War Summary, Day 496: Indications that Israel won’t return to war if only three hostages are released on Shabbos, rocket fired from Gaza lands in Gaza, 90 arrested this week in Shomron, terror suspect rushes IDF base on a horse, major attack by Arabs with Israeli citizenship prevented, and Lebanon blocks flight from Tehran with riots ensuing in response.
By Mrs. Bruria Efune
76 held captive in Gaza.
36 hostages confirmed murdered held in Gaza.
138 living hostages rescued.
41 hostage bodies rescued.
1,821 Israelis killed.
413 fallen soldiers and police in the battle in Gaza.
87 fallen soldiers in Northern Israel.
18 fallen soldiers and police in Judea & Samaria.
30,683 estimated projectiles fired at Israel.
70,000 Israelis displaced from their homes.
1 Jewish nation united in prayer, charity, and good deeds.
Top Headlines:
– Indications that Hamas will release three hostages, as scheduled, on Shabbat
– Indications that Israel won’t return to war if only three hostages are released on Shabbat
– Rocket fired from Gaza, lands in Gaza.
– 90 arrested this week in Samaria
– Terror suspect rushes IDF base on a horse
– Major attack by Arab Israelis prevented
– IDF airstrikes in Lebanon
– Lebanon blocks flight from Tehran, riots ensue
– Israel may maintain 5 posts in Lebanon
Hostages:
In a statement, Hamas said that they will release the Israeli hostages according to schedule—meaning three on Shabbat.
It is unclear whether Israel will accept just three hostages or not. Most “inside sources” reported in media indicate that Israel won’t restart the war if only three hostages are released, but will push for more to be released in the coming days.
On Friday, Hamas is expected to release the names of three hostages who will be released on Shabbat.
Gaza:
A rocket was launched from Bureij, Central Gaza this morning. It malfunctioned and landed inside Gaza, where it hit and reportedly killed a 14-year-old boy.
Media in Gaza claim that the rocket was somehow launched during cleanup of ordinances left from the war.
The IDF struck the rocket launcher, but indicated that there would be no further repercussions, so as not to jeopardize the hostage-ceasefire agreement.
Judea & Samaria:
In Operation Iron Shield this week:
– 90 terrorists arrested (210 total since the start of the operation)
– Hundreds of terror suspects interrogated
– 12 weapons confiscated
– Dozens of explosives detonated
– 50 illegal vehicles confiscated—including a car bomb
Around 60 terrorists have been eliminated since the start of the operation.
The operation is mainly focused on the Samaria region, and specifically in Jenin, Tulkarem, Tubas, the Tamun area, Shechem (Nablus), and Nur Shams.
This morning IDF forces neutralized a suspected terrorist who arrived on horseback near the entrance to the Samaria Brigade headquarters base, and rushed suspiciously towards the troops guarding the entrance. Thank G-d, no troops were harmed.
In Jenin, troops found a car rigged with explosives in preparation for an attack. The unit safely destroyed the car, by using a small drone to drop an explosive on it.
Attack Prevented:
The Shin Bet arrested two Arab-Israelis, aged 18 and 21, from the towns of Zemer and Qalansawe. The two were planing attacks against soldiers and civilians, including a shooting attack at an IDF facility, and ramming and shooting attacks against civilians. One of the two purchased materials to make Molotov cocktails, and also attempted to build an explosive device to attack a bus carrying soldiers.
Lebanon:
The IDF carried out airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in the towns of Yohmor and Deir Siryan, in Southern Lebanon. The IDF says the sites were used by Hezbollah to store weapons and launchers, which posed a direct threat to the Israeli home front, in a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement.
IDF troops on ground in Southern Lebanon demolished several Hezbollah weapons depots which contained missiles, rockets, mortars, grenades, explosive devices, and firearms. Troops also found a multi-rocket launcher system. The weapons were seized and taken to Israel before the facilities were blown up.
Yesterday the IDF’s Arabic Spokesman, Avichay Adraee, issued a warning about Iran smuggling cash to Hezbollah via passenger flights. The IDF indicate that they had been passing intelligence to the ceasefire oversight committee about specific flights on which cash was being smuggled—and hinted that if Lebanon didn’t act to prevent the smuggling, Israel would have to act.
Today, Lebanese aviation authorities informed the Iranian Mahar Air airline that its flight to Beirut would be not permitted to land—leaving dozens of Lebanese nationals stranded in the International airport in Tehran.
Hezbollah protesters in Lebanon then swarmed and blocked all the roads leading to the Beirut airport, calling on all Shia Muslims in Lebanon to join the protest. The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) were then sent in to disperse the crowd, which they did using tear gas and live warning shots.
Avichay Adraee has been the voice of the IDF’s Arabic spokesman unit since the 2006 Lebanon war. Over time, he has gained significant respect in the Arab world, and Arabs have learned to heed his warnings. He speaks with confidence, and also kindness, often as a friend warning innocent civilians when to leave a danger zone. Some in Lebanon report messaging Adraee directly to ask if their area is safe or not, and fully trusting his word when he gives a personal response.
A public and direct warning from Adraee might have motivated Lebanon to make an effort to protect the Beirut airport from potential IDF action due to the smuggling.
A source in the Trump administration told the Times of Israel that if Lebanon does not keep their part in the ceasefire agreement, then Trump will support the IDF maintaining five key positions in Southern Lebanon past the extended ceasefire deadline. The source says that Trump believes that the new Lebanese President, Joseph Aoun, has a unique opportunity to free Lebanon from the stranglehold of Iran and Hezbollah. The first test in this opportunity will be whether the LAF fulfills its part of the ceasefire agreement by taking control of Southern Lebanon, and keeping Hezbollah out.
The source also said that they will not be lenient in their judgment of Lebanon’s action, “unlike the Biden administration, we will not be grading on a curve.”
Earlier this month, we saw many video with evidence that the LAF not only failed at removing Hezbollah so far, but has been assisting them, or at best, turning a blind eye.
Other:
– Incoming IDF Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. (res.) Eyal Zamir was seen back in uniform for the first time in four years. Zamir attended an assessment at the IDF Southern Command headquarters, together with outgoing Chief, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, and Defense Minister Israel Katz. The assessment was in preparation for a meeting with Netanyahu.
– Israel obtained documents in Gaza which contained evidence of collaboration between Hamas and the Qatari news network Al Jazeera. Most of the materials remain classified, but what was revealed (published by the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center) shows Hamas coordinating with Al Jazeera to justify the October 7th massacre, paint the ceasefire as a victory for Hamas, and cement the image of Yahya Sinwar as a fearless warrior and leader until his end.
Al Jazeera is owned by the state of Qatar, who are internationally considered as a fair mediator in the hostage negotiations.
This update is sponsored anonymously, with the message: Am Yisrael Chai!
VIDEO:
3 hostages to be released on shabbos,
And for that Israel will not return to war ???
Only 3 hostages being released is enough for Israel ???
VERY INSANE!!!!!!!!!!
IT IS A VERY BIG CHUTZPA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WE MUST WIPE OUT AMALEK RIGHT THIS VERY SECOND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!