Israel Fires Back At UN Chief: We are Outraged You Are Secretary General
Israel’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday night (18th) blasted UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres over his latest criticism of Israel’s strikes in the Gaza Strip.
Guterres had written in a post on X, “I am outraged by the Israeli strikes in Gaza. I strongly appeal for the ceasefire to be respected, for unimpeded humanitarian assistance to be reestablished and for the remaining hostages to be released unconditionally.”
In response, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein wrote,”We are outraged that you, Antonio Guterres, are the Secretary-General of the UN.”
“Not a word about the fact that Hamas rejected two American proposals to extend the ceasefire and release more hostages–two proposals that Israel accepted,” added Marmorstein.
“Not a word about the fact that Hamas exploits the transfer of goods to Gaza to rebuild its war machine in order to further attack Israel.”
“Not a word about UNRWA, which under your leadership, employs Hamas terrorists, and its facilities were used by Hamas to hold hostages. Indeed we are outraged by your moral bankruptcy,” the Foreign Ministry spokesman concluded.
Israel launched the surprise strikes early Tuesday morning (18th), after Hamas refused to release more hostages and rejected US envoy Steve Witkoff’s proposal.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation on Tuesday evening (18th) following the surprise strikes, saying, “We returned to fighting with strength, on the recommendation of security officials.”
“We extended the ceasefire in the weeks in which we did not receive any hostages, we sent delegations to Doha, we accepted the proposal of US envoy Witkoff, but on the other hand Hamas rejected every proposal. I accepted the recommendation of the IDF and the security establishment to return to fighting,” Netanyahu added.
Israeli Jets Target Ex-Syrian Army Outposts In Homs, Security Sources Say
The IDF targeted former Syrian army outposts in the central Homs province, two security sources said on Tuesday (18th).
The jets bombed army fortifications in the villages of Shinshar and Shamsin south of Homs city in central Syria.
Last week IDF troops located, confiscated, and dismantled numerous weapons in Syria while the military continued defensive operations at strategic points, the military announced.
Soldiers in the Paratroopers Brigade, the Armored Corps and Yahalon unit special forces under the command of Brigade 474 conducted “targeted raids” in Syria, according to the IDF.
On Monday (17th), the military reported that it had targeted military infrastructure in southern Syria, including military headquarters and sites containing weapons and military equipment from the former Syrian regime.
The strikes were reportedly in the vicinity of the southern Syrian province of Daraa.
IDF Shoots Down Houthi Missile From Yemen
The Israel Defense Forces shot down a missile fired by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists from Yemen on Tuesday night (18th), activating air-raid sirens in the south of the country, according to an IDF statement.
The incident marked the first time that the Jewish state’s air defenses were activated against a threat from Yemen since the start of the ceasefire with Palestinian Hamas in the Gaza Strip on Jan. 19.
Sirens sounded following “projectile fire from Yemen,” the IDF said in a statement, confirming that alerts were triggered in the Negev area.
“The Air Force intercepted one missile launched from Yemen,” added the military in Hebrew. “The missile was intercepted before it crossed into the country’s territory, alerts were activated according to policy.”
Israel’s Magem David Adom medical response group said it did not receive any calls about shrapnel impacts or casualties in the attack.,”with the exception of isolated [cases of] panic victims.”
Following the attempted strike, Houthi official Hazam al-Asad tweeted in Hebrew, “The Yemeni people will not leave Gaza alone! The Zionists will pay for their crimes against those in Gaza.”
On Feb. 28, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, the leader of the Houthis, threatened that missile attacks against Tel Aviv would resume if Jerusalem renewed its military actions against Hamas in Gaza.
Since Hamas initiated the war with its Oct. 7, 2023 massacre in Israel’s south, Yemen’s Houthis have supported the terrorist organization, firing more than 350 drones and missiles at the Jewish state, in addition to countless attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea area.
The Houthis ceased their attacks with the start of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which took effect on Jan. 19. The 42 day Phase 1 of the truce expired on March 1, and talks on extending the temporary truce through Ramadan and Passover have so far been unsuccessful.
On Sunday (16th), the IDF confirmed that it had detected a missile launch from Yemen, which did not hit near Israeli territory.
This followed reports from local media stating that the Houthis had fired a projectile that struck Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, near the resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh on the Red Sea. The Israeli military clarified that it was not possible to determine the intended target of the Houthi projectile.
Islamic Jihad Spokesman Abu Hamza Killed In Israeli Airstrikes
Naji Abu Seif, better known as Abu Hamza, the longtime spokesman for the Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), was killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, according to press sources.
Abu Hamza was reportedly hiding with his wives and children at the time of the strike, and all members of his immediate family perished alongside him.
His death marks a significant loss for Palestinian Islamic Jihad, as he was one of the most prominent voices of the terror group, frequently appearing in videos threatening Israel and praising attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers.
His death comes amid a wider Israeli operation targeting Hamas and PIJ commanders, aimed at crippling the terror networks operating from Gaza.
The Gaza Health Ministry, controlled by Hamas, claims that over 300 Hamas and PIJ members have been killed in the recent Israeli military campaign, though independent verification of these numbers remains difficult.
The IDF has stated that it is conducting precise strikes against terror operatives and infrastructure, seeking to minimize civilian casualties while dismantling enemy capabilities.
Abu Hamza’s elimination is part of an intensifying Israeli offensive following a breakdown in hostage release talks between Israel and Hamas as Hamas is refusing to release the remaining hostages.
The international community remains divided over the latest escalation. The United States and other Western allies have reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself.
Meanwhile, Iran, a major backer of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, has condemned the strikes and vowed continued support for “resistance” groups fighting against Israel.
With the death of Abu Hamza and the growing number of terrorist casualties, the IDF appears to be escalating its operations to degrade Hamas and PIJ’s ability to launch further attacks.
Military analysts believe that Israel may soon shift towards a broader ground operation, depending on the effectiveness of ongoing airstrikes.
Former IRGC Officers Discuss Growing Discontent Within Its Ranks
Several Iranian officers have spoken out against the Islamic Republic regime in an interview with Israel’s N12 news site published on Saturday (15th). Javad, a former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) operative, said, “The IRGC knows Hamas and Hezbollah may never fully recover, so it’s putting its hopes in advancing operations from Yemen.”
Javad said that with the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, “the IRGC lost one of its strongest fronts in Syria. Now, Syria is acting in Israel’s interests against Hezbollah. That was a crushing defeat for Iran.” Regarding the Iranian regime, he said, “the ones calling Israel corrupt are drowning in corruption themselves. Corruption in Iran has doubled. People are starting to wake up.”
Lt. Col. (ret) Arash, a veteran of the Iranian Air Force and special forces, claimed that some within the regular army are waiting for an opportunity to turn against the regime. “The Iranian Army is made up of ordinary people. That’s why they’re more disillusioned with the regime compared to the Revolutionary Guards.”
Both men expressed support for Israel’s military action against Iran’s ruling elite. “No country likes being attacked, but in this case, 95% of Iranians were happy when Israel…took out the S-300 air defense systems provided by Russia,” Javad said. Arash said, “People want Israel to go even further – hit IRGC bases, take out Quds Force commanders – so that the people can rise up and overthrow the regime themselves.” Javad added, “We were once allies. Now we hope Israel’s military strength can help the Iranian people reclaim their country.”
Israel’s Second War Of Independence – Amb. Michael Oren
During the summer of 2024 – because I could no longer bear the thought of not taking an active part in our ongoing war, and thanks also to my stubborn refusal to acknowledge my advancing years – I volunteered for the IDF reserves. For the first time in decades, I put on a uniform, donned a helmet, and picked up a gun. My assignment was to help guard a kibbutz in the Upper Galilee, an area that was then under constant rocket fire from Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon.
As in our 1948-49 War of Independence, the current war has been fought nearby and indeed within the state of Israel itself. Like that war, the latest war has been waged not only or even principally against our armed forces but rather against our civilian population. This war, as well, has seen civilian Israeli volunteers picking up guns to protect and secure their homes. This war also rivals the War of Independence in terms of its duration. The current conflict has already outlasted our independence struggles.
On May 14, 1948, only hours after David Ben-Gurion had proclaimed Israel’s Independence, five Arab armies joined by barbarous terrorist bands, invaded the nascent Jewish state in order to destroy it. That, too, was a genocidal campaign, smashing through our borders and claiming the lives of thousands.
Israel had been alone. We had no major allies. Although President Truman recognized the re-created Jewish state, he slapped a total arms embargo on that state. Visiting an artillery base last summer in the north, I was told that, as a result of the cutoff of American supplies, our cannons were down to firing a mere five shells per day.
In this war, we Israelis will remind ourselves of lessons from 1948. We will recall that we live not in Sweden or California but in the homicidal, fratricidal, and genocidal Middle East. We will recall that, while we can form crucial alliances, at the end of the day we alone are responsible for our defense. We will also recall that, rather than remaining dependent on foreign sources for arms, to the greatest degree possible we must be munitions independent.
The 360,000 reservists who have fought and continue to fight this war are tempered, steeled, anything but fragile, and intensely patriotic. They are unparalleled in their resilience, their camaraderie, their quiet moral confidence, and their courage. This generation will lead our country in re-building, reviving, and breathing new life into the Zionist project. This is the war for restoring our dignity, our identity, our independence, and for reaffirming and embracing our responsibility.
The writer is a former Israeli ambassador to the U.S. and Deputy Minister for Diplomacy (Mosaic)
