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Five soldiers injured in airstrike attributed to Israel Sunday, as second Iranian military adviser dies of injuries sustained in Friday’s Damascus airstrike.

By The Associated Press and World Israel News Staff

Israeli airstrikes hit several sites in Syria’s Homs province early Sunday, injuring five soldiers, Syrian state media reported.

It marked the ninth time Israel has struck targets in Syria since the beginning of the year, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition-linked war monitor.

State news agency SANA, citing military sources, said the strikes had targeted sites in the city of Homs and surrounding countryside. Syrian air defenses intercepted the missiles and shot down some of them, it said.

The observatory reported that the missiles targeted Syrian military sites and those of Iran-linked militias, including a research center.

There was no immediate statement from Israel on the strikes.

Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes on targets inside government-controlled parts of Syria in recent years, including attacks on the Damascus and Aleppo airports, but it rarely acknowledges specific operations.

Israel says it targets bases of Iran-allied groups, such as Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which has sent thousands of terrorists to support Syrian President Bashar Assad’s forces.

On Friday, Israeli airstrikes hit the suburbs of Syria’s capital city, Damascus, killing an Iranian adviser, the state media of Syria and Iran reported.

Iran’s state television reported Friday that Milad Heidari, an Iranian military adviser, was killed during what it called a “criminal strike” by Israel.

On Sunday, Iran announced that a second military adviser, Meqdad Meqdani, had succumbed to injuries he sustained in the airstrike near Damascus Friday which killed Heidari.

“Meqdad Meqdani was wounded during the Zionist attack on Friday dawn and was martyred,” Iran’s Mehr news outlet reported.

An Israeli airstrike last month targeting the airport in Aleppo put it out of commission for two days. The airport has been a main conduit for aid shipments since the deadly 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit Syria and Turkey on Feb. 6.

Israel has also struck seaports in government-held areas of Syria, in an apparent attempt to prevent Iranian arms shipments to terrorist groups backed by Tehran, including Hezbollah.

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Nicole Linton, a 37-year-old traveling nurse from Houston, is facing life in prison for six counts of murder in addition to five counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. Still, her lawyer believes the cause to be something out of her control, a seizure.

She is accused of driving at an incredibly high speed of 130 mph and running through an intersection, causing a fatal wreck that killed six people, including a woman who was eight months pregnant and her unborn child.

Her lawyer, Jacqueline Sparagna, stated that she believes her client experienced a seizure at the time of the collision and is calling a mental health and neurological expert to testify to determine whether there is sufficient proof for a trial.

At a hearing last week, Sparagna highlighted that Linton was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol and was not in a fight with her boyfriend or suicidal, but instead was experiencing mental health issues that led to the seizure.

LA County District Attorney George Gascón expressed his condolences to the families and friends of the victims, who must be enduring immense pain.

The victims in the crash, which occurred at the intersection of Slauson and La Brea Avenues, were identified as Asherey Ryan, her unborn baby, Ryan’s fiancé, Reynold Lester, and her 11-month-old son, Alonzo. The other two victims were Lynette Noble, 38, and her friend Nathesia Lewis, 43, who were in another car. Five other people sustained minor injuries.

On Saturday, April 1, tragedy struck near Teotihuacan’s ancient ruins, located north of Mexico City.

Two adults, a 50-year-old male, and a 38-year-old female, fell victim to a fatal hot air balloon ride that caught fire while in flight.

A video of the incident subsequently surfaced on social media, displaying the balloon’s occupants making an emergency exit from the craft. A young girl who sustained burn injuries and a broken arm was among them.

Authorities are still in the process of determining the cause of the accident.

Teotihuacan, renowned for its stunning pair of Temples of the Sun and Moon, was once the most expansive city in the world, stretching over 8 miles and accommodating upwards of 100,000 citizens between 100 B.C. and A.D 750.

Although the underlying cause of the accident is still unknown, one should exercise due caution and adhere to all safety instructions while engaging in such activities.

On Saturday afternoon April 1, in West Hills, Los Angeles, a tragic shooting occurred, resulting in one death and three serious injuries, as reported by police.

The shooting occurred in the parking lot of Trader Joe’s, located in a shopping center on Fallbrook Avenue and Vanowen Street.

The three injured victims were rushed to the hospital in critical condition. The deceased was a 45-year-old man, yet to be officially identified. The cause of the shooting remains unclear.

Witnesses reported hearing sudden gunshots and screaming that someone should call 911, leading to the suspicion of a drive-by shooting.

Tiffany Rose, one of the witnesses, told KABC: “We heard multiple gunshots all at once, and I think there was one after, and we heard screaming, and we kind of just ran away because we didn’t want to be a part of it.”

The suspect fled the scene but was eventually apprehended by the Los Angeles Police Department. The suspect’s identity has not yet been released.

The women were later arrested and the supermarket was shut down after its owner defended them.

The post WATCH: Iranian pours yogurt on 2 women in shop for not wearing hijab appeared first on World Israel News.

Oksana Markarova hailed U.S. Jewish support before the start of a celebratory seder for diplomats, during which she noted Chassidic leader Reb Nachman of Breslov.

By Mike Wagenheim, JNS

Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States told a gathering of Jewish media this week that Iran’s partnership with Russia has forced her country and the world to “rethink” how they deal with Iran.

Oksana Markarova addressed reporters on March 29 prior to the American Jewish Committee’s annual Diplomats Seder. The symbolic seder was held at Washington’s Adas Israel Congregation, a Conservative synagogue that often hosts U.S. presidents and other political leaders.

Markarova largely deferred comment on Israel-specific topics to her colleague in Tel Aviv, Yevgen Korniychuk, but said that American Jews have been “such incredible friends and allies.”

“The Jewish community here in the United States has been with us before this full-fledged war and definitely every day since February 24,” she said. Russia invaded Ukraine on that day in 2022.

Some have criticized Kyiv’s persistent calls for Israel to arm Ukraine, which has often veered into public criticism of Israel. Ukraine had not been known for supporting Israel when the Jewish state has repeatedly come under attack at the United Nations and other international forums.

The post Iranian aid to Russia altered Kyiv-Jerusalem relationship, Ukrainian ambassador says appeared first on World Israel News.

“Our enemies are raising their heads and attempting the murder of Jews just because they are Jews.”

By World Israel News Staff

A Palestinian terrorist who hit three Israelis on Saturday night in a car ramming attack was an officer in the Palestinian Authority security services, Palestinian media reports said.

Mahmud Baradiyah, 23, from a village near Hebron, injured three Israelis, one seriously, before being shot dead.

Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas’ ruling Fatah faction recently bragged about its “two terror fronts:” Fatah’s military wing the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, and the PA’s security services.

Last September, Ahmed Ayman Abed, a graduate from the Palestinian Authority’s police academy who worked in the Palestinian security services’ intelligence branch, killed an Israeli soldier, Maj. Bar Falach.

Several months earlier, PA security officer Muhammad Husam al-Tubasi was arrested over his involvement in terror attacks against Israeli forces.

Gush Etzion Regional Council Chairman, and Yesha Council Head, Shlomo Ne’eman, responded to Saturday night’s attack: “Once again, our enemies are raising their heads and attempting the murder of Jews just because they are Jews.”

The attack came during the Muslim month of Ramadan, which has seen a spike in Palestinian violence.

The army on Friday announced a closure on Judea and Samaria, barring entry to Palestinians over the first and last days of Passover.

The current wave of Palestinian terror attacks have left 15 Israelis dead and several more seriously hurt.

The post Palestinian media: Car ramming terrorist was officer in PA security services appeared first on World Israel News.

“We are for weeks away from the passing of the dictatorial law. Unfortunately, they don’t want to reach a consensus, but only want to gain time and put the protests to sleep.”

By World Israel News Staff

Hundreds of thousands of people protested in Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities against the government’s judicial reform plans for the 13th consecutive Saturday in a row, despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement earlier in the week suspending the legislation and calling for negotiations.

Protest organizers said that 230,000 people were gathered in Kaplan Street and Azrieli Junction in Tel Aviv, and more than 445,000 people nationwide.

Police deployed water cannons to clear dozens of protesters blocking the main Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv.

“Netanyahu’s attempt to put the protesters to sleep failed,” organizers said.

“We are for weeks away from the passing of the dictatorial law. Unfortunately, they don’t want to reach a consensus, but only want to gain time and put the protests to sleep.”

“Over 445,000 pro-democracy demonstrators took to the streets of Israel tonight, in one of the largest demonstrations in Israeli history. We will continue to be in the streets until we guarantee that Israel remains a democracy.”

A group of teenagers at the protest in Tel Aviv were filmed burning their conscription orders, saying they refused to be drafted into an army which practices “occupation and apartheid policies.”

President Isaac Herzog, under whose auspices judicial reform negotiations are taking place, expressed hope about their progress on Friday.

“In the last few days, my team and I held a round of meetings with the representatives of the coalition and the opposition,” Herzog said. “The meetings were in a good spirit and we talked about the process of the talks for reaching agreements, the organization model, and the way of making decisions.”

The post Nearly half a million people protest judicial reform despite legislation freeze appeared first on World Israel News.

“Our enemies are raising their heads and attempting the murder of Jews just because they are Jews.”

By World Israel News Staff

A Palestinian terrorist hit three Israelis in Gush Etzion south of Jerusalem Saturday night in a ramming attack, the military said.

One of the three was in serious condition and the two others were moderately and lightly injured, respectively. They were evacuated to a hospital in Jerusalem.

The terrorist, Mahmud Raaud Naif Biradaia, 23, from a village near Hebron, was shot dead.

Gush Etzion Regional Council Chairman, and Yesha Council Head, Shlomo Ne’eman, responded to the attack: “Once again, our enemies are raising their heads and attempting the murder of Jews just because they are Jews. They have reminded us of the tangible threats against us. It’s unfathomable how a religious holiday [Ramadan] turns into a holiday of terrorist attacks. We will continue to build and develop throughout Judea and Samaria and travel on Israel’s roads without fear. We wish those injured a speedy recovery and will pray for them.”

Opposition head Yair Lapid stated: “A severe terror attack in Gush Etzion this evening. I send my wishes for a speedy recovery to the wounded and support to their families. Terror has to be dealt with a heavy hand, and consistently, I trust the security forces to continue to work with determination against terror and to restore peace for the residents.”

The attack came during the Muslim month of Ramadan, which has seen a spike in Palestinian violence.

The army on Friday announced a closure on Judea and Samaria, barring entry to Palestinians over the first and last days of Passover.

The current wave of Palestinian terror attacks have left 15 Israelis dead and several more seriously hurt.

The post Three injured in Palestinian ramming attack south of Jerusalem appeared first on World Israel News.

Arabs in Israel are launching a strike in response to the incident.

By World Israel News Staff

A Bedouin man from southern Israel was shot dead by police on Saturday night near the Temple Mount complex in Jerusalem, Israel Police said, adding that the man had tried to steal a police officer’s weapon and commit a terrorist attack.

Muhammad Alasaibi’s family, who live in the southern Bedouin village of Hura, have maintained his innocence, saying he was a “normal youth, a medical student in Romania who returned for a month.” The Justice Ministry unit in charge of investigating internal police affairs has opened a probe.

Police officers claimed that there was no CCTV operating in the Chain Gate area. A former senior source at the Jerusalem District Police corroborated the claim, saying that certain areas, especially those inside the gate, as was the case here, are not under surveillance.

After police stopped a woman on her way to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, clashes broke out between them and with other Palestinians in the area, eyewitnesses said. According to police, Alasaibi, 26, was told to leave the area because the Chain Gate was closed.

Alasaibi argued with the officer and then grabbed his pistol and managed to fire several rounds at border police at the scene.

“At a certain point, the terrorist turned to me, seized the pistol which was secured from its holster and fired several bullets at the officers,” said the officer. “I managed to overpower him in a matter of seconds to take the weapon out of his hands and neutralize him, along with the other police officer who was with me. I was sure that he intended to shoot all the police officers who were operating at the scene because he aimed at the officers and shot at them, but luckily he didn’t hit anyone.”

Police Chief Kobo Shabtai said that “There is no doubt that this is a terror attack,” adding that he backs and commends the police officers and commanders involved.

In response to Israeli media reports commenting on the lack of security footage, a police statement said: “Every security camera in the area was checked, and unfortunately the attack itself was not filmed by security cameras or by body cameras on the officers who were fighting off the terrorist and subduing him at that moment.” It continued, “Contrary to false reports…every inch of land in the Old City/Temple Mount is not being filmed by security cameras. As such, the attack did not occur in the outer area of the Chain Gate, which is indeed well documented, but in the internal area, in a dead zone.”

Alasaibi’s uncle, Fathi, called his nephew’s death “a terrible tragedy.”

“This is a narrative that the police are trying to whitewash. There are no videos. There is no chance that it is related to terror,” he said.

“If the police admit that they were wrong, it will be much less painful,” he added.

The incident has sparked outrage among Arabs, with the High Arab Monitoring Committee declaring a strike to be held on Sunday.

MK Mansour Abbas, head of the Islamist Ra’am party, called it a police “cover-up.”

“I don’t believe the police version of events,” he said.

Hamas warned on Saturday that the killing of Osaibi “will not go unanswered,” accusing police of a “cold-blooded execution.”

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