Ruth Wasserman Lande: Hamas held three female hostages in UN shelters among displaced Gazans, according to Israel’s Channel 13. This shows how UN shelters, like those run by UNRWA, have been exploited by Hamas as military bases. Despite boasting oversight, UNRWA staff—many tied to Hamas—failed to report such activities. Notably, Hamas has received over $1 billion via UNRWA, and countries like the U.S. and Sweden have since defunded it.

Hamas also hid hostages in Gaza hospitals, including Kamal Adwan, where Israel found 240 terrorists, many linked to the October 7th massacre. Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya, the hospital director and a Hamas colonel, oversaw these operations. Such acts endanger patients and use civilians as shields.

Published in Israeli Citizen Spox, January 22, 2025.

Asher Fredman gives his top ten recommendations for strengthening the US-Israel alliance. He discusses the need for a strong defense posture against regional threats such as the Iranian regime, as well as expanding economic, diplomatic and technological cooperation.

January 21, 2025.

https://youtu.be/pepsegNbL-A

Asher Fredman:The speech highlighted America’s exceptionalism and its impact on foreign policy. President Trump emphasizes peace efforts, viewing the Abraham Accords as a key legacy. However, concerns remain over Gaza’s future, dominated by 20,000 Hamas fighters, making reconstruction efforts unlikely without guarantees of change.

The interview took place on Channel I24 on January 21, 2025.

https://youtu.be/lqMkYOjL-ig

Brig. Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser: Brig. Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser: I believe it was mostly anticipated I’m not sure how dramatic it is. Halevi acknowledges this and assumes accountability, recognizing that it is his time to step down. Until now, he couldn’t resign due to the military’s constant involvement in the war. However, with the fighting in most arenas reaching a temporary halt, this is an appropriate moment for him to reflect on the mistakes made. He will likely complete the investigations within the military, present the findings to the Minister of Defense, and then leave his post.

The full interview took place on Kan English News on January 21, 2025.

https://youtu.be/BgjDlgAY96M

A leading human rights lawyer Arsen Ostrovsky has hit out at Labor in the wake of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal return, claiming Australia has “abandoned its ally” amid a clear “shift” in attitude against Israel. The article also quoted Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel, who slammed the Albanese government’s changed stance on Israel following her meeting with Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus in Jerusalem last week.

Published in Sky News, January 20, 2025.

Ruth Wasserman Lande: At the moment, the prevailing feeling here is one of apprehension and trepidation about whether this deal will indeed materialize. After all, we are negotiating with a terrorist organization that excels in psychological manipulation. This sentiment is mixed with, of course, a deeply emotional hope for the return of these young women after 471 days of enduring monstrous terrorism.

As a nation, we feel a collective bond, as if each of us is a member of their families. Some of their families have endured unimaginable loss, and the entire nation is essentially on its feet, united by this shared experience over such a prolonged period.

The interview took place on SKY UK on January 19, 2025.

https://youtu.be/AT27UpVqHNs

Arsen Ostrovsky on Sky New Australia, discussing the first release of hostages (both the jubilation and the pain), lessons learnt by Israel and how the Jewish state has been abandoned by this current Australian Labor government.

January 19, 2025

Meir Ben Shbbat: First and foremost, we must rejoice at the return of each of the hostages. “On the other hand, the costs and risks must not be obscured. Their presentation is required not to derail the deal or to bicker about it, but to look squarely at the challenges and risks that follow in its wake.

The agreement will encourage Hamas and signal to the population that he was and remains the master. He may be beaten and wounded, but is still setting the terms.

Published in Arutz 7, January 17, 2025.

Brig. Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser: Unlike the reality under U.N. [Security Council] Resolution 1701 before the [Swords of Iron/Northern Arrows] war, when we refrained from striking Lebanon, now we strike if the Lebanese Army fails to fulfill its obligations. We will report violations to the monitoring committee, and if they act, excellent. If they do not act, we will act ourselves.

Can this be done 100%? No, because some of these villagers are Hezbollah operatives, and they live in these villages. But it must be insured that there is no Hezbollah presence—in the form of armed Hezbollah operatives—in these places.

The hope is that the Lebanese Army, especially now that there is a new president and a new government in Lebanon, will fulfill its duties. But we have not yet seen a sufficiently effective deployment of the Lebanese Army.

Dr. Yossi Mansharof: The IDF is essentially enforcing the ceasefire without the monitoring mechanism fulfilling its mission or enforcing the ceasefire itself. The Lebanese Army is not addressing the information transferred by the IDF regarding Hezbollah’s presence south of the Litani River. The Americans are determined to continue with this outline, and therefore, it seems that the best Israel can do is reconsider whether it can withdraw from areas it took from Hezbollah, which should be a significant bargaining chip in applying the ceasefire agreement.

Israel is expected to face international, and particularly American, pressure, referring to a statement made by U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein during a recent visit to Beirut, in which he reiterated Washington’s commitment to ensuring the IDF’s full withdrawal by Jan. 26.

Published in JNS, January 17, 2025.

Arsen Ostrovsky speaking on Sky News Australia, about the reported hostage – ceasefire deal: These are difficult hours and days. There were no easy choices, only painful decisions. Israel essentially had to make a deal with the devil in order to get our hostages out. But it only underscores that whereas the Jewish state places the ultimate prerogative on life, Hamas places theirs on death.

January 16, 2025.