Yesterday, Israel confirmed that it eliminated Hamas terrorist Hamza Wael Muhammad Asafah in an airstrike in central Gaza.
Asafah was a senior member of Hamas' elite Nukhba Force, which led the October 7 attack into Israel. He was also involved in the horrific propaganda ceremony staged during the release of Israeli hostages Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben-Ami and Or Levy.
Visiting IDF soldiers stationed in Gaza yesterday, Prime Minister Netanyahu said Hamas will suffer "more and more blows."
Alongside Netanyahu, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz added, "We are hitting the terrorists, damaging their infrastructure, and at the same time protecting Israeli communities. The operation currently underway is pressuring Hamas to release the hostages. The longer it persists in its refusal, the more we will intensify the blows it will suffer."
The visit came after Hamas rejected an Israeli offer for a ceasefire in exchange for the release of half of the remaining living hostages and the terror group's disarmament.
Speaking today, Katz said, "Unlike in the past, the IDF is not evacuating areas that have been cleared and seized [in Gaza]... The IDF will remain in the security zones as a buffer between the enemy and the communities in any temporary or permanent situation in Gaza - as in Lebanon and Syria."
Meanwhile, new reporting in The Washington Post provides insight into Hamas' efforts to quash dissent and silence critics.
Last month, Hamas terrorists kidnapped, beat and tortured to death Gaza resident Oday Rabey for defending a relative who had participated in protests against the terror group.
"Human loss doesn't mean anything to Hamas," one Gazan is quoted as saying, with another adding, "The people of Gaza are the last thing they care about."
Notably, the Post reports that two local journalists "said they felt pressure not to cover [protests] and other criticism of Hamas... One journalist said they didn't cover the protests because they didn't want to detract from the bigger story - Israel's attacks - in addition to fear of Hamas labeling them a spy for Israel or taking 'revenge.' Another journalist said Hamas's internal security sometimes follows journalists as they report."
The United States must continue to stand with Israel and increase the pressure on Hamas and its sponsors in Qatar, Turkey and Iran to release the 59 remaining hostages, including 5 Americans, still held captive in Gaza.
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Emily Damari and Romi Gonen's powerful story of survival
A new exclusive article highlights the incredible bond formed between two freed female hostages who endured unimaginable trauma together in Gaza:
"Held together as hostages in Gaza for 431 of their 471 days in captivity, they became each other’s missing half.
"When they met, Emily Damari, 28, had been shot in her hand, Romi Gonen, 24, in her right arm. In time, they learned to feed one another, to dress one another and to perform daily chores as one.
"Indeed, they used their working limbs in such synchrony that it has now become second nature.
"Deeper than that, though, they speak of a twin-like, almost telepathic, connection formed in the face of unspeakable evil."
Iran "not far" from nuclear weapon as negotiations continue
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) travelled to Iran today, saying shortly before his visit that Iran is close to developing a nuclear weapon: "They’re not far from it, you have to acknowledge."
Iran "has the pieces and they could eventually put them together one day," he added.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said today that "Iran’s [uranium] enrichment is a real, accepted matter" and that "the issue of enrichment is non-negotiable."
This comes in response to a statement from White House Envoy Steve Witkoff, who said that "Iran must stop and eliminate its nuclear enrichment and weaponization program," as part of a potential deal.
The administration is continuing to increase the economic pressure on Iran, and today Treasury sanctioned a Chinese oil refinery "for its role in purchasing more than a billion dollars’ worth of Iranian crude oil, including from a front company for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF)," according to the Treasury statement.
Treasury also put sanctions "on several companies and vessels responsible for facilitating Iranian oil shipments to China as part of Iran’s 'shadow fleet.'"
"Any refinery, company, or broker that chooses to purchase Iranian oil or facilitate Iran’s oil trade places itself at serious risk," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. "The United States is committed to disrupting all actors providing support to Iran’s oil supply chain, which the regime uses to support its terrorist proxies and partners."
AIPAC supports time-bound talks to achieve the Trump administration’s stated goal of verifiably and permanently dismantling Iran’s nuclear program. To be effective, these talks must continue to be coupled with the implementation of maximum pressure and a credible threat of military force.
PM Netanyahu meets with bipartisan members of Congress
Prime Minister Netanyahu met today in Jerusalem with Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL).
He thanked them "for their personal and bipartisan support for the State of Israel throughout the war."
Lebanese president says "there can be no negotiations with Israel" as Hezbollah plans to "stick to its weapons"
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said yesterday that all weapons in Lebanon must be under the control of the government, adding that "the execution will happen through dialogue, which I believe must be bilateral between the presidency and Hezbollah."
However, a senior Hezbollah official was quoted as saying that the terror group plans to "stick to its weapons and its resistance."
Aoun claimed that the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) "is carrying out its missions — south of the Litani, north of the Litani, and even in the Bekaa — without any obstruction from Hezbollah," while also suggesting that Hezbollah members could be integrated into the LAF.
Aoun also rejected normalization with Israel, saying, "The Americans know there can be no negotiations with Israel at this stage."
The United States must continue to stand with Israel and increase the pressure on Lebanon and Hezbollah to fully comply with the terms of the November 2024 ceasefire agreement.
The mission of AIPAC is to encourage and persuade the U.S. government to enact specific policies that create a strong, enduring and mutually beneficial relationship with our ally Israel.
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