War
IDF soldiers in Gaza
The lull in the fighting was broken on Tuesday when Hamas terrorists lobbed three explosive devices at IDF troops in Gaza. A firefight ensued. Three Israeli soldiers were lightly injured.
According to the Qatari newspaper Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported that the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, detonated the three explosive devices in the northern Gaza Strip near IDF forces, in violation of the cease-fire agreements. Earlier, the IDF spokesman said that "in one of the cases, shooting was also carried out at the forces, several soldiers were slightly injured. The soldiers responded by returning fire. In both cases, the IDF forces stayed within the agreed cease-fire lines
Politics: The Conception
Amos Yadlin, former head of military intelligence, told Channel 12TV that the “conception’ that Hamas wasn’t a threat was wrong. as was the conception that Japan wouldn’t attack the USA, which they did at Pearl Harbor.
Politicians are being blamed for a misguided evaluation of the dangers posed by Hamas. The common belief, according to observers, had been that Hamas could be bought off. That money from Qatar and Israel allowing Gazans to come into Israel to work was enough to quell any dissent in Gaza and keep attacks from getting out of hand. Israel has grown accustomed to Hamas’ occasional violent and vicious volley of rockets that sent Israelis scurrying to bomb shelters, followed by a cease-fire and another period of calm.
This time was different. Reportedly, Yeheh Sinwar, head of Hamas in Gaza, was surprised by the fierce Israeli response to the Oct 7th invasion and massacre and kidnappings. He reportedly expected the usual tepid response accompanied by bribes to keep the peace.
According to observers, this “Conception” had been ingrained in Israeli politics for over a decade. The belief that Hamas cold be bought off skewed the reality of the situation.
Recently, the media has been allowed to read a series of emails sent by an army outpost and watcher from the vaunted 8200 intelligence branch that were the eyes and ears along the border. On July 6th, a soldier from that branch reported that two battalions of Hamas terrorists were engaged in full-scale exercises along the border including drones, pick-up trucks, explosions along the border fence and ultra-lights dropping bombs. In her her opinion these were simulations of a real attack.
Three days later another soldiers reported another Hamas exercise. On July 12th her senior officer sent her a reply saying that her option of an imminent attack is in her imagination.
None of the emails were reportedly passed up the chain of command.Thus, neither the head of military intelligence, the Shabak or the Chief of Staff every received the warnings.These and other short-comings will be investigated once the war is over, according to reliable sources.
When the army approached Prime Minister Netanyahu with the opinion that his push for Judicial Reforms was significantly weakening the army’s reputation as the regions strongest force, Netanyahu reportedly waved the warnings away, refusing to meet the Chef of Staff for a briefing before an important vote in Israel’s Knesset.
Gen (ret.) Moshe ‘Bogie’ Ya’aalon told Channel 12TV news today that Netanyahu was concerned with getting out of the three indictments he was facing in trial, than in the security situation.
While the heads of the Army and Military Intelligence and Shin Bet admitted they were responsible for the oversights that led to the invasion on Oct 7th, Prime Minister Netanyahu has so far never accepted responsibility, rather blamed the army and other security services for the massacre. Critics say that the ‘conception’ of Hamas’ passivity .was designed by Netanyahu, who was now trying to dodge blame.
Ya’alon also said that it was wonderful how US President Biden has stepped up to support Israel and even wonder how to finish the war. Ya’alon said that the Israeli cabinet wasn’t discussing the day after, or even how to end the war. Ya’alon believes that the Palestinian Authority has to be the governing body to take over Gaza. While not a good alternative was the best so far.
Ya’alon also said that Netanyahu has been led astray by ultra-nationalists Finance Minister Bezalel Smotritch and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. As if to underline this opinion, Israel’s cabinet yesterday passed a budget that gave over $30 million to the ultra-orthodox and the settlers rather than use that money for the war and reparations for those displaced by the fighting.
On Tuesday, Netanyahu told the media that he plans to continue running the country once the war has ended. This even though his standing in the polls has crashed, with his Likud party garnering barely 45 seats should elections be held today, down from 64.
West Bank
Hamas Rally in Nablus
According to Ynet news, since Oct 7th, Hamas’ popularity has surged in the west bank, where the Palestinian Authority is seen as a ‘subcontractor’ to Israel.
Crowds gathered to greet the returning prisoners, so far 150 have been exchanged for the hostages. “From Gaza to Jenin” the crowd shouted, and “With our shoulders and our blood we will redeem you, Hamas.”
Yazan Abdallah, a university student, said “I come out here to celebrate the release of the prisoners and show my support for the resistance.” She said that “Fatah” (the Palestinian Authority) has lost its ‘compass.’ “As far as we are concerned Hamas is the leader of the Palestinian People.”
Weapons and a Hamas flag found in the West Bank
Amani, another Palestinian in downtown Ramallah said, “The PA has been negotiating for ever with no results, Amani, the mother of four, was waiti
in downtown Ramallah for the busload of prisoners to arrive. “I’m not Hamas, but I support their actions. People want results. She said “Abbas destroyed Fatah and look at how popular Hamas has become.”
Overnight on Saturday, Israel arrested 15 Hamas terrorists in the West Bank city of Jericho. 20 Palestinians were arrested, among them the 15 Hamas terrorists.
According to the IDF, the terrorists resisted and threw Molotov cocktails at the Israeli troops. In the raid the IDF seized weapons and ammunitions. One terrorist was shot. Since Oct 7th, over 2000 wanted terrorists have been arrested, of them 1100 were Hamas.
According to the Times of Israel 42 Palestinians have been killed in the seven weeks since Oct 7. And that parts of the West Bank has become a killing zone.
According to the Times of Israel, Veteran Palestinian Authority cabinet member Jabril Rajoub, Sec. Gen of the Fatah Central Committee, said that the Hamas terror group that carried out the Oct 7 onslaught were part of the “Palestinian political and social fabric.”
Hostages
Armed Hamas terrorists with Yigal and Yakov
On Monday, Hamas released another 11 Israeli hostages, 9 children, and six Thai citizens, on the fourth day of the hostage release deal. Qatar has brokered the deal, agreed upon by both Hamas and Israel, to extend the cease fire for another two days in exchange for 20 more hostages, ten per day. Also, to allow in humanitarian aid and release another 30 or so Palestinian prisoners. There is talk of continuing this ceasefire for another week.
According to reports from the hostages, they were told to smile and wave at the cameras. Some observers point out that the hostages were reminded that family members were still held in Gaza and to do as they were told.
Hostages released on day 4
166 and counting. That’s how many hostages are still being held in Gaza. Infants, toddlers, children, teenagers, woman, some of them soldiers, men, some of them soldiers, and the elderly.
Israel has released 150 prisoners so far and will release more over the next two days of extended ‘respite’ from the fighting. The big question observers ask is if and when will the fighting resume?
Channel 12TV’s anchorman Danny Kushmoro said that the hunt for Sinwar will ultimately be successful, but rather than assassinate him, drag him into court and make him stand trial, as Israel did with Eichman. Let the world witness his inhumanity.
According to Nir Dvori, Channel 12TVs military correspondent, Sinwar didn’t lose control of Gaza entirely.
There were reports that Sinwar visited hostages in the tunnels beneath Gaza where some were being held. Reportedly he spoke in perfect Hebrew, leaned while imprisoned for 25 years in Israel. And released during the swap for Gilad Shalit in exchange for 1,100 Palestinian prisoners. Sinwar reportedly told the hostages not to worry, “You’re under my care. Nothing is going to happen to you.”
According to Israel Haran, former Shin Bet official, “Sinwar has a different mind set than we do. He’s a messianist. It is hard to put yourself into his head. People think that he’s a psychopath, but he just thinks differently about things. Sees things differently.”
As of now, according to Giora Eiland, former Military Intelligence head, the IDF controls 80% of north Gaza but only 20% of the tunnels.
According to Alon Ben David, military reporter on Channel 11 KanTV, 30-40 armed Hamas terrorists escorted the hostages from their hiding place to the cars taking them out of Gaza.
Ben-David says that Hamas knows that at any time the IDF will came in and take about what remains of Hamas’ fighting forces. But now Israel has a window of opportunity to get as many hostages out as possible, and then go back in and take apart Hamas.
Kfir Bibis (left) with parents and sister Ariel.
The tiniest human shield held by Hamas is Kfir Bibis. Media pundits say that the 10-month-old is being used as a bargaining chip.He, his sister four-year-old Ariel and their parents Yarden and Shiri are still being held in Gaza. When asked during a TV panel why Hamas would do such a thing, former Shin Bet official Israel Haran said, “Because they can.”
Touching scenes of reunion between children and parents, or family members, were screened every evening. As of now the details of what the hostages endured has been kept secret. Ilan
Noam and Alma Or
The Or children, Noam 17, and Alma, 13, were released by Hamas on Sunday after 51 days in captivity. Kidnapped from Kibbutz Be’eri, they returned home only to discover that their mother had been murdered in the Oct 7th massacre and that their father Alam was still being held hostage in Gasa. Over 120 members of Kibbutz Be’er were massacred by Hamas on that day.
“It was horrible,” said Ahil Besorai, brother of Alam and Or’s mother. “It wasn’t pleasant. They were in room in a house with another woman. They all kept a journal. The day they were released they were told they were being taken to the toilet. They were handcuffed, and blindfolded, put in a car that took them to the Red Cross, leaving the other woman behind. And the journal.”
He said that he’d spoken to his niece by Zoom, and her eyes ere glittering. “But who knows what’s hiding behind the glitter?”
Esther Siegel, whose mother was released, said that the mother that went into captivity was not the same mother that returned. She also begged that the Israeli public kept up the pressure to release the hostages. “My father is still being held hostage.” Her father, Ilan Siegel, immigrated to Israel from the USA at the age of 21.
According to CNN, Hamas murdered 1200 men women and children, kidnapped nearly 300 others, set homes on fire, looted and stole and destroyed whatever they couldn’t.
According to Natan and Shira Calderon, aunt and uncle to Sohar, 16, and Aaron, 12, who were released on Sunday, “They are tried and hungry and need to adjust. Who knows that happened to them? Underground. Hungry. No showers or baths, kept in the dark. Told to be quiet. And now their father, my brother, is still in Gaza.”
Noa Rotem, one of the released prisoners, said that while Hamas claims they don’t know where her mother is, Noa says that she and her mother had been held in the same room, and two days earlier, her mother had even cut her hair.
Ynet news reported that Deborah Cohen, the aunt of Eitan Yahalomi, a 12-year-old who was released from Hamas captivity on Monday, told French TV channel BFMTV that the terrorists forced her nephew "to watch videos of the atrocities.”
She added that, “Whenever one of the children there cried, they threatened them with a gun to silence them. And when he arrived in Gaza, all the residents, everyone, beat him." She added, "I wanted to hope that they treated him well. It turns out they didn't; they are monsters. Now that I know this, I'm worried. His father is still there, and there are 160 people who haven't returned yet."
According to Ohad Hemo, Arab affairs correspondent on Channel 12TV, Islamic Jihad and Hamas have both issued statements, through Qatar, that they are interested in making a deal for the soldiers, in exchange for the end of the war, and the survival of Hamas. “Sinwar wants this,” said Hemo.
Nir Dvori, military correspondent for Channel 12TV said, “He wants to stop the war and survive. Israel has to think hard about this offer.” According to Dvori, the exchange could continue, children and women first, then men and finally soldiers.
Ehud Yaari, veteran Arab affairs reporter on Channel 12TV, said“When you get down to 100 hostages, Israel will have a difficult decision. It all depends on what Sinwar will do. An Egyptian general is putting pressure on Hamas, and Qatar is putting up money.” Ya’ari pointed out that ‘this is not a cease-fire, but rather a respite, a pause, in the fighting."
Still, President Biden said “I won’t rest until all the hostages are released by to Israel.
According to the Jerusalem Post, Hamas is known to consider public perception as a central component of its strategy.”
Public Opinion
Billionaire Elon Musk was in Israel on Monday, touring the destroyed settlements along the Gaza border. He was led by Prime Minister Netanyahu. During the tour Musk said that Israel has no choice but to destroy Hamas. Some observers said that Musk made the visit because of the bad press he’d been receiving linking him to anti-Semitic statements.
German President Steinmeier meets with Israel’s President Herzog
During the week,Germany’s president Frank Walter Steinmeier also visited Israel and was taken to the site of the Oct 7th massacre.
According to the Jerusalem Post Steinmeier said that he , “wants to be in solidarity with Israel not only in times of trouble, when there are victims, declared Steinmeier, but 100% of the time.
He added that on a personal level, he has a deep connection with Israel, but never more so than since October 7.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands turned out for a pro-Israel protest in London.
In the USA reports came in across the country of pro-Israel signs being torn down during the night in places with a large Jewish community like Skokie, Illinois and suburbs of Boston. Reportedly, many people, Jews and non-Jews were afraid of putting the signs on their lawns for fear of retribution.
Some Jews, it was reported, have even found a clever way to disguise the mezuzah on their doorposts fearing attacks.
Pro-Palestinian protests continue around the world. In one American university, a faculty member approached a student of his chanting “From the River to the Sea,” and asked her if she knew what the slogan meant.
She admitted she didn’t. She said that a lot of people were out protesting so she joined. them.