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Dear A.,


Following intense pressure from Israel and America, Hamas has ended its violation of the hostage deal and agreed to release female hostages Arbel Yehoud and Agam Berger (both pictured below), as well as a third unnamed hostage, this Thursday. Three additional hostages will be released on Saturday.


Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Iranian-backed terror group allied with Hamas,
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released a proof-of-life video today of Arbel.


In the video, she says to her family, "I miss you endlessly and I hope to return to you soon, like the girls who had been released." Her family asked the media to not share the video or images from it.



In response to Hamas ending its violations, Israel has now started allowing Gazans
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to return to the enclave's northern section through the Netzarim Corridor. Tens of thousands have already done so since this morning.


In accordance with the hostage deal, American private security contractors are beginning to police a checkpoint on the path northwards to prevent terrorists and weapons from being smuggled in.

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


Lebanese Armed Forces official leaked sensitive info to Hezbollah


According to a
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report in The Times, a senior Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) official — the head of military intelligence for southern Lebanon — leaked secrets to Hezbollah, providing the terror group sensitive information from inside a security control room run by the U.S. and France, tasked with monitoring the ceasefire agreement.


This official "is one of dozens of officers in the Lebanese army who have leaked information to Hezbollah, giving them advance warning of raids or patrols, allowing them to remove weapons and evade detection," the report reads.

The United States must continue to ensure Israel has the resources and support necessary to defend its people and increase the pressure on Lebanon and Hezbollah to fully comply with the terms of the ceasefire.

Defense Minister Katz to SecDef: "I am confident that together we can succeed"


In
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a letter yesterday to newly confirmed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz wrote: "The upcoming months present us with challenges that require military readiness and opportunities that allow us to further our strategic goals. I am confident that together we can succeed, creating long-term stability and a better future for the region."


"The defense alliance between our nations is marked by shared goals and values of peace, security, and prosperity. The longstanding commitment and support of the United States to Israel’s security and its qualitative military edge is of great value."


Meanwhile, Secretary Hegseth
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said today that the United States will seek to emulate Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system, previewing an upcoming executive order for an "Iron Dome for America."

The U.S.-Israel relationship makes both countries safer, stronger and more prosperous.

IDF continues to strike terrorists in the West Bank


An Israeli air strike near Tulkarem
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today killed a local Hamas commander, as the IDF continues its counterterror Operation Iron Wall in the West Bank.


Last
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Friday , Israeli forces struck a terrorist cell planning an imminent attack in the northern West Bank.


So far, 15 terrorists have been eliminated as part of Operation Iron Wall, 30 suspects apprehended, and many weapons have been confiscated.


For years, Iran has been attempting to turn the West Bank into another Gaza, funding and arming terror groups in the region to carry out attacks against Israel.

UNRWA must vacate Jerusalem premises by January 30


Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon said that UNRWA — the U.N. agency for Palestinians whose employees participated in the October 7 massacre —
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must end its operations and leave all its "premises" in Jerusalem by January 30.


The Israeli Knesset passed legislation in October 2024 to bar UNRWA from operating in Israel.

Last year, AIPAC successfully lobbied members of Congress to suspend U.S. funding for UNRWA for one year, and we must work to permanently end American funding for this fundamentally broken organization.

Tell Senators: Vote YES on Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act


The Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act imposes sanctions on individuals who aid the International Criminal Court's outrageous effort to prosecute Israel's leaders.


TAKE 45 SECONDS: Urge your senators to vote YES on this important pro-Israel legislation when it comes up for a vote.

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

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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