The White House opposes the Arab initiative to rebuild Gaza: "Does not recognize the reality that the Strip is uninhabitable. Trump is determined to rebuild Gaza without Hamas"

Trump: We will build a "Golden Dome" over the US (a new name for Iron Dome). Israel has it, and the United States should get it too.🇺🇸🇮🇱♥️

Trump: "In the Middle East - we are bringing our hostages home and working to expand the Abraham Accords. In my first term, we achieved these agreements, and now we are going to build on their foundations to achieve a prosperous future for this region. A lot is happening in the Middle East. It's a tough neighborhood."

Trump: "We will pass a law to end the lie that every child is trapped in the wrong body. And our message to every child in America is that you are perfect just the way God created you."

Trump: There are only two genders - male and female.

No Democrat stood up to applaud, apparently no one there is sure what gender they belong to.

@radar

Trump's speech was the longest presidential address in history before both houses of Congress.

Wall Street Journal report: Israel working to convince Druze in Syria to reject new government.

Exchange of Chiefs of Staff:
Plans maneuvers in Gaza to increase military pressure on Hamas
Long-term reserve forces will be mobilized if fighting resumes.

The IDF this morning demolished the homes in Hebron of the two terrorists who carried out the attack at the Jaffa light rail station in which 7 were murdered, on the eve of the Iranian attack in November.

Netanyahu at the Chief of staff ceremony: The people want victory and will receive victory.

Netanyahu to outgoing Chief of Staff Halevi: Thank you for your important part in the chain of our achievements after October 7. In this testing moment, you mobilized the strength of body and mind to rise from the heavy blow. I saw you in the first days too - going out into the field, coming back from the field, hardly sleeping, not seeing your family for long days, sometimes weeks. You acted in light of the decisions we made, and I believe that few armies in the world, if any, were capable of turning the tables the way we did.

Chief of Staff Zamir: "The mission assigned to me from today is clear - to lead the IDF to victory. I will pursue my enemies and overtake them, and I will not return until they are destroyed."

Netanyahu: I recommended you as Chief of Staff twice, and now, for the third time - the nightingale's time has come

Chief of Staff Zamir concludes - "I salute the flag, setting out on the mission of my life, the mission of our lives. May G-d give strength to His people, may G-d bless His people with peace"

Incoming Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir:

Hamas has suffered a severe blow, but has not been defeated. The mission is not yet complete.

The Lebanese Al-Mayadeen channel reports an Israeli drone attack on a vehicle in the Ras a-Nakura area in southern Lebanon.

Prime Minister Netanyahu is quoted extensively in the Arab media in his speech at the ceremony for incoming Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir: "Our war is not only in the Gaza Strip, and we will change the map of the Middle East . Israel has the ability to respond to any attack that may be directed at it."

@MiddleEastNewsIl