War Summary, Day 528: Heavy renewed fire in Gaza, IDF to strike Hamas with increasing force—still trying to push for hostage deal, schools closed in Israeli Gaza border communities including Sderot, several Hezbollah targets hit in Lebanon, large round of airstrikes in Southern Syria, targeting weapons storages, Trump warns that Iran will receive direct consequences for any further Houthi action, third round of U.S. attacks in Yemen, details from U.S. Air Force, and panic level raised in Iran.
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:
– Heavy renewed fire in Gaza
– IDF to strike Hamas with increasing force—still trying to push for hostage deal
– Schools closed in Israeli Gaza border communities, including Sderot
– Several Hezbollah targets hit in Lebanon
– Large round of airstrikes in Southern Syria, targeting weapons storages
– Trump warns that Iran will receive direct consequences for any further Houthi action
– Third round of U.S. attacks in Yemen, details from U.S. Air Force
– Panic level raised in Iran
Hostages:
There was no progress in the negotiations.
Gaza:
Late at night (2 a.m., Tuesday morning), the Prime Minister’s Office announced that Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz instructed the IDF to act forcefully against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, following Hamas’s refusal to release the hostages.
The announcement said that the IDF is attacking Hamas targets across the Gaza Strip, in order to achieve the goals of the war.
Notably, the Prime Minister’s Office specified: “From now on, Israel will act against Hamas with increasing military force.” This may indicate that rather than a full return to war, the IDF will slowly increase the attacks in a continued effort to push Hamas to agree to a hostage release deal.
Along similar lines after the airstrikes began, Defense Minister Katz announced: “If Hamas does not release all the hostages, the gates of hell will open in Gaza and the murderers and rapists of Hamas will meet the IDF with forces they have never known before.”
Reports in Gaza say extremely heavy attacks are coming from all sides—fighter jets, helicopters, warships, and tanks. Hamas was reportedly caught off guard. Reports of over 150 fatalities (unverified).
Within Israel, Homefront Command instructed school closures for Tuesday only in the Gaza border communities. The Ashkelon and Be’er Sheva areas in the south were not instructed to close schools. This does not mean that there won’t be rocket sirens in the areas beyond the Gaza border, but at least not enough to warrant closing schools yet.
Israel notified the Trump administration of the renewed attack plans in advance.
Earlier in the day, the IDF carried out at least three targeted airstrikes in Gaza. Each airstrike hit a group of terrorists who were planting roadside bombs right at the outskirts of the buffer zone, two near Central Gaza, and one near Rafah.
It’s estimated that after recruiting many new terror operators, Hamas in Gaza now has 25,000 fighters, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) has 5,000. This indicates that Hamas is not yet defeated, and the IDF still has a lot of work ahead. Hamas has likely prepared for an IDF reentry with many booby traps and surveillance cameras, and repaired tunnels. The IDF will need to use a lot of airstrikes to clear paths before any safe ground entry can begin.
Rumors spread earlier today that Hamas was preparing to soon launch another October 7th-like attack. The rumors were based off truth, but greatly exaggerated. Hamas was/is indeed identified to be planning more infiltration attacks, but does not have the capabilities for such a large-scale attack anymore. Additionally, there are many times more IDF soldiers and security systems on the border now than there was on October 7th.
Separately, there are reports that Israel is looking into relocating Gazans (willingly) to Sudan, Somalia, and Syria.
Lebanon:
The IDF reported carrying out two series of airstrikes in Lebanon today. The first targeted two terrorists in Southern Lebanon who were carrying out surveillance activities and directing terror operations against Israel. The second targeted multiple weapons storage sites belonging to Hezbollah, both in Southern Lebanon and in the Beqaa Valley area.
Syria:
The IDF carried out a significant number of airstrikes in Southern Syria, primarily in the Dara’a Governorate. The strikes destroyed military headquarters containing military equipment belonging to the previous Syrian regime, which the new regime is now trying to use. Israel has warned the new regime against bringing any weaponry into southern Syria, which nears Israel’s borders.
Syrian media reported several casualties.
Yemen:
U.S. President Trump announced a significant change to the rules in fighting Houthi terror. Pointing at Iran as the real source behind Houthi attacks, he stated: “Every shot fired by the Houthis will be looked upon, from this point forward, as being a shot fired from the weapons and leadership of IRAN, and IRAN will be held responsible, and suffer the consequences, and those consequences will be dire!”
The U.S. so far carried out three waves of attacks against the Houthis in Yemen. The goal of these attacks is to put an end to the Houthi terror in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The U.S. Air Force gave a brief update, outlining the attacks so far:
The first attack (Saturday night) hit over 30 targets, and focus on terror training sites, UAV (drone) infrastructure, weapons manufacturing, and command and control centers.The second attacks (Sunday) targeted Houthi headquarters, weapons storage facilities, and radar detection capabilities. A third wave was launched late Monday night, which was not yet detailed.
Dozens of Houthis were eliminated in the attacks, including Houthi leaders, and Iranian Quds Force experts who were training the Houthis in drone and missile launches.
The Houthis in turn tried to attack the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, but missed by over 100 miles.
Iran:
The Iranian regime panic level has increased, after Trump announced that they will suffer the consequences for any further Houthi attacks.
In what some people see as a thinly veiled threat from Israel, the Foreign Ministry’s official X (formerly Twitter) account in Persian wrote: “Are you ready for Chaharshanbe Suri? 🔥”
Chaharshanbe Suri is an Iranian festival celebrated on the eve of the last Wednesday before Nowruz (the Persian New Year). It involves jumping over bonfires and is usually celebrated with huge amounts of fireworks.
Today’s update is dedicated to the remarkable women who inspire us through their leadership and dedication. Terri Wortzman Ackerman and Yael Dolinsky of Terri’s Angels have facilitated over 450 duffel bags filled with essential equipment for the IDF, while Kim Ruttenberg of Swords of Iron has built a global network of volunteers. Bruria Efune has kept us all informed with her tireless commitment. These women, and many others, remind us that one person can make a difference. Am Yisrael Chai. Dedicated by Yakov & Cena Abergel on behalf of their children and grandchildren.
Best reporting always and Kosher!
Thanks!