In meeting With Netanyahu, Trump Confirms Direct Nuclear Talks With Iran
US President Donald Trump said Monday (7th) he held a “great discussion” with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, focusing on the Iranian threat, the war in Gaza and growing economic tensions over trade.
Trump confirmed that the United States has initiated direct negotiations with Iran, calling the current situation “dangerous territory” but stressing his preference for diplomacy. “We are having direct talks with Iran. They have started, and they’ll go on Saturday (12th),” Trump said. He described the upcoming session as a “very big meeting,” adding, “maybe a deal will be made.”
Trump also said he believed the war in Gaza would “stop in the not too distant future,” as efforts continue behind the scenes to reach a broader solution. Netanyahu said the two leaders were “working on another deal” for the release of hostages and reiterated that “the people of Gaza should have the choice to go wherever,” though he did not elaborate on the details or destination of any potential relocation initiative. Trump suggested a more assertive approach, saying, “Controlling and owning Gaza would be a good thing”
Trade tensions between the allies were also addressed in the meeting. Netanyahu said Israel is committed to eliminating its trade deficit with the US and removing barriers. “I spoke to US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick yesterday,” Netanyahu said.
Trump also initiated a broader shift in economic policy, saying, “We are talking about a whole new trade with Israel,” though he did not provide further details on what changes might be introduced.
The leaders also discussed the situation in Syria, with Netanyahu raising concerns about Turkey’s increasing presence in Israel’s neighbor to the north. “We don’t want Syria to be used by Turkey,” he said, adding that both sides reviewed ways to prevent further conflict in the region.
Trump said he maintains a strong personal relationship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and dismissed any tensions between the two nations. “I have a good relationship with President Erdogan. I like him and we have no problem,” he said, promising to mediate between the two US allies. “If you have a problem with Turkey – we’ll solve it,” Trump told the Israeli leader.
Netanyahu arrived in Washington directly from Budapest, where he met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and held a phone conversation with Trump, who then invited him to meet in person. The White House reportedly urged the meeting be held as soon as possible.
The leaders discussed a range of key issues, including efforts to reach a hostage deal, following a newly reported Egyptian compromise proposal: the economic fallout from Trump’s recently announced 17% tariffs on Israeli imports and ongoing regional threats, including the Iranian nuclear program and tensions on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon.
IDF Eliminates Hamas Terrorist Who Posed As A Journalist On Oct. 7
The IDF has eliminated Hassan Abdel Fattah Mohammed Eslaih, a member of Hamas’ Khan Younis Brigade who posed as a journalist and recorded footage of atrocities on October 7th, which he posted on social media.
Eslaih. who worked for both CNN and The Associated Press, owned a media company and was referred to by Iran’s Mehr news agency as “Israel’s nightmare” for “tirelessly covering the events of Gaza and reflecting them on social media platforms.”
Eslaih was featured in an infamous photograph being kissed by now-deceased Hamas leader and October 7th mastermind Yahya Sinwar.
Parents of five Nova festival victims sued the AP for employing journalists, including Eslaih, who participated in the massacre.
The parents of May Naim, Lotan Abir, Guy Gabriel, Shaley Madmoni and Shani Louk have filed a lawsuit in the Jerusalem District Court, demanding approximately $6.5 million in damages. According to the suit, those who posted photos of the atrocities in real time were participants in the massacre and should not have been hired as journalists.
Although Reuters and AP did not comment on the lawsuit, Reuters claimed that they removed all photographs taken by journalists such as Eslaih with ties to terror organizations.
Ashraf Amra, who had been working for Reuters and AP, was shown in a video viewing and enjoying another photojournalist’s footage of an IDF soldier being lynched.
The two journalists recalled how they infiltrated Israel’s border and were laughing as they described how the soldier’s body was mutilated and brutalized even after he was dead.
Hamas terror leader Ismail Haniyeh greeted and kissed Amra twice. In addition to working for Reuters and PA, he is a journalist for APA Images and Turkish news agency Anadolu,
Abu Mostafa, who also works for Reuters, discussed with relish witnessing atrocities and kidnappings in Sderot and other places. Mostafa said he had been there since the beginning of the massacre and, from a safe room, watched Hamas terrorists taking away Israelis who were hiding.
One photojournalist had a message for others: “Advice, whoever can go–go. It is a one-time event that will not happen again.”
Interior Minister Arbel Announced That 16 Flights To Relocate Gazans Have Already Departed
Interior Minister Moshel Arbel of the Shas Party announced that 16 flights to relocate Gazan civilians have already departed from Ramon airport, and many more are expected to follow.
“More than 16 flights have already departed from Ramon Airport – this will increase in the near future,” Arbel said at a Yedioth Aharonoth conference on Monday (7th).
Since US President Donald Trump put forth a proposal to relocate Palestinian civilians during the reconstruction of Gaza, the Israeli government has explored several avenues of implementing the plan.
In recent weeks, Israel’s Defense Ministry has been working closely with Gazan civilians to coordinate their relocation, offering transportation to Ramon Airport or the Allenby Crossing at the Israel-Jordan border.
This followed unsuccessful attempts by President Trump to persuade the leaders of Egypt and Jordan to take in large numbers of Gazans.
A few hundred Gazans departed to the UAE for medical treatment , and more are expected to make the trip.
A report earlier this week suggested that around 1,000 Gazans had left the Strip in the first three weeks of March, with an additional 600 expected to leave soon. However, Wednesday’s (3rd) update revealed that 2,000 individuals have already crossed through the Kerem Shalom crossing in recent weeks, heading to the Allenby Crossing or Ramon Airport, with more departing from Gaza via the Rafah Crossing.
Since October 7, 2023, at least 35,000 Gazans have permanently relocated abroad, with the majority of them leaving within the first month and a half of the conflict.
In late March, Netanyahu asked the Mossad to identify countries as possible destinations for Gaza civilians.
Countries that have reportedly been approached with the request include Somalia, South Sudan and Indonesia.
A survey published in the British Telegraph in late March showed that 52% of Gaza residents would leave the Strip, either temporarily or permanently, if given the chance.
Turkey’s Shift In Tone: Why Is Erdogan Downplaying Israel’s Tensions With Syria – Analysis –Seth J. Frantzmaan
Turkey appears to be downplaying tensions with Israel in Syria. This comes as Israel has ramped up strikes on sites such as the T4 Air Base (also known as the Tiyas Air Base) near Palmyra. Israeli media has openly said that this sends a message to Ankara.
Ankara is usually more bellicose and prone to shouting and threatening. Why has Turkey’s hotheaded President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has compared Israel to Nazi Germany in the past, held off on threats about Syria?
There are several answers. The first is the most obvious, Ankara wants to have positive ties with US President Donald Trump’s administration. It knows that the administration is very pro-Israel. It knows that Israel appears to have support in the White House that goes beyond support for any other country.
For instance, the Trump administration has been willing to challenge America’s traditional and historic allies, such as Canada, and also impose tariffs on friends and foes alike – but the administration is deeply supportive of Israel.
This might not always be the case, but it is now. This means that Israel has the ear of key administration members – more than Turkey. Ankara knows this and likely prefers not to rock the boat. At least not yet.
Turkey had close ties to the first Trump administration. It expects these ties to continue. However, it also knows that it must be careful not to anger the administration. Ankara has already conducted outreach, particularly with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
However, there has yet to be a high-profile meeting with Trump, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already met with the American president and is already back in Washington for a new round of meetings.
Turkey was not afraid of challenging Israel during Trump’s first term. When the US moved its embassy to Jerusalem, Ankara led the opposition to the move.
When the Abraham Accords were about to be signed, Turkey threatened to break relations with the UAE. It threatened Greece and also US forces in Syria. Ankara created chaos within NATO.
But it may rethink its strategy this time. Perhaps Turkey thinks that playing nice over Syria could be a long con of salesmanship. Basically, it wants things in Syria, but it can wait.
Turkey also may have been taken by surprise by how aggressive Israel was in Syria. Israel has carried out airstrikes for years in Syria, so its strikes were not particularly surprising.
However, the fact that the Israeli media made it clear that strikes on T-4 or at a military airport near Hama were a message to Ankara, made it clear this was a new approach. This was preemption.
Israel usually left problems “fester” in the past, allowing Hamas or Hezbollah to grow very powerful. In Syria, the name of the game is preemption.
Ynet had an analysis this week that said, “Israel and Turkey ponder how to split Syria into spheres of influence until stable governance takes hold.”
The writer, Ron Ben-Yishai, a well-known expert, said, “As Israel and Turkey vie for influence in a post-Bashar al-Assad Syria, tensions rise over military and economic ambitions. While Israel seeks to counter Turkey’s growing presence, both nations explore mediated agreements to divide control until Syria stabilizes.
Turkey can read this as well and understands that this message likely comes from the top of Israel’s circles of strategic thinking.
Israel may have gotten Gaza wrong and underestimated Hamas, but Ankara sees that Israel is not underestimating Turkey. Israel knows that Turkey wants to move into bases in Syria. Clearly, the messaging is designed to deter.
While Iran, the Houthis, and others may not have always been deterred, it appears that Ankara may be rethinking things. It remains to be seen how long this will continue.
Russia Arms Israel’s Enemies – Kaakov Katz
During Israel’s recent ground offensive against Hezbollah, the IDF confronted the overwhelming presence of Russian-made weaponry inside southern Lebanon. Operating in Hezbollah-controlled territory, the IDF uncovered homes converted into makeshift arsenals, packed with advanced Russian arms. Crates filled with anti-tank missiles, mortars and rockets – many marked with Russian export codes – provided evidence of a pipeline stretching from Moscow through Damascus, and directly into Hezbollah’s hands.
The most concerning finds were sophisticated Kornet anti-tank guided missiles, capable of penetrating even the most heavily armored Israeli vehicles. Other lethal systems included Fagot, Konkurs, and Sanger missiles.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been pressing the case in Washington that any agreement to end the war in Ukraine and relax sanctions on Russia must include provisions to curb Russian military support for Iran and Hezbollah. Recent reports claim that Russian missile experts have been spotted at multiple Iranian sites, working closely with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to enhance Tehran’s ballistic missile capabilities.
The writer is a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute. (Newsweek)
US Reportedly Sends Patriot, THAAD Systems To Israel Amid Iranian Tension
The United States has deployed two Patriot batteries and one THAAD air defense battery to Israel, according to Arab sources published in Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath on Saturday night (5th). This military reinforcement occurs against the backdrop of escalating tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran and the ongoing ballistic missile attacks on Israel by the Iran-backed Yemen Houthi terrorists.
President Donald Trump recently warned Iran that if it does not cooperate with the US in its efforts to dismantle its nuclear program, “we’ll see bombing the likes they have never seen before.”
The THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) system, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, provides advanced protection against short, medium, and long-range ballistic missiles. The system boasts a perfect 100% interception rate in flight tests and can neutralize threats both within and beyond the atmosphere. Comprising five main components – launchers, radar, a command and control unit, and support equipment – the THAAD represents cutting-edge missile defense technology. According to the Arab report the US has transferred two such batteries to Israel.
Israel’s multi-layered defense architecture integrates various air defense systems, including Arrow, David’s Sling, and the Patriot batteries.
The Patriot system is a mobile air defense platform developed in the United States and entered operational service in 1984. Its original design purpose was to counter enemy aircraft and ballistic missiles.
The Patriot system gained international recognition during the 1994 Gulf War when it was deployed against Iraqi Scud missiles. Patriot missiles positioned in Israel and Saudi Arabia worked to intercept incoming missiles. The system has undergone substantial upgrades and is now utilized by numerous countries worldwide.
