Israel Hayom has learned that Azerbaijan – an ally of Israel that considered joining the force several weeks ago – conveyed in recent days the message that it will not agree to endanger the lives of its soldiers in Gaza. In Baku, as in other countries, officials are currently discussing participation in the ISF as part of reconstruction processes and maintaining calm, but not at the stage currently required of disarming Hamas and demilitarizing the Strip.

During Thursday's cabinet session, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disclosed to ministers a fundamental agreement exists between him and President Donald Trump's representatives: if no alternative actor emerges to eliminate Hamas, and if the organization refuses voluntary disarmament, Israel assumes the mission. Both Netanyahu and IDF representatives at the Kiryat Gat international headquarters hear explicit American commitments to Gaza demilitarization, as Trump's plan stipulates.

"Hamas growing stronger"

During Thursday's Diplomatic-Security Cabinet session, IDF and Shin Bet representatives briefed ministers that Hamas has not only failed to surrender weapons as pledged, but actively exploits the period for renewed armament and force building. The Shin Bet representative stated, "Hamas is exploiting the ceasefire to strengthen its power to prepare against us, in case we enter to operate in the red side of Gaza, and also to appoint officials in the organization."

The intelligence assessment stressed the organization exploits dual-use materials entering Gaza through international supply channels to rearm. The terrorists additionally gather IDF ordnance fragments, converting them for their purposes, including explosive device production. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted in this context, "every day the Americans search for who will demilitarize Gaza, they (Hamas) grow stronger."

Netanyahu added, "it's clear from all contacts that if there's no external force, we're demilitarizing." Netanyahu also disclosed he demanded Americans postpone Gaza rehabilitation until demilitarization implementation. "I told the Americans that they must ensure demilitarization on the ground of Hamas, before any rehabilitation," he stated.

According to him, "The Americans agree that there won't be rehabilitation in the green side (held by the IDF) as long as there's no rehabilitation in the red side (held by Hamas)." It should be noted that according to sources close to the White House, this principle is accepted by Jared Kushner and he currently doesn't expect Gaza rehabilitation to begin before the military threat posed by Hamas is removed.

Israel Hayom has learned that Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir detailed at the previous cabinet meeting, last Thursday ten days ago, from which points in the Gaza Strip the IDF must not withdraw under any circumstances. According to the chief of staff, even if the unexpected occurs and Hamas lays down its weapons, the IDF must show presence in the area. Zamir's position is also that reconstruction of Gaza should not be agreed to in any part of the Strip without demilitarization being carried out.

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Kushner told an Israeli official about his work against the backdrop of significant challenges in the existing framework around Hamas disarmament and which nation would risk deploying its troops in direct military combat with Hamas terrorists. No country has yet indicated willingness to take on this role.

Egypt has trained a 5,000-strong Gazan force with American and Israeli approval to fight Hamas, though their willingness to engage in combat remains uncertain. Furthermore, as we reported Tuesday, Kushner explained that western Gaza will not undergo rehabilitation until the Strip is demilitarized and Hamas surrenders its weapons. Kushner recognizes achieving these objectives presents formidable challenges, which explains his parallel work on alternatives.

Concurrently, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir told the recent Diplomatic-Security Cabinet meeting that the military is developing a contingency plan if American efforts fail. Zamir said the alternative approach will be briefed to ministers shortly.

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Hamas' military wing made clear early this week that fighter surrender or weapons abandonment remain off the table. Mohammad Nazzal, a senior Hamas official abroad, rejected exile outside Gaza and urged mediators to intervene.

Turkey wasted no time seizing this as another diplomatic opportunity, with sources saying it is "working to ensure safe passage for approximately 200 'Gazan civilians' trapped in Rafah tunnels" – as if 200 civilians simply got stuck in underground passages.

The deteriorating relationship between Ankara and Jerusalem, sparked by Turkish arrest warrants and Israel's response, combined with Israeli opposition to Turkish participation in Gaza's multinational force, will feature in Jared Kushner's discussions with Netanyahu, though not as the central focus.

Washington's primary objective is stabilizing the ceasefire. Meeting this goal requires advancing to stage two of the Trump plan and generating implementation momentum. With everyone occupied by processes and mechanisms, reality on the ground will shift toward non-combat, enabling Trump to pursue his broader diplomatic ambitions.

From Israel's perspective, however, the ceasefire is not the end goal. Particularly not now, after recovering living hostages and most deceased remains. Eliminating enemy capabilities and removing weapons from the territory remain Israel's core objectives, which cannot be sacrificed to ceasefire demands or satisfied through cosmetic arrangements.

Furthermore, Israel's approach in Gaza will directly impact Hezbollah arrangements (and the reverse), leaving no room for creative half-measures that sound good but deliver nothing.

Even without this consideration, regional discourse is already showing such formulas emerging. Examples include attempts to limit disarmament definitions to offensive weapons only – excluding tunnels, personal arms, and other capabilities from discussion. Another involves establishing an "administrative committee" for civilian Gaza governance, supposedly without Hamas participation, when the terror group already influences personnel selection and will clearly control such governance as the Strip's dominant force.

Returning to the besieged in Rafah – their number remains unclear. Media reports citing Israeli sources estimate 150 to 200. Foreign press mentioned lower figures, while Hamas websites simply stated the military wing withholds information due to sensitivity, describing them as "Qassam elite" facing high risk "while contending with medical supply shortages, electricity deficits, and the need to secure tunnels after extensive war damage."

Hamas spokesmen have raised no claims about broken commitments on this matter. They frame the connection to recovering IDF soldier Hadar Goldin's remains through humanitarian considerations and stability interests.

Given these circumstances, Israel possesses every advantage to transform this incident into a powerful symbol of its Hamas dismantlement commitment. Time favors us here, and provided our forces can block attacks from the besieged or other directions, no rush exists. Regardless, this event's conclusion must be decisive – mass surrender, detention or terrorist deaths. Images and publicity carry value. This is how regimes fall. Exile, as some mediators suggest, while not inherently rejected, should only acceptable as a post-surrender, post-arrest step, never as a replacement.

A Al-Resalah Hamas website editorial characterized the besieged issue as testing Hamas' capacity for post-war challenges. "It combines military, diplomatic, and humanitarian aspects and conveys an important message to the Palestinian public and the world regarding Hamas's ability to protect its people and manage humanitarian crises, in an extremely complex environment and under international supervision." This equally tests Israeli determination, providing further reason Israel cannot accept any solution Hamas would claim as an achievement.

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Netanyahu was testifying Tuesday morning in his trial at the Tel Aviv District Court, and the meeting was expected to occur after the testimony concluded. The prime minister was expected to meet with senior security officials to address Hamas' repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement.

Hamas has yet to return 13 deceased hostages still in its possession. Monday evening, Hamas transferred to the Red Cross, and from there to Israel, the coffin of someone the terror organization claimed was one of the 13 deceased hostages still held.

At the Institute of Forensic Medicine, officials could not identify the deceased, as DNA tests did not match any of those remaining in captivity in Gaza. In light of the developments, Netanyahu was expected to convene a security consultation later Tuesday to discuss how to respond to Hamas' actions.

According to Israeli assessments, Hamas could immediately transfer five deceased hostages to Israeli territory, with several additional deceased hostages recoverable with some effort.

All options under consideration

In recent days, Israel has been examining a series of punitive measures against Hamas for the delay and the delivery of a body that is not one of the 13 hostages, following President Donald Trump's ultimatum to Hamas.

Some of the sanctions include moving the "yellow line" westward – expanding the area of Israeli control, renewed entry to the Netzarim Corridor to restrict Palestinian movement, reducing aid convoys and limiting product entry, and continued closure of the Rafah Crossing.

The measures are being coordinated with the US, which has not ruled out the moves but requested additional time before they are implemented. In talks between Minister Ron Dermer and US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, Dermer warned against erosion of the American threat's impact after Hamas violated President Trump's ultimatum.

"Don't let Hamas play cruelly with families of the deceased"

Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich, who also serves on the Diplomatic-Security Cabinet, sent an urgent letter to Netanyahu calling for convening the cabinet to discuss response measures.

Smotrich wrote, "Against the backdrop of Hamas' repeated violations of the ceasefire conditions and the first stage of President Trump's plan and against the backdrop of the lack of progress in dismantling and demilitarizing Gaza, I ask you to urgently convene the cabinet today for discussion to formulate a package of strong and determined responses and to ensure our adherence to the central war objective of destroying Hamas and removing the threat emanating from Gaza toward Israeli citizens."

"We cannot allow Hamas to deceive Israeli citizens and play with cruel cynicism with the emotions of the families of the deceased hostages."

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said, "The fact that Hamas continues playing games and has not immediately transferred all the bodies of our deceased – this alone shows that the terror organization is still standing on its feet. The time has come to break those legs once and for all."

"Now we don't need to exact a price from Hamas for the violations. We need to exact from it its very existence, and destroy it completely, once and for all – according to the central objective defined for Operation Rising Lion. Mr. Prime Minister, enough hesitating – give the order!"

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This describes the individual sometimes dubbed "rabbi to kings." Schneier's persona has been linked for years with Arab and Muslim state leaders worldwide, from Saudi Arabia's monarch to Azerbaijan's president, from Qatar's emir to the United Arab Emirates' ruler. In an exclusive Israel Hayom interview, Schneier discusses diplomacy and pragmatism through the lens of faith and stated that for him the real prize is not political, but spiritual.

"I'm the 18th generation rabbi in my family," he begins. "I've always wanted to be a rabbi – and to appreciate what it means to be a rabbi."
Schneier received ordination in 1983 by Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik, yet his calling extends beyond the synagogue and community he founded in the Hamptons, New York. "In my office… one wall has photos with kings and presidents, but the other side overlooks the synagogue. That's what gives me a sense of purpose and fulfillment."

"In my family, you have to make two contributions – both congregationally, spiritually, and also from the social-action point of view," he continues, and consequently, in 1989 he founded the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, to restore the historic alliance between African Americans and Jews forged during the civil rights movement in the United States. "Martin Luther King comprehended that whoever struggles for his own rights can only do so if he also battles for others' rights. King was a great champion of Israel… He had zero tolerance for antisemitism."

After two decades leading it, he decided to pursue a new direction, "I thought that the great challenge of my generation would be to find the path to narrow the divide between 16 million Jews and 1.8 billion Muslims. And that's what sent me off on my global journey."

Schneier recounts how Muslim world doors opened before him. "My great patron was the late King of Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah… he introduced me to the King of Bahrain, who introduced me to the Emir of Qatar, who introduced me to the ruler of the UAE, who introduced me to [Azerbaijani leader] Aliyev — and then Kazakhstan… Even i24NEWS today said, 'this is the one who planted all the seeds for the Abraham Accords.'"

"I say everywhere – in Riyadh, Doha, Baku, Ankara – anti-Zionism is antisemitism. Israel is not some political 77-year-old aspiration; it's at the very core of our religion." He adds, "How can you be a Jew and not be a Zionist? Why would you bifurcate? … I am, in this work, a watchdog when it comes to Israel." The leaders, according to him, value his consistency.  "One of these leaders said to me, 'Presidents and heads of state, ambassadors — they come and go, and you're always there. We all need a rabbi.'"

Beyond his community position in the Hamptons, he was appointed special advisor by the King of Bahrain to the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence based in Manama, and in 2022 served as interfaith consultant to the World Cup organization in Qatar, whose reputation in Israel naturally transformed completely following the war.

"The Qataris always come through for me… I served as interfaith advisor to the World Cup. I had three conditions: 15,000 Israelis, direct flights between Doha and Tel Aviv, and kosher food," he states, "I brought two rabbis from Turkey...  check, check, check [referring to all three conditions being met]." Qatar itself naturally leveraged the treatment of Israelis to bolster its image, while preserving relations with Israel's adversaries in the Middle East.

He portrays his warm relationship with Aliyev, Azerbaijan's president, whom he calls "like family for me. There's nothing Aliyev wouldn't do for Israel." He recalled telling one Arab leader that if he wanted to normalize relations with Israel, he should simply follow what Azerbaijan does.

With Turkey, Schneier was involved in the thawing of relations between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President Isaac Herzog in 2021. "The Turkish ambassador to Washington called Erdoğan from my office… I said it would be a wonderful opportunity for President Erdogan to call President Herzog – which he did. And by March 2022 we had the famous reconciliation meeting in Ankara." Schneier adds that "Erdogan was a big disappointment to me because of his absolute hatred for Netanyahu... Erdogan loves Herzog. Loves him."

He characterizes Hamas as "a perversion of Islam," saying that the war in Gaza "is a war against evil, not a war of religion." According to him, there are 12 Muslim countries that support or express sympathy for Israel. Muslim leaders support Israel's right to defend itself.

Schneier believes the agreement to release the hostages and ceasefire signals a regional transformation. "If Hamas doesn't behave... not only will they have to deal with the Israelis, they'll have to deal with the Americans — and good luck to them." He notes that is an unprecedented opportunity. If Gaza is demilitarized and administered by an Arab consortium and provided economic hope, everything can be transformed.

Regarding the Abraham Accords, Schneier enumerated Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Indonesia, Pakistan, Oman, Syria and Lebanon, as countries that may normalize relations with Israel in the near future. However, he indicated that "There's going to be very little movement in the Arab world until… Israelis recognize that everyone wants to see a Palestinian state – even if only symbolic."

Schneier participated in the "Peace to Prosperity" conference in Bahrain in 2019, and is convinced that Jared Kushner was correct, that money and hope can alter perception. He recalls Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's words, "MBS said to me, 'Rabbi, you probably think I want to normalize relations with Israel because of Iran. That's the second reason. The first is Vision 2030 – the economic transformation of the kingdom that I cannot accomplish without Israel.'"

Schneier divides the region into two blocs, "You have the Saudi bloc – Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, even Qatar – and you have the Iranian bloc… Why doesn't anyone recognize that blessing?"

He expresses concern about the situation in New York and the weakening of Jewish influence in the city, and warns against Zohran Mamdani's rise, He [Mamdani] will finesse every issue – police, education, even prostitution – except one: Israel. He won't even recognize Israel as a democratic Jewish state."

At the conversation's conclusion, he sends a warm message to Israelis, "For American Jews, Israelis are a great source of inspiration. We enjoy the security and the strength we have in the Diaspora only because of the State of Israel… It has restored the honor and the dignity of the Jewish people… There's never been a better time to be Jewish than today."

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Enat Angrest revealed that the terrorists debated whether it was "worth keeping him alive or giving up on him" because of his severe injury. In a video the family released from October 7, Angrest is shown being extracted from the tank, bent and kneeling on the ground, his military shirt pulled up and his chest exposed, being guided and held by terrorists.

Angrest added that the terrorists informed Matan they saw her on television and that she was "very dominant in the struggle" to bring him home. "Matan didn't know that an entire nation was crying and waiting for them. He believed there was a protest here and a protest there. He wasn't aware of the intensity of the publicity."

She also stated her son told her "I did what was expected of me as a soldier" and that he is proud of his decision to fight that morning, and that he considered the possibility he would be abducted.

Earlier, Matan and Einat met with President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and Special Envoy for Middle East Steve Witkoff. They presented Witkoff with a photograph from Kiryat Bialik Mayor Eli Dukorsky of the city's soccer stadium that will be named after Trump. Matan is a resident of the city.

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One of those addresses is Nachalat Binyamin Street, which has emerged in recent years as the most prominent focal point in the city's culinary landscape. Spearheading this movement is Pereh restaurant, owned by Chef Aviad Feld, which opened four and a half years ago and continues to maintain its standing as one of Tel Aviv's finest and most cherished restaurants.

Feld, along with his kitchen partner Uri Steinberg, has created at Pereh a seasonal Israeli cuisine that communicates in local dialect but thinks globally. This is a restaurant that succeeds in balancing technical precision with the instincts of a chef who understands how to work with Israeli ingredients without sacrificing sophistication. It draws inspiration from the Mediterranean, from local farmers and from the markets – and presents them with meticulous aesthetics and a stylish yet unpretentious atmosphere.

Video: Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff visit the Pereh restaurant / Credit: Usage under Israeli Intellectual Property Law Article 27a

On the menu you'll discover evolving dishes that change with the seasons, highlighting local vegetables, fresh fish and premium meats alongside contemporary techniques and Feld's personal touch, and naturally a Japanese soufflé pancake, which has evolved into one of the city's signature dishes.

Witkoff and Kushner, apparently, have already made this discovery themselves. On Monday evening they were observed at Pereh for the second time within a week, escorted by security personnel, seated during the late evening hours and savoring the ambiance.

Chef Aviad Feld told Israel Hayom, "It's profoundly moving to host Witkoff and Jared and it touched not only us, but everyone who was present during both of their visits to the restaurant. Their connection to the restaurant and the personal bond between us warms the heart and brings special happiness. Already anticipating hosting them on their next visit."

Overall, it appears Witkoff and Kushner appreciate the remarkable culinary scene Tel Aviv has to offer. During their previous visit, immediately following the rally where they addressed the crowd at Hostages Square, the two proceeded, together with Ivanka Trump naturally, to the prestigious Pop and Pope restaurant of Chef Shachaf Shabtai on HaArba'a Street.

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Based on current assessments, the Israeli hostages are held in at least three separate locations across the Gaza Strip, and uncertainty persists over whether Hamas will gather them for a unified release or transfer them to the Red Cross at multiple sites.​

Security sources indicate Hamas has not yet transmitted to Israel the names of the deceased captives it intends to return.​ Simultaneously, Israeli security officials are tracking closely the enforcement mechanism American negotiators are presently formulating. On Friday, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner addressed the matter with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and on Saturday the subject arose during discussions between the two senior American envoys and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir.​

Israel's goal is for the developing mechanism to mirror the framework established in Lebanon, though substantial differences between the two theaters may hinder this objective.​

Who becomes the enforcer?

First, Lebanon functions as a sovereign state, allowing Israeli grievances relayed through the Americans to reach the Lebanese government and Lebanese Armed Forces, which bear enforcement responsibility. In Gaza, however, no governing authority exists apart from Hamas, leaving unclear whether and how Israeli complaints will be addressed and enforced.​

Second, Israel successfully imposed an on-the-ground enforcement doctrine in Lebanon against every breach – targeting not merely immediate dangers but also weapons accumulation. In Gaza, Israel may lack this capability given the commitments it made in the agreement, particularly as the deployment of foreign personnel from nations including the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Turkey and others may restrict Israeli actions.​

In the interim, until tomorrow morning, Israeli Air Force operational guidelines remain exceptionally stringent, as avoiding any risk to the hostage release remains paramount throughout Israel.​

Following their release and return to Israel, the nation will transition into a phase of establishing security arrangements with Hamas. Israel's fundamental priority is Gaza demilitarization and operations against any weapons buildup, regardless of scale. An additional unresolved matter will inevitably be determining Gaza's future governance.​

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President Trump understood that the Israeli public desires two outcomes: the release of the hostages and a victory over Hamas. This is precisely what is offered by the plan developed by his son-in-law Jared Kushner and his friend Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff, who crafted it in full cooperation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ron Dermer. However, President Trump did not merely release a plan and hope it would succeed on its own; he is also providing close accompaniment to its hoped-for execution, preventing the parties – primarily Hamas, but also Israel – from evading their responsibilities.

Let's start with Israel: The depiction that Trump imposed any action on  Netanyahu is ludicrous. Trump spoke by telephone with the prime minister and coordinated these matters with him. Given the current circumstances, his plan is, after all, advantageous for Israel, and Netanyahu seeks its implementation. Suspending offensive operations in Gaza to allow the plan to begin taking concrete form on the ground aligns perfectly with Israel's core interests.

IDF did not cease fire

By assuming the new posture, Israel secures support, once again transferring the responsibility to Hamas' court, while the action itself does not involve a heavy security price. The IDF did not, in fact, cease fire in the Strip; it only halted offensive operations. That is, no new territories were seized in Gaza City, but existing holdings remain secured in our control. Our soldiers continue to maintain a presence in the Netzarim Corridor and prevent Gazans from traveling north. Consequently, there were dozens of fatalities in Gaza after the Israeli announcement, made at President Donald Trump's request, of "halting offensive operations." In other words, the perception that Israel prematurely abandoned the war effort is simply inaccurate.

Hamas continues to sweat

Hamas, conversely, continues to face intense pressure. Its sponsors in Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, and even Russia anticipate it will agree to the deal. Naturally,  Trump is publicly demanding this from the organization for all the world to witness. If the organization attempts to stall, the entire world, led by Trump, will hold it responsible for derailing the agreement. Let this not be misinterpreted. Israel does not desire such an outcome and is not engaging in "blame games," but genuinely hopes the agreement materializes. Nevertheless, should the framework indeed collapse, it is beneficial that Trump remains squarely on our side.

Therefore, for all these reasons, Netanyahu acted properly when he granted request to halt attacks in Gaza. The bottom line is that success was and remains dependent on implementation. The US is urging the mediators to achieve the release of hostages in the very near future, even before the full details of the deal are finalized. Israel fulfilled its role to enable the agreement to go into effect. It is also preparing for the possibility that Hamas will attempt to lie, deceive, cheat, and waste time. And what is most critical, President Donald Trump has made it explicit that he will not permit such maneuvers. Because he, as he stated, "always was on Israel's side."

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The meeting came just an hour after President Donald Trump declared, following talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, that the sides were "very close to a deal in Gaza."

Video: Witkoff and Kushner at Netanyahu's hotel /// Or Shaked

An Israeli official confirmed that intensive discussions are underway over a possible agreement to end the war. Still, he noted, negotiations with the Americans remain unresolved as Israel seeks guarantees that its security interests will be safeguarded. Netanyahu's meeting with Trump on Monday is expected to be critical for securing those guarantees.

Netanyahu arrived in New York ahead of his speech on Friday at the UN General Assembly, but first met Trump's envoys to review the US proposal, which was presented earlier this week to Arab leaders. The plan is designed to bring an end to the war and secure the release of all 48 Israeli hostages still being held by the Hamas terrorist organization.

International force to take control of Gaza

Trump's plan calls for a permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the deployment of an international force inside Gaza. The proposal, presented on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, expands on Witkoff's most recent ceasefire initiative. It outlines who would govern the Gaza Strip after the war ends, with an international oversight body supervising a Palestinian committee to manage Gaza on an interim basis.

Under the plan, IDF forces would redeploy to the positions they held during the temporary truce between January and March before withdrawing entirely once the force is in place. Hamas would have no role in governing Gaza, and the plan explicitly rules out any forced displacement of civilians.

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