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Dear A.,


Prime Minister Netanyahu
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announced today new steps the IDF is taking in Gaza to pressure Hamas to release the remaining hostages.


"Last night in the Gaza Strip, we switched gears. The IDF is seizing territory, striking the terrorists and destroying the infrastructure. We are also doing something else: We are seizing the Morag Corridor. This will be the second Philadelphi, an additional Philadelphi Corridor [link Philadelphi corridor to the memo we did on it]," Netanyahu said. "Because we are now dividing the Strip and increasing the pressure step by step, so that [Hamas] will give us our hostages. And as long as they do not give them to us, the pressure will increase until they do."


A State Department spokesperson
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stated clearly : "All of this could stop in a moment if Hamas returned all the hostages and the hostage bodies they are still holding, and put down its weapons. There is one entity that can stop it for everyone in a moment, and that is Hamas."


Netanyahu's message comes as the IDF is significantly expanding its military operation in Gaza, and is now close to
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controlling 30% of the enclave.


Israeli forces are working to clear areas "of terrorists and infrastructure, and capture extensive territory that will be added to the State of Israel’s security areas," Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz
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said today.


The IDF began ground operations in Rafah last night, while the Israel Air Force struck numerous targets across the strip both yesterday and today.


As Israel continues to increase the pressure on Hamas, some Gazans are continuing to
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take to the streets to call for an end to Hamas' rule. In Beit Lahia in northern Gaza today, chants of "Hamas, out out" could be heard.



Hamas has responded brutally to these demonstrations, including by
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executing Palestinians opposed to the terror group's continued control.


According to a
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new exclusive Free Press report, after Hamas tortured and mutilated a 22-year-old Gazan protester, they dropped him off a rooftop with a note pinned to his clothes: "This is the price for all who criticize Hamas."

The United States must continue to stand with Israel and increase the pressure on Hamas and its sponsors in Qatar, Turkey and Iran to release the 59 hostages, including five American citizens, still held in captivity in Gaza.


U.S. continues to increase pressure on Iran

Yesterday, the United States
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sanctioned six entities and two individuals in Iran, the United Arab Emirates and China for aiding Iran's production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).


Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, "Treasury will continue to disrupt Iran’s military-industrial complex and its proliferation of UAVs, missiles and conventional weapons that often end up in the hands of destabilizing actors, including terrorist proxies."


The Department of Justice yesterday
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unsealed charges against two Iranian nationals and an Iranian company for conspiring to procure U.S. parts for Iranian UAVs, provide material support to Iran's elite IRGC forces, and launder money.


Today, Secretary Bessent
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brought together global financial institutions and federal law enforcement agencies for an event highlighting Iran’s sprawling global oil and "shadow banking" networks.


Meanwhile, the Department of Defense is
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moving additional forces to the Middle East as the U.S. continues airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen and increases the pressure on Iran.


"Should Iran or its proxies threaten American personnel and interests in the region, the United States will take decisive action to defend our people," Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said yesterday.

AIPAC thanks the administration for taking these important steps. The United States must continue to increase the pressure on Iran and its terrorist proxies.

AIPAC CEO testifies to Congress

AIPAC CEO Elliot Brandt testified today before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs, making the case for the continued importance of a strong U.S.-Israel relationship.


"Israel is America’s indispensable ally as Washington faces the threats and opportunities of tomorrow. Israel promotes America’s values and interests in a critical region, while also leading the world in hightech innovation... bipartisan support will remain even more critical as America and Israel continue to work together to address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead," he testified.

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Read his full written testimony here.

Israel drops remaining tariffs on U.S. goods

Israel
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moved yesterday to eliminate all remaining tariffs on U.S. imports.


The United States and Israel signed a free trade agreement in 1985, leading to the elimination of most tariffs.


Prime Minister Netanyahu
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said the decision would "further strengthen the alliance and ties between Israel and the U.S. We will continue to work to reduce barriers and customs, and bolster our special relationship with the U.S."

Hezbollah terrorist eliminated in Lebanon

The IDF
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announced yesterday that it eliminated a Hezbollah terrorist in Beirut who was helping Hamas plan a "significant and imminent terror attack against Israeli civilians."


The terrorist was Hassan Bdair, a member of Hezbollah’s Unit 3900 and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps elite Quds Force.


"We expect Lebanon to take action to uproot terrorist organizations acting within its borders against Israel," Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said. "What we saw here is cooperation between Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas on the soil of Lebanon in order to initiate terrorist attacks against Israelis."

MUST WATCH
Freed Israeli hostage receives State Department Award



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Freed Israeli hostage Amit Soussana, pictured with First Lady Melania Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, received the State Department's 2025 International Women of Courage Award.




AIPAC-endorsed candidates win Florida special elections


Two AIPAC-endorsed candidates won their special elections in Florida last night, further strengthening support for Israel in Congress.


AIPAC congratulates Representatives-elect
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Jimmy Patronis and
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Randy Fine on their election victories.




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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