War Day 43: Six Soldiers Killed, No Hostage Deal, IDF Advances in Gaza

War Summary, Day Forty-Three: Netanyahu emphasized that there is no hostage deal on the table, six more soldiers were killed in Gaza over the past two days, and Biden published an op-ed on Israel in the Washington Post.

By Mrs. Bruria Efune

War Summary, Day Forty Three

239 confirmed kidnapped.
5 hostages freed.
3 hostage bodies rescued.
1,200+ Israelis murdered.
56 fallen soldiers since entering Gaza.
7,262 injured.
10,000+ rockets fired at Israel.
500,000+ Israelis displaced from their homes.
1 Jewish nation united in prayer, charity, and good deeds.

Hostage & Injured Updates:

The Tanzanian government announced that the IDF found the body of Clemens Monga, a 22-year-old Tanzanian citizen who came to Israel to work in agriculture, and was taken hostage by Hamas on October 7th.

Negotiations continue for the release of the hostages. Israel’s minimal conditions include the release of all woman and children. Hamas is demanding, amongst other things, a pause in fire, with no Israeli aircraft over or near Gaza, so that Israel cannot track Hamas terrorists and uncover the locations where the hostages are being kept.

Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized that despite rumors, “there is no deal.” He added that Israelis would be notified immediately if there was, and that there will be no permanent ceasefire.

Gaza Front Updates:

Rocket fire continued at a reduced rate, but included barrages at Ashkelon and the center both on Friday evening and Shabbat day. An apartment building was hit in Sderot, no physical injuries were reported.

Shortly after the barrage to the center on Friday evening, IDF ground forces identified the terrorists who made the launch, and called in the Air Force who eliminated them.

The IDF announced the names of six soldiers who fell in combat in Gaza over the last two days:

Major (reserve) David (Dodi) Degami, 43 years old from Rishon Lezion
Sergeant Shlomo Gortovnik, 21 years old from Maccabim-Reut
Captain Aden Provizor, 21 years old from Alfei Menashe
Sergeant Adi Malek Harev, 19 years old from Beit Jen
Sergeant Shahar Friedman, 21 years old from Jerusalem
Major Jamal Abbas, 23 years old from Paki’in

The IDF is continuing to operate in the Shifa hospital. The IDF spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari explained, “This morning we opened a secure route for the passage of civilians who were inside the hospitals to the south. The forces continue to operate in four main efforts: locating information about the abductees, locating weapons and command and control rooms, locating terrorists who are in the hospital area and a significant effort to uncover the underground. Special forces are currently operating in the tunnel we uncovered in Shifa and we will distribute materials from there later.”

Tunnels are typically filled with explosive traps, and/or heavily armed terrorists. The IDF has a clearing process before entry, using robots, cameras, and sometimes trained dogs. According to reports, the uncovered tunnel under Shifa is at least 15 meters long and has an armored door at the end, which can withstand an explosion. The door appears to have a small slit for firing into the tunnel.

Fighting is expanding in Northern Gaza, Friday night saw the heaviest bombing since the start of the war as infantry, armor, and engineering fighters, with the assistance of the Air Force moved forward in Zeytun and Jabaliya.

The forces of Division 36 are operating in Zeytun against the Zeytun Battalion of Hamas. They are also clearing out the terrorists from neighborhoods near Zaytun, including the neighborhood of Sheikh Ejalin and Rimal, and destroying terrorist infrastructure.

The forces of Division 162 are operating on the outskirts of Jabaliya. The command and control center of the Northern Brigade of the Gaza Strip is located in the Jabaliya area and is one of the most significant terrorist strongholds in the Strip. There are four Hamas battalions embedded in there, and the possibility that some hostages are being held there.

May terrorists were eliminated during the battles in both cities, and the forces operated in terrorist infrastructures, including underground infrastructures and other Hamas targets.

Reports in Gaza claimed dozens dead in the Jabaliya camp following the IDF attacks. The spokesman for the military wing of Hamas, Abu Obida, claimed: “We have lost contact with several groups that are responsible for the enemy’s captives.”

It’s important to remember that the IDF called for civilians to evacuate these neighborhoods almost six weeks ago, and warned them of the danger of staying in place.

The IDF appears to be preparing for operations in southern Gaza, with troops staging in the farmlands at the easternmost edges.

Gaza Humanitarian Efforts Updates:

At the request of the director of Shifa Hospital, the IDF created a secure route on Shabbat morning to allow evacuees who wish to leave Shifa Hospital towards the humanitarian crossing to Southern Gaza. An estimated 450 patients remain in the hospital.

The IDF delivered over 6,000 liters of water and over 2,300 kg of food rations including fish, canned goods, bread, spreads and dates to Shifa Hospital.

Around 100 trucks of humanitarian aid enter Gaza from the Rafah crossing in Egypt each day, with food, water, and medical supplies.

The IDF acceded to American pressure and allowed two fuel trucks into Southern Gaza, despite the risk of Hamas confiscating the fuel for use to power rockets and terror tunnels. PM Netanyahu in a statement explained that the fuel was “the minimum emergency quantity of fuel to operate water and sewage pumps, without which we could expect the immediate outbreak of disease.” He added, “It must be understood: The outbreak of disease would harm both the residents of the [Gaza] Strip and the IDF soldiers in the Strip.”

Northern Front Updates:

Large barrages of missiles and mortar fire continue on the towns and cities in the far north, no injuries were reported in the last days.

The town of Metula has been out of electricity since Thursday, repair efforts are too dangerous for electric company workers, as it requires driving on roads exposed to Hezbollah terrorist squads. Last week, and electric worker was killed, and several injured, while trying to restore electricity to another community in the area.

At 1:50 a.m. on Shabbat, air-raid sirens sounded in the city of Tzfat (Sefad) and surrounding towns. The IDF spokesman announced that the siren was triggered after Hezbollah in Lebanon fired a missile towards an IDF drone, and the missile was intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory.

The IDF attacked Hezbollah terror targets in Lebanon in response to fire.

Defense Minister Galant explained, “We are following a policy of active defense and attacking Hezbollah’s offensive infrastructure. We will reach the goal that the residents of the north will feel fully secure.”

Lebanese media reported that the IDF attacked the “Alumix” aluminum factory in the Toul region of Nabatia, causing much destruction and a fire outbreak. This is a factory known to supply to Hezbollah and Iran, the owner himself being an active Hezbollah member.

Judea and Samaria Updates:

IDF forces operated in Chevron (Hebron), and arrested 12 wanted persons, among them several family members of the terrorists who carried out the shooting attack at the Jerusalem tunnel checkpoint on Thursday.

The IDF also operated in Shechem (Nablus), where they destroyed an explosives and weapons factory. During the operation, the forces called in an airstrike, which eliminated five terrorists. Among the killed were senior terrorist, Muhammad Zahad, who was responsible for planning many terror attacks in Israel, and Hamas operative, Tamer Fukha, who carried out the attack about two weeks ago in the Tulkarm area, killing IDF reservist Elhanan Klein.

International Updates:

U.S. President Biden published an Op-Ed in the Washington Post, in which he called for the international community to help manage the security in Gaza after the war. Biden envisions a “revitalized” Palestinian Authority governing Gaza and the West Bank in the future, but admits that they aren’t capable of that at the time being.

It appears that Biden is trying to rally Arab allies to manage security in Gaza. Netanyahu has already stated that Israel will maintain a security presence in Gaza, and Jordanian Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi said that no Arab troops would be deployed in Gaza after the war.