Archive for month: December, 2023

News Update

IDF forces have been striking strategic Hezbollah targets throughout southern Lebanon, causing considerable damage to Hezbollah’s infrastructure. This represents an escalation in the scale of the IDF operations against Hezbollah and could indicate the coming of a larger scale operation. Meanwhile, Hezbollah continues to fire rockets and attack drones into northern Israel.

A terrorist rammed his car into people near the Adorayim Junction, north of the settlement of Otniel, wounding 4 people in the 20’s. The terrorist was shot and killed by soldiers. Yesterday, a 24 yr. old terrorist stabbed and wounded a female Border Police officer and a male security guard, both in their 20’s, at a checkpoint between Jerusalem and Gush Etzion. The terrorist was shot and killed by security forces.

Cpt. (res.) Harel Sharvit, 33,  551st Brigade’s 7008th Battalion, from Kochav Yaakov, was killed in Gaza yesterday.

The IDF has concluded its investigation into the accidental shooting by soldiers of the 3 hostages that escaped and were carrying a white flag in Gaza. No action will be taken against the soldiers. To read more about the investigation results, click here.

Syrian sources reported an Israeli air strike against Damascus International Airport on Thursday, in which at least 2 Syrian soldiers were wounded. Saudi media reported today that 11 leaders of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps were killed. Iran is using the airport to transport sophisticated weapons to Hezbollah.

Turkish authorities arrested 32 people described as ISIS operatives, for allegedly planning attacks on synagogues, churches and the Iraqi embassy ahead of the new year.

American Israeli hostage Judy Weinstein, 70, was confirmed dead yesterday. She died of wounds inflicted by Hamas on Oct. 7. Her husband, Gadi Haggai, 72, was killed on Oct. 7. Both of their bodies are being held by Hamas in Gaza. US President Biden expressed his deep sorrow at the news and pledged to continue working to release the remaining hostages.

Prime Minister Netanyahu told representatives of the families of the hostages yesterday that there is progress in negotiations for a deal.

In a Wall Street Journal opinion piece, Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called on the US and Israel to directly take on Iran for its role in directing and supporting Hamas and Hezbollah terror. He also revealed, for the first time, Israel’s role in direct attacks on Iran saying, “As prime minister, I made another decision regarding Iran. I directed Israel’s security forces to make Tehran pay for its decision to sponsor terror. Enough impunity. After Iran launched two failed UAV attacks on Israel in February 2022, Israel destroyed a UAV base on Iranian soil. In March 2022, Iran’s terror unit attempted to kill Israeli tourists in Turkey and failed. Shortly thereafter, the commander of that very unit was assassinated in the center of Tehran.”

As part of its investigation into the Oct. 7 massacre, the NYTimes has revealed and documented the brutal and barbaric rapes and sexual violence committed against Israeli women and girls at the music festival and in the kibbutzim overrun by Hamas and civilians from Gaza. The horrors and pure evil perpetrated against young women and children is beyond even the most twisted imagination. I won’t even attempt to put words to it. All I can say is that when you read the accounts, you will understand why Israel must continue the war against Hamas until it is completely destroyed. To read the article, click here. 

News Update

At least 18 rockets were fired at the Rosh Hanikra area from Lebanon this morning. Several interceptions over the town were reported. Yesterday, IDF forces struck 2 vehicles in Lebanon, which were carrying missiles belonging to Hamas and were en route to carry out an attack against Israel. Other strikes continue to be carried out.

Over 200 targets in Gaza were hit over the past day, by ground, air and naval forces.

IDF soldiers killed in Gaza:
Lt. Yaron Eliezer Chitiz, 23, deputy company commander in the Shaked Battalion of the Givati Brigade, from Ra’anana.

Staff Sergeant Itay Buton, 20, Shaked Battalion of the Givati Brigade, from Petach Tikva.

Staff Sergeant Efraim Yachman, 21, Shaked Battalion of the Givati Brigade, from Neve Daniel.

State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman said that he intends to investigate the conduct of the government in the period leading up to and including Oct. 7. He said, “We will examine personal responsibility for failures at all levels – political, military and civilian. Thousands of citizens were abandoned to their fate, and hundreds of thousands of residents of the conflict lines in the south and north who were evacuated from their homes became needy and were harmed by the lack of government care after the massacre. We will turn over every rock to expose the failures before, during and after the massacre.”

US forces today intercepted 12 drones, three anti-ship ballistic missiles and two cruise missiles in the Red Sea area fired by the Yemeni Houthis.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met in Washington Tuesday night with Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer for over 4 hours to discuss the “efforts to free the remaining hostages held by Hamas, the plan for the day after the war – including the administration and security in the Gaza Strip – and moving to another phase in the fighting aimed at targeting high value Hamas targets.”

News Update

Iran announced that Sayyed Reza Mousavi, a brigadier general in the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a warehouse near Damascus today. He served as the representative of the Quds Force in Syria and was responsible for the transfer of Iranian funds in Syria to finance Hezbollah.

Firing from Lebanon into Israel continues along with IDF attacks against terrorist targets in Lebanon. There has been extensive damage to Israeli communities near the border area over the last 2 months and around 100,000 residents have been displaced. To read more about this, click here.

IDF soldiers killed in Gaza since Friday:

– Master Sergeant (res.) Nitai Meisels, 30, from Rehovot, 14th Brigade of the Armored Corps.

– Sergeant Rani Tamir, 20, from Ganei Am, who served in the 50th Battalion of the Nahal Brigade.

– Staff sergeant David Bogdanovskyi, 19, from Haifa, 7th Armored Brigade.

– Staff sergeant Orel Bashan, 20, from Haifa, 7th Armored Brigade.

– Staff sergeant Gal Hershko, 20, from Yiftah, 7th Armored Brigade.

– Staff sergeant Itamar Shemen, 21, from Lapid, 7th Armored Brigade.

– Master Sergeant (res.) Nadav Issachar Farhi, 30, from Herzliya, Yiftach Brigade.

– Master Sergeant (res.) Eliyahu Meir Ohana, 28, from Haifa, Yiftach Brigade.

– Sergeant first class (res.) Elyassaf Shoshan, 23, from Jerusalem, Paratroopers Reservists.

– Sergeant first class (res.) Ohad Ashur, 23, from Kfar Yona, Paratroopers Reservists.

– Staff sergeant Nir Rafael Kananian, 20, from Beit Keshet, Givati Brigade.

– Staff sergeant Birhanu Kassie, 22, from Beit Shemesh, Givati Brigade.

– Master sergeant (res.) Shay Termin, 26, from Rosh Pina, Battalion 6623 of the 55th Paratroopers Brigade.

– Warrant officer (res.) Alexander Shpits, 41, from Karmiel, Battalion 6623 of the 55th Paratroopers Brigade.

– Captain Oshri Moshe Butzhak, 22, from Haifa, commander in the Nahal Brigade.

– Sergeant Amit Hod Ziv, 19, from Rosh Haayin, killed on the northern border.

The IDF located and recovered the bodies of five hostages abducted on October 7th and brought them to be buried in Israel: Warrant Officer Ziv Dado, Sergeant Ron Sherman, Corporal Nik Beizer, Eden Zacharia, and Elia Toledano. The bodies were discovered while troops were destroying a main Hamas command center tunnel in northern Gaza.

Hamas terrorists were filmed shooting at civilians attempting to get humanitarian aid in Gaza. At least 1 person, a teen, was killed. A protest against the killing broke out near a Hamas police station. Hamas terrorist again opened fire, wounding at least 17 protestors.

Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad have reportedly rejected an Egyptian proposed agreement that would include a long-term truce and comprehensive hostage and prisoner release. Saudi Arabia and the UAE reportedly participated in the formulation of the deal, which would call for the installation of a new governing body for Gaza and the Palestinian Authority territory that would include Hamas representation.

Wishing our loyal Christian readers a Merry Christmas. May the prayers offered this holiday season bring peace to Israel and the entire world.

News Update

A large barrage of rockets was fired at central Israel today. Rocket fragments and shrapnel fell in Petach Tikva, Ramat Gan, Herzliya, Kiryat Ono, Givatayim, Bnei Brak, Ra’anana and next to Bar Ilan University. Shrapnel also fell on a school in Tel Aviv, but no students were hurt.

A large rocket barrage was also fired at Ashkelon and Ashdod in the south.

Rockets and anti-tank missiles were fired at Kiryat Shemonah and other areas of northern Israel from Lebanon. A rocket hit gas cylinders near a building in Kiryat Shemonah, damaging the building and a parked car.  The IDF strike Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. All schools near the border have been closed and students evacuated.

IDF soldiers killed in Gaza:

Sergeant Lavi Gihassi, 19, from Hashmonaim, served in Battalion 931 of the Nahal Brigade.

Lieutenant Yaakov Elian, 20, from Ramat Gan, a cadet in officer training school’s Gefen Battalion.

Lieutenant Omri Schwartz, 21, from Shdemot Devorah, a cadet in officer training school’s Gefen Battalion.

Eight other soldiers were seriously wounded in the same battles.

Hamas released a statement saying, “There is a Palestinian national decision that there should be no talk about prisoners or exchange deals except after a full cessation of aggression.” Israel had reportedly offered a 7 day truce in exchange for more hostages.

To read some of the words of 17 year old Agam Goldstein-Almog, who was released from captivity with her mother and 2 young siblings, click here.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a press briefing, “many countries are calling for an end to this conflict, which we all want, but I don’t hear most of them demanding that Hamas stop hiding behind civilians and lay down its weapons.” He added, “If Hamas does this – the war will end tomorrow. It could have ended already a month ago if Hamas did this. How can it be that there are no demands of the attacker, but only demands of the victim.”

News Update

During his visit to Israel yesterday, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reaffirmed America’s unwavering support for Israel’s war against Hamas and made it clear that the U.S. is not imposing any timeline for the conclusion of the military operations. He also confirmed the ongoing U.S. commitment to provide Israel with defense support, including munitions and air defense systems. Austin also called for increased humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza and announced the establishment of a multinational naval force to protect freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.

The IDF said that troops are making considerable headway in Khan Yunis, where Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is thought to be hiding in a tunnel and is being hunted down relentlessly.

Subhi Ferwana, a prominent Hamas financier, was killed in an airstrike on Rafah. Ferwana and his brother had transferred millions of dollars to Hamas to purchase weapons and pay terrorist salaries.

IDF soldiers killed in Gaza:

Major Daniel Yaakov Ben Harosh, 31, Battalion 6551, from Elon.

Capt. Rotem Yosef Levy, 24, deputy platoon commander in the Yehlam unit, from Oranit.

A rocket barrage was fired at the Tel Aviv area today from southern Gaza. Several long range rockets were intercepted.

Rockets fire from Lebanon continues. The IDF is responding with airstrikes and other means.

Four rockets were launched from Syria toward the Golan Heights yesterday. One fell in an unpopulated area and 3 fell short in Syrian territory. The IDF struck the source of the launches with artillery fire and a Syrian army post with tank fire.

[Let’s not forget that tens of thousands of Israelis have been displaced from their homes in the north due to the rocket fire and threat of escalation. How can they return as long as the very real threat of Hezbollah mounting an October 7-like attack or unleashing their 150,000 strong rocket arsenal against the north, and the entire country? There clearly will have to be a reckoning with Hezbollah before Israel can return to a normal, and safe, existence.]

Hamas released a video featuring 3 elderly male hostages – Chaim Peri, Yoram Metzger and Amiram Cooper – who were all kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7.  The video, titled “Don’t Let Us Grow Old Here” in English, and “Cast me not off in the time of old age” in Hebrew, is meant to exert pressure on the Israeli government. Peri, 80, is a longtime peace activist who drove sick children from the Gaza Strip to receive medical care in Israeli hospitals. He was the only one to identify himself in the video and he said that they are being held with other elderly individuals and appealed to Israel for their rescue. Metzger, 80, is a father of three and grandfather of seven. His wife Tamar (Tami) Metzger, 78, was released on Nov. 28. Cooper, 84, is one of the founders of the Kibbutz. His wife Nurit was released on Oct. 23.

[Does holding 3 old men hostage violate all human morality and deserve to be condemned, or does it depend on the context? Perhaps the leaders of our universities can answer that.]

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld arrived in Israel with his family on Monday to show solidarity and meet with the families of hostages and with hostages recently released from captivity.

Birthright announced that it will resume its free trips to Israel, after they were halted on Oct. 7.