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Israel is “fighting for America too” and Iran’s declarations of its ambitions to destroy the U.S. should be taken seriously, according to Israeli lawmaker Ohad Tal, who vowed that Israel will act to protect its citizens and combat the Islamic Republic of Iran regardless of U.S. support, while lamenting that Israel has become “too dependent” on America.
The post Exclusive: Knesset Member Vows Israel Will Strike Back at Iran With or Without U.S. Support appeared first on Breitbart.
On April 12th, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized an Israeli ship near the Strait of Hormuz. While this represents one of the most overt and direct attacks by the IRGC against Israel, it underscores the broader support and training provided by the IRGC to groups like the
Houthis, Hamas, Hezbollah, and other militias and terrorist organizations. This support contributes to the destabilization of the Middle East and poses a threat to both Israeli and U.S. interests in the region.
Established during the Islamic Revolution in 1979, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stands as a formidable military force in Iran, operating directly under the authority of the Supreme Leader, presently Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Guided by an ideology vehemently opposed to Western influence, particularly directed towards the United States and Israel, the IRGC is renowned for its fervent slogans such as ‘Death to America’ and ‘Death to Israel,’ emblematic of its hostility towards these nations.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is known for its support of various militias and terrorist groups across the region. Notably, it provides assistance to Hamas in Gaza, furnishing weapons, financial aid, and training to bolster the group’s military capabilities.
Additionally, the IRGC backs Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in the Gaza Strip, Kata’ib Hezbollah, and Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq in Iraq, as well as Houthi rebels in Yemen. The Houthis are now active in disrupting shipping in the Red Sea.
The IRGC has been designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, including the United States. This designation is significant because the IRGC is an official government entity in Iran, making it one of the few state-backed actors to be labeled as a terrorist organization.
This raises legal questions regarding whether the Iranian government’s support for the IRGC constitutes aid to terrorist organizations, which is prohibited under international convention.
Most Americans have never forgotten nor forgiven the 1979 Islamic Revolution’s seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and the subsequent hostage debacle, which went on for more than one year. Over the past decade or so, Iran-backed militias have indeed been involved in conflicts in Syria, Yemen, and Iraq, where U.S. soldiers have faced combat, encountered security threats, or lost their lives.
These militias have often been supported, trained, and equipped by the Iranian government or its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), contributing to instability and violence in these countries.
In response to Iran’s aggression, the US and its allies have launched repeated strikes against Iran-backed groups in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. Apart from supporting Israel, the US also backs numerous local partners, including the Yazidis, Kurds, Sunni Arab Tribes, Turkmen, Arab Tribal Militias, and Chaldean Christians. Consequently, it could be argued that both the US and Israel have been engaged in a proxy war with Iran for some time.
Retaliating against Iran’s proxies has done little to curb Iran’s aggressive actions. Since October 7th, there have been repeated clashes between American and allied troops against targets in Syria and Iraq, yet Iran’s aggression persists. Despite US and UK bombings in Yemen, Houthi attacks on ships persist.
At this moment, not only are Hezbollah and Hamas attacking Israel, and the Houthis attacking everyone else’s ships, but it also seems that Iran is threatening direct attacks on Israel. President Biden has warned Iran that the US is committed to defending Israel.
After years of limited engagement, Israel’s strategy now appears to aim for the complete elimination of Hamas, while also showing readiness to confront Hezbollah directly in Lebanon.
The proxy model has proven costly for the US, both in terms of lives and finances, yielding no tangible gains, not even peace. Furthermore, China and Russia leverage US failures in the Middle East to caution Taiwan, the Philippines, Ukraine, and Japan about the unreliability of the US as a partner.
Israel’s new strategy of directly and unequivocally destroying the bad guys is the one that no leader has dared try up until now. But it makes the most sense. And it would seem that the most logical step would be to cut the head off the snake, in a direct conflict with Iran.
Those who oppose a direct conflict with Iran often say that it would trigger a world war. But the reality is, there are only three major armies in the world capable of waging war overseas: the US, Russia, and China.
And it would not be in either Russia or China’s interests to go to war with the US over Iran. If they wanted a war with the US, there are a million other pretexts they could have come up with, but neither country has a mutual defense agreement with Iran.
If the US and Iran went to war, Russia and China would condemn the US actions. They would bring a resolution to the UN Security Council, and the US would veto it. A war would destabilize the Iranian government, nullifying its ability to support terrorist groups.
At the same time, Iran’s support for China with cheap oil, and Iran’s support for Russia with cheap drones, would also evaporate, bringing an end to the Ukraine War much closer.
The post Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC): Terrorists Supporting Terrorism appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Sure, here's a proper attribution for the image: "Photo by Mohammad Sadegh Heydari, sourced from [YPA.ir](http://www.ypa.ir/media/k2/galleries/517/02.jpg). Image depicts the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution exhibiting its main battle tanks during the Sacred Defence Week parade on September 21, 2012. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license."
President Joe Biden's repeated public attacks on Israel and the Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have had a devastating effect on Israeli morale.
The post Blue State Blues: Biden’s Attacks Are Hurting Israeli Morale appeared first on Breitbart.
The UN, rather than demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and bodies, called for a ceasefire in Gaza during Ramadan, the Muslim holy month. However, Hamas showed no such restraint, attacking Israel on October 7th, coinciding with the Jewish holy day that marks the transition from Shemini Atzeret, concluding the Sukkot festival, to Simchat Torah, a celebration of the completion and restarting of the annual Torah reading cycle. While the Pro-Palestine camp calls for an immediate ceasefire, Hamas is still holding hostages and refusing to release the bodies of those killed, including US citizens.
More than 250 hostages were captured or killed on October 7th. Israeli authorities have confirmed that at least 33 of the remaining 129 hostages are dead; however, there is evidence that most, if not all, have been murdered. Meanwhile, the bodies have not been returned. The Israel Defense Force (IDF) says that by withholding the bodies and refusing to confirm if hostages are alive or dead, Hamas is psychologically torturing the victims’ families.
By definition, this act of torture against innocent civilians, who in some cases do not even live in Israel, is an act of terrorism.
Both of Iris Weinstein Haggai’s parents, who were US citizens, were killed by Hamas on October 7th. However, Hamas has yet to release the bodies. Consequently, the grieving family has been unable to hold Shiva for their loved ones.
Shiva is a week-long mourning period observed by Jewish families following the death of a close relative, during which mourners gather to comfort the bereaved, recite prayers, and reflect on the deceased’s life. It has been described as “a time for spiritual and emotional healing.” Without the bodies of the deceased, holding Shiva becomes problematic, as the physical presence is a central aspect of the mourning process, providing closure and allowing for traditional funeral rites to be performed.
The family held a small gathering to honor the memory of the dead. However, the rabbi in attendance said that he was at a loss, as there was no prayer to address this horrific situation. He stated, “There’s nothing that really speaks to this. This is not normal.”
The family of Iris Weinstein is not alone in this dilemma; several other American families already know their relatives were killed by Hamas or are waiting for confirmation that those still held in captivity are dead. Without confirmation of death and without a body, the loss remains an open wound that the families cannot begin to overcome.
The inability to hold Shiva due to the absence of the bodies is deeply traumatic for the Jewish families affected. This is akin to the universal human need for a wake or ceremony in the presence of the deceased, allowing the family to come to terms with the loss before laying their loved ones to rest—a fundamental aspect across cultures worldwide.
Trying to grieve and honor the life of a deceased family member before getting the chance to bury their bodies is the wrenching position that numerous families of the hostages abducted by Hamas now find themselves in. So far, three American hostages have been confirmed dead, but Hamas is attempting to use the bodies and the hostages as bargaining chips. However, they have notified negotiators that they are unable to locate the 40 hostages they would need to release to begin a ceasefire.
One theory suggests that Hamas does not want to release the female hostages because they are pregnant, verifying irrefutably that they were raped. Another theory is that the hostages are dead, or that fewer than 40 remain living who meet the criteria of being female, aged, and wounded.
Hamas had already been granted a pause in the fighting back in November, during which it had agreed to release female hostages. Later, Hamas claimed they could not find the hostages, and the ceasefire broke down when Hamas launched another attack on Israel.
A statement released by the White House after a meeting with American families of hostages taken by Hamas states, “The Vice President underscored that President Biden and she have no higher priority than reuniting the hostages with their loved ones.” However, there has been no pressure by the US to force Hamas to release the hostages. The White House has also neglected to exert pressure on China to cease its support of Iran, and has taken no action to discourage Iran from supporting Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.
The vice president’s claim of making this issue a priority was not substantiated by a White House Proclamation on U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day, which mentioned Gaza only once and did not mention Hamas at all.
And while not enough has been done to release the hostages, almost nothing has been done to recover the bodies of the slain so that families can get closure.
The post Hamas Refuses to Release Hostages or Bodies of the Dead appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
posters_of_hostages_taken_by_hamas_during_the_2023_attack_on_israel
Posters of hostages taken by Hamas during the 2023 attack on Israel" is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Image sourced from Wikimedia Commons
Passover celebrates the freedom of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. But this Passover, dozens of Israelis are still hostages in Gaza -- with some reportedly being sold by Hamas or forced to work as slaves.
The post ‘Let My People Go’: Kibbutz Nir Oz Holds Passover Seder to Demand Freedom for Hostages appeared first on Breitbart.
The former head of the Anti-Defamation League and longtime Biden supporter, Abraham Foxman, lashed out at President Joe Biden over his constant critiques of Netanyahu.
The post Former ADL Chief Abe Foxman: Biden’s ‘Ceaseless Criticism’ of Israeli PM Netanyahu ‘Strengthening’ Hamas appeared first on Breitbart.
President Joe Biden failed to mention the Israeli hostages once during his interview with Univision, which aired on Tuesday, and during which he demanded that Israel adopt a unilateral ceasefire in Gaza of six to eight weeks.
The post Biden Fails to Mention ‘Hostages’ Once During Univision Interview on Israel appeared first on Breitbart.
A former Israeli hostage who was freed during a truce in November says that she was abducted from her home in Israel on October 7 by Palestinian civilians, not Hamas members, who then sold her in Gaza to Hamas terrorists.
The post Former Hostage: I Was Abducted By Palestinian Civilians, Sold to Hamas appeared first on Breitbart.
On Tuesday’s broadcast of “CNN This Morning,” Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) stated that Hamas may be rejecting deals to release hostages because they don’t want hostages to tell the world how Hamas brutalized them and possibly because “as long as
The post Kaine: Hamas May Be Keeping Hostages Because Israel’s ‘Overreacting’ and They Want People to Turn Against Israel appeared first on Breitbart.
President Joe Biden called Tuesday for Israel to accept a unilateral ceasefire in Gaza for six to eight weeks -- before any of the remaining Israeli hostages are set free by Hamas, undermining Israel's military and diplomatic position.
The post Report: Biden Calls for Unilateral Ceasefire in Gaza — Before Israeli Hostages Freed appeared first on Breitbart.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that the date had been set for an Israeli military operation in the city of Rafah, near Gaza's border with Egypt, to attack the last remaining Hamas battalions and destroy them.
The post Netanyahu: The Date Is Set for Attack on Hamas in Rafah appeared first on Breitbart.
The Israeli government denied Monday that the withdrawal of ground forces from southern Gaza on Sunday meant that it was giving up on its plan to attack Hamas in the city of Rafah and destroy the last four terrorist battalions.
The post Israel Denies that Troop Withdrawals Mean Giving Up on Destroying Hamas appeared first on Breitbart.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced Sunday that it had withdrawn its forces from southern Gaza, following a demand from U.S. President Joe Biden last week for an "immediate ceasefire." Hamas declared victory on the news.
The post After U.S. Pressure, IDF Leaves Southern Gaza; Hamas Declares Victory appeared first on Breitbart.
Israeli commandos located and retrieved the body of Elad Katzir, 47, a resident of Kibbutz Nir Oz who was murdered in Gaza by his captors from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
The post Israeli Commandos Retrieve Body of Murdered Hostage Elad Katzir in Gaza Raid appeared first on Breitbart.
The U.N. Human Rights Council demanded Friday that Israel be held accountable for war crimes, without mentioning the atrocities of Hamas.
The post U.N. Human Rights Council Accuses Israel of War Crimes, Ignores Hamas Atrocities appeared first on Breitbart.
Israel faces the prospect of a "color revolution" in the middle of its war against Palestinian Hamas terrorists in Gaza as the opposition backs street protests against government, and a key cabinet minister has demanded new elections.
The post Israel Faces ‘Color Revolution’ as Opposition Protests, Gantz Wants New Elections appeared first on Breitbart.
October 7 was not a mere terror attack but a “full-scale invasion” of Israel by an enemy state, according to retired United States Army Major and urban and subterranean warfare expert John Spencer.
The post Exclusive: Renown Urban Warfare Expert John Spencer Warns ‘World Playing into Hamas’s Strategy’ appeared first on Breitbart.
150 homes have been evacuated in the town of Ede, the Netherlands where several people are held hostage at a popular drinking spot.
The post Man Arrested After Several Taken Hostage in Dutch Bar appeared first on Breitbart.
During an interview released on Thursday, NPR International Correspondent Daniel Estrin asked Luis Har, an Israeli taken hostage by Hamas during the October 7 terror attack, about claims by the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza that airstrikes that the Israeli military
The post NPR Questions Freed Israeli Hostage About Mission that Freed Him Killing Civilians, Cites Hamas’ Numbers appeared first on Breitbart.
Israel released a video Thursday showing a captured Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist admitting that he had raped an Israeli woman on a kibbutz during the October 7 terror attack, and adding that he had shot an Israeli man.
The post WATCH: Israel Releases Interrogation Video of Terrorist Confessing Rape appeared first on Breitbart.
A new Harvard-Harris poll released March 27 suggests support for Israel remains strong among American voters, with 79% backing the Jewish state over Hamas in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, virtually unchanged since February.
The post Poll: Nearly 4-in-5 Americans Continue to Support Israel in War appeared first on Breitbart.
Cotton accused Biden of “placating the growing antisemitic faction" in his party instead of "helping an ally like Israel win this war.”
The post Sen. Tom Cotton Accuses Biden of Abandoning Israel to Placate Growing ‘Antisemitic’ Democrat Faction appeared first on Breitbart.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh traveled to Tehran on Tuesday for meetings with senior Iranian officials, a day after the U.N. Security Council (UNSC) passed a resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire in Israel’s campaign against the terrorist organization Haniyeh leads.
The post Hamas Leader Visits Iran After U.N. Passes Gaza Ceasefire Resolution appeared first on Breitbart.
Amit Soussana, a female lawyer who battled her captors as they took her hostage from Kfar Aza, Israel, during the October 7 terror attack, suffered sexual assaults by a Hamas terrorist in Gaza, she told the New York Times.
The post NYT: Israeli Hostage Who Fought Hamas Suffered Sexual Assault in Captivity appeared first on Breitbart.
Israel pulled its leading negotiators out of hostage talks in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday after Hamas toughened its demands in response to a United Nations (UN) Security Council resolution that called for an unconditional ceasefire.
The post Israel Leaves Hostage Talks After UN Resolution Boosts Hamas Demands appeared first on Breitbart.
Hamas is reportedly refusing to accept Israel's terms for a hostage deal and ratcheting up its demands after the Biden administration refused to veto a United Nations Security Council resolution on Monday calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The post Hamas Digs In on Hostages After Biden Betrays Israel at UN appeared first on Breitbart.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Monday passed a non-binding resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
The post U.N. Security Council Passes Resolution Demanding Gaza Ceasefire — No U.S. Objection appeared first on Breitbart.
On Thursday’s broadcast of MSNBC’s “Alex Wagner Tonight,” Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) stated that “Israel needs to stop military operations right now and focus on restoring order and combating famine” without any conditions on releasing the hostages held by Hamas,
The post Dem Sen. Murphy: Israel ‘Needs to’ Stop Fighting and ‘Focus on Restoring Order’ — ‘Hope’ Hostages Can Be Released appeared first on Breitbart.
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