HOSTAGES FOUND DEAD: Israeli forces retrieved the bodies of three hostages killed during the attack on the Nova music festival on Oct. 7, whose bodies were then taken by Hamas to Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement. They were identified as SHANI LOUK, AMIT BUSKILA and YITZHAK GELERNTER, the IDF said, adding that “we will continue operating to bring all of our hostages home.” MORE GAZA TALKS: As Israel continues its military operation in Rafah, National security adviser JAKE SULLIVAN will travel to Saudi Arabia to meet with Crown Prince MOHAMMED BIN SALMAN before heading to Israel to talk with Prime Minister BENJAMIN NETANYAHU and other top Israeli officials, National Security Council JOHN KIRBY told reporters today. BOOTS ON THE WATER: The first supplies were unloaded in Gaza today from the U.S. floating pier constructed off the coast of the enclave, The New York Times’ VICTORIA KIM reports. No U.S. troops entered Gaza, the U.S. military said, as it provided only logistical support for the deliveries. The floating pier is the Biden administration’s latest plan to alleviate food shortages in the enclave, though humanitarian groups say it falls far short of what is needed to help Gazans, many of whom are facing famine. The U.N. has taken possession of the first palettes of aid and is getting them ready for distribution, Kirby also said. SPLITTING GAZA: Israel’s military is fortifying a strategic corridor that “carves Gaza in two, building bases, taking over civilian structures and razing homes,” The Washington Post reports. That’s according to satellite imagery and other evidence, which military analysts and Israeli experts believe is part of a large-scale project to reshape the enclave and establish a presence for Israel’s military. Known as the Netzarim Corridor, the four-mile-long road south of Gaza City runs from east to west and stretches from the Israeli border to the Mediterranean. Hamas has called for Israel’s pullout from the area in cease-fire demands, but Israeli forces have continued digging in over the past two months. Though Israel says it doesn’t want to govern Gaza after the war, the creation of roads, outposts and buffer zones shows that its military demonstrates an “expanding role for Israel’s military as alternative visions for postwar Gaza falter,” the Post writes. The goal of the corridor appears to be allowing the Israeli military more control over the enclave: “What we need is full freedom of operation for the IDF everywhere in Gaza,” AMIR AVIVI, former deputy commander of the Israel Defense Forces’ Gaza Division, told the Post. UKRAINE’S DEEP STRIKES: Russian authorities accused Ukraine of striking Russian territory this morning, hitting fuel depots, oil refineries and power facilities in an attack that involved more than 100 drones. The extent of the damage caused in southwestern Russia and annexed Crimea was unclear, as NYT’s CONSTANT MÉHEUT and ANDRÉS MARTÍNEZ report, though rolling blackouts and fires were reported in some areas. Ukraine has argued that it should be able to strike inside Russian territory and hit Russian oil depots, a move U.S. officials have warned against. As Moscow’s troops march forward (more on that below), don’t expect Ukraine’s offensives to stop. KHARKIV PUSH CONTINUES: Russian forces have been able to push as far as six miles deep in their latest push in the northeastern Kharkiv region, Ukrainian President VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY said today, per The Kyiv Independent’s KATERYNA DENISOVA. The forces were stopped by Ukraine’s first line of defense, and the region has been stabilized, Zelenskyy told reporters. Also today, Russian President VLADIMIR PUTIN said that Russia isn’t planning to capture the city of Kharkiv despite his troops’ advancement, our own PIERRE EMMANUEL NGENDAKUMANA reports. It’s hard to believe that Putin wants to create a buffer zone and not seize Kharkiv as he seemingly preps for an extended war. The Post’s LARIS KARKLIS, JÚLIA LEDUR and RUBY MELLEN showed in an analysis today that Moscow has seized more land than Ukraine liberated in its summer counteroffensive last year. Zelenskyy is feeling the pressure. As his military struggles to prepare enough fresh troops for war, Zelenskyy signed a law today allowing some convicts to serve on the frontlines, Reuters’ YULIIA DYSA reports. DRINKS WITH NATSEC DAILY: At the end of every long, hard week, we like to highlight how a prominent member of Washington’s national security scene prefers to unwind with a drink. Today, we’re featuring POLITICO News Editor ROSIE PERPER, whose name may sound familiar because we make fun of her on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, when she edits your favorite national security newsletter. She’s been putting up with us for almost two months now, so we figured we’d give a proper welcome to the team here. Though she’s not a huge drinker, Rosie knows what she likes when she decides to vibe and imbibe. She’s a tequila fan — neat or with soda and fresh lime, keeping it classy. “Occasionally a paloma or spicy marg. And it has to be good tequila — additive-free and 100 percent agave. I'm not a tequila snob per se but anything less reminds me of musty college dorms and sticky dancefloors,” Rosie said. But that doesn’t mean Team NatSec Daily doesn’t tear up the dance floors every now and then. Cheers, Rosie! IT’S FRIDAY. WELCOME TO THE WEEKEND: Thanks for tuning in to NatSec Daily! This space is reserved for the top U.S. and foreign officials, the lawmakers, the lobbyists, the experts and the people like you who care about how the natsec sausage gets made. Aim your tips and comments at mberg@politico.com and ebazail@politico.com, and follow us on X at @mattberg33 and @ebazaileimil. While you’re at it, follow the rest of POLITICO’s national security team: @alexbward, @nahaltoosi, @PhelimKine, @laraseligman, @connorobrienNH, @paulmcleary, @leehudson, @magmill95, @johnnysaks130, @ErinBanco, @reporterjoe, and @JGedeon1.
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