Vice President JD Vance landed in Israel this morning to meet with senior Israeli officials and help keep the fragile ceasefire intact, as Hamas continues to refuse to comply with the agreement.
Speaking at the U.S.-Israel ceasefire coordination center set up to help enforce the ceasefire, Vance said, "The terms of the 20-point plan that the president put out there is very clear. It's supported not just by Israel but by all of our Gulf Arab friends."
"Our warning to Hamas is very straightforward... It’s that Hamas has to disarm... And if Hamas doesn’t cooperate, then, as the President of the United States has said, Hamas is going to be obliterated," he said.
Vance added that "This is a very, very tough situation... You have a terrorist organization on one hand that murdered a lot of innocent people. You've got an Israeli army that was defending itself on the other that has learned a lot over the past couple of years."
Vice President Vance speaks alongside White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner and CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper, at the U.S.-Israel Civilian-Military Coordination Center in Kiryat Gat, Israel.
Earlier today, Israel confirmed that the body received yesterday was that of Sergeant Major Tal Haimi, a 41-year-old Israeli who was killed while defending a kibbutz on October 7. Two additional bodies were returned to Israel today and are undergoing a forensic analysis to confirm their identities.
Yesterday, after their meeting in Israel with Prime Minister Netanyahu, White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner spent time with the living hostages recently released from Hamas captivity.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to arrive in Israel later this week for additional meetings.
Meanwhile, President Trump said that if Hamas continues to fail to adhere to the ceasefire agreement, the terror group's destruction will be "FAST, FURIOUS, & BRUTAL!"
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.
Israeli defense technology company wins U.S. Army competition
An Israeli defense technology company, R2, won the inaugural tech competition at the U.S. Army’s major expo in Washington, D.C., pitching a solution to countering unmanned aerial systems.
The company is headquartered in Israel but recently opened a location in Texas.
"Our main market is defense with the U.S. Army as our main customer," the company’s founder said, adding that it manufactures its hardware in the U.S. using American-made components.
The Israeli firm also helps protect civilian infrastructure, including airports, power plants, and government facilities, from emerging wireless threats.
A strong U.S.-Israel partnership helps keep both nations safer, stronger and more prosperous.
PICTURE OF THE DAY
Avinatan is finally coming home!
Avinatan Or was released from the hospital today after more than two years in Hamas captivity.
Iran blocks international inspectors, rejects further nuclear talks
Iran has exited an agreement it signed with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog, blocking international inspectors from its nuclear sites.
International inspectors have had little visibility into the country since the United States and Israel devastated the regime’s nuclear program in June.
Meanwhile, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected an offer of renewed nuclear talks with the Trump administration.
The United States must continue to impose maximum pressure on Iran to prevent the regime from rebuilding its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
Anti-Israel Rep. Thomas Massie faces primary challenge from former Navy SEAL
Anti-Israel Rep. Thomas Massie has drawn a primary challenge from former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein, who has already been endorsed by President Trump.
Massie is one of the leading voices in the Republican Party criticizing Israel and voted against U.S. security assistance to our ally.
"I wouldn't send them a dime. Like, that's my position. I don't think whatever we're getting is worth it," Massie said in June.
Massie recently posted the biggest fundraising quarter of his career, raising $768,000 from July to September and now has more than $2 million in cash on hand, Politico reported.
Thomas Massie is closely aligned with anti-Israel Squad members like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib in voting against pro-Israel policies.
Together, we must continue to ensure pro-Israel leaders have the resources they need to win key races across the country and keep bipartisan support for the U.S.-Israel relationship strong.
MUST WATCH
Palestinian speaks out against Hamas' brutality
Since the most recent ceasefire began, Hamas has executed between 80 and 100 people, engaging in horrific brutality to restore its control over Gaza.
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.
