Yesterday, President Trump once again made clear where the blame lies for the lack of a hostage-ceasefire agreement in Gaza: Hamas.
He went on to warn that this is his "last warning," and that there will be consequences if Hamas doesn't accept the U.S. offer on the table, which has already been agreed to by Israel.
According to reports, the current U.S. proposal includes the release of all 48 remaining hostages in exchange for a ceasefire and the end of the Israeli operation Gaza City, one of Hamas' last remaining strongholds.
Israel would also release 2,500-3,000 Palestinian prisoners, including hundreds serving life sentences for killing Israelis.
Once the ceasefire is declared, negotiations would immediately begin on the conditions for ending the war — including Israel's demands for Hamas' disarmament and Hamas' demand for a final and complete withdrawal of the IDF from the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, Israel is continuing to move forward with its planned operation in Gaza City, while simultaneously surging humanitarian aid to civilians.
In remarks at the start of the Government meeting yesterday, Prime Minister Netanyahu said:
“We are intensifying the operation on the outskirts of, and inside, Gaza City. We are eliminating Nukhba terrorists who played a significant role in the October 7 massacre."
Netanyahu also confirmed that one of the recently killed Hamas terrorists in Gaza City is the terrorist who called his parents from an Israeli girl's phone to brag about killing her and other Jews on October 7.
At the same time, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has now distributed 159 million meals, including more than 1.5 million meals today alone.
Hamas could end the war today if it would lay down its arms, release the hostages, and surrender. Instead, it is prolonging the suffering of Israelis and Palestinians alike.
The United States must increase the pressure on Hamas and its sponsors in Qatar, Turkey and Iran to release all the hostages.
Houthi attacks continue today after strike at Israeli airport
Three Houthi drones were intercepted by the IDF today, the day after a Houthi drone struck the arrivals terminal of Ramon International Airport near Eilat, injuring two people.
The drone was one of four simultaneously launched from Yemen, and comes after months of Houthi missile and drone attacks against the Jewish state, U.S. Navy vessels and international shipping.
In May, the Houthis hit the parking lot of a terminal at Ben-Gurion Airport with a ballistic missile that evaded several efforts to shoot it down.
America must continue to stand with Israel against Iranian-back proxies, including the Houthis — whose slogan is “God is Great, Death to America, Death to Israel, Curse the Jews, Victory to Islam."
Palestinian terrorists kill 6, injure others in Jerusalem
Two Palestinian terrorists from the West Bank opened fire at a bus stop in Jerusalem today — targeting passengers, bystanders and anyone in reach.
Those murdered were named as Levi Yitzhak Pash, 57, Yaakov Pinto, 25, Yisrael Matzner, 28, and Rabbi Yosef David, 43, Rabbi Mordechai Steintzag, 79, and Sarah Mendelson, 60.
The terrorists were neutralized on the scene, and the Shin Bet has arrested a resident of East Jerusalem suspected of smuggling the two gunmen into Jerusalem by car.
Hamas praised the deadly attack as a "heroic, high-quality operation."
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said in a statement that he was "horrified by this morning’s deadly terror attack in Jerusalem. Janet & I offer our heartfelt condolences to grieving families and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. We stand with Israel against this savagery."
PICTURE OF THE DAY
New CENTCOM Commander in Israel
U.S. Navy Admiral Brad Cooper traveled to Israel last week for the first time as commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
He met with Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, to discuss regional security and the strong U.S.-Israel military alliance.
“The United States maintains an ironclad commitment to Israel’s security,” Adm. Cooper said. “We are mutually dedicated to promoting regional security and stability.”.
Sen. Gillibrand on anti-Israel slogans
In an event today, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) spoke about the growing anti-Israel extremism, including the use of the slogans like "From the rive to the sea" and "Globalize the Intifada".
“It means end Israel. It means destroy Jews… No matter what words they intend to be saying, that is the meaning of these phrases… It's not a social movement. It's terrorism, it's destruction, it's death,” Gillibrand said.
Continue to follow AIPAC on social media for the latest updates, and click on the buttons below my signature to read and share new AIPAC materials that compile the answers to many of the most hostile myths that have been used against Israel, AIPAC, and the U.S.-Israel relationship.
Sincerely,
Jake Braunstein
Director of Policy Communications
MUST WATCH
AIPAC 101
Watch and share this new video laying out who we are and what we do!
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.
