Hamas likely to release Israeli-American hostage within 48 hours, IDF strikes Yemen ports
IDF announces movement of troops • US-Iran nuclear talks conclude in Oman • Trump en route to Mideast
Israel maintains ultimatum issued to Hamas over expanded Gaza invasion, source tells ‘Post’
Israel’s ultimatum to Hamas regarding the launch of a widened Gaza offensive is still in effect following the announcement of Edan Alexander’s expected release, an Israeli source told The Jerusalem Post on Sunday night.
Israel will launch the planned offensive on Gaza if Hamas refuses to agree to the ceasefire deal outline that includes the immediate release of 10 hostages, the source added.
'A gesture of goodwill toward Trump,' Egyptian official says on Edan Alexander release deal
Following Hamas' announcement of the release of hostage Edan Alexander, an Egyptian official revealed new details of the deal in a conversation with the Associated Press.
"Direct contacts between Hamas and the US began five days ago," the Egyptian source said, adding that "Alexander's release is a gesture of goodwill toward Trump. Hamas was told, 'Give Trump a gift and he will repay you with a bigger gift.'"
Israel concerned that US may strike deal with Hamas for only one or two hostages
Hamas is in talks with the US administration regarding a Gaza ceasefire and entry of humanitarian aid, a senior Palestinian official familiar with the discussions told Reuters.
There is concern in Israel that the US may close a deal for the release of one or two hostages and, in return, pressure Israel on humanitarian issues, two Israeli officials told The Jerusalem Post on Sunday.
Go to the full article >>IDF warns Yemenis to evacuate three Houthi-controlled ports until further notice
The IDF's Arabic spokesperson, Colonel Avichay Adraee, warned Yemenis in the vicinity of Ras Isa, Hodeidah, and as-Salif ports to evacuate the area on Sunday evening until further notice.
"Due to the terrorist Houthi regime's use of seaports for its terrorist activities, we urge all those present at these ports to evacuate and stay away from them for your own safety until further notice," Adraee warned.
#عاجل تحذير لكل المتواجدين في الموانئ البحرية التي يسيطر عليها النظام الحوثي الإرهابي
— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) May 11, 2025
⭕️ميناء رأس عيسى
⭕️ميناء الحديدة
⭕️ميناء الصليف
🔴أمامكم تحذير هام وعاجل🔴
نظرًا لقيام النظام الحوثي الإرهابي باستخدام الموانئ البحرية لصالح أنشطته الإرهابية نحث جميع المتواجدين في هذه الموانئ… pic.twitter.com/3ySkzXCYRR
"Evacuating the ports will keep you safe," his statement concluded.
This is a developing story.
IDF moves soldiers from Syria, West Bank to north Gaza
The security cabinet agreed to expand operations in Gaza on May 2, with the IDF's plan to include military control of the area, PM Netanyahu stated.
The IDF is relocating soldiers from the Paratroopers Brigade, currently serving at the Syrian border, and soldiers from the Nahal Brigade, currently serving in the West Bank, and redeploying them to north Gaza, the military announced on Sunday.
The paratroopers will join the IDF's 98th Division, and the Nahal Brigade soldiers will join the IDF's 162nd Division as they prepare for expanded operations within the enclave.
Go to the full article >>Prospects of Saudi ties to Israel elusive as Trump seeks $1 trillion bonanza
Establishing ties has become especially toxic for Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, since the start of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
When US President Donald Trump lands in Riyadh on Tuesday, he will be greeted with opulent ceremonies, gilded palaces, and the prospect of $1 trillion in investments. But the raging war in Gaza has denied him one goal he has long craved: Saudi-Israel normalization.
Behind the scenes, US officials are quietly pressing Israel to agree to an immediate ceasefire in Gaza - one of Saudi Arabia's preconditions for any restart of normalization talks, said two Gulf sources close to official circles and a US official.
Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff told an audience at the Israeli embassy in Washington this week that he expected progress on expanding the Abraham Accords, a set of deals brokered by Trump in his first term under which Arab states, including the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco, recognized Israel.
“We think we will have some or a lot of announcements very, very shortly, which we hope will yield progress by next year,” Witkoff said in a video of his speech. He is expected to accompany Trump on his visit to the Middle East.
Go to the full article >>Fourth round of US-Iran nuclear talks end in Oman
The fourth round of nuclear talks between the US and Iran ended in Oman, Iranian semi-official news agency ISNA said on Sunday.
This round of talks lasted between 3-4 hours and included US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi, sources told The Jerusalem Post.
Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson said that the talks were "difficult but useful."
Go to the full article >>Trump meeting in Saudi to include Mahmoud Abbas, Ahmed al-Sharaa - report
Trump's visit aims at securing Gulf investment, advancing Gaza ceasefire efforts, and confronting Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
The meeting between US President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman upon his arrival in Saudi Arabia will also include Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, according to multiple Palestinian reports.
Trump is set to visit the Middle East, in a trip aimed at securing Gulf investment, advancing Gaza ceasefire efforts, and confronting Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Reuters reported that in Doha, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi warned state media that if Washington aims to deprive Iran of its “nuclear rights,” Tehran will not back down from any of its rights, underscoring that peaceful uranium enrichment remains non-negotiable.
Go to the full article >>IDF, Mossad recover body of Sgt.-Maj. Tzvi Feldman after 43 years
Feldman served in the First Lebanon War and has been considered missing in action since 1982.
The IDF and Mossad recovered the body of missing IDF soldier Sgt.-Maj. Tzvi Feldman, after 43 years, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday.
Go to the full article >>JPost Asks Anything: IDF reservists reflect on family, sacrifice, and service in Israel-Hamas War
In this episode of JPost Asks Anything, IDF reservists discuss the impact of the Israel-Hamas War on their lives.
What was your hardest moment fighting in the Israel-Hamas War? How are your kids handling you being gone so long? What would you want those who don't serve to know about reserve duty?
The Jerusalem Post sat down with IDF reservists in the first installment of JPost Asks Anything, a series where we bring you an inside look at the experiences and perspectives of different populations in Israel and the Jewish community.
Reservists from a variety of units, some representing civil organizations like HaMiluimnikum (the reservists), join The Jerusalem Post in studio to give their inside perspective on their service in the Israel-Hamas War. They will touch on the challenges and impacts, as well as the moments of hope in their reserve duty.
Go to the full article >>Important facts
- 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.
- 59 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.