6 Arab War Updates! Iraq attacks Israeli-US President Netanyahu’s choice

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The situation continues to escalate in the Middle East. This was prompted by Israel’s attack on the Gaza Strip, Palestine, which this week significantly expanded to Lebanon and several other countries.

The following are the latest developments as quoted from various sources by CNBC IndonesiaTuesday (5/11/2024):

1. This Arab country is very angry

The Syrian government opened its voice regarding the Israeli attack on its capital, Damascus, on Monday. The country’s official statement was delivered directly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Tuesday (5/11/2024).

In the statement, Syria condemned the latest attack, saying that the attacks in Tel Aviv were aimed at areas full of civilians. Damascus called the attack criminal and urged UN members to act quickly against Israel.

“The Syrian Arab Republic condemns the attack launched by the Zionist entity,” the ministry said in a statement quoted by Al Jazeera.

“Syria calls on the member states of the United Nations to take immediate action and decisive measures to stop Israeli aggression and hold the perpetrators accountable for their crimes.”

According to reports, Israeli fighter jets launched three strikes in the area of ​​Sayyidah Zaynab, which is about 10 km (6 miles) south of Damascus. The first attack hit the Kaou Sudan crossing near Sayyidah Zaynab, which was full of displaced people fleeing the Israeli offensive in Lebanon.

The second attack took place near a hotel, which is southeast of Sayyidah Zaynab. The third attack targeted farmhouses in the area.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said two members of Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement were killed and five others were seriously injured in an Israeli airstrike on an agricultural site in the area.

2. Israel Arrests Netanyahu’s Adjutant

An Israeli court said that a leak of information by an aide in the office of Israeli Prime Minister (PM) Benjamin Netanyahu may have undermined the ceasefire and cessation of hostilities agreement.

A court in the city of Rishon LeZion said on Sunday night (3/11/2024) that four people were investigating to give news to newspapers. The arrests were also made in connection with a joint investigation by the police, internal security services and the Israeli army.

The main suspect is Eliezer Feldstein, who according to Israeli media was appointed as a spokesman and media adviser in PM Netanyahu’s office shortly after the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. The other three people who will be arrested are members of the security agencies.

They are suspected of involvement in the leak of Hamas strategy documents discovered by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Gaza. They manipulated or edited the material to make it appear as if the leadership of the Palestinian militant group intended to extend the negotiations as far as possible, in addition to smuggling hostages into Egypt.

“The partial gag order remains in effect, but the case involves national security violations caused by the illegal supply of classified information that harms the achievement of Israel’s war objectives,” said the court on Friday, as reported by The Guardian.

Reports apparently based on doctored documents appeared in the British Jewish Chronicle and German tabloid Bild in September, prompting the IDF to launch an investigation. The Jewish Chronicle later retracted the story and fired the journalist who wrote it.

Netanyahu’s critics say the article comes as he faces renewed criticism of his handling of the talks after six hostages were found dead in a tunnel in Rafah.

The report also seems to have confirmed Netanyahu’s new request in the negotiations after reaching a conditional framework, that Israeli soldiers remain on the border between Gaza and Egypt. This request was rejected by Hamas, and the negotiations failed.

3. Iraq attacks Israel

Iraqi Islamic Resistance claims responsibility for drone attacks in southern Israel. The armed group said it was responsible for drone attacks on “critical targets” in southern Israel.

“Our fighters have carried out drone strikes against vital targets in southern Israel, and this was the sixth strike today,” he said.

4. Israel Expands Colonies in the West Bank

Sources told Al Jazeera that Israeli forces attacked the town of Tulkarem in the West Bank as well as Silwan in East Jerusalem.

Previously, Hamas had called on Palestinians to resist attacks by Israeli troops in the West Bank.

“We are calling on the masses in the West Bank for more struggle, determination and continued conflict with the occupations and settlers in all areas,” he said in a statement.

5. Israeli host families block the toll road

A video shared on X shows a protest held on Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv. The protest was organized by the families of prisoners held in Gaza. They said they wanted an immediate prisoner exchange deal with Hamas.

The footage also shows protesters living in an area near Yitzhak Sadeh Street. They also held up banners accusing Netanyahu of trying to cancel the prisoner exchange deal.

6. Netanyahu’s US Favorite President

The United States (US) will hold presidential elections (Pilpres) on Tuesday (5/11/2024). This contest brings together Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

From Israel’s point of view, it is widely believed that PM Netanyahu is leading to Trump’s victory.

Netanyahu and Trump had a good relationship during the former US president’s first term. In 2019, at the Israel-American Council, Trump said: “The Jewish state has never had a better friend in the White House than your president.”

The feeling is mutual. Netanyahu, in a statement in 2020, said Trump was “the best friend Israel has ever had in the White House”.

However, the relationship between Trump and Netanyahu deteriorated after Biden was elected. When Biden was inaugurated, Netanyahu congratulated him. Trump said he felt betrayed by this.

Nevertheless, Netanyahu has tried to revive old ties. During his visit to the US in July this year, Netanyahu visited Trump at his residence in Mar-a-Lago, Florida.

(chief/boss)