Hamas Rejects Trump Peace Plan, While Israel Advances Next Phase

VFI News: Hamas Rejects Trump Peace Plan, While Israel Advances Next Phase

Hamas Rejects Trump Peace Plan, Vows to Keep Weapons and Continue War Against Israel

Knesset Advances Motion Backing Trump’s Gaza Plan; Coalition Boycotts Vote

Israel to Fully Deploy ‘Iron Beam’ Laser Defense by Month’s End

Trump Adviser Mike Evans Rebukes US Stance on Israeli Sovereignty in Judea and Samaria

WATCH: A Joyful Night for the Children of Israel’s Defenders | Vision for Israel

A Joyful Night for the Children of Israel’s Defenders | Vision for Israel

Gaza Peace Deal Keeps Israel in Eurovision Song Contest

Four Countries Boycott Eurovision after Israel is Cleared to Compete

Costa Rica to Open Jerusalem Innovation Office with Diplomatic Status

Inside the Race to Bring Every Hostage Home

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VFI News: Hamas Rejects Trump Peace Plan, While Israel Advances Next Phase . . . 

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Hamas leaders swiftly rejected the core demand of President Trump’s Gaza plan—disarmament—signaling they intend to keep their arsenal and continue the fight against Israel. Speaking in Istanbul and Doha, senior figures cast aside any notion of submitting to international oversight in Gaza, framing the ceasefire as merely a pause rather than a step toward lasting peace. Their statements underscored a determination to resist dismantling terror infrastructure or ceding control to any outside authority.

Khaled Mashaal’s remarks captured the hard line: he praised the “resistance” and portrayed weapons as a matter of honor, setting the tone for Hamas’s refusal to comply with the plan’s demilitarization clause. He also rejected the concept of an international stabilization force in Gaza, rebuffing the idea that a transitional authority could supervise disarmament or govern the Strip during reconstruction. Rather than engaging the plan’s mechanisms, Hamas doubled down on rhetoric aimed at escalating pressure on Israel across multiple fronts—political, diplomatic, and in the streets.

Israeli officials responded that Hamas’s stance makes a mockery of a process designed to end the war, return hostages, and rebuild Gaza under a secure framework. The group’s defiance also raises concerns that international actors might press ahead to later phases of the plan without full compliance—moving forward despite outstanding obligations like disarmament or the return of remains. In the meantime, Hamas’s leaders continue to agitate against Israel’s presence in Judea and Samaria, prisons, and global forums, framing the conflict as a broader campaign rather than a Gaza-only issue.

On Wednesday, December 3, the Knesset advanced a motion to endorse President Trump’s 20-point plan to end the Gaza conflict, with 39 votes in favor and none against. Most coalition MKs, including the prime minister, did not attend, as opponents within the government object to the plan’s reference to a potential future path to Palestinian statehood. The motion’s backers cast the vote as an opportunity to present national unity, thank Washington, and signal intent to move the plan to its next phase.

Supporters described the framework as a path to disarming Hamas, consolidating a fragile ceasefire, and preparing a transitional governing authority for Gaza alongside heavy reforms in Ramallah. Critics inside the coalition argued the references to statehood were unacceptable and boycotted rather than voting it down. The proposal now heads to the committee for further readings as Israel debates the parameters of security, governance, and reconstruction under the plan.

The vote’s symbolism—coming after the release of remaining living hostages and ongoing returns of the fallen—was highlighted by opposition leaders who urged lawmakers to show unity around a shared goal of ending the war and securing the future. Even as the vote moved forward, the unresolved details of implementation, enforcement, and timing left significant questions for Israel’s defense and political establishments.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they be secure who love you.” – Psalm 122:6

Israel is preparing to fully deploy the Iron Beam system on December 30, a high-energy laser interceptor designed to neutralize rockets, drones, missiles, and mortars at speed. Defense officials describe the system as a game-changer that will complement existing multi-layered air defenses by delivering precise, low-cost shots against a wide range of aerial threats. After extensive development and wartime testing, the laser will enter operational service to help secure Israel’s skies.

Beyond the immediate tactical benefits, Iron Beam is intended to ease the economic strain of missile defense by replacing some costly interceptor launches with laser engagements. Planners expect its integration to reduce the burden on other systems during escalations and to serve as a deterrent message to adversaries attempting saturation attacks. The announcement comes amid continuing regional threats and the need to harden northern and southern fronts.

The rollout underscores Israel’s long-term investment in layered defense and indigenous innovation—reinforcing a doctrine that pairs offensive pressure on terror infrastructure with advanced defensive technologies to protect civilians. With deployment imminent, commanders see the system as a fresh pillar in Israel’s ongoing effort to adapt to evolving threats.

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn.” – Isaiah 54:17

At an event in Ancient Shiloh on Friday, December 5, Dr Mike Evans—an evangelical leader long connected with President Trump—criticized statements by US Vice President JD Vance opposing Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria. Addressing a gathering hosted by Binyamin Regional Council head Israel Ganz, he argued that the biblical heritage of the region anchors Israel’s legitimate claims and urged Washington not to pressure Jerusalem on matters he described as core to Israel’s identity and security.

Evans emphasized the centrality of Judea and Samaria to Scripture and Jewish history, saying the land’s meaning must not be subordinated to diplomatic convenience. He spoke warmly of US-Israel friendship while pressing American leaders to avoid policies that could embolden extremists or weaken Israel’s strategic depth. In his view, the path to stability lies in reinforcing Israel’s rights and ensuring that terror groups cannot leverage international debates to advance hostility.

The remarks resonated with attendees who view Judea and Samaria as integral to Israel’s future. They also highlighted a continuing debate inside the US-Israel relationship over how to balance peacemaking efforts with the security realities on the ground.

“God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, grant wisdom to leaders in Jerusalem and in Washington. Guard the land and its people, restrain violence in Judea and Samaria, and guide decisions that honor truth and protect innocent lives. Let righteous counsel prevail over political pressure, and bring lasting peace to Israel’s heartland.”

On August 13, 2025, Vision for Israel welcomed IDF reservists with their families—including 80 amazing children—to a joyful evening at the Millennium Center. Families shared a warm meal together before enjoying activities such as juggling, archery, VR games, and a comic circus show that filled the room with laughter. The highlight of the night came when each child received a high-quality backpack, complete with a pencil case, water bottle, and lunch box—just in time for first grade. These children wait patiently while their parents serve the nation, and this evening was our chance to honor their courage and remind them that they are never alone. Thank you to our partners and supporters for making this night possible.

The European Broadcasting Union confirmed that Israel remains eligible for Eurovision 2026 after members amended contest rules but declined to hold a vote on expelling any country. Organizers emphasized that all broadcasters willing to follow the updated guidelines may participate, a move that effectively closed the door on efforts to exclude Israel following the Gaza ceasefire and hostage-release agreement. The decision followed months of pressure from activist groups and some public broadcasters seeking to punish Israel over the war.

The updated rules include limits on coordinated government promotion and adjustments to voting procedures intended to bolster public trust in results. Israel’s continued presence drew praise from those arguing that cultural events should not be hijacked by political campaigns, especially when the country had been attacked by a terror organization and secured a truce that returned hostages. Even so, the outcome set the stage for some national broadcasters to reconsider their involvement next year.

With Israel cleared to compete, attention now turns to the 70th edition of the contest in Vienna. Organizers expect to release the final list of participants before Christmas, with security and logistical planning already underway for the May 2026 shows.

Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia announced they will boycott Eurovision 2026 in protest of Israel’s participation, days after organizers affirmed that all compliant members may join next year’s show. The broadcasters that withdrew framed the move as a response to the humanitarian toll of the Gaza war, while Eurovision officials reiterated that the revised rules—rather than expulsions—would govern participation. The withdrawals spotlighted an ongoing split among European outlets over whether cultural contests should serve as political battlegrounds.

Despite calls to exclude Israel, other broadcasters signaled they would proceed under the new framework, pointing to the importance of keeping the contest open and apolitical. In recent years, Israeli entrants received modest jury scores but significant support from popular voting, a dynamic that fueled accusations and counter-claims about fairness and campaigning.

With boycotts declared and preparations continuing in Vienna, the coming months will test whether Eurovision can maintain its brand of cross-border culture while navigating deeply contentious politics surrounding Israel’s place in the event.

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” – Romans 12:18

Israel and Costa Rica agreed to establish a Jerusalem-based innovation office with diplomatic standing, part of a broader push to deepen bilateral trade and technology ties. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Costa Rica’s Minister of Foreign Trade Manuel Tovar Rivera also signaled that a free trade agreement is close, with a signing anticipated this week alongside Israel’s economy minister. Officials described the planned office not as symbolic, but as a practical hub to strengthen cooperation in innovation and investment.

The announcement comes as Costa Rica adopts key international definitions combating antisemitism and pursues partnerships across security and economic domains. Jerusalem hailed the step as evidence of expanding ties with Latin America and a vote of confidence in Israel’s innovation economy amid regional volatility. For Costa Rica, the move aligns with export-driven strategies and access to Israeli tech ecosystems in fields like agriculture, health, and cyber.

As details are finalized, both governments point to the office as a platform for steady collaboration beyond photo-ops—channeling expertise, facilitating business, and promoting research links that can weather geopolitical ups and downs.

“I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” – Genesis 12:3

A senior reserve IDF intelligence officer who has spent more than a decade supporting families of the fallen and missing described the painstaking work that led to the recovery of long-held remains and the renewed push to return the last captives from Gaza. Reflecting on the emotional moment when Hadar Goldin’s body came home on Saturday, November 8, 2025, he traced the years-long effort of assembling intelligence, creating opportunities, and preparing for precisely timed operations—while counseling families through uncertainty and grief.

The officer detailed how lessons from past cases informed current efforts, emphasizing persistence, creativity, and orchestration across units. He outlined how analysts and operators ran parallel tracks—human sources, detainee questioning, and technical means—to narrow the search, while constantly managing expectations to protect families from rumors and psychological manipulation. Even as he maintained contact over the years, he said the work demanded humility and restraint: to be present when needed, and invisible when not.

With a fragile ceasefire holding and negotiations evolving, his message was one of resolve: there is no substitute for bringing captives home alive, and the state bears that responsibility regardless of complexity. The goal, he said, is to turn experience into action so that families do not wait years for closure again.

“God, comfort the families of the hostages, strengthen our soldiers and intelligence teams, and hasten the safe return of every hostage. Guard the hearts of the grieving, steady those who search day and night, and grant success to every righteous effort to bring them home.”

The suggestions, opinions, and scripture references made by VFI News writers and editors are based on the best information received.


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