Jerusalem, Israel - April 3, 2025 - Just when you thought things couldn’t heat up any more….Welcome to the Middle East! Not even the “Iceman”, of blessed memory, could cool this region down right now.
Rumors are swirling that the US is planning to attack Iran in the near future. There were reports of large transport planes arriving in the region all week. The US Air Force has continued to attack Yemen with increasing intensity for the past few weeks. Despite these attacks and the large amount of damage they have caused, the Houthis of Yemen, with Iranian backing, continue to fire ballistic missiles at Israel and to attack US Naval ships and commercial vessels. In short, Iran is causing a huge amount of problems for the region, the US and the entire world. During his time, President Barack Hussein Obama made a deal of surrender with Iran to try to curb their aggression, but President Trump, like with everything else, has a very different way of doing things.
Gaza
This week there was definitely a feeling that things are getting significantly harder for the terror-supporting residents of Gaza. The Israeli suspension of truckloads of goods that was previously coming into the Strip has now been in effect for over a month. Certain goods are becoming more scarce and Hamas is having a harder time controlling everything, especially because they are under constant threat of attack by Israel. More protests occurred in the streets of Gaza this week and a Hamas terrorist was killed in retribution for him previously killing someone from a specific Arab clan in central Gaza. The first real cracks in Hamas control are definitely being felt and further exacerbated by Israeli propaganda directed toward the population combined with precision attacks targeting all known terrorists.
The Hostage Situation
Negotiations are ongoing to basically continue the Phase 1 of the previous ceasefire agreement. Israel is demanding at least 10 live hostages to be freed and information on those remaining and Hamas is reportedly offering 5. The length of the proposed ceasefire is between 40-60 days, with a resumption of aid and the freeing of many terrorists from Israeli prisons. It’s important to remember that Israel estimates that there are approximately 22 remaining living Israeli hostages in Gaza, so they are basically demanding about half of them be released for a new deal to be reached. So far, Hamas is not willing to budge and they are paying the price! As the young folks like to say: “Play stupid games, win stupid prizes”.
As we stated last week, Israeli leaders, including the Prime Minister himself, are now regularly threatening to conquer pieces of the Gaza Strip and not to relinquish them. Specifically, Prime Minister Netanyahu declared that a new corridor would be created north of Rafiach in southern Gaza that would go through the previously destroyed Jewish community of Morag. This corridor would split Rafiach from Khan Yunis in the north all the way to the sea. It would run parallel to the well known “Philadelphia Corridor” that separates Gaza from Egypt. An Israeli security zone would be created and maintained by Israeli forces. This would make smuggling from Egypt even more challenging than it currently is. This kind of move has likely worried Hamas more than pretty much anything else, including death. If Hamas/Gaza ends up with less land after Oct. 7th than they controlled before, it would suggest to many that they “won a stupid prize” - meaning they lost.
Syria
There were reports this week that Turkey was considering moving military forces into Syria, with the new dictator of Syria’s agreement. This is possibly an attempt to distract the Turkish people from the major protests currently rocking the country and causing much internal strife. Regardless, Israel has continued to aggressively bomb military sites and equipment that remain from the previous dictator of Syria. Israel is undoubtedly sending a clear message to Turkey: “Don’s mess”.
Lebanon
Pretty much the same. Israel killed some Hezbollah terrorists in Beirut after rockets were fired toward Israel. Hezbollah denied firing the rockets, for whatever it’s worth. No one is really talking about any ceasefire over there now or for the foreseeable future.
Judea and Samaria
A dramatic decrease in terror activity throughout Jude and Samaria during Ramadan was easily discernible this year. This is being attributed to the previous crackdown imposed on Jenin and other terror hot spots.
Domestic Israeli News
-After appointing a replacement to head the Shin Bet (Israeli FBI), Prime Minister Netanyahu decided to call “backsies” and rescind the appointment within about 24 hours of the original announcement. The guy who was briefly appointed (and no longer is) was the former head of the Israeli Navy, but he also participated in street protests against the current government and openly criticized President Trump over his environmental policy. Unclear exactly what sunk (navy pun!) his nomination, but it’s over. In the meantime, Netanyahu has appointed the deputy head of the Shin Bet to assume the role on an interim basis. Despite the Israeli Supreme Court freezing the firing (as they often do), the Prime Minister has stated that he expects Ronen Bar to be out of the position in the next week or so. Netanyahu is now interviewing candidates for the position. All are welcome to apply online.
-Prime Minister Netanyahu is scheduled to travel to Hungary this week. This will be his first visit to Europe since an arrest warrant was issued for him by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Hungary has not only pledged not to arrest him upon his arrival, but to officially quit the ICC and move their Israeli embassy to Jerusalem. Big wins there.
-What many suspect is a revenge move against the current Government, two of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s advisors were arrested this week and accused of receiving funds from Qatar in exchange for improving Qatar’s international image. The two are being held and questioned. Definitely a bizarre situation.
-This Israeli Security Cabinet decided this week to allocate funds to build two roads east of Jerusalem. One would connect Arab villages and one allow for easy transportation from the local Arab villages to the Dead Sea/Jericho area. Of course the left is up in arms over this! This is because, as they correctly point out, once the Arab traffic is removed from the area between Jerusalem and Maale Adumim. Maale Adumim will be able to grow exponentially in the direction of Jerusalem and effectively connect the two places. Possibly Maale Adumim, and nearby communities, would become part of a large metropolitan area that was recently proposed to be formed to strengthen Jerusalem and its Jewish population. Definitely an important step!
Passover is coming up fast, so get to cleaning! Unless you’re reading this from South Africa, in which case just continue to relax.
Jerusalem, Israel - April 3, 2025 - Just when you thought things couldn’t heat up any more….Welcome to the Middle East! Not even the “Iceman”, of blessed memory, could cool this region down right now.
Rumors are swirling that the US is planning to attack Iran in the near future. There were reports of large transport planes arriving in the region all week. The US Air Force has continued to attack Yemen with increasing intensity for the past few weeks. Despite these attacks and the large amount of damage they have caused, the Houthis of Yemen, with Iranian backing, continue to fire ballistic missiles at Israel and to attack US Naval ships and commercial vessels. In short, Iran is causing a huge amount of problems for the region, the US and the entire world. During his time, President Barack Hussein Obama made a deal of surrender with Iran to try to curb their aggression, but President Trump, like with everything else, has a very different way of doing things.
Gaza
This week there was definitely a feeling that things are getting significantly harder for the terror-supporting residents of Gaza. The Israeli suspension of truckloads of goods that was previously coming into the Strip has now been in effect for over a month. Certain goods are becoming more scarce and Hamas is having a harder time controlling everything, especially because they are under constant threat of attack by Israel. More protests occurred in the streets of Gaza this week and a Hamas terrorist was killed in retribution for him previously killing someone from a specific Arab clan in central Gaza. The first real cracks in Hamas control are definitely being felt and further exacerbated by Israeli propaganda directed toward the population combined with precision attacks targeting all known terrorists.
The Hostage Situation
Negotiations are ongoing to basically continue the Phase 1 of the previous ceasefire agreement. Israel is demanding at least 10 live hostages to be freed and information on those remaining and Hamas is reportedly offering 5. The length of the proposed ceasefire is between 40-60 days, with a resumption of aid and the freeing of many terrorists from Israeli prisons. It’s important to remember that Israel estimates that there are approximately 22 remaining living Israeli hostages in Gaza, so they are basically demanding about half of them be released for a new deal to be reached. So far, Hamas is not willing to budge and they are paying the price! As the young folks like to say: “Play stupid games, win stupid prizes”.
As we stated last week, Israeli leaders, including the Prime Minister himself, are now regularly threatening to conquer pieces of the Gaza Strip and not to relinquish them. Specifically, Prime Minister Netanyahu declared that a new corridor would be created north of Rafiach in southern Gaza that would go through the previously destroyed Jewish community of Morag. This corridor would split Rafiach from Khan Yunis in the north all the way to the sea. It would run parallel to the well known “Philadelphia Corridor” that separates Gaza from Egypt. An Israeli security zone would be created and maintained by Israeli forces. This would make smuggling from Egypt even more challenging than it currently is. This kind of move has likely worried Hamas more than pretty much anything else, including death. If Hamas/Gaza ends up with less land after Oct. 7th than they controlled before, it would suggest to many that they “won a stupid prize” - meaning they lost.
Syria
There were reports this week that Turkey was considering moving military forces into Syria, with the new dictator of Syria’s agreement. This is possibly an attempt to distract the Turkish people from the major protests currently rocking the country and causing much internal strife. Regardless, Israel has continued to aggressively bomb military sites and equipment that remain from the previous dictator of Syria. Israel is undoubtedly sending a clear message to Turkey: “Don’s mess”.
Lebanon
Pretty much the same. Israel killed some Hezbollah terrorists in Beirut after rockets were fired toward Israel. Hezbollah denied firing the rockets, for whatever it’s worth. No one is really talking about any ceasefire over there now or for the foreseeable future.
Judea and Samaria
A dramatic decrease in terror activity throughout Jude and Samaria during Ramadan was easily discernible this year. This is being attributed to the previous crackdown imposed on Jenin and other terror hot spots.
Domestic Israeli News
-After appointing a replacement to head the Shin Bet (Israeli FBI), Prime Minister Netanyahu decided to call “backsies” and rescind the appointment within about 24 hours of the original announcement. The guy who was briefly appointed (and no longer is) was the former head of the Israeli Navy, but he also participated in street protests against the current government and openly criticized President Trump over his environmental policy. Unclear exactly what sunk (navy pun!) his nomination, but it’s over. In the meantime, Netanyahu has appointed the deputy head of the Shin Bet to assume the role on an interim basis. Despite the Israeli Supreme Court freezing the firing (as they often do), the Prime Minister has stated that he expects Ronen Bar to be out of the position in the next week or so. Netanyahu is now interviewing candidates for the position. All are welcome to apply online.
-Prime Minister Netanyahu is scheduled to travel to Hungary this week. This will be his first visit to Europe since an arrest warrant was issued for him by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Hungary has not only pledged not to arrest him upon his arrival, but to officially quit the ICC and move their Israeli embassy to Jerusalem. Big wins there.
-What many suspect is a revenge move against the current Government, two of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s advisors were arrested this week and accused of receiving funds from Qatar in exchange for improving Qatar’s international image. The two are being held and questioned. Definitely a bizarre situation.
-This Israeli Security Cabinet decided this week to allocate funds to build two roads east of Jerusalem. One would connect Arab villages and one allow for easy transportation from the local Arab villages to the Dead Sea/Jericho area. Of course the left is up in arms over this! This is because, as they correctly point out, once the Arab traffic is removed from the area between Jerusalem and Maale Adumim. Maale Adumim will be able to grow exponentially in the direction of Jerusalem and effectively connect the two places. Possibly Maale Adumim, and nearby communities, would become part of a large metropolitan area that was recently proposed to be formed to strengthen Jerusalem and its Jewish population. Definitely an important step!
Passover is coming up fast, so get to cleaning! Unless you’re reading this from South Africa, in which case just continue to relax.
