‘We want Hamas out’: Gazans protest against terror group
(JNS) — Social media footage published on Wednesday, including by Israel’s Foreign Ministry, showed mass protests against Hamas in northern Gaza, with people holding up signs and chanting, “Hamas out,” “We want to live” and “Listen, listen, all people. Beit Lahia is not Hamas,” referring to the city in the northern Strip.
The demonstrators were also seen carrying Egyptian flags, apparently showing support for Cairo’s mediation efforts toward a ceasefire agreement and hostage deal.
These protests have continued sporadically for several weeks, featuring curses and calls against the terror organization. Hamas has attempted to suppress the demonstrations through threats and executions, but without success.
IDF jet accidentally drops bomb near kibbutz
(JNS) — An Israeli fighter jet on the way to the Gaza Strip inadvertently dropped one of its bombs on an open field near Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak in the northwestern Negev on Tuesday evening.
The bomb exploded, but there were no casualties or damage as it landed in an unpopulated agricultural area.
“A short while ago, munitions dropped from a fighter jet during an attack in the Gaza Strip fell in an open area in the Nir Yitzhak area as a result of a technical malfunction,” according to the IDF Spokesperson.
Kibbutz members heard the explosion but initially assumed it was the launch of an Iron Dome interceptor.
Islamic Jihad releases proof of life of hostage Rom Braslavski
(JNS) — The Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist group on Wednesday released a proof-of-life video of Israeli hostage Rom Braslavski, who has been held captive by the terrorist organization since Oct. 7, 2023.
In the video, the 21-year-old Braslavski addresses the Israeli government, pleading to be returned home. He also makes a direct appeal to U.S. President Donald Trump, specifically reminding the president of his promise to bring all the hostages home.
The video marks the first recorded proof of life from Rom in the 558 days since his capture. The off-duty soldier, a resident of Jerusalem, was abducted from the Nova music festival near Kibbutz Re’im, where he was working as a security guard.
Braslavski’s cousin, Adam Hajj, told Israel’s Kan broadcaster a day after Braslavki’s birthday in December that “he stayed behind to save people” at the festival during the Hamas-led terrorist assault.
Although his face was blurred in the released footage, he can be identified by certain distinguishing features.
Hamas said to reject Israeli ceasefire proposal
(JNS) — Hamas has rejected an Israeli ceasefire proposal that would have required it to disarm, according to a report on Tuesday.
The proposal also called for a six-week ceasefire which would have included restarting the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip, halted by Israel in early March, according to the report.
In return, Hamas was to have released half the remaining live captives in the first week of the ceasefire. Fifty-nine hostages remain in captivity in Gaza, of whom 24 are believed to be alive.
Israel’s proposal was submitted days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. President Donald Trump, according to the BBC.
Hamas at the beginning of April rejected another truce offer, proposing a 50-day halt in hostilities and a step-by-step process for exchanging Israeli hostages and Palestinian security prisoners.
