Thursday, July 31, 2025

07/31 Links Pt1: The West Rewards Terrorism. The Arab World Gets It Right; Starmer’s spineless pandering to the Gaza vote is coming at a terrible cost; Islamic Jihad airs video of hostage Rom Braslavski

From Ian:

The West Rewards Terrorism. The Arab World Gets It Right
So what happens if the West unilaterally recognizes a Palestinian state now? It would create a failed state overnight. One without borders, leadership, or rule of law. It would be a disaster for both Israelis and Palestinians — and a gift to Hamas, who can then claim: “Our strategy worked. Violence delivered what diplomacy never could.” And Since Israel won’t budget under such blunt-forth threats, the only country whose recognition of Palestine is relevant anyways, this certainly doesn’t help the Palestinian cause.

And yet, for the first time, the Arab world — including Qatar, Hamas’ longtime patron — is finally pushing for the terror group’s removal. This should have been the strategy on October 8. It could have saved tens of thousands of lives and spared Gaza from ruin.

If the Arab states can now publicly call for Hamas to disarm, step down, and go into exile — it’s time the West caught up. This is the paradigm shift we’ve needed.

Everyone wants the war to end — except Hamas. Most of the world wants Israel out of Gaza. But under what conditions? And whose demands? Pressuring Israel through premature recognition of a Palestinian state isn’t the way. It emboldens Hamas, weakens the Palestinian Authority, and undermines future peace efforts.

Here’s the correct sequence: First, Hamas goes. Then peace talks begin. And they must include real reform, deradicalization disarmament and demilitarization.

France, the UK, and Canada may mean well, they might be pandering to their own extremists but they’ve mixed up the order. And in doing so, they risk prolonging the war, empowering extremists, and sabotaging the very peace they claim to support.

For once, the Arab world has it right. Let’s not let Western virtue-signaling blow the opportunity.
Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib: Hamas Wants Gaza to Starve
Hamas actually wants a famine in Gaza. Producing mass death from hunger is the group’s final play, its last hope for ending the war in a way that advances its goals. Hamas has benefited from Israel’s decision to use food as a lever against the terror group, because the catastrophic conditions for civilians have generated an international outcry, which is worsening Israel’s global standing and forcing it to reverse course.

Online supporters of the terror group have consistently attacked any efforts to alleviate the crisis. In posts and videos, they have dismissed efforts to send in food by convoys of trucks from Egypt and Jordan, pointing to the chaotic scenes as desperate Gazans scramble for aid. They have likewise attacked the airdrops that are now under way and called for them to be stopped immediately.

Hamas’s evident desire to extend and deepen the crisis of hunger helps explain the recent breakdown of cease-fire negotiations, even as Gazans are needlessly dying. The group’s intransigence led both Israel and Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, to walk away from the talks. If the hunger crisis and humanitarian issues are addressed, Hamas can no longer use the suffering of Gazans to generate an international outcry or use the resultant leverage to end the war on its own terms.

But the two-state-solution conference convened by France and Saudi Arabia at the United Nations shows the way forward. In a remarkable statement, endorsed by the European Union and the Arab League, the participants condemned the October 7 attacks and the taking of hostages, and declared that “Hamas must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority.” The conference envisions the end of hostilities, the establishment of an international mission in Gaza, and the ultimate return of the Palestinian Authority to govern the Strip.

Many Arab states have been reluctant to call out Hamas publicly, even though they do so privately on a regular basis, for fear of upsetting their own populations. But now they have recognized the importance of openly and transparently calling for Hamas to give up control of Gaza and disarm. Both Israel and the international community should capitalize on this shift, to isolate the terrorist organization and give hope for a better trajectory for Gaza’s future.

If Hamas believes that the suffering of Gazans bolsters its cause, Israeli decision makers should take that to heart. They should abandon their misguided and inhumane policies and cease their efforts to pressure the population as a means of pressuring the terror group. The best way to undermine Hamas’s position is to instead flood Gaza with food, and to alleviate the suffering of its people.
JPost Editorial: Why is Europe rewarding Hamas terror with a Palestinian state?
What does Europe not understand about the Israel-Hamas War?
Yet this is exactly what the UK has done, and exactly what many have tried to explain to them. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump, Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon, Combat Against Antisemitism, the British Board of Deputies, and the Hostage Families Forum have all expressed their disbelief at the concept that terror is rewarded simply because Hamas is now losing the war, and as is usually the case, innocent Gazans are suffering.

Perhaps Sir Keir or his Foreign Minister, David Lammy, have once again inherently failed to understand what has been taking place in this part of the world in the past few months.

Hamas has rejected opportunity after opportunity to sit down, sign a ceasefire deal, and release the hostages. In April. In May. In June. In July.

Just four days ago, Trump himself said, “Hamas doesn’t really want to make a deal.”

Yet, and for the umpteenth time, nations have placed the onus on Israel to “make a deal.”

Asked about criticism of the UK’s intentions on Wednesday, British Transport Minister Heidi Alexander said “reward” was not the right way to characterize Britain’s plan.

“This is not a reward for Hamas. Hamas is a vile terrorist organization that has committed appalling atrocities. This is about the Palestinian people. It’s about those children that we see in Gaza who are starving to death.”

There is a striking historical irony here for those calling on Israel to make peace. The Irish Republican Army spent 30 years trying to force the British out of Northern Ireland. The IRA did not receive statehood as a reward for its bombing campaigns. In Algeria, France’s bloody withdrawal followed decades of war, not unilateral recognition. And the Taliban, for all the West’s engagement, was never rewarded with statehood – they simply succeeded in driving the Americans out. Why then is Hamas, which burned babies alive and paraded women through Gaza’s streets, being granted political dividends?

And supposing all that the UK wishes comes to fruition: the war ends, a ceasefire is signed, hostages are released, and the Palestinians are given their own state. Will Hamas not simply come back onto the political stage under the guise of a different name? Will its supporters, of which there are plenty still in Gaza and the West Bank, not continue the struggle against Israel, as they have stated many times post October 7?

It is incomprehensible that foreign politicians can be so ignorant as to assume that because they demand that Hamas cease to exist, they will comply.

“October 7 didn’t happen because Palestinians were denied a state; it happened because they were given one,” Mosab Hassan Yousef, more famously known as Son of Hamas, wrote on social media Wednesday morning. Perhaps he has a point. Gaza has been Israeli-free (barring hostages) for nearly 20 years, and all it led to was war after war culminating in October 7.

If the world wants peace, there is a path. Pressure Hamas to surrender, release all hostages, disarm, and allow international and Palestinian moderates to rebuild. But instead, the West is once more leaning on Israel, urging restraint while offering incentives to the aggressors.


Islamic Jihad airs video of hostage Rom Braslavski; ‘They broke him,’ family says
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group on Thursday published a video of hostage Rom Braslavski, whom they are holding captive in the Gaza Strip.

The terror group claimed that the six-minute video was recorded days before it lost contact with the captors holding Braslavski, and alleged that the hostage’s fate was unknown.

Israeli media do not air such video clips unless asked to by the hostages’ families. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum requested that media outlets only publish a still from the video approved by Braslavski’s family.

The still shows Braslavski, 21, looking pale and thin, lying on the ground in an unknown location in Gaza.

PIJ has made statements and claims in the past that have not always proven reliable. Israel has accused the group, like Hamas, of waging psychological warfare. PIJ released a video of Braslavski in April, likely scripted by his captors, in which he said he was experiencing “hell” and displayed signs of illness.

In a statement released by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, Braslavski’s family said they were furious and demanded a joint meeting with security chiefs and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss his fate.

“People are speaking a lot about what is happening in Gaza, about the hunger, and I ask all those who are speaking about hunger: Did you see our Rom? He doesn’t receive food, and he doesn’t receive medicine. He is simply forgotten there,” the statement read.

“They managed to break Rom. Even the most resilient person has their breaking point,” the statement read.

“They broke my boy. I want him home now,” Braslavski’s mother, Tami, told the Ynet news site. “I know how many beatings he is taking. I know because Rom doesn’t cry. If he cries, it is because they are abusing him. Look at him. Thin, limp, crying. All his bones are out.”

“Don’t cry over the children in Gaza. Cry for Rom. Have compassion for the hostages,” she said.


Haviv Rettig Gur: Israel’s Winning One War While It Loses Another
What Now?
We failed to understand our enemy on October 7. Israel believed Hamas was deterred. It was not.

Since then, Israel has continued to fail to understand the enemy. It tried to play a game of chicken with humanitarian aid. It blinked first.

Obviously.

How could it have been otherwise?

Which Israeli strategist was dumb enough ever to think that Israel’s threshold of tolerance for Gazan suffering was higher than Hamas’s?

And finally, we failed to understand that when Israel does not speak to the world while people die, Hamas is strengthened.

Israel cannot lose this war. It can lose this round, of course. But as long as Hamas remains in Gaza, there will inevitably be another round. Hamas has done nothing for the 38 years of its existence except wage never-ending war on Israel’s existence. It bombed every peace process; it doesn’t want a peace in which Israel isn’t destroyed. And it is willing to burn Gaza to the ground as a sacrifice on the altar of Israel’s destruction. Or in other words, both peoples will be stuck in this war—a ceasefire may be attainable, but it would be a temporary respite only—until Israeli leaders begin to understand the sort of war they are fighting and get competent about fighting it.

Bibi, get the aid in fast. Keep it coming consistently. Anything less is a game of chicken that Hamas will win. And for God’s sake, take on the information war. You don’t have to “win” it. But you also don’t have to lose it quite so comprehensively. Too many soldiers have died, hostages have languished too long, too many Gazans have died, and too many families have sacrificed, for you to do anything less.
Ask Haviv Anything: Episode 32: Hunger and the Gaza war
There is now hunger in Gaza, widespread and dangerous. It's less dire than Western media claims, but could reach those proportions if it isn't reversed through an aid surge.

How did we get to this point? What were Israeli officials thinking?

And what does the current crisis tell us about the state of the war?

This episode was sponsored by an anonymous sponsor who dedicated it to the bravery of our friend Shaked Haran, whose story is told in episode 5 of this podcast. On October 7, Shaked's father, uncle and aunt were killed in the Hamas attack on Kibbutz Be'eri, and seven members of her family, including her mother and two cousins aged 3 and 7 were taken hostage, launching a long and grueling fight for their liberation that Shaked helped lead for the family.


Seth Mandel: How Should the U.S. and Israel Respond to Europe’s ‘Palestine’ Cascade?
The problem with this line of thinking is that it assumes these Western countries don’t want to escalate the situation. By all accounts they do, and if Israel lets them just swing away, they won’t hesitate to do so the next time. Another downside to turning the other cheek is that the “recognizers” are basing their treatment of Israel on the behavior of Hamas and other terror groups in Gaza. They have therefore created a situation in which Israel cannot successfully persuade them of its good intentions, because Israel’s intentions don’t ultimately matter to the UK, France, or Canada.

Israel would therefore be better served matching Europe’s unilateral actions with its own. If Gaza is going to be part of a state according to ye olde colonial powers, Israel must do what it can to shape that state.

That might include another serious push to cancel the 200-shekel note or make other changes that would dramatically lower the value of Hamas’s cash reserves. The flooding of Gaza with aid means there will be plenty of food, and direct monetary aid to Gazans is more likely to take the form of electronic payments than cash. Israel can boost Gazans’ purchasing power while reducing Hamas’s.

In terms of redeployment, the IDF should hold any strategic pass or point for the foreseeable future unless Hamas comes back to the table for a hostage deal and Israel has the opportunity to bring more hostages home. And Israel should be clear that it’ll be happy to leave Gaza when Hamas does. This accords with the Europeans’ insistence that their statehood recognition won’t further empower Hamas. In other words, Israel should anoint itself monitor on behalf of the Europeans. If this supposed Palestinian state is to be demilitarized, then Israel will decide if and when that demand has been met.

Israel might also want to think about setting terms that would incentivize a negotiated settlement over unilateral declaration. Since a Palestinian unilateral declaration would be illegitimate, Israel couldn’t possibly agree to dismantle existing Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria just because their Palestinian neighbors declare it their land. A negotiated settlement can be the only path to such concessions. Of course for that to happen, the Europeans will have to stop chasing the Palestinians away from the negotiating table. I won’t hold my breath.
Recognizing a Palestinian State Is a Great Way to Doom Palestinians
If France and the UK proceed with their proposed unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state in the current climate, they will not be advancing peace. They will, instead, be throwing a political lifeline to Hamas, and triggering a hardened Israeli refusal to contemplate any future territorial concessions - precisely the opposite of what they intend.

Recognition now would suggest that the most barbaric terrorism in the region's history - the Oct. 7 massacre, which sparked the current war - has been rewarded. And that would all but guarantee that peace is postponed indefinitely.

Hamas is a low-intensity insurgency that thrives on ideology and despair. While the group has been devastated militarily over the course of the war, it can still rebuild - if it's able to once again establish a strong hold on any part of the Palestinian imagination. Recognition of a state now will make sure it does exactly that. The dangerous narrative that the Oct. 7 massacre was a necessary step will be enshrined. And that would be fatal not only to Israel's sense of security, but to any hope of a two-state solution.

Israelis have seen what came out of Gaza, and they will never risk a repeat performance from the hilltops of the West Bank. So long as Hamas exists as an armed and popular force, no Israeli government will agree to further land withdrawals, no matter the economic sanctions and global isolation that might ensue.

Nearly 150 countries have already recognized a Palestinian state. It has changed nothing, because the preconditions for a real state do not yet exist: There are no defined borders, as well as no unified government and no monopoly on force. The Palestinian Authority, nominally in charge of the West Bank, is weak, corrupt, and marginalized. France and the UK adding their imprimatur to this movement, without decisive plans for the removal of Hamas, will bring it no closer to fruition.

Palestinian dignity and rights cannot be advanced by rewarding factions that reject peace and celebrate mass murder. Israelis cannot feel secure while Hamas holds any power in the region. Many of those opposed to Palestinian statehood are not racists or zealots. They are terrified. And until that fear is addressed, they will not budge. Recognition now is surrender to the Palestinians' worst enemy - Hamas.
Douglas Murray: Starmer’s spineless pandering to the Gaza vote is coming at a terrible cost
We now have a number of MPs who have been elected to Parliament purely for their ability to speak to the Palestinian issue, and they have done so because the issue is – as they know – one of the two foreign policy issues which most ignites opinion among Britain’s growing Muslim electorate (the other issue being Kashmir).

Much of the Muslim world – even those hailing from the Indian sub-continent – have imbibed anti-Israeli and indeed anti-Semitic views from birth. And they have decided that the creation of another Muslim state, and the eradication of the world’s one Jewish state, should be a priority.

As well as the “Gaza independents” in Parliament, Starmer also needs to head off the considerable number of his own MPs who share much of their sentiment or pander to the same electorate. He also has to head off the new oddballs party which is being set up by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana – someone who is expert (as so many radical Leftists are) at playing both bully and victim at the same time.

Although Corbyn’s new movement may not be significant in the House of Commons at present, it is perfectly possible that at a future election a party like his which makes Palestinianism its first priority could hoover up dozens of seats.

Starmer’s Labour Party would then be squeezed not only by Reform that is leading them in the polls, but by this other force to his Left. Were these two forces to come at Labour simultaneously it is perfectly possible that they could push the air out of the inflated Labour majority and lead to the party losing its majority in Parliament. With the Conservatives not yet seeing any meaningful uplift in their own popularity, this messy outcome starts to look like the most likely way that Starmer’s massive majority would deflate.

Some people will think that what Starmer has done is clever politicking. It may be in the short term. But in the long term it is yet another demonstration of a dangerous trend in our country. That is the way in which religious, sectarian conflicts from abroad have been brought into the heart of our own nation, a trend which sees blocks voting along ethno-religious lines.

Starmer may have no way to lead this country to a positive future. But this week he has given us another glimpse into a future which is just as fractured and divided as some of us long warned it could be.
40 Peers warn Attorney General: Palestine recognition could breach international law
40 members of the House of Lords, including some of Britain’s leading legal authorities, have written to the Attorney General warning him that UK recognition of a Palestinian state risks breaking international law.

The cross-party group of Peers, including highly respected barristers such as Lord Pannick KC, Lord Verdirame KC, Lord Faulks KC and Lord Banner KC, wrote to Lord Hermer KC, who as Attorney General serves as the government’s primary legal advisor.

As reported by the Times, the letter argues that recognition of a Palestinian state would not meet the necessary requirements for such recognition, as laid out in the 1933 Treaty of Montevideo – which says that a state must have a permanent population, clearly defined territory, a specific government and the capacity to enter into relations with other states. The paper quoted the letter as telling Lord Hermer that “you are on record as saying that a commitment to international law goes absolutely to the heart of this government and its approach to foreign policy.

“You have said that a selective ‘pick and mix’ approach to international law will lead to its disintegration, and that the criteria set out in international law should not be manipulated for reasons of political expedience.

“Accordingly, we expect you to demonstrate this commitment by explaining to the public and to the government that recognition of Palestine would be contrary to the principles governing recognition of states in international law. We look forward to your response.”

A significant number of Jewish Peers, including Lord Mendelsohn, Lord Harrington, Lord Turnberg, Lord Shamash and Lord Winston, also signed the letter, as did former Attorney General Sir Michael Ellis KC.
Those recognizing a Palestinian state 'can't even tell you where it is,' Rubio says
The 140 heads of state threatening to recognize or ones that have already recognized a Palestinian state “can’t even tell you where this Palestinian state is,” US State Secretary Marco Rubio said in an interview with Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade on Thursday.

“They can’t tell you who will govern it. And I think number three, it’s counterproductive,” Rubio continued.

Rubio called the decisions irrelevant, saying that “it doesn’t mean anything.”

“First of all, none of these countries has the ability to create a Palestinian state. There can be no Palestinian state unless Israel agrees to it.”

Rubio likened supporting Palestinian statehood to being on the same side as Hamas, adding that it would be a reward for the terror group. “At the end of the day, the Hamas side is the Palestinian statehood side.”

Rubio said that Hamas is emboldened to hurt the ceasefire, hostage talks with these declarations. “If Hamas refuses to agree to a ceasefire, it guarantees a Palestinian state will be recognized by all these countries in September,” he said, adding that the declarations are clumsy.

“At the end of the day, Hamas is sitting there saying: We’re winning the PR war. We’ve got all these countries lining up on our side of this argument. We’ve got leverage now. We shouldn’t agree to anything. We should keep this thing going.

“That’s how – they don’t care about how many people die in Gaza, and they – they’ve got hostages that they think is their shield, and now they’ve got all these countries sort of lining up on their side,” Rubio continued.

He added that he wished there was more international attention paid to the Israeli hostages still in Hamas captivity.
Trump: ‘Fastest Way’ to End Gaza War Is for Hamas to Surrender, Release Hostages
US President Donald Trump issued a stern message to Hamas on Thursday, saying that the Palestinian terrorist group should “surrender” and release the 50 hostages it is still holding in order to end suffering in Gaza.

“The fastest way to end the Humanitarian Crises in Gaza is for Hamas to SURRENDER AND RELEASE THE HOSTAGES!!” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

The message came shortly after US special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Israel to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a bid to salvage Gaza truce talks and tackle a humanitarian crisis in the enclave.

Indirect ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Doha ended in deadlock last week. Israel and the US both recalled their negotiators, with Witkoff saying that Hamas has not been acting in good faith and “clearly shows a lack of desire” to reach a deal.

“While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith,” Witkoff posted on X/Twitter at the time. “We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza. It is a shame that Hamas has acted in this selfish way. We are resolute in seeking an end to this conflict and a permanent peace in Gaza.”

Witkoff’s statement came as Israeli officials also confirmed pulling its negotiating team from Qatar for consultations, accusing Hamas of altering the terms of a potential ceasefire agreement just as talks appeared to be gaining momentum.

Gaps between Israel and Hamas continue to linger over issues including the extent of an Israeli military withdrawal.
How the ‘Neutral’ UN Is Helping Hamas Oppress Gazans and Fool the World
Every day this week, hundreds of U.N. trucks stacked with pallets of humanitarian aid have exited Israeli-patrolled routes and rumbled into population centers across the Gaza Strip, where Israel has implemented daily pauses in military operations.

Many of the trucks, though traveling under enhanced Israeli protections introduced on Sunday, have not reached U.N. warehouses, according to Gazans on the ground. Once the trucks have arrived in the population centers, armed Hamas militants have hijacked the cargo, the Gazans said, and what aid has arrived at the warehouses has disappeared into a patronage system controlled by Hamas.

Most Gazans have been forced to buy the aid at exorbitant prices from merchants handpicked and heavily taxed by Hamas.

"Fifty trucks arrived yesterday at warehouses in Gaza City, and Hamas stole all of the aid," Moumen al-Natour, a 30-year-old lawyer in the northern Gaza capital, said on Tuesday. "Today, the aid went on sale in the black markets at very high prices."

Al-Natour said a childhood friend, seeking to feed his family, joined a hungry mob trying to loot the trucks and was trampled to death along with a number of other civilians.

Gazans and Israeli military officers say this has been the reality in Gaza since fighting resumed in March. Hamas exerts near-total control over U.N.-led aid operations and seizes nearly all the incoming goods to feed and finance its terrorist regime, according to the people. Rather than confront the problem, U.N. officials have effectively aligned with Hamas, prolonging the war and the suffering of Gazans, the people say.

"Hamas has unfortunately been able to infiltrate the mechanism of the United Nations for a long time," said Al-Natour. "They take all the aid for their own people and leave nothing for the civilians. This is how they maintain their criminal government even as their popularity has collapsed."

Al-Nator said Hamas has arrested him more than 20 times for organizing the We Want To Live protests and repeatedly tortured him.
‘Irredeemably Compromised’: Trump Admin Tells Congress Hamas-Linked UNRWA Must Be Dismantled
The Trump administration has formally determined that the U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the Hamas-linked humanitarian group, cannot be salvaged and must be disbanded, according to a non-public notification transmitted to Congress and obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.

The State Department "has not funded UNRWA since January 2024, does not have any ongoing programming with UNRWA, and is maintaining a policy of minimal contact with" the organization, according to the July 29 notice transmitted to Congress. "The Administration has determined UNRWA is irredeemably compromised and now seeks its full dismantlement."

The Trump administration’s assessment indicates the United States has fully lost faith in UNRWA after months of revelations that at least a dozen agency employees participated in Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, massacres and worked alongside the terror group in Gaza. The move formally codifies the administration's position that UNRWA must be dismantled and starts the process of working toward that goal.

Hamas has continued to steal UNRWA aid supplies and resell them on the black market, the Free Beacon reported on Thursday, with armed Hamas members hijacking trucks carrying goods meant to make their way to Gaza’s civilian population. At least 12 percent of all U.N. employees in Gaza are members of Hamas or other terrorist organizations, and many of the workers identified for the Free Beacon as Hamas members drive the aid trucks themselves.

While UNRWA has promised to implement widespread reforms, its continued failure to stop Hamas from exploiting U.N.-controlled aid channels—alongside its relationship with the terror group—demonstrates that there cannot be a future for the agency in Gaza, according to a senior State Department official.

"UNRWA exists to provide cover for Hamas," the official said. "They are completely corrupt and should be disbanded."

Hamas demanded in the most recent round of ceasefire talks with the United States that UNRWA retake control of humanitarian aid networks in Gaza, replacing the U.S.-led Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the Free Beacon first reported earlier this month. That demand provided further evidence to the Trump administration that UNRWA is compromised and serving Hamas’s interests.
State Department Sanctions Palestinian Authority Officials Over 'Support of Terrorism'
The State Department on Thursday imposed sanctions on Palestinian leadership officials in the West Bank for "continuing to support terrorism, including incitement and glorification of violence."

The department said the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), which govern the West Bank, have failed to comply with the 1989 PLO Commitments Compliance Act and the 2002 Middle East Peace Commitments Act.

The violations include "taking actions to internationalize its conflict with Israel such as through the International Criminal Court (ICC)," the "incitement and glorification of violence (especially in textbooks)," and "providing payments and benefits in support of terrorism to Palestinian terrorists and their families," according to a statement from the State Department.

The PA has long had a policy of offering financial support to terrorists who kill Israelis, known as "pay for slay." While PA president Mahmoud Abbas announced the end of the policy earlier this year, he also said that "even if we have [only] one penny left, it is for the prisoners and Martyrs." There is no evidence, according to the Council on Foreign Relations’ Elliott Abrams, that the PA ever stopped providing financial support to terrorists.

The Trump administration announced that it will "deny visas to PLO members and PA officials" as part of the sanctions. State Department officials previously told the Washington Free Beacon that denying visas for PA members was on the table ahead of this week’s United Nations summit intended to galvanize international support for a Palestinian state. The United States opposed the conference, contending that statehood only serves as a reward for Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attacks against Israel.


White House confirms Steve Witkoff will visit Gaza
Donald Trump's Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff has met Benjamin Netanyahu as international pressure grows on Israel's leader to end the conflict in Gaza.

The White House has confirmed Steve Witkoff will visit Gaza on Saturday to inspect current distribution sites.

Mr Witkoff's visit is also about trying to salvage the ceasefire talks, which broke down last month.

This comes as officials from the Gaza-run Health Ministry claim at least 91 people have died trying to access aid in the past day.


Israel rejects Hamas's demand to release living terrorists in exchange for hostage bodies
Israel has issued a formal response to a position paper sent by Hamas several days ago, where Israeli officials made it clear they reject Hamas’s demand to release live terrorists in exchange for the bodies of hostages.

Hamas has informed mediators that it will not enter negotiations with Israel until the humanitarian situation in Gaza improves, according to two sources who spoke with The Jerusalem Post.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed partial annexation of the Gaza Strip as a potential course of action if hostage deal talks fail, during a Monday small cabinet meeting – an Israeli source confirmed to The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday.

Defense Minister Israel Katz stated on Wednesday, “Israel is making extraordinary efforts to secure the release of the hostages, while applying heavy pressure on Hamas in Gaza. If Hamas does not soon announce the release of the hostages, it will pay a very heavy price.”

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to arrive in Israel on Thursday as part of an effort to advance negotiations for a hostage deal and to assess the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

Witkoff’s visit comes as Israeli officials warn that if there is no progress in the coming days on a deal to release the hostages, Israel may be forced to take further action on the ground.

Witkoff concerned over Ben-Gvir, Smotrich's political pressure possibility, reports indicate
Witkoff is worried that National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich might sabotage the deal due to political pressures on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a concern shared by the American administration, according to a Ynet report.

During his visit, he may request to meet directly with them in an attempt to convince them to support the move at this critical juncture, the report added.
No more hostage deal talks with Hamas, Smotrich says
Bezalel Smotrich, the Israeli finance minister, said “unequivocally” that Israel will no longer negotiate with Hamas.

“There will be no more negotiations with Hamas on a deal for the release of hostages,” the minister, who leads the Religious Zionism party, said at a conference on Thursday night.

“From here on, the only possible deal is a total surrender of Hamas, the unconditional return of all our hostages, the dismantling of its armed force, the demilitarization of Gaza, the exile of the head of Hamas and to allow all those who want to leave Gaza to do so,” Smotrich said at the event, focused on the 20th anniversary since Israel pulled out of Gaza.

Smotrich’s party has opposed previous rounds of hostage deals with Hamas led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party. The minister has nonetheless remained in the coalition.

His remarks came as Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Middle East envoy, is in Israel, in the wake of ceasefire negotiations between the Jewish state and Hamas in Doha law week.

Netanyahu has not ruled out another deal with Hamas to free the 50 Israelis believed to remain Hamas captives, including 20 who are thought to be alive. (JNS sought comment from Netanyahu’s office.)

“The left-wing protests and the media campaign benefitted Hamas and made it harden its stance, as did the leaders of Europe that blew wind into its sails and promised it that if it only holds out and waits a little longer, the reality in Gaza will remain unchanged,” when Hamas “will be gifted a Palestinian state” in September, Smotrich said.

The European countries have taken actions that take a hostage deal “completely” off the table, according to the Israeli minister.
In a first, Arab League countries condemn Oct. 7 attack, call on Hamas to disarm
The 22-nation Arab League has signed onto a declaration that condemns Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel and calls on Hamas to disarm.

The league includes Qatar and Egypt, which have served as mediators in talks between Israel and Hamas during the subsequent war in Gaza. It also includes Turkey, which has adopted a stance of overt hostility toward Israel during the war.

The league joined the entire European Union and 17 other countries in backing the declaration at a United Nations meeting hosted by Saudi Arabia and France. The meeting’s goal included discussion of a two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, an objective that not all Arab League states had previously endorsed.

Taking issue with Palestinian statehood
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes a two-state solution and his government panned the UN confab as a form of appeasement. The United States also boycotted the meeting, held in New York.

A range of voices, including France, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum and liberal pro-Israel pundits, heralded the Arab League’s participation as a remarkable breakthrough.

The declaration comes amid growing signs that world leaders are increasing willing to jolt the conflict’s quagmire in new ways. In the last week, France, the United Kingdom and Canada all said they would unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September, in some cases attaching conditions to their vow.
Hamas says Palestinian resistance will not stop until 'occupation' ends
Hamas said Palestinian resistance will not stop until "the occupation" ends and an independent, fully sovereign state with Jerusalem as its capital is established, in response to "the New York" declaration calling for the group to lay down the arms.

A declaration issued on Tuesday by Saudi Arabia and France, backed by Egypt, Qatar and the Arab League, called for Hamas to disarm and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, which they say should rule across all Palestinian territories.

Saudi Arabia and France are seeking further global support for the declaration outlining steps towards implementing a two-state solution.
Over half of US Senate Democrats back failed measures to block arms sales to Israel
The US Senate rejected a pair of resolutions Wednesday that were introduced by progressive Senator Bernie Sanders aimed at blocking over $675 million in arms sales to Israel, but for the first time, a majority of Democrats voted against the weapons transfers.

Twenty-seven Democrats voted to block the sale of tens of thousands of assault rifles to Israel, while 17 voted with Republicans to advance the transfer.

Twenty-four Democrats voted to block the sale of 5,000 heavy bombs and guidance kits to Israel, compared to 20 who voted with Republicans to advance the transfer.

Sanders, an independent, has brought such resolutions to the Senate floor throughout the Gaza war, and Wednesday’s were as sure to fail as all previous ones, given that Republicans don’t even need help from Democrats to block the measures due to the GOP majority.

But the two latest votes showed how Democrats have grown increasingly disillusioned with Israel’s prosecution of the war in Gaza.

The last time Sanders brought a resolution to the floor in April, only 15 Democrats voted to try to block a weapons sale. It was a drop from the previous attempt in November 2024, when 19 Democrats voted to oppose such a transfer.
State Department Slams Senate Democrats Over Calls To Defund Gaza Humanitarian Foundation
A senior State Department official is firing back at a group of Senate Democrats who sent a letter earlier this week urging the Trump administration to halt its support for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

The group, led by Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen (MD), accuses GHF of being a “scheme” that endangers the lives of civilians and requested that support instead be given to United Nations-led aid efforts.

“We urge you to immediately cease all U.S. funding for GHF and resume support for the existing UN-led aid coordination mechanisms with enhanced oversight to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches civilians in need,” the senators wrote.

But the official told The Daily Wire that senators are failing to look at the successful track record of the foundation — which is on track to deliver its 100 millionth meal this week— and instead “offering nothing of value.”

“While these members waste time complaining in a letter offering nothing of value, President Trump and Secretary Rubio are actually putting in the work to help find innovative solutions to help get aid into Gaza,” the official said. “To date, GHF is the only pipeline that denies Hamas resources and control.”

The State Department pledged $30 million to fund Gaza Humanitarian Foundation operations last month.
Rahm Emanuel_ U.N. 'Not Driving the Food' Into Gaza, 'Because They Decided Hamas Should Be the Ones Protecting Them'
On Wednesday’s broadcast of CNN’s “The Arena,” CNN Senior Political and Global Affairs Commentator, former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, and former Obama Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel discussed the situation in Gaza and stated that the United Nations is “not driving the food in there because they decided Hamas should be the ones protecting them, rather than others.” And “Hamas has decided to use its own people for its own advantage.”

Emanuel began by saying, “Hamas uses its people to protect its weapons. Israel uses its weapons to protect its people, fundamentally, morally, ethically, and strategically different.”

He continued, “Now, that said, on March 18, the ceasefire, Israel decides to end it. Since that time, 50 Israeli soldiers have died and have achieved no ‘pressure’ where Hamas has given in. The leadership of the IDF said we have achieved the degradation and the deterrence we lost on October 7. Two days ago, a leader in the IDF, a young man who served in Gaza, committed suicide. Two facts: 50 have died since March 18, one of the highest suicide rates for soldiers in Israel’s history. Hostages, since March 18, that could have been out over 100 days are still there. Now, in my view, for Israel — and Israel is more isolated — I think this has been a horrible decision to continue efforts rather than get the hostages out for Israel, on every level, strategically, inside the country and outside the country. Saturday, in Paris, Israel and Syria reached some understanding. That should be upheld.”

Emanuel concluded, “Unfortunately, there are kids going with hunger. The U.N.’s participation in not driving the food in there because they decided Hamas should be the ones protecting them, rather than others. I don’t — the U.N.’s done that route. Hamas has decided to use its own people for its own advantage. But, in this case, the prime minister and his coalition government and elements of his coalition government have decided to put Israel in the worst position, strategically. They’re isolated from Europe, they’re isolated internationally. 50 more kids have died for no greater strategic advantage, kids are killing themselves…who have served there and the hostages, since March 18, are spending 100-plus days longer.”


Trump Escalates Trade War With Canada Following Move to Recognize Palestinian State
US President Donald Trump intensified his trade war with Canada a day ahead of his August 1 deadline for a tariff agreement, saying it would be “very hard” to make a deal with Canada after it gave its support to Palestinian statehood.

Trump is set to impose a 35 percent tariff on all Canadian goods not covered by the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement if the two countries do not reach an agreement by the deadline.

“Wow! Canada has just announced that it is backing statehood for Palestine. That will make it very hard for us to make a Trade Deal with them,” Trump said on Truth Social.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney previously said tariff negotiations with Washington had been constructive, but the talks may not conclude by the deadline. Talks between the two countries were at an intense phase, he added, but a deal that would remove all US tariffs was unlikely.

Canada is the second-largest US trading partner after Mexico, and the largest buyer of US exports. It bought $349.4 billion of US goods last year and exported $412.7 billion to the US, according to US Census Bureau data.


Communal leaders demand clarity on hostages following Palestine recognition announcement
Jewish communal leaders have urged the government to clearly state whether it will recognise a Palestinian state even if Hamas refuses to release hostages.

Sir Keir Starmer has been criticised, including by former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari, for his announcement that the UK intends to recognise a Palestinian state in September, which she said "risks rewarding terror".

Yesterday, a government spokesperson issued a new statement saying that the announcement was made “to protect the viability of the two-state solution”.

It went on: “The first step in that process must be a ceasefire and there is no question about that.

“Our demands on Hamas have not changed. For there to be any chance of peace, the hostages must be released. Hamas must lay down its weapons, and commit to having no future role in the governance of Gaza.

“We must also see significant progress on the ground including the supply of humanitarian support and for Israel to rule out annexations in the West Bank, and a commitment to a long-term sustainable peace. We will make an assessment ahead of the UN General Assembly on how far both Israel and Hamas have met the steps we set out. No one side will have a veto on recognition through their actions or inactions."

Responding to the new statement, Adam Wagner KC, a lawyer for British hostage families, urged the government to clarify whether the this amounted to “a change in policy”.


EU must freeze trade with Israel until more aid enters Gaza, Swedish PM demands
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson demanded on Thursday that the European Union freeze trade with Israel until unrestricted humanitarian aid is allowed to enter the Gaza Strip.

“The situation in Gaza is utterly deplorable, and Israel is not fulfilling its most basic obligations and agreed-upon commitments regarding humanitarian aid,” Kristersson wrote on X/Twitter.

“Sweden, therefore, demands that the EU, as soon as possible, freeze the trade component of the association agreement. Economic pressure on Israel must increase. The Israeli government must allow unrestricted humanitarian aid in Gaza.”

Kristersson’s accusation comes amid growing international discord over the humanitarian situation in Gaza. While both Israel and the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation have repeatedly refuted claims of famine and deliberate starvation in the Strip, international organizations have levied the claims in their condemnations of the ongoing war against Hamas.
Top EU official compares Gazans to Jews in Warsaw Ghetto
European Commission Executive Vice President Teresa Ribera has compared the suffering of civilians in Gaza to that of Jews imprisoned by the Nazis in the Warsaw Ghetto during the Holocaust and criticized the E.U. for “idly standing by while one of the worst humanitarian scandals in history unfolds.”

Considered the “No. 2” in the E.U. executive body, she made the statements in an interview with Spanish radio Cadena Ser.

Ribera, who is a Spanish Socialist and former deputy prime minister in the government of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, also lamented that “it is very difficult to mobilize Europe on Gaza” and issued a rare rebuke of her colleagues in the European Commission.

Spain, which is one of the most anti-Israel countries in the E.U., has called for a suspension of the E.U.-Israel Association Agreement and an arms embargo on Israel.

Europe is divided on the issue of measures to be taken against Israel in response to the Gaza humanitarian crisis. The division was clearly apparent on Tuesday when the ambassadors of the 27 E.U. member states failed to agree by a majority to adopt a European Commission proposal to partially suspend Israel’s participation in Horizon Europe, the E.U.’s flagship research and innovation program. Germany and Italy, among others, blocked the move.


In Beit Hanoun for 5th time, officers say Hamas battalion to be destroyed ‘within a week’
It is now the fifth time that the Israel Defense Forces is operating in the town of Beit Hanoun, located on the northeastern edge of the Gaza Strip, just across from Israel’s southern city of Sderot.

But this time — almost two years into the ground offensive — IDF commanders say their work to destroy Hamas’s crippled and surrounded “battalion” in Beit Hanoun is almost done.

The Hamas battalion in Beit Hanoun now only consists of a handful of operatives, and the vast majority of the terror group’s tunnels in the town have been demolished, according to officers.

“I believe that within a week we can finish, and what I mean by finish is that there are no more tunnels,” said Col. Netanel Shamaka, the commander of the Givati Infantry Brigade, to reporters during an escorted visit to Beit Hanoun on Wednesday.

In the past two months, the military has razed nearly every single structure in Beit Hanoun, amid a hunt for Hamas’s tunnels and other infrastructure in the area.

No hostages are believed by the IDF to be held by Hamas here.

“The mission isn’t to destroy buildings for the sake of it; the mission is to destroy Hamas infrastructure,” Shamaka said.

“Maybe 10 buildings will remain standing [when we finish], which belong to civilians and there are no tunnel entrances in their homes,” he said.

The Givati commander said that in Beit Hanoun, “everywhere we dug we found tunnels.”


WATCH: IDF soldiers thwart terrorist ambush, abduction attempt in Khan Yunis
IDF soldiers from Division 36 identified and fought some 13 armed terrorists in Khan Yunis who attempted to ambush and likely abduct soldiers, Israeli media reported on Thursday.

The terrorists were armed with Kalashnikov rifles and RPGs.

Troops from Battalion 13 of the Golani Brigade and Brigade 188 identified the ambush, and the terrorists retreated into an underground tunnel.

The IDF has yet to comment on the situation.

Division 36 continue operations in Khan Yunis
Division 36 has spent recent weeks operating to solidify IDF control along the 'Magen Oz’ corridor, which runs through Khan Yunis, separating its eastern and western parts.


A pretty amazing excerpt from the interview of two heads of human rights organizations, B'Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights on CNN. After they explain how much Israel commits genocide by claiming that the proof of this is the "intention" expressed by Israeli politicians against Gaza, the interviewer Christiane Amanpour asks them, "Did Hamas commit genocide in light of your definition?" Well, pay attention to Mr. Guy Shalev's answer. He was not willing to say that Hamas committed genocide. He flips through the question and goes back to blaming Israel. When asked about Israel's position that Hamas is hiding behind hospitals, he replies: "What is the evidence for this?"

In other words, in order to convict Israel and Israeli society, these guys are minimizing the genocide of Hamas. We are reducing the monstrosity of Gaza society as a whole. It actually hurts the narrative of "genocidal Israel" that these two guys with tormented eyes are trying to promote.


Israel says Gazan boy in viral image was treated for genetic disorder in Israel in 2018
Israel claimed Thursday that a viral image of 14-year-old Palestinian boy Abdul Qader al-Fayoumi, who reportedly died of starvation in Gaza, is misleading, saying the teen suffered from a genetic neurological disorder and was treated in Israel in 2018.

In a post on its English-language X account, the Defense Ministry’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) accused the Hamas terror group of exploiting images of ill children to spread misinformation and blame Israel.

“Hamas is using photos of sick children to push the ‘starvation’ narrative and blame Israel. But the truth tells a different story,” the post read, adding that Israel had evacuated 180 patients and their escorts for treatment outside the country.

“Hamas, meanwhile, keeps cynically exploiting them for its own twisted agenda, and part of the international media buys it,” the post said.

The photo is the second that the IDF has sought to cast doubt on since reports of widespread starvation, and deaths from acute malnutrition, spiked in Gaza. On Tuesday, a UN-backed monitor said the “worst-case scenario of famine” is “now unfolding” in the enclave. Israel has disputed that there is starvation in Gaza but, in the face of heavy international pressure, initiated a series of measures to increase the flow of humanitarian aid.

Images of emaciated Gazan children have heightened worldwide alarm and revulsion at the crisis, along with accusations that Israel is blocking food from reaching civilians there.

But the IDF and pro-Israel activists have said some photos paint a distorted picture of the situation.


Senator Tom Cotton: July 31, 2025: Cotton Speaks About Hamas Withholding Food on Senate Floor



‘We feed Gaza without feeding Hamas,’ GHF head tells Post
We serve the vulnerable -- women and children, the elderly and injured, the hungry and the displaced. We serve them with humility and purpose, as the Bible teaches us: ‘even If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.’Proverbs 25:21

As a humanitarian organization we take these risks because the cost of doing nothing is too high. Civilians should not have to rely on fealty to their oppressors for bread. Aid donated by the international community should not be used to fund terror. GHF has shown that another path exists. One built on security, transparency, and accountability.

Our teams work under strict oversight, with systems in place to prevent abuse and ensure effectiveness. We do not distribute aid to score political points or win headlines. We do it to serve those caught in the crossfire of conflict.

When parents no longer have to plead with Hamas for flour, something good has happened. When women can safely collect food for their children, a small piece of dignity is restored. When children are fed without conditions or coercion, a bit of light breaks through the darkness. These are victories, even if others refuse to see them.

The international community is united in the immediate desire to feed the people of Gaza. On Sunday, President Trump renewed America’s commitment to providing more aid and made a forceful call for other countries to do the same. GHF will continue to work around the clock and remains a key part of the solution.

We know what we have built. And we know who we serve. In one of the hardest places on Earth, during one of the most trying times in memory, we have delivered more than just food. We have delivered hope. That is something every Israeli can stand behind.


US-Backed Gaza Aid Group Releases Evidence Suggesting Former Contractor Who Accused It of 'War Crimes' Fabricated Documents as Revenge for Firing
The former Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) employee who now claims he witnessed American-backed "war crimes" privately threatened to become the aid organization's "worst enemy" after being fired "due to poor performance, volatile conflicts with staff, and erratic behavior," according to text messages and other GHF employees who testified under oath.

Anthony Aguilar, a retired U.S. special forces officer who worked as a contractor with GHF, ignited a media firestorm this week when he claimed to have resigned after witnessing "the Israeli Defense Forces shooting at the crowds of Palestinians" and committing other alleged "war crimes." News outlets like the BBC and CBS News ran with Aguilar's account, and Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D., Md.) interviewed the fired former contractor in a YouTube video. The stridently anti-Israel Maryland Democrat led a group of 19 senators from his party who demanded that the Trump administration pull more than $30 million in funding for GHF.

Since his June 13 termination from UG Solutions, the security firm working with GHF, Aguilar has allegedly fabricated documents supporting his case and repeatedly begged the aid organization to rehire him. GHF presented multiple text messages Aguilar sent members of the organization that directly contradict his story.

In one June 22 text message Aguilar sent to GHF leaders, he instructed them to "stop f—ing around, put me back to work, and let's get this mission done."

"If you want to play games, we can play games," Aguilar threatened. "I can be your best friend, or your worst nightmare."

The text messages and other documentation GHF published in the days since Aguilar embarked on a media campaign against the group portray a disgruntled employee who wanted his job back and who was willing to publicly slander GHF—and the Israeli military—in order to make that happen. Aguilar worked with GHF for 27 days in total, "and more than half of that time he spent in a hotel in Israel instead of on the ground at distribution sites," according to GHF spokesperson Chapin Fay.

"Since termination, Mr. Aguilar has spread a false narrative to media outlets around the world, all at the same time begging UG Solutions to hire him back," David Panzer, counsel for UG Solutions, said during a Tuesday press conference. "Mr. Aguilar's activities in the last several weeks make clear that he's making good on his threats to, in his own words, make UG Solutions, be UG Solutions's, worst nightmare if they didn't hire him back."
Lt. Col. (R) Tony Aguilar is a Liar
Conclusion
Once you look through all of the information, I think the obvious conclusion is that Tony Aguilar is severely troubled, narcissistic liar who will now stop at nothing to try and damage the reputation and mission of the company that fired him for cause.

I have FOIA'd his military records and will post the proof about his lies about his awards once I receive them. I have spoken to numerous General Officers and Sergeant Majors about Tony, and they have all come to the exact same conclusion that UGS, the GHF, and 9 independent contractors have: Tony is a highly unstable, incompetent narcissist that has lost his way and will say anything to try and rectify the tragedies he has created for himself.

Until then, spread this thread far and wide so that everyone knows that Lt. Col. (R) Anthony Aguilar is a liar and a fraud so that we can push a petition through group to have his Special Forces Tab removed and officially blacklist him from the entire regiment.

Call out those that deserve to be called out.

Question everything.


Elizabeth Warren Falsely Claims 6,000 Aid Trucks Are Lined Up at Gaza Border. That Would Stretch At Least 45 Miles.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) falsely claimed Wednesday that "6,000 food trucks are lined up at the border" of Gaza—a convoy that would stretch anywhere from 45 to 67 miles—in an attempt to accuse Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu of starving Palestinian civilians.

"Netanyahu's government has created an epic disaster in Gaza," Warren wrote on X. "6,000 food trucks are lined up at the border, children are starving, and still Netanyahu blocks help. History will remember this moment."

The Democratic senator appears to have misunderstood a claim by U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) chief Philippe Lazzarini, who said last week that the agency had "the equivalent of 6,000 loaded trucks of food and medical supplies," according to the BBC. Lazzarini did not mean 6,000 trucks physically lined up at the Gaza border—that many trucks would stretch anywhere from 45 to 67 miles, depending on the size of the trucks.

Warren's Wednesday post is far from her only criticism of Israel and Netanyahu since Hamas's horrific Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack, which killed over 1,200 people and took hundreds of hostages in southern Israel.

Warren has accused Israel of committing a "genocide" in Gaza, boycotted Netanyahu's address to Congress last summer, and used the first anniversary of the October 7 attack to accuse Netanyahu of having "unleashed unthinkable violence on innocent civilians in Gaza."


IDF launches wave of strikes after Hezbollah attempts to rebuild in Southern Lebanon
The Israel Defense Forces launched a wave of attacks on Thursday night on targets of the Hezbollah terrorist organization in Southern Lebanon, including its largest missile production site, the military confirmed.

“A short time ago, the IDF attacked infrastructure for the production and storage of strategic arms in the Beqaa region and Southern Lebanon,” it stated, accusing Hezbollah of rebuilding the sites in violation of the November truce understandings between Jerusalem and Beirut.

Among the targets struck were a site for producing explosives, as well as an underground facility for developing and storing strategic weapons.

“The IDF continues to act in order to protect the State of Israel,” it said.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the military was “powerfully striking” Hezbollah terror infrastructure, including the Iranian-backed terrorist group’s “largest precision missile production site, which was previously attacked, along with additional sites Hezbollah is attempting to restore.

“As I emphasized, the maximum enforcement policy against Hezbollah will continue,” he said. “Any attempt by the terror group to rehabilitate, reestablish itself or threaten will be met with uncompromising force.”

The defense minister said Jerusalem would hold the official Lebanese government responsible for Hezbollah’s terrorism in the border area.


Israel delivers humanitarian aid to southern Syria Druze
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday it had delivered some 2 million shekels ($450,000) worth of humanitarian aid to the embattled Druze population of Sweida in southern Syria.

The aid includes food as well as medical supplies, “and is intended for areas directly impacted by the violent attacks” of regime-sponsored jihadist militias, according to the ministry.

Thursday’s aid marked the second shipment delivered to the Syrian minority by Jerusalem, following another during previous clashes in March, the ministry added.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz met over the weekend with Sheikh Muwafaq Tarif, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in the Jewish state, at the latter’s home in Julis in the Western Galilee.

In coordination with Druze Israel Defense Forces reservists who operate an information center tracking developments in Sweida, Katz said Israel is stepping up humanitarian and medical aid efforts for Druze communities in crisis.


Call me Back Podcast: Did Israel fall into Sinwar’s Trap? - with Ari Shavit
On Wednesday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that the Canadian government will recognize a Palestinian State at the United Nations meeting set for September. On Tuesday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared that the UK will do the same – that is, unless Israel (and only Israel) meets a set of conditions. Canada and France followed the lead of French President Emanuel Macron, who announced a few days ago that France will recognize a Palestinian State at the September UN meeting.

These developments come as Israel’s global image plummets, according to a recent Gallup survey.

To discuss how we got to this point – where Israel’s response to Hamas’ October 7th attack is prompting European countries to recognize a Palestinian State – we are joined by Ari Shavit, former correspondent at Haaretz and author of the award winning book My Promised Land.

Before the interview, we take a moment to remember Wesley LePatner.




Commentary PodCast: Dems Who Hate Israel—and Sydney Sweeney
Twenty-seven Democratic senators voted against aid to Israel on Wednesday, a mark of the Jewish state's abandonment by one of the two major parties in America. But wait! What's this? Polling in 1982 that almost perfectly matches the polling today on support for Israel? Maybe be of better cheer if you are an advocate for the Jewish state, or nah? And...the amazing Sydney Sweeney jeans ad and what it says about America.




The Mark Levin Show: Understanding Israel's Struggle Against Media Misinformation
David Friedman joins the show to express alarm at the unprecedented levels of anti-Semitism and hatred toward Israel, which is worsening monthly and fueled by media misinformation, such as the New York Times falsely portraying a congenitally ill child as starving due to Israel. Also, recognizing Palestine as a state incentivizes Hamas to continue without concessions, making hostage releases harder despite pleas from families.




What the Hell Is Going On: WTH Is Responsible for Hunger in Gaza? Matti Friedman Explains.
Almost two years after the October 7th attacks, facts about the state of life in Gaza are almost impossible to glean from the daily news. Much of what used to be mainstream journalism has become political activism, and Palestinian allied NGOs, UN organizations, and international press are using selective information as a weapon. Are Palestinians starving? Or is this just another lie in the war on Israel? Matti Friedman joins us to talk about his important piece on Gaza for The Free Press.

Matti Friedman is a Jerusalem-based columnist for The Free Press. He’s an award-winning journalist and author of four nonfiction books, of which the most recent is Who by Fire: Leonard Cohen in the Sinai. A former Associated Press correspondent and essayist for the New York Times opinion section, he previously wrote a monthly feature for Tablet Magazine. His writing has appeared in Smithsonian Magazine, the Atlantic, and elsewhere.
Andrew Klavan: Is The Israel-Hamas War Good For The United States? | Dr. Michael Doran
Dr. Michael Doran, a Senior Fellow at Hudson Institute, joins me for a fascinating conversation about how the Israel-Hamas war has changed American foreign policy for the better.


Erin Molan’s emotional plea on Cuomo: media must STOP lying about Gaza!
On NewsNation’s Cuomo, Erin Molan delivers an impassioned, no‑holds‑barred appeal to the media:

She directly challenges outlets like The New York Times for publishing a fake Gaza photo, calling it deplorable and saying that misinformation is hurting the innocent children in Gaza, more than anyone else.

Molan emphasizes that picture‑perfect narratives from afar—unverified photos, spun coverage—only serve as propaganda, not journalism.

She presses Chris Cuomo and mainstream media to support real reporting: allow professional journalists into Gaza to verify the facts and reveal the human toll—rather than recycle rumors or staged content.

Her message is clear: in the battle for truth, every falsehood costs children's lives.

This segment is more than commentary—it’s a wake‑up call.


travelingisrael: The Shocking Truth About Gaza’s Children You Never Saw
The Shocking Truth About Gaza’s Children You Never Saw.

You’ve heard about Gaza’s children. But what you’ve seen is only half the story – the part the media wants you to see. This video reveals the indoctrination, the hate, and the truth no one dares to show.


UKLFI: Jonathan Turner discusses UK proposal to recognise a Palestinian State on LBC
Jonathan Turner, UKLFI Chief Executive, interviewed by Tom Swarbrick on LBC about the UK's proposal to recognise a Palestinian State.


Australian minister says recognition of Palestinian state a matter of ‘when, not if’
An Australian minister said Thursday that Canberra recognizing a Palestinian state was just a matter of time, days after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he wasn’t planning to imminently make such a move.

“It’s a matter of when, not if, Australia recognizes a Palestinian state… but I don’t want to put a time frame on it,” Treasurer Jim Chalmers told public broadcaster ABC, adding that the treatment of hostages and any involvement of terror group Hamas in a future Palestinian state remained major obstacles for Australia.

Albanese himself said Thursday that he had discussed the crisis in Gaza with his UK counterpart, Keir Starmer, and reiterated his government’s strong support for a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians.
Recognising Palestinian state is ‘rewarding bloodthirsty slaughter’
Sky News host Chris Kenny says recognising a Palestinian state is a case of “politicking” coming before reality.

“The move by the UK, Canada and dozens of other nations to recognise the non-existent nation of Palestine is a case of politicking triumphing over reality,” Mr Kenny said.

“And of virtue signalling trumping hard work and real policy. At best it is putting the cart before the horse, at worst it is rewarding the bloodthirsty slaughter of innocent people, carried out by the Islamist terrorists of Hamas.”


Two-state solution can only occur when Hamas recognises Israel’s right to exist
Liberal MP Julian Leeser discusses the complexities of a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.

“Lots of people have been talking about the two-state solution,” Mr Leeser told Sky News host Danica De Giorgio.

“That can only happen when the Palestinian actors acknowledge Israel’s right to exist.”




Gary Lineker says he’s not ‘antisemitic’ but ‘anti-child killing’
Gary Lineker has said that he is happy he no longer has to ‘tread on eggshells’ for his views on Israel after leaving the BBC.

The football pundit, who left the BBC after several disputes over his social media usage, used an interview with anti-Brexit magazine The New World to address the incident that led to his departure from the broadcaster earlier in the year. He faced backlash after reposting a picture with the words: "Zionism explained in two minutes" above an emoji of a rat.

Mainstream Jewish community groups were outraged at the implication that Zionists were rats, echoing Nazi-era slurs about European Jews.

Lineker maintained that he did not know the antisemitic connotations of the image and when he was alerted to it, he promptly deleted it and apologised.

Speaking about this in the interview, he said: “I missed it [the rat picture]. To be honest, I wouldn’t have understood the connotations anyway until it was pointed out to me. I genuinely didn’t see it. I’m not an idiot. I may not have known it was an antisemitic trope, but I would have wondered why someone had put a rat there. Why would you ever conflate a rodent with a human? I wouldn’t do that on purpose. It would be the biggest act of self-harm ever. But, yeah, it was a tough couple of days.”

The football pundit also opened up about his feelings on the Israel-Hamas conflict and spoke about how he no longer has to "tread on eggshells" now that he isn't at the BBC.




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Elder of Ziyon - حـكـيـم صـهـيـون



This blog may be a labor of love for me, but it takes a lot of effort, time and money. For 20 years and 40,000 articles I have been providing accurate, original news that would have remained unnoticed. I've written hundreds of scoops and sometimes my reporting ends up making a real difference. I appreciate any donations you can give to keep this blog going.

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