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Trump Reveals Netanyahu Phone Call That Moved Israeli PM Toward Gaza Deal: ‘Your Chance for Victory’

President Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu he had no choice but to accept his cease-fire proposal, Israeli television’s Channel 12 reported Saturday.

“Netanyahu had reservations but I told him that this is his opportunity for victory,” Trump told reporter Barak Ravid in a phone call Saturday. “He accepted it. There is no other choice, with me you have to be okay.”

“Bibi went too far in Gaza and Israel lost a lot of support in the world,” Trump added. “Now I will bring back all that support.” (Read more from “Trump Reveals Netanyahu Phone Call That Moved Israeli PM Toward Gaza Deal: ‘Your Chance for Victory’” HERE)

Reports: Hamas Responds to Trump; Agrees to Release All Hostages

Al Jazeera reported Friday that Hamas delivered its response to President Donald Trump’s peace plan, hours after the president gave the terror group a deadline of 6:00 p.m. ET on Sunday or else face total destruction.

Al Jazeera reported:

The Palestinian group says that, in order to end Israel’s war on Gaza and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the enclave, it is ready to release all Israeli captives – both those who are living and dead – according to the exchange plan outlined in Trump’s proposal.

“In this context, the movement affirms its readiness to immediately enter into negotiations through the mediators to discuss the details of this agreement,” Hamas said in a statement shared on Telegram.

It also said it agrees to hand over the administration of Gaza to an independent body of Palestinian technocrats, “based on Palestinian national consensus and Arab and Islamic support”.

The response did not, apparently, include an agreement to disarm — a core Israeli and American demand. (Read more from “Reports: Hamas Responds to Trump; Agrees to Release All Hostages” HERE)

Judge Rules Against Sanctuary Cities, Will Not Stop Trump from Cutting Off Federal Funds

A federal judge ruled against two sanctuary cities this week, ensuring President Donald Trump can move forward with blocking certain Department of Justice (DOJ) grants to such jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Earlier this year, Trump signed two executive orders, both designed to get sanctuary cities to cooperate with ICE as they enforce federal immigration law — or risk losing certain federal funds.

Soon after Trump signed the executive orders, the sanctuary cities of Chelsea and Somerville, Massachusetts, filed a lawsuit claiming they would suffer irreparable harm if the orders took effect.

On Thursday, Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton sided with the Trump administration and against the sanctuary cities. (Read more from “Judge Rules Against Sanctuary Cities, Will Not Stop Trump from Cutting Off Federal Funds” HERE)

Trump Admin Says US Engaged in ‘Armed Conflict’ With Drug Smugglers After 4 Boat Strikes

The Trump administration has informed Congress that the US engaged in “non-international armed conflict” with drug cartels following recent strikes on alleged trafficking boats in the Caribbean.

The Department of War told House and Senate lawmakers that a series of airstrikes in September had targeted trafficking gangs now designated as combatants waging an “armed attack” on America via a deadly surge of drug overdoses, sources with direct knowledge of the discussions told The Post.

The so-called “1230 report” to members of Congress, named after a section in the annual defense authorization bill, “is legally mandated … following any incident in which the United States Armed Forces are involved in an attack or hostilities,” a White House official said.

“This report was issued to Congress following the September 15 strike against a Designated Terrorist Organization,” the official added. “It does not convey any new information.”

The Pentagon notice was first reported by the New York Times Thursday.

President Trump had boasted about recent airstrikes eliminating four alleged Venezuelan drug smuggling boats in the Caribbean during a speech Monday at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia. (Read more from “Trump Admin Says US Engaged in ‘Armed Conflict’ With Drug Smugglers After 4 Boat Strikes” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

Trump Grants Qatar Security Guarantee Following Israeli Strike in Doha

President Donald Trump has issued a formal security guarantee to Qatar, pledging U.S. defense support in the event of an external attack on the Gulf nation — just after an Israeli airstrike in Doha killed several Hamas leaders. The executive order, signed on September 29, affirms the United States’ commitment to protect Qatar’s sovereignty and critical infrastructure and declares the U.S.-Qatar relationship an “enduring alliance.”

The move comes amid rising regional tensions and growing friction between U.S. and Israeli interests following the Israeli strike that targeted Hamas operatives inside Qatar’s capital. The assassination — which occurred inside a civilian building — was sharply condemned by President Trump, who reportedly demanded an apology from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to the White House on the same day the executive order was signed.

According to the executive order, the United States “shall regard any armed attack on the territory, sovereignty, or critical infrastructure of the State of Qatar as a threat to the peace and security of the United States.” In response to such an attack, the order says, the U.S. will take “all lawful and appropriate measures — including diplomatic, economic, and, if necessary, military” to defend Qatar.

The order credits Qatar for hosting the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East, Al Udeid Air Base, and for playing a key mediating role in regional conflicts.

“The State of Qatar has hosted United States forces, enabled critical security operations, and stood as a steadfast ally in pursuit of peace, stability, and prosperity, both in the Middle East and abroad,” the order reads.

Trump’s security pledge comes amid a broader shift in his approach to Middle East diplomacy. During his second term, the president has grown increasingly close to the Qatari government. He visited Doha earlier this year and even accepted a Qatari gift: a 747 aircraft that Trump said could replace the aging Air Force One.

Qatar has also backed Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan, which calls for an immediate ceasefire, a full exchange of hostages, staged Israeli withdrawal, the disarmament of Hamas, and the creation of a transitional government. Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said he supports the framework, though “some issues in it need clarification and negotiation.”

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

Trump Admin May Have Eyes On New Regime Change War

The United States is reportedly planning to target drug traffickers in Venezuela, raising questions about the possibility of regime change in the country.

U.S. military officials are considering attacking drug traffickers in the coming weeks within the borders of Venezuela, four sources told NBC News.

“We’ll see what happens. Venezuela is sending us their gang members, their drug dealers and drugs. It’s not acceptable,” the White House told NBC, referencing a previous statement from Trump.

The report follows rising tensions over drugs and the mobilization of U.S. forces in the Caribbean.

Throughout September, President Donald Trump authorized striking several boats allegedly carrying drugs and drug traffickers.

“BE WARNED — IF YOU ARE TRANSPORTING DRUGS THAT CAN KILL AMERICANS, WE ARE HUNTING YOU!” Trump declared in a Truth post on September 15, attaching a video of the second boat strike. “The illicit activities by these cartels have wrought DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES ON AMERICAN COMMUNITIES FOR DECADES, killing millions of American citizens. NO LONGER.”

(Read more from “Trump Admin May Have Eyes On New Regime Change War” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

Trump Gaza Plan Wins Support of Arab, Muslim World — and Palestinian Authority

President Donald Trump’s proposal to end the Gaza war has not only won support from Israel, but also from the Arab and Muslim world — and from the Palestinian Authority, which has opposed his plans in the past.

The 20-point plan, as Breitbart News has noted, would fulfill Israel’s goals of freeing the remaining hostages, as well as disarming Hamas and removing it from power. It also offers the prospect of a Palestinian state — if Hamas complies with the plan and the Palestinian Authority agrees to sweeping reforms of its policies and anti-Israel culture.

If Hamas does not agree, the plan allows Israel to continue fighting the terror group.

Trump canvassed for support for the plan among Arab and Muslim nations on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York last week. The plan includes key Arab demands, such as the inclusion of the Palestinian Authority in the future governance of Gaza (together with other Arab states). It also prevents Israel from annexing Gaza, and does not mention Judea and Samaria (the West Bank).

The Times of Israel noted: “Shortly after the press conference [by Trump and Netanyahu at the White House on Monday], the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Qatar, and Egypt issued a joint statement welcoming Trump’s efforts and pledging to engage with the US to advance the implementation of the Gaza peace plan.” (Read more from “Trump Gaza Plan Wins Support of Arab, Muslim World — and Palestinian Authority” HERE)

Trump Releases 20-Point Gaza Peace Plan

. . .A Hamas official said Monday that they had not seen the plan, and that while they were opening to releasing the hostages, in theory, they would not disarm, seeing the use of force (i.e. terror) as central to their pupose.

The 20 points (annotated) are below:

Gaza will be a deradicalized terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbors.

Gaza will be redeveloped for the benefit of the people of Gaza, who have suffered more than enough.

If both sides agree to this proposal, the war will immediately end. Israeli forces will withdraw to the agreed upon line to prepare for a hostage release. During this time, all military operations, including aerial and artillery bombardment, will be suspended, and battle lines will remain frozen until conditions are met for the complete staged withdrawal.

Within 72 hours of Israel publicly accepting this agreement, all hostages, alive and deceased, will be returned. [It is not clear what happens to enforce this provision if Hamas does not agree to the deal.]

Once all hostages are released, Israel will release 250 life sentence prisoners [i.e. those convicted in a court of law of having murdered Israelis] plus 1700 Gazans who were detained after October 7th 2023, including all women and children detained in that context. For every Israeli hostage whose remains are released, Israel will release the remains of 15 deceased Gazans.

Once all hostages are returned, Hamas members who commit to peaceful co-existence and to decommission their weapons will be given amnesty. Members of Hamas who wish to leave Gaza will be provided safe passage to receiving countries.

Upon acceptance of this agreement, full aid will be immediately sent into the Gaza Strip. [It is not clear who is paying for this aid.] At a minimum, aid quantities will be consistent with what was included in the January 19, 2025, agreement regarding humanitarian aid, including rehabilitation of infrastructure (water, electricity, sewage), rehabilitation of hospitals and bakeries, and entry of necessary equipment to remove rubble and open roads.

Entry of distribution and aid in the Gaza Strip will proceed without interference from the two parties through the United Nations and its agencies, and the Red Crescent, in addition to other international institutions not associated in any manner with either party. Opening the Rafah crossing in both directions will be subject to the same mechanism implemented under the January 19, 2025 agreement.

Gaza will be governed under the temporary transitional governance of a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee, responsible for delivering the day-to-day running of public services and municipalities for the people in Gaza. This committee will be made up of qualified Palestinians and international experts, with oversight and supervision by a new international transitional body, the “Board of Peace,” which will be headed and chaired by President Donald J. Trump, with other members and heads of State to be announced, including Former Prime Minister Tony Blair. This body will set the framework and handle the funding for the redevelopment of Gaza until such time as the Palestinian Authority has completed its reform program, as outlined in various proposals, including President Trump’s peace plan in 2020 and the Saudi-French proposal, and can securely and effectively take back control of Gaza. This body will call on best international standards to create modern and efficient governance that serves the people of Gaza and is conducive to attracting investment.

A Trump economic development plan to rebuild and energize Gaza will be created by convening a panel of experts who have helped birth some of the thriving modern miracle cities in the Middle East. Many thoughtful investment proposals and exciting development ideas have been crafted by well-meaning international groups, and will be considered to synthesize the security and governance frameworks to attract and facilitate these investments that will create jobs, opportunity, and hope for future Gaza.

A special economic zone will be established with preferred tariff and access rates to be negotiated with participating countries.

No one will be forced to leave Gaza, and those who wish to leave will be free to do so and free to return. We will encourage people to stay and offer them the opportunity to build a better Gaza.

Hamas and other factions agree to not have any role in the governance of Gaza, directly, indirectly, or in any form. All military, terror, and offensive infrastructure, including tunnels and weapon production facilities, will be destroyed and not rebuilt. There will be a process of demilitarization of Gaza under the supervision of independent monitors, which will include placing weapons permanently beyond use through an agreed process of decommissioning, and supported by an internationally funded buy back and reintegration program all verified by the independent monitors. New Gaza will be fully committed to building a prosperous economy and to peaceful coexistence with their neighbors.

A guarantee will be provided by regional partners to ensure that Hamas, and the factions, comply with their obligations and that New Gaza poses no threat to its neighbors or its people.

The United States will work with Arab and international partners to develop a temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF) to immediately deploy in Gaza. The ISF will train and provide support to vetted Palestinian police forces in Gaza, and will consult with Jordan and Egypt who have extensive experience in this field. This force will be the long-term internal security solution. The ISF will work with Israel and Egypt to help secure border areas, along with newly trained Palestinian police forces. It is critical to prevent munitions from entering Gaza and to facilitate the rapid and secure flow of goods to rebuild and revitalize Gaza. A deconfliction mechanism will be agreed upon by the parties.

Israel will not occupy or annex Gaza. As the ISF establishes control and stability, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will withdraw based on standards, milestones, and timeframes linked to demilitarization that will be agreed upon between the IDF, ISF, the guarantors, and the Unites States, with the objective of a secure Gaza that no longer poses a threat to Israel, Egypt, or its citizens. Practically, the IDF will progressively hand over the Gaza territory it occupies to the ISF according to an agreement they will make with the transitional authority until they are withdrawn completely from Gaza, save for a security perimeter presence that will remain until Gaza is properly secure from any resurgent terror threat.

In the event Hamas delays or rejects this proposal, the above, including the scaled-up aid operation, will proceed in the terror-free areas handed over from the IDF to the ISF. [This suggests that the IDF will be allowed to continue military operations in other areas.]

An interfaith dialogue process will be established based on the values of tolerance and peaceful co-existence to try and change mindsets and narratives of Palestinians and Israelis by emphasizing the benefits that can be derived from peace.

While Gaza re-development advances and when the PA reform program is faithfully carried out, the conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood, which we recognize as the aspiration of the Palestinian people.

The United States will establish a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous co-existence.

(Read more from “Trump Releases 20-Point Gaza Peace Plan” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

Trump’s 21-Point Gaza Peace Plan Revealed — And It’s Getting Rave Reviews From Arab Allies

All 21 facets of President Trump’s Gaza peace plan were revealed Saturday, including a staunch demand to release all the Israeli hostages in Hamas’ captivity within 48 hours of inking any deal, a push to deradicalize the Palestinian enclave, and a commitment to end all fighting.

The peace plan also paves the pathway to possible Palestinian statehood, lays out steps to revitalize the Gaza Strip, and stipulates that Hamas cannot be part of any governing structure, according to the Times of Israel, which saw a copy of the full plan.

Trump presented the plan to allies Tuesday at the United Nations, but its full scope has not been fully presented to Hamas yet. The plan lays out a series of strong demands to the terrorist organization and makes key overtures to Gazans.

Under the proposal, all sides will work to redevelop Gaza, pour aid into the war-torn enclave at levels not lower than the January 2025 hostage deal.

Israeli Defense Forces would gradually withdraw from Gaza and Israel would agree to release key Palestinian prisoners. Hamas members who agree to peaceful coexistence will get amnesty. Those who want to leave will get safe passage to other countries.

Critically, anyone who wants to return to Gaza after leaving will be allowed to do so. (Read more from “Trump’s 21-Point Gaza Peace Plan Revealed — And It’s Getting Rave Reviews From Arab Allies” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

Trump Orders Declassification Of Records Surrounding Legendary American Trailblazer

President Donald Trump announced Friday on Truth Social he is ordering his administration to “declassify and release” all U.S. government records regarding trailblazing aviator Amelia Earhart, who mysteriously disappeared during a flight over the Pacific Ocean in 1937.

In 1932, Earhart became the first woman — and the second person in history after Charles Lindbergh — to fly solo and non-stop across the Atlantic Ocean. Just five years later, at the age of 39, she vanished without a trace during an attempt to circumnavigate the globe, raising a range of possible explanations as well as conspiracy theories.

“I am ordering my Administration to declassify and release all Government Records related to Amelia Earhart, her final trip, and everything else about her,” the president wrote in his post.

Earhart “was an Aviation Pioneer, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, and achieved many other Aviation ‘firsts,’” Trump added. “She disappeared in the South Pacific while trying to become the first woman to fly around the World. Amelia made it almost three quarters around the World before she suddenly, and without notice, vanished, never to be seen again. Her disappearance, almost 90 years ago, has captivated millions.” (Read more from “Trump Orders Declassification Of Records Surrounding Legendary American Trailblazer” HERE)