News Update
The IDF announced the capture of several senior Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders in Al-Shifa hospital. Terrorists remain barricaded in the emergency room.
Israel is determined to invade Rafah despite US opposition. Israel is confident that it can safeguard the civilians there and provide sufficient humanitarian aid. The US is not as optimistic.
For a complete list of the soldiers killed in the ground offensive, click here.
Earlier today, a terrorist opened fire on a minibus near the towns of Dolev and Talmon in the Benjamin region of Samaria. Six people were injured, 3 seriously. IDF forces pursued the terrorist and engaged in gunfights with him for 5 hours until a helicopter fired at the terrorist and eliminated him. The terrorist, Mujahad Barkaat Mansour, 32, had served a prison sentence in Israel and also served in the Palestinian Authority (PA) chief’s guard.
Yesterday, an explosive device that was thrown at a bus with passengers on Route 3157 near the T-junction in the Gush Etzion. There were no injuries.
The Shin Bet and police arrested a terrorist who intended to carry out a suicide attack and eliminated three more terrorists in Aqabat Jabr in the Jordan Valley last night.
PM Netanyahu is meeting with US Secretary of State Blinken in Tel Aviv. Blinken will also meet with the entire war cabinet.
The U.S. has submitted a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council calling for an “immediate and sustained ceasefire” in Gaza that is tied to the release of Israeli hostages. Russia is reportedly going to veto the US resolution.
The UK has demanded that Israel allow Red Cross or diplomatic visits to captured Hamas terrorists of the Nukhba force, as part of the conditions for continuing UK arms supplies to Israel. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir rejected the demand as well as any concession to release information about the prisoners, unless Hamas also releases information regarding the hostages.
After heavy rains earlier this week, the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) rose by 4.5 centimeters over the past two days and is nearly full. As spring begins, the lake is currently just 73 centimeters from its maximum level of 208.80 meters below sea level. For more, click here.
The Shekel is back up to 3.62 to 1 US dollar.
Purim is on Saturday night and Sunday. The holiday celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish People in the Persian kingdom from the annihilation planned by Haman, the prime minister of the kingdom. The salvation is spearheaded by Queen Esther and her cousin Mordecai, the leader of the Jews. We aren’t facing annihilation today, but we certainly are in great need for some Divine deliverance. So let us all pray for the release of all of the hostages and a swift and decisive victory over Hamas, so that both Israelis and Palestinians can live their lives in peace and security.
Israel News for 3-27-2024
/by Arnie SingerNews Update
A large barrage of dozens of missiles was fired at Kiryat Shemona and the surrounding area today. One building sustained a direct hit. One person inside the building was killed. He was Zahar Bashara, a resident of the Druze village of Kfar Ein Quiniyye. Other hits were also recorded in Kiryat Shemona. Hezbollah claimed that it launched the attack in response to an earlier drone strike by the IDF against a building in Lebanon in which at least one senior terrorist was killed.
Security forces mounted an anti-terror operation in Jenin yesterday. Several terrorists were killed and at least 10 arrested.
Combat operations against terrorists at Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City continue, with the IDF eliminating dozens of terrorists in the last 24 hours. Combat also continues in Khan Yunis and central Gaza. For more, click here.
For a complete list of the soldiers killed in the ground offensive, click here.
Hamas rejected Israel’s latest proposal for a hostage release agreement. The U.S. State Department on Tuesday rejected claims by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the vote on a resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza has hurt efforts to free Israeli hostages held by Hamas. [It definitely didn’t pressure or incentivize Hamas to accept a deal.]
Former hostage Amit Soussana, recounted publicly, for the first time, in an interview with the NYTimes, how she was sexually assaulted and tortured during her captivity. She described the details of her ordeal in detail, in order to raise awareness of what Hamas was really doing to the hostages. To read the full interview in the NYTimes, click here.
[The world has the ability to force Hamas into releasing the hostages. The US needs to pressure those countries with the influence to make that happen to act now. Unfortunately, the Biden administration has chosen to surrender to pro-Hamas demonstrators and pressure Israel into stopping its war against Hamas instead of doing everything it can to get the hostages, including American citizens, released. Shame on the Biden administration, and shame on the world.]
Israel News for 3-26-2024
/by Arnie SingerNews Update
Rockets and drones were fired at northern Israel throughout the day, including at the IDF air control center on Mt. Meron. Several buildings were hit including a winery and an industrial complex. There were no casualties. The IDF continues to strike Hezbollah launch sites and targets in Lebanon. [Feels like the situation is getting out of hand and that Israel will need to take comprehensive military action to stop hit and degrade Hezbollah’s capabilities.]
At least 14 rockets were fired from Gaza at Ashkelon and other communities in southern Israel.
For a complete list of the soldiers killed in the ground offensive, click here.
The UN Security Council yesterday passed a resolution, 14-0, demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza without making it conditional on releasing the hostages. The resolution was supported by Russia and China. The US abstained, allowing it to pass. Although the resolution is non binding, it puts significant pressure on Israel while doing absolutely nothing to Hamas. It also harms the hostage negotiations, because it gives Hamas the hope of getting a ceasefire without the need to release any hostages. Prime Minister Netanyahu cancelled the special Israeli delegation’s visit to Washington, in response to the vote. To read my article on this (with video) in the Times of Israel, click here. [please remember to leave a comment there!]
The Prime Minister’s Office released a statement saying that Hamas rejected every American compromise proposal and reiterated its extreme demands including an immediate end to the war, a total withdrawal of IDF forces from the Gaza Strip, and maintaining control over Gaza. The UN Security Council resolution has undoubtedly encouraged Hamas to maintain their unrealistic demands.
Israel News for 3-25-2024
/by Arnie SingerNews Update
Over the weekend, dozens of rockets were fired at northern Israel by Hezbollah. The IDF struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanon and Syria, including in Baalbek, deep in Lebanon.
Staff Sgt. Lior Raviv, 21, of the Nahal Brigade’s 932nd Battalion, from Rishon Lezion, was killed in fighting around Shifa hospital in Gaza City.
Sergeant Major Ilay David Garfinkel, 21, a soldier in the Duvdevan Commando Unit, from Sitria, succumbed to his injuries after he was critically wounded in a gunfight with a terrorist on Friday.
For a complete list of the soldiers killed in the ground offensive, click here.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant traveled to Washington yesterday to meet with US Secretary of Defense Austin, Secretary of State Blinken, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, CIA Director William Burns and Special Presidential Envoy Amos Hochstein. Gallant will also meet with members of Congress and members of AIPAC. For more on what he will discuss, click here.
Israel reportedly has agreed to American demands to release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including murderers, in exchange for the release of 40 hostages. But Israel still demands to have veto power offer the exact prisoners to be released. Hamas now needs to respond to the latest proposal. Israeli officials are pessimistic. For more, click here.
The U.N. Security Council is set to vote today on a resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Russia and China vetoed a U.S.-sponsored resolution Friday that would have supported “an immediate and sustained cease-fire” in the Israeli-Hamas conflict. The US warned that the new resolution would harm negotiations between Israel and Hamas and, therefore, is likely to veto it.
Vice President Kamala Harris warned that Israel would face consequences if it invaded Rafah. The Biden administration has warned Israel not to invade because it would endanger the 1.3 million civilians in the city.
Israel News for 3-22-2024
/by Arnie SingerNews Update
The IDF announced the capture of several senior Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders in Al-Shifa hospital. Terrorists remain barricaded in the emergency room.
Israel is determined to invade Rafah despite US opposition. Israel is confident that it can safeguard the civilians there and provide sufficient humanitarian aid. The US is not as optimistic.
For a complete list of the soldiers killed in the ground offensive, click here.
Earlier today, a terrorist opened fire on a minibus near the towns of Dolev and Talmon in the Benjamin region of Samaria. Six people were injured, 3 seriously. IDF forces pursued the terrorist and engaged in gunfights with him for 5 hours until a helicopter fired at the terrorist and eliminated him. The terrorist, Mujahad Barkaat Mansour, 32, had served a prison sentence in Israel and also served in the Palestinian Authority (PA) chief’s guard.
Yesterday, an explosive device that was thrown at a bus with passengers on Route 3157 near the T-junction in the Gush Etzion. There were no injuries.
The Shin Bet and police arrested a terrorist who intended to carry out a suicide attack and eliminated three more terrorists in Aqabat Jabr in the Jordan Valley last night.
PM Netanyahu is meeting with US Secretary of State Blinken in Tel Aviv. Blinken will also meet with the entire war cabinet.
The U.S. has submitted a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council calling for an “immediate and sustained ceasefire” in Gaza that is tied to the release of Israeli hostages. Russia is reportedly going to veto the US resolution.
The UK has demanded that Israel allow Red Cross or diplomatic visits to captured Hamas terrorists of the Nukhba force, as part of the conditions for continuing UK arms supplies to Israel. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir rejected the demand as well as any concession to release information about the prisoners, unless Hamas also releases information regarding the hostages.
After heavy rains earlier this week, the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) rose by 4.5 centimeters over the past two days and is nearly full. As spring begins, the lake is currently just 73 centimeters from its maximum level of 208.80 meters below sea level. For more, click here.
The Shekel is back up to 3.62 to 1 US dollar.
Purim is on Saturday night and Sunday. The holiday celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish People in the Persian kingdom from the annihilation planned by Haman, the prime minister of the kingdom. The salvation is spearheaded by Queen Esther and her cousin Mordecai, the leader of the Jews. We aren’t facing annihilation today, but we certainly are in great need for some Divine deliverance. So let us all pray for the release of all of the hostages and a swift and decisive victory over Hamas, so that both Israelis and Palestinians can live their lives in peace and security.
Israel News for 3-21-2024
/by Arnie SingerNews Update
Combat operations continue in Gaza and airstrikes continue against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. Over 140 terrorists have been eliminated in the Al-Shifa hospital operation. Over 350 terrorists and suspects have been arrested.
Meanwhile, the IDF is working on creating a secure buffer zone along the Gaza border. For more on this, click here.
For a complete list of the soldiers killed in the ground offensive, click here.
A reserve soldier mistakenly shot and killed a Palestinian man who was a convert to Judaism, at a bus stop near Elazar. The 63 year old convert was found to have a knife in his bag, which he carried for self defense. The IDF is investigating the killing. For more, click here.
US Secretary of State Blinken is visiting Egypt today, where he met with Egyptian President al-Sisi and discussed the negotiations to secure the release of Israeli hostages held captive by Hamas and efforts to establish a Palestinian state. Blinked was in Saudi Arabia yesterday and will visit Israel on Friday. Blinken said that he was optimistic that a deal to release hostages was getting closer to fruition.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Israel is speaking with prominent Palestinian business leaders, with no ties to Hamas, to play a major role in the distribution of humanitarian aid and post-war governing of Gaza. Hamas has warned Palestinians not to negotiate with Israel, on pain of death. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have repeatedly made it clear that they will not play any role in the rehabilitation of Gaza unless it is part of a framework aimed at an eventual two-state solution.
A new poll published by the director of Ramallah’s Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PCPSR) found that 90% of Palestinians believe that Hamas did not commit any atrocities against Israel civilians on October 7 and 71% believe that Hamas was justified in its Oct. 7 invasion. Almost 60% of Gazans believe that Hamas will retain control of the area after the war’s end and over 50% support Hamas’ continued rule. Among Arabs in Judea and Samaria, 34% said they supported a two-state solution [as opposed to almost 100% of world leaders who do support it — something doesn’t add up here].
Israel News for 3-20-2024
/by Arnie SingerNews Update
The IDF operation in Al-Shifa hospital has thus far resulted in the elimination of 70 to 90 terrorists and the arrest of 300 terror suspects, of which 130 are known terrorists. The operation is expected to continue for a few more days.
For a complete list of the soldiers killed in the ground offensive, click here.
The Hezbollah rockets and Israeli airstrikes continue in the north. New video has been released showing that Hezbollah is storing weapons and manufacturing weapons in civilian neighborhoods in Lebanon.
A Cruise missile fired from Yemen by the Houthis entered Israeli airspace and fell in an open area just north of Eilat.
Israel’s High Court of Justice ruled today to demolish the house of the terrorist who carried out the attack outside the Shalem police station in Jerusalem, in which policeman Ofir Hajbi was seriously wounded. It is the first house demolition of a terrorist who did not commit murder.
The Canadian Foreign Minister said that Canada will stop sending weapons to Israel, after Canada’s parliament voted 204 to 117 on Monday to end arms exports to Israel. The parliament also demanded an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and movement towards the establishment of the State of Palestine as part of a negotiated two-state solution. Portions of the F-35 fighter jet are produced in Canada.
I wrote about the contradictory aspect of calling for both a ceasefire and a Palestinian state, in the Times of Israel. To read the article, click here. [Please take a moment to comment on the article there — it helps it get featured on the front page.]
Israel News for 3-19-2024
/by Arnie SingerNews Update
The IDF operation in Al-Shifa hospital continues. Around 50 terrorists have been killed and 180 detained.
Warrant Officer Sebastian Haion, 51, a commander in the 401st Armored Brigade chief’s forward command team, from Rosh Haayin, was killed in the operation in Al-Shifa hospital.
For a complete list of the soldiers killed in the ground offensive, click here.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan confirmed that Marwan Issa, third in command in Hamas, was killed in an Israeli attack in Gaza last week. Sullivan said, “Israel has made significant progress against Hamas. They have broken a significant number of the Hamas battalions, killed thousands of Hamas fighters, including senior commanders, Hamas’s number three Marwan Issa was killed in an Israeli operation last week, the rest of the top leaders are in hiding, likely deep in the Hamas tunnel network and justice will come for them too and we are helping to ensure that.” He also said that PM Netanyahu requested that a team from Israel travel to D.C. to lay out plans for an assault on Rafah and discuss the humanitarian aid situation. This comes after Netanyahu spoke with Biden in a 45 minute phone conversation on Monday.
According to a Syrian report, Israel struck ammunition depots in the area of al-Katifa and Kafr Yabrod, north of Damascus, today. The weapons were transferred by the Syrian army to Hezbollah.
The IDF’s central command has established a special team to locate tunnels in the West Bank.
According to a German source, the 27 heads of state of the European Union are expected to call for an immediate humanitarian pause in the fighting in Gaza, leading to a permanent ceasefire. In my latest article in Times of Israel, I explain how calling for a ceasefire destroys the prospect for arriving at a two-state solution, which is what all of these countries, along with the Biden administration, are advocating for. To read the article, click here. [Please take a moment to comment on the article there — it helps it get featured on the front page.]
How Ceasefire Advocates are Destroying the Two-State Solution
/by Arnie SingerThe same governments, organizations and individuals calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza are also advocating for a two-state solution in which the Palestinians would get an independent state alongside Israel. Of course, most of the masses demonstrating in support of Hamas are demanding a single state solution that would create a Palestinian state “from the river to the sea” — but I’ll focus here on the governments, including the Biden administration, that are advocating for a Palestinian state in what it considers to be occupied territory — namely Judea, Samaria, east Jerusalem and Gaza — and are simultaneously calling for a cease-fire.
If Israel ceases its war against Hamas and does not advance against Rafah, Hamas will emerge from its tunnels with thousands of armed terrorist fighters, around half of its pre Oct. 7 fighting force, including 4 to 5 fully functional battalions and its senior leadership.
If Israel then withdraws from Gaza, which is what the international community will demand it do, Hamas will continue to rule the enclave and rebuild its terror infrastructure.
Hamas will declare victory, despite the death and destruction it inflicted upon its civilian population, and gain tremendous support in the West Bank. With Palestinian Authority President Abbas getting close to making his final exit, Hamas will undoubtedly leverage their new support into political power — most likely resulting in taking control over the Palestinian Authority.
The independent Palestinian state that the world is yearning for will then turn into a Hamas ruled terror state similar to Gaza. It doesn’t take much imagination to envision how this scenario would look. We’ve already scene it play out after Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza in 2005.
As long as Hamas continues to exist as a viable fighting force and is viewed as winning the battle against Israel, no Israeli government can ever accept the reality of an independent Palestinian state that will most likely fall under the rule of Hamas. To do so would be suicidal for the people of Israel.
The only way there can be any hope for the Palestinians is if Hamas is taken out of the picture. Only then can negotiations begin to come up with a scenario that includes a demilitarized Palestinian state that recognizes Israel’s right to live in peace in all parts of its ancestral homeland and fully commits to peaceful cooperation and coexistence with Israel.
Demanding an end to the Israeli offensive in Gaza before Israel achieves its military objectives is an obstacle to peace and a nail in the coffin of any chance of a two-state solution.
Israel News for 3-18-2024
/by Arnie SingerNews Update
Overnight, the IDF launched a highly targeted operation against senior Hamas commanders and Hamas forces in the Al-Shifa Hospital complex in Gaza City. Over 80 terrorists have been arrested thus far and several eliminated, including Hamas Interior Ministry Operations Chief Faack Mabhough. Before and during the operation, the IDF called on civilians to evacuate the complex and also assisted in safeguarding civilian lives. The IDF has also offered to supply medical equipment and supplies as other humanitarian aid to the hospital. IDF intelligence confirmed that Hamas was using the hospital to launch terror attacks and that senior commanders were hiding there.
Staff Sgt. Matan Vinogradov, 20, of the Nahal Brigade’s 932nd Battalion, from Jerusalem, was killed in the Al-Shifa operation.
For a complete list of the soldiers killed in the ground offensive, click here.
The Jordanian army said that it intercepted several drones that were launched towards Israel from Iraq today. Hezbollah continues to fire rockets and attack drones into northern Israel. The air force continues to strike Hezbollah sites in Lebanon.
Israel sent a delegation headed by Mossad chief Barnea to negotiations in Qatar today.
Israel News for 3-15-2024
/by Arnie SingerNews Update
Yesterday, a terrorist, 22, from the Bedouin town of Rahat stabbed and killed a soldier in a store at the Beit Kama Junction, not far from Rahat. The soldier, Chief Warrant Officer (Rav Nagad) Uri Moyal, 50, from Dimona, managed to shoot and kill the terrorist before collapsing. The terrorist was raised in Gaza and moved to Israel 4 years ago. His mother is an Israeli citizen from Rahat.
Two terrorists armed with a large knife and a sword were caught on their way to Kfar Eldad, in Gush Etzion.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant signed a letter stating that Israel uses weapons delivered to it from the U.S. in accordance with international law and that it doesn’t interfere with the entry of American humanitarian aid into Gaza. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will examine the letter and is expected to provide Congress with a report on whether Israel’s commitments are credible, by March 25.
Mossad Chief David Barnea received Hamas’ official response on their proposal for a hostage release deal on Thursday. The proposal reportedly includes a first stage of releasing Israeli women, children, elderly, and ill hostages in exchange for the release of 700-1000 Palestinian prisoners, including 100 serving life sentences. Shortly after the response was received, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement: “Hamas continues to insist on unreasonable demands. An update on the matter will be brought before the War Cabinet and Security Cabinet on Friday.” The proposal also includes details regarding a cease-fire, Israeli withdrawal and humanitarian aid. Qatar reportedly threatened to expel senior members of Hamas’ politburo residing in Doha if they failed to persuade the leadership in Gaza to reach an agreement.
The IDF investigation of the incident in which dozens of Palestinians were killed while storming humanitarian aid trucks in northern Gaza has established that Palestinian gunmen open fire on the crowd and that IDF soldiers did NOT fire on the crowd. For more, click here.
For a complete list of the soldiers killed in the ground offensive, click here.
Approximately 250,000 have been displaced since the start of the war.