War Day 527: Houthi leaders Eliminated, Israel Receives More Fighter Jets

War Summary, Day 527: Hostage negotiations still being attempted, Hamas rebuilding its army, weapons and UNRWA vest found together in Shomron, Hezbollah bullet hit a car in Israeli border town, several airstrikes in Lebanon, Yemen in panic from US airstrikes, with Houthi leaders amongst those eliminated, Houthi missile lands in the Sinai just past Israel, Hezbollah kidnaps and kills Syrian soldiers sparking cross-border rocket-fire, and IAF receives more F-35I fighter jets.

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:

– Hostage negotiations still being attempted
– Hamas rebuilding its army, planting bombs
– Weapons and UNRWA vest found together in Samaria
– Hezbollah bullet hit a car in Israeli border town
– Several airstrikes in Lebanon
– Yemen in panic from US airstrikes, 53 dead
– Houthi leaders amongst those eliminated
– US attacks continue
– Houthi missile lands in the Sinai, just past Israel
– Hezbollah kidnaps and kills Syrian soldiers, sparking cross-border rocket-fire
– IAF receives more F-35I fighter jets

Hostages:

Israel and the mediators are still trying to negotiate a hostage release and ceasefire deal under the Witkoff framework, despite repeated insistence from Hamas that they won’t agree to it. The negotiations are now taking place in Cairo. A Hamas delegation is expected to arrive in Cairo in the next day or two.

It is unclear whether the Witkoff framework guarantees 5 weeks of a ceasefire, or if the ceasefire ends after Pesach (around April 20) regardless. If the latter is the case, then with every passing day, Hamas gets fewer days of humanitarian aid imports with the ceasefire agreement.

It’s unclear why Netanyahu is still pushing for the Witkoff framework, despite strong signals from Hamas that they’re not interested in it—unless there is some intelligence that Hamas will go for it once they see that nothing else is working. Otherwise, it’s not really the deal being chased, but for some reason Netanyahu doesn’t think the time is right for returning to war in Gaza yet.

Gaza:

Reports that Hamas is rebuilding its army continue. Today the IDF struck a terrorist who was attempting to plant roadside bombs in the Netzarim area, near IDF positions in the buffer zone.

Judea & Samaria:

Counterterrorism operations continue in Samaria. In one operation in Nur Shams, IDF soldiers found a weapons depot which contained several riffles, ammunition, and bags of assorted weapons—along with an UNRWA vest.

Lebanon:

On Sunday morning, the IAF targeted and eliminated two Hezbollah terrorists in Southern Lebanon who were carrying out surveillance operations on the border, and directing terror operations.

Also in the morning, an empty car in the Israeli border community of Avivim was found to have been hit by a bullet. Further investigation by the IDF found that it was an errant bullet fired by Hezbollah during a funeral. The funeral took place in a nearby village on the Lebanese side of the border, very close to Avivim.

Defense Minister Katz instructed the IDF to respond to the gunfire, and not take the funeral as an excuse. He emphasized that Israel will “not allow a reality of shooting on the residents of the north for any reason, and we will respond to any violation of the ceasefire.”

Later, the IDF struck the headquarters of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force and other buildings used by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

Al-Arabiya reports that the U.S. is pressuring Lebanon to act immediately against Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon, or risk more forceful IDF action.

Yemen:

After U.S. airstrikes in Yemen began last night, panic broke out in Sanaa. Residents in the capital city who live near military sites fled their homes, and locals report shock and anxiety all around.

The Houthis claim that the U.S. carried out 47 attacks on Saturday night, and killed 53. White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz told ABC News that several Houthi leaders were eliminated in the strikes. There is no public confirmation yet.

The Houthis had promised to respond to the attacks. So far, on Saturday night, a missile launched by the Houthis landed in the Sinai, likely having been aimed at Israel and missed. On Sunday, the Houthis claimed to have launched two attacks on the USS Harry Truman aircraft carrier. The US military reported intercepting 12 drones launched by the Houthis at the Truman.

Israel’s Air Force is on high alert, preparing to defend against Houthi attacks.

Late Sunday night/Monday morning, the U.S. launched another round of attacks. The U.S. intends to continue striking the Houthis until the attacks against ships stops.

Syria:

Sunday evening saw major escalations between the new Syrian regime and Hezbollah in Lebanon, concentrated next to the border, west of Homs. According to Syria, Hezbollah kidnapped three Syrian fighters, brought them to Lebanon, and killed them. This led to cross-border attacks complete with rocket salvos and anti-tank missiles. There are reports of further casualties.

Syria later claimed that they are cooperating with the Lebanese Army to get Hezbollah under control.

Other:

Israel’s Air Force received a delivery of three more F-35I fighter jets, which landed last week at the Nevatim Airbase. This brings the IAF’s F-35 fleet to 42.

Sponsored in honor of birthdays for our wonderful young men that we love and are very proud of: Yoel Kelman, Itay Levy, David Issover, and Justin Kelman. And in honor of our brave soldiers and hostages. May Hashem continue to bless us with his miracles and blessings.

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