Israel Report - Thursday 03 July 2025
And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness. [Isaiah 16; v 5]
IDF Spokesperson says Middle East has Changed and Explains the Causes….
IDSF - Israel's Defence and Security Forum
In today’s briefing, former IDF international spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus talks about how Israel's strategic priorities have been shaped by the war in Israel and the new dynamic in the Middle East.
He elaborates on how Israel became vulnerable after the great victory in 1967 leading to the tragic Yom Kippur war, and how this time around, after the successes of this war, Israel will not make the same mistakes of the past.
Jonathan also reflects on his role in dialoging with the media and how it has changed over the course of his career.
HERE is the recording of the briefing from today.
Our next briefing will be Friday 04 July 2025.
Hamas Expected to Respond to Hostage Deal in Next 24 Hours…..
Following Israel’s green light for the Qatari hostage deal proposal, which is essentially the Witkoff framework with some modifications, officials in Israel, the US, and the mediating countries are now awaiting Hamas’s response.
"For the first time, there is real optimism that Hamas will say ‘yes,’" two sources familiar with the talks told The Jerusalem Post.
An Israeli official also confirmed that there is a growing belief that this time, Hamas may accept the deal. "Qatar is applying immense pressure on the group," the sources added.
In a Truth Social post published Wednesday morning, Donald Trump warned Hamas, saying: "I hope, for the sake of the Middle East, that Hamas takes the deal—because if not, things will only get worse for them, not better."
Hamas suggested Wednesday it was open to a ceasefire agreement with Israel but stopped short of accepting an American-backed proposal announced by Trump hours earlier, insisting on its longstanding position that any deal bring an end [permanently] to the war in Gaza.
The proposed hostage deal includes the release of 10 living hostages and the return of 18 hostage bodies in five phases during a 60-day ceasefire, in exchange for the release of terrorists.
Hamas will be required not to hold filmed "release ceremonies" for the hostages, as it has done in the past.
The terror organization clarified that in any case, they do not intend to give up on their basic demand: guarantees for ending the war and the withdrawal of the IDF from all areas of the Gaza Strip.
Never going to happen?
Hezbollah Threatens: "We Will Not Agree to Be Humiliated and Surrender Our Weapons"…..
Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem [above] declared yesterday that "the organization will not agree to be humiliated and surrender its land and weapons to the 'Israeli enemy.'"
According to him, "as an organization, we will not accept anyone threatening us to give up, as we will not relinquish our rights."
Qassem noted that his organization fights Israel not only as an occupier but as a strategic threat to the entire region and the world.
U.S. to Halt Arms Shipments to Ukraine?
The White House said on Tuesday that President Trump had paused the delivery of some air defence interceptors and precision-guided bombs and missiles to Ukraine
Ukrainian officials say that despite media reports that the Trump administration is halting the delivery of critical air defence interceptors and other munitions, at least some U.S. arms continue to be provided and they have not been informed that these transfers will no longer be made.
The news comes at a particularly critical time, as Russia has stepped up its aerial attacks.
Earlier this week, Moscow launched its largest air barrage of the war, firing 477 drones and 60 missiles, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.
Overall, major and relatively sudden shortfalls in planned weapons deliveries could have wide-ranging impacts on the battlefield.
North Korea is set to ship off 30,000 more troops to help Russia's invasion of Ukraine, tripling the number of soldiers it has given Moscow.
On Wednesday, a top aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the Patriot interceptors are still being provided.
“Deliveries are ongoing as of today,” Mykhailo Podolyak, [above] advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, told the Ukrainian FREEDOM TV news outlet. “It would look very strange — it would look inhumane — to stop supplying interceptor missiles, especially for Patriot systems, which clearly and significantly protect civilians across Ukraine.”
Kyiv has not been officially informed about the arms cutoff, according to the Ukrainian Defence Ministry.
In addition to that list, a retired high-ranking Ukrainian officer said on Wednesday that the U.S. is also halting delivery of repurposed U.S.-supplied heat-seeking AIM-9M Sidewinder air-to-air missiles Ukraine uses as an effector on some of its so-called FrankenSAM air defence systems.
The Pentagon’s policy chief Elbridge Colby [above] drove the decision, which was made after a review of Pentagon munitions stockpiles, leading to concerns that the total number of artillery rounds, air defence missiles and precision munitions was sinking.
The White House confirmed that the U.S. would no longer send these weapons to Ukraine and that the decision was based on preserving America’s weapons stocks.
“This decision was made to put America’s interests first following a DOD review of our nation’s military support and assistance to other countries across the globe,” Deputy White House Press Secretary Anna Kelly said. “The strength of the United States Armed Forces remains unquestioned — just ask Iran.”
Matthew Whitaker, [above] the U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO, doubled down on Kelly’s statement, telling Fox News on Wednesday that “This is what America First looks like. We first have to take care of the United States’ needs.”
There have long been concerns about U.S. stocks running low as challenges from China are increasing and the possibility of renewed hostilities with Iran remains. This is on top of the threat that looms over Europe from Russia.
Israel Report