A Nation In Tears:  Israel Bids Farewell To Bibas Family

In a heartbreaking national moment, thousands of Israelis gathered Wednesday (26th) to pay their final respects to Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas – the mother and two young children from Nahal Oz, murdered while in Hamas captivity and whose bodies were returned several days ago as part of the hostage deal.

The brutal kidnapping of the three was captured on video and horrified the world.  The painful funeral procession began at 7:45 a.m., from the Hevra Kadisha complex in Rishon Lezion and continued to the Sha’ar HaNegev junction.  The coffins’ journey concluded with a burial in Tzobar in southern Israel.

Masses of Israelis lined up along the procession route, paying their last respects to Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas.  The three were murdered in Hamas captivity after their kidnapping on October 7, 2023, with the father being the only survivor of the family, having been recently released after more than a year in captivity.

Along the way, the coffins passed through the Rishonim Interchange, the Yavne Interchange Bridge, the Ad Halom Bridge, the Nitzarim Junction, the Yad Mordechai Junction, and the Nir Am Junction.

The Bibas family requested that the funeral ceremony be held in the presence of invitees only.  The eulogies were broadcast to the general public at 11:30 a.m. and streamed on the Israel Hayom  website.

(israelhayom.com)

 

Ahead Of Ramadan: Hamas Heating Up Battle On Temple Mount

The Hamas terrorist organization has condemned Israel’s plan to limit the number of worshipers allowed to enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque for Friday prayers during the month of Ramadan to 10,000.

Hamas called the plan, “a new escalation against the Palestinian people and the holy sites, and a dangerous precedent designed to harm the freedom of worship at the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Hamas stressed that “Israel’s crimes will not succeed in erasing the identity of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, because it was, and will be an Islamic holy site only, and there is no place for foreign occupation there.  The Palestinian people and the Islamic nation will make many sacrifices in order to completely free themselves from the “impurity of the occupation.”

They warned the “enemy” against implementing their plan, and accused Israel of “full responsibility for the consequences of its policy.”

Hamas has called on the international community to intervene in order to “stop the crimes against the al-Aqsa Mosque and allow freedom of worship for Muslims,” as well as calling on the Muslim public in Judea and Samaria, Jerusalem, and the “occupied interior” (Israel) to come en masse to the al-Aqsa Mosque, to stay there, hold prayers there during the month of Ramadan, and to use all means to resist the attempts of Israel and its extremists to desecrate and take over the site.

Ramadan begins Friday the 28th.

(israelnationalnews.com)

 

220 Pound Bomb Against IDF Forces In Northern West Bank Foiled

The Shin Bet announced Tuesday evening (25th) that it had foiled a shooting attack in Huwara planned by a terrorist cell, and at the same time thwarted an attack on IDF forces in the northern West Bank using a 100-kg (220-lb) bomb.

A joint statement with the IDF noted that Shin Bet operational unit fighters, Yamam – National Counter Terrorism soldiers, and Shonron Brigade soldiers arrested terrorists Ahmed Ali Zakharna and Fariq Abu Zeid on January 11 in Nablus, who were traveling in their vehicle on their way to carry out a shooting attack.  Two M-16 rifles were seized from their possession.

During their interrogation by the Shin Bet, it was discovered that the two were on their way to carry out a shooting attack in Huwara, and that terrorist operatives from the Jenin Battalion had received a 100-kg (220 -lb bomb), which they wanted to use against IDF forces.

In light of the information received during the interrogation, additional operatives from the cell were arrested Monday night (24th) in a joint operation by the IDF and Shin Bet in the city of Qabatiya in the northern West Bank, who were in possession of weapons and the powerful 100-kg (200-lb) bomb.

At the same time, soldiers from the Nahal Brigade, who in recent days joined the counterterrorism operation in the northern West Bank, operated under the direction of the Shin Bet in Qabatiya,  Silat al-Hanthiya, and Al-Yamun.  The forces searched dozens of terrorist infrastructures, arrested 16 terrorists, located weapons, and destroyed explosives, including the bomb.

(ynetnews.com)

 

Report: Hamas Using Ceasefire Period To Rearm And Rebuild

Far from being deterred, Hamas is using the current ceasefire period to rearm and rebuild so it can attack Israel again, Yediot Ahronot reported Tuesday (25th).

Thousands of terrorists have returned to central and Northern Gaza, where they had been hiding in camps and preserving their weapons on orders from the top command “once they realized Hezbollah had abandoned them,” wrote military reporter Yoav Zitun.

The Lebanese Iranian proxy did not try a mass invasion of Israel after the Hamas massacres of October 7, 2023, contenting itself with showing support by firing over 10,000 missiles, rockets, and UAVs  at northern Israel over the 15 months of war.

The terrorists could move freely among the hundreds of thousands of civilians who started walking back to their hometowns right after the ceasefire began last month, since Israel abandoned the Netzarim Corridor that had divided the Strip roughly in half.

According to Zitun, these fighters found “many hundreds of terrorists” who had never left Gaza City and its environs over the course of the year.

 Together, they had reconstituted themselves into new companies and battalions and staffed them with new commanders, he wrote.

While the flow of arms from outside has been halted due to the IDF’s presence on all sides of the coastal enclave, especially on the Philadelphi Corridor at the Egyptian-Gaza border, the terror organization has found an “inside “ source, the report added.

“Hamas has gathered, over the last month, a large amount of explosives from the arsenal of the IDF after it left,” Zitun wrote, ”enabling it to create new weapons for its forces.”

In January 2024, it was reported that Israeli investigators had found that military grade contents of Hamas rockets came from unexploded ordnance fired by the Israel Air Force in earlier rounds of clashes in Gaza.

The group is also repairing tunnels that the IDF damaged and preparing those that were not found for offensive purposes, according to the report.

The terrorists have also both set up stationary cameras and begun using drones for observation purposes in many center points in the Strip in an attempt to rebuild its intelligence capabilities.

In addition, the report said, “Hamas has managed to locate and re-aim a few rocket launchers” that the IDF did not find and destroy during the war.

Perhaps to send a message that it is still capable of doing so, they have fired four rockets toward Israel in the last week, although they did no damage, having been shot down or falling within the Strip.  

“In another sign that it has not been deterred,” Zitun noted, “Hamas has renewed its civilian governance of the Strip, providing municipal services and collecting taxes from the distribution of food and fuel aid that Israel brings in, in order to pay its members’ salaries.”

“The IDF,” he concluded, “Is finalizing its own preparations for another land and air operation, knowing that while Hamas has been greatly damaged, there is still a lot of work to do to finish it off militarily.” 

(worldisraelnews.com)

 

Hamas Must Meet Its End – Dr. Qanta A. Ahmed

Though I’m not Israeli, and I am not Jewish, the anguish of the Bibas family is mine.  This unforgivable crime, perpetrated on infant Jews and their mother, clarifies to the world the depravity of Hamas and the Palestinian civilians who abducted them.

Palestinians appeal for the world’s mercy, aid, intervention, humanity, yet you gather around the tiny Bibas coffins in a ghoulish display.  You cheer and gawk and parade, defiling even corpses of babies.  Your hatred dehumanizes you.

Hamas was not alone.  Countless survivors and eyewitnesses have testified to me that Palestinian civilians joyously participated in this atrocity.  And because you are Muslim, you stain me.  We have tolerated the intolerable.  The violence, debasement, and gratuitous mutilation of the Jewish person in life and even after death, the sexual violence of women, the taking of civilians as hostages and their maltreatment in captivity, all are profound violations of all Islamic values and a stain upon all Islam.

Those Muslims who support Hamas are accomplices.  The time for Hamas to meet its maker has arrived.

The writer, a British-American Muslim, is Associate Professor of Medicine at the State University of New York and an Honorary fellow at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology.

(timesofisrael.com)

 

The Crumbling Legitimacy Of “Palestine” – Hussein Aboubakr Mansour

A year ago, I allowed myself the optimistic thought that perhaps a different Palestinian identity might yet emerge: one divorced from anti-Semitic vitriol, revolutionary Third-Worldist fanaticism, and nihilistic death-cult threads.  I tried to imagine a future in which Palestinians could somehow find a new identity built on pragmatic coexistence.  But by now, it should be clear to all that when your primary currency is kidnapping civilians and parading their remains to public cheers, you forfeit whatever moral capital a national struggle might once have enjoyed.The Palestinians never grasped a viable political path.  Instead, an identity was cultivated on an endless cycle of grievance, victimhood, and terror as a method of expression.  The repeated wars, , the refusal to disentangle themselves from regional power struggles or global revolutions, the refusal to accept peace deals, and the cultural glorification of martyrdom have created a toxic personality structure that has a flag.

The events we just witnessed – children paraded around corpses are not an isolated atrocity but reflect a deeper moral and cultural collapse: no meaningful leadership capable of guiding Palestinians toward a humane, tolerant society appears to exist.  The formal structure called “Palestine” has, in practice, become a source of destruction for themselves and for the region.

Palestinian leadership and outside advocates keep stoking the fires of “resistance” while funded and cheered by narcissistic Western liberal elites and Qatari conspirators, forever condemning Palestinian children to a cycle of violence and perennial displacement.

The writer is an Egyptian-American author and researcher at the Institute for the Study of Global AntiSemitism and Policy (ISGAP) in Washington.

(critiqueanddigest.substack.com)

 

World’s Oldest Holocaust Survivor Dies At 113

Before her death at age 113, Rose Girone was not just a number in the record books.  The world’s oldest Holocaust survivor carried a century of resilience within her and three secrets to longevity: dark chocolate, loving children, and waking each day with a purpose.

Born January 13, 1912, in Poland, Girone’s early years saw her family move throughout Europe.  By 1938, she had married and settled in Breslau, Germany, just as Nazi persecution of the Jews intensified.

The writing on the wall was clear by 1939.  With options dwindling, the family fled to the only country still accepting Jewish refugees.

After a month-long journey by boat, Girone arrived in Shanghai’s international settlement with her husband and young daughter Reba, briefly finding peace before war engulfed them again.

As Japanese forces occupied Shanghai during World War II, the Jewish community was forced into a ghetto.  Her family was confined to what had originally been a bathroom.

Each day became an exercise in survival.  Girone would buy water, bathe her daughter, wash clothes and then the floor of their living quarters all with the same bucket.

Even in these desperate conditions, Girone’s resilience shone through.  A skilled knitter, she started a small business within the ghetto to earn money for her family.

When visas were finally arranged for passage to America in 1947, refugees were forbidden from taking more than $10 each.

However, after having earned $80 through her knitting, Girone refused  to leave her hard-earned money behind, so she cleverly weaved it into her sweater before arriving at Ellis Island.

In New York, Girone reunited with family members who had escaped the Holocaust.  

Knitting remained a constant thread throughout Girone’s life.  She worked in various shops before opening a knitting concession at the Sagamore Hotel in Lake George.

Eventually, she saved enough to open a shop in Rego Park and another in Forest Hills, Queens.  Even after retirement, her passion continued.  She volunteered at libraries, teaching others the craft that had once saved her family from starvation.

After a fall at 109, she moved to Belair Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Long Island for rehab, where she became something of a celebrity among residents and staff.

Although her body gradually failed her, Girone’s spirit for life never waned.

Those who knew her said she had good children and always had a purpose in life.  In Rose Girone’s 113 years, she found purpose in survival, in creation, in family, and ultimately in bearing witness to history.  With her passing on Tuesday (25th), we lost not just a remarkable Holocaust survivor, but a living connection to a world that sadly grows more distant with each passing day.

(worldisraelnews.com)

Last week, Hamas returned the murdered bodies of three members of the Bibas family. Holding up a picture of the family, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned graduating IDF military officers of what could come next for Israel in its war with Hamas. Chris shares Netanyahu’s warning and gives his take on Israel’s next steps in this week’s Eye on the Middle East.

WATCH THE VIDEO

The faces of Kfir, Ariel, and their mother Shiri have captured the hearts of people around the world. Hamas suggested that they were killed by an Israeli airstrike while in captivity. Sadly, the reality is much more evil. After forensic examination, both the boys Kfir and Ariel, along with their mother were murdered in cold blood by the hands of the Hamas terrorists on the day they were seized, October 7,2023. Their funerals will be held in a private ceremony and the Israeli citizens have been urged to line the streets. Yarden Bibas, the husband and father of Shiri, Kfir, and Ariel, understandably is struggling to come to terms with the deaths of his loved ones.

Seeing the hostages come out emaciated, treated disrespectfully by their captors, including one hostage having to kiss the head of a terrorist shows exactly why nations never negotiate with terrorists: you cannot trust them. Period. They covered the truth, they lied about their condition.

The Bible says that we are to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15). For Shiri, Kfir, and Ariel our souls weep and pray for the evil doers to be brought to justice on behalf of all those killed in the war.

(Source: The Times of Israel)

 

IDF Says Unit Carried Out Dozens Of Penetrations Deeper Into Syria

Brigade 474 of Division 210 has carried out dozens of short attacks deeper into Syria beyond the Israeli buffer zone within southern Syria, the IDF said on Monday (24th).

In addition, the army released footage from one of its attacks over the last week in which paratroopers seized guns, ammunition, and other military equipment that the old Syrian army left behind.

Lt.-Col. “H” said the IDF located the weapons inside a nearby house, and that in other operations, his unit had located  missiles, improvised explosives, armored personnel carriers, and even tanks.

According to the IDF, it continues to periodically  locate and then either seize or destroy such weapons and equipment.

Further, the IDF said its continued activities in and around the buffer zone in Syria add additional security for Israel generally, and especially for those living in the Golan.

The announcement came a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded that southern Syria be demilitarized, saying Israel would not accept the presence of Ha’yat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in southern Syria nor of any other forces affiliated with the country’s new regime.

It was possible the announcement was only approved given Netanyahu’s decision to restart a public campaign on the question of Israeli-Syrian security issues.

HTS took control of Damascus over December 7-8, ending around 50 years of rule by the Assad family, leading Netanyahu to order the IDF to enter and create a buffer zone in southern Syria.

“We will not allow forces of the HTS or the new Syrian army to enter the territory south of Damascus.  We demand full demilitarization of southern Syria, in the provinces of Quneitra, Daraa, and Sweida,” Netanyahu said.  “And we will not tolerate any threat to the Druze sect in southern Syria.”

(jpost.com)

    

IDF Reportedly Offers Southern Syria’s Druze Community Job Opportunities, Report

Sources from southern Syria in the al-Quneitra province spoke with the Saudi news network Al-Arabiya, claiming that the IDF made “tempting offers” to the province residents, it was reported Monday (24th).

According to the report, sources in the al-Quneitra area claimed that the IDF offered the residents the opportunity to work within Israel during the day and return home in the evening, the same way that the Gazans were allowed to work in Israel before October 7, 2023.

“The IDF expressed to those who were offered work that it wanted to issue entry permits that would enable them to enter Israel and work there, just as it did with Palestinians who worked in Israel,” one southern Syrian resident said.

The resident explained that those who would work in Israel would receive a larger salary in Israel  in comparison to the current salaries in Syria.

The report alleged Israel promised that each worker would receive a daily wage between 75 to 100 US dollars, which Syrians would earn over the course of several months.

The IDF entered Syria in December 2024, right at the end of Assad’s regime falling.  At the end of January 2025, it was decided that Israel would stay in southern Syria.

“ The IDF will remain … in the security zone … for an unlimited period,” Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a video statement released by the Defense Ministry.  “We will not allow hostile forces to establish themselves in the security zone in southern Syria … and we will not be dependent on others for our defense.”

“We will not return to the reality of October 7 and will not be dependent on others for our defense – here and anywhere else,” Katz added.

The collapse of the Assad regime and the rise to power of Ahmad al-Sharaa – formerly known as Mohammad al-Julana and now the interim president of Syria’s new government – led to swift Israeli action.  The IDF entered the Syrian side of the Golan Heights and established a presence there.

(jpost.com)

 

Gazan Rocket Fired At Israel, Hits Inside Strip

A terrorist rocket that was fired toward Israeli territory, fell short and struck inside the Gaza Strip on Monday afternoon (24th), the Israel Defense Forces said.

According to reports in Palestinian media, the projectile was launched from the city of Rafah, located in the southernmost part of the Strip.

On Feb. 13, a 14-year-old Palestinian was killed in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip when a terrorist rocket fell short inside the coastal enclave.

The Israeli military decided on Sunday (23rd) to “increase military and operational readiness” in the area surrounding the Strip.

The decision on Sunday night (23rd) came after a situational assessment, the army statement noted, adding that “as of now, there is no change in the instructions for the home front.”

According to the Channel 12 broadcaster, IDF reinforcements were nevertheless deployed to the border on Monday (24th) due to suspicions that Hamas terrorists were planning an attack  on Israeli forces in the area.  

US President Donald Trump said on Friday (21st) that it is for the government in Jerusalem to decide whether to resume the war in the Gaza Strip or join the second round of talks with Hamas to free additional hostages.

Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Mideast envoy, plans to return to the region this week for talks on extending the current first phase of the ceasefire.

The 42-day first phase of the truce is currently set to end on  Saturday, March 1.

“We have to get an extension of Phase 1, and so I’ll be going into the region this week, probably Wednesday (26th), to negotiate that,” he said in an interview on CNN Sunday (23rd).  “And we’re hopeful that we have the proper time… to begin Phase 2 and finish it off and get more hostages released.”

Witkoff said he believes Israeli Prime MInister Benjamin Netanyahu is “well motivated” to see the agreement with the terrorist group continue.

“He wants to see hostages released, that’s for sure.  He also wants to protect the State of Israel.  And so he’s got a Red Line.  And he said that what the Red Line is, is that Hamas cannot be involved in a governing body when this thing is resolved,” Wirkoff said of the expected talks.

(worldisraelnews.com)

 

Is Hezbollah Going Bankrupt? $1B Budget Goes Sideways

Hezbollah is facing unprecedented financial challenges following its recent conflict with Israel, struggling to meet financial commitments to its supporters and showing signs of severe operational strain, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation.

The Iran-backed group, which has long operated as a state within Lebanon, is now grappling with mounting costs from war damage estimated at $3.4 billion by the World Bank, affecting approximately 100,000 homes that were partially or fully destroyed during the conflict.

“I have many questions about why we were dragged into this conflict, the suffering we endured, and who will compensate for our losses,” Jabal Nassar told The Wall Street Journal.  Nassar, whose restaurant in Tyre was destroyed, said he had to pay $100,000 for repairs without assistance from the organization.  

The financial strain has become increasingly apparent in recent weeks.  According to the news outlet , Al-Qard Al-Hassan, Hezbollah’s primary financial institution, has frozen payments on previously issued compensation checks, leaving many supporters without promised support.

Fadwa Hallal, a resident of Habboush in southern Lebanon, experienced these delays firsthand.  After receiving a $7,000 compensation check for home damage in January, she faced a month-long delay before being able to cash it, with others reportedly experiencing even longer waiting periods.

The situation marks a significant shift for an organization that historically maintained an annual budget of approximately $1 billion for benefits, salaries and other costs, excluding military expenses.  The group’s new leader, Naim Qassem, has publicly acknowledged these challenges while calling on the Lebanese state to assist in reconstruction efforts.

Lina Khatib, an associate fellow at Chatham House, suggests these financial difficulties could have long-term implications.  “Hezbollah no longer has the cash to compensate its constituents,” she said, adding that loyalty to the group “is likely to wane in the long-term when Hezbollah’s constituents realize that it can no longer offer them financial, political, or security benefits.”

The organization’s financial challenges have been exacerbated by recent political developments, including efforts by Lebanon’s new US-backed government to restrict cash flows from Iran and the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, which has disrupted traditional routes for resources.

Despite these challenges, the group demonstrated its continued influence during Sunday’s (23rd) funeral for Hassan Nasrallah, which drew hundreds of thousands of attendees.  Nasrallah, who was killed by an Israeli airstrike in September, had led the organization in building one of the world’s most potent nonstate forces.

Moussa Chmaysani , head of the Merchant Association in Lebanon’s Nabatieh province, noted that Hezbollah appears to be prioritizing urgent shelter needs over business compensation, highlighting the organization’s attempts to manage its limited resources strategically.

The crisis represents a significant test for an organization that has historically provided comprehensive social services to its community, including healthcare, banking services, and employment opportunities for thousands of members.

(israelhayom.com)

Nearly 1,000 Orthodox Rabbis: Huckabee Uniquely Suited To Be US Amb. To Israel

The Rabbinical Alliance of America – Igud HaRabbonim representing over 950 Orthodox rabbis across North America – warmly welcomes the confirmation of Governor Mike Huckabee, who currently stands as a nominee to be the next United States Ambassador to Israel.

The RAA stated, “Governor Huckabee is a longtime friend of Israel and an unwavering American patriot who understands that the special relationship between the United States and Israel is not only deeply rooted in shared values but is also a strategic alliance that benefits both nations.  His steadfast support for Israel and his recognition of its vital role in promoting stability and Democracy in the Middle East make him uniquely suited to serve in the crucial position.”

“The United States has no greater ally in the region than the State of Israel.  The partnership between these two great democracies enhances security, fosters economic growth, and upholds the principles of freedom and justice.  Governor Huckabee has consistently championed this alliance, recognizing that a strong Israel contributes to a strong America and a more stable world,” the rabbinical organization added.

“The Rabbinical Alliance of America prays for Governor Huckabee’s success if he is confirmed in his new role and looks forward to his continued advocacy for policies that reinforce the unbreakable bond between the United States and Israel.  May his confirmation be swift and his tenure be marked by peace, prosperity, and the flourishing of this extraordinary alliance,” the statement concluded.

Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, Executive Vice-President of the RAA, stated, “Governor Huckabee’s confirmation would reflect the enduring commitment of the United States to its closest ally in the Middle East.  His deep appreciation of Israel’s security challenges, his moral clarity, and his leadership would further strengthen the US-Israel relationship and promote policies that serve America’s best interests.”

(israelnationalnews.com)

 

Driest Winter On Record: Lake Kinneret Sees Rare February Drop In Water Level  

For the first time in a century, the water level of Lake Kinneret [the Sea of Galilee] has dropped during February – an unusual phenomenon highlighting this winter’s extreme dryness.

Data from the Water Authority shows an exceptionally low flow from the Jordan River, combined with increased water pumping from Israel’s main freshwater reservoir, keeping the level well below the upper red line.

As of Monday (24th), the lake’s level remains unchanged from yesterday at -692.8 feet below sea level.  This means it is 8 feet. below the upper red line and 5.8 feet above the lower red line.

Dr. Eyal Zigel , head of the surface water department at the Water Authority, attributed the decline primarily to reduced inflows from the Jordan River.  “The Jordan River’s flow is one of the lowest in the past hundred years.  In fact, we only saw something like this in 2014,” Zigel said.  He added that increased water pumping from Lake Kinneret over the weekend has further contributed  to the decline.

Since the beginning of the winter, the lake’s level has risen by just over 1.2 inches.  “Right now, this year is shaping up to be particularly dry.  There hasn’t been a year this severe since measurements began,” Zigel said.  However, he cautioned that “the year is not over yet, and the final assessment will be made at the end of winter.”

This winter is a reminder that for more than 30 years, there has been a long-term trend of declining precipitation in northern Israel, with an average drop of about 10%.  Given the current conditions, it is certain that this year’s winter will not trigger the familiar debate over whether to open the Degania Dam.

If dry winters continue, Israelis may soon be asking whether water should be pumped into Lake Kinneret via the “reverse aqueduct” – a system designed to transfer desalinated Mediterranean Sea water into the lake when needed.

“A winter like this reinforces the understanding that the reverse aqueduct will not remain a white elephant and will probably be used  in the future,” Zigel said.

(jpost.com)

White House Backs Israel’s Decision To Delay Terrorist Release: An Appropriate Response

The White House on Sunday (23rd) expressed support for Israel’s decision to delay the release of more than 600 terrorist prisoners.

“Given Hamas’ barbaric treatment of the hostages, including the hideous parade of the Bibas children’s coffins through the streets of Gaza, Israel’s decision to delay the release of prisoners is an appropriate response,” White House National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes said in a statement.

Hughes added that President Trump is “prepared to support Israel in whatever course of action it chooses regarding Hamas.”

The Prime Minister’s Office announced early Sunday morning (23rd) that in light of Hamas’ repeated violations, it has been decided to delay the release of terrorists that was planned for Saturday (22nd).

According to the announcement, one of the reasons for the decision is the ceremonies that humiliate the hostages and the cynical exploitation of the hostages for propaganda purposes.

The PMO clarified that the terrorist release will only take place after the release of the next hostages has been assured, and without the humiliating ceremonies.

Following the decision, the terrorists who were set to be released were removed from the buses and returned to their prison cells.

Israel was to have released 620 on Saturday morning (22nd), including 71 who were sentenced to life imprisonment and 60 with lengthy prison terms.

(israelnationalnews.com)

 

Netanyahu Calls For Demilitarization Of Southern Syria, Protection For Druze

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu  called for the demilitarization for southern Syria and the protection for its Druze community on Sunday (23rd), the first time he has publicly called for this since the collapse of Bashar  Assad’s regime in December,

“We demand the full demilitarization of southern Syria,” said Netanyahu, who was addressing a graduation ceremony for cadet officers in Beersheva.  “We will not tolerate any threat to the Druze community in southern Syria.”

Netanyahu also held up a photo of  Shiri Bibas and her sons, Ariel and Kfir whose remains were recently returned to Israel.  Forensic experts who examined the bodies said they had been murdered, and that there was no evidence to back Hamas’ claims  they were killed during an Israeli airstrike.

“This picture says it all, and I ask that you engrave it on the tablet of your hearts so that we always remember what we are fighting for and who we are fighting against, “ Netanyahu said.

“In the beginning days of the war, Hamas murdered Shiri and her children in cold blood.  They strangled the tender children with their own hands, and if they could, they would have murdered all of us with the same cruelty,” he added.

Regarding Iran, Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s long-standing stance, declaring, “We will not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons.”

Israel sent forces into the 235 sq km buffer zone to prevent Syrian rebels from approaching the border when Turkish-backed islamist rebels toppled Assad’s government.  Israel also launched waves of airstrikes on Syrian army assets and Iranian stockpiles to prevent them from falling into the hands of radical Islamists. 

Israel considers the 1974 ceasefire agreement void until order is restored in Syria.

While Israeli forces have briefly entered the buffer zone in the past, December’s takeover marked the first time since its establishment that the IDF set up positions there.  The demilitarized zone was established with a ceasefire in 1974 that ended the Yom Kippur War.  

(worldisraelnews.com)

 

40,000 Palestinians Evacuated As IDF Deploys Tanks In Samaria

IDF tanks rolled into the Palestinian city of Jenin in northern Samaria on Sunday (23rd), marking the first time since the Second Intifada  that Israeli armored units have operated in the area.

On Sunday morning (23rd) photographs and video began circulating on social media outlets showing Israel Merkava main battle tanks being deployed to Jenin and nearby Arab villages. 

An IDF spokesperson later confirmed that tanks were operating in the area as part of the ongoing Israeli counter-terror operation in Samaria.

Since January 21st, Israeli forces have killed more than 70 terrorists and detained 300 suspects in Operation Iron Wall, carried out in the Jenin district of northern Samaria and Tulkarem and nearby Nur al-Shams in western Samaria.

The operation was launched after Palestinian Authority security forces failed to take control of Jenin from rogue terror groups and following the January 6th shooting attack in Samaria that left three Israelis dead.

Later on Sunday (23rd), Defense Minister Israel Katz discussed the expansion of Operation Iron Wall, saying that some 40,000 Arab residents have been evacuated from the targeted areas.

“The IDF is expanding its operations in northern Samaria and, as of last night, it is also operating in the town of Qabatiya as part of Operation Iron Wall to combat terrorism in Judea and Samaria.  The military is reinforcing its forces with armored units and additional troops,” Katz said in a statement.

“So far, 40,000 Palestinians have evacuated from the refugee camps of Jenin, Tulkarem, and Nur al-Shams, which are now empty of residents.”

Furthermore, Katz said the Israeli military will remain in parts of Jenin and Tulkarem for an extended period of time, without giving a deadline for their withdrawal.

“We are at war against Islamic terrorism in Judea and Samaria.  I have instructed the IDF to prepare for a prolonged stay in the cleared camps for the coming year–to prevent the return of residents and the resurgence of terrorism.”

During the recent operations, Katz added, IDF forces have shut down operations by the terror-linked United Nations Relief and Works Agency in the Near East (UNRWA).

“UNRWA operations in the camps have also been halted,” Katz said.

“We will not return to the previous reality.  We will continue to clear refugee camps and additional terror hubs to dismantle the battalions and terror infrastructure of radical Islam, which were built, armed, funded, and trained by Iran’s axis of evil in an attempt to establish an eastern terror front against the settlements of Samaria, the security barrier, and major population centers in Israel.”

(worldisraelnews.com)

 

Terrorist Behind Deadly Bombing Falls To His Death A Week After Release Under Gaza Deal

Nael Obeid , a Hamas terrorist notorious for his role in the deadly 2003 Cafe Hillel bombing in Jerusalem, fell to his death near his home in East Jerusalem after being freed in a hostage-prisoner exchange a week ago.

Obeid went free on February 15 as part of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, which has seen Israel free hundreds of terrorists, many of them convicted for deadly attacks, in return for hostages taken on October 7, 2023.

The cause of his fall was not immediately clear.  He was pronounced dead at Hadassah Medical Center near Mount Scopus on Saturday afternoon (22nd), according to local Palestinian media.

Obeid helped plan one of the most infamous suicide bombing attacks during the Second Intifada, which killed seven people and wounded 57 others at Cafe Hillel in the capital’s Emek Refaim Street.

At the time, Obeid headed a Hamas cell in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Issawiya  alongside his relative , Ahmad Obeid.  The cell took orders from Hamas operatives in Ramallah, who procured them a suicide bomber to carry out the attack.

The two spent over a year scoping out potential terror targets and accumulating weapons before transporting 22-year-old Ramez Abu Salim to the bustling street, where he carried out the bombing on September 9, 2003.

Among the victims of the bombing were Dr. David Applebaum who treated suicide bombing victims as head of Shaare Zedek Hospital’s emergency room, and his daughter Nava, who was to be married the next day.

Arrested a year later, Obeid was handed seven life sentences, plus an extra 30 days, for his role in the deadly bombing.

(timesofisrael.com)

 

Why Trump Must Insist On Removing Hamas From Power – Khaled Abu Toameh

•  Hamas has reportedly expressed readiness to cede control of Gaza and hand it over to the Palestinian Authority.  This does not mean, however,  that Hamas is willing to lay down its weapons.  Hamas wants the PA to return to Gaza only to pay salaries and fund reconstruction.  That arrangement would allow the terror group to rearm, regroup and rebuild its military capabilities.

•  Hamas senior official Osama Hamdan recently affirmed that his group has no intention of laying down its weapons or ending its rule.  In addition, Hamdan stressed that Hamas leaders will not leave Gaza.  He told Al Jazeera in mid-February, “The issue of the weapons of the resistance and the leaders of the resistance is non-negotiable.”

•  Hamdan also threatened that Hamas would not allow any non-Palestinian party to enter Gaza.  No Arab country will agree to play any role in the administration of Gaza as long as Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist groups continue to maintain an armed presence there.

•  Hamas leaders are basically saying that they do not believe the Trump Administration’s talk about removing Hamas from power.  Ignoring Hamas’ threats means that there will be more Oct. 7-style massacres of Israelis.  Any deal that allows Hamas to remain in power would be disastrous for Israel, the Palestinians, and Arab states threatened by the Iran-led “Axis of Resistance.”

•  There should be no reconstruction of Gaza as long as Iran’s proxies remain in power.  The idea of allowing the Palestinian Authority  to return to Gaza as a civilian body that pays salaries and funds projects should be rejected  by the Trump administration.

The writer, a veteran Israeli journalist, is a senior fellow at the Gatestone Institute  and the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs.

(gatestoneinstitute.org)

 

Both The Nazis And Hamas Murdered Jewish Children – Dr. Hamma Nirenstein

The killing of Jewish children underscores the persistent and brutal nature of anti-Semitic violence, revealing its continued threat in the modern era.  The Nazi ideology led to the systematic murder of 1.5 million Jewish children during World War II and the Holocaust, many slaughtered in their mothers’ arms or subjected to brutal conditions in concentration and death camps.  The echoes of this horror resonate today as Hamas targets Jewish children.  

The response from international organizations and human-rights groups has been tepid at best.  While anti-Semitic violence surges across the Western world, many institutions remain silent.

Unlike during the Holocaust, modern-day Israel has a strong military and the determination to fight for its survival and the survival of the Jewish people.  Israel refuses to be deterred in its mission to eliminate Hamas.

While Palestinian children tragically perish in war, they are collateral victims  of Hamas’ strategy, whereas Jewish children are deliberately targeted.   

The writer, the Israel Foreign Ministry’s Special Advisor for Combating Anti-Semitism, is a fellow at the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs.  She served as vice president of the committee on Foreign Affairs in the Italian Chamber of Deputies.  (JNS)

(jns.org)

 

Buenos Aires Proposes Bill  For Renaming “Palestine Street” To “Bibas Family Street”

Following the return of the remains of Shiri Bibas and her children Ariel and Kfir, a deputy mayor of Buenos Aires proposed naming a city street after them.  Yamil Santoro, a member of the Argentine capital’s city council, introduced the proposal, calling for the street named after Palestine in the Almagro neighborhood to be renamed “Bibas family Street.”

Shiri Bibas, her husband Yarden, and their children, 4-year-old Ariel and 9-month-old Kfir, were kidnapped to the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, 2023.  Shiri and the children were taken separate from Yarden and were murdered shortly afterward.  Yarden was released on Feb. 1 as part of the second hostage deal.

“The confirmation of the murder of the two children and their mother is a deep pain for everyone,” Santoro said.

A key obstacle to Santoro’s proposal is Law No. 83, which was approved in October 1998, and states that under no circumstances may streets or public places  be named after individuals before 10 years have passed since their death,” but the city council member was working to amend the law for what he calls the “unique case” of the Bibas family.

Santoro told local media that he has not yet attempted to contact the Bibas family out of respect for their loss.  “We will wait until a reasonable amount of time has passed before approaching them,” he said.

He also asked citizens in a post on X to suggest other initiatives that the Buenos Aires legislature could pursue to honor the victims and combat terrorism.

On Thursday (20th), following the return of the bodies of Kfir and Ariel – who held both Israel and Argentine citizenship – Argentine president Javier Milei declared two days of national mourning in their memory.

(ynetnews.com)

Children’s Bodies Identified, The Third Body Is Not That Of Shiri Bibas

Following the completion of the identification process by the National Institute of Forensic medicine, in collaboration with Israeli police, IDF representatives informed the Bibas family on Thursday night (20th) that their loved ones, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, have been identified.

“According to the assessment of professional officials, based on the intelligence available to us and forensic findings from the identification process, Ariel and Kfir Bibas were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists in captivity in November 2023,” said the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.  This refutes the claim by terrorist organizations in Gaza that the Bibas family was killed in an Israeli airstrike.

During the identification process, it was determined that the additional body received  was not that of Shiri  Bibas, and no match was found for any other hostage.  This is an anonymous, unidentified body.

“This is a violation of utmost severity by the Hamas terrorist organization, which is obligated under the agreement to return four deceased hostages.  We demand that Hamas return Shiri home along with all our hostages,” the IDF said.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Bibas family during this incredibly difficult time and remain committed to doing everything possible to ensure Shiri and all the hostages are brought home at the earliest opportunity,” said the IDF.

Officials in the IDF stated that the body of the anonymous woman was examined multiple times.  She reportedly arrived wearing clothing and in a condition that clearly indicated she was not Shiri Bibas,

The IDF attempted to perform DNA matches with all the other female hostages held by Hamas, and there was no match to any of them.

The sources clarified that Hamas’ violation will be dealt with severely, but for now, the hostage release which is scheduled for Saturday (22nd) is expected to proceed as planned without any changes.

Ariel Bibas was four-years-old at the time of his death, and Kfir Bibas was ten months old at the time of his death.  They were abducted with their mother, Shiri Bibas, from their home in Nir Oz.  Yarden Bibas, Ariel and Kfir’s father, went out to protect them and was abducted prior to the kidnapping of Shiri and the children. Yarden returned as part of the agreement for the return of the hostages on February 1, 2015.

(israelnationalnews.com)

 

3 Buses Explode In Bat Yam, Holon In Suspected Strategically Planned Terror Attack

Three empty buses exploded in quick succession in parking lots in the Tel Aviv suburbs of Bat Yam and Holon on Thursday night (20th) in what police said was a suspected terror attack.

There were no injuries reported in the incidents.  Police said they neutralized two other unexploded devices on buses nearby.  According to Hebrew media reports, the last two devices were in Holon.

Each of the devices contained 5 kilograms of explosives, the media report stated.

Police said they were combing the scenes and searching for suspects, while bomb sappers were hunting for any other suspicious items in the vicinity.   

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the premier was receiving constant updates on the situation and held a security assessment late Thursday night (20th), after which it announced that he instructed the IDF to embark on a massive operation in the West Bank against terrorist hubs.

It said he also instructed the police and Shin Bet to “increase preventive activities” in Israeli cities to prevent further attacks.

Transportation Minister Miri Regev earlier issued an order to the head of the Transportation Authority to halt service and conduct a search of all buses, trains and light rails.  Regev was reported to be cutting short a visit to Morocco amid the incident.

Speaking to reporters in Bat Yam, Haim Sargarof, the Tel Aviv District police chief, said that the devices had timers but they were improvised explosives, and that the attack “looks like something that originated in the West Bank.

Sargarof said there was “something written” on the devices, without elaborating, apparently referencing media reports of a written “revenge threat” from the West Bank city of Tulkarem on one or more of the devices.  He said that he did not know how many suspects were involved in planning the attack.  Police sources told Hebrew media later Thursday (20th) that they suspected the attack involved a West Bank terror cell.

“The revenge of the martyrs will not be forgotten so long as the occupier is present on our land.  This is a jihad of either victory or martyrdom,” said a statement on a Telegram channel claiming to represent Hamas’ so-called Tulkarem Battalion, which did not directly claim responsibility for the blasts.

According to a Channel 12 news report, the devices were slated to explode on Friday morning (21st), when the buses were in use, but were set off early.  Giora Eiland , a former IDF operations chief, speculated that the timers were incorrectly set.

The network also reported that one of the undetonated devices was found due to an alarm from a passenger, who notified the driver of a suspicious bag, and that police believe several suspects were involved in planting the bombs.

“We may be lucky if indeed the terrorists set these timers to the wrong hour,” police spokesman Aryeh Doron said.  “But it’s too early to determine.”

In a statement , the Bat Yam municipality said that “miraculously , the buses arrived at the parking lots a moment before the explosions,” and were already empty of the passengers.

Bus drivers nationwide were reportedly told to search their vehicles before setting off in light of the attack.  Security was bolstered at Ben Gurion Airport, including with stringent checks of all buses entering and leaving the airport area.  Security was also bolstered for Jerusalem’s light rail, the news media said.

Before Netanyahu issued his statement, Defense Minister Israel Katz had said that he instructed the IDF to ramp up its operations in the West Bank.

“In light of the severe terror attack attempts in the Tel Aviv area by Palestinian terror organizations against the civilian population in Israel, I instructed the IDF to increase the intensity of the counterterrorism activity in Tulkeram and all the camps in Judea and Samaria” he said in a statement.

“We will hunt down the terrorists to the bitter end and destroy the terror infrastructure in the camps used as frontline posts of the Iranian evil axis,” Katz added.  “Residents who give shelter to terror will pay a heavy price.”

The IDF has been carrying out a major offensive in the northern West Bank dubbed Operation Iron Wall since January 21.

Following Katz’s statement, the military said it was investigating the bus bombings jointly with the Shin Bet security agency and Israel Police, adding that after a fresh assessment, the IDF’s ongoing counterterrorism operation in the West Bank would be focused on specific areas per the findings of the probe.

The IDF has also blocked several checkpoints leading into the West Bank and is ramping up activities in the so-called seam zone, between the Green Line and Israel’s West Bank barrier.

It also announced three more battalions will be deployed as reinforcements to the West Bank after holding a situational assessment.

The military said that it was constantly assessing and is “prepared to expand the offensive operations,” while adding, “the counterterrorism mission in northern Samaria is continuing all the time,” using the biblical name for the northern West Bank.

(timesofisrael.com)

   

On Syrian-Lebanese Border: IAF Strikes Crossing Points Used By Hezbollah To Smuggle Weapons

The IAF on Thursday evening (20th) struck crossing points in the area of the Lebanon-Syria border used by the Hezbollah terrorist organization in attempts to smuggle weapons into Lebanese territory.

“These activities constitute a blatant violation of the ceasefire understandings between Israel and Lebanon.  The IDF continues to operate to remove any threat to the State of Israel and will operate to prevent any attempt by the Hezbollah terrorist organization to rebuild its forces,” said the IDF spokesperson’s unit.

The Lebanese Al-Mayadeen network, which is affiliated with Hezbollah, reported Israeli strikes on the Syrian city of Homs, which it said were carried out through Lebanese airspace.  An attack was also reported in the Wadi Khalid area in northern Lebanon.

On Tuesday evening (18th), the IAF struck weapons belonging to the Old Syrian regime in the area of Sasa in southern Syria.  The strike targeted three Syrian army tanks which contained weapons, and took place about 20 km from the border with Israel.

The attack was intended to prevent the tanks from falling into the hands of the new Syrian regime or terrorist organizations operating in the area.

“The IDF will continue to operate to remove any threat to the State of Israel,” said the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.

(israelnationalnews.com)

 

UN Finally Condemns Hamas, Says Ceremony Over Hostage Bodies May Have Violated International Law

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk criticized Hamas for the ceremony it held during the release of the bodies of four hostages on Thursday (20th).

“Under international law, any handover of the remains of the deceased must comply with the prohibition of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, ensuring respect for the dignity of the deceased and their families,” the rights chief said in a statement.

The captives included 85-year-old Oded Lifshitz, 33-year-old Shiri Bibas,(although the body sent was an anonymous woman, and not Shiri, forensics discovered later), and her two sons – the youngest Israelis taken hostage by Gazan terrorists on Oct.7 – Ariel and Kfir.

At an event held by Hamas in the Bani Suhella neighborhood of the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis on Thursday morning (20th), a large crowd cheered as Hamas arrived carrying four black coffins in separate cars.

“As the bodies of the four Israeli hostages were transferred by Hamas to the Red Cross, hundreds of Gazans danced to music and happily filmed the tragic event,” Israel’s Government Press Office wrote on X.  “We are at a loss for words to describe how this makes us feel,”

During the transfer of the bodies, a heated exchange took place between Red Cross officials and Hamas terrorists over the ceremony and the manner in which the transfer was handled. 

Israel also protested to the mediators and filed a complaint with the Red Cross about the ceremony.

“The pain is indescribable.  Our hearts, those of the entire nation, are shattered,” President Isaac Herzog said.  “On behalf of the State of Israel, I lower my head and seek forgiveness  for failing to protect you on that tragic day, and not bringing you home safely.  May your memory be a blessing.” 

(worldisraelnews.com)

 

What Is The Cost Of Arab Hate For Israel And Jews? – Samuel M. Edelman

The Arab and Islamic world needs to confront the cost to Arab society of its unrelenting pursuit of anti-Jewish and anti-Israel hatred.  The pursuit of unrelenting hatred of Jews and their only country by Iran, Hamas, the Houthis, and Hezbollah is what led to the attack on Israel on Oct. 7.  For more than 100 years, Arab, Turkish, Syrian, and Iranian governments, Islamic militants, including the Muslim Brotherhood, al-Qaeda, ISIS, various Shiite militias and Iranian proxies, as well as Palestinian Arabs, have waged war against both Israel  and the Jewish people.

This warfare includes a propaganda war, an academic war, economic and intellectual boycotts,  a war using the UN and various so-called humanitarian and aid organizations, and a media war.

The Arab world population in 2023 was over 473 million (5.9% of the world population) in 22 nations that make up the Arab League.  About 20 million Arabs live abroad.  The worldwide Jewish population in 2024 is just 16 million (0.2% of the world population), with 7.6 million Jews in Israel.  Why does such a small Jewish population get so much attention?

Iran, the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, Hezbollah, al-Qaeda and ISIS have all portrayed Jews and Israel as the root of all the bad that has befallen the Arab and Islamic world.  They have made their hatred of Jews an integral part of their religion, culture, history and policy.  They have squandered billions of dollars and thousands and thousands of lives pursuing their cultivated hatred.

So my questions to the Arab population are simple ones.  What is the cost of your hate of Israel and the Jews?  Are you better off because of all of the war, destruction, and chaos caused by your inability to simply say that you will live in peace and accept as  neighbors the indigenous Jews living in the Land of Israel?  

The writer is former executive director of Scholars for Peace in the Middle East.

(timesofisrael.com)

 

Egyptian Media: Hamas Brought Disaster Upon Gaza, Must Be Held To Account

Recent articles and statements in the Egyptian media criticized Hamas for its October 7, 2023, attack, as well as its claims of victory in its war with Israel.  On Feb. 17,Gamal Abu Al Hassan, a columnist for Al-Masri Al-Yawm, called on Hamas to acknowledge that it has lost the war and brought disaster upon the Palestinians and the region, and that only by relinquishing power will it be able to Thwart Trump’s plan for Gaza.  “Victory parades can’t reverse the outcomes of the war.”

On Feb. 5, Ahmad Abd Al-Wahhab wrote in Akhbar Al-Yawm that rebuilding Gaza will take years and “obliges Hamas to give up its ambition to govern Gaza… The unbearable price of the destruction of buildings, the killing of civilians and the imprisonment of hundreds of Palestinians in Gaza results from Hamas’ reckless decision.”

On Feb, 12, Al Sayyed Al-Babill, writing in Al-Gumhouriyya, endorsed the Friday sermon of Salafi preacher Adel Al-Sayyed, who “voiced the belief held by many, that Oct. 7 was not a victory of the resistance, not a success that pushed Israel to accept an arrangement, and not a step forward to help the Palestinian cause, but rather a step which set the Palestinian cause back decades.”

On Feb. 19, Issam Abu Bakr wrote in Al-Wafd, “In the diplomatic and international arena there is no longer any place for movements like Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis… Hamas is now rejected in the local, regional and international arenas.  Its resurgence as a political force is now almost impossible, no matter how much it tries to spread absurd slogans of victory via the media, which is full of lies – because the Palestinian people understand the reality and are well-aware of the situation.  Hamas and Hezbollah rely primarily on Iranian assistance, but Iran is now in a difficult situation itself and will not be able to revive the influence of political Islam in the Middle East.”   (MEMRI)

(memri.org)