War Day 317: Failed Suicide Bombing In Tel Aviv, Father of 3 Killed

War Summary, Day 317: An explosion in Tel Aviv today killed one man as he was walking down the streets in a backpack in what was perhaps an attempted suicide bombing, a terrorist with a hammer killed a Jewish security guard and father of three near Kedumim, and Hamas rejects initial ceasefire-hostage release compromise although Biden hasn’t yet given up.

By Mrs. Bruria Efune

War Summary, Day 317:

115 held captive in Gaza.
41 hostages confirmed murdered in Gaza.
116 living hostages rescued.
24 hostage bodies rescued.
1,622 Israelis killed.
334 fallen soldiers and police in the battle in Gaza.
19 fallen soldiers in Northern Israel.
9 fallen soldiers in Judea & Samaria.
20,750 estimated rockets fired at Israel.
88,000 Israelis displaced from their homes.
1 Jewish nation united in prayer, charity, and good deeds.

Top Headlines:

• Hamas rejects initial ceasefire-hostage release compromise
• Biden hasn’t given up yet
• Hezbollah and Iran appear to be waiting on negotiations
• Significant IDF action in Gaza, including in Deir al-Balah and Hamad
• Explosion in Tel Aviv is possible failed suicide bombing
• Father of three killed at work in factory near Kedumim

Hostage Updates:

Prime Minister Netanyahu, in a speech, said that Israel is in midst of extremely complex negotiations for the hostages release. Stressing that Israel stands by the original May 27th proposal, Netanyahu said, “We are conducting negotiations and not a scenario in which we just give and give. There are things we can be flexible on and there are things that we cannot be flexible on—which we will insist on. We know how to distinguish between the two very well.”

In negotiations, Israel is insisting on (a) a list of hostages who will be released alive, in order of release, (b) the ability to veto the release of a certain number of dangerous terrorists from prison, (c) a time limit on the first phase of the deal so that Israel can return to fighting Hamas if no agreement is made for the second phase, (d) the ability to vet Gazans returning to Northern Gaza to ensure they’re not armed terrorists, and (e) maintaining control of the Philadelphi Corridor in Gaza, which stitches along the Gaza-Egypt border and is used by Hamas for smuggling arms.

Hamas did not send a delegation to the negotiations, and is instead being briefed by Qatar. Today, a Hamas spokesperson announced: “After being briefed by the mediators about what happened in the last round of talks in Doha, we once again came to the conclusion that Netanyahu is still putting obstacles in the way of reaching an agreement, and is setting new conditions and demands with the aim of undermining the mediators’ efforts and prolonging the war.” In Hamas’s statement, they still insist on a guaranteed permanent ceasefire, and complete IDF withdrawal from Gaza, including the Netarim and Philadelphi Corridors.

While Hamas announced that they rejected the deal, they didn’t entirely close the door on it, indicating that they want it all. The manipulative announcement put the blame in Netanyahu, in an effort to stir the anger against him, by claiming that Netanyahu is adding new conditions in order to sabotage the deal. Meanwhile, Netanyahu is still agreeing to the original May 27th outline, while Hamas is insisting on their altered outline from June 2nd, which demands a full IDF ceasefire and withdrawal before any hostages are released, and the rearming of Hamas.

Despite this, this evening, U.S. President Biden told reporters that in his opinion a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip is “still possible,” and that Washington is “not giving up” on the matter.

Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, arrived in Israel today for the 9th time since October, and is supposed to head to Egypt on Tuesday, with aims to finalize negotiations.

The spokesman for Hamas in Lebanon told the Sky News network that “the optimism that Biden exuded is not in line with reality.” And that “No real progress was recorded in the talks in Doha. The points in dispute have not been resolved.”

It is unlikely that the “points in dispute” will be resolved, so long as Hamas demands the ability to continue killing Israelis, and Israel demands the ability to keep Israelis safe.

Iran & Proxies Attack Updates:

Home Front Command directives for civilians remain unchanged; only those in the far north have restricted movement.

The IDF, and especially the Israeli Air Force, remain fueled and ready for both defense and offense in case of a joint Iranian-axis attack. It is largely suspected that Iran and Hezbollah are holding off for the negotiations, and will attack if/when the negotiations officially fall through.

While Israelis continue with life as normal, this is a very difficult situation for reservists, who try to continue with regular life knowing that at any second they will need to drop everything and speed to the frontlines, where they each already have prepared and practiced battle plans.

Gaza Front Updates:

Hamas fired rockets at Kibbutz Nir Oz, near the Gaza border today, no physical injuries were reported. Most residents of the kibbutz remain evacuated from their homes, and are living apartment buildings in the city of Kiryat Gat until it is safe to return home, and until the kibbutz is rebuilt after the October 7th massacre and destruction.

Thank G-d, the IDF did not announce any fallen heroes in Gaza today.

Four divisions of IDF troops are currently operating in Gaza: the 252nd Division along the Netzarim Corridor, and on pinpoint operations in Central and Northern Gaza; the Gaza Division in the buffer zone; the 98th Division in Khan Younis, Hamad, and Deir al-Balah; and the 162nd Division in Rafah and along the Philadelphi Corridor.

IDF troops are now operating in Deir al-Balah, Central Gaza, for the first time (aside from a mini-incursion ahead of the hostage rescue in June). Deir al-Balah had been part of the designated humanitarian zone, until the IDF called for its evacuation after Hamas terrorists fired rockets from the city. The IDF has significant intelligence about Hamas activities in the city, but will likely be acting with caution due to the high possibility of hostages being held in the area.

Troops also returned to the small town of Hamad, near Khan Younis. It’s the second time that the IDF is operating in the town, after early clearing it of terrorists in May. The troops are back in the area with new intelligence, and are searching for tunnels that they may have missed during the first incursion.

In both Khan Younis and Rafah, the IDF is expanding operations. In all areas of operation, the IDF eliminated dozens of terrorists, and destroyed Hamas infrastructure and assets.

Reports indicate that Hamas in Gaza is on their dying breath, and now only functions as small cells of terrorists in a form of guerrilla warfare. The IDF is working to squash the last holdouts, and reduce their ability to regroup, recruit, and rearm. Israel is also increasing pressure in Gaza in order to pressure Hamas to return hostages in exchange for a temporary ceasefire.

Gaza Humanitarian Efforts Updates:

About 500 trucks worth of humanitarian aid are waiting for collection by UN organizations.
11 aid trucks and 2 fuel tankers were coordinated to northern Gaza yesterday.

The Israeli Ministry of Health is monitoring the situation after traces of the polio virus were found in the sewage in Gaza. The virus found is a mutation found in samples that were collected in Egypt. Over the past months, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been sampling for Acute Flaccid Syndrome associated with poliovirus infection, and found zero cases—which indicates that it is highly probable that there is no outbreak of the disease among the population.

At least 95% of the population in Gaza are already immunized against polio. Israel is working with WHO and UNICEF to get 1.3m more vaccines into Gaza. A UNICEF campaign will cover 600,000 children under age 10, for the new mutation.

Northern Front Updates:

Hezbollah in Lebanon continued firing on Israeli communities that are along the Israel-Lebanon border, including a barrage of 20 rockets at the city of Kiryat Shemona. Most rockets headed towards civilian areas were intercepted, and no physical injuries were reported.

The IDF continued to attack Hezbollah positions in Southern Lebanon, with at least one terrorist elimination. The IDF has significant intelligence on the locations of Hezbollah bases and hidden launchers in Lebanon, and is attacking them slowly and strategically, while avoiding launching a wider war just yet.

Meanwhile, Lebanon is struggling with a lack of electricity, due to the economic crisis. After the complete stage on Shabbat, today the power companies provided two hours of electricity. The “Al-Jadid” channel reported that Kamal Hayak, the head of the Lebanese council of the “Lebanon Electricity” company, had to “cut his vacation in Greece short” and return to Lebanon to attend a board meeting. If Lebanon enters a war with Israel, it will be as a country already embroiled in corruption and disaster at home.

Tel Aviv Explosion:

After an explosion in Tel Aviv today, the details are not yet clear. The blast, which happened near a truck, killed one man, shortly after he was seen walking down the streets in a backpack. The extend of his injuries indicate that the backpack may have contained a bomb, which police believe may have been the case. The Shin Bet is investigating the circumstances to determine if the attack was criminal or terrorist.

The most likely (but not confirmed) scenario, is that the man was on his way to carry out a suicide bombing, but detonated too early, in a less populated area, and thank G-d, no one else was killed. One person was lightly injured.

Judea and Samaria and Tel Aviv Updates:

A terrorist with a hammer killed a Jewish security guard at the Bar-On industrial park near Kedumim.

The victim is named as Gidon Peri, 38, a father of three.

The terrorist, who had a valid worker’s permit, stole Gidon’s handgun before fleeing the scene in a stolen car. He was later seen in CCTV footage crashing the car, and feeling on foot. The IDF has launched a manhunt for the terrorist, and has confiscated the car for evidence.

Iron Dome interceptions over Kiryat Shemona today.