In a recent operation, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) successfully encircled Tel al-Sultan in Rafah, Gaza, with the objective of dismantling terror infrastructure sites and eliminating terrorists in the area. The mission aimed to reinforce control and expand the security zone in southern Gaza. During the nighttime operation, IDF troops encircled the area, neutralized several terrorists, and conducted a targeted raid on a terror infrastructure site. This site had been used as a command and control center for Hamas terrorists over the past few months. To ensure civilian safety, IDF troops facilitated the evacuation of civilians from the combat zone via organized routes. The IDF will continue to operate against terrorist organizations in Gaza to protect Israeli civil ians.
Future EU member' Ukraine needs surge in bloc's support, says von der Leyen, as she hails Baltic power switch
Future EU member' Ukraine needs surge in bloc's support, says von der Leyen, as she hails Baltic power switch
Hailing the Baltic switch to the European power grid - ending Russian supplies to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - Ursula von der Leyen has just said "today, history is made".
As we reported at 12.58, three states cut their power lines to Russia yesterday, before completing the switch today.
The president of the European Commission told a news conference in Lithuanian capital Vilnius "these chains of power lines linking you to hostile neighbours will be a thing of the past".
"This is freedom, freedom from threats, freedom from blackmails," she said.
With threats of Russian ships damaging power cables on the seabed, she said the bloc must lay new lines and improve early warning systems.
She also said there needs to be an "EU-wide surge in defence" - particularly to support "future EU member" Ukraine.
The bloc has so far supported Kyiv with €135bn of help (£112bn), she added.
Lithuania is taking apart a thermal power plant right now, she continued, and sending it "piece by piece" for reconstruction in Ukraine to help with the energy supply there