors directly afterwards. Based on their statements, the documentary reconstructs the horrors of that day. In haunting and harrowing accounts, 10 people relate how they experienced and survived the 7 October Hamas terror attack. Some were at the Nova music festival, or at home in their houses in the kibbutzim near the Gaza border. Their interwoven stories provide a picture of the terror, reconstructing the events at various flashpoints. Animations and miniature simulations vividly depict the events as they unfolded that day. Over 1,200 people were killed in the Hamas terror attack in Israel and more than 240 military personnel and civilians were taken hostage in Gaza. [Source]

France 24 (17 Aug 2024 at ~0900)

“Israeli strike kills 10 Syrians in southern Lebanon, health ministry says” — Lebanon’s health ministry said an Israeli air strike on Saturday in southern Lebanon killed 10 Syrian civilians, as the Israeli military reported hitting weapons stores of the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement. “The significance of this [attack] is that you’re seeing a similar number of civilians and what that lets you know is there’s going to be an escalation and indeed that have been dozens of rockets that have been fired into Israel in the hour since we’ve learnt that news”, FRANCE 24’s Irris Makler said, reporting from Jerusalem. [Source]

France 24 (17 Aug 2024 at ~0800)

“Israel-Hamas war: Gaza ceasefire talks resume in Qatar, Egypt” — An Israeli delegation is headed towards Cairo for ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas Saturday following two days of talks in Doha, Qatar, FRANCE 24’s Irris Makler said, adding that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is traveling to Tel Aviv this weekend. [Source]

France 24 (15 Aug 2024 at 1042)

“Gaza ceasefire talks resume in Doha as deaths top 40,000” — Gaza ceasefire talks resumed in Doha on Thursday (August 15) as pressure mounted for a deal to halt the spread of a war that the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry said has killed 40,000. [Source]

DW News (15 Aug 2024 at ~0500)

“Gaza cease-fire talks: Israel set to attend while Hamas will be absent” — Negotiations over a plan to end the war in Gaza are scheduled to start in Qatar today. The region is on edge as Israel awaits retaliation from Iran, which blames it for the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Negotiators want to use a plan put together by the Biden administration at the end of May and endorsed by the UN Security Council. It calls for a six-week cease-fire in Gaza. Hamas would release its remaining Israeli hostages, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Israel would allow in unlimited aid deliveries, and its forces would withdraw from Gaza. But Hamas says it is losing faith in the US as a mediator and will not attend the talks. A top official in Qatar for the Palestinian militant group said Hamas was still willing to be briefed afterward on the discussed points. [Source]

CBS News (10 Aug 2024 at 0730)

“Airstrike at Gaza mosque kills at least 80, Palestinian officials say” — A deadly Israeli airstrike at a mosque in Gaza during dawn prayers left at least 80 people dead, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The Israeli military says Hamas fighters were operating a command center within the compound. [Source]

BBC News (10 Aug 2024 at 0545)

“Dozens reported killed in Israeli strike on Gaza school building” — An Israeli air strike on a school building sheltering displaced Palestinians in Gaza City has killed dozens of people, Hamas-run authorities in the territory say. A spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces said al-Taba’een school “served as an active Hamas and Islamic Jihad military facility” with approximately 20 “militants” operating there. More than 60 people were killed and 47 injured, the health ministry’s ambulance service said, quoted by the AP news agency. Earlier, the Gaza civil defence agency – a rescue service – said at least 90 people were killed. The BBC cannot independently verify figures from either side. According to the United Nations, 477 out of 564 school buildings in Gaza had been directly hit or damaged as of 6 July, with at least another 14 targeted since. [Source]

Al Jazeera (10 Aug 2024 at 0514)

“Victims of Gaza City school attack ‘in pieces’” — More than 100 people have been killed and dozens wounded in an Israeli attack on a Gaza City school housing displaced Palestinians. Local doctors are “struggling to cope” as victims of the attack on al-Tabin School, many “in pieces”, are brought in, reports our correspondent in the besieged and bombarded territory. [Source]

DW News (10 Aug 2024 at ~0230)

“Dozens killed in Israeli strike on Gaza school used as shelter” — Dozens of people are reportedly dead, after an Israeli airstrike on a school used as a shelter for displaced people. The attack in Gaza City took place early on Saturday. According to Gaza’s civil defense agency around 100 people are thought to have been killed – with many others wounded. The Israeli military has confirmed the strike, claiming it hit a Hamas command and control center embedded within the school. It says around 20 Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants were operating from the site. [Source]

DW News (9 Aug 2024 at ~1900)

“Countries urge Israel-Hamas cease-fire talks following Hamas leader assassination” — In a joint statement the leaders of the United States, Egypt and Qatar are calling on Israel and Hamas to enter ceasefire talks next week in Doha or Cairo, and to get the job done. They say this could be their final offer to mediate an end to the war and bring Israeli hostages home. Today, the Israeli Prime Minister said he will send negotiators to ceasefire talks next week. But, no word from Hamas. Its main negotiator and leader was killed last week, but the US says that should not stand in the way of ending the fighting in Gaza. [Source]

PBS (9 Aug 2024 at ~1730)

“Israel kills Hamas commander in Lebanon, strikes Gaza as region sits on brink of wider war” — Israel continued its assault in southern Gaza by striking Khan Younis and killing at least 21 Palestinians, according to medics at Nasser hospital. Diplomatic efforts also intensified to head off Iranian retaliation against Israel for the killing of Hamas political leader and negotiator Ismail Hanihey. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Hussein Ibish of the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. [Source]

DW News (9 Aug 2024 at ~1300)

“Israel agrees to resume Gaza truce talks” — Israel has confirmed it will send negotiators for Gaza peace talks next week to either Doha or Cairo. The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says it agreed to the talks at the request of international mediators. World leaders are pushing for talks to restart. Hamas has yet to respond. The recent assassination of a Hamas leader in Tehran — widely blamed on Israel — has raised tensions, and some fear the operation has hindered peace efforts. Hamas was behind the October 7 attacks on Israel and is regarded by multiple countries as a terrorist organization. [Source]

DW News (4 Aug 2024 at 1945)

“IDF strikes on Gaza continue while fears over Iran’s retaliation and Israel’s counterstrike remain” — Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi has made a rare visit to Iran as regional tensions rise. Iran has also held talks with several other Arab neighbors, including Egypt, Oman, and Qatar. The US and its allies in the region are lobbying hard to prevent a wider escalation of the conflict following Wednesday’s assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, as well as Israel’s killing of top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut. Israel has neither claimed responsibility for Haniyeh’s death nor denied it. On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his Cabinet that Israel is already in a “multi-front war” with Iran and its allies. [Source]

Al Jazeera (4 Aug 2024 at 1158)

“Mediation efforts to stop Iran from retaliation ‘unsuccessful’” — In an interview with Al Jazeera, Abas Aslani, a political analyst at the Tehran-based Center for Middle East Strategic Studies, reported that several countries have failed to convince Tehran to retract its decision to respond to the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Aslani noted that mediation efforts to make Tehran reconsider its response to Israel have been unsuccessful. He added that Jordan’s foreign minister is visiting Tehran to de-escalate tensions, given the heightened risk of regional conflict. Jordan, which shot down Iranian missiles and drones in April, is concerned about potential repercussions if the situation escalates. Aslani anticipates a coordinated attack from Iran and its allies, which could involve casualties and may unfold over time. [Source]

DW News (4 Aug 2024 at ~0700)

“Fears of wider war after assassinations, Israel stabbings” — Fears are growing of a wider conflict in the Middle East. Jordan’s foreign minister is to hold talks in Iran amid increasing tensions in the region. Tehran has been readying its response to the killing of the political leader of Hamas – a group considered a terrorist organization by many countries. Early on Sunday, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets into Israel in response to recent Israeli airstrikes. And in Israel, two people have been killed and two others hurt in a stabbing attack. Police say a suspect, who they described as a resident of the West Bank, was shot and killed by responding officers. The attack occurred in Holon, a city near Tel Aviv. A police statement called it a terrorist incident. [Source]

France 24 (4 Aug 2024 at ~0600)

“Fears of Middle East war grow as US will deploy more fighter jets and warships in the region” — The United States said it would move warships and fighter jets to the Middle East, while Western governments called on their citizens to leave Lebanon – where the powerful Iran-backed Hezbollah movement is based – and airlines cancelled flights. More information with FRANCE 24 correspondent in Washington, Fraser Jackson. [Source]

BBC (4 Aug 2024 at ~0400)

“Countries urge nationals to leave Lebanon as Middle East war fears grow” — The US has urged its citizens to leave Lebanon on “any ticket available”, as fears grow that war in the Middle East may spread. [Source]

CNN (3 Aug 2024 at ~2100)

“US sends carrier and fighter squadron to Middle East as region braces for Iranian retaliation” — The US is sending a carrier strike group, a fighter squadron and additional warships to the Middle East as the region braces for an Iranian retaliation to the killing of a senior Hamas leader in Tehran earlier this week. [Source]

DW News (3 Aug 2024 at 1841)

“Airlines suspend flights to Lebanon, Iran, and Israel over fears of intensifying regional conflict” — Fears of a wider war are growing as Iran threatens Israel with a broad counterstrike for the killing of Hamas’ top political leader Ismail Haniyeh. Tehran blames Israel for assassinating the Hamas leader on its soil, where he was attending the inauguration of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Israel has neither claimed responsibility for Haniyeh’s death nor denied it. The United States has announced it is sending additional fighter jets to the region along with an aircraft carrier to help defend Israel. The US, the UK and other governments have urged their citizens to leave Lebanon as soon as possible. The US embassy in Lebanonhas told its citizens to leave on “on any ticket available” after several airlines suspended and cancelled flights to Beirut. The UK government has also told British nationals to “leave now.” [Source]

DW News (3 Aug 2024 at 0931)

“Israeli airstrike on vehicle in occupied West Bank kills a Hamas commander” — The Israeli military has confirmed the attack saying it targeted a militant cell around the city of Tulkarm. It’s the latest in a series of strikes against Hamas’s leadership raising concerns about a potential spillover of the war in Gaza. [Source]

ABC (31 Jul 2024 at 1750)

“Fears grow in Middle East conflict after assassinations” — Growing tensions of a wider conflict in the Middle East after the assassinations of a Hamas political leader and Hezbollah commander. [Source]

Ismail Haniyeh News (31 Jul 2024)

A top representative of Hamas was killed at night on 30-31 Jul 2024. News coverage from numerous media outlets is available. Links below open the YouTube video report.

Al Jazeera, “Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated. Now what?” [View]
Al Jazeera, “Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Tehran” [View]
Al Jazeera, “Netanyahu’s ‘fascist government’ wants a regional war: Palestinian legislator” [View]
Al Jazeera, “What is the fallout from the killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran?” [View]
BBC, “Top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh killed in Iran” [View]
CBS, “Fears of all-out war in Middle East after Hamas, Hezbollah leaders killed” [View]
CBS, “Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh’s assassination in Iran draws reactions” on 31 Jul 2024 at 1735 [View]
CBS, “Top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Tehran” [View]
Channel 4 News, “How the murder of Hamas’ political leader will impact Israel-Gaza war” [View]
CNN, “Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh killed in Tehran, Hamas and Iranian media say” [View]
CNN, “Iran has no good options after two deadly strikes on senior allies” [View]
Deutsche Welle, “All you need to know about the killing of Hamas political leader Haniyeh” on 31 Jul 2024 at 1716 [View]
Deutsche Welle, “Hamas leader assassinated in Iran: What we know so far” [View]
Deutsche Welle, “How will the killing of Haniyeh impact the internal structure of Hamas?” [View]
Deutsche Welle, “Top Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Tehran” [View]
France 24, “Haniyeh assassination in Tehran sends ‘huge message to Iranians’” [View]
France 24, “Killing of Hamas political leader Haniyeh about ‘taking the fight back to Iran'” [View]
MSNBC, “How the killing of Hamas’ top political leader could further heighten tensions” [View]
NBC, “Hamas vows retaliation after death of political leader involved in cease-fire negotiations” on 31 Jul 2024 at 1700 [View]
PBS, “Hezbollah spokesman accuses Netanyahu of trying to ‘drag the Americans’ into Mideast war” on 31 Jul 2024 at 1730 [View]
Voice of America, “Iran threatens retaliation against Israel for assassination of Hamas leader Haniyeh” [View]

BBC (31 Jul 2024 at ~1400)

“Israel ‘ready for all scenarios’ after Beirut strike, PM says” — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that challenging days lie ahead – but that the country was prepared for any scenario in a televised speech today. [Source]

CBS (29 Jul 2024 at 1951)

“Israeli strike on Beirut raises fears of wider Hezbollah war” — The Israeli military struck the Lebanese capital city of Beirut on Tuesday. The strike targeted a Hezbollah military commander that Israel believes was behind a weekend rocket attack that killed 12 teens and children in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. CBS News foreign correspondent Debora Patta has more from Jerusalem. [Source]

CBS (29 Jul 2024 at 1930)

“Israel told U.S. about Beirut strike beforehand, official says” — Vice President Kamala Harris said “Israel has a right to defend itself” after it conducted a strike Tuesday in a suburb of Beirut. The Israeli military says it was targeting the man allegedly behind an attack in the Golan Heights that killed multiple children and teens. CBS News intelligence and national security reporter Olivia Gazis has more. [Source]

NBC (29 Jul 2024 at 1632)

“Prospects of wider war increase as Israel considers escalation with Hezbollah” — NBC News International Correspondents Raf Sanchez and Matt Bradley report the latest information as Israel considers retaliation against Hezbollah after a rocket strike that killed 12 children. [Source]

BBC (29 Jul 2024 at 0602)

“Israel authorises Netanyahu retaliation against Hezbollah after rocket attack” — Israel’s security cabinet has authorised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defence minister to decide when and how to retaliate for a deadly rocket attack Israel and the US say was carried out by the Lebanese Shia militant group Hezbollah. Ministers met in an emergency session following the strike on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Saturday evening, which killed 12 children and teenagers from the Druze community. Hezbollah has denied responsibility. It was the deadliest cross-border incident in months of exchanges of fire between the two sides. [Source]

France 24 News (29 Jul 2024 at 0536)

“Israeli officials ‘want to avoid all-out war in Lebanon retaliation'” — Israel wants to hurt Hezbollah but not drag the Middle East into all-out war, two Israeli officials told Reuters on Monday, as Lebanon braced for retaliation after a rocket strike that killed 12 children and teens in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. France 24’s Angela Diffley takes a closer look. [Source]

PBS (22 Jul 2024 at 1804)

“News Wrap: Israeli airstrikes on Khan Younis kill at least 70” — In our news wrap Monday, Israeli airstrikes tore through buildings in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, a gunman in Croatia killed six people at a nursing home, body camera footage released shows the chaotic moments in which a Black woman in Illinois was shot and killed by a sheriff’s deputy now charged with murder and wildfires are wreaking havoc across parts of the western U.S. [Source]

ABC (21 Jul 2024 at ~1130)

“Israel strikes Houthi targets in Yemen” — The IDF said it launched strikes in Yemen Saturday, targeting areas controlled by Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Israeli officials say the airstrikes are in response to Friday’s drone attack in Tel Aviv. [Source]

Channel 4 (21 Jul 2024 at ~1300)

“Israel strikes Yemen for first time since Gaza war” — Israel has shot down a missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels towards the southern resort of Eilat. [Source]

Deutsche Welle (21 Jul 2024 at ~1200)

“Israel reports intercepting a missile fired by the Houthis” — Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen say they fired multiple missiles at Israel’s resort city of Eilat. The Israeli military said it shot down a missile before it crossed into Israeli territory. One Israeli and six Yemenis have been killed in the latest burst of violence that has sparked fears of further escalation. [Source]

BBC (21 Jul 2024 at ~0700)

“Israeli carries out strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen after drone hit Tel Aviv” — Israel has carried out air strikes on the Houthi-controlled Red Sea port of Hodeidah in Yemen, a day after a drone launched by the group hit Tel Aviv. [Source]

Al Jazeera (19 Jul 2024)

“Drone attack on Israel’s Tel Aviv leaves one dead, at least 10 injured” — Yemen’s Houthi group has claimed responsibility for an apparent drone attack on Tel Aviv, Israel, which killed one person and injured at least 10. A spokesperson for the Houthi armed forces said in a post on social media on Friday that the Iran-aligned group had “targeted ‘Tel Aviv’ in occupied Palestine.” [Source]

CBS (19 Jul 2024)

“Iran-backed Houthis claim responsibility for deadly drone attack on Tel Aviv” — One person was killed and several others injured in a drone attack early Friday morning on the Israeli city of Tel Aviv. Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility for the attack and Israeli authorities say it was an Iranian-made drone that came from Yemen. CBS News foreign correspondent Debora Patta has more. [Source]