War Summary, Day 710: IDF maneuver into central Gaza City is in full swing, Trump warns Hamas not to intentionally harm hostages, Marco Rubio visits Israel and encourages Qatar to continue hostage mediation, Israel may apply sovereignty over parts of Judea and Samaria in response to recognition of Palestinian State, Air Force still hits Hezbollah targets, Netanyahu welcomes largest delegation of U.S. legislators, and Netanyahu calls out Iran, Qatar, and China.

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

– IDF maneuver into central Gaza City is in full swing
– Trump warns Hamas not to intentionally harm hostages
– Marco Rubio visits Israel, encourages Qatar to continue hostage mediation
– Hamas leaders block Gazans from evacuating the city, but apply for permission to leave Gaza
– Hamas leader rumored to have given Israel intel in exchange for his transfer out of Gaza
– 21 key PIJ terrorists eliminated
– Troops find missed tunnel in Beit Hanoun
– Humanitarian aid floods Gaza
– Houthis disturb Shabbat rest with a missile to Tel Aviv
– Israel may apply sovereignty over parts of Judea and Samaria in response to recognition of Palestinian State
– Air Force still hitting Hezbollah targets
– Netanyahu welcomes largest delegation of U.S. legislators
– Netanyahu calls out Iran, Qatar, and China

Hostages

As Israel begins the full operation into Gaza City, many are worried that Hamas may intentionally harm the hostages, in order to blame it on Israel, and stop the advance.

U.S. President Trump wrote on Truth Social:
“I just read a News Report that Hamas has moved the hostages above ground to use them as human shields against Israel’s ground attack. I hope the leaders of Hamas know what they’re getting into if they do such a thing. This is a human atrocity, the likes of which few people have ever seen before. Don’t let this happen, or ALL “BETS” ARE OFF. RELEASE ALL HOSTAGES NOW!”

**

Despite Qatar’s threats, it appears that they will still be involved in mediating a hostage deal, and nothing has been shelved.

Qatar held an emergency conference of Arab leaders today, to address Israel’s strike against Hamas leaders in Qatar. The meeting ended with seemingly no practical measures against Israel. (Some report that the UAE prevented a retaliation.)

U.S. Secretary Of State, Marco Rubio, arrived in Israel at the same time as Qatar’s emergency conference. He met with Prime Minister Netanyahu, and made several public appearances. Rubio gave a firm show of support for Israel, rebuffing rumors of tension between the U.S. and Israel.

In a joint press conference, Rubio expressed that he understands that Qatar is upset about the strike, but “we still have Hamas, we still have hostages, and we still have a war. And all those things still have to be dealt with, and we are hopeful that Qatar and all of our Gulf partners will continue to add something constructive.”

At the conference, Netanyahu gave the message that Israel is committed to defeating Hamas, and releasing all the hostages. He added that Israel is still waiting for final reports on the condition of Hamas’s leaders who were targeted in the Qatar strike—but even if they were not neutralized, the message was still made clear: there is no immunity for terrorists anywhere.

Rubio will be visiting Qatar next.

Gaza

Thank G-d, the IDF has not announced any fallen soldiers. Now is an important time to pray that this continues, and our soldiers complete their mission in safely.

Operation Gideon’s Chariots is moving forward in full force: IDF forces are advancing towards the city’s center from two sides—from the north, through Sheikh Radwan, and from the east through Shejaya and al-Hawa. Tanks are rolling in, and heavy fire is heard.

This comes after a weeklong operation during which the IDF destroyed hundreds of multi-story buildings in Gaza City, which were being used by Hamas. Dozens of high-risers were amongst the destroyed buildings. The IDF gave evacuation warnings, and ensured that no civilians were in harms way of each demolition. The high profile buildings were all destroyed with airstrikes.

The most recent building to be destroyed after an evacuation warning, was the Ghefari Tower, on the coast of Gaza City. The IDF says that Hamas placed surveillance equipment and set up observation posts at the tower, in order to track IDF movements and direct attacks.

**

Reports as to how many people have evacuated Gaza City vary, with estimates that between 200,000 – 600,000 people still remain.

Hamas continues to do everything they can to stop Gazans from evacuating. But the IDF’s COGAT Division, which is responsible for transferring civilians from Gaza, says that several senior Hamas officers from Gaza City have submitted requests to evacuate their families from Gaza to a third country, and some even requested evacuation for themselves.

COGAT published the names of three Hamas senior government officials who submitted requests to leave—all of whom were denied. While Hamas tries to prevent Gazans from leaving Gaza City, they themselves try to leave Gaza altogether.

However, COGAT said that Anwar Atallah, a Gaza City Council member, left Gaza with his family two weeks ago, with approval from Israel’s defense establishment. They were transferred from Israel to Jordan, and from there went to a fourth country (likely Turkey). Even before COGAT published this, there were rumors in Gaza that Atallah struck a deal with Israel, and exchanged intel which led to the rescue of two hostage bodies, in exchange for his safe escape.

**

Egyptian President Al-Sisi is not either happy about the IDF’s advance in Gaza City. He threatened that the action could “nullify the existing peace agreements.” And that “the consequences will be severe.”

**

The IDF released a list of 21 key terrorists from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) who were eliminated in the last 6 months. The list includes regional commanders, snipers, and experts in weapons production.

**

In recent weeks, troops continued to operate in Beit Hanoun and the Jabaliya area north of Gaza City, and in the Sheikh Radwan and Shejaya neighborhoods of Gaza City. Smaller forces are also quietly operating in Khan Younis, and even Rafah.

These areas are mostly evacuated of civilians, but some Hamas terrorists remain in hiding. The troops work to destroy remaining Hamas infrastructure, find missed tunnels, and eliminate terrorists.

Recently, troops in Beit Hanoun received intelligence about a Hamas tunnel in the city which hadn’t been found yet, where terrorists were still hiding. Troops locate the tunnel shafts and directed airstrikes to destroy them. At least 11 terrorists were eliminated while hiding in the tunnel.

I heard from an IDF commander whose job is finding missed tunnels that there are so many, it will take at least another year to find and destroy them all. Beit Hanoun is very close to the border with Israel—but it is not the closest place where tunnels have been found lately.

**

Footage uploaded to social media, and other reports in Gaza, indicate that Abu Shabab’s Popular Forces, who are anti Hamas, are now patrolling areas in Khan Younis—likely in collaboration with the IDF. Abu Shabab is headquartered in eastern Rafah, not far from Khan Younis.

**

In an interview on News 12, Israeli singer Idan Raichel shared a story that encapsulated so much of the Israeli experience. An IDF soldier sent Idan Raichel two photos that he found in a Gazan home.

The first photo was in Israel, of Idan Raichel together with a Gazan father and a baby in a crib. The photo was taken in 2008, when the singer was working together with the Israeli humanitarian organization called Save a Child’s Heart. The Israeli organization saved the Gazan baby’s life.

The second photo was of the baby grown up, and immortalized in a poster as a Hamas “martyr.” The father was a Hamas official, and the baby grew up to be a Hamas terrorist who fought Israel and was killed doing so.

Humanitarian Aid

During the past week:

– Close to 2,000 trucks of humanitarian aid were collected and distributed from the Gazan side of the Kerem Shalom and Zikim Crossings.
– Over 1,200 humanitarian aid trucks primarily containing food, entered through the crossings.
– Hundreds of patients and caregivers exited Gaza through the Kerem Shalom Crossing for treatment in a third country.
– 2 Humanitarian personnel rotation coordinations took place, with over 60 humanitarian personnel entering Gaza, and over 60 exiting.

A 3.7 acre area in Khan Yunis’ Hamad neighborhood was cleared of rubble by international teams and organizations, to help residents relocating from northern to southern Gaza.

Nearly 20,000 tents were brought in to the new humanitarian zones. Israel plans to bring a total of 100,000 tents in the coming weeks, with the help of donating countries. The first waves of civilians evacuating Gaza City already have tents in their possession, and don’t need new ones. The tents will help the families who are leaving their homes for the first time.

There are currently 4 institutional hospitals, 8 field hospitals, and 3 medical clinics in the humanitarian zone area. In the coming weeks, 2 more field hospitals will be opened.

The Bani Suheila water pipeline has been fully repaired. There are now 3 water lines from Israel, providing water to Gaza.

Yemen

Just before 4 am on Shabbat, sirens were activated in the extended Tel Aviv area. A missile launched by the Houthis in Yemen was intercepted.

On Shabbat noon, the Air Force intercepted a Houthi UAV over the Arava region.

Judea & Samaria

While France and other countries prepare to unilaterally recognize a “Palestinian State” on Rosh Hashana, Israel is preparing a response. Israel’s government cabinet is fiercely debating sovereignty over parts of Judea and Samaria.

During the joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Prime Minister Netanyahu said: “If they take unilateral steps against us, we will respond with unilateral steps.”

Lebanon

Israel’s Air Force continues to strike active Hezbollah cells in southern Lebanon. Since Shabbat, three strikes took place:

– A busy terrorist in the Et Tairoun area in southern Lebanon.
– Hezbollah terrorist Muhammad Ali Yassin, who was busy developing and producing combat means.
– Hezbollah headquarters for the Nabatiyeh area in southern Lebanon.

In each of these cases, the target of the airstrike was in direct violation of the ceasefire agreement.

Other

Parallel to Marco Rubio’s visit, Israel hosted the largest ever delegation of U.S. legislators—representing all 50 states, in a strong show of support for Israel.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted an event for the legislators, titled “Fifty States – One Israel.”

Netanyahu addressed the audience, thanking them for their support. He spoke about Israel’s post October 7th campaign to defeat all terror groups who attack Israel.

Netanyahu called out Iran’s effort to put a military siege on Israel, and Qatar’s efforts to siege Israel by attacking Israel’s legitimacy in the western world. Netanyahu also named China along with Qatar. China is rumored to be helping Iran replenish air defenses and weapons production capabilities. (Netanyahu may also have been hinting to the blatant anti-Israel bias of TikTok’s algorithm.)

Addressing the growing isolation, Netanyahu mentioned the U.S.’s strong friendship, and collaboration in weapons development and intelligence. Netanyahu also said that Israel is working towards becoming self-sufficient in weapons development, so as not to rely on other countries again.

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