The United States and Israel are continuing to pressure Hamas to comply with President Trump's peace agreement, including ending the executions of Gazan civilians and releasing all the bodies of the murdered Israeli and American hostages.
A local Gazan militia leader not affiliated with Hamas appealed to the president in a video posted on social media yesterday to protect Gazans from Hamas' brutality.
"Hamas is killing hundreds of children, women, youths and elderly people... Today, Hamas is waging terror against the people in Gaza, killing with RPGs. Hamas is 100 percent ISIS," the militia leader said.
Meanwhile, Israel has provided additional intelligence to the United States and mediators on the location of the bodies of hostages in Gaza that Hamas has not returned.
"We know for certain that Hamas can easily release a significant number of hostages in accordance with the agreement. What they are doing now is a fundamental violation of the agreement," Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said.
The bodies of 19 hostages, including American citizens Omer Neutra and Itay Chen, are still in Gaza.
According to reports, an international team is inside Gaza searching for the bodies.
Hamas is reportedly urging the mediators to advance the implementation of the peace deal despite its failure to comply.
Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to travel to the Middle East this weekend to follow up on the implementation of the deal.
The United States must increase the pressure on Hamas and its sponsors in Qatar, Turkey and Iran to fully comply with the agreement and release all the hostages.
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
Trump, Witkoff predict Abraham Accords expansion
White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff predicted that the Abraham Accords will "seriously expand" following the implementation of President Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza.
Speaking at an event at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum yesterday, Witkoff highlighted the president's commitment to Israel and expanding the circle of peace: "He moved our embassy to Jerusalem, he recognized Israel’s sovereignty over Judea and Samaria [the West Bank] and the Golan Heights. He forged the Abraham peace Accords, which will seriously expand now."
President Trump said about the Abraham Accords today: "I hope to see Saudi Arabia go in... I think when Saudi Arabia goes in, everybody goes in."
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Seth Moulton turns his back on pro-Israel Americans
Yesterday, Rep. Seth Moulton announced that he will return donations from AIPAC and reject further contributions, following his announcement the previous day that he would mount a primary challenge to Sen. Ed Markey.
In response to Moulton's announcement, AIPAC posted:
Rep. Moulton is abandoning his friends to grab a headline, capitulating to the extremes rather than standing on conviction. His statement comes after years of him repeatedly asking for our endorsement and is a clear message to AIPAC members in Massachusetts, and millions of pro-Israel Democrats nationwide, that he rejects their support and will not stand with them.
AIPAC and our 5 million members are U.S. citizens who support a strong U.S.-Israel alliance. Our mission is to promote policies that strengthen this critical partnership that advances America's interests and democratic values. This strategic relationship is bigger than any government at any particular time in either country.
Have family or friends in Massachusetts?!
Send them this link and ask them to email Seth Moulton's campaign office: https://aip.ac/moulton
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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.
