Israel buys 25 US-made F-15 aircraft for $5.2bn
Israel has signed a deal for the purchase of 25 advanced US-made F-15 aircraft worth $5.2bn, the country’s defence ministry has said.
“The Ministry of Defense signed last night (Wednesday) the huge deal for the purchase of the next generation of F-15 aircraft, under which it will purchase 25 advanced fighter jets manufactured by the American company Boeing,” read a statement.
“The transaction, amounting to about $5.2 billion, will be carried out from American aid funds and it also includes an option for the future purchase of 25 additional aircraft.”
Netanyahu crossed ‘red line’ by firing Defence Minister Gallant: Report
In an interview published by Maariv news agency, Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Israel’s Yisrael Beiteinu conservative party, says Netanyahu has “crossed the red line” by firing Yoav Gallant as defence minister “before a possible Iranian attack”.
In the interview, Lieberman accused Netanyahu of being willing to “sacrifice the security of Israeli citizens for his political survival”, adding the dismissal of Gallant was primarily aimed at passing the law exempting ultra-Orthodox Jews from military service.
Lieberman also said Netanyahu’s government does not want an official investigation committee into the events of October 7 but a committee he can “control”, adding that Attorney General Gali Baharav Miara and all professional leaders in the security establishment are “next in line”.
On Monday, one day before his dismissal, Gallant had issued 7,000 new draft orders for ultra-Orthodox Jews, or Haredim, citing “urgent wartime needs”, according to local media.
‘Endless’ wars: What Israel’s political drama means for Gaza, Lebanon
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/11/7/endless-war-the-implications-of-israels-defence-ministers-removal
The news that Netanyahu had sacked Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has sparked protests and violence in cities across Israel.
Water cannon were fired at protesters on Tuesday in Tel Aviv, where crowds blocked traffic and lit fires. Similar unrest was reported in Jerusalem, Haifa, Caesarea and other cities.
Behind the immediate political unrest, analysts say Gallant’s sacking has also removed the loudest voice in the room calling for a ceasefire.
