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Dear A.,
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir visited Gaza today and made clear that the IDF will increase its operations in Gaza if Hamas continues to refuse to agree to a hostage deal.
“Hamas will pay the price for its refusal, it will face intense firepower, we will expand the ground maneuver, conquer additional territory, clear and destroy the terror infrastructure until its defeat,” Zamir
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said . “Hamas has one option, and that is to release our hostages.”
Zamir went on to issue a direct statement to the people of Gaza. “I wish to address the residents of Gaza: We are not the ones who brought this destruction upon you. We did not start the war. We did not rob you of food, shelter, or money. We are not the ones hiding in hospitals or schools. We are not the ones staying in luxury hotels while you live in hardship. This is your leadership, those who are holding our hostages. Hamas is responsible for starting the war. It is responsible for the dire situation of the population,” Zamir continued.
In a
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new video highlighting the growing pressure on Hamas, a Palestinian evacuating Khan Yunis ahead of expected IDF operations there said on camera to a journalist: “Record this and let those sons of b**** Hamas leaders see what people are enduring,” and “No, it’s not the Jews—it’s Hamas.”
As Hamas
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continues to reject hostage proposals, White House hostage envoy Adam Boehler said the IDF’s ground operation actually brings the release of the hostages closer.
“I do think we’re closer than we ever were, and part of that is because of the movement that the IDF and Israel did on the ground [in Gaza]… it strengthens our hand,” Boehler
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said .
Meanwhile, the U.K., France and Canada
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continue to
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escalate their rhetoric and attacks against the Jewish state. Yesterday, the three countries issued a
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one-sided statement threatening “concrete actions” against Israel if it does not end the new military offensive against Hamas.
Hamas welcomed the joint declaration as “a step in the right direction,” in a
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statement from the terrorist group.
As Israel’s Foreign Ministry
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responded , “When you’re praised by Hamas — a jihadist terrorist organization that murders children and rapes women — you’re on the wrong side of history.”
America must continue to stand firmly with our ally as the Jewish state works to free the 58 remaining hostages and remove the threat posed by Hamas.
Israel facilitates aid into Gaza
Israel
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continues to facilitate the supply of additional humanitarian aid into Gaza, including some 100 trucks today carrying flour, baby food and medical supplies.
This comes after the Israeli Security Cabinet decided on Sunday to immediately resume the transfer of humanitarian aid into Gaza
The aid is being delivered through preexisting delivery mechanisms, while Israel and the United States work to stand up a new humanitarian aid mechanism that will help ensure aid intended for Gazans is not stolen by Hamas.
Khamenei doubts likelihood of nuclear agreement
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said today that the nuclear talks between America and Iran are unlikely to be successful.
“We don’t think it will lead to any outcome. We don’t know what will happen,” Khamenei said during a speech, adding that denying Iran’s right to enrich uranium was “a big mistake.”
The statement comes shortly after America’s chief negotiator Steve Witkoff said that Iran maintaining a nuclear enrichment program is a
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“red line” for the U.S.
Iran and the United States have held four rounds of Omani-mediated nuclear talks since April 12.
MUST LISTEN
Dismantling Iran's Nuclear Program
Steve Beckerman and Aubrey Lopez
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This episode examines two letters sent by congressional Republicans to the White House, urging the administration to insist on the full dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear program and a total ban on uranium enrichment. Learn why these demands are key to any future deal with Iran, what’s at stake in the ongoing negotiations, and how Americans can help ensure Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon.
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U.S. calls on Lebanon to combat Hezbollah as IDF strikes terror group
Today, Deputy U.S. Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus said that Lebanon still has “more” to do in disarming Hezbollah and upholding the ceasefire agreement with Israel.
While Lebanese authorities “have done more in the last six months than they probably have in the last 15 years,” Ortagus added that “there’s a lot more to go.”
“We in the United States have called for the full disarmament of Hezbollah. And so that doesn’t mean just south of the Litani. That means in the whole country,” Ortagus said at a conference in Doha, adding that Lebanese politicians must “make a decision.”
Meanwhile, the IDF struck and eliminated a Hezbollah commander today in southern Lebanon who had planned numerous terrorist attacks against Israelis and facilitated the transfer of weapons to the terror group.
Omer Shem Tov throws first pitch at Fenway Park
Last night, freed hostage Omer Shem Tov
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threw out the first pitch at Fenway Park ahead of the Boston Red Sox’s game against the New York Mets.
Omer was taken hostage from the Nova Music Festival and held in Gaza for 505 days.
“On one side, I’m free,” he
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said in an interview with the Boston Herald. “I’m supposed to be the happiest man alive. And I am happy, I really am, because I’m with my family, I’m with my friends. But at the same time, there is my brothers and my sisters, the other hostages, the remaining hostages, they’re still there. So it’s difficult to move on,” Omer said. “I have a mission right now. My mission is to bring all the remaining hostages back home. So I will do whatever it takes.
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Continue to
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Jake Braunstein
Director of Policy Communications
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Support our work to keep Israel safe.
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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