world
Israel Detains 21 Suspects in Attempted Passover Sacrifice at Al-Aqsa Compound
Israeli police detained 21 individuals suspected of attempting to perform a Passover sacrifice at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, according to reports. Separate developments include Israel's approval of fighter jet purchases from U.S. companies and ongoing tensions with Iran. Other updates involve military actions in Lebanon and Gaza boundary changes.
May 3, 5:05 AM·2m read1 source
AJ
montrealgazette.comAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Israeli police detained 21 suspects accused of trying to carry out a Passover sacrifice at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, as reported by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. The group attempted to enter the site with a goat, police stated. The suspects appeared before a magistrate's court and were later released.
The Al-Aqsa compound allows visits by non-Muslims during specified hours under a status quo agreement, but prayer and religious symbols are not permitted there. Haaretz reported that the site has seen visits by Israeli politicians and settlers accompanied by security forces.
Committee on Procurement approved the purchase of a new squadron of F-35 aircraft from Lockheed Martin and a squadron of F-15IA jets from Boeing. The deal is part of a $119 billion plan to enhance military capabilities over the next decade. Defence Ministry Director General Amir Baram stated that the acquisitions address regional threats and maintain air superiority.
-Israel strategic relationship and advanced air power. Israel operates a customized version of the F-35.
The Israeli military reported killing two Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon, describing them as posing an imminent threat. The fighters were targeted in structures, according to the military statement. Al Jazeera could not independently verify the report.
Israel issued displacement orders for villages in southern Lebanon beyond its occupied areas, despite a truce with Lebanon aimed at halting fighting with Hezbollah. In Gaza, a new 'Orange Line' boundary expands military control to cover about 60 percent of the territory, restricting aid movement and creating uncertainty for residents, as reported by Al Jazeera's Tareq Abu Azzoum.
U.S. options are limited to either a military operation or a deal with Iran. U.S. and mentioned a deadline for ending the blockade of Iranian ports, without specifying the date. Associate professor Paul Musgrave said President Trump rejected a new Iranian proposal that slightly softened preconditions, but major gaps remain on uranium enrichment and nuclear capabilities.
