Israel eliminated senior Hamas operative Khalid Ahmad Ahmad via an airstrike near Sidon, Lebanon on Wednesday, according to the Israeli military.
Ahmad served as head of operations in Hamas’s Western Brigade in Lebanon, and was directly involved in orchestrating terror attacks against Israeli civilians and military forces throughout the ongoing war, according to the Israel Defense Forces.
In recent weeks, Ahmad was engaged in weapons smuggling and planning further attacks on Israeli territory, the IDF said. The military described his activity as a “direct threat to the State of Israel and its citizens.”
His elimination followed a series of Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure and personnel across Lebanon.

PANAMA CIT

Families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza issued an urgent demand for clarification from Israel Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s government on Wednesday, following a statement by U.S. President Donald Trump that only 21 captives remain alive—contradicting Jerusalem’s official figure of 24.
In a statement issued by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, relatives called on the government to disclose any updated intelligence.

A new video captures a fighter jet deploying flares moments before it was shot down last night over Bathinda, India.

The Neryungrinskaya coal enrichment plant, one of Russia’s largest and most advanced coal facilities, has exploded. Cause is still unknown.

There are initial reports of a shooting attack at a checkpoint in the northern Shomron. At least four people were injured in what appears to have been a drive-by shooting. Emergency medical teams are currently administering emergency medical aid to the victims. This is a developing story. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

President Joe Biden defended his decision to drop out of the 2024 race during a BBC interview that aired Wednesday, maintaining that the timing of his withdrawal wouldn’t have changed the ultimate result of the election.
At age 82, Biden exited the race on July 21, following intense pressure from within the Democratic Party after a widely criticized debate showing against President Donald Trump on June 27.
His departure left Kamala Harris, who was serving as vice president, just over three months to launch a full-fledged campaign. Ultimately, she lost to Trump in the general election.

President Donald Trump plans to announce while on his trip to Saudi Arabia next week that the United States will now refer to the Persian Gulf as the Arabian Gulf or the Gulf of Arabia, according to two U.S. officials. Arab nations have pushed for a change to the geographic name of the body of water off the southern coast of Iran, while Iran has maintained its historic ties to the gulf. The two U.S. officials spoke with The Associated Press on Tuesday on condition of anonymity to discuss the matter. The White House and National Security Council did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment. The Persian Gulf has been widely known by that name since the 16th century, although usage of “Gulf of Arabia” and “Arabian Gulf” is dominant in many countries in the Middle East.

Family getting up: Wednesday (5/14/25)Morning R’ Steven HowelSon