The Israel-Hamas war|The attacks

Expert: A message to the US – and a test for Iran

If it is the case that Israel is actually behind the attack on Iran's consulate in Syria, then Prime Minister Benjamin Netayahu most likely participated in making the decision about the attack. This is what Rouzbeh Parsi, program director and Middle East and North Africa expert at UI, tells TT.

He believes Netanyahu wants to see where Iran's borders are and at the same time send a message to the United States, which is determined to ensure that the conflict in the Middle East does not spread.

- I would interpret this as Israel wanting to prove that the US does not have much influence over them. Israel wants to show its independence, says Parsi.

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Iran singles out Israel: A violation of all conventions

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian says Israel is responsible for the attack on Iran's consulate in Syria, Reuters reports. The designation came in a conversation between Amirabdollahian and his Syrian counterpart.

- This is a violation of all international conventions, he says.

Iran's ambassador to Syria says a "decisive response" against Israel is expected.

Iran's consulate in the country, which is next door to the embassy, was razed to the ground in the attack. There is no official death toll yet, but between six and eight people are said to have died.

Iran confirms that the top general of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Mohammad Reza Zahedi, died in the attack. In addition, several diplomats were injured and killed.

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Iranian commander killed in Israeli attack on Syria

At least eight people have been killed in an Israeli attack on a building belonging to the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital Damascus. This is stated by the British organization Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) and Iranian and Syrian state media according to AFP.

AFP's correspondent on the scene confirms that the building next to the embassy has been completely destroyed.

One of the dead is Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a high-ranking commander in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. The death is confirmed by Iranian state media, which adds that several diplomats have been injured and killed. The country's ambassador, on the other hand, has escaped unscathed.

In a comment to Reuters, a spokesperson for the IDF says that it does not "comment on information in foreign media".

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The Israel-Hamas war|The reactions
White House: Concerned about press freedom being restricted

If Israel tries to shut down the Qatar-based television channel Al Jazeera's broadcasts in the country, it would be "disturbing". This is according to White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre, according to Reuters.

- We believe in freedom of the press. The United States supports the journalists who do significant and important work around the world, she says.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long been an opponent of the television channel. On Monday, he passed a bill that gives him and the communications minister the power to shut down international media deemed harmful to Israel's security.

After the bill received an overwhelming majority in the Knesset, Netanyahu said he wants to "act immediately" to shut down Al Jazeera.

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Palestine wants to become a member of the UN - requires a vote

Palestine wants to become a full member of the UN and therefore demands that the Security Council hold a vote, reports Reuters.

Envoy Riyad Mansour told the news agency that the goal is for the Security Council to make its decision by April 18, but no vote is scheduled.

For a country to become a full member of the UN, the Security Council must first vote on it and then at least two-thirds of the UN General Assembly must approve the country's application. Israel's close ally the United States has the option of vetoing the proposal already in the Security Council.

Palestine today has observer status following a vote in the General Assembly in 2012.

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Israel approves law to stop Al Jazeera

Israel's parliament, the Knesset, has voted to ban the news channel Al Jazeera's broadcasts in the country, reports AFP. The law was voted through with a good margin, 70 in favor and ten against.

Earlier on Saturday, Sky News reported that it is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who put forward the proposal. Netanyahu and his government have long been critical of the Qatar-based television channel, which it considers biased in its reporting on Israel.

Al Jazeera writes that the law would give the Israeli prime minister and the communications minister the power to shut down foreign news services that they consider "damaging state security."