"I hope we can complete it in a few days," Prime Minister Netanyahu said yesterday, speaking about the ongoing negotiations for a hostage deal with Hamas in Gaza.
Israel has accepted the latest U.S.-backed proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the release of hostages, but Hamas continues to reject it.
"We’ll probably have a 60-day ceasefire. Get the first batch out and then use the 60 days to try to negotiate an end to this," Netanyahu added.
"We think we can bring it to completion... We’re going to defeat these monsters and get our hostages back."
You can watch the full interview here:
Separately, as Netanyahu ended his trip in D.C., he made clear that the war in Gaza will end when "Hamas lays down its weapons, Gaza is demilitarized, Hamas no longer has any governmental or military capabilities. These are our basic conditions."
The IDF is continuing its operations in Gaza to increase the military pressure on Hamas to accept a hostage agreement, issuing today an evacuation warning for civilians in Gaza City.
"In light of the Hamas terror organization using civilian areas for terror activities, the IDF will attack the area with great force. For your safety, evacuate the area immediately," IDF Arabic-language spokesperson Col. Avichay Adraee said.
The United States must continue to stand with Israel as our ally works to free all the hostages and end the threat from Hamas in Gaza.
Below are more key stories and links to share AIPAC social media content. We'll continue to provide the latest updates on our social media channels.
Shabbat Shalom,
Jake Braunstein
Director of Policy Communications
Reps. Ilhan Omar and Marjorie Taylor Greene working to cut off missile defense funding for Israel
Each proposed the same legislation to weaken America and hurt our ally Israel by cutting off funding for joint U.S.-Israel missile defense cooperation on lifesaving programs like Iron Dome.
If passed, this would undermine U.S. national security, embolden Israel and America's shared enemies, and put innocent lives at risk.
Israeli defense minister pledges continued vigilance against Iran
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said yesterday that "Israel's long arm will reach you in Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan, and anywhere you try to threaten or harm Israel. There is no place to hide," speaking at an Israeli Air Force graduation ceremony.
"If we must return, we will do so with greater force," he added.
The statement comes amid reports that some of Iran's enriched uranium may have survived the U.S. and Israeli strikes, buried under the rubble in Iran's destroyed nuclear facilities.
Speaking to reporters earlier this week, a senior Israeli official "did not express concern about the assessment... The official, and other Israelis with access to the country's intelligence findings, said any attempts by Iran to recover it would almost certainly be detected - and there would be time to attack the facilities again," The New York Times reported.
Houthi threat to Israel and international shipping ongoing
Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) said yesterday that, "The Houthis need to be totally eliminated. They have no purpose other than to kill free people."
His comments come as the Iranian-backed terror group has attacked and sunk two commercial ships this week, killing several merchant sailors and taking some hostage, and as it continues to launch ballistic missiles at Israel.
Following the Houthi attacks, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said, "The United States has been clear: we will continue to take necessary action to protect freedom of navigation and commercial shipping from Houthi terrorist attacks, which must be condemned by all members of the international community."
Meanwhile, the Houthis released footage of their attack on the commercial vessel "Magic Seas" over the weekend. Watch below:
Israeli murdered in Palestinian terror attack
A 22-year-old Israeli man was killed in a combined shooting and stabbing terror attack yesterday.
The two Palestinian terrorists, who were shot dead soon after, were reportedly members of the Palestinian Authority’s police force and recently completed training in Qatar.
Following the attack, the Palestinian Authority released posters glorifying the two terrorists, whose families will now be eligible for stipends under the heinous pay-for-slay program.
Shalev Zvuluny, 22, was killed in a terror attack yesterday.
Mazel tov, Sasha and Sapir! 💙
There are still 50 hostages held captive in Gaza #FreeThemAll
America and Israel: Stronger Together
Yagil Yaakov was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7 at only 12 years old.
He was held hostage in Gaza for 52 days.
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.
