Lahav Harkov: When Netanyahu came into office in 2022, he left several roles open, including the role to coordinate hostage negotiations. Now we have someone, but there was no consul general in New York. He didn’t think it was important to do that right away… and he never really prioritized any of these things.  Netanyahu’s historic distrust of the Foreign Ministry and his strong communication skills in English might have further complicated the situation.

Published in The Jerusalem Post, June 12, 2024.

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Prof. Kobi Michael: Instead of defeating Hamas, defeating Hezbollah, defeating the Houthis, defeating the Shiite militias, and weakening Iran … the Americans are trying to weaken Israel. They want to bring us to our knees so we will agree to Hamas’s demands. At the end of the day, they are normalizing Hamas and keeping Hamas as the sovereign power in the Gaza Strip. This will give encouragement to the Iranian axis and create huge challenges for Israel on all the other fronts.

Published in The Washington Free Beacon, June 10, 2024.

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Ruth Wasserman-Lande speaks to i24 about reports that the Biden administration may try and negotiate a separate hostage deal for U.S. citizens.

June 10, 2024.

Ruth Wasserman Lande, in an interview with Luke Jones of BBC World, responds to EU Foreign Affairs Commissioner Josep Borrell’s claim that the Israeli operation to rescue civilian hostages held by Hamas in Gaza was a ‘massacre’.

9.6.2024. 

https://youtu.be/O7EmxPyuEio

Moshe Fuzaylov: I can tell you  – the planning for the rescue of the hostages began immediately after October 7th. The Shin Bet formulated two teams the day after the massacre – one to settle accounts with everyone who was involved in crossing the border fence and the second one to gather the intelligence for eventual rescue operations.

Uninvolved civilians in Gaza is a type of science fiction. In Gaza, everyone is involved – some on an emotional level and some on a practical level. Anyone who can stab you with a knife will stab you there – and the rescue forces take that into account.

Published in Yeshiva World News, June 9, 2024.

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Prof. Kobi Michael: We have to remain stuck to our ways and to be determined in this regard; As much we increase the friction with Hamas on the ground, we’ll be able to produce more intelligence, more operational opportunities.

The interview took place on the I24 channel on June 8, 2024.

Israel is preparing itself to launch an attack against Hezbollah in the north, just after it finishes the major operations in Gaza. 

Brig. Gen. (Res.) Yossi Kuperwasser breaks down reports that Lebanon is preparing for escalation with Israel.

June 4, 2024. 

https://youtu.be/lguyDqoUAQE

Prof. Kobi Michael: I think that there are some problems with this proposal although it is referred to Israel and it was introduced as a proposal of the Israeli government I think that it is a very creative interpretation of President Biden to the Israeli government framework.

The interview took place on ILTV on June 3, 2024. 

https://youtu.be/lRnLgUdkk5w

Prof. Kobi Michael: unfortunately, once again, Biden gave Hamas reason to be optimistic.

[The proposals] will make Hamas think that the president and the international community are about to heavily pressure Israel [into accepting a deal], so they believe time is on their side and that they have no incentive to make any significant movements.

Published in The National News UAE June 3, 2024.

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Prof. Kobi Michael examines the recent proposed ceasefire and the likelihood that it will be approved by both Israel and Hamas.

June 2, 2024.