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:*
Foreign Minister Eli Cohen spoke to the president of the Red Cross, and said “The organization has no right to exist if it fails to visit the abductees held hostage by Hamas.”
President Yitzhak Herzog said, “The abductees are at the forefront of our minds, and their return is an integral part of winning the campaign.”
*Gaza Front Updates:*
Rocket-fire continued, though at a decreased rate. Very large shrapnel fell on a house in Nes Ziona and caused damage.
The IDF made huge strides in Gaza, and their position is closing in on Gaza City, and nearly entirely cutting off Northern Gaza from the south (at midnight they were reportedly 800 meters away from doing so). Since the beginning of the fighting, the IDF has attacked more than 11,000 targets of the terrorist organizations. Attacks today included the elimination of the commander of Hamas’s anti-tank guided-missile array, Muhammad A’sar.
A strike on a building in Jabilya where a large group of terrorists had barricaded themselves, led to further collapse as underground Hamas tunnels sunk in, and Hamas weapons storage exploded.
The commander Division 162, which leads the ground operation in Gaza, Brigadier General Itzik Cohen announced, “The forces are deep in the Strip at the gates of Gaza City. We dismantled many of Hamas’ capabilities.”
On Wednesday night, Defense Minister Yoav Galant spoke of the IDF’s progress in the war, “We have significantly damaged the anti-tank system of Hamas, the enemy has heavy damages.”
The IDF announced the horrific loss of 15 IDF soldiers on Tuesday, and one on Wednesday morning. Eleven Givati soldiers were killed when a Hamas anti-tank missile struck a new Namer armored personnel carrier, and the Trophy active protective system failed. The Trophy is considered the most advanced system of its kind in the world. Two soldiers were killed when their tank drove over an explosive device. On soldier was killed by a mortar in Kibbutz Be’eri while working on finding and identifying victims of the massacre. The names of the soldiers will be listed at the end of this summary, so that we can take a moment to honor them.
A senior official in the IDF told Israel Hayom that the incident will be thoroughly investigated, and it will be understood what happened. “These Trophy systems have already saved dozens of fighters in just the last few weeks. We have to wait for the IDF’s investigation. We have to say that this is a technological war, everyone is trying to innovate in their field.”
Defense Minister Yoav Galant: “The death of IDF soldiers in the battles against Hamas terrorists in Gaza is a severe and painful blow. Our hearts and thoughts are with their dear families. The significant achievements of the powerful fighting deep in the Gaza Strip are unfortunately taking a heavy price. We are prepared and ready for a long and complex campaign. With the fierce will, determination, and perseverance – we will win”
The IDF released proof of Hamas stealing gas from Gaza hospitals, specifically a phone call between Hamas terrorists and the head of the Indonesian Hospital in Gaza.
According to a Reuters report, Qatar mediated an agreement between Egypt, Israel, and Hamas, in coordination with the US, to allow the transfer of foreign passport holders and some critically injured people out of besieged Gaza through the Rafah crossing in Egypt on Wednesday. This is the first time since the beginning of the war that Cairo agreed to take in Palestinians from Gaza. According to a report by an Egyptian reporter, about 80 wounded are supposed to enter Egypt and seek medical treatment in hospitals in the area.
Internet-access advocacy group NetBlocks.org confirmed that Gaza “is in the midst of a total or near-total telecoms blackout.”
*Northern Front Updates:*
One siren was triggered in Shtula, after Hezbollah fired rockets at the small northern community. Hezbollah attempted to fire multiple times more, but the IDF struck their launch sites first each time.
The IDF eliminated at least six terrorist squads that tried to shoot at Israel on Wednesday. The Air Force attacked military infrastructure and a Hezbollah anti-tank launch site. The IDF is still making an effort not to escalate the war front with Hezbollah yet.
Reports from Lebanon indicate that the commander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards is visiting Beirut, in order to coordinate with Hezbollah members for the next phase of the war.
*Additional War Fronts Updates*
The Houthis in Yemen claim to have launched another group of drones towards towards Israel that reached their destination in Eilat. No sirens or explosions were reported anywhere near Eilat. A senior Houthi official threatened more missiles to Israel.
There’s roughly 1,700 km between Eilat and the northernmost coastline of Yemen under Houthi control. The ballistic missiles used by the Houthi terrorists in their attempts at Eilat appears to be the Burkan-3, which is presumed to have a range of at least 1,700 km.
Defense Minister Gallant on the missile firing from Yemen: “We know the data, we will know what to do against the Houthis as well.”
IDF Spokesperson Brig. General Hagari on the same topic: “We know how to attack wherever and whenever we decide.”
The IDF announced that after an assessment of the situation, they chose to increase the defense effort in the Eilat area and positioned IDF Navy missile defense ships in the Red Sea area on Tuesday.
There are an estimated 15,000 displaced families in Eilat from the Gaza envelope communities that were displaced by the massacre and nonstop firing from Hamas. These families chose Eilat for its refuge and calm away from sirens, so that they can focus on healing from the PTSD. The threat of Houthi missiles is particularly difficult for these families and their children.
*Judea and Samaria Updates:*
IDF and Shin Bet forces also operated last night against Hamas terrorists in various cities across Judea & Samaria, including Bidou and Jenin. 46 wanted persons suspected of involvement in terrorist activities were arrested, thirty of them belonging to Hamas. In addition, the IDF confiscated about NIS 40,000 intended for terrorist activity. Three terrorists were eliminated in Jenin after they chose to fire at forces and resist arrest.
Arabs in Palestinian Authority cities in Judea and Samaria went on a general strike in protest of Israel’s military activity in Gaza and yesterday’s bombing of Hamas headquarters in Jabilia. Businesses, banks and educational institutions remained closed.
*International Updates:*
Jordan, Chile, and Columbia recalled their ambassadors to Israel.
There are unconfirmed reports that Iran struck U.S. army positions in Iraq today.
*General Updates:*
Prime Minister Netanyahu met with opposition leader Lapid, and agreed that Lapid will receive regular updates from the military secretary and the political adviser to the Prime Minister.
*Soldiers Lost in Battle:*
These are the names of soldiers who were lost in battle on Tuesday and Wednesday, as released by the IDF:
Sgt. Adi Danan, 20, from Yavne
Staff Sgt. Halel Solomon, 20, from Dimona
Staff Sgt. Erez Mishlovsky, 20, from Oranit
Staff Sgt. Adi Leon, 20, from Nili
Cpl. Ido Ovadia, 19, from Tel Aviv
Cpl. Lior Siminovich, 19, from Herzliya
Staff Sgt. Roei Dawi, 20, from Jerusalem
Lt. Pedayah Mark, 22, from Otniel
Staff Sgt. Roei Saragosti, 20, from Ramat Hanegev Regional Council
Staff Sgt. Itay Yehuda, 20, from Rishon Lezion
Staff Sgt. Shay Arvas, 20, from Holon
Lt. Ariel Reich, 24, from Jerusalem
Cpl. Asif Luger, 21, from Yagur
Sgt. Roei Wolf, 20, from Ramat Gan
Staff Sgt. Lavi Lipshitz, 20, from Modiin
Sgt. First Class (res.) Shalev Zion Sharabi, 22, from Teneh Omarim
Pedayah Mark had already lost his father in a terror attack in 2016.
May their souls reach the highest of Heavens.
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Pictured:
1. From @War_Mapper on Twitter/X:
“Israel has continued to advance towards the coast, south of Gaza city. They are less than 800 metres away from cutting Gaza in two.
They have also made progress along the coast to the north, as well as advancing within Beit Hanoun.”
2. At left, then-Mossad chief Yossi Cohen cradles 15-year-old Pedayah Mark at the funeral of his father, Michi, who was killed in a terror attack in 2016.
At right, Cohen attends the funeral of 2nd Lt. Pedayah Mark, who died during fighting in Gaza yesterday.
3. A large piece of shrapnel which landed in a home in Nes Ziona.
4. An IDF soldier praying on the front lines.
©2023 B. Efune, Israel