Operation Iron Swords - Day 143 - 26 February 2024
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NEW - War Termination NEW - Operations NEW - Operations Maps NEW - By-Standers NEW - Axis of Resistance NEW - Allied for Democracy UPDATED - Oasis of Martyrs UPDATED - Hostages |
Biden administration officials say they want to reach an agreement before the start of Ramadan, that is, more than two weeks from now. An Israeli official told the Hebrew Channel 12: Our goal is to reach a prisoner exchange deal before the month of Ramadan.
President Biden in an interview with Seth Meyers' tonight show said as he left the NBC studio: "The national security adviser told me that we are close, we are not done yet, but my hope is that by next Monday we will have a ceasefire."
Palestinian Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh announced Monday 26 February 2024 the submission of his government’s resignation to President Mahmoud Abbas, in view of the political, security and economic developments related to the situation in the Gaza Strip and the unprecedented escalation in the West Bank. Shtayyeh delivered his speech during the weekly government session in the city of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, where he stressed that his government was able to achieve a balance between the needs of the Palestinian people and confronting the political challenges and changes in the region.
According to Former Israeli Intelligence Official and regional analyst Avi Melamed, while the resignation of the PA government is capturing international headlines, the government itself was meaningless vis-à-vis the local, strategic partner that will be required for governing post-war Gaza.
Melamed shared: “The resignation of Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh and his government today, while it has captured international headlines and even hints towards the development of a technocratic government, still won’t immediately bring about the reform and the revitalization at the helm of the Palestinian National Movement that the U.S. and other partners have pressured PA President Abbas for as the world prepares for Gaza’s post-war reconstruction and governance.
"Ultimately, given Hamas’s ability to dictate the trajectory of the Palestinian struggle completely independent of the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority, the government itself was meaningless vis-à-vis the local, strategic partner that will be required for governing post-war Gaza.
"The Palestinian inner political struggle between Abbas’ Fatah and those who support Hamas, is a deep-rooted battle that will ultimately need to be overcome lest history repeat itself in Gaza where the previous Palestinian Authority rule was violently removed by Hamas less than two years after its establishment of sovereignty. At the core of Israel’s diplomatic mission in this extremely complex war, is the need to change the trajectory of violence — both for Israelis and Palestinians — and to ensure that history ceases to repeat itself in endless cycles of violence.”
As the hunger-stricken people of southern Gaza were waiting for aid deliveries set to be airdropped by Jordan and France in the blockaded strip, three Jordanian C-130H Hercules transport aircraft and a French one made their way over Gaza and conducted several airdrops into Gaza's south in coordination with the Israeli air force bombing the strip. Jordanian forces made "four air drops carrying aid for the people of Gaza", under the directive of Jordanian King Abdullah II, a statement issued by the Jordanian army said.
Jordan had thus far carried out 16 airdrop operations since the start of the Israeli war on Gaza in October in coordination with the Israeli air force after the Israelis themselves blocked the entry of aid into the blockaded strip. Previously announced airdrops, including a joint operation with the Netherlands, sent medical and other aid to the Jordanian field hospital in northern Gaza.
The operation was "aimed at delivering aid to the population directly and drop it along the coast of the Gaza Strip from north to south". It comprised "relief and food supplies, including ready-made meals of high nutritional value, to alleviate the suffering of the people of the Gaza Strip", the statement added.most of the supply drops were swimming with the fish before they made it to the hands of the people of Gaza as they were dropped straight into the Mediterranean Sea instead of on the coast of southern Gaza.
Jordan's supplies included dates, flour, rice, and meat, all of which were rendered inedible due to the water. However, there were MREs (military-dispatched Meals Ready to Eat) that were unaffected. The cargo, which floated down via parachutes, was not dropped using any sort of GPS technology and was scant compared to the amount of people in dire need in southern Gaza.
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz said that the behavior and statements of some ministers of Benjamin Netanyahu's government caused the Hamas attack on October 7th. The newspaper's writer, Rogel Elver, said in an article that extremist Israeli Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich caused the Hamas attack and the outbreak of war in Gaza.
The writer referred to the statements of former occupation Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, in which he said that the goal of Ben Gavir and Smotrich before the war was to cleanse the West Bank of Palestinians, cleanse Al-Aqsa Mosque of Muslim worshipers, and annex many areas to the Israeli entity, describing this goal as “saturated with Jewish and Arab blood.” According to his description.
Elver pointed out that Olmert and many political analysts in the occupation believe that this duo took control of the occupation government and made its president their servant. The Israeli writer said that Ben Gvir's behavior in Al-Aqsa Mosque during the months preceding the war provided the pretext for the Hamas attack, noting that the intelligence services had become clear to them about the reasons that prompted Hamas and Sinwar to carry out the October 7 attack.
He added in his article: “Sinwar and those close to him read from the behavior and statements of the extremist ministers that the situation in Al-Aqsa Mosque had become a great danger due to the extreme right in the government.”
He continued: "Sinwar and those close to him were not the ones who convinced themselves that the current situation in the Temple Mount was in danger. Rather, it was Ben Gvir and Smotrich who convinced him of that. It seemed clear that Sinwar was right, and the name "Al-Aqsa Flood" reflects the true goal of the October 7 attack, which stemmed from “There is a well-founded fear that the interests of Muslims in Al-Aqsa Mosque are in danger.”
War Termination
There is no end to the war in sight, as both sides still see the other as an “existential threat,” and there is no clear path to any kind of “permanent peace” between them.
In a significant shift in negotiating strategy, Israeli officials indicated that Israel may be open to releasing a group of high-profile Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the freedom of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. This move, though not publicly announced, aims to break the impasse in international efforts to reach a truce amid the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. According to officials familiar with the matter who spoke to the New York Times on condition of anonymity, Israeli negotiators have privately agreed to a proposal put forth by the United States. The proposal suggests releasing five female Israeli soldiers in exchange for 15 Palestinians convicted of major terrorism charges. The “Day After” document of the war on Gaza, presented by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , to the Mini-Ministerial Council for Security and Political Affairs ( the cabinet ) reflects the state of uncertainty and ambiguity resulting from hesitation in making decisive decisions and Netanyahu’s attempt to maneuver between the restrictions imposed by the government coalition.
By proposing the “Next Day” plan, Netanyahu aimed to avoid international pressure, avoid a clash with the administration of US President Joe Biden , and preserve the government coalition and prevent its disintegration, by pleasing partners from the right-wing parties, especially the head of the “Jewish Greatness” party, Minister Itamar Ben Gavi . And the head of the “Religious Zionism” coalition, Minister Bezalel Smotrich .
The first part of the document comprehensively reviews Israel's security interests in the "day after," including the Israeli requirement to control and control communications between the Palestinians and the world, with a focus on the Salah al-Din Axis, the " Philadelphia Axis " between Gaza and Egypt, which was a major means of enhancing the influence and power of Hamas . Military, according to the document.
Therefore, according to Israeli analysts and researchers, the document is considered general directives that express the ideal situation desired from an Israeli point of view, and lacks the details required to translate the plan into practice and confront the challenges, restrictions, and internal political turmoil.
Netanyahu’s announcement of the “The Day After” document comes at a time when the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper revealed an Israeli plan aimed at preventing the return of displaced Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to their homes in the northern Gaza Strip, while the Israeli army maintains control over the “Netzarim Corridor,” which separates The southern neighborhoods of Gaza City and Wadi Gaza. According to the newspaper, Israel has until now been opposed to the return of the displaced to their homes in the northern Gaza Strip, but, according to the newspaper’s political affairs correspondent Itamar Eichner, “it may show flexibility in making a decision to allow the return of the displaced, especially children and women.”
He explained that Israel is using the partial control of the Israeli army over the northern Gaza Strip area as a bargaining chip to improve the terms of the potential exchange deal with Hamas, as well as in order to end the conflict with Hamas and transfer control to local parties that have no connection to Hamas, as a condition for the possible withdrawal from the “Netzarim Corridor” and the return of all displaced people to their areas.
Militarily, the newspaper's military correspondent, Yoav Zeitoun, says, "The Israeli army moved from the war phase to the combat phase and operational activity, with the smallest number of forces in the Gaza Strip, but it expanded the Netzarim corridor as a future bargaining chip to end the fighting."
Zaitoun explained that the Israeli army continues to fight in the northern Gaza Strip, where between 30 and 40% of Hamas fighters are still active in this area, by pressuring the remaining civilians to displace them from the southern region to expand military operations, and continues to fight with the aim of imposing pressure on Hamas during negotiations. The military correspondent estimated that the beliefs that have taken root in Israel indicate that it is not possible to end the war and withdraw from the Gaza Strip without carrying out a military operation and invading Rafah, as discussions continue in Israel regarding the evacuation of 1.4 million displaced people in the city and its environs with the aim of fighting against 4 Hamas brigades.
The head of the Palestinian Studies Forum at the Dayan Center at Tel Aviv University, Dr. Michael Milstein, expresses his doubts about the seriousness of the “The Day After” plan document presented by Netanyahu, noting that the document is full of ambiguity and lack of clarity, and reflects a lack of desire to make decisions. In an article published in the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, Milstein explained that the Israeli document of principles presented by Netanyahu is merely an internal maneuver and escape, noting that the document faces difficulty in forming the basis for an action plan that is applicable and implemented in reality.
Milstein pointed out that the "next day" does not seem to be near, with the fighting continuing in Gaza and the Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar, remaining alive. He also pointed out that there is a large part of Hamas' military infrastructure that is still steadfast, and that the movement still controls the areas where the Israeli army is active, especially in the northern Gaza Strip.
The Israeli researcher believes that the content of the document indicates that it will not be possible to achieve it on the ground except after the actual elimination of the military and governmental capabilities of Hamas in Gaza, which is a goal that cannot be talked about at the current stage in terms of how and when it can be achieved, saying, “It may require Achieving this is controlling the entire region and occupying the sector.” Milstein explained that most of the problems exist in the second part of the document, which discusses the civil and political dimension, which Israel trembles over even before October 7, and the extreme ambiguity is embodied in the description of “local parties with administrative experience and not involved in terrorism,” which are supposed to carry out civil control rather than Israel.
The ambiguity and ambiguity is enhanced, according to the Israeli researcher, by the fact that the Palestinian Authority was not identified as a potential partner, but he did not mention that it is not one, saying, “It appears that this plan aims to satisfy members of the government coalition and the international community, which is increasing its pressure on Israel.”
Under the title “With Bibi (Benjamin Netanyahu), the next day is the day before,” the deputy editor-in-chief of Haaretz newspaper, Noa Landow, wrote an article in which she criticized Netanyahu’s plan document, which came under the title “The Day After Hamas,” saying that “ The impression from the next day’s document from Netanyahu’s point of view is very similar to the day before the war on Gaza.”
Looking at this short document, as is customary in the Netanyahu government, Lando says, “The purpose of the document is mainly to play with words and use enthusiastic phrases, in order to hide the fact that the document is meaningless and has no intrinsic value.” She explained that the plan is nothing but an attempt by Netanyahu to deceive the Israeli public and sell illusions to readers as if the document is a kind of development, saying, “In reality, there is no development there at all. The document is just a masterpiece of stagnation, as Netanyahu confirms that the war will continue until it achieves its goals.”
Noa concluded by saying, "Netanyahu does not have any plan for a future political settlement with the Palestinians, as Israel categorically rejects such a plan, while Netanyahu's plan for the next day is that he does not have a plan at all. He wants to manage the conflict without ever resolving it."
Haaretz newspaper said that the post-war Gaza plan revealed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last Friday is an unworkable list of unilateral statements that do not deserve serious review. The newspaper explained - in an article by writer Alon Pinkas - that the plan, which came after 140 days of war and the United States’ demand for it as an ally, is meaningless. Because it is a denial of US President Joe Biden's plan , which is a list of statements that constitute open Israeli control over Gaza without any positive political aspect, and it is also unworkable.
The document is divided into 3 time frames, the first of which is the “immediate time frame,” and stipulates that the basic condition for reaching the so-called “next day” is for Israeli forces to continue “the war until their goals are achieved, that is, the destruction of the military capabilities of Hamas and Islamic Jihad and the governing infrastructure.” Return the hostages held in Gaza, and prevent any threat to Israel from the Gaza Strip in the future.
This in itself - according to the newspaper - is logical and appeals to the Israeli mentality, but it conflicts with the American timetable and sequence, which assumes that the hostage deal will be accompanied by a temporary but long ceasefire, and it also assumes that the military and political destruction of Hamas is possible without occupying the entire Gaza Strip for a period. long period of time.
The second is the "medium time frame", which is divided into security and civil areas. The security dimension consists of 5 points, the first of which is that Israel maintains freedom of operations for an unlimited period of time in Gaza, which necessarily means that Israel will remain in Gaza for an indefinite period of time. The second point is the establishment of buffer zones unless security needs and requirements require it. The third point is Israel maintaining the “southern closure” valve to prevent Hamas from rearming itself in cooperation with Egypt and the United States.
According to the fourth point: Israel will have “security control over the entire area west of the Jordan River,” without specifying what this means, but the wording means preventing any Palestinian sovereignty, even in the context of a future demilitarized Palestinian state. Finally: The Gaza Strip must be “completely demilitarized,” and Israel will supervise that mission. Disarmament has been a consistent and strict Israeli position since the Oslo Accords, but limiting implementation and supervision to Israel means Israel’s reoccupation of Gaza.
At the same time, the civil sphere includes 4 concerns, the first of which is that the civil administration and responsibility for the civil system should be based on “local elements with administrative experience,” which the writer explained by looking for Palestinian subcontractors working for the benefit of Israel without any legitimacy among the Palestinians, and then Israel bears full responsibility.
The second: “removing extremism,” by establishing a plan to remove extremism from religious, educational, and social care institutions in Gaza, “with the participation and assistance of Arab countries with proven experience in strengthening the fight against extremism.” He considered this idea farcical and divorced from reality, wondering: How will this be done? ? Which Arab countries have such a record? Will Israel do the same in return?
The third trigger: Israel is working to close the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Refugees ( UNRWA ), under the pretext that its employees were involved in the events of last October 7, and is seeking to “replace it with other responsible international social welfare agencies.” The writer pointed out that US intelligence assessments cast doubt on Israel's findings regarding UNRWA's collusion with the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ), stressing that Israel cannot close UNRWA.
As for the last trigger: “The Gaza reconstruction process will not begin until the disarmament process is completed and the process of eradicating extremism begins, and it will be conducted and funded by countries acceptable to Israel.”
This means - according to the writer - that this will never happen, and indicates that Israel has no intention of leaving Gaza, and it also arrogantly orders countries wishing to finance reconstruction to wait for the Israeli green light. The writer commented that there are no Arab or other countries willing to spend billions, and the only condition proposed by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE is the eventual establishment of a Palestinian state, which is something that Israel does not want to take into consideration.
As for the long-term vision, which is described as “basic rules for the future settlement,” it consists of two declarations taken from the government’s statement last week, the first of which is that Israel rejects “the apparent international dictates regarding what relates to the final settlement with the Palestinians. An agreement can only be reached through Direct negotiations between the two sides without preconditions."
According to the writer, this is manipulation by Netanyahu. Because he refused to negotiate with the Palestinians for a decade, and there are no international “dictations.” As for “there are no preconditions,” the entire document so far is a list of Israeli preconditions and dictates. The second declaration is that “Israel will continue to oppose unilateral recognition of the Palestinian state, and more than 100 countries have already expressed their intention to recognize the Palestinian state, so Israel is the one that unilaterally opposes it, even if it is for good reasons, according to the writer.
The writer concluded that Netanyahu, with his popularity and the popularity of his ruling coalition declining, may be his last gamble is to invent a “crisis of the Palestinian state” and confront the United States. This is what the “unplanned” plan is about, which proves conclusively that there is no plan at all.
Operational Update
“There were 24 regional battalions in Gaza — we have dismantled 18 of them,” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told foreign reporters. “Now, Rafah is the next Hamas center of gravity.”
According to a report in the Washington Post, Israeli officials claimed that the hunt for Sinwar is progressing, and that Israel is close to locating him. However, the sources estimated that Sinwar, who is in the tunnels in the Khan Yunis area, is "surrounded by hostages or human protectors", and there is a debate as to whether neutralizing him at the cost of harming the hostages will lead to the end of the war.
On the night between October 6 and 7, at a time when deep concern began in the IDF, the Southern Command requested to bring the combat helicopters closer to their location, as N12 published this evening for the first time in the "Main Edition". The helicopters are permanently located at the Ramon base, and when the army is silent, they are moved to a base in the center of the country So that they can respond to any situation, anywhere. The Southern Command's request, as mentioned, was to bring the helicopters back "as a security measure", so that if God forbid something happens, they can rush to the border with Gaza. However, the southern command met with a refusal. The reason - to keep the sources, "not to burn intelligence sources" of the army.
This policy of the Intelligence Division was also transferred to the Navy and the Ground Forces under similar instructions. All kinds of measures that the army could have taken, were not taken, because the perception in the IDF was that this was an exercise and it was better to take the risk and keep the sources.
Initial findings from an IDF investigation into the events of October 7 reveal that there were only around 600 IDF soldiers deployed in the Gaza border area when more than 3,000 Hamas terrorists breached the border, according to a report by Channel 12. The military forces that were in the field were trained just two weeks before along the border for the possibility of a raid into Israel's territory. The IDF's practice scenarios focused on repelling a Hamas assault along two routes. However, the actual attack unfolded across approximately 60 different points along the border, indicating a significant disparity between the military's preparedness and the magnitude of the incursion.
Ynet reported that on the night of October 6, Israeli intelligence agencies discovered that hundreds of Israeli SIM cards were activated on mobile phones in the Gaza Strip by Hamas members. This action was considered highly unusual, indicating a certain intention that Hamas might launch an attack. The information reached the Israeli Chief of Staff that night, but it did not reach the political level. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu placed responsibility for the security failure on the security and intelligence services for the events of October 7, but he later apologized for these statements.
The Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth quoted what it described as an “exceptional” response from the Shin Bet , which described the latest information as “fake news and far from reality,” noting that “the talk is about dozens.” Netanyahu's office claimed that he only learned about the matter yesterday, according to the newspaper.
The publication about 1,000 Israeli SIMS that turned on at the same time is false and far from reality, the IDF Spokesman said . In practice, an accumulation of indicative signs was received, which included, among other things, the flashing of dozens of signs, which were lit in previous events in the past. Accordingly, the system was trained and intelligence and operative operations were carried out in the field.
As previously published, on the night of October 7th, indicative signs were received for which situation assessments were conducted and operative decisions were made accordingly. The telltale signs are based on a variety of tools and capabilities, including technological tools whose mode and method of operation cannot be specified.
All the events and information available that night will be investigated as part of the investigations carried out by the Shin Bet and the IDF. The IDF spokeman sated "It is required to show responsibility and caution in publications, so that operational methods and capabilities are not compromised during wartime."
Security sources revealed to i24NEWS that humanitarian aid trucks entering the Gaza Strip were being seized by armed men, apparently belonging to Hamas. The sources said this had been occurring for several weeks, with loaded trucks being taken over almost immediately upon entry.
The Israeli army presented a plan to “evacuate” civilians from “combat zones” in Gaza, as announced Monday by the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Prime Minister's Office stated: "The IDF presented the War Cabinet with a plan for evacuating the population from the areas of fighting in the Gaza Strip, and with the upcoming operational plan. In addition, the plan for providing humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip in a manner that will prevent the looting that has occurred in the northern Strip and other areas was approved." Israel had threatened to launch a ground attack on the crowded city of Rafah, in the south of the Strip, despite the ongoing negotiations to reach a solution. To a new truce in the war against Hamas.
The Israeli Chiefs of Staff and Shin Bet visited Egypt to reassure it about the “Rafah Operation” and the influx of Gazans into Sinai. Israeli media reported that the Israeli army chief of staff and the head of the Shin Bet security service secretly visited Egypt last week and discussed with Egyptian officials the possible “Rafah operation.” According to reports, the visit of Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevy and Shin Bet head Ronen Bar to Egypt was subject to Israeli military oversight throughout the recent period.
The visit was revealed less than 24 hours after the Israeli war cabinet discussed the plan to “evacuate” civilians from Rafah as part of Tel Aviv’s plan to invade it, despite international warnings. The Axios website, citing American officials, reported that the Israeli Army Chief of Staff and the head of the General Security Service (Shin Bet) visited Cairo last week to reassure their Egyptian counterparts that Tel Aviv will take steps to ensure that the operation in Rafah will not lead to an influx of Palestinian refugees into Egypt.
The website reported, citing the same source, that Halevy and Bar met with the director of Egyptian intelligence and senior Egyptian army officers and discussed the possible Israeli operation in Rafah. Without going into details, American officials said that Halevy and Bar presented to Egyptian officials their ideas on how to carry out an Israeli operation in Rafah in a way that prevents the influx of large numbers of Palestinian refugees into the Sinai Peninsula.
The American website explained that the high-level visit by the most senior officer in the Israeli army indicates the importance that the Israeli government attaches to its security relations with Egypt, which has already warned that the displacement of Palestinians to the Sinai Peninsula will lead to a “rupture” in relations with Israel. According to Axios, Israeli officials confirmed that coordination with Egypt is a precondition for any future operation in Rafah. The Israeli army and Shin Bet refused to comment, and Egyptian officials did not respond to Axios’ questions about the file.
The forces of Division 162, led by the Nahal TDF and in cooperation with the Yalam forces and engineering forces, located a system of underground tunnels connecting the north and south of the Gaza Strip . The forces gained operational control over the Tavaim, and after investigating them, they destroyed large parts of the system. The system connects the Turkish hospital bordering the center camps, to the Al-Sara' University building, in the south of Gaza City and reaches as far as the Zeyton area. This is an inter-division system, used for the movement of activists between different divisions in the Strip. The routes connect the Central Brigade to the Gaza City Brigade - among them the battalions of Nizirat, Zabra and Zeyton.
As part of the 162nd Division's activities in the Zeytun neighborhood in the northern Gaza Strip, the fighters of the 401st Brigade Combat Team continue to operate and fight in the area. With the help of the air force forces, in the last day about 30 terrorists who were operating near the forces in the area were eliminated. In one of the activities, the fire assembly of the brigade directed a fighter jet that attacked and eliminated a sniper in a building near the fighters. In the center of the Strip, the battle team of the Nahal Brigade eliminated over ten terrorists in the last day.
In the activity carried out by the fighters in the area, the forces identified an armed terrorist squad moving towards them and eliminated it. In the Khan Yunis area, soldiers of Unit 414 identified a terrorist armed with an RPG. Troops from the unit followed the terrorist and directed an aircraft to the place that attacked and eliminated him.
In West Khan Yunis, the fighters of the 7th Brigade Combat Team eliminated a number of terrorists using tank and sniper fire. In addition, the brigade's fire complex directed a fighter jet that attacked a building where two terrorists were staying, at the end of the attack secondary explosions of the many weapons in the possession of the terrorists were detected.
As part of the activity of the combat team fighters of the paratrooper brigade in West Khan Yunis, the fighters eliminated a number of terrorists including two armed terrorists who were eliminated at close range. In a raid on terrorist infrastructure in the area, the forces located weapon parts alongside grenades, ammunition and military equipment.
In other activities in the area, the combat team fighters of the Givat Brigade identified two terrorists observing our forces during a raid on terrorist targets, and fired at them. In additional ambushes carried out by the forces, additional terrorists were eliminated. The fire units of the Givati Brigade and paratroopers eliminated in the last day, together with the forces of the Air Force, armed terrorist squads that moved and operated near our forces in the west of Khan Yunis.
A fighter from a paratrooper patrol and a fighter from the Yalam unit were seriously injured yesterday (Sunday) in a battle in the southern Gaza Strip. In addition, two fighters from Battalion 601 were seriously injured yesterday (Sunday) in a battle in the northern Gaza Strip. Also, a combat officer from the paratrooper brigade was seriously injured yesterday (Sunday) in a battle in the southern Gaza Strip. The fighters were evacuated to receive medical treatment at a hospital, their families were informed.
The soldiers of the IDF, the Shin Bet and the Mageb arrested 22 wanted persons throughout Judea and Samaria and in the Bekaa and Emekim Brigade tonight. The forces arrested 22 wanted persons, in the city of Nablus and in Kfar Kalil the fighters confiscated terrorist funds worth over NIS 100,000. In addition, incendiary materials of terrorist organizations were confiscated from a printing house in Nablus. Also, during the night the forces completed an operation in the village of Silwad, during which the forces arrested a wanted man and interrogated many suspects identified with the terrorist organization Hamas.
In addition, in Deir Amar in the Ephraim Brigade, the forces arrested six wanted men and in Beit Omer in the Etzion Brigade, four more wanted men were arrested. The wanted persons who were arrested and the confiscated terrorist funds were transferred to the security forces for further treatment, there are no casualties to Israeli forces.
Defense Minister Yoav Galant visited the Northern Command today for an operational situation assessment, joined by Major General Uri Gordin, Major General Motti Baruch, and other command officers. At the meeting, Galant discussed strategies to increase the intensity of fire against Hezbollah along the northern border. Galant dismissed the notion that a temporary truce in Gaza would diminish efforts along the northern border, asserting that the IDF would independently intensify operations until Hezbollah's withdrawal. He reaffirmed the goal of forcing Hezbollah to retreat through diplomatic means or military action.
"We are inflicting significant damage on Hezbollah," Galant declared. "We will continue to target their commanders until they have no choice but to retreat. Whether through negotiation or force, our objective remains clear: the withdrawal of Hezbollah forces."
Yesterday (Feb 25), #Hezbollah claimed responsibility for 6 attacks against Israel, which were carried out by using high-trajectory fire (including Burkhan and Falaq-1 Rockets) and anti-tank missiles. Several communities were attacked: Kiryat Shmona, Manara and Malkia. Since this morning (Feb 26) Hezbollah claimed responsibility for 5 attacks against Israel, including anti-tank fire at the community of Shtula, where a person was injured.
This morning (Feb 26) Hezbollah claimed responsibility for shooting down an Israeli drone of type Hermes 450 with a surface-to-air missile above the area of Iqlim Al-Tuffah. The air defense intercepted a surface-to-air missile launched at a remotely manned aircraft of the Air Force that was operating in the skies of Lebanon using the "David Slings" system. A warning of rocket and missile fire was activated in the Alon Tavor area following the launch of the interceptor, there were no casualties.
After a short time, another missile was launched at the UAV and hit it. As a result, the vessel fell in Lebanese territory. The IDF will continue to defend the State of Israel and operate in Lebanese skies against the terrorist organization Hezbollah. In response to the launch of a surface-to-air missile at an IDF 'Zik' Hermes-450 UAV, which fell earlier today, IDF fighter jets struck sites used by Hezbollah’s Aerial Defense Array in the Beqaa Valley in Lebanon. The IDF will continue to defend the State of Israel and operate in Lebanese skies against the terrorist organization Hezbollah. The IDF attacked Hezbollah targets deep in Lebanon.
Fighter jets attacked military buildings of Hezbollah in the area of Aita al-Sha'ab in southern Lebanon. In addition, warplanes attacked the launch site in the area of Kaochaba, from which dozens of launches were carried out a few hours ago towards the area of the Golan Heights. An IDF tank attacked another military structure of the Hezbollah terrorist organization in Kfar Kila.
An IDF aircraft killed in southern Lebanon the person in charge of the Hajir sector, the terrorist Hassan Hossein Salami. Salami belongs to the Nasser unit in the terrorist organization Hezbollah and commanded a number of terrorist plots that were carried out against IDF forces, and against civilian and military targets in the north of the country. In recent times, he took part in the coordination of terrorist plots, including the launching of anti-tank missiles towards the Kiryat Shmona area and the headquarters of the 769 Brigade.
he Lebanese Hezbollah military media published details about the contents of the Israeli Nafah base, which it targeted with 60 missiles. The party said that the base includes the headquarters of the 210th Regional Division (Golan), the headquarters of the 474th Regional Brigade, the 474th Regional Brigade clinic, Oz Camp, the headquarters of the 77th Armored Battalion, and a leadership level of the 209th Artillery Regiment.
It added that it includes ground formations of forces trained in the Golan camps. It also includes a forward divisional command headquarters in emergency situations and a forward command headquarters for formations operating in the Syrian direction. He pointed out in his statement that it includes a command and tactical communications station, “Avik Rahav” and “Itax,” in addition to a forward maintenance operator 754 for the Northern Regional Armament Unit to maintain armored vehicles.
Hezbollah announced that it had bombed the headquarters of an Israeli military division in the Golan Heights with sixty “Katyushya” missiles, in a targeting that it said was “in response” to strikes that targeted eastern Lebanon and left two people dead among its ranks, in addition to attacks on villages and civilian homes. Lebanese media reported earlier that Israeli warplanes launched raids targeting the city of Baalbek in northeastern Lebanon, and at least 3 people were killed in the raids.
A member of the “Loyalty to the Resistance” bloc, Lebanese MP Hassan Fadlallah, threatened Israel, stressing that the Israeli raids that targeted the vicinity of Baalbek - east of the country and some villages in the south, “will not pass without a response.” In light of the escalating tension between Lebanon and Israel, the border continues to witness clashes between the Lebanese Hezbollah and Israeli forces since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, with Israeli warnings of the repercussions of the war.
The equation from Kiryat Shmona to Eilat, which was presented by Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah in his last speech, will remain present at the decision-making table of the leadership of the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon. Activating this equation depends on an escalation from the Israeli side, which continues to issue threats and threats, the latest of which is what Defense Minister Yoav Galant said that Israeli operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon will not stop even if a truce is reached in Gaza.
Gallant said: If anyone thinks that when we reach an agreement to release the hostages in the south and the fire stops temporarily, that this will make things easier than what is happening here, then he is wrong. We will continue the fire and we will place it independently in the south until we achieve our goals. The goal is simple: to pull Hezbollah to where it belongs, either by agreement or by force.
At a time when Galant was threatening from the headquarters of the Northern Military Command in Safed, the Islamic Resistance was responding with fire, targeting many occupation sites along the southern Lebanese front . While Hebrew sources spoke of missile fragments falling in the 'Kfar Tabor' settlement after announcing the interception of a surface-to-air missile launched from Lebanon, the resistance announced that it had targeted a gathering of occupation soldiers at the Al-Baghdadi site with missiles, confirming that it had been hit directly.
The resistance also issued separate statements announcing the targeting of gatherings of occupation soldiers and their vehicles in the vicinity of the Ramim barracks, the Marj site, and the Zabdin barracks in the occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms. The resistance also bombed buildings housing occupation soldiers in the Al-Malikiyah and Al-Manara settlements, and targeted occupation artillery positions and areas where its soldiers were deployed south of Kiryat Shmona . This coincided with the launching of missile salvos from southern Lebanon towards Kiryat Shmona, Al-Manara, Al-Malikiyah and other settlements in the Galilee, with the sound of sirens sounding, according to the occupation army.
In light of the resistance’s intensification of its operations, the Israeli media said that no one is deceiving themselves that “Israel” is capable of dismantling Hezbollah, just as it is unable to remove it beyond the Litani, and ensure that it does not return, while Maariv newspaper quoted the mayor of Kiryat Shmona as calling on those who Some of the settlers have yet to leave, because Hezbollah's activity is accelerating, according to the newspaper's expression.
Maps
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All maps are lies. “Not only is it easy to lie with maps, it is essential,” wrote cartographer Mark Monmoneir in his book How to Lie with Maps. He showed that condensing complex, three-dimensional spaces onto a two-dimensional sheet of paper [in old days] is bound to be reductive. But it is impossible to comprehend the war in Gaza without reference to maps, otherwise the entire conflict is reduced to an endless series of meaningless acts of random violence and the suffering of civilians. The first characteristic of guerrilla warfare is the loss of a front line. Evidently, different mappers have different ideas of how to depict the war in Gaza, notably those that seek to depict Israeli progress in the ground campaign. Part of the problem is latency. The news that forms the basis of the maps takes time to filter out to mappers, and the cartographers take time in crafting their maps, and it takes time to curate them. These processes are uneven among mappers, so their maps may differ in detail. Probably there is some ideological bias, or at least thematic apperception, which is understandable in wartime. It may come as no surprise that al-Jazeera maps depict rather less Israeli territorial progress than other sources. Finally, there remains the epistemological question of just exactly what are the colored in areas depicting. Naively, this might be understood as areas of Israeli control, that are no longer contested by the HAMAS. Or possibly these are areas of Israeli presence, in many of which the possibility of an RPG-wielding HAMAS militant popping out of a tunnel unexpectedly remains a live possibility. With the "zero-range" combat characterized by small unit tactics on both sides, maps may be prey to a fallacy of misplaced concreteness.
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Bystanders
Palestinian Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh announced Monday 26 February 2024 that he submitted his government's resignation to Abbas last Tuesday, and today he confirmed its official submission in writing. He explained that the next stage requires the formation of a new government that takes into account the current challenges caused by the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, with a focus on the issue of national unity and strengthening national authority over the entire territory of Palestine .
In the context of announcing the resignation decision, Shtayyeh indicated that this decision also comes in light of the fierce and unprecedented attacks on the Palestinian people and their cause, and attempts at genocide , forced displacement, and starvation in the Gaza Strip. Shtayyeh stressed that the decision to resign resulted from the escalation of colonial practices and terrorism by Israeli settlers, the repeated invasions in Jerusalem and the West Bank, including camps, villages and cities, and the intensification of Israel ’s unprecedented financial restrictions on the Palestinian Authority.
The decision was attributed to attempts to liquidate the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees ( UNRWA ), repudiate all signed agreements, gradually annex the Palestinian territories, and seek to reduce the role of the Palestinian Authority to a security administrative authority with no political content.
Shtayyeh concluded by emphasizing that the government performed excellently in difficult circumstances, and confronted the battles imposed on it in light of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip. Shtayyeh stressed, saying: “We will remain in confrontation with the occupation, and the National Authority will continue to struggle to embody the state on the lands of Palestine, against their (the Israelis’) will.”
Recently, the West Bank has witnessed an escalating wave of tension and field confrontations between Palestinians and the Israeli army, including raids and arrests of Palestinians, in light of the devastating war launched by Israel on the Gaza Strip. Abbas, who heads the Fatah movement , has been subjected to sharp criticism for his "inability" to deal with the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip and the ongoing escalation in the occupied West Bank.
Palestinian Minister of Social Development, Ahmed Majdalani, commented on the resignation of the Palestinian government, represented by its Prime Minister, Muhammad Shtayyeh. Majdalani said in an interview with Sputnik that the government submitted its resignation 5 years after its formation and in light of the important changes that occurred in the situation during the past few months, specifically the genocidal war in Gaza. He added, "This government faced many difficulties and challenges, especially with the continuation of the Israeli war in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, which led to the emergence of an international trend to support the establishment of a single national authority over all Palestinian lands in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem."
He explained, "This trend and the unity of the international position focused on the necessity of opening a new political path to end the Israeli occupation of Palestine and establish the independent state." Majdalani considered that "this new phase that the international community as well as the Arab countries are talking about requires the presence of a new Palestinian government with different components."
He stressed that "the current government is a partisan coalition government with some independents, and the new situation, in light of recent developments, requires a national consensus government that includes all national Palestinian competencies that can manage the situation in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and Jerusalem during a transitional phase in which a specific program is implemented." He continued: "This program is focused on unifying all Palestinian institutions, removing all traces of the division that lasted for 16 years, and calling for an international conference for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip from all Arab international factions, as well as preparing for general presidential and legislative elections within a period not exceeding two years."
Majdalani believes that a competent government can overcome any controversial issue surrounding the situation that existed in the Gaza Strip, and overcome the state of Palestinian division. He pointed out that the government submitting its resignation and placing it at the disposal of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will enable him to deal with the requirements and necessities of the current situation, and in a way that enables the opening of a new political horizon and political path that restores respect to the Palestinian issue and the priority of resolving it.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who is supposed to assign in the coming days a Palestinian figure to form a government, will most likely be made up of experts and not politicians. According to information in the Palestinian Authority, Abbas is seeking to appoint Muhammad Mustafa, head of the Investment Fund, as the successor to Shtayyeh, especially since the man is considered a well-known economic figure, which is what the United States and its supporters want.
There was talk of an American request from the authority regarding the necessity of carrying out political, economic and security reforms related to the day following the war on Gaza. It seems that this request has become linked to support for the Palestinians, not only Western but also Arab, but the name of the candidate Muhammad Mustafa seems to still be a matter of dispute. With other names being circulated, such as Salam Fayyad and Nasser Al-Qudwa , who are considered to be in the Muhammad Dahlan camp.
Ahmed Rafiq Awad, professor of media at Al-Quds University, told Al-Alam Channel: “It can be said that the change of government came for two reasons. The first reason is that these are national entitlements and the authority had spoken to the donors a year ago, meaning going for legal and security reforms and others. There is also international pressure on Authority for the sake of what is called modernization, revival, or reform.” What comes next in the Palestinian territories remains dependent on the outcome of the war in the Gaza Strip. Until the war ends, the scenarios remain open to all possibilities, and whoever sees that the newspapers have dried up and that the pens have been lifted remains narrow-sighted.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that an Israeli attack on Rafah would deal a fatal blow to aid programs in Gaza, while calling for “serious reform” in the UN Security Council. In a speech before the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Guterres said that a comprehensive attack on the city located in the southern Gaza Strip on the border with Egypt “would not only be horrific for more than a million Palestinian civilians who have taken refuge there, but it would also be the final nail in the nail.” Our aid programme.
In a related context, the Secretary-General of the United Nations expressed his regret at the failure of the UN Security Council to stop the Israeli attack in Gaza and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. “The Council’s lack of unity on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the Israeli military operations in Gaza following the horrific terrorist attacks by Hamas on October 7, have all severely and perhaps fatally undermined its authority,” he said. He added: "The Council needs serious reform of its composition and working methods."
On the other hand, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, strongly condemned media disinformation campaigns and other attacks aimed at “undermining the legitimacy and work of the United Nations.” At the opening of the fifty-fifth annual session of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Türk said that the attacks include “media disinformation targeting United Nations humanitarian organizations, international peacekeeping forces, and my office,” noting that “the United Nations has become a target for misleading propaganda and a scapegoat for policy failure.” Turk did not specify those parties.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) announced that the aid coming into the Gaza Strip is very little and the supplies entering the Strip have decreased by 50% compared to January. The agency said in a statement, “As the fighting continues, especially in northern Gaza, Deir al-Balah and Khan Yunis, dangerous rates of malnutrition continue to rise,” noting that “aid is supposed to increase and not decrease to meet the huge needs of two million Palestinians living in desperate conditions.”
The Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, said that it is still possible to avoid famine in the Gaza Strip if there is real political will to do so. The UN official said, "Since January 23, the teams have not been able to deliver aid. We warn of a looming famine , and we demand the regular arrival of humanitarian aid."
Amnesty MENA reported "One month after the ICJ ordered “immediate and effective measures” to protect Palestinians in occupied Gaza from the risk of genocide by ensuring sufficient humanitarian assistance and enabling basic services, Israel has failed to take even the bare minimum steps to comply. Israeli authorities have also failed to lift restrictions on the entry of life-saving goods, or open additional aid access points and crossings or put in place an effective system to protect humanitarians from attack. All states must uphold their obligation to prevent genocide by taking urgent steps to ensure Israel complies with the ICJ’s provisional measures. All states must also immediately end the transfer of arms to Israel."
Human Rights Watch announced that Israel is not complying with the International Justice order regarding aid to Gaza, noting that the average daily entry of trucks into the Strip over the past weeks has decreased by 30%. The organization said in a statement: “Israel did not comply with the International Court of Justice’s order regarding the provision of aid in Gaza, and the average daily number of trucks entering the Strip in the weeks following the court’s decision decreased by 30%.”
HRW wrote in her account on the “X” platform: “The government of Israel ignores these legal obligations in Gaza and openly violates the legally binding order of the International Court.” HRW added in her statement on her website: “Last month, the International Court of Justice informed the Israeli government that it must take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance in Gaza. It was a legally binding order, and Israel had to.” To submit a report on its compliance with this order within one month.
“Today, one month later, Israel has failed to comply,” HRW said. HRW added: “As we highlighted before, the use of starvation and collective punishment of the population amounts to war crimes .”
HRW continued: “International humanitarian law is clear here: the occupying power is responsible for the well-being of the occupied population. As the occupying power in Gaza, Israel is obligated to provide care for the people of Gaza and ensure that their humanitarian needs are met. In any situation of armed conflict, the parties must Facilitating the rapid delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians.
Axis of Resistance
The Iranian foreign minister denounced the US’ attempts to escalate tensions in the Red Sea and Yemen, warning that such militaristic approaches will ruin joint efforts by Iran and the United Nations. In a meeting with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, held on the sidelines of the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Monday, Hossein Amirabdollahian said the US is unwilling to help end the war on Gaza, where the Zionist regime has massacred thousands of people and wants to starve out the remaining population.
He also warned that the US is seeking to escalate the crisis in the Red Sea and Yemen, saying the US’ military strikes on Yemen will jeopardize the common efforts of Iran and the UN to end the crisis in the Arab country. Amirabdollahian also assured the UN that it can count on Iran’s assistance in ensuring sustainable regional security and ending the war and genocide in Gaza.
During the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs thanked the Secretary-General of the United Nations for his efforts towards important global issues, including the Palestinian issue and the ongoing Gaza crisis. He referred to his recent meeting with the leaders of the Palestinian resistance in Beirut and Doha, and said that the situation of the resistance in terms of the military ability to continue the resistance against the Zionist aggression is very good, but the Israeli entity is busy in crimes against Palestinian citizens, and the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, especially its north, is extremely disastrous.
The Iranian Foreign Minister referred to the Palestinian factions’ support for a permanent ceasefire, and said that the Israeli entity unfortunately insists on continuing the war with the support of America, but of course this approach will not bring any results for them. Amir Abdullahian considered the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, especially in its north, very disturbing, and said that the Zionists killed thousands of people with bombs and wanted to eliminate the remaining population through famine.
He appreciated the efforts of the United Nations and its Secretary-General in sending humanitarian aid to Palestinian citizens, and said that the scale of the disaster is much greater than the United Nations aid, in addition to the fact that America is still unwilling to end the war and is also seeking to escalate the crisis in the Red Sea and Yemen.
Amir Abdullahian referred to the efforts of Iran and the United Nations to end the crisis in Yemen, and said that American military actions against Yemen could jeopardize the results of our joint efforts and the United Nations. He stressed that Iran supports the efforts of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to end the war against Gaza and the Palestinian genocide, and the United Nations can still count on Iran’s assistance in order to stabilize security in the region.
Guterres, for his part, expressed gratitude to Iran for its diplomatic efforts to find a political solution to the crisis in Palestine. Voicing concern about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the UN chief expressed strong opposition to the collective punishment of Palestinians. He also stressed the need to avoid any measure that may escalate tensions and spread crisis in the region.
The Yemeni Defense Minister in Sanaa declared that the era of "hegemonic influence" over international waters is over, reaffirming that the armed forces' operations will continue until the Israeli war on Gaza comes to an end. "The US, London, and Israel have to realize that control over geography and claiming guardianship over the seas has become a rejected and unwelcome approach," Major General Mohammed al-Atifi said at a graduation ceremony of Yemeni cadets in Hodeidah.
The General praised the army's operations and stressed that maritime security in the Red and Arabian Seas has been properly redefined now that Israeli destabilization in them has been put to an end. On Western allegations that Yemen is posing a risk to international maritime trade, he reiterated that attacks are exclusive to Israeli and "Israel"-linked ships.
"We reaffirm that the Yemeni Armed Forces will not target any ships that are neither affiliated with the Zionist enemy nor serving its interests. Marine navigation for vessels through the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea is safe," the Defense Minister said. "Sanaa is committed to all international treaties and conventions that do not infringe upon Yemeni dignity and sovereignty or subject it to hegemony and foreign mandates," he continued.
The top military official vowed that "as long as the Zionists’ atrocities continue in Gaza, we will continue our operations against the usurping entity. Washington has aided and abetted the Zionist entity to forge ahead with its genocidal war on our Palestinian brothers and sisters."
The head of the Hamas political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, said that Israel is procrastinating, which the movement will not accept in any way, and that time will not be open for it. Haniyeh added that stopping the starvation war receives the highest levels of attention and must not be linked to any other issues.
The head of the Hamas political bureau said after a meeting with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, that "Hamas responded to the efforts of the mediators and agreed to the course of negotiations on stopping the aggression, but it sees that the enemy is stalling, which it will not accept in any case." He stated that the movement showed great seriousness and flexibility during the negotiations.
Haniyeh stressed the need to stop the massacres committed by Israel against children, women and defenseless civilians. He also explained "in detail the criminal war of starvation carried out by the Zionist enemy, and the resulting humanitarian catastrophe, especially in Gaza City and the northern Gaza Strip." The head of the movement stated that Israel uses suffering to deprive the Palestinian people of achieving their aspirations for freedom and freedom from occupation and siege, indicating that stopping the starvation war receives the highest levels of attention and this should not be linked to any other issues. Haniyeh stressed that they will not allow Israel to use the negotiations as a cover for this crime.
Allied for Democracy
The Hebrew newspaper "Israel Hayom" revealed that the Israeli Ministry of Defense and the Army are working to expand a new project in order to protect the settlements around the Gaza Strip. The newspaper added that these expansions include the establishment of dozens of compounds for Israeli security forces inside the settlements. This step aims to return the residents of the Gaza envelope settlements to their homes, enhance their sense of security, and encourage them to return to them without fear.
"Israel Hayom" reported that this is a joint project between the Southern Command, the Engineering and Construction Department, the Settlement Unit in the Ministry of Defense, and the "Magen Israel" program in the Israeli army. It explained that housing complexes for the military forces will be established in 45 residential communities in the Gaza Strip to secure them. These complexes will include living rooms, dining rooms, small kitchens, wardrobes, and laundry rooms.
Work has begun these days in the first three settlements, which are Jabraam, Yakhaini, and Or Hanar, and the work will expand in the near future to include other settlements. The newspaper pointed out that Israel called the project to build soldiers' complexes "restoring the spirit." In this context, it confirmed that Tel Aviv recently completed the distribution of equipment to reserve units: weapons, ceramic protective vests, uniforms, shoes, and helmets.
The Ministry of Defense, in cooperation with the Planning Department and the Home Front Command and at its request, also purchased more than 200 armored security vehicles for the settlement protection forces in the Gaza Strip, in the north and in the West Bank.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak called on the Israeli public to take to the streets in hundreds of thousands to dismiss Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister. Al-Alam Channel's correspondent in occupied Jerusalem confirmed that calls against Netanyahu have escalated recently, led by Ehud Barak's call for hundreds of thousands to take to the streets in order to dismiss Netanyahu in the coming hours. Barak explained that Netanyahu has become an existential threat to “Israel.” The Al-Alam Channel correspondent pointed to gatherings forming during the evening hours, in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, to put pressure on the political and security levels to speed up the liberation of the Israeli prisoners detained in Gaza.
British media reports revealed that Britain had “suspended” military aid to Israel until the end of the war. The Daily Express newspaper quoted unnamed military sources as saying that Israel was asked not to land its F-35 aircraft at the Akrotiri air base of the British Royal Air Force in Cyprus, until the end of hostilities in Gaza. According to the same sources, Britain will not be able to help Israel with any technical problems facing its F-35 fighter jets until the end of the war in Gaza.
The RAF and the Israeli Air Force have close relations. Britain is a stakeholder that supplies 15 percent of every F-35 produced. Israel's decision to purchase 50 aircraft of this type means that Britain will supply spare parts and subsequent maintenance for the combat aircraft.
But now the Israeli Air Force has been informed that a technical assistance facility at the Royal Air Force's Akrotiri base in Cyprus will be withdrawn. Another long-term arrangement allowing Israeli helicopters to practice firefighting and other tactics on the Mediterranean island has also been halted. A planned exercise between RAF F-35B Lightning 2 fighter jets and Israeli Air Force F-35A fighter jets over the Negev Desert later this year has also been cancelled.
This comes as pressure mounts on the United Kingdom to stop supplying weapons to Israel if Benjamin Netanyahu goes ahead with a potentially devastating ground attack on the Palestinian city of Rafah in southern Gaza. Britain shares the concerns of other allies that a ground invasion of Rafah by Israeli army forces would lead to harm to civilians and the destruction of homes.
Butcher's Bill / Oasis of Martyrs
On 7 October 2023, Hamas and other armed groups present in the Gaza Strip carried out an attack in Israel, killing more than 1,200 persons, injuring thousands and abducting some 240 people, many of whom continue to be held hostage. It was the second largest loss inflicted on the Israeli forces after the 1973 war. Palestinian armed groups launched thousands of missiles at Israel Following this attack, Israel launched a large-scale military operation in Gaza, by land, air and sea.
The 1,200 Israelis killed on the first day would be the equivalent of 36,000 Americans killed in an attack, as a proportion to Israel’s population of 9.3 million people (compared to 332 million in the USA). Israeli President Isaac Herzog stated: “Not since the Holocaust have so many Jews been killed in one day". PM Netanyahu stated "On October 7th, Hamas murdered 1,400 Israelis. Maybe more. This is in a country of fewer than 10 million people. This would be equivalent to over 50,000 Americans murdered in a single day. That’s twenty 9/11s. That is why October 7th is another day that will live in infamy."
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant considered 05 February 2024 that half the number of Hamas militants were killed or seriously injured by Israeli army forces.
A Hamas official based in Qatar told Reuters 19 February 2024 that the terrorist group estimates that 6,000 of its fighters have been killed by Israeli forces. That number is about half of the 12,000 terrorists that Israel said it has killed since the Oct. 7 Hamas-led massacre,
As of 15 February 2024, The Director-General of the HAMAS Government Information Office in the Gaza Strip , Ismail Al-Thawabta, stated "the toll of the aggression had risen to about 35,500 martyrs and missing persons, including 28,663 martyrs and 68,395 injuries. There are about 2,493 massacres committed by the occupation army. Among the martyrs were about 12,400 children, 8,450 women, 340 medical personnel, 46 civil defense personnel, and 126 journalists. There are approximately 11,000 wounded people who need to travel for treatment.... we received live testimonies stating that the occupation army committed field executions against more than 137 Palestinian civilian detainees in the Gaza and North governorates."
The HAMAS Ministry of Health in the besieged sector announced that the number of victims of the Israeli operation its beginning had risen to 29,606 martyrs, "including 12,300 dead children, 8,400 women, 340 medical personnel, 46 civil defense, and 124 journalists." He pointed out that "7,000 people are missing, 70% of whom are children and women, The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
The number wounded was 69,737. The Palestinian Government Media Office in Gaza had said much earlier that the number of missing people had risen to more than 8,000, including including 4,700 children and women, amid expectations that the toll will be double thi figures.
The IDF intensified its military operations in the West Bank, and increased the pace of incursions and raids into cities, towns, and camps, resulting in the martyrdom of 405 [399?] Palestinians, including 102 children, the injury of about 4,600, and the arrest of 7,120, according to official HAMAS sources. As of 17 January 2023, the Israeli escalation in the West Bank led to the death of 360 Palestinians, the injury of nearly 2,200, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, and the arrest of about 6,000, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club.
In the first two years of the Daesh insurgency in Iraq, the UN stated that some 18,800 civilians were killed by the terrorist organization, while the Israeli military has killed well over 30,000 Palestinians in around 5 months. In fact, the true death toll in the Gaza Strip, accounting for those reported missing and buried under the rubble, is most likely closer to 40,000.
More than 202 Hezbollah fighters were killed in Lebanon during exchanges of bombing operations with Israel.
In In first two days, the IDF killed 1,609 terrorists. Israel initially revised down the death toll from the October Hamas attacks in southern Israel from 1,400 to 1,200. IDF had said previously it was holding 1,500 bodies of terrorists, a total that would increas to about 1,700.
The total announced number of Israeli officers and soldiers killed had risen to 575 since the start of the war on October 7, including 243 [235?] killed since the ground invasion as a result of the ongoing clashes with the Palestinian resistance. Among them were at least 56 with the rank of platoon commander, 43 with the rank of company commander, 9 with the rank of battalion commander, and 5 with the rank of brigade commander. These officers constitute 23% of the total deaths of the Israeli army in the war on Gaza.
Israeli media reported that 27% of the Israeli military casualties in the war were officers. In detail, the media highlighted that three brigade commanders, four battalion commanders, and other senior officers have been killed in the war so far.
The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reported that 29 of the army's deaths were caused by "friendly fire" and operational incidents since the start of the ground war in Gaza, late last October. The Israeli authority explained that "18 army soldiers were killed by friendly fire, two were killed as a result of gunfire (without explanation), and 9 Israeli soldiers were killed in ammunition, weapons, or run-over accidents." The Jerusalem Post newspaper revealed that 15 soldiers were killed in the Strip without their bodies being found.
According to some reports statistics indicate that 20% of the Israeli losses were due to friendly fire. Because the nature of the battle has become completely different from what was expected, and it lacks a front line.
Haaretz newspaper quoted the Israeli Ministry of Defense as saying that the Medical Rehabilitation Department has treated more than 5,500 wounded since the beginning of the war on the Gaza Strip on October 7. Israeli Army Radio reported that the Rehabilitation Department of the Ministry of Defense is preparing to receive 20,000 wounded this year, compared to 5,500 wounded received last year since the start of the war.
It was announced that soldiers wounded in the Gaza Strip battles numbered to 2,962 since the beginning of the war, including 1,397 who had been wounded since the start of the ground attack on October 27, 2023.
The Israeli army reported that 407 who are still receiving treatment for their injuries in the Gaza battles, and the condition of 48 of them is serious. The number of injured among the Israeli army since the start of the ground operation in the Gaza Strip on October 27 included 602 minor cases, 430 moderate cases, and 264 critical cases.
The Israeli army published new data about those wounded in the military operation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli army announces that 540 soldiers were injured in the Gaza Strip. According to army data, 540 soldiers, including 27 seriously injured, were injured in operational incidents since the start of the bombing of the Gaza Strip. There were also 21 accidental shooting incidents in the Gaza Strip, 54 bilateral shooting incidents and 31 traffic accidents. In addition, 388 incidents occurred, including ramming anti-tank rifles, anti-aircraft guns, weapons and machine guns.
At least 14,391 Israelis were injured, according to i24 TV.
Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper had reported that 5,000 soldiers had been wounded since the beginning of the war on October 7, and that the Ministry of Defense had recognized 2,000 soldiers as disabled so far.
An estimate by the Israeli Ministry of Defense expected that the number of soldiers with disabilities in the war taking place in the Gaza Strip since October 7 of last year would reach 12,500 soldiers. The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth said that the Soldiers' Rehabilitation Department of the Ministry of Defense has dealt with 3,400 soldiers who were classified as disabled in the army since last October 7.
The Israeli army revealed that about 9,000 of its soldiers have received “psychological assistance” since the beginning of the war on the Gaza Strip on October 7, and about a quarter of them have not returned to combat. This came according to a new statement revealed by the Army Medical Corps, according to Channel 12 and the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth. According to the statement, nearly 9,000 soldiers have applied for psychological assistance since the beginning of the war, and approximately a quarter of them have not returned to combat.
The statement continued, "In total, about 13,000 regular and reserve soldiers required accompaniment or medical treatment at some level during the fighting, and thousands of them were injured in the battles."
Al Jazeera military and strategic expert Major General Fayez Al-Duwairi expressed his conviction that the numbers of dead and wounded announced by Israel “cannot represent the truth,” due to a discrepancy between the Israeli army’s data and the Walla website, which is close to the army itself.
In an interview with RT, Military strategist retired Tunisian Brigadier General Tawfiq Didi said that the number of Israeli army deaths in the Gaza battles is much greater than what Israel announces. Didi explained in an interview with the “Best Saying” program on RT channel, “The number of people killed in battles can be easily known, as the equation in wars is that for every 3 wounded there is a dead person, and the numbers now in Israel hover around 12,500 wounded and disabled people, and when we divide by Three, we find that the death toll exceeds 4,000, especially after eliminating more than a thousand tanks and armored vehicles, and I know what happens when Kornet missiles hit a tank. Its ammunition explodes and no one is left alive.”
He added, "The Israelis announce their dead only of those of Jewish origin and of the first race, meaning all Arabs, Falash, and those who are among them. They are not counted because they are of the second category. So I am sure that the number exceeds 4 thousand dead, and this is a very easy military calculation."
He pointed out, "The Palestinian resistance documented everything it did, unlike the Israelis. The resistance documented shooting at tanks and armored vehicles and destroying the houses in which the Israeli soldiers were holed up, and we saw them being killed... We saw the Kornet hitting the tanks, we saw Al-Yassin 105, so the difference is clear."
Hostages
Israel announced 12 February 2024 that the total number of prisoners that the army was able to recover in exchange deals and through military operations was 126 people, including 91 Israelis, 11 bodies, and 24 foreign workers.
Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed have been held as hostages in Gaza since 2014 and 2015, respectively. Unlike the roughly 240 people kidnapped in the Hamas October 7 terrorist attacks, the campaign for the release of Mengistu and al-Sayed has received little publicity. Mengistu is known to suffer from what HRW deemed "serious" mental health issues. "Avera crossed one of the safest borders in the world, under the eyes of the security services," recalled Gil Elias, a relative. "We're talking about a mentally ill person who got lost." The calls for the release of Mengistu and al-Sayed have been barely audible during the many years they have been held captive in Gaza.
Israel had previously estimated there were 116 living hostages in Palestinian custody. Israel declared 20 out of 136 people in Gaza captivity dead in absentia, after announcing its forces had recovered the bodies of two hostages. By another count, 132 of them are still being held in Gaza, and 25 of them have been confirmed dead. Israel considers those still held by Hamas to be hostages regardless of whether they are dead or alive.
Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy earlier had told reporters that Hamas still held 137 captives. The resistance released 10 Israeli detainees, 4 Thais and 2 Russian women, who were released outside the agreement. Over the course of 6 days, Israel has received 102 detainees, women and children, including 78 Israelis, in exchange for the release of 234 Palestinian prisoners, women and children.
Eylon Levy, the Israeli government spokesperson, told reporters 01 December 2023:
- Hamas still held 137 hostages from the October attacks, in addition to four others who went missing before the war
- The hostages include two children aged four and 10 months, who, Hamas now claims, are dead
- 117 male hostages are still kept in Gaza, including the two children, as well as 20 females
- 126 hostages are Israelis, and 11 others are foreign nationals
- Foreign nationals are eight Thais, one Nepalese, one Tanzanian and one French Mexican citizen
- Ten of the remaining hostages are 75 and older.
- There are seven missing people since the October 7 attack
- Hamas had released 110 hostages so far – 86 Israelis and 24 foreign nationals.
Some of the rest are soldiers, seized when Hamas raided military bases in Israel. They may end up being held the longest. The Israeli military had not specified how many soldiers were captured, nor their ranks.
Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari announced on 07 February 2024 that 31 hostages detained in Gaza had died. He added in a press conference, "We informed 31 families that their detained relatives had died, and thus we announce their deaths."
According to some estimates, Hamas was initially holding nearly 210 of the 240 hostages, while Palestinian Islamic Jihad was holding the remaining 30. About 40 Israelis remained missing. More than 40 hostages taken from Israel into Gaza on October 7th are not currently in the custody of Hamas, the group responsible for the attack, according to a CNN report based on a diplomatic source briefed on the negotiations, CNN's prior reports had indicated that an estimated 40 to 50 hostages were held by Palestinian Islamic Jihad or other unidentified groups or individuals.
Abu Ubaida, the spokesperson for the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, said on Hamas’ telegram account that 23 bodies of the 60 missing Israel hostages were trapped under the rubble. “It seems that we will never be able to reach them due to the continued brutal aggression of the occupation against Gaza,” he said.
The Al-Qassam Brigades announced on 11 February 2024 that the continuous Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip during the past 96 hours led to the death of 2 prisoners and the serious injury of 8 others.
The Palestinian Prisoners' Club revealed that about 11,000 arrests were carried out by the Israeli army during the year 2023 in the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, in addition to arrests from the Gaza Strip before the seventh of last October. The number of people arrested by the Israelis in the West Bank since that date has exceeded 7,100. The total number of prisoners in Israeli prisons exceeds 9,000 Palestinians. Palestinian prisoner institutions said 661 were classified as “unlawful combatants” from Gaza, and this is the number available only as a clear given.
The Palestinian Prisoners' Club said that there has been a significant increase in the number of Palestinian administrative detainees in Israeli prisons since October 7, with 3,484 detainees recorded, including children and women. The club added in a statement that "this number was not actually recorded even during the years of the 1987 uprising."
Israel said on 19 February 2024 that, since the beginning of the war, approximately 3,200 wanted persons have been arrested throughout the Judea and Samaria Division and the Bekaa and Valleys Division, over 1,350 of whom are associated with the terrorist organization Hamas. On 08 January 2024 it was reported that more than 1,350 wanted persons had been arrested throughout the Judea and Samaria Division and the Bekaa and Valleys Division, more than 870 of whom are associated with the terrorist organization Hamas.
The institutions added in the statement that “the occupation arrested 210 women during the aforementioned period, and this statistic includes women who were arrested from the territories in 1948, and more than 355 children,” pointing out that “the outcome of the arrest campaigns includes all those who were arrested from homes, and through military checkpoints, Those who were forced to surrender themselves under pressure, and those who were detained.” It explained that "the number of arrests among journalists reached 50, of whom 35 remain in detention, and 20 of them were transferred to administrative detention."
The announced numbers of detainees do not include those who were detained from Gaza since the start of the operation in the Gaza Strip, as there is no accurate census of these numbers. As of 15 February 2024, the Director-General of the HAMAS Government Information Office in the Gaza Strip , Ismail Al-Thawabta, stated "the information available to us is that the occupation arrested approximately 2,600 people, including 99 medical personnel and 10 journalists."
Israel has rejected international legal adaptations since 1967, and has treated the Palestinians as criminals, and tried them before military courts and not as prisoners of war. Because the POW is not tried, but is released when the war stops, or as a result of a political agreement.
But international humanitarian law sets clear conditions relating to the Palestinians, whether as prisoners of war or organized groups with one leadership and carrying a unified slogan, and these conditions apply to Palestinian resistance fighters, specifically armed groups. International law, through the Third Geneva Conventions, which relate to prisoners of war and armed conflicts, and the Fourth Geneva Convention, which relates to civilians under occupation; Provide full protection to Palestinian prisoners and groups, including resistance factions.
The obstacles imposed by the Israeli occupation authorities became very different after the seventh of last October. They decided to cancel all trials in order to double the sentences issued against detainees, and now The scope of arguments before lawyers is very limited, due to military orders, and not according to legal data.
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