Author: AFSI Staff

Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan publicly called on Sunday for Israel’s Defense Ministry to rename its Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) unit to the Coordinator of Government Activities in Judea and Samaria.

“The fact that the Defense Ministry and the Israel Defense Forces cling to the term ‘territories’ is a moral and historical injustice,” Dagan wrote in a missive to Defense Minister Israel Katz, the Arutz 7 outlet reported.

Dagan contacted Katz with the same demand six months ago, but “half a year has passed and there is no response,” he added.

The regional leader accused the ministry of “adopting the anti-Israel narrative, instead of leading with a firm nationalist and Zionist line.”

Dagan pointed out that “United States official legislation is advancing in Congress and in 20 state legislatures requiring the use of the name ‘Judea and Samaria’ instead of ‘the West Bank.”, However in Israel “the security establishment is dragging its feet,” he stated.

While applying sovereignty over Judea and Samaria remains a significant step that must be realized, it is crucial that the renaming of COGAT takes place. Israel needs to rectify every historical injustice and eliminate all anti-Israel narratives, even if it requires a gradual approach.

Source:
Dagan: Rename COGAT to Coordinator of Government Activities in Judea and Samaria, by JNS/January 4, 2026

The Israeli government on Monday released a report accusing an international humanitarian organization of colluding with Gaza terror groups including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

The report was prepared by the Diaspora Affairs Ministry and alleged systemic ties between Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF / Doctors Without Borders) and terrorist organizations in Gaza.

According to Israel, MSF’s actions went beyond a failure to maintain neutrality during the war between Israel and Hamas, and included frequent cooperation with Hamas-linked operatives, amplification of their narratives, and dissemination of false accusations against Israel.

As part of the group’s alleged cooperation with Hamas, MSF promoted false accusations of genocide in the Gaza war, along with fabricated claims war crimes.

“The investigation exposes a troubling pattern of an international NGO that abandoned neutrality and became part of a coordinated propaganda and influence operation serving Hamas and allied extremist actors,” said Amichai Chikli, Minister of Diaspora Affairs.

The diagnosis here is enabler of terrorism. Shame on Médecins Sans Frontières. Revoke their medical licenses immediately. Enough said.

Source:
Israel releases damning report linking international NGO to Hamas, Islamic Jihad, by World Israel News Staff, January 5, 2026

Israel’s security establishment is closely monitoring the military buildup trends of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, in anticipation of a potential shift to Phase B of the conflict.

According to intelligence estimates published on Galei Zahal, about three months after the ceasefire agreement, the terror group is continuing to rebuild its capabilities, defying the strict restrictions.

Despite the closure of the Rafah Crossing and the Philadelphi Corridor, and the extended maritime blockade, the IDF has identified three main channels through which Hamas is attempting to restore its strength.

The world cannot deceive itself regarding this situation. Hamas is in the process of reconstructing its military strength, contravening the ceasefire and opposing the plan for Gaza put forth by US President Donald Trump. Although this issue appears to be diminishing in global attention due to numerous other significant events dominating the news, it continues to be a primary concern for Israel. The complete disarmament of Hamas is essential; without it, Gaza cannot be rebuilt, and a sustainable, long-term peace will remain unattainable.

Source:
Despite ceasefire: Hamas rebuilding military capacity in Gaza, by Israel National News, January 5, 2026

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Monday called for far-reaching counter-terrorism measures, including expanding military operations in Judea and Samaria, as well as dismantling the Palestinian Authority and tougher enforcement against Israelis who employ Palestinians illegally.

“In my view, which has been well known for many years, terrorism is a product of hope. When we cut off that hope, there will be no future for terrorism,” Smotrich told JNS, speaking at the faction meeting of his Religious Zionism Party at the Knesset in Jerusalem on Monday.

The more Jerusalem consolidates control of “all parts of the homeland,” including Judea and Samaria, “the more we cut off this hope, somewhat in the spirit of Jabotinsky’s Iron Wall, resulting in less terrorism,” he said

Additional factors that Israel must confront in order to undermine hope are: tackle the refugee camps, dismantle the PA educational system, which only promotes incitement, and, of course, ceasing the illegal funding of terrorism including the Pay to Slay program.

Source:
Smotrich urges sweeping counter-terror measures amid surge in attacks, by Akiva Van Koningsveld, Amelie Botbol/JNS, December 30, 2025

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented a new security assessment during a meeting with US President Donald Trump, according to which Hamas is holding approximately 60,000 Kalashnikov rifles in Gaza.

The figure was gathered specifically ahead of the trip by IDF intelligence and the Shin Bet. “Without collecting these weapons, it is impossible to move on to the next stages,” was the central and clear message conveyed to the Americans.

The end result of the Mar-a-Lago meeting between Prime Netanyahu and President Trump was that Israel and the United States will give Hamas a two-month window to disarm.

It was also agreed that Hamas’ disarmament and the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip would include the destruction of its underground tunnel network.

Although the plan agreed upon during the meeting appears promising, it ultimately amounts to providing Hamas with yet another opportunity to voluntarily relinquish its weapons. In Israel, it is broadly anticipated that Hamas will not disarm and that the responsibility for subsequent actions should and will be in the hands of Israel and the Israel Defense Forces. Talks of Israel launching another military campaign are already circulating and we pray for a better and more decisive outcome in the new military action.

Sources:
The dramatic intel presented to Trump: Hamas still has 60,000 Kalashnikovs, by Israel National News, December 30, 2025

Israel, US set two-month deadline for Hamas disarmament, b Ariel Kahana/Israel Hayom, December 30, 2025

The Lobby for the Renewal of Jewish Settlement in the Gaza Strip met in the Knesset on Sunday. The meeting was initiated by lobby chairs MK Limor Son Har-Melech and MK Tzvi Sukkot, in partnership with the Nachala settlement movement.

The meeting focused on the launch of so-called “Garinei Nachal” (military youth communities) in the Gaza Strip, and followed recent statements by Defense Minister Israel Katz, who has said several times that Israel will establish such communities in the northern Gaza Strip.

Deputy Knesset Speaker and chair of the Lobby for the Renewal of Jewish Settlement in the Gaza Strip, MK Limor Son Har-Melech, said in a request to Defense Minister Israel Katz: “…This is the right direction – the security and moral approach required at this time. Establishing military youth groups is the first and necessary step toward solidifying our presence on the ground.”

Weiss stated, “Everybody knows, I believe that Trump will also understand, that we are going to stay in Gaza forever. Gaza does not belong to the people who now threaten us all the time. Gaza belongs to the people of Israel and today was a historical moment.”

Source:
Knesset lobby pushes forward plan for ‘Garinei Nachal’ in northern Gaza, In cooperation with Nachala, December 29, 2025

In the ancient tunnels beneath Jerusalem’s Western Wall, where 2,000-year-old ritual baths still hold water and massive Herodian stones bear witness to Jewish sovereignty, two unlikely companions walked side by side through layers of history that Islamic authorities have tried to bury—literally. Mosab Hassan Yousef, the son of Hamas co-founder Hassan Yousef, stood next to Knesset Member Ohad Tal as they examined the archaeological evidence that demolishes Palestinian claims to Jerusalem stone by stone.

Thirty feet underground, the three reveal truths about the Jewish Temples that the Muslim authorities tried to hide under tons of concrete.

Mosab said: “Why haven’t they found any coin or rocks that proves any Palestinian history here? If it’s so easy to use science to manipulate people, why they haven’t managed to find even a single coin that proves any Palestinian history here?” The answer, of course, is that no such evidence exists because the Palestinian narrative is fabricated. He bluntly stated: “Their name is fake. Their cause is a bloody fake cause, and their entitlement to anything is ridiculous.”

Despite the efforts of Islamic authorities, their propaganda aimed at Israel cannot obscure or eliminate 3,000 years of Jewish history. The evidence is clearly visible and sustains the truth.

Source:
Beneath Jerusalem: Mosab Hassan Yousef and MK Tal expose 3,000 years of buried Jewish history, by Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz/Israel365News, December 28, 2025

At a ceremony in Beit El on Tuesday, Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the government is advancing long-term measures, including the establishment of Nahal settlements in northern Gaza. He described Israel’s current policy in Gaza as “practical sovereignty.”

The defense minister participated in a ceremony marking the construction of approximately 1,200 housing units in the Beit El community near Ramallah, in Samaria. In his remarks, Katz said, “We are in a period of practical sovereignty. There are opportunities here that have not existed for a long time.” He noted that the government is working to implement long-term measures from a broad strategic perspective.

The Sovereignty Movement, led by Yehudit Katzover and Nadia Matar commented:

“Honorable Defense Minister Katz,

With your declaration on bringing Nahal units to settle northern Gaza, we feel the beginning of victory in the Iron Swords war.

Settlement is the true blow to the Arab enemy.

We are also expecting the decisive blow — the application of Israeli sovereignty over Gaza and, of course, over Judea and Samaria.

Honorable Minister, your many actions show that you are committed to the goal and do not flinch leftward.

Continue to act in the spirit of Joshua and Caleb: ‘We shall surely go up and conquer!’”

Well said Yehudit and Nadia!

Source:
Defense Minister Katz Proclaims Nahal Settlements in Northern Gaza, by David Israel/The Jewish Edition, December 23, 2025

The Supreme Planning Council is set to convene under the leadership of Finance Minister and Defense Minister Bezalel Smotrich to approve a series of construction plans in Judea and Samaria, with a primary focus on the renewal of the community of Sa-Nur in northern Samaria.

The main plan calls for the construction of 126 housing units, along with commercial areas, road infrastructure, and public institutions, including kindergartens and schools.

The move represents a significant step in implementing the government decision approved last May, when Smotrich and Defense Minister Israel Katz authorized the renewal of settlement in the area.

Smotrich welcomed the development, stating, “What is happening here is the correction of a historical injustice and the practical realization of a Zionist vision. Sa-Nur is returning home not through slogans, but through plans, budgets, roads, and concrete action on the ground. Together with the approval of Ganim and Kadim and the long-awaited return to Homesh, this marks the transition from declarations to implementation, through professional, determined, and coordinated work at all levels. This is a national step to strengthen settlement, deepen our hold on the land, and make de facto sovereignty a clear and irreversible reality.”

Just as Yehudah in Parshat Vayigash advances, the settlement movement does as well. May it go from strength to strength!

Source:
Min. Smotrich gives green light to building 126 housing units, schools and roads in Sa-Nur, by Israel National News, December 23, 2025

The United Nations spends roughly $100 million per year on reports, debates, special mechanisms, and communication activities dedicated almost exclusively to singling out Israel, the Permanent Mission of Israel to the UN said.

“Today we actually showed that these are orchestrated campaigns, well-funded and well-established within the UN budget,” Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon said. “These $100 million, which will be approved in the coming days in the new UN budget, are spent on activities against the government of Israel and against the IDF.”

Israeli officials said that what has been exposed regarding the UN’s allocation of budgetary funds is not a call to defund humanitarian aid or silence legitimate criticism. Instead, this is meant to put an end to a system that has normalized discrimination, rewarded bias, and wasted vast sums of the public’s money.

“We are sharing the information, and we are grateful to the US mission, which is taking a moral stand against the funding of these bodies,” Danon said. “Despite the huge amount of money directed against Israel, we will continue to stand strong and proud against the bias of UN organizations.”

It is time for the UN to focus on the real human rights abuses and true genocides going on in the world and stop diverting attention to these by consistently going after the only democracy in the Middle East!

Source:
UN spends approximately $100 million in funding to target Israel yearly, new report shows, by Amichai Stein/Jerusalem Post, December 23, 2025