The United States is advancing a U.N. Security Council resolution in support of the International Security Force (ISF) in Gaza, authorizing it for at least the next two years. A vote on establishing the ISF is expected within the next few weeks, with the goal of having the force deployed to Gaza by January.
A U.S. official toldAxios' Barak Ravid that the ISF will be an "enforcement force not a peacekeeping force" and that the force will work in consultation with the Gaza "Board of Peace" chaired by President Trump, all of which was laid out in his 20-point plan.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said that Israel is committed to following through on President Trump's peace plan and will not compromise on disarming Hamas.
"The eradication of the Hamas terror state is at the heart of President Trump’s plan. Hamas must be disarmed. Gaza must be demilitarized. We won’t compromise on it," Sa'ar said.
Sa'ar's comments come as Hamas continues to violate the ceasefire deal by operating on the Israeli side of the yellow line and refusing to release the bodies of all the murdered hostages.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard meets with officials at the U.S.-Israel Civilian-Military Coordination Center in Kiryat Gat.
U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, visiting Israel yesterday, went to the U.S.-Israel Civilian-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) in Kiryat Gat as American forces work on the plan to implement phase two of the ceasefire deal.
"For the first time in a generation, there’s a genuine sense of hope and optimism, not just in Israel, but across the Middle East, because of President Trump’s leadership and the groundwork he laid through his historic peace deal," Gabbard said.
Phase two of the deal cannot begin until Hamas returns all of the murdered hostage bodies. However, the terrorist group did hand over another body of a murdered hostage to the Red Cross earlier today, according to the IDF. Its identity is yet to be confirmed by Israeli forensic analysis.
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.
Republican leaders speak out against anti-Israel, antisemitic rhetoric in party
Republican members of Congress today continued speaking out against far-right anti-Israel and antisemitic voices within their party.
Earlier today, Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters, "Look, I heard a compilation of some of the worst things that Nick Fuentes has said. It’s—it’s absolutely outrageous. Some of the things he’s said are just blatantly antisemitic, racist and anti-American. Anti-Christian, for that matter."
"I think we have to call out antisemitism wherever it is. And I don’t think—whether it’s Tucker or anybody else—I don’t think we should be giving a platform to that kind of speech. He has a First Amendment right, but we shouldn’t ever amplify it," Speaker Johnson added.
IDF strikes Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon, prepares for escalation
The IDF yesterday eliminated two Hezbollah terrorists in southern Lebanon, as Israel prepares for potential escalation against the Iran-backed terrorist group as it seeks to rebuild.
One of the terrorists was a member of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force, who “advanced numerous terror attacks against the State of Israel, and, recently, he continued attempts to reestablish Hezbollah terror infrastructure sites,” the IDF said.
Hezbollah has reportedly been rebuilding its weapons arsenal and infrastructure, while the Lebanese government fails to carry out its pledge to disarm the terror group.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch said today, “This is a make-or-break moment for Lebanon. The Lebanese Armed Forces enjoy the support of the U.S. and many others as a xxxxxx against Hezbollah, but if they are unable to disarm those terrorists—or worse, allow them to re-arm— that support will vanish.”
PICTURE OF THE DAY
Israel signs MOU with India
Israeli Ministry of Defense Director General Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram and Indian Defense Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance defense, industrial and technological cooperation.
Iran’s nuclear program remains a threat, as it arms terror proxies
Speaking yesterday, member of the Knesset and former Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz called Iran a “global challenge and threat to the State of Israel,” and laid out a five-point framework for ensuring the regime is not able to rebuild its nuclear program.
Iran’s president said recently that the country seeks to rebuild its nuclear infrastructure, and the Iranian Supreme Leader ruled out cooperation with the United States.
Meanwhile, Iran has reportedly begun supplying its proxies in Iraq with more advanced weaponry.
IDF officials said last week that the military is preparing plans to defend against a potential ground assault originating in Iraq.
The United States must continue to increase the pressure on Iran and its terrorist proxies.
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.
