The new director of the Egyptian General Intelligence Service presented Israel's Shin Bet chief an idea for a "small" hostage and ceasefire deal in Gaza that could jump-start negotiations on a broader agreement, two Israeli officials told Axios.
Why it matters: The negotiations over a hostage and ceasefire deal have been deadlocked for almost two months and no significant talks have taken place between the parties.
The State Department is reviewing an Israel Defense Forces unit in charge of guarding detainees from Gaza for alleged human rights violations which could have implications for U.S. assistance, two Israeli officials and two U.S. officials tell Axios.
Why it matters: Several members of the unit, called "Force 100," are standing trial in Israel for allegedly sexual assaulting a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman detention camp, dubbed "the Israeli Guantanamo" by human rights organizations.
Israel gave the U.S. a document last week with its conditions for a diplomatic solution to end the war in Lebanon and allow displaced civilians from both sides of the border to return to their homes, two U.S. officials and two Israeli officials told Axios.
Why it matters: The Israeli Prime Minister's Office gave the paper to the White House ahead of President Biden's envoy Amos Hochstein's visit to Beirut on Monday to discuss a diplomatic solution to the conflict, Israeli officials said.
One by one, Israel has tracked, targeted and eliminated the leadership of its greatest regional enemies in a sprawling decapitation operation with little precedent in modern history.
Why it matters: The killing of Oct. 7 mastermind Yahya Sinwar this past week capped an astonishing three-month streak in which a succession of top Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, as well as several Iranian generals, were taken out by Israel.
