Home Front
List of cities being attacked by missiles on right Puffs of smoke, Iron Dome hits.
Uri Sharon, Channel Kan TV Channel 11 news military reporter said that cities receive warnings, could be 8 missiles, could be 30.”
Every day news broadcasts announce incoming missile fire and list the cities that are expected to be hit according to computer analysis.
Experts point out that Israel is lucky that the Iron Dome works. “The sound of the anti-missile missiles seeking an incoming rocket is like standing fifty feet from a jet plane taking off.”
Three Israelis were moderately injured in the attacks on central Israel, including Tel Aviv. Ruby Hammershlog reported from the north that five Hezbollah terrorist squads had been eliminated during the day and that other squads about to send missiles into Israel had been taken out by armed drones. Later in the evening rockets were fired from Hamas positions in Syria. The missiles struck the souther Golan Heights. No injuries or damage was reported.
Overnight Tuesday, Israeli jets reportedly struck Iranian back militia bases in Syria destoying the missile launching sites that launched the attacks on northern Israel.
On Tuesday, the IDF spotted a terrorist group attempting to infiltrate by sea and land at Kibbutz Zikim. The Israeli navy destroyed the boat killing an estimated 9 terrorists. Israeli jets reportedly attacked and destroyed the Hamas navy base from which the attempted infiltration was launched.
“Hamas is now playing a psychological game with us,” said David Midan, former Mossad officer. “They’re always checking on world opinion. And Hamas likes to send Israelis into bomb shelters. Shaking them up. Part of their psychological warfare.”
Observers pointed out that the booms and sirens add to the general unease.
Some Israeli supporters are disturbed by pictures of the destruction in Gaza. And the horrible pictures received on social media. But one pundit pointed out that the messages and pictures are provided by the same people who lied about Israel killing people in the Gaza hospital. “They make Trump seem like an amateur when it comes to disinformation.”
Israel's President Herzog displayed documents from Al Qaeda found on some of the dead terrorists. They also found instructions how to create chemical weapons.
Gaza has long been a source of disinformation. One observer cited a reporter who worked at CBS radio who was in Gaza during one of the wars and reported that the doctor showing bodies was found to have brought them out of cold-storage in the morgue and not at all related to the killing. He interviewed the father of one of the children displayed who told him the kid had died two weeks earlier.
The pundit pointed out that, “The Arabs have long been exaggerators. Remember Sadam Hussein and his "Mother of All Wars.”'
One reporter said, “I recall covering an air battle back in '79 between Israeli and Syrian fighters. Syria claimed they shot down 29 Israeli jets. In fact Israel shot down 29 Syrian jets and received no losses. That's just who these guys are. Wild imaginations.”
On the economic front, hi-tech companies have reported that up to 70% of their workforce is now doing reserve duty either in the south along the Gaza border, or in the north, along the Lebanese border.
Streets have many less cars and traffic is no longer a problem in Israel’s big cities. The only schools that have fully reopened are far from either the Lebanese or Gaza border. Tel Aviv is expected to reopen schools at the end of the week. However, universities have announced they will not reopen until at least December or when the reservists return from active duty.
Some large companies have announced layoffs. The Fox clothing chain has cut down its workforce by 50%. “This is going to be an expensive war,” said one financial observer.
According to the Times of Israel, the S&P Global Ratings said Tuesday it was lowering Israel’s credit outlook from stable to negative, citing risks that the Israel-Hamas conflict could broaden, with a more pronounced impact on the economy.
Families have been evacuated from cities both in the north and south, leaving towns like Sderot, Ashkelon and all the settlements along the southern border empty as well as towns like Metulla and Kyriat Shmona in the north.
Many families were put up in hotels and hostels but also many moved in with relatives.
Hostages
At last count, 1400 killed and over 5000 injured including nearly 300 still in the hospital and 222 taken hostage as a result of the Hamas massacre of the Gaza settlements and the nearby Re’em music festival.
Eytan Mor (left) Zvi Mor (right)
Israel TV’s Kan Channel 11 ran an interview with Zvi Mor whose son Eytan was one of the guards at the Re’em dance festival on Oct 7, 2023. Eytan was taken hostage by the Hamas terrorists who broke through the Gaza border fence. “One day someone came to my door and told me my son had been kidnapped. “Of course I’m under stress. I don’t know if he’s alive or dead.”
Zvi Mor, who lives in a Jewish settlement in the Arab city of Hebron said, “This reminds me of the Arab massacre of 1929 when the murderers broke in the Hebron hospital and killed indiscriminately.” He said that in this scenario Hamas treats the hostages as “assets.”
When asked if he thought his son should be exchanged for Hamas prisoners held in Israeli jails he said, “There is no price high enough to pay for the safety of the Jewish people.” He said he wouldn’t want his son exchanged for Arab prisoners.
Someone pointed out that when 1,000 Arab prisoners were exchanged for a single soldier, Gilad Shalit, held in Gaza by Hamas terrorists, one of those released was Yahya Sinwar who is now the Hamas leader in Gaza behind the recent massacre of Jews in the Gaza settlements.
Every night there is footage of funerals and interviews with families who have lost loved ones in the massacre. And even more touching are interviews of people whose loved ones have been kidnapped. That’s not mentioning the children and even the infants who have been kidnapped and whose.families appear on the air crying.
Nurit Cooper (left) Yohevet Lifshitz, (right)
Hamas released two women on Monday, reportedly through the intervention of Qatar and Egypt. Nurit Cooper, 79, and Yohevet Lifshitz, 85. Both were kidnapped from kibbutz Nir Oz on Oct 7, 2023. So far, Hamas has released four hostages out of 222.
Lifshitz, whose husband was kidnapped with her and is still held hostage, gave a press conference today that was highly criticized by the Israeli media. Reportedly she said she’d received medical attention while being held captive. She also said that her husband was still being held in one of the tunnels under Gaza.
“Hamas is a master at manipulation of the media,” said one observer. “They knew what she’d say, and perhaps even threatened her to say the right things or bad things would happen to her husband.”
But most of the Israeli commentators said to leave the woman alone. “She’s 85, has been held hostage for two and a half weeks. Is ill. Forget about it. Move on."
Reportedly, Hamas has been in negotiations with Qatar for the release of another 50 hostages but only if Israel allows fuel into Gaza. Israel has refused since the fuel is used to power generators that allow Hamas to have electricity needed for communications and to assemble weapons and, fuel for their vehicle.
Hamas has also asked for a cease fire as a condition to release the hostages. Israel has refused. Israel did allow 24 trucks with food and medical supplies into Gaza on Tuesday.
Danny Yatom, former Mossad head, said on a Channel 12 TV panel, 'Everyone involved in this massacre has to be found and killed."
One pundit advised a friend who was inundated with pro-Hamas screed, “‘Your 'lefty' friends need to occasionally be reminded that this was a massacre by Nazis or Al Qaeda, or ISIS under a different name. You are dealing with a very media savvy enemy. They are masters at manipulating the press and public opinion. It is astounding that people fall for their line.”
On Tuesday evening, Israel TV Kan channel 11 screened interviews with three Hamas terrorists captured by Israel.
One said he was paid $10,000.
Another said this was a religious war.
A telephone call from a prisoner to his father was taped by authorities.
This prisoner told his father he'd killed 10 Jews. “
“He didn't say Israelis. He said Jews,” said Lt. Col (ret.) Amir Avivi. “This shows that this is a religious war against Jews.”
Uri Case, Arab affairs reporter for Kan Channel 1, said, “Notice that he didn’t say “Kill Israelis. But kill Jews.” And his father praised him for that, said another commentator.
Mosob Hassan Yousaf, son of one of the founders of Hamas, told CNN that Hamas wants to annihilate Israel and the Jewish people. He said that people forget that Hamas is a religious organization. And they are fighting a Holy War against the Jews and all non-Muslims. If allowed, they will take over not only Israel, but turn the world Muslim.
“They start a war every few years to get money. Then they wait and start another one.” He said that Hamas wants to turn Israel into rubble and put an Islamic State in its place.
This assertion was backed up by documents discovered by Israel among prisoners and on bodies of terrorists that showed plans to keep marching through Israel and take over the entire country. This once other forces joined in the war.
One observer said that Jewish leftists who support Hamas are simply ignorant. Some just going along with their buddies, who may be Palestinian. Some wanting to please their girlfriends, who may be Palestinian. Some just angry at their Jewish parents who support Israel.
Lt. Col (ret.) Amir Avivi said that he now sees what Amalak is. Hamas is Amalak (In the bible, Amalek was the cursed people who attacked the Israelites from the rear killing women and children).
An observer said that it was important to keep sending out this message. That Hamas is against the well-being of the Palestinian people.
That Hamas wants destruction of Jews everywhere. and then destruction of the rest of the world until they can impose Muslim law. Al Qaeda in word and deed. Amit Segal, political commentator on Channel 12tv news called Hamas “Nazis.”
International Opinion
One pundit shared a few excepts of an e-mail exchange with a friend. who mentioned “My leftists friends… who worry about Palestinians… my social feeds are full of dead and wounded Palestinian children. It is as if Russia never killed any children with all the rockets and bombs in Ukraine. …. I don’t want to get into a debate with my lefty friends on this war. I am sick over the blood shed….But … the problem is people equate Palestinians with Hamas. I know the difference. But look at the protest in the Arab world. Free Palestine slogans - not a word about Hamas.”
Nachman Shai, former army spokesman and Knesset member, said that liberals in the USA and around the world “seemed to be ignorant of the massacre that happened here.”
However, French Prime Minister Macron flew into Israel on Tuesday to meet with President Herzog and Prime Minister Netanyahu. Macron said that France stands behind Israel in the war against Hamas. He said that an international coalition should be formed to fight Hamas.
One pundit said that Macon’s visit was political. He was worried that Israel would attack Hamas and that some of the 30 hostages with French citizenship would be killed. A move that would reflect badly on him.
Another commentator said that France wasn’t going to send in any troops. Although, an international coalition might be good once the war was over and Gaza needed a governing body.
Noa Tishbi, an outspoken supporter of Israel based in Los Angeles, told Channel 12 news that she’s been working hard to get Hollywood to come out vocally and condemn Hamas. She pointed out that the Israeli government closed down their Information Department shortly before the surprise attack by Hamas.
Tishbi, who had been hired to provide positive stories about Israel by the government was fired by Prime Minister Netanyahu after criticizing the Judicial Reforms. Tishbi is now doing the job without government approval and for no pay.
The Secretary General of the UN, António Guterres, made a statement at the UN today saying that Gaza has been occupied for 56 years. He said it was understandable the Gazans wanted to be free of the occupation.
According to the Jerusalem Post, António Guterre said that “The relentless bombardment of Gaza by Israeli forces, the level of civilian casualties, and the wholesale destruction of neighborhoods continue to mount and are deeply alarming,” Guterres said.
Following Guterres speech, Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan called for the secretary-general to resign. Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, who was to have met with Guterres on Tuesday, cancelled his meeting.
Prof. Uzi Rabi told a Channel 12tv panel that “The USA and the coalition destroyed Mosul in Iraq in order to destroy ISIS.” But, pointed out one pundit, “That was far from Gaza and the scrutiny of the world’s press.”
The War
Israel Army Spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told the press that Israel has continued to bombard hundreds of Hamas targets in Gaza. Gen (ret.) Israel Ziv said that this is a sound tactic since the attacks make it safer and easier for Israeli troops once they enter Gaza. Ziv reiterated what he’s said frequently, “There’s no rush.”
Troops on maneuvers somewhere near Gaza
The Army spokesman said that there is no disagreement between the IDF and the government over going into Gaza but only when. US President Biden and Sec. of State Blinken have both advised Israel to wait while negotiations for the release of hostages is ongoing.
US President Biden has reportedly put a plan in place to evacuate hundreds of thousands of Americans across the middle east should the war spread to include other countries, like Iran, Russia, China Yemen and Iraq.
Most observers agree that this will be a long war. According to Ohad Hemo, Arab affairs correspondent for Israel TVs Kan 11, both Hamas and Hezbollah realize this war will go on for a long time. He said that because of this Hezbollah in Lebanon is in no hurry to enter the war at this stage.
According to Army Spokesman tens of Hamas terrorist commanders have been killed in the bombing or by weaponized drones. He said that the air force was working in close contact with the ground forces to implement an aerial umbrella once the invasion of Gaza begins.
US Sec.of State Blinkin has said that Israel has to think about who would take over Gaza once Hamas was toppled. A US source was also quoted as saying that they worry Israel lacks an achievable goal for Gaza, and said that Israel was not prepared for the invasion. Also, that the US was sending in a General to help advise on the battle plans.
In an apparent rebuttal, the Army spokesman said that Israel is ready for the incursion and has detailed plans that will be implemented. Meanwhile troops are training and gaining valuable experience prior to the invasion.
Some opinions in the media say Israel will settle for small surgical strikes and commando incursions rather than a large ground invasion.
Meanwhile, the Times of Israel reported that more than 600 civilian security squads have been set up in communities around the country. The squads were provided with automatic rifles by the police. The report stated this move was carried out should Israel face a multi-front war requiring citizens to protect themselves should they be attacked.
Bright Spot
Tal and Uri Sachar were to be married, but the war got in the way. So, they decided to get married anyway, on the army base where they were both serving after being called up for reserve duty.