Trump to Israel's judiciary: Let Netanyahu go

Netanyahu thanked Trump on X for his renewed support and wrote: "Together we will make the Middle East great again!"

Trump had previously said that he expected a ceasefire to be reached in the Gaza Strip "within the next week". However, according to media reports, Israeli officials dampened expectations. According to them, there has so far been no significant change in the positions of both sides on the most important points of contention, including the demand by the terrorist organization Hamas for guarantees for an end to the war in Gaza.

Calls for an end to the war in Gaza

At a protest rally in the Israeli coastal metropolis of Tel Aviv, thousands of people called on Netanyahu's government to reach an agreement with Hamas. Addressing Netanyahu and Trump, a former hostage shouted, according to media reports: "You have made a courageous decision on Iran. Now make a courageous decision that will end the fighting in Gaza and bring all (hostages) back". The demonstrator was referring to the recent ceasefire between Israel and Iran.

Meanwhile, Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) made a surprise trip to Israel. He wants to meet with Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar today. "Support for Israel also means holding talks on the ground and getting an idea of the situation. I want to show that we support Israel as our closest partner in the fight against terror," said Dobrindt. His visit was first reported by Focus magazine.

Trump: Insane what they are doing to Netanyahu

Israel's head of government Netanyahu has been on trial for corruption for five years. He has been charged with fraud, breach of trust and bribery. At the beginning of the month, he testified for the first time under cross-examination. According to the Times of Israel, the interrogation is expected to continue soon. "It's insane what the out-of-control prosecutors are doing to Bibi Netanyahu," wrote Trump, who himself has repeatedly been in trouble with the judiciary in his own country. Netanyahu's nickname Bibi is a short form of his first name.

"He is a war hero and a prime minister who has done great work with the United States to successfully eliminate the dangerous nuclear threat in Iran. Importantly, he is in the process of negotiating an agreement with Hamas that includes the return of the hostages," Trump wrote. "LET BIBI GO, HE HAS A BIG JOB TO DO!". A few days ago, Trump had already stood by Netanyahu on Truth Social and railed harshly against Israel's justice system.

The self-proclaimed goal of the Israeli government in the war in the Gaza Strip, which has been going on for more than 20 months, is to crush Hamas and free the remaining hostages. According to official Israeli information, 22 living abductees are still being held in Gaza. For 28 others, it is only a question of handing over their mortal remains.

Israeli army: Senior Hamas commander killed

Meanwhile, Israel's army has reportedly killed one of the last high-ranking Hamas commanders in Gaza. According to the military, Hakem Al-Issa was one of the founders of Hamas. He was therefore primarily active in the military wing of the terrorist organization. He is also said to have played an important role in the planning and execution of the massacre in Israel on October 7, 2023, in which around 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 were taken hostage to Gaza. It was the trigger for the war.

According to Palestinian reports, dozens of people, including children, were killed in further Israeli attacks in various areas of the sealed-off coastal strip. Dozens more people were injured, according to medical sources. The information could not be independently verified. The Israeli army initially provided no information.

Israeli air force attacks again in Lebanon

Meanwhile, the Israeli air force said it had again attacked the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon. According to the military, a terrorist from the Iranian-backed militia was killed in an attack near Kounin in the south of the country. The man had been responsible for coordinating Hezbollah's anti-tank missiles and had led attacks with anti-tank missiles on Israeli territory during the war.

Israel and Hezbollah agreed on a ceasefire at the end of November last year after more than a year of mutual shelling. Among other things, the agreement stipulates that Hezbollah will withdraw behind the Litani River about 30 kilometers north of the Israeli-Lebanese border. However, Israel accuses Hezbollah of continuing to smuggle weapons into southern Lebanon and preparing attacks. Israel's military repeatedly attacks targets in the neighboring country. This repeatedly results in casualties. Lebanon accuses Israel of also violating the ceasefire.