The President's Daily Brief
PDB Afternoon Bulletin | January 21st, 2025: Hamas Reasserts Control Over Gaza & Trump Reverses Biden Policy With Cuba Crackdown
Tue, 21 Jan 2025
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin: First, we'll discuss a Wall Street Journal report that details how, in the hours following the start of the cease-fire agreement with Israel, Hamas has quickly moved to reassert its control over the Gaza strip. Then, in a quick reversal of Biden policy, President Trump has returned the nation of Cuba to the list of state sponsors of terrorism. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President’s Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Chapter 1: What happened in Gaza following the ceasefire?
Thanks, Mike. It's Tuesday, 21 January 2025. Welcome back to the PDB Afternoon Bulletin. Mike Slater filling in for Mike Baker. Let's get briefed. First, as the ceasefire in Gaza takes hold, Hamas has flooded the streets with thousands of its fighters in a major show of force, demonstrating that they will remain the dominant power in the territory.
Chapter 2: How is Hamas reasserting control in Gaza?
We'll discuss Israel's reaction and what the terror groups continue to hold over the enclave means for the fragile truce. Later in the show, in a quick reversal of Biden policy, President Trump has returned the nation of Cuba to the list of state sponsors of terrorism. But first, today's afternoon spotlight.
Chapter 3: What are the implications of Israel's military actions against Hamas?
I want to start today's show by bringing to your attention a Wall Street Journal report that details how in the first hours following the start of the ceasefire agreement with Israel, Hamas has quickly moved to reassert its control over the Gaza Strip. As Israeli troops withdrew, Hamas's forces re-emerged, taking to the streets in a highly visible display of authority.
Thousands of armed and uniformed militants paraded through Gaza, flashing victory signs to cheering crowds, showing that despite months of conflict, Hamas remains the dominant power in the territory.
Chapter 4: What did experts say about Hamas's position after the ceasefire?
The images were a stark reminder that despite all the military might that Israel deployed in Gaza, its stated war goals, destroying Hamas and replacing it with alternative governance, remains unrealized.
Gershon Baskin, a former Israeli hostage negotiator, described the situation as a, quote, slap in the face to Israel, highlighting the limited impact that the military campaign may have had on Hamas's core structure. The ceasefire, brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, has paused one of the deadliest conflicts in recent Middle Eastern history.
Over 47,000 people in Gaza have been killed since October 2023, following Hamas's deadly attack on Israel, which killed over 1,200 Israelis. While the truce allows for hostages and prisoners to be exchanged, it also raises pressing questions about Gaza's governance in the aftermath, something the PDB has been highlighting extensively since the start of this 15-month conflict.
Chapter 5: How are humanitarian conditions changing in Gaza?
Now, it's important to point out that the Israeli officials argue the high civilian casualties are because Hamas fighters embedded themselves within the population, and their quick reappearance seems to back that up. Many Hamas members reportedly stashed their uniforms and weapons, laying low until the ceasefire gave them the chance to come back out.
Under the ceasefire terms, Hamas police are tasked with maintaining law and order, overseeing displaced Palestinians, and coordinating aid deliveries. Aid groups, including the United Nations, report that the humanitarian situation is slowly improving, with more supplies entering Gaza than at any time during the war.
Chapter 6: What are the prospects for governance in Gaza post-ceasefire?
However, observers warn that Hamas' continued presence complicates reconstruction efforts and future stability. Many Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the foreign minister, maintain that a permanent peace is impossible as long as Hamas remains in power. Meanwhile, discussions about Gaza's future governance have intensified.
The Palestinian Authority, ousted by Hamas in 2007, has expressed willingness to assume control but faces resistance from Israel and skepticism from Palestinians. Hamas, for now, continues to hold a monopoly on force. Israel estimates that before the war, Hamas had up to 30,000 fighters.
Chapter 7: What is the significance of Trump's policy reversal on Cuba?
Though Israel claims to have killed over half, the group continues to reorganize under the leadership of Mohammed Sinwar. That's the brother of Yahya Sinwar, the slain former leader of Hamas and architect of the October 7th attacks. As rebuilding begins, the future of Gaza, and whether it remains under Hamas' rule, remains highly uncertain. Quick programming note before we take a break.
The great Mike Baker, he's going to be back behind the microphone a little earlier than expected. He's returning to host the PDB starting tomorrow morning, and he'll bring you all the details of his adventure in the Saudi desert. I won't be here behind the microphone, but I'll definitely be listening. Thank you for letting me fill in these last few days.
Coming up after the break, in another reversal of Biden policy, President Trump has returned the nation of Cuba to the list of state sponsors of terrorism. More on that after the break.
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