π️Lonny's War Update- October 331, 2023 - September 1, 2024 π️
π️Day 331 that 101 of our hostages in Hamas captivity
**There is nothing more important than getting them home! NOTHING!**
“I’ve never met them,But I miss them. I’ve never met them,but I think of them every second. I’ve never met them,but they are my family. BRING THEM HOME NOW!!!”
Last month, Yhali (18), Noam (17), and Alma (13) were told that the light of their father, Dror Or, had been brutally turned off.
In a similarly painful fate to their mom’s, Yonat Or, who had been murdered by Hamas terrorists on October 7th, Dror was pronounced dead. His body is still held captive in Gaza. “Dror was a free spirit spreading his big light into the world” said his friend Yaki Sagi. “Dror was a culinary expert with an alchemist’s hands and the soul of a goatherd.” Dror grew up in Kibbutz Re’im and worked for various known restaurants in Tel Aviv. He married Yonat, a gifted artist, whom he met in Kibbutz Be’eri. They left the big city when the kids were born and settled down in Bee’ri. 15 years ago, Dror joined the local dairy factory in the kibbutz. He went to learn the secrets of cheesemaking from an expert French cheesemaker and became the chef of Be’eri Dairy.
Dror was a man of creativity, peace and love. Noam and Alma were released from captivity on November 25 as part of the temporary ceasefire deal, but Dror is still there. Together with their older brother Yhali the 3 siblings are left orphans, but with only one grave they can visit.
We’re waiting for you, all of you.
A deal is the only way to bring
all the hostages home- the murdered for burial and the living for rehabilitation.
#BringThemHomeNow #TurnTheHorrorIntoHope
In a similarly painful fate to their mom’s, Yonat Or, who had been murdered by Hamas terrorists on October 7th, Dror was pronounced dead. His body is still held captive in Gaza. “Dror was a free spirit spreading his big light into the world” said his friend Yaki Sagi. “Dror was a culinary expert with an alchemist’s hands and the soul of a goatherd.” Dror grew up in Kibbutz Re’im and worked for various known restaurants in Tel Aviv. He married Yonat, a gifted artist, whom he met in Kibbutz Be’eri. They left the big city when the kids were born and settled down in Bee’ri. 15 years ago, Dror joined the local dairy factory in the kibbutz. He went to learn the secrets of cheesemaking from an expert French cheesemaker and became the chef of Be’eri Dairy.
Dror was a man of creativity, peace and love. Noam and Alma were released from captivity on November 25 as part of the temporary ceasefire deal, but Dror is still there. Together with their older brother Yhali the 3 siblings are left orphans, but with only one grave they can visit.
A deal is the only way to bring
all the hostages home- the murdered for burial and the living for rehabilitation.
#BringThemHomeNow #TurnTheHorrorIntoHope
There is no victory until all of the hostages are home!ΧΧΧ Χ Χ¦ΧΧΧ Χ’Χ Χ©ΧΧ ΧΧΧΧΧ€ΧΧ ΧΧΧΧͺ
Red Alerts - Missile, Rocket, Drone (UAV - unmanned aerial vehicles), and Terror Attacks and Death Announcements
*5:45am- north- rockets - Kfar Giladi*West Bank - Terror attack this morning - terrorist shot and killed 3 police in a drive by shooting. The terrorist got away but was found later in the day and was killed for IDF forces
*
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Hostage Updates
The bodies of six hostages abducted alive by Hamas on October 7 were recovered from a tunnel in southern Gaza’s Rafah, shortly after they were murdered by terrorists, the Israel Defense Forces announced Sunday.
Hostages (clockwise from top left) Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Ori Danino, 25, Alex Lubnov, 32, Carmel Gat, 40, and Almog Sarusi, 25The hostages were Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Ori Danino, 25, Alex Lubnov, 32, Carmel Gat, 40, and Almog Sarusi, 27.
May their memories forever be a blessing
Goldberg-Polin, Yerushalmi, Lubnov, Sarusi and Danino (an off-duty noncommissioned officer) were abducted from the Nova music festival near Kibbutz Re’im, while Gat was taken from Kibbutz Be’eri.
IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said the six were “brutally murdered” by Hamas shortly before troops arrived — possibly only a day or two before they were found.
“According to an initial assessment… they were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists a short while before we reached them. They were abducted alive on the morning of October 7 by the Hamas terror group,” Hagari said in a press conference.
“Their bodies were found during the fighting in Rafah, in a tunnel, about a kilometer away from the tunnel from which we rescued Farhan al-Qadi a few days ago,” he said.
The IDF said that it had not had the exact location of the hostages but had indications of a general area where the six could be held, and was therefore operating carefully in the area.
“Since Farhan was found, troops were given an emphasis on operating carefully even more than usual, because of the understanding that additional hostages may be in the area. We did not have information on the exact location of the hostages,” Hagari said.Troops began to search a tunnel complex on Saturday and found the hostages, dead, in the afternoon. Their bodies were extracted from Gaza overnight and brought to Israel for identification.
Troops began to search a tunnel complex on Saturday and found the hostages, dead, in the afternoon. Their bodies were extracted from Gaza overnight and brought to Israel for identification.
The IDF said there were no clashes with Hamas terrorists inside the tunnel, and the guards who likely murdered the six had fled the area. However, troops battled terror operatives aboveground in the area where the tunnel was located.
US President Joe Biden said he was “devastated and outraged” by the deaths of the hostages, in particular that of dual Israeli-US citizen Goldberg-Polin, whose parents, Jon and Rachel, he and other Americans had kept in their prayers.
“I have worked tirelessly to bring their beloved Hersh safely to them and am heartbroken by the news of his death,” Biden said.
“It is as tragic as it is reprehensible. Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages,” he said.
US vice president and presidential nominee Kamala Harris expressed her condolences to the Goldberg-Polin family, and reiterated that Hamas now has “even more American blood on its hands.”
“Doug and my prayers are with Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, Hersh’s parents, and with everyone who knew and loved Hersh,” Harris said in a statement.
“When I met with Jon and Rachel earlier this year, I told them: You are not alone. That remains true as they mourn this terrible loss,” she said. “Hamas is an evil terrorist organization. With these murders, Hamas has even more American blood on its hands.”
In a brief statement, Goldberg-Polin’s family said that they had “broken hearts.”
“The Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh,” they said in an announcement. “The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time.”
Gat’s cousin Gil Dickmann, a prominent voice among those campaigning for the release of the hostages, called on the public to take to the streets.
“The nightmare came true. It was in our hands. Get out of your homes to stop the next murder,” he wrote on X.
President Isaac Herzog said in a statement that the “heart of an entire nation is crushed into pieces” with the announcement of the deaths of the hostages.
“In the name of the entire State of Israel, I hold their families in my heart and ask forgiveness. Forgiveness for not being able to return your loved ones home safely,” he said.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said: “During this painful and difficult time, my thoughts and my heart are with the families of the hostages who were killed.”
There was no public comment from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The announcement of the return of the bodies, which came after other bodies of captives were recently returned from the Strip, drew immediate furious reactions against Netanyahu and his government, who have been accused of failing to secure a deal to return the hostages and thus abandoning them to their deaths.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a prominent activist group representing many relatives of abductees held in Gaza, announced major protests Sunday, as the crisis neared its 12th month.
The organization said a protest was to be held in Jerusalem at 4 p.m. while the cabinet meets, followed by a large 7 p.m. demonstration in Tel Aviv outside the Kirya defense headquarters.
“If it weren’t for the saboteurs, the excuses, and the spin, the hostages whose deaths we learned of this morning would probably be alive,” the forum said in a post on X.
“Netanyahu: Enough with the excuses. Enough with the spin. Enough with the abandonment. The time has come to bring our hostages home — those living for rehabilitation and the fallen and murdered for burial in their land,” the forum wrote.
The announcement of the hostages’ deaths came just days after Netanyahu reportedly told Gallant that he was prioritizing his stance of maintaining Israeli troops in the Philadelphi Corridor over saving the lives of the remaining hostages in Gaza.
The stance was shared during a heated security cabinet meeting in which the premier had the top ministerial body vote to approve a series of maps drawn up by the IDF, which showed how Israel aims to keep its troops deployed in the corridor during the first phase of the hostage-ceasefire being negotiated.
“You are deciding to stay in the Philadelphi Corridor. Is this logical to you? There are living [hostages] there!” Gallant exclaimed.
Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer replied, “The prime minister can do as he likes.”
Gallant responded, “The prime minister can indeed make all the decisions, and he can also decide to kill all the hostages.”
IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and Mossad chief David Barnea also raised concerns about the prime minister’s strategy, with the military chief saying that the defense establishment would not have an issue with a temporary withdrawal during a ceasefire.
It is believed that 97 of the 251 hostages abducted by Hamas on October 7 now remain in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 33 confirmed dead by the IDF.
Hamas released 105 civilians during a weeklong truce in late November, and four hostages were released before that. Eight hostages have been rescued by troops alive, and the bodies of 37 hostages have also been recovered, including three mistakenly killed by the military as they tried to escape their captors.
Hamas is also holding two Israeli civilians who entered the Strip in 2014 and 2015, as well as the bodies of two IDF soldiers who were killed in 2014.
On July 25, the IDF announced the recovery of the bodies of five captives: Ravid Katz, 51, Oren Goldin, 33, Maya Goren, 56, Sgt. Kiril Brodski, 19, and Staff Sgt. Tomer Yaakov Ahimas, 20.
On August 20, the military recovered the remains of six others: Alex Dancyg, 75, Yagev Buchshtav, 35, Chaim Peri, 79, Yoram Metzger, 80, Nadav Popplewell, 51, and Avraham Munder, 78.
And on Wednesday, the army said it had returned the body of an Israeli soldier who was killed and abducted by Hamas on October 7. At the request of the family, that hostage’s name was not immediately permitted for publication.
On Tuesday, hostage al-Qadi was rescued alive from the Strip. After returning home, he said he had told Netanyahu it was time to “put an end” to the saga of the hostages, urging the public to “do everything — demonstrations, everything — to get the people home.” link last night, I was at the demonstration for the hostages in Jerusalem when my brother received the message from a very reliable source that the 6 hostages were killed and the army retrieved their bodies. We knew then the names of the 6 but the families had not yet been notified, so we were silent. Messages were going wild on social media about this but there were no official announcements as of yet. The last speaker at the demonstration last night was Shai Dickman, Carmel Gat’s cousin. She, too had seen all the announcements and rumors on social media including names but until the official announcement and the families notified, it all is rumors. It was very difficult for her and for us few who knew at that time that the rumors were true. She, her family and the families of the other 5 have been waiting in hope, doing all they can do to bring back their loved ones. But the one person who could have made it happen, has refused in order to stay as Prime Minister.
The information that my brother received also said that the Hamas guards heard the soldiers approaching in the tunnels or in the anrea if that tunnel and then killed the hostages and they escaped. This is the military pressure that Netanyahu has been pushing for. This is the military pressure that is getting our hostages killed. These are the hostages who should have been home long ago ALIVE. As a matter of fact, it was reported today that Hersh, Carmel, Eden and Almog were on the list of hostages to be in the exchange in July if the deal would have been approved by Netanyahu. But it was not and he has continued to prevent any deal being made. And last week, he declared that the Philidelphi Corridor was more important than the hostages lives and his vile cabinet, except for the Defense Minister Yoav Galant (the only one with a soul) voted the sacrifice the lives of the hostages. Hamas killed the 6 hostages but Netanyahu's finger was on the trigger together with them. Netanyahu still believes that he is the savior of the Jewish people all he is is Mr. Death!
As predicted, Netanyahu’s first statement is to blame Hamas for not reaching a deal. He refuses to take any responsibility. When I comes to personal responsibility, he acts like a simple civil servant not like the head of state.
- Hostage families tell PM to stop hiding behind IDF spokesperson, take responsibility for hostage deaths
Hostage Updates
The bodies of six hostages abducted alive by Hamas on October 7 were recovered from a tunnel in southern Gaza’s Rafah, shortly after they were murdered by terrorists, the Israel Defense Forces announced Sunday.
Hostages (clockwise from top left) Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Ori Danino, 25, Alex Lubnov, 32, Carmel Gat, 40, and Almog Sarusi, 25The hostages were Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Ori Danino, 25, Alex Lubnov, 32, Carmel Gat, 40, and Almog Sarusi, 27.
May their memories forever be a blessing
Goldberg-Polin, Yerushalmi, Lubnov, Sarusi and Danino (an off-duty noncommissioned officer) were abducted from the Nova music festival near Kibbutz Re’im, while Gat was taken from Kibbutz Be’eri.
IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said the six were “brutally murdered” by Hamas shortly before troops arrived — possibly only a day or two before they were found.
“According to an initial assessment… they were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists a short while before we reached them. They were abducted alive on the morning of October 7 by the Hamas terror group,” Hagari said in a press conference.
“Their bodies were found during the fighting in Rafah, in a tunnel, about a kilometer away from the tunnel from which we rescued Farhan al-Qadi a few days ago,” he said.
The IDF said that it had not had the exact location of the hostages but had indications of a general area where the six could be held, and was therefore operating carefully in the area.
“Since Farhan was found, troops were given an emphasis on operating carefully even more than usual, because of the understanding that additional hostages may be in the area. We did not have information on the exact location of the hostages,” Hagari said.Troops began to search a tunnel complex on Saturday and found the hostages, dead, in the afternoon. Their bodies were extracted from Gaza overnight and brought to Israel for identification.
Troops began to search a tunnel complex on Saturday and found the hostages, dead, in the afternoon. Their bodies were extracted from Gaza overnight and brought to Israel for identification.
The IDF said there were no clashes with Hamas terrorists inside the tunnel, and the guards who likely murdered the six had fled the area. However, troops battled terror operatives aboveground in the area where the tunnel was located.
US President Joe Biden said he was “devastated and outraged” by the deaths of the hostages, in particular that of dual Israeli-US citizen Goldberg-Polin, whose parents, Jon and Rachel, he and other Americans had kept in their prayers.
“I have worked tirelessly to bring their beloved Hersh safely to them and am heartbroken by the news of his death,” Biden said.
“It is as tragic as it is reprehensible. Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages,” he said.
US vice president and presidential nominee Kamala Harris expressed her condolences to the Goldberg-Polin family, and reiterated that Hamas now has “even more American blood on its hands.”
“Doug and my prayers are with Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, Hersh’s parents, and with everyone who knew and loved Hersh,” Harris said in a statement.
“When I met with Jon and Rachel earlier this year, I told them: You are not alone. That remains true as they mourn this terrible loss,” she said. “Hamas is an evil terrorist organization. With these murders, Hamas has even more American blood on its hands.”
In a brief statement, Goldberg-Polin’s family said that they had “broken hearts.”
“The Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh,” they said in an announcement. “The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time.”
Gat’s cousin Gil Dickmann, a prominent voice among those campaigning for the release of the hostages, called on the public to take to the streets.
“The nightmare came true. It was in our hands. Get out of your homes to stop the next murder,” he wrote on X.
President Isaac Herzog said in a statement that the “heart of an entire nation is crushed into pieces” with the announcement of the deaths of the hostages.
“In the name of the entire State of Israel, I hold their families in my heart and ask forgiveness. Forgiveness for not being able to return your loved ones home safely,” he said.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said: “During this painful and difficult time, my thoughts and my heart are with the families of the hostages who were killed.”
There was no public comment from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The announcement of the return of the bodies, which came after other bodies of captives were recently returned from the Strip, drew immediate furious reactions against Netanyahu and his government, who have been accused of failing to secure a deal to return the hostages and thus abandoning them to their deaths.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a prominent activist group representing many relatives of abductees held in Gaza, announced major protests Sunday, as the crisis neared its 12th month.
The organization said a protest was to be held in Jerusalem at 4 p.m. while the cabinet meets, followed by a large 7 p.m. demonstration in Tel Aviv outside the Kirya defense headquarters.
“If it weren’t for the saboteurs, the excuses, and the spin, the hostages whose deaths we learned of this morning would probably be alive,” the forum said in a post on X.
“Netanyahu: Enough with the excuses. Enough with the spin. Enough with the abandonment. The time has come to bring our hostages home — those living for rehabilitation and the fallen and murdered for burial in their land,” the forum wrote.
The announcement of the hostages’ deaths came just days after Netanyahu reportedly told Gallant that he was prioritizing his stance of maintaining Israeli troops in the Philadelphi Corridor over saving the lives of the remaining hostages in Gaza.The stance was shared during a heated security cabinet meeting in which the premier had the top ministerial body vote to approve a series of maps drawn up by the IDF, which showed how Israel aims to keep its troops deployed in the corridor during the first phase of the hostage-ceasefire being negotiated.
“You are deciding to stay in the Philadelphi Corridor. Is this logical to you? There are living [hostages] there!” Gallant exclaimed.
Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer replied, “The prime minister can do as he likes.”
Gallant responded, “The prime minister can indeed make all the decisions, and he can also decide to kill all the hostages.”
IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and Mossad chief David Barnea also raised concerns about the prime minister’s strategy, with the military chief saying that the defense establishment would not have an issue with a temporary withdrawal during a ceasefire.
It is believed that 97 of the 251 hostages abducted by Hamas on October 7 now remain in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 33 confirmed dead by the IDF.
Hamas released 105 civilians during a weeklong truce in late November, and four hostages were released before that. Eight hostages have been rescued by troops alive, and the bodies of 37 hostages have also been recovered, including three mistakenly killed by the military as they tried to escape their captors.
Hamas is also holding two Israeli civilians who entered the Strip in 2014 and 2015, as well as the bodies of two IDF soldiers who were killed in 2014.
On July 25, the IDF announced the recovery of the bodies of five captives: Ravid Katz, 51, Oren Goldin, 33, Maya Goren, 56, Sgt. Kiril Brodski, 19, and Staff Sgt. Tomer Yaakov Ahimas, 20.
On August 20, the military recovered the remains of six others: Alex Dancyg, 75, Yagev Buchshtav, 35, Chaim Peri, 79, Yoram Metzger, 80, Nadav Popplewell, 51, and Avraham Munder, 78.
And on Wednesday, the army said it had returned the body of an Israeli soldier who was killed and abducted by Hamas on October 7. At the request of the family, that hostage’s name was not immediately permitted for publication.
On Tuesday, hostage al-Qadi was rescued alive from the Strip. After returning home, he said he had told Netanyahu it was time to “put an end” to the saga of the hostages, urging the public to “do everything — demonstrations, everything — to get the people home.” link last night, I was at the demonstration for the hostages in Jerusalem when my brother received the message from a very reliable source that the 6 hostages were killed and the army retrieved their bodies. We knew then the names of the 6 but the families had not yet been notified, so we were silent. Messages were going wild on social media about this but there were no official announcements as of yet. The last speaker at the demonstration last night was Shai Dickman, Carmel Gat’s cousin. She, too had seen all the announcements and rumors on social media including names but until the official announcement and the families notified, it all is rumors. It was very difficult for her and for us few who knew at that time that the rumors were true. She, her family and the families of the other 5 have been waiting in hope, doing all they can do to bring back their loved ones. But the one person who could have made it happen, has refused in order to stay as Prime Minister.
The information that my brother received also said that the Hamas guards heard the soldiers approaching in the tunnels or in the anrea if that tunnel and then killed the hostages and they escaped. This is the military pressure that Netanyahu has been pushing for. This is the military pressure that is getting our hostages killed. These are the hostages who should have been home long ago ALIVE. As a matter of fact, it was reported today that Hersh, Carmel, Eden and Almog were on the list of hostages to be in the exchange in July if the deal would have been approved by Netanyahu. But it was not and he has continued to prevent any deal being made. And last week, he declared that the Philidelphi Corridor was more important than the hostages lives and his vile cabinet, except for the Defense Minister Yoav Galant (the only one with a soul) voted the sacrifice the lives of the hostages. Hamas killed the 6 hostages but Netanyahu's finger was on the trigger together with them. Netanyahu still believes that he is the savior of the Jewish people all he is is Mr. Death!As predicted, Netanyahu’s first statement is to blame Hamas for not reaching a deal. He refuses to take any responsibility. When I comes to personal responsibility, he acts like a simple civil servant not like the head of state.
- Hostage families tell PM to stop hiding behind IDF spokesperson, take responsibility for hostage deaths
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum demands Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu take responsibility for the abandonment of the hostages after six bodies were recovered from the Gaza Strip.
The forum says the hostages’ deaths are the “direct result” of Netanyahu’s “torpedoing” of proposed hostage deals and his demand that the IDF maintain its presence in the Philadelphi Corridor.
“Over the past months, eight hostages were rescued alive in military operations, compared to 105 hostages who were released in the [November] deal,” the forum says.
“Don’t hide behind the IDF spokesperson. Give the public an account of the never-ending abandonment,” the forum adds. link Netanyahu is very quick to go public when there is a success and claims the success 100%. But when there is failure, and these 6 young people that Netanyahu sacrificed, he is silent and any message coming from his office will point the blame everywhere but where it should be pointed since October 7 (and long before).
- Several family members of hostages held by Hamas accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday of knowingly condemning the hostages to death, after reports indicated the premier is prioritizing keep forces on the Philadelphi Corridor between Gaza and Egypt over bringing back Israel’s captives.
In a statement outside IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv, relatives said, “Netanyahu and his partners in the cabinet decided to torpedo the [hostage-ceasefire] deal due to the Philadelphi spin, and as such are knowingly condemning the hostages to death.”
Einav Zangauker, mother of Hamas hostage Matan Zangauker, said Netanyahu’s actions are “a crime against the people, against the State of Israel and against Zionism. Netanyahu is not Mr. Security, he is Mr. Death. He is undermining the deal in cold blood.” The statements came after Netanyahu reportedly told ministers that he views keeping an Israeli presence in the Corridor as taking precedence over saving the hostages held by Hamas.
Hamas official Izzat al-Rishq blames Israel for the death of hostages, saying Israel was unwilling to reach a deal.
The IDF said the hostages whose bodies were recovered from a tunnel in Gaza’s Rafah were murdered as little as a day before troops arrived. —Hamas is a murderous and abominable organization but their statement is correct Netanyahu doesn’t want an agreement and bears almost full responsibility for their deaths
Hamas official Izzat al-Rishq blames Israel for the death of hostages, saying Israel was unwilling to reach a deal.
The IDF said the hostages whose bodies were recovered from a tunnel in Gaza’s Rafah were murdered as little as a day before troops arrived. —Hamas is a murderous and abominable organization but their statement is correct Netanyahu doesn’t want an agreement and bears almost full responsibility for their deaths
Hamas says Philadelphi stance preventing deal Anonymous Hamas officials told Saudi outlet Asharq News Saturday that the Israeli demand to remain on the Philadelphi Corridor was preventing the negotiations for a hostage-ceasefire deal from advancing, adding that the lauded negotiation summit held in Doha earlier this month did not actually bring forth breakthroughs on any of the key issues.
Israel is demanding that five surveillance points be kept along the Philadelphi Corridor, 300-400 meters within southern Gaza’s Rafah, the officials said, calling the demand a “complete closure of the negotiating door.”
“The Philadelphi Corridor is the main issue in the negotiations between us and Israel. When Netanyahu voted in favor of keeping the army on the route, he wanted to end negotiations and continue the war,” they said.
The Saudi report also said that major disagreements remain over the Israeli presence on the Netzarim Corridor and the Israeli demand for a veto over which Palestinian prisoners would be released if a deal were reached.
Hamas says Philadelphi stance preventing deal Anonymous Hamas officials told Saudi outlet Asharq News Saturday that the Israeli demand to remain on the Philadelphi Corridor was preventing the negotiations for a hostage-ceasefire deal from advancing, adding that the lauded negotiation summit held in Doha earlier this month did not actually bring forth breakthroughs on any of the key issues.
Israel is demanding that five surveillance points be kept along the Philadelphi Corridor, 300-400 meters within southern Gaza’s Rafah, the officials said, calling the demand a “complete closure of the negotiating door.”
“The Philadelphi Corridor is the main issue in the negotiations between us and Israel. When Netanyahu voted in favor of keeping the army on the route, he wanted to end negotiations and continue the war,” they said.
The Saudi report also said that major disagreements remain over the Israeli presence on the Netzarim Corridor and the Israeli demand for a veto over which Palestinian prisoners would be released if a deal were reached.
Shalit negotiator claims he reached a deal
Gershon Baskin, a key negotiator in the deal that led to the release of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit from Hamas captivity in 2011, told Channel 12 on Saturday that he had been privately negotiating with the terror group at the request of hostage families and had reached a deal with them. “I received confirmation from Hamas that the organization’s entire leadership supports the proposed framework: ending the war in exchange for the release of all the hostages, alongside the release of Palestinian prisoners and an Israeli retreat from Gaza,” he said in an interview. “This is a framework that has existed for a long time.”
Gershon Baskin holds the draft agreement between Israel and Hamas for the release of Gilad Shalit at his home in Jerusalem, October 12, 2011 (Kobi Gideon/Flash90)
Baskin said he had informed the mediators — Egypt, Qatar and the US — of Hamas’s acceptance of the framework. “I asked they take this framework instead of the not good framework they’ve been working on for over two months, and [instead support] a framework that will bring us back all the hostages.”
Baskin added, however, that he has not received support from Israel for his framework. “The first and clearest response I received last night was that the prime minister opposes ending the war… I understand him, Israel has real security considerations that must be taken care of. But it should also be understood what the prime minister refuses to understand: defeating Hamas isn’t a military act but a diplomatic act.”
Baskin’s seemingly unauthorized negotiation is not without precedent. He acted similarly after Shalit was kidnapped, unilaterally making use of his connections with Hamas officials to eventually bring about the deal that saw Shalit released after five years in captivity.
Israeli officials had previously ruled out any deal that would prevent the country from resuming operations against Hamas when necessary. Link
https://www.mako.co.il/news-military/2024_q3/Article-089ec33194ca191026.htm
The six hostages whose bodies were located and returned yesterday were found with gunshot wounds to the head and other areas. This was revealed from the autopsy of their bodies, in addition to the signs of neglect that were evident on their bodies. The autopsies took place throughout the night, and except for one male or female hostage on whom signs of binding were found, no evidence of torture was discovered.
- The Israel Business Forum, which represents most private-sector workers from 200 of the country’s largest companies, says it will join the families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza as they call on the public to mobilize.1“The forum joins the protest of the headquarters of the families of the hostages and calls on the entire public not to remain indifferent to the abandonment of the abductees when according to the entire security system they could have been saved,” the business forum says in a statement. “Alongside the security chaos, [we are facing] an economic chaos without a reasonable state budget, a strike in the education system, and the collapse of public services.”
Shalit negotiator claims he reached a deal
Gershon Baskin, a key negotiator in the deal that led to the release of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit from Hamas captivity in 2011, told Channel 12 on Saturday that he had been privately negotiating with the terror group at the request of hostage families and had reached a deal with them. “I received confirmation from Hamas that the organization’s entire leadership supports the proposed framework: ending the war in exchange for the release of all the hostages, alongside the release of Palestinian prisoners and an Israeli retreat from Gaza,” he said in an interview. “This is a framework that has existed for a long time.”
Gershon Baskin holds the draft agreement between Israel and Hamas for the release of Gilad Shalit at his home in Jerusalem, October 12, 2011 (Kobi Gideon/Flash90)
Baskin said he had informed the mediators — Egypt, Qatar and the US — of Hamas’s acceptance of the framework. “I asked they take this framework instead of the not good framework they’ve been working on for over two months, and [instead support] a framework that will bring us back all the hostages.”
Baskin added, however, that he has not received support from Israel for his framework. “The first and clearest response I received last night was that the prime minister opposes ending the war… I understand him, Israel has real security considerations that must be taken care of. But it should also be understood what the prime minister refuses to understand: defeating Hamas isn’t a military act but a diplomatic act.”
Baskin’s seemingly unauthorized negotiation is not without precedent. He acted similarly after Shalit was kidnapped, unilaterally making use of his connections with Hamas officials to eventually bring about the deal that saw Shalit released after five years in captivity.
Israeli officials had previously ruled out any deal that would prevent the country from resuming operations against Hamas when necessary. Link
https://www.mako.co.il/news-military/2024_q3/Article-089ec33194ca191026.htm
The six hostages whose bodies were located and returned yesterday were found with gunshot wounds to the head and other areas. This was revealed from the autopsy of their bodies, in addition to the signs of neglect that were evident on their bodies. The autopsies took place throughout the night, and except for one male or female hostage on whom signs of binding were found, no evidence of torture was discovered.
“Tonight, there will be an emergency meeting of the forum together with the headquarters and other organizations and more information about the decisions will be released,” the forum adds. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum calls for a general strike as it demands Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu take responsibility for the abandonment of the hostages, after six Israeli hostages killed in Gaza were recovered by IDF forces from the Strip.
One of the leaders of the Israeli negotiations said to me that Netanyahu does not want to end the war. I reminded him that Netanyahu is not a solitary decision-maker in Israel. Netanyahu is not the sovereign and the State of Israel is not yet a dictatorship. Let's not forget - Netanyahu lost his legitimacy on October 7. He continues to lose it every day that he insists on putting his personal political interests before the interests of the country. He loses his legitimacy every day that he refuses to accept responsibility for what happened on October 7th and for all his policies for years leading up to October 7th. Mr. Netanyahu, you have no authority without responsibility! Anyone who recognizes their responsibility would have stood up and resigned on October 7. According to the polls, the large majority of Israelis want a deal to return the 101 hostages who are still in Gaza. Every day that passes, the military pressure results in the killing of more of them. The people are the sovereign - the people must show Netanyahu the way out. The State of Israel can no longer tolerate your rule, Mr. Netanyahu - you are destroying us, you are destroying the country. You will not escape, we will prosecute you in the state investigation committee that will be established. The one who presented himself as the greatest leader of the Jews since Moses will be recorded in the history of our people as the worst leader the Jewish people have ever had. We demand: Resign now! We don't want you! (Gershon Baskin, September 1, 2024)
As calls mount for a general strike on Monday and Israelis across the country prepare to take to the streets over the deaths of six hostages in captivity and the lack of a hostage deal, a Likud minister tells Channel 12 that the prime minister has expressed concern that a mass protest could develop outside the cabinet meeting in Jerusalem today.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has called for protests outside the cabinet meeting as well as in Tel Aviv this evening.
“Netanyahu fears that hundreds of thousands will take to the streets and lay siege outside the cabinet, after the deal bluff blew up,” the networks quotes a source it identifies as “a senior Likud minister.” The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has called on the public “to join a massive demonstration, demanding a complete shutdown of the country” as well as calling on the powerful Histadrut labor federation to stage a mass strike on Monday, a call taken up by the Israel Business Forum, which represents most private-sector workers from 200 of the country’s largest companies, and Opposition Leader Yair Lapid.
The Tel Aviv, Kfar Saba and Givatayim municipalities have all announced that they will join a nationwide strike in support of hostage families tomorrow.
As calls mount for a general strike on Monday and Israelis across the country prepare to take to the streets over the deaths of six hostages in captivity and the lack of a hostage deal, a Likud minister tells Channel 12 that the prime minister has expressed concern that a mass protest could develop outside the cabinet meeting in Jerusalem today.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has called for protests outside the cabinet meeting as well as in Tel Aviv this evening.
“Netanyahu fears that hundreds of thousands will take to the streets and lay siege outside the cabinet, after the deal bluff blew up,” the networks quotes a source it identifies as “a senior Likud minister.” The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has called on the public “to join a massive demonstration, demanding a complete shutdown of the country” as well as calling on the powerful Histadrut labor federation to stage a mass strike on Monday, a call taken up by the Israel Business Forum, which represents most private-sector workers from 200 of the country’s largest companies, and Opposition Leader Yair Lapid.
The Tel Aviv, Kfar Saba and Givatayim municipalities have all announced that they will join a nationwide strike in support of hostage families tomorrow.
Gaza
- The IDF says it carried out an airstrike against a group of Hamas operatives at a command room embedded within a former school in Gaza City.
According to the military, Hamas was using the Safad School in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighborhood to plan and carry out attacks against troops and Israel.
The IDF says the strike specifically targeted the command room. The school compound, according to Palestinian media, was being used as a shelter for displaced Gazans. To mitigate harm to civilians in the strike, the IDF says it took “many steps,” including using precision munitions, aerial surveillance, and other intelligence.
“The Hamas terror organization systematically violates international law, brutally exploiting civilian institutions and the population as a human shield for terror activity,” the military adds.
In recent months, dozens of airstrikes have been carried out against Hamas sites embedded within schools and other sites used as shelters for civilians, according to the IDF.
New IDF assessment shows some 6,000 Gazans invaded Israel on Oct. 7
Channel 12 says army data indicates 3,800 of the attackers were members of Hamas’s elite Nukhba force
New assessments indicate twice as many Gazans breached the border into Israel on October 7 than previously believed, Channel 12 reported Saturday, citing data compiled by the Israel Defense Forces’ Gaza Division.
Some 3,800 terrorists from the Hamas terror group’s elite Nukhba forces smashed through the border fence, the report said, among a total of 6,000 Gazans who crossed into Israel that day.
Hitherto, figures made public indicated that some 3,000 Hamas-led terrorists participated in the invasion, massacre and hostage-taking that day. That number did not take into account Gazans who crossed the fence and participated in the atrocities but were not Hamas members, nor did it differentiate between Nukhba terrorists and other Hamas terrorists.
It was unclear from the report what the status was of the 2,200 other Gazans who infiltrated Israel on October 7. Presumably, many were civilians, as extensive footage of the onslaught showed many enter to loot and take part in the assault, while others were likely members of other Hamas units or other terrorist organizations such as the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
The TV report also said that the border was breached in 119 spots — again, about double the previously widely cited figure of 60 breaches in the Gaza-Israel fence.
Additionally, 1,000 terrorists inside Gaza were involved in firing rockets at Israel that day, the report said, meaning that a total of some 7,000 Gazans took part in the onslaught. full article
According to the military, Hamas was using the Safad School in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighborhood to plan and carry out attacks against troops and Israel.
The IDF says the strike specifically targeted the command room. The school compound, according to Palestinian media, was being used as a shelter for displaced Gazans. To mitigate harm to civilians in the strike, the IDF says it took “many steps,” including using precision munitions, aerial surveillance, and other intelligence.
“The Hamas terror organization systematically violates international law, brutally exploiting civilian institutions and the population as a human shield for terror activity,” the military adds.
In recent months, dozens of airstrikes have been carried out against Hamas sites embedded within schools and other sites used as shelters for civilians, according to the IDF.
New IDF assessment shows some 6,000 Gazans invaded Israel on Oct. 7
Channel 12 says army data indicates 3,800 of the attackers were members of Hamas’s elite Nukhba force
New assessments indicate twice as many Gazans breached the border into Israel on October 7 than previously believed, Channel 12 reported Saturday, citing data compiled by the Israel Defense Forces’ Gaza Division.
Some 3,800 terrorists from the Hamas terror group’s elite Nukhba forces smashed through the border fence, the report said, among a total of 6,000 Gazans who crossed into Israel that day.
Hitherto, figures made public indicated that some 3,000 Hamas-led terrorists participated in the invasion, massacre and hostage-taking that day. That number did not take into account Gazans who crossed the fence and participated in the atrocities but were not Hamas members, nor did it differentiate between Nukhba terrorists and other Hamas terrorists.
It was unclear from the report what the status was of the 2,200 other Gazans who infiltrated Israel on October 7. Presumably, many were civilians, as extensive footage of the onslaught showed many enter to loot and take part in the assault, while others were likely members of other Hamas units or other terrorist organizations such as the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
The TV report also said that the border was breached in 119 spots — again, about double the previously widely cited figure of 60 breaches in the Gaza-Israel fence.
Additionally, 1,000 terrorists inside Gaza were involved in firing rockets at Israel that day, the report said, meaning that a total of some 7,000 Gazans took part in the onslaught. full article
Northern Israel - Lebanon/Hizbollah/Syria
- Three people were injured this afternoon (Sunday) from a direct anti-tank missile hit in a moshav in the Galilee Panhandle. Two were evacuated from the scene by helicopter in serious and moderate condition. One was evacuated in mild condition. Shortly before the incident, the Lebanese National News Agency reported a drone strike in Aita al-Shaab in southern Lebanon. The IDF attacked Lebanon with artillery fire after the missile hit the moshav. In January, Mira Ayalon and her son Barak were killed by a direct anti-tank missile hit on their home in a Galilee moshav. Eliyahu, the family's father, was in an adjacent room at the time and survived.
The direct hit on the moshav comes after the start of the new school year, amid the refusal of many non-evacuated northern residents to send their children to schools, fearing they would be "sitting ducks." Last week, northern local authority heads boycotted a security briefing held by Northern Command chief Major General Uri Gordin. At the briefing, which only six authority heads attended, Gordin sought to update them on the IDF's preemptive strike against Hezbollah, which did not change the security situation in the north.
The chairman of the Confrontation Line Forum, Moshe Davidovich, who boycotted the meeting, declared afterwards that he would no longer be willing to take part in such meetings with the command chief. "This is a meeting that is essentially intended to praise and glorify the IDF's activities in Lebanon, and as a citizen and head of authority, when I saw what was happening, I don't want to participate in this celebration," Davidovich told ynet at the time. As a declarative step, he even left the WhatsApp group of authority heads and senior command officials. "I don't have time for another bullshit group," he added in frustration.
West Bank and Jerusalem and Terror attacks within Israel
- Three Israeli police officers were killed in a shooting attack near the Palestinian city of Tarqumiyah in the southern West Bank on Sunday morning, the military, police, and medics said.
Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a police car on Route 35 near the Idhna-Tarqumiyah junction, just east of a checkpoint between the West Bank and Israel, before fleeing the scene.
Three Israeli police officers were killed in a shooting attack near the Palestinian city of Tarqumiyah in the southern West Bank on Sunday morning, the military, police, and medics said.
The slain officers were named as Ch. Insp. Arik Ben Eliyahu, Command Sgt. Maj. Hadas Branch, and First Sgt. Roni Shakuri.
Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a police car on Route 35 near the Idhna-Tarqumiyah junction, just east of a checkpoint between the West Bank and Israel, before fleeing the scene.
The Magen David Adom ambulance service said it treated three victims in critical condition.
Ben Eliyahu and Branch were declared dead at the scene, while Shakuri died en route to a hospital.
The gunmen were believed to have opened fire from a passing vehicle at the police car, before fleeing the scene on foot.
Roni Shakuri's daughter, Mor was also a police officer but was killed on October 7 defending the Sderot Police station which was inundated by Hamas terrorist. Regarding the battle that Mor fought at the Sderot station, she added: "She went up to the roof with a few other police officers. They managed the fight with the terrorists from there, no one came to help or rescue them. During the battle, she called my mom and said with a coolness and strength that I don't know where she got from, 'If something happens to me, it's important for me to know that I love you and dad, and take care of Sapir for me'.
"She managed to say 'Shir HaMa'alot' (Song of Ascents) and 'Shema Yisrael' (Hear, O Israel), and then a sniper from the opposite roof shot her and she was killed instantly," Sapir recounted. "I so wanted to see her under the chuppah, she was so looking forward to that moment, to build her own home and become a mother, but she didn't get to." Eight of the station's police officers fell in that difficult battle against 25 terrorists.
L-R: First Sgt. Roni Shakuri, Command Sgt. Maj. Hadas Branch, and Ch. Insp. Arik Ben Eliyahu, killed in a shooting attack in the southern West Bank, September 1, 2024. (Israel Police)May their memories forever be a blessing
Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a police car on Route 35 near the Idhna-Tarqumiyah junction, just east of a checkpoint between the West Bank and Israel, before fleeing the scene.
Three Israeli police officers were killed in a shooting attack near the Palestinian city of Tarqumiyah in the southern West Bank on Sunday morning, the military, police, and medics said.
The slain officers were named as Ch. Insp. Arik Ben Eliyahu, Command Sgt. Maj. Hadas Branch, and First Sgt. Roni Shakuri.
Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a police car on Route 35 near the Idhna-Tarqumiyah junction, just east of a checkpoint between the West Bank and Israel, before fleeing the scene.
The Magen David Adom ambulance service said it treated three victims in critical condition.
Ben Eliyahu and Branch were declared dead at the scene, while Shakuri died en route to a hospital.
The gunmen were believed to have opened fire from a passing vehicle at the police car, before fleeing the scene on foot.
Roni Shakuri's daughter, Mor was also a police officer but was killed on October 7 defending the Sderot Police station which was inundated by Hamas terrorist. Regarding the battle that Mor fought at the Sderot station, she added: "She went up to the roof with a few other police officers. They managed the fight with the terrorists from there, no one came to help or rescue them. During the battle, she called my mom and said with a coolness and strength that I don't know where she got from, 'If something happens to me, it's important for me to know that I love you and dad, and take care of Sapir for me'.
"She managed to say 'Shir HaMa'alot' (Song of Ascents) and 'Shema Yisrael' (Hear, O Israel), and then a sniper from the opposite roof shot her and she was killed instantly," Sapir recounted. "I so wanted to see her under the chuppah, she was so looking forward to that moment, to build her own home and become a mother, but she didn't get to." Eight of the station's police officers fell in that difficult battle against 25 terrorists.
L-R: First Sgt. Roni Shakuri, Command Sgt. Maj. Hadas Branch, and Ch. Insp. Arik Ben Eliyahu, killed in a shooting attack in the southern West Bank, September 1, 2024. (Israel Police)
May their memories forever be a blessing
Politics and the War (general news)
- Chairman of the Histadrut Decided: Tomorrow - General Strike in the Economy
After the pressure applied on Arnon Bar-David since the morning hours and many businesses that have already halted their activities independently due to the severe events, the Histadrut (Israel's largest labor union) is expected to announce at a press conference to be convened in the coming minutes a general strike of the economy tomorrow. ynet is broadcasting the declaration live.
As far as is known, the Histadrut plans to shut down the entire economy tomorrow for one day, with hospitals operating on a Sabbath schedule. At this time, it's still unclear if elementary schools will be included in the strike, while security-related factories will be excluded. As ynet has learned, heads of large economic organizations have approached Histadrut Chairman Arnon Bar-David in recent hours, calling on him to announce a shutdown of the economy tomorrow, the day of funerals for the hostages murdered over the weekend whose bodies were recovered last night. Some organization heads even suggested announcing an indefinite strike.
The Israeli Business Forum, comprising 200 of the country's top economic leaders and employing most non-unionized workers in Israel, announced that this evening the forum will convene together with the Hi-Tech Headquarters, the Generals' Forum, mayors, hospital managers, along with representatives of the hostages' families for an emergency meeting.
Earlier, the Business Forum stated that they are joining the Hostages' Headquarters protest and calling on the public not to remain indifferent to the daily loss of life and abandonment of hostages to their deaths, when according to the entire security establishment, they could have been saved. "Alongside the security chaos, there's economic chaos without a sensible state budget, a strike in the education system, and the collapse of public services."
Sources in the Histadrut told ynet that continuous discussions are taking place among its leaders, with some believing that in light of the sad and worrying events of the weekend, "the Histadrut cannot sit on the sidelines." A senior economic figure said today that "the Histadrut should have been the first to respond to what's happening in the country, but it turns out that once again, it will be the last." It should be noted that the Histadrut already shut down the economy for 12 hours at the beginning of January this year over the demand for a deal to return the hostages, but various bodies and committees like the Airport Authority Workers' Committee, while cooperating with the strike, later regretted taking part in it. There were also those who believed it's not the Histadrut's role to shut down the economy over issues not related to labor disputes.
Meanwhile, a long list of restaurants, theaters, and cinemas announced they will cease their activities this evening to encourage the public to go out and protest. Many local authorities also announced a suspension of public reception services tomorrow.
After the pressure applied on Arnon Bar-David since the morning hours and many businesses that have already halted their activities independently due to the severe events, the Histadrut (Israel's largest labor union) is expected to announce at a press conference to be convened in the coming minutes a general strike of the economy tomorrow. ynet is broadcasting the declaration live.
As far as is known, the Histadrut plans to shut down the entire economy tomorrow for one day, with hospitals operating on a Sabbath schedule. At this time, it's still unclear if elementary schools will be included in the strike, while security-related factories will be excluded. As ynet has learned, heads of large economic organizations have approached Histadrut Chairman Arnon Bar-David in recent hours, calling on him to announce a shutdown of the economy tomorrow, the day of funerals for the hostages murdered over the weekend whose bodies were recovered last night. Some organization heads even suggested announcing an indefinite strike.
The Israeli Business Forum, comprising 200 of the country's top economic leaders and employing most non-unionized workers in Israel, announced that this evening the forum will convene together with the Hi-Tech Headquarters, the Generals' Forum, mayors, hospital managers, along with representatives of the hostages' families for an emergency meeting.
Earlier, the Business Forum stated that they are joining the Hostages' Headquarters protest and calling on the public not to remain indifferent to the daily loss of life and abandonment of hostages to their deaths, when according to the entire security establishment, they could have been saved. "Alongside the security chaos, there's economic chaos without a sensible state budget, a strike in the education system, and the collapse of public services."
Sources in the Histadrut told ynet that continuous discussions are taking place among its leaders, with some believing that in light of the sad and worrying events of the weekend, "the Histadrut cannot sit on the sidelines." A senior economic figure said today that "the Histadrut should have been the first to respond to what's happening in the country, but it turns out that once again, it will be the last." It should be noted that the Histadrut already shut down the economy for 12 hours at the beginning of January this year over the demand for a deal to return the hostages, but various bodies and committees like the Airport Authority Workers' Committee, while cooperating with the strike, later regretted taking part in it. There were also those who believed it's not the Histadrut's role to shut down the economy over issues not related to labor disputes.
Meanwhile, a long list of restaurants, theaters, and cinemas announced they will cease their activities this evening to encourage the public to go out and protest. Many local authorities also announced a suspension of public reception services tomorrow.
The Region and the World
-
Personal Stories The hostages were Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Ori Danino, 25, Alex Lubnov, 32, Carmel Gat, 40, and Almog Sarusi, 27.
Goldberg-Polin, Yerushalmi, Lubnov, Sarusi and Danino (an off-duty noncommissioned officer) were abducted from the Nova music festival near Kibbutz Re’im.
Gat was taken from Kibbutz Be’eri.
Hersh Goldberg-Polin
This undated photo provided by Rachel Goldberg shows her son Hersh Goldberg-Polin. (Courtesy of Rachel Goldberg via AP)
The night before 23-year-old Israeli-US citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin was taken hostage by Hamas terrorists at the Supernova desert rave, he ate dinner with his family and then left at 11 p.m. to go camping.
His mother, Rachel Goldberg, last heard from Hersh early in the morning on October 7, when her son sent two WhatsApp messages, one telling his parents he loved them, the other saying, “I’m sorry.”
After speaking to several of Hersh’s close friends, they were able to figure out that Hersh and his best friend, Aner Shapira, went to the rave.
The two were last seen at a crowded field shelter, filled with people who tried to escape from the Hamas attack on the party on the morning of October 7.
Goldberg-Polin’s arm was blown off from the elbow as Hamas terrorists lobbed grenades into the shelter. Shapira threw at least half a dozen grenades back out of the shelter before he was killed.
Goldberg-Polin was seen alive in a video released by terrorists in April.
His parents had campaigned prominently for his release, frequently meeting with US President Joe Biden and other officials.
In a brief statement, Goldberg-Polin’s family said that they had “broken hearts.”
Carmel Gat
Carmel Gat was taken captive by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023 from her parents’ home in Kibbutz Be’eri (Courtesy)
Carmel Gat, 40, an occupational therapist from Tel Aviv, was visiting her parents in Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7 when Hamas terrorists attacked, killing her mother, Kinneret. Gat was taken captive, as was her brother Alon, sister-in-law Yarden Roman-Gat, and niece Geffen, who were also visiting.
Alon and his three-year-old daughter, Geffen, were able to escape their captors on October 7 and remained free. His wife Yarden, 36, also initially escaped but was recaptured. She was held hostage in Gaza and released on November 29 during a temporary ceasefire.
With the release of dozens of hostages, the family received word that Carmel was alive and had been kept captive with some children and did yoga once a day with them.
Alex Lubnov
Alex Lubnov, head barman at Supernova, captured on October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists attacked the desert rave (Courtesy)
Alex Lubnov, 32, was the head barman at the Nova party.
At the time of the attack, his wife Michal was five months pregnant. She has since given birth. The couple also has a two-year-old.
The young family lives in Ashkelon, where Alex cared for his parents, who both have physical disabilities.
“He’s the guy who worries about everyone else,” wrote a friend.
Eden Yerushalmi
Eden Yerushalmi was taken hostage by Hamas terrorists to Gaza from the Supernova party on October 7, 2023 (Courtesy)
Eden Yerushalmi, 24, a bartender from Tel Aviv, had gone to the Nova party with a group of friends.
When the terrorists attacked the rave, she called her older sister, Shani, who stayed on the phone with her for hours, along with their younger sister, May.
They were on the line with Yerushalmi when she hid in a car with friends who had been murdered, pretending to be dead. They stayed on the line when she went to hide in thorny bushes. They reminded her to breathe.
For four hours, the three sisters were on the phone together, until they heard gunshots and Yerushalmi cried, “Shani, they caught me!” After that, the phone went dead.
Or Danino
Ori Danino was taken captive by Hamas terrorists from the Supernova desert rave on October 7, 2023 (Courtesy)
Master Sgt. Ori Danino, 25, an off-duty noncommissioned officer who attended the Nova rave, initially escaped the attack but went back to try and save others.
Danino and a friend left the party in separate vehicles, filling the cars with as many people as possible to help them escape the Hamas killing spree.
At one point, Danino asked his friend for the phone number of people they had just met at the party, telling him that he was going to go back to rescue them — siblings Itay Regev and Maya Regev, and Omer Shem-Tov.
That was the last time Danino’s friend heard from him.
Danino is from an ultra-Orthodox family in Jerusalem. He was engaged to be married to Liel.
His brother said on Sunday: “I’m sorry I couldn’t do everything.”
Danino served as a signals officer in the Paratroopers Brigade’s 202nd Battalion.
Almog Sarusi
Almog Sarusi was abducted by Hamas terrorists during the Supernova music rave on October 7, 2023. His death was declared and body recovered from Gaza on September 1, 2024. (Courtesy)
Almog Sarusi, 27, was at the Nova party with his girlfriend, Shahar Gindi, a psychology student at Ariel University. Shahar’s body was later found.
According to the Kan public broadcaster, Sarusi had stayed to try and help Shahar after she was injured, at which point he was kidnapped.
He loved to travel round the country with his guitar. “A guy full of life and light,” the outlet said.
Acronyms and Glossary
ICC - International Criminal Court in the Hague
IJC - International Court of Justice in the Hague
MDA - Magen David Adom - Israel Ambulance Corp
PA - Palestinian Authority - President Mahmud Abbas, aka Abu Mazen
PMO- Prime Minister's Office
UAV - Unmanned Aerial vehicle, Drone. Could be used for surveillance and reconnaissance, or be weaponized with missiles or contain explosives for 'suicide' explosion mission
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