War
IDF soldiers fighting in south Gaza
The fighting in the south of Gaza is different than that in the north, according to experts.
The south is a rabbit warren of alleys and narrow streets. Israeli soldiers frequently come face to face with the enemy. The fatalities are mounting.
According to Ynetnews, 132 soldiers have been killed since the IDF entered Gaza as of Tuesday Dec 19,2023. Due to the difficult conditions, with terrorists popping out of hidden tunnels, booby-traps and snipers, more casualties are expected.
According to the Times of Israel, eight soldiers were killed in a booby-trap in Gaza when they reportedly heard babies crying. The soldiers investigated, saw what they thought were school children and saw school bags and toys. They also heard a child speaking Hebrew. In the aftermath, upon investigating the ambush, the IDF found that the children were mannequins and the voices recordings.
Tunnel opening hidden beneath a baby’s crib in Gaza
Booby traps in backpacks and toys
According to Nir Dvori of Channel 12TV, Gaza is broken up into five fighting units. The IDF has disabled at least three, most in the north part of Gaza. On Tuesday, the IDF reported that they had full control of Gaza City’s Jabaliya neighborhood and were closing in on Hamas leader Sinwar.
According to reports, the tunnel network in two of those northern areas have been destroyed. Now the fighting is focused on the south, and especially Khan Yunis, home to Hamas leader Yeheh Sinwar, and his subordinates.
Israel maintains that Hamas has used UNRWA schools and hospitals as hideouts. And the citizens of Gaza as human shields. One report by soldiers in Gaza statess that while clearing a building of terrorists, they found Hamas flags in nearly every apartment. Some observers say that Hamas rules Gaza like the Stalinists ruled the former Soviet Union. Hamas reportedly uses fear to achieve complete support.
Massive tunnel found in Gaza
Hamas has also built a network of tunnels, some big enough for jeeps and motorcycles. Sophisticated construction techniques were used to build the tunnels. The work hidden from prying satellites by plastic tents made to look like agricultural hothouses.
Underground construction of tunnel in Gaza
Aerial view of how Hamas hides tunnel construction site
Hamas was very advanced in their tunnel building, said one expert. But then, they had about fifteen years to perfect their skill.
The IDF claims they have destroyed thousands of tunnel openings, and eliminated thousand of terrorists. But Rear Admiral (res.) Daniel Hagari has repeatedly said that the battles would take time.
Channel 12TV’s Nir Drori said that each tunnel required scrutiny by micro-drones, robots and dogs, before the first soldier stepped foot in it. Even so, soldiers fell into traps.
Reportedly, Hamas has installed hundreds of cameras on rooftops that look out onto the streets. They also use drones. Then snipers are sent to strategic locations. Or an operative with a remote control device to detonate a booby-trap.
According to media reports, the IDF has disabled hundreds of Hamas camera. The search is still on for more as the soldiers go from building to building, searching floor after floor, apartment after apartment, rooftop after rooftop.
Channel 13TV news showed helmet cam footage inside an apartment where an Israeli soldier was in a firefight with a Hamas terrorist. The soldier took out two terrorists as he moved into the apartment. Frightening footage, like watching a TV show, except this was reality, said one pundit.
IDF Intelligence Chief Ahara Haliva said that “The campaign has multiple theaters and has months to go.” He pointed out that “Hamas has ruled Gaza for 16 years.”
Jake Sullivan, the US National Security Advisor told Yonit Levy while visiting Israel that “This war will last months. We’re not here to tell Israel what it must do.”
Israel has gone easier on the south, according to critics, by not bombing buildings where terrorists are suspected. This, according to critics, is because of the pressure Israel has faced by the USA and others to ease up on the destruction in an attempt to limit civilian casualties.
Last week the IDF discovered a Hamas manual that laid out battle plans. Analysts say that these plans are copies of Israeli battle plans and operation guidelines.
The price of this, say commentators, is that Israel is losing more soldiers.
Suitcase filled with cash found in Gaza
Also in a raid on a Khan Yunis apartment of a Hamas money-man, Israel discovered two suitcases with approximately 5 million Israel Shekels ($1.35 million), apparently used for Hamas’ military activities.
According to the Times of Israel, using information supplied by the Shin Bet and Military Intelligence, Israel reportedly eliminated a Hamas money changer, Subhi Farwanah, who was said to be the conduit, with his brother, for funds coming from Iran and other sources to the Hamas military. The IDF said Farwanah was one of the few and prominent money changers in Gaza who was able to transfer amounts of money to the military wing of Hamas needed for fighting.
According to a report in the New York Times, Israel has known about this transfer of money since 2018. Israel’s Channel 12TV showed a note reportedly sent by Hamas leader Sinwar to PM Netanyahu saying in a few words in Hebrew “quiet for money.”
Some critics point out that Hamas still has vast popular support in Gaza. They point out that Roni Krivoi, 25, who had been kidnapped at the Re’em music festival, escaped from Hamas captivity and was loose for four days in Gaza. Krivol was unable to safely cross back into Israel. Critics say that Gaza citizens, not Hamas, who caught him and turned him over to Hamas.
He was later freed in a prisoner exchange.
IDF Nachal Scouts unit
According to Ynetnews, the Nachal Scouts are special forces are forward patrols that sometimes have to sit in concealed ambush positions for up to 80 hours.
In the north of the Gaza Strip the unit discovered that Hamas had deployed hundreds of special surveillance cameras which were placed inside heating boilers on the roofs of houses and buildings, behind "camouflage dresses" and also between clothes hanging after washing.
In one case, the fighters spotted a Hamas operative launching a drone from the roof of a building to identify and mark IDF forces in the northern Gaza Strip. But with the guidance provided by the fighters, the operative and his aircraft were destroyed from the air by a combat helicopter.”
The Nachal scouts also saw a vendor with a cart pulled by a donkey. They suspected his movements and discovered he was going from tunnel opening to tunnel opening and passing out food to terrorists. The fighters relayed the information to an attack helicopter who eliminated the delivery man. But these operations do not happen without the soldiers risking their lives. Getting injured. And suffering from their injuries.
According to Ynetnews, doctors are reportedly finding that Israeli soldiers have a variety of illnesses resulting from their injuries. According to the head of the IDF Rehab unit, Limor Luria, testifying at the Knesset Welfare Committee, 2816 soldiers have been treated so far but a high rate of urological problems have been found. And that 3% were serious injuries. 18% were diagnosed with PTSD. (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).
According to the testimony, many of the soldiers who were wounded worried about their ability to have sex or produce children after their injuries. Some soldiers had their semen extracted and frozen for fear they would be infertile after treatment or incapable of having sexual relations. Luria asked the Knesset for increased funds due to the war and need to treat more soldiers.
There are also reports of Israel’s concern that disease may break out in Gaza because of the crowded condition and that the disease, like cholera, could spread to the Israeli troops. That is one of the reasons given for allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza. Israel has been allowing about 200 trucks of aid a day.
Reshet Bet radio reported that Israel’s President Isaac Herzog told a gathering of ambassadors that “We are not fighting Gaza’s residents. We are fighting Hamas, the enemy. And we are doing our best to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza.”
Masked bandits raid Humanitarian Aid trucks
However, news reports on all of the Israeli TV stations show that no sooner had the trucks stopped inside Gaza that they were swarmed by men, reportedly connected to Hamas, stealing the supplies.
Israeli troops have continued to search for rocket launch sites. According to the Army Spokesman’s office, some of the rocket launchers were found near schools and hospitals. Many were concealed barely protruding from the ground.
Also, Channel 12TV reported that Gaza’s Kamal Adwan hospital’s director, Ahmed Kahlot, who was in custody and under interrogation by the Shin Bet, said that members of his hospital belonged to terrorist organizations. He said that doctors, nurses and other staff were members of al-Qassam Brigades and Islamic Jihad’s Quds Brigades.
Kahlot said he’d been a lieutenant colonel in Hamas since 2010. Israeli forces entered the hospital on Dec 12th and arrested Kahlot and 90 members of the staff, seizing a number of weapons. Kahlot also said that one Hamas leader and two senior officials had offices inside the hospital. “They also have special areas for interrogations and have private phone lines within the hospital..
Kahalot said that Hamas also had their own ambulances in the hospital that are only used by their operatives. “Once I asked them to take a wounded man to another hospital for treatment and they refused.”
Rockets
After an eight day hiatus, Hamas again opened fire on central Israel with rockets falling in the Tel Aviv area. No injuries were reported. Rockets were also fired at Jerusalem on Friday.
Long range missile launchers
Sirens were sounded along the Gaza border nearly every day.
Even so, the government has announced that it will allow residents to return to the Gaza settlements, although schools and municipal facilities will no be started. Residents who have evacuated to hotels can remain in the hotels at the government’s expense while trying to rebuild their homes in the Gaza settlements.
Gaza mid-range missile launch sites concealed in the ground.
In the north, Hezbollah has fired on Israel nearly every day with Israel returning fire. Settlements along the northern border have been evacuated.Rockets fell today in the area of Kibbutz Malkiah.
On Monday, Dec 17th, an Israeli reserves soldier was killed and two were injured by an armed drone flown into Israel from Lebanon. A second drone was shot down by the Iron Dome near the town of Margaliot.
Israel has appealed to the UN to enforce resolution 1701 that calls for Hezbollah to move back 30 kilometers beyond the Litani river. So far the UN has taken no action to enforce that resolution. Israel’s Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant, has said that if Hezbollah doesn’t abide by 1701 Israel will go to war and push Hezbollah back behind the Litani River.
Hostages
Jerry Seinfeld Visiting Families of Hostages wearing a “Bring Them Home” dogtag
TV star Jerry Seinfeld, who once spent time on a kibbutz, was in Israel this week with his family. He visited with the families of hostages and expressed his support.
According to the Times of Israel, Seinfeld told the hostage’s families that he feels a deep commitment to raising awareness around the world about the issue of the hostages.” Channel 13TV news reported that the meeting lasted two hours longer than scheduled and that Seinfeld was “sensitive” and “caring.
Meanwhile, the Times of Israel reported that the mother of a hostage freed from Gaza with her daughter said she still sleeps with one eye open.”I didn’t know if I would survive, said Doron Asher, who’s taken on Oct 7th with her daughters Raz, 5, and Aviv, 2, from Kibbutz Nir Oz.
Doron’s mother Efrat Katz was killed in the assault. 1200 people were massacred on Oct 7th and 240 kidnapped. 121 were released in a recent prisoner exchange.
Experts say that many of those still in captivity may be dead. Over the last several weeks the IDF has found bodies in the rubble. They were identified using DNA testing, and turned out to be those thought to have been kidnapped. Also, the IDF has found bodies of hostages while searching the tunnels beneath Gaza.
According to the Times of Israel, “It is believed that 128 hostages remain in Gaza — not all of them alive — after 105 civilians were released from Hamas captivity during a weeklong truce in late November. Four hostages were released prior to that, and one was rescued by troops. The bodies of eight hostages have also been recovered and three hostages were mistakenly killed by the military. The Israel Defense Forces has confirmed the deaths of 21 of those still held by Hamas, citing new intelligence and findings obtained by troops operating in Gaza.”
Families of the hostages still hold a vigil in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square. 15 families met today with Prime Minister Netanyahu. Other families complained of a list that excluded them and only included those with political connections.
Tragedy stuck on Dec 15th when three Israel hostages who had somehow escaped their Gaza captors were shot dead by IDF soldiers. The three, stripped to the waist and one waving a white flag were gunned down, one by a sniper from only about thirty meters away, the other by a soldier on the ground near the building where the hostages had been hiding, and the third, who had run into another building, and was later killed by an IDF soldier.
Veteran military correspondent Nachum Barnea, writing in Ynet, called the shootings a criminal act. He mentioned that soldiers in a war zone had light trigger fingers but still found no excuse for these shootings.
The IDF had given strict orders that no prisoners who were surrendering were to be shot. In fact, the IDF has so far taken hundreds of Hamas terrorists into custody, many of whom had surrendered.
According to AP, on Monday, Mossad chief David Barnea met with CIA director Bill Burns and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Warsaw to discuss efforts to reach a new hostage deal with Hamas
Hamas leader Sinwar has said he will not agree to another ‘pause’ and only agree to hostage talks once fighting has stopped completely.
Channel 13TV commentator Ravid Drucker said that there is no chance Israel will agree to Sinwar’s terms.
On Tuesday, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog told a group of ambassadors that “Israel is ready to negotiate another pause.”
West Bank
Palestinians say that 291 Palestinians have been killed since the fighting began in Gaza on October 7th.
Last week, according to Ynetnews, Israel went house to house in the West Bank town of Jenin seeking wanted terrorists in an action that lasted for 60 hours. Dozens of wanted terrorists were arrested. Others fled to a nearby hospital and posed as patients.They too were arrested. The IDF found weapons storage locations and bomb making labs that the IDF destroyed.
On Monday, a 27-year-old woman was injured when her car was attacked in the West Bank. Her husband, a reserve soldier serving in Gaza, was home on leave and had his rifle with him. He opened fire and drove away the terrorists who were later captured by the IDF.
Politics
Calls to reoccupy Gaza and reestablish Gush Katif settlements were heard by ultra-right politicians like Health Minister Amichai Eliyahu of the far-right Otzmah Yehudit party, run by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Both have said that Israel should again “Fully occupy Gaza and reestablish settlements.” At an earlier stage in the war Eliyahu called for a nuclear bomb to be dropped on Gaza. He was quickly criticized and rolled back his comment on the bomb.
Meanwhile, ultra-right-wing Finance Minister Smotritch has again refused to transfer funds to the PA (Palestinian Authority), saying they are a terrorist organization.
A Channel 12TV poll broadcast on Monday Dec 18, showed a marked change in the political climate from the last election. If elections were held today, according to the poll, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Likud led coalition would only receive 44 seats while opposition coalition led by Gen (res) Benny Gantz would receive 71 seats. A 61 seat majority is necessary to form a government. Netanyahu’s coalition had 64 seats at the last election.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotritch’s Jewish Home party, according to the poll, would not get enough votes to qualify for a seat in the knesset.
When asked who they preferred for Prime Minister, 45% said they preferred Gantz and 27% said Netanyahu. 57% of those polled said they wanted new elections. 35% said they didn’t want new elections.
However, when asked if they thought the PA should take control of Gaza, 54% said no, and only 19% said yes.
Red Sea
Houthi rebels have fired missiles and launched armed drones against ships traversing the Bab-el Mandeb straits near Yemen. On Dec 15th the Iberian registered German operated cargo ship Hapag Lloyd was hit by a missile and set afire. Also on Friday, CENTCOM (United States Central Command) announced that the USS Karney had successfully intercepted 14 armed drones sent from Houthi controlled Yemen.
Ships with only a tenuous connection to Israel have been fired upon. According to the Times of Israel on Thursday Dec 14th, unknown attackers boarded a Malta-flagged carrier, the Ruen, managed by a Bulgarian firm.
Other ships belonging to foreign companies have been targeted, as well as some owned by Israelis but leased to foreign companies.
Houthi rebels in pro-Hamas demonstration in Yemen
The Bab-el-Mandeb straits are important to Israel, since Israel reportedly receives up to 80% of their goods through the Red Sea.By striking at these ships the Houthis, an Iranian puppet, are reportedly trying to cut Israel’s supply lines.
As a result of the tension in the Red Sea top shipping companies like Maersk has suspended their Red Sea route.
According to Reuters, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday announced the creation of a multinational operation to safeguard commerce in the Red Sea following a series of missile and drone attacks by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis.
On Tuesday, Mohammed Abdel-Salam, the Houthis’ chief negotiator and spokesman, vowed to keep up the attacks
in support of Gaza.
The Day After
According to the Times of Israel, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has said that the Palestinian Authority must be “revamped” before it can take over in Gaza.
According to the Ynetnews, Hussein al Sheikh is seen as a potential succor to 87-year-old PA leader Mahmoud Abbas. Al-Sheikh has said that “After all this killing, there must be a ‘serious, honest and responsible’ assessment of the Palestinian cause.”
There has also been pressure by the US and others for a Two-State solution. Something that US President Biden has called for and something that Israel’s PM Netanyahu has long been against.
Many analysts blame Netanyahu for his approach to allowing Hamas to grow knowing that Hamas could never work with the Palestinian Authority and thus would never be partners to a two-state solution.
A recent New York Times article reported that Israel has turned a blind eye to billions of dollars that were funneled into Hamas’ military operations thinking that Hamas was docile and not interested in a war with Israel.
This approach was called the “conception.” That approach was disproven on Oct 7th. when Hamas attacked Israel. According to experts, Netanyahu was repeatedly warned that Hamas was planning an attack but ignored the warnings believing that money and allowing Gazans to work in Israel would keep the border quiet.
Tomer Hyman, former head of Military Intelligence, told David Horowitz, editor of the Times of Israel, that it wasn’t the “conception” that was wrong, but the “assessment” of the situation by intelligence bodies that was mistaken.
Public Opinion
On Dec 12th, the UN passed a resolution calling for a cease-fire but not once mentioning Hamas. A new UN resolution calling for a ceasefire was postponed to avoid a US veto. The US on December 8 vetoed a Security Council resolution backed by almost all council members and dozens of other nations demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. The 193-member General Assembly overwhelmingly approved a similar resolution on December 12 by a vote of 153-10, with 23 abstentions.
UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron and his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock published a a joint letter in the British Sunday Times urging a “sustainable cease-fire.”
“We share the view that this conflict cannot drag on and on. But the UN resolution ‘ignores why Israel is forced to defend itself. Hamas barbarically attacked Israel and still fires rockets to kill Israelis citizens every day. Hamas must lay down its arms.” They also wrote, “The rise of extremism is a threat to us all, not just to Palestinians and Israelis. A two state solution requires both sides to feel safe living side by side.”
According to Bloomberg News, Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said any call for a ceasefire is a ‘prize for terrorism.’ Cohen also said that “Eliminating Hamas is an Israeli security interest but will also bring a better and more secure future to the entire region.
Anti Semitism
New Yorker magazine reported that according to FBI director Christopher Wray, anti-Semitism is at an historic level in the US. He warned that extremist ‘draw inspiration’ from Hamas and assaults on Jews on American soil.
In a testimony before the Senate, Wray said that Jews make up only 2.4% of the population of America but are the targets of “something like 60% of all religious-based hate crimes.”
Speaking to a pro-Israel rally at the Brandenburg Gate, Germany’s president Frank Walter-Steinmeier said that it is “intolerable that once again Jews are living in fear in our country, of all places.”
According to the Times of Israel, the US Department of Education is to scrutinize anti-Semitism on at least five more campuses. Rutgers, Tulane, and Santa Monica College are among those named. Another 12 colleges and schools districts are facing allegations they failed to respond adequately to Anti-Semitism.
Meanwhile, according to Ynetnews, enrollment at Harvard University is down 17%, ostensibly because of Harvard’s weak stand on anti-Semitism.
A recent Harvard/Harris poll had muddled results. The poll showed that 81% of those between 18-24 backed Israel in the current Hamas War. But in that same age group, 51% wanted Israel replaced by a Hamas/Palestinian entity.
However, 58% thought Hamas should be removed. Of those polled, 60% thought that the Hamas’ attacks on Israel on Oct 7th were justified because of the Israeli treatment of the Palestinians.
As for the question of Jewish Genocide, 53% thought that the Oct 7th massacre should be called “Jewish Genocide” on campus. And 70% thought calls for Jewish Genocide could be considered hate speech.
73% thought that the 3 university presidents who testified before Congress and quaffed over the term Jewish Genocide should resign, (One, from the Univ. of Penn did resign) but 67% of those 18-24 thought that their testimony before Congress was sufficient.
Also, according to Ynetnews, entrepreneur and celebrity Kayne West has accused Zionist Jews of owning the banks, hospitals and LA private schools.
In Denmark, police arrested suspected Hamas members reportedly planning an attack. According to AP Cypriot official says authorities arrested two asylum seekers from Iran who were in contact with a Revolutionary Guard operative about targeting Israeli businessmen.
According to the TimesofIsrael Birthright is going to resume free trips to Israel. Around 350 students and young adults primarily from US are expected to travel to Israel beginning in early January
Congressional Candidate Mazi Melesa Pilip
In New York, an Ethiopian-born woman who immigrated to Israel with her family at age 12 is now running for Congress to fill the seat of ousted congressman George Santos.
Mazi Melissa Pilip, 44, mother of 7, is supported by Matt Brooks, CEO of the Republican National Coalition. He said that “…as antiSemitism continues across the country, electing candidates like Mazi Pilip is more important than ever. “
Mazi Melesa Pilip while in Israeli Paratroop Brigade
Pilip, who served in the Israeli army paratroops corps, met her husband Adalbert Pilip, a Ukrainian-American, while both were studying at Haifa University. She received a degree in Occupational Therapy from Haifa University, where she was chairperson of the Ethiopian Students organization, then an MA in Diplomacy from Tel Aviv University. She has been elected twice to the Nassau County legislature. She lives in Great Neck, New York.