War Summary, Day 703: Hamas not enthusiastic about releasing all the hostages for a ceasefire, four fallen heroes in Gaza, 50 high risers used by Hamas in Gaza City are demolished, two terrorists break through security fence, IAF downs three UAVs launched by the Houthis, and Air Force strikes Hezbollah training base in Bekaa valley.

By Mrs Bruria Efune

48 held captive in Gaza.
26 hostages confirmed murdered held in Gaza.
148 living hostages rescued.
59 hostage bodies rescued.
1,928 Israelis killed.
465 fallen soldiers and police in the battle in Gaza.
88 fallen soldiers in Northern Israel.
18 fallen soldiers and police in Judea & Samaria.
32,374 estimated projectiles fired at Israel.
1 Jewish nation united in prayer, charity, and good deeds.

Top Headlines

– Hamas not enthusiastic about releasing all the hostages for a ceasefire
– Four fallen heroes in Gaza
– 50 high risers used by Hamas in Gaza City demolished
– Six killed in Jerusalem terror attack, 5 in critical condition
– Two terrorists broke through security fence
– Hashmonaim commander and Hatzalah volunteer eliminate the terrorists
– IAEA report indicates that Israel destroyed Iran’s ability to create a nuclear weapon
– IAF downs three UAVs launched by the Houthis
– Air Force strikes Hezbollah training base in Bekaa valley
– Spain enacts embargo and bans on Israel, Israel hits back

Hostages

As expected: Hamas is trying to wiggle out of the proposed deal, and does not want to release all the hostages at once. Hamas sources told Saudi media (Asharq Al-Awsat) that while the proposal does end the war, it has some “traps” they need to avoid.

The source said that there is “difficulty” in releasing all the hostages right away, and that strong guarantees are needed that the deal will lead to a complete IDF withdrawal and end to the war.

Qatar, as usual, published anonymous officials claiming to put pressure on Hamas to agree to a deal. But to date, no named Qatari official has ever publicly condemned Hamas for October 7th, or told them to return the hostages. Qatar, like Iran, is thought to be quietly encouraging Hamas to hold on to at least some of the hostages.

The next few days will likely bring some news of ingoing negotiations. Time will tell if Hamas is just pretending, and if Prime Minister Netanyahu will uphold his promise to ensure a defeated Hamas with the return of the hostages.

Gaza

Four heroes fell in battle in Gaza today. The IDF announced the names of three:

Staff Sgt. Uri Lamed, 20, from Tel Mond
Sgt. Amit Arye Regev, 19, from Modiin
Sgt. Gadi Cotal, 20, from Kibbutz Afikim

The soldiers had just returned from operational activity in the northern outskirts of Gaza City, and arrived at their nearby outpost in Kfar Jabaliya, at around 6 a.m. This is known to be a busy time for Hamas terrorists, so the soldiers were on high alert, but did not see the squad of terrorists approach.

The terrorists reached a tank, just as the soldiers opened the hatch to step out. Some terrorists opened fire, while one threw an explosive into the tank. The four soldiers inside of the tank were killed by the resulting explosion.

Soldiers in the outpost opened fire at the terrorists, as the terrorists fled. It is unclear how many of the terrorists were hit.

An investigation is being carried out to understand how the terrorists reached the IDF outpost. It’s possible that they arrived through an unknown tunnel. It’s also likely that the soldiers were operating an older war-torn tank, which may have a limited range of view, and damaged surveillance camera.

Hamas no longer functions as a normal army, but as a guerrilla group. They aren’t able to hold back an IDF incursion, but instead, small squads hide wherever they can, and plan small attacks. Most attacks are prevented, but sometimes the terrorists succeed, and as today, cause tremendous pain.

**

The IDF is continuing to destroy high-risers Gaza City which are being used by Hamas.

So far, the IDF has published details about 5 such high risers which were destroyed—but in a video statement, Prime Minister Netanyahu said that 50 were destroyed in the last two days. Netanyahu warned that this is just the beginning, with much more to come.

The high risers destroyed contain extensive Hamas infrastructure, including observation posts, sniper positions, command rooms, booby traps, and tunnel entrances.

Before each high-riser is destroyed, the IDF gives an evacuation warning, and ensures that civilians have evacuated.

Humanitarian Aid

COGAT has not yet published the amount of aid transferred to Gaza today.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation distributed 1.5 million meals.

Jerusalem Terror Attack

At 10 am, two terrorists arrived at the extremely busy Ramot Junction in Jerusalem. The terrorists opened fire at dozens of people who were waiting at the bus stop, and boarded bus 62, where most casualties occurred.

The terrorists were from the villages of Al-Qubeiba and Qatanna, in the Ramallah area, under Palestinian Authority control. They entered Jerusalem by infiltrating through a breach in the security fence.

The terrorists used makeshift “Carlo” submachine guns.

The terrorists were eliminated by an off-duty commander from the Haredi Chashmonaim Brigade, and a Haredi Hatzallah volunteer with a gun license who was on his way to learn in Kolel.

The heroic pair spotted each other running against the crowd, towards the line of fire, and worked together to locate and eliminate the terrorists. They then began to treat the wounded.

The IDF placed a total lockdown on the area where the terrorists came from, and began arresting suspected accomplices.

Six people were killed in the attack:

Rabbi Levi Yitzhak Pash, 57
Yaakov Pinto, 25
Yisrael Matzner, 28
Rabbi Yosef David, 43
Rabbi Mordechai Steintzag, 79
Sarah Mendelson, 60

Five others are hospitalized in serious condition.

A woman in her 8th month of pregnancy was shot in the attack. Her friends and family ask for prayers for: Tova Gittel Bat Miriam Shoshana, and her baby.

Judea & Samaria

In parallel to the lockdown and searched for accomplices in today’s attack, Israeli security forces carried out a series of counterterrorism operations in the Jenin and Tulkarem areas.

Forces located and seized tens of thousands of shekels worth of terror funds, as well as combat means.

A terrorist who had been planning attacks was arrested in a special operation.

**

Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas reportedly told UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer that a new law ended the pay-for-slay program, which provides salaries to the families of convicted terrorists.

This is completely false. In actuality, the PA just opened a separate nonprofit, which it sends funds to, and from there pays the salaries. This way the PA can claim that their government isn’t funding terrorism, while keeping the terrorists happy.

In February, addressing a Fatah Revolutionary Council meeting, Abbas said, “I have told you before and mark my words, even if we only have one cent left, it will be for the prisoners and martyrs.”

Iran

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) published its first quarterly report since the 12-Day War in June. The findings in the report indicate that Israel’s attacks severely impaired Iran’s ability to create a nuclear bomb.

Before the war, Iran had built up dangerous amounts of enriched uranium, including material close to weapons-grade.

During the 12-Day War, Israel (with U.S. support) struck Iran’s key nuclear sites. The attacks destroyed about 22,000 centrifuges—the machines needed to turn uranium into bomb fuel.

As a result, for the first time in over 15 years, Iran currently has no working facilities to make new weapon-grade uranium.

Iran still has some stockpiled uranium from before the strikes, including a worrying amount of highly enriched uranium. But without operating centrifuges, it cannot easily increase or replenish these stocks.

Israel’s attacks also caused immense destruction to Iran’s ability to make the nuclear weapon itself.

Iran is blocking the IAEA’s access since the war, and the inspectors don’t know where the uranium is now stored, or what condition it is in. However, Netanyahu has long indicated that Israel knows where it is, and is keeping an eye on it.

Yemen

In the afternoon, Israel’s Air Force intercepted three UAVs launched by the Houthis in Yemen. Sirens were activated in the Dimona area.

Later sirens in the Dead Sea and Judea region were caused by a false identification.

Lebanon

The IDF struck a series of Hezbollah targets in the Bekaa valley region.

Among the targets attacked were military camps belonging to Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force. Hezbollah had been stockpiling weapons and carrying out military training exercises at the camp, to prepare terrorists for terror attacks against Israel.

Syria

Syrian media reports nighttime Israeli airstrikes in the area of Homs. The target appears to be Syrian anti-aircraft facilities.

Other

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (falsely) accused Israel of carrying out a genocide in Gaza, and announced that Spain would take a series of steps against Israel, including:

– An arms embargo
– A ban on goods made in Judea and Samaria
– A ban on the entry of Israelis who “take part in the genocide against Palestinians”
– A ban on ships and aircraft from docking in Spain, or entering Spanish airspace, if they are transporting weapons to Israel.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar hit back, accusing the Spanish government of “leading a hostile anti-Israeli line, with wild rhetoric dripping with hatred.” Sa’ar also called out Sanchez for targeting Israel in an attempt to “divert attention from grave corruption scandals”

Gideon Sa’ar then announced reciprocal sanctions against hostile Spanish officials, and other actions. Specifically, announced:

– Deputy Prime Minister of Spain and Minister of Labor, Yolanda Díaz – her entry into Israel will be prohibited and Israel will not maintain any contact with her.
– Sira Rego, Minister of Youth and Children. Her entry into Israel will be prohibited and Israel will not maintain any contact with her.
– Israel will bring to the attention of its allies the hostile conduct of the Government of Spain and the anti-Semitic and violent dimension in its ministers’ statements
– Further decisions will be made later, in consultation with the Prime Minister.

**

In a letter sent on September 1st, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy told the chair of the international development committee that the UK government did not find Israel to be carrying out a genocide. While the letter drips with criticism of Israel, he quietly admits that Israel does work to avoid civilian casualties.

“As per the Genocide Convention, the crime of genocide occurs only where there is specific “intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group.” The Government has not concluded that Israel is acting with that intent.”

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