US ready to take over Gaza, start rebuilding it, says President Trump The United States is ready to take over the #Gaza Strip and redevelop it, President Trump said at a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin #Netanyahu at the White House.

Eyal Zamir to become IDF’s 24th chief of staff The new military chief will step into the shoes of Herzi Halevi, who has commanded the military during the 15-month war against Hamas in Gaza. Eyal #Zamir has been designated to replace Lt. Gen. Herzi #Halevi as the Israel Defense Forces chief of staff, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Saturday night. Zamir, 59, the current director general of the Defense Ministry, will be the first IDF chief who started his career in the Armored Corps since David (Dado) Elazar in the 1970s. Zamir previously served as deputy chief of staff (2018 to 2021), and before that, he led the Southern Command from 2015 to 2018. During that time, he helped formulate war plans focused on Hamas and contemplated scenarios in which the terrorist faction might be replaced in Gaza, though subsequent Southern Command leaders did not properly update these plans. While at the helm of the Defense Ministry, Zamir has spearheaded efforts over the past year to greatly ramp up domestic weapons production to reduce reliance on imports, working with local defense companies to do this. Zamir will replacing Halevi, who said he will step down on March 6.

France's Macron spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu and asked him to withdraw #IDF forces from southern # Lebanon #Macron lecturing #Israel on security? 😂😂😂 Bold move for someone whose own country is overrun by radicals. Maybe fix #France before giving Israel advice on survival.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar says if Hamas maintains control in the Gaza Strip, the group will pose a threat not just to Israel but the entire region. “The rule of Hamas in Gaza is not only a danger for the security of Israel, but also a nightmare for the Palestinians themselves,” causing 15 months of grueling war in Gaza and the region, Sa’ar tells foreign media outlets during a briefing in Jerusalem. “If [Hamas] will stay in power, the regional instability it causes might continue,” he adds. Sa’ar echoes comments by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last night that what went into effect this morning is a “temporary ceasefire,” and that a more permanent truce will be negotiated only starting on day 16 of the agreement: “I hope we will reach it, but it’s not in our hands yet.” If a deal suitable to Israel is not reached — including the toppling of Hamas and the return of all the hostages — then fighting will resume, adds Sa’ar.

PM Netanyahu on Cease-Fire

PM Netanyahu and wife send blessings to Donald Trump The PM, in the name of the 78% of Israeli Jews that said in the polls that they would welcome a victory for Donald #Trump, sends his blessings to Donald Trump and wife. "Dear Donald and Melania Trump, Congratulations on history’s greatest comeback! Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America. This is a huge victory! In true friendship, yours, Benjamin and Sara #Netanyahu." #TRUMP2024

Israeli PM says shame on Macron for urging arms embargo against his country #Netanyahu to #Macron: "Israel will win with you or without you, your shame will reverberate long after" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjkIIWt4bUI

Journalist Hersh says respect for Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping growing worldwide U.S. and Ukrainian 'presidents' Biden and Zelensky and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu face increasing condemnation from the global community, while respect for Russian and Chinese leaders Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping is growing, US journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner Seymour Hersh said on his blog. "Biden’s support for Ukraine and Israel in their wars and his recent decision to attack the Houthis in Yemen have placed him in a club with two leaders, Bibi Netanyahu and Vladimir Zelensky, who are increasingly reviled in much of the world. The irony of Biden’s tenure has been a growth in respect outside of the West for Putin and Xi Jinping," he said on his blog on Substack. Hersh also said that, "Lashing out at the Houthis, Biden is showing signs of political panic." The journalist also described Biden’s involvement in the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza as "disastrous." Earlier, President Donald Trump said that Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping love their countries and want them to succeed. He also repeatedly said that he had a good relationship with Putin.

Netanyahu after touring Gaza: The war is far from over "We will be intensifying the fighting in the coming days," said the Israeli premier.

IDF Operation "Swords of Iron" (Israel-Hamas War in Gaza Strip) will soon be renamed in “Genesis War” or “Sim'hat Torah War," according to PM Netanyahu