War Summary, Day 517: Witkoff confirms the US negotiated directly with Hamas, small hopes Hamas releases some hostages before deadline, Katz says will swap flotilla protesters for Gazans who want to leave, heavy rock attack on main road near Beitar, 90 terrorists arrested in Shomron, foreign workers freed from captivity in PA village and renewed clashes in Syria between Assad forces, and new Jolani government.
By Mrs. Bruria Efune
59 held captive in Gaza.
35 hostages confirmed murdered held in Gaza.
147 living hostages rescued.
49 hostage bodies rescued.
1,828 Israelis killed.
413 fallen soldiers and police in the battle in Gaza.
87 fallen soldiers in Northern Israel.
18 fallen soldiers and police in Judea & Samaria.
30,683 estimated projectiles fired at Israel.
70,000 Israelis displaced from their homes.
1 Jewish nation united in prayer, charity, and good deeds.
Top Headlines:
us negotiated with Hamas,
– Witkoff confirms: US negotiated directly with Hamas
– Small hopes Hamas may release a small few hostages right before the deadline
– Hamas still making impossible demand
– Airstrike targets Hamas terrorists planting roadside bomb in Shejaiya
– Zamir visits troops in Gaza
– Katz says will swap flotilla protesters for Gazans who want to leave
– Stronger IDF prepared to face weaker Hamas
– Heavy rock attack on main road near Beitar
– 90 terrorists arrested in Samaria
– Bomb and drone factories found and destroyed in Samaria
– 10 foreign workers freed from captivity in Palestinian Authority village
– PA residents to be allowed to pray at Temple Mount for Ramadan
– Renewed clashes in Syria between Assad forces and new Jolani government
– Joint exercises between Israel and US forces with the B-52 bomber
Hostages:
Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy to the Mideast, confirmed that direct talks occurred between Trump’s hostage envoy, Adam Boehler, and Hamas leaders in Qatar. The talks took place as recently as a few days ago (not weeks as previously reported) and ended once it became apparent that Hamas was stuck in their unreasonable demands. Trump’s dramatic statement yesterday cam both after he met released hostages, and after growing frustration with Hamas and the end of direct talks.
Both Israel and America have a longstanding policy not to negotiate with terror groups. Many are upset to learn that this policy was violated. (Others wonder if it’s any different than negotiating through Qatar—a clear logic that leads to this.) Witkoff insisted that Biden, the hostage families, and even Netanyahu’s government is happy with the negotiations, which were a genuine effort to bring the hostages home.
While taking questions just outside the White House, Witkoff answered that to get all the hostages home will “require some good, reasonable action on the part of Hamas. And it’s time for them, I think, to gain some political capital and show that they’re capable of doing that.”
While it’s unclear exactly what Witkoff meant, it does seem like he’s playing the “good cop” in the negotiations, giving Hamas leaders a way out, while Trump plays “bad cop” with the threats.
Witkoff did also confirm that there is a deadline for Israel to return to fighting, though he didn’t say when. (Common speculation is one more week, while some suggest Israel might wait until after Ramadan.)
A source close to the Hamas leaders in Qatar told the Saudi news outlet, Asharq Al-Awsat, that Hamas may decide to release a small few hostages with American citizenship, and even some without, as a bargaining chip to hold onto the ceasefire for longer, and for assurances that the second phase of the deal will be reached.
However, Hamas is still demanding that a second phase of the deal includes a complete IDF withdrawal (including from the Philadelphi Corridor) and guaranteed ceasefire—and leaves Hamas armed and in control of Gaza.
Gaza:
This morning, IDF troops spotted several Hamas terrorists planting an explosive device in the ground, near IDF positions. The terrorists were at the eastern edge of the Shejaiya neighborhood, in Gaza City. An IDF airstrike eliminated the threat.
For his very first visit to IDF soldiers since taking command, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir visited the Haredi Netzach Yehuda battalion, in the buffer zone of Northern Gaza.
“Always be ready, always be vigilant, always be suspicious, always be practicing,” Zamir told them. “If you look behind you, you will see the houses of Sderot. You protect the civilians in Sderot. You are our line of defense.”
Zamir also met with the mayors and leaders of the communities in the Gaza border area, to discuss security, and the return of the remaining hostages.
The IDF has completed planning for transportation of any Gazan who wants to leave to a third country. Once a place is found for them to go, the IDF will be able to transfer around 2,500 people per day, by sea, air, or land. The only remaining issue is who will take them in.
Defense Minister Katz gave interesting instructions to the IDF: If foreign protesters come to Gaza via flotillas, the IDF should allow them to disembark into Gaza, and then the emptied boat should be used to transport any Gazans who wish to leave. It is unclear why Katz gave these instructions today, as there is no known flotilla en route to Gaza.
The IDF is prepared to return to war in Gaza, and this time has immensely more weapons, and no shortages, thanks to many recent shipments for the U.S. Earlier in the war, the IDF was forced to scale back activity due to arms being withheld. So the IDF is returning to war in a stronger state, and Hamas in a much weaker state.
Judea & Samaria:
Terrorists threw large stones at several Israeli vehicles which were traveling on a major civilian road near Beitar. One Israeli civilian was lightly injured and evacuated to the hospital. Upon receiving the report, the IDF began searching the area for terrorists.
Over the last week, IDF troops arrested 90 terrorist suspects in Judea and Samaria, 30 of which were arrested in a part of Jenin which the troops only recently entered.The IDF troops also confiscated 14 weapons, and hundreds of thousands of shekels of terrorist funds. Three homes of convicted terrorists were demolished.
In Northern Samaria, the IDF’s Shimshon battalion located and destroyed three significant sites of terror infrastructure:
– An improvised explosive device manufacturing laboratory
– A weapons depot containing approximately 100 pipe bombs, eight ventral bombs, and a system for activating the bombs
– A makeshift laboratory for manufacturing drones.
The troops also identified and demolished several buildings in Tulkarm which were being used as terror infrastructure.
Israeli security also rescued 10 foreign workers who were being held against their will in Palestinian Authority-controlled areas, for over a month. PA residents had lured the Indian foreign workers with job offers, and then confiscated their passports in a tactic to trap them as slaves.
Despite the violence coming from terrorists in Judea and Samaria, the Prime Minister’s Office announced that Muslim worshippers from Judea and Samaria would be allowed to enter the Temple Mount during the month of Ramadan, “subject to obtaining a permit and a preliminary security assessment.”
The permits are available only to men aged 55 and over, women aged 50 and over, and children up to the age of 12. After completing security screenings and obtaining a permit, the worshippers will be allowed entry through regulated crossings only, with full security checks.
Yemen:
The IDF is preparing for a return to war in Gaza with the assumption that the Houthis will restart as well. Israel is coordinating with the Trump administration on the issue.
Syria:
In the most violent incident since the December uprising, heavy clashes broke out between Assad regime forces and the new Jolani (HTS) forces in Syria. Turkish forces entered Syria to assist Jolene’s forces. At least 16 of Jolani’s forces were killed by pro-Assad gunmen. The IDF remains in southern Syria, ensuring that the violence doesn’t near Israel, or threaten the Druze villages.
Other:
Over this past week, the Israeli Air Force conducted joint air exercises with the US Air Force. The exercise were designed to strengthen and preserve the cooperation between the forces, while also expanding the joint operational abilities of the two.
As part of the exercises, Israeli F-35i and F-15i aircraft conducted a joint flight with an American B-52 strategic bomber. The flight practiced operational communication between the two militaries, in what the IDF says aimed to “improve the ability to deal with regional threats.”
For reference, the B-52 bomber can carry up to 70,000 lbs (32,000 kgs) of weapons, both nuclear and conventional. Practically speaking, it could flatten an area three times the size of Tehran in a single strike. It can also travel over 14,000 km (8,700 miles) without aerial refueling.
In other words, this exercise wasn’t just about practice, but also a strong warning to Iran and its proxies.
Sponsored by the Nissenbaum family, for the safe return of all our hostages.
VIDEO:
Israeli F-35i and F-15i aircraft conducted a joint flight with an American B-52 strategic bomber. The flight practiced operational communication between the two militaries, in what the IDF says aimed to “improve the ability to deal with regional threats.”
For reference, the B-52 bomber can carry up to 70,000 lbs (32,000 kgs) of weapons, both nuclear and conventional. Practically speaking, it could flatten an area three times the size of Tehran in a single strike. It can also travel over 14,000 km (8,700 miles) without aerial refueling.
Discussion
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