Category: Articles

White House Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to arrive in Israel on Tuesday, this time without Jared Kushner. He is set to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and Mossad Director David Barnea.

The visit comes against the backdrop of contacts with Iran. Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported earlier that Islamic Republic Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to meet Witkoff in the coming days. The meeting is likely to take place in Turkey, and ahead of it Witkoff wants to hear Israel’s key positions for the negotiations — namely, what Jerusalem considers a good deal with the Iranians.

Israel also has red lines on the nuclear issue, including a demand for ‘zero enrichment’ and the removal of uranium from Iranian territory. But the main concern is that the Americans may ultimately settle for an agreement that addresses only the nuclear issue, while sidelining two others: Iran’s ballistic missiles and its campaign of terror and support for proxy forces.

The concern for the safety and well-being of the Iranian populace is a sentiment shared by all freedom-loving people globally. Reports of the Islamic regime’s brutal actions, including the tragic loss of life in street suppressions, demand international attention and condemnation. The systematic silencing and slaughter of citizens demonstrating for fundamental rights and self-determination constitute a grave human rights crisis that cannot be ignored by the international community.

From Israel’s perspective, any potential diplomatic engagement or international agreement with Iran must be comprehensive, extending beyond nuclear concerns to directly address Iran’s documented pattern of state-sponsored terrorism. Overlooking or downplaying Iran’s destabilizing regional activities, particularly those directed at Israel, would be a fatal flaw. Such acts of aggression and support for proxy forces fundamentally undermine the prospects for lasting regional security and the objective of achieving genuine peace. For Israel, security is paramount, and any deal that fails to dismantle Iran’s terrorism infrastructure would be deemed unacceptable and counterproductive.

Israel is not seeking a perpetual state of conflict or diplomatic deadlock. A prolonged period of stagnation, characterized by ongoing threats and a lack of resolution, is neither beneficial nor desired. Instead, Israel seeks a clear path toward a verifiable and enduring agreement that safeguards its security interests and contributes positively to regional stability. The goal is to move beyond the current precarious situation to a framework that genuinely mitigates the multifaceted threats posed by the Iranian regime—both to its own people and to the region.

Source:
Ahead of talks, Israel sets red lines for Trump envoy Witkoff, by Itamar Eichner/Ynetnews, February 2, 2026

The Israeli government is preparing to normalize the status of 140 Jewish farms across Judea and Samaria, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Monday, as part of a larger effort to combat unauthorized land seizures by Palestinian Arabs.

“Anyone who seeks to see Zionism at its best—what deep commitment to the Land of Israel is, and what a true connection to the soil of the land looks like—will find all of this in the agricultural farms of Judea and Samaria,” Katz said.”

The development of housing is not the sole approach to constructing and fortifying the Land of Israel. Farms play a vital role in the ongoing existence of Zionist agricultural settlement, aiding in the prevention of encroachment on state land and enhancing security in areas that are at risk.

Join us on our next AFSI Chizuk Mission to visit and celebrate a sampling of these farms!

Source:
Israel to legalize 140 farms in Judea and Samaria, by World Israel News Staff, February 2, 2026

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday that Israel is entering a new phase in Gaza focused on dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities and fully demilitarizing the territory — not on reconstruction.

Speaking at a press conference Netanyahu outlined what he described as the three pillars of Israel’s “absolute victory.” The following remarks are translated from Hebrew.

“Absolute victory rests on three things: the return of all the hostages, the collapse of Hamas, and the demilitarization of Gaza. That is the only way to ensure that Gaza will never again be a threat to Israel.”

Netanyahu said Israel has completed the mission of recovering the hostages and is now shifting its full attention to the remaining objectives.

“The next phase is not reconstruction. We have an interest in advancing this [demilitarization] phase, not delaying it. The sooner we do so, the sooner we will complete the objectives of the war.”

Netanyahu also addressed proposals regarding Gaza’s political future, rejecting them outright. “I will not allow the establishment of a Palestinian state in Gaza. It did not happen, and it will not happen,” he said.

Netanyahu emphasized that Israel will retain overarching security control across the region. “Israel will control security throughout the entire area from the Jordan River to the sea,” he said. “This is also true in the Gaza Strip.”

Achieving peace or rehabilitation is impossible until the Gaza Strip is completely rid of the threat posed by Hamas and it is prevented from regaining power. Netanyahu’s remarks further highlight Israel’s position that demilitarization and Israeli security oversight are critical prerequisites and not merely next steps for future discussions concerning reconstruction or political agreements.

Source:
Netanyahu: Gaza’s Next Phase Is Demilitarization — Not Reconstruction, by the News Desk/The Jewish Edition, January 27, 2026

Hamas is pushing to incorporate roughly 10,000 police officers affiliated with the terrorist organization into a new US-backed administrative mechanism in Gaza. The move is expected to meet resistance from Israel, even as the terrorist organization holds internal discussions over whether it would be willing to relinquish its weapons.

According to figures released by the terrorist organization, on the eve of the war in 2023 it employed 18,000 operatives across two policing bodies, Internal Security and General Security. During the war, 2,700 of them were killed, leaving about 15,300 operatives.

In addition, the police force mechanism included around 10,000 operatives before the war. During the fighting in Gaza, at least 1,400 members of the force were reported killed and 1,950 wounded. That leaves, at most, about 6,650 operatives considered fit for duty.

Are you interested in understanding the responsibilities that these reimagined Hamas police officers would hold? Is it truly necessary for us to speculate on this? One thing we are certain of is that Israel has not and can not agree to this.

Source:
Hamas seeks to fold 10,000 members into new Gaza administration, by Shachar Kleiman/Israel Hayom, January 27, 2026

Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil visited Israel this week voicing strong support for the Jewish state and is pledging to relocate the country’s embassy to Jerusalem if he is elected this October. He is running to oust incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

During the tour, the Bolsonaro brothers offered their support for Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria. “I want to express my full support for the people of Judea and Samaria for what they have endured,” Senator Bolsonaro said. “I give my full support to the people of Judea and Samaria.”

Eduardo echoed his brother’s comments, saying that the region “belongs to the Jewish people, for sure.”

“We know the historical reasons for that and all the other current political reasons for that. All over the world, people are demonstrating in support of Israel, because you are on the cultural front line. For more than two thousand years, as it says in the anthem ‘Hatikvah,’ more than two thousand years of values—that is why we are here, standing with you.”

We take great pride in calling the Bolsonaros friends of Judea and Samaria – and Sovereignty. Their dedication to the Jewish Nation State provides us with reassurance that there are indeed individuals who understand the truth about Israel!

Source:
Brazilian presidential candidate backs Israeli sovereignty in Judea & Samaria, vows to move embassy to Jerusalem, by World Israel News Staff, January 27, 2026

The source for this article was published before the recovery of Master-Sgt. Ran Gvili’s remains.

On Sunday night, PM Netanyahu’s office admitted defeat in its insistence that as long as the fallen hostage Master-Sgt. Ran Gvili has not returned, the ceasefire deal with Hamas and the process of normalization in Gaza will not take place.

The PM’s press release declared: “As part of President Trump’s 20-point plan, Israel has agreed to a limited reopening of the Rafah Crossing for pedestrian passage only, subject to a full Israeli inspection mechanism.

Contrary to official Israeli statements, the question of how the Rafah Crossing will be operated has already been finalized. Once approval is granted, the crossing could reopen within 48 hours.

From the outset, many cabinet ministers opposed reopening the Rafah Crossing, and with it, the transition to Phase 2 of Trump’s plan. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called it a “big mistake and a very bad message,” urging his colleagues: “Enough with the naivete of Witkoff and Kushner.”

Minister Orit Strook added sharply: “We are transferring Gaza to the Palestinians—with the blood of our children. In the end, we will make a decision to send soldiers to fight Hamas, and then what will we say?”

It is important to remember that the disarmament of Hamas and Gaza is the mandatory next step. This phase does not involve rehabilitation. Although we have voiced our apprehensions regarding the 20 Point Peace Plan, progress cannot occur without the full surrender of arms. Therefore, we remain in a state of anticipation and will be watching developments closely.

Source:
Netanyahu Strong-armed by US to Reopen Gaza Crossing, Gvili or Not, by David Israel/The Jewish Edition, January 26, 2026

After 843 days, the remains of the last Israeli missing from Hamas’ October 7 attack was returned, the Israel Defense Forces announced on Monday.

“After completing the identification process by the National Center for Forensic Medicine in cooperation with the Israel Police and the Military Rabbinate, IDF representatives informed the family of the abducted Ran Gvili, of blessed memory, that their loved one has been identified and is being buried,” the IDF said.

Source:
‘All the Abductees Have Been Returned’: Israel Confirms Return of Last Hostage, Ran Gvili, by Pesach Benson/TPS-IL, January 26, 2026

The government on Sunday approved a proposal by Construction and Housing Minister Haim Katz and Settlements Minister Orit Struck to establish five new community settlements in the eastern Be’er Sheva metropolitan area.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that one of the new communities will be named “Rannanim,” in memory of Ran Gvili, the last hostage.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the decision is part of a broader national initiative aimed at strengthening the Negev, reinforcing Israel’s strategic areas, and deepening civilian and security presence in the south.

Minister Struck said advancing new communities in the northern Negev is a long-standing strategic goal, adding that the project is intended to change the landscape of the central Negev and enhance stability in the area. She praised interministerial cooperation in advancing what she described as a key national objective.

Source:
Government approves five new towns in the Negev, by Hezki Baruch/Israel National News, January 25, 2026

The Board of Peace led by President Donald Trump is expected to present Hamas with an ultimatum demanding that it agrees to disarm in the coming days.

The new international bodies expect to complete the disarmament of the Gaza Strip within three to five months. Hamas will be given a short timeframe to respond on whether it agrees to lay down its weapons. The ultimatum will include an explicit requirement for Hamas to hand over all types of weapons in its possession, not merely as a symbolic gesture.

Senior officials familiar with the details stressed that all parties understand that full disarmament of the Gaza Strip and the stripping of Hamas of its weapons are an essential and critical condition for implementing the peace plan. Without this, there will be no progress in Gaza’s reconstruction, and the international community will not transfer funds for that purpose.

If the above mentioned scenario does not materialize, there is also agreement among the international bodies that Israel would receive authorization to disarm Hamas by force.

This will certainly be intriguing, to say the least. Nonetheless, we extend our profound gratitude to President Trump for insisting on the necessity for Hamas and other terrorist groups in the Strip to disarm. While we have significant concerns regarding the long-term governance of Gaza by the Board of Peace, the call for disarmament is imperative. No other leader has ever presented an ultimatum of this nature. With President Trump at the forefront of this new Board, we anticipate a resolution regarding disarmament, regardless of how it’s accomplished.

Source:
Board of Peace sets 3–5 month timeline for Gaza disarmament, by Ariel Kahana/Israel Hayom, January 21, 2026

The advancing of bills in the U.S. seeking to require the use of “Judea and Samaria” on official documents instead of the “West Bank” represents a strategic step in defending not only Israel, but the western world, according to Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan.

Dagan attended events in both Florida and Georgia last week as part of his “Friends of Samaria in the U.S.” initiative, as legislators pledged to advance bills on the issue in both of those states respectively.

“Especially after Oct. 7, we all understand that construction and sovereignty in Judea and Samaria are essential to the security of Israel and the United States, and we stand together. The bill recognizing Judea and Samaria is recognition of justice and of our shared values,” said Dagan following his stop in Florida.

In 1948 the term ‘West Bank’ was established only for political purposes. It is imperative that the authentic name of the biblical and historic heartland of the Jewish people – Judea and Samaria – is understood to be truth and recorded correctly. Nothing less than this fact should be accepted.

Source:
‘Judea and Samaria’: The push to rebrand Israel’s biblical heartland, by Josh Hasten/JNS, January 21, 2026