334: Israel Defense Minister - Hamas as Military Formation is Gone + German Chancellor Calls for Peace Efforts in Ukraine + Netherlands Defense Modernization + Iran Provides Russia with Close-Range Missiles + More

I - On Defense Podcast

For review:
1. Israel Defense Minister - Hamas as Military Formation is Gone.
Hamas is no longer an organized military force in the Gaza Strip after Israel’s 11-month ongoing military campaign, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told foreign journalists on Monday.
2. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said US will present new formula for Hostage Deal between Israel and Hamas.
3. Hamas Chief Yahya Sinwar issued a rare statement- congratulating Algeria’s incumbent President after he was declared the winner of an election whose results have been challenged by opposition candidates.
4. German Chancellor Calls for Peace Efforts in Ukraine.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for a renewed effort to bring peace to Ukraine adding that he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had both agreed in recent talks on the need for a new peace conference that would include Russia.
5. Netherlands Defense Modernization.
The Netherlands plans to bolster its armed forces by reconstituting a tank battalion, buying more F-35 fighter jets, and adding anti-submarine frigates.
6. Iran Provides Russia with Close-Range Missiles.
Iran has sent close-range ballistic missiles to Russia, which could start using them to attack Ukraine “within weeks,” Pentagon officials said Tuesday.
7. Russia and China conduct massive Naval Drill.
The “Ocean-24” exercise spans the Pacific and Arctic Oceans, the Mediterranean, Caspian and Baltic Seas and involves over 400 warships, submarines and support vessels, more than 120 planes and helicopters and over 90,000 troops.
8. Japan coordinates with Allies as it increases efforts to prepare for F-35B operations.
Japan’s largest warship, the carrier JS Kaga (DDH-184), is headed to California later this year to hold F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter developmental tests off San Diego, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) announced.