Israel News Friday Jan 16

Day 833

- IDF spokesman: The IDF is prepared and ready at all times, across a broad range of capabilities.”

-Trump is sending a clear message to Hamas: …”Demilitarization Agreement with Hamas, including the surrender of ALL weapons, and the dismantling of EVERY tunnel. Hamas must IMMEDIATELY honor its commitments, including the return of the final body to Israel, and proceed without delay to full Demilitarization. As I have said before, they can do this the easy way, or the hard way. The people of Gaza have suffered long enough. The time is NOW.”

- Trump post:  As Steve Witkoff announced, we have OFFICIALLY entered the next phase of Gaza’s 20-Point Peace Plan!

Since the Ceasefire, my team has helped deliver RECORD LEVELS of Humanitarian Aid to Gaza, reaching Civilians at HISTORIC speed and scale. Even the United Nations has acknowledged this achievement as UNPRECEDENTED. These results have set the stage for this next phase.

 

As Chairman of the Board of Peace, I am backing a newly appointed Palestinian Technocratic Government, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, supported by the Board's High Representative, to govern Gaza during its transition. These Palestinian leaders are unwaveringly committed to a PEACEFUL future!

 

With the support of Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar, we will secure a COMPREHENSIVE Demilitarization Agreement with Hamas, including the surrender of ALL weapons, and the dismantling of EVERY tunnel. Hamas must IMMEDIATELY honor its commitments, including the return of the final body to Israel, and proceed without delay to full Demilitarization. As I have said before, they can do this the easy way, or the hard way. The people of Gaza have suffered long enough. The time is NOW.

PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH

- The Israel Defense Forces carried out strikes across the Gaza Strip on Thursday against Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists the security bodies confirmed, in response to what they describe as a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire agreement earlier this week, during which gunmen exchanged fire with troops in western Rafah.

- Israeli Defense Minister Katz: The New York Times claimed this week that satellite images show Israel is still destroying Gaza. "I commend the IDF soldiers for their activity. When the Prime Minister and I instructed the IDF: "To the last tunnel" - that is exactly what we meant."

-Mossad Director David Barnea has arrived in the United States for consultations on Iran, including its violent crackdown on protests and the possibility of an American military response, according to Axios

- The Israel Defense Forces says it has increased readiness along all of Israel’s borders in recent weeks as it closely monitors regional developments amid rising tensions with Iran. IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said the military is fully prepared on a broad scale, both defensively and offensively, and is maintaining heightened alertness across all fronts.

- A senior officer in Hamas’s armed wing was killed in an Israeli strike in Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, Hamas said accusing Israel of violating the truce, with reports indicating that at least five other people were killed in the incident.