War Day 501: Six Hostages to Be Released on Shabbos, IDF Keeps 5 Positions in Lebanon

War Summary, Day 501: Six living hostages to be released on Shabbas, four hostage bodies on Thursday, Israel will allow caravans and heavy machinery into Gaza in exchange, hundreds of murderous terrorists to be released on Shabbat, Hamas says they’d give all hostages in one day if Israel leaves them be, the IDF withdrew from Lebanon border villages, holds five strategic positions, Turkey helping Hezbollah rearm, and airstrikes in Syria.

73 held captive in Gaza.
36 hostages confirmed murdered held in Gaza.
141 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:

– Six living hostages to be released on Shabbat
– Four hostage bodies to be released on Thursday
– Bibas family asks to hold onto hope still
– Israel will allow caravans and heavy machinery into Gaza in exchange
– Hundreds of murderous terrorists to be released on Shabbat
– 1,000 Gazans who worked with Hamas to be released
– Hamas says they’d give all hostages in one day if Israel leaves them be
– Hamas says they won’t leave Gaza or disarm
– The IDF withdrew from Lebanon border villages, holds five strategic positions
– Turkey helping Hezbollah rearm
– Airstrikes in Syria

Hostages:

Israel confirmed that Hamas will be releasing six living hostages this Shabbat:

1. Omer Shem Tov, 22, was taken hostage from the Nova Festival. Details of his capture are unknown—his last communication was to tell his family that he’s in his friend’s car, trying to escape. But then his phone was tracked moving into Gaza. Omer has celiac disease, and therefore cannot eat pita, which is often the only food that Hamas gives the hostages.

2. Eliyah Cohen, 27, taken hostage from the Nova Festival after being shot in his leg. Released hostages who saw him in captivity say that he is being held underground in chains, and starved, with no medical treatment.

3. Omer Wenkert, 23, taken hostage from the Nova Festival. He was last seen in video footage, tied up in the back of a white Hamas pickup truck, in nothing by his underwear. Omer suffers from colitis, and was last seen by hostages released in November 2023, who reported that he was dangerously underweight, and living off nothing but three dates per day.

4. Tal Shaham, 39, taken hostage on October 7th while visiting his in-laws in Kibbutz Be’eri. He was taken hostage with his wife and children and other female relatives, who were released in November 2023.

5. Avera (Avraham) Mengitsu, taken hostage by Hamas in 2014, at the age of 28, after he accidentally crossed into Gaza.

6. Hisham al-Sayed, taken hostages by Hamas in 2015, at the age of 28, after crossing into Gaza. As an Arabic-speaking Bedouin-Israeli, Hisham probably didn’t expect to fall into trouble in Gaza.

Both Avera and Hisham suffered from mental illness, and wandered into Gaza during a rough patch.

Hamas announced that they will be releasing four bodies of hostages from the phase one agreement this Thursday, including the bodies of Shiri, Kfir, and Ariel Bibas. Israel has not yet confirmed this.

The IDF is very cautious about announcing deaths of hostages, and refrains from doing so without complete evidence (usually including a rabbinic ruling). The IDF has still not received sufficient evidence that Shiri Bibas and her babies are no longer alive.

Ofri Bibas, the sister of Yarden Bibas who recently returned from captivity alone, wrote: “Don’t eulogize my family yet. 16 months of hoping and we will not give up hope now.”

Shiri and her babies were taken hostage by Gazans in plainclothes—most likely civilians. They were last seen being handed to an Islamist terror group in Gaza called “Kataeb Al-Mujahidin.”

According to the original agreement, only three living hostages were meant to be released this Shabbat. Israel has been negotiating to release more hostages, quicker. In exchange fire the extra three, Israel will allow hundreds of mobile homes and heavy trucks into Gaza during the first phase.

In addition, 602 terrorists will be released from Israeli prison on Shabbat, including 157 who are serving life sentences for murderous terror attacks, and 445 Hamas terrorists who were arrested after October 7th.

Avishai Grinzeig of i24 News reports that in a part of the deal hidden from the public, another 1,000 Gazans will be released back to Gaza. These are Gazans who dod not directly participate in the October 7th attack, but were detained for suspicion of either working for or collaborating with Hamas. Many amongst them launched rockets in previous attacks on Israel, dug Hamas tunnels, or are Hamas officials in political positions. One of the women being released held and abused Israeli hostages in her home. According to the agreement, Israel chose the identity of 500 being released, and Hamas will choose the identity of the other 500, from a pre-approved list.

As preparations for Phase Two negotiations begin, Hamas Spokesman Hazem Qassem, told Al Jazeera Hamas’s position.

Qassem first noted the upcoming Hamas victory this Shabbat, in which hundreds of prisoners, including those serving life sentences, will be released to Gaza.

Qassem claimed that Hamas is willing to implement the second and third phases of the ceasefire deal, and will release all remaining hostages in one day—if Israel guarantees a complete ceasefire and full withdrawal.

But, in conflict with the definition of the second and third phase, he said that Hamas will never leave Gaza, nor ever disarm—calling the idea “laughable,” and out of the question.

Qassem’s statement was surely meant to create rifts in Israel. He knows that Israel will not agree to allow Hamas to remain in control and armed in Gaza. But his promise to release all remaining hostages in one day, on Hamas’s terms, will sound preferable to a not tiny segment of Israelis, who will likely rally against the government’s rejection, and in favor of the surrender for the sake of the remaining hostages.

However, there are reports that Qatar and Egypt are pressuring Hamas’s leadership to accept the condition and leave Gaza. They believe that if Hamas leaders leave Gaza, then Israel and the U.S. will stop Trump’s relocation plan for Gaza’s remaining population. (Curiously, there are rumors and hints that the UAE is in favor of the relocation plan.)

Gaza:

Hamas suspects continue to approach IDF positions in the buffer zone, in what’s likely an active effort to weaken Israel’s determination to defend it, in the same way they did in the lead up to October 7th.

Troops fired warning shots at approaching suspects, and one shot directly at a suspect who did not heed warnings, and continued to approach. A drone strike was used as a warning to a vehicle which was attempting to cross into Northern Gaza via an unapproved road, in order to avoid security checks.

Judea & Samaria:

Operation Iron Wall continues to expand. Last night, 25 suspected terrorists were arrested in Samaria, and two known wanted terrorists in Jenin.

IDF forces operated in a large amount of PA villages and cities, including Ramallah, and even Hebron in Judea.

Lebanon:

The IDF withdrew from the remaining villages in Southern Lebanon, and is now only positioned in the five strategic hilltop posts.

Before withdrawing, troops carried out a large controlled demolition near southern Lebanon’s Kfar Shouba, destroying final elements of Hezbollah infrastructure.

As per the agreement, the Lebanese army (LAF) quickly deployed to the border villages from which the IDF withdrew. They are now expected to keep Hezbollah out.

A US-led committee, ling with UNIFIL, are supposed to assist and supervise the LAF’s deployment.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said that the IDF will “forcefully” enforce the ceasefire deal in Lebanon, and will strike against any Hezbollah threat. Lebanon is expected to keep Hezbollah north of the Litani River, and prevent their rearming.

An interceptor missile was launched in the Mount Dov area, at an Israeli Air Force drone that was malfunctioning, in order to prevent it from landing in Lebanon.

Israeli Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar, have an interesting statement: “Iran is making efforts to restore Hezbollah by financial support. A lot of this is being done with the cooperation of Turkey.”

It is not surprising or new that Turkey woukd support Israel’s enemies—but Turkey is also supporting the new rulers of Syria, who are mortal enemies of Hezbollah.

Syria:

The IDF struck a series of tanks and armored vehicles 20 kilometers from Israel’s border. The military vehicles contained weapons, and belonged to the Assad regime. The vehicles and weapons were not in use by the new regime.

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