Archive for month: January, 2024

News Update

Security forces eliminated Amed Abdullah Abu-Shalal, the Head of Terrorist Infrastructure of the Balata camp in Nablus, who planned to carry out an imminent, large-scale terrorist attack. was responsible for carrying out a number of terrorist attacks over the last year, including the shooting attack in the Shimon HaTzadik neighborhood in Jerusalem last April during which two Jerusalem residents were injured, and the bombing attack against IDF soldiers last October during which a soldier was injured. Two other terrorists were also killed along with Abu-Shalal.

IDF forces struck terror targets in southern Lebanon using aircraft, tanks and artillery after an anti-tank missiles and rockets were fired yesterday and today.

IDF Soldiers killed in Gaza:

Master Sgt. (res.) Zechariah Pesach Haber, 32, of the 14th Armored Brigade’s 87th Battalion, from Jerusalem.

Sgt. Maj. (res.) Yair Katz, 34, of the 14th Armored Brigade’s 87th Battalion, from Holon.

The IDF is in the process of withdrawing its 36th Division, which includes the Golani Brigade, the Sixth, Seventh, 188th, and Engineering Corps.

Israel confirmed the murders of hostages Itay Sabirsky and Yossi Sharabi by Hamas terrorists. Meanwhile, the White House said that it is in serious negotiations with Qatar to bring about the release of more hostages. Agam Goldstein Almog, 17, a former hostage has begun speaking about her experience in captivity. To read more, click here. 

A Qatari Air Force plane carrying medicine for the hostages, landed in Al-Arish airport in northern Sinai today. The medicine will be transferred into Gaza from Sinai. Only 45 of the hostages are slated to receive medicine.

The US Senate yesterday rejected a resolution that would have forced the State Department to produce a report within 30 days examining whether Israel committed human rights violations in its campaign against Hamas in Gaza. The resolution, introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders, was voted down 72-11.

Israel has launched a new website with information, photos and videos of the Hamas Oct. 7 massacre. The website has already garnered over 43 million views. To view the website, click here. 

[Last night, NBC Nightly News had a segment on the suffering of children in Gaza. It is heartbreaking to see children suffering anywhere, for any reason. But the only thing I could think of is why don’t the Palestinians lay down their arms and stop fighting Israel? Instead of chanting, “From the River to the Sea” they should be chanting, “We’re very sorry — please forgive us.”

Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan finally surrendered, albeit after millions of their people were killed and their countries destroyed. But at that point they realized that their war was over, and they said sorry and begged for forgiveness. The Palestinians need to do the same. They need to come to us on their knees and beg us to forgive them for murdering our children and grandparents, raping our wives and daughters, mutilating, beheading, burning our brothers and sisters in their homes and peaceful gatherings. They need to return the hostages they took, whom they have brutalized and tortured for over 100 days – and beg us, and them, for forgiveness.

If they truly say sorry, the children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will forgive them. Because all we really want is to live in peace, with our neighbors. But instead of begging for forgiveness they continue to fire rockets at us. And they continue to torture and rape our brothers and sisters in captivity. And they continue to pledge to destroy us, and teach their children to do the same.

Iran is willing to fight to the last Palestinian. Unless the Palestinians wake up to their reality, admit their mistakes, ask for forgiveness and pledge to live in peace, Israel simply has no choice but to continue its war against Hamas until it is eliminated. And children in Gaza will continue to suffer.

It’s time for the Palestinians to say sorry. Without that, there can never be peace. ]

News Update

A terrorist killed 2 and injured over 20 people in a multiple car ramming and stabbing spree in Ra’anana today. The terrorist, from Hebron, was arrested. Details of the attack are still emerging.

Barak Ayalon, 45, and his mother Mira, 76, were killed in a Hezbollah anti-tank guided missile attack on Kfar Yuval in northern Israel. Barak’s father, 74, was lightly hurt.

Sunday marked the 100th day since the October 7 massacre and the start of the captivity of the 136 Israeli men, woman and children still being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. Hamas released a new propaganda video featuring three Israeli hostages: Noa Argamani, Yossi Sharabi and Itay Svirsky. It is not clear when the video was taken. What we do know is that the Israeli hostages are being tortured, raped, starved, tormented and being used as human shields to protect Hamas leaders hiding in the depths of the tunnels under southern Gaza. We  must bring them home, now.

As part of a deal reached with Hamas, 40 hostages will receive critical medication in exchange for Israel allowing more humanitarian aid into Gaza. For more, click here.

The Israel Police has purchased dozens of bullet proof vehicles. The need for them being clear on October 7.

News Update

State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman has begun an investigation into the failings of the IDF leading up to the October 7 Hamas massacre. The investigation will also include the government’s conduct in the 2 years leading up to the war. For more, click here.

A Saudi newspaper reported that the Hamas leaders in Gaza are making decisions regarding the fighting and hostages without consulting with the Hamas political leaders living abroad. The report describes Yahya Sinwar’s brother Mohammed and the commander of the Hamas military wing, Mohammed Deif, as the most important Hamas leaders in Gaza. The paper also reported that Hamas leaders have begun evacuating their families to Egypt, either clandestinely or openly.

Prime Minister Netanyahu posted a video yesterday where he said, “I want to make a few points absolutely clear. Israel has no intention of permanently occupying Gaza or displacing its civilian population. Israel is fighting Hamas terrorists, not the Palestinian population, and we are doing so in full compliance with international law. Our goal is to rid Gaza of Hamas terrorists and free our hostages. Once this is achieved, Gaza can be demilitarized and de-radicalized, thereby creating a possibility for a better future for Israel and Palestinians alike.”

News Update

Dozens of rockets and attack drones were launched into Israel from Lebanon today, including at the IDF norther command headquarters in Safed. No casualties or major damage was reported. The IDF responded with air and artillery strikes at the sources of the launches. The attacks from Lebanon are continuing.

The IDF eliminated Hamas commander Hassan Akasha in Beit Jann, Syria. He was a key figure responsible for Hamas rocket launches at Israel from Syrian territory. In another strike earlier today, the commander of the southern portion of the Hezbollah Air Force, responsible for drone attacks, was eliminated. Two other senior Hezbollah leaders were also killed in the strike.

IDF soldiers killed in Gaza:

– Sgt. Roi Tal, 19, of the Kfir Brigade’s Duchifat Battalion, from Kfar Yehoshua.

– Sgt. First Class (res.) David Schwartz, 26, of the Combat Engineering Corps’ 8219th Battalion, from Elazar.

– Sgt. First Class (res.) Yakir Hexter, 26, of the Combat Engineering Corps’ 8219th Battalion, from Elazar.

– Sgt. First Class (res.) Gavriel Bloom, 27, a combat engineer in the 36th Division, from Beit Shemesh.

– Major (Res.) Amit Moshe Shahar, 25, a fighter in the Yahalom unit of the Combat Engineering Corps, from Ramat Yohanan.

– Captain (Res.) Denis Krokhmalov Veksler, 32, a combat engineering officer in the Yahalom unit, from Be’er Sheva.

– Captain (Res.) Ron Efrimi, 26, a combat engineering officer in the Yahalom unit, from Hod Hasharon.

– Major (Res.) Roi Avraham Maimon, 24, a combat medic in the Yahalom unit, from Afula.

– Sergeant First Class (Res.) Akiva Yasinskiy, 35, a fighter in the 8173rd Engineering Battalion, 6th Formation, from Ramat Gan.

The last 6 soldiers in the list were killed in the same explosion. Eight more soldiers, including Fauda actor Idan Amedi, were wounded in the explosion, which is believed to have been caused by explosives intended for the demolition of an underground arms manufacturing facility. The IDF is investigating the explosion.

A terrorist attempted to stab soldiers near the settlement of Ateret in Binyamin today. The terrorist was neutralized and no soldiers were injured.

Secretary of State Blinked arrived in Israel from Saudi Arabia today and met with the Prime Minister, President and Foreign Minister. Blinken hinted that the Saudis were open to peace with Israel after the conclusion of the war.

News Update

The IDF said they eliminated a senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad commander in an airstrike in Gaza. This morning, rockets were fired at Ashkelon and the surrounding area. No falls or damage were reported.

Israel is set to initiate local production of Air Force munitions and explosives, which lessen its dependency on American supplies. Israel is also expanding its assembly lines for tanks and armored vehicles. Israel has received over 17,000 tons of munitions from the US.

IDF Chief of Staff Halevi has established a panel to probe the IDF’s failings leading up to and during the October 7 massacre, and the IDF’s readiness to fight in Gaza. Former Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz will head the inquiries along with Maj. Gen. (Res.) Yoav Har-Even who served as head of the military’s Operations Directorate, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Shlomo “Sami” Turgeman a former commander of the IDF Southern Command and Maj. Gen. (Res.) Aharon Ze’evi-Farkash, who was head of military intelligence. The panel’s investigation is to be conducted separately from the IDF’s internal probe.

The Times of Israel has compiled the stories of some of those who were killed from Oct. 7 until today. Click here to read.