The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office on Monday morning published a statement praising the Lebanese government, led by President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Tammam Salam, for its decision to act to disarm the Hezbollah terror group by the end of 2025.

“Israel acknowledges the significant step taken by the Lebanese Government, under the leadership of President Aoun and Prime Minister Salam,” the statement began. “The recent decision by the Council of Ministers to work towards the disarmament of Hezbollah by the end of 2025 was a momentous decision.”

“In light of this important development, Israel stands ready to support Lebanon in its efforts to disarm Hezbollah and to work together towards a more secure and stable future for both nations. If the Lebanese Armed Forces take the necessary steps to implement the disarmament of Hezbollah, Israel will engage in reciprocal measures, including a phased reduction of IDF presence in coordination with the US-led security mechanism.”

The Prime Minister’s Office added: “Now is the time for both Israel and Lebanon to move forward in a spirit of cooperation, focusing on the shared objective of disarming Hezbollah and promoting the stability and prosperity of both nations.”

If this breakthrough succeeds it’s a step in the right direction inching closer toward peace. Just as this move would give Lebanon a critical opportunity to reclaim its sovereignty, so too must Israel be allowed to enjoy her sovereignty – one free from a military presence to deter terror attacks.

Source:
Dramatic: Israel to gradually withdraw from five key points in Lebanon, by Uzi Baruch/Israel National News, August 25, 2025

IDF Spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin released a statement on Monday regarding the strike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis and addressed reports indicating that civilians, including journalists, may have been harmed in the incident.

“We are aware of reports that harm was caused to civilians, including journalists,” said Defrin. “I would like to be clear from the start – the IDF does not intentionally target civilians.”

“The IDF makes every effort to mitigate harm to civilians, while ensuring the safety of our troops. Any incident that raises concern in this regard is addressed by the relevant mechanisms in the IDF.”

The findings of the investigation, according to the IDF, will be presented as transparently as possible.

Source
IDF Spokesman: Hamas has used the hospital that was struck, by Israel National News, August 25, 2025

In TPS-IL today, three stories lead today’s headlines, and we find it of continuing and alarming concern.

A suspected terror attack was foiled on Thursday afternoon at the Tamar checkpoint near the entrance to the Admot Yishai neighborhood in Hebron. According to initial reports, the suspect approached the checkpoint holding a suspicious object and did not respond to calls to stop.

An attempted terror attack was thwarted on Thursday morning in the Binyamin region. “This was a planned ambush that ended in a miracle,” Binyamin Regional Council head Israel Ganz said. “The Ranger vehicle provided just weeks ago to the farmers saved lives today. Farmers once again proved the vital importance of their presence in the open areas between the Jordan Valley and Jerusalem, defending our land. This is further proof that we must now complete the mission and apply sovereignty over all of Judea and Samaria.”

A shepherd from the Gal Yosef farm in Binyamin region was lightly wounded on Thursday morning in a suspected terror attack near the community of Malachei HaShalom. According to initial reports, two shepherds were herding cattle with a ranger vehicle when a masked assailant emerged from the trees armed with a pistol.

A ceasefire could stop immediate suffering and create room for talks, but as long as Hamas doesn’t lay down its arms for real and for good, terror attacks will continue. If Israel accomplishes its war goal to “finish the job,” an end to a significant root of the problem could be realized. Long-term stability and a complete cessation of terror attacks is Israel’s goal, one that Hamas certainly doesn’t share. The solution, and we repeat ourselves time and again, SOVEREIGNTY NOW! No matter how it is stated, the application of sovereignty over Judea and Samaria is the only action to solidify Israel’s safety and security in this region. Are we clear on this?

Sources:
Suspected Terror Attack Thwarted at Hebron Checkpoint, by Sveta Listratov/TPS-IL/August 21, 2025

IDF Pursues Gunman After Attempted Terror Attack on Jewish Farmers, By Sveta Listratov/August 21, 2025

Armed Terror Attack Foiled in Binyamin Region, By Sveta Listratov/August 21, 2025

The Trump administration sanctioned four members of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday over their efforts to “investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute nationals of the United States or Israel, without the consent of either nation,” the State Department confirmed to the Washington Free Beacon.

“The United States has been clear and steadfast in our opposition to the ICC’s politicization, abuse of power, disregard for our national sovereignty, and illegitimate judicial overreach,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement provided to the Free Beacon. “The Court is a national security threat that has been an instrument for lawfare against the United States and our close ally Israel.”

The Trump administration also sanctioned United Nations special rapporteur Francesca Albanese in July “for her illegitimate and shameful efforts to prompt International Criminal Court action against U.S. and Israeli officials, companies, and executives.”

The U.S administration under Donald J Trump is hands down the greatest ally Israel has ever had. These recent sanctions by the U.S. are another important indication demonstrating the need to continue the fight for the truth about Israel.

Source:
Trump Admin Sanctions Four Top International Criminal Court Members for Targeting US, Israeli Officials, by Adam Kredo/Washington Free Beacon, August 20, 2025

As part of the IDF’s preparations for evacuating the population southern from Gaza City for its safety, officers from the IDF Gaza District Coordination and Liaison in COGAT carried out initial warning calls on Tuesday to medical officials and international organizations in the northern Gaza Strip in order to prepare for the evacuation of the population to the southern Gaza Strip.

In an interview with Sharri Markson of Australia’s Sky News, Netanyahu confirmed that his government would continue a full military takeover of Gaza even if Hamas accepted a late ceasefire offer. Interviewer Sharri Markson noted that there are reports Hamas was “on the verge of accepting a deal for a ceasefire” and wondered if “it is true, and do you still plan to take over Gaza and eliminate the terrorists if they do agree to a deal?”

Netanyahu responded, “We’re gonna do that anyway. There was never a question that we’re not going to leave Hamas there. I think President Trump put it best, he says Hamas has to disappear from Gaza. It can end if Hamas lays down its arms and releases the remaining 50 hostages, at least 20 of which are alive, and that’s our goal to get all the hostages out, to disarm Hamas, demilitarize Gaza, and give a different future for Gazans.”

According to an IlTV YouTube report, the operation began ahead of schedule.

Sources:
Netanyahu says Gaza City takeover inevitable regardless of Hamas stance, by Erez Linn/Israel Hayom, August 21, 2025

IDF begins warning calls to medical officials in northern Gaza, by Israel National News, August 21, 2025

US President Donald Trump issued a forceful statement regarding the hostages being held in Gaza, asserting that the release of remaining captives held by Hamas will only occur once the terror organization is decisively defeated.

“We will only see the return of the remaining hostages when Hamas is confronted and destroyed!!!” President Trump declared in a post shared on social media. “The sooner this takes place, the better the chances of success will be.”

Speaking at the opening of the weekly government meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu excoriated the protesters, saying calls to end the war prematurely and without the destruction of Hamas emboldened the terrorist group and made it more difficult to secure the hostages’ return.

In addition, Netanyahu said that an end to hostilities at this point, without the removal of Hamas, would “ensure” a repeat of the massacres of October 7, 2023.

Truth speaks loudly on both sides. Military moves are highly sensitive and Israel’s military can’t reveal the if, where, when and why. The longer the hostages remain captive the more threatened their survival is. If Israel ends the war now it’s likely that terrorist attacks will resume. Reports this morning state that Hamas has responded positively to the latest proposals coming out of Egypt. Maybe they’re afraid of Israel taking over Gaza City as nearly 100,000 troops prepare for the operation. This goes around in circles. We wait anxiously to see how this develops.

Sources:
Report: Hamas responds positively to latest ceasefire proposal, by Israel National News, August 18, 2025

President Trump: ‘Hostages will return only when Hamas is destroyed’, by Israel National News, August 18, 2025

Netanyahu: Protesters demanding end to Gaza war guarantee another Oct. 7, by David Rosenberg/World Israel News, August 17, 2025

The “next phase” of Israel’s war against Hamas will soon begin, Israel’s top soldier said during a field tour of Gaza on Sunday.

“Today we are approving the plan for the next phase of the war. Just as in the recent operations in Iran, Yemen, Lebanon, Judea and Samaria, and Gaza, we will continue to reshape the security reality,” said Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the Israel Defense Forces’ Chief of Staff.

Despite nationwide demonstrations demanding an end to the war in order to release the hostages, the army is moving forward. The Israel Defense Forces was due to begin transferring tents and shelter equipment into southern Gaza on Sunday to house hundreds of thousands of civilians expected to be displaced ahead of an offensive to seize Gaza City.

Source:
Israel’s Top General: Next Phase of War Against Hamas to Begin Soon, by Ehud Amiton/TPS-IL, August 17, 2025

The Yesha Council has appealed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to move ahead with applying Israeli sovereignty over all of Judea and Samaria, requesting that the issue be addressed at the next government meeting.

In a letter sent last Thursday, 19 regional and local council leaders said the step was needed in response to recent political and security developments. They warned that hesitation on the matter “encourages” international initiatives to promote Palestinian statehood. AFSI is proud to be a signatory to a letter in support of the Yesha Councli’s position.

The Yesha Council represents Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria and has repeatedly urged the government to formalize sovereignty in the area. There was no immediate public response from Netanyahu’s office to the latest appeal.

Israel must not let the need to apply sovereignty throughout Judea and Samaria fall through the cracks!! The push for sovereignty must remain the #1 talking point on the “to do” list of Israel’s leadership.

Source:
Yesha Council urges Netanyahu to apply full sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, by World Israel News, August 15, 2025

After more than two decades of political stagnation caused by persistent international pressure and opposition from the Palestinian Authority, the E1 plan in Ma’ale Adumim is moving forward with the approval of 3,401 new housing units and another 3,515 units in the “Desert Bird” neighborhood, together expected to add around 35,000 new residents in the coming years.

The plan, which connects Ma’ale Adumim to Jerusalem and disrupts Arab territorial contiguity between Ramallah and Bethlehem, is viewed as a decisive move that buries the idea of a Palestinian state. From the perspective of the Palestinian Authority and the international community, this strategic area is considered essential for the establishment of a Palestinian state with its capital in eastern Jerusalem.

Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated: “The approval of the construction plans in E1 buries the idea of a Palestinian state and continues the many actions we are advancing on the ground as part of the de facto sovereignty plan initiated with the formation of the government. After decades of international pressure and freezes, we are breaking conventions and connecting Ma’ale Adumim to Jerusalem. This is Zionism at its best- building, settling, and strengthening our sovereignty in the Land of Israel.”

This is an incredible step toward ending the delusional dream of a two-state solution and MK Smotrich’s work is to be commended. It seems like so many decisions made and actions taken in the last year are heading toward to the goal of sovereignty. As Israel progresses to a new level with the approval of building new housing, let’s remember that the ultimate action to truly bury the idea of a two-state solution rests on the full application of sovereignty across Judea and Samaria NOW!

Sources:
Maaleh Adumim mayor announces E1 plan, recites special blessing, by Hezki Baruch/Israel National News, August 14, 2025

Burying idea of Palestinian state: Smotrich to approve thousands of units in Ma’ale Adumim, by Israel National News, August 13, 2025

Samaria governor Yossi Dagan sent an urgent letter on Wednesday to U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, calling for harsh personal sanctions against Mohammad Ibrahim Shtayyeh, the former Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority.

Dagan’s appeal follows the circulation of a video in which Shtayyeh praised the October 7th massacre, describing it as “a bold and unprecedented action” and “a turning point in the Palestinian struggle.”

Dagan concluded: “Taking action will send a clear and powerful message: support for terrorism will not go unanswered. This is not just rhetoric — it’s support for terror and incitement to another massacre reminiscent of the darkest chapters in history. The time for sanctions is now. We must not stay silent in the face of calls for murder and terror.”

Just as sanctions are used as a foreign policy tool against a country, it’s time to have sanction programs targeted against individuals and groups as well.

Source:
Samaria governor urges US sanctions against PA leaders, by Israel National News, August 13, 2025