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Israel unveils game-changing artillery against Iran-backed Hezbollah amid fragile ceasefire
Israel unveils game-changing artillery technology
An Israeli Ro’em self-propelled artillery system, whose name means «thunder» in Hebrew, is seen in action. Ehud Bibi, the IDF’s chief artillery officer, said the system marks «a new era» of faster, more precise battlefield fire. (IDF Video.)
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JERUSALEM: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have introduced a new self-propelled howitzer to combat Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon as a defensive weapon against Hezbollah attacks.
Ro’em, the Hebrew word for thunder, could play an important role if the 10-day fragile ceasefire breaks down between Israel and Hezbollah. A second round of talks aimed at disarming Hezbollah between the ambassadors of Lebanon and Israel are slated for Thursday in Washington D.C. The ceasefire went into effect Thursday.
Ehud Bibi, Chief Artillery Officer for the IDF, told Fox News Digital that «The Ro’em brings a new capability to the Artillery Corps and the IDF as a whole, reshaping how firepower is employed on the battlefield. This marks a historic milestone, introducing a new era of more precise, faster, and more flexible fire enabling us to support troops on the ground more effectively.»
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Israeli Ro’em self-propelled artillery system is seen in an undated image, part of the IDF’s next-generation artillery capabilities. (IDF)
According to the IDF statement, «During the activity, the troops conducted precise artillery fire on several Hezbollah anti-tank and surface-to-surface missile launch positions, from which attacks had been launched against IDF troops. The firing was effective, achieving operational results and introducing new artillery capabilities, thereby reducing the threat posed to IDF troops and Israeli civilians.»
The IDF said the launches were purely defensive attacks against Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorists during the truce. The howitzer can fire roughly 40 kilometers (about 25 miles). A team of three IDF soldiers operate the Ro’em.
Elbit Systems stated on its website that it’s «capable of automatic loading and laying of the gun system, rapid in-and-out action times and high rate of fire. It offers a protected cabin for a crew of three.» Adding that, «Depending on the mission, SIGMA is capable of automatically selecting and loading the required projectile, propellant and fuze and laying the gun to optimally engage targets.» Also known as SIGMA, the Ro’em is produced by South Carolina-based subsidiary of Elbit Systems of America.
Israeli Ro’em self-propelled artillery system is seen in an undated image, part of the IDF’s next-generation artillery capabilities. (IDF)
Hezbollah violated a previous November 2024 ceasefire, which was brokered by the U.S., when it launched missiles into Israel on March 2 in response to the joint Israel-Iran war on Iran’s regime. The Lebanese government and the Lebanese Armed Forces failed to adhere to a deadline in 2025 to disarm Hezbollah.
The United Nations Security Council resolution 1701 also required that Hezbollah be disarmed following the 2006 war between Israel and Lebanon.
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According to an IDF statement sent to Fox News Digital about the modern howitzer, last Tuesday, «Troops from the 282nd Fire Brigade of the Artillery Corps, led by the ‘Ro’em’ branch at the Mali (Ground Training Center) Fire Center, conducted… their first operational firing using the «Ro’em» howitzer, in support of IDF troops operating in northern Israel.»
The statement continued that «The ‘Ro’em»’is a new howitzer recently introduced into IDF service, bringing advanced and innovative capabilities to the battlefield. It significantly increases the rate of fire, enables engagement at longer ranges compared to existing systems, and provides enhanced mobility and maneuverability in the field.
Hezbollah attacks on Israel since March 2 resulted in the killing of 2 civilians and 15 Israeli soldiers. Reuters reported that Hezbollah has not disclosed its casualty figures.
Hezbollah worked to build facilities below private residential buildings and houses. (Benoît Durand / Hans Lucas / AFP via Getty Images)
Lebanese authorities report that nearly 2,300 people in Lebanon have been killed since March 2. Those figures don’t differentiate between Hezbollah terrorists and civilians.
Speaking at a Memorial Day event for the country’s fallen troops, the country’s defense Minister Israel Katz pledged to ensure that Israelis in the north, who have faced massive aerial attacks from Hezbollah, will be secure.
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«Even as we gather here to honor our fallen, after weeks of determined operations by IDF forces in southern Lebanon, our commitment to the residents of the north remains clear and unequivocal, to bring them security,» Katz said. He noted that «If the Lebanese government continues not to fulfill its obligations, the IDF will do so through continued military activity.»
Reuters contributed to this report.
israel, middle east, lebanon, war with iran, military, terrorism
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Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek of Iowa on Tuesday captured his party’s Senate nomination in the race to succeed retiring GOP Sen. Joni Ernst.
Turek, a Paralympian, defeated state Sen. Zach Wahls in Iowa’s Democratic Senate primary, The Associated Press reported, and will now face off against Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson, who cruised to the GOP nomination.
The Republican-controlled Senate seat in Iowa is a top target for Democrats, and the race is one of about a dozen crucial showdowns in this year’s midterm elections that will determine whether Republicans successfully hold onto their slim majority in the chamber.
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State Rep. Josh Turek, D-Iowa and a U.S. Senate candidate, greets attendees while campaigning at the Des Moines Farmers Market in Des Moines, Iowa, May 23, 2026. Iowa is holding a primary election June 2. (Scott Morgan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Turek, a moderate Democrat who flipped a GOP-held Iowa House seat in 2022, was backed by former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and had the tacit support of longtime Democratic Senate Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. And VoteVets, an establishment-aligned outside group, has spent big bucks on behalf of Turek.
«Josh Turek is a two-time Paralympic gold medalist who has represented his country on the world stage and has built a reputation in the legislature for working across the aisle to get things done for Iowans,» Schumer and Gillibrand said in a statement. «His nomination tonight puts the Iowa Senate seat firmly in play, and in November, Iowans will reject Ashley Hinson’s self-serving politics and send Josh Turek to the U.S. Senate.»
But National Republican Senatorial Committee Regional Press Secretary Samantha Cantrell said that «Chuck Schumer spent $10 million dollars to coronate Josh Turek as his rubber stamp for Democrats’ radical tax-and-spend agenda. In November, Iowans will reject him and elect Ashley Hinson to keep fighting for Iowa families, farmers, and workers.»
Wahls, a progressive candidate who Republicans likened to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, was endorsed by liberal champion Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. The Democratic primary grabbed plenty of national attention and drew tons of outside money.
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Iowa state Sen. Zach Wahls campaigns for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate during an event with local residents May 23, 2026, in Waukee, Iowa. (Charlie Neibergall/AP Photo)
Hinson, a former TV news anchor who is in her third term representing Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, defeated former state senator and former U.S. Senate candidate Jim Carlin in the GOP Senate primary, The Associated Press reported.
Hinson was backed by President Donald Trump; Senate Majority Leader John Thune; the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which is the campaign arm of the Senate GOP; and by Ernst as she cruised to her party’s nomination. Hinson, who in 2020 flipped a Democratic-held seat, is seen as a rising star in the party.
Rep. Ashley Hinson on Tuesday won the Republican Senate nomination in Iowa in the 2026 race to succeed retiring GOP Sen. Joni Ernst. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Iowa was once a top battleground state that former President Barack Obama carried in his 2008 and 2012 White House victories. But the state has shifted to the right in recent election cycles with Trump carrying the state by nine points in 2016, eight points in 2020 and by 13 points in November 2024.
Republicans hold both of the state’s Senate seats — Ernst and longtime Sen. Chuck Grassley — and all four of Iowa’s congressional districts, as well as all statewide offices except state auditor.
But Democrats are energized heading into the midterms, when the GOP, as the party in power, will face traditional headwinds, a challenging political climate thanks to persistent inflation and sky-high gas prices due to what polls show is an unpopular war with Iran, as well as Trump’s sinking approval ratings.
And Iowa Democrats, in particular, are energized after flipping two GOP-held state Senate seats in special elections in 2025.
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, announced last year that she wouldn’t seek re-election in 2026 to a third term in the Senate. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
The general election winner will succeed Ernst, a retired Army Reserve and Iowa National Guard officer who served in the Iraq War and was first elected to the Senate in 2014.
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Ernst grabbed plenty of national attention in that campaign with her «make ‘em squeal» ads as she won the high-profile Senate election to succeed retiring longtime Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin.
Fox News’ Sally Persons contributed to this report.
democrats elections, republicans elections, midterm elections, elections, senate elections, iowa
INTERNACIONAL
A cuatro meses de las elecciones en Brasil, Trump presiona a Lula: amenaza con aranceles y enciende la campaña
Estados Unidos acusó este martes a Brasil de prácticas comerciales desleales en rubros como redes sociales, propiedad intelectual o deforestación y amenazó con imponer un arancel general del 25%, aunque con algunas exenciones.
La amenaza se conoce a poco más de cuatro meses de las elecciones presidenciales en las que el presidente izquierdista, Luiz Lula da Silva, buscará su relección frente a su rival de derecha radical Flavio Bolsonaro, que cuenta con el respaldo directo de Donald Trump.
Tras la advertencia, Lula responsabilizó al hijo de Jair Bolsonaro por la nueva amenaza arancelaria y lo calificó de “cobarde”, “traidor” y “vendepatrias”.
El senador Flavio Bolsonaro visitó la semana pasada la Casa Blanca, donde fue recibido por Trump.
El hijo mayor del expresidente dijo que Trump “no confía en Lula” porque “menosprecia” a Estados Unidos y agita un “sentimiento antinorteamericano”.
“Quien está siendo represaliado no son las empresas brasileñas. Es Lula. Trump ve en Lula una persona no fiable e incompetente”, dijo a la radio Itatiaia. Además, aseguró que él mismo le pidió al presidente estadounidense no imponer aranceles a su país.
Las elecciones en Brasil se realizarán el próximo 4 de octubre. Donald Trump recibió a Flavio Bolsonaro en la Casa Blanca (Foto: EFE)
Cómo es la nueva amenaza arancelaria de Estados Unidos a Brasil
La oficina del Representante Comercial estadounidense (USTR por sus siglas en inglés) anunció una audiencia pública el 6 de julio antes de su decisión final de imponer aranceles a Brasil.
El USTR “ha propuesto medidas de respuesta para que sean comentadas por el público, mientras que Estados Unidos continúa dialogando de manera intensiva con Brasil para buscar una solución”, explicó el comunicado, difundido en la noche del lunes.
Washington, que tiene varios contenciosos comerciales de larga fecha con Brasil, abrió una investigación bajo la sección 301 de su Ley Comercial de 1974.
“Durante el último año, el presidente Trump y yo hemos mantenido varias reuniones constructivas con el presidente Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva y su gabinete, las cuales se han intensificado en las últimas semanas”, declaró el jefe del USTR, Jamieson Greer.
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“Sin embargo, seguimos manteniendo diferencias sustanciales a la hora de resolver los problemas identificados en esta investigación”, indicó.
Fotografía cedida por la Presidencia de Brasil de su mandatario Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva saludando al presidente de los Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, durante su reciente visita a la Casa Blanca. (Foto: Ricardo Stuckert / Presidencia de Brasil / EFE)
Estados Unidos aplicó aranceles a Brasil como a todos sus socios en abril del año pasado.
Luego, ante el impacto inflacionario, Trump anunció en noviembre exenciones a productos agropecuarios como el café, la carne de res o los tomates.
En el rubro de comercio digital, Washington acusa a tribunales brasileños de haber emitido “órdenes secretas” dirigidas a empresas estadounidenses como X, Meta y Google para que suspendan “ciertos contenidos políticos y perfiles de residentes estadounidenses, a veces a nivel mundial”.
Brasil mantuvo una pugna en especial con el multimillonario Elon Musk y su red social X, a la que acusa de haber difundido noticias falsas, incumplir órdenes judiciales y atentar contra instituciones públicas.
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El magistrado de la corte suprema Alexandre de Moraes había abierto en 2024 una investigación contra el empresario “por obstrucción de la justicia” y otros delitos, aunque en marzo de este año un juez brasileño ordenó archivar la investigación.
“Los tribunales brasileños también han responsabilizado económicamente a las empresas estadounidenses de redes sociales por no cumplir estas órdenes”, añade el texto.
El USTR también acusa a Brasil de “perjudicar injustamente a empresas estadounidenses que participan en servicios de pago electrónicos competidores”.
Brasil cuenta con su propio sistema de pagos electrónicos instantáneo, Pix, muy popular en el país.
La lista de presuntas violaciones comerciales también incluye la falta de eficacia en la lucha contra la corrupción, o las supuestas prácticas comerciales favorables a México o India, en detrimento de intereses estadounidenses.
(Con información de EFE y AFP)
Lula Da Silva, Donald Trump, aranceles, Brasil, Estados Unidos, Flavio Bolsonaro
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