Israel News for 3-22-2024
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.
