President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke by phone today to discuss the hostage-ceasefire negotiations, amid ongoing efforts to reach a deal. Biden Administration officials have stressed in recent days that Hamas is the obstacle to finalizing an agreement.
In an interview with CNN today, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said that, "We are very very close and yet far because we are not there. It is possible to get it done before January 20, but I can’t be sure."
President-Elect Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Prime Minister Netanyahu in Israel yesterday. Witkoff reportedly stressed the need to reach a deal by the January 20 inauguration.
According to an Israeli official, "There is a chance of reaching an agreement, but it is a serious challenge. The heads of the Israeli negotiating team would not have gone to Qatar if they did not think an agreement could be reached. It will be difficult, but the team will do its best to reach a deal."
Meanwhile, the IDF is intensifying its operations in northern Gaza to destroy Hamas cells and prevent the terror group from reconstituting.
Hamas continues to use schools, hospitals, and mosques as shelters for its weapons and fighters. Yesterday, the IDF carried out drone strikes against a group of Hamas terrorists who were using a school as a command center to plan and carry out attacks against Israelis.
Four IDF soldiers were killed and six were wounded amid the fighting yesterday, bringing Israel's death toll during its ground offensive to 402.
"They fell protecting the homeland in battles in the northern Gaza Strip, in a war for our existence and security," Prime Minister Netanyahu said, eulogizing the fallen soldiers. "Their heroism and bravery will be etched in our hearts forever."
Defense Minister Katz: Israel won't let the West Bank become Gaza or southern Lebanon
The IDF carried out extensive operations over the weekend to destroy and dismantle terrorist cells in the West Bank, which are armed and funded by the Iranian regime.
Overnight, Israel's undercover police counterterrorism unit and the Shin Bet detained two Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists who were on their way to carry out a shooting attack against Israelis.
Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed to prevent Iran-backed terror groups from turning the West Bank into another Gaza or southern Lebanon. “Anyone who engages in terror like in Gaza will be treated like in Gaza," he said. "We will work to cut off the arms of the Iranian octopus in the refugee camps in Judea and Samaria and to maintain the security of the communities and residents.”
Since October 7, Israeli troops have arrested around 6,000 wanted Palestinian terrorists across the West Bank, including more than 2,350 affiliated with Hamas.
The Shin Bet reported last week that it had thwarted 1,040 significant terrorist attacks in the West Bank and Jerusalem in 2024. Read more here.
Weapons and tactical equipment seized by Israeli police overnight from a car driven by two Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists en route to carry out an attack.
John Spencer op-ed: Peace in Israel isn't possible until Palestinians stop paying terrorists to kill
Urban warfare expert John Spencer highlights the Palestinian Authority's abhorrent "pay-to-slay" program in an important opinion for USA Today.
"The “pay to slay” program must be dismantled, like the terrorist organizations that fund it, piece by piece," Spencer writes. "Until then, it will remain a societal and economic framework that incentivizes terrorism, obstructs peace and fuels international instability. No serious effort to resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict can succeed while this program continues to operate."
“The PA increased annual payouts by $16.2 million monthly, adding new beneficiaries − 900 prisoners from Gaza and tens of thousands additional “martyrs,” including those involved in the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks.”
🎥 WATCH: Rescued hostage Luis Har celebrates his new life
In February, 71-year-old Louis Har was rescued in a remarkable and daring Israeli special forces operation in Gaza. Today, he is celebrating his freedom while calling for the release of the 98 hostages still in Hamas captivity.
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