War Summary, Day 477: Four hostages released, in stable medical condition, status of the Bibas family still unknown, 200 arch-terrorists released today, including to Jerusalem, IDF shuts down parades for freed terrorists, Operation Iron Wall in Jenin ongoing, and IDF to remain in parts of Lebanon, past 60-day deadline.
By Mrs. Bruria Efune
90 held captive in Gaza.
35 hostages confirmed murdered held in Gaza.
124 living hostages rescued.
41 hostage bodies rescued.
1,815 Israelis killed.
411 fallen soldiers and police in the battle in Gaza.
87 fallen soldiers in Northern Israel.
15 fallen soldiers and police in Judea & Samaria.
30,683 estimated projectiles fired at Israel.
80,000 Israelis displaced from their homes.
1 Jewish nation united in prayer, charity, and good deeds.
Top Headlines:
– Four hostages released, in stable medical condition
– Hamas holds cynical and cruel release ceremony
– Crisis as Hamas violates multiple terms of the agreement
– Status of the Bibas family still unknown
– Netzarim Corridor remains closed for crossing
– 200 arch-terrorists released today, including to Jerusalem
– PA president congratulates terrorist who murdered a baby
– IDF shuts down parades for freed terrorists
– Gazans and Hamas continue to approach IDF positions
– Al Jazeera shows Hamas making full variety of weapons in Gaza
– Operation Iron Wall in Jenin ongoing, soldiers injured
– IDF to remain in parts of Lebanon, past 60-day deadline
– Continued Hezbollah ceasefire violations
– Lebanese Army not upholding responsibilities
Hostages:
Four female hostages were released and came home to Israel today—all four were IDF soldiers of the surveillance (observer) unit, who were taken from their beds on October 7th, in their pajamas, and seen beaten and bloodied in Hamas videos.
Karina Ariev, 20,
Daniella Gilboa, 20 (two months ago Hamas claimed that she was killed in an IDF airstrike)
Naama Levy, 19
Liri Albag, 20
The four are in “stable medical condition.”
Hamas made a huge spectacle out of their release. The terror group set up a large stage, with a huge custom printed poster in the background filled with pro-Hamas and pro-terror propaganda, claiming victory over Israel and Zionism. Dozens of uniformed and armed Hamas and PIJ terrorists surrounded the stage. The four hostages were dressed in fake IDF uniforms (which Al Jazeera falsely claimed they wore when they were kidnapped) and were then forced to go on the stage while a Red Cross employee signed “release papers” for them.
While on stage, the four brave young woman stood confidently, and smiled and waved to the crowd. They later told their families that they made a deliberate choice to display strength, and show that they were unfazed by the terrorists. The girls says that the terrorist display “had no impact on us. We are stronger than them.”
Hamas’s display was designed to give the impression that they are a fully functional and legitimate army, still fully in control of Gaza, and full of resources. It was a reverse of last week’s chaos, which gave a bad public impression. While watching the display live, IDF chiefs said that the girls behavior “turned humiliation into victory.”
The four young women were held in multiple locations throughout captivity, though for a large amount of time they were held together. They say some of their captors treated them “shockingly.” There were periods where they were given no food, but were forced to cook for their captors, and clean their toilets. They went long periods of time with no showers or hygiene. During one stage, they were held with “civilians,” and made to take care of their children.
The four had some access to radio, and sometimes even TV. They found comfort in hearing their families and all Jewish people rallying for their freedom, and joked between each other about the pictures their families chose for them. Some of them learned Arabic during captivity. The terrorists referred to them derisively as “the soldiers.” Liri Albag was the leader of the group, and communication with their captors mostly went through her. They were very disappointed and concerned when they learned that the fifth of heir group was not going to be released with them.
The last remaining of the five female surveillance soldiers is Agam Berger, who is expected to be released next week.
Hamas violated the agreement by not releasing the female civilians and children before the female soldiers. Arbel Yehud, who is believed to be alive, was supposed to be released today—and if Shiri Bibas and her children are alive, they were also supposed to be released.
Hamas did not either release the list of remaining hostages and their status—of who is alive and who is not.
According to the agreement, the first crossing in the Netzarim Corridor is supposed to be opened tomorrow for Gazan civilians to return from the south of Gaza to the north. Israel says that the crossing will not be opened until the release of Arbel Yehud is “arranged.” The IDF also expressed “heavy concern” over the fate of Shiri and her children, and says they are expecting more information about them soon.
Arbel Yehud is being held by the PIJ, who are falsely claiming that she is a soldier. Hamas told Al Jazeera that she will be released next week. A White House spokesman says that the U.S. is “continuing to push for Arbel Yehud’s release through negotiation channels.”
In addition to Arbel Yehud and the Bibas family, there is serious concern over the health of hostage Keith Siegel, who is 65-years-old. Keith is the father of Emily Damari’s close friend. Before Emily was released last week, she begged Hamas to release Keith first, in her place.
Terrorists Released:
In exchange for the four female IDF hostages, the IDF released 200 arch-terrorists today. 91 of them were brought to the Kerem Shalom Crossing and then into Gaza. 70 were deported to Egypt, from where they will be sent to other Arab countries, such as Algeria. 39 were transferred to Judea and Samaria—including 8 to their homes in East Jerusalem, from where they have free access to all of Israel.
One of the terrorists who was meant to be released to Gaza, begged to stay in prison, and was replaced with another terrorist. Another tried doing the same, but was already on the bus, and was coerced to stay.
The terrorists released today have the blood of many on their hands. Here is a small sampling:
- Razak Abdel Nasser, a Hamas terrorist who murdered an Israeli citizen in 1997.
- Naji Nasser, a Fatah member who was sentenced to five life sentences after participating in attacks that murdered dozens of Israelis and was involved in eight attempted murders and arms trafficking.
- Mardawi Thabet, a PIJ terrorist, who was sentenced to 21 life sentences for participating in attacks that murdered 21 Israelis and injured 150 civilians in 2001-2002.
- Sahra Ramadan, a Hamas terrorist who was sentenced to 20 life sentences for murdering 19 civilians and injuring 70 civilians in the Gilo bus attack in 2002.
- Muhammad Arida, a PIJ terrorist who was sentenced to three life sentences for attempted intentional death, planting a bomb, and membership in a terrorist organization
- Qassem Wahil, a Hamas terrorist who was sentenced to 35 life sentences for murdering 35 civilians and injuring 215 in 2002.
- Mashara Fahmi, a Hamas terrorist who was sentenced to 20 life sentences for murdering 19 civilians and injuring 70 in a suicide attack on a bus in the Gilo neighborhood in 2002.
- Zeid Ashraf, a Hamas terrorist who was sentenced to six life sentences for murdering six civilians and injuring 60 Israelis in a suicide bombing on a bus in Allenby, Tel Aviv, in 2002.
- Iyad Jardath, an Islamic Jihad terrorist who was sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering a civilian and injuring three in a 2003 attack in Moshav Gadish
- Adam Bahadlin, a Hamas terrorist who was sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering a policeman and injuring three policemen in a 2010 shooting attack at the Al-Fawwar junction
- Naji Sharif, a Fatah terrorist who was sentenced to five life sentences for murdering two police officers and two civilians in the 2002 Seafood Market shooting and for approximately 50 attempts to cause death
- Wael Al-Gagoub, a PFLP terrorist who was sentenced to life in prison for four attempted murders and planting five explosive devices.
- Lili Abu Regila, a Hamas terrorist who was sentenced to life in prison for kidnapping and murdering an IDF soldier
- Zid Bissa, a Hamas terrorist who was sentenced to life in prison for aiding a suicide bomber at the Park Hotel in Netanya, where 30 Israelis were murdered and 160 injured.
- Yasser Abu Bakr, an Al Aqsa Martyrs terrorist was sentenced to 115 years in prison for planning terror attacks, of which one attack killed three Israelis—including a 9-month-old baby girl.
Mahmoud Abbas, Presidents of the Palestinian Authority, personally called Yasser Abu Bakr to congratulate him on his release from prison.
The IDF has been working to prevent celebrations and parades around the freed terrorists prisoners in Judea and Samaria, including in Jerusalem. However, Hamas has made these terrorists into celebrities, and has gained popularity for securing their release.
The IDF and Shin Bet called and visited all the families of the terrorists released today, delivering strong warnings against celebrations. Troops also removed a marquee set up in the village of al-Mughayyir, which was intended for a celebration for one of the terrorists, and confiscated Hamas flags in Beit Liqya.
In Kfar Aqab, East Jerusalem, troops dispersed a parade which was being held to celebrate one of the released terrorists. Footage on social media showed another parade in Bidu, East Jerusalem.
Gaza:
Over the last two days, Hamas terrorists and their supporters continued violating the ceasefire agreement, by approaching IDF positions around Gaza. In most incidents, they dispersed once the IDF fired warning shots.
The most incidents occurred in Central Gaza, near the Netzarim Corridor. Gazans were repeatedly warned not to approach the corridor, and only once the coastal road is open for crossing, to stay specifically in permitted areas. Hundreds of Gazans have already begun lining up on the coastal road, but large groups began coming too close to the corridor. The IDF fired several warning shots, repeatedly. Gazan media claims that one person was killed, and several wounded. The IDF does not corroborate this statement, and says that only warning shots were fired, and no one specific was targeted.
On Friday, Hamas finally acknowledged that the IDF had eliminated Rawhi Mushtaha, the Prime Minister of Gaza, along with another two top officials. The IDF had eliminated him in an airstrike in October 2024.
Al Jazeera released a film with extensive documentation of Hamas’s October 7th massacre, and the behind the scenes. The film shows Mohammed Deif (before he was eliminated) planning the attack, and standing on two feet, despite assumptions that he had been crippled. It also shows Sinwar hiding in a shawl while running through the battle field. Most concerning, the film shows that Hamas produces most weapons—from bullets to rockets—inside Gaza, and claims they still have the ability to do so.
Judea & Samaria:
Operation Iron Wall in Jenin is ongoing. Unlike past operations, IDF special forces are conducting a meticulous block-by-block sweep through the city, at a slower than usual pace. Although it was initially announced that the operation will last a few days, it now appears that it will take much longer.
The operation is extremely dangerous, as the IDF is navigating through a terror stronghold in a densely populated area. The terrorists are able to shoot through almost any apartment window, and they leave remotely-controlled explosives along all the roads. The IDF doe snot have as much freedom to evacuate civilians and destroy terror buildings in Jenin, as in Gaza, although they did destroy a handful of terror sites.
The IDF has not yet announced the number of terrorists arrested since Thursday.
A soldier in the elite Egoz commando unit was seriously injured during the operation today, and two others were moderately and lightly wounded.
On Friday, the IDF carried our a drone attack in Qabatiya, which targeted a cell of armed terrorists.
Lebanon:
The 60-days to withdrawal deadline ends on Sunday.
The Prime Minister’s Office announced that Israel will stay in some parts of Southern Lebanon, for an extended number of days, since Lebanon has not fully enforced the terms of the ceasefire. The office stressed that the terms of the ceasefire withdrawal agreement allows for an extended stay in this case.
It’s expected that the IDF will withdraw from villages on the west and center of the border, where the Lebanese Army might be able to move in quickly enough to keep Hezbollah out, but stay in the east where the largest threat remains.
IDF troops in Southern Lebanon are still finding and demolishing Hezbollah weapons depots and observation posts. And over the last few days, the IAF carried out a few airstrikes to remove threats posed by Hezbollah, in violation of the ceasefire agreement.
The IDF is preparing for the possibility that Hezbollah may return to fire, although it is more likely that they are afraid to escalate at this point.
Other:
– The White House has now instructed the Pentagon to release the hold imposed by the Biden administration on the supply of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel. Axios reports that 1,800 MK-84 bombs, which were held in storage in the U.S., will be put on a ship and delivered to Israel in the coming days. (Previous reports from other reputable sources had indicated that the weapons were being held inside Israel.)
– Israel officially notified the UN: UNRWA must cease its activities in Israeli territory, and in territories under Israeli responsibility, and must evacuate its headquarters in Jerusalem by January 30th.
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VIDEO:
Re Rawhi Mushtaha (the Prime Minister of Gaza):
The IDF announced in October 2024 that they had eliminated him in an airstrike approximately three months prior (and Hamas did not announce his death at the time as it had done following previous eliminations, in order to prevent loss of morale and functioning of its terror operatives).