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Dear A.,
Israel, the United States and United Kingdom each conducted a series of
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coordinated strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen today.
The strikes were reportedly carried out in three waves and targeted
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numerous strategic sites , including military facilities, a power plant, and strategic ports.
The IDF
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said more than 20 Israeli aircraft — including fighter jets, refueling planes and surveillance aircraft — participated in the operation and dropped at least 50 munitions on three main targets: the Hodeidah and Ras Isa ports on Yemen’s western coast, and the Hezyaz power plant near the capital Sanaa.
"The targets struck are examples of the Houthis’ exploitation of civilian infrastructure for its terrorist activities," the IDF added.
The coordinated strikes follow a meeting between U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) deputy commander Admiral Brad Cooper and senior IDF officials earlier this week, where they discussed efforts to counter the Iranian-backed Houthi threat.
Prime Minister Netanyahu said today, "the Houthis are paying, and will continue to pay, a heavy price for their aggression against us... They pose a danger to Israel and the entire region, including a threat to global freedom of navigation. I repeat: We will not tolerate harm to our citizens and our country."
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Since October 7, 2023, the Houthis have launched hundreds of attacks on Israel, U.S. Navy vessels, and international shipping, endangering Americans and our allies and significantly disrupting one of the world's most vital shipping lanes.
The United States must continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our democratic ally Israel and take action to counter the threat of Iran and its Houthi proxy.
Continue to
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follow AIPAC on social media throughout the weekend for the latest updates.
Shabbat Shalom,
Jake Braunstein
Director of Policy Communications
Growing risk of major conflict in West Bank
IDF troops have been
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carrying out a large-scale operation in the West Bank, targeting Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad battalions funded by Iran.
Iran has spent years attempting to turn the West Bank into another Gaza, establishing a new front from which it can attack Israel.
The IDF is also preparing for an October 7-style attack in the West Bank, including breaches of the barrier between Israel and the West Bank and potential infiltrations of Israeli communities.
Meanwhile, following Monday's deadly terrorist attack, Israeli Shin Bet security service chief Ronen Bar reportedly urged the government to approve a major IDF
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counterterrorism operation in the West Bank, warning of the growing capabilities of terror groups there.
"Israel should learn from October 7 and not allow the intensification of these terrorist elements. Therefore a broad, reality-changing move must be initiated that will collapse and eliminate the phenomenon of the armed Palestinian battalions in [the West Bank]," he said.
The United States must continue to support Israel's counter-terror efforts in the West Bank and urge the Palestinian Authority to do more to counter this growing threat.
Ongoing negotiations to secure the release of hostages in Gaza
President Joe Biden
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said yesterday that "we’re making some real progress" towards a hostage-ceasefire agreement, but "Hamas is the one getting in the way of that exchange right now."
Meanwhile, the IDF has now
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confirmed that it recovered the bodies of father and son Youssef and Hamza Ziyadne this week, both of whom were taken captive by Hamas on October 7, 2023 and later murdered in Gaza.
The United States must increase the pressure on Hamas and its sponsors in Iran, Qatar and Turkey to release the remaining 98 hostages.
New Op-ed: "Don’t blame Israel — it’s Hamas that has put every Gaza hospital in danger"
Writing in
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The Hill , Arsen Ostrovsky, John Spencer and Brian L. Cox debunk the latest claim that Israel is violating international law in Gaza, shedding light on how Hamas uses civilian infrastructure for terrorism.
"In the last week, there has been intense discussion focused on Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, reportedly one of the last functioning hospitals in the area. This has been part of a broader ongoing debate in the war between Hamas and Israel, on the status of hospitals in wartime and under what circumstances they might become objects of legitimate military operations..."
"Hamas, a ruthless terrorist organization, operates without any regard to the norms of international law or value of human life, with a longstanding practice of systematically embedding their operations in hospitals, using civilians as human shields and building military tunnels underneath hospitals."
"Fifteen months into the war initiated by Hamas, there is hardly a hospital or medical facility in Gaza the terror group has not turned into a military command center, including the Kamal Adwan Hospital. There, Israel has detained over 240 Hamas terrorists, including some disguised as patients, and found caches of weapons, including guns and explosives. Each of these acts is an undisputed violation of the law of armed conflict..."
"Those who truly care about the wellbeing of civilians in Gaza, and who are rightfully aghast at the scenes coming out of Kamal Adwan Hospital would be well advised to direct their outrage at Hamas, which continues to unconscionably and illegally turn hospitals into their personal control and command centers and severely risk the lives of innocent civilians."
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Read the full op-ed here.
Important Senate vote next week on ICC bill
The Senate is expected to vote next week on the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act, passed by the House yesterday in a strong bipartisan vote.
The legislation imposes sanctions on those responsible for the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) outrageous attacks against Israel that threaten Americans too.
This vote comes less than two months after the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli officials on baseless charges of "war crimes" and "crimes against humanity" — reaching a new low in its morally bankrupt and politically motivated attacks against the Jewish state.
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Click here to email your senators and urge them to vote YES on this important bill when it comes up for a vote next week.
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President-Elect Trump: "If those hostages aren't back...If they're not back by the time I get into office all hell will break out in the Middle East."
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Noa Argamani on Capitol Hill this week advocating for the release of her boyfriend and the 97 other hostages from Hamas captivity.
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Iran-backed Houthi terrorists are STILL launching attack drones at our ally Israel, aiming to injure and kill civilians.
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The IDF rescued the bodies of father and son Youssef and Hamza from an underground tunnel in Rafah.
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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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