Newsletter to Congress:

Top 4:
The Hostage Deal: Israel and Hamas agreed on a two-phase ceasefire deal for the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
IDF Chief of General Staff Resignation: Herzi Halevi announced his resignation, citing failures in preparing for the October 7 attack, with discussions on his successor underway.
West Bank Unrest and Jenin Operation: The IDF’s operation in Jenin dismantled terror infrastructure, while settler violence in Al-Funduq escalated tensions.
Ben-Gvir Resignation: Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir resigned over the ceasefire deal, leaving the coalition with a narrow majority but open to rejoining if fighting resumes.
Full Report:
1. The Hostage Deal:A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas was signed, which includes a deal for the return of Israeli hostages from Gaza. The agreement is divided into two phases: in the first phase, lasting 42 days, children, women, the elderly, the injured, and the female observers soldiers from Nahal Oz (a total of 33 hostages) are to be released - seven of whom have been released so far.
In the second phase, all remaining hostages are to be freed. In exchange, Israel will release hundreds of prisoners, some of whom were convicted of life sentences for violent activities that claimed the lives of many Israelis. The deal was mediated by the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration and despite criticism in the far right enjoys the support of most Israelis.

2. Resignation of the IDF Chief of General Staff and Successor Discussions: IDF Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi announced on Tuesday that he would end his tenure at the beginning of March, citing failures in warning and preparing the military for the October 7 attack. Halevi is the highest-ranking Israeli official to take responsibility for the failure and act on it, though his resignation comes over 15 months after the incident.
Defense Minister Israel Katz, a political ally of Prime Minister Netanyahu, is expected to appoint Halevi's replacement in the coming weeks. Katz has interviewed three candidates: outgoing Deputy Chief of Staff Amir Baram, who criticized Halevi for the war’s stagnation; Defense Ministry Director-General Eyal Zamir, a former military secretary to Netanyahu considered close to him; and former Ground Forces Commander Tamir Yadai, whose appointment is seen as unlikely.
3. Unrest in the West Bank and the Operation in Jenin: The IDF launched "Operation Iron Wall" in the city of Jenin in Samaria to dismantle Hamas infrastructure. Over 15 operatives from various organizations, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, were killed, and significant military equipment intended for use by the groups was seized. However, a two-year-old girl was reportedly injured during clashes with militants and tragically died from her wounds. The IDF, which claims it only targeted enemy combatants, is investigating the incident.
Meanwhile, dozens of settlers stormed the Palestinian village of Al-Funduq in Samaria, reportedly burning buildings, vehicles, and agricultural equipment. Police and soldiers called to the scene to stop the violence were attacked by settlers with tear gas and responded with live fire, resulting in two settlers being injured.
4. Ben-Gvir Resignation:The ceasefire agreement caused divisions within the Israeli coalition and government. Ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir, Bezalel Smotrich, and their parties announced their opposition to any deal involving a ceasefire and halting the fighting in Gaza, even threatening to resign if such an agreement was signed. After the ceasefire and hostage deal were finalized, Ben-Gvir announced that he and his party (Otzma Yehudit) were resigning from the government and coalition, leaving the coalition with 63 Knesset seats but clarifying they would not support efforts to dissolve the government and enact election.
Ben-Gvir stated that he would be willing to return to the government if it decided to resume fighting in Gaza. For now, the three ministerial portfolios previously held by Otzma Yehudit (National Security, Heritage, and Development of the Negev and Galilee) have been temporarily transferred to Tourism Minister Haim Katz of the Likud, in case Otzma Yehudit decides to rejoin the government.
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