War Day 458: Terror Attack in Shomron, IDF Prepares to Hit Iran

War Summary, Day 458: Three Israelis murdered, and eight injured in terror attack in Shomron, Israel to allow Lebanon an additional month or two to implement ceasefire agreement, Nagel Commission advises IDF to be on the offensive more than the defensive and Trump might strike Iran himself.

By Mrs. Bruria Efune

100 held captive in Gaza.
37 hostages confirmed murdered held in Gaza. 
117 living hostages rescued.
38 hostage bodies rescued.
1,797 Israelis killed.
397 fallen soldiers and police in the battle in Gaza.
87 fallen soldiers in Northern Israel.
14 fallen soldiers and police in Judea & Samaria.
30,683 estimated projectiles fired at Israel.
88,000 Israelis displaced from their homes. 
1 Jewish nation united in prayer, charity, and good deeds.

Top Headlines:

– Hamas refusing to say which hostages will be released alive
– Hostage families only want a deal that will bring all hostages home
– Rocket hits home in Sderot
– Three Israelis murdered in shooting terror attack
– IDF withdraws from western area in Southern Lebanon
– Houthis claim to have launched four drones at Israel
– Nigel Commission submits report—IDF must prepare to hit Iran 
– Iranian regime agreed on attacking Israel

Hostages:

Negotiations are ongoing for a deal which would release only some of the hostages. Hamas is still refusing to say which and how many of the hostages will be alive. While Hamas claims to not know the status of each hostage, and demands a week of quiet to check on them all, Israel insists that Hamas knows perfectly well, and is just trying to buy time. 

The Hostage Families Forum, which represents most of the families of hostages, says that the deal in discussion will only bring home a small few hostages, while sentencing the rest to death. The Forum is demanding that Israel work towards a deal that will bring all hostages home. 

Some people believe that Hamas will release all the hostages in a deal if Israel guarantees a complete ceasefire and withdrawal. Netanyahu says such a deal is out of the question, as Israel must continue fighting to defeat Hamas.

Many experts believe that even if the IDF does evacuate Gaza, Hamas will hold onto some hostages for the long term, in order to continue making demands of Israel. As long as Hamas has hope of continuing to rule Gaza, they will keep some hostages as bargaining chips to get what they want.

Gaza:

The IDF announced two fallen heroes in the battles in Gaza. The name of one of the soldiers will be released later. The name of one was released today:

Cpt. Eitan Israel Shiknazi, 24, from Eli.

After a day of quiet, Hamas launched three rockets at the city of Sderot. One rocket was intercepted, one landed in an open area, and one hit a home in Sderot, where it caused light damage. No physical injuries were reported.

There are currently three divisions operating in Gaza. The 162nd Division is in Northernmost Gaza, particularly in Beit Hanoun. The 99th Division is in the Netzarim Corridor, which is used to launch small-scale operations in Gaza City, Central Gaza, and Khan Younis. The 143rd Division (aka the Gaza Division) is operating in Rafah, along the Philadelphi Corridor, and in the buffer zone which stretches along the length Gaza’s border with Israel.

A UN World Food Programme convoy came under IDF fire, while it was on an authorized route to deliver humanitarian aid in Northern Gaza. None of the UN staff were injured. The IDF did not explain the incident, but says that the incident was investigated, and instructions were sharpened.

The IDF inspects all trucks of humanitarian aid entering Gaza, and in additions to weapons, also bans the import of drugs. In the past few days, smugglers have been attempting to deliver drugs to Gaza via drones flown over the border. 

Judea & Samaria:

Three Israelis were murdered, and eight injured, including one seriously, in a terror attack on Route 55 near Kedumim, on Monday morning.

The attack was carried out by three terrorists from PA-controlled Jenin. The three were armed with assault rifles and started out by firing at a nearby car, in which they murdered two women in their 60s. They then shot at a bus, which was further away, and killed one passenger, severely injured the driver, and injured 7 other passengers.

As the terrorists were shooting, an armed civilian with a handgun began to fire at them. The terrorists then jumped into their car and fled. Two of the terrorists were already known to the IDF and wanted for their involvement in terror activity.

The victims are named as:

Master Sgt. Elad Yaakov Winkelstein, 35, a father of two, who was an investigator at the Ariel police station.

Rachel Cohen, 73, and Aliza Rice, 70, sisters-in-law from Kedumim

The IDF is currently searching for the three terrorists.

Lebanon:

The IDF withdrew troops from an area in the western sector of the border, in and around the town of Naqoura. This is the most significant withdrawal from the IDF since the start of the ceasefire agreement. Following the IDF withdrawal, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) deployed to the town and its surroundings, in coordination with UNIFIL. The LAF says they will begin working to remove any unexploded ordinances left from battles between the IDF and Hezbollah.

This withdrawal happened despite Israeli concerns that the LAF is not keeping their part of the agreement, and is not working to remove Hezbollah from Southern Lebanon. 

U.S. envoy, Amos Hochstein, is expected to recommend that Israel allow Lebanon an additional 30-60 days to implement the ceasefire agreement, during which, the agreed upon observer states will assist in removing Hezbollah.

Yemen:

The Houthis claim to have launched four attack drones at Israel today, and hit targets in Tel Aviv and Ashkelon. No such drones were seen entering Israeli airspace.

The Houthis also claim to have attacked the the American aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea, with missiles and drones.

Nagel Commission:

In August, the government established the Nagel Commission, to reframe the future of the IDF. The commission was headed by former national security council chief Jacob Nagel, included 14 experts and former high-ranking defense officials. This week, the commission issued its 130 page report, of which 20 are censored from public view. Below are the key recommendations:

– Shift the military posture from defensive to offensive, aiming for 70% attack versus 30% defense balance.

– Increase the 2025 defense budget by 9 billion shekels (bringing total IDF/Defense Ministry budget to 123 billion shekels), with gradual reductions after 2030.

– Enhance capabilities against distant threats, particularly Iran, with a focus on weapons delivery systems rather than uranium enrichment programs, which are harder to destroy at this point.

– Increase investment in space, cyber warfare, AI, and advanced technology.

– To reduce the burden on reservists: create more short-term career officer positions, increase salaries for combat soldiers, extend mandatory service for males to 36 months, create a longterm plan to integrate more charedim into the army.

– Develop greater independent weapons manufacturing capability to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.

– Add 250 Defense Ministry employees to handle soldier rehabilitation.

Iran:

The IRGC spokesman announced that the regime government reached a consensus on launching attacks against Israel “at the appropriate time.”

The IRGC has already begun carrying out a series of drills across facilities in Iran, including testing a new air defense system, and is expected to soon unveil two new underground missile bases in southern Iran.

Amongst the Nagel Commission’s recommendations, was a warning that Israel must be prepared to attack Iran alone, without support. Netanyahu’s comment: “The Iranian threat still exists, we will be prepared for what comes next.”

Axios reports that in a meeting with Trump in November, Israeli Minister Ron Dermer gained the impression that there was a high likelihood that Trump would either support an IDF attack on Iran’s nuclear capabilities, or himself order a U.S. strike.

~ This update is sponsored by Joey and Natasha Gold: Thank you to the Efune Family for your work for Klal Yisrael. May the hostages be freed and may we celebrate victory together. Moshiach Now! ~

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