239 confirmed kidnapped.
5 hostages freed.
1,400+ Israelis murdered.
51 police officers killed.
74% of killed civilians were identified.
4,500+ injured.
8,000+ rockets fired at Israel.
500,000+ Israelis displaced from their homes.
1 Jewish nation united in prayer, charity, and good deeds.
*Hostage & Injured Updates:*
During an IDF and Shin Bet ground operation on Sunday night, Col. Uri Magidish was found and rescued, after being kidnapped by Hamas. After a visit to her hospital and debriefing with the IDF, she returned to her family in good physical health. The operation was planned several days in advance and it is thought that during the overnight activity, Hamas showed resistance. However, no members of Israeli security forces were reported hurt.
IDF Spokesman Brigadier General Daniel Hagari said that for security reasons, further details of Magidish’s rescue won’t be shared, but that she did an incredible job relaying important information to the IDF after she was rescued, with a remarkable memory. The information is already being put to use.
Hamas released a video of three female abductees who they forced on camera to berate Netanyahu for not agreeing to a ceasefire in exchange for the hostages. The IDF asks the public not to watch Hamas-released videos, as they’re part of a psychological warfare.
In response to the video, Netanyahu said: “I am addressing Elena Tropnov, Danielle Aloni, and Rimon Kirsht, who were kidnapped by Hamas who commits war crimes. I hug you. Our hearts go out to you and the other abductees. We are doing everything to bring all the abductees home.”
NBC reports that, according to an American official, the negotiations stalled after Hamas refused to commit to releasing foreign hostages, and Israel refused to deliver fuel to Gaza.
The grant to the families of the abductees will increase from NIS 60,000 to NIS 90,000. The grant is for each abductee (families with two and three abductees will receive per abductee). The grant will be renewed every 3 months until the abductee is returned.
*Gaza Front Updates:*
Rocket and missile fire continues, including two barrages to the center, and one to Jerusalem and the area for the first time in almost two weeks. A huge barrage of rockets to Netivot resulted in two direct hits, one on an apartment, which it completely destroyed, and thank G-d was empty. In Ashkelon a factory was hit, causing a minor fire. No physical injuries were reported today.
The IDF is continuing to expand the ground operations in Gaza. Soldiers who are going in tonight on a special mission have asked that Jewish people and our friends worldwide pray for their success.
The ground operations work in coordination with the Shin Bet, Mossad, and the air-force, who eliminate and bomb terror targets according the needs of the infantry. So far it has been successful, and the soldiers have avoided many traps.
In one example of ground-to-air coordination, IDF troops in Gaza clashed with Hamas terrorists, who then barricaded themselves in a building and fired at the IDF from inside. The IDF ground forces communicated to the airfare who then blew up the building, eliminating an estimated 20 terrorists. The ground forces also found an anti-tank missile which was about to be launched from the area of the ”Azhar” University in the Gaza Strip, and directed a fighter jet that eliminated them. In the last day, about 600 Hamas terror targets were attacked, among them weapons warehouses, hiding places and gatherings of Hamas operatives, terror squads, and missile launching positions.
Also, IDF forces, guided by accurate intelligence from the Mossad and the Shin Bet, eliminated senior Hamas operatives, including four prominent commanders.
Earlier today it was reported that soldiers reached the outskirts of Gaza City. The head of the IDF Southern Command, Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman, entered the Gaza Strip today with ground forces to carry out an assessment—a move which is only done under complete confidence.
Israeli security officials estimate that the IDF, while thus far extremely successful, is only ten percent through with the goal of eliminating Hamas. It’s constantly reiterated that this war will take patience.
In response to calls for a ceasefire, Defense Minister Yoav Galant said, “The Hamas terrorists have two options – either die in battle against the IDF, or surrender unconditionally. There is no third option. This is true from the terrorist in the field to the leadership of the organization.”
The New York Times reported: “Unit 8200 stopped eavesdropping on the Hamas radio communication networks about a year ago, the reason: they saw it as a waste of effort. The American intelligence stopped listening because they thought the communication was staged. The same devices were found on the bodies of some of the Hamas terrorists.” Lapid, who was Prime Minister at the time, denied the legitimacy of this report after Israel Hayom questioned him about it.
It is reported that the internet has once again been cut off in various areas in the north of the Gaza Strip, due to a central generator being shut down.
Among announcements from The White House: “Netanyahu and Biden agreed on a significant expansion of aid to the Gaza Strip. Israel is trying to avoid harming innocent civilians. We do not believe that a ceasefire in Gaza is the right way now.”
The IDF says that the humanitarian aid to Gaza allows Israel an important scope to realize the goals of the war. The humanitarian aid is not from Israel, but from international parties. These are food and medicines that are physically inspected and monitored by Israeli security officials and pass through Egypt. All shipments are intended for the civilian population – and if it turns out that they are being taken by Hamas, they will be stopped.
Hamas Official Mousa Abu Marzouk, who isn’t even in Gaza, and has called on Gaza civilians to act as human shields, went on TV to say that “the tunnels in Gaza were built to protect Hamas fighters, not civilians; protecting Gaza civilians Is the responsibility of the U.N. and Israel.”
*Northern Front Updates:*
On the Northern borders the firing continues with the IDF only eliminating active threats, or terror targets in response to fire, in an effort not to escalate fighting in the north at the moment.
Several missiles and mortar bombs were fired into the far north of Israel by various terror groups in Lebanon and Syria, and a failed infiltration attempt by Islamic Jihad. Three anti-tank missiles from Lebanese territory landed in the Birnit area, there were no casualties.
In addition to Hezbollah targets in Lebanon and Syria, media outlets affiliated with the Syrian opposition report an Israeli attack on the positions of the Assad army in the Daraa area.
The interim Prime Minister of Lebanon, Najeb Mikati, told Sky News: “We demand an end to the Israeli provocations. The Lebanese people do not want war. Lebanon is in the eye of the storm and we strive to avoid war. The decision about the war is in their hands of Israel if it continues to commit violations on the border. If Lebanon enters the war, then the matter will not be limited to Lebanon and there will be chaos in the region.”
Najeb Mikati didn’t mention anything about Hezbollah and the other terror groups stopping with the fire.
*Judea and Samaria Updates:*
The IDF is continuing with raids on terror cells in Judea and Samaria, last night it was reported that they operated in Jenin, where there were clashes and a terrorist was eliminated. Since the beginning of the war, 1,070 terrorists have been arrested in Judea and Samaria, 700 of them belonging to Hamas.
This afternoon, the IDF distributed flyers in Palestinian controlled areas of Chevron, with an appeal to the local residents: “If you don’t hand over your weapons and stop shooting, the gates of hell will open on you, just as is happening in Gaza.”
*Additional War Fronts Updates*
Since October 7th, there have been 24 attacks against US forces in Iraq & Syria, including a recent multi-rocket attack against forces at al-Asad Air Base in western Iraq, which caused no casualties or damage. (Carla Babb via VOA)
In Saudi Arabia, 4 soldiers were killed in clashes with the Iran-backed Houthis on the border with Yemen. Saudi Arabia raised their alert level to high.
*International Updates:*
British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, fired Tory MP Paul Bristow from his job as a deputy minister, after Bristow urged Sunak to back a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
20:14: Following last night’s events in the Makhachkala airport, the Israel National Security Headquarters and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs updated the travel warning to the North Caucasus area to the highest level, and warned Israelis to avoid traveling to those areas in the near future, and called on those staying in them to leave as soon as possible.
Israel will not allow the chief prosecutor of the Hague Criminal Court (ICC) to enter the territory of the country, although yesterday he announced his desire to do so. Israel intends to independently investigate, prosecute and punish the perpetrators of the crimes against humanity in the Hamas attack on Simchat Torah.
US Vice President Kamala Harris repeated President Biden’s unequivocal statement when asked on CBSNews what her message to Iran was: “Don’t.” Harris also stated in the interview that America has no intention of sending combat troops to Gaza or Israel.
*General Updates:*
Israeli-Arab MK, Mansur Abbas, called on the Arab and Israeli public to maintain public order and not to be drawn into violence or damage to property or spreading false rumors. He called out students in particular, and asked them to be responsible with what they write on social media, and avoid anything that can provoke tension and violence. He also said, “The pictures of the children and the great destruction cause pain and sorrow within us. The Arab (Israeli) citizens are showing responsibility. They are calling for a ceasefire to release the hostages, and to expand humanitarian aid.”
Photo: IDF troops in Gaza
©2023 Bruria Efune