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In-Depth Issues:
White House Unfreezes Bomb Shipment to Israel ( Walla-Jerusalem Post)
The White House has instructed the U.S. Department of Defense to lift the freeze imposed by the Biden administration last May on the supply of one-ton bombs to Israel.
Israel received notification from the Pentagon about the release of the bombs on Friday, a senior Israeli official said.
See also Israel's Foreign Minister Thanks President Trump for Lifting Hold on Delivery of Weapons - Amy Spiro ( Times of Israel)
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said Sunday: "Thank you President Trump for yet another display of leadership by releasing the crucial defense shipment to Israel."
"The region is safer when Israel has what it needs to defend itself."
Israel Demands UNRWA's Removal from Jerusalem by Jan. 30 - Itamar Eichner ( Ynet News)
Israel's Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon informed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday that the UN Palestinian relief agency UNRWA must cease all activities in Jerusalem by Jan. 30, as mandated by new Israeli laws, and vacate all buildings from which it operates.
The laws, which passed the Knesset in a 92-10 vote, were introduced following suspicions that UNRWA staff in Gaza were involved in the Oct. 7 massacres.
IDF F-16s Reached Iran Targets with Precision, Air-Launched Missiles - Prof. Edward Luttwak ( Mosaic)
Locally-made, high-precision, tactical air-launched missiles enabled the Israeli air force to attack the distant Parchin target near Tehran with its shortest-range fighter bomber, the F-16.
The writer is a contractual strategic consultant for the U.S. government.
Israel's Rafael Upgrades Trophy Active Protection System to Counter Kamikaze Drones ( Army Recognition)
Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has announced an upgrade to its Trophy Active Protection System (APS) to intercept drones.
The Trophy system became operational in 2009 to enhance the survivability of armored vehicles.
It has been deployed on tanks like the Israeli Merkava Mark 3 and 4, the American Abrams, the German Leopard, as well as the British Challenger 3.
Gaza Fatality Estimates - Salo Aizenberg ( X)
51,600 total deaths in Gaza were reported by the UN, as of Jan. 14, 2025, including 7,000 from natural causes and 2,000 killed by Hamas.
War-related fatalities:
22,600 civilians
20,000 combatants
Civilian/combatant ratio:
~1:1
The writer, a board member of Honest Reporting, has closely reviewed the data for 15 months.
Three Israeli Hostages Released Last Week Were Kept as Domestic Slaves for Hamas Terrorists ( Jerusalem Post)
Three Israeli women released from Hamas captivity last week described being kept in unsanitary conditions for months and often denied showers, medical care, and access to proper hygiene facilities.
Some were held in complete darkness for extended periods and suffered from severe hunger.
Some were made to cook meals and clean toilets for their captors.
Hamas Must Be Defanged - Editorial ( Telegraph-UK)
It cannot be the case that Hamas is allowed to retain power over Gaza, and a base from which to prepare future atrocities against the Israeli people.
It is vital that Trump is willing to allow Israel to use force if required.
"Maintaining Hamas's Rule in Gaza Is Their Foremost Concern" - Peled Arbeli ( Jerusalem Post)
Brig.-Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser, former head of the IDF Military Intelligence Research Division, told Maariv on Sunday:
"Hamas may take steps to appear as if they are relinquishing civilian control over Gaza, but this will not be a genuine concession. They will demand guarantees against attacks following the deal's completion.... Maintaining their rule is their foremost concern."
CBS Is Determined to Redraw Israel's Map - Tamar Sternthal ( Times of Israel)
In August, a CBS News memo instructed all employees: "Do not refer to [Jerusalem] as being in Israel."
On Jan. 19, CBS reported on two released Israeli hostages who "were taken from the same kibbutz, which is a settlement."
Kibbutz Kfar Aza is not a settlement. It is located well within internationally recognized Israeli territory.
The writer is director of the Israel Office of CAMERA.
15th-Century Gold and Silver Coins Discovered in Israel near Sea of Galilee - Owen Jarus ( Live Science)
Archaeologists have discovered a hoard of 364 gold and silver coins by the remains of a centuries-old synagogue at the archaeological site of Huqoq in Israel, near the Sea of Galilee.
The stash was found inside two jugs under the collapsed wall of the synagogue.
Most of the coins are from medieval Venice or the Mamluk sultanate, which controlled the region in the 15th century.
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News Resources - North America, Europe, and Asia:
- Trump Floats Plan to "Clean Out" Gaza - Zeke Miller
President Donald Trump said Saturday he'd like to see Egypt, Jordan, and other Arab nations increase the number of Palestinians they are accepting from Gaza. "I'd like Egypt to take people. You're talking about probably a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing and say, 'You know, it's over.'" Trump said he told the Jordanian king: "I'd love for you to take on more [Palestinians] cause I'm looking at the whole Gaza Strip right now, and it's a mess. It's a real mess."
He said resettling "could be temporary or long-term." "Something has to happen, but it's literally a demolition site right now. Almost everything's demolished....So, I'd rather get involved with some of the Arab nations, and build housing in a different location, where they can maybe live in peace for a change."
Trump also said he's ended his predecessor's hold on sending 2,000-pound bombs to Israel. "We released them today," he said of the bombs. "They've been waiting for them for a long time." Asked why he lifted the ban, Trump responded, "Because they bought them." (AP)
- U.S. Security Contractor to Take Charge of Key Checkpoint in Gaza as Israeli Forces Withdraw - Jeremy Diamond
Armed personnel from an American security contractor will take over a key checkpoint on the road to northern Gaza in the coming days as Israeli forces withdraw from the area. They will be responsible for inspecting vehicles entering northern Gaza. Palestinians returning to northern Gaza on foot will not be inspected.
(CNN)
News Resources - Israel and the Mideast:
- Four Israeli Women Soldiers Freed in Gaza - Yael Ciechanover
On Saturday, IDF lookouts Liri Albag, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Karina Ariev were released from 15 months of Hamas captivity in Gaza. They had been abducted from Nahal Oz on Oct. 7, 2023.
(Ynet News)
See also IDF Soldiers Released from Gaza Tell of Hunger, Bombings and Confinement
Israeli media published testimonies from the four Israeli soldiers released from Hamas captivity on Saturday. Israel's Channel 11 reported that they said an older hostage cared for them in the early days of their captivity, ensuring they had food and showers. They later learned that this individual had been killed while in captivity. They say Hamas often moved them between locations, including within Gaza City, disguising them as Palestinian women. They stayed both in buildings and in tunnels.
Channel 12 reported that at times, they went without food, and the constant threat of nearby IDF attacks caused significant fear. Some hostages were left without showers or sanitary conditions for months.
15 female spotters were killed at the Nahal Oz base during the Hamas attack, and 7 were taken into Gaza. Agam Berger remains in captivity. Ori Megidish was rescued by IDF forces in October 2023, and Noa Marciano was killed in captivity.
(Ha'aretz)
- Israel Releases 200 Palestinian Terrorists as Part of Gaza Hostage Deal
Israel released 200 Palestinian terrorist prisoners on Saturday as part of the hostage-prisoner exchange deal. More than half were serving life sentences for terror attacks that killed dozens. 114 prisoners were transferred to Ramallah in the West Bank, 16 were taken to Gaza, and 70 were deported to Egypt and will be transferred to other locations.
Under the agreement, for each female soldier released by Hamas, Israel will release 30 life sentence prisoners and 20 additional prisoners who were due to remain in prison for up to 15 more years. The deal stipulates that any prisoner "convicted of murder, manufacturing weapons used for murder, or dispatching attackers to lethal terror attacks" will be deported to Gaza or abroad.
(Jerusalem Post-Ha'aretz)
- IDF to Maintain Positions in Lebanon over Failure to Meet Ceasefire Terms - Shirit Avitan Cohen
Israel announced Friday that its military forces will remain in southern Lebanon, two days before the scheduled withdrawal deadline, citing the Lebanese army's failure to meet its commitments under the ceasefire agreement.
Prime Minister Netanyahu's office said: "The Lebanon ceasefire framework included a provision for the IDF's phased withdrawal to be completed within 60 days. This clause was deliberately formulated to account for the possibility that the withdrawal process might extend beyond the initial 60-day timeframe. The IDF's withdrawal is specifically conditional upon the Lebanese army's deployment in southern Lebanon and its full and effective enforcement of the agreement, including Hizbullah's withdrawal north of the Litani River."
"Given Lebanon's incomplete enforcement of the ceasefire agreement, the phased withdrawal process will proceed at a pace that ensures security, maintaining full coordination with the United States. The State of Israel remains steadfast in its commitment to protect its communities and citizens, and will continue to pursue its military objectives in the north until residents can safely return to their homes." (Israel Hayom)
See also IDF Warns Lebanese Against Return to Border Villages
The Israeli army on Saturday warned residents of dozens of Lebanese villages near the border against returning until further notice, a day after Israel said its forces would remain in south Lebanon beyond the Sunday deadline for their departure. The Lebanese army on Saturday urged Lebanese residents to wait before heading to the border region.
White House National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes said Friday: "All parties share the goal of ensuring Hizbullah does not have the ability to threaten the Lebanese people or their neighbors. To achieve these goals, a short, temporary ceasefire extension is urgently needed." (Times of Israel)
- IDF Dismantles More Hizbullah Weapons Stores, Infrastructure in Southern Lebanon
The IDF has dismantled Hizbullah infrastructure in southern Lebanon which was being used to store weapons and fire hundreds of rockets and anti-tank missiles into Israel, the army announced on Thursday. During scans in the area, numerous weapons were located, including rocket launchers, crates of munitions, missiles and launchers, explosives, RPG launchers, AK-47 rifles, hundreds of rockets and mortars, grenades, Kornet missiles, and sniper rifles. The weapons were located inside residential buildings, courtyards, kindergartens, and basements.
(Jerusalem Post)
Global Commentary and Think-Tank Analysis:
The Gaza War
- Israel's Strategic Security Objective in Gaza Is Demilitarization - Meir Ben Shabbat
The ceasefire agreement has breathed new fighting spirit into Hamas's leadership and members. Khalil al-Hayya, head of Hamas's political bureau who led its negotiating team, promised the struggle would continue until complete victory. Hamas in Gaza will exploit the ceasefire to revitalize their personnel, smuggle and manufacture weapons, reassert control over the population, and maximize political gains from the release of operatives in Gaza, the West Bank, and regionally.
Israel cannot allow the existence of combat forces, means, and military capabilities that threaten its citizens' security. Complete demilitarization of Gaza means denying Hamas and other organizations their military operational capabilities. Alternatives to Hamas rule won't be acceptable to Israel until demilitarization is achieved.
The Palestinian Authority recently concluded a six-week operation in Jenin. The operation ended with reconciliation between the PA and the "Jenin Battalion," providing another proof of the PA's limited capabilities.
Hamas is riding the wave of joy and elation following the release of its operatives from Israeli prison and calling for "escalation of resistance" from the West Bank.
The writer, a former Israeli national security advisor and head of the National Security Council, served for 30 years in the Israel Security Agency. (Israel Hayom)
- This Israel-Hamas Deal Sets a Dangerous Precedent - Amit Segal
In 2012, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received a report from a former president of the Supreme Court aimed at preventing Israel from paying exorbitant ransoms in exchange for its captives and hostages abducted by terrorists. The recommendations weren't enacted into law.
Over the years, 48 Israelis have been killed in military operations to free hostages. Netanyahu sustained a bullet wound while freeing a hijacked Sabena airplane in 1972. His brother Yonatan was killed four years later in an operation which successfully freed more than 100 hostages from Palestinian hijackers at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda.
In recent years, Israel has begun to pay increasingly exorbitant prices for its hostages. Once it refused to negotiate with terrorists; today it does. In the hostage deal of January 2025, for the first time in history, a state is paying a strategic price on the battlefield for the return of its citizens.
Not only are murderers who killed hundreds of men, women and children about to be released, but now the IDF is also withdrawing from northern Gaza, which it conquered at the expense of more than 100 lives. How did this happen?
A combination of factors contributed to the lopsided hostage deal: President Biden was determined to bring an end to the war at any price - war that had cost the Democratic Party during an election year. Netanyahu, in the face of crushing public pressure, needed to bring the hostages home. Trump was eager to prove that he could succeed where his predecessor failed.
Seeing the hostages at home fills the heart with joy. No words can capture the profound relief at seeing men, women, children and the elderly brought home from Hamas's terror tunnels. Yet we must not forget the devastating price extracted.
The writer is chief political commentator on Israel's Channel 12 News.
(Wall Street Journal)
- Gaza Must Be Completely Cut Off from Israel - Avi Dichter interviewed by Eliav Breuer
Avi Dichter, a member of Israel's Security Cabinet and former head of the Israel Security Agency, said he voted for the hostage deal, seeing no other way to bring them home. However, he was adamant that alongside the deal, "Gaza will never be a military threat to the State of Israel."
The long-term strategic goal is for Gaza to be completely cut off from Israel, since the war could very well have led to even more radicalization among the Gazan population, despite Israeli efforts to avoid civilian casualties. Every family in Gaza had at least one casualty or prisoner held in Israel. The war will lead to Palestinian vendetta attempts for at least two generations, he said. They must not be able to enter Israel, travel via Israel, or maintain any other ties with Israel.
(Jerusalem Post)
The Houthis
- The Houthis' Gambit: Targeting Israel to Secure Survival - Catherine Perez-Shakdam
At first glance, the Houthis' recent aggression towards Israel appears to be an act of militant zealotry, a dutiful gesture of allegiance to their Iranian patrons. Yet, it represents a calculated bid for survival as the Iranian regime totters. In the labyrinth of tribal politics that governs much of Yemen, displays of force are the currency of credibility. The Houthis are making a spectacle of their resilience, a brash declaration to the world that they are a force to reckon with.
The Houthis owe much of their rise to Tehran's patronage. Iranian weapons, training, and ideological guidance have been indispensable to their war effort. Yet their interests are beginning to diverge from those of Iran. The Iranian regime is not what it once was. Beset by crippling sanctions, domestic unrest, and an unrelenting campaign of international isolation, Tehran's ability to sustain its proxies is waning.
Their strategy is to make a bold play now, while the spotlight is still theirs to command.
From a Western perspective, the Houthis' targeting of Israel may seem the height of folly. Why provoke a nation with such formidable military might and with no direct involvement in Yemen's civil war?
In Yemen's tribal culture, grand gestures are the lifeblood of political capital. By targeting Israel and issuing threats against the U.S., the Houthis are flexing their muscles in a way that resonates with their local and regional audience. It is a move designed to burnish their reputation as warriors.
The Houthis' ultimate goal is to gain international recognition and legitimacy. In this, they are invoking a time-honored tradition of tribal negotiation. Strength is not just about winning battles; it is about commanding respect, which opens the door to dialogue. The Houthis are not merely inviting conflict; they are laying the groundwork for a seat at the negotiating table.
The Houthis are not a militia bent on mindless destruction but a political actor navigating with the tools at its disposal. Their aggression towards Israel is less about ideology and more about positioning - an elaborate performance designed to secure survival in a shifting geopolitical landscape.
The writer is Executive Director at the Forum for Foreign Relations in the UK.
(Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs)
Observations:
- On its first day, Hamas's motorcycles, pickup trucks, and hang gliders successfully crossed the border, and their 6,000 riders did a lot of killing and pillaging, but it took hardly 48 hours to kill, wound, capture, and chase away the entire invading force, to the last man. The Gazan fighter, once in combat, proved militarily undertrained and logistically naked. To accomplish the deeper invasion Hamas had in mind, it had to supply its troops with food, gas, and ammunition.
- Hamas's assumption that Hizbullah would invade the Galilee was dashed, and Hamas failed to predict that Hizbullah would be floored: its leadership annihilated, its troops decimated, its hardware incinerated, and its outposts razed.
- Moreover, Hamas's overarching assumptions, that the IDF would not dare enter Gaza's dense urbanity, and that Israelis had lost the will to fight, proved unfounded. Gaza was invaded big time; Israel's soldiers fought tooth and nail; Hamas's troops were killed by the thousands; and Gaza's houses, roads, plazas, and pavements became piles of rubble, cement, and dust.
- Yes, Hamas's offensive will be counted among military history's most successful surprise attacks. However, its planners will be counted alongside Hitler's when he stormed Stalingrad and Japan's when it bombarded Pearl Harbor. They had no idea what they were provoking.
- In addition, Hamas's attack triggered Iran's attacks on Israel, which resulted in Israel's counterattacks, which exposed Iran's military weakness. Lastly, Hizbullah's defeat made the Syrian rebels decide that the time for their assault on Damascus had arrived, leading to the downfall of the Syrian regime and its army's demolition by the IDF. The chain reaction now leaves Hamas all alone.
- The war since October '23 has ended in Israeli victory, because Hamas lost its Iranian roof, its Lebanese backyard, its Syrian flank, and its geopolitical umbrella, after Russia's loss of its Syrian fort.
The writer is a research fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem.
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