War Summary, Day 572: Hamas brutally cracks down on protesters, fire under control after burning over 5,000 acres, terrorists eliminated in Lebanon, Syrian militia attack Druze, Israeli Druze demand the IDF protect the Syrian Druze, and U.S.—Iran nuclear talks may be on the verge of collapse.
By Mrs. Bruria Efune
59 held captive in Gaza.
35 hostages confirmed murdered held in Gaza.
147 living hostages rescued.
49 hostage bodies rescued.
1,832 Israelis killed.
417 fallen soldiers and police in the battle in Gaza.
87 fallen soldiers in Northern Israel.
18 fallen soldiers and police in Judea & Samaria.
30,720 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 brutally cracking down on protesters
– Fire under control after burning over 5,000 acres
– Terrorists eliminated in Lebanon
– Syrian militia attack Druze
– Israeli Druze demand the IDF protects the Syrian Druze
– U.S.—Iran nuclear talks may be on the verge of collapse.
Hostages:
Trump at a White House event: “There were 24 live hostages, and from what I understand, that’s not the number right now.” He is not the first to hint that there is suspicion that one of the 24 may no longer be alive. However, the IDF and negotiating team are continuing to act on the assumption that all 24 are alive, since there is no definitive proof otherwise.
Gaza:
Military activity in Gaza was slightly lulled during Israel’s remembrance and independence days.
The IDF is still operating with 3 Divisions (8 battalions) in Gaza: The 252nd in Northern Gaza, up until the ouster neighborhoods of Gaza City; the 36th in the Morag Corridor, which separates Rafah from Khan Younis, and from where they’re destroying the surrounding Hamas infrastructure and eliminating terrorists; and the Gaza Division in the Shaboura and Tel Sultan neighborhoods of Rafah, as well as several other areas in the buffer zone.
Dozens of terrorists were eliminated in recent days, but at a slow pace. The IDF is focusing on an extremely thorough destruction of Hamas infrastructure in all the areas being added to the buffer zone, in an effort to remove all possible hiding spots or smuggling routes for Hamas to return. The strategy is very different from the early days of the war, when Hamas was at its full strength, and the IDF was moving through Gaza fast, eliminating as many terrorists as possible, but still allowing Hamas to return after each battle.
Thousands of IDF reservists were notified that they will be called up soon—but not all in the immediate. It appears that the IDF is preparing to escalate action in Gaza, but not to a sudden extreme.
Hamas is trying to crack down on the anti-Hamas protests in Gaza. Ihab Hassan reports that Hamas executed 9 men, and shot 27 others, in a brutal suppression campaign.
Gazans have been locating and raiding Hamas food warehouses, especially in Gaza City. The combination of raids and protests has many believing that the social structure in Gaza is on the verge of collapsing.
Jerusalem Fires:
After 30 hours, Israel’s Fire and Rescue Service announced that the fire was under control. All residents who were evacuated from their homes were allowed to return.
KKL-JNF estimates that around 20,000 dunams (5,000 acres) of land was destroyed in the fire, including 13,000 dunams (3,000 acres) of forest, and 70% of Canada Park. This was amongst the largest fires in Israel’s recent history. Thank G-d, there were no serious injuries or deaths.
Lebanon:
The IDF eliminated two Hezbollah terrorists with airstrikes today, both of whom were operating in Southern Lebanon. One was from Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force (which had planned to invade Israel), and the other was stationed near Israel’s border, and gathering intelligence for attacks.
Syria:
In the last few days, violence erupted in southern Syria as extremist militias linked to the new Syrian regime (the HTS forces under President al-Jolani) attacked the Druze minority community. The attacks began after a Druze sheikh was falsely accused of insulting Islam. The attacks remain against Druze towns that are outside of Israel’s security zone, and closer to Damascus.
Over 70 Druze were killed, and may more injured. Israel responded with warning airstrikes, demanding the Syrian regime stop the violence. Israel emphasized its commitment to protecting the Syrian Druze, who are closely tied to Israel’s own Druze population.
The Druze in Syria have condemned the attacks and called for international help, accusing the Syrian regime of backing the militias and failing to protect civilians. Syrian government forces have since begun deploying to Druze areas to try and restore order, although the faith in them is minimal.
The IDF evacuated additional injured Syrian Druze to Israeli hospitals, for a total of seven since yesterday.
Defense Minister Katz issued a warning to al-Jolani, against harming the Druze population: “I again warn the head of the Syrian regime, Jolani: If the harm to the Druze in Syria does not stop, we will respond very harshly.”
Hundreds of Israeli Druze, especially IDF reservists, took to the streets tonight to demand that Israel defend the Druze in Syria—many of which are relatives of the Israel Druze. Some of the Israeli Druze are serving in the IDF in the security zone in Syria. Many of them coordinate communication between the Syrians who live in the security zone and the Israelis. The IDF is protecting many Druze villages which are near Israel’s border, in the new security zone. But the attacks are against Druze who are in suburbs of Damascus—an area much harder to protect without risking much more.
Iran:
The fourth round of talks between the U.S. and Iran, which was scheduled to take place this Saturday in Rome, was postponed by Iran.
There are unconfirmed rumors that Iran is backing out because of the U.S.’s instance that they not enrich any uranium at all (even for “civilian” use) in Iran, and only be allowed to import from a second country (for civilian use). The U.S. lead negotiator, Steve Witkoff, may have originally told Iran that they would be able to. But after backlash, including from Israel and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he rescinded that allowance.
U.S. President Trump issued a statement declaring that any country or person who purchases oil from Iran will face secondary sanctions, and will not be allowed to do business with the U.S. in any shape or form. His administration also threatened Iran with severe consequences for continuing to supply the Houthis.
Other:
IDF forces once again intercepted an attempt to smuggle weapons from Egypt into Israel. Ten M16 rifles were found in a drone being flown over the border.
Concerns are rising over Qatar’s influence in the White House, after it was announced that the Trump Organizations will build a luxury golf resort in Qatar.
Dedicated by an anonymous reader to the neshamos of our fallen heroes and to our hostages who are waiting to come home.
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