Israel News for 5-1-2024
News Update
Over the past week, the ‘Yiftah’ and ‘Carmeli’ reservist combat teams, under the 99th Division’s command, have initiated defensive and offensive operations within the Central Gaza Strip Corridor. The operations are essential for maintaining security along the corridor and ensuring the safe delivery of humanitarian aid.
Two IDF reserve soldiers were killed in an friendly fire incident, when a tank shell was fired at the building they were in. They were:
– Master Sgt. (res.) Ido Aviv, 28, of the Yiftah Brigade’s 9232nd Battalion, from Karmiel.
– Master Sgt. (res.) Kalkidan Meharim 37, of the Carmeli Brigade’s 223rd Battalion, from Petah Tikva.
A Border Police officer was stabbed and wounded by a 34 year old Turkish tourist in the Old City of Jerusalem. The terrorist was shot and killed by police.
Hezbollah rockets and drones continue to attack northern Israel.
Israel continues to ready for an invasion of Rafah as negotiations to free hostages continue to be blocked by Hamas rejections of all Israeli offers. With international pressure mounting against Israel and pro-Palestinian college campus demonstrations erupting throughout the U.S., Hamas doesn’t have much incentive to agree to anything. The longer they hold out, the more harm they cause Israel in the international community and the closer they get to Israel finally being forced to concede a ceasefire. The threat of an Israeli invasion of Rafah only adds to their determination to fight on, because they know that the inevitable civilian casualty toll will only increase the international outrage against Israel. Given that Hamas has zero concern for the fate of their civilians, another few thousand civilian deaths would be a a celebration for them.
Meanwhile, Hamas is observing the demonstrations in Israel demanding that the government bring the hostages home and adding fuel to the fire by releasing videos of several male hostages, including Americans, who are shown pleading for the government to secure their release. Of course, there isn’t a single person with a shred of humanity in them that doesn’t want the hostages released. But the question becomes, at what cost?
The chant, “Bring Them Home Now” has become a protest against the Israeli government to do the impossible — to surrender to Hamas, allowing them to resume governing Gaza and preparing for their next invasion of Israel with their thousands of armed terrorists. Hamas knows this, which is why they refuse to release the hostages and continue to hold out for the ultimate prize — victory over Israel. We should be chanting “Set them Free, Unconditionally.” “Bring them home” places the onus on the Israeli government to surrender to terror.
