The Times of Israel is liveblogging Thursday’s events as they happen.
North Korea: Deal with Russia requires use of all military means ‘without delay’ in case of war
SEOUL, South Korea — A new agreement between Russia and North Korea reached by their leaders requires the countries to use all available means to provide immediate military assistance in the event of war, North Korean state media says.
The North’s official Korean Central News Agency reports the language of the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement reached by its leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Pyongyang on Wednesday. The agency says Article 4 of the agreement states that if one of the countries gets invaded and is pushed into a state of war, the other must deploy “all means at its disposal without delay” to provide “military and other assistance.”
The deal could mark the strongest connection between Moscow and Pyongyang since the end of the Cold War. Both Kim and Putin described it as a major upgrade of their relations, covering security, trade, investment, cultural and humanitarian ties.
The summit came as the US and its allies have expressed growing concerns over a possible arms arrangement in which Pyongyang provides Moscow with badly needed munitions for its war in Ukraine, in exchange for economic assistance and technology transfers that could enhance the threat posed by Kim’s nuclear weapons and missile program.
Sullivan to host top Netanyahu advisers at White House amid latest Israel-US spat
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan will meet tomorrow with visiting Israeli counterpart Tzachi Hanegbi and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a White House spokesperson confirms to The Times of Israel.
The meeting will come against the backdrop of another spat between the countries sparked by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s declaration yesterday that the US has been withholding weapons and ammunitions shipments from Israel.
Netanyahu’s announcement baffled and angered the White House, which has insisted that it has only withheld one shipment of high-payload bombs, which it has been open about for over a month while all other weapons transfers have continued.
Tomorrow’s meeting will likely cover the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, Hezbollah tensions and US concerns about the potential collapse of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank due to Israel’s continued withholding of hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenues from the PA.
‘Raped at 12 because she was Jewish’: Protests held in Paris and Lyon after charges filed
Hundreds took part demonstrations against antisemitism in Paris and Lyon, following Wednesday’s indictment of two teenage boys for gang raping a 12-year-old Jewish girl.
France has the largest Jewish community of any country outside Israel and the United States as well as Europe’s largest Muslim community. There has been a surge in antisemitic acts since Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel set off the Gaza war.
“Raped at 12 because she was Jewish,” says one banner at a demonstration in central Paris where Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti was among well-known figures to take part.
US officials hoping troubled Gaza aid pier can resume operations on Thursday
WASHINGTON — The US military’s on-again, off-again floating pier in Gaza is expected to resume operations on Thursday to unload sorely needed humanitarian aid for Palestinians, two US officials tell Reuters.
The officials, who speak on condition of anonymity, say the pier was reattached to the shore on Wednesday after being temporarily removed last Friday due to poor sea conditions.
Aid began arriving via the U.S.-built pier on May 17, and the UN says it has transported 137 trucks of aid to warehouses, some 900 metric tons.
But then rough seas damaged the pier, forcing repairs, and poor weather and security considerations have limited the number of days it has been operational.
The US military estimates the pier will cost more than $200 million for the first 90 days and involve about 1,000 service members.
It is unclear how much longer it will be operational, though a New York Times report said it could be dismantled early next month.
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
US military announces strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen
WASHINGTON — The US military says it has destroyed one ground control station and one command and control node in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.
In a statement, the US military’s Central Command adds its forces also destroyed two Houthi drone boats in the Red Sea.
The Iran-aligned Houthis first launched drone and missile strikes in the key waterway in November in what they say is solidarity with Palestinian terrorists in Gaza. In over 70 attacks, they have sunk two vessels, seized another and killed at least three seafarers.
4 killed in car crash on Route 90 in Negev
Four people have been killed after two cars crashed on Route 90 in the Negev, north of Moshav Ein Hatzeva, medics say.
The Magen David Adom ambulance service says medics pronounced the deaths of four people at the scene, and took two others in moderate condition to Soroka hospital in Beersheba.
Police officers arrive at the scene to direct traffic and start probing the deadly incident.
כביש 90 ליד חצבה תאונה קטלנית : לפי מד"א כרגע 6 מחוסרי הכרה במקום, בנוסף פצוע אחד קשה..
(תיעוד מזירת התאונה) pic.twitter.com/fYlhqF7CX6— מה חדש. What's new❓ (@Gloz111) June 19, 2024