25 nations to meet in Qatar to discuss Stabilization Force for Gaza

The U.S. Central Command will host a conference in Doha on Dec. 16 with partner Arab and Muslim nations to plan the International Stabilization Force for Gaza, expected to deploy as early as next month. More than 25 countries are expected to send representatives to the summit, Reuters cited two U.S. officials as saying on Friday.

The conference will involve sessions on the command structure and other issues, added the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity. However, it remains unclear how the International Stabilization Force will compel Hamas to disarm without fighting the terrorist organization, the report said.

U.S. officials are working out the size, composition, housing, training and rules of engagement of the ISF, according to Reuters. An American major general whose name has been so-far withheld is being considered for leadership of the ISF, but a decision has not yet been made, the two officials said.

On Thursday, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters that “there is a lot of quiet planning that’s going on behind the scenes right now for phase two of the peace deal. We want to ensure an enduring and lasting peace.”  (Ed note: It also remains unclear about what the conference will do when Hamas shoots at some of them. OR, the conference conspires together with one mind and all turn together against Israel, and come at them at one time. Psalm 83:3-5.)   (Read More)

ISIS terrorist who killed two US troops was member of Syrian security forces, local officials say

A Syrian interior ministry spokesperson told Syrian television channel Al-Ikhbariya that the attacker did not have a leadership role in the security forces.

Two US Army soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed in an Islamic State attack on Saturday in Palmyra, Syria, where they were supporting counterterrorism operations, the Pentagon said. Three others were wounded, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the attacker was killed by partner forces. The attacker was a member of Syrian security forces, three local officials told Reuters.

A Syrian interior ministry spokesperson told Syrian television channel Al-Ikhbariya that the attacker did not have a leadership role in the security forces. He did not say whether the man was a junior member. The forces from the American-led coalition fighting Islamic State came under fire on Saturday while on patrol in the central Syrian town of Palmyra, two local Syrian officials told Reuters. The officials said there were casualties.

Two members of the Syrian security forces were wounded, and a number of American personnel were injured, according to the Syrian state media site SANA. American helicopters intervened to evacuate the injured to Al-Tanf base following the attack, according to SANA. A single gunman was killed, and US Central Command has since confirmed the killer was a member of the Islamic State terror group. (Read More)

Under US pressure, Israel to take over rubble clearing in devastated Gaza Strip – report

Removing Gaza debris estimated to take up to 7 years, billions of dollars.
Israel has agreed to a request from the United States to take over responsibility for clearing the vast amount of rubble covering the Gaza Strip after two years of fighting, Ynet News reported, citing a senior Israeli official. Israel has agreed in principle to take physical and financial responsibility for removing the debris, which is estimated to take years and could cost hundreds of millions of shekels.

According to the report, the U.S. sees clearing the rubble as the first step toward reconstructing the enclave according to Phase Two of the ceasefire agreement and aims to start rebuilding in the southern town of Rafah to showcase U.S. President Donald Trump’s vision for reconstruction.

American officials said that Rafah is intended to serve as a pilot area designed to attract Gaza residents for employment and to build broader support for the reconstruction effort.Israel is expected to hire specialized companies to clear the debris, the report said. (Read More)

Hezbollah chief: Disarmament would be 'death sentence' for Lebanon

It's rather the Lebanese Army that should be disarmed by Hezbollah, says Naim Qassem

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said on Saturday that it was not the responsibility of the Shiite terror group “to prevent aggression,” but rather the Lebanese state’s, and it is the responsibility of Hezbollah to engage “when the state and army fail to do so.” 

In a recorded televised statement, Qassem sarcastically posed the question whether it was not Hezbollah that should be demanding the Lebanese Army’s disarmament if the latter fails to stop "Israel’s ongoing aggression." 

On the issue of disarming Hezbollah, Qassem said that disarming it in the manner currently proposed is a death sentence for Lebanon. “Even if the sky falls, we will not be disarmed, not even if the entire world unites against Lebanon. We will not allow this and it will not happen,” Qassem said. (Ed note: Send that man a pocket pager!)   (Source)

IDF kills top Hamas commander Raad Saad, a key planner of Oct. 7, in Gaza City strike

3 others said killed in airstrike on terror group’s No. 2; Netanyahu, Katz say assassination a response to IED that lightly hurt 2 reservists in Strip’s south.

Top Hamas commander Raad Saad was killed by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on Saturday afternoon, the Israel Defense Forces said, in an escalatory move that Israel claimed was a response to violations of a ceasefire by the terror group. Saad, head of Hamas’s weapons manufacturing headquarters and one of the architects of the terror group’s October 7, 2023, onslaught, was one of the few remaining members of Hamas’s top military brass in the Gaza Strip and was considered only second to the terror group’s latest military chief, Izz al-Din Haddad. Sunday marks 800 days since the Hamas attack.

The strike hit a vehicle traveling along the coastal Rashid Road, on the Hamas-controlled side of the Gaza ceasefire line, according to Palestinian media, which reported four people killed and over 20 injured. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, in a joint statement, said that Saad was killed in response to the injury of two troops by an explosive in southern Gaza several hours prior.

In its own statement, the IDF said that in recent weeks, “repeated attempts by the Hamas terror organization to carry out terrorist attacks were identified, including the use of explosive devices against IDF troops, actions that constitute a blatant violation of the agreement, as occurred this morning.” (Read More)

Pakistani PM Crashes Putin-Erdogan Meeting on Ukraine War

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday in Turkmenistan to discuss the war in Ukraine. Their meeting was unexpectedly interrupted by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who demanded an audience with Putin to secure his support against India and the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin and Erdogan held a “thorough exchange of views on Ukrainian affairs” while meeting in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, on the sidelines of the International Forum for Peace and Trust. The forum assumed something of an ironic air, given that Putin and other attendees, such as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and a special envoy from China, have all launched unprovoked wars of aggression in recent years.

The event is held in Turkmenistan because it is the only country in the world to be granteda permanent status of “neutrality” by the United Nations, a recognition conferred by the U.N. General Assembly in 1995. The forum was held on Friday because December 12 was proclaimed as the “International Day of Neutrality” by the United Nations in 2017.

According to the Kremlin, the meeting between Putin, Erdogan, and their respective delegations followed up on a telephone conversation between the Russian and Turkish leaders on November 24, which was focused on the Ukraine conflict. Erdogan met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a week before that call and has been eager to host peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. (Ed note: Why is this important? One big reason is that both Pakistan and India possess nuclear weapons.) (Read More)

SEA ONE: A new standard of resort-living for English speakers in Israel

Opening in Spring 2026, SEA ONE welcomes English speakers and Olim into a vibrant Mediterranean community of premium resort living where art, design, and wellness converge.

If you are an English-speaking resident and have always longed to live by the Mediterranean Sea, Sea One Private Club will make your dream come true. Opening in spring 2026, SEA ONE is an entirely new concept in luxury residential resort-living, enriched by a dedicated English-speaking members’ club.

Developed by the Oranim Group, an international company with over 45 years of experience in world-class seafront projects including the renowned Royal Beach Tel Aviv, SEA ONE is designed to elevate every day into a holiday.

Open to Israelis and new immigrants aged 60+, the complex offers all the amenities of a first-class resort: fully serviced, furnished seafront apartments, concierge and laundry services, an expansive spa, Pilates and yoga studios, a state-of-the-art gym, magnificent swimming pools overlooking the Mediterranean, a jacuzzi, banquet halls, and a synagogue.

...The Perfect Location. The resort is conveniently central: just 15 minutes from Tel Aviv, 20 minutes from Ben-Gurion Airport, and a 45-minute drive from Jerusalem. Located on the Rishon LeZion seafront, SEA ONE sits on a lively promenade featuring over 40 cafés, restaurants, shops, a supermarket, and a pharmacy. The nearby Moshe Dayan train station, the Komemiyut Light Rail (within walking distance), and a planned metro station ensure excellent public transportation access. (Ed note: Live on the "vibrant Mediterranean." Surf's up, Dude!)  (Read More)

Israeli Airstrikes Target Hezbollah Positions in Southern Lebanon | WATCH

Lebanese media reported that Israel carried out at least five airstrikes across multiple locations in southern Lebanon today (Friday). The Israeli Air Force targeted sites in Jabal Rihan, Jarmak, around Nabatieh north of the Litani River, and near the village of Ansar outside Sidon.

According to the IDF, the raids included a strike on a Hezbollah training facility. The strikes are part of Israel’s ongoing operations against Hezbollah infrastructure in the area. No immediate reports of casualties have been confirmed.

The attacks come amid heightened tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, with the IDF maintaining a state of readiness for further escalations. (Ed note: SIDON in the Bible, Joshua 12:4-6, and Matthew 11:20-22. The point being these places are still as real today as they were back then.)  (Source)

 

Lebanon FM claims: Israel planning major military operation against Lebanon

Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji warned Friday that Arab and international officials have cautioned Beirut of an Israeli plan for a large-scale military operation against Lebanon. Speaking to Al Jazeera and quoted by Haaretz, Rajji said Lebanon is strengthening diplomatic ties to defend itself, while sharply criticizing Hezbollah for refusing to disarm. "Hezbollah's weapons have proven ineffective in supporting Gaza and defending Lebanon," Rajji declared, adding that Hezbollah’s actions "brought about the Israeli occupation."

Rajji said Lebanon seeks a return to the ceasefire agreement with Israel, though he expressed pessimism about prospects for peace. He stressed that recent meetings of the international mechanism overseeing the cease-fire should not be mistaken for "traditional" negotiations with Israel. On Iran, Rajji accused Tehran of destabilizing the region. "Iran’s regional policy is a source of instability," he said, adding that its influence on Lebanon is harmful. He urged Tehran to "stop financing an illegal organization," referring to Hezbollah, while noting Lebanon remains open to dialogue if Iran ceases interference in its internal affairs. Iran is a major sponsor of the Hezbollah terrorist organization and in the past has vowed to always support the group.

Iranian officials have criticized Lebanon’s recent decision to disarm the terror group, in line with a ceasefire agreement reached with Israel last year. Despite the disagreements between Lebanon’s government and Hezbollah, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced Thursday he accepted an invitation from Rajji to visit Beirut in order to open “a new chapter” in relations. Rajji’s comments came after the IDF announced strikes on a Hezbollah training and qualification compound in southern Lebanon. On Tuesday, Israel carried out strikes on a Radwan training site and launch facility. Israel has struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanon even after a ceasefire went into effect last year, due to the fact that the terrorist organization continues to rebuild its military infrastructure and maintain an armed presence near Israel’s northern border.    (Source)

Egyptian President Sisi to visit Washington for Trump meeting, may meet with Netanyahu - report

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will travel to Washington, DC, sometime this month to meet with his US counterpart, President Donald Trump, The National, a UAE state-owned daily newspaper, reported on Friday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may also attend the Trump-hosted meeting.

Subjects to be discussed at the meeting between the US and Egyptian leaders include Egypt's diplomatic relationship with Israel in the aftermath of the Israel-Hamas War in Gaza. No official date for the visit has been announced yet, but it may fall within the same timeframe as Netanyahu's scheduled trip to meet with Trump at the end of the month.

Axios previously reported last week that the White Houseis attempting to organize a meeting between Netanyahu and Sisi. The two leaders have not officially met since before the start of the Israel-Hamas War, but held a phone call shortly before October's peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh. Sisi had originally meant to visit Washington in February, but was canceled due to Cairo's opposition to Trump's plans to relocate Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to Egypt and Jordan, Al Arabiya reported. (Ed note: Any guesses on how well it will work out if President Trump tries to shove Sisi down Netanyau's throat?) (Source)

Europe Is Preparing for War - And They're No Longer Hiding It

Europe is doing something it hasn't done in generations: preparing openly, urgently, and systematically for a major war on the continent. Not a limited skirmish. Not a border dispute. A large-scale, society-shaking conflict reminiscent of the wars our grandparents and great-grandparents endured.

That warning didn't come from some fringe alarmist. It came directly from the head of NATO, who recently cautioned that the alliance must adopt a "wartime mindset" and be ready for a conflict comparable to the world wars of the 20th century. When the top official responsible for Europe's collective defense uses that kind of language, it's not a slip of the tongue. It's a signal. And across Europe, governments are acting as though they agree.

Europe is experiencing the most aggressive military expansion in more than 30 years. Policymakers aren't simply adding a few extra battalions or refreshing aging equipment -- they are rebuilding the continent's defense posture from the ground up, reversing decades of demobilization and budget cuts.

Consider just a few of the dramatic shifts underway: 

France is expanding its army and restoring military service nearly 30 years after ending conscription. While voluntary for now, the move reflects a growing consensus that France needs a significantly larger reserve of trained personnel. Why? If a peace deal with Russia were anywhere on the horizon, such an expansion would be unnecessary. 

Germany is transforming its military at a pace unseen in its modern history. It plans to dramatically increase the size of the Bundeswehr and pour unprecedented sums into new weapons systems, advanced defense technologies, and logistical capacity. Next year's defense procurement budget is projected to reach record-breaking levels. (Ed note: Very interesting article from Prophecy News Watch, PNW. Does this fit under the category of "wars and rumors of wars?")  (Read More)

Trump signs order to block states from enforcing own AI rules

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at blocking states from enforcing their own artificial intelligence (AI) regulations. "We want to have one central source of approval," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday. It will give the Trump administration tools to push back on the most "onerous" state rules, said White House AI adviser David Sacks. The government will not oppose AI regulations around children's safety, he added. The move marks a win for technology giants who have called for US-wide AI legislation as it could have a major impact on America's goal of leading the fast-developing industry.

AI company bosses have argued that state-level regulations could slow innovation and hinder the US in its race against China to dominate the industry, as firms pour billions of dollars into the technology. But the move to pre-empt state laws has drawn opposition. While the US currently has no national laws regulating AI, more than 1,000 separate AI bills have been introduced in states across the US, according to the White House. This year alone, 38 states including California, home to many of the world's biggest technology companies, have adopted some 100 AI regulations, the National Conference of State Legislatures says. Those rules range widely.

One in California requires platforms to regularly remind users they are interacting with a chatbot, in a bid to protect children and teens from potential harms. The state also passed a bill requiring the largest AI developers to lay out plans to limit potential catastrophic risks stemming from their AI models. In North Dakota, a new law would prevent people from using AI-powered robots to stalk or harass others, while Arkansas bars AI content from infringing on intellectual property rights or existing copyright. Oregon brought in a law prohibiting a "non-human entity" including one powered by AI from using licenced medical titles, such as registered nurse.  (Ed note: Anyone else see a problem with putting all the power of AI in the hands of one man or government?)   (Read More)

ISRAEL HUMILIATED: Forced to Pay Billions for Gaza Cleanup as Arabs Refuse

Jerusalem succumbs to US pressure, agreeing to foot the bill for clearing 68 million tons of debris, while Qatar compares Israel to Russia and declares: "We won’t sign the check."

A new report reveals a significant diplomatic and financial blow to Israel, as the US Administration has successfully pressured Jerusalem into accepting full responsibility for the physical and financial clearing of debris in Gaza, a move flatly rejected by Arab nations.

The "Check" Israel Must Write: While the US demanded Israel pay for the cleanup, the Prime Minister of Qatarpublicly humiliated Israel in an interview with Tucker Carlson. Comparing Israel to Russia, he declared, "Just as Moscow is expected to repair Ukraine, Israel must rebuild Gaza," adding that Qatar "will not sign checks to repair what someone else destroyed." The following day? Washington handed the order, and Israel capitulated.

The Cost of Destruction: 

*The Agreement: According to a senior political official, Israel has capitulated to American demands to fund and execute the removal of debris, starting with Rafah.
*The Scale: The debris is estimated at 68 million tons, equivalent to the weight of 186 Empire State Buildings.
*The Price Tag: The immediate cost for the Rafah pilot is hundreds of millions of shekels, with the total project estimated at billions.
*Turkish Troops: The US is aggressively pushing to include Turkish soldiers in the International Stabilization Force (ISF). Israel views this as a "red line" (yehareg v'al ya'avor), yet Trump’s envoy is pushing for it.
*Hostile Envoy: Trump’s special envoy, Tom Barrack, is viewed by Jerusalem as a "hostile element." He recently insulted Israel at a forum in Doha, suggesting that "benevolent monarchies" work better in the Middle East than Israel's democray.

Rebuilding Before Disarming? Israeli officials fear the US is prioritizing the "vision of reconstruction" to create a success story in Rafah, rather than ensuring the disarmament of Hamas. Israel has conditioned the move to "Phase 2" on the return of the body of soldier Ran Goili, but fears the US will force them to proceed regardless.

Trump’s "Legendary" Council President Trump announced he will unveil a "Peace Council" in early 2026 to oversee Gaza, composed of "Kings, Presidents, and Prime Ministers," further internationalizing the management of the strip. (Source)

Report: Israel agreed to US demand to pay for massive Gaza rubble-clearing operation

The US demanded this week from Israel that it pay for the clearing of rubble from the Gaza Strip, and to be responsible for the massive engineering operation, Ynet reports, citing a senior Israeli official. Israel agreed to the request, according to the report, which will cost up to one billion shekels. The Prime Minister’s Office does not respond to requests for comment. According to The Wall Street Journal, there are 68 million tons of debris in Gaza, according to the UN Development Program.

Earlier this week, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Abdulrahman Al Thani said on Sunday that his country will not foot the bill for rebuilding Gaza. “We are not the ones who are going to write the check to rebuild what others destroyed,” Al Thani said during an onstage interview at the Doha Forum, an annual diplomatic conference. “When you are talking about Gaza, Israel flattened this land.”

According to the Ynet report, US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next week to try to convince Israel to more on rebuilding and less on how to disarm Hamas. Netanyahu has been saying in private conversations that the task will ultimately fall on Israeli forces, according to the official.   (Source) 

White House Confirms Secret "Quiet Planning" for Gaza Phase Two, Leaving Israel in the Dark

The White House confirmed "quiet planning" for Phase Two of the Gaza agreement, including a multinational force, even as Israel expresses concern about being excluded from details and insists on the return of the final missing hostage.

White House Spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt addressed reporters today, Thursday, confirming that the US is actively engaged in advanced political planning for "Phase Two" of the Gaza agreement, intended to pave the way for a resolution and rehabilitation of the Strip.

Leavitt clarified the status of the previously captured individuals, stating, "All living hostages have been returned, and all but one of the bodies have also been returned, and we are of course still working to bring back the last one," referring to the captive soldier, Ran Gvili.

Regarding the next steps in the peace process, Leavitt confirmed that the US is engaged in what she called "quiet planning" for Phase Two. She explained that the details of the transition, which include establishing a "Peace Council," an International Stabilization Force (ISF), and a Palestinian technocratic government, are being handled with extreme discretion. (Read More)

The Cairo paradox: Why Israel must re-evaluate the strategic logic of the Leviathan deal

For Jerusalem to sign a $35 billion economic bailout while its security demands regarding the border remain unmet is a failure of statecraft.

In the coming days, the Israeli government is expected to ratify the largest export agreement in its history: a $35 billion expansion of natural-gas supplies to Egypt from the Leviathan reservoir. Framed by proponents in Israel and the United States as a masterstroke of regional integration, the deal is predicated on a neoliberal theory of “instrumental interdependence”—the belief that binding Cairo’s economic survival to Israeli resources will purchase stability on the southern border.

However, an analysis of the current geopolitical landscape suggests this policy is decoupled from reality. While the Israeli Ministry of Energy finalizes pipelines, the Ministry of Defense is grappling with a security vacuum in the Sinai that has allowed nearly 900 drone infiltration incidents in just three months. Simultaneously, the diplomatic veneer has cracked, with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi publicly labeling Israel an “enemy” at the recent Doha summit. By rushing to approve this accord without stringent security conditionality, Israel risks subsidizing a regime that is increasingly hostile in rhetoric and ineffective in border governance.

The urgency behind this deal is driven by Egypt’s acute energy crisis, not Israel’s economic necessity. The collapse of Egypt’s Zohr gas field—plagued by water infiltration and mismanagement—has turned a would-be energy hub into a desperate importer, forcing the el-Sisi regime to implement rolling blackouts that threaten domestic stability.

...For Israel to sign a $35 billion economic bailout while its security demands regarding the border remain unmet is a failure of statecraft. It signals that Israel is willing to function as a utility provider to a neighbor that permits its territory to serve as a launchpad for attrition warfare. (Ed note: Great article, a must read.)  (Read More)

Iran's Araghchi to visit Beirut after Lebanese foreign minister declines trip to Tehran

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will travel to Beirut for talks following a formal invitation from Lebanon’s FM, after the latter declined to visit Tehran due to "current conditions."

Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said on Thursday he would travel to Beirut for talks after receiving a formal invitation from his Lebanese counterpart, who a day earlier had declined to visit Tehran for direct talks. On Wednesday, Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raji said "current conditions" prevented him from traveling to Tehran, but stressed that the move did not mean rejection of dialogue with Iran.

Raji told Reuters late on Wednesday that he had invited Araghchi "in a formal diplomatic letter to come to Beirut to hold talks. Araghchi said on X/Twitter that he would "gladly accept the invitation to come to Beirut," although he said he found Raji's position "bemusing." He said foreign ministers of countries with "full diplomatic relations" did not need a neutral venue to meet.

"Subjected to Israeli occupation and blatant 'ceasefire' violations, I fully understand why my esteemed Lebanese counterpart is not prepared to visit Tehran," Araghchi added. Raji said on Wednesday that Lebanon was ready to open a new phase of relations with Iran based on mutual respect, sovereignty, and non-interference. He added that no strong state could be built unless the government held the exclusive right to bear arms, in an apparent reference to calls to disarm Hezbollah, the Iran-aligned Lebanese terror group.   (Source)

IDF says it struck Hezbollah training facility, other sites in south Lebanon

Lebanese state media says about a dozen sites targeted, including some north of the Litani River, in latest IDF strikes; no casualties reported.

The Israel Defense Forces said Friday that it carried out a wave of airstrikes in southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah sites, including a training facility used by the terror group’s elite Radwan Force. It marked the second time in the past week that the IDF has struck Hezbollah sites in Lebanon. According to the military, the Radwan Force “training and qualification compound” was used by the terror group to plan and advance attacks against Israel.

In addition, the IDF said it struck other Hezbollah sites in several areas of southern Lebanon. “Holding military drills and establishing terror infrastructure for activity against Israel constitute a violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon and a threat to the State of Israel,” the military said.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that the “heavy raids” on Friday hit around a dozen locations, including some north of the Litani River, which runs about 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the border with Israel. There were no reports of casualties in the strikes. On Tuesday, the IDF said it struck a separate Radwan training site in southern Lebanon, along with other Hezbollah sites. (Read More)

Speaker Johnson ‘The Bible is clear: Judea and Samaria are the Land of Israel’

Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.), speaker of the House of Representatives, told visiting Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan in Washington this week that “Judea and Samaria are the Land of Israel,” Dagan’s office stated on Thursday. “I visited Samaria—both as a member of Congress before becoming speaker, and again last summer as speaker with a small group of colleagues,” Johnson told Dagan, according to a Hebrew readout the Samaria Regional Council provided to JNS on Thursday.

“The Bible is clear: Judea and Samaria are the Land of Israel. I do not understand why we debate this anew every single day,” Johnson said, adding, “The people of Israel know who stands with them in this moment of crisis. They recognize it, and they value it.”

During their meeting, Dagan presented Johnson with copper artwork depicting biblical sites in northern Samaria, including Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus (Shechem), Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, and ancient pillars of Samaria (Sebastia), the capital of the Kingdom of Israel. “We are fighting together for justice. Judea and Samaria are justice, and they are security. No nation on earth has a connection to its homeland as deep as the Jewish people have to the Land of Israel—especially to Judea and Samaria, the land of the Bible,” Dagan told the speaker. (Read More)

Hamas source to ToI: We’ll hold talks on disarming, but we can’t be forced to give up guns

In rare engagement with Israeli media, source in terror group argues weapons are used to ‘liberate’ Palestinians from Israeli rule, and therefore can’t be ceded until statehood secured.

DOHA, Qatar — A Hamas source told The Times of Israel on Sunday that the group will only agree to give up its weapons through negotiations that result in the establishment of a Palestinian state. “This cannot be done by force or ultimatums. Israel used all of its military might for two years [to try and disarm Hamas], and it didn’t work,” the Hamas source said in a rare engagement with an Israeli media outlet.

The ability of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan to advance past its first phase largely hinges on Hamas agreeing to disarm, with Israel pledging to resume the war if the Palestinian terror group doesn’t agree to give up its weapons willingly. Hamas’s readiness to discuss the issue may be a break from its long-standing insistence that disarmament demands are a nonstarter, but the steep conditions that the Hamas source set for progress are sure to further complicate Washington’s efforts to sustain the ceasefire in Gaza.

Hamas has managed to reassert its dominance in the near-half of the Strip from which the IDF has withdrawn since the Trump plan’s phase one truce and hostage release deal was inked on October 9. (Read More)

Not in time for Christmas: Trump delays Gaza peace board unveiling to early 2026

US officials hoped president could announce transition to 2nd phase of peace plan before end of year, but insistence on having foreign force disarm Hamas is likely deterring potential partners.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he will announce the members of the Board of Peace overseeing the postwar management of Gaza early next year, in the latest sign the effort is stalling. Last week, US officials told The Times of Israel that Washington was aiming to announce a transition to phase two of Trump’s Gaza peace deal and the members of the various bodies involved by Christmas.

But conversations are still in their initial stages regarding phase two and Hamas’s disarmament, which Israel says is a prerequisite for the reconstruction of Gaza in addition to the return of the last deceased hostage. The US has also yet to convince any country to join the International Stabilization Force that will be needed to replace Israeli forces in the eastern half of Gaza that Israel still controls.

As the two-week deadline US officials gave to reporters on December 4 for announcing the phase two transition approaches, a reporter in the White House asked Trump when he would announce the makeup of the Board of Peace. “We’ll do it early next year,” Trump responded, all but shutting down speculation that an announcement will be made earlier. He reiterated that the board will be headed by him and made up of many world leaders who have expressed interest in joining. So far, none of those people have come forward.  (Read More)

Israel and US clash over Turkish troop deployment in Gaza

A senior Israeli source told i24NEWS on Tuesday, “The foot of a Turkish soldier will not set foot in Gaza.

Tensions are rising between Israel and the United States over Turkey’s push to send forces to Gaza as part of the International Stabilization Force (ISF), i24NEWS has learned. While Washington appears open to Ankara’s request, Israeli officials are reportedly taking a firm stance against any Turkish military presence in the territory.

A senior Israeli source told i24NEWS on Tuesday, “The foot of a Turkish soldier will not set foot in Gaza.” The warning comes amid heightened political sensitivity in Israel, given President Erdogan’s past ties to senior Hamas figures and the visibility of the issue in an election year. The dispute follows Ankara’s announcement that it has finalized preparations to deploy troops to Gaza. Turkey has played a prominent role in the first phase of the Gaza agreement, including efforts to secure the return of hostages from Hamas.

Israel has communicated its position directly to senior U.S. officials, including Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, and President Trump, signaling that any Turkish presence in Gaza is unacceptable. In response, U.S. officials emphasized that the ISF will be a multinational force operating under the Board of Peace. “The United States is assessing needs and working to partner with countries capable of supporting and implementing the 20-point plan,” a spokesperson said, echoing remarks by President Trump on Truth Social about upcoming announcements. (Source)

Lindsey Graham: Saudi Crown Prince Won’t Recognize Israel Without ‘Better Deal for Palestinians’

Lindsey Graham says Saudis will need positives for Palestinians in order to join the Abraham Accords. That, he says, is the new future, rather than Hamas and Hezbollah.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) warned on Wednesday that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will not move forward with normalization with Israel unless he can secure “an outcome better for the Palestinians,” saying his political survival depends on it. Speaking at The Jerusalem Post’s Washington Conference, Graham said bluntly, “MBS is not going to recognize Israel until he gets an outcome better for the Palestinians, or he will get killed. That is the truth.”

Graham, one of the key US lawmakers involved in back-channel efforts between Washington, Riyadh, and Jerusalem, said any American-led package must visibly improve the Palestinian situation without rewarding Hamas or undermining Israel’s security. “I am not asking Israel to reward terrorism,” he said. “I am asking Israel to be open-minded to end the conflict… where Israel is secure and MBS can move his region forward.”

He argued that the region had been “this close” to a breakthrough before Hamas’s October 7 massacre and the two years of war that followed. Hamas, he said, deliberately filmed the atrocities to sabotage the Saudi track: “They wanted you to look. They wanted to harden hearts in Israel and turn the Arab world against any deal.” Graham insisted that no Saudi-Israel agreement is possible without dismantling Iran’s proxy networks. “Hamas needs to go. Hezbollah needs to be disarmed,” he said, dismissing the idea that an international stabilization force could disarm Hamas. “You’ll find a unicorn quicker. Only Israel can do it.” (Read More)

US envoy Barrack: Syria uninterested in aggression, Israel must seize the moment - interview

“After October 7, Israel doesn’t trust anyone,” Barrack declared. “That’s why we’ve offered to serve as a peacekeeping force. Verification replaces trust.”

In an exclusive interview at The Jerusalem PostWashington conference on Wednesday, US Ambassador to Turkey and Trump's envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, laid out a sweeping vision for the Middle East, emphasizing the roles of Syria, Turkey, and Israel. Much of Barrack’s mission revolves around Syria, where he has been leading US efforts to broker a security and border arrangement between Jerusalem and Damascus. "I thought we were much closer until I read the Israeli press," he said. "Look, we're going to get there."

According to him, the talks have produced cautious but significant progress. Barrack described Syria as fundamentally disinterested in aggression toward Israel, consumed instead by threats from ISIS, the remnants of foreign fighters, and Iranian proxies. He revealed that with help from Turkish intelligence, the US and Syria have jointly taken out nine Hezbollah cells and several ISIS cells in recent weeks.

“Syria joining the anti-ISIS coalition was unthinkable not long ago,” he said. He added that he believes that a return to a variation of the 1974 disengagement structure, updated with modern mechanisms, is entirely feasible. (Ed note: Keep one eye on Barrack, and the other on what he says.) (Read More)

U.S. Seizes Cuba-Bound Oil Tanker Off Venezuelan Coast

President Donald Trump on Wednesday afternoon announced that the United States has seized an oil tanker bound for Cuba as it was sailing off the coast of Venezuela.

“We’ve just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela. Large tanker, very large. Largest one ever seized in action. And, other things are happening. So, you’ll be seeing that later. And you’ll be talking about that later with some other people,” Trump told reporters at the White House. Trump said the tanker was seized “for a very good reason,” but provided no further details. Asked what would happen to the ship’s cargo of oil, he replied, “Well, we keep it, I guess.” A U.S. official said the seizure was “led by the Coast Guard and supported by the U.S Navy.”

Another official told the New York Times that the oil tanker is named “Skipper” and was “carrying a false flag of nationality” at the time it was seized. “It was seized because of its past links to smuggling illicit Iranian oil, not because of ties to the Maduro regime, although it was carrying Venezuelan oil. A federal judge authorized a seizure warrant for the tanker roughly two weeks ago,” the official said.

UK-based maritime risk company Vanguard confirmed on Wednesday there is an oil tanker named Skipper that was sanctioned by the United States for allegedly being involved with the illegal trade of Iranian oil under another name, “Adisa. An unnamed source told Politico that “the ship was en route to Cuba, where the state firm Cubametales was planning to sell it to Asian energy brokers.” Due to U.S. sanctions, most of Venezuela’s oil product is sold to China.  (Read More)

Israel approves construction of 764 houses in three West Bank settlements

Israel on Wednesday gave the go-ahead for the construction of 764 more houses in three settlements in the West Bank. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced that the Higher Planning Council, the Defense Ministry body in charge of settlement construction plans in the West Bank, approved 478, 230, and 56 housing units in the Hashmonaim, Beitar Illit, and Givat Ze’ev, respectively.

Smotrich, who oversees civilian affairs in the West Bank, called the council’s decision part of a “clear strategic move to strengthen settlement and ensure continuity of life, security and growth.” Wednesday’s decision puts the total of housing units approved in the West Bank since Smotrich assumed his post at 51,370, he said in the statement.

The settlements are thought by most of the international community to be illegal under international law. Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesperson for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, condemned the move, saying the approval was part of a settlement policy that “aims to ignite the region” and “drag it into a cycle of violence and war.” He demanded that the Trump administration pressure Israel to stop settlement expansion “in order to ensure the success of President Trump’s efforts and endeavors to stop the war and achieve stability in the region.”

The decision comes less than a month after plans were announced to seizeparts of a major West Bank archaeological site. In August, Israeli authorities approved construction on the controversial E1 settlement project in the territory that would effectively cut it in two. The government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has come under heavy criticism from Palestinians and rights groups for accelerating settlement expansion in the West Bank, which they say is aimed at preventing the establishment of a future Palestinian state there. (Read More)

Qatar, Turkey Try to Circumvent Hamas Disarmament as Terror Group Escalates Crackdown in Gaza

As the United States pushes for the second phase of President Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire to begin, Israel is warning that Qatar and Turkey are trying to shield Hamas from disarmament as the Palestinian terrorist group seeks to reassert control over the war-torn enclave.

Qatar and Turkey have proposed alternatives to a central provision of Trump’s peace plan, according to Israeli media reports. Rather than requiring Hamas to disarm, Qatari and Turkish officials have pushed for the Islamist group either to hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority or place them in secure storage under international oversight. As part of this plan, Qatar and Turkey are reportedly advocating a two‑year grace period during which Hamas could legally retain its weapons.

However, Israeli officials have rejected these options as unacceptable, arguing they would allow the terrorist group to maintain its influence in Gaza, which Hamas has ruled for nearly two decades. Israel has made clear it will allow Hamas just a few months to give up its weapons, warning it will act unilaterally if the group is not disarmed promptly. Turkey and Qatar, both longtime backers of Hamas, have been trying to expand their roles in Gaza’s post-war reconstruction, which experts have warned could potentially strengthen Hamas’s terrorist infrastructure. Israeli officials have repeatedly rejected any Turkish or Qatari involvement in post-war Gaza.

The first stage of Trump’s peace plan, which took effect in October, included Hamas releasing all the remaining hostages, both living and deceased, who were kidnapped by Hamas-led Palestinian terrorists during their Oct. 7, 2023, invasion of and massacre across southern Israel. In exchange, Israel released thousands of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, including many convicted terrorists serving life sentences, and partially withdrew its military forces in Gaza to a newly drawn “Yellow Line,” roughly dividing the enclave between east and west. (Read More)

Israel can ease tensions with Qatar, but only if Doha stops supporting Hamas - opinion

A trilateral meeting of the United States, Israel, and Qatar was held Sunday as part of an American initiative to jumpstart a process aimed at easing tensions between Doha and Jerusalem, against the backdrop of efforts to advance Phase B of President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza. The meeting was attended by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Mossad director David Barnea, and a senior Qatari official.

Following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s apology in September, Qatar is seeking to solidify its image as a constructive mediator and launder its reputation despite its ongoing support for terrorism. This comes amid statements from Doha declaring that “Qatar will not take part in funding the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip,” arguing that “we will not sign the checks that rebuild what someone else destroyed.” 

Beyond strengthening their already elevated international standing – bolstered significantly by their central role in Trump’s “points plan” – the Qataris are keen to further tighten their ties with Washington, which grants them extensive security benefits, including a defense agreement anchored in a presidential order. If the process of rapprochement progresses and such meetings continue, 

Israel must make it clear that any advancement depends on concrete steps from Doha. Every move toward improved relations with Qatar must be conditioned on the cessation of all support for Hamas – direct or indirect – and on a complete halt to any promotion of interests aligned with the organization’s goals. Only under these terms can Israel ensure that any emerging diplomatic dynamic serves its strategic interests rather than granting further legitimacy to actions that endanger it and destabilize the region. (Read More)

US official to ‘Post’: International Stabilization Force to be deployed at beginning of 2026

The International Stabilization Force (ISF) will be deployed in the Gaza Strip at the beginning of 2026, a US official told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday night. The official noted that the ISF will initially include only personnel from one or two countries, with more countries potentially joining in the future.

The ISF “will not be deployed in areas controlled by Hamas in the Gaza Strip," the official added. Ambassador Danny Danon insisted last month that the ISF must play an active role in disarming Hamas. However, Danon admitted at the time that it was "complicated" to envision when such a force would come into effect. “What interests us now is seeing whether this force can stabilize the situation and strip Hamas of its weapons,” he explained. “That’s the immediate objective.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made similar comments last month, expressing uncertainty on when the ISF would launch its operations. He noted that many countries were reluctant to enter the Gaza Strip, despite vocalizing support for a ceasefire. While the US official did not disclose the countries that will be involved in the ISF, the source's comments came after Turkish security sources told their country's media that they were ready and waiting to be deployed. "We have no problem with the troops being sent to Gaza to join the ISF. The Americans also very much want us there, while Israel opposes it. The Americans are pressuring Israel to have Turkish troops [as part of the force]," sources were cited as saying. (Source)  

Jerusalem legalizes six Samaria communities in move hailed as ‘historic’

All six established towns, some dating to the early 1990s, with hundreds of residents, have received retroactive authorization.

The Binyamin Regional Council in Samaria on Tuesday announced the “historic” official legalization of six former outposts by the government. Ahiya, Harasha, Migron, Nofei Prat, Adei Ad and Shvut Rachel have been “fully regularized and recognized as official towns” by Israel’s Interior Ministry, the council, which administers communities in southern Samaria, said in a Hebrew-language statement.

“Following years of struggle, effort and challenges, these towns are now formally recognized, with ‘settlement symbols’ and full recognition by the State of Israel,” it said. “This is a significant achievement, especially for the young settlement, which has maintained faith and determination over the years, despite harsh weather conditions and many obstacles.”

Binyamin Regional Council leader Israel Ganz thanked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who also oversees civilian issues in Judea and Samaria as part of his secondary role as a minister in the Defense Ministry. “We continue building and settling with full strength!” Ganz concluded. Ahiya, Adei Ad, Nofei Prat received Israeli Cabinet approvalin May, while Harasha, Migron and Shvut Rachel are neighborhoods of existing communities that were split off by a March 22 Cabinet decision. (Read More)

Truckloads of armed men spotted riding near IDF troops near Syria border - report

IDF soldiers operating in the area of Khan Arnaba in southwestern Syria fired at armed individuals riding pickup trucks passing near troops, Israeli media reported on Tuesday afternoon. "Several suspects approached the troops and posed a threat, prompting the forces to begin a suspect-arrest procedure that included firing into the air to push them back," Israel public broadcaster KAN News reported, citing the IDF.

"When the suspects did not move away, the troops fired at two of them, causing the group to disperse." Three civilians were reportedly injured by the IDF's "distancing fire" and have since received medical treatment, according to Syrian media. Earlier on Tuesday, the Prime Minister's Office noted in a post to X/Twitter that US mediation between Israel and Syria led to a meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the United Nations General Assembly in September, though "no agreements and understandings with Syria were reached." 

The statement also addressed a Monday report in Saudi outlet Asharq al-Awsat claiming that Netanyahu refused to sign a security agreement with Syria, calling the motion "absolute fake news." (Source)

Israel to reopen Allenby Crossing with Jordan for first time since deadly Sept. 18 terror attack

Israel was set to reopen the Allenby Crossing with Jordan on Wednesday for the first time since a Jordanian Armed Forces contractor murdered two Israeli soldiers stationed on the border in a Sept. 18 terrorist attack. An Israeli security official told Hebrew media that Jerusalem’s political echelon ordered the crossing reopened for the passage of goods and humanitarian aid after “necessary security adjustments” were implemented on both sides of the border.

“Security screening and inspection procedures for Jordanian drivers and the contents of the trucks have been tightened and dedicated security forces have been assigned to guard the crossing,” the official said. The official emphasized that aid trucks will be transferred to the Gaza Strip “under escort and security after thorough security inspection.” On Sept. 18, a civilian hired by the Jordanian Armed Forces to transport aid to the Gaza Strip carried out a combined shooting and stabbing attack while waiting for his truck to be inspected by Israeli troops.

The Israel Defense Forces identified the victims as Sgt. Oran Hershko, 20, a liaison officer in the army’s international cooperation unit, and Lt. Col. (res.) Yitzhak Harosh, 68, an officer in the Civil Administration’s Unit 309. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir advised the political echelon to halt deliveries of humanitarian aid from Jordan following the attack. Jerusalem’s Foreign Ministry in an X post blamed the terrorist attack on “vile incitement in Jordan,” adding that the two IDF soldiers were killed as a result of Amman’s incessant “echoing of Hamas’s campaign of lies.” (Read More)

Women now comprise third of IDF's career officers

Exclusive data reveals nine percent jump in female officers over five years, though senior command positions remain heavily male-dominated.

Women's representation in IDF career positions (permanent military service beyond mandatory conscription) has climbed seven percentage points over five years. As of 2024, women comprise one-third of all career soldiers, according to exclusive data obtained by Israel Hayom that Brig. Gen. Ela Shido Shachter, the gender affairs advisor to the chief of staff (the IDF's senior official responsible for gender integration policy), will present on Monday before the Knesset.

The data reveals that female officers in the IDF have surged by nine percentage points over the past five years, with women now accounting for 36% of the officer corps. Female non-commissioned officers have similarly increased by five percentage points over five years, with women now representing 31% of all IDF NCOs.

Moreover, despite an acute manpower crisis and the voluntary departure of hundreds of career personnel, soldiers are returning to service. The data shows nearly half of the 1,386 career personnel who rejoined the military are women. Statistics spanning 2019-2024 demonstrate steady growth in women's representation across mid-level officer ranks, though substantial gaps persist at senior levels.

Among second lieutenants and lieutenants, women's share rose from 41% in 2019 to 44% in 2024, while the captain rank saw an increase from 29% to 34%. More substantial advances occurred at the major rank, from 27% in 2019 to 33% in 2024, with the lieutenant colonel rank experiencing the sharpest jump, from 18% to 23%.

Senior ranks tell a different story: Women's representation in the colonel rank climbed from nine percent to 14%, yet at the brigadier general level, it declined from eight percent in 2019 to merely five percent in 2024. At the major general rank, after one woman held this position in 2021 (7%), the number has remained negligible, hovering between 7 and 8% in recent years. (Source)

Trump’s Gaza peace plan faces pitfalls in attempt to shift to its second phase

Impasses remain in key points, such as Hamas disarmament, postwar governance of the Strip, funding reconstruction, and a path to Palestinian statehood.

With the remains of one hostage still in Gaza, the first phase of the US-brokered ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas is nearly complete, after a two-month process plagued by delays and finger-pointing. Now, the key players — including Israel, the Palestinian terror group Hamas, the United States, and a diverse list of international parties — are to move to a far more complicated second phase that could reshape the Middle East.

US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan — which was approved by the UN Security Council — lays out an ambitious vision for ending Hamas’s rule of Gaza. If successful, it would see the rebuilding of a demilitarized Gaza under international supervision, normalized relations between Israel and the Arab world, and a possible pathway to Palestinian independence. 

But if the deal stalls, Gaza could be trapped in an unstable limbo for years to come, with the Hamas terror group remaining in control of parts of the territory, Israel’s army enforcing an open-ended occupation, and its residents stuck homeless, unemployed, unable to travel abroad and dependent on international aid to stay alive. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the prime minister of Qatar and a key mediator, said over the weekend that the ceasefire is at a critical point, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to travel to the White House this month to discuss the next steps. (Read More)

Turkish troops ready for Gaza ISF, US pressuring Israel to allow it, security sources say - report

Turkish officials say they are ready to join the Gaza stabilization force, calling Israel’s resistance politically motivated and insisting their participation is essential to the ceasefire.

The Turkish military is ready to send troops to the Gaza Strip as part of the International Stabilization Force (ISF), Turkish security sources cited across Turkish media claimed on Tuesday. "We have no problem with the troops being sent to Gaza to join the ISF. The Americans also very much want us there, while Israel opposes it. The Americans are pressuring Israel to have Turkish troops [as part of the force]," sources were cited as saying.

Turkish security sources affirmed that as a guarantor of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, and as a signatory to the peace process, they "must be there." "Our forces are ready. We have prepared all the necessary units. The moment the order is given, we will immediately form a modular unit," the sources were cited as saying.

"You cannot say that 'Turkish troops cannot come' when it is clear that Turkey is one of the countries that worked the hardest to establish the ceasefire and coordinated the exchange [of hostages for Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons]," the sources added. "If you say 'Turkish troops cannot come,' then you do not want this mission [the ceasefire process and the ISF] to succeed. You intend to continue to genocide," they accused.

On Saturday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan spoke to Reuters on the sidelines of the Doha Forum, saying that not advancing the US-backed Gaza ceasefire plan to the next stage would be a "huge failure" for the world and Washington. (Ed note: Always remember that President Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey has two dreams, destroying Isarel, and rebuilding the Ottoman Empire.)  (Read More)