JC Israel Briefing Day 630: Mega‑deal for Gaza and more in works

In return, Israel would reportedly support a future two‑state solution, with limited sovereignty in the West Bank, while the US would formally recognise that sovereignty in specific areas. Other Hebrew media are also reporting on plans to broaden the Abraham Accords in connection with this deal.

A documentary about the October 7 massacre at the Nova music festival has now won an Emmy and reignited global attention on the hostages still held in Gaza. We’ll Dance Again, directed by Yariv Mozer, presents survivor testimonies and footage of the Hamas‑led attack. Accepting the award, Mozer declared, “This is a call to the world to bring the hostages back.”

Released internationally in June, the film was made with the victims’ families. Israeli officials praised its message, saying it strengthens diplomatic and media pressure on Hamas to secure the captives’ return.

Elsewhere, Netanyahu has lost the lead in opinion polls that he gained during the Iran war, a new survey suggests. Naftali Bennett, former prime minister and political rival, has tied with Netanyahu’s Likud at 25 Knesset seats. Some 48 per cent of respondents believe Netanyahu’s decision to continue the Gaza war is driven by political motives. Among undecided voters, 59 per cent questioned the official objectives of the war. Most Israelis now support a hostage‑release deal even if it requires ending military operations. These figures mark the strongest showing for Bennett since his April political return.

Yesterday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei resurfaced on state television after a week in hiding, saying Tehran’s military response delivered “a slap to America’s face” when Iran fired on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. US officials reported no casualties.

He also dismissed that the US and Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites “achieved anything significant.” But IAEA Director Rafael Grossi insisted that the sites suffered “very, very, very considerable” damage and likely lost most of their centrifuges, even though Iran has barred inspectors.

Senior Israeli defence officials say the Iran campaign dismantled Iran’s capability for a near‑term nuclear breakout. Operation “Am K’Lavi’’ razed uranium enrichment facilities, missile systems and top leadership targets. Iran’s Foreign Ministry acknowledged substantial damage, and Grossi described the destruction as severe, though short of complete annihilation. Israeli commanders argue that the strike’s strategic effect will significantly delay any reconstitution of Iran’s advanced nuclear infrastructure.

According to the latest information, the 12‑day campaign, the Israeli Air Force flew more than 1,500 missions against over 900 Iranian targets—striking six airports, 200 missile launchers, 70 radar systems, and 35 weapons production sites. The IDF reported over 600 mid‑air refuellings across 2,400 km. The operation, described as Israel’s deepest-ever air campaign, also reportedly killed 30 senior Iranian defence officials and nine nuclear scientists. The air offensive was coordinated with U.S. military support in the Gulf region.

Iran has executed three people accused of spying for Mossad and has arrested more than 700 others in a crackdown following the offensive.

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