The IDF today announced the tragic news that the body of Youssef Ziyadne, kidnapped into Gaza by Hamas on October 7 and previously believed to be among the living hostages, was recovered from a tunnel in Rafah.
Ziyadne, an Israeli Bedouin and father of 19, was abducted alongside three of his children. Two of his children, Bilal and Aisha, were released as part of the hostage-ceasefire agreement in November 2023. The IDF found evidence that his third kidnapped son, 22-year-old Hamza, may have been in the tunnel with him, and based on the evidence there are "grave concerns for his life."
Negotiations are continuing in Qatar for an agreement that would see a release of the remaining 99 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and a pause in the fighting.
Incoming Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is joining current White House Middle East envoy Brett McGurk in Qatar this week to help advance the negotiations.
A current U.S. official said that McGurk and Witkoff talk regularly and constructively on the hostage negotiations. "These conversations are appropriate given the stakes and are what the American people should expect to be happening. We share the common aim to get the hostages out," the official added.
Meanwhile, Israel's KAN broadcaster published last night the Israeli document that forms the basis of the talks in Doha to secure "the release of all Israeli hostages held in Gaza—civilians and soldiers, whether alive or not—taken at any time."
The United States must increase the pressure on Hamas and its sponsors in Iran, Qatar and Turkey to release the hostages.
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 tomorrow.
IDF, CENTCOM hold joint meeting on countering Houthis
Leaders of the IDF and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) met yesterday to discuss future action against Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists, who continue to launch missiles and drones at Israel, U.S. Navy vessels and international shipping.
CENTCOM Deputy Commander Admiral Brad Cooper and Deputy IDF Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Amir Baram visited several air force bases and discussed countering threats from Yemen and other terror organizations in the Middle East.
"The IDF will continue to strengthen its ties with the U.S. military, demonstrating a commitment to enhancing regional stability and coordination between the armies," the IDF said.
The United States must increase the pressure on Iran and its Houthi proxy and work to interdict the flow of Iranian weapons to Yemen.
IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Amir Baram and CENTCOM Deputy Commander Admiral Brad Cooper, January 7, 2025.
Israel plans to increase defense spending in light of mounting threats
A 12-member Israeli expert committee concluded that Israel may need to spend an extra $3.6 billion per year in military expenditures as the Jewish state faces mounting threats on multiple fronts and escalating conflict with Iran.
Israel's defense spending is expected to increase significantly in coming years. If the committee's recommendations were adopted on top of the increases already approved, Israel's defense budget would be 40% higher than pre-war levels.
The United States must continue to ensure Israel has the resources needed to defend its people.
Israel continues to surge humanitarian aid into Gaza
This morning, Hamas terrorists again fired rockets at the Kerem Shalom border crossing, one of the major points where humanitarian aid is transferred from Israel into Gaza.
Despite Hamas' ongoing attacks and theft of humanitarian assistance, Israel continues to surge significant amounts of aid into Gaza.
Since Hamas' October 7 attack, Israel has facilitated the entry of more than 64,000 trucks into Gaza carrying over 1.28 million tons of aid.
Yesterday alone, 230 humanitarian aid trucks entered Gaza, while approximately 800 trucks worth of aid were awaiting collection and distribution by aid agencies inside of Gaza.
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