News Update
The bodies of Oded Lifshitz and brothers Ariel and Kfir Bibas were positively identified by forensics. All three were confirmed to have been murdered in captivity. The IDF said, “We can say with certainty that they were murdered in a brutal manner, a fact supported by intelligence.” Al-Mujahedeen, an extremist Salafi group, held the Bibas family, and their murder took place in November 2023.
The fourth body returned was confirmed NOT to be that of Shiri Bibas or any other Israeli hostage. Prime Minister Netanyahu condemned Hamas for the despicable act of sending the body of a Palestinian woman instead of Shiri’s, who’s fate remains unknown.
Netanyahu said, “The State of Israel bows its head in mourning for two small children, innocent babies, brothers—Ariel and Kfir Bibas—and for Oded Lifshitz, one of the founders of Kibbutz Nir Oz. All three were brutally murdered in Hamas captivity during the first weeks of the war. The cruelty of Hamas monsters knows no bounds.” Israel is considering retaliatory measures against Hamas.
Adam Boehler, President Trump’s envoy for hostage affairs, called Hamas’s actions “horrific” and a “clear violation” of the cease-fire. He said, “If I were them, I’d release everybody or they are going to face total annihilation.”
Six living hostages are scheduled to be released on Saturday. They are: Tal Shoham, Omer Wankrat, Omer Shem Tov, Avera Mengistu, Hisham al-Sayed, and Eliya Cohen. The bodies of four more hostage are planned to be handed over next week, which will mark the end of the first phase of the agreement with Hamas.
Terrorists affiliated with Hamas in the West Bank blew up 3 buses in 2 locations in Bat Yam and Holon yesterday, using timer-based explosive devices. Thankfully, the buses were empty, thanks to an alert passenger who noticed a suspicious bag on one of the buses and told the driver, who drove the bus to a terminal, called police, and evacuated the area. One of the bombs had “revenge from Tulkarm” inscribed on it. Two more unexploded devices were discovered on buses in Holon. Today, the Shin Bet arrested three suspects for allegedly assisting in planting the bombs. Two of the suspects are reportedly Jewish Israelis. The IDF has deployed 3 additional battalions to the West Bank.
The Air Force, last night, struck several crossings along the Syria-Lebanon border which were being used by Hezbollah to transfer weapons into Lebanon, in violation of the ceasefire agreement.
Egypt is reportedly working on a two-stage plan for a post-war Gaza that it hopes to present to President Trump as an alternative to Trump’s proposal. The first stage of the plan is expected to last 10 years and focus on reconstruction, development and infrastructure projects, while preparing for a broader long-term solution to the Palestinian issue.
It envisions a redistribution of residential areas, reducing population density in northern Gaza and establishing low-population “safe zones” near Israeli border communities. It also includes restrictions on Palestinian armed factions, aiming to monitor but not completely disarm them. According to sources, Egypt proposes designated weapons storage sites in Gaza, to be overseen by European and Egyptian monitors.
To manage local security and governance disputes, Egypt intends to establish an Arab-led committee, which would function as an extension of the existing Egyptian-Qatari committee overseeing the return of displaced Gazans to the north. Additionally, the continued operation of an American security firm currently active in the area is envisioned, though limited to three key contact points between Gaza and Israel. The second stage of the plan would move toward establishing a Palestinian state.
Other Arab leaders are reportedly developing a $20 billion plan as a Trump plan alternative. Arab leaders are meeting in Saudi Arabia today. Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff defended Trump’s plan, clarifying that the relocation of Gaza’s residents was meant to provoke discussion rather than promote forced displacement.
