War Day 601: New Ceasefire Proposal, Gazan Thanks IDF

War Summary, Day 601: U.S. delivered new ceasefire proposal, which Netanyahu says Israel will accept, uncertain if Hamas will accept, Ministry of Defense contractor killed in Gaza, IDF destroying all Hamas infrastructure, IDF warns Nuseirat residents to boot Hamas leaders, third GHF site opens successfully, Houthis launch ballistic missile, U.S. halts coordination with Israel—Israel preparing to attack Iran on its own, and a series of strikes in Lebanon.

By Mrs. Bruria Efune

58 held captive in Gaza.
35 hostages confirmed murdered held in Gaza.
148 living hostages rescued.
49 hostage bodies rescued.
1,846 Israelis killed.
424 fallen soldiers and police in the battle in Gaza.
88 fallen soldiers in Northern Israel.
18 fallen soldiers and police in Judea & Samaria.
30,730 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:

– U.S. delivered new ceasefire proposal
– Netanyahu says Israel will accept
– Uncertain if Hamas will accept
– Ministry of Defense contractor killed in Gaza
– IDF destroying all Hamas infrastructure
– IDF warns Nuseirat residents to boot Hamas leaders
– Third GHF site opens successfully
– Houthis launch ballistic missile
– U.S. halts coordination with Israel—Israel preparing to attack Iran on its own.
– Series of strikes in Lebanon

Hostages:

The U.S. delivered an updated “Witkoff” proposal for a hostage deal and ceasefire. Prime Minister Netanyahu said that Israel will agree to it. Israeli intelligence suspects that Hamas will reject it (Axios).

The outline:

• Initial 60-day ceasefire, announced by U.S. President Trump, with guarantees that Israel will adhere to the full 60 days.
• All Israeli offensive military activity in Gaza will be halted.
• 10 living hostages, and 18 bodies of hostages will be released. Half of each on the first day, and the remaining half on the 7th day.
• 125 terrorists with life sentences for murderous terror attacks, and 111 Gazans who were arrested under suspicion of working for Hamas, will be released from prison, in exchange for the 10 living hostages.
• 180 bodies of terrorists will be released in exchange for the 18 bodies of murdered hostages.
• Humanitarian aid will immediately be delivered to Gaza, through channels which will include the UN and Red Crescent.
• On the 10th day, Hamas will give a report on the health status of each of the remaining hostages. In return, Israel will give Hamas a list of all the terrorist Gazan prisoners. Hamas will guarantee the security of the remaining hostages.
• On the first day, after the first batch of hostages are released, the IDF will withdraw from Northern Gaza and the Netzarom Corridor.
• After the second batch of hostages is released, the IDF will withdraw from Southern Gaza. Exact lines are yet to be drawn.
• From the first day of the temporary ceasefire, negotiations will begin for a permanent ceasefire. These negotiations will discuss: the number of terrorists to be released in exchange for the remaining hostages; the IDF’s full withdrawal from Gaza; arrangements fo 4th “day after.”
• U.S. President Trump will strongly encourage a permanent ceasefire agreement.
• If an agreement is made for a longterm ceasefire on the 60th day, all remaining hostages will immediately be returned.
• Negotiations can continue after the 60th day, if both parties agree.
• The U.S., Qatar, and Egypt, will guarantee that the ceasefire will be kept for all 60-days, and that serious negotiations for a permanent ceasefire are had.

Hamas’s problems with this proposal:

• Hamas wants guarantees that negotiations during the 60-day ceasefire will lead to a permanent ceasefire.
• Hamas wants the proposal to say the the IDF will withdraw to the same lines at the previous ceasefire which ended in March (the buffer zone and Philadelphia Corridor), and not hold additional land taken since then.
• Hamas wants the aid to be delivered exclusively through the UN-related channels, and not through the new Gaza Humanitarian Fund which cuts Hamas out.

According to Axios, Hamas in Qatar is of mixed opinions. Some are pushing to reject it, and others want to negotiate additional conditions and then accept it. If Hamas does agree to the ceasefire, it will be a strong sign of their desperation, as they lose the last bits of control in Gaza.

If Hamas accepts the deal, Netanyahu will have to convince his coalition partners to as well—or at least to not take down the government in protest.

Gaza:

The Defense Ministry announced that a hero civilian contractor was killed by an explosive, during operations in Northern Gaza this morning. His name is:

David Libi, 19, from Malachei Shalom.

He is the third contractor to be killed in operations in Gaza.

The Defense Ministry hired contractors to operate bulldozers and other heavy machinery, in order to destroy buildings in Gaza, in areas under full IDF control. Almost every single building contains booby-traps, hidden weapons, or tunnel entryways. Contractors and IDF engineers are working in all areas of IDF control in order to completely destroy Hamas’s infrastructure and capabilities.

In the last 24 hours, IDF airstrikes hit dozens of Hamas targets, including sites containing weapons, terrorist infrastructure, and tunnels. IDF troops also eliminated dozens of terrorists, and destroyed sniper positions, observation posts, anti-tank guns, and Hamas military structures.

Five divisions continue to operate in Gaza: Division 162 is operating in Northern Gaza, with Division 252 pushing into Gaza City. Division 36 is in southern Khan Younis, while Division 98 is pushing into Khan Younis from the east side. The Gaza Division (143) is holding the Rafah area, Morag Corridor, and buffer zone, while continuing to clear and expand the areas.

The Gaza Division is operating together with soldiers from the elite Yahalom unit, who specialize in tunnels. Recently, they destroyed a tunnel which was hundreds of meters long, and included multiple entryways, some of which were rigged with explosives. While inspecting the tunnel, the troops spotted a squad of terrorists attempting to flee. The troops promptly eliminated all the terrorists.

**

The IDF issued an expanded evacuation warning for Northern Gaza, which now includes Atatra, Jabalia, and he Gaza City neighborhoods of Shejaiya Daraj, and Zeitoun. Gazan civillians were instructed to head north, to the coastal area.

In another more unusual warning, the IDF directed Gazans in Nuseirat, Central Gaza, to stay away from several specific locations where senior Hamas terrorists are located. The IDF named the 6 terrorists, and warned, “Stay away from Hamas terrorists hiding among you and expel them before it’s too late!”

Humanitarian Aid:

121 trucks carrying humanitarian aid entered Gaza through the Kerem Shalom Crossing on Wednesday, following inspection. The trucks carried food, including flour for bakeries.

The Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF) opened a third distribution center today, this time in the Netzarim Corridor in Central Gaza. This is in addition to two centers already operating in Rafah, Southern Gaza.

The GHF delivered 1, 688,148 meals, in boxes. All Gazans are able to collect boxes for their families; there is no security inspection required.

Gazans once again filmed themselves thanking the U.S. and even Israel for the food, while expressing anger at Hamas for expecting them to starve.

Yemen:

At around 9:20 pm, sirens were activated in Central Israel, due to a missile launched by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen. The sirens were activated the extended Tel Aviv area—from Netanya to Rechovot.

Thank G-d, the missile was successfully intercepted by Israel’s Arrow 3 defense system.

Iran:

Israel’s News 12 reports that Trump ordered the Pentagon and US military to halt coordination and planning with Israel for a joint attack against Iran’s nuclear facilities—due to ongoing negotiations with Iran and aspirations for a diplomatic resolution.

Ynet reported that Netanyahu instructed the IDF to prepare for a possible attack against Iran’s facilities, without the U.S.

Leaks like this only reach the media because the Prime Minster’s Office wants the message out, as a warning.

Israel remains concerned that the U.S. will either sign a bad deal with Iran which will allow them to continue enriching uranium, or will allow Iran to continue dragging out talks until it’s too late.

Judea & Samaria:

Tragically, Ravid Chaim, the newborn baby of Tzeela Gez HYD, passed away two weeks after his mother was murdered, and after two weeks of fighting for his own life.

Lebanon:

The IDF carried out a series of airstrikes in Southern Lebanon today.

In the Beaufort Ridge area, a terrorist working to restore important Hezbollah infrastructure was eliminated.

Several Hezbollah military sites were destroyed, including a weapons storage spot in the Sidon area, and other sites where Hezbollah was attempting to rebuild, and reestablish itself in Southern Lebanon.

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