War Day 109: No Rockets Fired From Hamas, Training Base Destroyed

War Summary, Day One Hundred and Nine: Hamas didn’t manage to fire a single rocket today, the IDF raided and destroyed one of the largest Hamas terrorism training bases, and soldiers in Khan Younis eliminated over 50 Hamas terrorists, including multiple commanders.

By Mrs. Bruria Efune

War Summary, Day One Hundred and Nine:

136 held captive in Gaza.
110 hostages freed.
11 hostage bodies rescued.
34 hostages confirmed murdered in Gaza.
1,300+ Israelis murdered.
198 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:

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with representatives of the families of the hostages in his Jerusalem office, and told them, “Contrary to what they say, there is no real proposal from Hamas – it is not true. I say this as clearly as I can because there are so many things that are wrong that must be tormenting you. In contrast, there is an initiative of ours, and I will not elaborate.”

There are rumors of an Israeli proposal which offers a temporary ceasefire of up to two months, in exchange for the release of hostages.

Hamas officials continue to say that they will only accept a deal which includes a permanent ceasefire and withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

John Kirby, White House spokesman for national security affairs, said, “The United States is interested in ceasefires but not a general ceasefire in the fighting in Gaza” he also said that he can “confirm that there are very long discussions with all our partners in the region about another hostage deal. We work on it every day.”

A senior Egyptian official was interviewed by the “Al Arabi Al Jadid” newspaper and said: “There is a turning point in the possibility of forging a cease-fire agreement with guarantees. Hamas is more flexible.”

Gaza Front Updates:

Hamas did not succeed in firing any rockets into Israel today.

The IDF announced the names of three heroes, all commanders, who fell in battle in the Southern Gaza Strip:

Maj. David Nati Alfassi, 27, from Be’er Sheva
Maj. Ilay Levy, 24, from Tel Aviv
Cpt. Eyal Mevorach Twito, 22, from Beit Gamliel

In North and Central Gaza, the IDF forces continue to come across and eliminate small cells of Hamas terrorists who remain in the area. In the Daraj and Tuffah neighborhood of Gaza City, the IDF raided and destroyed one of the largest Hamas terrorism training bases.

In the areas under IDF control, a much slower process is ongoing in the search and destruction of every rocket launcher and weapons cache. This is expected to take many months, as Hamas hid the launchers and weapons almost everywhere. In the meantime, large IDF bases are established in these areas, for what will be a long-term stay. It’s assumed that even in the case of a temporary ceasefire agreement, these actions will continue, as these areas are already taken by the IDF.

In Southern Gaza, the IDF made significant advancements in Khan Younis. In the morning hours alone, the IDF troops eliminated around 50 Hamas terrorists, including multiple commanders, as they close in on the last Khan Younis brigade. The battle is estimated to last several more days, and may be one of the most intense, for two primary reasons. One reason is that this is the last primary stronghold, where many if the most highly trained terrorists gathered both above and below ground. The other is that unlike Northern Gaza, Khan Younis is still full of civilians. The civilians have been warned to evacuate, but most remain, and several hospitals are still active. The IDF mapped out where civilians are sheltering and work to avoid harming them or the hospitals, but it’s almost certain that Hamas will take advantage of this.

The Kfir Brigade was temporarily withdrawn from Gaza on Sunday night for a rest and training period. They’ve been replaced with other forces in the meantime. The Kfir Brigade entered Gaza City’s Shejaya neighborhood last month in their first-ever ground maneuver, and then moved on to Khan Younis. After a short break, they will be back in action where needed.

On the backdrop of rumors that the IDF is beginning to move to take over the Philedalphi axis, Egypt has threatened that any action in the area will endanger the relationship between both countries.

Gaza Humanitarian Efforts Updates:

Today (Jan. 22), the 10,000th truck carrying humanitarian aid was transferred to Gaza.

Northern Front Updates:

Hezbollah launched multiple missiles into Israel’s far north today, no hits were reported.

The IDF carried out widespread attacks against Hezbollah targets in several town in Southern Lebanon. Targets included a military building and observation posts.

Hezbollah announced the death of another of their terrorists, adding up to their 166th terror death.

Defense Minister Gallant to the French Defense Minister: “A war in the north will be difficult for Israel, but devastating for Hezbollah and Lebanon. Israel will not cease fire until it guarantees the return of the residents of the north to their homes after the change in the security situation at the border.”

Houthi and Other War Front Updates:

The US and UK carried out eight attacks against the Houthis in Yemen, and reported that all were successful.

The Shia militias in Iraq claim that they launched a drone attack on the port of Ashdod. The event is unknown—there were no sirens or explosives heard, and there is no verification of this from any other source.