Trump Urges Immediate Release of Israeli Hostages Before Inauguration
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump reiterated his demand for the release of hostages held in Gaza, emphasizing the urgency of resolving the situation before his inauguration on Jan. 20.
Speaking at his Mar-A-Lago estate in Florida on Tuesday evening, Trump addressed the ongoing captivity of Israelis in Gaza. When questioned about his previous warning of significant repercussions should the hostages not be freed, he responded, “We’ll see what happens. They need to release those hostages immediately.”
Negotiations between Israel and Hamas have stalled, according to reports from Arab mediators cited by The Wall Street Journal. Talks reportedly revolve around a potential 60-day ceasefire and the exchange of up to 30 hostages for Palestinian prisoners. Hamas has also demanded that the bodies of deceased captives be included in the exchange, a request Israel has rejected.
The deadlock persists amid speculation that meaningful progress may only occur after the U.S. administration transition. Efforts to secure a deal under President Joe Biden’s term have faced considerable challenges.
Hamas abducted over 250 individuals during its incursion into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Approximately 96 hostages remain in Gaza, while dozens have reportedly died in captivity. A previous agreement in November 2023 facilitated the release of 100 captives in exchange for a brief ceasefire and the release of Palestinian detainees.
In his capacity as President-elect, Trump has engaged with families of the captives and designated Adam Boehler as a special envoy for hostage affairs. Boehler has actively worked with Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to address the crisis.
Netanyahu has maintained that any ceasefire with Hamas would be temporary, emphasizing Israel’s commitment to dismantling the terrorist organization and ensuring long-term security in the region.
Israeli Military Confirms Destruction of Iranian Missile Facility in Syria
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) disclosed details of a high-stakes operation in September 2024, targeting an underground Iranian missile factory in northwestern Syria.
This mission, carried out by the IDF’s elite Shaldag unit, involved a coordinated ground and aerial assault on a facility near Masyaf, reportedly managed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps and supporting Hezbollah operations. A military source described the mission as “one of the most daring and precise actions undertaken by Israeli forces in recent years.”
According to Syrian state media, the September raid resulted in significant casualties and destruction. Unverified reports suggested IDF commandos secured sensitive intelligence before demolishing the site, which was code-named “Deep Layer.”
The facility was associated with advanced missile technology and hosted Iranian military personnel, according to intelligence sources. The IDF employed advanced tactics to ensure operational success, including securing the surrounding area and neutralizing opposition forces.
Israel has maintained its strategy of preemptively targeting threats from Syria to prevent the proliferation of Iranian and Hezbollah military assets. Since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, Israeli forces have intensified operations in the region to counteract any resurgence of hostile actors.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently highlighted the broader implications of Israel’s actions, framing them as pivotal in neutralizing Iran’s influence and safeguarding regional stability.
Key Hamas Commander Behind Nir Oz Attack Eliminated in IDF Operation
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the elimination of Abd al-Hadi Sabah, a high-ranking Hamas operative responsible for orchestrating the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz.
Sabah, a commander in Hamas’s elite Nukhba unit, was targeted in a precision airstrike conducted in coordination with Israeli intelligence and security agencies. The operation took place in Khan Yunis, where Sabah had been operating from a facility designated as a humanitarian zone.
The IDF noted that Sabah had actively directed attacks against Israeli forces throughout the ongoing conflict. Prior to the strike, measures were implemented to minimize harm to civilians in the area.
The Oct. 7 assault on Kibbutz Nir Oz, led by Sabah, resulted in heavy casualties and numerous abductions. Nearly 25% of the kibbutz’s population was either killed or captured during the attack, highlighting the devastating toll of Hamas’s actions.
In addition to eliminating Sabah, the IDF reported significant progress in dismantling Hamas’s infrastructure in Gaza. Recent operations in Rafah uncovered and destroyed a facility used for manufacturing medium- and long-range rockets.
The IDF reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing those responsible for the Oct. 7 atrocities and dismantling Hamas’s capabilities to ensure lasting security for Israel.
