20 February 2025
70 held captive in Gaza.
36 hostages confirmed murdered held in Gaza.
44 hostage bodies rescued.
1,825 Israelis killed.
413 fallen soldiers and police in the battle in Gaza.
87 fallen soldiers in Northern Israel.
18 fallen soldiers and police in Judea & Samaria.
30,683 estimated projectiles fired at Israel.
70,000 Israelis displaced from their homes.
1 Jewish nation united in prayer, charity, and good deeds.
**For the next two weeks, these updates might be off schedule and a little shorter while I travel. Please forgive typos as I write from my phone.**
*Top Headlines:*
– Forensics: terrorists murdered the Bibas children in November 2023
– Hamas delivered the body or a random woman instead of Shiri Bibas
– Israel stunting reaction so as not to risk losing the 6 hostages to be returned on Shabbat
– 628 terrorists to be released on Shabbat
– Miracle: massive bus bombing attack evaded
–
*Hostages:*
After a sickening ceremony on stage, with an audience of around a thousand Gazans, Hamas delivered four coffins to Israel.
Three were confirmed to contain the bodies of hostages: Oded Lifshitz (84), Kfir Bibas (9 months), and Ariel Bibas (4).
The forensics team, in combination with intelligence known to the IDF, also found that the three hostages had been murdered by their terrorist captors. Despite Hamas claims that the Bibas children were killed in an IDF airstrike, there was clear evidence that the children were brutally and intentionally murdered in November 2023. Oded Lifshitz was similarly murdered by his Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas captors.
The fourth coffin was supposed to have the body of Shiri Bibas. From the first glance, the forensics team knew it was not her body. But they did extensive testing anyway. The body was not identified as any of the hostages, and is instead a random woman from Gaza. Of course, this is a direct violation of the ceasefire agreement. It is also yet another stab of torture to the Bibas family and all of Israel.
Israel demanded that Hamas return the actual body of Shiri Bibas. So far the terrorists who were meant to be released in exchange for the bodies today were not released.
However, Israel is unlikely to force any major consequences until after the six living hostages are returned this Shabbat, so as not to risk losing them. It’s very likely that Hamas took this into account when they sent the wrong body, knowing that due to the timing, they could get away with it.
628 terrorists are expected to be released from prisons on Shabbat, in exchange for 6 live hostages and 4 bodies (although only three were delivered). Among them are 50 serving life sentences for murderous terror attacks, 47 terrorists released in the Shalit deal who were re-arrested after returning to terrorism, and another 445 terrorists who were arrested in Gaza after October 7th.
While the IDF says that the transfer of mobile homes to Gaza was cancelled, locals in Gaza uploaded evidence that at least five trucks (with the materials for 15 homes) did enter Gaza today.
In an unusual statement, UN Chief António Guterres criticized Hamas’s show of releasing the hostage bodies: “I condemn the parading of bodies and displaying of the coffins of the deceased Israeli hostages by Hamas on Thursday. Under international law, any handover of the remains of the deceased must comply with the prohibition of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, ensuring respect for the dignity of the deceased and their families.”
Seven Hamas terrorists who were supposed to be released from prison in the exchange, and deported to a third country, insisted on remaining in Israeli prison instead. Israel had to swap them for seven other terrorists. Amongst the new seven is Ahmed Nasla, 26, who only nine days ago received his sentencing of 27 years in prison. He was imprisoned for attempting to murder two Jews by slitting their throats, 3 years ago.
Israeli Minister Ron Dermer is on his way to meet Trump’s Mideast envoy, Steve Witkoff, to discuss negotiations for the second phase of the deal. There is little expectation that the second phase will actually happen, since Hamas does not want to surrender. Instead, Israel will try and get more hostages released in the first phase.
*Gaza:*
Hamas continues to send terrorists and supporters to approach IDF positions in the buffer zone and Philadelphi Corridor. IDF troops throughout the stretch fired several rounds of warning shots today to repel approaching suspects.
In one incident in Northern Gaza, a group of suspects approached and IDF position, and after warning shots were fired, one continued to quickly advance towards the troops, posing a threat. The troops fired directly at him, neutralizing the threat.
*Bat Yam Bombings:*
On Thursday evening, three empty buses exploded in Bat Yam, near Tel Aviv. Then, two additional explosive devices were found and defused on busses in Bat Yam and Holon.
It was found that all five bombs had been planted in a coordinated attack. The bombs had timers on them, and were supposed to detonate during morning rush hour on Friday, in densely populated areas. Thank G-d, in a touch of love on a hard day, the three bombs went off early, leading to the discovery of the other two. If the attack hadn’t been prevented, the casualties could have been in the hundreds.
One of the unexploded devices bore a message referencing “Revenge from Tulkarem,” alluding to recent IDF operations in the Samaria city.
Immediately after the incident, public transportation was temporarily paused, while all busses were searched. Citizens were asked to be vigilant, and report anything suspicious.
*Judea & Samaria:*
The Shin Bet suspects that the bus bombing plot was planned and directed by terror groups in Samaria. Many crossings in the area were immediately closed off, and security was dramatically increased.
The ongoing operation in Samaria was increased, with three additional IDF battalions deployed to the area.
The home of terrorist Amar Odeh in Salfit was destroyed today. On August 4, 2024, the Odeh carried out a terrorist attack in the city of Holon, murdering Rina Daniv and Avraham Sumichi, and injuring two others. It is Israeli protocol to destroy the home of any terrorist who carry out an attack and murder people.
*Lebanon:*
On Wednesday night, IDF airstrikes targeted crossings on the Syria-Lebanon border that were being used by Hezbollah to transfer weapons into Lebanese territory.
**With thanks to Bruria for these important updates and לע”נ יהושע אלחנן בן יוסף מרדכי ע”ה**
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Pictured: Busses explode in Bat Yam, in failed mass terror attack
©2025 Bruria Efune, Israel