Why Are Jewish Influencers Suddenly Talking About Meir Kahane?, The Forward
J Street responds to social media influencers sharing a video of far-right Israeli nationalist Meir Kahane delivering a speech about how Israel ought to use force to inspire fear among Palestinians. Our post read: “Deeply troubling this needs to be made clear but:1) Meir Kahane was a terrorist. 2) People who support Meir Kahane support a terrorist.”
Israel and Hamas Will Move Forward With Another Swap, The New York Times
Hamas has agreed to release the remains of four Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, Israeli officials and the group said, resolving a dayslong impasse between the two sides. The agreement comes as the first phase of a fragile ceasefire deal draws to a close. Negotiators have yet to reach terms to extend the deal into a more comprehensive truce, raising concerns that the fighting in Gaza could resume.
Israelis Hold a Mass Funeral for Shiri Bibas and Her Two Sons Killed in Gaza, NPR
Crowds gathered along roads and overpasses across the country Wednesday to observe the funeral procession of a mother and children killed while captive in Gaza — a family tragedy that has shattered the Israeli public after more than a year of war, with scores of Israelis still held hostage.
Medics Say 6 Babies Have Died From the Cold in Gaza As Displaced People Shelter in Tents and Rubble, AP
At least six infants have died from hypothermia in the last two weeks in the Gaza Strip, where hundreds of thousands of people are living in tent camps and war-damaged buildings during a fragile ceasefire, Palestinian medics said Tuesday.
Israeli Warplanes Strike South of Damascus, Reuters
Israeli warplanes hit a town south of Syria’s capital as well as the southern province of Daraa late on Tuesday, residents, security sources and local broadcaster Syria TV said. Israeli planes struck the town of Kisweh approximately 20 kilometres (12 miles) south of Damascus, a Syrian security source and Syria TV said. The security source said a military site was targeted, without providing further details.
Top Abbas Aide: Hamas Must Step Aside, Let Palestinian Authority Govern Gaza, The Times of Israel
A senior adviser to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called on Hamas to step aside and allow the PA to govern Gaza, as Ramallah tries to capitalize on growing frustration with the terror group in Washington and the region. “Hamas failed in its control of Gaza over the last 17 years. It’s therefore now time for it to step aside and allow the Palestinian Authority to control Gaza again in order to [improve] the situation there and protect the Palestinian people and their rights.”
Hamas May Be Flexible on Cease-fire During Ramadan, but Demands More Gaza Aid for Future Hostage Releases, Haaretz
A Palestinian source with ties to Hamas leadership abroad said that the group is arguing that the hostages are their last remaining bargaining chip, and that it has no intention of advancing a deal without a clear framework ensuring that Gaza’s humanitarian situation improves and that the ceasefire stabilizes – and leads to an official declaration that the war has ended.
Palestinian Pragmatists’: How Policymakers and Analysts Got Hamas So Disastrously Wrong, Haaretz
Dahlia Scheindlin writes about the tragic ordeal of Hisham al-Sayed and Abera Mengistu, two mentally ill Israeli civilians who were held captive by Hamas for nearly a decade, with little effort from the Israeli government to secure their release. Their families, especially Hisham’s father, condemned Hamas’ cruelty, with Sha’aban al-Sayed stating, “We were happy to start hugging him, but I saw that I was embracing something that wasn’t human. He looks human but isn’t human. He can’t speak, he has no voice and no memory of anything.”
Israel’s Lapid Lays Out Alternative to Trump’s Gaza Plan, Foreign Policy
John Haltiwanger discusses Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid’s proposed postwar governance plan for Gaza, suggesting Egypt take temporary control for up to 15 years while overseeing its reconstruction and demilitarization, with the possibility of future Palestinian Authority involvement. However, the plan faces major hurdles, including Egypt’s likely reluctance, Hamas’ continued presence, and skepticism from regional experts, with Steven A. Cook summarizing the core issue: “The Egyptians don’t necessarily believe that they should be responsible for Gaza… they think it’s the Israelis who should have a lot to answer for there and that this is Palestinian land.”