The Times of Israel is liveblogging Monday’s events as they unfold.
US strikes five missiles in Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, says military
American forces carried out air strikes against five missiles in Yemen on Sunday — one designed for land attack and the others for targeting ships, the US military said.
The strikes came a day after US and UK forces launched a wave of air raids against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis — their third round of joint military action in response to the rebels’ persistent attacks on shipping.
US forces “conducted a strike in self-defense against a Houthi… land attack cruise missile,” and later struck “four anti-ship cruise missiles, all of which were prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea,” Central Command (CENTCOM) says on social media.
American forces “identified the missiles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined they presented an imminent threat to US Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region,” CENTCOM adds.
The Houthis began targeting Red Sea shipping in November, saying they were hitting Israel-linked vessels in support of Palestinians in Gaza.
US and UK forces responded with strikes against the Houthis, who have since declared American and British interests to be legitimate targets as well.
El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele claims reelection victory with 85% of votes
El Salvador’s gang-busting President Nayib Bukele claimed to have won reelection with more than 85 percent of votes cast Sunday.
“According to our numbers we have won the presidential election with more than 85 percent of votes,” he announces on X, formerly Twitter, followed minutes later with massive fireworks in the capital San Salvador.
Israel eliminated from Davis Cup finals with 4-0 loss to Czech Republic
Argentina, Belgium, the Czech Republic and France wrapped up victories today in the Davis Cup finals, beating Kazakhstan, Croatia, Israel, and Taiwan, respectively, in the premier world championship tournament for men’s tennis.
The Czech Republic team trounced Israel with a 4-0 victory.
The Israeli doubles pairing of Daniel Cukierman and Edan Leshem had to retire from their match against Tomas Machac and Adam Pavlasek.
Cukierman pulled up with a hamstring injury in the third game and had to give up a few games later despite trying to continue.
“From the beginning, we played really well,” says Machac. “I would like to wish Dani a speedy recovery. This kind of ending is not nice.”
Slovakia, Netherlands, Finland, Germany, Brazil, USA and Canada also qualified over the weekend.
Defending champions Italy and last year’s runners-up Australia, as well as Britain and Spain, have advanced automatically to the finals.
Biden urges swift passage of bipartisan bill to tighten borders, aid Israel and Ukraine
US President Joe Biden is urging senators to vote for the bipartisan national security deal unveiled by the Senate tonight.
The $118 billion package pairs border enforcement policy with wartime aid for Ukraine, Israel and other US allies.
The agreement, says Biden, “will make our country safer, make our border more secure, treat people fairly and humanely while preserving legal immigration, consistent with our values as a nation.”
The deal will allow the US “to continue our vital work, together with partners all around the world, to stand up for Ukraine’s freedom and support its ability to defend itself against Russia’s aggression,” says the president in a statement. “If we don’t stop Putin’s appetite for power and control in Ukraine, he won’t limit himself to just Ukraine and the costs for America will rise,” he added.
The agreement “also provides Israel what they need to protect their people and defend itself against Hamas terrorists,” and “life-saving humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people.”
“I urge Congress to come together and swiftly pass this bipartisan agreement. Get it to my desk so I can sign it into law immediately,” he urges.
US senators release $118b package that pairs border policies with aid for Israel, Ukraine
Senators released a highly anticipated $118 billion package that pairs border enforcement policy with wartime aid for Ukraine, Israel and other US allies, setting off a long-shot effort to push the bill through heavy skepticism from Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson.
The proposal is the best chance for US President Joe Biden to resupply Ukraine with wartime aid — a major foreign policy goal that is shared with both the Senate’s top Democrat, Sen. Chuck Schumer, and top Republican, Sen. Mitch McConnell. The Senate was expected this week to hold a key test vote on the legislation, but it faces a wall of opposition from conservatives.
With Congress stalled on approving $60 billion in Ukraine aid, the US has halted shipments of ammunition and missiles to Kyiv, leaving Ukrainian soldiers outgunned as they try to beat back Russia’s invasion.
The new bill would also invest in US defense manufacturing, send $14 billion in military aid to Israel, steer nearly $5 billion to allies in the Asia-Pacific, and provide humanitarian assistance to civilians caught in conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
Johnson, who is resistant to the Senate package, indicated Saturday that the House will vote on a separate package of $17.6 billion of military aid for Israel — a move that allows House Republicans to show support for Israel apart from the Senate deal.
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
Polls close in El Salvador with incumbent Nayib Bukele set for victory
Polls closed in El Salvador after 10 hours of voting Sunday with incumbent President Nayib Bukele’s victory all but confirmed thanks to his no-holds-barred war on gangs that has slashed homicide rates in a violence-weary nation.
Bukele, who has Palestinian ancestry, holds approval ratings hovering around 90 percent, polls as Latin America’s most popular leader and is expected to expand his hold over the legislative assembly.
Biden said to have called Netanyahu a ‘bad f*cking guy’; White House denies claim
US President Joe Biden is said to have called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “bad f*cking guy,” according to people who have spoken with the president and who were cited in a Politico report today.
The report cites White House officials on events surrounding Biden’s support for Israel in the war against Hamas and the political backlash with some in his party and among voters.
Politico reported that Biden has grown suspicious of Netanyahu as the war, triggered by Hamas’s October 7 massacre, enters its fifth month, and has privately called him a “bad f*cking guy.”
Andrew Bates, Biden’s spokesperson, told Politico “the president did not say that, nor would he,” noting the two leaders’ “decades-long relationship that is respectful in public and in private.”