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Jacob Magid

Jacob Magid

The Times of Israel

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How ‘the stars aligned’ after over a year to reach a hostage release-ceasefire deal

How ‘the stars aligned’ after over a year to reach a hostage release-ceasefire deal

Damage to Hezbollah, Sinwar’s killing pressured Hamas, officials say, while Trump’s ‘hell to pay’ threat gave new momentum; Qataris credit...

yesterday 30

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Swiss prosecutors examine ‘incitement to genocide’ claims against Herzog

Swiss prosecutors examine ‘incitement to genocide’ claims against Herzog

Swiss AG confirms receiving ‘several criminal complaints’ against Israeli president, who attended Davos conference but has since left Switzerland

yesterday 40

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

In sign of priorities, Trump’s first call with foreign leader held with Saudi prince

In sign of priorities, Trump’s first call with foreign leader held with Saudi prince

MBS says he plans to invest $600b in US during 2nd Trump term; Netanyahu fields first call from new Secretary of State Rubio, who vows to ‘work...

yesterday 50

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Trump considering Mideast visit but ‘not yet,’ again claims credit for hostage deal

Trump considering Mideast visit but ‘not yet,’ again claims credit for hostage deal

‘We have a thing called “the hostages are coming back” going on right now,’ US president tells reporters, as envoy Witkoff confirms he’ll go...

previous day 20

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Trump nominee vows to combat ‘antisemitic rot’ at UN, slams UNRWA’s ‘terrorist ties’

Trump nominee vows to combat ‘antisemitic rot’ at UN, slams UNRWA’s ‘terrorist ties’

Touting her grilling of university heads over campus antisemitism, Elise Stefanik vows to take similar approach at UN; also says Israel has biblical...

previous day 40

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Trump ‘not confident’ Gaza hostage-ceasefire deal will hold through all 3 phases

Trump ‘not confident’ Gaza hostage-ceasefire deal will hold through all 3 phases

New US president ‘might’ help rebuild Gaza, which has ‘phenomenal location’; Hamas can’t govern Strip –...

tuesday 20

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Trump order appears to target some foreigners participating in anti-Israel protests

Trump order appears to target some foreigners participating in anti-Israel protests

Executive decree says US government must be ‘vigilant’ in issuing visas and ensure recipients support ‘do not advocate for, aid, or...

tuesday 20

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Trump invites hostages’ families on stage, before announcing pardon of ‘Jan. 6 hostages’

Trump invites hostages’ families on stage, before announcing pardon of ‘Jan. 6 hostages’

Relatives of abductees as well as freed hostage Noa Argamani greet president at rally; he tells them: ‘We never stopped praying for you’

tuesday 40

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Trump issues sweeping pardon of supporters charged in Jan. 6 Capitol attack

Trump issues sweeping pardon of supporters charged in Jan. 6 Capitol attack

Those set to be released include defendants captured on camera attacking law enforcement in riots four years ago

tuesday 30

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

On day one, Trump rolls back Biden sanctions regime targeting violent Israeli settlers

On day one, Trump rolls back Biden sanctions regime targeting violent Israeli settlers

US president heeds pleas Israeli officials have been making for months, signing executive order hours after another rampage targets northern West Bank...

tuesday 40

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Trump revokes Biden order that ended 2020 sanctions targeting the ICC

Trump revokes Biden order that ended 2020 sanctions targeting the ICC

During his previous term, the president announced action against any court official probing US troops; the Biden administration overturned that...

tuesday 40

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Trump looks to ride on success of hostage deal as he readies to take oath of office

Trump looks to ride on success of hostage deal as he readies to take oath of office

After his intervention helped finalize an agreement that had been elusive for months, US president-elect faces arguably bigger challenge of...

20.01.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

On final day of presidency, Biden hails hostage deal, ‘looks forward’ to end of war

On final day of presidency, Biden hails hostage deal, ‘looks forward’ to end of war

‘After so much pain, destruction and loss of life, today the guns have gone silent,’ says outgoing president; adds Middle East ‘fundamentally...

20.01.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

PA makes deal with Jenin Battalion, ending standoff in West Bank city and camp

PA makes deal with Jenin Battalion, ending standoff in West Bank city and camp

Truce comes after rupture in talks said to have been caused by IDF’s resumption of airstrikes in area; battalion members to surrender arms to...

18.01.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Biden aides admit they mistakenly targeted 2 US citizens immune from settler sanctions

Officials tell ToI vetting process failed to identify pair accused of violence against Palestinians as dual nationals ineligible for targeting under...

18.01.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Arab official: Trump envoy swayed Netanyahu more in one meeting than Biden did all year

Arab official: Trump envoy swayed Netanyahu more in one meeting than Biden did all year

‘Tense’ Jerusalem sit-down led to breakthrough in talks, with Israel and Hamas agreeing in principle to hostage deal two days later; sides now...

15.01.2025 100

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Biden stresses ‘immediate need’ for hostage-truce deal in call with Netanyahu

Biden stresses ‘immediate need’ for hostage-truce deal in call with Netanyahu

PM said to meet with far-right coalition members to gauge support for agreement; negotiators reportedly believe next two days critical to determine if...

13.01.2025 70

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Israel, PA ink deal to release $500 million in withheld Palestinian tax revenues

Israel, PA ink deal to release $500 million in withheld Palestinian tax revenues

Funds will be used to pay off debt to Israel Electric Corporation; both sides declare victory after agreeing to mechanism that US hopes can be used...

13.01.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Trump won’t say what he means by ‘all hell to pay,’ but Netanyahu has some ideas

Trump won’t say what he means by ‘all hell to pay,’ but Netanyahu has some ideas

Israel could further curb humanitarian aid, expand ground op from north to central Gaza if deal not inked by Jan. 20, in move that could harm more...

12.01.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Fatah vows not to let Hamas ‘replicate its actions’ in West Bank, slams Iran

Fatah vows not to let Hamas ‘replicate its actions’ in West Bank, slams Iran

PA President Abbas says terror group ‘sacrificed the interests of the Palestinian people for Iran,’ caused destruction of Gaza, as Ramallah cracks...

12.01.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

CIA chief says hostage talks ‘quite serious’; White House: Deal possible by Jan. 20

CIA chief says hostage talks ‘quite serious’; White House: Deal possible by Jan. 20

Washington optimistic on chances of closing agreement to release Israelis held by Hamas before end of Biden’s term; Netanyahu huddles with security...

11.01.2025 60

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Biden: ‘Real progress’ being made in hostage talks, but Hamas ‘in the way’ of a deal

Biden: ‘Real progress’ being made in hostage talks, but Hamas ‘in the way’ of a deal

Netanyahu’s hostage envoy tries to assure families of captives that government not abandoning their loved ones as it pushes for agreement in which...

10.01.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Families of American-Israeli hostages to attend Trump inauguration

Families of American-Israeli hostages to attend Trump inauguration

Relatives of captives say they will meet with officials from incoming administration and members of Congress during trip to Washington later this...

09.01.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

After 2-year vacuum, in shadow of war, Lebanon tries for 13th time to elect a president

After 2-year vacuum, in shadow of war, Lebanon tries for 13th time to elect a president

Lebanese army chief Joseph Aoun, widely seen as favored by US and Saudi Arabia, is likely to win, after endorsement by Hezbollah pick Suleiman...

09.01.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Blinken: We’re very close to hostage deal, it’ll be handed to Trump if not finalized

Blinken: We’re very close to hostage deal, it’ll be handed to Trump if not finalized

Secretary says Biden to hand off near-finished Gaza ‘Day After’ and Saudi normalization plans; US officials warn Trump aide of Gaza...

09.01.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

In Syria’s Quneitra, frustration at lack of action to end Israeli incursion

In Syria’s Quneitra, frustration at lack of action to end Israeli incursion

A main road in the provincial capital of Quneitra in southern Syria was blocked with mounds of dirt, fallen palm trees and a metal pole that...

07.01.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Deal being advanced would leave most hostages in Gaza forever, families warn

Deal being advanced would leave most hostages in Gaza forever, families warn

A forum representing the vast majority of the remaining 100 hostages in Gaza on Monday called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government...

07.01.2025 60

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

US envoy says Israeli forces have begun withdrawing from second south Lebanon town

US envoy says Israeli forces have begun withdrawing from second south Lebanon town

US envoy Amos Hochstein, visiting Beirut on Monday, said Israeli forces began withdrawing from a south Lebanon border town more than halfway into a...

07.01.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Trump appoints Ortagus as deputy Mideast envoy, but admits he’s not excited about it

Trump appoints Ortagus as deputy Mideast envoy, but admits he’s not excited about it

US President-elect Donald Trump on Friday announced his decision to appoint former State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus as his deputy...

04.01.2025 6

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

US-backed monitor takes down report alleging north Gaza famine after envoy’s critique

The Famine Early Warning System Network on Wednesday took down a report it published a day earlier alleging persistent famine in northern Gaza,...

26.12.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

US envoy pans new report asserting famine in north Gaza as ‘outdated and inaccurate’

In a rare critique, US Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew issued a statement Tuesday rejecting a US government agency’s food security report asserting...

25.12.2024 7

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Arab diplomat says hostage talks progressing but deal likely still weeks away

Mediators continue to make progress toward a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas, but will likely need weeks — not just...

20.12.2024 40

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Blinken says Iran will think more about going nuclear after losing ‘lines of defense’

NEW YORK — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that President-elect Donald Trump had a window to negotiate with Iran, saying the...

19.12.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

US won’t sanction Smotrich and Ben Gvir before end of Biden’s term — officials

WASHINGTON — US President Joe Biden’s administration will not sanction far-right Israeli ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich before the...

19.12.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Trump says he’s ‘trying to help very strongly’ to bring hostages home

WASHINGTON — US President-elect Donald Trump said Monday that he is working to secure the release of the hostages in Gaza. “We are trying to help...

17.12.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Family of American activist killed in West Bank meets with Blinken, urges US inquiry

WASHINGTON — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met on Monday with the family of Aysenur Eygi, a Turkish-American activist shot dead by the IDF...

17.12.2024 6

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Dutch court rejects pro-Palestinian groups’ demand for weapons exports ban to Israel

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — A Dutch court on Friday rejected demands by pro-Palestinian groups for a ban on arms exports from the Netherlands to...

14.12.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Top Biden adviser: Hamas has refused to provide names of hostages it’s holding

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said that “for many months, Hamas has not been prepared to even do the basic things of coming to the...

14.12.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Trump says Netanyahu knows he wants Gaza war to end; won’t commit to 2-state solution

US President-elect Donald Trump, again named Time’s “Person of the Year,” told the magazine on Thursday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu...

13.12.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Smotrich: Saudi normalization deal won’t happen if it requires Palestinian state

‘If that’s a deal breaker, the deal will sink, ‘ far-right minister tells Bloomberg; also tells reporters fall of Assad gives Israel opportunity...

10.12.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Assad’s fall marks end to regime that crushed dissent, fostered anti-Israel terror

Dictator dashed hopes of reform after coming to power in 2000, resorting to father’s brutal tactics and plummeting country into civil war by...

08.12.2024 5

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Iranian foreign minister meets with Hamas leaders in Doha

Terror group frames Muhammad Darwish as its chief during talks with Iran’s Araghchi, as Hamas leadership again ensconces itself in Qatar

08.12.2024 5

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Trump aides asked Qatar to recall ousted Hamas chiefs in bid to revive hostage talks

Sources tell ToI that after Biden requested terror leaders’ expulsion, president-elect’s team urged reversal of move, deeming Doha’s...

07.12.2024 20

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

US envoy: Israel shouldn’t make ‘small things into big things’ in tenuous Lebanon truce

On Gaza, Jack Lew argues Netanyahu’s vocal demands on Philadelphi ‘distracted’ from Hamas intransigence; says ‘there is no arms embargo on...

06.12.2024 4

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Trump nominations set stage for fresh clash between annexation, normalization backers

US president-elect returns to office with plans to expand Abraham Accords, but those pushing for Israel to annex West Bank are still bullish about...

06.12.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Trump warns there will be ‘all hell to pay’ if hostages aren’t released by Jan. 20

After making threat as candidate at the RNC, president-elect doubles down, two days after Hamas releases video of American-Israeli captive begging...

03.12.2024 70

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

US: Administrative detention was one of the few tools Israel used to curb settler violence

State Department condemns Katz’s decision to end practice only against Israeli extremists, says it will continue taking its own actions, while...

26.11.2024 3

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Arab mediators: Netanyahu stalling, wrongly thinks Trump will deliver better Gaza deal

Root of hostage impasse is PM’s refusal to end war and withdraw IDF from Gaza, Arab officials tell ToI, rejecting Israeli and US assertions that...

24.11.2024 5

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

US ‘fundamentally rejects’ ICC warrants, says it’s working with Israel on next steps

Biden calls move ‘outrageous’; Trump’s NSA pick vows strong response to ‘antisemitic bias’ as lawmakers urge sanctions on court, though...

22.11.2024 60

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid

Israel breathes small sigh of relief after most Senate Dems back arms transfers

Senior Israeli official tells ToI that embassy diplomats met with every lawmaker seen to be on the fence, managing to sway several who initially...

22.11.2024 10

The Times of Israel

Jacob Magid