Tag Archive for: Israel News

News Update

Jordanian newspaper Rai-al-Youm reported today that the deputy of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar delivered a comprehensive cease-fire proposal to the head of Egyptian intelligence. The proposal reportedly includes the release of hostages in exchange for high-profile Palestinian prisoners involved in the murder of Israeli civilians including Marwan Barghouti and Abdullah Barghouti. The proposal also includes a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza before the second group of hostages is released,  and unrestricted movement within Gaza and unhindered access to aid.

A terrorist, 16, stabbed and wounded a soldier at the Yitzhar Junction in Samaria yesterday. Soldiers killed the terrorist. The wounded soldier underwent surgery and is recovering. A 64 year old man waiting at a bus stop in northern Jerusalem was stabbed in his upper body by a terrorist. The man is in moderate condition. The terrorist, 14, fled the scene by was later arrested. He is a resident of East Jerusalem.

Rocket barrages at the north and IDF air strikes at Hezbollah targets in Lebanon continue. Operation continue in Gaza.

For a complete list of the soldiers killed in the ground offensive, click here.

Some Gaza clans are reportedly engaged in discussions with Israeli officials regarding assuming administrative responsibilities and managing aid distribution. Clan leaders are denying the claims. On Monday, Palestinian clan leaders published a statement rejecting Israel’s plan to establish a civilian government in the Strip, reaffirming their loyalty to “the legitimate political leadership” represented by Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. For more, click here.

Prime Minister Netanyahu said that Israel would not impose restrictions on Arabs visiting the Temple Mount during Ramadan. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir sought to limit the number of Moslem worshippers to just a few thousand.

The Planning Council in Judea and Samaria approved the construction of 3,500 housing units in Ma’ale Adumim, Efrat, Kedar and other communities.

The UN report on the sexual crimes committed on Oct. 7 and after that was released on Monday certainly lives up to our expectations of UN anti-Israel bias. To read the report, click here.

To read an article I published in the Times of Israel titled, “The UN Continues to Exceed Expectations”, click here. 

News Update

An anti-tank missile was fired at the community of Margoliot, in the Galilee, this morning killing 1 foreign worker and wounded 9 others. The air force continues to strike Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. One terrorist killed in the strikes is reportedly the grandson of Hezbollah leader Nasrallah.

There were intense air and ground operations in central and southern Gaza this weekend, including Khan Yunis and Rafah. Dozens of Hamas terrorists were eliminated. In an operation in western Khan Yunis, forces arrested 1,200 terrorists, including 85 who participated in the Oct. 7 massacre. Forces also destroyed over 20km of strategic tunnels under Khan Yunis.

IDF soldiers Killed in Gaza:

Sgt. Maj. (res.) Dennis Yekimov, 33, of the Bislamach Brigade’s 17th Battalion, from Be’er Sheva.

Sgt. Dolev Malka, 19, of the Bislamach Brigade’s 450th Battalion, from Shlomi.

Sgt. Afik Tery, 19, of the Bislamach Brigade’s 450th Battalion, from Rehovot.

Sgt. Inon Yitzhak, 19, Bislamach Brigade’s 450th Battalion, from Mitzpe Ramon.

Over a dozen soldiers from the same unit were wounded in the same incident, as a result of an explosion in a booby-trapped building in the Khan Yunis area.

For a complete list of the soldiers killed in the ground offensive, click here.

The IDF reiterated its commitment to ensuring the continued flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza and to appoint an independent committee to investigate the circumstances surrounded the deaths of dozens of civilians who tried to loot aid trucks in northern Gaza last week. On Saturday, the US air dropped 38,000 meals into Gaza.

Egyptian media reported that there has been significant progress in the negotiations for a truce and the release of hostages. Mediators are anxious to reach a deal before the start of Ramadan, on March 10, but they fear that Hamas leader Sinwar will purposely  prevent a deal in order to further destabilize the region. Hamas is refusing to provide a list of living hostages and a finalized list of terrorists it wants released from Israeli prisons. Hamas claims it doesn’t know the location of all of the hostages or which ones are still alive. For more, click here.

News Update

Rocket fire from Lebanon and IDF strikes against Hezbollah terror targets continue. Rockets were intercepted above Haifa. Israel struck a terror targets in Damascus last night and today. [This situation cannot continue for much longer.]

Hundreds of civilians swarmed around humanitarian aid trucks that entered into northern Gaza this morning, attempting to loot them. Hamas terrorists fired at the crowds. Dozens were killed in the stampede. Part of the crowd threateningly approached soldiers near the crowd. The soldiers fired warning shots in the air. Palestinians are falsely claiming that soldiers shot at the crowd, killing 70 and wounding 280. [The media will most likely run with the Palestinian fake news, causing major backlash and protests against Israel.]

The war in Gaza has had a positive impact on the fourth quarter results of El Al Israel Airlines Ltd. With almost all foreign airlines halting flights to and from Israel in the fourth quarter of 2023, El Al had a monopoly on many of the routes to and from Tel Aviv. Consequently, El Al had an 80% market share in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with 22% in the previous quarter.

In 2023, El Al reported net profit of $117 million, up from $109 million in 2022. In the fourth quarter of 2023, net profit was $39.7 million, up 370% from the corresponding quarter of 2022. Revenue in the fourth quarter of 2023 was $677.8 million, up 21% from the corresponding quarter and operating profit was $161 million, up 58% from the corresponding quarter.

For a complete list of the soldiers killed in the ground offensive, click here.

News Update

The IDF assassinated a Hezbollah commander responsible for multiple attacks against Israel.

Dozens of rockets were fired at the Golan. No damage of casualties were reported. Another rocket barrage was fired at the IDF air control base on Mt. Meron in northern Israel. No damage or casualties were reported. IDF struck the sources of the launches, as well as Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.

President Biden told reporters yesterday that his national security advisor informed him that a deal to release some of the hostages in exchange for a 6 week cease fire and the release of senior terrorists was very close and would probably be signed by the end of the weekend.  He said, “Ramadan’s coming up and there has been an agreement by the Israelis that they would not engage in activities during Ramadan as well, in order to give us time to get all the hostages out.” Unfortunately, Israeli officials don’t seem to be aware of this upcoming breakthrough in the ongoing negotiations. A senior official from Egypt has said the draft cease-fire deal includes the release of up to 40 women and older hostages in return for up to 300 Palestinian prisoners, mostly women, minors and older people. The Qatari Foreign Ministry’s spokesman stated yesterday that “there is no breakthrough in the negotiations for a hostage deal talks and a ceasefire in Gaza.” [The Michigan primary being held today might have something to do with Biden’s optimistic statement. The state has the largest Arab population in the country.]

US intelligence services are reportedly helping Israel map Hamas tunnels in order to locate Hamas leader Sinwar. US and Israeli intelligence sources believe that he is hiding in tunnels beneath Khan Yunis, but that killing or capturing him would endanger the lives of the hostages he is using as human shields.

Security forces killed an Palestinian Islamic Jihad commander and 2 other terrorists in northern Samaria this morning. Several others were injured. One Israeli soldier was lightly injured in the raid. In addition, 14 terror suspects were arrested in overnight raids throughout the territories.

Municipal elections are being held across Israel today.

For a complete list of the soldiers killed in the ground offensive, click here.

News Update

Three Hezbollah terrorists, including a senior missile expert, were eliminated in an Israeli drone strike in the Lebanese village of Remen, located about 12 km from the border with Israel. The strike came after Israel intercepted at least 2 attack drones in the north.

The IDF eliminated a terrorist responsible for shooting attacks and suspected of planning an eminent attack, in a drone strike in Jenin.

Mossad Director David Barnea is scheduled for preliminary individual discussions with CIA Director William Burns, Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Thani and Egyptian Intelligence chief Abbas Kamel at a summit in Paris today, to try and reach an agreement to release the hostages. Following discussions held this week in Cairo with the participation of a Hamas delegation, mediators have expressed optimism and determination to reach an agreed framework.

Contrary to earlier reports, Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar is not isolated and is part of the negotiations along with the Hamas leadership outside of Gaza.

Combat operations continue in Gaza.

For a complete list of the soldiers killed in the ground offensive, click here.