War Summary, Day 511-513: Ceasefire agreement ends, Witkoff proposes new plan: Israel accepts, Hamas rejects, Israel halts aid to Gaza, Egypt may be presenting alternative agreement, two minor airstrikes in Gaza, government approves call-up of 40,000 reservists, and Israel moves to defend Druze in Southern Syria – as far as 8 miles from Damascus.
By Mrs. Bruria Efune
59 held captive in Gaza.
35 hostages confirmed murdered held in Gaza.
147 living hostages rescued.
49 hostage bodies rescued.
1,828 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:
– Ceasefire agreement ends
– Witkoff proposes new plan: Israel accepts, Hamas rejects
– Israel halts aid to Gaza
– Egypt may be presenting alternative agreement
– Two minor airstrikes in Gaza
– Government approves call-up of 40,000 reservists
– Israel moves to defend Druze in Southern Syria, as far as 8 miles from Damascus.
Hostages:
Hamas published a propaganda video taken before they released Yair Horn two weeks ago. In the video, he is told to hug his brother, Eitan Horn, goodbye, because one will go free, and the other won’t. Eitan is then (clearly under threat) seen begging Netanyahu to agree to a second phase of the deal, end the war against Hamas, and bring him home from captivity.
US President Trump watched parts of the interview with Eli Sharabi, who had been released from captivity looking like a Holocaust survivor. Trump was very moved and horrified by Sharabi’s story, and invited him to the White House. Sharabi accepted the invitation and will go in a few days.
Eli Sharabi shared that in his early days of captivity he met Hersh Goldberg Polin, who told him, “whoever had a why will be able to tolerate any how.” This line kept Sharabi going through the gear and a half of Hamas torture and starvation.
The first stage of the hostage deal has officially come to an end. No agreement for a second phase has come about, due to Hamas’s refusal to surrender and leave Gaza, and Israel’s refusal to promise an end to the war while Hamas remains standing.
Steve Witkoff brought a new proposal, which Israel accepted but Hamas rejected. Witkoff’s proposal is for a 6 week ceasefire during Ramadan and Pesach. At the start of the ceasefire, half of the living hostages and half of the murdered hostages will be released in one go. Then negotiations will continue for 6 weeks, and if a lasting agreement comes about, the remaining hostages will be released, and the ceasefire will hold.
Hamas’s refusal to agree to the Witkoff framework brings about a complete end to the ceasefire agreement. Following this, Israel halted the transfer of all goods and supplies to Gaza, which was allowed in as part of the ceasefire agreement.
Netanyahu threatened that if Hamas persists in their refusal to the Witkoff framework, there will be additional consequences. He didn’t or detail the consequences, or say when the war will restart.
Finance Minister Smotrich says that the aid is permanently halted so long as Hamas remains in Gaza.
It will take time for the effects of this halt to be seen. 2,500 trucks entered Gaza during the 42 day ceasefire. Israel estimates that this will last Hamas for 4-6 months.
Article 23 of the Geneva Conventions allows a country at war to withhold deliveries of food and medicine from the civilians of the enemy country if it is known that the deliveries will aid the enemy’s military or economy.
The Tikva Forum, which represents the families of several of the hostages still in Hamas captivity, has released a statement against the Witkoff plan. They demand that Israel return to the original Trump declaration that Hamas must release all the hostages at once, or the gates of hell will be opened. The forum insists that the Witkoff plan further risks the lives of the remaining hostages, and is giving Hamas a free ceasefire while they do nothing.
Maariv Online reports that Hamas is demanding a deal which will release 500-1,000 terrorists in exchange for each hostage—living and murdered. Their goal is to free all terrorists from Israeli prison, including those who participated in the October 7th massacre. It is unlikely that Israel will agree to this.
Egypt reports having proposed a two-week extension of the ceasefire instead of six weeks, with the release of 3 living and 3 murdered hostages. Israel denies receiving this proposal.
Gaza:
On Sunday morning, the IDF used a drone strike to eliminate several Hamas terrorists in Beit Hanoun, Northern Gaza, after they were seen planting explosive devices near IDF positions in the buffer zone.
Later in the evening, around 6:30 pm, an airstrike was reported targeting a building in Rafah, Southern Gaza.
These two airstrikes are a small step out of the ceasefire, but don’t imply any meaningful action. For now, both Hamas and Israel are withholding from a full return to war, indicating that both are still open to an agreement arising.
There are rumors that Netanyahu might launch a brief return to war, just to pressure Hamas into agreeing to the Witkoff framework.
Meanwhile, there are reports that the Israeli government approved the calling up of up to 400,000 reservists. (The reservists have not yet been called up, this is just a preparation to allow it.) It is not definitive that the reservists will be needed specifically for Gaza.
Judea & Samaria:
Over the month of February, the IDF eliminated approximately 25 terrorists. Amongst those eliminated were arms and ammunition dealers, terrorists who manufactured and planted explosives, terrorists who planned to carry out attacks, and who posed a threat to the IDF.
In addition, approximately 350 wanted terrorists were arrested, approximately 120 weapons were confiscated, and hundreds of explosives were destroyed.
Lebanon:
The IDF’s Mountains Brigade completed operational preparations to be able to reopen the Israeli Hermon to visitors.
Syria:
Israel warned Syria against harming the Druze in Southern Syria, and particularly in Jaramana, stating that any attack woukd have severe consequences.
Jaramana is just 5 miles (8 km) south of Damascus, and at an unsafe distance from the majority of the Druze villages. Israel’s warning came after reports of clashes between the new Syrian security forces and Druze of Jaramana, provoked by the Syrians. There are concerns that the new regime will try to ethnically cleanse the Druze from Syria.
Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz instructed the IDF to “prepare to defend” Jaramana. The IDF has already been guarding the Druze villages closer to Israel, and has delivered humanitarian aid to the village of Khadr in Quneitra, with more shipments planned for other villages.
Israel has two primary interests in defending the Druze. The first is due to the brotherhood and loyalty between the Druze in Northern Israel and Syria. The Israeli Druze are highly respected citizens who serve in the IDF and have made many sacrifices for the country.
The second is strategic, to keep the Syrian conflict and militia far from Israel’s borders.
Other:
US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio expedited a massive arms shipment to Israel, bypassing the usual congressional approval process by declaring it an emergency tied to national security.
This package includes 35,500 heavy bombs, a mix of MK-84 and BLU-110, designed for large-scale destruction, including some that President Biden had previously delayed. It also includes 4,000 BLU-109 bunker busters, which are effective against fortified targets and were instrumental in past strikes on Hezbollah.
Additionally, Israel will receive 4,800 BLU-110 bombs, slightly smaller but still highly destructive, along with 5,000 JDAM guidance kits that convert conventional bombs into precision-guided smart weapons. This is a massive resupply of munitions, which will significantly increase Israel’s ability to fight Hamas, Iran, and the other Iranian proxies.
Sponsored with thanks to Bruria & her family for their courageous, selfless work. השם ישמור חטופים, חיילים וחיילות
If there’s a ‘why’ you’ll manage to find the ‘how’