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IDF strikes Gaza hospitals in bid to assassinate Hamas leader, Trump in Saudi Arabia

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
 Hamas terrorists  in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. February 22, 2025.  (photo credit: ABED RAHIM KHATIB/FLASH90)
Hamas terrorists in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. February 22, 2025.
(photo credit: ABED RAHIM KHATIB/FLASH90)

Trump lands in Riyadh: Israel-Saudi ties expected to take a backseat

Accompanied by prominent American business leaders, Trump will visit Riyadh first, the site of the Saudi-US Investment Forum.

By REUTERS
 U.S. President Donald Trump arrives at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 13, 2025, in this screen grab obtained from a Reuters video. (photo credit: REUTERS/Reuters TV)
U.S. President Donald Trump arrives at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 13, 2025, in this screen grab obtained from a Reuters video.
(photo credit: REUTERS/Reuters TV)

US President Donald Trump arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to begin a four-day tour of the Gulf region, with a focus on economic agreements rather than regional security crises, including the war in Gaza and the growing tension over Iran’s nuclear program.

Accompanied by prominent American business leaders – including Tesla CEO and Trump adviser Elon Musk – Trump will visit Riyadh first, the site of the Saudi-US Investment Forum. He is scheduled to travel to Qatar on Wednesday and the United Arab Emirates on Thursday.

“While energy remains a cornerstone of our relationship, the investments and business opportunities in the kingdom have expanded and multiplied many, many times over,” Saudi Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih said as he opened the forum.

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IDF strikes Hamas terrorists operating in Gaza hospital

According to the military, the compound was used by the terrorists to plan and execute terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
 Compound in Nasser Hospital in which Hamas terrorists were operating.  (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
Compound in Nasser Hospital in which Hamas terrorists were operating.
(photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

The IDF struck Hamas terrorists who were operating from within a command and control center located in the Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, the military announced on Tuesday.

According to the military, the compound was used by the terrorists to plan and execute terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops.

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'Things you've never seen before are going to happen in Gaza,' Netanyahu says

This comes after the IDF stopped operations in Gaza for Edan Alexander's safe crossing.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
IDF troops operates in the Gaza Strip. May 10, 2025. (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
IDF troops operates in the Gaza Strip. May 10, 2025.
(photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

“Within days, things are going to happen in Gaza — things you’ve never seen before," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the War Wounded Forum on Monday. 

According to a handout, the prime minister met with wounded soldiers for an hour and a half and listened to the soldiers’ stories of heroism and injury.

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A hero's welcome: Awaiting the return of Edan Alexander

Reporters Notebook: Along the border with Gaza, people gathered to welcome Edan Alexander back to Israel

By SETH J. FRANTZMAN
 Israelis watch the release of Israeli/US hostage Edan Alexander, at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, May 12, 2025. (photo credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
Israelis watch the release of Israeli/US hostage Edan Alexander, at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, May 12, 2025.
(photo credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Route 232 on the Gaza border is quiet and dry. Many symbols and memorials from the October 7 massacre line the road. The concrete bus shelters near Kibbutz Re’im and Alumim are covered with stickers commemorating the fallen. The area of the Nova festival is packed with cars.

These were all areas that were involved in the massacre 584 days ago. The ever-present memory of the last nineteen months of war is tangible here.

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Watch: Netanyahu: 'Edan Alexander released because of IDF pressure, US diplomatic efforts'

Israeli officials expressed their joy at Alexander's return, but noted that returning the remaining 58 hostages from Hamas captivity was of the upmost priority.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Edan Alexander's release in a Monday statement on May 12, 2025.
In a video statement Monday evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed home the released hostage Edan Alexander, saying his release was the result of IDF military pressure and US diplomatic efforts.

"Trump told me: ‘I am committed to Israel. I am committed to continuing to work with you in close cooperation' to achieve all our war objectives: to free all the hostages and to defeat Hamas," he said.

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Edan Alexander to meet Trump in Qatar if he wishes, family tells Ynet

The president's arrival in Saudi Arabia will take place just one day after Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, helped facilitate the release of Alexander.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
US President Donald Trump in front of posters protesting for the release of the hostages (illustrative) (photo credit: REUTERS/AFP, YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)
US President Donald Trump in front of posters protesting for the release of the hostages (illustrative)
(photo credit: REUTERS/AFP, YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

Released Israeli hostage Edan Alexander will meet US President Donald Trump in Qatar if he wishes and his medical condition allows it, his family told Ynet Monday evening ahead of his release from Hamas captivity. 

"I’m very happy he’ll meet Trump, who made every effort and is a good emissary of the Holy One, blessed be He. Thank God the administration cared about him," Alexander's grandmother, Varda Ben Baruch, said, according to Ynet. 

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Edan Alexander to undergo medical testing before potential Qatar meeting with Trump

Alexander is considered at increased risk for complications such as blood clots, particularly dangerous during air travel.

By DR. ITAY GAL
 Israelis await the release of Israeli/US hostage Edan Alexander, whom Hamas is expected to release from captivity today, at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv May 12, 2025.  (photo credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
Israelis await the release of Israeli/US hostage Edan Alexander, whom Hamas is expected to release from captivity today, at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv May 12, 2025.
(photo credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

After enduring 583 days of torture in Hamas captivity, Edan Alexander is expected to undergo a series of comprehensive medical tests in the coming hours. The results will determine his overall health and whether he is fit to fly to Qatar for a meeting with US President Donald Trump.

Alexander, who was reportedly handcuffed for months and suffered from extreme malnutrition, is considered at increased risk for complications such as blood clots, particularly dangerous during air travel.

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Sgt.-Maj. Tzvi Feldman is laid to rest at military funeral in Holon

Feldman fought in the Battle of Sultan Yacoub between Israel and Syria in June 1982, in which six soldiers were declared missing in action. His remains were recovered from Syria after 43 years.

By MOSHE COHEN
 Sgt.-Maj. Tzvi Feldman's remains in a coffin being laid to rest in a military funeral in Holon Military Cemetery, May 12, 2025. (photo credit: MOSHE COHEN/MAARIV)
Sgt.-Maj. Tzvi Feldman's remains in a coffin being laid to rest in a military funeral in Holon Military Cemetery, May 12, 2025.
(photo credit: MOSHE COHEN/MAARIV)

The remains of Sgt.-Maj. Tzvi Feldman were laid to rest during a military funeral attended by hundreds at the Holon Military Cemetery on Monday.

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'Welcome home': Parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin share message to Edan Alexander

Jon Polin shared how, since October 7, they have come to know and love the entire Alexander family. “Today, we are celebrating with all of you,” he said.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
 Screenshot of Rachel and Jon Goldberg-Polin. (photo credit: Canva, INSTAGRAM SCREENSHOT)
Screenshot of Rachel and Jon Goldberg-Polin.
(photo credit: Canva, INSTAGRAM SCREENSHOT)

Rachel and Jon Goldberg-Polin, the parents of slain hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, voiced their relief and solidarity with the family of Edan Alexander following his release on Monday from Hamas captivity after 584 days.

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Syrian president to skip Baghdad summit due to threats on his life: Syrian Media Office to TML

The high-ranking source added that Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani will instead lead the Syrian delegation.

By RIZIK ALABI/THE MEDIA LINE
 Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa speaks during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron after a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, May 7, 2025. (photo credit: REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq/Pool)
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa speaks during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron after a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, May 7, 2025.
(photo credit: REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq/Pool)

A senior official in the Syrian presidency confirmed to The Media Line that Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa will not attend the 34th Arab League Summit scheduled to take place in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, on Saturday, May 17.

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Israel at war: 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.