Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz visited the Israel-Syria border today, traveling to the top of Mt. Hermon, the strategic mountaintop in Syria, where the IDF took positions last week after the fall of the Assad regime.
Katz said, "Our presence here at the peak of the Hermon strengthens security and adds a dimension of both observation and deterrence to Hezbollah’s strongholds in the Beqaa Valley in Lebanon and deterrence against the rebels in Damascus, who pretend to present a moderate image, but belong to the most extreme Islamic sects."
Netanyahu said that Israeli forces will remain on Mt. Hermon "until another arrangement is found that guarantees Israel’s security," adding that its "importance to Israel’s security has only been reinforced in recent years, and especially in recent weeks with the dramatic events taking place here below us in Syria."
Negotiations ongoing for hostage-ceasefire deal
Negotiations are ongoing toward a potential agreement between Israel and Hamas on a hostage-ceasefire deal.
CIA Director Bill Burns will meet with Qatar’s prime minister tomorrow in Doha in an attempt to bridge gaps between the sides.
The Times of Israel reported yesterday that President-Elect Donald Trump’s transition team has been working together with the Biden administration in recent weeks to try to reach a deal before Trump enters office. President-Elect Trump’s recently-appointed hostage envoy, Adam Boehler, was in Cairo today to meet with Egyptian officials regarding a potential deal, following a meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu yesterday.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said yesterday, "First of all, we want it to happen, we are serious about it. Second, I'm a little bit more optimistic in comparison to what I was, let's say, two weeks ago, three weeks ago. If Hamas wants a deal, we will have a deal. Previously, they didn't want a deal," but that it's not "over until it's over."
America must increase the pressure on Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar to use their leverage over Hamas to pressure the terrorists to release the hostages.
Senate to vote tomorrow on NDAA
Last week, the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act, which authorizes over $627 million for U.S.-Israel missile defense cooperation and other vital U.S.-Israel programs.
The Senate is scheduled to vote on this critical legislation tomorrow.
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