International
Netanyahu says that the attack on Iran affected its ability to develop missiles
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that the attack launched against Iran in the early hours of Saturday affected its defensive capabilities and its ability to develop missiles.
The attack was “precise and powerful, fulfilling all its objectives,” said the president in what are his first public statements about the event, during a ceremony by the Israeli soldiers killed in the war in Gaza and collected by the Israeli press.
Saturday’s attack, in response to the launch of some 180 missiles by Iran in early October, caused the death of four soldiers and damage to some radars.
First time Israel recognizes an attack on Iran
It is the first time that Israel publicly admits to having attacked Iran, although there was already a reprisal, never officially recognized, after the first Iranian attack on the country in April.
“The regime must understand something very simple. Whoever hurts us, we will hurt him,” the president said, using one of his most repeated phrases in his messages to Iran.
Before his statements, Israeli President Isaac Herzog (who already congratulated the air force last night for the attack), said that the “critical” task has not yet been achieved: rescue the Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip.
“The elimination of the arch-terrorist (Yahya) Sinwar (leader of Hamas) and other enemies, and the impressive battle of the Army and security forces have created an opportunity that we cannot miss,” he said.
Netanyahu also spoke about the hostages in Gaza, assuring that bringing them back is a “sacred” mission, while Defense Minister Yoav Gallant made it clear that to achieve it will have to make “painful concessions.”
The minister, who has had some public encounters with Netanyahu about the management of the war, said that Hamas “has stopped operating” as a militia, while the Shiihite group Hezbula does not stop receiving blows, after the elimination of its leadership in a series of Israeli bombings against Lebanon in recent weeks.
The groups “are no longer an effective tool in the hands of Iran,” he said, adding that not all objectives can be achieved on the basis of military force, and that rescuing the kidnapped is Israel’s “responsibility”.
Later, during a similar ceremony in honor of the civilians killed in the October 7 Hamas attacks and in the following war year, a group of protesters interrupted Netanyahu’s speech shouting “shame” and remembering his murdered loved ones.
Israel negotiates in Qatar the release of Hamas hostages
The head of the Mossad, David Barnea, arrived in Qatar this Sunday to participate in new negotiations on the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners imprisoned in Israel and the possibilities of achieving a ceasefire in Gaza, sources close to the talks informed EFE.
Barnea “is in Qatar with the aim of holding new talks on the agreement of prisoners and hostages with Hamas” after the murder of the top leader of the Palestinian Islamist group, Yahya Sinwar, more than a week ago in southern Gaza, sources said on condition of anonymity.
They also pointed out that the head of the Mossad will meet in Doha with the heads of intelligence of the United States, William Burns, and Egypt, Hassan Rashad, as well as with the Prime Minister of Qatar, Mohamed bin Abderrahmán.
International
Ukraine declares nationwide energy emergency amid russian attacks and extreme cold
The Ukrainian government on Wednesday declared a nationwide energy state of emergency amid continued Russian military attacks and extreme winter weather, with nighttime temperatures dropping as low as minus 18 degrees Celsius.
“The consequences of Russian attacks and worsening weather conditions are severe (…) Overall, a state of emergency will be declared for Ukraine’s energy sector,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement posted on social media following a meeting with senior officials.
Zelensky announced the creation of a “permanent coordination headquarters” to manage the crisis in the capital, Kyiv, and tasked former defence minister and current energy chief Denys Shmyhal with overseeing support efforts for affected individuals and communities, including addressing power outages, heating shortages and other “practical issues.”
“There are many problems that require urgent solutions,” the president said, noting that repair crews, energy companies, municipal services and the State Emergency Service are working “around the clock” to restore electricity supplies. Kyiv has been particularly affected after Russian strikes last Friday disabled key parts of the power grid, as daytime temperatures hover around minus 12 degrees Celsius and plunge to minus 18 at night.
Zelensky added that public authorities will “maximize efforts with partners to obtain the necessary equipment and additional support,” while the government will ensure “maximum deregulation of all processes” to speed up the connection of backup power equipment to the grid. He also confirmed that work is underway to significantly increase electricity imports into Ukraine.
The Ukrainian leader further instructed his Cabinet to review curfew regulations in light of the extreme cold, arguing that citizens must have the greatest possible access to assistance centers, while businesses should be given flexibility to plan their operations according to the state of the energy system.
International
France joins Denmark’s ‘Operation Arctic Resistance’ in Greenland amid U.S. tensions
French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed in the early hours of Thursday (Wednesday afternoon in El Salvador) that France will take part in “Operation Arctic Resistance,” after Denmark announced it would expand its military presence in Greenland amid rising tensions with the United States over Washington’s stated ambitions regarding the semi-autonomous territory.
“At Denmark’s request, I have decided that France will participate in the joint exercises organized by Denmark in Greenland, ‘Operation Arctic Resistance,’” Macron said in a brief message posted on social media at 5:18 p.m.
The French president added that “the first French military elements are already on their way, with others to follow,” though he did not specify the number of troops being deployed or the scale of France’s planned contribution.
The governments of Sweden, Norway and Germany have also confirmed the deployment of military contingents to Greenland. Germany’s armed forces will send a 13-member reconnaissance team to the Greenlandic capital, Nuuk, to take part in a mission scheduled to run from Thursday through Saturday, according to the German Ministry of Defence.
Denmark’s announcement came shortly before a Danish delegation met at the White House with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss Washington’s plans regarding Greenland. Copenhagen said the military activities would be carried out “in close cooperation with NATO allies.”
International
Iran closes airspace amid U.S. threats and deadly nationwide protests
Iranian authorities closed the country’s airspace in the early hours of Thursday, according to data from flight-tracking website FlightRadar24, amid growing threats of a possible U.S. attack as protests across the country continue and have reportedly left thousands dead.
According to FlightRadar24, the Iranian government suspended all flights to and from the country, except for international flights that have received special authorization. The notice was initially issued for a duration of just over two hours.
The move comes after U.S. President Donald Trump in recent days threatened to strike Iran if its security forces failed to halt the deaths linked to weeks-long protests that began in Tehran and later spread to other Iranian cities. Despite the threats, the White House said diplomacy remains Trump’s preferred option.
Speaking from the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump claimed that “the deaths in Iran have stopped” and said there would be no executions of protesters following his warnings to Tehran. He added that his administration would seek to verify those claims.
“I’ve been told the deaths in Iran are stopping. They’ve stopped, and that there are no plans for executions,” Trump told reporters, cautioning that the United States would be “very upset” if those assurances proved to be untrue.
The statements contrast with reports from rights groups. The Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) said on Wednesday that more than 3,400 people have been killed since the protests erupted. Meanwhile, Kurdish-Iranian rights group Hengaw reported this week that a 26-year-old Iranian man, Erfan Soltani, was facing execution as of Wednesday.
Ukraine declares nationwide energy emergency amid russian attacks and extreme cold
France joins Denmark’s ‘Operation Arctic Resistance’ in Greenland amid U.S. tensions
Iran closes airspace amid U.S. threats and deadly nationwide protests
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