JC Israel Briefing Day 564: Details of new ceasefire plan emerge

America’s new ambassador to Israel has blamed Hamas for the lack of humanitarian aid in Gaza, challenging the international tendency to blame Israel. Mike Huckabee said he had received a request from the World Health Organisation to help resolve the lack of aid flowing into Gaza — and then released a video saying that the pressure “really belongs” on Hamas. He said: “So we call upon Hamas to sign an agreement so that humanitarian aid can flow into Gaza to the people who desperately need it. When that happens, and hostages are released — which is an urgent matter for all of us — then we hope that that humanitarian aid will flow, and flow freely, knowing that it will be done without Hamas being able to confiscate and abuse their own people by not allowing those resources to get to the people who desperately need it.”

The far-right minister Bezalel Smotrich said that removing Hamas from Gaza is more important than returning hostages, arguing that removing Hamas takes precedence. Speaking to Galei Israel radio, he stated: “Returning the hostages is not the most important goal. It is of course a very important goal, but whoever wants to destroy Hamas so that another October 7 does not happen must understand that in Gaza there cannot be a situation where Hamas remains present and existing.” The Hostages Families Forum responded with accusations that the government is giving up on the captives.

In an apparent pushback against Smotrich’s comments, IDF spokesman Effie Defrin emphasised that freeing the hostages is at the centre of IDF operations. Speaking in Gaza yesterday, he said: “I want to clarify the goal of the operation: to increase pressure on Hamas in order to bring the hostages home and to dismantle both the Hamas government and the Hamas military wing. The hostages are always at the forefront of our minds — this is our top priority. Every soldier here, from the division commander to the junior soldier, understands this objective.”

President Isaac Herzog yesterday expressed condolences to Christian communities in Israel and around the world on the death of Pope Francis. He praised the late pontiff as a man of “deep faith and boundless compassion” who worked to uplift the poor and advance peace. He noted the Pope’s support for interfaith dialogue and his prayers for the hostages’ safe return.

Israel's spy chief has filed court documents accusing Netanyahu of trying to use the Shin Bet to conduct illegal surveillance against his political opponents — claims that have further escalated a constitutional battle over the relationship between the government and the security services.

The key points of the story:

Ronen Bar is the Shin Bet chief whom Netanyahu has fired on paper but cannot actually dismiss due to legal challenges.

Bar has submitted a classified affidavit to Israel’s High Court. It reportedly says that the Prime Minister pressured for illegal surveillance of anti-government protest leaders.

The affidavit reportedly includes documentation showing that Netanyahu’s office passed a request to wiretap demonstrators. Bar refused.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu has attacked Bar over October 7, claiming he failed to alert him in time and citing a 58-minute delay in the morning wake-up order. Bar acknowledged the delay but denied personal blame, stating that if he had been allowed to act, lives would have been saved.

The affidavit triggered a legal petition that may stop Netanyahu’s dismissal of Bar from being formally enacted.

Opposition leaders are calling for an emergency Knesset session, saying Bar’s filing shows Netanyahu placed political interest above public safety.

Finally, there was a shark attack in Israel yesterday off the coast of Hadera, north of Netanya, leaving a diver missing and feared dead. The victim, a man in his forties from Petah Tikva, is married and a father of four.

Conservation groups had previously warned the area was dangerous but say the state failed to act. Search efforts are being led by navy boats, maritime police, and the Fire and Rescue Service, with the assistance of divers using specialised equipment to try to locate the missing man.

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