War Day 524: Israel Strikes Near Damascus, Unusual Jordan Infiltration

War Summary, Day 524: New hostage-ceasefire proposal only releases 5 living hostages, IDF hits terrorists planting roadside bombs, 90 tunnels found in Philadelphi Corridor, many crossing into Egypt, IDF doesn’t rule out tunnels not found and being used, Hamas can quickly rebuild some of the cross-border tunnels, Katz determined not to leave Philadelphi, 10 infiltrate from Jordanian border including minors, IAF strikes in Bekaa Valley, Lebanese Forces demand timetable for dismantling Hezbollah, airstrike in Damascus targets PIJ, and IDF delivers 10k aid packages to Syrian Druze.

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.
60,000 Israelis estimated displaced from their homes.
1 Jewish nation united in prayer, charity, and good deeds.

Top Headlines:

– New hostage-ceasefire proposal only releases 5 living hostages
– IDF hits terrorists planting roadside bombs
– 90 tunnels found in Philadelphi Corridor, many crossing into Egypt
– IDF doesn’t rule out tunnels not found, and being used
– Hamas can quickly rebuild some of the cross-border tunnels
– Katz determined not to leave Philadelphi
– 10 infiltrate from Jordanian border, including minors
– IAF strikes in Bekaa Valley
– Lebanese Forces (Christian) demand timetable for dismantling Hezbollah
– Airstrike in Damascus, targets PIJ
– IDF delivers 10k aid packages to Syrian Druze

Hostages:

Steve Witkoff and the mediators put an adjusted proposal forward. In this proposal, Hamas releases only 5 living hostages and 9 bodies of murdered hostages, including the remaining American hostages. In exchange, Hamas gets a ceasefire extension of 50 days, hundreds of murderous terrorists freed, and a massive flow of humanitarian aid. During the 50 days, which will end around April 20th, negotiations for a lasting ceasefire will continue.

Since it’s unlikely that Hamas will ever agree to disarm, which is the core issue for a lasting ceasefire, this cycle might just keep repeating itself.

Gaza:

The IDF again targeted a group of Hamas terrorists who were planting roadside bombs near IDF positions in the buffer zone in Central Gaza.

Walla news reported that the IDF has found a total of around 90 tunnels in the Philadelphi Corridor (which stretches along Gaza’s border with Egypt). Some of the tunnels cross under the border and into the Sinai, some reach just under the border, and some were only partially built.

The IDF recognizes that there may still be more cross-border tunnels which they haven’t yet found, and if so, it’s possible Hamas is currently using them to smuggle in weapons. While searches have been extremely thorough, since October 7th, the IDF has learned to always suspect that there is more.

Some of the tunnels have not yet been entirely destroyed, and are only blocked up in part, making them unusable. The IDF believes that if they leave the Philadelphi Corridor, Hamas will almost instantly begin to repair and rebuild the tunnels, and resume weapons smuggling. IDF intelligence was given to the Defense Minister with evidence that Hamas is already planning new smuggling routes, including through Sudan. Hamas is also already planning for another infiltration attack against Israel.

Based on all this information and understandings, Defense Minister Katz insists that there be no withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor, since it will quickly lead to a stronger Hamas.

Jordanian Border:

An unusual event happened late Purim night, near Beit Shein, on the Jordanian border. IDF soldiers were patrolling in an empty field along the border, when two suspects suddenly jumped out of the bushes, leaping towards the soldiers. The soldiers opened fire, and killed two suspects. Six others surrendered and were arrested, with minors amongst them. They admitted to infiltrating Israel via Jordan. The IDF has not yet given further information on their intentions.

Weapons smuggling through the Jordanian border has long been a problem, but in recent months—since October 7th, terrorist infiltrations have begun to be a problem as well. Due to the lack of any real fence or lighting, soldiers along the border need to be extremely quick.

Lebanon:

The IAF targeted a Hezbollah weapons production and storage site in the Bekaa Valley region of Lebanon. This exact site has been hit by the IDF several times in recent months, as Hezbollah continues to use it.

At a government meeting, Ministers from the Lebanese Forces (Christian forces) demanded a timetable for dismantling Hezbollah. They proposed that the Supreme Defense Council of Lebanon be convened to determine the timetable. There was no public opposition to the demand and proposal.

Syria:

This morning, the IAF hit a target in the Damascus area. The target was a Palestinian Islamic Jihad quarters. Several terrorists at the headquarters were planning an attack against IDF forces in the Syrian buffer zone.

The strike took place at the same time as the new Syrian regime was holding a constitutional declaration ceremony at the nearby presidential palace, attended by Syrian President Ahmed al-Jolani (al-Sharia). The timing was a deliberate message to him, to ensure that no harm comes from his regime to Israel.

A prominent leader os the Syrian Druze community, Hikmat Al-Hajri, says that there is currently no agreement between the Druze and Syrians. He says that they are in a fragile “make it or break it” stage, and will have to find the right direction for their community.

Over the last few weeks, Israel delivered around 10,000 packages of humanitarian aid to the Druze in southern Syria, mostly in the Suwayda area, and some to villages near the Israeli border.

Sponsored by his family in our father/zadey’s memory נתן בן אליעזר יצחק ע״ה