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Dear A.,
Hamas is once again prolonging this war by rejecting American offers to extend the ceasefire deal and refusing to release more hostages.
Over the weekend, Israel agreed to a new U.S. proposal offered by White House envoy Steve Witkoff to extend the first phase of the ceasefire deal through Ramadan and Passover in exchange for the release of more hostages.
"In Witkoff’s plan, half of the hostages would be released right away and the remaining half would be released if we reach an agreement on a permanent ceasefire,” Prime Minister Netanyahu said in a video message this afternoon.
"Israel has accepted this plan. I accepted this plan. But so far, Hamas has rejected it," the prime minister said.
Following Hamas' rejection of the U.S. offer, Israel announced that it would halt the entry of goods and supplies into Gaza.
"The goods transferred to Gaza have become the number one source of income for Hamas," Israel's Foreign Ministry
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said . "The goods have been exploited by Hamas for the reconstruction of its terror infrastructure – Hamas is now running a billion-dollar aid industry that is being used for terrorist purposes."
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More than 25,200 trucks of goods entered Gaza during 42 days of the ceasefire, which is estimated to be enough to sustain the entire population for four months.
U.S. National Security Council Spokesperson Brian Hughes said today that the United States "will support their decision on next steps given Hamas has indicated it’s no longer interested in a negotiated ceasefire."
The onus is on Hamas, which could end the war in Gaza today if it surrenders and frees all 59 hostages.
America must increase the pressure on the terror group and its backers in Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt to release all of the hostages.
Prime Minister Netanyahu thanked President Trump for standing with Israel. Watch his statement below.
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State Dept. announces expedited delivery of $4 billion in military aid to Israel
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced yesterday that he has signed a declaration to use emergency authorities to expedite the delivery of approximately $4 billion in military assistance to Israel.
"Since taking office, the Trump Administration has approved nearly $12 billion in major FMS sales to Israel," Rubio said. "The Trump Administration will continue to use all available tools to fulfill America’s long-standing commitment to Israel’s security, including means to counter security threats."
This statement came one day after the administration
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announced it would fast-track $3 billion worth of arms sales to Israel.
AIPAC applauds the Trump administration for standing with our ally Israel and ensuring it has the resources it needs to deter and confront our shared enemies.
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Read the full statement here.
Freed hostage Eli Sharabi recounts horrors of Hamas captivity, invited by President Trump to the White House
Eli Sharabi endured 491 days in horrific conditions as a hostage of Hamas in Gaza. He recently
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spoke to Israeli publication Uvda and detailed some of the torture and trauma he experienced.
"The chains on my legs never left me from the day I arrived in Gaza until the last day. Some people were shackled only part of the time – I was chained for a year and four months, with thick, heavy locks that tore into my flesh," Sharabi said.
He recounted being starved by the terrorists. "You don’t care about the beatings, even when they break your ribs. I didn’t care – just give me half a pita."
"You start to see your stomach sinking inward. At some point, you can’t believe what’s happening to your own body."
After watching Sharabi's harrowing testimony,
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President Trump invited him to the White House. Eli is set to fly to Washington tomorrow and meet with the president on Tuesday.
Watch his interview below.
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Hamas releases propaganda video showing Eitan Horn pleading to be freed as his brother is separated from him
Hamas published a propaganda video this weekend showing Iair Horn, who was released from captivity two weeks ago, saying goodbye to his younger brother Eitan, who is still being held hostage.
The video begins with five hostages sitting on the floor — the Horn brothers, Sagui Dekel-Chen, and two more hostages whose faces Hamas blurred in the video. The father of hostage Nimrod Cohen later identified his son as one of the other hostages by the tattoo on his forearm.
Eitan then pleads for his release.
“Our hearts break seeing Eitan in this difficult situation being separated from his brother to continue being held in Hamas’s hell for 512 days,” the Horn family said.
“You can see in Eitan’s eyes the despair and fear he is in. Since Iair returned to us, he has not stopped thinking and acting for Eitan and all hostages he met in captivity who remain in Gaza."
Hamas is still holding 59 hostages, including 5 Americans, in abhorrent conditions in Gaza.
Netanyahu and Katz direct IDF to ‘prepare to defend’ Syrian Druze suburb of Damascus
On Saturday, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz
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instructed the IDF to “prepare to defend” the Druze-majority city of Jaramana on the outskirts of Damascus in Syria.
Forces from the new Syrian government clashed with local Druze gunmen over the weekend. At least one Syrian officer was killed, while another was captured and later released.
“We will not allow the extreme Islamic regime in Syria to harm the Druze. If the regime harms the Druze, it will be struck by us,” Katz said.
“We are committed to our Druze brothers in Israel to do everything to prevent harm to their Druze brothers in Syria, and we will take all the steps required to maintain their safety,” he added.
Emily Damari: My scars represent freedom, hope, and strength
Freed hostage Emily Damari
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posted the below on X earlier this afternoon, after undergoing successful surgery on her hand and leg:
"Hi X 🤟 thanks for all the love 💛
On October 7 I was shot in my hand and leg, last week I finally had surgery to help the pain.
I embrace my hand, my leg and my scars - to me they represent freedom, hope and strength.
I thank G-d, the IDF, and everyone who fought to give me my life back. Now let's bring all the hostages home 🎗️"
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Continue to
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follow AIPAC on social media for the latest updates.
Cory Meyer
Director of Communications
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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