Israel in talks with Trump administration to delay IDF exit from Lebanon
(JNS) — Michael Herzog, the outgoing Israeli ambassador to the United States, confirmed on Thursday that Jerusalem was in talks with Washington to delay the Israel Defense Forces withdrawal from Southern Lebanon.
“We are holding discussions with the Trump administration to extend the Sunday date to withdraw from Lebanon,” the diplomat told Israel’s Army Radio, speaking on his last day as ambassador. “I believe we will reach an understanding,” he added.
Under the terms of the agreement with Beirut, Israel is to gradually redeploy from the country by Jan. 26 as the Lebanese Armed Forces and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon take responsibility for ensuring that Hezbollah remains disarmed south of the Litani River.
However, concerns have been growing in Jerusalem about whether the Lebanese Armed Forces can fulfill its obligation to clamp down on Hezbollah’s presence in the south. The IDF remains engaged in frequent operations in the area.
Israel has asked the U.S. for an additional 30 days to complete the withdrawal from Lebanon.
Citing sources familiar with the ongoing talks, the reports noted that American and French officials were discussing the issue with their Israeli and Lebanese counterparts.
Number of wounded in Tel Aviv attack rises to six, including US tourist
(JNS) — Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center’s Ichilov Hospital announced on Wednesday that two additional victims of the previous night’s terrorist attack in the city had been admitted, with minor injuries. This brings the total number of injured to six, three of whom have already been discharged, according to the hospital.
The terrorist stabbed six people, all of whom were hospitalized, with one in serious condition and the others sustaining light to moderate injuries, Ichilov spokesperson Elsa Kuperman told JNS on Thursday. She added that the seriously injured individual underwent neck surgery and is now recovering well.
Among the victims was an American tourist, who was attacked after the terrorist had already stabbed four Israelis, according to Ynet.
One of the Israeli victims was an IDF officer who had previously lost his right arm fighting Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The terrorist was ultimately neutralized by two soldiers from the Israel Defense Forces’ elite Shaldag unit, who had been nearby and heard the American tourist’s cries for help. The attacker, identified as 29-year-old Kaddi Abdelaziz, was a Moroccan national with permanent U.S. residency who had entered Israel three days before the attack.
Report: IDF was aware of ‘unusual’ Hamas activity hours before Oct. 7 attack
(JNS) — The Israel Defense Forces detected preparations for Hamas rocket fire and other “unusual activity” in the Gaza Strip on the eve of the Oct. 7, 2023 cross-border massacre but decided not to raise the alert level, according to intelligence documents cited by Ynet on Thursday.
The decision not to brace for a possible assault was made by “wide consensus” across the Military Intelligence Directorate and the broader army, according to the report. This was part of an attempt to avoid burning sources, amid other “calming indications” suggesting that Hamas was merely preparing an exercise.
The information was reportedly included in official records seen by top government and security officials and presented in their arguments in favor of the resignation of IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi.
Israel demands Arbel Yehud be among next wave of hostages released
(JNS) — Israel is insisting that 29-year-old Arbel Yehud be among the second group of hostages released by Hamas as part of the ceasefire agreement with the terrorist group, according to Hebrew media reports.
Three civilian women were released after the ceasefire went into effect on Sunday.
Yehud was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz on Oct. 7, 2023, and is reportedly being held in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, by a Salafi group affiliated with Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The deal prioritizes the release of living female civilians, and Israel insists on strict adherence to its terms.
Under the agreement, Hamas is expected to provide the names of the four female hostages to be freed by Friday, a day before their scheduled release.
Yehud’s brother Dolev was murdered on Oct. 7, and her partner and some of her relatives abducted. Some have since been freed. A space exploration enthusiast, Yehud previously worked as an instructor on the subject in the Eshkol Regional Council.
Yehud is among seven remaining female hostages from the original list of 33 to be released in the first phase of the ceasefire, including civilian Shiri Silberman Bibas and five soldiers: Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Agam Berger, Danielle Gilboa and Naama Levy.
For each soldier released, Israel is to release 50 Palestinian prisoners, including convicted terrorists.
Hamas accused of diverting aid as over 2,400 trucks enter Gaza
(JNS) — Despite over 2,400 aid trucks having entered the Gaza Strip since the Israel-Hamas ceasefire on Sunday, Gaza residents say the aid is not reaching them and are accusing Hamas of diverting it and selling it, Hebrew media reported on Thursday.
“We don’t see any aid or goods at reasonable prices. Why?” lamented one resident, according to Channel 12 News. Another said, “Hamas steals the aid and sells it to merchants, who then set exorbitant prices at the expense of our entire people.”
The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that 897 aid trucks entered Gaza on Tuesday alone, following 630 on Sunday and 915 on Monday.
The ceasefire agreement mandates the daily entry of at least 600 aid trucks, including 50 carrying fuel, with half destined for northern Gaza.
Jenin terror leader Zakaria Zubeidi to be released to Judea and Samaria
(JNS) — Zakaria Zubeidi, a former Fatah Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades commander in Jenin, is set to be released on Saturday in exchange for four Israeli hostages held in Gaza, Ynet reported on Thursday.
The Israel Defense Forces has warned that any involvement in terrorism or possession of weapons post-release will make him a target.
Zubeidi, arrested in 2019 for shooting attacks and known for his 2021 Gilboa Prison escape, holds symbolic significance in the northern Samaria city. He was recaptured five days after his prison break.
Since he was not convicted of murder but of other terror offenses, he will not be deported abroad and is expected to be released back to Judea and Samaria.
The Fatah terror leader’s son, Mohammed Zubeidi, was among six people killed in an Israeli drone strike in Tubas in northeastern Samaria in September.
His anticipated release coincides with the IDF’s “Operation Iron Wall” targeting Jenin’s terror infrastructure. The operation includes air strikes, ground raids and controlled civilian movements to minimize harm to noncombatants.
Four Israelis kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, including Arbel Yehud and three female soldiers, are slated to be released on Saturday as part of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire that will see 33 captives freed over the course of 42 days.
Three civilian women were released after the ceasefire went into effect on Sunday.
