Hezbollah intercepts Israeli drone over Lebanon; Rockets fired at U.S. army base in Syria

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Hezbollah fighters raise their group flags during the funeral of Ismail Baz, a Hezbollah commander and another fighter who were killed on Tuesday by an Israeli drone strike, in Chehabiyeh village, south Lebanon, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. The Israeli military said Baz served as a senior and veteran official in several positions of Hezbollah's military wing. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)Credit: Mohammed Zaatari,AP

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President Joe Biden boards Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., April 12, 2024.Credit: Pablo Martinez Monsivais,AP

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Pro-Palestinian activists demonstrate outside the Capitol in Washington, Saturday.Credit: J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Gallant decries U.S. sanctions on IDF unit, pledges to respect to international law ■ Israeli soldier dies from wounds sustained in drone and missile attack on north ■ Israeli wounded by planted explosive device in West Bank ■ Palestinian woman killed in attempt to stab soldiers at West Bank checkpoint

Gallant decries U.S. sanctions on IDF unit, pledges to respect to international law ■ Israeli soldier dies from wounds sustained in drone and missile attack on north ■ Israeli wounded by planted explosive device in West Bank ■ Palestinian woman killed in attempt to stab soldiers at West Bank checkpoint

U.S. confirms rocket launch on base in Syria 'failed,' strikes launcher with fighter jet

A U.S. official said that a fighter destroyed a launcher in self-defense after reports of a failed rocket attack near the coalition base at Rumalyn, Syria.

Iraq's Kataib Hezbollah said early on Monday that armed groups decided to resume attacks on U.S. forces in the country after seeing little progress on talks to achieve the exit of U.S. troops during Iraq's prime minister visit to Washington.

Blinken speaks to Gallant, Gantz respectively, urges regional de-escalation, Gaza cease-fire

On Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaged in separate discussions with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Israeli War Cabinet Member Benny Gantz. During both conversations, the U.S. State Department said that Blinken spoke about the urgent need for an "immediate cease-fire," ensuring the release of hostages, and enhancing humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians.

In annual Passover statement, Biden cites hostage release, Gaza cease-fire efforts; warns against 'surge' in Antisemitsm

U.S. President Joe Biden cited October 7 in his annual Passover holiday statement, saying that "We can never forget the horror of Hamas' despicable atrocities. Jews around the world are still coping with the trauma of that day and its aftermath. This Passover falls particularly hard on hostage families trying to honor the spirit of the holiday - a story centered on freedom - while their loved ones remain in captivity."

He affirmed that his commitment to the safety of Jews, Israel and its right to exist is "ironclad." He added that his administration "will not rest until we bring them home," referring to Israeli hostages in Gaza.

"We are also working to establish an immediate and prolonged ceasefire in Gaza as a part of a deal that releases the hostages and delivers desperately needed humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians," the statement added.

Biden also warned against "the alarming surge of Antisemitism - in our schools, communities, and online," stressing that "Silence is complicity. Even in recent days, we've seen harassment and calls for violence against Jews. This blatant Antisemitism is reprehensible and dangerous - and it has absolutely no place on college campuses, or anywhere in our country."

Five rockets fired from Iraq towards U.S. military base in Syria, security sources say

At least five rockets were launched from Iraq's town of Zummar towards a U.S. military base in northeastern Syria on Sunday, two Iraqi security sources told Reuters.

The attack against U.S. forces is the first since early February when Iranian-backed groups in Iraq stopped their attacks against U.S. troops.

Two security sources and a senior army officer said a rocket launcher fixed on the back of a small truck had been parked in Zummar border town with Syria.

The military official said the truck caught fire with an explosion from unfired rockets at the same time as warplanes were in the sky.

"We can't confirm that the truck was bombed by U.S. warplanes unless we investigate it," said a military official on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the incident.

White House condemns campus antisemitism as rabbi warns Jewish students to stay away from Columbia

WASHINGTON - The White House sharply condemned rising antisemitism on college campuses amid the ongoing mass pro-Palestinian protest at Columbia University, leading to the arrest of more than 100 demonstrators and Jewish students mulling whether to leave campus indefinitely.

"While every American has the right to peaceful protest, calls for violence and physical intimidation targeting Jewish students and the Jewish community are blatantly antisemitic, unconscionable, and dangerous - they have absolutely no place on any college campus, or anywhere in the United States of America," said White House deputy spokesperson Andrew Bates.

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Defense minister decries U.S. sanctions on IDF battalion, says he'll assure Biden administration of adherence to int'l law

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on a visit to the northern border, last week.Credit: Ariel Hermony / Defense Ministry

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant discussed with Israeli army chief Herzl Halevi the emerging U.S. administration's decision to impose sanctions against the "Netzach Yehuda" Battalion and stated that "any attempt to discredit an entire unit casts a heavy shadow on the IDF."

The defense minister said that, "Damaging one battalion undermines the entire security apparatus." He added that he directed the security establishment to convey to the Biden administration the significance the military places on adherence to international law.