JC Israel Briefing Day 571: Netanyahu ally claims war will end ‘in 12 months’

As Israel prepares to enter Independence Day tomorrow evening, released Hamas captive Yarden Bibas has urged citizens to change their social media profile photos to a simple message: “There is no independence while they are still there.” Holding the slogan in a photo shared widely online, Bibas declared that the country cannot celebrate true freedom while hostages remain in captivity.

In related news, freed hostages described the “medieval torture” they endured during captivity, speaking at a Tel Aviv press conference yesterday. They called on President Trump to help free those still held. Survivors detailed starvation, abuse, and isolation underground. Naama Levy, Keith Siegel, Doron Steinbrecher and Omer Shem Tov urged urgent intervention, warning that time was running out to restart negotiations.

Reports from two Egyptian security sources cited by Reuters last night claimed a “significant breakthrough” had been reached in Cairo negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire, with consensus around a long-term truce. However, Israeli officials swiftly denied any breakthrough.

Elsewhere, the International Court of Justice in The Hague has opened hearings on Israel’s obligations to allow humanitarian access to Gaza and the West Bank. Palestinian envoy Ammar Hijazi accused Israel of “starving, killing and displacing” civilians while obstructing humanitarian organisations. Israel boycotted the session, with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar calling the UN case a “circus” and accusing Unrwa of being “infested with Hamas terrorists”.

And Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar announced yesterday that he will resign on June 15, citing personal responsibility for the agency’s failure to prevent Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack. Speaking at a memorial for fallen Shin Bet officers, Bar said “all systems collapsed” and framed his resignation as loyalty to the state.

His decision followed Prime Minister Netanyahu’s attempt to dismiss him, a move contested in the High Court, which has been assessing rival affidavits from Bar and Netanyahu. Bar’s resignation allows him to avoid a direct dismissal while preserving the Shin Bet’s operational independence.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces have launched a sweeping clearance operation along Gaza’s northern border, Channel 12 reported. Troops are setting fire to thick fields along the frontier, hoping to expose hidden tunnel shafts, explosives and militant hideouts. Military officials said the goal is to strip away the cover Hamas fighters use, giving surveillance drones a clearer view of the area. Several tunnel shafts containing weapons and intelligence materials have already been found.

Israeli security officials warned that Iran now possesses around 2,000 ballistic missiles capable of reaching Israeli territory, according to security assessments cited in Israeli media. US and Iranian negotiators are due to resume nuclear talks on May 3. Despite ongoing diplomacy, Israeli defence officials maintain readiness for unilateral military options. Iran has reportedly sought advanced Russian air defences but has so far been rebuffed.

Plus, Virgin Atlantic has announced it will drop its London–Tel Aviv route, after months of suspended flights since the October 7 attacks. Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines have also given up their landing slots at Ben Gurion Airport, in a blow to Israel’s battered travel industry. Officials said the cancellations reflect the ongoing security worries that have driven international travel numbers sharply down.

Finally, immigration to Israel has fallen sharply over the past year, according to new data. The Immigration and Integration Ministry reported that 26,211 new immigrants arrived, a 24 per cent drop from the previous year. Most newcomers came from Russia, the United States, and France. No specific figures were released for immigration from the United Kingdom. Minister Ofir Sofer said that wartime immigration “strengthens Israel’s solidarity” despite ongoing security risks.

You can sign up to the JC’s Israel briefing here.