Netanyahu: ‘Congratulations President Trump’
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu extended congratulations and his “warmest wishes” to President Donald Trump, who was inaugurated for his second term on Monday (20th).
“Your first term as President was filled with ground-breaking moments in the history of the great alliance between our two countries,” Netanyahu added.
The Israeli prime minister drew attention to various moves made by Trump during his first term, including the decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, his recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and of Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and the transfer of America’s embassy to Jerusalem.
“You brokered the historic Abraham Accords in which Israel made peace with four Arab countries,” Netanyahu added. “I believe that working together again, we will raise the US-Israel alliance to even greater heights.”
He also thanked Trump for his help securing the release of the hostages, adding he looked forward to bringing the remaining hostages home with the new president’s support.
Other goals of the two countries would be to “destroy Hamas’ military capabilities and end its political rule in Gaza, and to ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel.
“I am sure, Mr. President, that under your leadership, the best days of our alliance are yet to come,” Netanyahu added.
Former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant posted on X saying: “Welcome back, President Trump,”
Israel’s Social Admancement Minister, May Golan posted on X addressing Trump and First Lady Melania Trump: “The people of Israel are enthusiastic and excited about your entry into the White House. You did not allow any force or obstacle to prevent you from reaching this special position, from which you have previously projected love and embraced us, and I am convinced you will continue to do so in the future.”
“Your dream team, Mr. President, shows that you have come to work for the citizens of the United States, and we pray for your prosperity and flourishing in all aspects. In God we trust. We pray for His providence over our two nations and for His unwavering aid to you, as together we stand among all just nations to preserve peace and prosperity throughout the world.”
IDF Fires Warning Shots On Hamas Forces In Gaza Moving In Its Vicinity
The IDF fired warning shots on Hamas forces operating in the vicinity of its new defensive ceasefire lines during the late morning, the Jerusalem Post learned on Monday (20th).
Although the IDF has not yet issued a public statement on the issue and generally all signs are that Hamas is seeking to maintain the conditions of the ceasefire which went into effect on Sunday (19th) at 11:15 a.m., not everything is quiet.
According to the IDF, when the Hamas forces started to approach closer in their position and the IDF fired warning shots, the Gazans retreated and moved away from the Israeli forces without any counterfire or resistance.
Further the IDF said it remained committed to holding all defense lines set down by the ceasefire and would respond with force to any Gazans who approached those lines in any potentially threatening way.
During the ceasefire with Hezbollah which started on November 27, the IDF eliminated around 50 of the Lebanese terror group’s forces when they tried to violate the ceasefire conditions in one way or another.
Some anticipated that Hamas would do the same and try to regularly test whether IDF forces at their defense lines would hold their ground, however, the IDF is due to start larger withdrawals already this coming Saturday (25th), whereas Hezbollah had to wait for a longer period.
As such, it is possible that Hamas will show more patience with testing the IDF, given that it has a shorter wait for the immediate IDF withdrawals.
There are larger questions about whether the IDF will fully withdraw from Gaza during Phase 2 of the ceasefire deal, after 42 days have passed, or whether Israel and Hamas may return to war at that point.
On Monday (20th), Defense Ministry Director-General Eyal Zamir toured the construction projects along the Gaza border, which the ministry is carrying out to support the IDF’s deployment in the region. The aim is to strengthen the defense of border communities and highways.
IDF Reservist Killed, Senior Officer Seriously Hurt By Roadside Bomb In West Bank
An Israeli reservist soldier was killed and four others wounded, including a senior officer in serious condition when they were hit by a roadside bomb in the West Bank overnight it was announced Monday (20th).
The slain soldier was named by the Israel Defense Forces as Sgt. First Class (res.) Eviatar Ben Yehyda, 31, of the Ephraim Regional Brigades 8211th Reserve Battalion from the southern town of Nitzan.
According to an initial IDF probe, the soldiers were in a David light armored vehicle as part of a convoy during a patrol in the town of Tamun, in the northern West Bank, when a large explosive device was detonated.
The explosion killed Ben Yehuda, who was the driver, and seriously wounded his battalion commander, a reservist soldier with the rank of lieutenant colonel, who was sitting next to him.
Three other officers in the back of the vehicle were also hurt and were listed in light and moderate condition.
In the past year, two soldiers and a police officer have been killed by roadside bombs in the West Bank.
Armed groups in the West Bank frequently plant improvised explosive devices under roads to attack Israeli forces carrying out arrest raids. The military regularly rips up roads with armored bulldozers as a precautionary measure before entering with lighter armored vehicles.
Violence in the West Bank has mounted since October 7, 2023 when Hamas assaulted southern Israel, sparking war in Gaza and unrest across the region. Since then 45 people, including Israeli security personnel, have been killed in Palestinian terrorist attacks in Israel and the West Bank. Much of the violence has been concentrated near Nablus, Jenin and other Palestinian cities in the northern area.
According to the Palestinian Authority Health Ministry more than 858 Palestinians have been killed since Oct. 7. The IDF said the vast majority.of them were gunmen killed in exchanges of fire, rioters who clashed with troops, or terrorists carrying out attacks.
During the same period, troops have arrested some 6,000 wanted Palestinians across the West Bank, including more than 2,350 affiliated with Hamas.
IDF Preparing For Major Operations In Judea And Samaria
The Israeli military is gearing up for “significant operations” in Judea and Samaria, following a ceasefire with Hamas that will free thousands of Palestinian terrorists from prison and return them to the region.
“Along with the intense defense preparations in the Gaza Strip, we must be prepared for significant operations in Judea and Samaria in the coming days in order to preempt and catch the terrorists before they reach our civilians,” IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi said in remarks published by the military.
Halevi also added that the IDF’s senior leadership must “formulate plans for the continuation of the fighting, both in the Gaza Strip and in Lebanon.”
Nearly 2,000 terrorists are currently slated for release during the ceasefire, including some of the masterminds of the deadliest Palestinian terror attacks in Israeli history.
Mohammed Abu Warda, who is currently serving 48 life sentences for his involvement in a series of bus bombings during the Second Intifada, is expected to be released within the next month.
Zakaria Zubeidi, the commander of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade in Jenin, who successfully escaped Gilboa Prison in 2021, is also set to be freed.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel has been fighting a war on multiple fronts, enduring attacks originating from Gaza, Judea and Samaria, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Yemen.
With a ceasefire appearing to hold in Gaza and Lebanon, Syria focused on its internal struggles, and the Iranian axis weakened, the IDF is likely shifting its focus to Judea and Samaria.
Iran has long-worked to instigate violence and unrest within Judea and Samaria, with Tehran working to smuggle weapons to terrorists based in Palestinian Authority controlled territory there.
Trump Removes Biden-Era Weapon Shipment Restrictions On Israel
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday (20th) removing all restrictions on US weapons shipments to Israel that were previously imposed by the former administration. The move was hailed by Israeli leaders as a significant step, and security for Israel.
The Biden administration justified these restrictions as necessary to balance US support for Israel with concerns over civilian casualties in military operations. However, the policy faced backlash from pro–Israel lawmakers and advocacy groups, who argued it undermined Israel’s ability to defend itself against terrorist threats such as Hamas.
Trump’s executive order signals a complete reversal of Biden’s approach, removing all conditions on military aid to Israel. In his announcement, Trump emphasized the importance of Israel’s security and its right to defend itself, calling the restrictions “unnecessary and harmful to our greatest ally in the Middle East.”
The decision is expected to accelerate the delivery of advanced weaponry, including precision-guided missiles and defense systems, bolstering Israel’s military capabilities.
This executive order underscores Trump’s broader foreign policy pivot toward solidifying alliances with key partners, while taking a harder stance against adversaries in the Middle East. The move may also influence US domestic politics, with Democrats likely to push back on what they see as an overly aggressive policy shift.
Ari Fuld’s Brother: ‘We Fear This Terrible Deal While Rejoicing For Released Hostages’
Eytan Fuld shares his feelings as the terrorist who murdered his brother is scheduled to be released as part of the hostage deal and sends a message to Hamas: ‘You will not rejoice from this release, Israel will win.’
In 2018, Eytan Fuld lost his brother, famed media personality and activist Ari Fuld, in a murderous terror attack in Gush Etzion. This week, the Fuld family learned that the terrorist who murdered Ari will be released from prison as part of the hostage and ceasefire deal with the Hamas terror organization.
In a conversation with Israel National News, Eytan recounted the moment his family learned that his brother’s murderer would be let loose. “Saturday night (18th) I had my parents over, and right after Shabbat ended, I got messages from friends and friends of friends who just wanted to be kind and say that their heart is with us. It was a very tough moment, I felt a very strong stab in the stomach. I walked out of my room, told my parents, and spoke to my sister-in-law Miriam. There was a lot of crying and a lot of pain.”
He noted that, “it’s not our pain, it’s the pain of the future, the pain of those who will suffer the consequences of what happens next because of these murderers, these terrorists being let out, walking freely – what they have in mind is only murder and hate. That’s their goal in life and they are going to continue doing what they’re doing. Our pain is for those who are going to feel it and go through what we’ve been going through in the next six years.”
Eytan described the conflicting emotions he feels as terrorists are released, but at the same time, the hostages are returning to their families: “It’s a very interesting feeling, holding these two issues side by side within me – everyone in my family expressed this. On the other hand, we rejoice, our hearts bursting with happiness to see the girls come home. On the other hand, we understand the consequences of this terrible deal, and we know that the Jewish people are going to suffer from these actions. I can’t explain holding these two feelings together, but I know that they are in me.”
Fuld sent a strong message to Hamas: “Hamas in Gaza has to know that they will not rejoice from this release. They will not stand tall. The State of Israel, the people of Israel, the IDF will win this war. We’re going to continue this war. We’re going to wipe out Hamas because these animals cannot continue living, they cannot continue bringing brutality and murder to the world. We look into the eyes of the world and say, ‘we are going to carry this through, we are going to end Hamas’ horrible actions and we’ll win, and the Jewish people will dance again.’”Eytan recounted how he and his family members sat together and asked, “What would Ari say today? Ari always knew how to say the right thing, and how to do the right thing, and that’s definitely a goal that we carry with us close to our hearts – saying and doing the things that Ari would do, holding his heritage and bringing it forward to the people of Israel and to the people of the world.”
