GNITN - Special Edition

Israel At War Day 663

On The Clock

A New Strategy On The Table

We’re told in a report from The Times Of Israel that Israel will take back parts of the Gaza Strip if Hamas doesn’t negotiate again:

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that the Hamas terror group’s “obstinacy” was preventing a hostage-ceasefire deal in the Gaza Strip, as an Israeli defense source confirmed to The Times of Israel that officials have bandied about several potential next steps amid the impasse in negotiations, including beginning annexation of parts of the enclave.

Both the US and Israel are saying that new approaches are needed since Hamas won’t work with them. The PM met with a small group of advisors to figure out how to get the remaining hostages back:

Netanyahu met Tuesday afternoon with top advisers to discuss the captives, with a picture published by his office showing he was joined by government hostage point man Gal Hirsch, political advisor Ophir Falk and chief of staff Tzachi Braverman.

Netanyahu clearly blames Hamas for no hostage agreement:

After the meeting, Netanyahu posted a video message on X, in which he squarely blamed Hamas for the stalled negotiations. The prime minister began by noting that, in addition to his Tuesday meeting, “There was a meeting [about the hostages] yesterday. Two days ago, there was a meeting. The day before that, there was a meeting, too.”

“Since the delegation returned from Qatar, we haven’t stopped trying,” he said. “But there is one major obstacle, and everyone knows it — Hamas. It remains obstinate in its refusal.”

He then noted that everyone including the US agrees that Hamas is responsible for the stalling. He then said what everyone knows and confirmed new tactics are going to happen:

“We are not letting up. We will continue to do everything we can — by one path or another. We are committed to bringing them home.”

Annexation is on the table now:

The official confirmed that annexing parts of the Strip is one of several ideas that have been bandied about in recent meetings.

In a post from his Telegram channel, former IDF soldier and Bible prophecy teacher Amir Tsarfati tells us what annexation means for Gaza:

Unlike military withdrawals, which can be executed at any time, annexation is a near-permanent step. Under Israeli law, reversing annexation isn’t simple, it requires either a supermajority of 80 Knesset members or a national referendum. In other words, once annexed, the land doesn’t come back without a political war.

If Israel takes this step Hamas can’t go back in and the Gazans will have to live like any other people in Israel. This single step flies in the face of a two-state solution. And Hamas knows it.

Here Comes The Curses

France already recognized a Palestinian state and now the British Prime Minister is threatening to do the same as we see in a report from The Jerusalem Post. But not all Brits agree with him:

British Jewish groups expressed deep concern on Monday night that Keir Starmer's proposition of a Palestinian state would be a reward for terrorism.

Starmer basically drew a line in the sand with Israel and started the clock ticking:

Earlier in the evening, the British prime minister announced that the UK would recognize a Palestinian state should Israel not agree to a Gaza ceasefire by September.

One Jewish group wants to know what the trigger for not taking this action is:

The Board of Deputies of British Jews announced it was seeking urgent clarification from the British government that it will not recognize a Palestinian state if the hostages are not returned or if Hamas continues to reject a ceasefire.

They rightly stated the quiet part loud:

"We must neither forsake the hostages nor reward Hamas terror or intransigence."

Another Jewish organization called on Starmer to put the pressure on Hamas as well:

Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) called Starmer's declaration "morally indefensible."

"There are still hostages held in torturous conditions in Hamas dungeons in Gaza. Keir Starmer should be saying that he will take the issue of Palestinian statehood off the table if the hostages are not returned by September or sooner."

The group went on argue that threatening Israel only emboldens and encourages Hamas and other terrorists to continue their plans since it gets them what they want:

CAA added that the statement sends "the worst message possible: that mass murder, rape, and hostage-taking are legitimate paths to diplomatic gain."

It argued that this constitutes a form of appeasement, something which will "embolden extremists," who will choose to hang on for another month "to receive their reward."

"Recognition of a Palestinian state should never be wielded as a political weapon. Doing so in the aftermath of an antisemitic pogrom is not only reckless, it is shameful."

Even supporters of a Palestinian state see what’s happening:

Progressive Judaism released a statement saying it remains firmly committed to a just and peaceful two state solution but that a Palestinian state "must not be a reward for violence."

While it welcomed Starmer's demands on Hamas, it expressed concern that recognition may embolden "those who reject peace."

"We call on the UK government to ensure that this step strengthens the forces of peace, not extremism, and creates real leverage for a negotiated outcome."

Tsarfati sums up how the UK threat is playing out for Hamas:

The Prime Minister of the English island, the progressive Starmer, is being cheeky and threatening to "recognize a Palestinian state" in September if Israel does not change its policy in the Gaza Strip, agrees to a full ceasefire, and commits not to annex territories. This is the final burial of the negotiations, since Hamas now has no interest in releasing the hostages; on the contrary, it will receive a free gift from England and France. From Hamas and the Palestinians' perspective - the invasion of Israel pays off, and therefore they will dare again and again.

And as a student of Bible prophecy it will trigger curses and not blessings on these nations as seen Genesis 12:3.