Free Republic

Thomas Friedman poses a seemingly clever question in his New York Times column: How can Israel precisely target sites in Iran 1,200 miles away but struggle to safely deliver food to Gazans just 40 miles from Tel Aviv? The answer reveals the fundamental flaw in Friedman’s analysis.The Reality of Food Distribution in GazaWhen Friedman envisions food distribution in Gaza, he apparently imagines orderly queues of civilians patiently waiting their turn. The reality could not be more different. These are chaotic scenes, with dozens-thick crowds, often including Hamas fighters embedded among civilians. These are not peaceful recipients, but frequently hostile mobs...

Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine rejected in a joint statement on Friday any "foreign guardianship" over Gaza, stressing that its governance is a purely internal Palestinian matter, according to Reuters. In an exclusive interview with Sky News, Hamas official Basem Naim said that while Hamas will no longer be directly involved in governing Gaza following the implementation of US President Donald Trump's peace plan, there is no plan to fully disarm, as Naim claimed that “no one can deny us the right to resistance by all means, including armed resistance.” When asked...

President Donald Trump is inching closer to delivering on his 20-point proposal to end the war in Gaza, as he announced on Saturday that Israel has agreed to the initial withdrawal line to facilitate a hostage release.Trump detailed Israel’s cooperation in a post on Truth Social, saying it has been shared with Hamas. “After negotiations, Israel has agreed to the initial withdrawal line, which we have shown to, and shared with, Hamas,” the U.S. president posted. “When Hamas confirms, the Ceasefire will be IMMEDIATELY effective, the Hostages and Prisoner Exchange will begin, and we will create the conditions for the...