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In-Depth Issues:
Hamas Is Demanding the Release of Senior Terrorists Serving Life Sentences - Einav Halabi ( Ynet News)
As part of the ongoing negotiations for a hostage deal, Hamas has submitted a list of Palestinian prisoners it demands to be released from Israeli prisons, including senior terrorists serving life sentences.
Hamas's list includes Abdullah Barghouti, currently serving 67 life sentences, and Marwan Barghouti, sentenced to five consecutive life terms and an additional 40 years in prison.
Also listed are Ahmed Saadat, secretary-general of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), who planned the assassination of Israeli Minister Rehavam Ze'evi in 2001.
Others include Ibrahim Hamed, the mastermind behind 90% of suicide bombing attacks during the Second Intifada between 2000 and 2005, and Abbas al-Sayyed, the principal planner of the 2002 Passover massacre in Netanya who was sentenced to 35 life terms.
Israel Pays Off PA Debts to Israeli Companies from Withheld PA Funds - Shirit Avitan Cohen ( Israel Hayom)
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich told Israel's Diplomatic-Security Cabinet on Sunday that Israel has finally offset the Palestinian Authority's 15-year-long $310 million electricity debt, as well as debts to companies that supplied fuel to the PA, using PA-destined funds that had not been transferred since the start of the war.
The action was taken in coordination with the U.S.
Israeli Court Rules Against Defamation Lawsuit by Abbas's Son - Elinor Shirkani Kofman ( Israel Hayom)
The Jerusalem District Court on Sunday rejected a defamation lawsuit by Tareq Abbas, son of PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, against Middle East expert Dr. Reuven Berko.
In an Arabic language television interview Berko asserted that Tareq Abbas owned multiple companies and claimed that Abbas's family members "arrived here with nothing and became millionaires."
Abbas alleged that Birko's statements portrayed him as collaborating with Israel.
However, Judge Ram Winograd stated that Israeli courts do not consider statements about cooperation with Israel as defamatory.
Moreover, the interview was not aired on an Israeli channel but that excerpts were distributed through a Gaza news site.
Berko maintained that in the complete interview, he had actually commended the Abbas family, and his statements were presented out of context.
The IDF Soldiers Operating the Arrow Air Defense System - Lior Ohana ( Ynet News)
"The Arrow system is the best in the world at intercepting ballistic missiles of this kind, especially given that no other system has faced such heavy barrages and achieved interception rates like ours," said Lt.-Col. Eyal Frankel, commander of the 136th Arrow Battalion.
Life-and-death decisions have been made daily at the Arrow interception center since the war began on Oct. 7.
Ultimately, one person decides when, where and how to press the button to intercept a ballistic missile launched thousands of kilometers away from Yemen or Iran.
Frankel said, "On the night of the first Iranian attack, this place was packed to capacity. It was a historic moment. Dozens of people, including senior commanders, were called in to operate all these computers."
"People think this system is purely technological. They don't realize how much it depends on human input."
A missile launched from Yemen or Iran can reach Israel within 10 minutes. During this time, detection systems must identify it and map out its threats.
Within these moments, countless decisions need to be made. The Arrow 3 interceptor targets distant, high-altitude threats, requiring launch decisions within seconds.
Lt. R, 21, describes her role. "I'm an interception officer. All of us have combat training - I was a combat soldier before coming here."
"We have just seconds to make challenging decisions and it requires a combat mindset - knowing what it's like to be called into action and function in combat within moments. It's combat, even if it's through a screen."
CBS "60 Minutes" Promotes Anti-Israel Voices - Chaim Lax ( Honest Reporting)
On Jan. 12, 2025, CBS News' "60 Minutes" aired a 13-minute segment on three former U.S. State Department officials who resigned in response to American support for Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza following the Oct. 7 atrocities.
The imbalanced report omitted salient facts about its interviewees, obscured important information about Israel's conduct during the war, and injected subtle notes of bias throughout the presentation.
Interviewee Josh Paul resigned a mere 10 days after the Hamas atrocities and before Israel undertook a full ground operation in Gaza.
He then joined DAWN, an advocacy organization that promotes boycotts of Israel, opposes the Abraham Accords, and supports international sanctions against the Jewish state.
Interviewee Hala Rharrit, a former Arabic spokesperson, has since served as a speaker at several events of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
While presenting as a civil rights organization, CAIR has a history of its leaders supporting Hamas, spreading antisemitic rhetoric, and denouncing Jewish communal organizations.
Yet "60 Minutes" falsely portrayed Josh Paul and Hala Rharrit as impartial observers instead of the anti-Israel activists that they truly are.
Israel Defies Expectations with Surge in Tech Funding despite War - Carrie Keller-Lynn ( Wall Street Journal)
Investment in Israeli technology startups grew 28% in 2024 to $10.6 billion, up from $8.3 billion in 2023.
Israel's technology sector is responsible for 20% of its gross domestic product and 10% of employment.
It contributed directly to 2.2% of GDP growth in the first three quarters of 2024.
Funding raised by Israeli defense-tech companies grew to $165 million in 2024, from $19 million the previous year.
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News Resources - North America, Europe, and Asia:
- Gaza Ceasefire Deal Gains Momentum - Adam Rasgon
High-level Gaza ceasefire talks appeared to be gaining momentum on Monday, as officials expressed optimism that a deal was achievable. A Hamas official said progress had been made on all issues. Israeli officials said the emerging agreement would allow Israel to maintain a buffer zone in Gaza during its implementation and that Israeli forces would not leave the territory until the release of all hostages.
For months, repeated rounds of talks have seen hopes rise only to be dashed days later. The lead mediators are Qatar and Egypt, shuttling messages between Israel and Hamas. Any deal would include freedom for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.
(New York Times)
- At UN, Israel Accuses Hizbullah of Trying to Rebuild with Iran's Help - Michelle Nichols
"While Hizbullah's military capabilities were significantly reduced during the war, they are now attempting to regain strength and rearm with the assistance of Iran," Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon told the Security Council on Monday.
Danon said it was "imperative" that the Lebanese government and international community focus on "curbing the smuggling of weapons, ammunition, and financial support through the Syria-Lebanon border and via air and sea routes." Since the ceasefire deal was reached, "there have been several attempts to transfer weapons and cash to Hizbullah," Danon said.
(Reuters)
News Resources - Israel and the Mideast:
- Five IDF Soldiers Killed, Ten Wounded in Explosion in Northern Gaza - Emanuel Fabian
Five IDF soldiers from the Nahal Brigade's reconnaissance unit were killed and 10 were wounded in an explosion in the Beit Hanoun area in northern Gaza on Monday. The fallen soldiers are Cpt. Yair Yakov Shushan, 23; Staff Sgt. Yahav Hadar, 20; Staff Sgt. Guy Karmiel, 20; Staff Sgt. Yoav Feffer, 19; and Staff Sgt. Aviel Wiseman, 20. The soldiers were inside a building and preparing to use explosives for engineering activity when the explosives detonated, collapsing the building. (Times of Israel)
- Israel Intercepts Two Missiles from Yemen - Emanuel Fabian
Yemen's Houthis launched ballistic missiles at Israel on Monday evening and early Tuesday, triggering sirens that forced hundreds of thousands of Israelis to rush to shelters. Both missiles were successfully intercepted. A large fragment of the second intercepted missile struck a home in Mevo Beitar, just outside Jerusalem. (Times of Israel)
- Israel Strikes Targets Deep within Lebanon - Lior Ben Ari
Israel struck multiple locations across southern and eastern Lebanon, including areas far away from the border, the IDF reported Sunday night. "Prior to the strike, the threat posed by the targets to the Israeli home front and IDF troops was presented to the monitoring mechanism of the ceasefire understandings between Israel and Lebanon, and the threats were not addressed." The targets included a rocket launch site, a military installation, and transit routes along the Syria-Lebanon border used for smuggling weapons to Hizbullah.
(Ynet News)
- IDF Foils Imminent Terror Attack in Nablus - Yuval Barnea
Two terrorists affiliated with Palestinian Islamic Jihad were arrested on Saturday night in Nablus as they were on their way to carry out a shooting attack, the police announced on Sunday. They were arrested in their vehicle while in possession of two loaded M16 rifles, vests, face masks, and a large amount of ammunition.
(Jerusalem Post)
Global Commentary and Think-Tank Analysis:
The Gaza War
- Documents Reveal Hamas's Goal: To Deepen the Rifts in Israeli Society - Lt.-Col. (ret.) Jonathan D. Halevi
Documents seized in Gaza revealed a partial picture of Hamas's goals and intentions prior to and during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The documents reflect Hamas's determination to advance the armed struggle in the West Bank (Judea and Samaria), to prepare its forces in Gaza for military action within the framework of unifying the regional conflict fronts, and to continue Hamas's efforts to deepen the divisions in Israeli society.
One document reflects the understandings that Hamas reached with Iran and Hizbullah that centered on building a military front intended to liberate Palestine in a pre-coordinated military move while exploiting the element of surprise. Ultimately, Hamas leader Sinwar chose to attack Israel without pre-coordinating the date with Iran and Hizbullah, in the belief that the axis of resistance, including the Arabs of Judea and Samaria and Israel, would inevitably join the battle.
The writer is a senior researcher of the Middle East and radical Islam at the Jerusalem Center. (Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs)
- How Can President Trump Put Pressure on Hamas? - Yoni Ben Menachem
Senior Israeli security officials believe incoming President Trump can exert substantial pressure on Hamas directly and through intermediaries. The U.S. could pressure countries hosting Hamas leaders - such as Qatar, Turkey, Lebanon, Algeria, Sudan, Malaysia, and Indonesia - to either arrest these individuals or expel them. The U.S.
could urge Turkey to shut down Hamas's offices in Istanbul and deport key leaders.
The U.S. could impose sanctions to freeze bank accounts belonging to senior Hamas officials in Qatar, Turkey, and Lebanon. Sanctions could also be imposed on Turkish money exchange offices that facilitate laundering and transferring funds to Hamas.
The U.S. could reduce the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, which Hamas often seizes and resells to fund its operations. It could also provide international backing for Israel's aggressive actions against Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza. (Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs)
Lebanon
- The Election of Lebanon's New President: A Symbol of Hizbullah's Declining Political Power - Yoni Ben Menachem
Lebanese commentators highlight that Hizbullah suffered a severe blow to its prestige after failing to secure the presidency for its preferred candidate, Suleiman Frangieh. Israel's recent military victory played a pivotal role in ending Lebanon's two-year political vacuum, paving the way for Aoun's election.
Reports indicate that Hizbullah and the Shia "Amal" movement received assurances that their representatives will occupy key positions in the new government, including the roles of prime minister and finance minister. (Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs)
- Lebanon's New President Won't Disarm Hizbullah - David Daoud
Former Lebanese Armed Forces commander Joseph Aoun has been elected as Lebanon's president
after two years of deadlock. Aoun's promise in his inaugural speech to usher in a "new era" where "the state would monopolize carrying arms" has been interpreted as a promise to disarm Hizbullah.
But Aoun's words remain just that, and optimism over his promises remains premature.
Lebanon's 1989 Taif Agreement redistributed the country's political powers. The Agreement stripped the Lebanese Presidency, an office earmarked by custom for a Maronite Christian, of many of its authorities. The Taif system granted the authority to disarm Hizbullah exclusively to the Cabinet, which controls the armed forces.
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who is likely to head the Cabinet, said on Dec. 5 that Hizbullah's arms will be addressed only through "national consensus" and dialogue. Hizbullah is expected to join the Cabinet. Moreover, Hizbullah remains highly popular among Lebanese Shiites, Lebanon's largest and fastest growing sect. Polls in January and September 2024 found upwards of 85% of Lebanese Shiites support the group. Given this support, the Cabinet is unlikely to take any measure against the group without unanimous consent. (Ha'aretz)
Iran
- Making Iran Choose between the Bomb and Bankruptcy - Hamdi Malik
Iran's long-declining economy has reached a critical point where the government is struggling to provide basic services. The electricity sector is deteriorating rapidly, and officials can no longer guarantee a continuous power supply throughout the year. Systemic failures are also evident in the natural gas sector, the public's primary energy source for heating. The national currency is plummeting as well, driving daily increases in the cost of essential goods even before the anticipated return of Trump's "maximum pressure" policy.
A pillar of the Islamic Republic is a concept that portrays Iran as a dominant force under the guidance of "the sagacious Supreme Leader." This image helped Tehran expand its militia network and attract recruits by projecting alignment with the "victorious" side. Yet recent setbacks have severely eroded this perception, compounded by the internal divisions and crisis of leadership that have emerged within the IRGC-Qods Force.
The regime's past security strategy was based on foreign militias to provide defensive depth and missiles to bolster deterrence. Yet the recent costs of this approach are undeniable even in Tehran. The Supreme Leader might also be concerned by the prospect of U.S. and/or Israeli military action if no nuclear agreement is reached in the near term.
The writer is an associate fellow with The Washington Institute, specializing in Shia militias. (Washington Institute for Near East Policy)
Palestinians
- PA Moves Against Armed Militias in Jenin Are "a Big Show" - Israel Kasnett
Has the Palestinian Authority reformed by cracking down on terror groups that seek to attack Israel?
"Everything the PA is doing right now is part of the Trump effect. The PA remembers Trump's steps against them in the previous term and wants to show that they are capable of change," said Shaul Bartal of the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies at Bar-Ilan University. "In practice, this is a big show," he said, referring to PA moves against armed militias in Jenin. "The majority of the Palestinian public in the West Bank is not satisfied with the PA and there is almost no Palestinian faction that believes that this is a real change within the PA."
Bartal said that in northern Samaria and especially in the Jenin area, "the PA has begun to lose control." It "wants to show Israel, and especially Trump, that it is capable of enforcing government order and dealing with militants."
Journalist Khaled Abu Toameh, a fellow at the Jerusalem Center for Strategic and Foreign Affairs, said the PA is more worried about its honor than it is about actually fighting terror groups. "We've seen clashes like this in the past," he noted, adding that this time it appears to be on a larger scale since the armed groups have "never before challenged the PA in such a way."
"Why can't the PA say openly in Arabic, 'No more battalions, no more armed groups and no such thing as resistance?' Why don't we hear that message? I don't hear it in Arabic."
Instead, Abu Toameh said he hears Palestinian officials saying, "We are not against the weapons of the resistance." "They don't come out against the whole idea of resistance against Israel." Moreover, "We know there is no strategic decision to dismantle these groups because we don't see it in other places like Tulkarem and Nablus."
The writer is Chief Editor of English Publications at the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs. (JNS)
Antisemitism
- Le Pen Was a Notorious Holocaust Denier, an Ally of Israel's Enemies - Amb. Freddy Eytan
French National Front founder Jean-Marie Le Pen, who died on Jan. 7, 2025, was the catalyst for the rise of far-right parties in Europe. We must be very careful and vigilant before establishing relations with leaders of European far-right political parties who wish to establish friendly relations with Israeli parties.
These European parties do not correspond with the American political chessboard. European politics, particularly French politics, goes back to the Dreyfus affair, to the end of colonialism, to Vichy France, and their relations with the Arab world and Iran. Europe's colonial history is at the origin of its frequent obsessions with trying to solve the problems of the Middle East.
The writer, a researcher at the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, is a former Foreign Ministry senior adviser who was Israel's first ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. (Israel Hayom)
- The American Historical Association Voted to Accuse Israel of "Scholasticide" in Gaza - Jonathan S. Tobin
Those who are determined to justify the war against the Jewish state as a righteous cause have come up with new language - "scholasticide." Last week members of the American Historical Association voted to accuse Israel of "scholasticide" in Gaza. They also condemned U.S. support for the war on Hamas without so much as a single mention of terrorism or the release of nearly 100 hostages still being held by the Islamist group.
The schools that have been destroyed in Gaza are routinely used by Hamas to store weapons, shelter terrorists and launch rockets against Israeli civilians. The historians ignored the fact that this makes them legal targets.
Moreover, education in Gaza is an essential element in the Islamist war to eradicate Israel. Hamas and UNRWA schools help indoctrinate Palestinian Arab children to hate Israel and the Jews, and to believe the continuation of the futile century-old war against Zionism is an essential element of their identity.
Contrary to the historians' resolutions, the Israel Defense Forces do not deliberately seek to destroy schools. However, when Hamas uses such buildings as launchpads to fire on Israeli citizens, the IDF cannot and should not let them be safe spaces for carrying out the murder of Jews.
The virus of antisemitism has continued to spread in the 21st century only 80 years after the Holocaust. In the latest iteration of the plague of Jew-hatred, the stormtroopers of contemporary antisemitism are largely to be found among those who purport to be the educated elites of society. (JNS)
- Hatred Is Not Welcome in Canada - Editorial
The last thing Canada needs to import is more hatred. Since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct.7, 2023, there have been marches through our major cities in which participants have uttered antisemitic threats. They've climbed the walls of Mt. Sinai Hospital in Toronto and defaced businesses owned by Jewish Canadians. One girls' school has been shot up three times.
It's shocking, therefore, to discover that the organization Hizb ut-Tahrir Canada planned a meeting for Jan. 18, to discuss how to establish a caliphate in this country.
The British government has designated Hizb ut-Tahrir a terrorist organization.
A caliphate, by definition, is theocratic, misogynistic, undemocratic and antisemitic. We don't need one in Canada.
(Toronto Sun-Canada)
Observations:
- If there's ever going to be lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians, the Palestinians must do something they've avoided for nearly 80 years: accept the permanency and legitimacy of the Jewish state.
- Since Oct. 7, most Israelis have become increasingly disillusioned when it comes to peace with the Palestinians. On the Palestinian side, a series of recent polls found that many Palestinians in both Gaza and the West Bank still believe Hamas was justified in carrying out their Oct. 7 assault. Moreover, Palestinians remain broadly opposed to the idea of a two-state solution, the favored approach of international politicians, scholars, and peace advocates for decades.
- Since Israel's founding, the complete ideological rejection of any Jewish state between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea has been a pillar of Palestinian identity. Treating Israel as anything but a blemish or temporary aberration that can and will be undone with enough determination would be sacrilege in many Palestinian homes. It is precisely this maximalist Palestinian ideology that is at the heart of the conflict.
- Going forward, earnest diplomats and committed mediators who have continually avoided this long-held rejectionist view will need to wake up, get real, and have honest discussions with Palestinians. As a first step, outsiders should resist the common knee-jerk reaction of dismissing hard truths. The deep-seated Palestinian vision anchored to endless struggle and never-ending resistance is what keeps the conflict going.
- Unless the Palestinians finally acknowledge Israel's right to exist, no land, no new borders, and no other concessions will lead to lasting peace. Palestinians have the power to end the conflict - and it's time we recognize that.
The writer is an International Fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University.
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