On Thursday, President Donald Trump was questioned about his latest demand to Hamas, where he asserted that “somebody’s going to have to get a lot rougher” with the terrorist group.
During a discussion with the press in the Oval Office, Trump was asked about comments made by Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, suggesting that if Hamas refuses to release hostages, the US and Israel may take action, including military measures. Trump’s response was firm, saying, “Well, you’re going to find out,” before adding, “I had the honor of spending a lot of time yesterday with quite a few of the people that we got out, and I can’t believe how badly treated they were, really badly treated. Stories that you wouldn’t even believe. Some of it was documented. And it’s a shame.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that his country would begin discussions with the United States next week regarding efforts to end the ongoing conflict with Russia.
During his nightly broadcast, Zelenskyy revealed that he would be traveling to Saudi Arabia on Monday, where his team would remain to engage in talks with U.S. officials.
European Union leaders are currently convening in an emergency meeting to explore how they can swiftly increase their military expenditures following the Trump administration’s declaration that Europe must assume responsibility for its own security while halting its assistance to Ukraine.

On Thursday evening, the Agudas Yisrael wing of the United Torah Judaism party addressed Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu in a letter, stressing that they will not lend their support to the upcoming budget unless the Draft Law is enacted. The letter was endorsed by UTJ chairman Yitzzcok Goldknopf, MK Yaakov Tesler, and MK Moshe Shimon Roth.
The correspondence refers to the coalition agreement established on December 28, 2022, between United Torah Judaism and the Likud party. This agreement included a clear pledge to create legislation that would establish a framework to exempt yeshiva students from mandatory military service.

BROOKLYN (JTA) – B

In a powerful new kol koreh issued by leading gedolim across Eretz Yisroel, the Torah leadership strongly warns against the dangers of smoking and urged the public to refrain from this harmful practice.
The statement, signed by a prominent group of gedolim, underscores the serious health risks associated with smoking and reinforces the obligation to protect one’s health in accordance with Torah hashkafah.

Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, told reporters on Thursday that the United States and Israel could take joint military action against Hamas if negotiations with the terrorist group fail.
Speaking with journalists outside the White House, Witkoff was asked if there was a deadline to advance a deal to release more hostages before Israel resumes combat operations in Gaza.
“There definitely is such a date, but I’m not at liberty to discuss what that is,” Witkoff said. “It’s unclear exactly what’s going to happen. I think there’s going to be some action taken. It could be jointly with the Israelis.”

NEW YORK – JetBlue Airways Corp.

A border wall improvement project that was previously halted by President Joe Biden is now resuming in the Texas Rio Grande Valley.
U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks revealed that a border wall enhancement initiative, initially canceled under the Biden administration, has been reinstated along the Texas-Mexico border, following orders from the Trump administration.
Banks detailed that the project involves swapping out six-foot guardrails with towering 18-foot bollard panels. These barriers are specifically engineered to “provide impedance and denial capabilities” to deter unauthorized crossings from Mexico into Texas.