Mixed signals from Iran on attack; IDF at ’peak alert’ * Hamas rocket lands off TLV coast * Fitch downgrades Israel * Finds capture moment of ancient J’lem’s destruction

[Times of Israel]( [The daily edition]( Tuesday, August 13, 2024 [Iran officials suggest planned retaliation may be scrapped if Gaza ceasefire reached]( By Reuters and ToI Staff Senior security official says Tehran and its proxies will launch direct attack on Israel if no deal reached in this week’s hostage talks, amid US push to prevent regional flareup [Iran rejects ‘impudent’ Western calls to stand down threat to attack Israel]( By ToI Staff and Agencies [IDF on ‘peak alert’ for Iran, Hezbollah attacks; US expects it may happen this week]( By Agencies, Emanuel Fabian, ToI Staff and Jacob Magid Live updates [LIVE: Gaza rocket launched at Tel Aviv for first time since May, landing off coast]( By Jacob Magid and Michael Bachner PM says latest Israeli hostage deal offer included ‘clarifications,’ amid latest report he added new demands * Iran said to indicate attack on Israel may only happen if truce talks fail [Ben Gvir scorns PM’s objections as Jews seen praying on Temple Mount: ‘It’s my policy’]( By ToI Staff As worshipers prostrate themselves during minister’s visit, Netanyahu pans breach of status quo, but Ben Gvir shrugs him off; outraged Haredim warn they may reconsider partnership [Sidelined by war, fight over gender-segregated prayer in Tel Aviv resumes in court]( By Canaan Lidor From the blogs Tal Becker [The day after Tisha B’Av]( Victory is not about the defeat of our enemies — though that is a necessary component of any long term strategy. It is about what we build [Fitch downgrades Israel’s credit rating, warning war could last well into 2025]( By Reuters and Sharon Wrobel Credit rating agency also keeps outlook negative, meaning further drop possible, says ‘political fractiousness and coalition politics’ risk hampering essential corrective measures [As politicians dither, Treasury prepping alone for NIS 25 billion cut to 2025 budget]( By Sharon Wrobel [IDF chief approves multi-front battle plans as Israel girds for Iran, Hezbollah attack]( By Emanuel Fabian, ToI Staff and Agencies Iran reportedly may attack within 24 hours, as Gallant says Israel has boosted defenses, is prepared to respond; UK, France, Germany warn Tehran not to thwart ceasefire-hostage deal [Lebanon’s beleaguered healthcare system hunkers down for Israel-Hezbollah war]( By Agencies and ToI Staff [Iran displays long-range drones at defense forum in Russia]( By Reuters [Hamas says its guards killed a hostage, wounded two others; IDF investigating claim]( By Emanuel Fabian and Agencies Terror group spokesman pins responsibility on Israel, says efforts underway to save two severely injured female captives [US expects hostage talks to resume but says Iranian attack on Israel may impact them]( By Agencies and ToI Staff [Those We Are Missing]( [The hostages and victims whose fate is still unknown]( [Read Here]( [Marking poignant Tisha B’Av, Israelis draw parallels to October 7 attacks]( By ToI Staff Crowds attend prayers at Western Wall, while thousands more gather at Hostages Square to call for captives’ release [ToI podcast / Daily Briefing Aug. 13: Day 312 – On Tisha B’Av, a lamentable need to be on ‘peak alert’]( By ToI Staff [Divided and facing outside attack, some Jews see echoes of Tisha B’Av everywhere]( By Ben Sales Top Ops Doron Perez [My son died on Oct. 7. This Tisha B’Av, I’m focused on our gravest threat]( The Romans knew it two millennia ago, and Sinwar and Nasrallah know it today: Jews can be their own worst enemies Nadav Tamir [Manara, the abandoned lighthouse]( A ceasefire in the North is within reach, the terms of a peace agreement are known – what’s missing is a political strategy [Those We Have Lost]( [Those We Have Lost]( [Civilians and soldiers who have fallen since Oct. 7]( [Read Here]( Archaeology [Detritus from ancient Jerusalem drainage channel captures moment of city’s destruction]( By Gavriel Fiske Excavation reveals rare glass and ceramic vessels, oil lamps, tableware and food remains, offering insight into state of city in period before its sacking by Rome in 70 CE [Gallant: ‘Absolute victory’ slogan ‘gibberish’; Netanyahu slams his ‘anti-Israel narrative’]( By ToI Staff and Emanuel Fabian Citing decision not to launch early war on Lebanon, defense minister reportedly tells MKs in key Knesset panel that Netanyahu does not display courage in discussions [Israeli man seriously wounded, 2 Palestinians hurt in West Bank terror shooting]( By Emanuel Fabian Terrorist, who was released in November hostage deal with Hamas, shot dead by IDF brigade commander after trying to flee scene in Qalqilya [‘The coffee was still hot’: IDF general says troops were ‘minutes’ from catching Sinwar]( By ToI Staff In broad interview, Brig. Gen. Dan Goldfus describes how troops found Hamas leader’s underground lair, talks of IDF’s successes in the war and importance of maintaining values [IDF names another 12 Hamas, Islamic Jihad terrorists killed in Gaza school strike]( By Emanuel Fabian [Report: Israel assassinated Deif after being tipped off by Hamas courier]( By ToI Staff [CRM]( [Groundbreaking study of 26 former Hamas hostages charts physical, psychological trauma]( By Diana Bletter Researchers find that the 19 children and 7 women faced poor sanitation, hunger and darkness; lead researcher worries about the hostages still held in Gaza [Anonymous X user who threatened hostage families identified as local tycoon]( By ToI Staff Inside story Uri Blau in partnership with Shomrim [Disease without borders: Massive piles of garbage in Gaza also threaten Israel]( Experts say even drinking water in Ashdod could be contaminated by toxic buildup from hundreds of untreated trash heaps, after Gaza’s waste removal system paralyzed by war [As fall semester nears, Columbia restricts access to campus to prevent ‘disruptions’]( By Luke Tress University’s chief operating officer says measures intended to ‘keep our community safe,’ especially from non-affiliates, as anti-Israel activists vow to restart protests [Former Cornell student gets 21 months for posting violent threats to Jewish students]( By AP [In glitchy interview, Trump tells Musk Iran ‘wouldn’t be attacking’ if he were president]( By AP and ToI Staff In two-hour chat marred by technical issues, former US leader reiterates assertion ‘zero chance’ Oct. 7 would have happened on his watch, invites billionaire to join administration [US threatens to hold Iran accountable for election interference after Trump hacking]( By AFP [Day 312 – On Tisha B’Av, a lamentable need to be on ‘peak alert’]( [listen to the podcast]( [Ahead of indictments, suspects in Sde Teiman abuse case to be sent to house arrest]( By Emanuel Fabian Defense, prosecution come to agreement to extend five suspects’ remands, as Military Police probe of alleged sexual abuse of Palestinian detainee expected to wrap up [IDF slams broadcaster for showing faces of suspects detained in Sde Teiman abuse case]( By Emanuel Fabian More Headlines [Two detained on suspicion of assaulting Arab women and child in West Bank outpost]( By Emanuel Fabian and ToI Staff [Israeli couple heckled out of Edinburgh comedy show for saying Israel joke not funny]( By ToI Staff [2024 Paris Olympics / Israeli gold medalist says win was possible because of country’s soldiers]( By Amy Spiro [Canada strips 2 pro-Israel charities of tax-free status, including ‘flagship’ JNF]( By Asaf Elia-Shalev [Harris campaign names former peace negotiator as liaison to Jewish community]( By Ron Kampeas [US ends ban on offensive arms sale to Riyadh, eyeing Saudi help on Gaza and Iran]( By AFP and ToI Staff [Earthquake centered in Syria shakes already-jittery northern Israel and Lebanon]( By Agencies [Missing 12-year-old boy found dead in sealed fridge in southern Bedouin town]( By ToI Staff [US government sued over alleged discrimination against Palestinian Americans]( By Reuters [Prominent German cantor, opera singer killed in what police say was family dispute]( By Toby Axelrod [4 Israelis nabbed in Greece as part of major drug bust]( By ToI Staff [Top commander says Ukraine now controls 1,000 square kilometers of Russian territory]( By AP [The daily edition]( [facebook]( [twitter]( [instagram]( [View in browser]( [Contact support](mailto:support@timesofisrael.com) [Advertise with us](mailto:advertise@timesofisrael.com) Were you forwarded this email? 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