[UPDATE-Day 126-Feb 9-23:00Z] Israel-Hamas War, The Iran Threat: Real Time Reaction and Analysis

‘Israel is not a banana republic,’ official says amid Blinken-Halevi controversy Despite a private meeting scheduled for the secretary of state and the IDF chief, the Prime Minister’s Office clarified that Netanyahu will be present. Despite U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s public schedule saying he was set to meet IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi for a private meeting, the Prime Minister’s Office made it clear that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be present as well. On Tuesday Israel Hayom reported on Blinken making the unusual request to be briefed by Halevi one-on-one rather than as part of a…