The IDF has reportedly provided the Biden Administration with its plans to begin evacuating civilians out of Hamas' last stronghold in Rafah, ahead of an operation to root out the remaining terrorist battalions.
Israel's plan includes moving civilians north to the Al Mawasi area along the Mediterranean coast. According to Politico, the IDF provided a map of the area to aid workers this week, and told them that the operation will begin "soon."
Israel has reportedly given Hamas one week to agree to the latest Israeli hostage deal offer. Hamas leadership has yet to respond to the proposal, and is expected to arrive in Cairo over the weekend to continue negotiations.
72% of Americans support an Israeli operation into Rafah to destroy Hamas capabilities. Learn more here.
Remains of 23-year-old Elyakim Libman, presumed hostage, found in Israel
Elyakim Libman was a security guard at the Nova Music Festival. When Hamas invaded and started murdering partygoers around him, he stayed behind for hours treating the wounded and helping people escape.
Elyakim was believed to have been taken hostage by Hamas into Gaza. Today Israeli forensic workers announced that remains of his body were found in Israel, accidentally buried alongside another victim from the festival because his body was unrecognizable.
Israel is fighting to destroy Hamas and ensure these barbaric terrorists can never fulfill their promise to massacre Israelis "again and again."
May Elyakim's memory be a blessing.
Congressional Leaders Speak Out in Opposition to Illegitimate ICC Case
Amid reports that the International Criminal Court is considering issuing arrest warrants against top Israeli officials, Democratic and Republican members of Congress are condemning this outrageous and illegitimate attack on our ally.
House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized the ICC’s "baseless and illegitimate arrest warrants" and said that "such a lawless action by the ICC would directly undermine U.S. national security interests."
Senator Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, "I am urging the Biden administration to send a very strong stance against possible arrest warrants that the ICC could issue against top Israeli officials. The ICC has been biased against Israel for decades."
The White House said that it "do[es] not support" an ICC investigation and that "the ICC has no jurisdiction in this situation."
Democratic and Republican administrations have consistently refused to join the International Criminal Court precisely because they feared the body would be used to launch politically biased cases.
Key Primary Tuesday: Pro-Israel Mark Messmer vs. Anti-Israel John Hostettler
The next key primary race for the pro-Israel community takes place next Tuesday in Indiana's Republican Primary.
In the eighth district, AIPAC is endorsing pro-Israel candidate Mark Messmer, who is facing off against eight others including an anti-Israel former member of Congress John Hostettler.
While on Capitol Hill, Hostettler repeatedly voted against aid to Israel. He also self-published a book described by former ADL National Director Abe Foxman as repeating "age-old slanders of Jewish disloyalty to their countries."
Pro-Israel candidate Messmer has demonstrated strong support for the U.S.-Israel relationship, stating that, “I will have an unwavering commitment to the security and prosperity of Israel, recognizing its indispensable role as America’s closest ally in the Middle East.”
The AIPAC-backed super PAC United Democracy Project is running ads in the district and working to defeat Hostettler. Watch one of the ads here.
Houthis threaten more attacks on commercial ships
Iran-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen have threatened to "immediately" extend their attacks on Israel-bound shipping to the Mediterranean, after months of strikes on vessels in the Red Sea.
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.
AIPAC 251 H St. NW • Washington D.C. 20001 • TEL 202-639-5200
