Meeting the new operational demands requires the IDF to procure additional aircraft, including Apache helicopters, while also extending the service life of older platforms. Alert schedules have also been revised. Fighter pilots, for example, are now expected to strike within minutes of being called up, compared with 45 minutes under the alert posture in place on October 6. Within the first hour, they are required to strike at least 60 targets to disrupt enemy activity.

Minimum requirements have also been set for the number of unmanned aerial vehicles that must be airborne at any given time, as well as for the quantity and types of munitions carried by various aircraft. Five helicopters have been placed on constant alert to rapidly deploy intervention forces from Shayetet 13, Sayeret Matkal and Shaldag. To enable rapid insertion of forces near unfolding incidents, the IDF has prepared hundreds of landing zones across the country, allowing troops to be set down in numerous locations. In Judea and Samaria alone, more than 500 landing zones have been established.

The IDF stresses that the Israeli Air Force does not replace regional commands for border defense. However, despite the fact that the Air Force met all of its alert requirements on October 7 and even exceeded them, it proved ineffective in the face of the scale of the attack. As a result, the aerial response to eruptive incidents has been fundamentally reworked.

Rules of engagement have also been revised. Under the new directives, when a division commander declares the code word "Ra'am," signaling an eruptive incident within the division, orders come into force that delegate significantly greater authority to pilots. For example, pilots may strike enemy forces identified either on Israeli territory or across the border, while making every effort to safeguard Israeli troops and civilians.

Fighter jets have also been assigned predefined targets in every sector based on terrain analysis. Even if contact with headquarters cannot be established, pilots know that during an incident in a given sector they are to strike targets already designated in advance. To cope with dozens of simultaneous incidents, the Air Force has defined "air combat teams," combining crews from observation, transport, attack helicopter and UAV squadrons. These teams are usually positioned close to the area of operations and can divide and manage incidents from the air if the Air Force's central command bunker becomes overloaded.

To embed the changes, a "Border Defense Airpower" conference was held about two weeks ago for commanders and officers from the Air Force and the Ground Forces. The shift represents a conceptual change, under which the Air Force commander approved an updated mission for the air and space arm, formally adding "border defense" to its mandate. In parallel, the Participation and Helicopters Command has changed its name and mission to the Participation and Border Defense Command. Headed by an officer with the rank of brigadier general, the command is now responsible for border defense during eruptive incidents and for providing aerial support to ground maneuvering forces.

In addition, while on October 7 the Air Force operated through a single control, during the war a new control, dubbed "Oz," was established. It operates around the clock and is tasked with providing a rapid aerial umbrella to all forces fighting across all fronts.

Further changes include adding a phone to pilots' helmets and distributing the phone numbers of all local security coordinators nationwide to every squadron. In light of the communications breakdowns on October 7, the IDF has also institutionalized five communication channels linking forces managing incidents in the air and on the ground, ranging from standard military communications to the use of civilian networks to ensure connectivity between all forces responding to an event.

The post How October 7 forced the Israeli Air Force to change everything appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

This approach prevented his assassination until he was struck in his vehicle alongside three bodyguards on December 13, following multiple failed elimination attempts. One such effort unfolded in summer 2024, when the Israeli Air Force targeted a structure in the Shati camp – an area housing both a mosque and a school.

Saad handled diverse responsibilities within Hamas, spanning the organization's "civilian" infrastructure. Over three decades, he occupied a succession of critical positions directly linked to the October 7 massacre: operations chief, founder of the Nukhba (Hamas's elite commando force), naval force architect, and weapons production director. Throughout the war, he oversaw explosive manufacturing that claimed numerous IDF soldiers' lives. During the ceasefire, he orchestrated the restoration of the organization's strength.

"Generational transition"

Following his elimination, Israel Hayom has learned that Hamas is experiencing an accelerated "generational transition" due to dozens of senior operatives killed across two years. Today, scarce veteran figures populate the leadership, including "military wing head" Izz al-Din al-Haddad and intelligence director Mohammed Awda. They too face mounting responsibility portfolios. According to Asharq Al-Awsat, Awda was appointed commander of the northern Gaza Strip brigade. Al-Haddad himself managed the hostages dossier.

Consequently, the terrorist organization increasingly depends on junior terrorist commanders possessing minimal experience, restricted authority, and diminished capabilities. This dynamic threatens decision-making capacity and strategic planning.

Hamas has enlisted thousands of fresh terrorists throughout the conflict. Nevertheless, these recruits have only basic training, lacking experience and authority, and have marginal capabilities.

Yet alongside them, a hardened nucleus of veteran, proficient terrorists has endured. Therefore, Hamas sustains operations via emergency committees and apparatuses controlling the economy, transit, and education, while attempting to terrorize the population through executions and public prosecutions. Simultaneously, certain local clans demonstrate resistance.

Regarding the Palestinian population, Hamas' core supporter base has remained steadfast. Conversely, support for Hamas has declined according to multiple surveys. Furthermore, numerous Gazans exhibit passivity amid Gaza's humanitarian conditions, particularly during winter storms. Gaza has reported that at least 16 Palestinians have perished from weather-related damage thus far, including building wall collapses.

The post From mosques to hospitals: How senior Hamas terrorist evaded elimination for months appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

The post appeared after testimonies emerged from flotilla personnel arriving from Europe. Hairston wrote, "Just as murderers and rapists possess a right to exist in prison, so the Israeli leadership deserves long lives behind bars." She continued, "The testimonies of the detainees from the flotilla are horrifying. The genocide state in full display – beatings, being held kneeling with hands cuffed behind the back for hours, denial of medical treatment, degrading treatment, and threats. Not to mention that abducting the people from the flotilla in international waters constitutes a violation of international maritime law."

Tel-Hai College issued a response, "The lecturer's serious statements were written on her personal account and do not represent the position of Tel-Hai Academic College as an academic institution. Tel-Hai Academic College stands proudly with Israeli Air Force soldiers and security forces and thanks them for their dedication and protection of the State of Israel and its citizens. Many of our students served in the reserves during the past two years. During this period, as we return with excitement to our northern campuses after more than two years, the opening of the academic year represents the resilience of the region and Tel-Hai's deep commitment to the Galilee community and Israeli society."

Professors for a Strong Israel issued a statement, "Israeli academia must not function as a sanctuary for lecturers who slander the State of Israel. Following Dr. Ilana Hairston's statements from Tel-Hai College, comparing the State of Israel to the Third Reich, Professors for a Strong Israel warns that this represents a serious and persistent phenomenon of lecturers in higher education institutions who abuse freedom of expression to damage the State of Israel and Israeli Air Force soldiers."

Shachar Yifrach, chairman of the Tel-Hai Student Union, stated, "Dr. Ilana Hairston's post crosses a red line both clearly and publicly. The union vigorously condemns these statements. Comparing the State of Israel to the Third Reich is a perilous comparison that damages Holocaust memory and harms reserve soldiers, including our students who risked their lives for the state. The union adopted the IHRA definition against antisemitism last year, and we invite the college and other institutions nationwide to adopt the definition as we have."

The post College professor compares Israel to Third Reich appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

The US president is in no way harming Israel. From his perspective, he sometimes saves it from itself. This occurred when he demanded halting the Israeli Air Force planes that were already over Iranian territory at the end of Operation Rising Lion; when he told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the Gaza war had run its course and pressured him to adopt the plan to end it; and when he demanded reversing Netanyahu's decision on cutting aid supplies to the Gaza Strip two days ago.

As of now, it appears that in all three instances he was correct, and indeed a responsible adult was needed to prevent us from acting against our own interests. Because indeed the war against Iran should have concluded on day 12, and it was correct to adopt the 20-point plan. Regarding eliminating Hamas in Gaza – the IDF was given two years to accomplish this, and particularly in the Rafah area the damage to the organization was the most severe. Nevertheless, Hamas fighters emerged from the tunnels there. In other words, before we make the ceasefire collapse we must formulate an orderly plan for how to achieve the war objectives that have not yet been reached.

In the grand scheme of things, Trump was and remains the most pro-Israel president ever, by a tremendous margin from all his predecessors. Therefore, even if here and there he makes things difficult for us, the matters must be put in their proper prespective.

We must also remember that he is not the first. All US presidents from time immemorial have demanded that Israel stop, restrain or reduce various military moves that we needed. Moreover, compared to his predecessors Trump has even expected Israel to be significantly more aggressive than it was. This happened with the famous sentence "the gates of hell will open on Gaza." And of course, in his first ten months in office, that same Trump opened the warehouses and gave the IDF all possible armaments.

So even if he is mistaken, it is permitted and proper to respect his request. And let us tell the truth – apparently there is also no other choice. Against the Democratic presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, Netanyahu could fight because he received tailwind from their Republican rivals. On the other hand, when the MAGA president gives us a red card, we have no counterweight to hold onto. The reason for this is the severe damage to Israel's image in the US.

Our legitimacy oxygen has run out. In the situation that has been created, Israel and Netanyahu have no room for maneuver because we have been pushed into an PR corner. Extricating ourselves from it is therefore an urgent and critical mission. Because if we have a problem with Trump, how much more so will there be one with his successors, certainly if they come from the Democratic side but even if they arrive from the Republican camp.

Large and enormous forces from both left and right wings in the American discourse are working to weaken the alliance between the US and Israel. Unfortunately, they are playing against an empty goal.

From the prime minister down – everyone understands that a campaign for the gloal public opinion is required from Israel and the Jewish people. After all, our enemies in the world will only go and intensify their incitement against us, which will exacerbate the international legitimacy problem and further narrow the political room for maneuver. This, and not Trump's local "Don't," should therefore be Israel's central concern. If we do not open a campaign for consciousness now, in three years we will miss Trump's hugs.

The post Trump stopped Israel 3 times; he did the right thing appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Based on current assessments, the Israeli hostages are held in at least three separate locations across the Gaza Strip, and uncertainty persists over whether Hamas will gather them for a unified release or transfer them to the Red Cross at multiple sites.​

Security sources indicate Hamas has not yet transmitted to Israel the names of the deceased captives it intends to return.​ Simultaneously, Israeli security officials are tracking closely the enforcement mechanism American negotiators are presently formulating. On Friday, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner addressed the matter with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and on Saturday the subject arose during discussions between the two senior American envoys and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir.​

Israel's goal is for the developing mechanism to mirror the framework established in Lebanon, though substantial differences between the two theaters may hinder this objective.​

Who becomes the enforcer?

First, Lebanon functions as a sovereign state, allowing Israeli grievances relayed through the Americans to reach the Lebanese government and Lebanese Armed Forces, which bear enforcement responsibility. In Gaza, however, no governing authority exists apart from Hamas, leaving unclear whether and how Israeli complaints will be addressed and enforced.​

Second, Israel successfully imposed an on-the-ground enforcement doctrine in Lebanon against every breach – targeting not merely immediate dangers but also weapons accumulation. In Gaza, Israel may lack this capability given the commitments it made in the agreement, particularly as the deployment of foreign personnel from nations including the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Turkey and others may restrict Israeli actions.​

In the interim, until tomorrow morning, Israeli Air Force operational guidelines remain exceptionally stringent, as avoiding any risk to the hostage release remains paramount throughout Israel.​

Following their release and return to Israel, the nation will transition into a phase of establishing security arrangements with Hamas. Israel's fundamental priority is Gaza demilitarization and operations against any weapons buildup, regardless of scale. An additional unresolved matter will inevitably be determining Gaza's future governance.​

The post Where the hostages are held – and how they will be released appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

If it turns out it was simply a deception exercise intended to gather senior Hamas leaders in Doha for a meeting (in this case, a last meeting), this would not be the first time: a similar deception exercise, involving the American president and Israeli media, was conducted before the surprise attack on Iran. There too, it succeeded.

The decision to target Qatar represents a milestone in Israel–US relations, or perhaps Netanyahu–Trump relations, but it also reflects another essential element in the prime minister's war management: over his many years leading the country, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acted moderately and cautiously regarding military force, avoiding breaking enemy balances. Since October 7 that approach has changed. It appears that now no operational plan reaches Netanyahu without his at least serious consideration.

What began as a deep and genuine trust crisis between Netanyahu and the security establishment reversed completely during the long months of war, at least in special operations (the effort to defeat Hamas in Gaza is a different matter).

The strike on Qatari soil likewise expresses Israeli and American frustration with the Gulf state, which mediates in negotiations on one hand but hosts Hamas' foreign leadership with royal honor on the other.

This frustration is also directed at Hamas's foreign leadership, which imposed difficulties on negotiation progress and steadfastly refuses to compromise. Israel has taken responsibility: it struck Hamas leadership in Qatar.

Israel previously eliminated people it negotiated with (Yahyah Sinwar, Ismail Haniyeh), and the sky did not fall. Hamas leaders in Gaza are now more isolated and pressured than ever before, and no one knows for sure how they will respond. Will they execute hostages? Surrender? Or attempt to squeeze Israel to the utmost, this time relying exclusively on Egypt to mediate?

It must be assumed that the Shin Bet – responsible for the intelligence in the operation and whose command center in central Israel ran the operation – seriously considered these questions.

The dynamics in this war are unlike anything else in history, and trying to predict would be pointless. History will judge whether the Qatar operation advances Israel's war goals.

One thing is certain looking back over the past 23 months: When Israel dares, surprises, and strikes with strength – it usually paid off.

The post Past experience proves boldness pays off appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

"The Hamas terror spokesman Abu Obeida was eliminated in Gaza, and sent to meet all the eliminated members of the axis of evil from Iran, Gaza, Lebanon, and Yemen at the bottom of hell," Katz wrote in his message, which he published on the social network X. "Congratulations to the IDF and Shin Bet on the perfect execution. Soon, as the campaign against Gaza intensifies, he will meet many more of his partners in crime there – the murderers and rapists of Hamas."

The strike in which Abu Obeida was eliminated was a pinpoint strike on an apartment in the Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City. His family members and commanders in the terror organization confirmed his death. According to reports, at least 7 people were killed and dozens were wounded during the strike.

"Abu Obeida can no longer spread his lies, propaganda, and terror," the IDF said on Sunday on X. "Kahlout was one of the last remaining senior terrorists of Hamas' Military Wing from before Oct. 7, 2023. He led propaganda and psychological terror campaigns, spreading footage of abducted Israeli civilians & soldiers and atrocities of the October 7th Massacre. Additionally, he distributed incitement videos across the Arab world & among the Palestinian public encouraging them to commit similar acts of terrorism, and coordinating messaging across Hamas' military wing."

ELIMINATED: Hudahaifa Kahlout "Abu Obaidah", Head of Hamas' Military Wing Propaganda Apparatus

Kahlout was one of the last remaining senior terrorists of Hamas' Military Wing from before Oct. 7, 2023. He led propaganda and psychological terror campaigns, spreading footage of… https://t.co/5r4w1Wl2Px

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) August 31, 2025

Abu Obeida was regarded until now as one of the most senior figures remaining in the Strip, and certainly the most prominent among them after the senior operatives of Hamas were eliminated throughout the war. His propaganda releases, mainly messages on Telegram during the war, were widespread throughout the Gaza Strip, Palestinian Authority territories, and the entire Arab world, and he was highly significant to public opinion and Hamas's methodology.

The "presenter" of a terrorist organization, who was a central figure in its propaganda, has met his end. Abu Obeida, or Hudhayfah Kahlout by his original name, with the high-pitched voice and red-and-white keffiyeh that hid his face except for his eyes, was one of Hamas's most recognizable symbols.

During demonstrations in Gaza, Judea and Samaria, and Arab nations, Hamas supporters would chant his name and that of Mohammed Deif, the eliminated head of the military wing. His statements to the media, though rife with lies and falsehoods, became televised events. Courtesy of the Qatari channel Al-Jazeera and pro-Iranian media outlets, his words reached millions of Muslims worldwide.

This is genuinely how he became a symbol of the path of terror, "the resistance," as it is termed by our enemies. Conversely, he amassed a significant number of enemies, including within Palestinian society. Many justifiably viewed him as a propaganda mouthpiece for a cult of death-eaters, the very one that inflicted destruction and ruin upon the Gaza Strip.

Abu Obeida served for two decades as the spokesman for the "Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades military wing." He started issuing statements during the terror attacks of the Second Intifada. Based on details he gave the media 20 years ago, he comes from a refugee family that arrived in Gaza after the War of Independence and settled in one of the towns.

He was likely born in the 1980s and was around 40 years old on the eve of the attack. Since 2004, he had delivered announcements concerning the organization's terrorist attacks, mixing them with threats and psychological warfare. For instance, he announced the kidnapping of soldier Gilad Shalit in 2006, and the abduction of the fallen Oron Shaul, of blessed memory, during combat in Operation Protective Edge in 2014, even though Hamas never stated he fell in battle.

Periodically, Abu Obeida also commented on the fate of senior Hamas officials who were targeted or eliminated. In Operation Protective Edge, he announced that Mohammed Deif had survived an assassination attempt. In the current war, he was tasked with announcing utter fabrications to sow demoralization on the Israeli side.

The Telegram channel that bears his name has also frequently touched on the contacts for a hostage exchange. When Hamas sought to apply pressure during the most recent deal, Abu Obeida's channel published a demand to renew the humanitarian protocol, warning the release process would not proceed otherwise.

Meanwhile, Arab sources reported on Sunday that the apartment occupied by Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida in the affluent Rimal neighborhood in western Gaza City had been rented just a few days prior. This is a known bastion for senior Hamas officials that, during the war, endured extensive destruction and absorbed masses of evacuees and beggars.

Despite this, restaurants serving the Strip's wealthy – primarily various merchants who have earned a substantial profit in the past two years – continue to operate there. Following the strike, it was reported that Hamas terrorists sealed off the area and barred people from approaching. In total, eight fatalities were discovered. The Al-Arabiya channel noted his body was identified by relatives.

It is doubtful that Hamas will acknowledge Abu Obeida's death in the near future. On Saturday night, only after roughly three months, the terrorist organization finally provided an update on the elimination of Mohammed Sinwar, the former head of the military wing, and Mohammed Shabana, the organization's Rafah brigade commander.

The senior officials now remaining in Gaza are the head of the wing and former Gaza City brigade commander, Izz al-Din al-Haddad; chiefs of staff Mohammed Awda and Ra'ad Saad; and Tawfiq Abu Naim, who is in charge of internal mechanisms. The members of the "Political Bureau in Gaza" have been almost completely eliminated or exiled.

The death of Abu Obeida is yet another manifestation of the nadir the organization has reached, finding itself without a terrorist army, senior leadership in Gaza, iconic symbols, or smuggling routes.

Nevertheless, a successor will be found to deliver his statements, making his practical importance low. Moreover, the thousands of terrorists who remain in Gaza should not be underestimated, even if they are fragmented and divided into independent "guerrilla units."

While Hamas circles abroad warn against expanding the operation in the city and broadcast an air of fear, their objective is to push for greater international pressure.

Meanwhile, the remnants of Hamas inside Gaza are preparing to attempt attacks against our forces, all while concealed within the civilian population and booby-trapping buildings and pathways with explosive devices. Their stated aim is a war of attrition for as long as possible, hoping international pressure will compel a ceasefire without an agreement to release the hostages.

The post The man behind the mask: How Israel silenced Hamas' notorious voice of terror appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Based on foreign reports and Israeli assessments, the raid was likely meant to counter the Syrian army's activity of trying to dismantle the installed Israeli listening devices. Six Syrian soldiers were killed in Israeli strikes on Wednesday in the same area after they attempted to dismantle the IDF's listening posts, according to reports.

Video: The alleged Israeli strikes in Syria on Wednesday August 28, 2025 (Credit: Social media)

In the al-Kiswah region, the Iranians have been active in recent years, establishing weapon and armament depots alongside the weapon depots of the Syrian army's 1st Division. Approximately two years ago, the Israeli Air Force struck Iranian targets in the region.

A pro-Syrian communication network that broadcasts from Turkey reported unusual IDF activity shortly before midnight, lasting for about two hours. The IDF, it said, conducted about 15 strikes in the Tel Manea and al-Kiswah area in the southern Damascus Governorate, where Syrian army headquarters were attacked, presumably to soften the area before IDF helicopters landed troops in the Sweida Governorate and in al-Kiswah.

The strikes by Israeli Air Force aircraft stopped Syrian forces from approaching the site where the listening equipment was located. The Al-Jazeera network also confirmed through its sources that IDF forces had landed in the al-Kiswah area.

According to assessments, the prolonged presence of the commandos on the ground was designed to gather documents and additional findings to better understand Iranian activities and intentions in the region.

Official Israel has not issued a formal response to the operation, but Minister of Defense Israel Katz boasted on the X network Thursday morning with a message that could be interpreted as a hint about the operation, stating, "Our forces are operating in all combat zones day and night for the security of Israel."

The operation is occurring against the backdrop of the continuing collapse of the Syrian regime and Israel's efforts to reinforce its strategic foothold in Syria, while preventing renewed Iranian entrenchment in the region.

The post 5 miles from Damascus: New details revealed on Israeli commando raid appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

The Israel Defense Forces acknowledged awareness of reports regarding damage to the Holy Family Church in Gaza City and casualties at the scene, stating that the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under review.

Israel's Foreign Ministry released a statement expressing deep sorrow over the damage to the Holy Family Church in Gaza City and over any civilian casualty. "Israel never targets churches or religious sites and regrets any harm to a religious site or to uninvolved civilians," it said on X.

The Foreign Ministry indicated that the IDF is examining the incident, noting that the circumstances remain unclear and promising that investigation results will be published transparently.

Vatican News reported that the church was hit by tank fire, with Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, confirming that two of the wounded individuals remain in life-threatening condition following the strike on the religious facility.

"What we know for sure is that a tank, the IDF says by mistake, but we are not sure about this, they hit the Church directly, the Church of the Holy Family, the Latin Church," Cardinal Pizzaballa told Vatican News. "There are four people seriously wounded, among these four, two are in very dramatic conditions and their lives are in serious danger."

Father Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest, was among those wounded in the attack, along with other individuals who were present inside the church building at the time of the strike, according to Vatican News.

"There are also other injured but less problematic, among them also the Parish Priest, because they were all in the Church," the Cardinal explained during his interview with Vatican News.

Communication challenges in Gaza have complicated efforts to gather complete information about the incident, Cardinal Pizzaballa noted, explaining that he would attempt to obtain additional details as soon as possible.

"We don't have complete information about what has happened in Gaza today because the communication in Gaza is not that simple," he said.

The post 'Israel never targets churches or religious sites' appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Saudi Arabia possesses a well-equipped air force, based primarily on American-made systems and aircraft. In 2017, during President Donald Trump's first term, an extensive arms deal was signed with Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, and this deal was further expanded during his recent visit to the region.

Saudi Arabia hasn't officially confirmed involvement in the interceptions and even condemned Israel for launching the offensive against Iran. Israel, the United States and European countries demonstrated close operational cooperation, through which Iran's image as a regional threat was damaged.

The political significance is broad – the very fact that a leading Sunni state, perhaps the most central one, is acting in ways that lead to thwarting Iranian threats even without public declaration indicates a deep regional shift. However, Saudi Arabia emphasized it won't allow use of its airspace for striking targets in Iran.

12-day international coalition

During the 12 days of fighting against Iran, several countries acted to defend the region's skies, including Jordan, which operated mainly through its air force in its airspace; Britain and France, which also operated in the aerial arena; and the United States military, which alongside the IDF was the most active – through aircraft, ships, Patriot and THAAD air defense systems and more.

Iran launched over a thousand drones toward Israel. Most were intercepted far from the border, and a minority were shot down by the Israeli Air Force over Israeli skies. This joint operation wouldn't have been possible without years of exercises and simulations with international partners – including Greece, Italy, France and Britain.

At the center of activity stood US Central Command – CENTCOM – commanded by General Mike Kurilla, who's credited with a significant contribution to the cooperation mechanism that operated here. Since the IDF joined CENTCOM, a well-connected military system has been built and developed, including Israel and European countries like Britain, France, Greece, Italy and Cyprus.

Another significant achievement of this framework is establishing a joint American command and control center, connected in real-time to all involved militaries. Kurilla himself sat in this center during many stages of the fighting, leading coordination between intelligence, warning, activation and interception elements.

Years of preparation

In the IDF, the International Planning Division in the Planning Directorate is responsible for managing relations with CENTCOM and other partner countries. International Planning representatives have a role in every command and corps – ensuring continuous contact with counterparts in foreign militaries. The frequency of dialogue with American commanders has risen dramatically in recent years – from ceremonial conversations every six months to daily dialogue, joint exercises, coordinated flights, and even intelligence cooperation.

The chiefs of staff – the recently retired Chief Herzi Halevi and current Chief Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir – have also maintained close relations with senior commanders in the US military. The US serves not only as a bridge between Israel and regional countries but also as a coordinating factor with Arab countries with which there are no direct relations.

This cooperation was tested not only now but also in previous waves of Iranian attacks on Israel in April and October 2024. Then too, the United States and European countries operated in various arenas – some through interception means, others through location and information sharing. Now, during the 12-day campaign, the operation was much broader in scope.

Jordan, unlike others, publicly acknowledged interception operations and even emphasized that drones fell in its territory causing damage – which required a response. France also explained its participation as defending its interests in Jordan, while avoiding public mention of Israel.

The results that received impressive expression in the current war could form a basis for much larger political moves – perhaps even for the comprehensive regional move that President Trump is planning as part of his "mega-deal" for the Middle East.

The post REVEALED: Saudi Arabia's covert interceptions of Iranian drones appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.