The World Sees Hope for a Two-State Solution. Israelis and Palestinians See None. - Anat Peled (Wall Street Journal)
    The expected recognition of a Palestinian state by France, the UK and several other Western countries is part of an effort to breathe life into a dying solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: two states living side by side.
    On the ground, the two-state solution is more remote than ever.
    Polls, which in the 1990s and early 2000s consistently indicated majority support on both sides for two states, have in recent years shown that only a minority of Israelis and Palestinians support the idea - or think it is feasible in practice.
    Few Israelis or Palestinians think international announcements will do much to change that trajectory.

U.S. Moral Clarity on the Gaza War - Editorial (Telegraph-UK)
    It is hard to disagree with U.S. President Donald Trump that Palestinian statehood is a misstep while Hamas retains control of Gaza and professes its willingness and intent to destroy Israel.
    It is hard to disagree, either, with the moral clarity of the statement that the war cannot end until the hostages taken on Oct. 7, 2023, are returned.

Freed Israeli Hostage Naama Levy Details Gaza Captivity to UN - Linda Dayan (Ha'aretz)
    Naama Levy, one of the six IDF field spotters who were abducted to Gaza during the Oct. 7 attack, told an event held by the UN that she was kept in "unbearable sanitary conditions, with the constant fear that each moment could be my last."
    She "suffered severe malnutrition, indescribable hunger, and many untreated injuries."
    "There were periods of time when I was completely alone, secluded from any human interaction. In other instances, I was with other young women, some of whom were wounded severely and left untreated."
    She "had almost no food, barely any water, and no access to a toilet."
    "Being hidden above ground was horrid but there is nothing that can compare to the darkness and dread that the tunnels bring with them."
    Levy described the air in the tunnels as "empty of oxygen," saying that it "feels impossible to take a deep breath. And each time you try to, you choke from the lack of air."
    "You are led to a mattress, soaked with humidity; the smell of mold is everywhere and seeps deep into your lungs."

Freed American-Israeli Hostage Edan Alexander: I Will Return to Serve in the IDF - Yael Freidson (Ha'aretz)
    American-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, who was taken hostage on Oct. 7 and held for 584 days, told Friends of the IDF in New York City on Thursday that he intends to return to Israel and continue his service in the Israeli army next month.
    "I will once again put on the IDF uniform, and I will proudly serve alongside my brothers. Serving in the IDF is one of the greatest honors of my life."
    "My story does not end with survival - it continues with service - until victory!"

Israeli Lasers and American Defense - Editorial (Wall Street Journal)
    Israel's Iron Beam laser air-defense system was declared operational Wednesday after final tests intercepting rockets, mortars and drones.
    It's an important advance as the West faces new, low-cost threats and a reminder of what strong defense relationships can achieve.
    The Iron Beam is said to burn or fry targets up to six miles away.
    Interceptions take seconds, and with a constant energy source, lasers don't run out of ammunition.
    Laser systems aren't a replacement for conventional air defenses. At present, they have trouble in low-visibility conditions, and electronic components of drones can be hardened to withstand their attacks at long range. Laser systems can, however, be a complement.
    Israel used a lower-powered version of Iron Beam in combat for the first time in November 2023, shooting down Hizbullah drones. In time, Iron Beam may go airborne and extend its range.
    The U.S. invested in the system, including $1.2 billion in April 2024.
    Each U.S. PAC-3 Patriot interceptor costs $3 million. Those add up and could run out against drone swarms in a prolonged war.
    The Houthis wore out American patience with $2,000 drones that had to be met by million-dollar naval interceptors.
    If U.S. military aid to Israel can chip away at that problem - in addition to rolling back the power of mutual adversary Iran - all the better.

U.S. Plans $6 Billion in New Arms Sales to Israel - Jared Malsin (Wall Street Journal)
    The Trump administration is seeking congressional approval to sell new weapons to Israel.
    They include 30 AH-64 Apache helicopters for $3.8 billion, that would nearly double Israel's current fleet, and 3,250 infantry assault vehicles for $1.9 billion.
    The weapons likely wouldn't be delivered for two to three years and would be paid for by U.S. foreign military financing.

90% of Pre-Oct. 7 Residents Have Returned to Gaza Border Area, Joined by 2,500 New Arrivals - Sue Surkes (Times of Israel)
    Over 2,500 Israelis have moved to Gaza border communities, bolstering the over 90% of residents living in the area before Oct. 7 who have since returned home, the Tekuma Directorate, the government agency responsible for rehabilitating the region, revealed Wednesday.
    Among the new arrivals were more than 50 families who signed up to live in the 13 communities that were worst affected by the attack.
    Residents of the five worst-affected communities are still in temporary accommodation, while their kibbutzim are being rehabilitated.