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Israel at War Day 586: What's happening in Israel, Gaza, West Bank?

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
 IDF soldiers operate in Deir el-Balah, Gaza Strip, May 8, 2025. (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
IDF soldiers operate in Deir el-Balah, Gaza Strip, May 8, 2025.
(photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Qatar says Israel's recent attacks in Gaza show they are not interested in negotiating a ceasefire

By REUTERS
 breaking news (photo credit: JPOST STAFF)
breaking news
(photo credit: JPOST STAFF)

Israel's attacks in Gaza this week send the signal they are not interested in negotiating a ceasefire, Qatar's prime minister told CNN in an interview on Wednesday.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said a US-backed humanitarian aid distribution plan for Gaza was unnecessary, stressing the United Nations should be allowed to deliver aid to the war-torn enclave.

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IDF issues warnings to Houthis with no attack after Yemen fires twice in one day

The warning was sent at 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday, following a similar warning against the Houthis on Sunday, in which the IDF also did not actually attack.

By YONAH JEREMY BOB, JERUSALEM POST STAFF
 Footage released by Houthi Military Media says to show a launch of missile, which the Houthis say they fired at Israel, at an unknown location in this screen grab obtained from a handout video released on December 19, 2024.  (photo credit:  Houthi Military Media/Handout via REUTERS)
Footage released by Houthi Military Media says to show a launch of missile, which the Houthis say they fired at Israel, at an unknown location in this screen grab obtained from a handout video released on December 19, 2024.
(photo credit: Houthi Military Media/Handout via REUTERS)

The IDF on Wednesday issued evacuation warnings to civilians in Yemeni seaports controlled by the Houthis for the second time in recent days without, at press time, having actually attacked.

The warning was sent at 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday, following a similar warning against the Houthis on Sunday, in which the military also did not actually attack.

Pressed on why the IDF would threaten to attack the Houthis on two separate occasions, days apart during the same week, without following through on the threat, the military and the Prime Minister’s Office declined to comment.

Defense Minister Israel Katz had not responded by press time.

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Hamas Rafah brigade commander probably killed in IDF strike on Sinwar

Rafah brigade commander Mohammad Shabanah was potentially next in line to lead Hamas.

By YONAH JEREMY BOB
 Hamas flag painted on a cracked wall. (photo credit: zmotions/Shutterstock)
Hamas flag painted on a cracked wall.
(photo credit: zmotions/Shutterstock)

The IDF's strike on Tuesday night to try to kill Hamas chief Mohammad Sinwar may have killed Hamas Rafah Brigade commander Muhammad Shabana, sources estimate.

So far, there is cautious optimism that both Hamas officials were killed in the attack, though it may take time to confirm.

If so, then Hamas's current leader and one of the few top until now living Hamas commanders who might have replaced him, would have been removed with one swift military stroke. 

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US, Qatar deals to generate $1.2 trillion in 'economic exchange', White House says

By REUTERS

Agreements signed by US President Donald Trump and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on Wednesday will "generate an economic exchange worth at least $1.2 trillion," the White House said in a fact sheet summarizing some of the deals' details.

The agreements include a $96 billion deal with Qatar Airways to buy up to 210 Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X airplanes with GE Aerospace engines, the fact sheet said. They also include a statement of intent that could lead to $38 billion in investments at Qatar's Al Udeid Air Base and other air defense and maritime security capabilities, it said. 

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Western countries helped Mossad assassinate Palestinian terrorists in 1970s, report reveals

Thousands of intelligence cables had been exchanged via a covert network called “Kilowatt,” a secret platform established in 1971 to enable collaboration among 18 Western intelligence agencies.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
A member of the Palestinian terrorist group Black September appears on the balcony of the Israeli house at the Munich Olympic village on September 5, 1972 (photo credit: AFP PHOTO)
A member of the Palestinian terrorist group Black September appears on the balcony of the Israeli house at the Munich Olympic village on September 5, 1972
(photo credit: AFP PHOTO)

Western intelligence agencies secretly banded together to supply Israel with critical information that helped the Mossad track and eliminate Palestinian terror suspects involved in attacks across Western Europe in the early 1970s, according to newly declassified information revealed by The Guardian on Wednesday.

The support was provided without input or oversight from parliaments or elected officials in the participating countries.

Israel’s targeted assassination campaign followed the murder of 11 Israeli athletes by armed Palestinian terrorists during the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. At least four terrorists linked to the attack were later tracked and killed in Paris, Rome, Athens, and Nicosia, with at least six more killed in the following decade.

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Qatar signs $200 b. deal to buy jets from Boeing during Trump visit

By REUTERS

Qatar signed an agreement on Wednesday to purchase jets from US manufacturer Boeing for Qatar Airways during President Donald Trump's visit to the Gulf Arab country.

Trump said the deal was worth $200 billion and included 160 jets. Trump and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani witnessed the signing ceremony in Doha. 

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Hostage families in Doha meet with senior Qatari officials, Steve Witkoff

By AMICHAI STEIN

Several hostage families headed to Doha on Wednesday and met with senior Qatari officials and US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff. 

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Israel will only negotiate 'Witkoff framework' in renewed hostage talks, source tells 'Post'

Hamas rejected Witkoff's framework, backing Israel's proposal to release 10 hostages in exchange for 45 days.

By AMICHAI STEIN
 (L-R) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff. (photo credit: Getty Images/Kevin Dietsch, JIM WATSON/AFP, Adam Smigielski)
(L-R) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff.
(photo credit: Getty Images/Kevin Dietsch, JIM WATSON/AFP, Adam Smigielski)

A senior Israeli official said on Wednesday that "Prime Minister Netanyahu and Israel continue to make clear in talks in Doha that only the 'Witkoff framework' is a viable basis for a deal," The Jerusalem Post has learned. 

Hamas rejected Witkoff's framework last month, backing Israel's proposal to release 10 hostages in exchange for 45 days. Israeli hostages can be released if the Israeli government agrees to end the war, fully withdraw from Gaza, and allow for the reconstruction of Gaza.

"We will not accept partial deals that serve [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu's political agenda," Hamas negotiating team head Khalil al-Hayya said in a statement.

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Trump's Mideast visit making historic progress, still many issues at stake - analysis

Doha will likely encourage Trump to be flexible in the talks with Iran which are being hosted by Oman as the fifth round of those talks are coming up.

By SETH J. FRANTZMAN
 (L-R) Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, US President Donald Trump, and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman  (photo credit: Adam Smigielski, ATTA KENARE / AFP, Canva/Kaboompics.com from Pexels, Getty Images/Win McNamee, muhammad farooq)
(L-R) Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, US President Donald Trump, and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
(photo credit: Adam Smigielski, ATTA KENARE / AFP, Canva/Kaboompics.com from Pexels, Getty Images/Win McNamee, muhammad farooq)

US President Donald Trump arrived in Qatar on May 14. This is the second stop on his Middle East trip. He already received massive applause in Saudi Arabia for his comments about the region. He also made history by meeting the new Syrian president, Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Trump’s visit has so far gone as planned. There are many issues at stake. Trump can count as positives the ceasefire with the Houthis and the release of Edan Alexander from Hamas captivity in Gaza. There are also the Iran deal talks. Doha will likely encourage Trump to be flexible in the talks with Iran, which are being hosted by Oman. The fifth round of those talks is upcoming.

People anticipating Trump visit to UAE

In the United Arab Emirates, people are anticipating the visit. UAE’s Al-Ain media noted that “Trump’s visit to the Gulf was no coincidence; rather, it reflects Washington’s priorities in one of the world’s most strategic regions.” Al-Ain spoke with Deputy Director of the Dubai Regional Media Hub Michael Mitchell, who is one of the US Government’s principal Arabic-language spokespeople.

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Trump: 'Without the United States, the hostages wouldn't be alive right now'

By AMICHAI STEIN
 breaking news (photo credit: JPOST STAFF)
breaking news
(photo credit: JPOST STAFF)

"Without the United States, the hostages would not be alive now. There are about 20 alive; we will get them out step by step," US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday to reporters as he was boarding Air Force One.

"Israel fought for a long time. They deserve a lot of credit, my people deserve a lot of credit too."

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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.