Prime Minister Netanyahu said today that he "has directed that the timetables – for seizing control of the last terrorist strongholds and the defeat of Hamas – be shortened," ahead of the final approval of the IDF's plans to invade Gaza City.
The IDF announced today that since the renewal of ground operations in Gaza as part of Operation Gideon's Chariots, Israel has seized control of over 75% of the enclave, eliminated about 2,000 terrorists, and struck approximately 10,000 terror targets.
"These achievements created the conditions for the IDF to intensify pressure on Hamas, strike its remaining capabilities, and lay the groundwork for the next stages of the operation," the IDF said.
Yet Hamas continues to pose a serious threat.
Today, at least 18 Hamas terrorists attacked an IDF position in Khan Younis, wounding three soldiers, one seriously. The IDF believes that the terrorists were trying to kidnap IDF troops.
The terrorists emerged from a tunnel and opened fire with machine guns and RPGs while approaching the IDF position. Some of the terrorists managed to get inside, exchanging fire in close quarters with the troops.
At least ten of the terrorists were killed by the IDF, while eight managed to escape back into the tunnel. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.
As the IDF increases the pressure on Hamas and prepares for the new operation in Gaza City, negotiations towards a hostage-ceasefire agreement are ongoing.
Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer met today in Paris with senior Qatari officials to advance negotiations, Axios' Barak Ravid reports.
A senior Israeli official told Ravid that "the negotiations are being conducted under heavy secrecy and emphasized that these are days of sensitive and fateful decisions."
While Israel works to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, Hamas is prolonging the suffering of Israelis and Palestinians alike.
The United States must stand with Israel and increase the pressure on Hamas and its sponsors in Qatar, Turkey and Iran to release all 50 hostages still held in captivity.
Gaza aid efforts continue
As Israel works to defeat Hamas and free the hostages, its humanitarian efforts in Gaza continue unabated, bringing in hundreds of aid trucks every day.
Today, Israel coordinated an airdrop of 154 pallets of food aid into Gaza, and yesterday brought nearly 400 humanitarian aid trucks in. Hundreds of trucks-worth of aid are still awaiting collection inside Gaza.
Since October 7, Israel has brought two million tons of food, water, medical and shelter supplies into Gaza on about 100,000 trucks.
Meanwhile, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has now distributed more than 130 million meals, including more than 1.1 million meals today alone.
GHF Executive Director John Acree held a live briefing today to share more about the foundation's operations in Gaza, which you can watch here.
U.S. sanctions additional ICC officials
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced today that the United States is imposing sanctions on four additional International Criminal Court (ICC) officials to "hold accountable those responsible for the ICC’s morally bankrupt and legally baseless actions against Americans and Israelis."
"The United States has been clear and steadfast in our opposition to the ICC’s politicization, abuse of power, disregard for our national sovereignty, and illegitimate judicial overreach" that has been used to target "the United States and our close ally Israel," Rubio's press release said.
AIPAC applauds President Trump and Secretary Rubio for imposing further sanctions on ICC officials for their politically motivated investigations and prosecutions against U.S. personnel in Afghanistan and our democratic ally Israel.
The Trump administration is right to stand up to unjust persecution against the U.S. and our ally Israel by international bodies.
IDF to purchase additional American-made refuelers
The Israeli Defense Ministry said today that it plans to purchase two more Boeing KC-46 refueling planes, on top of the four it's already ordered.
The deal will cost about half a billion dollars, funded by the $3.8 billion in security assistance AIPAC lobbies Congress to pass each year.
Israel's existing fleet of older refueling planes was critical to its ability to strike targets deep in Iranian territory as part of Operation Rising Lion.
PICTURE OF THE DAY
Sen. Banks and Amb. Leiter tour Indiana manufacturer
Senator Jim Banks (R-IN) and Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter on Monday toured the facilities of a Mishawaka, Indiana company producing vehicles for the IDF.
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.
