Widening the Iranian corridor to Syria
December 21, 2018 by Yaakov Lappin
In responding to U.S. President Trump’s surprise announcement of a withdrawal of all U.S. forces from Syria on Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu issued a brief statement that contained two messages…writes Yaakov Lappin/JNS. Read more
IDF’s nightly battle against the proliferation of West Bank guns
December 19, 2018 by Yaakov Lappin
On many occasions in the Israel Defense Forces’ ongoing battle against illegal guns in the West Bank, security forces seize such weapons before the terrorists can even arm themselves with them. But not always…writes Yaakov Lappin/JNS. Read more
In Israel, the deception of quiet has been shattered. Now what?
December 16, 2018 by Yaakov Lappin
The succession of deadly Palestinian terrorist attacks in the West Bank in recent days is a painful reminder of a bigger truth, and that is that the security quiet that prevailed until recently was little more than an illusion…writes Yaakov Lappin/JNS. Read more
Through rapid raids, IDF’s special forces to play critical role in future war with Hezbollah
December 9, 2018 by Yaakov Lappin
At the end of November, the Israeli military’s Commando Brigade held a secretive war exercise, which sheds light on how Israel is preparing new capabilities against Hezbollah and Hamas. Read more
Amid Hezbollah counter-tunnel operations, IDF must be ‘ready for deterioration,’ says ex-defence official
December 7, 2018 by Yaakov Lappin
As the Israel Defense Forces plough ahead with an operation to expose and destroy a network of Hezbollah tunnels snaking their way into northern Israel from Lebanon, the military must also be prepared for the risk of a sudden escalation with the powerful Shi’ite terrorist organization, a former senior defence official told JNS. Read more
Lieberman’s sudden resignation exposes deep rift over Gaza strategy
November 16, 2018 by Yaakov Lappin
For several weeks, Israel’s outgoing Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman had made his dissatisfaction with Israel’s approach to Hamas in Gaza public—very public. Read more
Hamas ‘raises the stakes’ with mass rocket assault on Israel’s south
November 13, 2018 by Yaakov Lappin
Hamas and other armed Gazan factions launched a widespread rocket and mortar assault on southern Israel as evening descended on Monday, in an assault seen by the terror organizations as a calculated risk. Read more
New IDF chief of staff, who takes nothing for granted, faces an explosive region
November 6, 2018 by Yaakov Lappin
The recent appointment of Maj.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi as the next Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces means that the Israeli military will soon be led by a general who takes nothing for granted, and whose mission will be to navigate an increasingly complex and explosive Middle East. Read more
As Gaza approaches combustible levels, West Bank’s deceptive quiet faces tests
October 19, 2018 by Yaakov Lappin
As tensions mount in the Gaza Strip and Israel following a severe security escalation, the question of whether the West Bank will also flare up remains relevant. Israel’s defence establishment is working quietly around the clock to prevent large-scale terrorist attacks that are being planned by Hamas and other Palestinian factions…writes Yaakov Lappin/JNS. Read more
Israel has reached decision time on Gaza
October 18, 2018 by Yaakov Lappin
Events in Gaza are moving quickly, and Israel has now reached a critical fork in the road with two main paths: a significant military escalation, which has the potential to gain momentum and turn into a broader armed conflict; or a long-term arrangement, designed to restore calm to the area…writes Yaakov Lappin/JNS. Read more
After exposure of Beirut missile sites, Hezbollah and Lebanon conduct some damage control
October 5, 2018 by Yaakov Lappin
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision last week at the U.N. General Assembly meeting in New York to reveal the location of secret missile sites in Beirut, including one near the city’s international airport, could turn up the pressure on the Lebanese state, and certainly sends a clear warning to Iran and Hezbollah. Read more
How feasible is a long-term truce with Hamas?
September 17, 2018 by Yaakov Lappin
The prospect of a long-term truce between Israel and Hamas brings with it both risks and opportunities…writes Yaakov Lappin/JNS. Read more
Hamas is taking the region to the brink of war
August 10, 2018 by Yaakov Lappin
The security escalation in southern Israel and the Gaza Strip over the last 24 hours shows that Hamas is prepared to take the region to the brink of war, and that it believes it can force new rules of conduct on Israel while paying a minimal price for its aggression…writes Yaakov Lappin/JNS/military correspondent. Read more
Hamas-Israel truce would be like a ‘painkiller, not an antibiotic,’ say observers
August 8, 2018 by Yaakov Lappin
Intensive efforts are underway to reach a long-term, comprehensive truce arrangement between Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Israel. Former members of the Israeli defense establishment, however, have expressed skepticism about the feasibility of such an outcome…writes Yaakov Lappin/JNS. Read more
Patient preparedness: Israeli hospitals drill the transition from ‘routine to war’
August 5, 2018 by Yaakov Lappin
Under the expert guidance of IDF Home Front Command, Israeli hospitals across the country are shoring up their ability to shift into war mode should a sudden conflict erupt without prior warning…writes Yaakov Lappin/JNS. Read more
A failure at state-building, Hamas sticks to military build-up in Gaza
July 24, 2018 by Yaakov Lappin
Tensions between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip remain high, following a period when Gazan terror factions fired large numbers of projectiles at southern Israeli regions, drawing return Israeli airstrikes. Mass arson attacks targeting Israeli farms and villages that were orchestrated by Hamas appear yet to have stopped, and an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire looks uncertain. Read more
‘Steering wheel of the military’: IDF intelligence officers provide rare glimpse into their secret world
July 5, 2018 by Yaakov Lappin
As Israel’s enemies build up their military force while hiding themselves in civilian population centres, the intelligence officers of the Israel Defense Forces keep a close eye on them and prepare the military accordingly…writes Yaakov Lappin/JNS. Read more
Palestinian Islamic Jihad prompts dangerous escalation in southern Israel
May 30, 2018 by Yaakov Lappin
Israeli home front needs bolstering to fend off Hezbollah’s growing arsenal
May 24, 2018 by Yaakov Lappin
The Israeli home front remains unprepared for the large-scale threat posed by Hezbollah’s mammoth and expanding arsenal of projectiles, a former senior military commander has warned.,,writes Yaakov Lappin/JNS.
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Israel unleashes stunning strike capabilities after Iran hits first
May 11, 2018 by Yaakov Lappin
In striking more than 50 Iranian military targets within 90 minutes early on Thursday morning, the Israel Defence Force displayed just a sample of its advanced, intelligence-fueled precision firepower, dealing a crushing blow to Iran’s assets in Syria…writes Yaakov Lappin/JNS. Read more
The IDF’s Unit 9900: ‘Seeing’ their service come to fruition
May 7, 2018 by Yaakov Lappin
A program designed to integrate young people on the autistic spectrum into the military—in fields where they have a relative advantage—is proving to be a “win-win” for all involved…writes Yaakov Lappin/JNS. Read more
Analysis: Stopping the formation of the Iranian war machine
May 1, 2018 by Yaakov Lappin
If Israel was behind the latest reported air strikes in Syria, targeting two bases that appeared to contain Iranian weapons depots, this would seem to be the latest sign that Jerusalem’s determination to stop Iran from building a war machine in Syria remains absolute and unshakable…writes Yaakov Lappin. Read more
Middle East braces for a tense May
April 27, 2018 by Yaakov Lappin
The coming month of May looks set to contain an unusual number of potential escalation points that could converge to create a highly explosive month…writes Yaakov Lappin/JNS. Read more
Flyby a reminder ‘that we are standing watch,’ says Israeli squadron commander
April 20, 2018 by Yaakov Lappin
Minutes before his fighter jets took off to take part in a historic flyby marking Israel’s 70th year of Independence, the commander of the 101 Squadron of the Israeli Air Force told JNS that he viewed the event as an important mission—one that carries a powerful message…writes Yaakov Lappin. Read more
The Israeli air force legend who influenced generations
April 19, 2018 by Yaakov Lappin
On Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers, the family of Lt.-Col. Ohad Shadmi—a legendary and highly influential air force pilot and squadron commander—turn their thoughts to his lasting legacy…writes Yaakov Lappin/JNS. Read more
Walking in the footsteps of those who battled in 1948
April 17, 2018 by Yaakov Lappin
Members of the Israel Defence Forces and Israeli civilians are jointly commemorating the decisive battles of the 1948 War of Independence ahead of national celebrations of Israel’s 70th year of Independence…writes Yaakov Lappin/JNS. Read more
Analysis: Minimal strike on Assad shows extent of Russian deterrence
April 15, 2018 by Yaakov Lappin
The missile strikes on three chemical weapons sites in Syria represent relatively small-scale action against Syrian dictator Bashar Assad, and underline the extent of Russia’s deterrent posture…writes Yaakov Lappin/JNS. Read more
Israeli military gets set for the mammoth task of prepping for Passover
March 27, 2018 by Yaakov Lappin
Despite its many round-the-clock security missions, the Israel Defence Forces believes that bringing the holiday spirit to its personnel is an imperative. Read more
Under shadow of Hezbollah’s growing arsenal, Israeli home front gets busy
March 4, 2018 by Yaakov Lappin
With Hezbollah pointing more than 120,000 projectiles at Israeli cities, towns and villages, it is clear to emergency and defence planners that any eruption of a new armed conflict will not resemble previous wars…writes Yaakov Lappin/JNS. Read more
Analysis: Downing of Israeli F-16 is no victory for Iranian axis in escalating ‘war between wars’
February 13, 2018 by Yaakov Lappin
A day after Israeli, Syrian, and Iranian forces were involved in a major military confrontation—that left an Israeli F-16 shot down, along with an Iranian drone, and multiple Syrian air defenses destroyed—the dust has begun to settle and the bigger picture is emerging…writes Yaakov Lappin/JNS. Read more
