240 confirmed kidnapped.
5 hostages freed.
1,400+ Israelis murdered.
7,262 injured.
9,000+ rockets fired at Israel.
500,000+ Israelis displaced from their homes.
1 Jewish nation united in prayer, charity, and good deeds.
*Hostage & Injured Updates:*
Foreign Minister Eli Cohen appointed Ambassador Alon Roth-Shnir to be at the center of the international diplomatic effort to free the hostages held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza.
Israel denies rumors about an agreement of a three day “pause” in fighting in order for humanitarian supplies to enter Gaza and only 15 abductees to be released by Hamas.
*Gaza Front Updates:*
Rocket fire is still at a decreased rate, though slightly more than yesterday, with two large barrages fired at the Tel Aviv area, the rest at Ashdod and the south.
Direct hits were made on a home in Savyon and in nearby Yehud, both causing damage, one fell through two floors and started a large fire. The families were in their bomb shelters and escaped with no injuries, thank God.
The IDF is making progress pushing in to Gaza, and is reported to have reached the center of Gaza City, and captured a Hamas military stronghold. Our soldiers are facing fierce battles, and dealing with an enemy that hides in civilian homes and pops out of tunnels—but they’re doing much better than expected, and many report experiencing miracles (I have a great story to share with you, as soon as the soldier allows).
The IDF spokesman gave several examples of IDF soldiers dealing with Hamas terrorists operating from civilian areas over the past day alone. In one instance the terrorists fired and then hid in a mosque, from where they tempted to flee through a tunnel. In another, the terrorists fired at Israel from locations in and around a hospital. In both instances, IDF air support eliminated the terrorists and their launching positions from above. The IDF also found missile launchers and weapon storage inside s school in Gaza.
The IDF spokesman summarized the achievements of the last day: “We attacked over 14,000 terrorist targets. We destroyed more than a hundred tunnel entryways, and more than 4,000 weapons and launchers—many of them in mosques, kindergartens, hospitals. War has a heavy price. We lost the best of our sons on the battlefield: 348 soldiers, including 59 of the Israel Police and 10 of the General Security Service.”
Defense Minister Yoav Galant emphasized that many days of fighting are expected, and the end will result in three main objectives: Hamas will cease to exist as a military and governmental framework in Gaza; there will be no security threat from Gaza to the citizens of Israel; and the IDF will have full freedom of action without limitations in Gaza.
Gallant commented, “Gaza is the largest terrorist base that man has ever built, because this city is a large terrorist base underground; they have communication rooms, accommodations, and everything in order to serve as a base of terrorism to harm Israeli citizens and IDF soldiers. We are gnawing away at this ability and our soldiers are operating in the heart of the built-up area.”
Yesterday and today the IDF spokesman sent out notices in Arabic that between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., the “Salah Al-Din” axis in the Gaza Strip would be open for humanitarian transit for residents of the northern part of the Gaza Strip who have not yet moved south for their own safety. Following the announcement, hundreds of residents of the Zeytun neighborhood in the south of Gaza City were recorded leaving their homes. The residents who left towards the south of the Gaza Strip waved white flags.
In an interview, a resident of Gaza reported that the IDF guarded the evacuees from Hamas terrorists, she said about the IDF soldiers, “They shot, but not at us, they didn’t want to hurt us.”
Palestinian sources told the “Maan” news agency today (Tuesday) that Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and other senior members of the terrorist organization have arrived in Turkey. The delegation will hold a meeting with the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
96 trucks carrying humanitarian aid were transferred into Gaza today via the Egyptian crossing, carrying food, water, medical supplies, and equipment for shelters.
*Northern Front Updates:*
The northern border is still heating up. Dozens of missiles were fired into northern Israel, a terrorist infiltration attempt was thwarted, and the IDF air defense shot down a suspicious aerial target approaching from Lebanese territory. No injuries were reported in Israel.
The IDF continues to act only on the defensive in the north, holding back on a full escalation. The Air Force attacked dozens of Hezbollah targets, including a squad of terrorists attempting to fire rockets, a weapons warehouse, launch positions, infrastructure for terrorism, and sites where technological means of the terrorist organization Hezbollah are located.
Defense Minister Gallant expressed that Hezbollah would be taken care of as well, and said “The Israel Defense Forces are carrying out a determined and strong defense in the north of the country facing Lebanon, the Air Force is ready at its bases for anything that will be required of it in any sector, and especially against Hezbollah.”
Minister Benny Gantz reiterated, “I also promise the residents of the north, you will be able to live in your homes with security and hope.”
*Judea and Samaria Updates:*
While Judea and Samaria Palestinians have remained relatively calm until now, there is some bubbling under the surface coming from a minority of Palestinians who are upset at the Palestinian Authority for not joining in the attacks on Israel.
Demonstrations in Umm al-Fahm and Sakhnin against the war in Gaza have led the Israeli police to concern that it could lead to something more serious and damaging to public peace and security.
Reports of an assassination attempt on PA President Mahmoud Abbas appear to be incorrect (it may have been a drug-related altercation), however the Israel security establishment does believe that there is an increased danger to Abbas’s life, since Hamas is concerned that he may take over Gaza. Abbas has doubled his personal security.
Last night, IDF forces, the Special Intelligence Service, and the Shin Bet arrested 28 wanted persons, including 11 terrorists belonging to Hamas in Judea and Samaria.
The IDF conducted a divisional operation last night to thwart terrorist infrastructure in Tulkarm during which engineering tools uncovered underground explosives. There were heavy exchanges of fire, and for the seventh time in Judea and Samaria since the beginning of the war, an Air Force aircraft came to the rescue and attacked a squad of armed terrorists.
Two terror attacks against Israelis were thwarted in action, one at the gate to the Jewish community of Ofra, and one at the Qalandiya crossing
*International Updates:*
Paul Kessler, a 69-year-old Jew, was killed by a masked pro-Palestinian protester in California, who hit Kessler on the head with his megaphone.
President Yitzhak Herzog spoke with the Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, who came to express her sympathy with the people of Israel.
Herzog made it clear that there will be no ceasefire without the release of all the abductees held by Hamas. He reiterated Israel’s commitment to providing humanitarian aid to Gaza, but pointed out that the Red Cross was denied access to the Israeli abductees, and no information was provided about their condition. Herzog also expressed deep concern over the rising antisemitism and murder of Paul Kessler.
Vice President Harris shared concern over antisemitism, reiterated her support for Israel’s right to defend itself, and spoke about the importance of the welfare of the civilian population and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Thwarted terror attack in Brasil.
*General Updates:*
Today marked 30 days since the murderous terror attack by Hamas. It was marked across Israel with a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m. and ceremonies across Israel.
©2023 B. Efune