VFI News Hamas Rejects Ceasefire Deal Amid Mounting Regional Tensions

Hamas Rejects Ceasefire Deal Amid Mounting Regional Tensions . . .

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Hamas rejected the latest 60-day cease-fire proposal with Israel on Saturday, stalling talks in Qatar while the terror group continues to push for maintaining greater territorial control in Gaza.

Negotiations centered on a US-backed Qatari proposal for a temporary halt to hostilities and a partial release of hostages. Israel accepted the offer, but Hamas objected to IDF troop deployments.

The latest maps show Israel keeping control of roughly one-third of Gaza, including a 1.86-mile buffer zone in Rafah. Hamas demands a total IDF withdrawal.

The proposal would have released 10 hostages believed to be alive and returned the bodies of 18 deceased captives. In exchange, Israel would release Palestinian prisoners.

Talks are expected to continue. Meanwhile, protests for a hostage deal continue weekly in Israel, with many urging a full agreement to end the war. (NYP/VFI News)

"The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace." – Psalm 29:11

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departed Washington for Israel aboard the "Wing of Zion" plane on Thursday night, concluding a four-day visit during which he met twice at the White House with President Donald Trump.

The Prime Minister’s Office stated, "All the goals Netanyahu sought to achieve during the visit were accomplished."

Meanwhile, Netanyahu gave an interview to Newsmax in which he expressed cautious optimism regarding the potential release of an additional ten living Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

In the interview, the Prime Minister detailed ongoing negotiations for a temporary ceasefire agreement, aiming to secure the freedom of those abducted on October 7, 2023.

Netanyahu described the ordeal of the 255 initial hostages as "hell," unequivocally labeling Hamas as "monsters" due to their treatment of captives.

"Well, they're monsters. I mean what they do to them and the stories we get are horrible," Netanyahu stated. "So it's not easy for us when we're doing it."

The Prime Minister reiterated Israel's unwavering commitment to bringing all remaining hostages home.

"We have 50 left; 20 definitely alive, and some 30 that are not alive, and I want to take them all out," he told Newsmax. "We now have a deal that supposedly we'll get half of the living and half of the dead out, and so we'll have 10 living left and about 12 deceased hostages. But I'll get them out, too. I hope we can complete in a few days."

The proposed deal reportedly includes a 60-day ceasefire, during which the initial group of hostages would be released, followed by further negotiations to end the conflict. Netanyahu asserted that the conflict could cease immediately "if Hamas lays down its arms."

Beyond the plight of the hostages, Netanyahu highlighted the oppressive nature of Hamas's rule over Palestinian Arabs in Gaza, noting the terrorist group’s use of its own civilians as human shields.

"It is a fighting force and a governing force in Gaza that oppresses its people, targets our people, our civilians, and uses their civilians as human shields. And then they complain that the civilian losses are because of us," he told Newsmax. "No, we say to the civilians, 'Leave. Leave the war zone.' ... And Hamas says, 'You don't go. You try to leave the war zone, we'll shoot you.' And they shoot them because they want the pictures of dead civilians that they are causing put on Israel's head. And that's what you get in TikTok and the social media: 'Israel is deliberately killing civilians'; no, we're not. Hamas is deliberately killing its own people, preventing them from escaping the war zone. So they're monsters."

At the same time, the Prime Minister noted an unprecedented development: a growing defiance among Palestinian Arabs against Hamas. (INN/VFI News)

“Lord, we ask for mercy and swift deliverance for the hostages still in captivity. Bring a breakthrough in the negotiations and return them safely to their families. Give wisdom and strength to the leaders striving to rescue them.”

Parts of Iran’s stockpile of near weapons-grade enriched uranium survived last month’s US airstrikes and could be accessed by Tehran’s nuclear engineers, according to a senior Israeli official.

Though Iran’s program was set back at least two years, uranium at Isfahan and other sites buried too deep to be destroyed remains a concern.

An Israeli official noted that Tehran even considered dispatching a nuclear weapon with 90% enriched uranium to the Houthis to be fired at Israel. The attack was only prevented due to ongoing Israeli and US strikes.

The US strike included 14 "bunker buster" bombs during an 18-hour stealth mission. While damage is substantial, disputes remain over the extent of the impact. (NYP/VFI News)

“Heavenly Father, we pray for the utter dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Let no weapon formed against Israel prosper. Grant discernment to world leaders and protect the innocent from the shadow of nuclear threat.”

The Arrow 4 interceptor missile may soon join Israel's missile defenses, according to Israel Aerospace Industries CEO Boaz Levy. It will operate at shorter ranges than Arrow 3, with improved accuracy.

IAI is also developing Arrow 5 to eventually replace Arrow 3, countering even more sophisticated ballistic threats. Operational trials are expected in about two years, possibly sooner if conditions require.

Israel is also preparing to supply Arrow systems to Germany to defend its territory and that of neighboring countries. (INN/VFI News)

“Lord, we thank You for granting Israel wisdom to develop defensive technologies that save lives. May these systems continue to shield innocent people from harm and bring peace through strength.”

Experience the powerful blessings found in Psalm 128. This uplifting song celebrates the joy and prosperity that come to those who walk in the ways of the Lord and honor Him. From the blessings of fruitful families to peace upon Israel, this song captures the essence of God’s promise to those who fear Him. Whether you're seeking spiritual encouragement or a deeper connection with God's word, this lyric video is a beautiful reminder of His goodness. Perfect for meditation, reflection, and worship, let this video uplift your spirit as you contemplate the blessings of a life led by faith.

At least 120 new flights have been added to Ben Gurion Airport's schedule in August, as airlines like United Airlines, Wizz Air, Lufthansa Group, and Aegean resume operations earlier than forecast.

United will resume flights between Tel Aviv and New York/Newark on July 21 with 14 weekly flights. Wizz Air will gradually resume flights to Larnaca, Budapest, Dubai, and major European cities.

Aegean will resume flights to Athens, Crete, Larnaca, and later to Mykonos and Thessaloniki.

The surge in flights marks a significant milestone in restoring Israel’s tourism and international connectivity. (JPost/VFI News)

“Thank You, Lord, for the restoration of safe travel and economic vitality in Israel. May these resumed flights bring blessings, connections, and renewed hope for families and visitors alike.”

An Iranian official accused Israel of an assassination attempt on Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian and warned that Tehran will respond.

The official described the attack during Operation Rising Lion as part of a broader Israeli plan to topple the regime. Pezeshkian was reportedly injured when six bombs struck a government building in Tehran on June 16.

The attack resembled the strike that killed Hezbollah’s Nasrallah. Power to the targeted floor was cut, but attendees escaped through an emergency exit.

The Iranian news agency Fars, affiliated with the IRGC, reported the injury and ongoing investigation, raising tensions even further in the region. (INN/VFI News)

The father of socialist NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani sits on an advisory council of an Israel-hating organization that routinely accuses the Jewish state of committing “genocide” – and has expressed sympathy for suicide bombers.

Mahmood Mamdani, 79, is listed as one of 29 members of the London-based Gaza Tribunal’s advisory policy council.

The group, founded last year, says its primary goal is “to awaken civil society to its responsibility and opportunity to stop Israel’s genocide in Gaza.”

It also supports many of the same anti-Israel causes being pushed by the Queens assemblyman and mayoral frontrunner, including the BDS movement, which urges “boycott, divestment and sanctions” against Israel to push Palestinian causes.

He has also come under fire on social media this week over a resurfaced book excerpt, in which he expressed sympathy for the way suicide bombers are viewed.

“Suicide bombing needs to be understood as a feature of modern political violence rather than stigmatized as a mark of barbarism,” the elder Mamdani wrote in his 2004 book “Good Muslim, Bad Muslim: America, the Cold War, and the Roots of Terror.” (NYP/VFI News)

"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness." – Isaiah 5:20

Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli tore into Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) on Thursday, branding him a “self-hating Jew” and accusing him of siding with “a Hamas fan advocating the globalization of the Intifada” over his backing of radical left-wing New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.

Chikli, a senior Likud lawmaker and top Israeli official tasked with fighting global antisemitism, posted the remarks on X, blasting what he described as a growing trend of Jews who “hate their own people” and enable anti-Israel extremism.

“The phenomenon of Jews who hate their own people is a well-documented and recurring pattern throughout history,” Chikli wrote. “It’s called a self-hating Jew. The new form of antisemitism.”

The “Hamas fan” in question is Mamdani, who supports the anti-Israel BDS movement, has refused to affirm Israel’s right to exist, and has defended the slogan “globalize the intifada”—widely viewed as a call for violence against Jews.

After Mamdani’s primary win, Schumer praised him rather than condemning his views. Critics noted the irony, pointing out Schumer himself warned against the very slogan Mamdani defends.

Chikli also targeted Haaretz, accusing it of acting as a “spearhead of Holocaust distortion and denial.” (INN/VFI News)

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." – Psalm 34:18

The suggestions, opinions, and scripture references made by VFI News writers and editors are based on the best information received.

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