Twenty-one percent of Americans say they support Hamas over Israel in Jerusalem's ongoing war against the U.S.-designated terrorist organization, according to a Harvard CAPS/Harris poll published over the weekend.

Harvard/Harris surveyed a representative sample of 2,650 registered voters on Jan. 15-16. (The reported margin of error for the total sample is plus or minus 1.9 percentage points at a confidence level of 95%.)

Asked "do you support more Israel or more Hamas" in the war, 75% of Democrats backed the Jewish state, while 25% expressed more approval for the Palestinian terrorist group. Among Republican voters, 81% said they supported Jerusalem more, compared to 19% for Hamas.

Support for Hamas polled the highest among the 25-34 age group, where almost one-third said they favored the terrorists over Israel.

The Harvard/Harris survey also found that a majority of the American public believes that the negotiations led by the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump led to the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.

Fifty-seven percent of respondents said that Hamas "agreed to the deal because of negotiations" led by Trump's team, compared to 43% who thought that outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden made it happen.

Eighty-four percent of Republicans said Trump was responsible, compared to 75% of Democrats who thought that Biden's negotiations led Hamas to accept the truce. Among independent voters, 60% credited Trump and 40% Biden.

The vast majority of respondents, 82%, said they backed "the ceasefire deal reached between Israel and Hamas which aims to end the war in Gaza and release hostages." 

Support for the deal was higher among Democrats, 87% of whom said they backed the deal, with 81% of Republicans expressing approval.

Trump on Sunday evening hailed the ceasefire agreement as a "first step toward lasting peace in the Middle East."

Speaking at a rally hours before being inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States, Trump called the agreement that freed hostages Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari "epic."

"This week, we achieved an epic ceasefire agreement as a first step toward lasting peace in the Middle East. And this agreement could only have happened as a result of our historic victory in November," he told attendees at the Capitol One Arena in Washington, D.C. "I'm glad to report that the first hostages have just been released," he added.

"Our incoming administration has achieved all of this in the Middle East in less than three months without being president. We've achieved more without being president than they've achieved in four years with being president," Trump said, thanking incoming Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.

"He's an amazing guy. I said: I got to get myself a negotiator. We have to get a good negotiator. A lot of guys are knowledgeable, but they can't negotiate. They don't have the personality or whatever," said Trump. "And Steve does, and Steve's a great negotiator, very successful guy, but he's our new special envoy to the Middle East for helping reach this great breakthrough, and really couldn't have been done without Steve."

Israel reportedly signaled its support for the deal—which calls for the release of thousands of terrorists and an Israel Defense Forces withdrawal from strategic areas in the Gaza Strip—after being pressured by Witkoff.

The resignation of the Otzma Yehudit Party from Israel's governing coalition on Sunday in the wake of the hostage-terrorist exchange deal struck with Hamas has created a political domino effect that will see the temporary resignation of Bezalel Smotrich from his role as finance minister.

Otzma Yehudit, led by Itamar Ben-Gvir, and the Religious Zionism Party, led by Smotrich, ran for office in a unified candidates list in November 2022, but split into separate Knesset factions following the national election.

Under Israel's so-called Norwegian Law, ministers (except the prime minister) and deputy ministers can resign from the legislature but remain in their Cabinet posts, with their Knesset seat taken by the next person on the party's candidates list. If the person who resigned leaves the Cabinet, they are able to return to the Knesset in place of his or her replacement.

So when Otzma Yehudit's Amichai Eliyahu resigned as heritage minister and reentered the legislature, Otzma Yehudit gained a Knesset mandate, at the expense of Religious Zionism's Zvi Sukkot, who found himself no longer a lawmaker.

To restore the original agreed upon balance between the two parties, Smotrich is expected to temporarily resign from his ministerial post so he can return to parliament at the expense of Yitzhak Kroizer of Otzma Yehudit. Smotrich will then retake to his post as finance minister, but this time not resign as a Knesset member.

Calcalist reported that due to the Knesset reshuffle, Sukkot and Kroizer will receive between them a retirement grant of around 100,000 shekels (~$28,000): 47,583 shekels (~$13,300) and 51,548 shekels (~$14,400), respectively.

With this development, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition has been reduced to 63 Knesset members out of 120, including lawmaker Almog Cohen, who was elected on the Otzma Yehudit slate but is now working independently of the party.

Meanwhile, Ynet reported that Netanyahu’s Likud Party has been trying to further split Ben-Gvir’s party, which consists of five lawmakers since Cohen left.

According to Israeli law, if less than a third of a party's Knesset members split, they cannot run for office as part of a party represented in the current Knesset in the following election.

With Cohen already acting independently from the faction, a split of one more member could lead to the declaration of a new independent faction, which could weaken Ben-Gvir’s political power in the next election.

MK Zvika Fogel, who was reportedly approached by Likud in an attempt to persuade him to split from Otzma Yehudit, issued a statement on Monday morning dismissing this effort.

“Over the past few days, I received several unofficial requests to continue my activities in other party frameworks. I did not join politics for hugs, pats on the back and official roles, and I am not looking for the continuation of my political future in other parties like other members who fell into this trap," Fogel said.

“I joined Otzma Yehudit to make sure that the State of Israel follows the ideological path that I believe is the most correct for its security, civil and social future and to make an impact. The decision to leave our position in the government and the Knesset was not an easy one and we know that it will be difficult for others to step into these shoes.

“But as we said, we will not be able to continue to function when our influence on the government’s policy in matters of profound importance is not examined in depth and is not accepted,” Fogel said.

Emily Damari (28), Doron Steinbrecher (31) and Romi Gonen (24) have begun their journey back to life at Sheba Medical Center following 471 days in Hamas captivity. Medical teams, having spent months preparing for the hostages' return, prioritized the family reunions while establishing the foundation for an intricate medical and psychological rehabilitation process.

Following the hostages' return yesterday, Hospital Director Dr. Yael Frankel Nir announced: "I am deeply moved to report that we have received the three hostages. Their medical condition allows us to focus on family reunification. We will proceed with examinations in the coming days. We had the privilege of meeting them ... and we continue this journey until the last hostage returns."

Dr. Sefi Mendlovich, Deputy Director General of the Israeli Health Ministry, stated: "Today we welcome Emily, Doron, and Romi after 471 days in Hamas captivity. This represents an unimaginable reality. We, as medical authorities within the healthcare system, stand fully prepared to address all medical conditions."

Immediate priority: Nutrition

The primary medical concern currently centers on refeeding syndrome. Following 15 months of malnutrition, sudden food reintroduction risks dangerous disruptions to the body's fluid and electrolyte balance. Previous hostage exchanges revealed weight losses of between 10% to 17% of body mass, translating to 17-33 pounds. Given the three women's extended period in captivity, the medical team anticipates even more complex challenges.

Consequently, they must undergo extensive medical evaluation. The established medical protocol encompasses comprehensive testing: infectious disease screening, thorough nutritional assessment including vitamin levels, potassium, zinc and vitamin B12, pregnancy testing for women of reproductive age, blood clot screening—a condition previously observed in hostages due to prolonged immobility—and detailed examinations of neurological, respiratory and cardiac function.

Systematic readiness

Six hospitals nationwide are prepared for hostage reception—four in central Israel and two near the border with Gaza. Health Ministry guidelines recommend a minimum four-day hospitalization, allowing for necessary testing and gradual adjustment.

A multidisciplinary expert team was assembled to conduct the hostage examinations. The hospital deploys specialists across various fields: ophthalmologists assessing vision after extended darkness exposure, gynecologists performing comprehensive examinations, geriatric specialists evaluating prolonged immobility effects, dentists addressing captivity-related dental issues and mental health professionals providing immediate and long-term psychological support.

Specialized psychological care

"We face both emotional and medical complexities," emphasized Dr. Frankel-Nir. "The care system we've developed is based on past experiences and insights from previous events." The mental health team is focused on giving the returnees and their families privacy and peace, making sure they're not overwhelmed by outside stresses or too many visitors.

The care system extends beyond hospital discharge, continuing into community care. "We've developed a comprehensive ongoing care program," Dr. Mendlovich explained. "Our aim is facilitating smooth transitions from hospitalization to daily life while maintaining thorough medical and psychological monitoring."

'Part of them is still in the tunnel'

Professor Hagai Levine, head of Health Services at the Hostages' Families and Missing Forum, told Israel Hayom on Monday morning that recovery for the released hostages began the moment they were released, but will be a lifelong journey.

"Mentally, part of them is still in that tunnel," he explained. "They spent so long with their fellow hostages that they feel guilty about doing anything enjoyable—even though they should be able to. This sense of guilt toward those still in captivity is holding back their recovery."

Professor Levine noted that this extends to the families of those who've returned—they remain deeply involved in fighting for the release of those still held captive, driven by the same sense of obligation. "Even Israeli society as a whole can't fully move forward—and understandably so—while people are still focused on bringing everyone home."

Both the hostages' physical and mental health will need to be addressed, said Levine.

"Physically, we check for various medical conditions—in past cases, we've found blood clots in leg veins, hormone imbalances and malnutrition. We screen for vitamin and mineral deficiencies, weight loss and skin problems. Some patients need physical therapy. On the psychological side, there's a long road ahead—rebuilding trust and helping them regain a sense of control over their lives."

After suffering such trauma, a significant social adjustment will be required for the hostages to reintegrate back into their former lives, he explained.

"They need to relearn how to navigate everyday interactions and eventually return to work. It's a complex, long-term recovery process that affects both the released hostages and their families. But full recovery is particularly challenging while others remain in captivity—they find it impossible to focus entirely on their own healing while knowing others are still held hostage."

Originally published by Israel Hayom.

President-elect Donald Trump warned Hamas that unless the hostages were returned by Inauguration Day, “All hell will break loose.”

After 15 months laughing at Joe Biden’s bumbling foreign policy, where Israel had an unqualified right to defend itself so long as it didn’t kill any Gazans, where promised munitions to the Jewish state were delayed and humanitarian aid stolen by Hamas was blamed on Israel, the leaders of Hamas—whoever was still left standing—must have been startled that America had elected someone with the grit to issue a real threat.

Clearly, without Trump’s return to the Oval Office, no Israeli and American hostages would have been released on Sunday—or possibly ever. Israel didn’t need 15 months to end this war. It could have been over soon after it began—and with more hostages still alive. All that Israel required was to have its American ally bolt the door on the gathering mob of hectoring antisemites and get out of the way.

We are, however, where we are. But make no mistake: This negotiated ceasefire will not end well unless Trump and his revamped foreign policy team ensure that all remaining hostages are released, the remains of dead hostages are returned and all members of Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Palestinian “civilians” who participated in the Oct. 7 massacre pay the ultimate price for their crimes.

Because the resolution to the conflict, as it now stands, positively stinks. In the Middle East version of “Let’s Make a Deal,” I would have preferred skipping over this gambit and going straight to Door Number 2: the “all hell will break loose” option. I am curious to know what hell would look like for the millions of Palestinians still cheering for Hamas and celebrating the Oct. 7 bloodbath.

Almost instantly after the ceasefire was announced, Gazans took to the streets to bizarrely exult in some psychotic victory. If Gazans are celebrating the death of 44,000 of their own people and the ruination of the entire Strip, then this war is far from over.

Cheering in the streets is a telltale sign that Gazans have not quite had enough, and that Hamas’s promise of several more reenactments of Oct. 7 is something they are all actually counting on.

The world needs to understand what Israelis have long known: Palestinians are notably unlike the Confederate states at Appomattox, the British at Yorktown and Napoleon at Waterloo. They don’t seem to know when they have been defeated. Even complete decimation, in their minds, is construed as a win. Reality never sinks in. Such is the depth of their Jew-hating delusions.

This realization cannot be underestimated. All of Trump’s primary Cabinet secretaries testified this past week that there can be no Hamas in a reconstituted Gaza. But pursuant to the deal, Israel is scheduled to release 730 Palestinian prisoners, many of whom have either murdered Israelis or built weapons used for that purpose.

Once returned to Gaza, the West Bank or elsewhere, expect none of them to have found religion—other than the one they were already devout adherents of, the very same one that requires dead Jews as an article of faith. No matter what this negotiated ceasefire expressly states, these newly freed Palestinians will most certainly return to the only actual “occupation” that applies to them: terrorism.

And what does Israel receive in return? Three hostages at the outset, followed by 30 of the 90 believed to still be alive. Remember, the hostages were innocent civilians—elderly and children—who had been kidnapped and held for ransom and as bargaining chips for extortion. If the unbalanced moral ratio to this exchange sounds absurd, well ... it is.

Israelis know this to be dangerously true. But a sizable majority are prepared to accept even a bad deal if it means the eventual return of hostages. Will they all make it back? Are 90 still alive?

All throughout these negotiations, Hamas sought better terms on Palestinian prisoners because it knew what many terrorist aficionados had already suspected: far too many of the cards Hamas is holding are dead. That’s not a good look when you're trying to focus the world’s attention on dead Gazans killed by genocidal Israelis.

This legerdemain worked because it was only Israel that was expected to uphold humanitarian standards. The barbarism of Hamas was given a pass.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has largely supported this defective deal. He had little choice. He had to trust Trump and not undermine the new president’s Day 1 demand. But didn’t Trump mean all the hostages? Why are we still negotiating with terrorists? Why are we not unloading the Trumpian hellscape on Gaza?

In order to finalize this deal, Netanyahu had to convince his War Cabinet and governing coalition of its merits. He knew that ultranationalists like Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir would refuse to release any prisoners and thus add to the population of terrorists. Everyone also knew that, as it has always done in the past, Hamas would renege on its commitments. By then, Israel’s wartime pause would have normalized. A decision will then have to be made whether to reset the clock and resume the war or accept the status quo.

Once soldiers return home, a nation naturally loses its will to send them back into battle. Hopefully Israel will at least retain a military presence in the Philadelphi Corridor where Gaza and Egypt share a border. That’s where Hamas doubtlessly smuggled in its arsenal that set this war in motion and allowed it to continue.

Bibi is in a bind. Israel needs to see the return of the hostages, especially the elderly and children. But he also wants to retain his new title as Winston Churchill reincarnate—a far more heroic legacy than being remembered for the national security debacle that was Oct. 7. He was on the precipice of vanquishing Hamas and Islamic Jihad once and for all.

Obviously, Bibi is betting that Trump will not interfere if after the 42-day ceasefire all hostages are not returned, too many are no longer alive, rockets are still being fired and Hamas appears to be reconstituting with new recruits and old aspirations.

That’s not something Israel can accept, and the world needs to be prepared that this ceasefire could reignite.

Originally published by the Jewish Journal.

Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi militia has signaled that it will limit its maritime attacks in the Red Sea to only Israel-linked vessels, the Associated Press reported on Sunday.

The Houthis' Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center announced that the terror group was "stopping sanctions" on other vessels it has targeted since November 2023, according to the report.

For Israeli ships, the Houthis' attacks will only be stopped "upon the full implementation of all phases” of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal that went into effect on Sunday, it added.

"In the event of any aggression ... the sanctions will be reinstated against the aggressor state," the statement continued. "You will be promptly informed of such measures should they be implemented."

In November 2023, the Houthis announced they would attack any ship associated with the Jewish state. The Shi'ite terrorist organization said it would target all vessels operated or owned by Israeli companies as well as other ships bearing the "flag of the Zionist entity" in the Red Sea.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea called on all countries to withdraw their citizens working as crew members on Israeli ships, avoid working with Israeli freight carriers and steer clear of Israeli vessels.

The Houthis’ decision to target Israeli commercial vessels in the Red Sea was made in light “of what the Gaza Strip is being exposed to from the brutal Israeli-American aggression,” the terrorist spokesman added.

According to the Associated Press report, Houthi terrorists have since targeted more than 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones.

The Israel Defense Forces has also bolstered its naval presence in the Red Sea area following repeated missile and drone attacks from Yemen.

In an unprecedented break with tradition, Donald Trump's second presidential inauguration will move indoors to the Capitol rotunda on Monday, as severe weather conditions force a dramatic reshaping of the historic ceremony. The event, scheduled for 12:00 noon Washington time (19:00 Israel time), marks the first time in modern history that the full inaugural ceremony will be held inside the Capitol building.

The decision to relocate the ceremony, driven by extreme cold gripping the East Coast, has transformed the usual inaugural arrangements. While the rotunda will accommodate only 700 attendees, thousands will gather at Capital One Arena to witness the ceremony via live broadcast.

Among the confirmed attendees are outgoing President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, former presidents Barack Obama and George Bush and an unprecedented gathering of technology industry leaders including Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg. Chinese Vice President Han Zheng will represent Beijing at the ceremony.

The day's schedule maintains key inaugural traditions despite the venue change. Trump will begin at St. John's Church across from the White House for the traditional prayer service, followed by a meeting with the outgoing President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at the White House.

The hour-long swearing-in ceremony features carefully selected elements reflecting national unity. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh will first administer the oath to incoming Vice President J.D. Vance. Chief Justice John Roberts will then swear in Trump, who has chosen to place his hand on two historically significant Bibles: his personal Bible from 1955 and the Lincoln Bible from 1861, previously used by Barack Obama.

The ceremony brings together religious leaders representing America's diverse faiths, including Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman of Yeshiva University, Reverend Lorenzo Sewell and Imam Houssam al-Husseini from Dearborn, Michigan. Al-Husseini's participation has drawn attention due to his controversial statements about Israel and support for the terrorist organization Hezbollah.

Musical performances will feature country singer Carrie Underwood performing "America the Beautiful" with the Armed Forces Choir and Naval Academy Choir, while opera singer Christopher Macchio will deliver the national anthem.

Following the inaugural address and Biden's farewell, Trump will proceed to the President's Room for his first official acts, the signing of initial presidential orders. A luncheon in the Capitol's Statuary Hall follows.

The traditional inaugural parade has been relocated to Capital One Arena, adapting to the severe weather conditions. The day concludes with three distinct inaugural balls, each targeting specific constituencies: the Commander-in-Chief's Ball for military personnel, featuring Rascal Flatts and Parker McCollum; the Liberty Ball for Trump supporters, with performances by Nelly, Jason Aldean and the Village People; and the Stars Ball for major donors, headlined by Gavin DeGraw.

The ceremonies follow Sunday's mass rally at Capital One Arena, where Trump appeared alongside celebrities including Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus, Elon Musk, Hulk Hogan and actor John White. The event notably included a tribute to the Butler, Pennsylvania shooting in which Trump sustained a minor ear injury.

The indoor ceremony, while breaking with tradition, underscores the administration's commitment to proceeding with inaugural celebrations despite challenging weather conditions. The restricted attendance in the rotunda has necessitated careful planning to balance traditional protocols with practical limitations, creating what officials describe as a unique moment in American inaugural history.

Originally published by Israel Hayom.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said on Sunday that he had presented pictures drawn by Israeli children held hostage in Gaza to President-elect Donald Trump.

“This week, I met with an Israeli hostage family who had been released from Gaza,” tweeted Cruz. “The beautiful children drew pictures for President Trump, and they asked me to deliver them.”

The senator, who is a staunch defender of Israel and has emerged as a close ally of the president-elect, said that he gave the pictures to Trump on Sunday.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Sunday that Germany has a responsibility to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive.

"I am against turning the page, saying 'that was long ago,'" Scholz told a gathering of the Jewish community in Frankfurt to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp in Nazi-occupied Poland.

Scholz also highlighted the "worrying and alarming normalization" of antisemitism amid Israel's 15-month war against Hamas in Gaza.

"The internet and social networks in particular often become a hotbed for extremist positions, incitement and hatred," the German leader warned.

He noted that such incitement puts citizens' lives in danger, adding that the authorities have a responsibility to protect them.

The Jewish population of Judea, Samaria and the Jordan Valley grew by 12,297 in 2024, according to a report published over the weekend by the Yesha Council umbrella group of Jewish communities.

As of Jan. 1, 2025, 529,704 Israelis live in the territory, amounting to approximately 5.28% of the total population of the Jewish state.

That figure does not include the some 350,000 Jews living in the eastern part of Jerusalem, which the Palestinians claim despite it being part of the Jewish state’s capital.

The Yesha Council noted that the annual growth of Judea and Samaria's Jewish population is 2.38%—more than twice Israel's national rate. The report also noted that over the past decade, there has been an exceptional 36% increase in the territory's Jewish population.

The report also noted that 13% of all Israeli troops killed during the war sparked by Hamas's Oct. 7, 2023, attack were from Judea and Samaria.

Israel Ganz, who heads the Yesha Council, as well as the Binyamin Regional Council of communities in southern Samaria, said the data showed the "significant work that is taking place in Judea and Samaria."

"Every year, we see how the communities continue to grow and strengthen; a living example of the Zionist vision being realized," he said. "The growth in the communities is not just numbers, but the story of families, communities and pioneers from all over the country who see their place and future in the communities of Judea and Samaria."

Ganz said he expects the government in Jerusalem to "move to the next stage and apply proper sovereignty to this region of the country, and to stop discrimination against the country's dedicated citizens."

This year's report, he added, "emphasizes the role of the pioneers of Judea and Samaria as partners—not only in the forefront of settlement activity but also in maintaining Israel's security on the country's borders."

In 2023, the Jewish population in the territories liberated during the 1967 Six-Day War grew to 517,407, according to a previous report compiled by former Israeli lawmaker Ya'akov Katz based on Interior Ministry data. The January 2024 report projected the Jewish population in the area would reach 613,554 by 2030, 706,233 by 2035 and 1,020,506 by 2047.