Middle East
Israeli and American representatives at the United Nations believe that the unveiling of the long-awaited initiative will spark resistance within various U.N. bodies, specifically the Security Council.
“Reminder to the International Community: Israel is an Occupying Power of the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders,” tweeted PLO Executive Committee Secretary-General Saeb Erekat.
Concerned that details of the Mideast peace plan may spark violence, Israel deploys additional forces in Judea and Samaria • IDF strikes Hamas targets in Gaza in retaliation for a slew of balloon bombs.
“I’d love to be able to do that deal. They say that’s the hardest of all deals,” said the U.S. president. “It’s a great plan. It’s a plan that really would work.”
Two major party leaders don’t “come to Washington just for a conversation,” which poses questions as to why an initiative would be released a month before the third round of Israeli elections, says Aaron David Miller, a former Mideast negotiator.
Israel confirmed in December that it will take part in the Dubai expo, where 190 countries will showcase their cultures, collaborations and innovations from Oct. 20, 2020 to April 20, 2021.
“As previously stated, while no U.S. service members were killed in the Jan. 8 Iranian attack on Ain Al-Asad air base, several were treated for concussion symptoms from the blast and are still being assessed,” said a U.S. Defense Department spokesperson.
“He understands what needs to be done to get the Israelis and the Palestinians closer together,” said King Abdullah II, although he has expressed concern about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pledge to annex the Jordan Valley.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah says attacks were a message to Washington and only a “slap” • Four Iraqi soldiers wounded in rocket attack on air base north of Baghdad; no U.S. casualties reported.
Iraqi officials say America has threatened to freeze the Central Bank of Iraq’s account at the U.S. Federal Reserve if Iraq kicks out U.S. troops.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz had planned to attend the Expo 2020 in Dubai, but was “instructed by security officials” to put off the visit due to the uptick in tensions between Iran and the United States.
The investigation alludes to “a network of spies inside Baghdad Airport involved in leaking sensitive security details” on Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani’s arrival, according to an Iraqi security official.
