JC Israel Briefing Day 599: More ceasefire confusion, more pain for hostage families

Witkoff said Israel had accepted his draft, which calls for a 45–60 day ceasefire in exchange for the release of ten live and nineteen dead hostages, along with Palestinian prisoners. Israeli officials fear Hamas would breach the agreement after the first release and have rejected the alternate version Hamas claims to support.

In Tel Aviv, families of 41 hostages killed in captivity held an emergency press conference. They warned that further military escalation would cost more lives. “Our families are living proof that military pressure kills hostages,” said Gil Dickmann, cousin of Carmel Gat. “Stop this war. Bring them home now.”

Jerusalem Day, which marks Israel’s capture of East Jerusalem in 1967, was observed with ceremonies and prayers — and outbreaks of violence. In the Old City, far-right marchers chanted “Death to Arabs” and shoved Palestinians in the Muslim Quarter. Police escorted Palestinians from the area and arrested a youth for using pepper spray. Prime Minister Netanyahu held a cabinet meeting in the City of David and declared that Jerusalem would “always remain in our hands.”

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir visited the Temple Mount and said Jews could now pray freely there. “Today, thank God, it is possible to bow down on the Temple Mount,” he said. MK Yitzhak Kroizer was filmed prostrating in the compound as police stood by. Though Israel claims sovereignty over the site, successive governments have barred Jewish prayer and maintained administration under the Islamic Waqf. The Chief Rabbinate opposes Jewish worship there. Jordan condemned the visit and said Israel “has no sovereignty” in East Jerusalem.

Israel’s attorney general ruled that Prime Minister Netanyahu’s appointment David Zini as the next Shin Bet chief was unlawful. Gali Baharav-Miara said the selection was invalid due to a conflict of interest. Critics argue Netanyahu should not be nominating the head of an agency currently investigating his office. Ministers in the coalition called the ruling a legal coup and warned of resignations.

A new aid body backed by the US and Israel has begun distributing food in Gaza, aiming to bypass Hamas by handing out supplies directly to civilians. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said its first secured site near the Philadelphi Corridor opened Monday, with boxes handed out under armed American guard. The group released photos showing Gazans carrying aid and accused Hamas of trying to block access and threaten cooperating groups.

The launch followed the resignation of executive director Jake Wood, who said the project could not meet humanitarian standards. Chief operating officer David Burke also stepped down. John Acree, a former USAID official, is now interim head. Humanitarian groups have refused to work with the foundation. Israel said 170 trucks of aid entered Gaza yesterday.

Terrorists in northern Gaza fired mortars at Israeli troops. The IDF said the crew was killed by an airstrike shortly after the attack. No Israeli casualties were reported.

A ballistic missile was fired from Yemen and intercepted over Israel. Sirens were triggered in the Jordan Valley and northern West Bank. Earlier alerts near the Gaza border were declared false alarms.

The World Health Organisation voted to raise the Palestinian flag at its Geneva headquarters. Israel, Germany, the Czech Republic and Hungary voted against. The United States abstained.

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