Yet another hiccup in the ongoing ceasefire after Hamas has yet to release Arbel Yahud, a civilian who was captured by militants affiliated with Hamas during the October 7 attack. While today’s prisoner swap went smoothly, Yahud was apparently set to be released prior to the release of the Israeli soldiers who were captured. In turn, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the return of civilians to the northern Gaza Strip will not take place until she is released. Hamas has claimed that she is still alive and will be released in next week’s batch of hostages. More to come. Both sides are now calling on the other to fulfill the terms of the ceasefire deal.

The U.S. Senate has officially confirmed Kristi Noem, the former governor of South Dakota, as the Secretary of Homeland security.

According to the Washington Post , citing an unnamed official familiar with the planning process for future troop deployments to the U.S.-Mexico border, a “visible road march of Stryker vehicles bound for the Mexico border” is one idea being discussed by decision-makers. For an example of what a Stryker road march would look like, here’s a video of the U.S. Army’s 2nd Cavalry Regiment conducting a road march inside of Poland during a 2017 NATO battlegroup deployment.

On the dispute over the release of Israeli hostage Arbel Yahud:
Earlier reports from Hamas that they had sent proof of life to Israeli officials appear to be untrue, as Israeli officials have told Kan News that they “did not receive” any such confirmation from Hamas.

After reports of a number of incidents involving the Israel Defense Force (IDF) inside the Gaza Strip, the IDF has released a statement saying that “several gatherings of dozens of suspects were identified who posed a threat” to IDF forces in the Gaza Strip and IDF forces responded with “firing to disperse them.” Additionally, the IDF states that all of the shootings reported in the past 24 hours were meant to distance and not harm these groups.

According to Axios, citing unnamed Israeli officials, the Trump administration has instructed the Pentagon to lift the Biden administration’s hold on MK-84 2,000 lb bombs to Israel. According to the Israeli officials, 1,800 MK-84s are set to be shipped to Israel in the coming days.

According to Israel’s Channel 12 News, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet U.S. President Donald J. Trump in late February to talk Gaza, Lebanon, and tensions in the wider Middle East.

The “Border 2” Fire is continuing to burn in the mountains to the southeast of San Diego, only miles from the U.S-Mexico Border; with it now stretching 6,500 acres with 0% containment, as firefighters on the ground have established a perimeter, while aerial-firefighter assets continue to battle the blaze.

U.S. Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson has invited President Donald J. Trump to address a Joint Session of Congress on Tuesday, March 4th, to share his “America First Vision” for Congress’ Legislative Future.

A U.S. Defense Official has confirmed reports from earlier today, that President Donald Trump has ordered that a Ban placed on the delivery of Mark-84 2,000lb Bombs to Israel be lifted; with over a Thousand Bombs set to arrive in Israel next week, alongside additional Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) Kits.

U.S. President Donald J. Trump confirms in a Post on Truth Social, that certain Arms Restrictions placed on Israel by the Biden Administration, have now been lifted, likely including Mark-84 2,000lb Bombs.

The U.S. Coast Guard has said that it conducted a number of expulsion flights today between California and Texas.

After the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) said it conducted a number of expulsion flights today between California and Texas, a USCG HC-130 was seen on flight tracking making two trips between Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island in California and Laredo, Texas.

Via: theintelfrog on X

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff believe that following Heavy Losses in the Kursk Region of Western Russia, amounting to over 1,000 Deaths and 3,000 Injuries; North Korea is preparing to send additional Troops to reinforce the 11,000 already sent in Late 2024 to fight alongside Russia against Ukraine. North Korea’s “Elite” Unit, known as the Storm Corps, is believed by Western Officials to have already suffered 40% Casualties; with a Handful having been captured by Ukrainian Forces.

The 101st Airborne Division, stationed at Fort Campbell in Kentucky, has announced that Elements of the Division, specifically the 716th Military Police Battalion, will be deployed to the U.S-Mexico Border to assist Military Forces already there, as well as Customs and Border Protection.

The Lebanese Army reports that a Soldier was killed today near the City of Tyre by Israeli Forces, while another was injured near the Town of Mais al-Jabal. It’s is not known what led to either Incident.

The Israeli Air Force carried out an Airstrike earlier near the Balata Refugee Camp in the West Bank, with the Strike intended to disperse a Crowd of Gunmen that had gathered within the Camp.