War Summary, Day One Hundred and Ninety Three: The US and EU plan to impose new sanctions on Iran, the IDF eliminated three top Hezbollah commanders in Lebanon, and he IDF is preparing a retaliating attack on Iran, but is not acting in a hurry, and is intentionally keeping the Iranian regime under suspense.
By Mrs. Bruria Efune
War Summary, Day One Hundred and Ninety Three:
133 held captive in Gaza.
112 hostages freed.
12 hostage bodies rescued.
37 hostages confirmed murdered in Gaza.
1,490 Israelis murdered.
260 fallen soldiers in the battle in Gaza.
6 fallen soldiers in Northern Israel.
4 fallen soldiers in Judea & Samaria.
11,600+ injured.
13,420 estimated rockets fired at Israel.
102,100 Israelis displaced from their homes.
1 Jewish nation united in prayer, charity, and good deeds.
Top Headlines:
- The US and EU are considering expanded sanctions against Iran
- Israel is keeping the Iranian regime on edge
- Three Hezbollah commanders were eliminated in Lebanon
Hostage Updates:
There is no progress in hostage negotiations, as Hamas continues to demand a permanent ceasefire which would allow them to survive and continue to rule Gaza and attack Israel.
Iranian Front Updates:
Speaking to Israeli Air Force troops who operate the Arrow long-range missile defense system,
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi spoke with Israeli Air Force troops who operate the Arrow long-range missile defense system which intercepted most of the Iranian ballistic missiles. He thanked them for their high level of alertness and vigilance, and said that ahead of Pesach (Passover) the IDF is “enabling a policy in the home front to allow civilians this week to live almost as usual.”
The IDF is preparing a retaliating attack, but is not acting in a hurry, and is intentionally keeping the Iranian regime under suspense. Iran has been keeping their airspace partially closed in anticipation. Israel has informed the U.S. and coalition countries who assisted in the defense against Iran that the retaliation will be done in a way that won’t put them at risk.
Israel’s Kan news reported according to a senior source in the Biden administration that the U.S. relied too much on the misconception that Iran’s supreme leader, Khamenei, would be cautious and would never launch a direct attack on Israel—and that this now necessitates a reassessment of Iran. Still, the U.S. is leading a push for a diplomatic response, primarily via sanctions, rather than military.
U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said, “The US plans to impose new sanctions on Iran’s missile and drone program in the coming days and expects its allies to follow suit.” CNN reported that the U.S. will restrict the movement of Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his delegation while they are in New York this week for a meeting at the UN. The restrictions will contain them to the few blocks encompassing the UN buildings and embassies, and access directly to and from JFK airport.
European Union Foreign Minister Joseph Borrell said, “The European Union is considering expanding existing sanctions on Iran, including the expansion of sanctions on Iran’s missile program. We condemn the Iranian attack. We have a commitment to Israel’s security in the European Union. We remain united and objective and call on all parties to exercise restraint.”
British Prime Minister Rishi Sonak wrote on X/Twitter: “Earlier today I spoke to Prime Minister Netanyahu and reiterated our support for Israel’s security following Iran’s reckless attack at the weekend. Further significant escalation will only deepen instability in the region. This is a moment for calm heads to prevail.”
Inside Iran, tensions are rising as the morality police have increased arrests of women who are not properly wearing a hijab, and police ban show of support for Israel online.
Israelis are busy preparing for Pesach and bustling about as usual, with a renewed trust in G-d and the IDF after the miraculous events at the start of the week.
Gaza Front Updates:
Hamas did not successfully launch any rockets at Israeli civilians today.
Thank G-d, the IDF did not announce the names of any fallen soldiers today.
The IDF says it carried out dozens of airstrikes on terror targets in Gaza today, including in Nuseirat, Deir al-Balah, and Rafah.
In Northern Gaza, there are unconfirmed reports of the IDF carrying out pinpoint operations in the Beit Hanoun and Jabaliya areas.
In Central Gaza, two Hamas brigades remain mostly intact—one in Nuseirat, and one in Deir al-Balah. While both these cities are very complex, and the terrorists are deeply embedded between civilians, they likely contain far less tunnels than in other cities, since they are closer to the coast, and digging deep would mean hitting water.
IDF troops in are currently operating in along the Netzarim Corridor, which divides the north and south of Gaza, through Central Gaza. A vertical expansion of the corridor is being paved reaching the outskirts of Nuseirat where troops are operating on ground, eliminating terrorists, and destroying terror infrastructure and rocket launchers. Gazans in Nuseirat say that the IDF carried airstrikes to destroy five buildings at the edge of the city, which were used by Hamas and the PIJ. Civilians were evacuated from the buildings before the airstrikes.
Reports indicate that preparations for the Rafah ground operation are underway, moving ahead now that it’s clear there won’t be a ceasefire and hostage exchange deal with Hamas. The 162nd and 98th Divisions appear to be preparing to lead the maneuver.
Currently, the only troops stationed inside Gaza are two brigades of the 162nd Division (401 and Nachal), which are operating in the central area. This week the IDF called up two additional reserve brigades (Carmeli and 679 from the Northern Command), who will likely replace the two in Central Gaza, freeing them up to join their division in Rafah. There are four Hamas brigades across four neighborhoods in Rafah—the last remaining brigades after Central Gaza.
Gaza Humanitarian Efforts Updates:
376 humanitarian aid trucks were inspected and transferred to Gaza today—of which 105 trucks were transferred via the Jordanian route.
126 aid trucks were coordinated to northern Gaza overnight.
2 bakeries are operational in northern Gaza following coordination, supplying over 800,000 pita breads for the local population who remained after being told to evacuate 6 months ago.
98 pallets containing tens of thousands of meals were airdropped over northern Gaza.
The IDF’s COGAT division, responsible for the transfer of aid, says that out of 5,893 aid trucks inspected over the last month, only 29 (.49%) were denied entry.
Overnight, activists from the Order 9 movement and families of hostages blocked aid trucks from entering Israel via the Allenby crossing from Jordan for six hours—until 4 a.m. The protesters demand that the trucks not be delivered until hostages are returned home, since much of the aid is taken by Hamas, who sell and profit off it. Police arrested some protesters, and diverted the trucks through an alternative route. Following the protest, the Allenby crossing is now declared to be a closed military zone.
Northern Front Updates:
Hezbollah in Lebanon fired heavily on Israel’s far north today, including a barrage on Mount Meron in which no hits were made, and a barrage on Kiryat Shemona which caused damage but no injuries. Two explosive-laden drones escaped air-defense systems and struck areas near Beit Hillel, without triggering sirens—three people were lightly injured in the incident, and a small fire resulted. Hezbollah claims the drones were aimed at an Iron Dome battery.
Amongst the airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Southern Lebanon today, the IDF eliminated at least three Hezbollah commanders. The first was Muhammad Shahouri, a senior commander in Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force, over the western district rocket unit. Shahouri was responsible for planning and executing rocket attacks towards Israel from southern Lebanon. Eliminated with Shahouri, was Mahmoud Fadlallah, also a commander in a rocket launching unit.
A separate airstrike eliminated Ismail Ismael Yousef Baz, a commander of Hezbollah’s coastal region, who held several positions within Hezbollah’s military wing and was involved in planning rocket and anti-tank missile launches towards Israel from the coastal area in Lebanon.
Hezbollah announced additional members deaths today, bringing their count to 278, although the IDF estimates it to be higher. Reports in Lebanon indicate that at least two terrorists from the Shia Amal movement were eliminated as well.
The IDF’s Northern Command and Computer Service Directorate wrapped up a series of drills to practice preparedness for a war in the north in the digital and technological space, both with implications on ground and in cyberspace. The exercise included reserve forces and coordination with other units.
Houthi War Front Updates
The U.S. and U.K. carried out airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.
Judea and Samaria Updates:
Overnight, IDF and security forces operated throughout Judea and Samaria, including in Bethlehem, Jenin, and Tulkarm, and arrested 23 wanted persons for affiliation with terror groups, and confiscated significant terrorist cash funds.
Hi,
Firstly, I want to take the opportunity to thank you for keeping us up to date on a daily basis with the many details of the ongoing war. We are constantly davening and hoping that the situation will be resolved very soon with the coming of Moshiach.
I was a bit disturb though to read the following sentence today:
Israelis are busy preparing for Pesach and bustling about as usual, with a renewed trust in G-d and the IDF after the miraculous events at the start of the week.
What does “Renewed trust in G-d” even mean? And what does it mean when you write “in G-d and the IDF” – are they both forces to be trusted one and the same??
Are we trying to say that the trust in Hashem was maybe strengthened?
Please Clarify.
Thank you
I’d take “renewed trust in G-d” as exactly what it sounds like: people’s emunah and bitachon are strengthened when they see how, for example, even those missives that landed in residential neighborhoods caused only property damage.
But yes, “in G-d and the IDF” is a bit jarring. Maybe it should better have been: “renewed trust in G-d and gratitude to His messengers the IDF.”
Of course their trust was renewed after seeing open miracles. And we say in Vayosha Hashem that the Yidden trusted in Hashem and in Moshe His servant. Here, the IDF are the shluchim and servants of G-d, fighting to protect their brothers and sisters. I think that’s a very powerful sentence and these heroes have every right to be included in that sentence.
ויאמינו בה’ ובמשה עבדו..”
The belief you are quoting was a belief in the prophecy of Moshe Rabbeinu – that what he was quoting from G-d was truth! And even more so – we still cannot compare Moshe Rabbeinu to any individual in this day and age.
Yes – we are grateful to those who are sacrificing themselves for the sake of peace and safety – I’m not here to mitigate that at all – they are heroes. But our belief is only in Hashem. I originally posted my message – because I was shocked that a Chabad website would post such a quote which goes against what the Rebbe has so clearly imbued in everyone regarding the 13 beliefs of faith.