Israel Escalates Military Threats against Iran

Israeli soldiers stand in front of an Iron Dome defense system battery in the Hula Valley (AFP/Getty Images)
Israeli soldiers stand in front of an Iron Dome defense system battery in the Hula Valley (AFP/Getty Images)
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Israel Escalates Military Threats against Iran

Israeli soldiers stand in front of an Iron Dome defense system battery in the Hula Valley (AFP/Getty Images)
Israeli soldiers stand in front of an Iron Dome defense system battery in the Hula Valley (AFP/Getty Images)

Israel has escalated threats of a "military attack" against Iran if the nuclear agreement negotiations failed.

The commander of the Northern Brigade in the Israeli army, Major General Amir Baram, asserted that Tel Aviv is prepared to confront any terrorist infrastructure, and Air Force commander, Major General Amikam Norkin, said that his forces are preparing to face the threat of Iranian missiles fired at Israeli towns.

The military editor of Maariv newspaper, Tal Lev-Ram, revealed Israel is preparing for a possible attack in Iran by focusing on the readiness of the air force.

Lev-Ram added that the army is working at a high pace to develop its capabilities to launch destructive operations against Iranian targets.

He indicated that the army will not be satisfied with strikes that obstruct the nuclear program, pointing to the expansion of Iran's "bank of targets."

Haaretz military analyst Amos Harel said Israeli officials are currently focusing on the political discourse, stressing that Tel Aviv has the "right to defend itself," leaving the army to direct military threats.

Meanwhile, a top expert in Israeli-US relations told Asharq Al-Awsat that the differences between Tel Aviv and Washington are minor and superficial.

"I do not want to say that Washington and Tel Aviv share roles in the battle against the Iranian project, but I am confident that they complement each other's," said the expert, adding that they share their views on the Iranian threat.

Former Mossad chief, Yossi Cohen, told Ynet news that the option of an Israeli military strike on Iran's nuclear sites must be seriously considered.

"Independent strikes on nuclear sites, if Iran takes this path that endangers our existence, should and must be on the table — unequivocally," he urged.

He indicated that a good deal could prevent Iran from reaching a nuclear bomb, and a bad agreement like the one signed in 2015 can't do it perfectly.

"The bottom line is that we must take away the capabilities from Iran because we will not be able to take away its motivations."

Cohen stated that Israel should demand a good agreement, hoping the US would understand the meaning of a "bad agreement."

The Israeli security apparatus urges the US to pay attention to the Iranian activity accompanying its nuclear project.

It sent a report to the Pentagon claiming Iran has transferred hundreds of drones to Syria, and dozens to Iraq, Yemen, and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The report stated that three out of the six Iranian attacks in the Middle East involved drones.

Haaretz daily quoted Israeli sources as estimating that Iran is pushing attacks against targets in the Arab Gulf using drones as a means of pressure aimed at advancing interests related to its nuclear program.



Air Canada Express Jet Hits Ground Vehicle, Closing New York's LaGuardia Airport

An Air Canada Jet sits on the runway at LaGuardia Airport, Monday, March 23, 2026, after colliding with a Port Authority aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle in New York. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy)
An Air Canada Jet sits on the runway at LaGuardia Airport, Monday, March 23, 2026, after colliding with a Port Authority aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle in New York. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy)
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Air Canada Express Jet Hits Ground Vehicle, Closing New York's LaGuardia Airport

An Air Canada Jet sits on the runway at LaGuardia Airport, Monday, March 23, 2026, after colliding with a Port Authority aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle in New York. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy)
An Air Canada Jet sits on the runway at LaGuardia Airport, Monday, March 23, 2026, after colliding with a Port Authority aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle in New York. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy)

An Air Canada Express regional jet collided with a ground vehicle upon landing at New York's LaGuardia airport late on Sunday, according to flight tracking website Flightradar24, in an incident that closed the airport.

The CRJ-900 plane, which was coming from Montreal, struck the vehicle at a speed of about 24 miles per hour (39 kph), said Flightradar24, which last recorded data at 11:37 p.m. ET (0337 GMT).

Photos taken by Reuters after the accident ⁠showed visible damage to the ⁠nose of the plane, which was tilted upward.

NBC News reported that four people were injured in the incident, which involved a fire truck manned by police officers, citing sources. The report said the pilot and copilot of the aircraft were badly injured, while a sergeant and an officer had broken limbs and were in stable condition at a ⁠hospital.

Authorities and emergency agencies did not offer any immediate comments on injuries.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the airport was expected to remain shut until 2 p.m. ET on Monday (1800 GMT), and LaGuardia's website showed arriving planes had been diverted to other airports or returned to their point of origin.

The plane involved in the accident was operated by Air Canada's regional partner Jazz, which is owned by Chorus Aviation. Jazz's CRJ-900 planes can seat up to 76 passengers, according to Air Canada's website. NBC News reported 76 passengers and four crew members were on board.

Air ⁠Canada, Chorus ⁠Aviation, the National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The New York Fire Department said that it was responding to a reported incident at the airport's Runway 4 involving a plane and a vehicle at LaGuardia airport, directing further queries to Port Authority Police, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

New York City's emergency notification system said people could expect cancellations, road closures, traffic delays and emergency personnel near the airport.

LaGuardia served over 30 million annual passengers in 2025, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and a wide range of U.S. airlines operate at the airport.


Pakistan Vows to 'Eradicate Terrorism' as Afghan Truce Nears End

Taliban security personnel guard the Torkham border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan in the Afghan province of Nangarhar (AFP)
Taliban security personnel guard the Torkham border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan in the Afghan province of Nangarhar (AFP)
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Pakistan Vows to 'Eradicate Terrorism' as Afghan Truce Nears End

Taliban security personnel guard the Torkham border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan in the Afghan province of Nangarhar (AFP)
Taliban security personnel guard the Torkham border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan in the Afghan province of Nangarhar (AFP)

Pakistan's foreign minister said Monday that the country remains committed to "eradicating the menace of terrorism", as the clock ticked down to the end of a temporary ceasefire with Afghanistan.

Both countries last Wednesday announced a halt to weeks of hostilities for the Eid al-Fitr holiday marking the end of Ramadan, agreeing to a temporary ceasefire until midnight Monday, said AFP.

But in a message to mark Pakistan Day, a national holiday, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar indicated that the country's approach to the conflict had not changed.

"Pakistan remains firmly committed to eradicate the menace of terrorism," he said in a statement. "Pakistan's actions inside Afghanistan... are directed towards this goal."

On Sunday, the Taliban government and a medical source said one person was killed by a mortar shell fired by Pakistan in the eastern border province of Kunar.

Afghanistan and Pakistan have been locked in conflict for months over claims from Islamabad that Kabul is harboring extremists behind cross-border attacks on its territory.

The Taliban authorities deny the claim.

The Eid truce came after a Pakistani strike on a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul last Monday, which Afghan authorities said killed more than 400.

The latest bout of skirmishes, which began in February, followed earlier failed mediation efforts including Gulf states and China.

In his own Pakistan Day message, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said military action inside Afghanistan was "a symbol of our national resolve against terrorism".

"We will not allow any harm to the peace and security of our country," he added.


London Police Probe Attack on Jewish Ambulances as Hate Crime

Firefighters work at the scene after four ambulances were set on fire, in northwest London, Britain, March 23, 2026. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
Firefighters work at the scene after four ambulances were set on fire, in northwest London, Britain, March 23, 2026. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
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London Police Probe Attack on Jewish Ambulances as Hate Crime

Firefighters work at the scene after four ambulances were set on fire, in northwest London, Britain, March 23, 2026. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
Firefighters work at the scene after four ambulances were set on fire, in northwest London, Britain, March 23, 2026. REUTERS/Hannah McKay

London's police said they are investigating an "arson attack" as an antisemitic hate crime after volunteer ambulances run by a Jewish organization were set on fire on Monday.

The London Fire Brigade said it was alerted to vehicles on fire at Highfield Court in Golders Green at 1:40 am.

Firefighters called to the scene found that multiple cylinders on the vehicles had exploded, breaking windows in an adjacent block.

London's Metropolitan Police said the burnt vehicles were four Hatzalah ambulances belonging to the Jewish Community Ambulance service, AFP reported.

"Officers remain on scene and the arson attack is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime," police said in a statement.

No injuries have been reported and all the fires have been put out, police added.

"We know this incident will cause a great deal of community concern and officers remain on scene to carry out urgent enquiries," superintendent Sarah Jackson said.

"We are in the process of examining CCTV and are aware of online footage. We believe we are looking for three suspects at this early stage," she said, adding that no arrest has been made.

Nearby houses were evacuated as a precaution and road closures remained in place.

London Fire Brigade said the cause of the fire is under investigation.