Students, There’s Still Hope, J Street
J Street U Director Erin Beiner writes, “In J Street U, we teach students to focus on what they can control and to strategize around what they have power over. At this moment, we don’t have much control over what is happening around us. However, we have power over ourselves and our actions. I promise that each of you can bring compassion back into someone’s heart, expose a friend to a different perspective and, at the very least, call your Member of Congress.”
Soul and Survival, The Times of Israel
Rabbi Daniel Weiner writes, “As the Jewish community wrestles with these aspects of the human condition, J Street recognizes that Israel must maintain both its security and its Jewish, democratic character–with neither being sacrificed at the expense of the other.”
Hamas Brushes Off Trump’s Threat and Says It Will Only Free Hostages in Return for a Lasting Truce, AP
“Hamas on Thursday brushed off President Donald Trump’s latest threat and reiterated that it will only free the remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for a lasting ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The militant group accused Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of trying to back out of the ceasefire agreement they reached in January. The agreement calls for negotiations over a second phase in which the hostages would be released in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners, a permanent ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.”
Hamas Threatens To Kill Hostages if Israeli Attacks Resume, ABC News
Abu Ubaida, the military spokesman for Al-Qassam Brigades, said “Israeli threats of war will bring them nothing but failure and will not lead to the release of their captives. We warn the families of Israeli captives that we still hold proof of life for those who remain alive. We are fully prepared for all possible scenarios. Any escalation of aggression against our people will result in the killing of enemy captives.”
Aid Efforts in Gaza Slow as Millions of Promised USAID Dollars Do Not Arrive, Agency Officials Say, AP
“USAID was supposed to fund much of the aid to Gaza as the ceasefire progressed, and the Trump administration approved over $383 million on Jan. 31 to that end, according to three USAID officials. But since then, there have been no confirmed payments to any partners in the Middle East, they said. The officials, who have survived multiple rounds of furloughs, spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution. Two senior officials at aid organizations confirmed they have not received any of the promised funds, after spending millions of dollars on supplies and services.”
IDF Spokesman Hagari To Retire From Military, in Move Widely Seen As Dismissal, The Times of Israel
“The Israel Defense Force’s chief spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, is to end his role in the coming weeks and retire from the military, the IDF announced on Friday. The move was ‘agreed upon’ with new IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the military said, though it has been seen as a de facto dismissal, as Hagari was not given a promotion for his work as IDF spokesman during the war.”
A Hamas Leader’s Release From Prison Reopens Old Wounds in Israel, The New York Times
Natan Odenheimer and Aaron Boxerman write, “Hamas also secured the release of hundreds of prisoners like Mr. Zughayer — militants convicted of deadly attacks against Israelis. More than 200 of those freed were serving life sentences for murder and other offenses for their role in bombings, shootings and other acts of violence.”
Hamas Sees Talks With U.S. as an Opening for International Legitimacy, Haaretz
Jack Khoury writes, “Hamas does not see the talks with the Trump administration as crossing any red lines, said senior Hamas officials and other Palestinians and Arabs with knowledge of the talks. These officials, including representatives of other Palestinian factions who have spoken with Hamas leaders over the past two weeks, say only Israel is beyond the pale for discussions.”