War Day 566: Nuclear Talks in Rome, Hamas Targets Hit

War Summary, Day 566: Hamas running out of time, hero falls in Gaza, dozens of Gaza terrorists eliminated, IDF preparing to intensify war and to take over larger chunks of Gaza, PA votes to open position of Vice President for successor to Abbas, CENTCOM head back in Israel to discuss Iran, and Trump’s negotiations envoy shifts position again.

By Mrs. Bruria Efune

59 held captive in Gaza.
35 hostages confirmed murdered held in Gaza.
147 living hostages rescued.
49 hostage bodies rescued.
1,830 Israelis killed.
415 fallen soldiers and police in the battle in Gaza.
87 fallen soldiers in Northern Israel.
18 fallen soldiers and police in Judea & Samaria.
30,715 estimated projectiles fired at Israel.
10,000 Israelis estimated remain displaced from their homes.
1 Jewish nation united in prayer, charity, and good deeds.

Top Headlines:

– Hamas running out of time
– Hero falls in Gaza
– Dozens of Gaza terrorists eliminated
– IDF preparing to intensify war, take over larger chunks of Gaza
– PA votes to open position of Vice President, for successor to Abbas
– CENTCOM head back in Israel to discuss Iran
– Signals of Iran

Hostages:

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir hints that time is running out for Hamas to come to an agreement. On a visit to soldiers in Gaza, he told them: “We are continuing with the operational pressure and tightening the ring around Hamas as needed, and if we see no progress in the the return of the hostages, we will expand our activities to an intense and even more significant move, until we reach the defeat [of Hamas].”

Zamir also noted that Hamas is mistakenly underestimating Israel’s intentions and determination, in the same way that Nasrallah of Hezbollah did before his terror organization was wiped of its leadership.

Gaza:

Sadly, an IDF hero was killed in a sniper attack in Gaza today. His family was notified, but his name was not yet published. Three other soldiers were injured.

The attack occurred in the buffer zone area near Beit Hanoun, Northern Gaza, in the same area as last Shabbat’s deadly incident. IDF troops were driving a tank through the buffer zone area, and exited the vehicle for operational activity. When they were outside, terrorists fired an anti-tank missile at them (which missed), and sniper shots—which killed the tank driver, and injured two others.

The IDF is investigating whether this attack was carried out by the same terrorists as the Shabbat attack. The IDF has not yet been able to eliminate the terror group from the last attack. Following today’s shooting, the IDF struck 40 Hamas and PIJ targets in the area.

After many many warnings, the IDF issued a final warning to civilians in Beit Hanoun and the Sheikh Zayed neighborhood in northern Gaza.

The Gaza Strip, North, South, and Center, came under heavy fire today, as the IDF targeted and destroyed significant amounts of Hamas infrastructure. Dozens of terrorists were eliminated in buildings being used as command and control centers, including one in Jabaliya. The IDF took extra measures and used precision strikes to minimize the chance of harm to civilians.

A quick recap: The 252nd Division is operating in Northern Gaza, The Gaza Division is primarily operating in Southern Gaza in neighborhoods as Rafah, as well as near Khan Younis, and the 36th Division is clearing and expanding the area around the new Morag Corridor which separates Khan Younis from Rafah. In these areas, soldiers are expanding the buffer zone, and flattening areas to create a clear security area between the terrorists and Israel, as well as distance between Hamas and Egypt.

The IDF is now presenting the government security cabinet with plans for the next phase in Gaza, in which even larger parts of Gaza will be taken over, and large numbers of reserves will be called up for the battle. If this stage begins, it may be a sign that the IDF sees minimal to no hope for a hostage deal.

Judea & Samaria:

Security forces detained the leader of a terror network in Balata, near Shechem (Nablus).

The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), under the leadership of 89-year-old Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, has voted almost unanimously to create the position of vice president for the first time in its history.

Palestinian analyst Aref Jaffal, director of the Al-Marsad Election Monitoring Center, believes this move is specifically designed to arrange for Abbas’s succession, stating that “the Palestinian political system is already miserable” and that “these arrangements are a prelude to creating a successor to Abbas.”

While the position has been established, the PLO has not yet selected anyone to fill the role.

Iran:

United States Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, head of the US Central Command (CENTCOM) arrived in Israel today for meeting with Defense Minister Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir. The topic of discussion was Iran.

Messages are still very mixed over Iran. Today, U.S. President Trump said of negotiations with Iran: “I think we are doing very well with respect to Iran. We are having very serious meetings. There are only two options. One option is not a good option. I think we are doing very well on an agreement. That one is well on its way. We could have a very good decision. A lot of lives will be saved.”

While Israel is still nervous that the U.S. will enter a bad deal, there are a few positive signs that the U.S. will handle it well. As pointed out by Tamir Morag of news 14:

– Witkoff (Trump’s negotiations envoy) shifted his position. Initially he suggested that Iran could enrich uranium to 3.65%. He now clarified that Iran will not be allowed to enrich uranium at all, and will be obligated to dismantle all centrifuges.

– Secretary of State Rubio stated publicly that Iran would not be allowed to enrich uranium, and if they want to for civilian use, they would need to import enriched material for a foreign civilian program.

– Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dormer and Mossad Chief David Barnea were present during the latest talks in Rome, a signal of strong Israeli involvement.

– The White House named Israeli-American Merav Saran, known for her tough stance on Iran’s nuclear program, as head of the Iran desk at the National Security Council.

– Trump appointed Michael Anton, a hard-to-fool nuclear expert with hardline views on Iran, to lead technical negotiations, making it difficult for Iran to mislead negotiators.

– The US still continues building up forces in the Middle East, including B-2 strategic bombers and E-3 Sentry command aircraft, consistent with preparations for potential airstrikes.

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