The 23 State Solution, The Times of Israel
J Street Israel Executive Director Nadav Tamir writes, “The current reality necessitates the promotion of a regional solution – a 23-state plan – which includes all Arab states, a demilitarized Palestinian state, and Israel as an integral part of the region.”
Hostage Is Found Dead in Gaza Tunnel, Israel Says, The New York Times
The deceased hostage was identified as Youssef Ziyadne of Rahat, an Arab Bedouin city in southern Israel. Mr. Ziyadne, who was in his 50s, and three of his grown children, were abducted from a kibbutz where he and two of the children had been working during the Hamas-led attack on Israel that ignited the war in Gaza.
US, Arab Mediators Make Some Progress in Gaza Peace Talks, No Deal Yet, Sources Say, Reuters
U.S. and Arab mediators have made some progress in their efforts to reach a ceasefire accord between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, but not enough to seal a deal, Palestinian sources close to the talks said on Thursday. As talks continued in Qatar, the Israeli military carried out strikes across the enclave, killing at least 17 people, Palestinian medics said.
US Shifts $100 Million in Military Aid From Israel and Egypt to Lebanon To Bolster Ceasefire, AP
In separate notices sent to Congress, the State Department said it was moving $95 million in military assistance intended for Egypt and $7.5 million for Israel toward supporting the Lebanese army and its government. The notices were dated Jan. 3 and obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday.
More Than 46,000 Palestinians Have Been Killed in the Israel-Hamas War, Officials Say, AP
The ministry said a total of 46,006 Palestinians have been killed and 109,378 wounded. It has said women and children make up more than half the fatalities, but does not say how many of the dead were fighters or civilians.
Netanyahu Unlikely To Attend Trump Inauguration, Aide Tells TOI, The Times of Israel
Netanyahu had been expected to make the trip, Israeli officials said in recent weeks, but barring any last minute changes, won’t do so. No invitation has been received by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Israeli Strikes Kill Dozens in Gaza Amid Stepped Up Ceasefire Push, Reuters
Palestinian medical workers said an Israeli airstrike killed at least 10 people in a multi-storey house in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City, while another killed 10 in other parts of the city.
Israel To Conceal Soldiers’ Identities After Brazilian Probe Into War Crimes Allegations, CNN
The decision comes after a former Israeli soldier fled Brazil last week after a court in the South American country ordered an investigation into allegations by a pro-Palestinian NGO that the soldier was involved in war crimes in Gaza.
Devastated Jewish Communities Rally To Support Members As California Wildfires Rage On, The Times of Israel
Though the fire in the Palisades continues to blaze, the building that houses the Kehillat Israel synagogue remains standing, for now. The same, however, could not be said for the homes of many of the community’s 920 families, including that of Daniel Sher, the associate rabbi.
Monitoring the Status of Hostages Still in Gaza After Hamas’s Attack, The Washington Post
“A total of 251 people were taken in the attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. We’re tracking what happened to each of them.” Victoria Bisset, Júlia Ledur and Leslie Shapiro from the Washington Post take readers through the life, story and wellbeing of the 62 remaining hostages in Gaza, the 117 that have been rescued and the 72 that have been killed since October 7.
Trump Vows to Unleash Hell if Hamas Doesn’t Release the Hostages. What Would That Look Like?, Haaretz
Amir Tibon writes, “There’s no question that Israel, with Trump’s support, can turn the current hellscape in Gaza into an even larger disaster zone simply by stopping humanitarian aid from entering the coastal enclave. But again, this would mean that not only would the local Palestinian population starve, but also the hostages who are still alive surviving against all odds.”