Israel news summary

Israel News for 12-22-2023

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News Update

A large rocket barrage of at least 20 rockets was fired at northern Israel today, damaging a cattle farm. IDF struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanon in response.

The UK based Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper reported that Israel attacked targets 32 kilometers (20 miles) north of the Lebanon-Israel border for the first time since the war began and was firing at any vehicle traveling near the border in an area it seeks to see secure and free of Hezbollah forces.

The IDF has demolished the primary Hamas command tunnel in Gaza City.

IDF soldiers killed in Gaza:

Sergeant First Class (res.) Tal Shua, 31, Combat Engineering Corps’ 7071st Battalion, from Be’er Sheva.

Lieutenant Shai Ayeli, 21, an officer in the Special Tactics Rescue Unit 669, from Ashkelon.

A terrorist attempted to ram security forces at a checkpoint in the West Bank today. A female Border Police officer was lightly wounded. The terrorist was shot and lightly wounded.

The U.S. Pentagon announced today that over 20 countries have joined its multinational naval alliance aimed at deterring terrorist activity in the Red Sea area.

The Israeli shekel continues to gain strength against the US dollar and Euro. The shekel is now 3.6 per dollar.

In the first 11 months of 2023, 44,372 immigrants reached Israel, significantly down from 74,714 in all of 2022, when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine cause a large wave of immigration. Of the immigrants in 2023, 36,000 came from countries of the former Soviet Union, 2,495 immigrants from the US and Canada, 1,780 from Ethiopia, 1,125 immigrants from Latin America and 945 from France.

Today is the fast day of the 10th of Tevet (Asara B’tevet), which commemorates the day that the Babylonians laid siege to Jerusalem and began the attack that would culminate in the destruction of the first Temple 7 months later. To read more about this day in Judaism, click here. 

As we battle our modern day enemies who seek to destroy us once again, let us use this day of fasting and reflection to pray for our total victory and for the safe return of all of our hostages and soldiers to their families. There is no doubt in my mind that, with God’s help, good will triumph over evil.

Israel news summary

Israel News for 12-21-2023

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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.”

Israel news summary

Israel News for 12-20-2023

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News Update

Fighting continues in the north and south of Gaza. IDF troops destroyed a Hamas truck carrying long-range rockets in Jabaliya, and raided the homes of Hamas leaders in Khan Younis.

Captain (res.) Lior Sivan, from Beit Shemesh, and Captain (res.) Uriel Cohen from Tzur Hadassah, were killed fighting in the southern part of Gaza.

Rockets and anti-tank missiles were fired into Israel from Lebanon today, moderately wounding 2 soldiers. The IDF struck the sources of the fire as well as a Hezbollah site where a terror cell was operating. Six rockets were intercepted.

Intensive Qatari and Egyptian mediated talks are underway for a possible second Gaza truce and hostage release. Israel is reportedly insisting that all remaining women and infirm men among hostages be released. Hamas wants terrorists convicted of serious offenses released. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group published a video Tuesday of Israeli hostages Gadi Mozes and Elad Katzir, in which the hostages, under duress, plead for the Israeli government to secure their release. For more, click here.

A terrorist attempted to ram soldiers at the Beit Anon intersection near Kiryat Arba this morning, but was neutralized without causing any injuries.

Cyprus has disrupted an alleged Iranian plot to target Israeli businessmen, with the arrest of two Iranian asylum-seekers who were in contact with another Iranian associated with the Revolutionary Guard. For more, click here.

 

Israel news summary

Israel News for 12-19-2023

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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.

 

Israel news summary

Israel News for 12-18-2023

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News Update

Mossad Chief David Barnea is scheduled to meet with CIA Chief William Burns and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Poland today to discuss a possible deal to release hostages held by terrorists in Gaza. This comes in the wake of the tragic accidental killing of 3 hostages who managed to escape and were trying to reach Israeli troops. The soldiers who shot them acted against IDF rules of engagement. The incident is being investigated.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Genera Charles Brown are in Israel today to discuss the war with defense ministry leaders. Austin will meet with the full cabinet afterwards.

IDF soldiers killed in Gaza:

Master Sgt. (res.) Elisha Loewenstern, 38, 179th Reserve Armored Brigade’s 8104th Battalion, from Harish.

Staff Sergeant Boris Dunavetski, 21, 401st Brigade’s 46th Armored Battalion, .

Sergeant-Major Urija Bayer, 20, Maglan Unit, from Ma’alot Tarshiha.

Staff-Staff-Sergeant-Major Tal Filiba, 23, Yahalom Unit of the Combat Engineering Corps, from Rehovot.

Staff-Sergeant-Major Etan Naeh, 26, Duvdevan Unit, from Sde Eliyahu.

Sergeant-Major Liav Alous, 21, Duvdevan Unit, from Gedera.

Rockets were fired from Lebanon today and throughout the weekend. The IDF is responding with airstrikes and other means.

Syrian media reported Israeli strikes in 2 locations near Damascus, wounding 2 Syrian soldiers and causing material damage.

A terrorist stabbed a 49 year old IDF reservist at a gas station near the Ranthis checkpoint in Samaria yesterday. Troops later captured the terrorist. The soldier was moderately wounded and was evacuated to hospital for treatment. Earlier today, terrorist shot at 2 vehicles at the entrance to the settlement of Ateret near Ramallah. A 27 year old woman was hit in the shoulder. The terrorists fled to Ramallah.

A group of Israeli hackers called Predatory Sparrow claimed responsibility for disabling 70% of Iran’s gas stations today. The leader of the group wrote, “Today we shut down most of the gas stations in Iran in response to Iranian aggression in the region. Khamenei, know that playing with fire has a price. A month ago we warned you that we would make you pay for your provocations. This is just a taste of what’s to come that we are able to do. As in our previous operations, this attack was carried out in a controlled manner that prevented damage to emergency services. Before the attack, we sent a warning to the emergency services in Iran and made sure not to damage some of the gas stations in the country, even though we had the ability to disable them completely.”

Israel news summary

Israel News for 12-15-2023

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News Update

Rocket were fired at Kiryat Shemona and other locations in the north continues. The IDF continues to strike Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon. Since October 7, Hezbollah has fired hundreds of rockets at Israel. At least 20% of them have fallen in Lebanon.

IDF troops secured and destroyed the Hamas Shejaiya Battalion’s command and control center and conducted a targeted raid in Khan Yunis. Dozens of terrorists were killed and tunnel shafts discovered and destroyed. In 1 of the tunnels, troops found motorbikes used by the terrorists on Oct. 7. To view an IDF video of combat in Gaza, click here.

IDF soldiers killed in southern Gaza in the last day:

Sgt. First Class (res.) Shay Uriel Pizem, 23, a tank commander in the 401st Armored Brigade’s 9th Battalion, from Kibbutz Ein HaNatziv.

Sgt. Oz Shmuel Aradi, 19, Combat Engineering Corps’ 603rd Battalion, from Kibbutz Hatzor near Ashdod.

Master Sergeant (res.) Tomer Shlomo Myara, 28, Combat Engineering Corps’ 710th Battalion, from Netanya.

The IDF has recovered the bodies of 3 Israelis abducted by Hamas on Oct.7:

Elia Toledano, 28, a civilian abducted during the Supernova music festival. He was a French citizen.

Corporal Nik Beizer, 19, abducted from his base near the Erez Crossing, where he worked with the IDF’s Gaza District Coordination and Liaison office to improve the life of Palestinians.

Sergeant Ron Sherman, 19, who’s last communication came from his base near the Gaza border.

Sources in the Prime Minister’s Office say that Hamas is shooting at civilians trying to access food from aid trucks sent into Gaza. They are also intercepting the aid.

Earlier today, Houthi rebels launched missile attacks on two cargo ships who they allege were transporting goods to Israel.

Let us not forget the young women and children, the elderly and the wounded still being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. There can be no cease-fire until Hamas releases every one of them. 

 

Israel news summary

Israel News for 12-14-2023

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News Update

Rockets were fired at Kiryat Shemona and other locations in the north. The IDF is responding with drone strikes in southern Lebanon.

Heavy combat continues in Shejaiya and Khan Yunis, with the IDF eliminating dozens of terrorists. Over 70 terrorists surrendered with their weapons when they emerged from a hospital in Gaza.

St.-Sgt.-Maj. (res.) Elisha Loewenstern, 38, from Harish, was killed in Gaza.

The deaths of 2 more hostages were announced:

– Tal Haimi, 41, from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak, husband and father of 3.

– Joshua Mollel, a 21-year-old agricultural intern from Tanzania.

Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh said yesterday that the group was open to negotiations to end the ongoing war with Israel. He said, “Any arrangement in Gaza or in the Palestinian cause without Hamas or the resistance factions is a delusion.” Moussa Abu Marzouk, a prominent member of Hamas’s political bureau, said that Hamas would be open to recognizing Israel. For more, click here. 

According to US an Axios report, the Biden administration is holding up the sale of more than 20,000 US-made M16 rifles to Israel over concerns about attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians in the West Bank.

White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said yesterday that the IDF has taken steps to prevent civilian casualties in Gaza, possibly to a greater extent than even the US would do. He highlighted the map the IDF published earlier this month alerting civilians as to which neighborhoods it is planning to attack so that they can evacuate ahead of time and said, “That’s basically telegraphing your punches. There are very few modern militaries in the world that would do that. I don’t know that we would do that.” He also pointed out that Israel has reduced its airstrikes in the south, relying more on ground forces than it did in northern Gaza. Kirby’s comments are meant to soften the comments made by President Biden, who said that Israel was losing global support in the war against Hamas due to “indiscriminate bombing” in Gaza.

 

Israel news summary

Israel News for 12-13-2023

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News Update

In a fierce combat operation in the Shujaya neighborhood of Gaza City, part of the IDF forces entered a building that was rigged with explosives. Ten soldiers were killed in the fight:

– Lt. Col. Tomer Grinberg, 35, commander of Golani Brigade’s 13th Battalion, from Almog.
– Maj. Roei Meldasi, 23, company commander in Golani Brigade’s 13th Battalion, from Afula.
– Maj. Moshe Avram Bar On, 23, company commander in Golani Brigade’s 51st Battalion, from Ra’anana.
– Sgt. Achia Daskal, 19, soldier in Golani Brigade’s 51st Battalion, from Haifa.
– Cpt. Liel Hayo, 22, platoon commander in Golani Brigade’s 51st Battalion, from Shoham.
– Maj. Ben Shelly, 26, squad commander in the Israeli Air Force’s Unit 669, from Kidron.
– Sgt. First Class Rom Hecht, 20, Israeli Air Force’s Unit 669, from Givatayim.
– Staff Sgt. Oriya Yaakov, 19, Combat Engineering Corps’ 614th Battalion, from Ashkelon.
– Colonel Itzhak Ben Basat, 44, commander of a command room in the Golani Brigade, from Sde Yaakov.
– Sergeant Eran Aloni, 19, Battalion 51 of the Golani Brigade, from Ofakim.

Three other soldiers sustained serious injuries in the operation. [As you can see from the list, officers in the IDF lead their men from the front, and are the first to enter combat situations.]

Shujaya is the last remaining Hamas stronghold in northern Gaza. The neighborhood is so densely populated, that it is extremely difficult to bring in tanks and bulldozers to level buildings, making it necessary for ground troops to directly engage terrorists face to face. Hamas has booby trapped all of the buildings they are firing from, hoping to lure as many soldiers into them as possible.

The IDF recovered the bodies of Eden Zacharia, 28, from Rishon Lezion, who was abducted from the Nova music festival in Re’im, and Sergeant Major Ziv Dado, 36, from Rehovot, who was killed during the Hamas surprise attack on October 7. As part of the operation during which the bodies were located, Master Sgt. (res.) Gal Meir Eisenkot and Master Sgt. (res.) Eyal Meir Berkowitz were killed, and other soldiers were injured.

IDF aircraft and tanks struck Syrian Army military posts and infrastructure in response to rockets launched from Syria. The IDF also struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.

Israel informed US officials that it has begun flooding the Hamas tunnels with seawater on a limited basis to test its effectiveness.

The UN General Assembly passed a non-binding resolution calling for an “immediate humanitarian cease-fire” in the Gaza Strip. The vote was 153 countries in favor, 10 against and 23 abstained or absent. The countries that voted against include the United States, Israel, Czech Republic, Micronesia, Paraguay, Papua New Guinea, Liberia, Nauru, Guatemala and Austria. The countries that abstained include Germany, Great Britain, Ukraine, Georgia, Argentina, Bulgaria, Hungary, the Netherlands, Panama, South Sudan, Togo, Tonga, Slovakia, Uruguay and Lithuania.

Israel news summary

Israel News for 12-12-2023

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News Update

Large numbers of rockets and mortars have been fired at northern Israel throughout the day. Rockets were also fired at Ashkelon. No injuries have been reported. The IDF is striking the sources of the attacks.

Yemen’s Houthi Rebels fired a cruise missile at a Norwegian oil tanker and hit it, causing extensive damage. They claimed that the ship was transporting oil to Israel.

The IDF announced that 105 soldiers have been killed since the start of the ground war in Gaza. Twenty of those were killed by friendly fire or other accidents. 582 soldiers have been wounded, including 133 seriously wounded, 218 moderately and 231 lightly. At least 7,000 terrorists have been killed.

St.-Sgt.-Maj. (res.) Zvika Lavi from Eli died of wounds sustained in combat in Gaza. His wife and three children were able to say their goodbyes in the hospital.

Palestinians throughout the West Bank and east Jerusalem staged a general strike today, protesting the war in Gaza. There was also a general strikes in Lebanon and Jordan.

Israel is reportedly open to negotiating an agreement to release more hostages. There are still 138 Israeli hostages in Gaza including 15 female civilians and two children — Ariel Bibas, 5, and his 11-month-old brother Kfir. For more, click here.

[Looking at the recent events surrounding the testimony by the presidents of some of America’s most prestigious universities and the overwhelming support they are receiving from faculty members, it’s clear that billions of dollars of  funding from Qatar and other pro-Palestinian countries and entities has succeeded in distorting the hearts and minds of the students, faculty and leadership of this country’s  institutions of higher learning.

We haven’t done enough…but we can’t give up. We need to build programs and initiatives to win the hearts of students and teachers in elementary and high schools. We need to figure out a way to win back the hearts and minds of our university communities — at least the new students who will be learning there going forward.

Perhaps these programs and initiatives are already in the works and I’m not aware of them. Please email me and let me know about them. Because we’re already way behind our enemies and if we don’t act now, we could lose an entire generation to their lies and hatred.]

Israel news summary

Israel News for 12-11-2023

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News Update

Rocket barrages were fired at the Central Israel and Tel Aviv area this morning. One rocket hit a building in Holon, injuring one man with shrapnel and causing heavy damage. Rocket were also fired from Lebanon into northern Israel. The IDF is striking the sources of the rocket fire.

Syrian media reported Israeli strikes in the Damascus area last night. Syria claims to have intercepted several missiles. No casualties have been reported.

IDF troops are operating in the Hamas strongholds of Jabalya, Shejaiya, Beit Hanoun, and Khan Yunis, in coordination with the air force and navy.

Israel claims to have eliminated around 7,000 terrorists, wounded over 12,000, arrested hundreds and struck over 22,000 targets since the start of the war. Many of those arrested are Hamas terrorists who surrendered, laying down their weapons. Some are military aged men detained for questioning, who are later released if found to have no connection with Hamas. All prisoners are stripped to their underwear to make sure they are not carrying explosives. The surrender of large numbers of terrorists indicates a significant breakdown in the Hamas command structure and communications.

These are the soldiers who were killed in Gaza since Sunday:

Lieutenant Nethanel Menachem Eitan, 22, from Jerusalem.

Major (res.) Roman Bronshtein, 46, from Bat Yam, 5th Brigade’s 8111th Battalion.

Cpt. (res.) Eliya Yanovsky, 24, from Jerusalem, 5th Brigade’s 8111th Battalion.

Master Sgt. (res.) Ari Yehiel Zenilman, 32, from Jerusalem, 5th Brigade’s 8111th Battalion.

Sgt. Maj. (res.) Gideon Ilani, 35, of Asa’el, 55th Paratroopers Brigade.

Sgt. Maj. (res.) Etay Perry, 36, of Modiin, Kiryati Brigade’s 8111st Battalion.

Maj. (res.) Eviatar Cohen, 42, from Kfar Saba, Kiryati Brigade’s 8111st Battalion.

Maj. Gal Becher, 34, from Oranit, who served in the Northern Command’s 36th Division, was killed in a military traffic collision in southern Israel.

On Friday, the US vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza. The vote was 13-1, with Britain abstaining.

Yesterday, the Security Cabinet discussed allowing Palestinian workers back into Israel, after they were prohibited from entering on Oct. 7. Prime Minister Netanyahu, along with the IDF and Sin Bet, support the proposal. The police and many cabinet ministers oppose it. Prior to the war, 150,000 Palestinians and 17,000 from Gaza had permits to work in Israel. Since the 30,000 workers from Thailand have mostly left the country, there is a severe labor shortage in the agricultural sector.