IDF says Gaza op. about controlling territory and aid, NSC issues warning for Canada
Omer Wenkert reveals more about captivity • IDF kills Hamas naval commando terrorist • NSC issues travel warning to Canada,
Knesset Ethics Committee rules Likud MK's comments to 'burn Gaza' didn't violate law
The Knesset Ethics Committee has decided that Likud MK Nissim Vaturi did not violate any ethical rules in light of his comments in an interview with Knesset Channel in December 2023, in which he called to "burn Gaza," Israeli media reported Sunday.
The committee rejected Hadash MK Ofer Cassif's complaint regarding the comments, stating: "The committee examined the statements and believes that they are of a political nature and clearly reflect the ideology of the Knesset member."
"The committee believes that his statement does not add respect to the Knesset as an institution, particularly in light of his tenure as deputy speaker of the Knesset, but due to the importance of protecting freedom of expression, there is no reason to determine that he violated the rules of ethics," the committee decided.
Go to the full article >>Swiss authorities exploring probe into US-backed Gaza aid group
The GHF said that though using private security firms represents a change from prior aid delivery frameworks, it would ensure aid is not diverted to Hamas or criminal organizations.
Swiss authorities said on Sunday they were exploring whether to open a legal investigation into the activities of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organization that plans to oversee aid distribution in the Palestinian enclave.
Go to the full article >>'The captors put my life in danger for fun': Omer Wenkert reveals more about captivity
Wenkert told audiences in Eilat that he was intentionally starved in captivity, and that there were weeks that he did not receive food.
In a tiny room that barely could contain a mattress, freed hostage Omer Wenkert said he would try to pace away the hunger and dread during his days in captivity, speaking alongside his mother, Niva, at the Israel Bar Association annual conference in Eilat.
Go to the full article >>IDF: Renewed Gaza op. about controlling territory and food distribution, not Hamas terrorists
The current war stage could be done in 2 months; 800 Gaza terrorists have been killed since March.
The IDF on Sunday said that its current broad invasion of five divisions in Gaza is not about killing off Hamas’s remaining terrorist forces but about taking control of Gazan territory and of food distribution.
Go to the full article >>Mohammed Sinwar's likely death did not break Hamas, 'Post' learns
The IDF said there is no one center of gravity that would collapse the terror group.
The IDF's overwhelmingly likely (but not yet 100% confirmed) killing of Hamas chief Mohammed Sinwar on May 13 did not break Hamas, The Jerusalem Post has learned.
Go to the full article >>'This is not an eternal war' Zamir says during assessment in Gaza
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir stated that the war in Gaza "is not an endless war - we will work to shorten it," during a situational assessment in the Gaza Strip on Sunday.
"We are attacking with force in order to defend ourselves. From nearby Khirbat Ikhza'a, they raided Nir Oz, murdered and kidnapped babies, children, women, and the elderly."
"We must not forget for a moment what happened here. We will do everything to return our hostages, and we will subdue the Khan Yunis Brigade as we subdued the Rafah Brigade," Zamir stated.
Go to the full article >>US Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem to visit Israel following Israeli embassy staffers murder
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem will visit Israel on Sunday following the murder of Israeli embassy employees in Washington, per the instructions of US President Donald Trump.
Noem is expected to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, and will arrive at the Western Wall on Sunday.
Go to the full article >>Malta to recognize Palestinian state, prime minister says
Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela has announced that Malta will recognize a Palestinian state in the next month.
Go to the full article >>IDF kills Hamas naval commando terrorist who infiltrated Kerem Shalom on Oct. 7
The IDF killed terrorist Ahmad Osama Hassan Al-Lahwani, a member of Hamas's naval commando unit that infiltrated through the Kerem Shalom Crossing during the October 7 massacre, the military stated on Sunday.
The operation was carried out by a combined attack by Southern Command, the Israel Air Force, the Intelligence Directorate, the Israeli Navy, and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency).
Go to the full article >>National Security Council issues travel warning for Jews, Israelis in Canada
Israel's National Security Council raised the travel warning for Canada from Level 1 to Level 2 on Sunday, citing "an increasing threat from terrorist elements against Israelis and Jews in Canada."
The National Security Council called on the Israeli public in the country to exercise extreme caution, especially in anticipation of anti-Israel demonstrations expected to take place in Toronto and Waterloo.
Go to the full article >>What you need to know
- Hamas launched a massive attack on October 7, with thousands of terrorists infiltrating from the Gaza border and taking some 240 hostages into Gaza.
- Over 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals were murdered, including over 350 at the Supernova music festival and hundreds of Israeli civilians across Gaza border communities.
- 58 hostages remain in Gaza.
- 49 hostages in total have been killed in captivity, IDF says.
- The IDF launched a ground invasion of Lebanon on September 30.
- The Israel-Lebanon ceasefire came into effect on November 27 at 4 a.m.
- Netanyahu confirmed the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire on January 17, 2025.