Galan Lithium (GLN:AU) has announced HMW Phase 1 Funding & Offtake Secured with US Based Partner
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New York state’s top financial regulator struck a $40 million settlement Thursday with Block Inc., the parent of Cash App, the popular money transmission service, after having found the company had “serious compliance deficiencies” related to its anti-money laundering program and transaction monitoring processes.
The deficiencies at Block, some involving cryptocurrencies, “created a high-risk environment vulnerable to exploitation by criminal actors,” the New York State Department of Financial Services said in the consent order, noting, for example, that Block’s system did not trigger blocks on bitcoin transactions involving terrorism-connected wallets until that exposure exceeded 10%.
Any exposure to terrorism-connected wallets is illegal, the department said.
The New York regulator examined Block’s practices from early 2021 to September 2022, concluding it did not keep pace with the significant growth it was experiencing. That resulted in Block’s “inability to fully comply with its obligation to effectively monitor, and thereafter report, the transactions being conducted on its platforms for suspected money laundering and other illicit criminal activity.”
Block, which did not admit to the department’s findings, said it was pleased to put the matter behind it.
“As the department has acknowledged, Cash App has devoted significant financial and other resources to compliance remediation and enhancements,” it said in a statement. “We share the department’s dedication to addressing industry challenges and remain committed to investing across our operations to help promote a safe and healthy financial system.”
Block was launched by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, who lists his current title as Block Head and chairman.
The details in the settlement parallel exclusive reporting by NBC News last year detailing former Block employees’ allegations that the company’s compliance systems were deeply flawed.
According to the former employees, one of whom was also interviewed by federal prosecutors, Block processed multiple cryptocurrency transactions for terrorist groups and did not correct company processes when it was alerted to breaches. Block began offering bitcoin transactions through Cash App in 2018.
Square, another Block unit, processed thousands of transactions involving countries subject to economic sanctions, one of the former employees told NBC News. Documents the former employee provided showed transactions, many in small dollar amounts, involving entities in countries subject to U.S. sanctions restrictions — Cuba, Iran, Russia and Venezuela — as recently as 2023.
Under the terms of the settlement, Block agreed to bring on an independent monitor for a year, selected by the New York regulator, to conduct a comprehensive review of the effectiveness of its anti-money laundering and sanctions programs. The monitor will oversee remedial measures as needed, the consent order said, and report its findings to the regulators.
The consent order with the department “does not bind any federal or other state agency or any law enforcement authority,” it noted.
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The Defense Department’s (DOD) deputy chief of staff was placed on administrative leave on Tuesday, following the steps of another Pentagon official earlier in the day.
Darin Selnick, the deputy chief of staff for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has been removed, a senior U.S. official confirmed to Fox News.
Selnick is under investigation for the same leak probe that saw Hegseth aide Dan Caldwell escorted out of the Pentagon by security. Both Selnick and Caldwell are on administrative leave.
According to the Pentagon’s website, Selnick is a retired Air Force officer who has worked extensively in veterans’ affairs organizations.
‘Mr. Selnick leverages his extensive government and non-government experience advocating for veterans to position Service members for productive post-separation lives from the first day they put on a uniform,’ the biography states.
Both Selnick and Caldwell worked for Concerned Veterans for America in the past, a group formerly led by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Reuters reported that Caldwell was placed on leave for an ‘unauthorized disclosure,’ as part of an investigation into leaked Pentagon documents.
The probe was announced last month, and concerned itself over ‘recent unauthorized disclosures of national security information.’
‘The use of polygraphs in the execution of this investigation will be in accordance with applicable law and policy,’ DOD Chief of Staff Joe Kasper wrote in a memo at the time. ‘This investigation will commence immediately and culminate in a report to the Secretary of Defense.’
An official told Politico that the leak concerned Panama Canal plans and Elon Musk’s visit to the Pentagon, among other matters.
More information about the leak is unknown, and there is currently no evidence to connect Caldwell or Selnick to that leak.
Fox News Digital’s Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.
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European stock markets navigated a complex session on Tuesday, inching higher as investors weighed tentative optimism over US trade policy against concerning signs of weakness in the luxury goods sector, highlighted by a significant slump in LVMH shares.
The day reflected the ongoing push-and-pull between hopes for tariff relief and the tangible economic impacts of existing trade tensions.
Auto sector accelerates on tariff relief hopes
A key driver for the cautious optimism was the automotive sector.
The Stoxx Europe 600 Autos & Parts index surged 2.5%, leading sectoral gains across the continent.
This rally followed comments from US President Donald Trump indicating he was considering modifications to the 25% tariffs currently imposed on foreign auto and auto parts imports from key trading partners like Mexico and Canada, as well as other countries.
This hint of potential relief provided a significant boost to car manufacturers and suppliers.
Reflecting this positive sentiment, Germany’s DAX index climbed 1.3% and the UK’s FTSE 100 rose 0.7% by mid-morning (07:15 GMT).
The broader pan-European STOXX 600 index also managed a gain of 0.7% (ticking up 0.6% as of 0706 GMT). Stock indexes in Spain also saw respectable gains.
Luxury loses luster: LVMH slump weighs heavily
However, the gains were tempered, particularly in France, where the CAC 40 index dipped 0.1% to 0.2%.
This underperformance was largely attributed to a sharp 7.1% decline in the shares of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton.
The world’s largest luxury conglomerate reported disappointing first-quarter revenue late Monday, revealing that shoppers in the United States had curtailed spending on beauty products and drinks, while crucial sales momentum in China remained weak.
LVMH’s struggles sent ripples across the high-end goods sector.
Peers such as Cartier-owner Richemont, Gucci-parent Kering, and Moncler all registered losses, falling between 2% and 2.8%, underscoring investor concerns about the impact of global economic uncertainty and trade friction on luxury consumption.
While the electronics tariff exemption announced over the weekend provided an initial boost, and the auto tariff hints added fuel, significant uncertainty continues to cloud President Trump’s broader trade agenda.
Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller suggested Monday that any inflation stemming from tariffs would likely be “transitory,” keeping the door open for potential interest rate cuts.
However, simultaneously, filings revealed Monday that the Trump administration is actively proceeding with national security investigations into imports of pharmaceuticals and semiconductors, signaling intent to potentially impose tariffs on these sectors as well.
This mixed messaging keeps businesses and investors on edge.
Eyes on Frankfurt: ECB and economic data in focus
Against this backdrop, market participants are keenly awaiting the European Central Bank’s policy decision on Thursday.
A 25-basis-point interest rate cut is widely anticipated by the markets.
Policymakers, however, must weigh factors like contained inflation – highlighted by French data confirming annual CPI at 0.8% in March – against renewed economic pressures from trade tensions and a relatively stronger euro.
Adding to the complexity, UK labour market data released Tuesday showed the unemployment rate holding steady at 4.4% in February, but wage growth (excluding bonuses) ticked slightly higher to 5.9% annually in the three months to February.
This persistent wage pressure is a key metric for the Bank of England as it assesses the path for potential future rate cuts.
Corporate currents: Ericsson surges, BESI boosted
Beyond the major macro themes, individual corporate news also moved markets. Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson jumped 6.9% after reporting first-quarter core earnings that significantly beat expectations.
Dutch firm BE Semiconductor Industries (BESI) surged 7.1% following the news that US-based Applied Materials had acquired a 9% stake.
Elsewhere, positive results came from French advertising group Publicis Groupe (EPA:PUBP) and Nivea-owner Beiersdorf (ETR:BEIG).
Crude climbs cautiously
In commodity markets, oil prices edged higher, finding support from the tentative optimism surrounding potential US tariff exemptions and data showing a rebound in China’s crude imports in March.
As of 03:15 ET, Brent crude futures rose 0.6% to $65.29 a barrel, while US WTI crude futures gained 0.7% to $61.97.
Overall, European markets presented a picture of cautious gains, buoyed by sector-specific tariff hopes but held back by weakness in luxury and the persistent fog of uncertainty surrounding global trade policy.
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A man charged with making threats to murder President Donald Trump was also found to have threatened Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., a source with knowledge of the matter told Fox News Digital.
Mace’s office was informed by U.S. Capitol Police that Shawn Monper of Butler, Pennsylvania, made threats against her on social media in January, the source said.
The man allegedly wrote of Mace on YouTube, ‘If I ever see her unprotected in public I would live to be the one to put a bullet in her skull. What a disgusting peice [sic] of trash.’
Mace appears to be the only member of Congress targeted by the suspect for now, the source told Fox News Digital.
It’s not immediately clear why Mace, an outspoken Trump ally, was threatened.
But it comes amid concerns about escalating threats against elected officials on both sides of the aisle.
Trump, who was subject to two failed assassination attempts during the 2024 election, was targeted by Monper in a series of threats on YouTube, according to a release by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The FBI ‘received an emergency disclosure regarding threats posted to YouTube by user ‘Mr Satan” between Jan. 15 and April 5, according to the release.
Monper also got a firearms permit ‘shortly following’ Trump’s inauguration, and posted in Februrary under the aforementioned username, ‘I have bought several guns and been stocking up on ammo since Trump got in office,’ the DOJ said.
Posts in March showed Monper threatening a mass shooting.
Further posts uncovered by federal authorities show him targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials and Elon Musk, the release showed.
The U.S. Secret Service was alerted to the suspect’s threats against Mace as well, the source told Fox News Digital.
U.S. Capitol Police said it would not comment on potential investigations when reached for confirmation.
Mace’s office did not immediately return a request for comment.
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European stock markets kicked off the week on a positive note Monday, as investors grasped onto a sliver of stability following recent trade turmoil, turning their attention partly towards the upcoming first-quarter earnings season.
A temporary exemption for electronics from new US tariffs provided the primary catalyst for the upward momentum, even as contradictory signals from Washington kept underlying uncertainty firmly in place.
The Stoxx Europe 600 Index reflected the improved sentiment, rising 2.0% by 8:05 a.m. in London.
Technology shares were notable beneficiaries after the White House indicated, via guidance from US Customs and Border Protection issued late Friday, that smartphones, computers, and other electronic components would be spared from the hefty “reciprocal” tariffs announced earlier by President Donald Trump.
This initial move, which imposed levies up to 145% on certain Chinese goods, had threatened significant disruption, particularly for tech giants like Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) heavily reliant on Chinese supply chains.
Across the continent, major indices followed suit. By 03:05 ET (07:05 GMT), Germany’s DAX index had climbed 2.1%, France’s CAC 40 added 2%, and the UK’s FTSE 100 rose 1.5%.
The broader pan-European Stoxx 600 index also posted gains of 1.4%.
The relief rally suggested investors were speculating, or perhaps hoping, that the intense market backlash following Trump’s initial tariff volleys might temper the administration’s future actions, leading to a less damaging trade conflict overall.
Tariff whiplash: uncertainty remains paramount
However, the sense of calm proved fragile. Over the weekend, President Trump himself muddied the waters, suggesting the electronics exemption was merely temporary.
He indicated plans to announce separate tariffs specifically targeting electronics, potentially including semiconductors, as early as the coming week.
Furthermore, he emphasized that electronics imports from China were not entirely off the hook, stating they remained subject to a separate 20% tariff imposed back in March.
This back-and-forth underscored the persistent lack of clarity surrounding US trade policy.
Shifting focus: ECB meeting looms garge
With a light economic calendar in Europe on Monday, market participants are already looking ahead to a pivotal meeting of the European Central Bank (ECB) later this week.
Policymakers face a complex balancing act, needing to factor in the renewed economic headwinds generated by trade tensions and the recent strengthening of the euro against the dollar.
Analysts at ING suggested the ECB’s perspective has likely evolved since its March gathering, according investing.com.
Back then, optimism was cautiously building, supported by factors like Germany’s fiscal policy shifts and increased European defense spending, with interest rates perceived as nearing a neutral level.
Now, however, “new US tariffs on European goods, coupled with a rising euro and falling energy prices, have raised concerns over growth and disinflation in the near term,” according to ING, potentially prompting a more cautious stance from the central bank.
Corporate currents: tech shines, Holcim plans spin-off
On the corporate front, the tariff news directly benefited European technology stalwarts.
Shares in companies like semiconductor equipment maker ASML (AS:ASML) and software giant SAP (ETR:SAPG) registered strong gains, reacting positively to the temporary reprieve for electronics largely sourced from China.
Separately, Swiss building materials company Holcim (SIX:HOLN) provided an update on its strategic plans, announcing that the anticipated spin-off of its significant North American business is targeted for June.
This move remains subject to shareholder approval at the company’s annual general meeting scheduled for May 14.
Oil market stabilizes amid demand worries
Meanwhile, in the commodities sphere, oil prices found some stability on Monday after enduring recent declines.
The earlier losses were primarily driven by concerns that the escalating trade friction between the US and China – the world’s two largest oil consumers – would inevitably dampen global economic growth and curb demand for fuel.
As of 03:05 ET, Brent crude futures saw a minor dip of 0.1% to $64.67 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures also edged down 0.1% to $61.44 a barrel.
Both benchmarks had shed approximately $10 per barrel since the beginning of the month, highlighting the tangible impact of trade war anxieties on energy markets.
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Silver-mining companies and juniors have seen support from a strong silver price in 2025. Since the start of the year, the price of silver has increased by over 11 percent as of April 11, and it reached a year-to-date high of US$34.38 per ounce on March 27.
Silver’s dual function as a monetary and industrial metal offers great upside. Demand from energy transition sectors, especially for use in the production of solar panels, has created tight supply and demand forces.
Demand is already outpacing mine supply, making for a positive situation for silver-producing companies.
So far, aboveground stockpiles have been keeping the price in check, but the expectation is those stocks will be depleted in 2025 or 2026, further restricting the supply side of the market.
How has silver’s price movement benefited Canadian silver stocks on the TSX, TSXV and CSE? The five companies listed below have seen the best performances since the start of the year. Data was gathered using TradingView’s stock screener on February 12, 2025, and all companies listed had market caps over C$10 million at that time.
1. Discovery Silver (TSX:DSV)
Year-to-date gain: 185.92 percent
Market cap: C$848.98 million
Share price: C$2.03
Discovery Silver is a precious metals development company focused on advancing its Cordero silver project in Mexico. Additionally, it is looking to become a gold producer with its recently announced acquisition of the producing Porcupine Complex in Ontario, Canada.
Cordero is located in Mexico’s Chihuahua State and is composed of 26 titled mining concessions covering approximately 35,000 hectares in a prolific silver and gold mining district.
A 2024 feasibility study for the project outlines proven and probable reserves of 327 million metric tons of ore containing 302 million ounces of silver at an average grade of 29 grams per metric ton (g/t) silver, and 840,000 ounces of gold at an average grade of 0.08 g/t gold. The site also hosts significant zinc and lead reserves.
The report also indicated favorable economics for development. At a base case scenario of US$22 per ounce of silver and US$1,600 per ounce of gold, the project has an after-tax net present value of US$1.18 billion, an internal rate of return of 22 percent and a payback period of 5.2 years.
Discovery’s shares gained significantly on January 27, after the company announced it had entered into a deal to acquire the Porcupine Complex in Canada from Newmont (TSX:NGT,NYSE:NEM).
The Porcupine Complex is made up of four mines including two that are already in production: Hoyle Pond and Borden. Additionally, a significant portion of the complex is located in the Timmins Gold Camp, a region known for historic gold production.
Discovery anticipates production of 285,000 ounces of gold annually over the next 10 years and has a mine life of 22 years. Inferred resources at the site point to significant expansion, with 12.49 million ounces of gold, from 254.5 million metric tons of ore with an average grade of 1.53 g/t.
Upon the closing of the transaction, Discovery will pay Newmont US$200 million in cash and US$75 million in common shares, and US$150 million of deferred consideration will be paid in four payments beginning on December 31, 2027.
According to Discovery in its full-year 2024 financial results, the Porcupine acquisition will help support the financing, development and operation of Cordero. Discovery’s share price reached a year-to-date high of C$2.12 on March 31.
2. Almaden Minerals (TSX:AMM)
Year-to-date gain: 136.36 percent
Market cap: C$16.47 million
Share price: C$0.13
Almaden Minerals is a precious metals exploration company working to advance the Ixtaca gold and silver deposit in Puebla, Mexico. According to the company website, the deposit was discovered by Almaden’s team in 2010 and has seen more than 200,000 meters of drilling across 500 holes.
A July 2018 resource estimate shows measured resources of 862,000 ounces of gold and 50.59 million ounces of silver from 43.38 million metric tons of ore, and indicated resources of 1.15 million ounces of gold and 58.87 million ounces of silver from 80.76 million metric tons of ore with a 0.3 g/t cutoff.
In April 2022, Mexico’s Supreme Court of Justice (SCJN) ruled that the initial licenses issued in 2002 and 2003 would be reverted back to application status after the court found there had been insufficient consultation when the licenses were originally assigned.
Ultimately, the applications were denied in February 2023, effectively halting progress on the Ixtaca project. While subsequent court cases have preserved Almaden’s mineral rights, it has yet to restore the licenses to continue work on the project.
In June 2024, Almaden announced it had confirmed up to US$9.5 million in litigation financing that will be used to fund international arbitrations proceedings against Mexico under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
In a December update, the company announced that several milestones had been achieved, including the first session with the tribunal, at which the company was asked to submit memorial documents outlining its legal arguments by March 20, 2025. At that time, the company stated it would vigorously pursue the claim but preferred a constructive resolution with Mexico.
In its most recent update on March 21, the company indicated that it had submitted the requested documents, claiming US$1.06 billion in damages. The memorial document outlines how Mexico breached its obligations and unlawfully expropriated Almaden’s investments without compensation.
Shares in Almaden reached a year-to-date high of C$0.135 on February 24.
3. Avino Silver & Gold Mines (TSX:ASM)
Year-to-date gain: 98.43 percent
Market cap: C$373.48 million
Share price: C$2.52
Avino Silver and Gold Mines is a precious metals miner with two primary silver assets: the producing Avino silver mine and the neighboring La Preciosa project in Durango, Mexico.
The Avino mine is capable of processing 2,500 metric tons of ore per day ore, and according to its FY24 report released on January 21 the mine produced 1.1 million ounces of silver, 7,477 ounces of gold and 6.2 million pounds of copper last year. Overall, the company saw broad production increases with silver rising 19 percent, gold rising 2 percent and copper increasing 17 percent year over year.
In addition to its Avino mining operation, Avino is working to advance its La Preciosa project toward the production stage. The site covers 1,134 hectares, and according to a February 2023 resource estimate, hosts a measured and indicated resource of 98.59 million ounces of silver and 189,190 ounces of gold.
In a January 15 update, Avino announced it had received all necessary permits for mining at La Preciosa and begun underground development at La Preciosa. It is now developing a 350-meter mine access and haulage decline. The company said the first phase at the site is expected to be under C$5 million and will be funded from cash reserves.
The latest update from Avino occurred on March 11, when it announced its 2024 financial results. The company reported record revenue of $24.4 million, up 95 percent compared to 2023. Avino also reduced its costs per silver ounce sold.
Additionally, Avino reported a 19 percent increase in production in 2024, producing 1.11 million ounces of silver compared to 928,643 ounces in 2023. The company’s sales also increased, up by 23 percent to 2.56 million ounces of silver compared to 2.09 million ounces the previous year.
Avino’s share price marked a year-to-date high of C$2.80 on March 27.
4. Highlander Silver (CSE:HSLV)
Year-to-date gain: 90 percent
Market cap: C$160.17 million
Share price: C$1.90
Highlander Silver is an exploration and development company advancing projects in South America.
Its primary focus has been the San Luis silver-gold project, which it acquired in a May 2024 deal from SSR Mining (TSX:SSRM,NASDAQ:SSRM) for US$5 million in upfront cash consideration and up to an additional US$37.5 million if Highlander meets certain production milestones.
The 23,098 hectare property, located in the Ancash department of Peru, hosts a historic measured and indicated mineral resource of 9 million ounces of silver, with an average grade of 578.1 g/t, and 348,000 ounces of gold at an average grade of 22.4 g/t from 484,000 metric tons of ore.
In July 2024, the company said it was commencing field activities at the project; it has not provided results from the program. In its December 2024 management discussion and analysis, the company stated it was undertaking a review of prior exploration plans and targets, adding that it believes there is exceptional growth potential.
Highlander’s most recent news came on March 11, when it announced it had closed an upsized bought deal private placement for gross proceeds of C$32 million. The company said it will use the funding to further exploration activities at San Luis and for general working capital.
Shares in Highlander reached a year-to-date high of C$1.96 on March 31.
5. Santacruz Silver Mining (TSXV:SCZ)
Year-to-date gain: 85.45 percent
Market cap: C$192.16 million
Share price: C$0.51
Santacruz Silver is an Americas-focused silver producer with operations in Bolivia and Mexico. Its producing assets include the Bolivar, Porco and Caballo Blanco Group mines in Bolivia, along with the Zimapan mine in Mexico.
In a production report released on January 30, the company disclosed consolidated silver production of 6.72 million ounces, marking a 4 percent decrease from the 7 million ounces produced in 2023. This decline was primarily attributed to a reduction in average grades across all its mining properties.
In addition to its producing assets, Santacruz also owns the greenfield Soracaya project. This 8,325-hectare land package is located in Potosi, Bolivia. According to an August 2024 technical report, the site hosts an inferred resource of 34.5 million ounces of silver derived from 4.14 million metric tons of ore with an average grade of 260 g/t.
Shares in Santacruz reached a year-to-date high of C$0.59 on March 18.
Securities Disclosure: I, Dean Belder, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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White House trade advisor Peter Navarro brushed off concerns about a feud between him and billionaire Elon Musk, arguing the two administration advisors had a ‘great’ relationship.
‘First of all, Elon and I are great. It’s not an issue,’ Navarro said during an appearance on NBC News’ ‘Meet the Press’ on Sunday.
The comments come after Navarro and Musk got tangled in a public war of words last week after Navarro said in an interview that Musk’s Tesla is more of a ‘car assembler’ than ‘car manufacturer’ that relies on parts from other countries.
‘We all understand in the White House (and the American people understand) that Elon’s a car manufacturer. But he’s not a car manufacturer – He’s a car assembler,’ Navarro said on CNBC. ‘In many cases, if you go to his Texas plant, a good part of the engines that he gets (which in the EV case are the batteries) come from Japan and come from China. The electronics come from Taiwan.’
The point seemingly didn’t sit well with Musk, who took to X to defend his auto company.
‘Navarro is truly a moron. What he says here is demonstrably false,’ Musk said.
‘Tesla has the most American-made cars. Navarro is dumber than a sack of bricks,’ Musk added in a subsequent post.
But Navarro downplayed the public war of words Sunday, praising Musk’s contributions to the Trump administration.
‘Everything’s fine with Elon,’ Navarro said. ‘And look, Elon is doing a very good job with his team, with waste, fraud and abuse. That’s a tremendous contribution to America. And no man doing that kind of thing should be subject to having his cars firebombed by crazies.’
The White House has also downplayed concerns between them, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt arguing the feud shows that President Donald Trump is willing to hear vastly different views at the highest level.
‘These are obviously two individuals who have very different views on trade and tariffs. Boys will be boys, and we will let their public sparring continue,’ she said during a press briefing last week. ‘You guys should all be very grateful that we have the most transparent administration in history.’
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Nearly a month into Israel’s renewed ground operation, U.S. backing appears to be shaping the conflict on multiple levels—militarily, diplomatically and politically. Israeli officials have suggested the chances of a hostage deal have significantly increased, with some anticipating developments within the next two weeks.
On Monday, sitting beside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump told reporters, ‘We are trying very hard to get the hostages out. We’re looking at another ceasefire. We’ll see what happens.’ The remarks highlighted Trump’s dual-track approach: continued diplomatic pressure on Iran and direct support for Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
With what Israeli officials describe as a ‘free hand’ to operate, Israel has expanded its offensive into Rafah and the strategically significant Morag Corridor. The stated aim is to increase pressure on Hamas and help secure the release of the remaining 59 hostages.
A senior Israeli security official told Fox News Digital that the campaign is being carried out in close coordination with the United States. ‘Everything is coordinated with the Americans — both the negotiations and the operational activity. The goal is to bring the hostages home. We now have a free hand to act, and no longer facing the threat of a veto at the UN Security Council, unlike during the previous administration.’
The same official pointed to a shift in humanitarian policy that, in their view, has enhanced Israeli leverage. ‘Unlike the previous administration, the U.S. is not forcing 350 aid trucks into Gaza every day. That gives us leverage,’ the official said, adding that limiting aid reduces Hamas’s ability to control the population.
On Saturday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced the IDF had completed the takeover of the Morag Axis. The Morag Corridor — which separates Rafah from Khan Younis — is part of an effort to establish a new buffer zone and degrade Hamas’s operational capabilities. ‘The logic is that the more territory Hamas loses, the more likely it will be to compromise on a hostage deal,’ the official said.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir reinforced that strategy during a visit to front-line units this week. ‘I expect you to defeat the Rafah Brigade and lead to victory wherever you are fighting,’ he told troops. The IDF had previously declared the Rafah Brigade dismantled in September, but forces have returned to key strongholds, where tunnel networks remain.
In the same statement on Saturday, Katz warned Gazans, ‘Hamas is unable to protect the residents or the territory. Hamas leaders are hiding in tunnels with their families or living in luxury hotels abroad, with billions in bank accounts, using you as human shields. Now is the time to rise up, to get rid of Hamas, and to release all the Israeli hostages — that is the only way to stop the war.’
In their Oval Office meeting, Trump and Netanyahu reiterated their alignment on core issues. Netanyahu stated that Gazans should be ‘free to choose to go wherever they want,’ in what some analysts view as a reference to renewed discussions about third-country resettlement. Trump went further, floating the idea of a U.S. presence in the Strip, noting, ‘Gaza is an incredible piece of important real estate. Having a peace force like the United States there, controlling and owning the Gaza Strip would be a good thing.’
Javed Ali, a former senior director at the U.S. National Security Council and now a professor at the University of Michigan, offered a more measured view of the current military strategy. ‘Now that we’re almost a full month into the resumption of high-intensity IDF operations in the Gaza Strip against Hamas, Israel’s military strategy appears to be focused on clearing and holding remaining pockets of known Hamas elements, which at the same time is displacing Palestinians throughout the territory.’
Ali said it remains unclear how Israel intends to manage or govern areas it clears. He drew comparisons to the U.S. experience in Iraq and Afghanistan. ‘The U.S. encountered its own challenges in the post-9/11 wars with similar ‘clear and hold’ approaches, since insurgent and jihadist elements in both conflicts utilized guerrilla warfare tactics and terrorist attacks.’
While the Biden administration had previously emphasized humanitarian access, Ali noted that the current White House has not publicly pressed Israel to scale back its operations. ‘That could change,’ he said, particularly as humanitarian conditions worsen or if negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program progress. ‘If those talks gain momentum, Iran may pressure the U.S. to rein in Israel’s campaign against Hamas to preserve what remains of the group. Whether the U.S. team, led by Steve Witkoff, entertains such demands will be a key regional development to watch.’
On the ground, Israel has moved to reshape the humanitarian landscape in Gaza. The decision to restrict Hamas’s access to aid reflects a broader policy shift under IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, who reversed his predecessor’s stance and authorized the military to directly oversee the distribution of supplies. ‘Hamas will not regain control over the aid, because that was its lifeline,’ an Israeli security official explained. ‘It’s what allowed it to maintain control over the territory throughout this period. People in Gaza know that Hamas controls the aid; if they realize that Hamas no longer does, its control within the Strip becomes ineffective.’
Humanitarian organizations and international leaders continue to condemn Israel. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, speaking on April 8, condemned the ongoing blockade of aid. ‘More than an entire month has passed without a drop of aid into Gaza. No food. No fuel. No medicine. Gaza is a killing field — and civilians are in an endless death loop,’ he said.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Oren Marmorstein, strongly rejected the Secretary-General’s claims. ‘As always, you don’t let the facts get in the way when spreading slander against Israel,’ he posted on X. ‘There is no shortage of humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip — over 25,000 aid trucks have entered during the 42 days of the ceasefire. Hamas used this aid to rebuild its war machine. Yet, not a word in your statement about the imperative for Hamas to leave Gaza. The people of Gaza are braver than you — they’re calling, loud and clear, on Hamas to leave and stop abusing them.’
Eugene Kontorovich, a senior legal scholar at the Heritage Foundation, told Fox News Digital: ‘One doesn’t need the Israeli Supreme Court to say there is no starvation in Gaza — this was admitted by the UN’s own Food Security Phase Classification, which in June found that prior UN reports were inaccurate and that there is no famine. There is no serious evidence of starvation in Gaza, and what food scarcity does exist can be attributed to Hamas pillaging and hoarding aid. As the truth comes out, it becomes clear that the starvation claims were designed to halt Israel’s legitimate self-defense against a genocidal attack.’
As military and diplomatic tracks converge, Israeli officials remain cautiously optimistic that talks may soon produce results.
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