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Netanyahu convening ‘urgent security discussion’

Ben-Gvir and Smotrich will participate in the meeting, which comes amid reported progress on a hostage deal.

Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds a press conference on the multifront war, Dec. 9, 2024. Photo by Ma’ayan Toaf/GPO.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has scheduled an “urgent security discussion” for 5 p.m. on Sunday.

The meeting is expected to include Defense Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and comes amid reported progress in the multilateral negotiations to release the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

Ben-Gvir and Smotrich oppose the ceasefire proposals being reported in recent weeks and Netanyahu has emphasized that Israeli forces will return to fighting after any ceasefire agreement until Jerusalem’s war goals are achieved.

Hamas is holding 100 hostages, including 96 kidnapped on Oct. 7, 2023. More than 60 are believed to be alive.

Kenneth Marcus, founder and chairman of the Brandeis Center, told JNS that “we understand that those who characterize us that way, rather than as the civil rights organization we are, generally aim to marginalize us or undermine our efforts.”
Michael Specht, Ramapo Town Council supervisor, called the incident “very disturbing.”
The head of the Iranian parliament spoke after U.S. President Donald Trump warned he will destroy the Islamic Republic’s energy sites if it doesn’t open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.
“It requires one clear choice: full decommissioning by Hamas and every armed group, with no exceptions and no carve-outs,” said Nickolay Mladenov stated.
“All the casualties from Iranian attacks, without an exception, are civilians,” Israel’s foreign minister adds.