J Street Welcomes Release of Israeli-American Hostage Edan Alexander, Urges Full Ceasefire and Hostage Deal, J Street
J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami writes, “We are profoundly relieved to see Edan Alexander free and reunited with his family after more than 580 harrowing days in captivity. His return is a moment of immense joy for his loved ones, for the Israeli and American people and for all who have worked tirelessly for the release of the hostages.”
As Israeli Negotiators Head to Doha, PM Assures Coalition Partners Israel Won’t End War, The Times of Israel
“While repeated polls have indicated that a clear majority of Israelis back ending the war in exchange for the hostages, Netanyahu has rejected this trade, arguing that it would leave Hamas in power. His far-right coalition partners have also threatened to collapse his government if he were to approve such an agreement.”
Food Security Experts Warn Gaza at ‘Critical Risk of Famine’ Amid Israeli Blockade, The Guardian
“In its most recent report, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) said on Monday there had been a ‘major deterioration’ in the food security situation in Gaza since its last assessment in October 2024 and that Palestinians living there faced ‘a critical risk of famine.’”
As Edan Alexander Freed, Opposition Chiefs Accuse PM of Bungling Ties With Washington, The Times of Israel
“‘This alliance [with the US] is the greatest strategic asset that the State of Israel has,’ but while the Trump administration praises the Netanyahu government publicly, the ‘Americans are fed up with Netanyahu,’ Lapid asserted.”
Freed Israeli-American Hostage Leaves Gaza, Israel Says No Ceasefire, Reuters
“After Israeli fire resumed, authorities in Gaza said an air strike killed three people and wounded several others at a shelter housing displaced families in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.”
Israel’s Blockade Means Gaza’s Hospitals Cannot Provide Food to Recovering Patients, AP
“Hospital patients are among the most vulnerable as Palestinians across Gaza struggle to feed themselves, with Israel’s blockade on food and other supplies entering the territory now in its third month.”
U.S. “Encouraged” by Progress in Fourth Round of Nuclear Talks With Iran, Official Says, Axios
“Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesman of the Iranian Foreign Ministry, said after Sunday’s talks that the negotiations were ‘difficult but useful… to better understand each other’s positions and to find reasonable and realistic ways to address the differences.’”
Trump’s Trip to Saudi Arabia – What Are the Implications for Israel?, J Street
J Street Policy Fellow Yael Patir and J Street Policy Intern Liam Hamama write, “President Trump should use his Gulf visit to convince Qatar to pressure Hamas into accepting a ceasefire that is also acceptable to Israel, which will include the release of all hostages.”
It’s Time for Israel to Reframe Victory Over Hamas, Jewish News
Peter Lerner writes, “Without a credible plan for the day after, we are not defeating Hamas, we are replacing it with chaos. Or worse, creating the conditions for its return under a new name.”
Universal Scapegoats and Useful Idiots of the Illiberal Right: The Jews’ New Destiny?, JCall
Sebastien Levi writes, “By fully embracing these far-right illiberal parties and this movement, the Israeli government is putting Israel into a corner from which it will be extremely difficult to get out.”