[36 minutes] The Biden ceasefire in Lebanon fell apart in four days, but officially it’s holding. In what seems like a Seinfeld routine come to life, administration officials and their media allies are propping up the dead ceasefire by arguing that you can have a ceasefire even if the fire doesn’t cease. Biden had promised in his ceasefire announcement that “this is designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.” The permanent part of that cessation barely lasted that week. The media reacted to the ceasefire that isn’t by arguing that having a war during a ceasefire is a perfectly normal thing. “Why Israel and Hezbollah Are Still Firing Amid a Lebanon Cease-Fire,” the New York Times tried to explain. Multiple media headlines described the ongoing firefights as “testing” or “straining” the ceasefire rather than more sensibly nullifying the whole thing. A ceasefire in which the fire does not cease is a fiery but mostly peaceful ceasefire. Within days the ceasefire wasn’t even one in name only. And the Biden administration blamed Israel. https://worldisraelnews.com/is-it-a-ceasefire-if-the-fire-doesnt-cease/ @patrician Blaming Israel because they hit back?! These concerted efforts to destroy Israel by the Moslem/Arab world is beyond obvious. Blaming Israel because they try to defend themselves is absurd. Amir Tsarfati, December 12: Hamas has said for the first time that it might agree to a deal that would allow Israeli forces to remain temporarily in Gaza. As part of the latest proposal, Israel and Hamas are considering a 60-day cease-fire period that would see the release of up to 30 hostages being held in Gaza, including U.S. citizens, according to the mediators. Hamas on Sunday submitted to mediators in Cairo a list of hostages that includes U.S. citizens, women, the elderly and captives with medical conditions, Arab mediators said. Amir's Weekly Newsletter snippets: What Happened? When Hafez died, his son, Bashar, an unassuming-looking ophthalmologist, took over. Bashar was as bad, if not worse, than his father. Not only did he massacre the Syrian people, even using chemical weapons, he allowed Russia and Iran to join in the fight. In the 13-year civil war that began in 2011 as part of Barack Obama’s Arab Spring, more than 600,000 Syrians lost their lives. Many of them were outright slaughtered by government soldiers. As hard as the rebel armies fought, they couldn’t defeat the ruling minority Alawites because al-Assad had both Russia and Iran propping him up – sometimes with troops, and always with weapons. But then at the end of November, the fighting in the north began to grow. Turkey weighed in on the side of the rebels, arming them to fight the government troops. More and more rebel groups began loading up their weapons and soon the force pushed southward. Aleppo, Hama, and Homs were all taken. Southern rebels saw what was happening and they, too, slammed their magazines into their AK-47s and set off. Soon, the rebels were entering Damascus and Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia where he was warmly welcomed partly due to his stunning personality and partly due to the $158 billion bank account he brought with him. Who are the Major Players? But of even greater consequence in the civil war are the Sunni rebels. The largest of these is Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), which has taken the lead in establishing the new government. The leader of this rebel group is Ahmed al-Sharaa. Although this is the man’s real name, until this past weekend he was known his nom de guerre, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani. Unfortunately, his al-Jolani persona, was notorious for its previous ties to both al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq. Needless to say, it isn’t very encouraging to those of us in Israel to have these schmoes running the show. But we take our encouragement from three sources. First, the rebel groups are fighting each other. These aren’t a bunch of buddies who decided to team up and attack. HTS took the lead and when the rest saw them gaining ground, they joined in. But these guys hate each other.... The third source of encouragement to Israelis is our own military. Iran and Russia had spent a lot of money outfitting Assad’s incompetent army. Prime Minister Netanyahu and the IDF were determined that this war materiel would not fall into the hands of the rebels. Thus, they launched Operation Arrow of Bashan. In only two days this week, Israel destroyed 80% of Syria’s military capabilities.... Current Syria Unfortunately, Ahmad al-Sharaa can only control his own people, and even then only to an extent. Throughout Syria, there are mass executions and ethnic and religious cleansing taking place by HTS and SNA forces. And you can be sure that ISIS is carrying out their fair share of atrocities. Syria is not the place to be if you are a Christian or a Shiite Muslim. It’s for this reason that the United Kingdom is saying, “You’ll have to show us a lot more if you’re getting off our terrorist list.” What Does this Mean for Israel? As I mentioned earlier, the north is now back open for Israeli citizens to move home. Not all are ready to do so, but they can if they want. If you had told me a few months ago that by December both Hamas and Hezbollah would be gone, I would have told you that you were dreaming. But this is what we see. Both terrorist groups are decimated to the point of being non-threats. That doesn’t mean Israel will give up hunting down threats. It’s just that we no longer have to worry about an invasion from the north or the south. Israel is in a very strong place right now. Netanyahu has done what he said he would do; he has brought safety back to Israel. Many doubted him and many still do, but he has proved his mettle and will go down in history as one of the greatest Israeli leaders of all time. We are also in a great place because of the U.S. elections. Many in the incoming Trump administration are more Zionist than even some in our government.... With the incoming Trump presidency, I see both the Saudis and the Indonesians quickly lining up for normalization with Israel under the Abraham accords. With the collapse of Iran’s axis, Hamas has been left hanging. With prayer and strong negotiations, I believe we could see a hostage deal soon.... Hopefully, individual Hamas members will give in to temptation and take the proffered $5 million for every hostage returned. These times are historic. Ever since October 7, we’ve constantly reminded ourselves “…but God is still on the throne.” This past week, He reminded us that He was there all along working and maneuvering. Then, when the timing was right – Bam! – He stepped in and did something marvelous before our eyes. He truly is the almighty God who proves over and over that He will never neglect to take care of His children. https://mailchi.mp/beholdisrael/amirs-amirs-weekly-newsletter-11465851 A group of Druze Arab villages in southwestern Syria have asked to be part of Israel rather than rebel-held Syria, according to reports and to videos circulating on social media. The Druze Arabs live in the mountainous region of the Levant, in territory that overlaps with Israel, Lebanon, and Syria. They have their own religion, which is roughly one thousand years old, and which is separate from Islam, though it includes elements of the three monotheistic faiths. The Druze tend to be attached to the land rather than to any particular nation, though they are typically loyal citizens of the countries where they reside. In Israel, some Druze Arab communities opted to join the draft for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and many have served with distinction, including in the current war. When Israel took the Golan Heights from Syria in the defensive Six-Day War of 1967, some Druze communities were separated from relatives in neighboring Druze villages in Syria, and could only communicate by shouting across the border fence. There were cases in which brides crossed from Israel into Syria to fulfill arranged marriages. Some Druze in the Golan also declined Israeli citizenship, either out of attachment to their Syrian identity, or for fear of reprisals against Syrian relatives by the Assad regime. Many Druze in Syria now fear that the Syrian rebels, who include radical Islamists and elements of Al Qaeda and the so-called “Islamic State” or ISIS, could harm their communities. Some local Druze communities are taking a rare opportunity of freedom to celebrate the country’s liberation from the Assad regime, which has been celebrated by Druze in Israel and Lebanon as well (especially since Assad’s father, Hafez al-Assad, was responsible for the assassination of Druze leader Kamal Jumblatt in 1977). Others, however, including those that were loyal to the Assad regime, are asking that they be included in Israel rather than a Syria run by radical Islamists. Since the Assad regime fell on Sunday, the IDF has moved into parts of southwestern Syria, including the former demilitarized zone between Israel and Syria, which includes several Druze villages. There are unconfirmed reports that the IDF is operating even outside that area. That is the context in which the local Druze population is asking Israel to stay, and to annex their communities. Amir Tsarfati, December 13: Ahmed Al-Sharaa (rebel leader) says that a morality police will be established in Syria. By the way - if you conduct a survey right now, you will find out that most Gazans want to migrate. They know it's the best solution for them. The only ones who want them to stay are those who want to use them as pawns or human shields in their efforts to destroy Israel. Amir Tsarfati, December 14: Report: Following the fall of the Assad regime, Denmark offers 27,000 euros to every Syrian refugee who leaves its territory. On Sunday, Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gideon Sa’ar, announced that Israel’s embassy in Ireland will close due to the “extreme anti-Israel policy of the Irish government.” In May, Israel recalled its ambassador after Ireland became one of three EU countries that said they would unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state. The Irish government has signaled a disturbing trend of anti-semitism in recent years that saw an uptick following the horrifying Hamas terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians on October 7. In December 2023, Ireland’s City Council, in a unanimous vote, agreed to fly the Palestinian flag over Dublin’s City Hall for seven days. https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/12/israel-closes-embassy-dublin-due-extreme-anti-israel/ WASHINGTON, DC — “One must be cautious,” a senior Israeli government official in Jerusalem told ALL ISRAEL NEWS today, but “I’m more optimistic now than before.” Finally, there appears to be real and substantive movement towards a deal that could release several dozen hostages from Gaza, possibly before Christmas. I’ve been communicating with a range of American, Israeli and Arab diplomatic sources. They all tell me that while everything could collapse in an instant, they are increasingly hopeful that a deal is, in fact, increasingly likely. Movement has accelerated since President-elect Donald Trump demanded all the hostages be released by the time he takes office on January 20th, or there will be “all hell to pay.” One major reason for optimism among the officials I’m talking to is that Hamas has begun discussing specific names of specific hostages to be released, something that preceded the last hostage exchange in November 2023 but has never happened since. Right now, it appears that Hamas is prepared to turn over close to three dozen hostages, including women, men over the age of 50, and those who have severe medical problems. Another reason hope is rising is that Hamas is now discussing the names of specific Palestinian prisoners they want to be released from Israeli jails, something that has also not happened since November 2023. Still another reason it appears that a deal is close at hand is that Hamas operatives have compromised on several key issues. While they are insisting on a temporary ceasefire in Gaza, they are no longer demanding that all Israeli military forces leave the Strip and never return. They have also dropped demands that the IDF specifically evacuate the Philadelphi Corridor along the Egyptian-Gaza border. Extensive conversations with diplomatic sources here in Washington, as well as back in Israel and throughout the Arab world, indicate that Hamas feels increasingly desperate. Their top three leaders, Ismail Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar, and Mohammed Deif, have all been killed by the IDF. Hamas is nearly completely obliterated. Those who remain appear ready now to strike a deal, giving up some hostages to relieve the IDF’s intense and relentless pressure on them. I’m told there are scant indications that Hamas is ready to completely surrender, give up all the hostages, and ask to leave Gaza for some other country – possibly Libya or Turkey – though that’s still the hope. But if Hamas is ready to give up 30 or 40 hostages now without demanding too high a price, then it appears that Netanyahu may be ready as well. Today, there are 101 Israelis and Americans still held captive in Gaza and Israeli intelligence believes around 60 are still alive.
The Anchor Podcast: The Reality of Heaven with Amir Tsarfati and Special Guest Mike Golay:
Is it a ceasefire if the fire doesn’t cease?
(The Wall Street Journal)
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Chicago, USA:
A Syrian citizen celebrates victory against Assad, then starts warning against cooperation with the west, only to be immediately silenced.
On US soil they warn against the US!
Such treacherous people !
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The IDF believes: with the complete destruction of the Syrian air defense system, we have now an opportunity to attack the nuclear facilities in Iran.
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The new Syrian government announces that 700,000 Shiites received citizenship in Syria illegally and it will be revoked next week.
Sometimes it takes only two weeks to make a change.
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Today the IDF continued to expand the take over of territories in what used to be Syria. Everything is abandoned, the rest of the Syrian army has fled.
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In Germany, Islamists go to Christmas markets and start reciting the SAME prayer that Mohammed's army recited when they invaded Mecca and drove out the pre-Islamic population.
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Breaking: Representatives of six Druze villages in southern Syria request to be annexed to Israel and live under Israeli rule.
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https://t.me/s/beholdisraelchannel
Syria’s most recent regime began with Hafez al-Assad in 1970. Yes, there was a rich history prior to that going back to the time of Abraham, which you can hear about in my MidEast Update. But for our purposes here we’ll start with the beginning of the Alawite regime. The Alawites are a small Syrian minority that align closely with Shi’a Islam, a fact which didn’t play too well in what was Sunni Syria. Al-Assad was ruthless, butchering men, women, and children throughout the country.
Essentially, the primary aggressors in the civil war are made up of Sunni rebels and Kurds. The Kurds are the largest people group in the world without a homeland, covering parts of Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. They are unwanted by all four countries in which they reside, with each of the countries at times trying to wipe them out and at others aiding them in settling into a neighboring nation. This is how Turkey got involved. One great way for Turkey to get the Kurds out of their country is to give help to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Peshmerga, and the People’s Protection Unit (YPG)....
It is evident that nearly everyone wants this war over as soon as possible, including the rebels. Ahmad al-Sharaa of the HTS said, “We have turned to stability. The [Syrian] people are exhausted, and we will not enter into another war.” Will they keep moving to Israel? No, says al-Sharaa. “Our concern was about Iran and Hezbollah who carried out the massacres.” By all appearances, al-Sharaa truly wants to go mainstream. He has installed the prime minister of his unrecognized rebel state as the new prime minister of the Syrian Transitional Government, with a term running until March 2025. Both the United States and the United Nations are already considering removing HTS from its list of terrorist groups if al-Sharaa can keep his people from going too crazy.
I’ve had many people ask me if this is a fulfillment of Isaiah 17:1 which says that Damascus must be destroyed. It is not. Assad’s regime was destroyed. Damascus is still standing.Druze Arabs Ask to Be Part of Israel, not Rebel-held Syria:
But the war has tended to rally the Druze around Israel, especially after Iranian-backed Hezbollah began firing at Druze villages, most notoriously in a rocket attack in July 2024 that killed 12 children in the Druze village of Majdal Shams, near the Syrian border in the Golan Heights.
Welcome to Afghanistan!
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An Egyptian Source Drops a Bombshell:
Egyptian President el-Sisi has reportedly asked Israel for assistance following the collapse of the Syrian army.
The president’s greatest concern is a popular uprising fueled by the shockwaves from Syria, potentially spreading to Egypt, destabilizing the country, and threatening his regime’s grip on power.
(Voice From The East on X)!
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77 House Democrats Send Letter To White House Urging A Ban On Arms Shipments To Israel.
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Nearly 80% of Gaza is uninhabitable. If the world truly cares for the few innocents in that region, then it should encourage them to leave. As long as this place is infested with terror, it will always serve as a launching pad for rockets towards Israel and thus be subjected to an Israeli response. Gaza can only be resettled after the terrorists are gone, the place is rebuilt, and it becomes inhabitable again. This will be a matter of at least 10 years, if not more!
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U.S. military confirmed drone sightings at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
Der Spiegel said drones were also sighted over locations belonging to German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall and chemicals group BASF.
(Reuters)
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Donald Trump about the mysterious drone sightings in New Jersey and other states:
“Let the public know or shoot them down.”
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The Druze of southern Syria have publicly declared their desire to secede from Syria and be annexed to Israel.
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https://t.me/s/beholdisraelchannel
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Syria: For the first time in 12 years, the Turkish flag flies over the Turkish embassy building in Damascus.
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Syrian revolutionary leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa (Al-Joulani):
“We are communicating with Western embassies and holding discussions with Britain to restore its representation in Syria.
Our goals are clear and our plans are ready for construction and development in Syria.
We are not about to engage in a conflict with Israel.”
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Hamas police torture Gaza prisoners and throw them down stairs | IDF Arabic spokesman reveals footage from Hamas interrogation rooms.
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The Russians, in practice, are disintegrating from Syria.
Russian Navy ships left the port of Tartus.
Russia evacuated heavy equipment and senior officers from Syria.
Transport planes (with equipment) began flying from Khmeimim base in Syria to Russian bases in Libya.
An era of more than four decades has ended!
(Abu Saleh)
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A Lebanese source says that the rebels have seized huge Hezbollah warehouses in Syria, which include insane quantities of anti-tank missiles, which, according to the source, will be enough for three years of fighting.
(Carmel News)
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Joseph Massad wasn't assigned to teach a Columbia course on Zionism in spite of praising October 7th, but because he praised October 7th.
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A moving video from Tehran, Iran:
"We named this street after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu because he cleanses all evil from the world."
The regime in Tehran knows the level of determination of the citizens.... God help us, what is going to happen to the regime in Iran on the day of the attack.
Citizens of Iran, polish your swords, be ready!”
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After days of drone activity in the skies over New Jersey, one American took matters into their own hands and opened fire on the drone with their personal weapon.
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More than 61 air strikes by IDF aircraft targeted Syrian territory in less than 5 hours, and the strikes are still ongoing!
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Netanyahu and Trump discussed Syria, Iran and Gaza last night.
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https://t.me/s/beholdisraelchannel Israel Closes Embassy in Dublin Due to ‘Extreme Anti-Israel Policy of Irish Government’:
HOSTAGE DEAL CLOSE? ‘I’m more optimistic than before,’ senior Israeli source tells ALL ISRAEL NEWS – here’s why Arab, US diplomats are also increasingly optimistic:
