Israel News for 3-5-2025
News Update
Mediators have informed Israel that Hamas is refusing to show flexibility or discuss the framework proposed by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. Instead, Hamas insists on proceeding with the second phase of the deal and accuses Israel of violating the agreement. Israeli officials are still hopeful that Hamas will change course just before the IDF resumes fighting.
Under Witkoff’s proposal, half of the remaining hostages — both living and dead — would be released on the first day of the agreement. The second half would be freed at the deal’s conclusion, contingent on an agreement for a permanent cease-fire. Israel has cut off all humanitarian aid and cut off water and electricity to Gaza, to pressure Hamas.
The U.S. officially rejected an Egyptian plan, adopted by the Arab League, for postwar Gaza. White House National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes said, “The current proposal does not address the reality that Gaza is currently uninhabitable, and residents cannot humanely live in a territory covered in debris and unexploded ordnance. President Trump stands by his vision to rebuild Gaza free from Hamas.” [In his speech before Congress yesterday, Trump said that great things were going to happen in the Middle East, but he didn’t give details.]
Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir was formally appointed by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz as the IDF’s 24th chief of staff. After receiving his new rank, Zamir visited the Western Wall and met with President Isaac Herzog before heading to the national memorial hall to lay a wreath in honor of fallen soldiers. In his acceptance speech Zamir said, “Hamas has not yet been defeated. This is a war for survival. We will continue the campaign to bring our hostages home and to achieve decisive victory. The mission before me is clear: to lead the IDF to victory.” To the families of the hostages, he said, “Their faces are before me at every moment. Our moral duty is clear—to bring them all home, by every possible means, and as quickly as possible.”
