J Street Overwhelmed with Relief Following Release of Six Hostages, Urges Progress to Phase II, J Street
Relieved with the return of six more hostages, J Street Vice President and Chief of Staff Adina Vogel Ayalon emphasizes continued cooperation to continue the ceasefire negotiations. She writes, “At the cusp of the second phase, we cannot allow this moment to slip away. President Trump and the international community must reinforce their commitment to advancing the ceasefire deal, securing the hostages’ release, and preventing further devastation.”
Forks In The Road, Substack
After a week-long Congressional Delegation in Israel and the West Bank, J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami shares his experience and writes, “Srael must make the strategic choice between continuing down the messianic path toward one state without rights for all, isolation and perpetual conflict, or the path of regional normalization that I call the 23-state solution, bringing integrated security and global acceptance of Israel’s borders.”
Israel Must Stand for What’s Right, The Times of Israel
J Street Israel Director Nadav Tamir writes, “Israel’s diplomatic standing, particularly with our most important allies in the democratic world, depends not only on our military strength but also on our ability to show that we act with principle. Supporting an unprovoked attack on Armenia would align Israel with the forces of aggression, not justice. It would distance us from the very Western allies we rely on to defend our own cause on the international stage.”
Israel Delays Palestinian Prisoner Release; Hamas Frees 6 Israeli Hostages, The Washington Post
Hamas freed six Israeli hostages on Saturday, but Israel delayed the release of 600 Palestinian prisoners, citing Hamas’s use of humiliating handover ceremonies and propaganda tactics. Uncertainty looms over whether negotiations will advance to the next stage, as hostages’ families demand answers from Netanyahu and pressure mounts on both sides.
Israel Confirms Body Returned by Hamas Is That of Shiri Bibas, The New York Times
Israeli forensic experts confirmed that a body handed over by Hamas on Friday was that of Shiri Bibas, whose capture alongside her two young sons became a symbol of national grief. The Bibas family, now in mourning, called for the immediate return of all remaining hostages, stating, “There is no more important goal. There can be no rehabilitation without them.”
US Backs Gaza Cease-fire Extension as Netanyahu Looks for More Fronts to Set Ablaze, Haaretz
The Trump Administration expects the second stage of the ceasefire agreement to proceed but claims that extending the first stage is necessary. Special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff stated that Netanyahu seeks both hostage releases and Israel’s security, emphasizing that Hamas must not be involved in Gaza’s governance.
Katz Says he Instructed IDF to Stay For Year in West Bank Refugee Camps and Not Allow 40,000 Residents Home, The Times of Israel
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that the IDF will remain in cleared West Bank refugee camps for at least a year, preventing the return of displaced residents. He stated that the operation aims to dismantle terror networks backed by Iran and permanently eliminate militant strongholds.
Israel Deploys Tanks to Occupied West Bank for First Time in More Than 20 Years, CNN
Israel deployed tanks into the occupied West Bank for the first time in over 20 years, as part of “Operation Iron Wall,” which has displaced tens of thousands of residents and escalated tensions with Palestinian authorities.
With No Buy-in From Egypt or Jordan, Trump Appears to Back Away From His Gaza Plan, The New York Times
President Trump appeared to back away from his proposal for the US to take over Gaza and relocate its Palestinian population after facing strong resistance from regional leaders, including Egypt and Jordan. While he continued to assert that his plan was the best approach, he acknowledged the idea was unlikely to move forward, saying, “I’m not forcing it. I’m just going to sit back and recommend it.”
Herzog Says Israel Must Retain Strong Ties With Both Parties in the US, The Times of Israel
Israeli President Isaac Herzog in a conference says “The alliance with the United States is essential for Israel, and we must maintain a courageous relationship with both sides – both Republicans and Democrats,” says Herzog. “Just last week, I hosted the US secretary of state, and we discussed our strategic cooperation on issues such as Iran and the release of the hostages. We must manage these relations carefully, transparently, and in close cooperation.”
Netanyahu Says Israel Demands ‘Complete Demilitarization’ of Southern Syria, The Washington Post
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a demand for the “complete demilitarization” of southern Syria, signaling a shift in policy as Israel expands its presence in the region. Declaring that Israeli forces would remain inside Syria “indefinitely,” Netanyahu vowed, “We will not allow HTS forces or the New Syrian Army to enter the area south of Damascus.”
Gaza Truce Could End in Days, With No Extension Agreed. What Happens Next?, The New York Times
Patrick Kingsley and Ronen Bergman write, “There is particular concern about what happens after March 8. In the January deal, Israel agreed to withdraw its forces by that date from the Gaza-Egypt border. But Mr. Netanyahu explicitly said last year that Israel would never pull back from the area, known in Israel as the Philadelphi Corridor, leading to predictions that he would break the terms of the cease-fire. If those forces do not withdraw, the Israeli defense officials say they expect that Hamas may fire rockets at Israel, giving Israel a pretext to retaliate.”
Netanyahu Aims to Release All Hostages in One Single Stage, but Hamas Is Unlikely to Agree, Haaretz
Chaim Levinson write, “Netanyahu’s plan, as Dermer presented it to Witkoff, is as follows: release all the remaining hostages in one big, single stage. Hamas will receive prisoners in return. Netanyahu’s plan B is a version of the so-called ‘generals’ plan’: Israel will return to intense warfare, establish areas of shelter for civilians, and will allow food to be distributed by international organizations in these areas alone.”