Update from Israel

November 26, 2025 - October 7 War, Day 782, 2 hostage bodies remain in captivity. 

The body of hostage Dror Or was returned to Israel last night, leaving only the final two kidnapped hostage bodies in the hands of terror groups.

Hostages

• The body of murdered hostage Dror Or was returned to Israel last night by Palestinian Islamic Jihad and positively identified by Israeli forensic experts in the early hours of this morning.
• Or, aged 48 when he was murdered on October 7 at Kibbutz Be’eri, was posthumously kidnapped to Gaza. Information gathered in Gaza led to the announcement of his death in May of 2024.
• Dror’s wife, Yonat, was also murdered on October 7, and they left behind three children. Two of the children, Alma and Noam, were kidnapped to Gaza and returned in November 2023, two years to the day that Dror’s body was brought to Israel last night.
• The bodies of the final two murdered hostages remain in Gaza: those of Sudthisak Rinthalak, 43, from Thailand, murdered at Be’eri, and Ran Gvili, 24, murdered at Alumim.
• Last weekend, 17 hostages recently freed in the final release group joined nine previously released hostages for a visit to the United States. President Trump welcomed the delegation at the White House, where they expressed gratitude for U.S. intervention that helped secure their freedom. During their visit, the group also met with members of the Abraham Accords Caucus and the bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Hostages, thanking lawmakers from both parties for their efforts and support on their behalf.

Violence in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank)

• The past few weeks have seen widespread condemnation by Israeli leaders, across the political spectrum, of a spike in alleged settler attacks in the West Bank, coinciding with the olive harvest season—a period historically prone to friction. Allegations against groups of settlers include arson, beatings, vandalism, and assaults on Palestinian civilians and property.
  • On November 11, a group of masked men attacked Palestinian factories and farmland near Tulkarm, torching vehicles and clashing with IDF soldiers. Four Israeli suspects were detained.
  • On November 13, settlers are alleged to have torched the Hajja Hamida Mosque in Deir Istiya, burned Qurans, and scrawled racist graffiti.
  • On November 20, a group is said to have set fire to a scrap yard in Huwara, destroying around 150 out-of-commission cars.
• Despite criticism of weak law enforcement by police and the IDF, a broad spectrum of senior Israeli leadership have issued strong condemnations of these acts in recent days:
• President Isaac Herzog called the attacks “shocking and serious” and said they “cross a red line,” urging authorities to “act decisively to eradicate the phenomenon”.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged “forceful action against riots against Palestinians and IDF soldiers,” calling the attackers “a handful of extremists” who do not represent the settler community.
• IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said, “We will not tolerate the phenomena of a minority of criminals who tarnish a law-abiding public.” He warned that such violence diverts military resources from core missions.
• Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, the head of the IDF’s Central Command (responsible for the region where attacks have taken place), described perpetrators as an “anarchist fringe” whose actions are “unacceptable and extremely serious.”
• Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemned the rioters for “harming the State of Israel, disgracing Judaism, and damaging the settlement project.”
• In addition, the leadership of the settler movement insists that the acts are being carried out by a small fringe, many of whom do not even live in settlements, and strongly says that those committing the illegal acts do not act in the name of the Jewish communities living “over the Green Line.” Yesha Council Chairman Yisrael Ganz denounced the violence, labeling perpetrators as “a small band of rioters” and “extreme anarchists” who undermine the legitimacy of the settlement movement.
• Earlier in the week, Prime Minister Netanyahu convened a meeting with senior security officials to address the surge in violence. During the session, the heads of the IDF, Shin Bet, and Israel Police recommended creating a specialized investigative unit dedicated to tackling these incidents. Additional proposals included deploying more forces to act as buffers between settlements and nearby Arab villages; to monitor activity around unauthorized outposts to help prevent attacks; issuing restraining orders against settlers involved in violent acts; and revoking gun licenses for individuals implicated in these attacks.

Hezbollah

• The past week marked a major escalation in Israeli operations against Hezbollah across Lebanon, including the first IDF strike on Beirut since June.
• Israel says the strikes were aimed at stopping Hezbollah's efforts to rebuild its military capabilities and violating the year-old ceasefire.
• On Sunday, Israeli jets struck an apartment block in Beirut, killing Haytham Ali Tabatabai, Hezbollah’s military chief of staff and number two in the organization’s overall structure. The attack also killed four other senior operatives.
• Tabatabai had been declared a wanted terrorist by the US in 2016, and a $5 million bounty had been placed on his head by the American government.
• The strike, considered a momentous intelligence and military success by Israel, was a significant blow to the terror group.
• Israeli media said that the Israeli attack had been welcomed by the Trump Administration (which was informed about developments shortly after Israeli jets hit their target), as both Israel and the US seek to send a message to the Lebanese government that it needs to do more to disarm Hezbollah and stop it from re-establishing itself in southern Lebanon.
• Israeli commentators also pointed out the dilemma now faced by Hezbollah. If the terror group does not retaliate, it will be perceived as weak – a difficult position to be in, in the Middle East. On the other hand, any further attacks would likely see heavy retaliation, a situation that the terror group would find difficult to confront in its current form.

Gaza

• While the ceasefire remains in place, numerous breaches by Hamas and other armed parties have led to Israeli responses, as the IDF has stated that violations of the ceasefire agreement will not be tolerated.
• Earlier in the week, a Hamas gunman approached the Yellow Line (the agreed perimeter inside Gaza) and opened fire on Israeli troops near a humanitarian corridor. The IDF called this a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire.
• Hamas fighters also attempted to emerge from tunnels in Rafah; 17 were captured or killed during clashes with IDF forces.
• In retaliation for the gunfire and other activity, Israel launched precision airstrikes across Gaza this week, killing five senior Hamas commanders, including Alaa Hadidi, head of Hamas’s weapons supply unit. These strikes were among the deadliest since the truce began.
• Earlier in the week (Nov. 19), 25 Palestinians were killed in four Israeli airstrikes after Hamas fired on IDF troops.
• Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that, “Israel has fully honored the ceasefire; Hamas has not. We responded with force to protect our soldiers.”
• Also this week, the IDF’s Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir dismissed several high-ranking officers from reserve duty for their failures on October 7. Among those ordered to leave the reserves were the generals who, on October 7, headed the Southern Command, the Operations Branch, and Military Intelligence.

International Diplomacy

• Earlier this week, the IDF hosted over 100 senior military representatives from nearly 20 countries for a five-day program, sharing lessons learned from two years of multi-front conflict.
  • Attendees included military figures from the United States, Canada, Germany, Finland, France, India, Greece, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Austria, Estonia, Japan, Morocco, Romania, Serbia, and Slovakia.
  • According to reports, sessions focused on advances in military use of data and AI; coordinating drones and artillery to protect advancing troops; and improving survival.
  • Several participating countries had previously criticized Israel’s conduct in Gaza, including France and Canada, which recently recognized a Palestinian state.
  • Despite public condemnations, the nations in attendance still sought Israeli insights and expertise in military and intelligence matters, including key takeaways from the manner in which Israel conducted the war.
• Following Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Washington, it was announced that the US agreed to supply the Kingdom with advanced F-35 fighter jets, raising concerns in Israel about the potential erosion of its Qualitative Military Edge (QME). Israeli officials emphasize that any aircraft delivered to Riyadh will be downgraded compared to Israel’s version, and reaffirmed that U.S.-Israel understandings on preserving QME remain intact. Israeli media also noted that Palestinian issues appeared to have been sidelined during the talks, with no clear push for normalization with Israel tied to progress on that front.

Further Reading

• The Death Penalty for Terrorists Bill is Not Constitutional and Will Deal Grievous Harm to Israel
• ‘No atheists in foxholes’: Survey shows Israelis becoming more religious after 2 years of war
• Why Israel Fears Turkey’s Involvement in Gaza
• America’s Exit Strategy: The New Middle Eastern Air Alliance Taking Shape
• How Israel’s Victory Strengthens America’s Hand
• Explainer: What is the State Commission of Inquiry sought by many in Israel to examine the failures of October 7?

War in Israel: Update on Current Situation

November 20, 2025 - October 7 War, Day 775, 3 hostage bodies remain in captivity. 

The UN Security Council approves the US proposal for Gaza’s future as violence plagues Judea and Samaria.

Violence in Judea and Samaria (West Bank)

• On Tuesday, two Palestinians with explosive devices in their vehicle carried out a ramming and stabbing terror attack at the Gush Etzion Junction just outside of Jerusalem, murdering Aharon Cohen, 71, from Kiryat Arba. The terrorists exited the vehicle with knives and stabbed at least four Israelis. The perpetrators, both 18 years old, were shot dead on site. The father of one of the attackers, speaking to Arabic media after the attack, repeatedly thanked God, telling the interviewer that his highest aspiration was to be the father of a martyr.
• In another incident of what some are calling “settler violence,” Jewish extremists attacked a Palestinian village near Bethlehem on Monday night, prompting an IDF manhunt and condemnation from Israeli leadership.
  • The recent wave of violence against Arab villages over the past two weeks, including vandalism and clashes with IDF forces, has sparked widespread criticism of the Israeli government. Some Israeli leaders have been accused of offering tacit support for the attacks; others fault the government for failing to crack down on violent elements within the settler movement, especially after Defense Minister Katz halted administrative detention without trial for such offenders. Many argue that the government's response has been too weak.
  • Nonetheless, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the violence, calling it the work of “a small, extremist group” that does not represent the broader settler population. The Prime Minister pledged to address the issue personally and urged law enforcement to act “to the fullest extent of the law.”
  • Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar issued a harsher rebuke, stating that the rioters “harm the State of Israel, disgrace Judaism, and damage the settlement project.”
  • According to leading Israeli media figure Amit Segal, the perpetrators are not, contrary to popular belief, typically ideological extremists, but rather criminal elements and troubled youths, many of whom are not affiliated with the settler movement. He said that these individuals often justify their actions with ideological rhetoric, but their behavior is closer to criminality than to political activism. Segal added that the broader settler community, numbering around 800,000, is increasingly frustrated by being tarnished by the actions of a violent minority.

The War

• Last Thursday, the body of hostage Meny Godard, 73, was returned to Israel from Gaza. A resident of Kibbutz Be’eri, Godard was murdered on October 7 alongside his wife Ayelet, 63, by Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists. They left behind four children, seven grandchildren, and multiple siblings.
• There are now fewer hostages in the Strip than there were on October 6, 2023. Three hostages’ bodies, two Israelis and one Thai, remain in Gaza. Their names are Dror Or, Ran Gvili, and Sudthisak Rinthalak.
• Following the release, after more than two years, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum has said that it will conclude its weekly rallies at the end of November. The group, founded on October 8, 2023, will redirect its remaining resources based on the wishes of the families of the three hostages whose bodies are still being held in Gaza. Israeli media pointed out that while the end of the rallies is not a moment of closure, it may signal the beginning of a broader healing process for Israeli society.
• After almost two years of debate, the Israeli government has voted to form a government-appointed inquiry commission into the failures of October 7, rejecting calls for a State Inquiry led by the judiciary. A new panel, headed by Justice Minister Yariv Levin and including Ministers Smotrich, Ben Gvir, Chikli, and others, will define the scope of the investigation. Critics argue this move allows the government to avoid scrutiny of its own policies and decisions leading up to the massacre. Despite Prime Minister Netanyahu’s claim that the commission will be “acceptable to all Israelis,” polls show strong public support for an investigation by Supreme Court Chief Justice Yitzhak Amit.
• On Tuesday, the IDF carried out a deadly airstrike on Hamas personnel in the southern Lebanese city of Sidon. Since the November 2024 ceasefire went into effect, Israel has carried out over 640 strikes in Lebanon, responding to breaches of the agreement and eliminating over 200 Hezbollah personnel. Hezbollah has reportedly reestablished arms-smuggling routes through Turkey, Iraq, and maritime channels, using Iranian funds and networks to rebuild its arsenal and shift its focus to importing components for local assembly in Lebanon. The IDF remains on high alert in the north; the US has warned the Lebanese government of significant consequences if Hezbollah is not disarmed.
• Earlier in the week, Prime Minister Netanyahu participated in a ceremony marking two years since IDF Major (Res.) Dr. Moshe Yedidya Leiter fell in battle in Gaza. Leiter was the son of Israel’s Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter. At the ceremony, a Torah scroll was completed in Leiter’s memory.
• The Israel Ministry of Defense signed a major contract to accelerate production of the Iron Dome defense system, with Rafael delivering a significant number of interceptors. The deal, supported by US aid, strengthens Israel’s air defense alongside David’s Sling and an upcoming laser defense system. Iron Dome has proven highly effective against rockets, missiles, UAVs, and cruise threats in recent conflicts. Defense officials emphasized that the agreement reinforces Israel’s multi-layered defense, technological edge, and the strategic US-Israel partnership.

International Diplomacy

• Some Israeli leaders are celebrating what some have called “a rare diplomatic win” at the United Nations, after the Security Council approved the US-sponsored Gaza Plan (Resolution 2803), which emphasizes demilitarization, deradicalization, and disarmament.
  • The Security Council approved the resolution with a 13-0 vote. There were two abstentions, by Russia and China.
  • Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Herzog hailed the vote as a historic achievement, while Hamas rejected it outright.
  • The plan allows the IDF to remain in its current positions in Gaza with legal backing, tasks the Palestinian Authority with reform before regaining control; and shifts implementation authority to Trump’s Peace Council. The latter is intended to govern Gaza in coordination with Israel and Egypt for an initial two-period, with a potential one-year extension.
  • Crucially, the resolution avoids explicit calls for a Palestinian state and introduces recognition of a non-PA authority in Gaza, marking a strategic shift that Israeli officials view favorably.
  • The plan also includes deploying an international force to enforce the ceasefire, disarm Hamas and Islamic Jihad, prevent rearmament, demilitarize the Gaza Strip, and train a new local police force.
  • Some members of Israel’s government, including Ministers Ben Gvir and Smotrich, criticized the resolution for suggesting the possibility of a Palestinian state and potentially involving the Palestinian Authority in Gaza’s future governance. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar asserted that “Israel will not agree to the establishment of a Palestinian terror state in the heart of the Land of Israel,” and Defense Minister Israel Katz clarified that “Israel’s policy is clear: A Palestinian state will not be established.”
  • Additional criticism came from outside the government, notably from Avigdor Lieberman, who opposed the internationalization of the conflict through foreign military involvement.
• President Donald Trump has confirmed that the US plans to sell advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.
  • On a visit to Washington this week, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stated his desire to join the Abraham Accords, contingent on a clear path to a two-state solution.
  • Some Israeli defense officials have warned that the F-35 sale could compromise Israel’s qualitative military edge in the region. Channel 12’s Nir Dvori explained, that “from the Air Force’s perspective, this is an ‘unbearable reality,’ in which an F-35 aircraft in the hands of another country can threaten Israel’s air superiority and the defense of the nation’s skies.” If Riyadh gets its hands on F-35s, it “will know about every movement occurring in the air and on the ground” thanks to the jet’s advanced sensor system.
  • On the other hand, others say that the jets would likely not significantly compromise Israel’s qualitative edge over its neighbors, given the important technological modifications the IDF makes to the aircraft.
  • In addition, historical precedent suggests that delivery delays are likely; five years after the UAE was promised F-35s, it has yet to receive them.
  • Some Israeli commentators have suggested that the sale of the aircraft could serve as a substitute for meaningful progress on Palestinian statehood, allowing Saudi Arabia to enter the Abraham Accords even in the absence of concrete steps for the Palestinians.
  • On the other hand, Israeli media says that Saudi normalization with Israel is unlikely before Israeli elections (which must be held by October 2026), as the Kingdom seeks to avoid being used in domestic political campaigns.
• Israel is proposing a new 20-year security agreement with the United States to replace the current 10-year Memorandum of Understanding set to expire in 2028. The plan includes shifting part of the aid toward joint US-Israeli research and development in areas such as defense technology, AI, and missile defense, presumably to align with the “America First” priorities of the Trump administration. While some critics urge Israel to reduce its reliance on U.S. assistance, others say that the move reflects a strategic pivot toward mutual investment and deeper military collaboration, rather than dependency.
• The Israel Ministry of Defense marked a significant milestone this week as the 1,000th aircraft in its massive wartime airlift operation landed in Israel, delivering critical military equipment. Since the war began, over 120,000 tons of weapons, munitions, and protective gear have arrived via air and sea, in what has become the most extensive logistical operation of its kind in Israel’s history. Led by the IDF’s Defense Procurement Directorate and supported by international missions and the Israeli Air Force, the operation aims to ensure that the IDF remains fully equipped and combat-ready.
• Last night, it was announced that a joint operation led by Mossad and European intelligence agencies has successfully dismantled significant Hamas terrorist infrastructure across Europe, uncovering weapons caches and arresting operatives in Germany and Austria. Key figures linked to Hamas leadership—including Muhammad Na'im, son of senior official Basem Na'im—were implicated in efforts to coordinate attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets. Investigations also point to Hamas activity in Turkey and meetings in Qatar, suggesting high-level involvement. European authorities say they are intensifying legal and diplomatic measures to combat Hamas’s extremist networks, while Mossad said it continues global efforts to prevent future attacks.
• Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced that the state is designating the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood as Foreign Terrorist and Transnational Criminal Organizations. The move, the first of its kind by a US governor, prohibits both groups from acquiring land in Texas and authorizes heightened enforcement against their activities and affiliates. Abbott cited concerns over alleged efforts to impose Sharia law and support global terrorism. In response, CAIR has threatened to sue the governor.
• Last weekend, Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the phone. According to a statement, the conversation was initiated by President Putin. It was “in continuation of a series of conversations that have preceded it recently, and which dealt with regional issues.”
• On Monday, Netanyahu met with outgoing Mayor of New York, Eric Adams, at the Kirya (IDF Headquarters) in Tel Aviv. Netanyahu thanked Adams for his “great support of Israel and for being a true friend of the Jewish people.” Consul General of Israel in New York, Ofir Akunis also took part in the meeting.

Good News

• Israeli companies Remilk and Gad Dairies have unveiled “New Milk” (Hahalav Hahadash), a “cow-free” dairy product that tastes like traditional milk but contains 75% less sugar and is rich in vitamins and calcium. The milk is kosher, parve, and vegan-friendly, making it especially appealing to observant Jews who avoid dairy after meat meals. Currently available only in Israel, Remilk plans to expand to the US market soon, citing ongoing talks with major partners.

Further Reading

• Latest Study: Israelis Think US Administration Has Greater Influence on Israel's Security Decisions Than Israeli Government
• Is Benjamin Netanyahu Getting Royally Trumped?
• The Mamdani Moment and the Future of American Jewry
• Two presidents presented two proposals this week to end Benjamin Netanyahu’s trial. What will the prime minister choose?
• We Won the War, but We’re Losing the Peace

War in Israel: Update on Current Situation

November 6, 2025 - October 7 War, Day 769, 4 hostage bodies remain in captivity. A deceased hostage is expected to be returned today.

Having raised an astonishing $908 million in two years, Jewish Federations are winding down our post-October 7th Israel Emergency Campaign and shifting focus to "Rebuild Israel," a holistic, long-term recovery effort. Details of this new plan will be unveiled at the 2025 General Assembly, which commences on Sunday in Washington, DC. See our blog post.

Gaza Ceasefire and Regional Security

• The Gaza ceasefire continues to face external and internal pressures. Documents circulated within the US-led Gaza ceasefire monitoring hub reportedly indicated US unease about the truce's durability, a report dismissed by a State Department spokesperson, who reaffirmed the administration's commitment to President Trump's peace effort.
• The issue of the approximately 200 Hamas operatives who are trapped in tunnels in Rafah remains unresolved. Reports indicate the US is pressing Israel to grant safe passage to the terrorists—provided they disarm—in exchange for the return of deceased hostage bodies, showing the persistent linkage between these issues.
• The US has taken the lead role at the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) overseeing the truce, effectively sidelining Israel in some key decision-making, including on issues related to humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza.
• Reports indicate the U.S. is planning a new $500 million military base near the Gaza border to house several thousand international troops, whose mission would be to maintain the ceasefire inside the Strip. This significant policy shift is seen as Washington's determination to assume a leading role in Gaza.
• The US is seeking a UN Security Council resolution to authorize a two-year mandate for both the ISF (expected to be around 20,000 troops) and the "Board of Peace" transitional governance body. The resolution would also enshrine the entire 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan into international law.
• Progress on the next phase of the ceasefire, which includes Hamas disarmament and the deployment of an International Stabilization Force (ISF), appears slow.
• Egypt is having a diplomatic moment, having hosted the negotiations that secured the ceasefire. Egyptian Intelligence Chief Hassan Rashad made a rare trip to Israel this past month to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu when the truce appeared to be in jeopardy. Egypt is now playing a crucial role in the post-ceasefire environment, pushing for transitional arrangements that allow the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority to take control as a step toward potential eventual Palestinian statehood.
• Israel struck Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, which the Israeli military confirmed began after warning civilians to evacuate certain buildings in three Lebanese villages. Hezbollah rejected the prospect of direct political talks and vowed to defend itself. The IDF continues to warn that it will not tolerate the rebuilding of Hezbollah's arsenal.
• Watch this video from CNN to learn what Fareed Zakaria sees as the five most important things to understand about the regional political and diplomatic response to the peace deal:  Fareed's take: What the Gaza ceasefire reveals about the new Middle East.

Remains of Unidentified Hostage Set to be Released Today

• The body of a deceased hostage, found today north of Khan Younis, is scheduled to be handed over to Israel tonight at 8 pm., according to a joint statement from Hamas and Islamic Jihad. The terror groups did not specify the hostage's identity. Four deceased hostages remain in Gaza.
• The remains of Hadar Goldin, 23, were transferred out of the Gaza Strip on Sunday. Goldin was killed and taken captive by Hamas after the ceasefire ending Operation Protective Edge in the summer of 2014 went into effect. Goldin was laid to rest on Tuesday in a ceremony attended by tens of thousands, including the Chief of Staff of the IDF. See our blog post.
• Former captive Nimrod Cohen stated this week that he is certain Hamas knows the whereabouts of the deceased hostages’ remains and is deliberately withholding them in violation of the truce deal for political leverage.

Settler Violence in the West Bank

• Dozens of Israeli settlers launched a major arson attack in the West Bank on Tuesday between Nablus and Tulkarem, setting fire to a factory, several trucks, and surrounding farmland. 
• Reports indicate at least four Palestinians were injured and evacuated for medical treatment, with one mayor claiming a total of 10 Palestinians were hurt.
• Israeli President Isaac Herzog issued a strong condemnation of a "shocking and serious" wave of settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, calling for decisive action by all state authorities to "eradicate the phenomenon." 
• Numerous other Israeli leaders have condemned the attacks and are demanding that order be restored.
• The criticism follows a surge in attacks, including one where masked settlers attacked the villages of Beit Lid and Deir Sharaf, prompting the army chief also to state that the military would not tolerate the criminal minority.
• The IDF and police confirmed that four Israeli suspects were arrested and taken into custody for questioning on suspicion of extremist violence.

Proposal for Commission of Inquiry Into 10/7

• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected opposition demands to form a state commission of inquiry into the failures surrounding Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attacks, arguing that such a probe would lack broad public support. Instead, he proposed creating a government-led commission that he said would represent “all parts of the nation” and gain greater public trust.
• Critics accused him of trying to control the investigation and avoid accountability, noting that polls show most Israelis support a formal state inquiry.
• Opposition leaders, including Yair Lapid and Avigdor Liberman, said Netanyahu’s stance reflects his refusal to take responsibility for the October 7 catastrophe.

Ron Dermer Resigns

• Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer resigned from his ministerial position on Tuesday, having served since late 2022. 
• Dermer, considered Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s closest advisor and key diplomat with the US, cited a promise to his family to serve for no more than two years. However, he extended his term twice to focus on the Gaza war, hostage negotiations, and the threat of Iran's nuclear capabilities.
• In his resignation letter, the US-born official acknowledged the government's failures leading up to the October 7, 2023 attacks, but lauded its subsequent wartime response, praising Netanyahu’s leadership. Dermer stated that while October 7th was Israel's "darkest day" since its founding, the government's response to the "seven-front war" that followed was "worthy.”

Further Reading

• Twenty Questions (and Expert Answers) About the Next Phase of an Israel-Hamas Deal" by The Atlantic Council
• "What Comes Next for Israel-Hamas Ceasefire?" by The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)sd
• "The 'Sde Teiman' Affairs: The Rule of Law Must Always Be the Guiding Compass" by  The Israel Democracy Institute (IDI)Z

War in Israel: Update on Current Situation

November 6, 2025 - October 7 War, Day 762, 6 hostage bodies remain in captivity

Additional hostage bodies returned to Israel. Ceasefire is shaky, but holds.

Gaza Ceasefire

• The Gaza ceasefire remains in place, despite some sporadic breaches and flare-ups, with all sides seemingly taking measures to ensure it holds steady.
• Israel and Hamas each now control roughly half of the area of Gaza each. The territory is divided by the “Yellow Line.”
• Approximately 200 Hamas terrorists remain trapped in tunnels in Rafah, within the Israeli-controlled sector. The 200 are isolated behind the Yellow Line, as negotiators look for a solution. While some have proposed safe passage for the Hamas members, potentially via Red Cross vehicles and contingent on disarmament, Prime Minister Netanyahu has publicly rejected the idea, citing security concerns. Some Israeli officials argue that the terrorists should be captured or eliminated.
• There have not been reports on significant progress in negotiations for the next stage of the ceasefire, which is supposed to include Hamas disarmament, a fuller Israeli withdrawal, and plans for new governance in Gaza.
• Nonetheless, President Donald Trump confirmed that he thinks the deployment of an international group (the International Security Force - ISF) in Gaza will begin in January 2025. The force will be composed of Arab and international partners and is designed to oversee security, disarm Hamas, and support reconstruction efforts.
• The UN Security Council is currently reviewing a draft US resolution that would authorize the force for a two-year mandate, starting in early 2025, with the potential to extend through 2027. The force would operate alongside a transitional governance body called the Board of Peace, which Trump also proposed. The proposed head of the Board is former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.
• The IDF is reportedly preparing to escalate strikes against Hezbollah following repeated ceasefire violations by the Lebanon-based terror group. Hezbollah has rebuilt its arsenal since the November 2024 ceasefire, and the US is increasingly doubtful that the Lebanese government will move to fully disarm the group. Although Hezbollah’s weapon “supply chain” was briefly disrupted after the Assad regime in Syria fell in December, it is apparently being reconstituted.
• According to Haaretz, Hezbollah has partially restored its weapons pipeline and is again receiving Iranian arms via Iraq and Syria. Those officials warn that Hezbollah’s rearmament is outpacing the Lebanese Army’s limited efforts to restrain it. IDF sources say the army is avoiding direct confrontation and doing little to halt Hezbollah’s rebuilding. Israel is now weighing next steps and is expected to intensify military pressure to slow Hezbollah’s recovery.
• The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have not resumed firing at Israel since the ceasefire took effect.
• A recent poll by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research shows that a majority of Palestinians still consider Hamas’ October 7 attack “correct.” Support was highest in Judea and Samaria at 59 percent, and 44 percent in Gaza, totaling 53 percent overall.
  • Despite two years of suffering in Gaza, only 14 percent of Palestinians blame Hamas for the hardships, while 54 percent place the blame on Israel.
  • The survey also found that 53 percent of Palestinians oppose a two-state solution, with much of this opposition linked to skepticism over its feasibility; 41 percent still see it as possible.
  • When asked how to achieve Palestinian independence, a plurality—40 percent overall, including 35 percent in Gaza—supported “armed struggle,” indicating that even after years of conflict and destruction, many still view violence as the path forward.
• The government last week directed that a humanitarian and medical aid delegation be dispatched from the State of Israel to Jamaica, following the hurricane that struck the area and caused numerous casualties.

Bodies of Hostages Released

• Seven additional bodies have been returned to Israel in the past week.
• Israel has now positively identified the body returned last night by Hamas as that of 21-year-old Joshua Lolitu Mollel, a Tanzanian agronomy student who came to Israel for agricultural training. He was killed on Kibbutz Nahal Oz on October 7; his body was taken to Gaza. Joshua had arrived in Israel just 19 days before the massacre, when he was kidnapped and then murdered on camera. He leaves behind his parents and four siblings.
• The body returned to Israel the previous night has been identified as that of Staff Sergeant Itay Chen, a 19-year-old soldier who held US, Israeli, and German citizenship. Chen was killed when his tank was struck at the Nahal Oz army base, and his body was taken into Gaza. He was the last American hostage being held by Hamas.
• On Sunday, the body of Captain Omer Neutra, an Israeli-American soldier killed during the October 7 attack, was returned to Israel after 758 days in captivity. Neutra, who grew up in Plainview, Long Island, was serving as a tank commander in the IDF when he was killed and taken hostage.
• Neutra’s parents, Orna and Ronen, who had become prominent advocates for hostage families, expressed both relief and sadness, saying, “For 758 days, we lived between hope and heartbreak. Today, that long nightmare ends with the knowledge that Omer is finally home.” President Trump confirmed the transfer and spoke with the family; he said he was “very happy to have it done,” although he acknowledged their pain.
• Neutra’s remains were transferred by Hamas via the Red Cross, alongside those of two other hostages, Colonel Assaf Hamami and Sergeant Oz Daniel, both killed on October 7 and abducted into Gaza. All three were positively identified by Israeli forensic authorities.
• On the morning of October 7, Hamami was with his five-year-old son Alon at the Gaza Division base. Entrusting his son to other soldiers and asking them to keep him safe, Asaf went out to fight the invading Hamas terrorists and fell defending Kibbutz Nirim. He left behind his wife and three children. Oz Daniel, 19, was also killed on October 7 while defending Israel in a tank near Kibbutz Nirim. His body was abducted by Hamas and held in Gaza for over two years.
• Last weekend, two other bodies were returned to Israel and positively identified as belonging to Amiram Cooper and Sahar Baruch. Cooper was the last hostage from Kibbutz Nir Oz.
• Six bodies are still being held in Gaza, five Israelis and one foreign national. One of the Israelis is Hadar Goldin, whose body has been held since 2014.
• Despite earlier, more pessimistic predictions, Israeli media reports that officials increasingly believe that Hamas knows the location of all of the remaining bodies, but may be deliberately withholding their return for the purpose of leverage, such as to demand safe passage for the Hamas operatives trapped in tunnels under IDF control (see above). Under the ceasefire agreement, all hostages, living or deceased, were supposed to be returned by October 13.
• Watch this moving interview with recently released Israeli hostage Yosef-Haim Ohana.

Major Israeli Scandal #1 – Sde Teiman

The “Sde Teiman Affair” has rocked Israel in recent days.

• Sde Teiman is a military base in southern Israel that was repurposed as a detention facility for Palestinian terrorists from Gaza in the early days of the war.
• In July 2024, a Palestinian detainee was hospitalized with severe injuries, including broken ribs and a rectal tear, allegedly perpetrated by IDF reservists during a search operation.
• In August 2024, Israel Channel 12 aired leaked security footage showing the detainee being taken behind riot shields and allegedly sexually assaulted. The footage caused international outrage and domestic political turmoil.
• Five IDF reservist soldiers were indicted in February 2025 for aggravated abuse and serious bodily harm. Legal proceedings against them continue.
• The leak of the video, which also harmed the prosecution’s case, was initially investigated by the IDF’s legal division, but no source for the leak was identified at the time. The footage was classified and part of an ongoing criminal investigation.
• Last week, it was revealed that the leak had been authorized by then-Military Advocate General Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, who admitted to doing so in an effort to counter right-wing accusations that her office was unfairly targeting soldiers.
• Tomer-Yerushalmi, who was the second-ever woman to hold the rank of major-general in the IDF, resigned at the end of last week, becoming the first major general in IDF history to step down due to a criminal investigation.
• On this past Sunday, she disappeared for several hours, prompting a large-scale search after her family found a note at home that was interpreted as a possible suicide message. Her car was discovered near Hatzuk Beach in Tel Aviv.
• She was later found alive and wet on a beach in Herzliya, without her phone. Authorities suspect the disappearance may have been staged to destroy evidence.
• That night, Tomer-Yerushalmi was arrested and taken into custody, where she remains. She is now under investigation for obstruction of justice, fraud, breach of trust, and abuse of office.
• Former chief military prosecutor Col. Matan Solomosh was also arrested; he has been suspected of helping cover up the leak. He has now been released to house arrest.
• The affair has sparked a fierce political backlash, with right-wing politicians accusing Tomer-Yerushalmi of betraying IDF soldiers and using the leak to damage the military’s image. One Likud MK claimed her disappearance was a “ruse to regain the narrative.”
• The case has intensified political polarization in Israel, with some calling for the indictments against the soldiers to be dropped and others demanding accountability for both the abuse and the leak.
• Prime Minister Netanyahu has said the leak caused “perhaps the most severe propaganda attack that the State of Israel has experienced since its establishment.”

Major Israeli Scandal #2: The Histadrut

• The Histadrut is Israel’s national trade union federation and the country’s largest and most powerful labor organization.
• At the beginning of this week, Israeli police arrested Histadrut Chairman Arnon Bar-David, his wife, and dozens of senior officials from the federation as part of a sweeping corruption investigation.
• The probe, dubbed “Hand Shaking Hand,” followed a two-year undercover operation by the Israel Police’s anti-fraud unit, and centers on allegations of bribery, fraud, breach of trust, money laundering, and tax offenses.
• Authorities suspect a “give-and-take” system in which senior Histadrut officials and businesspeople exchanged job appointments and board positions for financial benefits, including lucrative insurance contracts.
• Raids were conducted at over 50 locations, including the Histadrut headquarters, municipal offices, and public corporations such as El Al, Israel Railways, and the Jewish National Fund.
• Over 350 individuals are expected to be questioned, and the case is being described as one of the most serious public-sector corruption scandals in Israel in recent years.

Further Reading

• Why Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates Must Lead Gaza Reconstruction
• Explainer: The New Outline for the IDF Draft Exemption Law
• Away from Military Bases, Close to Terror: The New Iran
• The Strategic Fruits of Israel’s Military Victory

War in Israel: Update on Current Situation

October 30, 2025 - October 7 War, Day 755, 13 hostage bodies remain in captivity

Bodies of Hostages Released

• Despite stipulations in the ceasefire agreement that called on Hamas to release all 28 bodies of the hostages it was holding within 72 hours, that deadline passed with only a small portion of the deceased hostages being returned.
• Hamas has said it will transfer two additional bodies of hostages to the Red Cross today, but Israel remains skeptical that the move will take place, following numerous broken Hamas promises in the past week. A few days ago, Hamas announced it had “located” the bodies of two additional hostages, Amiram Cooper, 85, and Sahar Baruch, 25—both murdered in captivity.
• The body parts returned by Hamas on Tuesday turned out not to be from one of the 13 remaining bodies the terror group is holding. Instead, they were identified as belonging to Ofir Tzarfati, 27, who was murdered at the Nova festival and abducted to Gaza. Most of his body was recovered by the IDF more than a year ago and was buried in Israel.
• IDF drones caught on film scenes of Hamas removing Ofir’s remains from an apartment, and then using a tractor to bury them. Hamas then falsely claimed to the Red Cross that they had “found a body.” The Red Cross condemned Hamas’ actions after viewing the footage.
• While thirteen hostage bodies have still not been returned from Gaza, Israeli sources estimate that Hamas knows where most of them can be found. Tragically, the IDF also believes that the location of four or five bodies is unknown.

International Diplomacy

• Negotiations continue on Phase 2 of the ceasefire agreement. Still under discussion are the issues of disarming Hamas, the IDF’s withdrawal, the future governance of Gaza, etc. Some commentators feel that the negotiations may not progress far, leaving a de facto situation for the medium-to-long term, where Hamas remains in charge of 50% of Gaza, with Israel holding the rest.
• The procession of top American officials to Israel has continued. Following visits by President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Rubio, and Morgan Ortagus (the State Department’s representative to the United Nations), the Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine and  Energy Secretary Chris Wright are also expected to arrive.
• A new base was established by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) in Kiryat Gat to monitor Gaza developments. The facility, known as the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC), tracks aid flows, ceasefire compliance, shortages of essentials, and the search for hostage bodies. US officials describe its mission as “minute-by-minute oversight,” but some Israeli officials say it effectively limits IDF responses to Hamas violations. The American flag is the only one flying over the base, which houses around 200 American troops alongside IDF personnel. In addition, soldiers from Germany, France, the UK, Spain, Australia, Greece, Jordan, and the UAE are also present, marking the first time Arab forces have been stationed on Israeli soil. Civilian aid groups and the International Committee of the Red Cross are also operating from the base.
• The Mossad has exposed a senior Iranian official, Sardar Amar, commander of Corps 11,000 under the Quds Force, as the mastermind behind failed terror plots in Australia, Greece, and Germany over the last year or two. These operations were part of Iran’s expanded efforts to target Israeli and Jewish interests worldwide following October 7. Amar’s network utilized foreign recruits, criminal proxies, and covert communication methods to evade detection. Still, its repeated failures led to arrests and diplomatic backlash, including the expulsion of Iran’s ambassador from Australia and a formal reprimand in Germany. The Mossad emphasized its ongoing commitment both to thwarting Iranian threats and to protecting Israeli and Jewish lives around the world. 

Israeli Politics

• Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chair Boaz Bismuth has proposed a new revised draft law for ultra-Orthodox conscription.
• The new bill would eliminate the quota for Haredi combat soldiers, to be replaced by non-combat service.
• Civilian-security service, such as volunteering with ZAKA, would now also count toward ultra-Orthodox service quotas.
• The definition of “ultra-Orthodox” has also been softened to include anyone who studied in a yeshiva for two years (instead of three, as under the previous proposal).
• Driver’s license suspension, which is one of the more controversial aspects of earlier bills,  will apply only to new draft dodgers; existing license holders will retain permits.
• Nonetheless, politicians and leaders from both sides of the debate, Haredim as well as parliamentarians from the Opposition, have rejected the proposal.
• A mass protest by the ultra-Orthodox population is set to take place later today in Jerusalem against any efforts to draft haredim to the IDF. Organizers have dubbed it the “One Million Man March.” Roads in the capital, as well as the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv Highway (one of the country’s major arteries), are expected to close for many hours.

Israeli Companies in New York

• Ahead of the mayoral elections in New York, a new report has been released by the United States-Israel Business Alliance.
• According to the study, Israeli companies have created nearly 30,000 direct jobs in New York City, with an average salary exceeding $160,000.
• These 590 companies have contributed $12.4 billion to the city’s economy and nearly $20 billion in gross economic output.
• They’ve also indirectly supported over 50,000 additional jobs and generated more than $8 billion in total earnings.
• Aaron Kaplowitz, the president of the alliance, said, “Israeli innovation is indispensable to New York—and to the world.”

Further Reading

• Survey on the Agreement to End the War and Release the Hostages
• Will the Gaza Ceasefire Hold?
• How to regain the upper hand over Hamas, as it withholds hostages’ bodies, attacks IDF, plots revival
• Hezbollah’s Rehabilitation Composite in Lebanon — Situation Report

War in Israel: Update on Current Situation

October 23, 2025 - October 7 War, Day 748, 13 hostage bodies remain in captivity

The ceasefire in Gaza holds as bodies of additional hostages are returned. A “spectacular parade” of high-level US visitors to Israel continues as VP Vance wraps up visit. Secretary of State Rubio to arrive tonight.

Gaza Ceasefire

• The ceasefire in Gaza is holding. As agreed, the IDF currently maintains control of around half the area of the Strip, with Hamas controlling the other half (despite its severely depleted resources and capabilities).
• The Hamas-controlled area runs along the coastal strip and is divided from the Israel-controlled zone by the “Yellow Line.”
• On Sunday, in a major breach of the ceasefire, two IDF soldiers were killed and one severely injured in Rafah, an area under Israeli control.  It occurred when their position was attacked by pro-Hamas forces with rocket-propelled grenades. Israel responded with widespread airstrikes across Gaza, claiming Hamas fighters had violated the agreement. Hamas denied involvement, stating it had no contact with the fighters in Rafah.
• The two fallen soldiers were Major Yaniv Kula, 26, and Staff Sergeant Itay Yavetz, 21, both from Modi’in.
• In a private meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner delivered a clear message from President Trump: Israel has the right to defend itself against terrorist attacks, but must avoid actions that could jeopardize the fragile ceasefire with Hamas. Meanwhile, President Trump publicly warned Hamas that if it violates the agreement, Israel would be free to respond immediately and forcefully, stating that he would have Israel “eradicate them within two minutes.”
• Despite the recent flare-up, Trump maintained that the ceasefire remains intact and expressed belief that Hamas leadership is committed to the deal.
• After more than a day of fighting, both sides agreed to resume the ceasefire. The breach notwithstanding, many in Israel noted that a similar incident occurred following the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah in the north. Then, the terror group attacked Israeli forces days after the agreement went into effect. Israel retaliated heavily, signaling that zero tolerance towards any attacks or breaches of the deal. The ceasefire resumed quickly and remained in place afterwards.
• While the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen were not formally part of the deal between Israel and Hamas, the terror group announced that they would stop firing at Israel while the ceasefire is in place. As a result, there have been no sirens since the deal took effect.
• Against significant public objections, the Israeli government has officially approved renaming the current conflict to the “War of Revival” (Milchemet Hatkuma), moving away from the commonly used “October 7 War.” However, many Israelis noted that history shows that while governments can propose names, it’s usually the public that determines which one is used. After the Six-Day War in 1967 and the First Lebanon War in the 1980s, public consensus ultimately shaped the terminology.

Bodies of Hostages Released

• Despite stipulations in the ceasefire agreement that called on Hamas to release the bodies of all 28 deceased hostages it was holding within 72 hours, that deadline passed with just a small number of remains being returned.
• Hamas has repeatedly said that it does not know where the rest of the bodies are. However, under pressure from the mediators – the United States, Egypt, and Qatar – and other parties, the terror group has “found” additional hostages, and has returned one or two at a time.
• On Tuesday, the bodies of Tamir Adar, 38, and Arie Zalmanowicz, 85, were returned to Israel. Both were residents of Kibbutz Nir Oz. Tamar was killed while fighting Hamas terrorists on October 7, and his body was taken into Gaza. Arie, one of Nir Oz’s founders, was kidnapped alive and, according to the IDF, murdered in captivity in November 2023.
• The day before, the body of Tal Haimi from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak was returned to Israel for burial. Haimi was a member of the kibbutz emergency squad whose wife and three young children remained in their safe room on October 7 while he left to defend the Kibbutz. Haimi was killed battling terrorists and Hamas took his body to Gaza. His wife later gave birth to their fourth child.
• On Saturday night, Hamas returned the bodies of two other hostages. One was identified as Ronen Engel, 54. On October 7, Ronen volunteered as a medic in Kibbutz Nir Oz before he was murdered by Hamas terrorists who also kidnapped his wife, Karina and their daughters Mika and Yuval. Karina, Mika, and Yuval were released in November 2023. On Sunday, Mika posted on Instagram: “After 744 days, my father finally returned to Israel. It’s not what we hoped, it’s not what we wished for him, but the day is finally here.”
• The second body was of Sonthaya Oakkharasri, 30, a Thai farmer who was murdered on October 7 while working near Kibbutz Be’eri. He left behind a seven-year-old daughter.
• As of today, the bodies of 15 have been returned under the new agreement and 13 remain with Hamas.
• Egyptian and other international groups are assisting in trying to locate additional hostages’ remains. However, Israel claims that Hamas knows where numerous other bodies are located and are leveraging their return as a negotiating tactic.

International Diplomacy

• Negotiations have begun on Phase 2 of the ceasefire agreement that will involve discussions on disarming Hamas, the IDF’s withdrawal, the future governance of Gaza, and other issues.
• According to Israeli media, Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar are quietly coordinating with Hamas to shape the future “technocratic government” in Gaza. Hamas is reportedly selecting half of the ministers, who will be sympathetic to its agenda but not openly affiliated. The other half is being chosen by the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, whose proposed list was shared with Hamas by Egypt to ensure its approval. If accurate, this arrangement contradicts the Trump peace plan’s stipulation that Hamas should have no influence over Gaza’s future governance.
• Following the visit by President Trump to Israel last week, Israeli media have described a “spectacular parade” of top American officials coming to Israel.
• Vice President JD Vance arrived in the Jewish state on Tuesday. Vance has held meetings with Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Herzog, Defense Minister Katz, and senior IDF officials. His visit focused on reinforcing the Gaza ceasefire and discussing the next phase of the peace plan.
• The Vice President was joined by Trump’s Mid-East Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, CentCom Commander Brad Cooper, and senior advisor Jared Kushner.
• Vance emphasized that the U.S. is not in Israel to “babysit” the ceasefire, but “to support a partnership.” He expressed optimism about the deal’s durability and the potential for long-term quiet, while acknowledging the complexity of coordinating an international security force for Gaza.
• Vance also inaugurated the U.S.-led Civil-Military Coordination Center in Kiryat Gat, which will oversee ceasefire logistics and Gaza’s rehabilitation. The center will be staffed by approximately 200 US military personnel.
• The UK has sent a number of officers to participate in the multinational task force that will oversee and maintain the ceasefire in Gaza under the leadership of the US. Britain will join Egypt, Jordan, Canada, and Qatar in that task force.
• Those who have met with Vance say that he has expressed “foundational support” for Israel and is “sympathetic to the Jewish state and its needs.” The Vice President has also said that he won’t force Israel to accept Turkish soldiers operating in Gaza. He recognizes and respects Jerusalem’s concerns over certain aspects of Washington’s plan for the Strip.
• Kushner said during the visit that the rehabilitation of Gaza can already begin in areas under the control of the IDF, where Hamas is not in power.
• As Vance’s three-day visit wraps up this afternoon, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to arrive in Israel for a two-day visit. His agenda also includes meetings with Israeli leadership to support the ceasefire and advance the second phase of the Trump peace initiative.

Israeli Politics

• Netanyahu reportedly fired the head of the National Security Council, Tzahi Hanegbi, who acted as a close confidante on security matters to the prime minister. While Hanegbi did not state any reasons for his departure, Israeli media reported that he had had numerous recent disagreements with him. In his announcement, Hanegbi said that there should be a comprehensive investigation into the failures of October 7, including an examination of his own role.
• At the same time, it is understood that Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer will leave his position next month. Dermer is widely regarded as the person closest to Netanyahu on all diplomatic and security matters. Netanyahu reportedly offered Dermer a coveted reserved slot on the Likud party’s list of candidates for the Knesset in the next elections if he stays, but Dermer refused the offer.
• This week, the Knesset approved two sovereignty-related bills in preliminary readings.
  • The first, introduced by MK Avi Maoz of the Noam party, seeks to apply Israeli law and sovereignty to all settlements in Judea and Samaria. The initial reading passed 25–24, amid a boycott by most of the Likud party and criticism from international actors concerned about its impact on the Gaza ceasefire.
  • The second bill, proposed by opposition MK Avigdor Liberman, the leader of Yisrael Beiteinu, aims to annex the settlement of Ma’ale Adumim near Jerusalem. With almost 40,000 residents, Ma’ale Adumim is one of the largest Jewish settlements; there is near consensus in Israel that the city will remain under Israeli control. That proposal passed 32–9.
  • Both bills now move to the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee for further deliberation. Without government backing, they are unlikely to pass.
  • Many Israelis noted the irony of opposition members pushing a bill that seems to serve a rightist agenda, and the center-right coalition voting against. Commentators suggest that Liberman’s goal was to pass the law in the hope that it would anger President Trump, and, by extension, embarrass Netanyahu. At the same time, by voting against the law, Likud supporters – and others on the right - would be disappointed with the prime minister and his party.
  • President Trump said that Israel would ‘lose all of its support’ from the US if it annexed the West Bank, and Vice President Vance said that the Knesset vote was “very stupid” and an “insult.”
• The ultra-Orthodox Shas party announced it is stepping back from coalition roles after the government failed to pass a draft exemption law for Haredim. While this move doesn’t formally remove Shas from the coalition, it signals pressure on Netanyahu to act quickly. Despite the announcement, party leader Aryeh Deri continues to participate in key cabinet meetings, including a recent one on Gaza.
  • The coalition also faced internal rebellion when Likud MK Yuli Edelstein broke ranks to support Avi Maoz’s sovereignty bill (see above). In response, Likud removed Edelstein from the influential Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, just months after he was ousted as its chair.
  • Coalition discipline further unraveled as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir also voted for Maoz’s bill, defying coalition lines. Maoz, representing the one-seat Noam party, pushed the bill forward despite significant pressure to withdraw it.
  • The governing coalition also failed to block several opposition bills, adding to the sense of instability.
  • Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed frustration with the timing of the sovereignty votes, especially during Vice President Vance’s visit to Israel. He warned Smotrich that such moves were diplomatically provocative, but those who backed the bills appeared unfazed, signaling growing defiance within the coalition.
  • Elections in Israel must be held by October 2026, but all signals suggest they will take place before then.

Hostage Releases

• In January, Israeli musician Yoni Bloch released an AI-generated music video titled Sof Tov (“Good Ending”), which captured the collective yearning of Israelis for the release of all hostages and an end to the war. The video resonated deeply, especially as it portrayed scenes of national celebration and hope that felt distant at the time. One particularly emotional moment came when freed hostage Aviva Siegel watched the video while her husband, Keith remained in Hamas captivity.
• Now, with all living hostages returned home, Bloch has re-created the video using real footage of reunions and celebrations across Israel. In an earlier interview, Bloch explained that the original video’s power lay in its blend of optimism and fantasy, serving not as a reflection of reality but as a reminder to keep dreaming. Israelis dared to dream—and that dream came true.

Further Reading

• No ceasefire for the Jews
• Stopping Houthi Attacks: How to Secure the Red Sea
• Boots on the Ground and Strikes in Lebanon – A Strategic Military Lesson in
• Response to a Persistent Threat
• What if we began to have hope?