Deciphering The Trump-Netanyahu Meeting & What Happens Next

Deciphering The Trump-Netanyahu Meeting & What Happens Next

ALEX TRAIMAN

In a pre-New Year's meeting at Mar-a-Lago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump demonstrated that when it comes to U.S.-Israel relations, there is little daylight and total admiration between the two allies. This factor holds particularly true regarding the nations' policies toward Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas.

Key differences remain. And that is not only normal but obvious, due to the extremely divergent strategic positions of the world's strongest superpower situated between two oceans, and a Jewish state roughly the size of New Jersey in a neighborhood surrounded by Islamic radicals.

The meeting could not have come at a more important juncture for Israel. Phase 1 of a three-month-old ceasefire brokered by Washington--and based on key provisions proffered by Jerusalem--has proven itself to be a stunning initial success. That Phase 2 will prove to be as successful is less likely.

At the start of the ceasefire in October, all 20 remaining living Israeli hostages returned to Israel, one of its top war priorities. Nearly every dead body killed and taken by Hamas has been returned as well.

This removed the most valuable asset Hamas had as leverage. The hostages served as the ultimate human shields for the leaders of the terrorist organization and were the basis of psychological warfare against the Israeli population. Repatriating the hostages similarly removed the central pillar of the Israeli opposition's political campaign against the prime minister, and their own hedge that Netanyahu would fail to "bring them home."

Only the body of Israel Border Police Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, 24, remains in captivity. His family was on hand at Mar-a-Lago, demonstrating how important it is to both the president and the prime minister to recover the remains of the last of the 255 captives.

Hamas disarmament

After a partial IDF withdrawal with the signing of the ceasefire agreement, Israel remains in control of 53% of Gaza. Israel Defense Forces remain positioned in the entire eastern half of the Strip, plus large buffer zones along Gaza's entire northern and southern borders.

Most importantly, Hamas committed to fully disarm as part of the ceasefire, and the Palestinian enclave is to be demilitarized.

Before arriving in Florida, reports circulated with claims that Trump would push Israel to further withdraw from the half of Gaza it currently controls, even while Hamas clings to its weapons and remains in power over the residents. A withdrawal, the reports claimed, would facilitate the vision of Trump's son-in-law and former adviser Jared Kushner to rebuild Gaza as a modern, technologically advanced, terror-free, free-trade enclave.

Yet, Trump made clear in his remarks to the press following the meeting that, as part of the ceasefire agreement, Hamas had committed to disarming. And he insisted that they must disarm before any talk of further Israeli withdrawals.

As to the connection between Hamas disarmament and Israeli withdrawals, Trump stated: "Israel withdrawing its forces? Well, that's a separate subject we'll talk about."

Further, the president insisted that Israel has met all of its obligations as part of the ceasefire, negating claims by its detractors that it was violating the terms of the deal by striking at terrorists who attacked at IDF positions along a newly created Yellow (Israeli deployment) Line.

"I'm not concerned about anything that Israel's doing. I'm concerned about what other people are doing or maybe aren't doing, but I'm not concerned. They've lived up to the plan," Trump said, further emphasizing, "I know Israel's lived up to the plan 100 percent."

It is likely there will be an agreed-upon timeline between Netanyahu and Trump for Hamas to comply with its obligations. After the end of that period, Israel will likely be given a greenlight to finish the job--this time without the threat that Hamas would kill hostages.

Recall that Trump gave Iran a timeline to negotiate a deal to resolve the looming nuclear enrichment crisis. Toward the end of the negotiation period, Trump intimated that Iran would have 60 days to reach an agreement. On day 61, Israel initiated "Operation Rising Lion, the opening salvo of what Trump later termed the 12-day war in mid-June.

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Internal Hamas Documents Reveal Preparations for New Massacres and Multi-Front Coordination

Internal Hamas Documents Reveal Preparations for New Massacres and Multi-Front Coordination

Aviel Schneider

An internal military document of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades was found on social media and exposed by the organization Ad Kan and the group Reservists Generation of Victory. Gilad Ach, chairman of Ad Kan, said the document summarized the militant group’s “two years of combat experience and future objectives.”

According to Ach, the material shows that Hamas continues to possess operational communication, organizational capacity, and weapons capabilities and is prepared to fight again.

Contents of the Hamas document

According to Ach, the document describes the beginning of the current war as “the glorious day of the crossing,” claiming that Israel was “paralyzed.” The authors argued, according to the document, that although not all objectives were achieved in the initial attack, it should nevertheless be considered a success.

Regarding future plans, Ach said the document outlines a coordinated scenario for a multi-front attack. “They claim that if they succeeded in quickly overrunning southern Israel with 3,000 Nukhba fighters and an additional 6,000 non-affiliated fighters, they would next time do so simultaneously from Gaza, Judea and Samaria, and Lebanon,” he said. “According to their words, this would guarantee Israel’s destruction.”

Regarding future plans, Ach said the document outlines a coordinated scenario for a multi-front attack. “They claim that if they succeeded in quickly overrunning southern Israel with 3,000 Nukhba fighters and an additional 6,000 non-affiliated fighters, they would next time do so simultaneously from Gaza, Judea and Samaria, and Lebanon,” he said. “According to their words, this would guarantee Israel’s destruction.”

Perception of the international situation and underground control

Ach also pointed to statements by former hostages who reported the existence of a “vast underground city” beneath Gaza—featuring tunnels, multi-level rooms, and command-and-control centers that allegedly operate even in areas officially under the control of the Israel Defense Forces.

The document also reportedly cites a “political achievement” in having succeeded in generating international pressure on Israel, leading to Israel being perceived in parts of the Western world—particularly in Europe—as a “pariah state,” resulting in boycotts and diplomatic isolation, Ach said.

Summarizing the document’s conclusions, Ach warned that it challenges assumptions about the outcome of the war. “A picture emerges in which many believed the war was over and Hamas decisively defeated, but the objectives were not achieved,” he said. “The threat to the communities around the Gaza Strip has not been eliminated, Hamas has not been destroyed, and the next October 7 could already be on the doorstep. This appears to be just another round. Hamas remains in place, and after several years of recovery—rebuilding tunnels and smuggling weapons—it will be ready again. Its objective remains unchanged, and its ideology has not been eradicated.”

EU Lawmaker Questions Western Involvement in Attack on Putin's Residence

EU Lawmaker Questions Western Involvement in Attack on Putin's Residence

Sputnik

After Ukraine's attack on the residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, questions arise about Western countries' involvement in such operations, European Parliament lawmaker from Luxembourg Fernand Kartheiser told Sputnik.

Such an action was "ill-considered" because "it could lead to adverse consequences for Ukraine both in relation to Russian military objectives and for its reputation at the international level," Kartheiser said.

"Secondly, the question arises whether any Western state or Western structures helped Ukraine in carrying out such an operation, for example, by providing flight coordinates. The answer to this question could sow discord in the camp of Ukraine's allies," Kartheiser said.

On Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that overnight from December 28 to 29, Kiev had launched an attack on the Russian presidential residence in Russia's Novgorod Region using 91 drones.

Defense Minister's warning: 'Prepare for a 10/7-style attack in Judea and Samaria'

Defense Minister's warning: 'Prepare for a 10/7-style attack in Judea and Samaria'

Israel National News

Defense Minister Israel Katz said sustained IDF operations cut terror by over 80%, ordering preparations for possible October 7-style attacks in Judea and Samaria.

Minister of Defense Israel Katz visited the Judea and Samaria Division on Wednesday and stressed that the operations in the Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur a-Shams camps over the past year were effective, leading to a decrease of more than 80% in terrorist activities in Judea and Samaria.

He noted that lessons must be learned from it, that expanding the model to additional camps should be examined, and that action should be taken decisively and on an ongoing basis.

The minister also emphasized that just as the IDF operated in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza, it will do so in Judea and Samaria: the IDF will remain on the ground and will serve as a clear buffer between the population and terrorist elements to prevent their growth and to stop terror attacks.

Katz instructed to continue advancing the plan to transfer IDF bases to northern Samaria and said that "it is a historical rectification of both defensive and settlement importance, and that the return to northern Samaria strengthens security and stability in the area."

The Minister concluded and ordered the commanders to "prepare to respond to a possible October 7th-style attack on communities in Judea and Samaria and along the seamline."

Russian Troops Strike Energy Facilities Used by Ukraine's Military-Industrial Complex in Past Day

Russian Troops Strike Energy Facilities Used by Ukraine's Military-Industrial Complex in Past Day

Sputnik

Russian forces have hit energy facilities used in the interests of the Ukrainian defense industry, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

"Operational-tactical aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, missile forces and artillery of groups of the armed forces of Russia have damaged energy facilities used in the interests of the Ukrainian defense industry, a fuel depot, temporary deployment points of Ukrainian armed formations, nationalists and foreign mercenaries in 144 areas," the ministry said in a statement.

Russia's Zapad battlegroup repelled three attacks of Ukrainian troops attempting to break into Kupyansk, up to 30 Ukrainian soldiers were eliminated

Russia's Tsentr battlegroup has eliminated up to 500 Ukrainian soldiers, a 155 mm Paladin self-propelled artillery system made in the United States and an electronic warfare station

Russia's Vostok battlegroup has eliminated up to 190 Ukrainian soldiers, while Russia's Yug battlegroup has eliminated more than 210 Ukrainian servicepeople 

Russia's Sever battlegroup has eliminated up to 210 Ukrainian servicepeople, the Zapad battlegroup has eliminated up to 190 Ukrainian soldiers, while the Dnepr battlegroup has eliminated over 50 Ukrainian military personnel