Israel News for 3-21-2024
News 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].
