News Update
A female terrorist tried to stab soldiers at the Tayasir Checkpoint in the Jordan Valley this morning. Soldiers shot and killed the terrorist. No soldiers were injured.
The IDF has withdrawn all ground forces, except for 1 division, from Gaza, on the 6 month anniversary of the start of the war. The army said that the 98th division, which operated in Khan Yuni and conducted the Al-Shifa hospital operation, was being withdrawn to give the soldiers time to refresh and prepare for further operations. The Nahal brigade, comprised of several hundred soldiers, is the only one left in Gaza, guarding the main road intersecting Gaza and mounting targeted operations from there. At the peak of fighting, the IDF had over 20 brigades, comprising 30,000 to 40,000 soldiers, in Gaza.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said, “This is a long war where we cannot maintain the same force configuration at all times. We are changing forces and modes of operation. We will not allow Hamas brigades to remain active in any part of the Strip. We have plans, and we will act when we decide.”
The IDF has made clear that its withdrawal from Khan Younis is not linked to any pressure from the United States. Another factor contributing to the decision to withdraw is to give space for civilians to vacate Rafah in the event of a large-scale raid. It also will enable Khan Younis residents who fled to Rafah to return to their homes. The IDF is still preparing for a major operation in Rafah, where Hamas still has 5 active battalions.
This new phase of the war, which will be focused on targeted raids based on intelligence, could last for 3 to 4 years. Prime Minister Netanyahu opened Sunday’s cabinet meeting saying, “We are determined to achieve total victory in the war, return all our captives, complete the elimination of Hamas throughout the Gaza Strip, including Rafah, and to ensure Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel.”
IDF soldiers killed in Gaza:
Cpt. Ido Baruch, 21, a commander at the Commando Brigade’s training base, from Tel Mond.
Sgt. Amitai Even Shoshan, 20, of the Commando Brigade’s training base, from Azri’el.
Sgt. Ilai Zair, 20, of the Commando Brigade’s training base, from Kedar.
Sgt. Reef Harush, 20, of the Commando Brigade’s training base, from Kibbutz Ramat David.
For a complete list of the soldiers killed in the ground offensive, click here.
Rocket and drone attacks by Hezbollah continue and the IDF is striking Hezbollah bases and launch sites in southern Lebanon. Last night a strike killed a senior Hezbollah commander.
The IDF is still on high alert due to the threat of Iranian retaliation for Israel’s elimination of several Revolutionary Guard generals and senior officers in Damascus last week.
[While Iran will have to make some show of retaliation, I think it has nothing to gain by doing something that escalates the situation into an all out war. Iran already is winning — Hezbollah rockets are keeping 100,000 Israel’s from returning to their homes in northern Israel, Hamas is still active and fighting in Gaza, US pressure is having a significant effect on Israeli actions in Gaza, and Iran continues to export billions of dollars of oil — so why rock the boat now?]
Israel News for 4-22-2024
/by Arnie SingerNews Update
Three pedestrians were lightly injured in a ramming terror attack in Jerusalem this morning, outside a synagogue in the Romema neighborhood. The 2 terrorists tried to fire at people with a submachine gun, but the gun apparently jammed. The terrorists fled the scene but were captured by security forces shortly after.
Major General Aharon Haliva has officially requested to resign from his role as Head of the Intelligence Directorate, in the wake of the massive intelligence failure leading up to Oct. 7.
Passover begins tonight and lasts until next Tuesday. We will be taking a break from publishing IsraelAM, and resuming after the holiday.
This year we will celebrate the festival of our redemption from bondage and the birth of our nation with a bittersweet taste, with over 130 of our brothers and sisters held in captivity by Hamas in Gaza, over 100,000 of our people displaced from their homes in the north and south, thousands of our soldiers battling terrorists in Gaza, the Lebanese border and throughout Judea, Samaria and the rest of the country.
We pray that the Almighty free our captives, vanquish the evil ones who seek to destroy us (wherever they may be), and grant all of our people the peace and safety that we so yearn for. This is a time of miraculous redemption. May we merit to see miracles and redemption this Passover.
Wishing you all a very happy, meaningful and redemptive Passover.
Chag Sameach!!
Israel News for 4-19-2024
/by Arnie SingerNews Update
Israel struck an air base near the Iranian nuclear facility in Isfahan last night. The attack was apparently done with drones, and it’s unclear whether the drones were launched from Israel or from inside Iran and if any damage was caused. Explosions were heard in Isfahan, which Iran claims was the shooting down of suspicious objects. The very limited nature of the attack was meant to serve as a warning that Israel has the capability to breach Iranian air defenses and strike Iran’s nuclear facilities and military bases. The Iranian airbase targeted is similar in nature to the Iral airbase at Netavim that was slightly damaged in the Iranian attack. Syrian state media reported that Israel also attacked air-defense sites in Syria. Israel did not openly claim responsibility for any of the attacks. Iran said that is would not retaliate.
Israel reportedly informed the US right before the strike. In its symbolic response against Iran, Israel has abided by the requests of the US and European allies to not escalate the situation into a regional war while sending a clear message to deter Iranian attacks against it. Israel has hopefully gained some goodwill and given itself some breathing room to deal with Hezbollah and Hamas, possibly including a green light from the US to invade Rafah.
Iran, on the other hand, had the world squarely against Israel and had Israel under pressure from both Hezbollah and Hamas, but lost their upper hand, at least temporarily, by choosing to directly attack Israel and score points with their people and proxies.
The United States vetoed a resolution that would have granted the Palestinians full membership in the United Nations Security Council and essentially recognizing it as a state. The resolution was supported by Russia, China and France. Great Britain abstained.
Israel attacked Hezbollah targets in Lebanon this morning.
International ratings agency S&P has announced that it has cut Israel’s credit rating from AA- to A+ due to the conflict with Iran, the ongoing war in Gaza and the escalation on the northern border. In addition, Israel’s credit outlook has been downgraded from ‘stable’ to ‘negative.’ For more, click here.
For a complete list of the soldiers killed in the Gaza ground offensive, click here.
Israel News for 4-18-2024
/by Arnie SingerNews Update
Israel will likely respond to the Iranian attack after the Passover holiday, according to reports from Israeli and US sources. While the government is unanimous in the need to strike back at Iran, there are differing opinions regarding how to do that. A more drastic response would be to attack Iran directly using fighter jets or ballistic missiles, which Iran would most likely not be as successful as Israel was in stopping. A more limited option would be to attack Iranian proxies in the region. The US and the European allies are pressing Israel to limit its response, or to not respond at all. There are reports that the US could allow Israel to invade Rafah in Gaza, in exchange for limiting its response against Iran to avoid the possibility of igniting a regional war that would most likely bring the US into the fight.
Meanwhile, the US and the European Union are working on new sanctions against Iran.
The IDF continues to strike Hezbollah terror targets in Lebanon. Since Oct. 7, the IDF has eliminated hundreds of Hezbollah terrorists, including many senior commanders.
Security forces carried out a targeted raid to kill or capture Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists hiding in schools in northern Gaza. Several terrorists were eliminated when they fired on troops. Several terrorists were arrested. Civilians were warned beforehand to evacuate. Also this week, an airstrike eliminated a senior Hamas commander in northern Gaza. Airstrikes also hit dozens of targets, including rocket launchers primed for attacks on Israel.
For a complete list of the soldiers killed in the Gaza ground offensive, click here.
Israel News for 4-17-2024
/by Arnie SingerNews Update
The Cabinet reached a unanimous decision that a response to Iran on Iranian soil must occur “in the near future.” The nature and timing of the response is still being debated. Defense Minister Yoav Galant and Minister Benny Gantz want to form a broader regional coalition before acting, while other ministers are advocating for a more immediate response.
Earlier today, Hezbollah launched about 15 rockets at the Meron air control base, located on the top of Mt. Meron, around 5 miles from the Lebanon border. The base contains Iron Dome batteries and is a major defensive control center for the IDF in the Galilee region. A few of the rockets landed in open areas and on the mountainside near the base. Dozens of rockets were fired at the western Galilee. Four missiles and drones fell in the Bedouin village of Arab Al-Aramshe, destroying a community center building and a car and injuring at least 13 people. Hezbollah said that the target of their missile and drone attack was an IDF facility in the village.
The IDF struck multiple Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon. The IDF also eliminated Ismail Yusaf Baz, the commander of Hezbollah’s coastal sector, in an airstrike on his car near the town of Ain Ebel in southern Lebanon. Mohammad Hussein Moustafa Shouri, head of the rocket and missile unit in Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force for the western sector, was also killed in a different strike. [How much longer can this non-war with Hezbollah continue, with over 100,000 Israelis displaced from their homes in the north?]
During the month of Ramadan, security forces arrested 300 suspected terrorists, including 15 who were on their way to commit terror attacks. Security forces eliminated 10 terrorists in airstrikes. For more, click here.
The Israel Air Force attacked a three-story building in Rafah on Tuesday night, killing seven and wounding several others. An IDF soldier from the Shaldag unit was seriously wounded in a battle in the north of the Gaza Strip yesterday.
For a complete list of the soldiers killed in the Gaza ground offensive, click here.
Israel News for 4-16-2024
/by Arnie SingerNews Update
Israel has still not responded to the unprecedented Iranian missile and drone attack on Saturday, although several government sources has said that a response was “imminent” but that it would be coordinated with the U.S. The war cabinet met yesterday to discuss response options. U.S. officials believe that Israel will respond in a limited fashion, by striking Iranian proxies in the region.
According to a Wall Street Journal report, half of the ballistic missiles fired by Iran fell short of Israeli territory. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates shared intelligence with the U.S. that helped facilitate the interception of many missiles and drones and Jordan allowed the U.S. to use its airspace to shoot down incoming threats. Jordan also allowed IDF jets to intercept Iranian missiles and drones over its territory. At least some of the ballistic missiles caused some damage to a C-130 military transport aircraft and some empty storage depots at the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is reportedly preparing new sanctions against Iran.
France, Belgium, Germany and other countries summoned their Iranian ambassadors to condemn the Iranian attack.
The IDF continues to mount precision ground and air raids against Hamas terrorists in Gaza, resulting in the killing of terrorist and destruction of terror infrastructure. Meanwhile, humanitarian aid is flowing into Gaza. Negotiations for the release of the hostages are at a standstill, as Hamas continues to reject Israeli proposals while it waits to see if Israel will get into a war with Iran.
Several rockets and drones were launched at northern Israel by Hezbollah today. Hezbollah said that it attacked an Iron Dome battery in the northern community of Beit Hillel using drones.
For a complete list of the soldiers killed in the Gaza ground offensive, click here.
Israel News for 4-15-2024
/by Arnie SingerNews Update
Israel has not responded to the unprecedented Iranian missile and drone attack on Saturday, but it warned that it would respond to the attack at a future time and place of its choosing. To recap, Iran fired over 100 ballistic missiles, 30 land-attack cruise missiles, 150 UAVs and showed their people and allies that they were not afraid to directly strike Israel. The attack was muted in its scope to avoid provoked a massive Israeli response that would lead to a regional war. Had Iran launched thousands of missiles and drones in coordination with Hezbollah launching thousands of missiles at Israel, than the results would have undoubtedly been different. But they clearly wanted to make their point without triggering a larger response and all out war.
On the other hand, Israel showed its extraordinary defensive capabilities by intercepted 99% of all missiles and drones attacking it, most of them outside of Israeli airspace. The US sent Iran a clear message of support for Israel by shooting down 6 ballistic missiles and over 70 UAVs. British jets also shot down several drones. Other countries, including Jordan Saudi Arabia and the UAE, also participated in the interception of missiles and drones heading towards Israel. The message to Iran is that if there is a regional war, it will be facing not only Israel, but the US and a coalition of countries aligned against it.
By not responding in force, at least not immediately, Israel has scored goodwill points with the Biden administration and the international community, with the Western allies reaffirming their support for Israel and condemning the Iranian attack, while calling on Israel to avoid escalating the conflict by responding.
According to an Israeli TV report last night, Prime Minister Netanyahu has decided to postpone an invasion of Rafah.
Hezbollah claimed responsibility today for an explosive device that injured four IDF soldiers, just inside Lebanese territory. One soldier is in serious condition, two in moderate condition, and one had minor injuries. The incident is under investigation.
For a complete list of the soldiers killed in the Gaza ground offensive, click here.
Israel News for 4-12-2024
/by Arnie SingerNews Update
Iran reportedly communicated to the US via Oman that it will measure its response to the Israeli attack on its embassy in Damascus in order to avoid an escalation that could lead to a full regional war. Iran also indicated that it will use its proxies to respond. I wrote an article in the Times of Israel explaining why Iran doesn’t want a major escalation leading to war now. To read it, click here.
A senior U.S. official informed Saudi Al-Arabiya channel, “The United States will participate in a response if Tehran escalates the situation inappropriately.” Qatar and Kuwait have informed the United States they will not permit the use of bases in their countries for attacks against Iran.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reportedly told Defense Minister Yoav Gallant that Israel should have informed the U.S. of its plans for the strike agains the Iranians in Damascus, to give the US time to protect its troops from retaliatory actions
The IDF and Mossad have reportedly approved operational plans to attack Iran if Israel comes under attack from Iranian soil. The Prime Minister is meeting with security chiefs today. US intelligence reports indicate that Iran could launch its attack against Israel within the next 24 to 48 hours.
The European parliament yesterday voted to condemn UNRWA and the Palestinian Authority for their schoolbooks and learning material, claiming that they led to the October 7 massacre by Hamas and the war in Gaza. The resolution called for the EU to freeze its funding of Palestinian education until the books are “free from antisemitism and incitement to violence,” and added that the funding must be conditioned on full compliance with UNISCO standards of peace and tolerance. This is the fifth year in a row that the EU has voted to specifically condemn the Palestinian education and its misuse of EU funds in order to teach violence and antisemitism, in its review of how tax payer funds are being invested.
For a complete list of the soldiers killed in the Gaza ground offensive, click here.
Israel News for 4-11-2024
/by Arnie SingerNews Update
The IDF announced that the 162nd Division initiated a targeted and intelligence-driven operation in central Gaza, near the Nuseirat refugee camp, overnight, aimed at dismantling terrorist operatives and infrastructure. The operation was supported by air and naval forces. The IDF said that the operation could last several days.
Yesterday, IDF forces killed 3 sons of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, one of whom was involved in holding hostages. They were all Hamas terrorists. Four of Haniyeh’s grandchildren were also killed in the strike. He resides in Qatar.
The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Iraq spoke with Iran’s foreign minister in a bid to de-escalate tensions between Iran and Israel and to avoid a larger war in the region. This came at the urging of Brett McGurk, the White House Middle East czar.
Israel said that it is awaiting an Iranian response to its attack on the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus before preceding with a major offensive in Rafah. Israel is bracing for a large attack against military or government related installations launched either from Iran or an Iranian proxy. President Biden reiterated that the US stands firmly behind Israel.
Indonesia, the worlds most populace Muslim nation, reportedly could normalize relations with Israel in order to smooth its entry into the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. For more, click here.
For a complete list of the soldiers killed in the Gaza ground offensive, click here.
Israel News for 4-9-2024
/by Arnie SingerNews Update
Hamas has rejected Israel’s latest proposal in the ongoing negotiations for the release of the hostages. The latest proposal reportedly includes a 6 week ceasefire, the release of 900 Palestinian terrorists from Israeli prison including 100 serving life sentences, and the return of 6 thousand Gazans to the northern part of the strip — in exchange for 40 Israeli hostages, which would not include IDF soldiers. According to a report in Israeli Channel 12 News, Hamas claims that it does not know the locations of 40 hostages that are alive.
Prime Minister Netanyahu announced that there is a date in place for an invasion of Rafah, to eliminate the remaining Hamas battalions there.
Yesterday, the IDF attacked the building of the Hamas Interior Ministry in Al-Ma’azi municipality in the center of Gaza. At least 3 fatalities have been reported, including the mayor of Al-Ma’azi.
Israel’s new C-Dome missile defense system, which is the Navy’s Iron Dome version, performed its first live interception yesterday when it shot down a missile that entered Israeli airspace near Eilat. The C-Dome system is designed to intercept rockets, missiles and drones to protect maritime infrastructure, gas platforms and other naval assets.
Rockets were fired from Lebanon and Syria into northern Israel. The IDF responded.
U.S. intelligence assesses that Iran will respond to last week’s Israeli assassination of high ranking Revolutionary Guard officers in Damascus through its proxies in the Middle East, rather than directly.
The Turkish Trade Ministry announced today that it will restrict exports to Israel in 54 categories in an attempt to pressure Israel to pursue a cease-fire in Gaza. For more, click here.
For a complete list of the soldiers killed in the ground offensive, click here.
Israel News for 4-8-2024
/by Arnie SingerNews Update
A female terrorist tried to stab soldiers at the Tayasir Checkpoint in the Jordan Valley this morning. Soldiers shot and killed the terrorist. No soldiers were injured.
The IDF has withdrawn all ground forces, except for 1 division, from Gaza, on the 6 month anniversary of the start of the war. The army said that the 98th division, which operated in Khan Yuni and conducted the Al-Shifa hospital operation, was being withdrawn to give the soldiers time to refresh and prepare for further operations. The Nahal brigade, comprised of several hundred soldiers, is the only one left in Gaza, guarding the main road intersecting Gaza and mounting targeted operations from there. At the peak of fighting, the IDF had over 20 brigades, comprising 30,000 to 40,000 soldiers, in Gaza.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said, “This is a long war where we cannot maintain the same force configuration at all times. We are changing forces and modes of operation. We will not allow Hamas brigades to remain active in any part of the Strip. We have plans, and we will act when we decide.”
The IDF has made clear that its withdrawal from Khan Younis is not linked to any pressure from the United States. Another factor contributing to the decision to withdraw is to give space for civilians to vacate Rafah in the event of a large-scale raid. It also will enable Khan Younis residents who fled to Rafah to return to their homes. The IDF is still preparing for a major operation in Rafah, where Hamas still has 5 active battalions.
This new phase of the war, which will be focused on targeted raids based on intelligence, could last for 3 to 4 years. Prime Minister Netanyahu opened Sunday’s cabinet meeting saying, “We are determined to achieve total victory in the war, return all our captives, complete the elimination of Hamas throughout the Gaza Strip, including Rafah, and to ensure Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel.”
IDF soldiers killed in Gaza:
Cpt. Ido Baruch, 21, a commander at the Commando Brigade’s training base, from Tel Mond.
Sgt. Amitai Even Shoshan, 20, of the Commando Brigade’s training base, from Azri’el.
Sgt. Ilai Zair, 20, of the Commando Brigade’s training base, from Kedar.
Sgt. Reef Harush, 20, of the Commando Brigade’s training base, from Kibbutz Ramat David.
For a complete list of the soldiers killed in the ground offensive, click here.
Rocket and drone attacks by Hezbollah continue and the IDF is striking Hezbollah bases and launch sites in southern Lebanon. Last night a strike killed a senior Hezbollah commander.
The IDF is still on high alert due to the threat of Iranian retaliation for Israel’s elimination of several Revolutionary Guard generals and senior officers in Damascus last week.
[While Iran will have to make some show of retaliation, I think it has nothing to gain by doing something that escalates the situation into an all out war. Iran already is winning — Hezbollah rockets are keeping 100,000 Israel’s from returning to their homes in northern Israel, Hamas is still active and fighting in Gaza, US pressure is having a significant effect on Israeli actions in Gaza, and Iran continues to export billions of dollars of oil — so why rock the boat now?]