Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will arrive in Washington, D.C. tomorrow ahead of meetings on Wednesday with President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and other senior officials to discuss the ongoing negotiations with Iran.
According to reports, the prime minister will deliver and in-person briefing on Israel's latest intelligence regarding Iran, including the regime's nuclear and missile programs, its support for regional proxies, and its deadly suppression of protesters.
President Trump issued a new executive order on Friday initiating new tariffs on any country that purchases any goods or services from Iran.
The executive order is part of the administration's broader strategy to hold "Iran accountable for its pursuit of nuclear capabilities, support for terrorism, ballistic missile development, and regional destabilization that endanger American security, allies, and interests," according to a factsheet put out by the White House.
Also this weekend, White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner joined U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Adm. Brad Cooper in visiting troops stationed on the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, which recently repositioned into the Arabian Sea. While aboard, they observed live flight operations and spoke with the pilot who downed a hostile Iranian drone last week.
"Proud to stand with the men and women who defend our interests, deter our adversaries, and show the world what American readiness and resolve look like, on watch every day," Witkoff said.
White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kusher (left and center) stand alongside CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.
These developments come amid talks about a potential second round of U.S.-Iran indirect negotiations following last week's talks in Oman led by Witkoff and Kushner.
U.S.-led Board of Peace to hold first leaders meeting next week, as Hamas continues to violate ceasefire
The U.S.-led Board of Peace is scheduled to have its first leaders meeting next week, on February 19, according to a U.S. official. The meeting is intended to raise funds for reconstruction in Gaza.
While the U.S. and Israel continue to work for a better future in Gaza, Hamas continues to violate the ceasefire.
Yesterday, Hamas terrorists in northern Gaza crossed the Yellow Line, posing a direct threat to Israeli troops, and were eliminated by the Israeli Air Force.
Today in southern Gaza, four terrorists attempted to cross into Israel-controlled territory via a tunnel shaft. After emerging from the tunnel, all four were eliminated.
IDF Spokesperson LTC Nadav Shoshani said, "Despite Hamas’ commitments made under the ceasefire framework to cease fire and halt their use of this infrastructure, Hamas terrorists continue to hide underground while using these tunnels to stage attacks and maintain operational capabilities."
Shoshani added that IDF soldiers "are operating day after day, identifying more terrorist infrastructure, more tunnels, and more weapons."
For a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike, the United States must increase the pressure on Hamas and its sponsors in Qatar and Turkey to ensure the terror group fully disarms.
PHOTO OF THE DAY
Israeli president visits Bondi Beach following shooting
Israeli President Isaac Herzog visited the scene of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack that targeted a Chanukah celebration.
"Standing here at Bondi... I embrace our Australian Jewish sisters and brothers still reeling from this trauma. I also reach out to the wonderful people of Australia who have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Australian Jews in the aftermath of the attack," Herzog said.
IDF eliminates Hezbollah's head of artillery
The IDF today announced that it eliminated Hezbollah's head of artillery, Ahmad Ali Salami.
Salami helped carry out "numerous terror attacks throughout the war against IDF troops and Israel, and recently operated to rehabilitate Hezbollah’s artillery capabilities from within the civilian population in Lebanon, in violation of the ceasefire understandings."
The United States must continue to increase the pressure on Lebanon to fulfill its stated commitment to fully disarm Hezbollah.
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.
