Shalom and good evening, this is TV7 Israel
News broadcast to you from Jerusalem;
And in today’s top stories;
The heightened state of alert along Israel’s
northern border with Lebanon persists.
Russia holds a naval parade in its Mediterranean
base in Syria’s Tartus – during which
Moscow and Damascus vow to deepen their military
cooperation as part of their “common goal”
to confront the West in general, and the United
States in particular.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guards launched
a naval military drill in the strategic Strait
of Hormuz yesterday, dubbed the 14th Prophet,
during which the IRGC conducted a hostile
takeover of a mock-up aircraft carrier.
The heightened state of alert along Israel’s
northern border with Lebanon persists following
a quiet yet tense night.
The Israeli security establishment’s working
assessment is that the Lebanese Iranian-proxy
Hezbollah is still planning a cross-border
attack against the Jewish State in retaliation
for the death of one of its operatives in
an aerial bombardment in Syria that was carried
out last week, July 20th, which was ascribed
to the Israeli Air Force.
In light of the working situation assessment;
the IDF spokesperson’s unit released a statement
in which it announced that “the Northern
Command will be reinforced with advanced fire
capabilities, intelligence collection systems
and special units.”
In tandem, the Jerusalem leadership is sending
a clear message to Hezbollah and its patrons
in Tehran; ‘Israel is not deterred.
It will continue to operate against Iranian
efforts to entrench militarily in Israel’s
region.
The Israel Defense Forces are well prepared
for any scenario.
“I am under the impression that the IDF
is well prepared for any possible scenario.
We continue to operate in order to thwart
Iran’s military entrenchment in our region.
We will do everything necessary to protect
ourselves.
And I suggest to Hezbollah to take into account
this simple fact: Israel is prepared for any
scenario!”
During a high-level meeting of Israel’s
top military brass in the IDF’ Northern
Command, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
received a comprehensive intelligence and
operational briefing from IDF Chief of Staff
Lieutenant General Aviv Kochavi.
Consequently, Netanyahu highlighted that the
heightened tensions are a direct result of
Iranian efforts to entrench militarily along
Israel’s northern front – in both Lebanon
and Syria.
“Everything that is currently happening
is a result of Iranian efforts to entrench
militarily in our region; as well as its proxies
in Lebanon.
(Hezbollah SG Hassan) Nasrallah is serving
this Iranian interest at the expense of the
state of Lebanon.”
And while evidently Lebanon and Syria are
hostages of Iran’s malign activities; Jerusalem
has apparently altered its strategic outline.
‘If the Jewish State is drawn into a wide-scale
confrontation with Tehran’s proxies in Israel’s
immediate vicinity - the Islamic Republic
will not be spared from the IDF’s wide-ranging
capabilities.’
“I just concluded a visit to the air force
“Adir” (F-35) squadron.
The most advance squadron of the most advanced
air force worldwide with operational capabilities
for any distance.
Impressive human quality, unprecedented operational
preparedness and the capacity to act, at any
range, weather condition and for any requirement.
I suggest to all the countries of the region
-- near and far, Iran, Lebanon, Syria and
anyone involved in this story (northern tensions)
-- remember that the State of Israel has infinite
capacity and we know how to use it."
It is important to note that the Beirut government
is subject to an increase of domestic criticism
over the situation on its southern front with
Israel – at a time when Lebanon is faced
with wide-ranging social and economic challenges.
While the country’s technocrat Prime Minister
Hassan Diab – a political-ally of the Lebanese
Iranian-proxy Hezbollah – claimed the “dangerous
escalation” on Lebanon’s southern front
to be “part of Israeli hostilities against
Lebanese sovereignty;” the leader of a major
Christian group in Lebanon LFP Chairperson
Samir Geagea boldly asserted in an interview
with the Associated Press that Monday's incident
along the border with Israel was a clear indication
that the current Beirut government is not
the sovereignty within its own southern territories.
Meanwhile in Beirut;
The government announced its decision to reimpose
severe corona-related restrictions for the
next two weeks in light of a spike of newly
confirmed cases throughout the country.
"Then the president (Michel Aoun) talked about
the dramatic increase of coronavirus cases,
which calls for strict measures to stop its
spread, and the increase in numbers.
And he said: 'The supreme defense council
took some decisions today that we should respect
and implement strictly, in a serious way to
stop the negative impact (of the virus) on
locals and residents'."
While public information vis-?-vis the COVID
morbidity in Lebanon is seemingly stable in
contrast to other afflicted countries; the
relatively low number of tests conducted daily
does not provide a clear picture of the situation.
Nevertheless, residents of Beirut are vocally
frustrated with the government’s evident
failure to enforce its own declared restrictions.
"I wear something or else I wouldn't go out
with the baby to a crowded place.
And sure, I will wear a mask, my son will
be away from people, that's all I can do."
"I guess they were supposed to impose more
restrictions already, people got out of control,
what to do?
I don't know why there's a pause between a
lockdown and the other, no one understood
why, hopefully it'll be good."
"Where are the precautions?
As you can see, they are not implementing
them.
As you can see, people are gathering and all.
They keep talking about precautions, but they
are only harming us and the economy.
Where are they implementing those precautions?
I don't see, people are still gathering."
"I don't understand why there was a lockdown
then we opened and then there's now another
lockdown.
Why don't we do it like other places?
Like in the Gulf for example, a lockdown that
lasts.
Why would they open?
I don't know.
Let them solve the economic problem."
According to the Lebanese government’s decision:
shops, private companies, banks and educational
institutions are permitted to operate only
on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with a near total
lockdown in place Thursday through Monday.
In contrast, Beirut's airport, land border
crossings with Syria and seaports would be
kept open, as well as medical institutions,
industrial and agricultural firms and critical
government functions.
These measures are expected to last until
August 10th.
Turning now to Syria, where;
The Russian Navy held a parade in its Mediterranean
base in Tartus as part of Moscow’s celebration
of its designated Navy Day.
Among others, vessels and aircraft under review
were the Kilo-class nuclear submarine Novorossiysk,
the Admiral Makarov frigate and jet fighters
including the advanced Su-35 and Su-34.
During the evident Russian show of force,
the commander-in-chief of the Syrian Arab
Army and the commander of the Russian forces
deployed in Syria vowed to continue deepening
military cooperation between Moscow and Damascus
as part of a common goal to confront the West
in general, and the United States in particular.
"Syria and Russia are strengthening their
military relations for the purpose of resisting
hegemonism forced upon Syria by western countries,
especially the United States."
Turning now to the Persian Gulf;
The Islamic Revolutionary Guards launched
a naval military drill in the strategic Strait
of Hormuz yesterday, dubbed the 14th Prophet,
during which the IRGC conducted numerous naval
maneuvers broadcast live by Iranian state
television.
Among others, the IRGC – which said it will
use “advanced missiles, unmanned aerial
vehicles and radar units” in its drill;
it also published a coordinated attack exercise
against an aircraft carrier – in an apparent
‘signal of intent’ vis-?-vis the United
States, which has two deployed carriers in
the U.S. Central Command Area of Operations.
Meanwhile;
In response to the Iranian drill of a carrier
takeover; Commander Rebecca Rebarich, spokeswoman
for the U.S. 5th Fleet told TV7 in a written
statement (quote) “We are aware of the Iranian
exercise involving attacking a mock-up of
a vessel similar to a motionless aircraft
carrier.
The U.S. Navy conducts defensive exercises
with our partners promoting maritime security
in support of freedom of navigation; whereas,
Iran conducts offensive exercises, attempting
to intimidate and coerce.”
Commander Reberich further stressed (Quote)
“While we are always watchful of this type
of irresponsible and reckless behavior by
Iran in the vicinity of busy international
waterways, this exercise has not disrupted
coalition operations in the area nor had any
impacts to the free flow of commerce in the
Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters."
Thank you for watching us.
As part of TV7’s initiative, I would like
to encourage you to join myself and the team
here in Jerusalem to pray.
In light of the numerous challenges faced
separately by India and the United States,
we would like to lift up both nations - once
again - in prayer, for their salvation and
peace, alongside our ongoing prayers of course
for the peace of Jerusalem and the salvation
of Israel – as well as for all those who
are impacted by the Corona Contagion worldwide.
Also, I would like to congratulate our TV7
Producer and office Manager Yair Pinto and
his wife Anna for the newest addition to their
family, a healthy baby girl.
I am Jonathan Hessen, have an Erev Tov and
we will see you again tomorrow at the same
time.
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