Archive for category: news

News Update

13 Israeli hostages have been released as part of the agreement to release 50 in exchange for a 4 day truce and the release of 150 Palestinian prisoners. In addition, 12 Thai workers held hostage have been released, in a separate deal between Thailand and Iran. All of the hostages released were being held in southern Gaza.

The IDF has named the operation to ensure the safe return of the hostages, “Heaven’s Door”. The operation includes transporting the released hostages from the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing to the Hatzerim base in southern Israel. There will be psychologists on hand to assist the hostages. They will then be transferred to hospitals for medical evaluation, where their families will be waiting.

The truce in Gaza went into effect at 7am. IDF forces prevented civilians from returning to northern Gaza from the south. Palestinian sources claim that 2 Palestinians were killed and 11 injured from IDF fire.

Eight tankers with fuel and cooking gas have entered southern Gaza from Egypt.

 

News Update

Regarding the hostage negotiations, the Qatari Foreign Ministry said today, “The Qatari mediation is in its final stage and at the closest point to reaching a cease-fire. We do not have a final agreement yet, but will announce the details as soon as we do.” Hamas released details of what they say that they have agreed to, which include a five day truce and the release of 50 woman and children hostages, 10 per day. Israel would release 300 Palestinian woman and children security prisoners. The deal would also include the delivery of 300 trucks of humanitarian aid. Israel has not confirmed or denied any details. The government will meet later today to discuss the potential deal.

The deputy commander of the military wing of Hamas in Lebanon, Khalil Kharaz, and 3 other Hamas terrorists were reportedly killed in an air strike in southern Lebanon today.

IDF forces have completed the encirclement of the city of Jabaliya, one of the last major Hamas strongholds in the northern Gaza Strip. The Indonesian Hospital is located in the city and has a tunnel network beneath it.

IDF soldiers killed in combat:

Cpt. (res.) Arnon Moshe Avraham Benvenisti Vaspi, 26, from Yesud HaMa’ala, an officer in the Givati Brigade’s Reconnaissance Battalion;

Staff Sgt. Ilya Senkin, 20, from Nof Hagalil, a soldier in the Givati Brigade’s Rotem Battalion.

The total number of soldiers killed in the ground war is now 68.

Sources say that in the months and weeks prior to the Oct. 7 attack, IDF units trained for a potential attack from Hezbollah in the north. Hamas was assumed to be under control. For more, click here.

Israel is also fighting Hamas on the financial front, shutting down its fundraising activities. For more, click here.

If you’re looking for a way to help the tens of thousands of IDF soldiers fighting the war against terror, a great way to do it is to support Grilling for Israel, a volunteer organization that brings barbecues to IDF units and bases throughout the country and has served tens of thousands of soldiers. Even more than the great food, they bring a much needed morale boost to the troops, reminding them that they are cared for by the people they are defending. To support Grilling for Israel click here. 

News Update

IDF forces located a stockpile of heavy missiles and drones in a military post belonging to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in northern Gaza overnight. Troops also killed terrorists hiding in a school. IDF operations continue in and around (and beneath) Al Shifa hospital.

Palestinian sources have reported the death of senior Hamas official Ahmed Behar, who served as the chairman of the Legislative Council in Gaza. He was killed in northern Gaza.

Israeli planes dropped leaflets urging residents of Khan Yunis, in southern Gaza, to evacuate to safe areas. Hamas leaders are thought to be hiding in southern Gaza.

The government agreed to allow two diesel tankers to enter Gaza daily, in response to requests by the US and UN, to maintain basic water, sewage, and sanitation systems.

Cpl. Noa Marciano, 19, who was taken hostage on Oct. 7, was laid to rest in Modiin today. Her body was retrieved by  IDF troops in Gaza, based on intelligence. Thousands attended her funeral. Troops also located the body of hostage Yehudit Weiss, 65, in a building adjacent to Al Shifa hospital. Her husband was killed on Oct. 7.

Capt. Shlomo Ben Nun, 22, from Modiin, was killed in fighting overnight in northern Gaza. Ben Nun was a company deputy commander in the 202nd Battalion of the Paratroop Brigade.

Two terrorists fired on troops at a checkpoint in Judea today. The terrorists were killed by troops.

IDF troops operating in Jenin today killed 4 terrorists and arrested 7 others. Troops also killed 5 terrorists who shot at them, in northern Samaria.

Syrian sources report that Israel carried out strikes against Hezbollah targets near Damascus today. The Syrian Defense Ministry said its air defenses intercepted missiles launched by Israel, but some caused damage to property.

The IDF continues to strike Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, in response to shooting and rocket attacks.

News Update

IDF troops are conducting a methodical, room to room, operation in Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. The White House confirmed that Hamas established a command center beneath the hospital. International law permits military forces to act against a hospital if it is being used for military purposes, as is the case in all hospitals in Gaza. The IDF has facilitated the evacuation of civilians from the the hospital and has provided medical care and equipment, in coordination with hospital authorities. Included in the IDF force in the hospital are doctors and Arabic speaking soldiers. There is currently no shooting reported at the hospital.

The IDF has achieved full control over northern Gaza.

Captain (res.) Omri Yosef David, aged 27 from Karmiel, served as the deputy commander of a company in the 9217 Battalion of the 12th Brigade (the Negev Brigade), was killed in combat.

Captain Yedidya Asher Lev, aged 26 from Matei Menashe, was the deputy company commander in the Shaked Battalion of the Givati Brigade, was killed in combat.

Hamas fired a rocket barrage at Ashkelon today. A rocket fell in the city causing some damage but no reported casualties.

According to a Bloomberg report, the pentagon is transferring military aid to Israel including 2,000 laser guided missiles to arm Apache attack choppers and 57,000 155mm artillery shells. The U.S. is also delivering 36,000 30mm shells, 1,800 M-141 bunker busting bombs and at least 3,500, night vision goggles out of the 5,000 requested by the Israeli government. The list also includes M4A1 assault rifles, 120 mm mortars and dozens of military vehicles. The U.S. also transferred two Iron Dome batteries and 312 munitions for them.

The IDF’s Arrow missile defense system intercepted a ballistic missile on its way to Eilat, over the Red Sea yesterday. The Houthis in Yemen claimed responsibility for the attack.

Nearly 300,000 people participated in a March for Israel in front of the US Capitol in Washington, DC yesterday. It was the largest pro-Israel gathering ever in the US. Leaders of Congress from both parties addressed the crowd and pledged their full support to Israel the destruction of Hamas and the release of the hostages. Israel’s President Herzog addressed the crowd, as did Natan Sharansky and the US ambassador against Anti-Semitism Deborah Lipstadt. The event was a powerful and beautiful show of unity in support of Israel and against anti-semitism.

 

News Update

Rockets were fired at central Israel and Ashdod this morning. There were reports of a direct hit in Gavatayim, near Tel Aviv. Two people were injured by shrapnel in Tel Aviv.

Israel forces are engaged in combat near and around Shifa hospital in Gaza City, believed to be the Hamas command center for northern Gaza. Tanks and infantry are also advancing towards other hospital in the area. The IDF said that it killed many members of the Hamas Nukhba force who participated in the Oct. 7 massacre, including 2 commanders. Forces also destroyed rockets and launchers located near apartment buildings.

Troops are discovering tunnel openings in residential homes, playgrounds, schools an other civilian environments. To read more about this, click here.

Staff Sergeant Gilad Rozenblit, 21, from Kibbutz Ginergar, a 401st Brigade combat medic, was killed in action.

Staff sergeant Yehonatan Yitzchak Samo, 21, a fighter in the paratroopers 202nd battalion, from Karmei Zur, was killed in action.

Terrorists fired anti-tank missiles at Israel from Lebanon. The IDF struck Hezbollah targets.

A drone launched from Syria hit a school in Eilat yesterday, causing material damage but no injuries. The IDF struck the group in Syria responsible. The Houthis in Yemen continue to launch ballistic rockets at southern Israel, but they have all been intercepted thus far.

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas said today that the PA is ready to assume responsibilities in Gaza as part of a comprehensive political solution.

Prime Minister Netanyahu said that, after the war, Israel will maintain full security control over Gaza and make sure it remains demilitarized.

Mossad Chief David Barnea and CIA Chief William Burns met Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Jassim Al Thani on Thursday to discuss terms for a release of hostages abducted by Hamas, in return for a pause in the war in Gaza. Israel has agreed to daily 4 hour pauses for humanitarian purposes, but not to a cease fire.