Emily Damari, Doron Steinbrecher, and Romi Gonen were forced by Hamas to participate in a staged ceremony where they received "gifts and souvenirs," from their captivity, Israeli media reported Sunday night. All three released hostages received a "gift bag," which included photos from the terrorists. Hamas gave the survivors "certificates of release," and made them pose and smile with them before the women were transferred to Red Cross custody. The representatives of the Red Cross that collected the three women signed the documents, as seen in the video. Inside the bag, each of the released hostages received a map of the Gaza Strip, photos of them during their time in captivity, and certificates. According to Israeli media, each certificate had an inscription with the "release decision," on it. The survivors called the tactic a "cynical game." As President Trump works feverishly to undo the damage the Biden-Harris regime unleashed across the globe, he announced the immediate suspension of funding of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) as part of a decision to suspend any foreign assistance for 90 days pending reviews. UNRWA, a UN agency tasked with providing aid to Palestinian refugees, has long been embroiled in controversy due to repeated allegations of links toHamas, the Gaza-based terrorist group. In fact, the UN recently acknowledged that nine of its staff members may have been involved in the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel, further intensifying criticism of the agency. The IDF also revealed that a top-secret Hamas subterranean data center was discovered beneath the headquarters of UNRWA in Gaza. According to The Times of Israel, “The subterranean data center — complete with an electrical room, industrial battery power banks and living quarters for Hamas terrorists operating the computer servers — was built precisely under the location where Israel would not consider looking initially, let alone target in an airstrike.” Amid reports of the ongoing US-brokered negotiations between Israel and Hamas, there are reports of a plan to relocate Gazans to facilitate humanitarian efforts. While these rumors have yet to be confirmed, some possible host nations are being suggested. The UN estimates that over 90% of residential buildings have been damaged or destroyed. Reconstruction would require relocation of much of Gaza’s population. NBC News reported on Saturday that the Trump transition team suggested relocating some of Gaza’s two million inhabitants during post-war reconstruction efforts, with one of the possible host countries being Indonesia. The NBC report cited an anonymous transition official, suggesting that the relocation plan faces difficult obstacles. Regional countries have rejected accepting Palestinian migrants for fear they will radicalize their populations and cause internal strife. Potential host countries are also concerned about being seen as complicit in creating another refugee crisis. Palestinians and anti-Israel groups have also expressed deep reservations about any relocation proposals, fearing they might be permanently prevented from returning to their homeland, paving the way for Jews to be allowed to live in the region as they did before Gaza was ethnically cleansed in 2005. The ceasefire deal includes injecting large amounts of humanitarian aid into Gaza, much of which has been hijacked by Hamas and sold to raise money to continue its war against Israel. Relocating the residents of Gaza would allow for providing humanitarian assistance that Hamas would not steal. Indonesia has firmly denied media reports suggesting it could become a temporary host country. Meanwhile, Indonesia continues to demonstrate strong support for Gaza through various initiatives. In a significant move, President Prabowo Subianto announced in June 2024 that Indonesia would evacuate 1,000 Gaza war victims for medical treatment. The country has also offered to accommodate 1,000 traumatized Gazan children in Muslim boarding schools across East and West Java, particularly those orphaned by the war. “Indonesia is very pro-Palestinian and not pro-Israel,” Stross told Israel365 News. “There have been refugees from other Arab countries, for example, from Syria and Iraq. But this has been on a limited basis and with strict oversight. Indonesia has 17,000 islands and the refugees were restricted to one island and not permitted to move around the country. They were housed in institutions like orphanages or dormitories. And they were moved on to Australia fairly quickly.” “Indonesians like order and safety and hate chaos,” Stross said. “I am sure there is pressure from other Muslim or Arab states on Indonesia but they would not want to welcome in a large number of Muslims with radical beliefs.” Indonesia has the largest population of Muslims worldwide, with around 241.5 million. The country still refuses to recognize the State of Israel, conditioning its recognition on a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. US President Donald Trump rescinded the sanctions imposed by the former Biden administration on Israeli settler groups in the West Bank, the new White House website announced on Monday, following Trump’s inauguration. Outrage is intensifying after Israeli hostages recently freed from Gaza revealed they were held in U.N. facilities during their captivity, with critics calling UNRWA a “front for Hamas” that must be “disbanded” immediately. The women, who endured nearly a year and a half of harrowing captivity under the terrorist group Hamas, described being detained in United Nations facilities, including tent camps and humanitarian zones administered by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Israel’s Channel 13 News reports. Wrote Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, “If the UN prefers to work closely with terrorists instead of working with the United States and Israel to get our hostages home, they don’t deserve a single cent of our taxpayer dollars,” he added. “It’s been 474 days – BRING THEM ALL HOME.” On Tuesday, President Trump halted UNRWA funding as part of his sweeping first-day actions. https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/01/22/freed-israeli-hostages-hamas-used-u-n-facilities/ In a powerful display of religious unity and determination, Jewish and Christian worshippers made history Monday by holding an unprecedented prayer service at Judaism’s holiest site, the Temple Mount, celebrating Donald Trump and praying for his successful return to the presidency. This groundbreaking gathering directly challenged the discriminatory status quo that has long prevented Jews from freely worshipping at their most sacred site. Despite the Jordanian Waqf’s continuing restrictions on Jewish prayer at the Temple Mount, courageous religious leaders and their followers demonstrated that the right to prayer cannot be denied. The service, organized by Rabbi Tuly Weisz of Israel365, marked a significant step forward in the fight for religious freedom in Jerusalem. “On this day that represents new beginnings, we turned to our Father in Heaven, the God of Israel in unity and prayer,” declared Rabbi Weisz at the historic gathering. “Here, at the seat of His heavenly throne, Jews and Christians gather together to pray for the success of Donald Trump in his second term.” The service highlighted Trump’s unmatched record of support for Israel, including his bold recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s eternal capital. Jon Enarson, founder of Cry for Zion, praised Trump’s courage in standing with Israel: “We want to pray and thank God for President Trump who was willing to think differently and recognized the reality that Jerusalem is the eternal capital of Israel.” Yesterday’s afternoon prayer service (called Mincha in Hebrew) was led by Israeli singer Yair Levi and brought together a diverse group of worshippers, including members of the Belz Hasidic community, demonstrating the broad support for both Trump and religious freedom at the Temple Mount. Rabbi Yehuda Glick, a longtime advocate for Temple Mount prayer rights, offered a stirring prayer for Trump and Vice President JD Vance, asking that they become “faithful messengers” of God’s purposes. “We acknowledge with gratitude the bold declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a beacon of faith for believers worldwide,” Glick proclaimed, expressing hope for continued progress under Trump’s leadership. [One hour 22 minutes] [Interview with a previous hostage] Snippets from Amir's weekly email: The Hostage Release and the Ceasefire In return for our three hostages, Israel transferred 90 Palestinian prisoners. Make sure you recognize the two differing descriptors. In return for our three stolen innocent civilians, we released 90 criminals. Those are the kinds of bargains you are forced to swallow once you begin making deals with terrorists. This Saturday, four more hostages will be turned over, along with the full list on Friday of the 33 names who will be part of the first phase of returns. Over the course of this ceasefire and hostage exchange, this twisted math will continue until freedom reaches nearly 1900 Palestinian criminals in return for just 33 of our kidnapping victims. Yes, we rejoice in the homecoming of our people, but we are appalled at the price that we are forced to pay. As far as the ceasefire, it has begun and the IDF is slowly pulling out. However, there are few who expect Hamas to be able to control themselves over the six weeks of this first phase. If and when Hamas breaks the treaty, they will experience the full and final wrath of the IDF. President Donald Trump has promised that the United States will support whatever measures Israel takes, one hundred percent. End of a Military Era There’s a New Sheriff in Town The International Criminal Court is being sanctioned by the U.S. Trump has repealed an order that sanctioned certain Israeli settlers in the West Bank. Visa holders who support hateful ideologies and terrorism, or who pose national security threats will be deported. He has instituted a 90-day pause on U.S. foreign developmental assistance programs to review their alignment with his administration’s policies. This includes UNRWA. And he signed an order returning the Ansar Allah organization of the Houthi movement in Yemen to the list of foreign terrorist organizations. This promises to be a fascinating four years. Hezbollah – Still Holding On U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday calling on the U.S. secretary of state to designate the Houthis as a terror group within the next 30 days. Trump designated the Iranian-backed group—which is also known as Ansar Allah—as a foreign terrorist organization in January 2021, during his first term. “Within one month of taking office, the Biden administration reversed the Houthis’ designation,” per a White House fact sheet. “As a result of the Biden administration’s weak policy, the Houthis have fired at U.S. Navy warships dozens of times, launched numerous attacks on civilian infrastructure in partner nations and attacked commercial vessels transiting” between Yemen and the Horn of Africa “more than 100 times.” “Under President Trump, it is now the policy of the United States to cooperate with its regional partners to eliminate the Houthis’ capabilities and operations, deprive them of resources and thereby end their attacks on U.S. personnel and civilians, U.S. partners and maritime shipping in the Red Sea,” the White House stated. In the executive order, Trump stated that the Houthis, which are supported by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, “have fired at U.S. Navy warships dozens of times since 2023, endangering American men and women in uniform.” “Following this review, the president will direct USAID to end its relationship with entities that have made payments to the Houthis, or which have opposed international efforts to counter the Houthis while turning a blind eye towards the Houthis’ terrorism and abuses,” the White House said. “Thank you, President Trump,” wrote Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.). “They should never have been removed in the first place. Designating the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization sends a powerful message that America views this group as a clear threat to our allies and partners and to regional stability in the Middle East.” “Promises made, promises kept,” stated the Republican Jewish Coalition. “Thank you President Trump for correcting the disastrously wrong-headed decision by the Biden administration to de-list the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization.” https://www.jns.org/trump-signs-executive-order-to-redesignate-houthis-as-terror-group/ The United Arab Emirates and Israel agreed that the Gulf emirate would take over the management of the Gaza Strip after the war, according to a report by Israel Hayom. The question of who will govern and rebuild the devastated enclave has once again received much attention in the wake of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently opposed calls to return the control of Gaza to the PA, while Israeli and U.S. officials repeatedly floated the idea of regional powers, particularly the UAE, to take over temporary control. According to the Israel Hayom report on Thursday, the UAE has agreed in principle to govern the area but insists it would only do so following an “invitation” by the Palestinians, and not following an Israeli initiative. In addition to providing governance, and probably security, the UAE is reportedly willing to rebuild Gazan society in such a way that it won’t pose a threat to Israel again. The Emirates is seen as a regional leader in the fight against radical Islam and Jihadism, and has in recent years overhauled its own education system to remove Islamist, anti-Israel, and antisemitic content. This could provide a model for the reeducation of Gazan society. The UAE is already deeply involved in the Gaza Strip, operating hospitals and a desalination plant there. Media reports also suggested that the Emirates have already shown a willingness to take part in an Arab security force in Gaza, together with partners like Egypt.
Hamas gave 'completion certificates' to released hostages with Red Cross signatures:
What items did the released hostages receive as 'memoirs'?
Another Promise Kept: President Trump Immediately Suspends Funding for United Nations Relief and Works Agency:
REPORT: Trump Transition Team Suggests Relocating Gazans to Indonesia:
Trump cancels sanctions on West Bank Israeli settlers on first day back in office:
Shocking: Freed Israeli Hostages Say Hamas Used U.N. Facilities to Hide Them:
Historic Prayer Service at Temple Mount Heralds Hopes for a New Era of Religious Freedom Under Trump:
October 7th: Surviving Nova
Sunday saw the return of the first of the October 7 hostages who were promised to be released under the ceasefire. It was a time for joy and celebration, which was felt through all the cities and towns of Israel. However, it was a muted rejoicing for a couple reasons. First, there are dozens more who are still being held captive by the Gazan terrorists. Second, we haven’t forgotten what started this whole horror.
Tuesday saw the Chief of the General Staff of the IDF, Herzi Halevi, announce his intention to step down from his position as of March 6. In doing so, he also took responsibility for the military’s failures on October 7. Soon after, IDF Southern Command Chief Maj.Gen. Yaron Finkelman tendered his resignation for the same reasons. These resignations were necessary and are a good thing, and the two men were correct in taking the blame. We are in an era of changing our government “elites” back to those with more conservative values. ...Once Trump was sworn in, however, these men saw that their foundation had collapsed under them. Now it’s time to rebuild with men who truly know how to fight to victory.
With the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States, the world has entered a new era. It is the apogee of the conservative groundswell that has been rising in many parts of the world. The left had its day, but they pushed too far. Now we are seeing a bounce-back by people who are fed up with the lack of reason, common sense, and true science in the foundations of liberal ideology.
The rumors of Hezbollah’s demise are greatly exaggerated. Even with a new “compromise” president in office and a multitude of major military defeats by the IDF, the terror group is still holding up. A good portion of their lifeline remains attached to Iran, which, according to Sky News Arabic, is using foreign airlines to transfer funds to Hezbollah in Lebanon.Trump signs executive order calling for Houthis to be relisted as terror group:
United Arab Emirates ready to manage Gaza Strip after war, rebuild it without radical Islam – report:
