Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant says military will expand campaign
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Hinting at Israel’s alleged overnight airstrike in Syria, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said the military will “expand the campaign and increase the rate of attacks in the north” following an assessment at the IDF Northern Command in Safed.
“Israel is turning from defending to pursuing Hezbollah, we will reach wherever the organization operates, in Beirut, Damascus and in more distant places,” Gallant added
His comments come days after a top Hezbollah commander was killed in an IDF drone strike in southern Lebanon, and five other Hezbollah terrorists were killed in a strike in Aleppo, Syria.
According to Syrian sources about 40 people were killed in the strike. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said 36 Syrian troops, seven Hezbollah fighters and a Syrian member of an Iran-backed group died, and dozens of people were wounded, calling it the deadliest such attack in years.
Talks resume about bringing top Israeli officials to Washington
Discussions have restarted aimed at bringing top Israeli officials to Washington to discuss potential military operations in Gaza, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancelled a planned visit this week because he was angry about the U.S vote on a UN cease-fire resolution, the White House said Wednesday.
“So we’re now working with them to find a convenient date that’s obviously going to work for both sides," said press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
No date has been finalized yet. One US official said strategic affairs minister Ron Dermer and national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi would be among the delegation to come to Washington. The official was not authorised to speak publicly about the sensitive discussions and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
An Israeli official said the White House had reached out to set a new meeting. The official was not authorised to talk to the media and spoke on condition of anonymity. Netanyahu’s office said the prime minister “did not authorise the departure of the delegation to Washington.”
The delegation to the US was meant to discuss a promised ground invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah, which is overflowing with displaced civilians. Israel has so far rejected American appeals to call off the planned operation.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant was already in Washington by the time Netanyahu cancelled the trip by other officials. Gallant met with Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin. The Gaza operation was one of many topics they discussed.
Netanyahu on Wednesday said his decision to cancel was meant to deliver a message to Hamas that international pressure against Israel will not prompt it to end the war without concessions from the militant group, an apparent attempt to smooth over the clash between the allies.
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In the first final of the day, the -48kg category, Turkey’s very own Sila ERSIN came up against the queen of the category, Natsumi TSUNODA of Japan who used both her trademark moves - tomoe-nagi for waza-ari and then arm-locked to take the victory. Fantastic transition shown from the Japanese World Champion in front of a passionate crowd.
Fatih UYSAL, Youth and Sports Ministry Deputy General Manager, awarded the medals.
At -60kg Ayub BLIEV took on Luka MKHEIDZE in a physical encounter that went to golden score. It was BLIEV who managed to overpower his opponent to score ippon and win the gold medal.
Mohammed MERIDJA, IJF Education & Coaching Director, awarded the medals.
The judo world’s most dominant female fighter made an appearance at -52kg… Uta Abe, unbeaten since 2019. Barely 10 seconds on the clock and it was all over. Ippon to Abe and her winning streak continues. Can anybody stop her on her run towards another Olympic gold? Local fans were desperate to get their moment with the legendary judoka.
IJF Vice President, Laszlo TOTH awarded the medals.
“It feels great," said ABE Uta. "I can hear everyone’s voice and that always makes me a little bit stronger and that probably led to me winning today”.
Hifumi ABE took the lead from his sister and also finished his -66kg final in swift fashion by throwing Nurali EMOMALI for Ippon. The two Japanese reign supreme.
Juan Carlos BARCOS, IJF Co-ordinator for Int Refereeing Seminars, awarded the medals.
“I’m very happy to see how popular judo is here and all of these people that have come out to see it." said ABE Hifumi "I’m delighted to see people rooting for me of course, I’m just very happy overall”.
The -57kg final was an all pan-american matchup. Canada’s Christa DEGUCHI took up the challenge of Jessica LIMA from Brazil, and the Canadian eventually used O-uchi-gari to take gold!
IJF Sport Director, Michael TAMURA awarded the medals.
The local Turkish crowd were treated to some wonderful moments from their team today.
Join us tomorrow for more thrilling judo action in the heart of Turkey’s natural splendor.
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The Holy Week schedule is challenging for popes even under the best of circumstances. But that is especially true this year for Francis, who has been battling on and off all winter what he and the Vatican have described as a case of the flu, bronchitis or a cold.
And in recent weeks, the 87-year-old Pontiff has often shown increased difficulties in walking, has asked an aide to read aloud his remarks and has been heard breathing heavily during public events.
Francis, who is frequently reliant on a wheelchair, was due to travel at night later on Friday to the Colosseum for the Way of the Cross procession re-enacting Christ’s crucifixion.
The torchlit procession to the Coliseum - which dates to the 18th century and was revived in 1964 - attracts thousands of faithful who listen to meditations re-enacting Christ's crucifixion.