WEEKEND RECAP IRAN / STRAIT OF HORMUZ President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he rejected Iran's proposal for a broader agreement that would include reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran had proposed reopening the…

WEEKEND RECAP IRAN / STRAIT OF HORMUZ President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he rejected Iran's proposal for a broader agreement that would include reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran had proposed reopening the strategic waterway as part of a seven-day process that would also include an end to hostilities on multiple fronts, the lifting of the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports, the release of frozen Iranian funds and sanctions relief. Iranian officials have separately said Tehran is not prepared to make concessions on its nuclear program. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump has told aides he expects U.S. strikes against Iran could resume following the November midterm elections, although the situation remains subject to change. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran no longer trusts U.S.-led negotiations, while U.S. officials said talks through mediators remain constructive. HOUTHI ATTACKS ON SAUDI ARABIA Saudi-led coalition forces said they intercepted two Houthi drones launched toward Riyadh and two ballistic missiles fired toward Khamis Mushait early Saturday. Civil-defense warnings were issued in parts of southwestern Saudi Arabia as authorities monitored additional threats. The attacks come amid a sharp escalation between the Iran-backed Houthis and Saudi Arabia, with Houthi attacks increasingly targeting Saudi cities, infrastructure and shipping. SAUDI ARABIA, TURKEY AND PAKISTAN The military chiefs of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan met in Riyadh amid the Houthi escalation and discussed implementing their recently signed joint-defense agreement. Under the pact, the three countries have said an armed attack against one would be regarded as an attack against all. Separately, The Washington Post reported that U.S. intelligence assessments indicate Saudi Arabia has not ruled out eventually developing a nuclear weapons program. Riyadh maintains that its nuclear plans are peaceful, while the U.S. State Department says Washington will not support a Saudi nuclear weapons program. LEBANON The IDF said it struck a Hezbollah weapons-storage facility in the Sejoud area of southern Lebanon on Saturday, saying weapons stored there posed a threat to Israeli forces operating in the security zone. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, meanwhile, told the UN General Assembly that restoring Lebanese territory currently held by Israel was an "existential challenge" and called for an Israeli withdrawal. Salam also criticized Iran's attacks against Gulf states and Jordan and expressed solidarity with those countries. GAZA The IDF announced Saturday that two Hamas operatives were killed in separate strikes carried out Friday. The military identified Ibrahim Fawzi Ismail Mohsen as a member of Hamas's Nukhba Force who was killed in Nuseirat. A separate strike in Khan Younis killed Mohammed Kamel Suleiman Mohsen. According to the IDF, both had recently been involved in rebuilding Hamas infrastructure and advancing attacks against Israeli forces. The developments came after the IDF announced Friday that it had recently destroyed a roughly two-kilometer Hamas tunnel in an Israeli-controlled section of Gaza as part of operations against remaining Hamas infrastructure. NEW REPORTS ON WARNINGS BEFORE OCTOBER 7 Two major reports concerning intelligence warnings before the October 7 massacre emerged over the weekend. The Atlantic reported that then-Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel flew to Israel on September 26, 2023, and warned senior Israeli officials that the situation in Gaza could erupt and that Hamas was preparing for a major confrontation. The report says Kamel did not provide precise information about when or how an attack would occur. Former national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi denied that the reported visit and warning occurred. Separately, The New York Times reported that at an Israeli security meeting six days before October 7, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized maintaining calm in Gaza in order not to jeopardize potential normalization with Saudi Arabia. The report said Netanyahu did not mention an alleged warning he had received from UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed regarding Hamas. Netanyahu has denied receiving such a warning. QATAR / GAZA DIPLOMACY Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani accused Netanyahu and his government of being the primary obstacle to advancing the U.S.-backed Gaza peace plan. Qatar has also continued mediating between Washington and Tehran regarding the Strait of Hormuz. Channel 12 separately reported that Netanyahu adviser Michael Eisenberg met senior Qatari official Ali al-Thawadi in New York the day before Netanyahu strongly criticized Qatar during his UN speech. According to the report, the two discussed implementing the U.S.-backed Gaza plan and humanitarian aid entering the Strip. ISRAEL-MAURITIUS FLIGHT CANCELED An Israeli tourism company said a planned flight from Tel Aviv to Mauritius was canceled after Mauritian authorities refused permission for the flight to land. The company said it was informed that "political-diplomatic" considerations were behind the decision. ISRAEL-IRELAND SOCCER MATCH Ireland confirmed that its Nations League match against Israel will go ahead after players held an internal vote on whether to play. The Football Association of Ireland said a "significant majority" voted in favor of fulfilling the fixture after one player indicated they planned to withdraw. BELGIUM / IRAN Belgian threat-assessment officials reportedly linked Iran to attacks earlier this year targeting Jewish or Israeli-related locations in Liège and Antwerp. The report said Belgian authorities believe the perpetrators acted on instructions connected to Tehran. ISRAELI NAVY Israel is reportedly examining the possible acquisition of Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft as the Navy looks to strengthen anti-submarine and long-range maritime capabilities.

WEEKEND RECAP IRAN / STRAIT OF HORMUZ President Donald Trump confirmed Saturday that he rejected Iran's proposal for a broader agreement that would include reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran had proposed reopening the…

WEEKEND RECAP IRAN / STRAIT OF HORMUZ President Donald Trump confirmed Saturday that he rejected Iran's proposal for a broader agreement that would include reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran had proposed reopening the strategic waterway as part of a seven-day process that would also include an end to hostilities on multiple fronts, the lifting of the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports, the release of frozen Iranian funds and sanctions relief. Iranian officials have separately said Tehran is not prepared to make concessions on its nuclear program. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump has told aides he expects U.S. strikes against Iran could resume following the November midterm elections, although the situation remains subject to change. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran no longer trusts U.S.-led negotiations, while U.S. officials said talks through mediators remain constructive. HOUTHI ATTACKS ON SAUDI ARABIA Saudi-led coalition forces said they intercepted two Houthi drones launched toward Riyadh and two ballistic missiles fired toward Khamis Mushait early Saturday. Civil-defense warnings were issued in parts of southwestern Saudi Arabia as authorities monitored additional threats. The attacks come amid a sharp escalation between the Iran-backed Houthis and Saudi Arabia, with Houthi attacks increasingly targeting Saudi cities, infrastructure and shipping. SAUDI ARABIA, TURKEY AND PAKISTAN The military chiefs of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan met in Riyadh amid the Houthi escalation and discussed implementing their recently signed joint-defense agreement. Under the pact, the three countries have said an armed attack against one would be regarded as an attack against all. Separately, The Washington Post reported that U.S. intelligence assessments indicate Saudi Arabia has not ruled out eventually developing a nuclear weapons program. Riyadh maintains that its nuclear plans are peaceful, while the U.S. State Department says Washington will not support a Saudi nuclear weapons program. LEBANON The IDF said it struck a Hezbollah weapons-storage facility in the Sejoud area of southern Lebanon on Saturday, saying weapons stored there posed a threat to Israeli forces operating in the security zone. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, meanwhile, told the UN General Assembly that restoring Lebanese territory currently held by Israel was an "existential challenge" and called for an Israeli withdrawal. Salam also criticized Iran's attacks against Gulf states and Jordan and expressed solidarity with those countries. GAZA The IDF announced Saturday that two Hamas operatives were killed in separate strikes carried out Friday. The military identified Ibrahim Fawzi Ismail Mohsen as a member of Hamas's Nukhba Force who was killed in Nuseirat. A separate strike in Khan Younis killed Mohammed Kamel Suleiman Mohsen. According to the IDF, both had recently been involved in rebuilding Hamas infrastructure and advancing attacks against Israeli forces. The developments came after the IDF announced Friday that it had recently destroyed a roughly two-kilometer Hamas tunnel in an Israeli-controlled section of Gaza as part of operations against remaining Hamas infrastructure. NEW REPORTS ON WARNINGS BEFORE OCTOBER 7 Two major reports concerning intelligence warnings before the October 7 massacre emerged over the weekend. The Atlantic reported that then-Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel flew to Israel on September 26, 2023, and warned senior Israeli officials that the situation in Gaza could erupt and that Hamas was preparing for a major confrontation. The report says Kamel did not provide precise information about when or how an attack would occur. Former national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi denied that the reported visit and warning occurred. Separately, The New York Times reported that at an Israeli security meeting six days before October 7, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized maintaining calm in Gaza in order not to jeopardize potential normalization with Saudi Arabia. The report said Netanyahu did not mention an alleged warning he had received from UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed regarding Hamas. Netanyahu has denied receiving such a warning. QATAR / GAZA DIPLOMACY Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani accused Netanyahu and his government of being the primary obstacle to advancing the U.S.-backed Gaza peace plan. Qatar has also continued mediating between Washington and Tehran regarding the Strait of Hormuz. Channel 12 separately reported that Netanyahu adviser Michael Eisenberg met senior Qatari official Ali al-Thawadi in New York the day before Netanyahu strongly criticized Qatar during his UN speech. According to the report, the two discussed implementing the U.S.-backed Gaza plan and humanitarian aid entering the Strip. ISRAEL-MAURITIUS FLIGHT CANCELED An Israeli tourism company said a planned flight from Tel Aviv to Mauritius was canceled after Mauritian authorities refused permission for the flight to land. The company said it was informed that "political-diplomatic" considerations were behind the decision. ISRAEL-IRELAND SOCCER MATCH Ireland confirmed that its Nations League match against Israel will go ahead after players held an internal vote on whether to play. The Football Association of Ireland said a "significant majority" voted in favor of fulfilling the fixture after one player indicated they planned to withdraw. BELGIUM / IRAN Belgian threat-assessment officials reportedly linked Iran to attacks earlier this year targeting Jewish or Israeli-related locations in Liège and Antwerp. The report said Belgian authorities believe the perpetrators acted on instructions connected to Tehran. ISRAELI NAVY Israel is reportedly examining the possible acquisition of Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft as the Navy looks to strengthen anti-submarine and long-range maritime capabilities.

The IDF announced the deaths of two reservists following an incident involving an armed drone at a military position in northern Gaza. Master Sgt. (res.) Nadav Kali, 24, of Har Halutz, and Master Sgt. (res.) Ofek…

The IDF announced the deaths of two reservists following an incident involving an armed drone at a military position in northern Gaza. Master Sgt. (res.) Nadav Kali, 24, of Har Halutz, and Master Sgt. (res.) Ofek Moalem, 23, of Jerusalem, both served in the Jerusalem Brigade's 7007th Battalion. According to initial investigations, the soldiers had been working with "Atalef" FPV drones inside the IDF-controlled buffer zone. After one aircraft completed its mission, another malfunctioned during launch and came down inside the position. The drone remained on the ground for several minutes before the two reservists went over to recover it. Investigators say it exploded after they picked it up, leaving both critically wounded. They were evacuated to Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon, where they were later pronounced dead. The cause of both the crash and the later detonation remains under investigation. In response, the military has suspended operations involving small drones fitted to carry explosives, including one-way attack drones and systems used to release explosive payloads.

*Netanyahu Addresses UN General Assembly, Defends Israel's Military Operations and Confronts International Criticism* Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York…

*Netanyahu Addresses UN General Assembly, Defends Israel's Military Operations and Confronts International Criticism* Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday, delivering a wide-ranging speech covering Israel's military operations against Iran and its regional allies, the October 7 attacks, the war in Gaza, and growing international criticism of Israel. Netanyahu also addressed Syria, the Golan Heights, Palestinian attacks in the West Bank, antisemitism, the treatment of religious minorities across the Middle East and Israel's relationship with the United States. *Delegations Walk Out as Netanyahu Begins Speech* Netanyahu opened his address as several delegations walked out of the General Assembly chamber, while supporters in the gallery applauded and chanted "Am Yisrael Chai." He invited any remaining delegates he described as "moral cowards" to leave the chamber. The prime minister also accused some countries that publicly condemned Israel's military operations against Iran of privately thanking Israel for carrying out the strikes. *Jewish History, Colonialism and the Golan Heights* Netanyahu discussed the Jewish people's historical connection to Israel and rejected accusations that the country was a colonial state. Addressing Britain and France, he criticized their accusations of Israeli colonialism while referring to their own histories of colonial expansion. "Give me a break," Netanyahu declared. He also responded to Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's demand for Israeli forces to withdraw from the buffer zone in Syria, arguing that the Jewish people's connection to the Golan Heights dates back to biblical times. Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel's claim to the territory and rejected Syria's position regarding Israeli sovereignty over the Golan. *Yoni Netanyahu and the Six-Day War* Reflecting on the period leading up to the 1967 Six-Day War, Netanyahu recalled asking his brother Yoni, then a 21-year-old IDF paratrooper, what would happen as Israel prepared for war. According to Netanyahu, his brother replied, "We're going to win. We have no other choice." He also recalled the 1976 hostage rescue operation at Entebbe Airport in Uganda, during which Yoni was killed while commanding the Israeli rescue force. Netanyahu thanked Uganda for erecting a statue honoring his brother at the airport where he died. Returning to his brother's message, Netanyahu declared, "Yoni's words are as true today as they were half a century ago." *October 7 and Israel's Military Operations* Netanyahu described the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attacks as the darkest day in Israel's history, recalling the killing of Israeli civilians and the abduction of hostages. He highlighted the actions of Hamas terrorists during the attacks and questioned how anyone could justify the killing of civilians. "Can you imagine such monstrosity?" Netanyahu asked. The prime minister said Israel had subsequently fought a seven-front war against Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, the Houthis, Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria, and Palestinian armed groups in the West Bank. He credited Israeli soldiers with preventing the country's destruction and weakening its adversaries. Netanyahu highlighted Israel's operations against Hamas and Hezbollah, including the killing of senior terrorist leaders and the destruction of military infrastructure. *Hezbollah and Israel's Pager Operation* Netanyahu discussed Israel's operations against Hezbollah, highlighting the killing of senior commanders, including former Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah. Holding up a pager, he referenced Israel's September 2024 operation targeting communications devices used by Hezbollah operatives in Lebanon. "Do you remember the beepers? Hezbollah certainly remembers them," Netanyahu said. He also discussed Israel's strikes against Hezbollah's military infrastructure and leadership, arguing that the organization had been significantly weakened. Netanyahu warned that surviving members of Hezbollah and other armed groups were attempting to reorganize and rebuild their capabilities. *Iran's Nuclear Program and Military Threats* Netanyahu defended Israel's military operations against Iran's nuclear facilities, arguing that the strikes were necessary to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He said the decision to authorize the operation had been straightforward despite the difficulties involved in carrying it out. Netanyahu credited Israeli and American forces with damaging Iran's nuclear infrastructure, air force and navy, claiming that the campaign had reduced Tehran's ability to threaten Israel and other countries. He also warned that Iran's ballistic missile capabilities posed a danger beyond Israel, asking the assembly to consider what would happen if a one-ton ballistic missile struck the United Nations headquarters. Netanyahu said such a strike would destroy the compound and argued that Iran represented a threat to the wider international community. *President Trump and the US-Israel Alliance* Netanyahu thanked US President Donald Trump for his "bold leadership" and cooperation with Israel during the military campaign against Iran. He credited the United States and Israel with working together to confront regional threats and secure the return of the remaining hostages from Gaza. Netanyahu said their military cooperation had helped protect countries beyond Israel and the United States. He also praised the Israeli public for remaining united throughout the conflict, describing Israelis as one nation fighting for a common future despite their political, religious and social differences. The prime minister thanked Israeli soldiers, including Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Druze service members, for their courage and contributions to Israel's military operations. *Palestinian Terrorism in the West Bank* Netanyahu criticized international media coverage of violence in the West Bank, arguing that attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers received insufficient attention. He challenged French President Emmanuel Macron's previous remarks concerning Hamas's presence in the West Bank and referenced the killing of French-Israeli citizen Netanel Shukrun shortly before Yom Kippur. Netanyahu then discussed the September 23 car-ramming attack that seriously wounded IDF reservist Neria Leiter, the son of Israel's ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter. "He's fighting for his life now in a Jerusalem hospital," Netanyahu said. He described Ambassador Leiter's suffering as immeasurable and praised Neria's commitment to serving in the IDF despite the loss of his older brother, who was killed while serving in Gaza. Quoting a recent social media post written by Neria, Netanyahu said, "We have no other country. And it's a privilege to defend it." He pledged that the sacrifices made by Israeli soldiers would not be forgotten and that Israel would continue defending itself. *Violence by Israeli Civilians in the West Bank* Netanyahu also addressed attacks carried out by Israeli civilians against Palestinians in the West Bank. He described those responsible as a "handful of juvenile delinquents" and criticized the international media for what he argued was disproportionate coverage of their actions compared with Palestinian attacks against Israelis. Netanyahu said he opposed vigilantism and had instructed the Shin Bet to take action against those responsible. He argued that attacks carried out by Israeli civilians were not representative of the wider Israeli population and rejected attempts to characterize Israel based on the actions of those involved. *Gaza and Allegations of Genocide* Netanyahu rejected allegations that Israel had committed genocide during the war against Hamas in Gaza. He described the accusations as "the greatest lie of the century" and defended the IDF's conduct throughout the conflict. Netanyahu cited humanitarian aid deliveries, vaccination efforts and measures intended to reduce civilian casualties as evidence supporting Israel's position. He argued that Israel's military operations had prevented further attacks against its population and accused Hamas of deliberately endangering Palestinian civilians. Addressing those who accused Israel of genocide, Netanyahu declared, "Shame on you." He also rejected allegations that Israel had deliberately targeted Palestinian civilians, maintaining that its military campaign had been directed against Hamas. *Qatar and International Media* Netanyahu accused Qatar of spending billions of dollars to influence international public opinion against Israel. He specifically criticized Qatar's funding of American universities and its support for media organizations, including Al Jazeera. Netanyahu accused Qatar of attempting to "spread lies" about Israel and influence younger generations through educational institutions and media coverage. He argued that Qatar's activities were intended to encourage hostility toward Israel, the United States and Western countries. The prime minister also criticized Qatar's relationship with Hamas and accused it of contributing to international campaigns against Israel. *Turkey, Erdogan and Jerusalem* Netanyahu criticized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan over Turkey's relationship with Hamas and its policies toward Israel. He accused Erdogan of hosting Hamas leaders, suppressing journalists, pursuing policies against the Kurds and threatening Greece. Netanyahu also criticized Turkey's presence in northern Cyprus and Erdogan's statements concerning Jerusalem. Rejecting Erdogan's declarations regarding the city, Netanyahu said, "No sir, you won't. It is our city." The prime minister reaffirmed Israel's position on Jerusalem and accused Turkey of spreading misinformation about Israel while supporting Hamas. *New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani* Netanyahu directed criticism toward New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, accusing him of supporting Hamas and contributing to an environment in which Jewish residents feel unsafe. He criticized Mamdani's previous statements calling for his arrest over alleged war crimes and rejected the mayor's accusations concerning Israel's conduct in Gaza. Netanyahu also accused Mamdani of hosting a journalist who had allegedly refused to release footage showing Israeli hostages being beaten in Gaza. He criticized Mamdani's wife over her social media activity and accused the mayor of contributing to antisemitism in New York. Addressing Mamdani directly, Netanyahu declared, "You can't silence me. You can't silence the truth." Netanyahu rejected the mayor's allegations concerning Israel's military campaign and argued that Hamas would have killed every Jewish person in Israel if it had possessed the necessary capabilities. He also emphasized that the Jewish people now possessed a sovereign state and a military capable of defending them. *Western Europe and Antisemitism* Netanyahu criticized Western European leaders, accusing them of failing to confront antisemitism and Islamist extremism. He argued that European governments were increasingly giving in to pressure from movements hostile to Israel and Western democratic values. Netanyahu accused European leaders of being "afraid to defend freedom" and warned that their policies could undermine their societies. He presented Europe's political choices as a question of whether its governments would align themselves with democratic allies or accommodate Islamist movements. Netanyahu also criticized international leaders for what he described as selectively applying standards to Israel while overlooking the actions of other governments and armed organizations. *Iranian Protesters and the Starlink Device* Netanyahu expressed support for Iranians opposing their government and criticized the Iranian authorities' restrictions on freedom of expression and access to information. Holding up a Starlink satellite communications device, he said the technology could allow Iranian citizens to communicate without government censorship. Netanyahu announced that he would leave the device for the Iranian delegation, suggesting that its members could use it to communicate freely if they "inevitably defect." He also criticized international human rights activists for what he described as their failure to condemn the Iranian government's treatment of anti-government protesters. Netanyahu argued that Iran's leadership feared its own population and predicted that the Iranian people would eventually overthrow their government. "The power of the people will overcome the people in power," Netanyahu declared. He said the Iranian government would ultimately collapse because of its lies, corruption and cruelty. *Christian Minorities in the Middle East* Netanyahu criticized the treatment of Christian minorities across the Middle East and accused international human rights activists of failing to speak out against their persecution. He contrasted the situation of Christians in several regional countries with that of Christians living in Israel, highlighting the growth of Israel's Christian population. Netanyahu also questioned why international activists had not protested the decline of the Christian population in Bethlehem under the Palestinian Authority. He described some of those activists as "phony human rights protesters" and accused them of selectively criticizing Israel while overlooking abuses elsewhere in the region. *Closing Message* Netanyahu concluded his address by returning to the message he had attributed to his brother Yoni before the Six-Day War. He emphasized Israel's determination to defend itself and its ability to survive repeated military conflicts. "We have no other choice," Netanyahu declared. He ended his speech by wishing the Israeli public happy holidays and thanking the General Assembly.