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Dear A.,


Israel is warning that the ceasefire in Lebanon is at risk if Hezbollah's violations continue, as the IDF continued withdrawing troops from southern Lebanon today.


"Israel seeks to uphold the agreement in Lebanon and will continue to enforce it fully and without compromise in order to ensure the safe return of northern residents to their homes," Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz
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said .


"But the first condition for the agreement’s implementation is the complete withdrawal of the Hezbollah terrorist organization beyond the Litani River, the dismantling of all weapons, and the dismantling of terrorist infrastructure in the area by the Lebanese army – something that has not yet happened," Katz added.


Meanwhile, U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein
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visited Beirut yesterday and confirmed that "the Israeli military started its withdrawal from Naqura… and back into Israel proper today, south of the Blue Line."


U.S. ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson and U.S. special envoy Amos Hochstein met with Najib Mikati, Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister, in Beirut yesterday.


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Read this AIPAC memo sent to congressional offices about the ceasefire agreement and Hezbollah's violations.

The United States must ensure that Hezbollah and Lebanon fully comply with the terms of the ceasefire agreement and support Israel's right to act against any violations.


Tell your House member: Vote YES on the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act


The Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act (H.R. 23) imposes sanctions on persons who aid efforts by the ICC to prosecute Americans or Israelis.

TAKE 45 SECONDS: Tell your representative to vote YES on this important bill when it comes up for a vote this week.

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Israeli military on high alert due to the threat from Iran


IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi
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has placed the Israeli military on high alert, warning that Iran may take extreme measures against Israel in the coming days as Tehran escalates its rhetoric against Israel and its military activity.


The Iranian military, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has begun
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air defense drills near the Natanz nuclear enrichment plant, as part of exercises planned nationwide.


"There’s a concern they could use this exercise as a cover for launching an attack," Beni Sabti, a researcher at Israel's Institute for National Security Studies, said. "Over the past few days, there have been a lot of promises in Iranian media—saying they will act at the right place and time, and that [another attack on Israel] will surely come."

The United States must continue to ensure Israel has the resources and support needed to defend itself and deter the Iranian regime.

Incoming U.S. envoy to travel to Qatar for hostage talks


Incoming U.S. Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff will be
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traveling to Qatar later this week in order to advance the ongoing hostage negotiations.


Witkoff will join current White House envoy Brett McGurk in Doha.

The United States must increase the pressure on Hamas and its sponsors in Iran, Qatar and Turkey to release the hostages.

MUST WATCH
President-Elect Trump again demands the hostages be released



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"If they're not back by the time I get into office, all hell will break out in the Middle East. It will not be good for Hamas, and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone. All hell will break out. I don't have to say anymore, but that's what it is."

New report highlights major problems with UNRWA, including support for Hamas


A
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new report "reveals how UNRWA’s senior management not only employs individuals tied to Hamas terrorism but also allows terrorist groups like Hamas to influence and obstruct critical agency decisions and policies."


"[UNRWA chief] Lazzarini and his colleagues knowingly allow Hamas and other terrorist groups to infiltrate UNRWA’s employee base, indoctrinate impressionable Palestinian children to pursue a path of terrorism against Israelis and Jews, and install military infrastructure underneath or next to UNRWA facilities," the report says.


"UNRWA’s failure to maintain neutrality, combined with its susceptibility to influence from terrorist groups, undermines its credibility as a humanitarian agency and perpetuates conflict in the region."


Following the report's release, Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon said, "It can no longer be denied – all that remains of UNRWA is its name. The State of Israel will not cooperate with humanitarian organizations managed by terrorist groups."

UNRWA is a fundamentally broken organization that has proved itself beyond reform. AIPAC successfully lobbied Congress to suspend funding for UNRWA last year, and now Congress must work to make that funding ban permanent.

Picture of the day: Israeli and Emirati Foreign Ministers

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The foreign ministers of Israel and the United Arab Emirates met today for the first time since October 7, 2023.


Other notable headlines
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U.N. says Iran executed over 900 people in 2024, including dozens of women


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BIRD Energy to Invest $7.5 Million in Cooperative Israel-U.S. Clean Energy Projects

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Pressure on Hamas backers ‘key’ to hostages release, Israeli official says


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A mountaintop kibbutz, battered by Hezbollah missiles, eyes a lengthy — and costly — rebuilding path


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IDF footage shows Hamas terrorist admitting to embedding in Kamal Adwan Hospital

Continue to
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follow AIPAC on social media for the latest updates.


Sincerely,

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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