Hostages:
There are currently no major updates. Negotiation talks are still open, but not progressing. Israel is preparing to present the $5 million and free passage reward for anyone who returns a hostage alive.
Gaza:
On Wednesday, Hamas launched rockets at the Israeli border community of Kissufim, and on Thursday at Netiv HaAssara. The Wednesday launch came from an area in Central Gaza where the IDF has not yet fully operated.
After three months of operations, the 252nd Reserve Division was withdrawn from the Netzarim Corridor, and replaced with the 99ty Division. The Netzarim Corridor is a long road and IDF base that separates Northern Gaza from the center and south of the strip. In some areas, the corridor is as wide as 3 kilometers. Troops in Netzarim primarily operate in Central Gaza and Gaza City, as well as supervise the crossings from north to south, and prevent returns to the north.
On Wednesday, troops eliminated 50 terrorists in Jabaliya. Operations expanded to the nearby Beit Lahiya, where troops are encouraging the evacuation of the remaining 3,000 civilians, while operating against Hamas terrorists. Most remaining civillians are heavily associated with Hamas, primarily the wives and children of terrorists.
In an intense operation in Southern Gaza, troops demolished two Hamas attack tunnels, which were recently located by combat engineers and the Shin Bet. The tunnels were two kilometers in length, had 10 exit shafts, booby trapped entrances, and contained a lot of weapons. After bombing entryways under buildings, troops battled and eliminated Hamas terrorists in the tunnel—including two who participated in the October 7th massacre.
Lebanon:
The IDF announced the name of a hero who fell while guarding the northern border:
Sgt. Ariel Sosnov Sasonov, 20, from Jerusalem.
On both Wednesday and Thursday, Hezbollah fired 150 rockets and drones at Israel. Several people were injured in attacks.
Sivan Sade, 18, from Kfar Masrik, was killed while working in his kibbutz farm.
Wednesday marked 40 days since Nasrallah’s elimination. To commemorate, Hezbollah fired two separate barrages at central Israel (Tel Aviv area). One missile landed in an empty tarmac at Ben Gurion Airport, realizing this would elicit a strong IDF response, Hezbollah claimed that the target was a nearby IDF base, and not the international airport.
On Wednesday evening, following the attacks, the IDF gave evacuation warnings for areas in Beirut, adjacent to the airport, and then destroyed several Hezbollah targets next to, but not in, the airport. The targets included weapons depots and commanders rooms. Hezbollah is known to control and use a large section of the airport, which the IDF still has not targeted, at the Biden admin’s request.
Other heavy airstrikes (following evacuation warnings) were carried out against Hezbollah in urban Beirut; Baalbek and surrounding areas in Northern Lebanon; and in Nevatiya and Tyre in Southern Lebanon. In addition to the destroyed Hezbollah infrastructure and weapons warehouses, the airstrikes in the Baalbek area alone eliminated over 50 terrorists.
In the last couple weeks, after completing the capture of the first line of villages in southern Lebanon, fighting significantly slowed down, and airstrikes somewhat returned to the tit-for-tat doctrine. Forces in Lebanon reduced from four divisions to just two. This all happened during ceasefire negations, which are still on.
Negotiations are still ongoing, with some projecting that a northern ceasefire could happen within two weeks. However, IDF chief-of-staff Herzi Halevy today indicated that plans for the continuation of the war are in the works, and will soon begin implementation of no ceasefire is reached.
The ceasefire negotiations include a clause allowing Israel to act to prevent Hezbollah from rearming. Lebanese forces, alongside select foreign countries, will be tasked with ensuring Hezbollah withdraw past the Litani River and disarm—but due to their failures in the past, Israel will no longer agree to withhold fire completely.
Iran:
Iran is continuing to threaten and prepare for attack. Israeli intelligence so far doesn’t see anything to be imminent (meaning within 12 hours).
The U.S. is continuing to increase its presence in the area, and added six F-15 fighter jets to the MidEast area of command, joining the heavy bombers.
Other:
Early reports on Thursday night that troops located underground infrastructure in the Jordan Valley.
Two people were lightly injured in a ramming and attempted stabbing terror attack near Shilo.
A U.S. soldier died of injuries sustained earlier this year while building the failed Gaza aid pier. Zero people in Gaza died from hunger, but this appears to be the fourth U.S. death associated with the pier’s construction.
Pogrom in Amsterdam:
Israelis and Jews in Amsterdam for a soccer match were ambushed while leaving the stadium. In what appears to have been a coordinated attack, a mob of around 100 Arab migrants attacked the Israelis.
The attackers stood in groups in various corners, and were armed with knives. Some attackers in cars rammed into the Israelis. The attackers proudly uploaded horrific videos to social media, of Israelis being beaten, and some who jumped into a cold river for safety. Attackers also launched explosives at hotels where Israelis are staying.
Israel opened a task force and hotline, and is sending two rescue planes to bring the Israelis back from Amsterdam. Amsterdam police took over 90 minutes to arrive, and in some areas were seen just watching, and not helping. The local Chabad organized rescue groups who brought people to safety. The pogrom took over three hours to wind down.
At least 20 are reported as injured, to various degrees. Two are still missing. Many had their phones, wallets, and passports stolen. Israel instructed citizens to remain inside, keep doors locked, cover windows, and when possible, head to the airport while hiding their identity.
The Amsterdam police reported arresting 57 suspects, including Turkish and Iranian citizens.
