The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) redeployed Tuesday in accord with the ceasefire deal that ended the war with Hezbollah -- though Lebanon is formally objecting to Israel retaining a "buffer zone."
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The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will hold five strategic posts inside southern Lebanon to maintain security and surveillance even after withdrawing from the region on Tuesday in accordance with the ceasefire with Hezbollah.
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As I write these words, my heart is heavy. For almost 500 days, I've lived in a nightmare that no mother should ever endure. My son, Alon, spent his 24th birthday earlier this week in the dark tunnels of Hamas, chained, tortured and abused – his second birthday in captivity.
Alon is my eldest son. He has two younger siblings. He is beautiful, with blond hair and bright green eyes. He's also an incredibly talented pianist and a sensitive young man with many dreams yet to fulfill. Alon is a people person – I am always inspired by his ability to connect with others and build deep bonds. I miss his smile, his voice, his sense of humor, and our conversations about life. I miss just having him with us, watching him make his way in the world with his characteristic determination and curiosity.
FATHER OF HAMAS HOSTAGE: LET TRUMP CLOSE DEAL OF THE CENTURY
On Oct. 7, 2023, Alon attended the Nova music festival. When the attack began, he and others sought refuge in what we now tragically call the "death shelter." Out of 27 people hiding there, only seven survived. Four were kidnapped: my son Alon, Or Levy, Eliya Cohen and Hersh Goldberg-Polin. Or was just released this past weekend, Eliya is set to be released later this month, and Hersh was tragically executed in captivity. And my son? Despite his severe injuries and deteriorating condition, he is not even included in the current phase of releases.
This past Saturday, when I watched the release of Or Levy – who was kidnapped together with Alon – along with Eli Sharabi and Ohad Ben-Ami from captivity, I collapsed. Something that hadn't happened to me once in the past 16 months. I burst into tears that I couldn't stop for hours. It was so shocking to see them and the terrible state they were in, so emaciated, pale, with sunken eyes. I tried to imagine my Alon, my beautiful boy. How does he look now?
That same evening, to my great joy, I received a message – the first sign of life since Oct. 7. Along with this came the horrifying descriptions of the conditions in which he is being held. He was with Or and Eli throughout their time in captivity. He has been restrained with iron shackles during his entire captivity, limiting his movement. He has a severe injury to his eye, with a foreign body lodged in it, leaving him able to see only shadows. There are also shrapnel embedded in his arms and neck that have been left untreated. He, like the others, receives barely one piece of bread per day. Almost 500 days in complete darkness.
And he is still there – not even included in the current phase of the deal. How is my son, chained and wounded, not considered a "humanitarian case"?
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I am deeply grateful to President Trump for his extraordinary efforts in securing the hostage deal. In a matter of weeks, he achieved what seemed impossible, bringing many of our loved ones back home. His unwavering stance has been clear and powerful – all hostages must be released, and they must be released now. He understands they have no time left. There are still about 20 living hostages, including my son, who aren't included in the first phase of releases.
President Trump has already proven he can make the impossible possible. Our hope for Alon's return, and the return of all remaining hostages, rests strongly with him. These efforts, alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's work, have reunited families and saved lives.
Alon’s great-grandfather survived Auschwitz, weighing just 38 kilos when liberated. He came to Israel and built a beautiful family. Perhaps it's this resilient DNA that keeps Alon alive now, as he endures conditions that echo the darkest chapters of our people's history. But how can we, in 2025, allow such suffering to continue?
The tunnels where my son is held are dark, but our determination to bring him home must shine brighter than ever. I refuse to let Alon mark another birthday in captivity. I refuse to let him become another statistic in this brutal saga. Bring them home now. Bring my son home now. Before it's too late.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said Tuesday that if Hamas did not release all 73 of the remaining hostages still in Gaza by noon on Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would resume attacking "until the final defeat of Hamas."
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President Donald Trump welcomed Jordan's King Abdullah II at the White House on Tuesday, a visit that comes amid contentious discussions between the U.S. and Arab nations about relocating Palestinian refugees to Jordan and other neighboring Arab countries to rebuild Gaza.
Trump unveiled plans on Feb. 4 that the U.S. would seek to "take over" the Gaza Strip in a "long-term ownership position" to deliver stability to the region during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
However, Trump’s proposal prompted swift backlash from Arab countries, including Jordan, and Egypt announced plans on Sunday for an emergency Arab Summit to discuss "new and dangerous developments" regarding the resettling of Palestinians on Feb. 27.
At the White House Tuesday, Trump said that the U.S. isn't interested in purchasing Gaza and promised to deliver peace to the region instead.
"We're not going to buy anything. We're going to have it and we're going to keep it, and we're going to make sure that there's going to be peace, and there's not going to be any problem, and nobody's going to question it," Trump told reporters at the White House. "And we're going to run it very properly. And eventually we'll have, economic development at a very large scale, maybe the largest scale on that side."
When asked how he felt about Trump's plans for the future of Gaza, Abdullah remained tight-lipped and said he would wait for the Egyptians to take the lead on a proposal moving forward as they negotiate with the U.S.
"I think let's wait until the Egyptians can come and present it to the president and not get ahead of us," Abdullah said.
Abdullah did reveal plans to accept 2,000 sick Palestinian children to Jordan.
"I think one of the things that we can do right away is take 2,000 children that are either cancer children or in a very ill state, to Jordan as quickly as possible," Abdullah said. "And then wait for … the Egyptians to present their plan on how we can work with the president to work on the cause of challenges."
Abdullah later shared in a social media post on X that he "reiterated" Jordan's stance opposing the displacement of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, claiming this was a "unified Arab position."
"Rebuilding Gaza without displacing the Palestinians and addressing the dire humanitarian situation should be the priority for all," Abdullah said on X.
Trump doubled down on his plans to "take over" Gaza in an interview that aired Monday with Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier and said that he expects Abdullah ultimately will choose to let in Palestinians.
"I do think he’ll take, and I think other countries will take also," Trump told Baier. "They have good hearts."
TRUMP NOT COMMITTING TO PUTTING US TROOPS ON THE GROUND IN GAZA, WHITE HOUSE SAYS
However, Trump also issued a warning that withholding aid to Jordan could happen should Jordan refuse to take in Palestinian refugees. The U.S. distributed nearly $1.7 billion in foreign aid to Jordan in fiscal year 2023, according to the State Department.
"Yeah, maybe, sure why not," Trump said when asked. "If they don’t, I would conceivably withhold aid, yes."
Trump welcomed Netanyahu to the White House on Feb. 4 and disclosed his plans to turn Gaza into the "Riviera of the Middle East."
"We'll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous, unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site," Trump told reporters.
"Level the site and get rid of the destroyed buildings, level it out, create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area," Trump said. "Do a real job. Do something different. Just can't go back. If you go back, it's going to end up the same way it has for 100 years."
He also said "all" Palestinians would be removed from Gaza under his plan, although White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the next day their removal would be "temporary" during the rebuilding process.
Even so, Trump told Fox News on Monday that Palestinians would not return to Gaza under his plan.
TRUMP SAYS US WILL ‘TAKE OVER’ GAZA STRIP, REBUILD IT TO STABLIZE MIDDLE EAST
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill shared mixed reactions to the plan.
"I’m speechless, that’s insane," Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., told Jewish Insider on Feb. 4.
However, Sen. Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., did not appear fazed by the remarks.
"I think he wants to bring a more peaceful, secure Middle East and put some ideas out there," Thune told reporters on Wednesday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Hamas terrorist group on Tuesday dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump's demand for the release of all remaining Israeli and American hostages from Gaza by noon on Saturday, or the ceasefire deal is over — and Israel can respond as it wants.
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President Donald Trump said if Hamas does not return all hostages by noon on Saturday, he will call for the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip to be canceled and "let all hell break out."
Trump made the comments after signing executive orders in the Oval Office Monday evening.
When asked if he felt the ceasefire deal should be canceled, the president said that is "Israel’s decision."
"If all the Gaza hostages aren't returned by Saturday at 12 p.m., I would say cancel the ceasefire," Trump said in the Oval Office. "Let all hell break out; Israel can override it."
HAMAS SAYS IT'S DELAYING NEXT HOSTAGE RELEASE, CLAIMING CEASEFIRE VIOLATIONS
Trump stressed that Hamas needs to release "all of them—not in drips and drabs."
"Saturday at 12pm and after that, I would say, all hell is going to break out," Trump said.
A Hamas spokesperson said Monday that the terrorist group will delay the next planned release of hostages in the Gaza Strip after accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement.
PARENTS OF AMERICAN MURDERED BY HAMAS MAKE 'PLEA' TO TRUMP AFTER LATEST HOSTAGE RELEASE
"Over the past three weeks, the resistance leadership has monitored the enemy's violations and failure to fulfill its obligations under the agreement; including the delay in allowing the return of the displaced to the northern Gaza Strip, targeting them with direct shelling and gunfire in various areas across Gaza, and denying relief supplies of all kinds to enter as agreed, while the resistance has implemented all its obligations," Abu Obeida, the spokesperson for Hamas’ military wing, said.
"Therefore, the release of the Zionist prisoners next Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, will be postponed until further notice, and until the occupation commits to and provides compensation for the entitlements of the past weeks retroactively," he said. "We reaffirm our commitment to the terms of the agreement, as long as the occupation remains committed to them."
Israel and Hamas are in the midst of a six-week ceasefire, during which Hamas has committed to releasing 33 hostages captured in its Oct. 7, 2023 attack in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
The sides have carried out five swaps since the ceasefire went into effect last month, freeing 21 hostages and more than 730 Palestinian prisoners. The next exchange, scheduled for next Saturday, calls for three more Israeli hostages to be freed in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
"Hamas’ announcement to stop the release of Israeli hostages is a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement and the hostage release deal," Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Monday. "I have instructed the [Israeli Defense Forces] IDF to maintain the highest level of readiness for any possible scenario in Gaza and to fortify the defense of Israeli communities. We will not allow a return to the reality of Oct. 7."
Hamas released three gaunt, frail-looking Israeli hostages – civilians Eli Sharabi, 52; Or Levy, 34, and Ohad Ben Ami, 56 – on Saturday after forcing them to speak at a handover ceremony. Israel in turn freed 183 Palestinian prisoners that day.
On Sunday, Trump commented on the conditions of the released Israeli hostages, saying they "looked like Holocaust survivors" and "like they haven’t had a meal in a month."
"I don’t know how much longer we can take that," Trump said, referring to the treatment of the hostages, adding, "You know, at some point, we’re gonna lose our patience."
Fox News' Danielle Wallace, Yonat Friling and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Middle East is on the verge of “something of biblical proportion” under Donald Trump’s leadership, according to incoming US ambassador Mike Huckabee, who called for a complete end to Hamas while praising the President’s approach to diplomacy and bold vision which can reshape the region.
The post Huckabee Predicts Change of ‘Biblical Proportion’ in Middle East with Trump’s ‘Bold’ Leadership appeared first on Breitbart.
NYC Councilwoman Inna Vernikov said that she quit the NYC Council's Women's Caucus over its anti-Israel agenda in an interview with Fox Friends First on Monday.
"We all watched the release of these female hostages, these young girls who are only 20 years old, came out of captivity, surrounded by Jihadi terrorists with masks on, weapons drawn, only 20 years old. Could you imagine your daughter, or yourself at 20 years old as a woman, being held in tunnel? God knows what they did to them."
Vernikov announced in a video shared on social media on Sunday that she would be leaving her position on the Women's Caucus immediately due to the group's refusal to release a statement condemning the Hamas terrorists and in support of female hostages who were released from captivity.
TRUMP REMAINS COMMITTED TO US OWNING GAZA, SAYS MIDDLE EAST STATES COULD HELP REBUILD WAR-TORN AREA
"I simply asked the Women's Caucus, which I was a part of in the New York City Council, to make a simple statement condemning the terrorists, supporting these women and calling on the release of the hostages that are still remaining in captivity," Vernikov explained.
"Unfortunately, it is the height of hypocrisy that a Women's Caucus, in New York City Council, made up of 30-plus women, who is supposed to stand up for women and women's rights, cannot simply condemn terrorists and stand up for women that are Jewish," she said. "I'm out of that caucus."
Vernikov responded to criticism that her departure from the council was an act of political grandstanding.
"The Democrats are unfortunately pandering to the hard left," she said. "We need to stand up, we cannot be cowards, and we cannot continue having elected officials who are spineless to stand up, and we cannot stand up for women only when it is politically expedient for us."
Vernikov said that she was "very grateful" to President Donald Trump for his strong stance on the Israel-Hamas war, which she said makes it possible for the release of the remaining surviving Israeli hostages.
President Donald Trump said Sunday that he was angry with Hamas over the evident starvation of the Israeli hostages, after three men who were released on Sunday appeared emaciated from evident lack of nutrition.
The post Trump Rips Hamas over Starvation of Freed Israeli Hostages: ‘Like Holocaust Survivors’ appeared first on Breitbart.
President Donald Trump has started his second stint in the White House by earning positive reviews from Americans, with especially high marks given for the president keeping campaign promises.
A large majority of Americans, 70%, believe Trump is doing "what he promised" during the campaign, while just 30% believe the president’s agenda has been "different from promised," according to the results of a CBS/YouGov poll released on Sunday.
The poll found that Trump’s overall approval on the job so far is 53%, with 47% of respondents indicating they disapprove. Voters also used positive words to describe the president, with 69% describing him as tough, 63% energetic, 60% focused, and 58% effective.
Many Americans also approve of the job Trump has done so far on key issues, with 59% saying they approve of his program to deport illegal immigrants, while 41% said they do not approve. A larger majority, 64%, indicated they approve of the president’s plan to send U.S. troops to the U.S-Mexico border, while 36% disapprove.
ELON MUSK OUTLINES 'SUPER OBVIOUS' CHANGES DOGE AND TREASURY HAVE AGREED TO MAKE
A majority also responded that they approve of Trump’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict, with 54% of Americans saying they approve, compared with 46% who disapprove. However, Americans are less sure about the president’s proposal for the U.S. to take over Gaza following the war, with just 13% responding that it is a "good idea," while 47% say it is a "bad idea" and 40% marked that they were not sure.
A slimmer majority approved of Elon Musk and DOGE, with 23% of Americans indicating that they believe the new agency should have "a lot" of influence over government spending and 28% answering that it should have "some," for a total of 51%. Meanwhile, 18% replied that DOGE should have "not much" influence over government spending and 31% said it should have "none," for a total of 49%.
SCOOP: KEY CONSERVATIVE CAUCUS DRAWS RED LINE ON HOUSE BUDGET PLAN
But Trump did score some lower marks when it came to his economic agenda, most notably on his efforts to tackle inflation, with 66% indicating the president has not committed enough attention to lowering prices, while 31% believe Trump has focused on the issue the "right amount" and 3% indicated the president has focused "too much" on the issue.
Americans were split when it comes to tariffs, with 56% offering approval of such levies to China, while only 44%, 40%, and 38% felt similarly about tariffs on Mexico, Europe and Canada, respectively.
The CBS/YouGov poll was conducted between Feb. 5-7, surveying 2,175 U.S. adults. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.
Israelis were shocked Saturday at the physical condition of three emaciated hostages released by Hamas under the ongoing ceasefire deal, with many condemning the evident starvation of the Israelis after nearly 500 days in captivity.
The post Israel Shocked by 3 Starved Hostages; Slams CNN for ‘Violating Every Ethical Standard’ appeared first on Breitbart.
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