Archive for category: news

News Update

Three IDF soldiers, from the 46th Battalion of the IDF’s 401st Brigade, hit a booby-trapped pit in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza: Staff Sgt. Matityahu Ya’akov Perel, 22, from Beit El, Staff Sgt. Kenew Kasa, 22, from Beit Shemesh, and tank commander Staff Sgt. Nevo Fisher, 20, from Bruchin. Beit Hanoun is just across the border fence from Sderot.

Israeli police and the Shin Bet announced the indictment of Mahmoud Hussein Mohammed Bushkar, a 37-year-old resident of Kabul, an Arab town in northern Israel, for allegedly planning a bombing attack in Israel. During interrogation, Bushkar admitted to reading materials on explosive manufacturing, purchasing equipment and conducting experiments, including producing TATP explosives and constructing a pipe bomb.

The IDF and Shin Bet announced Wednesday they had recovered the body of Youssef Ziyadne, a hostage abducted on October 7 and killed in captivity, from an underground tunnel in Rafah. During the operation, evidence related to Youssef’s son, Hamza Ziyadne, who was abducted with him, raised “serious concerns” about Hamza’s fate. The two men, from the Bedouin city of Rahat, were working at Kibbutz Holit when they were abducted with Youssef’s younger children, Aisha and Bilal. The 2 children were released after 55 days as part of a hostage exchange. Youssef was the father of 18. His body was returned to Israel for burial.

Polish President Andrzej Duda urged his government to guarantee Prime Minister Netanyahu’s safety from arrest should he attend a commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Netanyahu and President Herzog have decided not to attend.

News Update

Three terrorists waiting on the side of a road near the settlement of Kedumim in Samaria opened fire on a bus and car, killing police officer Elad Winkelstein and 2 women in their 60’s.  Winkelstein fired at the terrorists before being killed. At least eight other people were injured including the bus driver, who suffered serious wounds. A civilian passing by in his car opened fire at the terrorists with his pistol, causing the terrorists to get back in their car and flee the scene. Security forces launched a manhunt for the terrorists.

Hamas fired 3 rockets at Sderot from northern Gaza today. One home in Sderot was hit. No injuries were reported, but damage was caused. Hamas has fired at Israel for 9 consecutive days.

International media outlets published a list of 34 hostages today that they said was given to them by Hamas, which includes 22 elderly men, 10 women, and two young children, Ariel and Kfir Bibas. According to Israeli officials, it is the list that Israel presented to mediators last July with the demand that they be among the first freed. Hamas now claims it is willing to release all 34 hostages, but has not said who among them was alive and what their condition was. Hamas claims that it requires a ceasefire of at least a week to determine the condition and status of the hostages. Israel insists that Hamas must release some hostages as a “good faith” gesture before the ceasefire begins. To see the full list, click here.

Sixty of the Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorists arrested during the IDF raids on Kamal Adwan Hospital were reportedly brought to Israeli hospitals for treatment last week, including to Ichilov Hospital, Barzilai Medical Center, Assuta Medical Center, Wolfson Medical Center, and Shaare Zedek Medical Center, due to the lack of a field hospital.

News Update

The IDF announced that 891 soldiers have been killed since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, including that day. The number includes 65 soldiers killed in operational accidents and several dozen in traffic accidents and by suicide.

The US has provided Israel with military aid totaling approximately $22 billion since October 7 2023, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

The High Court of Justice unanimously upheld a law that expands National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s authority over police operations but struck down, in a narrow 5-4 decision, a key provision allowing him to delineate general policy on police investigations, ruling it unconstitutional. Ben-Gvir sharply criticized the ruling, accusing the court of overstepping its authority. Justice Minister Yariv Levin also condemned the ruling, describing it as undemocratic, and called for judicial reform: “In what other country can judges, who appoint themselves, strike down a law passed by parliament in three readings by a single-vote margin? Only in Israel is democracy being replaced by the rule of a handful of judges.”

The Palestinian Authority officially announced its decision to suspend Al Jazeera’s broadcasts and freeze the network’s operations in PA-controlled territories. The PA accused the channel of violating Palestinian laws by broadcasting “provocative content” characterized by “deception, incitement to rebellion, sabotage and interference in internal Palestinian affairs.” Hamas condemned the PA’s decision, calling it “a blatant violation of press freedom” and accusing the PA of silencing dissent. [Can’t make this stuff up!]

News Update

IDF forces completed a week long operation targeting the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Jabaliya, killing 20 terrorists and arresting over 240. Hamas operated a command center inside the hospital, and the surrounding buildings were all rigged with explosives and booby traps. Some terrorists attempted to disguise themselves as patients or hide in ambulances. The IDF evacuated the patients and staff from the hospital prior to the raid. The hospital was the last Hamas stronghold in Jabaliya, where the IDF has been fighting for the past 3 months. Fighting continues in Beit Hanoun, the army’s primary target in northern Gaza. Five rockets were fired from the town yesterday.

Staff Sergeant Yuval Shoham, 22, from Jerusalem, a soldier in the 9th Armored Battalion, 401st Iron Tracks Brigade, was killed fighting in Jabaliya yesterday. He is the 9th graduate of the Himmelfarb High School in Jerusalem to fall in the war. Rabbi Avi Goldberg, a teacher in the school, also fell in the war.

Senior IDF officials are warning Prime Minister Netanyahu that unless an alternative governing body is found for Gaza, Hamas will likely rebuild its power and take control of the strip again after the war.

Israel’s Health Ministry has published a report on the treatment of the hostages in captivity. It includes testimony from released hostages. The report was submitted to the UN last week. To read the complete text of the report, click here.

Prime Minister Netanyahu underwent successful surgery last night at Hadassah Medical Center, to remove his prostate. He is expected to remain hospitalized for several days. Netanyahu received antibiotic treatment over several days after being diagnosed with a urinary tract infection caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia. Justice Minister Yariv Levin is serving as acting prime minister during the surgery while Defense Minister Israel Katz is responsible for convening the Security Cabinet.

News Update

Israel is considering a significant attack deep inside Yemen against the Houthis and their leaders after they launched their 4th missile against Israel this week, yesterday. The possibility of an attack is being discussed with the Americans.

Captain (res.) Amit Levi, 35, from Kibbutz Shomria, a squad commander in the 6551st Patrol Battalion, 551st Brigade, fell in battle in the Netzarim Corridor in central Gaza yesterday. He leaves behind a wife and 4 children.

Security forces completed a two-day joint counter-terrorism operation in the West Bank, during which several senior terrorists were eliminated. Forces also “dismantled dozens of improvised explosive devices hidden beneath roads, apprehended a number of suspects, and confiscated weapons.”

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Temple Mount today in honor of the first day of Hanukkah. His office released a statement saying that he prayed there for the peace of IDF soldiers, the return of the kidnapped alive and the fallen, and “complete victory” in the war. The Prime Minister’s office released a statement saying that “the status quo on the Temple Mount has not changed.” According to the status quo, Jews are not permitted to pray on the Temple Mount.

Foreign Ministry Director General Eyal Bar-Tal summoned the Vatican’s ambassador to Israel, Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana, for a meeting to convey Israel’s displeasure at the Pope’s blatantly anti-Israel public comments.