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China Fund News Taylor

Big news tonight from both Ukraine and Israel.

Ukraine officially announced the receipt of F-16 fighter jets

On the evening of August 4th, Beijing time, Ukrainian President Zelensky said that Ukraine had received the first US-made F-16 fighter jet.

Ukraine has been pushing its allies to transfer these much-anticipated aircraft to protect its airspace from missile attacks. The F-16s bring a significant boost to Ukraine's arsenal. These aircraft can provide air cover for troops, attack ground targets, engage enemy aircraft and intercept missiles.

Zelensky said he could not comment on specific combat missions or how many F-16s were already in Ukraine, but said: "At the moment, the number available in Ukraine and the number of pilots who have been trained are not enough."

Zelensky said more F-16 fighter jets were expected to arrive in Ukraine, following a U.S. pledge last August to approve the transfer of the jets after months of lobbying by Ukraine.

Zelenskiy made the announcement at a ceremony at a secret location. The F-16 was first introduced in 1978. Many Western militaries are gradually retiring the aging fighter jets and replacing them with the U.S.-made F-35 fighter jet, which was introduced in 2015.

"Our personnel are already using these aircraft for Ukraine," Zelensky said. He declined to say how many planes had arrived or what missions their pilots were currently carrying out.

Zelensky added that the number of warplanes delivered by the West so far was "not enough" and urged partners to expand training programs for pilots and engineers. He also repeated his call for more advanced air defense systems.

Biden aides call for restart of Gaza ceasefire talks

A senior Biden administration official, U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer, called on Israel to restart negotiations on a ceasefire in Gaza. He said the risk of a wider regional conflict increased the urgency of reaching an agreement with Hamas. "We are at a moment where the threat seems to be intensifying. The United States and Israel are preparing for every possibility while seeking to avoid a wider war."

An Israeli official told the Walla news website that the head of U.S. Central Command, General Michael Eric Kurila, will arrive in Israel on Monday to complete preparations with the Israel Defense Forces to defend against an expected Iranian attack, The Times of Israel reported.

Israeli Defense Minister Galant said that Israel's land and air defenses are in good condition and are ready to respond and attack quickly. If anyone dares to attack, they will pay a heavy price.

According to Axios, a US news website, several US and Israeli officials expect Iran to attack Israel as early as August 5 local time. Two US officials revealed that General Kurila, commander of the US Central Command, arrived in the Middle East on the 3rd. This trip came at a time when Iran vowed to retaliate for the assassination of the Hamas leader. Israel and the United States are coordinating regional and international coalitions to prevent potential attacks.

Earlier, Iran and Hezbollah leaders vowed to "retaliate" for the earlier killings of Hezbollah senior military commander Fuad Shukur and Hamas political bureau leader Haniyeh.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on the 3rd that Hamas Political Bureau leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran by a short-range artillery shell.

According to Mehr News Agency, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said that on July 31, a short-range artillery shell hit a building where Haniyeh was located, and the warhead weighed about 7 kilograms. In addition, experts from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also pointed out that there was a violent explosion when the assassination of Haniyeh occurred.

Iran also pointed out that the shells were fired from outside Haniyeh's residence and one of Haniyeh's bodyguards was also killed.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps believes that Haniya's death was not caused by negligence of the Iranian security department, because all security regulations were followed in this incident. As for who carried out the assassination, the Iranian government did not provide any details.

The IRGC reiterated that Iran will retaliate against Israel for the killing of Haniyeh. "This will be a severe punishment at the right time and in the right place," the statement said. The IRGC also warned that such punishment would bring "huge negative strategic consequences" to Israel.