Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the stand today in his long-running corruption trial.
This marked a historic moment as the first sitting Israeli prime minister to testify as a criminal defendant.
"Had I wanted good coverage all I would have had to have done would be to signal toward a two-state solution... had I moved two steps to the left I would have been hailed," Mr Netanyahu told the court.
Netanyahu, who faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three separate cases, vehemently denied any wrongdoing, calling the charges a "witch hunt" orchestrated by a biased media and legal system.
He criticised the media, claiming it was overwhelmingly against him. He expressed his eagerness to finally present his side of the story after eight years of waiting.
Outside the courtroom, the atmosphere was charged with tension as supporters and protesters gathered. Supporters chanted, "Netanyahu, the people support you," while protesters called for his imprisonment.
The trial, which began in 2020, has seen various witnesses, including former Netanyahu close aides, testify against him. Netanyahu's testimony is expected to last for weeks, with a verdict not expected until 2026.
Meanwhile, the Israel-Syria conflict has escalated significantly.
As a result of the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Israel launched airstrikes in Syria against suspected chemical weapons sites. The purpose of this was to prevent extremists from gaining control of them.
According to the Israeli military, 480 attacks were made against naval vessels, anti-aircraft batteries, and weapons production sites in the past 48 hours. Several countries have criticised Israel's aggressive military action, but it insists the strikes are necessary to defend itself.
As Assad's regime weakens, opposition forces continue to make significant progress against him. In Aleppo and Idlib, Syrian opposition groups have captured key areas with the support of Turkish fighters. This rapid advance has surprised many observers. Assad's military is in a fragile state, and the dynamics in the region are shifting.
Syrian peace efforts are being closely monitored by the international community, which is calling for a renewed push for lasting peace.
