Hostages:
Hamas has turned down a proposal for a short-term ceasefire which would lead to discussions on a larger deal.
In a call with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken “noted that Hamas has once again refused to release even a limited number of hostages to secure a ceasefire and relief for the people of Gaza,”
Gaza:
One hero fell in battle in Northern Gaza:
Shneur Zalman Cohen, 20, from Yitzhar
The IDF eliminated two senior terrorists who took part in the October 7th massacre: a Nukhba terrorist who had massacred and kidnapped in Kibbutz Nir Oz, and a PIJ intelligence officer who did the same in Kfar Aza.
The IDF is continuing to root out Hamas in Jabaliya, Northern Gaza, and is slowly expanding the area of operation.
Yahya Sinwar’s brother, Muhammad Sinwar, is acting as the de-facto military leader of Hamas in Gaza now, a role be previously assisted his brother in.
Humanitarian aid is flowing into Gaza in abundance, market shelves are fully loaded.
Lebanon:
An average of 140 rockets were fired by Hezbollah daily brow last couple days brought less casualties than previously, thank G-d.
A 57-year-old man succumbed to his wounds, after he was injured in Nahariya last week by rocket shrapnel.
IDF troops continue to systematically destroy Hezbollah infrastructure in Southern Lebanon.
Amongst Hezbollah commanders eliminated in the last two days, the most notable:
– Farouq Amin al-Ashi, the commander of the Khiam area
– Yousef Ahmed Noun, a company commander in Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force
– Ali Barakat, a senior commander in Hezbollah’s aerial forces, known as Unit 127, which is responsible for drone and cruise missile attacks on Israel
– Abu Ali Rida, commander of Hezbollah’s forces in southern Lebanon’s Baraachit (not the same Abu Ali Rida who commands the Badr unit)
– Riyad Reda Ghazzawi, a commander in the Radwan Force’s anti-tank missile unit
The Navy’s Shayetet 13 commando unit together with some members of the Yahalom and Oketz units, raided a Hezbollah compound in southern Lebanon, and battles terrorists underground. The troops discovered large amounts of weapons and rocket launchers. After the raid, they destroyed the underground compound.
Iran:
United States CENTCOM chief Gen. Michael Kurilla held an assessment with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi. The two militaries are preparing for possible joint strategic activities in response to Iran. Kurilla also toured the U.S. THAAD missile interceptors which are set up in Israel.
The U.S. sent two B-52H Stratofortress bombers to their base in Qatar, and appear to have up to 6 more coming soon. The B-52H is a long-range heavy bomber, and is even capable of carrying nuclear weapons. The US may be displaying strength to deter Iran from acting up, or it may actually be building up a force in the Middle East, in anticipation of what’s to come.
According to the a Wall Street Journal source, Iran is planning something larger than previously, with more variety of weapons, and a larger amount. The regular Iranian army (not just IRGC) is expected to participate as well.The report also says that Iran will wait until after U.S. elections.
Iran has been sending threats to Israel, including directly to Netanyahu’s life.
Israel is on high alert, and is considering pre-emptive strikes.
Meanwhile, during IRGC training, a helicopter crash led to the death of General Hamid Mazandarani, the commander of the Nineveh Brigade of Golestan province, and Hamed Jandaghi, a pilot of the IRGC ground forces.
Syria:
The IDF recently revealed that its Egoz commando unit conducted a raid in southern Syria, capturing a Syrian man, Ali Suleiman al-Asi, suspected of spying for Iran. Al-Asi, from Saida in the Daraa Governorate, was allegedly gathering intelligence on Israeli military activities near the border for potential future attacks. The IDF monitored al-Asi closely before detaining him and bringing him to Israel for questioning, which reportedly disrupted an impending attack and revealed Iran’s operational methods in the area. During his interrogation, al-Asi said he was directed by an Iranian-linked operative to observe the border disguised as a Syrian intelligence agent and report Israeli military patrols.
Today, the IDF launched airstrikes in Syria, targeting infrastructure and assets belonging to Hezbollah’s intelligence division.
Other:
Iraq has been sending 4-8 attack drones daily
A new brigade is being established for male Charedi soldiers, under the guidance of Charedi rabbis. It will follow very high standards soldiers in areas of kosher, prayer and learning schedules, and have exclusively religious commanders and an all male base. It will be called the Chashmonaim (Hasmonean) Brigade.
