War Summary, Day One Hundred and Fourteen: Masses of Gaza civilians evacuating Khan Younis chanted for the end of Hamas. Ten countries announced that they halted funding to UNRWA, after several UNRWA workers participated in the October 7th massacre.
By Mrs. Bruria Efune
War Summary, Day One Hundred and Fourteen
136 held captive in Gaza.
110 hostages freed.
11 hostage bodies rescued.
34 hostages confirmed murdered in Gaza.
1,400+ Israelis murdered.
220 fallen soldiers in the battle in Gaza.
5 fallen soldiers in Northern Israel.
3 fallen soldiers in Judea & Samaria.
8,000 injured.
12,900 rockets fired at Israel.
187,533 Israelis displaced from their homes.
1 Jewish nation united in prayer, charity, and good deeds.
Hostage Updates:
Hamas published a five minute propaganda video of three female hostages held in Gaza; soldiers Daniella Gilboa and Karina Ariev, and civilian Doron Steinbrecher. In the video, they each identify themselves and then ask the Israeli government to return them home.T The IDF and Israeli government maintain that these videos are a cruel form of psychological warfare, and ask that people not view or share them.
The New York Times reported that the USA has drafted a hostage exchange proposal which they are cautiously optimistic about. The report says:
“In the first phase, fighting would stop for about 30 days while women, elderly and wounded hostages were released by Hamas. During that period, the two sides would work out details of a second phase that would suspend military operations for roughly another 30 days in exchange for Israeli soldiers and male civilians being held. The ratio of Palestinians to be released from Israeli prisons is still to be negotiated but that is viewed as a solvable issue. The deal would also allow for more humanitarian aid into Gaza.”
While Hamas is demanding a full ceasefire, the US aims to ensure them that if the IDF stops for two months, they’re less likely to resume, or at least not at the same strength.
It’s yet unknown if Israel will agree to this proposal.
Gaza Front Updates:
Hamas fired one round of rockets at the Sderot area, in the Gaza Envelope today. No hits were reported.
On Friday, the IDF announced the name of one hero who fell in battle in Gaza:
Sgt. Maj. (res.) Eliran Yeger, 36, from Tel Aviv.
The IDF continues to advance in Khan Younis, and have over the past days eliminated hundreds of Hamas terrorists in the city. The troops continue to find weapons depots and tunnel shafts, while calling in airstrikes and artillery to remove threats when needed.
Hamas terrorists have been attacking IDF soldiers from Nasser and Al-Amal hospitals in Khan Yunis. Before the IDF troops neared the hospitals, it liaised with the hospital directors and staff to ensure that the hospitals can remain operational and accessible. The IDF communicated that there is no obligation to evacuate the hospitals, but set up a dedicated evacuation route for those who wish to—even though this route risks allowing the Hamas terrorists to escape.
Despite intense battles and heavy pressure, the IDF is moving forward at a steady rate, and nearing a complete takeover of Khan Younis and nearby Khuzaa.
The IDF published a video of masses of Gaza civilians evacuating Khan Younis while chanting for the end of Hamas.
Gaza Humanitarian Efforts Updates:
Ten countries announced that they halted funding to UNRWA, pending further review of allegations that several UNRWA schoolteachers had participated in the October 7th massacre, many were members of Hamas, and even more encouraged support for their actions. The countries who so far pulled funds, are: the USA, Britain, Germany, Canada, Australia, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Finland and Scotland.
UNRWA, which stands for United Nations Relief and Works Agency, is supposed to be an aid organization for Palestinians from Gaza, Judea, and Samaria. Israel has been ringing the alarm for years, pointing out that their schools teach terrorism, and the organization perpetuates victimhood by granting refugee status to Palestinians for multiple generations, even long after they’ve settled in homes.
Israeli Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, demanded that the UN fire the heads of UNRWA and open an investigation into the involvement of the employees in the Oct 7th attack.
Once again, protesters gathered at the Kerem Shalom border crossing with Gaza, and blocked the flow of trucks carrying humanitarian aid. The protesters were families of hostages, released reservists, and mothers of IDF soldiers who are fighting in Gaza. They demanded a halt to the flow of aid into Gaza until the hostages are released.
The last reported delivery of aid truck to Gaza was on the 25th.
ICJ Ruling Update:
On Friday, the International Court of Justice gave an initial ruling, which will in the future be followed by a longer, more in-depth ruling. The initial ruling declared that some of Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip during the war against Hamas could plausibly fall within the terms of the Genocide Convention. The court ruled that Israel therefore must take a series of preventative measures.
The decision was voted in 15-2—the only voices against it were from Israeli Justice Aharon Barak, Former President of the Supreme Court of Israel and Holocaust survivor, and Justice Julia Sebutinde from Uganda, who witnessed real genocide in Sudan and Rwanda.
While the ICJ’s ruling is damaging, it at least did not take the action South Africa wanted most, which was to call for a unilateral ceasefire.
In a statement following the ruling, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu said:
“Like every country, Israel has an inherent right to defend itself. The vile attempt to deny Israel this fundamental right is blatant discrimination against the Jewish state, and it was justly rejected. The charge of genocide leveled against Israel is not only false, it’s outrageous, and decent people everywhere should reject it.
On the eve of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, I again pledge as Prime Minister of Israel – Never Again. Israel will continue to defend itself against Hamas, a genocidal terror organization.”
Northern Front Updates:
Hezbollah fired heavy rounds of missiles and launched multiple attack drones at Northern Israel today. No hits were reported.
The IDF is continuing preparations for a larger war against Hezbollah, and announced:
“As part of the process of increasing readiness on the northern border, the Northern Command held intensive training sessions last week to strengthen competence and readiness for the moment of decision.”
The IDF has been carrying out exercises and drills in the north since the beginning of the war, but has now moved to a larger scale, in a threat to Hezbollah.
On Friday Hezbollah published a video in which they claimed to strip an Israeli “spy dome” at an IDF post on the northern border. In response, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman published a photo said to be from this morning, showing the dome with no damage.
The IDF carried out many strikes against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon today, and eliminated at least four Hezbollah terrorists in the process.
Houthi War Front Updates
Yesterday, the Iranian-backed Houthis struck a Marshall Islands-flagged ship with an Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile off the coast of Yemen. The ship was transporting a cargo of Naphtha, a highly flammable liquid hydrogen mixture, intended for commercial use. Following the missile strike, a major fire ensued in one of the cargo holds. The French and Indian Navys responded in assistance to the ship’s crew, and out out the fire with no critical damage to the ship, nor any casualties.
Judea and Samaria Updates:
IDF forces are currently active in Jenin, where locals report clashes.
Truth finally comes out. There are NO innocent Gazan civilians: they are collaborators or supporters. Check Arabic polling. Hamas kills them too by not surrendering with no conditions.
1st and foremost: Release the hostages, living and murdered.