Benjamin Netanyahu

US envoys Kushner, Witkoff hold talks with Netanyahu on Gaza, Iran

Talks focused on Gaza demilitarisation, hostage recovery and next steps in the ceasefire, including a reconstruction plan and a 100-day timeline for Hamas disarmament

US envoys meet Netanyahu, press Israel to enter Gaza ceasefire phase two

American officials met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, urging Israel to move into the second phase of the ceasefire that stopped the war in Gaza. Netanyahu met with President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and Middle East adviser, according to the Prime Minister's Office. The US is anxious to keep the Trump-brokered deal moving, but Netanyahu is facing pressure from within Israel not to progress to the second phase until Hamas returns the body of the last hostage it is holding in Gaza. The Rafah border crossing is both a symbolic and logistical step that is the biggest signal of the commencement of second phase, and many outside Israel are eager to see it open. Ali Shaath, the head of a new, future technocratic government in Gaza that is expected to run the day-to-day affairs, announced on Thursday that the Rafah border crossing will open in both directions this coming week. There was no confirmation from Israel, which

Israel agrees to join Trump's Board of Peace that will oversee Gaza

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday he had agreed to join US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace, after his office earlier criticized the makeup of the board's committee tasked with overseeing Gaza. The board, chaired by Trump, was originally envisaged as a small group of world leaders overseeing the Gaza ceasefire plan. The Trump administration's ambitions have broadened into a more sprawling concept, with Trump extending invitations to dozens of nations and hinting it will soon broker global conflicts. The announcement is a departure from the previous stand by Netanyahu's office. It had said the composition of the Gaza executive committee which includes Turkey, a key regional rival wasn't coordinated with the Israeli government and ran "contrary to its policy, without clarifying its objections. Netanyahu's decision to join the board could now put him in conflict with some of the far-right allies in his coalition, such as Israel's Finance Minister Bezale

'Attack of unprecedented force': Netanyahu's warning to Iran amid protests

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warns Iran of a strong response if attacked, as protests and US military moves from Tehran and Washington raise regional tensions

Netanyahu says Israel closely monitoring Iran unrest, backs protesters

Netanyahu voiced strong support for the Iranian people's struggle against what he described as 'tyranny'

Israel's Netanyahu calls PM Modi, briefs him on status of Gaza peace plan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday received a phone call from his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, who shared an update on the Gaza Peace Plan and reaffirmed their shared resolve to fight terror. "The two leaders warmly exchanged New Year greetings and wished the people of both countries peace and prosperity," a statement from the prime minister's office said. It said Netanyahu briefed the prime minister on the implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan. "The Prime Minister reaffirmed India's consistent support for efforts towards a just and durable peace in the region," the statement said. Modi and Netanyahu identified shared priorities to further strengthen the India-Israel Strategic Partnership in the year ahead, guided by shared democratic values, deep mutual trust and a forward-looking vision. "They reiterated their zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reaffirmed their commitment to fight this menace," the statement said.

Pentagon announces $8.6 billion Boeing contract for F-15 jets for Israel

The Pentagon said the contract involved foreign military sales to Israel. The U.S. has long been by far the largest arms supplier to its closest Middle East ally

Trump repeats claim of ending India-Pak clashes during talks with Netanyahu

US President Donald Trump has repeated his claim of resolving the India-Pakistan conflict during his bilateral meeting with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. As Trump began his bilateral meeting with Netanyahu and his delegation at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida Monday, he said that he had solved eight wars so far in the first year of his second term in the White House. He said he stopped the war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, threatening the countries with tariffs, as well as other conflicts, but is not given credit for it. He then repeated his claim that he stopped the fighting between India and Pakistan. Settled eight wars, but we don't know the countries. Azerbaijan... It's good when you can say it...And (Russian President Vladimir) Putin actually said to me, I cannot believe you settled that war because I've been trying for 10 years'. And I literally settled it in one day," Trump said. "Trade. They do trade. I said, We're going to cut you off from trade.

Netanyahu announces Israel Peace Prize for Trump after Florida talks

The announcement was made by Netanyahu during a joint press briefing with Trump after their bilateral talks at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida on Monday

Trump warns Iran against reviving nuclear programme amid Netanyahu's visit

President Donald Trump warned Iran against reconstituting its nuclear program as he welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to his home in Florida for wide-ranging talks. The warning comes after Trump has insisted that Tehran's nuclear capabilities were completely and fully obliterated by U.S. strikes on key nuclear enrichment sites in June. But Israeli officials have been quoted in local media expressing concern about Iran rebuilding its supply of long-range missiles capable of striking Israel. Now I hear that Iran is trying to build up again, Trump told reporters as he welcomed Netanyahu to his Mar-a-Lago estate. And if they are, we're going to have to knock them down. We'll knock them down. We'll knock the hell out of them. But hopefully that's not happening. Iran has insisted that it is no longer enriching uranium at any site in the country, trying to signal to the West that it remains open to potential negotiations over its atomic program. But Netanyahu was expected

Winter rain floods Gaza camps as Netanyahu heads for meeting with Trump

Winter rain lashed the Gaza Strip over the weekend, flooding camps with ankle-deep puddles as Palestinians displaced by two years of war attempted to stay dry in tents frayed by months of use. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu travelled for an expected meeting on Monday with US President Donald Trump in Florida about the second phase of the ceasefire. The first phase that took effect on October 10 was meant to bring a surge in humanitarian aid for Gaza, including shelter. Netanyahu made no public statement as he departed. Nowhere to escape In the southern city of Khan Younis, blankets were soaked and clay ovens meant for cooking were swamped. Children wearing flip-flops waded through puddles. Some people used shovels or tin cans to remove water from tents. Others clawed at the ground to pry collapsed shelters from the mud. "Puddles formed, and there was a bad smell," said Majdoleen Tarabein, displaced from Rafah in southern Gaza. "The tent flew away. We do not know what to

What is Somaliland and why Israel's recognition has stirred tensions?

Israel's recognition of Somaliland has triggered opposition from Somalia, the African Union and Arab nations while drawing a cautious response from the US

Israel becomes 1st country to recognise Somaliland as independent state

Netanyahu said Israel now plans to expand cooperation with Somaliland across multiple sectors

Hamas violating Trump's peace plan, warns Netanyahu as Israel vows response

Israel vowed on Wednesday to respond to an incident in southern Gaza's Rafah in which a bomb exploded against an Israeli armored personnel carrier, lightly injuring an IDF officer

Israeli PM approves $35 bn gas export deal to Egypt, biggest in its history

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that he has approved a USD35 billion natural gas export deal to Egypt, the biggest gas deal in Israeli history. The agreement could also help repair relations between the two countries strained during the two-year war in the Gaza Strip. The gas will be delivered to Egypt over the next 15 years by US energy giant Chevron, a key owner of the gas field off Israel's coast in the Mediterranean Sea. Half of the proceeds are expected to go to Israel's state coffers. In a recorded video statement, Netanyahu said the deal "greatly strengthens Israel's position as a regional energy power, and it contributes to stability in our region. Egypt, which borders both Israel and Gaza, has served as a key mediator between Israel and the Palestinian militant Hamas group leading up to the US-brokered ceasefire that was agreed on in October. Cairo has also has been a vocal critic of Israel's offensive, which has killed tens of thousands of ...

Netanyahu, PM Modi to meet 'very soon', says Israel PMO after phone call

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday spoke to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and the two leaders agreed to meet very soon, officials here said. Sharing about the talks between Netanyahu and Modi over the telephone, the Israeli PMO in a social media post said, At the end of the warm and friendly conversation, the two leaders agreed to meet very soon. The much-anticipated trip of the Israeli prime minister would come on the heels of several high-level ministerial visits from both sides. Minister of Tourism Haim Katz, Minister of Economy and Industry Nir Barkat, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Avi Dichter, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich had visited India earlier this year as the strategic partners build up momentum to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The two countries signed a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) during Smotrich's visit and then a Terms of Reference (TOR) leading to FTA during the visit of Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyu

PM Modi speaks with Netanyahu, discusses strategic partnership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spoke with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and discussed ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two nations. Netanyahu called Modi and shared views on the situation in West Asia. "PM Modi reaffirmed India's support for efforts towards a just and durable peace in the region, including early implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan," a statement from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said. It said both leaders expressed satisfaction at the continued momentum in India-Israel Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening these ties for mutual benefit. "The two leaders strongly condemned terrorism and reiterated their zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," the statement said. The two leaders also agreed to remain in touch, it added.

Netanyahu submits request for pardon amid his ongoing corruption trial

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked the president to grant him a pardon during his long-running corruption trial that's bitterly divided the country. In a statement on Sunday, the prime minister's office said that Netanyahu had submitted a request for a pardon to the legal department of the Office of the President. The Office of the President called it an extraordinary request, carrying with it significant implications. Netanyahu is the only sitting prime minister in Israeli history to stand trial, after being charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three separate cases, accusing him of exchanging favours with wealthy political supporters. He has not yet been convicted of anything. The request comes weeks after US President Donald Trump urged Israel to pardon Netanyahu.

Israeli PM Netanyahu postpones India visit citing security concerns

Israeli PM had earlier emphasised the unbreakable spirit of both nations in the face of terrorism, declaring that while terror may target cities, it can never break the spirit of resilient nations

No safe passage for 200 Hamas terrorists trapped in Rafah: Netanyahu

Earlier, Israeli media reports suggested that Israel might approve the fighters' safe passage if they agreed to surrender their weapons and if Hamas returned the bodies of additional fallen hostages