Weekly roundup of world briefs

SpaceX launches ‘Dror-1’ Israeli communications satellite

By JNS Staff

(JNS) — Israel’s new national communications satellite, “Dror-1,” was launched into space on Sunday morning, Israel Aerospace Industries announced.

Designed to meet Israel’s national communication needs, the Israeli-made satellite lifted off at 8 a.m. local time from Cape Canaveral, Florida, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

Weighing 4.5 tons and with an 18-meter wingspan, Dror-1 separated from its launcher approximately 40 minutes after liftoff and began independently orbiting the Earth. The satellite is expected to reach its final geostationary orbit, 36,000 kilometers above the equator, within about two weeks following a series of maneuvers.

Dror-1 was developed and manufactured by IAI to ensure the country’s industrial and technological independence in this strategically vital sector. Its geostationary position will allow for continuous and flexible communication coverage for various government systems.

“Israel Aerospace Industries has led the nation’s space program since the 1980s, when the first observation satellite, Ofek-1, was launched. Since then, IAI has developed, produced, and launched additional communications and observation satellites for national, civilian, and scientific missions both in Israel and abroad,” the company said.

Over the coming weeks, IAI engineers will perform a series of tests designed to verify the satellite’s successful operation. From then on, it will embark on its multi-year journey in space as the State of Israel’s national communications satellite.

“‘Dror 1’ is the most advanced communications satellite ever built in Israel, designed to preserve this national strategic capability in the country while providing Israel with essential satellite communications capabilities for years to come,” said IAI President Boaz Levy.

Ben-Gurion Airport’s $14 million makeover

By Sahar Avrahami

(Israel Hayom via JNS) — After European Aviation Authority advisory against Israel travel was lifted on July 7, and with international carriers resuming Israeli operations, the Ministry of Transportation and Israel Airports Authority are finalizing comprehensive preparations for anticipated passenger traffic increases at Ben-Gurion International Airport. The facility expects to handle roughly 1.5 million passengers in July and 1.9 million in August.

Key developments include the Aug. 14 launch of an advanced security and check-in facility within Terminal 3, the main international gateway to Israel.

This new Terminal 3 plaza spans roughly 42,000 square feet and features 22 check-in positions, cutting-edge security screening technology and modernized baggage processing systems. The structure utilizes an industrialized aluminum framework comparable to contemporary European terminals, ensuring operational adaptability. Total construction investment reached approximately 50 million shekels ($14.1 million).

Terminal 1 will resume international service on Aug. 3, initially accommodating some El Al, Arkia, Israir and Georgian Airways operations, with Wizz Air and additional carriers joining subsequently. This restoration follows the elimination of European Aviation Authority limitations. August operations anticipate approximately 500 international departures and arrivals through Terminal 1.

Strategic infrastructure initiatives by the Ministry of Transport and Israel Airports Authority encompass developing a new Tel Aviv-Jerusalem highway interchange, expanding security processing and immigration zones, creating additional passenger entry points and enlarging duty-free commercial and dining spaces.

Originally published by Israel Hayom.

IDF attacks 150 terror targets in Gaza in 24 hours

By JNS Staff

(JNS) — The Israeli Air Force struck more than 150 enemy targets across the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours, including weapons storage facilities, anti-tank missile launchers, sniper posts and terrorist cells, the military said on Sunday.

IDF troops continue to operate in the area of Beit Hanoun in northeastern Gaza, killing terrorists and dismantling arms facilities, command centers and underground infrastructure.

Israeli soldiers in the Khan Yunis area of southern Gaza identified a terrorist preparing to attack them and coordinated an airstrike that eliminated the threat.

Five Southern Command divisions are operating in the Palestinian enclave, dismantling terrorist infrastructure above and below ground.

The IDF also attacked approximately 250 terrorist targets throughout Gaza between Thursday and Saturday.

Soldiers active in the Shejaiya and Zeitoun neighborhoods of Gaza City located and dismantled explosives and observation posts used by Hamas and Islamic Jihad to stage ambushes against Israeli forces, the military added.

The IDF reported that six senior members of Hamas’s naval commando unit have been killed in recent months. The operatives were involved in planning attacks at sea against Israeli civilians and security forces during the ongoing Swords of Iron war. Several also played roles in organizing the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre.

Filipino caregiver dies of wounds caused by Iranian missile strike

By JNS Staff

(JNS) — Leah Mosquera, a Filipino caregiver working in Israel, has died of injuries she sustained when an Iranian missile struck her apartment building in Rehovot during the June Israel-Iran war, the Philippine Embassy in Israel announced Sunday.

“It is with deep sorrow that the Philippine Embassy in Israel announces the passing of Ms. Leah Mosquera, a 49-year-old Filipina caregiver from Negros Occidental. She succumbed this morning to severe injuries suffered when an Iranian missile hit her Rehovot apartment on June 15,” the embassy posted on Facebook.

Mosquera was rushed to Shamir Medical Center, where she underwent many surgeries and spent several weeks in the intensive care unit. Her sister Joy, who also works in Israel, cared for her throughout her hospitalization. Joy shared news of Leah’s passing and consented to the public release of information. The embassy expressed its deepest gratitude to Joy and extended condolences to the Mosquera family in the Philippines.

The embassy noted that Leah would have turned 50 on July 29.

“Throughout her years in Israel, she dedicated herself to supporting her family back home — an enduring symbol of the courage and sacrifice of overseas Filipino workers worldwide,” the statement said.

Iranian missile attacks last month killed 29 people, wounded more than 3,000, and displaced over 13,000.

Israel gymnasts register for world championships in Indonesia

By Etgar Lefkovits

(JNS) — The Israel Gymnastics Federation said on Sunday that it had registered to take part in the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships set to take place in Indonesia this fall.

The Southeast Asian nation, which does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel and has the world’s largest Muslim population, recently informed the national governing body for gymnastics in Israel that it would welcome Israeli athletes to the October games.

Indonesia was previously sanctioned by the international soccer association for its refusal to host Israeli players in the past.

“We are in direct contact with the organizers and believe that extraneous considerations will not overshadow the sport,” a spokesperson for the IGA told JNS. “We expect the competition organizers to approve the entry of the delegation as well as the security requirements for the delegation’s safe participation in the championship.”

One of the potential Israeli competitors is Olympic champion Artem Dolgopyat, who secured gold and silver medals in Tokyo and Paris and won the floor exercise at the World Championships two years ago.

The games will be held in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta from October 19-25.

Indonesia has also been named among the Muslim nations that could potentially join the landmark Abraham Accords, which saw Israel normalize relations with four Arab countries during the first Trump administration.

Anti-Israel activists raid kosher restaurant in Greece

(JNS) — Several unidentified individuals broke into a kosher Israeli restaurant in Athens on Saturday night, where they vandalized the place in view of staff and patrons in a suspected hate crime.

A video of the incident released by King David Burger, which opened about a month ago, shows at least six people entering the eatery while scattering pamphlets. Some of the intruders proceeded to spray black paint on various areas as staff looked on from behind a service counter.

The perpetrators taped a poster to one of the restaurant’s windows reading, “All IDF soldiers are war criminals — we don’t want you here.” Zvika Levinson, the restaurant’s owner, who lives in Israel, told Israel Hayom that none of the employees present were Israeli.

Many Israelis who were in Athens came to the restaurant, and some of them sang “Am Israel Chai” (“The People of Israel Live”) in front of the restaurant after the attack as a sign of solidarity, he said.

Thousands of Israelis pass daily through the neighborhood in central Athens where the restaurant is located, about 200 yards north of the Acropolis.

Levinson urged authorities in Athens to “intervene” and punish the perpetrators. “It would be a shame for the Israelis to leave Athens,” he said. “But if authorities don’t act, the situation will not be good.”

IDF to warn earthquake monitor after Hezbollah tunnel blast set off alarms

By JNS Staff

(JNS) — An investigation into an earthquake alert in dozens of communities in northern Israel last year that was erroneously triggered by the military’s demolition of a massive Hezbollah weapons tunnel in South Lebanon has led to special new procedures being put in place.

The new protocol includes the Israel Defense Forces reporting to the Israel Geological Survey in advance of planned activities to destroy tunnels.

Hundreds of thousands of residents were awakened in panic by the alerts about an earthquake in dozens of communities last October, further rattling nerves during the war.

“The event illustrated the special challenges of the State of Israel, in a security environment where unusual premeditated explosions occur from time to time, such as those currently being carried out by the IDF in various sectors,” said Ittai Kurzon, director of the seismology division at the Geological Survey.

“This uniqueness also requires preparation for unusual operational scenarios. We learned and drew lessons from the event and have already been able to apply them to similar events, so that false alarms were not spread.”

The demolition of the terror tunnel was carried out using some 370 tons of explosives and was felt nationwide to the other end of Israel in the southern Red Sea resort of Eilat.

The seismic monitoring system, codenamed “T’ruah” after one of these sounds of the shofar, was activated for the first time by the explosion.

Trump optimistic on Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks in Doha

By JNS Staff

(JNS) — U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday voiced optimism that ongoing negotiations in Doha could soon yield a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, expressing hope that a breakthrough could be reached in the coming week.

These remarks come as the United States promotes a plan centered on a 60-day ceasefire, phased hostage releases, Israeli troop withdrawals from parts of Gaza and renewed diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.

“Gaza, we are talking, and hopefully we’re going to get that straightened out over the next week. Let’s see what happens,” the president told reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, echoed the president’s optimism. Speaking in Teterboro, New Jersey, Witkoff revealed plans to meet with senior Qatari officials on the sidelines of the FIFA Club World Cup final, held on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. “I’ll be meeting them,” Witkoff said, describing the status of ceasefire negotiations as “hopeful.”

The meeting with Qatari representatives is part of a broader U.S. effort to engage regional mediators, including Egypt and Qatar, who are facilitating indirect talks between Israel and Hamas.

According to Israeli estimates, 50 hostages remain in terrorist captivity in Gaza, with 20 believed to be alive. Of the 50, 49 were kidnapped during the Hamas-led attack in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. In addition, Hamas is holding the body of a soldier taken in 2014. The partial deal under discussion would reportedly see the release of 10 living and 18 deceased Israeli hostages.

More European airlines resume Israel flights

By JNS Staff

(JNS) — Three European airlines are resuming service to Israel on Monday, following last month’s war with Israel.

Madrid-based Air Europa, Greece’s Aegean Airlines and Poland’s Lot renewed service to Tel Aviv, joining Air France, which took the lead in Europe in restarting service last week.

With transatlantic airfares high and flights sparse, Greece has emerged as the top destination for Israeli travelers, as well as a popular transit point for travel to and from the United States.

Among other European carriers, Lufthansa is due to renew service next month, while British Airlines has pushed back flights to Israel until the end of October.

The European Aviation Authority last week lifted all flight restrictions on Israel.

The Emirate’s Fly Dubai was the first foreign carrier to renew service to Israel after the 12-day war, and operates a whopping ten flights a day to Tel Aviv, more than any other international airline.

Nearly 60,000 passengers were travelling through Ben-Gurion International Airport on Monday on 370 international flights, similar to the number of travelers the day before the war with Iran, according to the Israel Airports Authority.

Meanwhile, United Airlines will be resuming service from its Newark hub to Tel Aviv next week bringing down airfares on the lucrative transatlantic route during the summer travel season.

Delta Air Lines is due to restart service only in September, while American Airlines has stayed away from Israel entirely over the nearly two-year-old war.

‘Kill all Jews’: Elmo’s X account taken over by antisemitic hacker

By JNS Staff

(JNS) — Sesame Workshop, the company behind the popular childrens’ show, confirmed that Elmo’s X account was hacked after it shared several posts containing profanity and antisemitic hate speech on Sunday.

“Elmo’s X account was compromised today by an unknown hacker who posted disgusting messages, including antisemitic and racist posts,” the U.S. television production firm confirmed in a statement cited by Fox News, adding: “We are working to restore full control of the account.”

The now-deleted social media posts included statements such as “Kill all Jews,” as well as “Elmo says all Jews should die … Donald Trump is Netanyahu’s puppet because he is in the Epstein files. Jews control the world and need to be exterminated,” among other violent threats.

Another post called U.S. President Donald Trump a “child f**ker” and called on him to “release the files,” in an apparent reference to a client list allegedly kept by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Elmo, the “Sesame Street” character who often teaches his audiences about the importance of kindness, has almost 650,000 followers on X.

“Antisemitism is unsettlingly ubiquitous on social media,” Rep. Ritchie Torres (DN.Y.) said in response to the hack. “Anyone who denies its pernicious and pervasive presence—on digital platforms and in society at large—is willfully blind to a reality staring us all in the face,” he added.

On Saturday, Elon Musk’s xAI, the company behind the Grok chatbot, issued a public apology after Grok posted a series of antisemitic and violent messages, including responses that had praised Adolf Hitler.

The company attributed the “horrific” incident to a software update that, for 16 hours, caused Grok to mirror and amplify extremist user content rather than filter it out. XAi said that it had since removed the faulty code, overhauled the system and implemented new safeguards.