INTERNACIONAL
State Department breaks down plan to deal with Columbia, Hamas, Rubio taking on NSA
As the Trump administration speeds past the 100-day mark, various conflicts around the globe are in a much different place than when the president took office.
It has been nearly 600 days since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Not only did the act of terrorism launch a full-scale war in the Middle East, but it also facilitated a chaotic wave of pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli clashes at home.
«We’re guided by two principles that are guiding our approach to this conflict. The first is that we stand with Israel and Israel’s right to defend itself. And the second is that Hamas must release the hostages,» U.S. Department of State Deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott told Fox News Digital. «Those are the two guiding principles. And then we’re looking at the long-term here in terms of what this is going to look like as a long-term solution to this conflict. Hamas cannot continue to exist.»
A New York Times opinion article ran last week, titled «This Israeli Government Is Not Our Ally,» just days before nearly 80 students were arrested during pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University in New York, illustrating that the strains between the two groups remain and the rise in antisemitism is still rampant.
«When it comes to some of these protests, and I use that word even somewhat lightly in terms of I don’t even know if that’s the best way to describe them, the secretary has been clear, the president has been clear, there’s going to be zero tolerance for people that are here on visas that break our laws, that support or promote terrorism in the United States,» Pigott added.
NETANYAHU PLEDGES ‘FULL FORCE’ TO ‘COMPLETE’ FIGHT AGAINST HAMAS IN COMING DAYS
Hamas terrorists take up positions ahead of a hostage release in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip on Saturday Feb. 8, 2025. (AP)
TRUMP OFFICIAL TARGETED IN BIDEN-ERA ‘DISINFORMATION’ DOSSIER STILL UNDER WRAPS DAYS AFTER RUBIO REVELATION
«When you’re looking at that visa process, again, speaking from the State Department’s perspective, there’s a vetting process to enter the United States for a visa,» Pigott explained. «We’re constantly monitoring the fact of, are you actually abiding by that visa? Are you [a student] doing things that are breaking our laws? And if you do, your visa may be revoked.»
Overseas, Hamas freed the last living American hostage, Edan Alexander, reportedly to appease President Donald Trump.
Israel issued an evacuation warning for Yemeni ports after bombing the nation’s main airport last week.
While the U.S. and the Houthis reached ceasefire agreements, Israel continues to punch back. Pigott made clear that the U.S.’ past and future decisions to attack the Houthis are heavily dependent on Islamist organizations’ actions.
CHILDREN’S YOUTUBE STAR ‘MS. RACHEL’ TALKS TO ANTI-ISRAEL REPORTER ABOUT GAZA POSTS
«The president’s been clear, the secretary has been clear that the bombing that we saw was about freedom of navigation, protecting American interests, making sure we can have ships going through that area,» Pigott explained. «The Houthis have capitulated, but this is about their actions.»
Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s role as head of the agency got even more complicated after Mike Waltz left the National Security Administration (NSA) to serve as ambassador to the United Nations, and Trump assigned Rubio to fill the role.
Despite the increase in workload and responsibility, the State Department’s deputy spokesperson says «the results speak for themselves.»
President Donald Trump, left, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, right, look on during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on April 7, 2025. (SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
«Of that collaboration, of the fact that President Trump has that vision, is involved with the policy, is saying, we need to accomplish this, and Secretary Rubio helping to implement that vision,» Pigott added.
«These are men and women that are dedicated on delivering results for the American people. I mean, this past 100-plus days have been the most successful 100 days, I would argue, in history from a president.»
Preston Mizell is a writer with Fox News Digital covering breaking news. Story tips can be sent to Preston.Mizell@fox.com and on X @MizellPreston
State Department,Secretary of State,Israel,Middle East
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
JERUSALEM: Israel’s Squadron 200, also known as the first Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Squadron, has played a crucial role in destroying more than half of the Iranian regime’s ballistic missile launchers as the 14th day of the war unfolds across the Middle East.
Fox News Digital gained access to one of Israel’s most experienced and veteran UAV operators from Squadron 200. «I have been flying drones for the past 25 years and other operational missions have prepared me for this war,» said the IDF Squadron leader.
He summed up the highly sensitive nature of his work in protecting the Israeli civilian population. «Every night that my wife and my kids sleep a full night without an alarm is something I can give credit to the air force and drone operators.» Israel’s technology system warns Israelis with mobile phone messages and wailing public alarms that provide an advanced notice of incoming Iranian missiles and drones.
IRAN PROXIES WAGE WAR ON ISRAEL, THREATEN US INTERESTS AS IRAQ SLAMMED FOR NOT DISARMING THEM
Israeli Air Force personnel from Squadron 200 oversee a Heron-1 («Shoval») UAV flight. Established in the 1970s, the «First UAV Squadron» operates advanced unmanned systems for surveillance, intelligence and precision missions across multiple arenas. (IDF)
The IDF drone commander said the main goal of his squadron is to «find rocket launchers and surface-to-air missiles that are a risk to our pilots who fly over and destroy them before they launch missiles and gain air superiority for the area and reduce the risk for civilians back at home.»
He added that «We can take a lot of credit for the reduction» in Iranian missiles and drones fired at Israel.
The stakes are high for the UAV operators. Iran’s aerial warfare campaign has led to the deaths of 12 Israelis and over 2,975 people have been admitted to Israeli hospitals.
People take shelter as Iran launched missiles and drones towards Israel following the US-Israeli attacks. ( Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu via Getty Images)
An IDF spokesman told Fox News Digital on Wednesday that Iran has launched «many dozens of missiles with cluster bomb heads spread across Israel.» The cluster munitions are particularly lethal because they murder or severely injure with scattered bomblets that can also stay active long after their launch.
Just days ago, Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, the Israeli military spokesman, told Fox News Digital that the army has had a «near complete success» rate in stopping Iranian drones from hitting Israeli targets.
However, the drone commander warned that the «great decrease in the number of launchers does not mean we can sit and rest.»
TRUMP SAYS US, ISRAEL SHATTERED IRANIAN MILITARY CAPABILITIES, PRESSES LEADERS TO SURRENDER: ‘CRY UNCLE’
The IDF drone commander said, «one thing we learned from October 7 is that we should eliminate risks before they become too big.»
A Heron-1 («Shoval») UAV, operated by Israeli Air Force Squadron 200, takes off for an intelligence and surveillance mission. Manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries, the aircraft can remain airborne for extended periods, delivering day-and-night real-time intelligence. (IDF)
«The important thing is the goal of bringing peace to the Middle East,» he said with reference to when Iran and Israel had cordial relations before the 1979 Islamic Republic revolution in Iran and President Trump’s advocacy for peace in the region.
The complex running of a drone team was described as «orchestra» work, by the UAV operator, where a 3-person crew — commander, pilot and operator — seamlessly coordinate their various activities.
According to the IDF, Squadron 200 operates the Heron-1 («Shoval») UAV, manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries, which is used for intelligence gathering, surveillance, support of ground forces and precision strike missions.»
A general view of Tehran with smoke visible in the distance after explosions were reported in the city, on March 2, 2026 in Tehran, Iran. (Contributor/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
The IDF said that the air force’s drones «are capable of remaining airborne for extended periods and providing real-time intelligence to forces on the ground, both day and night and over long distances.
The squadron was established in the 1970s as part of the development of the Israeli Air Force’s UAV array and has since participated in numerous operations across different arenas.»
war with iran,israel,conflicts,military tech
INTERNACIONAL
Illegal immigrant accused of assaulting NJ teen could be released under sanctuary policies, ICE warns
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A criminal illegal immigrant accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in New Jersey could soon be released under the state’s sanctuary policies, prompting federal immigration officials to issue a warning to local leaders.
Gerardo Garcia Gonzalez, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, was arrested by the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office on charges of sexual assault of a victim between 13 and 15 years old, criminal sexual contact and sexual assault by force or coercion.
After illegally entering the U.S. in 2001, Gonzalez was returned to Mexico and later re-entered the country at an unknown time, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
«This pedophile should NEVER have been in our country and able to prey on children in the first place,» Deputy Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement. «We are calling on New Jersey sanctuary politicians to NOT release this predator charged with sexually assaulting a child from jail into New Jersey neighborhoods.»
ICE SWEEPS UP CONVICTED PEDOPHILES, TRAFFICKERS IN MASSIVE HOLIDAY WEEKEND STING: ‘WORST OF THE WORST’
Gerardo Garcia Gonzalez, a Mexican national previously deported from the United States, was arrested by the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office on charges including sexual assault of a minor between 13 and 15 years old. (Department of Homeland Security)
Bis continued, «This is the exact reason we need sanctuary jurisdictions to work with us. No one should want this sicko to be on our streets.»
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requested that Gonzalez not be released under the state’s sanctuary policies.
DHS said the request follows proposals by New Jersey politicians for legislation and executive orders «designed to demonize our brave ICE law enforcement.»
CALIFORNIA SANCTUARY POLICIES BLAMED AFTER ICE ARRESTS 9 SEX OFFENDERS IN LOS ANGELES
Gerardo Garcia Gonzalez was arrested in Ocean County on charges including sexual assault of a minor, as Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s administration faces scrutiny over the state’s sanctuary policies. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images; DHS)
Last month, two state Democratic assembly members introduced the F—ICE Act, formally known as the «Fight Unlawful Conduct and Keep Individuals and Communities Empowered Act.»
The legislation would permit civil action for alleged violations of the U.S. Constitution related to immigration enforcement.
The bill was drafted after a Democratic Socialist councilman was confronted by a federal agent after arriving at the scene of a raid on the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, where an agent told him, «I don’t need a warrant, bro.»
DHS SAYS ANTI-ICE AGITATORS HELPED CHILD RAPISTS, GANG MEMBERS EVADE DEPORTATION
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed Executive Order 12 restricting certain immigration enforcement activities on state property shortly after taking office in January. (Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images)
«This is a disgusting bill just meant to demonize our officers who are experiencing a highly coordinated campaign of violence against our law enforcement,» Bis previously told Fox News Digital.
Shortly after taking office in January, New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed Executive Order 12, which restricts ICE activities on state property and creates a portal for residents to report immigration enforcement activity in their communities.
The Justice Department filed a lawsuit last month against New Jersey and Sherrill, accusing the state of expanding its sanctuary policies and obstructing federal immigration enforcement through the executive order.
DHS said the actions come as law enforcement officers face a 1,300% increase in assaults and an 8,000% increase in death threats.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Fox News Digital reached out to Sherrill’s office and the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Charles Creitz and Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.
new jersey,mikie sherrill,sex crimes,illegal immigrants,homeland security
Sturzenegger defendió el modelo económico y asegura que se está creando empleo
Paritarias: Hugo Moyano acordó un aumento para los camioneros en línea con la pauta salarial del Gobierno
Pese a sus amenazas, Hugo Moyano firmó la paritaria de Camioneros dentro de la pauta salarial del Gobierno
Real Madrid vs. Manchester City: formaciones, hora y dónde ver por tv
Ian Lucas habló por primera vez tras el escándalo con Evangelina Anderson: “Venía a casa y subía fotos”
Ramadán bajo fuego en Zarzir: el «misil ciego» que golpeó el corazón árabe de Israel
Muni Seligmann respondió las críticas tras el accidente de su bebé y su viaje a Miami: “Hay que contarlo y naturalizarlo”
El ex novio de Luana de Gran Hermano reveló información sensible sobre su relación: “El bolso tenía plata”
Juan Carlos Schmid deja la conducción de Dragado y Balizamiento después de 33 años
Manuel Adorni explicó por qué viajó con su esposa en el avión presidencial a la gira del Gobierno en Nueva York
CHIMENTOS3 días agoMuni Seligmann respondió las críticas tras el accidente de su bebé y su viaje a Miami: “Hay que contarlo y naturalizarlo”
- CHIMENTOS1 día ago
El ex novio de Luana de Gran Hermano reveló información sensible sobre su relación: “El bolso tenía plata”
- POLITICA3 días ago
Manuel Adorni explicó por qué viajó con su esposa en el avión presidencial a la gira del Gobierno en Nueva York
