IDF Advances and Laser System Now Operational; Netanyahu Battles 'Monstrous' Lie About Charlie Kirk

JERUSALEM, Israel – As the war continues in Gaza City, the world takes sides for and against Israel. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blasted what he called a "monstrous, big lie" that Israel was behind the murder of Charlie Kirk, and he suggested that perhaps the liars are funded by Qatar. And, on the battlefront, Israel's military has announced that the Iron Beam laser defense system is "fully operational."

Addressing the widespread reports on social media that Israel is involved in Kirk's assassination, Netanyahu remarked, “Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi propaganda minister, said, 'The bigger the lie, the faster it will spread.'  Well, somebody is fabricating a monstrous, big lie that Israel had something to do with Charlie Kirk’s horrific murder.  This is insane. It is false. It is outrageous.” 

Conspiracy theorists are claiming Israel was behind the murder because Kirk recently mildly criticized Israeli policies. In a video post on X, Netanyahu noted that Kirk defended Israel, and the prime minister welcomed Kirk's honesty.

Charlie Kirk was a great man. He deserves honor - not lies. pic.twitter.com/NwEN4B2q7w

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) September 18, 2025

"This is the essence of Charlie," Netanyahu stated, "This is the essence of a free country. It’s exactly what Charlie stood for. And I knew that his suggestions always came from the heart, from his love for Israel, and from his love for the Jewish people."

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In Gaza City, Israeli troops continue to advance, dismantling terrorist infrastructure and targeting terrorists. On Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces spokesman reported that the military struck a weapons storage facility containing explosive devices intended to strike IDF troops.

Meanwhile, according to reports, the Israeli push forward has emboldened some Gazan clans to stand up against Hamas and take over certain areas.

Military officials were quoted as saying that a number of clans had deployed armed operatives to prevent Hamas from reasserting control, and that at least one clan had made an agreement with the IDF.

Israel is also making a giant leap forward in its defense. Tests of the Iron Beam high-power laser system were successful, and it is ready for delivery to the IDF.

The system is built to intercept rockets, mortars, aircraft, and UAVs, and is much cheaper to operate. Firing Arrow interceptors can cost millions of shekels, and Iron Dome interceptors tens of thousands of shekels, but employing the Iron Beam is as cheap as turning a light on.

On the international front, the European Union laid out a sanctions plan to pressure Israel to end the war in Gaza.

Kaja Kallas, the E.U. High Representative, declared, " (The ) Israeli government's push into Gaza City is a new escalation of the war and will further deepen the humanitarian crisis. Today, I presented a robust package of sanctions of Hamas terrorists, extremist ministers in the Israeli government, and violent settlers and entities supporting the impunity going on in the West Bank."

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is said to be ready to recognize a Palestinian state as soon as President Trump finishes his visit there. Luxembourg, too, is considering the recognition of a Palestinian state.

Among Israel's supporters, Fiji became the seventh country to open its embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday.

At a ceremony honoring the occasion, Prime Minister Netanyahu observed, "The fact that you have come here, and you have put your embassy in Jerusalem, and you recognize a truth that everybody should recognize, but few governments have so far – that this has been our capital for 3,000 years, since the days of King David."

 

 

 

 

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