The US is Limiting Israel Actions
Likud minister contradicts Netanyahu, Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter, said that Israel’s freedom of action in Lebanon is limited by US considerations, as “the American echelon has linked the Lebanese issue to the Iranian one. We are constrained in Lebanon because of our American partner.” He added that while this limitation is “first and foremost difficult for those living in northern Israel,” it is a strategic necessity. “The number one interest is removing the Iranian nuclear threat, and the US is a partner we cannot go against.” (Israel was restricted in its retaliation to Hamas heinous attack of terror on the 7th of October 2023, now in Lebanon. Israel must look for its own interests first!)
Israel is demanding that the United States set a firm deadline for diplomatic talks with the Lebanese government, limiting it to a strict two-to-three-week period. Jerusalem argues that Hezbollah’s continued attacks – including the launching of attack drones, firing toward IDF forces, and northern communities. At present, IDF troops in southern Lebanon are operating under significant operational constraints imposed by the political leadership.
“Lag BaOmer Sameach”
(Happy Lag BaOmer)
Food for Thought: by Steven Shamrak
Antisemitism is still deeply embedded in the mentality of the Western governments. They allow unbalanced, clearly biased and anti-Israel reporting by the Western media, which inflames anti-Semitism. Most significantly, they do not allow Israel to defeat its enemies. Some of them – France, Spain, Ireland – are openly anti-Israel, others have been pretending that they are ‘friends’, but blackmail Jewish state by withholding military, economic, and political support in the UN Security Council. If Israel was allowed to defend itself the Middle East conflict would have ended a long time ago!
Zionism is the Jewish
National Independence Movement.
‘Peaceful’ Arabs Produce Weapons in Nablus
Israeli forces found an illegal weapons manufacturing site in Nablus, and a slew of illegal firearms, including an M16 rifle, a pistol, and a shotgun. One man was arrested. Border Police found and destroyed seven explosive devices in the village of Arana, which were intended to be used against Israeli security force.
Former Prime Ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid may have united in the new “Together” joint list, but tensions reportedly remain behind the scenes. Just days before the announcement that the two would run together Bennett told associates in meetings that he was extremely sceptical of the merger, saying that “Lapid is toxic, toxic, toxic.” He also expressed concern that running together with Lapid would alienate the right-wing voters he is seeking to court.
The ‘Ugly Nazi’ is still Barking
An analysis of more than 1,100 statements by UN Secretary-General António Guterres finds Israel receives more frequent, more negative attention than Iran, China, Russia, North Korea, and Qatar, both in the volume of his statements and in their tone, even though his role requires fairness and neutrality toward all countries. These included statements delivered to journalists or published on the UN website.
After the OPEC exit, UAE deepens the US, Israel ties and warns against Iran’s role in Hormuz. A top UAE adviser said freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz depends on the international community, not ‘Iranian arrangements’. The war with Iran has given the UAE an opportunity to step out of the shadow of its larger neighbour Saudi Arabia and to assert its ambitions as a regional power. (It has been clear for a while that the UAE is more interested in business than politics.)
Two cargo ships docked at the Ashdod and Haifa ports delivered 6,500 tons of munitions and military equipment. Since the launch of “Operation Roaring Lion” on Feb. 28, Israel has received over 115,600 tons of military equipment in 403 airlifts and 10 sealifts. “Our job is to ensure the IDF has everything it needs to return to fighting at full force against our enemies, at any time and in any place,” said Defense Minister Israel Katz.
Where are Hamas Leaders Moving?
Hamas leaders have been evicted from its luxury and protected home in Qatar without anyone noticing. Qatar is pulling its investment in the terror group. Doha will no longer play the role of host and negotiator, and most of Hamas’ leadership has already departed the country. Hamas is looking for a new home, both metaphorically and literally. A place for them may be opening up in Ankara, with Turkey offering sanctuary in exchange for more regional influence, all this under the umbrella of Trump’s Gaza Board of Peace. (Why is Turkey still a member of NATO?)
Arabs in Israel – the 5th Column
In recent years, a significant number of Arab citizens of Israel have sworn loyalty to ISIS. Police arrested a 20-year-old, Mohammad Abd al-Ghani, a resident of Nahf in the Galilee, who pledged allegiance to the ISIS. He attempted to purchase a handgun, and was planning an attack against IDF soldiers in the city of Karmiel.
‘Ugly Nazi’ Selected Iran as VP at NPT Conference
Iran selected for a vice presidency post at UN’s nuclear non-proliferation (NPT) confab. Different groups nominated 34 conference vice presidents. Iran was picked by “the group of non-aligned and other states.” US envoy Christopher Yeaw told conference that Tehran’s selection is an ‘affront’ to the NPT.
Iran now holds about 11 tons of uranium at varying enrichment levels. If further processed, it could be sufficient to produce up to 100 nuclear weapons. While a smaller portion of the stockpile is enriched close to weapons-grade, lower-enriched uranium can be further refined.
Quote of the Week:
“We are in a historic war, and this is a generation of heroism. Battalion and brigade commanders-there have been nothing like it since the 1948 generation. Hezbollah draws its strength from Iran. We have struck Iran severely. Regarding threats along our borders, we have changed our approach. We will not tolerate attacks and fire on our communities, and we will not leave until long-term security for the northern communities is ensured.” – The Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir, spoke with battalion commanders operating in Lebanon.
Defeat Hamas Now
Compiled by Steven Shamrak
Trump’s plan for a technocratic government and Hamas’s disarmament has stalled, leaving the enclave divided, devastated, and still largely controlled by a weakened but entrenched Hamas.
Senior officials in the Israel Defense Forces General Staff are pushing for a renewal of military operations in the Gaza Strip, arguing that “the best time to Defeat Hamas is now.”
Despite the war ending in October 2025, Hamas was not defeated and continues to strengthen its control over the territory while rearming itself. The sources stated that Hamas continues manufacturing weapons, including rockets, explosive devices, and anti-tank missiles intended for attacks against Israel and IDF forces.
Over the past several weeks, the IDF has intensified strikes and expanded targeted operations against militants, with nearly 100 operatives reportedly killed. In addition, the so-called “Yellow Line” has been pushed farther west, increasing Israeli control in Gaza from 53% to approximately 59% of the territory.
The mission defined at the beginning of the war – preventing Hamas from ruling Gaza – has still not been completed. Hamas refused to implement the second phase of the ceasefire agreement and begin a process of disarmament.
Two million Gazans, crowded into 47% of the territory, are living among rubble, with nearly 100% unemployment and poverty, and remain dependent on outside aid. Only a few thousand members of Israel-backed militias and their families live in the Israeli-controlled part of the territory. (There are many better places available in the Arab/Muslim countries to move Hamas supporting Gazans to.)
Israel’s security cabinet is discussing the possibility of reviving the fighting in Gaza. Israel is looking to see concrete steps taken toward the disarmament of Hamas. (And, hopefully free it from the enemies!)
Read previous Editorials here.