War Summary, Day 607: IDF divisions make advancements in Gaza, Gazan clan leader announces new Hamas-free zone, reports allege Israel is cutting from the state budget to feed Gaza, UAV from Houthis shot down, Iran insists on continuing to enrich uranium, US vetoes UN Security Council resolution, and Israel’s arms sales are again at record high.
By Mrs. Bruria Efune
58 held captive in Gaza.
35 hostages confirmed murdered held in Gaza.
148 living hostages rescued.
49 hostage bodies rescued.
1,850 Israelis killed.
425 fallen soldiers and police in the battle in Gaza.
88 fallen soldiers in Northern Israel.
18 fallen soldiers and police in Judea & Samaria.
30,733 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:
– One fallen hero
– Advancements throughout Gaza
– Gazan clan leader announces new Hamas-free zone
– IDF says Hamas trying to stop GHF food deliveries
– UAV from Houthis shot down
– Trump’s Iran deadline is approaching, with no conclusion
– Iran insists on continuing to enrich uranium
– US vetoes UN Security Council resolution
– Israel’s arms sales at record high—again
Hostages:
There has been no progress in negotiations, since Hamas is still insisting on a permanent ceasefire which would leave them with the ability to attack again.
Gaza:
The IDF announced the name of a hero who fell in battle in Gaza:
Master Sgt. (res.) Alon Farkas, 27, of the Reserve Paratroopers, from Kabri
Farkas was killed in a gun battle in Gaza City’s Shejaiya neighborhood. Another reservist was severely injured in the same incident.
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Division 162 has made advancements in Jabalia and Beit Lahiya.
Division 252 has expanded operations in the Netzarim Corridor, and are pushing forward in the eastern neighborhoods of Gaza City, where Hamas is still holding a strong grip.
Division 36 advanced further into the north side of Khan Younis, where they are (unofficially) beginning to form the Kissufim Corridor, which will separate Khan Younis from Central Gaza.
Division 98 is pushing into Khan Younis from the direction of the Morag Corridor at the edge of Rafah. Their maneuvers appear to methodically surround neighborhoods and give a chance for people to flee, before entering for combat.
The Gaza Division (252) is still holding the Philadelphia Corridor, cleaning up Hamas infrastructure in Rafah, and the expanded buffer zone. Alongside them, contractors hired by the Ministry of Defense are working in areas taken by the IDF, to turn all remaining buildings into pebbles. This is because almost every building contains a tunnel entryway, weapons cache, or explosives placed by Hamas.
The IDF has still not entered Central Gaza, an area where most of Hamas leadership are hiding, using Israeli hostages as human shields. In stark contrast to the rest of Gaza, there is little destruction in the Nuseirat and Deir al-Balah areas, and much of the day-to-day life remains unaffected.
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Gazan media reports that the IDF eliminated Hamada Dirawy, in an unusual airstrike in Deir al-Balah last night. Dirawy is a notorious Hamas terrorist who had been sentenced to 30 years in prison during the Second Intifada. He only served 10 years, before being freed in the 2011 Gilad Shalit deal.
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Humanitarian Aid:
On Tuesday, 157 truck carrying humanitarian aid entered the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom Crossing following inspection. The trucks carried food aid and flour for bakeries.
The GHF distribution centers briefly closed today for security and expansion renovations.
IDF Spokesman, Brigadier General Effie Defrin, says that tens of thousands of boxes of food have been distributed by the U.S.-based civilian-run foundation, which has proven far more effective at feeding Gazans than previous UN-led efforts. In addition, the method is preventing Hamas from profiting off the aid, by selling or taxing it.
“The civilian population of Gaza understands that Hamas is not taking care of them,” says Defrin. “On the contrary, Hamas is actively trying to prevent them from receiving the aid. Hamas has responded to this aid initiative with violence. It attempts to sabotage the delivery of aid and even send gunmen to fire at civilians in the aid distribution centers.”
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Kan News reported that the Israeli government quietly approved and a 700 million shekel budget for the delivery of humanitarian aid in Gaza, and already transferred most of it to the security establishment. The source of this money is allegedly cuts from other budgets, such as education, welfare, health, and transportation.
The Prime Minister’s Office and the Finance Ministry denied the report, and stated, “Even this evening, the State of Israel is not funding humanitarian aid to Gaza.”
Yemen:
Around 7:30 pm, the Air Force intercepted a UAV (attack drone) launched by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen. It was shot down over the B’er Milka area, near the Israel-Egyptian border.
No sirens were activated, since civilians did not come under direct threat at any point.
The Houthis later took responsibility, and claimed to have launched two drone at the Ben Gurion Airport. This indicates that one drone crashed before nearing Israel, and the other was destroyed long before reaching its target.
Iran:
When nuclear negotiation talks with Iran began, US President Trump set a two-month deadline, to prevent Iran from dragging talks on forever. It was set around April 12, meaning, the deadline is around a week away.
In social media posts today, some which he deleted soon after publishing, Trump said that time is running out, and that in his opinion, Iran has been “slow-walking” their decision.
He also, notably expressed in all caps: “WE WILL NOT ALLOW ANY ENRICHMENT OF URANIUM!” (This is after reports yesterday indicated that Trump may allow an initial stage, with uranium enriched to just 3%.)
The Iranian regime is not happy with the zero enrichment rule. Several regime leaders made that clear today, in speeches and social media posts.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei continued to insist that Iran needs to enrich uranium for civilian power projects (3-5% is enough for energy enrichment—no need for 60% like Iran already has).
In a speech, he ranted about enrichment with several statements, such as:
“To the American side and others we say: Why are you interfering and trying to say whether Iran should have uranium enrichment or not? That’s none of your business.”
“Tehran will NOT abandon its uranium enrichment work.”
“Today, we’re capable of producing nuclear fuel starting from the mine and all the way to the power plant.” Mohammad Eslami, head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization declared: “We will continue to enrich uranium in Iran with all our might, with strength and determination.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi summed up: “To reiterate: No enrichment, no deal. No nuclear weapons, we have a deal.”
The questions remain: Will Iran get Trump to bend his requirements? Will Trump keep a sharp deadline? Will the U.S. back Israel or join them in an attack against Iran?
Judea & Samaria:
In an overnight (Wednesday) operation, Israeli security forces carried out counterterrorism operations in the villages of Tamon and Phara. 9 wanted individuals were arrested, including terrorists and major weapons dealers.
During searched, troops found an M16 rifle and other weapons, which were promptly confiscated.
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In additional operations over the last 24 hours, Israeli forces arrested 15 wanted terrorists, and confiscated 7 weapons.
Syria:
The IDF conformed that they carried out airstrikes in Syria, and says that they targeted regime weapons. The IDF says that the Syrian regime will bear responsibility for any attack on Israel from their soil.
A Syrian official told Reuters that the attacks come from militia who remain from the Assad era. He accuse the militia of working to undermine the new leadership, by provoking a Makor Israeli response.
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The U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Trump’s envoy to Syria, Tom Barak, visited Israel and toured the Golan Heights with Defense Minister Israel Katz and other senior Israeli officials. The visit aimed to brief Barak on security threats from the “new Syria” under Ahmed al-Sharaa (al-Julani), following recent mortar fire from Syrian territory into Israel. Barak also visited strategic sites and is known for his close ties to Turkish President Erdogan.
Other:
The UN Security Council brought to vote today a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza—without conditioning it on the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages. The proposal was supported by 14 member states, but vetoed by the United States, who prevented its adoption.
Despite the many calls to boycott, Israel’s arms sales hit a record high for the 4th year in a row, reaching $14.8 billion in 2024. This is a 13% jump over 2023. Surprisingly, more than half of purchases, and a significant part of the increase, Cale from European countries.
This update is sponsored by a reader, in awe and gratitude for the courage, resilience, and success of Am Israel. May we continue to see Hashem’s holy hand in victory and to bring home our beloved hostages. Moshiach now!
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