🎗️Lonny's War Update- October 586, 2023

🎗️Day 586 that 58 of our hostages in Hamas captivity🎗️

There is nothing more important than getting them home! NOTHING!

“I’ve never met them,
But I miss them.
I’ve never met them,
but I think of them every second.
I’ve never met them,
but they are my family.
BRING THEM HOME NOW!!!”
We’re waiting for you, all of you.
A deal is the only way to bring
all the hostages home- the murdered for burial and the living for rehabilitation.

#BringThemHomeNow #TurnTheHorrorIntoHope

There is no victory until all of the hostages are home!
‎אין נצחון עד שכל החטופים בבית

Red Alerts - Missile, Rocket, Drone (UAV - unmanned aerial vehicles), and Terror Attacks and Death Announcements

*7:30pm yesterday - Jerusalem, Gush Dan, central Israel areas - ballistic missile from Yemen - intercepted
Sirens had sounded across central Israel and the Jerusalem area. Preceding the sirens by around a minute, an early warning was issued to residents, alerting civilians of the long-range missile attack via a push notification on their phones.
Since March 18, when the IDF resumed its offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the Houthis in Yemen have launched 31 ballistic missiles and at least 10 drones at Israel. Several of the missiles have fallen short.

*7:45am- Jerusalem, Gush Dan, Central Isreal areas - ballistic missile from Yemen - successfully intercepted, no reports of injuries or damages
People take cover on the side of a highway as a siren sounds a warning following a missile that was launched from Yemen, in Tel Aviv, Israel, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Hostage Updates

Until the last hostage

Parents of released hostage Edan Alexander thank Trump and Witkoff, not Netanyahu
In statement at Tel Aviv hospital day after son’s release, they urge PM to negotiate to free remaining captives; Edan said kept with bag over head at times, has lasting injuries from torture

The parents of released hostage Edan Alexander on Tuesday expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump, Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff, and hostage envoy Adam Boehler for their work in bringing their son home.

The US brokered the deal with Hamas to release hostage Alexander. He was released from captivity on Monday after 584 days, and was still being observed at Tel Aviv’s Ichilov Hospital, where his parents spoke to the media.

Neither Yael Alexander, who spoke in Hebrew, nor her husband, Adi Alexander, who delivered his statement in English, mentioned the Israeli government, except to call on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to listen to the country’s call to bring the rest of the hostages home.

“I say that the return of Edan should be only the beginning of bringing back the rest of the hostages,” said Yael Alexander. “We have no time to wait. Time is running out, and the world is watching us.”

Adi Alexander added that Witkoff called US officials to share the news that Edan had crossed back into Israel and was safe in his family’s arms. full article They are absolutely right. There is no reason whatsoever to thank Netanyahu. Quite the opposite. Two months ago, when Netanyahu found out that Trump's people were negotiating directly with Hamas for Alexander's release as well as others, he makde sure to blow up those negotiations. If not for Netanyahu, Idan could have been home for two months already. And if it wasn't for all of his self interests, all of the hostages would have been home a long time ago

‘Home sweet home’: Edan Alexander publishes first social media post since his release
A day after his release from captivity in Gaza, Edan Alexander posts his first Instagram Story.
“Home sweet home,” he writes alongside a photo of him wearing sunglasses and holding a beer bottle.
Former hostage Edan Alexander, left, in a photo uploaded by him a day after his release from captivity in Gaza, May 13, 2025. (Insragram/@edan_alexander1)

The mother of Idan Alexander: “He spoke of hunger, lack of water, and horrifying sanitary conditions”
The family of the soldier who was released from Hamas captivity gave a statement at Ichilov Hospital • “My heart started beating again – but until everyone returns, it will find no rest,” said his mother • Earlier, Idan posted a first story in which he wrote: “Home sweet home”

The family of Idan Alexander gave a statement this evening (Tuesday) at Ichilov Hospital, one day after Idan's release from Hamas captivity. “He spoke of the hunger, the fear, and the lack of water,” said the mother Yael. “My Idan survived the inferno, but what about the hostages who are still there in hell? I call upon the government and the Prime Minister to listen to the will of the people and to bring back all the hostages.”

Statement of the family of Idan Alexander

“Yesterday, Idan was released from Hamas captivity after being kidnapped and held in the tunnels of Gaza for 584 days. Each day that passed was like eternity, every minute a battle between hope and despair,” said Yael Alexander, Idan’s mother, in the statement at the hospital in Tel Aviv. “The moment in which I hugged my Idani for the first time after 584 days – was the moment in which time stopped. My pulse began to beat again with his. My breath returned when I felt him in my arms. My family became whole again.”

On the difficult days her son went through in Hamas captivity, she shared: “Together with the light that came with the meeting – also came the pain. Our heart was torn when Idan began to speak about the unbearable hardship, about the daily fear – whether he would survive the night. About the hunger, the lack of water, the horrifying sanitary conditions. But the most terrible sound that Idan feared – was the sound of the war taking place above their heads. Deafening explosions, whistles of missiles, sounds of collapse, destruction, and shaking earth. Every moment could have been the last.”

“My Idani, you survived the inferno, but what about the hostages still there?”
Statement of the family of Idan Alexander
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“My Idani, my hero, you survived the inferno – and came back from it. But what about the hostages who still hear those same horrifying sounds?” she added. “What about the terror they live in at every moment? The hell you went through – is the hell they are still inside. My heart started beating again – but until they all return, it will find no rest.”

In the continuation of her words, she thanked American President Donald Trump, Steve Witkoff, Adam Boehler, and all members of the American administration. Likewise, she thanked the IDF soldiers, Shin Bet personnel, intelligence corps, the hostage headquarters, and the medical staff at Ichilov Hospital.

“In Israel, the heart of the people is strong, sharp, and clear: a vast majority of the public – from all parts of society – believes that the return of the hostages is a supreme, moral, Jewish, and national duty. This is not a matter of right or left. Not of religion or nationality. This is a matter of the human heart,” she emphasized and addressed Prime Minister Netanyahu: “I call upon the Government of Israel headed by Benjamin Netanyahu – to listen to this voice. The people are united. The people are asking to place the return of the hostages. All of them. Above all.”

Yael Alexander: “The return of my Idani must be only the beginning – time is running out”
“I say in the clearest way: the return of my Idani must be only the beginning. All the hostages must return home quickly – the living for rehabilitation, and the fallen for proper burial. We have no right to stop until this happens. Time is running out. The world is watching. And history will remember.” link

Tortured by Hamas, known as ‘the American’: Edan Alexander’s ordeal in captivity
Held in a cage and shackled for months, Alexander was left weak and unable to walk by himself; only recently did Hamas begin feeding him more regularly, apparently ahead of his release

According to a report by public broadcaster Kan, the Israeli-American was referred to by his Hamas captors as “the American.” He was subjected to severe torture during lengthy interrogations and was held alongside other hostages in southern Gaza, confined to a tunnel with no access to daylight.

For a prolonged period, he was locked in a cage, shackled by his hands and feet, which explains why he struggled to walk on his own upon release, due to prolonged physical weakness and restraint. Like other hostages, he suffered from extreme food deprivation, and only in recent months, apparently in preparation for his release, did his Hamas captors begin providing him with more food.

He has since reunited with his family at the Re’im military reception base, where they awaited him with fresh clothing, just hours after flying in from the United States along with American officials who had been in contact with them throughout the war, among them Steve Witkoff and Adam Boehler.

Alexander was the last known living hostage with American citizenship. He is now officially classified as a “former captive.”

The remains of four American citizens are still held by Hamas: Capt. Omer Neutra, Staff Sgt. Itay Chen, and the couple Gadi Haggai and Judi Weinstein-Haggai. The U.S. is actively engaged in efforts to recover their remains, and the White House said Sunday that it has formally requested their return. link

The bypass move of the United States for the release of Idan Alexander
The Trump administration did not update Israel during the move, indications came from unofficial sources • Only yesterday did Witkoff update Netanyahu and Dermer about the agreements reached with Hamas – as a finalized decision • Chief of Staff Zamir in a closed discussion: pay attention that the United States is not doing a “trick” at the last moment

Behind the scenes of the release of Idan Alexander: the United States did not share with Israel the contacts for the deal it signed with Hamas for the release of Alexander from captivity, as we first published yesterday (Monday) on the "Main Edition". Israel received indications of the deal that the United States signed for the release of Alexander already on Friday – but not from official sources.

Only yesterday in the morning hours did the envoy of the President of the United States to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, call Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister Ron Dermer and update them that there are agreements between the United States and Hamas. Witkoff presented the matter as a finalized decision.

Two Israeli officials told News 12 that last week, in a closed discussion, the fact arose that Hamas was not moving toward a hostage deal, and Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi warned in the room: “We must pay attention that the United States is not doing some kind of trick that we do not know about ahead of Trump’s visit.”

The IDF Spokesperson refused to refer to the quote, but Zamir did not say the things as criticism of the Americans, but as a reasonable assessment that something is expected to progress ahead of Trump’s visit to the Middle East – which was revealed as the release of the Israeli-American captive Idan Alexander. link. This deal could have been made 2 months ago when the US began its direct negotiations with Hamas but Netanyahu and his poison machine did everything to make those discussions end. In addition, Netanyahu demanded that the negotiator, Adam Bohler be removed from negotiations. The US administration made statements that they removed Bohler and were placing him into a different position, but that was a distraction. Bohler, again was the person who finalized the deal for the release of Eden. Everything that happened to make this release a reality is certainly worrying Netanyahu. He can no longer depend on his buddy, Trump to do as he wants. The implications, however are much greater than Netanyahu's personal interests. With Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia, we are already seeing the boomerang of Trump's frustrations with Netanyahu. Trump is closing military equipment deals with the kingdom that can threaten the US's promise throughout all administrations that the US would do everything to maintain Israel's military superiority. If all these hundreds of billions of dollar deals goe through and approved by congress, that military superiority will be a thing of the past. Once again, Thank you Benjamin Netanyahu for your continuing damage to the State of Israel.

Gaza and the South

Another airstrike reported near Khan Younis hospital, 2 hours after strikes targeting Hamas leader

Palestinian media reports another airstrike in the area of the European Hospital in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis, some two hours after the wave of airstrikes that Israeli military sources say was meant to assassinate Hamas leader Muhammad Sinwar.

Meanwhile, the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry raises the toll of the previous strikes to 16 killed and 70 injured.

Hamas authorities say 6 killed in IDF strike, don’t name Muhammad Sinwar among the dead

The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry says six people have been killed and over 40 injured in the Israeli airstrike on the European Hospital in Khan Younis.

A list of names of the people killed has been published, and it doesn’t contain Hamas leader Muhammad Sinwar, who Israeli military sources say was the target of the strike. However, in the past, Hamas initially denied the deaths of its senior officials killed by Israel.

From architect of the massacre, to most wanted: this is the Hamas leader that Israel tried to assassinate
While in the security system they are waiting for the results of the assassination attempt in Khan Yunis, in official Israel they still are not mentioning by name Muhammad Sinwar • The number one wanted person in the Strip previously survived several assassination attempts, was responsible among other things for the kidnapping of the soldier Gilad Shalit and the blood of many Israelis murdered in terror attacks – by his hands • Muhammad Sinwar – profile

Muhammad Sinwar, born in the Khan Yunis refugee camp, is considered the strongman who remains in the Gaza Strip in the military wing of Hamas. He is the younger brother of Yahya Sinwar and is considered one of the planners of the murderous massacre on October 7.

Sinwar, who for a long period commanded the Khan Yunis Brigade, was the mastermind behind the kidnapping of Gilad Shalit in June 2006, and worked for the release of his brother Sinwar as part of the Shalit deal in 2011. He rose through the ranks of the military wing of Hamas, accumulated much experience and enjoys the trust among the men of the murderous terror organization.

In documentation published by the IDF Spokesperson in December 2023, Sinwar, who led the tunnel construction project in the north of the Strip, is seen driving in a vehicle inside a giant tunnel that was located in the north of the Strip and reaches up to a distance of only 400 meters from the Erez Crossing.

Erez Crossing on the morning of October 7

Raid of Hamas terrorists in the October 7 attack, Erez Crossing. Archive

The tunnel construction project included a team of dozens of terrorists who came specifically for its construction from Khan Yunis to the north of the Strip, using materials not previously seen in Hamas tactical tunnels, as well as use of special digging machines that were smuggled into the Strip. According to estimates, Hamas invested millions of dollars in the underground layout across the Strip.

Muhammad Sinwar was imprisoned for three years by the Palestinian Authority. He was involved in many terror attacks against civilian and military targets of Israel since the early 1990s, and especially since the outbreak of the Second Intifada. He stood behind the launching and production of Qassam rockets and mortar shells, and behind hundreds of shooting attacks, laying of explosive devices, and funding of weapons production.

In the Second Intifada, he survived three assassination attempts. In October 2004, his house in Khan Yunis was destroyed by Israeli engineering corps forces, due to his involvement in planning attacks and launching rocket fire toward Israel. In October 2006, a targeted assassination attempt against him failed, and the missile intended for the car in which he was traveling hit a nearby building. link

Hamas leader Muhammad Sinwar was the target of IDF strike at Gaza hospital — sources

A screenshot of an undated video released by the Israel Defense Forces on December 17, 2023, shows Hamas commander Muhammad Sinwar, right, riding in a car traveling through a tunnel under the Gaza Strip. (Screenshot: Israel Defense Forces)

The target of the Israeli airstrike at the European Hospital in southern Gaza a short while ago is Hamas leader Muhammad Sinwar, defense sources say.

The IDF says it targeted Hamas operatives at an underground command center below the medical center in Khan Younis. video

Palestinian media reports four people killed, so far without mentioning Sinwar.

Muhammed Sinwar, a senior Hamas military commander, is the younger brother of the former Hamas leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar.

Following the killing of Hamas’s top military commander, Muhammed Deif, Muhammed Sinwar took charge of the terror group’s military wing. Later, after his older brother was killed by IDF troops, he became the de facto leader of the terror group in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli officials have described Muhammed Sinwar as stubborn with regards to negotiations with the terror group for the release of hostages.

Fresh Khan Younis strikes in apparent attempt by IDF to prevent Gazans nearing tunnel where Sinwar was targeted

Palestinian media reports new Israeli airstrikes near the European Hospital in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis this morning, where yesterday the IDF targeted Hamas leader Muhammad Sinwar.

The strikes appear to be an attempt by the IDF to prevent anyone from approaching a tunnel beneath the medical center where Sinwar was targeted. His fate remains unclear.

One strike this morning near the hospital hit a bulldozer, according to Palestinian media.

At least 29 killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza, says Hamas-run civil defense agency

Gaza’s Hamas-run civil defense agency says at least 29 people were killed and dozens wounded in Israeli strikes on Gaza overnight and this morning.

“At least 25 martyrs were killed and dozens wounded” in Jabalia, in northern Gaza, while another four people were killed in a strike in the southern city of Khan Younis, civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal tells AFP.

Casualty figures from the Hamas-run agency cannot be independently verified and do not differentiate between civilians and combatants.

In Gaza they report: Four dead in strike of Israeli UAV in Khan Younis
One day after the attempted assassination of the leader of Hamas in the Strip, the IDF continues offensive activity near the European Hospital • An official confirmation of the success of the assassination attempt has not yet been received • Yesterday, many Gazans sharply criticized the leadership of the terror organization and its use of civilians as human shields • One resident called on Hamas to exit from population centers: “You said the tunnels are for you, why do you not stay in them alone?”

In Gaza they report that four Palestinians were killed today (Wednesday) in a strike of an Israeli UAV near the European Hospital in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. The event occurred approximately one day after the assassination attempt of the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Muhammad Sinwar, regarding which no official information has yet been published about its success or failure.

According to information that arrived from Gaza, the Israeli strikes in the sector continue, some of them directed at attempts by various elements to approach the area where the main strike was carried out yesterday. This is apparently in order to prevent the rescue of trapped individuals who might be under the rubble, if indeed there are such individuals.

The assassination attempt of senior Hamas member Muhammad Sinwar last night (Tuesday) in the compound of the European Hospital in Khan Younis sparked a wave of responses on social media in Gaza. In some of them, anger was expressed over Hamas’s policy of ambiguity. Many Gazans hurled harsh accusations at the Hamas leadership for continuing to hide behind civilians instead of in the tunnels that were built for them.

One angry Gazan wrote: “Nine penetrating bombs for Muhammad Sinwar. Who is the one inciting against hospitals?! Get out of hospitals and out of schools. Go back to the tunnels you built for yourselves! Hamas protects the lives of the captives, but the lives of the people – let them die as usual. My brother, die alone – do not drag the people into the disaster you brought upon them. Get out of the hospitals – go back to your tunnels.”

Strike at the European Hospital in Khan Younis

“Where did they find him? Among the patients.” Destruction at the European Hospital after the strike

Another user shared his feelings every time he hears about the assassination of a senior member of Hamas or Islamic Jihad. “I discover he was hiding among the tents, inside the schools, among the people who were displaced from their homes and have nowhere to go,” he wrote. “I remember the statement of Mousa Abu Marzook. When an interviewer asked him, ‘Who is responsible for protecting the residents of Gaza?’ – he answered coldly: ‘Protecting the residents of Gaza is not our role, it is the role of the UN. We built the tunnels to protect our leadership!’”

He added: “And today, Muhammad Sinwar – where did they find him? In a tunnel under the European Hospital, among the refugees, among the patients, among the children! Were you not the ones who said the tunnels are for you? So why do you not stay in them alone? Why always hide behind civilians? Why always hide behind the backs of innocent people?”

Some of the respondents expressed concern over the broad implications of the assassination attempt. “The assassination attempt of Muhammad Sinwar is not only a security operation, but the beginning of the most dangerous possibility we warned about! Netanyahu is pushed into a corner… Trump closes before him the last door and Gaza will be the first to pay the price,” wrote one of them.

“Sinwar – only a bargaining chip”
Other Gazans sharply attacked the Hamas leadership for abandoning them: “The tactical losses are people like Muhammad Sinwar, Deif and the like – not our children and families, you infidels.” There were also those who compared what the leaders achieved to the situation of the residents: “Trump got Idan (Alexander), Netanyahu assassinated Muhammad Sinwar, and we – we remained with the speeches of Osama Hamdan.”

Another Gazan cast doubt on the importance of Sinwar and claimed that the leadership views him only as a bargaining chip: “Muhammad Sinwar is nothing but a bargaining chip as Razi Hamed said, a tactical loss as Khaled Mashal described, became a loss of memory as Mashal repeatedly said, or a human shield – as Fathi Hammad defined him. Imagine that the report is truly correct and Muhammad Sinwar is dead.”

One of the responses that summarized the public anger pointed out the recurring pattern of action of the Hamas leadership. “Deif and Salameh were assassinated in Al-Mawasi, Muhammad Sinwar in a basement of the hospital, Barhoum in a hospital, Ihab Al-Raseen in a school for refugees, Al-Bardawil among the tents of refugees, and Randour in the vicinity of the Indonesian Hospital. And then they will come and tell you: ‘We are not hiding behind civilians’ – and claim that it is ‘only the Israeli version’.”

Strike at the European Hospital in Khan Younis

“9 bombs for Muhammad Sinwar.” The area that was attacked in Khan Younis

Alongside the wave of angry responses, Hamas itself quickly denied the reports of the presence of senior members of the terror organization in the European Hospital. In a statement, they claimed that “The army's claims about military centers in the European Hospital are false and attempts to mislead international public opinion.”

A media channel affiliated with Hamas’s security apparatus also rejected the reports in Israel. A source in Hamas claimed that “The Israeli government seeks to appear as having ownership of the recent achievements amid the ceasefire efforts currently underway. Netanyahu is trying to please the Israeli right and to present a false image of achievements in Gaza, while in practice he is ‘drowning in the mud’ of the Strip, and his forces are worn out.” The source called on Gazans “to take great caution and not to adopt the enemy's narrative.” link

Northern Israel, Lebanon and Syria

Israeli strike reported in southern Lebanon; no comment from IDF

Lebanese media reports an Israeli drone strike against a vehicle near Qaaqaait al-Jisr in southern Lebanon.

There is no immediate comment from the IDF. video

Trump urges Syrian President Sharaa to sign Abraham Accords with Israel during meeting in Riyadh
Trump also said he is looking at normalizing relations with Sharaa.

US President Donald Trump urged Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa to sign the Abraham Accords with Israel during their meeting ahead of the GCC summit in Riyadh on Wednesday.

The US leader added that he is also looking to normalize relations with Sharaa. The meeting between the two comes one day after Trump said that the US was lifting sanctions on Syria.

Trump told the Syrian leader he has "a tremendous opportunity to do something historic in his country," according to an official statement by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Trump also urged Sharaa to "tell all foreign terrorists to leave Syria, deport Palestinian terrorists, help the US to prevent the resurgence of ISIS, and assume responsibility for ISIS detention centers in the northeastern parts of the country."

Shaara affirmed his commitment to the 1974 disengagement with Israel, the White House statement continued, recognized the opportunities of Iranians leaving Syria, and expressed interest in joint US-Syrian efforts in combating terrorism and eliminating chemical weapons.

Sources told The Jerusalem Post that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was also present in the meeting, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan joined by video conference. Erdogan and the Saudi Crown Prince praised Trump for lifting the sanctions on Syria, Leavitt said.

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said that Saudi Arabia would support Syria's economic recovery and thanked Trump for lifting US sanctions on Syria. He said that there are many investment opportunities in Syria after lifting US sanctions, possibly a "breakthrough" in Saudi support for Syria.

The US president had agreed to say hello to the interim Syrian president, who was at the Saudi capital for meetings with the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Trump's business deals in the Middle East

Trump's first day of a four-day swing through the Gulf region was marked by lavish ceremony and business deals, including a $600 billion commitment from Saudi Arabia to invest in the US and $142 billion in US arms sales to the kingdom.

The US leader added that the US having relationships with Gulf countries is "good for Israel."

Later on Wednesday, Trump will fly to the Qatari capital Doha, where he will participate in a state visit with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and other officials. Qatar, a key US ally, is expected to announce hundreds of billions of dollars in investments in the US.

US ally Israel has opposed sanctions relief for Syria, but Trump on Tuesday said that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Erdogan, who are both close to the US president, encouraged him to make the move. link

West Bank, Jerusalem, Israel and Terror Attacks

IDF says troops destroyed bomb-making factory in Tulkarem

The military says it destroyed a bomb-making factory uncovered by troops in the northern West Bank city of Tulkarem.

Soldiers found some 200 bombs and 150 kilograms of explosive materials to make further bombs, which were detonated along with the building, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

The IDF also says that troops arrested 18 suspects across the West Bank yesterday and confiscated a gun and other weaponry. Among those arrested was a Palestinian from Beita suspected of involvement in a recent roadside bomb attack that wounded two reserve soldiers, one of them seriously.

Politics and the War and General News

United States determined to end the war – and is pressuring Netanyahu, who “cannot afford to quarrel with Trump”
The Americans want to capitalize on the momentum of Idan Alexander’s release and reach a deal under the “Witkoff Framework” – which would lead to an end of the war. In Israel, they did not like that Trump’s envoy negotiated with Hamas behind their back, but he persuaded Netanyahu to send a delegation to Doha for at least a few days. The message from Jerusalem: “If Hamas does not agree – we will decisively defeat it.”

Idan Alexander was released from Hamas captivity as a gesture to President Trump, but what’s next?
The release of the soldier with American citizenship yesterday (Monday) constitutes a turning point in the war, as on one hand it could lead to negotiations on the “Witkoff Framework,” whose goal is to bring about the release of all hostages, both living and deceased – and the end of the war. On the other hand, Israel has issued an ultimatum to Hamas: if it does not agree within the coming days to the framework in both its phases – it will charge ahead with “Gideon’s Chariots” operation and defeat it.

Israel emphasized that there was no compensation for Alexander’s release, and that it was a unilateral move by Hamas – a kind of “gesture” from the terror organization to Trump. Before the release, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met yesterday with Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, and with U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. Later, Netanyahu spoke with Trump, and subsequently ordered a delegation to be sent to Doha, the capital of Qatar, for “negotiations to be conducted only under fire.”

Witkoff is urging Israel to continue negotiations on his framework, and Israel, for its part, responded to his demand by sending a delegation to Doha for several days, but does not intend to allow Hamas to stall. Israel’s message is that if Hamas does not agree to the Witkoff Framework – it will expand its operation in the Gaza Strip immediately after Trump’s visit to the Middle East at the end of the week.

This message was also conveyed last night by the prime minister to representatives of the “Wounded Soldiers Forum for Victory,” wounded veterans who were hosted in his office, and he said: “In a few days, things are going to happen in Gaza. Things that you have not seen until today will happen.” According to him, there is willingness to continue with hostage releases, but if that does not happen – the fighting will resume.

However, American officials say that Witkoff’s message is that the United States does not intend to let Netanyahu off the hook – and insists on ending the war. Officials who spoke in recent days with Trump’s advisers heard that they are determined to capitalize on the momentum of Idan Alexander’s release and the president’s arrival in Saudi Arabia – and to bring Netanyahu to a point of “no choice” and advance a deal. They believe Netanyahu cannot afford an open quarrel with Trump.

Idan Alexander released from captivity
Idan Alexander during his transfer to the Red Cross. The U.S. wants to continue the momentum

The framework returns to the negotiating table
The length of the ceasefire proposed by Witkoff is 40 days, constituting the time between Phase A and Phase B. Witkoff wants to see intensive negotiations to reach Phase B, which is an end to the war. Israel, on the other hand, is not willing to end the war without achieving its goals – disarming Hamas and exiling the terror group’s leaders. It should be noted that feelings in Israel are not positive about Trump’s envoy holding talks with Hamas behind its back.

The Israeli delegation to be sent to Doha will stay there at least until Thursday, during Trump’s visit to the Middle East. This was agreed upon between Netanyahu and Witkoff. Heading the delegation is Deputy Shin Bet Chief "M", and it will include Hostages and Missing Persons Coordinator Gal Hirsch, the prime minister’s political advisor Ophir Falk, and representatives of the Mossad and Military Intelligence.

Idan Alexander was released yesterday without Hamas terrorists conducting a “release ceremony” for him, after Trump himself insisted that the terror organization hold no such ceremonies. This indicates that the American move is forward-looking: the Americans knew that a humiliating ceremony would make it harder for Israel to agree to another deal. Rabbi Yehuda Kaplan, a close associate of Trump and the designated presidential coordinator for combating antisemitism, said at the annual conference of the Union of Jewish Communities in Madrid: “This is the first time a hostage returns without a ceremony or spectacle. It was very important to the president that there be no ceremonies. Adam Boehler, the president’s envoy for hostage affairs, explained that this is a small step before all the hostages come home and all the bodies are returned.”

Additionally, to ensure Alexander’s safe release, Israel agreed to halt intelligence collection via drones over Gaza’s skies and created a corridor in the Khan Yunis area to allow the Red Cross to receive him.

Officials familiar with the details say that Netanyahu’s talks with Witkoff and with Trump were good and conducted in a very friendly atmosphere. “There are no gaps between us and the Americans, both sides see eye to eye,” said an Israeli official, emphasizing: “There was no compensation regarding the release of Idan Alexander. That can be taken off the table. No ceasefire, no humanitarian aid, nothing.”

Regarding the talks in Doha, a senior Israeli official said: “We hope to enter effective negotiations whose purpose is the release of hostages. We insist on the release of half the hostages, not in installments, and the release of the second half upon reaching an agreement. It is impossible to predict exactly what will happen, but it’s clear that this is pushing Hamas to delay our takeover of all of Gaza and to try to preserve its rule. This is Hamas folding in the face of the attacks and the mobilization of tens of thousands of reservists. Hamas understood this and played the only card it had. It knew this serves an American interest – and its own interest to stop us.”

The humanitarian aid plan is about to launch
Israel emphasizes that it did not agree to the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip in return for Alexander’s release. However, Israel and the United States are continuing to implement the aid program via American companies. “The goal is for it to be only in the southern Strip,” said an Israeli source. “The goal is that food will be distributed there, and that hospitals and a tent city will be established there. We want to move the entire Gazan population there – so that they receive the goods and cannot move back north. That is the goal. This is a plan that will take some time, and until it is realized a bridge is needed – because we apparently understand that Gaza may soon reach a state of famine risk, and that is against our interest.”

He added: “Until the southern area is ready, Israel will need to provide very basic aid to those in the northern Strip. We are preparing for that as well, but it will only be when we know for sure there is no choice and they face starvation, and we want to keep our head above water. This has no connection to Idan Alexander.” According to him, “because we will probably establish several distribution zones in areas we have captured and cleared – this will be temporary until we move them south. The goal is to strip Hamas of governing capabilities, because once you take that away – 90 percent of the job is done.”

Israel has strongly denied Hamas videos claiming it allowed aid into Gaza. Israeli officials claim it is internal transfer from terror group warehouses in the Strip, and that Hamas is spreading the videos as psychological warfare, as if it received aid.

“The aid plan is accepted and led by the Americans and is carried out in full and close cooperation with Israel,” said the Israeli official, who addressed reports of tension between Netanyahu and Trump: “There are no disagreements with the Americans, no disagreements between Netanyahu and Trump. No anger. No disconnect. There were very good conversations with Witkoff and Trump – very positive conversations – and they see eye to eye. No one talked about ending the war unless it is under the conditions of exile and Hamas surrender. There is no end to the war as long as Hamas remains in Gaza and as long as our hostages have not returned. It is not on the table.”

“The United States is still committed to the Witkoff Framework. That is what was discussed in the talks and that is what they are trying to advance, without all the spin. That is why Witkoff asked for the negotiation team to go to Doha, and Netanyahu agreed. From Israel’s perspective, this is Hamas’s last chance – under current conditions – to accept a deal, before we charge full force into Gaza. There is a very narrow window of opportunity here: also Trump’s visit to the region, also the release of Idan Alexander which can create momentum, and the credible military threat. We are going to enter Gaza to defeat Hamas very soon, and therefore this entire story gives Hamas a chance to agree to a deal – because otherwise the situation will be much worse for it. That is why Witkoff came here, that is why the delegation is being sent. We hope that all the current conditions and developments will lead to progress. So far, that has not happened.”

In response to the question of why Hamas agreed to Idan Alexander’s release specifically now, despite the issue being raised and rejected in the past, a senior Israeli official replied: “They are afraid of Gideon’s Chariots. That is the only reason – the last attempt to prevent the operation. If they see that we are going all the way with it and the Americans are with us – that can have an effect. There are no gaps between us and the Americans.”

According to him, “it is quite clear that this was the last card Hamas could play to halt Gideon’s Chariots and try to delay it as quickly as possible, and also to gain a kind of American umbrella to their effort to block the major IDF attack. Therefore, there is a clear correlation between military pressure, reserve recruitment, preparations for a large-scale attack in Gaza – and Hamas’s agreement to release Idan immediately without compensation, and in doing so to block the Israeli offensive.”

In Israel, the assessment is that Trump will not visit Israel during his Middle East trip, which is set to begin today, during which he is expected to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. It is possible that Idan Alexander will fly to Qatar, if he feels well and wishes to, and meet with Trump there. Another possibility is that he will meet the president in Washington after Trump concludes his Middle East tour. link The Witkoff framework is not what is needed now. There shouldn't any more phases. There needs to be a single deal, all the hostages at once and an end of the war. These damn phases are a creation by Netanyahu. He wanted them so he could end an agreement at any time if he wanted to identify a breech of the agreement. The phases are strictly for Netanyahu's interests and are totally against the interests of the hostages.
Netanyahu sent his political advisor Ophir Falk for one reason and one reason only, to make sure that nothing is discussed, even as a suggestion, anything that Netanyahy doesn't want brought up, such as ending the war. It was just announced that the Israeli delegation has a very limited mandate for negotiations, to speak only about the parts of the Witkoff framework that has hostage release and ceasefire but not ending the war. The senior security forces officers involved in the talks have stated that the security organizations want the hostages brought home even with ending the war. They can handle anything that will come up. This goes against Netanyahu's self interests and therefore won't happen unless Trump decides to release the hammer and force Netanayahu to end the war.

The Region and the World

Trump: It’s my ‘dream’ for Saudi Arabia to enter Abraham Accords, but they’ll do it at their own time - This is more than a dream, it could be a reality but, once again, we are being held back by all of Netanyahu's 'no, no, no' and nothing for 'yes'. To normalize relations with Saudi Arabia and bringing them and others into the Abraham Accords, we must end the war and start a real concrete process for a 2 State Solution to end the Israel- Palestinian conflict. These 2 things will not happen with Netanyahu, more reasons that he must leave us for Israel to have a better future.

IDF issues evacuation warning for three Houthi ports in Yemen ahead of possible strikes
The IDF repeats its “urgent” evacuation warning for three Houthi-controlled ports in Yemen, ahead of possible airstrikes.
On Sunday, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman Col. Avichay Adraee warned Yemenis to keep away from the Ras Isa, Hodeida, and Salif ports on the western coast until further notice.
Since the initial warning, the Houthis have launched several ballistic missiles at Israel, but no IDF strikes have been carried out.
Adraee now repeats the warning, a short while after a Houthi missile fired at Israel was intercepted.
“Due to the Houthi terror regime’s use of ports for its terror activities, we urge all those present at these ports to evacuate and stay away from them for your own safety until further notice,” he says.

Personal Stories

Acronyms and Glossary

COGAT - Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories

ICC - International Criminal Court in the Hague

IJC - International Court of Justice in the Hague

IPS - Israel Prison System

MDA - Magen David Adom - Israel Ambulance Corp

PA - Palestinian Authority - President Mahmud Abbas, aka Abu Mazen

PMO- Prime Minister's Office

UAV - Unmanned Aerial vehicle, Drone. Could be used for surveillance and reconnaissance, or be weaponized with missiles or contain explosives for 'suicide' explosion mission

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