On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel would be taking complete military control of the Gaza Strip.
Pointing out that the only current alternative to Israeli military control is Hamas control of the strip, and that Hamas retains dozens of Israeli hostages, Netanyahu explained, &#8220;We are going to take control of all the areas of the Gaza Strip. That is what we are going to do.&#8221;
As part of the operation to defeat Hamas, Netanyahu also explained his government&#8217;s decision to provide what he called &#8220;minimal, basic&#8221; aid to civilians in Gaza during the operation: &#8220;We must not reach a state of starvation, both from a practical and a political perspective. The world will not support us; we will not be able to complete the mission of victory.&#8221;
The method to be implemented, Netanyahu stated, was formulated alongside the United States: &#8220;The method is the establishment of distribution points that are secured by the IDF, preventing Hamas&#8217; access, and allowing American companies to distribute the food and medicine aid to the population.&#8221;
Acknowledging that many members of his government disagreed with his decision surrounding humanitarian aid, Netanyahu continued, &#8220;You need leadership to do the right thing that allows us to achieve victory. Because it is not popular. Because people do not understand all the considerations. But my responsibility is to lead this war in a way that we achieve victory and even if it sometimes requires making decisions that the public does not understand, and that ministers deny — by the way, privately many agree but they are under pressure, I understand that.&#8221;
Asked about the freeing of the hostages, Netanyahu said that the defeat of Hamas was a necessary precondition to the freeing of the hostages.

ISRAEL-PALESTINIAN-CONFLICT-ANNIVERSARY

Netanyahu: We Will Take Control Of Gaza, Provide Aid

Benjamin Netanyahu

Gaza

Hamas

Israel

Former President Joe Biden is suffering from an “aggressive” form of cancer. Hamas says it is ready to resume talks after massive strikes by Israel, and, as the UK struggles with the effects of mass migration, Britain’s liberal prime minister makes a major reversal.
It’s Monday, May 19, and this is the news you need to know to start your day.
Morning Wire is available on video! You can watch today’s episode here:
 
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<h2>Biden Reveals Cancer Diagnosis Amid Bombshell Reports Of Cognitive Decline</h2>
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Topline: On Sunday, former President Joe Biden’s staff announced that the 82-year-old had been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer on the heels of renewed public interest in his physical and mental decline.
A Biden spokesman revealed that an exam last month found a small nodule on his prostate, and further examination revealed it to be an “aggressive” form of cancer and that it has spread to his bones. Prostate cancer that has metastasized to the bones has a <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/prostate-cancer/prostate-cancer-spread-to-bones#outlook">~33%</a> 5-year survival rate, and the <a href="https://corporate.dukehealth.org/news/where-prostate-cancer-spreads-body-affects-survival-time">median life expectancy</a> after diagnosis is 21 months. The one silver lining is that it appears to be “hormone-sensitive,” making it more treatable.
After former President Biden dropped out of the race last summer, Democrat leaders made a concerted effort to shift their focus away from the president and toward Kamala Harris and other prominent, younger lawmakers. But a new book from Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson offers explosive details of “President Biden’s decline, its cover-up and his disastrous choice to run again.” The revelations have set Washington ablaze and brought the former president’s decline back into the national conversation.
Remember: The White House spent four years condemning anyone who questioned his cognitive fitness, labeling videos of his mental missteps “cheap fakes” and essentially gaslighting those who said he seemed off. 
According to numerous administration and campaign officials, both on and off the record, Biden’s physical deterioration was so severe that some of his closest advisers believed he would need to use a wheelchair if re-elected. While Biden’s staff routinely assured the American people that behind closed doors, he was running laps around his staff, numerous officials now say that due to his old age, he was limited to a six-hour work window, typically from 10 am to 4 pm, with time often scheduled for naps.
As this new evidence has come to light, Democratic leaders have come out on the record saying Biden never should have run for re-election and that his mental state was clearly compromised. But it’s important to note how different that message is from what we heard from them when he was actually in power:
<blockquote>Former Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas: The most difficult part about a meeting with Joe Biden is preparing for it. Because he is sharp, intensely probing and detail oriented and focused.
Former Attorney General Merrick Garland: “I have watched him expertly guide meetings of staff and cabinet members. I could not have more confidence in the president.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY): “It&#8217;s as good as it&#8217;s been over the years I&#8217;ve been, he&#8217;s fine. All this right-wing propaganda that his mental acuity has declined is wrong.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker (D): “He is on the ball. The man knows more than most of us have forgotten.”</blockquote>
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<h2>Israel Launches New Offensive; Hamas Returns To Diplomatic Talks</h2>
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Topline:  Israel forces Hamas back to the bargaining table after a new ground offensive.
In a new operation, <a href="https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408548">called</a> Operation Gideon’s Chariots, Israeli troops moved into portions of northern and southern Gaza while the air force launched hundreds of strikes against terrorists. Israel’s objectives have been the same since the war began: to free the hostages and destroy Hamas. Over the weekend, Israel made measurable progress toward both of those goals. According to a Hamas spokesman, the terror group decided to return to the negotiating table without preconditions. 
An Israeli official <a href="https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408546">told</a> Israel’s I24 News that talks in Qatar are “intense” but still short of a “breakthrough.” While officials are more optimistic than last week, it’s still unclear if a deal can be reached.” One possible agreement, proposed by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, would secure the release of 10 hostages.  Israeli officials believe 23 of the October 7 hostages that remain in Hamas’ custody are still alive, although there are concerns that three of them are in critical condition. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has said he is willing to end the war altogether, but only if Hamas surrenders and Gaza is disarmed. The Israeli official said the delegation in Qatar “won&#8217;t be there forever. If there won&#8217;t be progress shortly, we will progress in the fighting.”
Over the weekend, Israeli planes carried out at least 670 strikes against Hamas terror targets. Dozens of terrorists are <a href="https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408532">reportedly</a> dead, and one of those might have been Hamas’ head of military operations, Mohammed Sinwar – the brother of Yahya Sinwar, who led Hamas until Israeli forces killed him in October.
New documents have also shed light on what inspired the October 7 terror attack on Israel that began this war. <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/hamas-wanted-to-torpedo-israel-saudi-deal-with-oct-7-attacks-documents-reveal-a70ec560">The Wall Street Journal</a> got a peek at the minutes of an October 2, 2023, meeting of Hamas’s political leadership, which show that this attack that had been years in the making, was launched less than a week later to disrupt Israeli-Saudi relations. Israel and Saudi Arabia were close to normalizing relations under the Abraham Accords from President Donald Trump’s first term. According to the minutes, Yahya Sinwar was concerned that normalizing relations between the Saudis and Israelis would “open the door for the majority of Arab and Islamic countries to follow the same path.” So – with Iran’s approval – Hamas launched the attack to “bring about … a strategic shift in the paths and balances of the region with regard to the Palestinian cause.”
In his second term, President Trump has continued to try to bring Israel and Saudi Arabia together. In his recent visit to the Middle East, the president said, “It&#8217;s my fervent hope, wish, and even my dream that Saudi Arabia, a place I have such respect for… will soon be joining the Abraham Accords.”
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<h2>UK&#8217;s Left-Wing Prime Minister Makes An About-Face On Immigration</h2>
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Topline: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has made a landmark speech in which he attacked mass migration and said his government would significantly reduce it.
At a press conference unveiling his government’s new policy, Prime Minister Starmer said that he wanted to “take back control of our borders,” calling the previous era of mass immigration “squalid.” He blamed the previous Conservative government for the significant increase in immigration since 2021, which saw net migration quadruple. In 2023, migration was more than 1 million, which is nearly the same size as Birmingham, the second-largest city in the country. Starner called this a “one-nation experiment in open borders,” warning that Britain risked becoming an “island of strangers.” 
“When you have an immigration system that seems designed to permit abuse, bring in lower paid workers, sold by politicians on a false premise, then you are not championing growth or justice!” Starmer said. “You&#8217;re actually contributing to the forces that are slowly pulling our country apart.”
Although he praised diversity and described migration as part of “Britain’s story,” Starmer said that immigrants should commit to integrating, including learning English. He also extended the period required to apply for permanent settlement from five years to 10.
“That will reassure a lot of people who were worried that the millions of low-skilled immigrants who have come here in the last few years would soon be eligible for settlement, at which point they could fully access the welfare state,” Guy Dampier of the Prosperity Institute told The Daily Wire. “Immigration policy in Britain has been dominated for the last few decades by the idea that immigration was good for the economy and that it was only illegal immigration which was the problem. So this is a major rhetorical shift.”
The ideological pivot provoked outrage within the Labour Party’s left-wing base – many party activists resigned, and some sitting members of parliament condemned their party leader’s speech. However, <a href="https://migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/briefings/uk-public-opinion-toward-immigration-overall-attitudes-and-level-of-concern/">polling</a> indicates that public support for reducing immigration is quite high.
“In a lot of ways the Prime Minister is reflecting the mood of the country, rather than driving it,” Dampier told The Daily Wire. “And which the anti-immigration Reform party (led by Nigel Farage) did very well in. So some people think this is an attempt to win back voters and stem the collapse in popularity. For people on the right, this was something of a vindication. The Prime Minister said things they have argued for years.”

MorningWire-0428_V1-2

Morning Brief: Biden Health Revelations & Israel Lays Into Hamas

Joe Biden

Keir Starmer

Media

Morning Wire

Politics

United Kingdom

After having targeted Hamas strongholds with airstrikes over the last week, on Sunday, Israel Defense Forces launched a massive ground assault to eradicate the terrorist group Hamas from Gaza.
“IDF troops have begun extensive ground operations throughout northern and southern Gaza as part of Operation ‘Gideon&#8217;s Chariots,’” the IDF announced on Sunday. “Over the past week, the IAF conducted a preliminary wave of strikes, striking over 670 Hamas terror targets throughout Gaza to disrupt enemy preparations and support ground operations. The IAF continues to provide consistent support to operating troops in Gaza.”
“Thus far, the troops eliminated dozens of terrorists, dismantled terrorist infrastructure sites above and below ground, and are currently being deployed in key positions within Gaza,” the IDF continued. “The IDF will continue to operate against the terrorist organizations in Gaza as required, in order to defend Israeli civilians.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
𝐈𝐃𝐅 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐆𝐚𝐳𝐚 𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 “𝐆𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨𝐧’𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐭𝐬”
Over the past week, the IAF conducted a… <a href="https://t.co/3qZq1ngMfH">pic.twitter.com/3qZq1ngMfH</a>
&mdash; Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) <a href="https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1924096822760370614?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
“The heroism of IDF soldiers, the unity of the people and the determination of the political echelon increase the chance of the return of the hostages – as it was then and as it is now,” said Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz.
A Saudi news report has claimed that the bombing campaign by the IDF killed the current leader of Hamas, <a href="https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-788195">Mohammed Sinwar</a>, who took over after his brother Yahya, who orchestrated the October 7 massacre, was killed by the IDF, on May 13. “Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Sunday that, &#8220;according to all indications, Mohammed Sinwar was killed.&#8221; The Saudi channel Al-Hadath also reported that the body of the acting Hamas leader was found in a tunnel near the European Hospital in Khan Yunis, the southern Gaza Strip,” I24 <a href="https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel-at-war/artc-report-mohammed-sinwar-s-body-found-in-tunnel-near-rafah-crossing">reported</a>.
The new offensive will not stop until Israel has accomplished its aims of rescuing the hostages or having them returned, and until Hamas has been dismantled, military officials said.
While Israel tries to destroy Hamas, the terrorist group’s supporters march through streets protesting against a young Israel female singer, Yuval Raphael, performing at the Eurovision song contest. Raphael had to hide and play dead under bodies slaughtered by Hamas on October 7 to hide from being brutally murdered.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Right now, thousands are protesting in Basel—not against terror—but against Yuval Raphael, an Israeli survivor of Hamas’ massacre, for daring to sing about hope on the Eurovision stage.
Yes. That’s the enemy now: 24 y/o girl who lived through hell and chose music over hate. <a href="https://t.co/w6fjiX31bW">pic.twitter.com/w6fjiX31bW</a>
&mdash; Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) <a href="https://twitter.com/HenMazzig/status/1923816317645185195?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<a href="https://t.co/O0A6HfzFgF">pic.twitter.com/O0A6HfzFgF</a> Thousands of Muslims and their political allies flooded the streets of Switzerland — not to demand peace, not to condemn Hamas — but to protest Israel’s Eurovision contestant, Yuval Raphael, for the “crime” of surviving.
Yuval lived through the Nova Music…
&mdash; Liza Rosen (@LizaRosen0000) <a href="https://twitter.com/LizaRosen0000/status/1923880502215291381?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Meet <a href="https://twitter.com/YuvalRaphael_IL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@YuvalRaphael_IL</a> a Eurovision artist, survivor, and voice of resilience. After barely escaping a massacre, she’s turning her pain into power, sharing her trauma through the universal language of music. But for daring to be vulnerable, she’s being bullied. Silenced. Because… <a href="https://t.co/jZI6a7U6v4">pic.twitter.com/jZI6a7U6v4</a>
&mdash; Sarai (Sarah Idan) Miss Iraq (@RealSarahIdan) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealSarahIdan/status/1923778640409657869?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&nbsp;
Yet in the end, Raphael still was triumphantly voted second place:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
SECOND PLACE! 🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱
Thank you to each and every one of you for showing love and support.
Thank you to our incredible Yuval Raphael for making us proud and spreading her light.
We love you! Am Yisrael Chai ❤️🇮🇱
📸 EBU <a href="https://t.co/jdxE6AJI6N">pic.twitter.com/jdxE6AJI6N</a>
&mdash; Israel ישראל (@Israel) <a href="https://twitter.com/Israel/status/1923878249756606548?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/hamas-agrees-to-new-hostage-talks-after-israel-pummels-terror-group-in-new-offensive?topStoryPosition=undefined&amp;author=Tim+Pearce&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=1&amp;rowHeadline=Top+Stories&amp;rowType=Top+Stories&amp;title=Hamas+Agrees+To+New+Hostage+Talks+After+Israel+Pummels+Terror+Group+In+New+Offensive">Hamas Agrees To New Hostage Talks After Israel Pummels Terror Group In New Offensive</a>

Silhouette of soldiers with Israel flag against the sunset

IDF Starts Ground Offensive Into Gaza To Finish Off Hamas

October 7

Yahya Sinwar

Negotiations over hostages held by Hamas began again on Saturday between the terror group and Israel.
Talks renewed after a new offensive by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the Gaza Strip. Hamas official Taher al-Nono said that the latest negotiations have begun without “preconditions,” according to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hamas-confirms-new-gaza-ceasefire-talks-with-israel-qatar-saturday-2025-05-17/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reuters</a>.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed negotiators to stay in Qatar. An Israeli official said the prime minister has kept contact with Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff “in an effort to dissuade Hamas from its refusal and to advance a deal for the release of our hostages,” according to <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-hamas-say-gaza-talks-renewed-after-idf-initiates-major-new-offensive/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Times Of Israel</a>.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz suggested that the new round of talks is because of Israel’s latest offensive, which was announced on Saturday. Katz said that the terror group’s current stance on negotiations “is in contrast to the uncooperative position they had taken up until this moment,” according to <a href="https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-854313" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Jerusalem Post</a>.
Hamas last released a hostage on May 12. The terror group released the last living American citizen, Edan Alexander, from captivity after Alexander spent more than 18 months held hostage.
Israeli officials believe that the hostage group has as many as 23 hostages still alive. All but one of the hostages have been held by the terror group since October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists and Palestinians rushed across the border to Israel and attacked settlements and took hundreds captive.
Israel renewed its military campaign against Hamas on Saturday with airstrikes. It is unknown how many have been killed in the strikes. Hamas officials have claimed that more than 150 have died in the airstrikes, though the numbers are unreliable and Gaza Health Ministry data is <a href="https://www.thefp.com/p/why-we-shouldnt-trust-the-facts-coming" target="_blank" rel="noopener">suspected</a> of being inflated and doctored for propaganda purposes.
Katz said that the new offensive, dubbed Operation Gideon Chariots, is being led with “great force,” according to <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-hamas-gaza-military-offensive-food-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CBS News</a>.
“The heroism of IDF soldiers, the unity of the people and the determination of the political echelon increase the chance of the return of the hostages – as it was then and as it is now,” said Katz.
IDF spokesman Col. Avichai Adraee said the Israeli military is “expanding and increasing the bombing and pressure on Hamas throughout the Strip – from north to south, above and below ground, and even outside the Strip.”
The new offensive will not stop until Israel has accomplished its aims of rescuing the hostages or having them returned, and until Hamas has been dismantled, military officials said.

Gaza City

Hamas Agrees To New Hostage Talks After Israel Pummels Terror Group In New Offensive

Global Politics

Hostages

Israel Defense Forces (IDF)

World

<div>
A Pulitzer Prize administrator mocked a conservative journalist and member of its nominating jury for questioning why the group gave an award to an anti-Israel journalist who downplayed Hamas&#8217;s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
Eliana Johnson, editor-in-chief of the Washington Free Beacon, was invited this year to serve on the five-member jury for the Pulitzer Prize&#8217;s National Reporting award. But after the Pulitzer&#8217;s Commentary award went to Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha — who objected to the media describing an Israeli victim of  the October 7 massacre as a hostage — Johnson <a href="https://freebeacon.com/media/occasionally-we-misjudge/">had questions.</a>
As she wrote in the Free Beacon this week, Johnson asked Pulitzer Prize administrator Marjorie Miller several questions about the prize, most notably, whether or not &#8220;members of the Pulitzer board themselves aware of Abu Toha’s public statements?&#8221;
The statements in question had to do with Emily Damari, who was taken hostage at Kibbutz Kfar Aza on October 7 and held by Hamas for 471 days.
“How on earth is this girl called a hostage? (And this is the case of most ‘hostages’),” Abu Toha wrote just before the Pulitzer deliberations began. “This is Emily Damari, a 28 [year-old] UK-Israeli soldier that Hamas detailed [sic] on 10/7… So this girl is called a ‘hostage?’ This soldier who was close to the border with a city that she and her country have been occupying is called a ‘hostage.’”
“Imagine for a moment a Pulitzer going to an extremist Israeli settler poet who had minimized and mocked the suffering of civilians in Gaza; who put ‘Palestinian’ or ‘innocent civilian’ in quotation marks the way Abu Toha does ‘hostages,’&#8221; Johnson wrote. &#8220;You can’t, because it would never happen.”
In response to Johnson&#8217;s query, Miller — whose social media accounts are littered with pro-Kamala Harris and anti-Trump posts — delivered what Johnson called a &#8220;non-response response about the board’s commitment to recognizing &#8216;excellence in reporting.'&#8221;
Johnson then began querying other members of the Pulitzer committee, prompting Miller to allege that Johnson’s emails violated the confidentiality agreement she had signed upon joining the jury.
Miller ended her email by noting that, while jurors are selected “for their character, expertise and integrity…Unfortunately, we occasionally misjudge.”
</div>
<div>
“She and her colleagues have misjudged, starting with the minor issue of what the confidentiality agreement actually says,” Johnson noted.
“As part of providing my services to the Pulitzers, I agreed not to discuss deliberations over the National Reporting category, nor to reveal the finalists before the winner was announced,&#8221; Johnson wrote. &#8220;I did not agree to refrain from reporting on a separate category in which I had no role.
&#8220;The Pulitzer board’s position that any reporter who participates on one of its many juries is prohibited from doing any reporting about the organization itself—even when one of its awards has become an international news story—is preposterous.”
</div>
<div>
Other jurors on the board with Johnson included Zeba Khan, the founder of Muslims for Obama; Jon Allsop, who has accused the Israel Defense Forces of deliberately targeting journalists; and Julia Preston, who has stated that President Donald Trump is “an existential threat to our democracy.”
</div>
<div>
Damari slammed the Pulitzer board, saying they had rewarded a voice that denies truth, erases victims, and desecrates the memory of the murdered.
</div>
<div>
&#8220;How to use language is precisely a journalist’s job—and a poet’s, too,&#8221; Johnson noted. &#8220;It’s not outlandish, then, to believe that Abu Toha meant exactly what he said and said exactly what he meant: No mercy for the men, women, and babies Hamas kidnapped on Oct. 7.&#8221;
</div>

MixCollage-16-May-2025-11-56-AM-55

Pulitzer Prize Official Mocked Juror For Questioning An Anti-Israel Writer’s Award

Journalism

Palestinian

Pulitzer Prize

Washington Free Beacon

A young Israeli mother of three children was on her way to the hospital on Wednesday to deliver her fourth child with her husband when she was shot and killed by a Palestinian terrorist, leaving her baby boy, delivered by emergency Caesarean section, fighting for his life.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
TZE&#39;ELA GEZ, a nurse and a nine-month-pregnant mother of three, was murdered in a Jihadist terrorist shooting attack on Wednesday night AS SHE WAS IN LABOR TO DELIVER HER BABY.
Pray for her baby, a little boy fighting for his life after being delivered in an emergency C-section.… <a href="https://t.co/N3Ovh9yQ1j">pic.twitter.com/N3Ovh9yQ1j</a>
&mdash; Yishai Fleisher يشاي ישי פליישר 🕎 (@YishaiFleisher) <a href="https://twitter.com/YishaiFleisher/status/1922975574382747917?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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This is *Tze’ela Gez*, a 30-year-old mother, wife, daughter, friend and therapist. *A Jew*. 
Last night, Tze’ela went into labor, and on the way to the hospital with her husband, they were shot by Palestinian terrorists. Now, four children are left motherless, one of whom never… <a href="https://t.co/oqkYsWNnQj">pic.twitter.com/oqkYsWNnQj</a>
&mdash; Matthew Feinberg (@thewebbie) <a href="https://twitter.com/thewebbie/status/1922975671363469610?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Hamas praised the execution of Tzeela Gez &#8211; a pregnant Israeli mother gunned down on her way to give birth.
Her newborn is clinging to life.
This is what “heroism” looks like to Palestinians: murdering mothers and orphaning babies.
There are no words. <a href="https://t.co/MSaJHrqd75">pic.twitter.com/MSaJHrqd75</a>
&mdash; raz sauber &#8211; רז זאובר (@raz_sauber_) <a href="https://twitter.com/raz_sauber_/status/1922927244755787827?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Last night, Tze&#39;ela Gez and her husband were on their way to the delivery room when they were shot in a terrorist attack.
Their baby was delivered in emergency surgery and is now fighting for his life.⁰Her husband was wounded.
The terrorist opened fire on their car, shooting… <a href="https://t.co/7VQG2ZpGsV">pic.twitter.com/7VQG2ZpGsV</a>
&mdash; LTC Nadav Shoshani (@LTC_Shoshani) <a href="https://twitter.com/LTC_Shoshani/status/1922899854763708561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Heartbreaking morning 💔
Tzeela Gez was on her way to give birth to her fourth child last night when a terrorist opened fire near the community of Pduel, critically injuring her. This morning, she tragically succumbed to her injuries.
We pray for her baby, delivered via… <a href="https://t.co/8zchYSlZvF">pic.twitter.com/8zchYSlZvF</a>
&mdash; Israel ישראל (@Israel) <a href="https://twitter.com/Israel/status/1922891108545122807?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Tzeela Gez z&quot;l, a pregnant mother of three, was murdered in cold blood on the road to the hospital. Her unborn baby was delivered in an emergency surgery — Our prayers are with her baby, still fighting to live. It’s a brutal reminder of the hatred we face — hatred that targets… <a href="https://t.co/myq5JR8v66">pic.twitter.com/myq5JR8v66</a>
&mdash; J.Majburd (@JonathanMajburd) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonathanMajburd/status/1922915441657204919?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Tze’ela, Gez, 30, a mental health counsellor who treated people suffering from trauma and anxiety, wrote on Facebook two months after the horrific October 7 massacre of more than 1200 Israelis, “Another moment I am grateful that I am breathing, that I am present and that I am here. From here, all I want to do is be active and spread light; even a small smile is spreading light.”
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There is a video of Tzeela Gez ז״ל circulating on social media. 
I’ve added captions to it. 
Tzeela was a mental health counsellor who treated people suffering from trauma and anxiety. 
Praying for her baby, family and friends 
 May Tzeela’s memory be a blessing 😢💔 <a href="https://t.co/2ocgtnwGN1">https://t.co/2ocgtnwGN1</a> <a href="https://t.co/NR1rOwU71w">pic.twitter.com/NR1rOwU71w</a>
&mdash; Karen Ievers (@karenievers) <a href="https://twitter.com/karenievers/status/1922950321061482775?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2025</a></blockquote>
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After she was shot by the terrorist, Gez was rushed to Petah Tikva’s Rabin Medical Center, where she later died.
Gez’s sister, Shaked Force, <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/woman-en-route-to-hospital-for-delivery-critically-wounded-in-west-bank-terror-shooting/">said</a> her sister’s pregnancy had been difficult, saying, “She really put in an effort. She was always smiling and gave all her strength, always there for others. I don’t have the words to describe such an amazing character.”
Tal Shahar Carmon, Gez’s close friend, told Kan of the “unbearably difficult” moment when Gez’s husband Hananel told his three other children of her murder: “He told them that with Mom they traveled to bring the new baby, and on the way a terrorist shot at Mom, and Dad tried to save her, and they did everything, and they managed to save the baby but not Mom.”
“This is a difficult and painful attack in which an Israeli civilian was killed on her way to a delivery room. I share in the deep sorrow of the family. We are engaged in broad fighting against terror in Judea and Samaria (West Bank), and we will continue,” IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said.
“We will activate all our tools, and we will reach the murderers to bring them to justice,” he added.
Limor Son Har-Melech, a member of the Israeli Knesset, was seven months pregnant with her second child in 2003 when she and her husband were shot by five Palestinian terrorists, killing her husband instantly and leaving her in critical condition, while her daughter was delivered in an emergency Caesarean section. Al-Aqsa Martyrs&#8217; Brigades, the military wing of the Fatah party until 2007, headed now by Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas, claimed responsibility for the attack.
Har-Melech reacted to the latest murderous assault by Palestinian terrorists, writing on X:
<blockquote>
Catching up on the terrible attack last night in Samaria and can&#8217;t breathe.
Reading about Tsala Gaz, Y.D. — a young, pregnant woman, on her way to the delivery room, for the happiest event of her life, bringing life into the world. Her husband was injured in the attack while they were fighting for the baby&#8217;s life — and I can&#8217;t help but go back 21 years.
I was there too. I was also a pregnant woman traveling with her husband on the roads of Samaria, we also encountered a squad of murderers who fired at our car. Shuli, my beloved husband, was murdered. And I, wounded, was taken to emergency surgery. My daughter Sarah was born then, in the sixth month — three hours after her father was murdered, and even then they fought for her life.
Yesterday, just as we were celebrating Sarah&#8217;s engagement, the terrible news came. The media called, asking me to be interviewed. I couldn&#8217;t. The pain was too great.
I imagined Tzala Gaz there, and her husband — that I was praying for his recovery. I imagined how excited they were about the birth, how much they had been waiting for this moment. How they decided that this was the time — now — to get in the car and drive to the hospital. And at that exact moment, a squad of terrorists gathered, who decided that this was the time to murder — to murder them just because they were Jews.
We are dealing with a cruel enemy. An enemy who seeks to kill Jews. In the middle of the night. On dark roads. In order to defeat him and to eradicate him — we must first know his cruel and murderous nature and his goals.
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מתעדכנת על הפיגוע הנורא הלילה בשומרון ולא מצליחה לנשום. קוראת על צאלה גז הי״ד — אישה צעירה, בהריון, בדרכה לחדר לידה, לאירוע המשמח ביותר בחייה, הבאת חיים לעולם. בעלה נפצע בפיגוע שעה שנלחמים על חיי התינוק — ואני לא יכולה שלא לחזור 21 שנה לאחור.
גם אני הייתי שם. גם אני הייתי אישה… <a href="https://t.co/3Ukm2NPVYP">pic.twitter.com/3Ukm2NPVYP</a>
&mdash; לימור סון הר מלך (@limor_sonhrmelh) <a href="https://twitter.com/limor_sonhrmelh/status/1922871408956154155?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Israeli flag

Israeli Mother Of 3 On Her Way To Give Birth Murdered By Palestinian Terrorist. Hamas Celebrates.

baby

Judea and Samaria

Mother

Murder

Terrorism

A heroic young Israeli police officer, a father of three who <a href="https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408359" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rushed to save his countrymen</a> from Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, killing more than a dozen terrorists intent on slaughtering Israelis, took his own life after apparently suffering from survivor’s guilt and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
First Sgt. Igor Pibenev, 32, the father of three daughters, was at the police station in Hebron on the morning of October 7 when he heard Hamas had launched its murderous assault. Driving to his home in Yated, a village near the Gaza border, he first encountered two terrorists near Urim Junction and killed them, prompting two other terrorists to start shooting at him, both of whom he killed.
“The scenario in my head was that I would get home and see a lifeless house, but I put fear aside,” Pibenev recalled. “From Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak, I headed home, but I saw terrorists walking toward the kibbutz cowshed. Then a shootout began, lasting a few minutes. On the way from the police station to my community, I saw a suspicious white vehicle and stopped on the side of the road. I identified terrorists; I shot at them and eliminated them. We had drills for situations like these, but I never believed that we would confront so many terrorists. When I heard about what happened in Kibbutz Be&#8217;eri, I imagined how I&#8217;d be left without a wife and children, but I remained optimistic the entire time.”
“After I eliminated the terrorists, I received a message from my wife that she is currently at the neighbors&#8217; with the children and she is fine and healthy. I said I am on my way,” Pibenev <a href="https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408359" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said.</a>
“I entered the house, and the look my wife gave me and the girls was that I had arrived as they had hoped. &#8230; I gave a hug to the children &#8230; My feeling was that I was marrying my wife again and that I was back three more times in the delivery room with the excitement of seeing my children come into the world.”
Three months ago, Pivenev’s wife Chani posted on social media: “If there are people around you are have been sinking since that Saturday, (October 7) turn the world on its head so that they can get the proper professional help and treatment. Don&#8217;t try to save them alone, you can&#8217;t, and things will just get worse. Fight the feelings of guilt — it&#8217;s not your fault.&#8221;
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Israel’s Response To Hamas Attack Complicated By Hostages And Concerns Over Gaza Campaign

Israeli October 7 Hero Who Killed Over A Dozen Terrorists Dies Tragically

Heroism

Fiercely pro-Israel Australian commenter Erin Molan ripped Francesca Albanese, the viciously anti-Israel UN Special Rapporteur for the United Nations on the Palestinian territories, after Albanese complained about her reputation having suffered for her despicable behavior, including denying that Hamas raped Israeli women on October 7, 2023.
Albanese has accused Israel of genocide, comparing Israel to Nazi Germany, and campaigned to have the Jewish state expelled from the UN.
&#8220;Our favorite fraud: Francesca Albanese. She’s upset,&#8221; Molan noted. &#8220;No, not about denying the rape of Israeli women; don’t be silly. Nor about the atrocities of October 7. Don’t be daft. Or the impact of her atrocious lies on millions of innocents around the world. You’re kidding.&#8221;
&#8220;You want to know what she’s actually upset about, what she’s losing sleep about?&#8221; she asked. &#8220;Brace yourself: What some people might think of her.&#8221;
Molan played a clip of Albanese moaning, &#8220;I despise and resent the reputational damage that they’ve caused me.&#8221;
&#8220;Where do you even start with that? Do you even bother?&#8221; Molan reacted. &#8220;Maybe just a tiny bit.&#8221;
She then addressed Albanese directly: &#8220;Francesca. One’s own reputation is often a direct result of one’s own actions. Your behavior has been appalling, derelict, dangerous, and unforgivable. You’ve only increased and further encouraged the suffering of the very people you purport to care about and stand for with your denial, your hate, and your hollow rhetoric. Anyone thinking ill of you is all your own doing. Take credit. Some of us just might have helped point it out a little bit. In fact, I’m somewhat encouraged by this revelation that people are starting to cotton on; clearly, if you’re noticing, then other people must be.&#8221;
Molan gave a shout-out to Hillel Neuer from UN Watch &#8220;for doing so much of the heavy lifting here.&#8221; She then showed a clip of Albanese refusing to answer whether she was an anti-Semite and another clip where Albanese said of the Hamas rape of women on October 7, “Let’s assume that rape occurred. So?”
Molan quoted a <a href="https://x.com/FranceskAlbs/status/1921183811158597668">post</a> on X Albanese made within the past week in which she attacked Israel, writing:
<blockquote>
How did we get here? How do we let an army announce to the world the destruction of a people and then level every home, seize every field , shatter every possession they had — even with laughter.  How did we let them kidnap, torture, and rape, even with dogs. And now, starve them — even the children. And what unshakable belief blinds us to what we —  collectively — have done. May they have mercy.
</blockquote>
&#8220;There is no way that she can be unaware that she is essentially describing October 7,&#8221; Molan charged. &#8220;Not even she can be that stupid. But on the off chance her idiocy is less evil and more ignorance, I’ll explain briefly, for the millionth time, Francesca, exactly how we got here. Are you listening?&#8221;
Molan then stated:
<blockquote>
On October 7, the terrorists that you champion slaughtered over 1200 innocent people and took hostages completely unprovoked, many of whom still remain in Gaza. The terrorists you champion continue to try and kill Israelis and Jews — and their own people. It’s all on video. Their own people, while simultaneously promising to never stop. The terrorists you champion are further emboldened and empowered by your voice and others like it to continue their evil rather than face a deserved mass condemnation of the free world which they should have received.
</blockquote>
&#8220;So Francesca, you ask how did we get here, still with innocents dying?&#8221; Molan questioned. &#8220;The answer is: In many ways, because of you and people like you. You never fought for innocent Palestinians, as is your mandate; you instead further inflicted devastating suffering upon them by perpetuating the myth that their enemy is Israel, instead of the very terrorists legitimately responsible for all of their suffering. If you genuinely cared about them, you would fight for the safe and prosperous future of all in the Middle East. It’s all or none. In full awareness that that will only ever be achieved without terrorism.&#8221;
&#8220;So hopefully, I’ve killed two birds with one stone here, and you have a little further clarity as to how we got here; you asked. And also why your reputation is increasingly in tatters,&#8221; she concluded.
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<li><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/un-watchs-hillel-neuer-blasts-anti-israel-un-rapporteur-after-she-likens-israel-to-nazi-germany">UN Watch&#8217;s Hillel Neuer Blasts Anti-Israel UN Rapporteur After She Likens Israel To Nazi Germany</a></li>
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Mercedes-Benz Sydney Women In Business Luncheon – Arrivals

‘Our Favorite Fraud’: Erin Molan Tears Apart Viciously Anti-Israel UN Rapporteur

anti-Israel

Anti-Semitism

Erin Molan

Francesca Albanese

United Nations

In the wake of the release of American-Israeli Edan Alexander by the terrorist group Hamas, which still holds dozens of hostages abducted in their October 7, 2023, massacre of over 1,200 Israelis, some prominent GOP leaders were undeterred in urging that the terrorist group be eliminated.
Hamas released Alexander, apparently to curry favor with the U.S., as Israel has blocked aid into Gaza, where Hamas has routinely seized supplies intended for civilians and reportedly <a href="https://www.jns.org/hamas-steals-food-from-its-citizens-yet-israel-gets-blamed/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">resold them on the black market</a>.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) responded to the freeing of Alexander by writing, “Hamas terrorists brutally tortured Edan Alexander and held him hostage for 19 months. Thanks to @POTUS ’s strength and leadership, Edan on his way home. We’re glad he’s heading home but this should have never happened. We demand justice for all of those still held hostage and we stand with Israel in the fight to eliminate Hamas.”
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Hamas terrorists brutally tortured Edan Alexander and held him hostage for 19 months. Thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>’s strength and leadership, Edan on his way home.
We’re glad he’s heading home but this should have never happened. 
We demand justice for all of those still held hostage and… <a href="https://t.co/J7yvbuX2rf">https://t.co/J7yvbuX2rf</a>
&mdash; Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerJohnson/status/1922016356729258349?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), a veteran who served in the war in Iraq as a platoon leader with the 101st Airborne Division and led a 41-man air assault, echoed, “After more than 580 days in captivity Edan Alexander is free from Hamas terrorists. I commend President Trump for his tireless efforts to free the hostages. And we should encourage Israel to keep up the pressure to destroy Hamas and bring all the hostages home.”
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After more than 580 days in captivity Edan Alexander is free from Hamas terrorists. I commend President Trump for his tireless efforts to free the hostages. And we should encourage Israel to keep up the pressure to destroy Hamas and bring all the hostages home.
&mdash; Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenTomCotton/status/1922002968200585425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) maintained a vigilant eye on Iran, for whom Hamas acts as a murderous proxy, writing, “While negotiating with Iran, the goal must be full dismantlement of their nuclear program. The Biden administration allowed them to build out their nuclear program for four years while keeping the cameras off. If they are allowed to keep any part of the program, they will be able to cheat — and the Ayatollah has cheated on every deal he&#8217;s ever signed.”
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While negotiating with Iran, the goal must be full dismantlement of their nuclear program. 
The Biden administration allowed them to build out their nuclear program for four years while keeping the cameras off. If they are allowed to keep any part of the program, they will be… <a href="https://t.co/XkLtZ1VTZT">pic.twitter.com/XkLtZ1VTZT</a>
&mdash; Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenTedCruz/status/1921954233982542124?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
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And to dispel rumors that President Trump and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are undergoing a frostiness in their relationship, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee chimed in, “Excellent meeting w/     ⁦ @IsraeliPM. Cooperative efforts with ⁦@POTUS ⁩&amp; ⁦@IsraeliPM ⁩resulted in Edan Alexander release. Witkoff, &amp; Huckabee meet ahead of hostage release. Forget rumors. We’re all on same page.”
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Excellent meeting w/ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/IsraeliPM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IsraeliPM</a>⁩. Cooperative efforts with ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>⁩ &amp; ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/IsraeliPM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IsraeliPM</a>⁩ resulted in Edan Alexander release. Witkoff, &amp; Huckabee meet ahead of hostage release. Forget rumors. We’re all on same page. <a href="https://t.co/UrKsxtUWSS">https://t.co/UrKsxtUWSS</a>
&mdash; Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovMikeHuckabee/status/1921946025247318251?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
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MixCollage-12-May-2025-06-19-PM-5287

Top GOP Members Of Congress Undeterred After Hostage Release: ‘Eliminate Hamas’

Mike Huckabee

Mike Johnson

Ted Cruz

Tom Cotton

With tight hugs and tears, American-Israeli Edan Alexander was reunited with his parents today, ending 584 harrowing days in Hamas captivity.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
WATCH: Edan Alexander reuniting with his parents after being a hostage 584 days. <a href="https://t.co/ngvQGCZ2hL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pic.twitter.com/ngvQGCZ2hL</a>
— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) <a href="https://twitter.com/KassyAkiva/status/1922014872272801991?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">May 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
The 21-year-old greeted his parents at the Re’im base on the Gaza border. Before reaching his parents, he spoke to his mother on the phone alongside U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
&#8220;Edan?&#8221; His mom <a href="https://x.com/AvivaKlompas/status/1921991657160929426" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said screaming</a> in joy. &#8220;They just released a photo of you and you look unbelievable, wow. You look beautiful. I love you so much.&#8221;
Upon crossing into Israel in a convoy, Alexander was greeted by Israelis standing on the side of the road and cheering.
The rest of his family watched from a screen together at the hospital and were seen clapping as soon as Alexander was transferred to the Red Cross in Khan Younis by Hamas.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
The reaction of Edan Alexander’s family to his transfer to the Red Cross after 584 days in Hamas captivity. <a href="https://t.co/f5qAJ0en96" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pic.twitter.com/f5qAJ0en96</a>
— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) <a href="https://twitter.com/KassyAkiva/status/1921961746090102852?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">May 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
The former hostage was transported to the hospital to be reunited with other members of his family and to receive medical treatment.
Before Alexander&#8217;s release, his family said he may travel to Qatar to meet Trump this week, depending on his medical condition, <a href="https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/05/12/edan-alexanders-qatar-trip-depends-on-his-medical-condition/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported Israel Hayom</a>.
Alexander&#8217;s release was negotiated by <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-to-visit-saudi-arabia-qatar-and-uae-in-first-middle-east-trip-this-term?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=10&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Trump+To+Visit+Saudi+Arabia%2C+Qatar%2C+And+UAE+In+First+Middle+East+Trip+This+Term" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Trump administration</a> with Hamas not receiving any Arab prisoners in exchange, as it has in previous deals.
Edan Alexander was born in Rockville, Maryland, and later moved to New Jersey. He joined the Israel Defense Forces after high school and was taken captive during Hamas’ October 7 massacre while at a small outpost by Kibbutz Nir Oz.
Alexander is the first male IDF soldier abducted during Hamas’s October 7 massacre to be released.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/bruce-pearl-uses-final-four-spotlight-for-american-hostage-edan-alexander-nobody-knows-his-name" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BRUCE PEARL USES FINAL FOUR SPOTLIGHT FOR AMERICAN HOSTAGE EDAN ALEXANDER: ‘NOBODY KNOWS HIS NAME’</a>
Residents of his hometown of Tenafly, New Jersey <a href="https://x.com/jason_meister/status/1921880966735286306" target="_blank" rel="noopener">gathered early Monday</a> morning for several hours to await Alexander&#8217;s release. Alexander&#8217;s parents fought tirelessly for his release, meeting with world leaders, speaking at high-profile events, and constantly keeping his name in the media.
While preparing for his release, Yael Alexander traveled to the IDF’s Re’im base on the Gaza border to greet him as he arrived in Israel. His grandmother, Varda, prepared her grandson&#8217;s favorite dishes while taking questions from reporters.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/how-trump-and-rubio-put-america-first-in-100-days?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=How+Trump+And+Rubio+Put+America+First+In+100+Days" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HOW TRUMP AND RUBIO PUT AMERICA FIRST IN 100 DAYS</a>
In February on the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/father-of-american-held-by-hamas-adi-alexander-shares-sons-story-at-cpac" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CPAC stage</a>, Adi Alexander described his son as an “all-American kid.”
“He decided on a gap year to enlist in the IDF because of his love for both of his countries,” he said.
Adi said he has spoken to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-orders-humanitarian-aid-delivered-gaza?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=1&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Trump+Sends+Aid+To+Gaza.+Israel+Will+Not+Distribute+It." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trump</a> several times, who was shocked by the fact that 45 Americans were killed on October 7.
“Ever since we met him, he took ownership on this matter, recognizing that Americans are still being held,” he said. “We are very grateful for that but we have to push forward until they are all out.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Adi Alexander, the father of the last American believed to be alive in Hamas captivity, spoke about his son on <a href="https://twitter.com/CPAC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@CPAC</a>&#8216;s main stage today.
“Edan is an all-American kid,” Adi said. “He decided to take a gap year to enlist in the IDF because of his love for both of his countries.” <a href="https://t.co/oT6RMkfwom" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pic.twitter.com/oT6RMkfwom</a>
— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) <a href="https://twitter.com/KassyAkiva/status/1892680023028486530?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">February 20, 2025</a></blockquote>
Fifty-eight hostages remain in Gaza, including the bodies of four American citizens: Judith Weinstein Haggai, Gadi Haggai, Itay Chen, and Omer Neutra.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/marco-rubio-order-de-facto-palestinian-consulate-merge-with-israels-jerusalem-embassy?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Rubio+Orders+Palestinian+Affairs+Office+to+Fold+Into+Israel%E2%80%99s+Jerusalem+Embassy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RUBIO ORDERS PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS OFFICE TO FOLD INTO ISRAEL’S JERUSALEM EMBASSY</a>
On Monday, the Hostage and Missing Families Forum <a href="https://x.com/GLZRadio/status/1921936580270264453?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1921936580270264453%7Ctwgr%5E8d1a0675a7c99f887c531ec23fb7b1fd0eb286e6%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.timesofisrael.com%2Fliveblog-may-12-2025%2F" target="_blank" rel="noopener">published an ad</a> in the New York Post, pleading for the remaining hostages not to be forgotten and declaring that their “hope rests” with Trump.
Speaking at the White House on Monday, Trump said he hopes that “we’re going to have other hostages released.”
Trump added that with Alexander’s return, there are only 20 hostages believed to still be alive.
“I am relieved that American Edan Alexander finally gets to come home,” U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee <a href="https://x.com/USAmbIsrael/status/1921968132727488688" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted to X</a>. “As @POTUS said, we hope that this long-overdue release marks the beginning of the end to this terrible war. Hamas alone is responsible for the continued death and suffering. We demand the immediate release of all remaining hostages.”

Edan Alexander and parents

American Hostage Edan Alexander Reunites With Parents After 584 Days In Hamas Captivity

Donald Trump

American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander was released on Monday after 584 days in Hamas captivity.
The 21-year-old’s release was negotiated by the Trump administration with Hamas not getting any Arab prisoners in exchange, as it has in previous deals.
Alexander was born in Rockville, Maryland, before moving to New Jersey. He joined the Israel Defense Forces after high school and was taken captive during Hamas’ October 7 massacre while at a small outpost by Kibbutz Nir Oz. He has been seen in Hamas propaganda videos, and is the first male IDF soldier abducted during Hamas’ October 7 massacre to be released.
Alexander&#8217;s parents fought tirelessly for his release, meeting with world leaders, speaking at high-profile events, and constantly keeping his name in the media.
While preparing for his release, Yael Alexander traveled to the IDF’s Re’im base on the Gaza border to greet him as he arrived in Israel. His grandmother, Varda, prepared her grandson&#8217;s favorite dishes while taking questions from reporters.
Alexander was handed over by Hamas to the Red Cross in Khan Younis without a public propaganda ceremony, which Hamas had done with other hostage handovers to humiliate them.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/bruce-pearl-uses-final-four-spotlight-for-american-hostage-edan-alexander-nobody-knows-his-name" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BRUCE PEARL USES FINAL FOUR SPOTLIGHT FOR AMERICAN HOSTAGE EDAN ALEXANDER: ‘NOBODY KNOWS HIS NAME’</a>
The Alexander family said that after Edan’s release, he may travel to Qatar to meet President Donald Trump this week, depending on his medical condition, <a href="https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/05/12/edan-alexanders-qatar-trip-depends-on-his-medical-condition/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Israel Hayom </a><a href="https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/05/12/edan-alexanders-qatar-trip-depends-on-his-medical-condition/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>.
In a February speech at <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/father-of-american-held-by-hamas-adi-alexander-shares-sons-story-at-cpac" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CPAC</a>, Adi Alexander described his son as an “all-American kid.”
“He decided on a gap year to enlist in the IDF because of his love for both of his countries,” he said.
Adi said he has spoken to Trump several times, and that the president was shocked by the fact that 45 Americans were killed on October 7.
“Ever since we met him, he took ownership on this matter, recognizing that Americans are still being held,” he said. “We are very grateful for that but we have to push forward until they are all out.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
Adi Alexander, the father of the last American believed to be alive in Hamas captivity, spoke about his son on <a href="https://twitter.com/CPAC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@CPAC</a>&#8216;s main stage today.
“Edan is an all-American kid,” Adi said. “He decided to take a gap year to enlist in the IDF because of his love for both of his countries.” <a href="https://t.co/oT6RMkfwom" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pic.twitter.com/oT6RMkfwom</a>
— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) <a href="https://twitter.com/KassyAkiva/status/1892680023028486530?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">February 20, 2025</a></blockquote>
Fifty-eight hostages remain in Gaza, including the bodies of four American citizens: Judith Weinstein Haggai, Gadi Haggai, Itay Chen, and Omer Neutra.
On Monday, the Hostage and Missing Families Forum <a href="https://x.com/GLZRadio/status/1921936580270264453?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1921936580270264453%7Ctwgr%5E8d1a0675a7c99f887c531ec23fb7b1fd0eb286e6%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.timesofisrael.com%2Fliveblog-may-12-2025%2F" target="_blank" rel="noopener">published an ad</a> in the New York Post, pleading for the remaining hostages not to be forgotten and declaring that their “hope rests” with Trump.
Speaking at the White House on Monday, Trump said he hopes that “we’re going to have other hostages released.”
He added that with Alexander’s return, there are only 20 hostages believed to still be alive.
In a statement, Hamas said the move “affirms its readiness to immediately begin intensive negotiations” and is part of “the steps being taken toward a ceasefire, the opening of border crossings, and the entry of aid and relief for our people in the Gaza Strip.”
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/how-trump-and-rubio-put-america-first-in-100-days?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=How+Trump+And+Rubio+Put+America+First+In+100+Days" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HOW TRUMP AND RUBIO PUT AMERICA FIRST IN 100 DAYS</a>
Last week, Trump <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-orders-humanitarian-aid-delivered-gaza?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=1&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Trump+Sends+Aid+To+Gaza.+Israel+Will+Not+Distribute+It." target="_blank" rel="noopener">ordered a plan</a> for humanitarian aid to be delivered to Gaza in a way that attempts to keep the terror organization from stealing it. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee announced Trump’s aid plan on Friday, noting that private firms, not Israel, would be tasked with transporting and distributing the aid, but Israel would help with security.
“The Israelis are supportive of this program, they want it to happen, but they are not operating it,” Huckabee said. “That’s important because there are some entities that would not want to participate if they thought it was an IDF operation.”
Huckabee said that a top priority is implementing the plan in a way in which the terror organization does not profit as it has in the past from humanitarian aid.
“The next factor is that all of this be done in a way where Hamas cannot get its hands on it,” Huckabee said. “Nobody is interested in helping Hamas because Hamas has taken food that was intended to help very desperate citizens and stolen it from them, sold it on the black market, and then took the money to buy weaponry to murder more people.”
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/marco-rubio-order-de-facto-palestinian-consulate-merge-with-israels-jerusalem-embassy?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Rubio+Orders+Palestinian+Affairs+Office+to+Fold+Into+Israel%E2%80%99s+Jerusalem+Embassy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RUBIO ORDERS PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS OFFICE TO FOLD INTO ISRAEL’S JERUSALEM EMBASSY</a>
Last week, Israel approved an expanded ground operation plan that includes plans to conquer and retain more areas of the Gaza Strip. The plan, named “Operation Gideon’s Chariots,” will go into effect if Hamas fails to make an agreement with Israel by the end of President Donald Trump’s visit to the Middle East this upcoming week, <a href="https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-852712" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Jerusalem Post reported</a>.
Israel announced it will be sending a delegation to Qatar on Tuesday to negotiate a hostage deal.
Trump is <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-to-visit-saudi-arabia-qatar-and-uae-in-first-middle-east-trip-this-term?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=10&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Trump+To+Visit+Saudi+Arabia%2C+Qatar%2C+And+UAE+In+First+Middle+East+Trip+This+Term" target="_blank" rel="noopener">set to visit</a> Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates from May 13 to 16, the second foreign trip of his second term.

Gqwv1mrWUAAxNCh (1)

BREAKING: Last Living American Hostage Edan Alexander Released Following Trump Admin Efforts

Hamas announced in a statement on Sunday that it plans to release American hostage <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/bruce-pearl-uses-final-four-spotlight-for-american-hostage-edan-alexander-nobody-knows-his-name" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Edan Alexander</a>.
According to the terrorist group, the 21-year-old dual Israeli-American citizen will be released as part of negotiations for a ceasefire.
&#8220;The movement has shown a high level of positivity, and the Israeli soldier with dual American citizenship, [Edan] Alexander, will be released as part of the steps being taken toward a ceasefire, the opening of border crossings, and the entry of aid and relief for our people in the Gaza Strip,” Hamas said in a statement.
Edan was born in Rockville, Maryland, before moving to New Jersey. He joined the Israeli Defense Forces after high school and was taken captive during Hamas’ October 7 massacre while at a small outpost by Kibbutz Nir Oz. He has been seen in Hamas propaganda videos.
Hamas added that Alexander’s release “affirms its readiness to immediately begin intensive negotiations” to bring the war to the end.
Hamas said that it hopes any final agreement influences a “mutually agreed-upon captive exchange, and ensures that the Gaza Strip is managed by an independent professional body.”
“This would guarantee long-term calm and stability, as well as reconstruction and the lifting of the blockade.”
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/how-trump-and-rubio-put-america-first-in-100-days?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=How+Trump+And+Rubio+Put+America+First+In+100+Days" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HOW TRUMP AND RUBIO PUT AMERICA FIRST IN 100 DAYS</a>
The statement did not specify when Alexander would be released, but the <a href="https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-853579" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jerusalem Post reported</a> that sources said the release may come in the next 48 hours.
President Trump posted on Truth Social confirming the upcoming release:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
President Trump confirms that Edan Alexander is going to be released by Hamas. <a href="https://t.co/WgjIOeTqSA">pic.twitter.com/WgjIOeTqSA</a>
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) <a href="https://twitter.com/yashar/status/1921696977135260110?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2025</a></blockquote>
Alexander’s parents told Israel’s Channel 12 that they were aware of the announcement and have been updated by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
The White House hostage envoy has requested that Hamas also release the bodies of the four other American citizens it still holds.
The statement comes after <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-orders-humanitarian-aid-delivered-gaza?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Trump+Sends+Aid+To+Gaza.+Israel+Will+Not+Distribute+It." target="_blank" rel="noopener">President Donald Trump ordered</a> humanitarian aid to be delivered to Gaza in a way that attempts to keep the terror organization from stealing it.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/marco-rubio-order-de-facto-palestinian-consulate-merge-with-israels-jerusalem-embassy?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Rubio+Orders+Palestinian+Affairs+Office+to+Fold+Into+Israel%E2%80%99s+Jerusalem+Embassy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RUBIO ORDERS PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS OFFICE TO FOLD INTO ISRAEL’S JERUSALEM EMBASSY</a>
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee announced Trump’s aid plan on Friday, noting that private firms, not Israel, would be tasked with transporting and distributing the aid, but Israel would help with security.
“The Israelis are supportive of this program, they want it to happen, but they are not operating it,” Huckabee said. “That’s important because there are some entities that would not want to participate if they thought it was an IDF operation.”
Huckabee said that a top priority is implementing the plan in a way in which the terror organization does not profit as it has in the past from humanitarian aid.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-three-more-hostages-die-in-gaza-dropping-total-to-21-alive?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=3&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Trump%3A+Three+More+Hostages+Die+in+Gaza%2C+Dropping+Total+To+21+Alive" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TRUMP: THREE MORE HOSTAGES DIE IN GAZA, DROPPING TOTAL TO 21 ALIVE</a>
“The next factor is that all of this be done in a way where Hamas cannot get its hands on it,” Huckabee said. “Nobody is interested in helping Hamas because Hamas has taken food that was intended to help very desperate citizens and stolen it from them, sold it on the black market, and then took the money to buy weaponry to murder more people.”
Last week, Israel approved an expanded ground operation plan that includes plans to conquer and retain more areas of the Gaza Strip. The plan, named “Operation Gideon’s Chariots,” will go into effect if Hamas fails to make an agreement with Israel by the end of President Donald Trump’s visit to the Middle East this upcoming week, <a href="https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-852712" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Jerusalem Post reported</a>.
Trump is <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-to-visit-saudi-arabia-qatar-and-uae-in-first-middle-east-trip-this-term?author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=10&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Trump+To+Visit+Saudi+Arabia%2C+Qatar%2C+And+UAE+In+First+Middle+East+Trip+This+Term">set to visit</a> Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates from May 13 to 16, the second foreign trip of his second term.

Donald Trump Visits Graves Of Influential Rebbes On October 7 Anniversary

Hamas Says It Will Release American Hostage Edan Alexander

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