+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Momentous times, escalating threats. After Bibi speaks he must assume Trump/Vance win and move accordingly.

Dear Dick,

Israel is working rapidly to respond to new security threats being posed by Iran and its terror proxies, but an ideal solution has not yet been found.

"Israel has a problem with drones," a new report in The Wall Street Journal notes. Unlike rockets and missiles, "[Drones] can be small and hard to detect, and they don’t move on predictable trajectories or emit the intense heat of rocket engines that make missiles easier to track and destroy. They are also cheap and plentiful, and are being deployed by the country’s adversaries in increasing numbers and sophistication."

This challenge has been demonstrated primarily in the attacks in the north from Hezbollah — which has an estimated 2,500 drones and the ability to assemble more with parts from Iran — as well as in last week’s Tel Aviv drone strike from the Houthis that killed an Israeli civilian.

Just today, Hezbollah launched seven drones into Israeli territory.

"[Drones] have turned into the main threat in terms of our ability to deal with it, because the army right now has no means of prevention except using F-16s," said Ariel Frisch, deputy security officer of Kiryat Shmona, a city in northern Israel that has been hit by at least six explosive drones from Hezbollah since October 7. "We are very, very worried about it."

Israel’s Defense Ministry is working to quickly innovate and adopt solutions to overcome this challenge, including cooperative efforts with America. In its recently passed annual Defense Appropriations Bill, the House included $55 million specifically for U.S.-Israel counter-drone cooperation — a $15 million (38%) increase from the previous year. The bill also included $500 million for U.S.-Israel missile defense cooperation.

I encourage you to read this new AIPAC memo on the grave threat posed by Hezbollah, which we are distributing to Hill offices.

America must continue to stand with Israel and ensure it has the weapons needed to protect its families from Iran and its terrorist proxies.

IDF prepares for more escalation from Houthis as Russia considers sending weapons

The IDF is expecting Yemen to become a more central theater of operations following the deadly attack in Tel Aviv last week.

While Israel’s retaliatory strike on the Hodeidah port will make it more difficult for Iran to send weapons to the Houthis — and take months for the terror group to rebuild — Israeli defense officials know that Iran has other means of sending arms to its proxies.

Meanwhile, U.S. intelligence agencies are reportedly warning that Russia may try to arm the Houthis with advanced anti-ship missiles, and America’s top commander in the Middle East is warning that a broader approach is needed to address the Houthi threat.

In Congress, a bipartisan group of lawmakers is calling on the Biden administration to re-designate the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), a formal category that would make it easier for the U.S. to target and sanction them.

IDF begins new operation after Hamas takes over humanitarian zone

Today, the IDF announced plans to uproot the Hamas terrorists who have deeply embedded themselves and their terrorist infrastructure in an Israeli-designated humanitarian zone in Khan Yunis.

The IDF contacted Palestinians using text messages, phone calls and other media broadcasts — and provided updated maps — instructing civilians in the area to move elsewhere because "remaining in the area has become dangerous."

"The IDF is about to forcefully operate against the terror organizations and therefore calls on the remaining population left in the eastern neighborhoods of Khan Younis to temporarily evacuate to the adjusted humanitarian area in al-Mawasi," the IDF said, adding that the warning was aimed at mitigating harm to civilians.

Also today, the IDF released new evidence of Hamas terrorists taking over humanitarian aid routes, hiding in schools and stealing aid.

Netanyahu arrives in D.C. ahead of historic address

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington today ahead of his address to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday. He was accompanied by freed hostages and the families of hostages still held by Hamas.

Prior to departing Israel this morning, Netanyahu said, "I will seek to anchor the bipartisan support that is so important for Israel. And I will tell my friends on both sides of the aisle that regardless who the American people choose as their next President, Israel remains America’s indispensable and strong ally in the Middle East."

Netanyahu is expected to meet separately with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris this week.

Continue to follow AIPAC on social media for the latest updates.

Sincerely,

Jake Braunstein

Director of Policy Communications

+++