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IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir conducted a comprehensive field assessment on Wednesday throughout the Gaza Strip alongside Southern Command chief Maj. Gen. Yaniv Asur and senior infantry and armored corps commanders.

“We are escalating combat within the primary theater, throughout the Gaza Strip, while intensifying strikes against the Hamas terror organization,” Chief of Staff Zamir addressed fighters deployed in the field.

According to his assessment, “We initiated the second phase of Operation Gideon’s Chariots to accomplish the war objectives. Securing the return of our hostages constitutes a moral and national obligation. We shall persist in targeting Hamas’ strategic centers until achieving its defeat. We are generating relentless pressure across all locations.”

Source:
IDF chief announces second phase of Operation Gideon’s Chariots, by Lilach Shoval/Israel Hayom, September 3, 2025

Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi on Monday evening called for decisive action against Hamas and the annexation of territory in the Gaza Strip.

“I’m waiting for Netanyahu to take the necessary steps – two kilometers inside the Strip should be under Israeli control,” he said.

In another report, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will convene a meeting on the possibility of applying sovereignty and taking measures against the Palestinian Authority in response to countries recognizing the Palestinian Authority as a state. The meeting was scheduled for Tuesday; however, the discussion was delayed to Thursday.

Several Israeli officials previously reported that Israel is considering annexation in Judea and Samaria as a possible response to France and other countries recognizing a Palestinian state.

Mayor Davidi’s call for just two kilometers annexed (we prefer to say reclaimed) is a temporary solution but one that should be taken to help assure the safety and sanity of Israelis in the South.

The full application of sovereignty throughout Judea and Samaria is long overdue and hangs over Israel like a weight bearing down hard and must be resolved. Israel’s international foes will call for a vote for a Palestinian State at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly. Whatever the catalyst that gets Israel to declare sovereignty over Judea and Samaria, Israel cannot wait for the ideal set of circumstances. Delaying the application of sovereignty in the hopes of a viable alternative for peace has proved futile. Apply sovereignty NOW.

Sources:
Sderot Mayor calls for decisive action: Annex at least two kilometers inside Gaza Strip, by Israel National News, September 2, 2025

Netanyahu to hold talks over West Bank annexation in response to Palestinian state recognition, by Amichai Stein/Jerusalem Post, September 2, 2025

In keeping with US law, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is revoking and denying visas for the approximately 80 officials of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority (PA) ,ahead of the upcoming session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The State Department memo recommends the denial of visas to Palestinian officials set to journey to the UN General Assembly — including Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas — and revoke all visas issued prior to July 31.

The PLO and PA were sanctioned by the State Department on the same date for failing to comply with the PLO Commitments Compliance Act of 1989 (PLOCCA) and the Middle East Peace Commitments Act of 2002 (MEPCA).

“Before they can be taken seriously as partners for peace, the PA and PLO must repudiate terrorism (including their policy of ‘pay for slay’), lawfare campaigns at the ICC and ICJ, and the pursuit of unilateral recognition of statehood,” said State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott in a statement.

There can never be any reward for terrorists. Denying visas to them is not a political maneuver and certainly not punishment. It is justice served, if only on a small scale.

Source:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio bars Palestinian officials from attending UN General Assembly, by Josh Christensen/New York Post, August 29, 2025

Israel on Monday morning inaugurated the first kindergarten in the northern Samaria Jewish community of Homesh, 20 years after its residents were forcefully evicted during the 2005 disengagement.

Israeli Education Minister Yoav Kisch said the opening signified “new roots of education and future” in Homesh. “This is not only an educational act but a Zionist one, of building and settlement,” he stated, pledging support for schools throughout the Land of Israel.

Monday morning’s ceremony in Homesh coincided with the first day of the new school year in the Jewish state, as more than 2.5 million children returned to classrooms and kindergartens nationwide.

Source:
20 years after disengagement, Israel inaugurates first kindergarten in evacuated Samaria community, by JNS Staff, September 1, 2025

Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat took part in a special event honoring the recognition of new towns in the Binyamin region. Speaking in an interview with Arutz Sheva he emphasized, “Now is the time to apply sovereignty in Judea and Samaria. Now is the time to dismantle the Palestinian Authority.”

Barkat reiterated an alternative vision based on what he referred to as the “Emirates model,” beginning in Hebron. Barkat has detailed the plan in the past, and is currently working on applying it, in collaboration with Binyamin Regional Council governor Israel Ganz and the Israeli government. “This model includes full Israeli recognition of the territories of Judea and Samaria,” said Barkat.

He added that he had been in direct contact with local leaders in Hebron. “When the sheikhs of Hebron say they want nothing to do with the corrupt Palestinian Authority, and they recognize Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people—something the PA has never done—it shows a path forward,” he said. “They oppose terrorism and are ready to cooperate with the State of Israel. They aren’t seeking statehood and have no national aspirations. They simply want to live alongside us peacefully.”.

Barkat emphasizes that the concept of sovereignty has garnered extensive support, resonating deeply with both the political leadership and the general populace across Judea and Samaria. He believes that substantial strides can be made towards its implementation. A crucial turning point in this endeavor will arrive when neighboring Arab nations demonstrate a genuine and unequivocal desire for peace and cooperative engagement with this new initiative. Once such a commitment to peaceful coexistence and collaboration is evident, a significant and foundational portion of the overarching objective will have been successfully realized, paving the way for a more stable and integrated regional future.

Source:
Minister Barkat: ‘Israel must dismantle the PA and declare sovereignty’, by Hezki Baruch/Israel National News, August 27, 2025

Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday that the IDF will remain at the peak of Mount Hermon and in the buffer zone, citing threats from Syria and protecting residents of the Golan Heights.

Katz called the decision “necessary to protect the Golan Heights settlements from threats looming from the Syrian side as a central lesson that we’ve learned from October 7.

The IDF took over the peak almost immediately after the collapse of the former president Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024.

Last month, Katz told US Senator Ted Cruz that he “didn’t trust” Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, saying that the allegedly reformed Islamist would use “jihadist groups” against Israel in the future.

We don’t trust al-Sharaa (aka al-Julani) either, especially when there has been no genuine reform or action taken to stop to violent sectarian clashes in Syria. Disguising himself in a fashion-forward business suit and tie and passing himself off as a moderate will not gain legitimacy for him in Israel’s eyes.

Source:
Israel to remain at peak of Mount Hermon and buffer zone in Syria, Defense Minister Katz says, by Jerusalem Post Staff, August 26, 2025

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir paid an unusual visit to Maoz Shaul Farm in western Samaria over the weekend.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich hailed the visit as a sign of the “excellent cooperation” between his office and the IDF.

“The farms lead the way in pioneering settlement in Judea and Samaria, acting as a vital shield for many communities there, as well as for the Sharon region [on the coastal plain] and other parts of the country,” Smotrich tweeted.

Meanwhile, Palestinian aggression against Jewish farmers in Judea and Samaria has been on the rise, according to data collected by authorities. Figures gathered by the Hatzalah Judea and Samaria (Rescuers Without Borders) NGO and published over the weekend showed that farmers and shepherds have been attacked at least 71 times since Jan. 1, 2025.

Source:
Zamir visits unauthorized Samaria farming outpost, by JNS Staff, August 24, 2025

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