Washington is furious with the terror organization over its attempt to rally Arab support against the American proposal in a United Nations Security Council vote, effectively throwing a wrench into President Trump's efforts to advance to the next stage of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

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Such fears persist regarding the three remaining fallen hostages in Gaza: Dror Or, Ran Gvili, and Sudthisak Rinthalak. Hamas committed in the deal to return them as well, but it's unclear if it can fulfill that. Senior officials said there are "certain indications" about the possible location of one of the three, though they admitted that for the other two "we're in total darkness."

Israel keeps up the pressure on Hamas over the hostages, mainly through the United States. But now it must also let Washington push forward with its plan for shifting to the next stage of the agreement. The UN Security Council is set to discuss on Monday the creation of a "stabilization force" in Gaza. The Americans are working feverishly to recruit countries that will join the force to be deployed in the Strip (initially along the Egyptian border in Rafah), and it could create several significant headaches for Israel.

The main headache concerns the force's makeup. In Israel, they claim it will get veto power to block soldiers from Turkey or Qatar, but the draft resolution that was published suggests only a "close consultation" with it. Beyond that, the security arrangements to be set opposite it also worry, since for the first time Israel's security will be "privatized" and handed over to foreign forces in a way that could even limit the IDF's freedom of action.

The Americans enjoy significant backing from leading countries in the Arab and Muslim world. Eight of them issued open support for the draft (Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, and Turkey), which also explicitly addresses the issue of the Palestinian state.

It's likely the topic will come up too in this week's meeting between President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which will include another sensitive issue for Israel's security – the possible sale to Saudi Arabia of stealth fighter jets of the F-35 type, which could significantly erode Israel's qualitative edge in the region.

In Washington, they're trying to tie all these moves together, including normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel (which will involve additional countries). But it seems there's room for concern given the gap between Trump's ambitious vision and the reality on the ground, including in Gaza where Hamas still holds sway.

Over the weekend, The New York Times reported that Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, is set to meet again with the head of Hamas's political arm, Khalil al-Haya. The two met in Sharm el-Sheikh before the signing of the hostage return and war ceasefire deal, and it turns out Washington maintains a hotline with the organization it committed to dismantling.

Into this diplomatic-security focus also spills the reality in Judea and Samaria. In recent weeks, there has been a sharp rise in the number of violence incidents by Jewish extremists against Palestinians, some of which included harm to IDF forces as well. In the defense establishment, they explain the increase with the olive harvest season, but they warn that "we're a step away from a Duma 2," referring to the tragic Jewish terrorism that killed several family members in a Palestinian village several years ago.

These warnings were voiced in several situation assessments, and even passed on to the political echelon including the possible implications – from an outbreak of a broad wave of violence in Judea and Samaria, and up to a collapse of the Gaza ceasefire and broad clashes with the Muslim world.

Meanwhile, the political leadership maintains silence. The prime minister and the defense minister, who excel at commenting on every matter and issue, say not a word on this explosive topic, which also gets coverage in the international media and statements from foreign statesmen. The motives for their silence are clear – the fear of alienating the political base – but its meaning is a signal to the rioters that they have backing from the country's leadership to continue their actions.

This leadership cowardice, which contradicts the clear interest of the state, is a direct continuation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz's conduct on the exemption from the Haredi conscription law issue being advanced apace, and to a slew of additional matters – the judicial legislation, the legislation against the media, the intense focus on a pardon for Netanyahu – in all of which the public interest is pushed aside. Don Corleone, seated as godfather, already pointed out that everything is personal: In Israel 2025, everything is personal, and also political.

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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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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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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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Witkoff, joined on stage by Jared Kushner, the former White House senior advisor and son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, addressed an estimated crowd of 400,000, according to organizers. Both men appeared ahead of speeches by the families of hostages and former hostages , as part of a massive event demanding continued efforts to bring all hostages home.

"I dreamed of this night," Witkoff said as chants of "thank you Trump" rang out. "It's been a long journey. This is a powerful sight. I don't know how many people are out there, but it seems like more than 100,000 tonight. All our hearts beat as one here in Tel Aviv — for peace, for unity, for hope, in this sacred place we call Hostage Square. I wish the president were here. He would love this."

Witkoff praised Trump as "the greatest president the world has ever seen," drawing a warm response from the crowd.

"I wish the president were here. Thank you. We stand here tonight — Jews, Christians, Muslims, and people from all over the world — united in one shared prayer for peace. Tonight, we celebrate something extraordinary. A moment many thought was impossible," he said.

"But here we are, living proof that when courage meets conviction, miracles can happen. Peace born not from politics but from bravery, the bravery of those who refuse to give up on hope. Above all, I want to honor the people of Israel. Your strength, your resilience, your unshakable spirit. Through unspeakable pain and loss, you have carried the weight of hope on your shoulders for the entire world. You have prayed, endured, and shown that peace is not weakness, it is the highest form of strength."

The speech was briefly interrupted by loud booing from the crowd when Witkoff mentioned Netanyahu by name.

"To the families: you prayed through endless nights, never letting the world forget your loved ones. In doing so, you honored them. To the hostages themselves, our brothers and sisters, you are coming home. Your faces, names, and stories live in every heart here tonight and have lived in mine since I began this work."

"Your endurance, your faith, your will to live have become symbols of the human spirit that cannot be broken. And now, as you return to the embrace of your families and your nation, know that all of Israel and the entire world stand ready to welcome you home with open arms and infinite love."

"We remember the heroes and the innocent souls no longer with us, those taken from us on that horrific and tragic day, October 7, and those who have given their lives since, defending their freedom, their nation, this state of Israel, and peace. May their memory be a blessing. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. From their courage, we draw our strength."

"This peace is their legacy. It is a promise that their lives will be remembered not only in sorrow, but as a beacon of hope for a future without fear. So in closing, I say: May God bless the souls of the fallen. May God bless the hostages and their families as they return home. May God bless the State of Israel. May God bless the United States of America. And may God bless Donald J. Trump, the greatest president the world has ever seen. Thank you."

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Hamas is currently confronting an existential challenge it has never faced since its inception. The population is utterly worn out, confidence is deteriorating, and the exhausted Gazan public is no longer lauding the mouqawamah (resistance) but asking instead, "where is the bread". Local militias – including armed tribes, rebellious factions, and even former Hamas operatives – are defying the organization, weakening its authority, and triggering internal conflicts. Hamas, once the strip's iron-fisted ruler, must now handle this through the Wahdat Sahm, its Gestapo, facing a double threat: internal collapse and vengeance from external militias.

The Gazans, on their part, are moving in great numbers toward the Al-Mawasi area. These convoys also symbolize the break from Hamas, indicating a profound shift. An increasing number of citizens now view the organization not as the "protector of the nation" but as a "curse". Many are willing to take the risk with Israel if it provides hope for genuine change.

Simultaneously, the Arab bloc is uniting around a clear objective – to conclude the Gaza episode and bring back stability. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, and even Qatar, have started to indicate that "the resistance" has turned into a strategic liability. The damage caused by the Houthis to commercial trade, the significant economic expenditures, and the concern about the potential for another regional conflict all contribute to a new consensus. Hamas is no longer perceived as part of the solution but as the primary barrier to achieving it.

Trump, undeniably one of Israel's greatest allies in history who has stood by Israel in the most challenging times against the entire world, but in collaboration with Steve Witkoff, perceives Gaza as a venue for a deal, not necessarily a dangerous minefield. Both are real estate professionals who operate on the belief that when an asset declines, one merely needs to purchase it at a low price, refurbish it, and sell it for a profit. This mindset, however, is ill-suited for the Middle East. Here, the "refurbishment" involves a deep psychological transformation, and the assets are not lucrative, as the foundations are built on beliefs and blood. Consequently, his dangerously naive declaration that "Hamas wants lasting peace" reflects a fundamental misunderstanding. In the world of real estate professionals, there is no consideration for the Islamic concept of taqiyya: a calculated deception for survival that allows Hamas to feign compromise while actively regrouping.

The actual deal right now is not between Israel and Hamas, but between Washington and itself. Will the US uphold the unequivocal 20-point plan it authored, which received international support, or will it gnaw at its own tail like a cornered animal. The pressure for a "compromise," combined with the vast Qatari funding and the appeal of a "historic deal," will achieve their purpose. Hamas is experiencing a historic nadir. Therefore, it currently appears that Hamas might accept the "soft" components of the agreement in part, enough to claim an internal victory but without relinquishing its arms. Israel will be compelled to grant substantial relief and concessions in exchange for the deal's implementation. The remaining factors depend on US pressure and the disorganized dynamic on the Gazan street.

In the end, Trump may discover yet again that the Middle East is not an Atlantic City casino available for a contract closing, but rather a mysterious, deeply ancient archaeological site complete with ancient labyrinths and secrets. The hidden elements outweigh the known ones: blood, faith, and its own unique tribal laws. Here, an "agreement" serves only as a preface to a new stage, rather than the conclusion of the entire narrative.

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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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