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Dear A.,
Israel is striking Hamas targets across Gaza to increase the pressure on the terror group to accept the American-backed offer to extend the ceasefire and free hostages.
The IDF
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confirmed today that it has launched "pinpoint" ground operations in central and southern Gaza, aimed at expanding the buffer zone, and that troops have retaken part of the Netzarim Corridor area, which divides Gaza from east to west.
The IDF also deployed troops to the southern part of the Gaza border, preparing for future actions within the Strip.
In a statement today, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz
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warned , "Gaza residents, this is a final warning. The first Sinwar ruined Gaza and the second Sinwar will completely obliterate it," referring to the now-dead leader of the terror group, Yahya Sinwar, and to his brother, Mohammed Sinwar, a senior Hamas military commander who is thought to have succeeded him.
"Take the U.S. president’s advice. Return the hostages and remove Hamas, and other options will open up for you, including leaving for other places in the world for those who desire," Katz added. "The alternative is total destruction and ruin."
Over the past 48 hours, Israel has
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eliminated dozens of terrorists and destroyed terror infrastructure and rocket launch sites throughout Gaza.
The IDF destroyed a Hamas site in northern Gaza last night that the terror group was using to prepare to launch attacks into Israel. Israeli forces also targeted several vessels off the coast of Gaza that were being used for terrorist activities by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Israel also eliminated Essam al-Dalis, a senior Hamas leader who served as a prime minister-like figure for Hamas in Gaza — and as the head of the UNRWA teachers union.
At a U.N. Security Council briefing yesterday, interim U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Dorothy Shea
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said :
"The blame for the resumption of hostilities lies solely with Hamas. This brutal terrorist organization has steadfastly refused every proposal and deadline they’ve been presented over the past few weeks, including a 'bridge' proposal to extend the ceasefire beyond Ramadan and Passover to allow time to negotiate a framework for a permanent ceasefire.
Hamas refused this offer, preferring still to hold hostages captive and hide amongst the people of Gaza, using them as human shields. It is the people of Gaza who will suffer further because of Hamas’s disregard for human life...
President Trump has made clear that Hamas must release the hostages immediately or pay a high price, and we support Israel in its next steps."
Hamas is solely responsible for the situation in Gaza. Hamas could end this war at any moment by releasing all the hostages, laying down its arms, and surrendering.
The United States must continue to stand with Israel and increase the pressure on Hamas and its sponsors in Qatar, Iran and Turkey to release the 59 hostages, including 5 Americans, still held in captivity in Gaza.
Tell Congress: Stand with Israel Against Hamas
Tell your members of Congress to publicly stand with our ally Israel, condemn Hamas, and demand the terror group immediately free the 59 remaining hostages, including 5 Americans.
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MUST LISTEN
EMERGENCY EPISODE - with Amit Segal & Nadav Eyal
Dan Senor
Call Me Back Podcast
Dan Senor is joined by Amit Segal, a columnist for Yediot Ahronot and chief political analyst for Israel’s Channel 12, and Nadav Eyal, also a columnist at Yediot and an adjunct professor at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.
They discuss the resumption of Israeli operations against Hamas in Gaza, U.S. strikes on the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, and other breaking news.
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Iranian-backed Houthis launch ballistic missile at Israel as U.S. strikes continue
Last night, the Iranian-backed Houthis terrorists in Yemen
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launched a ballistic missile at Israel for the first time in two months.
The IDF successfully intercepted the missile before it could reach Israel using the long-range Arrow missile defense system. AIPAC lobbies Congress each year to provide $500 million in funding for lifesaving missile defense systems like Arrow, Iron Dome, and David's Sling.
Meanwhile, earlier today U.S. Central Command
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released a video of an American fighter jet shooting down a Houthi suicide drone.
The United States is continuing to
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strike Houthi terror targets in Yemen, working to destroy the terror group's capabilities.
Since October 7, 2023, the Houthis have
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attacked U.S. Navy and commercial vessels more than 300 times.
President Trump has warned that every "shot fired by the Houthis" would be considered an attack by Iran and met with "dire" consequences.
The United States must continue to increase the pressure on Iran and its Houthi proxy, including by taking military action when necessary and fully enforcing economic sanctions.
Increased funding and new U.S.-Israel cooperative program passed by Congress
The continuing resolution passed by Congress last week, and signed by the president over the weekend, to fund the government through September included increased funding for U.S.-Israel cooperative programs that we lobbied for over the past year.
The bill included $35 million in new funding, including a $15 million increase for counter-drone cooperation and $20 million for a brand-new program to enhance U.S.-Israel cooperation on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics, automation, and space, enabling the two countries to better meet the challenges the future battlefield will present.
AIPAC thanks leaders in Congress for including this important funding. Close collaboration between the United States and Israel helps keep both countries safe, strong and prosperous.
Israeli strikes in Syria and Lebanon
On Sunday, the IDF
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struck a command-and-control center in southern Lebanon used by Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force.
The IDF said the presence of the facility "constitutes a blatant violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon," adding, "the IDF will strike armed terrorists in Southern Lebanon and will operate in order to remove any threat to the State of Israel."
Meanwhile, Israel is continuing to strike military targets
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in Syria to prevent weapons from falling into the hands of al-Qaeda-linked terrorists.
The IDF this week targeted military headquarters and weapons facilities used by the former Syrian regime that could pose a threat to Israel.
The United States must continue to ensure Israel has the resources needed to protect its people and deter its enemies, while working to ensure that Lebanon and Syria are no longer used as fronts to launch attacks on Israel.
DOJ and FBI launch October 7 task force
The Department of Justice and FBI on Monday
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launched a task force, called "Joint Task Force October 7 (JTF 10-7)," to investigate Hamas for the October 7 attack on Israel.
"The barbaric Hamas terrorists will not win—and there will be consequences," Attorney General Pamela Bondi
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said in the announcement. "As Attorney General, I have had the solemn honor of meeting with several families of U.S. citizens whose loved ones were kidnapped by Hamas on that dark day. This task force will strengthen the Department’s resolve to achieve justice for these families and their loved ones as we continue to fight antisemitism in all its forms."
As part of this effort, FBI agents will be embedded with Israel's National Bureau of Counter Terror Finance, ensuring close collaboration between America and Israel.
Other notable headlines
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Trump's letter to Iran included 2-month deadline for new nuclear deal
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Israel aware a major war front may develop in West Bank
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In biggest exit in Israeli history, Google buys cyber unicorn Wiz for $32 billion
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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