Nadene Goldfoot
Israel continued to strike hundreds of Iranian targets and Iran fired multiple missile barrages overnight, triggering sirens across large parts of Israel.
Intercepts were largely successful, though shrapnel and debris caused damage in central areas, including homes in cities like Rehovot.
Israel utilizes a multi-layered missile defense system designed to intercept threats at different altitudes and ranges, with the Iron Dome being the most prominent system for stopping short-range rockets. These defense systems are developed by Israeli defense companies, primarily Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries, with significant funding and technology support from the United States.
Yesterday, the Haifa oil refinery was hit, most likely by fragments of an interceptor, causing minor damage. The refinery is still largely operational and affected systems are expected to be restored within days.
Israel is adjusting its defensive posture. Due to the volume of incoming fire, the Air Force is reportedly selectively intercepting threats, allowing smaller cluster fragments to fall in open areas in order to conserve interceptor stockpiles.
Prime Minister Netanyahu gave a live press conference yesterday (yes, he is alive!) in which he said that Israel has already inflicted “significant damage” to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, claiming enrichment capabilities have been “severely disrupted” but that Israel's job is not completed and the war could continue a bit longer. He clearly denied the false rumor that Israel had dragged the U.S. into the war. He added that the war could “create conditions” for regime change.
He also touched on the economic and strategic upside, pointing to the possibility of new regional energy routes that bypass Iran, suggesting Israel could play a larger role in global energy transit if Iran’s influence is weakened.
Israel strikes Syria, says it’s in response to Druze attacks by Syria. (Reuters) – The Israeli military struck infrastructure sites belonging to the Syrian government overnight in response to attacks against Druze civilians in Sweida, the Israeli military said on Friday.
Syria’s foreign ministry condemned what it described as an Israeli attack on military infrastructure in southern Syria, calling it a “blatant violation” of international law and an assault on its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The ministry said the strike was part of what it called Israel’s escalating policy and accused it of seeking to destabilize the region, adding that Damascus holds Israel fully responsible for the consequences of the escalation. (Remember who sits in the President's chair in Damascus; a former terrorist himself! )It called on the international community, particularly the U.N. Security Council, to act to halt what it described as Israeli aggression.
The Israeli military said it attacked a command center and weapons in military compounds in southern Syria and said it will not tolerate harm toward the Druze population, adding it will continue to operate to defend them and monitor developments in the region.
(Reporting by Tala Ramadan and Ahmed Elimam; Editing by Himani Sarkar)
Israel is protective of the Druze due to a deep, familial bond, strategic loyalty, and shared destiny. Since 1948, Druze in Israel have served in the IDF with high enlistment rates and enjoy full citizenship, creating a non-transactional "brotherhood". Protecting the Druze also fulfills a moral obligation to defend loyal allies and, for the community in Syria, serves as a bulwark against jihadist extremists, as explained in this YouTube video.
Resource:
israelAM (I get news from Israel directly through Israel AM who uses the main headlines from Israeli newspapers. )
https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/israel-strikes-syria-says-its-in-response-to-druze-attacks/
https://icejusa.org/2025/07/24/who-are-the-druze-and-why-israel-supports-them/
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