The judge presiding over the criminal case against former President Donald J. Trump in Manhattan, Judge Juan M. Merchan, is refusing to recuse himself from the proceedings despite his political donations and family connections. The judge rejected all the arguments put forth by Trump’s legal team in a decision dated August 11th and released on Monday.
Merchan, who presided over the trial involving The Trump Organization last year as well as the case against Trump advisor Stephen K. Bannon, donated to Joe Biden’s presidential campaign while his daughter currently works for a marketing firm which helps Democratic Party candidates and openly campaigned for Kamala Harris in 2020.
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The trial in Manhattan is scheduled for March 2024, though Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg has indicated a willingness to change the date if requested by other prosecutors involved in cases against Trump.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Over 100,000 federal employees are set to resign on Tuesday as a result of buyout agreements entered into with the Trump administration earlier this year, marking the largest mass resignation in U.S. history.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Federal workers from various agencies, the Trump administration, and congressional leaders.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: The resignations are scheduled for Tuesday, September 30, at the end of the 2025 fiscal year.
🎯IMPACT: The resignations are the conclusion of buyout agreements entered into with the Trump administration this past February, with the federal workers’ tenure set to end at the conclusion of the 2025 fiscal year.
IN FULL
More than 100,000 federal workers are set to resign on Tuesday, marking the largest mass resignation in U.S. history. The resignations are the conclusion of buyout agreements entered into with the Trump administration this past February, with the federal workers’ tenure set to end at the conclusion of the 2025 fiscal year.
Despite misleading reports, the resignations are not politically motivated nor are they new departures. Rather, the terminations were voluntarily agreed to months ago, with many of the federal workers either having already moved on to the private sector or using the intervening time to find new work. Notably, a number of the 100,000 employees—per their buyout agreements—have not worked for the federal government in any significant capacity for several months or more.
In addition to the scheduled resignations per the terms of the buyout agreements, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has warned that if a temporary federal government funding agreement in Congress is not reached before October 1, the agency will be laying off some non-essential workers in addition to furloughs.
With a potential government shutdown looming, President Donald J. Trump held eleventh-hour negotiations with Republican and Democratic congressional leaders at the White House on Monday evening. Despite the last-minute budget talks, most lawmakers on Capitol Hill have indicated that at least a short closure of some federal agencies is likely.
House and Senate Democrats have demanded that any short-term funding measure include hundreds of billions of dollars in healthcare funding for illegal immigrants and the repeal of certain provisions in President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
❓WHAT HAPPENED: Britain’s governing Labour Party voted to accept that a genocide is taking place in Gaza, based on claims by the United Nations (UN), at its annual conference.
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Labour Party members, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, and the UN Commission of Inquiry.
📍WHEN & WHERE: During the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, England, following the UN report released nearly two weeks ago.
💬KEY QUOTE: “It must be for the ICJ [International Court of Justice] with their judges and judiciary, and for the ICC [International Criminal Court], to determine the issue of genocide in relation to the convention, it is not for politicians like me to do that.” – David Lammy
🎯IMPACT: The party vote embarrasses the Labour government, which has not endorsed the view that Israel is acting with genocidal intent in Gaza.
IN FULL
Britain’s governing Labour Party has voted to acknowledge that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza at its annual party conference, following the findings of a United Nations commission of inquiry. The vote, passed with strong backing from trade unions, embarrasses Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s government, as neither he nor his Cabinet has endorsed the view that Israel is acting with genocidal intent, and piles pressure on them to align with their party base.
The UN commission concluded earlier this month that there are “reasonable grounds” to believe Israel has committed four of five genocidal acts outlined under international law since the war with Hamas began in 2023. Israel has rejected the report’s findings, calling them “distorted and false.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his Cabinet have stopped short of endorsing the genocide label, insisting that such determinations should be left to international courts. Israel is currently the subject of a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, where it faces charges of genocide brought by South Africa.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy responded to the conference vote by reaffirming the government’s position. “It must be for the ICJ with their judges and judiciary, and for the ICC [International Criminal Court], to determine the issue of genocide in relation to the convention,” he said. “It is not for politicians like me to do that.”
Lammy, who has previously described President Donald J. Trump’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement as a “cult of white supremacists,” did add that, during his tenure as Foreign Secretary, he had identified a “clear risk” of Israel breaching international humanitarian law. Consequently, dozens of arms export licences to Israel have been suspended, and targeted sanctions on certain Israeli officials have been imposed.
Earlier this month, Starmer’s government also formally recognized Palestinian statehood.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: NASA has announced plans to establish a sustainable lunar base by 2035, creating a “village” on the Moon.
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Secretary of Transportation and NASA Administrator Sean Duffy and other international space agency leaders.
📍WHEN & WHERE: Announcement made at the International Aeronautical Congress in Sydney, Australia, September 2025.
💬KEY QUOTE: “We’re going back to the Moon, and this time, when we plant our flag, we stay.” – Sean Duffy
🎯IMPACT: The lunar base will pave the way for future Mars exploration and enhance U.S. leadership in space exploration.
IN FULL
Secretary of Transportation and NASA Administrator Sean Duffy has announced plans to establish a permanent presence on the Moon by 2035. Speaking at the International Aeronautical Congress in Sydney, Australia, Duffy said, “We are going to have sustained human life on the Moon. Not just an outpost, but a village.”
This initiative will be driven by the Artemis program, which is set to return humans to the lunar surface for the first time since the Apollo era. Artemis II, scheduled for February 2026, will test both the Space Launch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft in a crewed mission around the Moon. The follow-up, Artemis III, targets a 2027 lunar landing. Unlike previous missions, astronauts will remain on the Moon for a full week, gathering critical data to support long-term habitation.
To sustain operations during the Moon’s 14-day night, when solar power is unavailable, NASA plans to deploy a compact nuclear reactor. The Fission Surface Power System, as it is called, must weigh under 15 tonnes and produce 100 kilowatts of electricity, enough to support life-support systems, equipment, and communication infrastructure. NASA is currently seeking industry partners to help develop the reactor.
Construction of the base itself may rely heavily on lunar resources. NASA is exploring ways to mix lunar soil with binding agents to create a form of cement, which could be used with 3D printing technologies to build structures on-site. These methods are not only intended for the Moon but may also play a role in future Mars missions requiring long-term human presence.
“We’re going back to the Moon, and this time, when we plant our flag, we stay,” Duffy said. He framed the effort as part of a new “space race,” with the United States aiming to stay ahead of rivals such as China in space exploration and technology.
Meanwhile, on Mars, the Perseverance rover recently collected a rock sample that may show signs of ancient microbial life, although scientists caution that the evidence is not definitive. NASA is also monitoring a house-sized asteroid set to pass near Earth, and, in deep space, Voyager 1 has begun transmitting garbled data as it travels beyond the edge of the solar system.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Millions of Christians worldwide are observing the Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel, or Michaelmas.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Christians across the United States and worldwide; President Donald J. Trump.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: The Feast of Saint Michael, observed annually, is being celebrated in churches and homes around the world.
💬KEY QUOTE: “Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.” – Pope Leo XIII (1886 Prayer to Saint Michael)
🎯IMPACT: Christians continue to seek strength, protection, and courage through Saint Michael’s intercession, as they have for over 2,000 years.
IN FULL
President Donald J. Trump has offered a “salute” to the “millions of Christian believers in the United States and around the world observing the Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel,” or Michaelmas, in a presidential message.
“According to sacred Scripture, when the Devil rebelled against God in Heaven, Saint Michael and his legion of angels cast Satan down to Earth—triumphantly reasserting God’s sovereignty over all creation,” the President wrote, noting how, for two millennia, “Christians have looked to Saint Michael the Archangel for protection, strength, and courage in times of conflict, distress, and doubt.”
He also cited the “legendary Prayer to Saint Michael” formulated by Pope Leo XIII in 1886, quoting it in full:
“Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.”
Notably, following President Trump’s near-assassination in Butler, Pennsylvania, last year, the Catholics for Catholics group paid for billboards featuring the America First leader raising his fist after he was shot, alongside the words “St. Michael The Archangel, Defend Us In Battle.” However, the Lamar Advertising Company refused to run them.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Three activists opposed to President Donald J. Trump’s immigration policies were indicted for allegedly doxxing a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent.
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Federal prosecutors, three women accused of doxxing, ICE, and Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The incident occurred in August in Los Angeles, California, with the indictment announced this month.
💬KEY QUOTE: “Our brave federal agents put their lives on the line every day to keep our nation safe. The conduct of these defendants are deeply offensive to law enforcement officers and their families,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli.
🎯IMPACT: The defendants face charges of conspiracy and publicly disclosing the personal information of a federal agent, with potential prison time if convicted.
IN FULL
Three women in Los Angeles, California, have been indicted for allegedly doxxing a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent by following him home, livestreaming him, and posting his personal information online. Federal prosecutors say the women tracked the agent from a federal building in downtown Los Angeles to his residence in Baldwin Park, where they shouted, “ICE lives on your street and you should know,” before sharing his address publicly, putting him and his family at risk from cartels and other malign actors involved in illegal immigration and trafficking.
The indictment charges the women with conspiracy and with disclosing the personal information of a federal officer. One of the accused, a 25-year-old from Panorama City, California, has been released on a $5,000 bond. Another, a 38-year-old from Aurora, Colorado, remains in custody without bond and is also facing unrelated assault charges. Authorities are still searching for the third suspect, a 37-year-old from Riverside, California.
Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli condemned their actions, saying, “Our brave federal agents put their lives on the line every day to keep our nation safe. The conduct of these defendants are deeply offensive to law enforcement officers and their families. If you threaten, dox, or harm in any manner one of our agents or employees, you will face prosecution and prison time.”
This case comes amid a series of violent anti-ICE riots in California. In June, a man named Elpidio Reyna was arrested at the U.S.–Mexico border after allegedly throwing concrete blocks at federal agents during a protest in Paramount. Authorities say Reyna fled to Mexico after the attack, which injured one officer and damaged government vehicles. He later surrendered at the San Ysidro port of entry and is now in custody. There have also been two sniper attacks targeting ICE personnel in Texas, one of which resulted in a responding police officer being shot in the neck.
Despite the tensions, ICE reports a dramatic rise in recruitment since July. According to agency data, more than 141,000 people have applied to join ICE in recent months, and over 18,000 tentative job offers have been extended. The agency attributes the increase to expanded benefits, including signing bonuses, student loan forgiveness, and enhanced retirement packages. Many former ICE officers who left under previous administrations have also reapplied.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump is set to attend an unprecedented meeting in Quantico, Virginia, where top military leaders from around the world will gather to discuss the military’s current state and future plans.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and senior military leadership, including top generals and admirals.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: Scheduled for Tuesday in Quantico, Virginia.
💬KEY QUOTE: “It’s really just a very nice meeting talking about how well we’re doing militarily, talking about being in great shape, talking about a lot of good, positive things. It’s just a good message.” – Donald Trump
🎯IMPACT: This meeting highlights ongoing discussions about reshaping the military, the implementation of policies like the “Less Generals More GIs Policy,” and possible military action in Venezuela against drug cartels.
IN FULL
President Donald J. Trump will attend a major meeting of top military leaders from around the world on Tuesday in Quantico, Virginia. Despite rampant speculation as to the gathering’s purpose, particularly amid reports of military action against drug cartels in Venezuela, Trump has characterized it as a positive meeting focused on discussing the military’s progress and future under Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
“It’s really just a very nice meeting talking about how well we’re doing militarily, talking about being in great shape, talking about a lot of good, positive things. It’s just a good message,” President Trump said, despite rumors that the meeting might involve mass firings of top officers. He added that its agenda includes “great things” happening within the military since Hegseth took over.
The meeting will also address the military’s restructuring efforts, including Hegseth’s “Less Generals More GIs Policy,” which aims to reduce the number of generals and admirals by 20 percent, with a second phase targeting an additional 10 percent reduction. Hegseth has been vocal about his intent to streamline leadership and prioritize enlisted personnel.
The logistics for hosting such a high-profile event are complex, involving extensive security measures for senior military leadership and the added presence of President Trump, requiring coordination with the United States Secret Service (USSS).
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: YouTube has agreed to pay $24.5 million to settle a lawsuit filed by President Donald J. Trump over the suspension of his account.
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The lawsuit involved President Trump, YouTube, and its parent company, Alphabet (Google).
📍WHEN & WHERE: The settlement was announced on September 29, 2025, following a lawsuit stemming from events in 2021.
🎯IMPACT: The settlement marks YouTube as the latest Big Tech company to settle with Trump over anti-censorship lawsuits.
IN FULL
YouTube has reached a $24.5 million settlement with President Donald J. Trump over a lawsuit concerning the suspension of his account after the January 6 protests in 2021. This settlement concludes the series of anti-censorship lawsuits Trump filed against major social media platforms.
Previously, Meta Platforms agreed to a $25 million settlement, with much of the funds allocated to Trump’s presidential library. Meanwhile, X (formerly Twitter)—another platform involved—settled for $10 million, directing a significant portion to Trump himself.
According to sources familiar with the situation, Alphabet (Google), YouTube’s parent company, was determined to keep its settlement amount lower than Meta’s. Of the $24.5 million settlement, $22 million is designated for the Trust for the National Mall to support the construction of a ballroom at the White House.
An additional $2.5 million is allocated to the other plaintiffs involved in the lawsuit, which includes the American Conservative Union and writer Naomi Wolf. Details regarding attorney fees were not specified in the settlement documents.
Both ABC and CBS have also settled lawsuits brought by Trump. ABC agreed to a $15 million settlement stemming from comments made by Clinton-operative-turned-journalist George Stephanopoulos, who repeatedly claimed during a March 10, 2024, broadcast that Trump was “found liable for rape” in a lawsuit brought by E. Jean Carroll. However, a Manhattan jury found Trump was not liable for rape.
Meanwhile, CBS agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit over a doctored 60 Minutes interview with 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
❓WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. Commerce Department expanded its restricted export list, automatically including subsidiaries owned 50 percent or more by listed companies.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Trump administration, the Commerce Department, Chinese companies like Huawei, Hikvision, and DJI, and the Chinese Commerce Ministry.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: The rule was issued Monday and published in the U.S. Federal Register.
💬KEY QUOTE: “This move by the U.S. is extremely egregious in nature. It seriously infringes upon the legitimate rights and interests of the affected enterprises, severely disrupts international economic and trade order and gravely undermines the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains.” – Chinese Commerce Ministry.
🎯IMPACT: Experts suggest the rule will primarily impact Chinese entities, including Huawei, Hikvision, and DJI, as well as their subsidiaries.
IN FULL
On Monday, President Donald J. Trump issued new rules targeting companies in China and other countries that use subsidiaries to bypass U.S. restrictions on purchasing chipmaking equipment and other technology exports. The Commerce Department’s rule automatically includes subsidiaries owned 50 percent or more by entities already on the restricted export list, known as the Entity List.
The change significantly increases the number of companies requiring licenses to access U.S. goods and services, though some restricted transactions will be allowed for a 60-day period under the rule. Responding to the move, China’s Commerce Ministry issued a statement, contending, “This move by the U.S. is extremely egregious in nature. It seriously infringes upon the legitimate rights and interests of the affected enterprises, severely disrupts international economic and trade order and gravely undermines the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains.”
Notably, the new export restrictions come as the U.S. and China are engaged in ongoing trade negotiations. The Trump administration recently moved to loosen some restrictions on chip exports to China. However, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has rejected this move, instead instructing Chinese tech companies to source chips domestically.
Experts suggest the rule will primarily impact Chinese entities, including Huawei, Hikvision, and DJI, as well as their subsidiaries. Many Huawei subsidiaries are already on the list, but not all. Additional analysis found that the rule could affect thousands of subsidiaries in nearly 100 global locations. While Russia and China account for the majority, subsidiaries in major trade hubs like the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom, the U.S. itself, and elsewhere may also fall under the expanded restrictions.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Many Christian leaders have reported a significant increase in youth church attendance, with some schools seeing as much as a 15 percent rise, following the assassination of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) founder Charlie Kirk.
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Charlie Kirk, Christian leaders, and young people across the United States.
📍WHEN & WHERE: Following Kirk’s assassination on September 10, across college campuses and churches in the U.S.
💬KEY QUOTE: “I have not talked to anyone who has not seen an increase in Mass attendance. Some schools are reporting increases of 15 percent.” – Matt Zerrusen, co-founder of the Catholic Newman ministry.
🎯IMPACT: A spiritual revival may be taking place, with young people returning to church and seeking answers to life’s fundamental questions following Kirk’s murder.
IN FULL
Churches across the United States are reporting a notable increase in attendance following the assassination of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) founder Charlie Kirk on September 10. Known for his outspoken Christian beliefs, Kirk frequently spoke about a spiritual revival among young people. Just weeks before his murder, the 31-year-old father of two remarked, “There is revival in the Christian church. Churches are growing. Young people are flocking to faith in God.”
Religious leaders, particularly on college campuses, are now reporting a surge in interest. Matt Zerrusen, co-founder of Newman Ministry, a Catholic nonprofit active on around 250 campuses nationwide, told the Catholic News Agency that every Christian leader he’s spoken with has observed increased Mass attendance. “I have not talked to anyone who has not seen an increase in Mass attendance,” Zerrusen said. “Some schools are reporting increases of 15 percent.”
According to Zerrusen, many college students are searching for answers in the wake of Kirk’s killing. He said young people are asking deeper questions, such as, “What do I do? What is evil? How does God allow this?” He described the shift as part of a broader spiritual revival, spurred in part by the tragedy. At Texas A&M University, 400 students have enrolled in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults class at the St. Mary’s Catholic Center, a striking figure that highlights the trend.
Social media platforms have also reflected this movement. Numerous viral posts have featured people publicly recommitting to their Christian faith or returning to church after long absences. The response appears to echo a larger pattern being seen in other parts of the world. Recent data from Britain shows an uptick in young people attending Catholic churches, suggesting the trend extends beyond the U.S.
This revival, however, comes at a time when public expressions of Christian faith are increasingly under attack. Leftist media talking heads like Don Lemon have recently claimed that being openly Christian in public amounts to “religious nationalism.” Meanwhile, in Europe, police recently raided a charity that supports persecuted Middle Eastern Christians.
Globally, watchdog groups continue to report rising hostility and violence directed at Christians.
❓WHAT HAPPENED: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly apologized to Qatar for bombing Doha during the Israel-Hamas conflict before he and President Donald J. Trump announced a proposed peace plan for Gaza.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and President Trump.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: The apology reportedly occurred Monday at the White House during discussions on the Israel-Hamas war.
💬KEY QUOTE: “President Trump believes this unfortunate incident could serve as an opportunity for peace.” – White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt
🎯IMPACT: The incident strained Israel-Qatar relations and angered the Trump administration, as the U.S. operates a large military base in Qatar and considers it a regional partner.
IN FULL
Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, called the Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani of Qatar on Monday from the White House to apologize for bombing Doha earlier in September.
President Donald J. Trump, hosting Netanyahu at the White House, expressed frustration over the bombing at the time. Following the September 9 bombing of Qatar‘s capital, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt read a statement from Trump: “This morning, the Trump administration was notified by the United States military that Israel was attacking Hamas, which, very unfortunately, was located in a section of Doha, the capital of Qatar. Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a sovereign nation and close ally of the United States that is working very hard and bravely taking risks with us to broker peace, does not advance Israel or America’s goals.”
Leavitt added that while eliminating Hamas is a worthy goal, the location of the attack in Qatar complicated matters. Trump directed Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to notify Qatar of the impending strike and assured Qatari leaders that such an attack would not happen again. Trump described Qatar as a strong ally and emphasized the importance of their partnership in the peace process.
A week after the attack, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)—with U.S. backing—unanimously condemned the Israeli strike. While President Trump, speaking with Netanyahu in the aftermath of the attack, urged the Israeli leader to focus on advancing peace efforts, some reports indicated the America First leader privately expressed anger over the incident. “He’s f**kng me,” Trump reportedly said to senior advisors, expressing he believed Netanyahu was undermining ceasefire negotiations.
The Israeli leader’s call to Qatar from the White House may have helped pave the way for the 20-point peace plan for Gaza which he and Trump subsequently announced. This features the removal of Hamas from Gaza’s governance, the creation of an apolitical Palestinian committee to oversee reconstruction, and the creation of a “Board of Peace” chaired by President Trump and including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair to supervise. It would also see the U.S. and Arab partners organize an International Stabilization Force (ISF) to deploy to Gaza and ensure its long-term security, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) withdrawing as it establishes control.
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