PDB Afternoon Bulletin | February 21st, 2025: Netanyahu Vows Revenge After Hamas Lies About Returned Remains & Starmer Proposes 30,000 Strong 'Reassurance Force' For Ukraine

Summary

Podcast Summary: The President's Daily Brief Episode: PDB Afternoon Bulletin | February 21st, 2025: Netanyahu Vows Revenge After Hamas Lies About Returned Remains & Starmer Proposes 30,000 Strong 'Reassurance Force' For Ukraine
Host: Mike Baker
Release Date: February 22, 2025

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1. Israel's Response to Hamas's Deception

Overview:
In today's bulletin, a significant development emerged from Israel as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vows retaliation against Hamas following the group's deceit regarding the return of captured hostages' remains. This revelation has not only deepened the existing tensions but also cast doubts on the fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Key Events:

• Hamas's Deception:
  Hamas initially claimed to have returned the bodies of four hostages, including Sherry Bibas, a 33-year-old mother, and her two young sons, Ariel (4 years old) and Kafir (9 months old), along with Odell Lifshitz, an 84-year-old. However, forensic analysis in Tel Aviv revealed that while three bodies matched the hostages, the fourth did not belong to Shiri Bibas or any known Israeli hostage. Instead, it was identified as an unknown Palestinian woman, indicating a deliberate attempt by Hamas to deceive Israel.

• Netanyahu's Response:
  The Israeli Prime Minister expressed profound outrage over Hamas's actions. At [02:15], Netanyahu stated, "The cruelty of the Hamas monsters knows no bounds. In an unspeakably cynical manner, they did not return Shiri to her little children the little angels. And they put the body of a Gazan woman in a coffin." He further emphasized Israel's determination to hold Hamas accountable: "We will work with determination to bring Shiri home together with all our hostages, both living and dead. May God avenge their blood, and so we will avenge."

• Hamas's Blame:
  Attempting to deflect responsibility, Hamas accused Israel of causing the discrepancy through its bombings, suggesting a "mix up" occurred during the hostages' transfer. However, this claim was quickly debunked as the forensic evidence clearly indicated the remains were not those of the known hostages.

• International Reaction:
  The international community, including US Envoy for Hostages Adam Bowler, swiftly condemned Hamas's actions. Bowler remarked at [04:10], "If I were them, I'd release everybody or they are going to face total annihilation." The deception has severely undermined trust, jeopardizing the upcoming hostage-prisoner swaps and the broader ceasefire agreement set to conclude its first phase on March 1st.

• Israeli Government Stance:
  Reflecting widespread public sentiment, Israel's Finance Minister declared at [04:45], "Hamas's serious violation and ongoing abuse cannot be passed over in silence. The only solution is the destruction of Hamas, and this must not be postponed."

Implications:
Hamas's breach of the ceasefire not only inflames domestic tensions within Israel but also disrupts international diplomatic efforts aimed at stabilizing the region. The reaffirmation of Netanyahu's commitment to dismantling Hamas signals potential escalations in military and diplomatic engagements.

2. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Proposal for Ukraine

Overview:
Shifting focus to Eastern Europe, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled a bold proposal aimed at enforcing a potential peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. This initiative involves deploying a substantial European-led military force to oversee and stabilize the region amidst ongoing conflicts.

Key Points:

• The 'Reassurance Force':
  Starmer is set to propose a 30,000-strong European-led military force designed not as a traditional occupation force but as a specialized unit focusing on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). As detailed at [08:20], the force aims to provide real-time situational awareness away from active combat zones.

• Mission Objectives:
  The proposed force has ambitious goals, including:

  • Reopening Ukraine's airspace for commercial flights.
  • Securing Black Sea trade routes.
  • Protecting critical infrastructure, such as nuclear power plants.
  • Monitoring and neutralizing aerial threats with stringent engagement protocols, requiring positive identification before any action is taken.

• Operational Strategy:
  Unlike conventional peacekeeping missions, the force will emphasize non-combat roles, primarily focusing on ISR to support peace negotiations and ensure compliance with any ceasefire agreements.

• Geopolitical Context:
  This proposal arrives amidst growing concerns over potential US disengagement from Ukraine. Following President Trump's recent derogatory remarks about Ukrainian President Zelensky, labeling him a "dictator" and accusing him of prolonging the war, there's speculation about reduced American support in forthcoming negotiations.

• European Division and NATO Considerations:
  Not all European nations are aligned with Starmer's vision. Countries like Germany, Spain, and Italy have expressed reservations about deploying troops in Ukraine, highlighting internal divisions within Europe regarding security strategies. Additionally, the initiative raises questions about NATO's Article 5, especially concerning collective defense responses should Russia retaliate against the deployed European forces.

• Further Support Measures:
  Starmer emphasized the necessity of a US backstop to deter Russian aggression. Proposed measures include stationing American fighter jets in Romania and Poland, complemented by a reinforced NATO ground presence in Eastern Europe, as mentioned at [09:50].

• Comparison with Zelensky's Proposal:
  The proposed 30,000-strong force falls significantly short of the 200,000 troops Ukrainian President Zelensky has suggested as a condition for agreeing to a ceasefire. This disparity underscores the challenges in reconciling differing national perspectives on the scale and nature of intervention required for lasting peace.

Implications:
UK's initiative reflects Europe's growing responsibility in regional security, especially in light of wavering US commitment. However, internal disagreements and the complexity of ensuring effective and non-escalatory enforcement mechanisms present substantial hurdles. The success of this proposal hinges on cohesive European collaboration and clear frameworks to prevent unintended escalations with Russia.

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Conclusion:
Today's PDB Afternoon Bulletin highlighted critical geopolitical tensions involving Israel's fraught relations with Hamas and the evolving dynamics of the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Netanyahu's resolute stance against Hamas's deception underscores the volatile nature of Middle Eastern politics, while Starmer's ambitious proposal for Ukraine signals Europe's proactive, albeit contested, approach to fostering peace in Eastern Europe. As these situations develop, the interplay between national interests and international diplomacy will continue to shape the landscape of global security.

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Notable Quotes:

• Prime Minister Netanyahu [02:15]:
  "The cruelty of the Hamas monsters knows no bounds. In an unspeakably cynical manner, they did not return Shiri to her little children the little angels. And they put the body of a Gazan woman in a coffin."

• Prime Minister Netanyahu [02:25]:
  "We will work with determination to bring Shiri home together with all our hostages, both living and dead. May God avenge their blood, and so we will avenge."

• US Envoy Adam Bowler [04:10]:
  "If I were them, I'd release everybody or they are going to face total annihilation."

• Israel's Finance Minister [04:45]:
  "Hamas's serious violation and ongoing abuse cannot be passed over in silence. The only solution is the destruction of Hamas, and this must not be postponed."

• British PM Keir Starmer [09:50]:
  [Implied in summary] Emphasizing the need for a US backstop to deter further Russian aggression.

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Stay Informed:
For those interested in more in-depth analysis and updates on these pressing issues, tune into the next episodes of The President's Daily Brief, available every morning at 6 am Eastern and every afternoon at 4 pm Eastern.

Transcript

[Roy Wood Jr.]

Have I Got News for you is back for another season. Roy Wood Jr. Amber Ruffin and Michael Ian Black are finding the funny in the week's biggest stories. Have I Got News for you? Saturday at 9 on CNN and stream next day on Max.

[Mike Baker]

It's Friday, the 21st of February. Welcome to the PDB Afternoon Bullet. I'm Mike Baker, your eyes and ears on the world stage. All right, let's get ourselves briefed first. Israel is reeling after it was revealed that the terror group Hamas failed to turn over the body of a mother taken captive on 7 October, instead replacing her remains with those of an unknown Palestinian woman. Later in the show, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will reportedly propose that sending a European led military force of some 30,000 troops to Ukraine to enforce any potential peace deal between Moscow and Kiev. And he'll propose that when he meets with President Trump in Washington, D.C. next week. But first, today's afternoon spotlight. We'll begin in Israel where Prime Minister Netanyahu is vowing revenge against Hamas after discovering that the terrorist group failed to turn over the remains of an Israeli hostage as promised, throwing the fragile ceasefire into question. As we discussed on yesterday's PDB, Hamas claimed to have returned the bodies of four hostages on Thursday, including the remains of Sherry Bibas, 33 year old mother taken on 7th October, her two sons Ariel and Kafir. They were aged 4 years old and 9 months old when they were kidnapped by Hamas and 84 year old Odell Lifshitz. A subsequent forensic analysis performed in Tel Aviv positively identified three of the returned bodies as the Beavis children and Lipschitz. But the Israeli military said Friday the fourth body was not that of Shiri Bebas or any other known hostage, revealing a cruel deception by Hamas. Of course, Hamas took women and young children hostage during their 7th of October attacks, so the cruelty aspect of this deception should surprise a total of 0 people. The idea said the remains appeared to be that of an unknown Palestinian woman that Hamas tried to pass off as Shiri Bibas. The discovery provoked grief and outrage among Israelis who had already been left disturbed by Hamas's barbaric actions during the transfer of the remains on Thursday, which was turned into a ghoulish, sick public spectacle on Friday. Netanyahu vowed to ensure that Hamas paid the, quote, full price for this cruel and evil violation of the ceasefire agreement. Netanyahu said, quote, the cruelty of the Hamas monsters knows no bounds. In an unspeakably cynical manner, they did not return Shiri to her little children the little angels. And they put the body of a Gazan woman in a coffin, end quote. The Prime Minister added, quote, we will work with determination to bring Shiri home together with all our hostages, both living and dead. May God avenge their blood, he said, and so we will avenge, end quote. Adding insult to the situation, Hamas blamed Israel for what they claimed was a quote, mix up, saying the so called quote, mistake likely occurred due to Israeli bombings of the area where the hostages were once held. The group had claimed the four hostages were killed in Israeli airstrikes, but, well, that also proved to be false. Forensic analysis of the remains determined that Lifshitz and the Beavis children were savagely executed by their captors sometime in November of 2023. That's just one month after they were taken during the seven October attacks. Hamas then had the gall to demand that mediators ensure the continued implementation of the ceasefire agreement and that Israel return the unidentified remains back to Gaza. The group then accused Netanyahu of making, quote, threats which serve only to manipulate Israeli public opinion, end quote. Well, international condemnation was swift, with US Envoy for hostages Adam Bowler calling Hamas's deception a horrific and clear violation of the current ceasefire agreement, which began on January 9th. He said, quote, if I were them, I'd release everybody or they are going to face total annihilation, end quote. For now. It's unclear how the shocking incident might impact the next swap of hostages for prisoners on Saturday. But Hamas's military wing, the Al Qassam Brigades, said Friday that they plan to proceed with the release of another six Israeli hostages over the weekend and would return the remains of four more hostages next week. As we've been tracking here on the pdb, negotiations were set to begin soon to advance the second phase of a broader ceasefire agreement. As the first phase is set to end on 1 March. But Hamas's violation has cast significant doubt on whether the truce can last. In a statement that reflected much of the public sentiment in Israel on Friday, the country's finance minister said, quote, hamas's serious violation and ongoing abuse cannot be passed over in silence. The only solution is the destruction of Hamas and this must not be postponed, end quote. All right, up next, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer proposes sending a European led military force of 30,000 troops to Ukraine to enforce any potential peace deal between Moscow and Kiev. I'll be right back.

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[Mike Baker]

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[Mike Baker]

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to propose a European led military force of 30,000 to oversee a potential Ukraine Russia ceasefire when he meets with President Trump in Washington next week. Now the so called quote reassurance force spearheaded by the UK and France was first presented to European leaders at an emergency summit in Paris earlier this week. According to the Telegraph, the proposed force is not meant to resemble a conventional military occupation. Instead, it would focus on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, aiming to provide real time situational awareness far from the front lines rather than engaging in full scale ground combat. From what we know, the mission's stated objectives are ambitious, such as reopening Ukraine's airspace for commercial flights, securing Black Sea trade routes and protecting critical infrastructure such as nuclear power plants. A Western official speaking to the Telegraph also described the force as capable of monitoring and shooting down aerial threats, but under stricter engagement rules than a conventional no fly zone. Notably, instead of pre authorized rules of engagement, European forces would be required to positively identify all aircraft before taking action. Naval patrols in the Black Sea would further bolster the mission, acting as a deterrent against Russian interference in Ukraine's commercial shipping, particularly with grain exports. But Starmer's plan falls well short of the 200,000 strong peacekeeping force that Ukrainian President Zelensky has suggested as the potential price for agreeing to a ceasefire. And there's a larger geopolitical undercurrent at play here. The British Prime Minister's proposal comes amid growing concerns that Trump may disengage from supporting Ukraine altogether following the potential ceasefire negotiations with Russian President Putin on Tuesday. As we covered yesterday on the pdb, Trump unleashed a social media tirade, a verbal barrage against Zelensky, calling him a, quote, dictator and warning that he is prolonging the war, fueling speculation that Kiev could be sidelined in future negotiations. While Washington has ruled out sending its own troops, the U. S has also made it clear that it expects European allies to take the lead in securing Ukraine's post war stability. Now, not everyone in Europe is on board with that concept. Germany, Spain and Italy have voiced their opposition to deploying troops in Ukraine, exposing fault lines and Europe's security posture. Starmer has stressed the need for a US Backstop to deter further Russian aggression, with Western officials suggesting that that could come in the form of American fighter jets stationed in Romania and Poland alongside a reinforced NATO ground presence in Eastern Europe. The proposal is carefully calibrated to avoid a direct NATO Russia conflict. However, questions remain over whether NATO's Article 5 collective defense clause would apply if Russia were to retaliate against European forces participating in the peacekeeping mission. And that, my friends, is the PDB Afternoon Bulletin. Well, early evening bulletin for Friday 21st February. If you have any questions or comments, and I hope you do, please reach out at pdb@the first tv.com now, if one glances at one's calendar, one would see that it's currently Friday. Thus, one would know that our latest episode of the acclaimed PDB Situation Report, that's our extended weekend show, hits the airwaves this evening as it does on every Friday evening at 10pm on the First TV. Now, we've got excellent guests this weekend. Well, to be fair, we've got excellent guests every weekend. And this weekend we're talking US Military efforts against the Mexican cartels, the possibility of a ceasefire or peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, and all things China. You can also, of course, catch the Situation report on our YouTube channel. Check that one out. It's at Presidents Daily Brief and of course podcast platforms everywhere. I'm Mike Baker and I'll be back over the weekend with the PDB Situation Report. Until then, stay informed, stay safe, stay cool.

[Roy Wood Jr.]

It.