🎗️Lonny's War Update- October 428, 2023 - December 7, 2024 🎗️

  

🎗️Day 428 that 100 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!!!”

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

There is no victory until all of the hostages are home!

‎אין נצחון עד שכל החטופים בבית

Red Alerts - Missile, Rocket, Drone (UAV - unmanned aerial vehicles), and Terror Attacks and Death Announcements

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Hostage Updates 

• Hamas releases propaganda video of hostage Matan Zangauker
  

  The Hamas terror group has released a propaganda video showing signs of life from hostage Matan Zangauker, 25.

  The three-and-a-half-minute-long video is not dated, though Zangauker states that he has been held for over 420 days, indicating it was filmed recently.

  Zangauker was abducted by Hamas terrorists from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on the morning of October 7, 2023, during the onslaught. His partner, Ilana Gritzewsky who was taken hostage with him was released in a November 2023 deal with Hamas.

  In the clip, Zangauker identifies himself and calls on the Israeli public to continue protests in support of a deal with Hamas.  link to video of Matan
  
  

• Hamas Begins Verifying the Number of Living Hostages Held in Gaza

  According to the Saudi-owned Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, the terror organization Hamas has reached out to other groups holding hostages to ascertain how many of them are still alive. This comes amid significant progress in negotiations. Qatar's Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, stated that the disagreements between Israel and Hamas are "not fundamental."

  The report from Asharq Al-Awsat, citing Palestinian sources, indicates that Hamas has initiated efforts to determine the number of Israeli hostages still alive in the hands of its members and other armed groups in Gaza. Hamas leadership has contacted some of these groups in anticipation of a potential deal being reached soon, as negotiations make serious headway. According to the sources, the focus is on living hostages, while there are also attempts to locate the remains of deceased hostages.

  This morning, Qatar’s Prime Minister, speaking at the Doha Forum, confirmed that his country has resumed its role in mediating a deal in Gaza following renewed momentum in the negotiations. He attributed this momentum to the involvement of the Trump administration, saying, “We are cooperating with the Trump administration on the negotiations. The differences between Israel and Hamas are not substantial.”

  The Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar also reported today that ceasefire talks in Gaza may have entered their final stages, with "greater areas of agreement" being reached, according to informed sources. The report noted that Egypt is awaiting the visit of an Israeli security delegation in the coming days to discuss remaining points of contention.

  The newspaper highlighted that the release of kidnapped soldiers is being linked to the release of high-profile prisoners serving life sentences. However, the issue of Israeli presence in Gaza will be a key topic for detailed discussions between senior Egyptian and Israeli officials.

  An Egyptian source who spoke with Al-Akhbar stated that some disagreements remain regarding the "day after," particularly as Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has delayed announcing the establishment of a "social aid committee" responsible for managing Gaza, despite pressure from Cairo.

  Regarding the ceasefire talks, significant progress has reportedly been made, following Qatar’s re-entry into the negotiations and the Trump administration’s involvement. An Egyptian intelligence official said recent discussions with Qatari mediators have been very positive, with expectations that the resulting agreement will be a temporary ceasefire, leading to a more comprehensive deal later.

  However, Israel has yet to confirm sending a negotiation delegation to Cairo next week, and Hamas has not responded to Egypt's proposals. An Israeli source noted that the framework discussed remains “preliminary.”

  It is worth mentioning that during Israel’s latest Cabinet meeting, the focus was not on the hostage deal but rather on developments in Syria, a subject likely to dominate upcoming sessions as well.

  Yesterday, Kan News reported that a senior member of Israel's negotiating team met with families of the hostages last week. The official informed them that the political leadership is unwilling to discuss ending the war in Gaza.

  The families expressed deep pessimism following the meeting, fearing that Israel’s insistence on continuing the war might prevent Hamas from agreeing to a comprehensive deal. They worry that any potential agreement might result in only a small number of hostages being released. link It seems to me that this report is only trying to get things moving again, since the Israeli side has basically kept the situation in stasis, not even having discussions about the hostages in cabinet meetings. In any normal situation with responsible leaders, it would be the first item on the agenda in all cabinet meetings. What is true is that Hamas has no idea how many of the hostages are still living, nor do they know the locations of all the hostages, especially the dead, who they say many of them were killed together with their captor guards in the Israeli bombing. They have stated to my brother that they need a week or more to search for them and they will only agree to do that if there is a ceasefire and long hours of the day without any drone surveillance flights. Unfortunately, there will be hostages who will never be found underneath the monumental amounts of rubble from the aerial bombings. The official from the Israeli negotiating team who met with the families stated that the political leadership is unwilling to discuss the end of the war in Gaza. This is a cover up statement. The political leadership means one person, Netanyahu. HE IS THE ONE WHO WILL NOT DISCUSS ENDING THE WAR IN GAZA!!! And it is all for his personal and political self interests which are tied together. He is sacrificing the lives of all the living hostages for himself. When he is asked why he won't make the same kind of agreement in Gaza that he made in Lebanon, his BS answer is that the goals in the north are different than the goals in the south and that is his choosing alone.

Arab Report: "Hamas Seeking to Locate Living Hostages"; Optimism in Qatar: "The Gaps Are Not Substantial"

Qatar's Prime Minister expressed optimism about advancing a deal, noting that Donald Trump's election has facilitated progress. Meanwhile, the Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper reported that Hamas has contacted Palestinian factions in Gaza to identify the whereabouts of hostages held captive, aiming to establish a clear status ahead of negotiations. Hamas is also reportedly working to locate the bodies of deceased hostages while advocating for a ceasefire under its terms.

Prime Minister Mohammed Al Thani stated on Saturday morning that there is renewed momentum in ceasefire talks in Gaza, attributing some progress to dialogue with Trump’s team. He emphasized that the differences between Hamas and Israel are "not fundamental."

According to Asharq Al-Awsat, Hamas leaders have reached out to other factions in Gaza to gather updates on the living hostages they are holding. Palestinian sources claim that indirect negotiations on a hostage deal have made progress, with Hamas focusing on living captives while simultaneously working to locate the remains of deceased hostages.

The sources noted that locating some of the bodies would require a ceasefire, as their precise locations are unknown due to deaths that occurred during captivity. "A ceasefire would greatly facilitate these efforts," one source stated.

Regarding prisoner exchanges, Hamas reportedly plans to demand the release of high-profile prisoners in exchange for kidnapped Israeli soldiers. However, humanitarian criteria may not apply in the initial phases of the negotiations.

Hamas is also conducting internal consultations about a recent proposal relayed via mediators in Cairo. Sources indicate that there is significant agreement within Hamas and among Gaza factions on reaching a deal similar to previous arrangements in Lebanon, involving a comprehensive ceasefire and a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

Separately, Israeli President Isaac Herzog reportedly spoke with Elon Musk, expected to be appointed as chair of the U.S. "Government Efficiency Department" under Trump, urging him to help revive negotiations for the release of hostages in Gaza. According to the Financial Times, Herzog’s efforts aim to leverage Musk’s influence, given his role as owner of the social media platform X.

The Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar reported that Gaza ceasefire talks have entered a "new and potentially final stage," increasing the likelihood of an agreement between Israel and Hamas. Egyptian officials are awaiting an Israeli security delegation in the coming days to address unresolved issues.

Last week, Hamas's senior official Khalil Al-Hayya led a delegation to Cairo at the invitation of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The discussions reportedly focused on potential hostage deals and a ceasefire in Gaza. An unnamed senior Hamas official told Asharq Al-Awsat that the group is open to ideas that could lead to ending the war, facilitating humanitarian aid, and securing a prisoner exchange agreement.

Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar reassured European Union Foreign Minister Kaja Kallas that Israel is serious about pursuing a deal to secure the release of hostages. Sa’ar suggested that conditions might mature enough for an official Israeli delegation to join talks in the coming week.  link 

•  I am not optimistic about the chances of reaching a deal that will release the hostages because Netanyahu is not willing to end the war. Even if Hamas agrees to enter into a temporary ceasefire and release civilian hostages, it will not implement the deal without a guarantee in advance that in the second phase the war will end. I also think that a deal that does not return all the hostages in a very short period of time is a bad deal. We must pressure Israel to reach a full deal, short in time and including the end of the war. This is the order of the hour. (Gershon Baskin, 12-5-2024)
  
  

• Gaza peace deal possible before Trump inauguration, Qatar’s PM says
  

  Momentum has returned to the Gaza peace talks and an agreement is possible before Donald Trump’s inauguration in January, Qatar’s prime minister has said.

  Speaking at the annual Doha forum, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said the two key issues were whether there was willingness to have a prisoner hostage exchange, and whether there was a desire to end the war.

  He said Qatar had stepped back from its role of mediator a few months ago because some countries were exploiting the process for political reasons, but added: “There had been a lot of encouragement to secure a deal before the president comes to office so we are trying to get things back on track.”

  Al Thani implied that he had received assurances from the US president-elect’s advisers about their determination to reach a negotiated settlement. He said: “We have sensed after the election that the momentum is coming back.” Comparing Trump’s approach with that of Joe Biden, he said: “There will be some differences, but we did not see any disagreement on the goal of ending the war. That was very important for us to understand.”
  

  He said the gaps between Hamas and Israel were not substantial, but that he was trying to protect the negotiations because in the past everything had been put into the public domain, leading to disappointment.

  It is understood the disagreements between Hamas and Israel largely revolve around whether Israel is prepared to accept that a ceasefire reflects a permanent end to the conflict, and not a temporary respite in which there is an exchange of Palestinian political prisoners and Israeli hostages.

  This issue has dogged the talks for months, but the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, may feel his options are more limited if Trump insists he wants the war to be brought to an end. Israel has been silent on its future intentions for the administration of Gaza.

  Referring to the spread of the conflict, Al Thani said: “We have been trying to warn everyone in the world that the situation in Gaza is going to expand.”  LINK
  
  

• Is Trump’s Pressure Having an Effect? The New Momentum in Negotiations, Voices in Israel, and Hamas’s Message

  The president-elect is set to take office in about six weeks, and in the meantime, his team is working behind the scenes to advance a deal that could end the fighting in Gaza, following the ceasefire in Lebanon. Amid reports of Hamas "seeking to locate hostages," the terror organization is setting conditions but claims it is "ready to show flexibility."

  Qatar’s Role and Trump Advisors’ Push
  Qatar has rejoined mediation efforts under the influence of Trump’s incoming administration, with a backdrop of the northern ceasefire and Donald Trump’s re-election as U.S. president. The president-elect and his senior advisors have made it clear that their primary goal concerning the Israeli conflicts in the region is to start with a "clean slate" when Trump returns to the Oval Office. According to sources familiar with the matter, these messages have also been relayed to senior Israeli officials.

  A report in the Saudi-owned Asharq Al-Awsat, published in London, claims Hamas is working to locate Israeli hostages held by other Palestinian factions in Gaza, likely to form a clearer picture ahead of potential progress in negotiations with Israel. In Doha, officials today noted positive advancements toward a deal: "There is new momentum in the talks, encouraged by the incoming Trump administration."

  Since his decisive victory over Kamala Harris, Trump has been briefed by outgoing President Joe Biden’s administration on recent developments in the Middle East. Some of Trump’s advisors have attributed the relatively quick northern ceasefire to the president-elect’s involvement. This week, in an extensive interview with the French newspaper Le Point, Trump’s designated envoy to the region, Avi Boulos, a Lebanese-American, called the Lebanon agreement historic and advocated for a similar breakthrough in Gaza.

  According to Boulos, it is no secret that Trump wants a hostage deal concluded before his inauguration on January 20. When asked about the “day after” scenario in Gaza, he responded: "First, we must bring the hostages back, then we’ll address everything else."

  A Shift in Tone Among Israeli Ministers
  Some Israeli ministers, such as Miki Zohar, have recently acknowledged the necessity of painful compromises in any potential deal, including the release of prisoners. However, key coalition partners of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have firmly opposed such a deal. Ben-Gvir has even threatened to dissolve the government over the issue.

  Despite opposition, the pressure from the incoming U.S. administration seems to be making an impact. Newly appointed Defense Minister Israel Katz has stated since his first day in office that returning the hostages is his top priority. This week, he remarked: "There’s a real chance this time to move forward with a deal." The Security Cabinet is set to convene tonight and unusually, again tomorrow, indicating the urgency of discussions.

  Behind the Scenes with Elon Musk
  Israeli President Isaac Herzog recently spoke with Elon Musk, expected to be appointed chair of the "Government Efficiency Department" in Trump’s administration, urging him to "revive negotiations for releasing the hostages in Gaza." According to the Financial Times, this conversation was part of Herzog’s broader efforts to apply pressure on all parties. The source noted that the discussion was not solely aimed at influencing Trump but also at leveraging Musk’s ownership of X (formerly Twitter), a key platform for raising awareness and shaping narratives.

  Hamas’s Position
  Meanwhile, Hamas maintains its stance against Israel. Ahmad Abdel-Hadi, the group’s representative in Lebanon, described "positive consultations" regarding a ceasefire in Gaza. While Hamas insists on the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the cessation of military action, Abdel-Hadi emphasized that the group is "willing to show flexibility on other conditions."  LINK

Gaza and the South

•  The IDF and the Shin Bet announced the assassination of Nachal Elanjar, the head of the Hamas air force in Gaza
  
  
  In a joint operation by the security forces, Alanjar was eliminated on December 3. Elanjar was among the participants in the air raid into Israel during the morning of October 7, and was a participant in the massacre. During the war, he was involved in promoting attacks by explosive drones and UAVs against the maneuvering forces in the Gaza Strip.

Northern Israel - Lebanon/Hizbollah/Syria

• Syrian rebel forces say they took control of the city of Quneitra in the Syrian Golan near the border with Israel, according to two rebels and a Syrian officer who confirmed their withdrawal to Reuters.

  A rebel commander also says they have advanced to within 20 km of the Syrian capital Damascus.

• The IDF announces that it is further bolstering forces on the border with Syria in the Golan Heights, following a fresh assessment of the developments in the Syrian civil war.

  “The reinforcement of troops will enable the strengthening of defenses in the area, and the preparation of the troops for various scenarios in the area,” the military adds.

  Syrian rebels in the past day have largely taken over the Daraa area in southern Syria, close to Israel’s border.

  On Friday, the IDF said it was deploying additional ground and air forces to the Golan Heights in light of the developments in Syria.

• Syrian government forces have begun to withdraw from the key T-4 airbase near the ancient city of Palmyra in the Homs Governorate, Al Jazeera reports, citing local sources.

  The withdrawal comes amid the rebel offensive against the Syrian regime.

  T-4, also known as Tiyas, is believed to be one of two major airports — the other being Damascus International Airport — where Iranian cargo airlines carrying weapons set for Hezbollah in Lebanon often land. The weaponry is then believed to be stored in warehouses in the area before being trucked to Lebanon.

  In recent years, Israel has attacked the T-4 airbase on multiple occasions.

  Israeli defense officials have claimed in the past that the base is used by Iranian forces as part of the Islamic Republic’s efforts to entrench militarily in Syria, something Israel has vowed to prevent.

• A source close to Hezbollah says that the group sent 2,000 fighters to a part of Syria near the border with Lebanon, as ally Damascus reels from a rebel offensive that has seized major cities in recent days.

  “Hezbollah sent 2,000 fighters to the Qusayr area… to defend its positions there and has not yet participated in any battles” with Syrian rebels, the source tells AFP, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

• Rebel military commander Hassan Abdel Ghani seeks to reassure Syria’s religious communities and minorities after Islamist-led fighters snatched key cities and swathes of territory from government control.

  “Our securing of the villages and towns of our people in the newly liberated areas, especially those where different religious sects and minorities live, has become a reality… We ask that all sects be reassured and support the movements of the revolutionaries, for the era of sectarianism and tyranny has gone away forever,” Abdel Ghani says in a statement on Telegram.  link It is very hard to feel reassured from statements like this when we have to remember that this rebel group was affiliated with Al Qaeda. 

• Iran has started evacuating military commanders and other Iranian officials from Syria, the New York Times reports, as the Syrian government comes under increasing pressure from advancing rebel forces.

  Citing regional and Iranian officials, the report says among those who have been moved out of Syria are senior commanders in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force, some diplomats and their families, and civilians, with the evacuations beginning Friday morning.

  The US newspaper also reports that some of the officials left by Tehran via plane, while others departed by land for Lebanon, Iraq and the Syrian port city of Latakia.

  Together with Russia, the Islamic Republic has been a key supporter of President Bashar al-Assad during the over decade-long Syrian civil war, with the Syrian regime serving as a key component in the Iran-led anti-Israel, anti-US “axis of resistance” along with Lebanon’s Hezbollah terror organization and other Iranian proxy groups across the region. link The fact that Iran is moving its senior people out of Syria coupled with the leaving of Assad's wife and children is very telling. Assad's regime seems to be in the most precarious position it has ever been even at the worst time in the early part of the civil war.

• Hezbollah Shocked by Battlefield Losses; Fighters Flee

  The IDF is concerned that Iran may assist Hezbollah in rebuilding its capabilities and is actively identifying and thwarting attempts to transfer weapons. Chaos in Syria also affects the terrorist organization, which has sent hundreds of operatives to support Assad's forces. Meanwhile, Israel remains alert, bolstering its forces along the Syrian border and monitoring developments.

Heavy Losses and Low Morale

Hezbollah is emerging from its recent conflict in Lebanon with an estimated 3,000 fatalities—a significant number for the group. Many others have been injured, further impacting the morale of its fighters. Reports suggest that some operatives are fleeing the field without plans to return.

Taking advantage of the ceasefire, Hezbollah is attempting to recover bodies and personnel left behind, only to be shocked by the scale of casualties. This has led to frustration and low morale among its rank-and-file fighters. While Hezbollah retains its firepower, its capacity to launch thousands of rockets daily, as previously planned, has been significantly diminished. Similarly, its elite Radwan Force’s invasion plans are no longer operational. While the group might attempt a terrorist attack, it currently lacks the ability to execute its original large-scale invasion strategy.

In addition to personnel losses, the IDF has inflicted substantial damage on Hezbollah’s production capabilities, destroying key infrastructure and weapons manufacturing facilities. According to estimates, Hezbollah now has only a small number of operational weapons factories remaining.

Concerns of Iranian Assistance

The IDF is wary of Iran's intentions to help Hezbollah rebuild. On Saturday morning, the IDF announced an airstrike on weapons transfer routes along the Syria-Lebanon border. While Iran is eager to aid Hezbollah, events in Syria have delayed these efforts, complicating the supply chain.

Hezbollah has also deployed a limited number of operatives to assist Assad’s regime, but some of these fighters have fled alongside Syrian forces. The current number of Hezbollah operatives in Syria is far lower than during the peak of the Syrian civil war.

Bolstering Forces in the Golan Heights

In light of recent developments, the IDF has reinforced its presence along the Syrian border, preparing for potential escalations. On Saturday and Sunday, the Israeli Security Cabinet will convene in back-to-back sessions to discuss the situation in Syria.

"Following assessments by the General Staff and Northern Command, and in light of internal fighting in Syria, the IDF has decided to deploy additional air and ground forces to the Golan Heights area," an IDF statement read. "Our forces are increasing their readiness for various scenarios, ensuring the defense of Israeli citizens and the prevention of threats along the border."

Enforcing the Ceasefire in Southern Lebanon

Since the ceasefire began, the IDF has killed 24 Hezbollah operatives. During a response to rocket fire on Mount Dov, Israeli forces targeted launchers and seven Hezbollah fighters. The IDF has observed a significant decline in Hezbollah’s military activity, with some operatives and weapons being moved north of the Litani River.

However, the Lebanese Army has not yet fully enforced its responsibilities under the ceasefire agreement. A proposed law empowering the Lebanese Army to operate in Hezbollah-controlled private areas has not passed, leaving critical zones untouched.

While the Lebanese Army plans to deploy along southern Lebanon, its effectiveness remains uncertain. The IDF has clarified that if the Lebanese Army enforces the agreement, Israel will not intervene. However, assessments indicate that Hezbollah currently seeks to regroup and rebuild rather than provoke direct clashes with Israeli forces. link 

• The IDF confirms carrying out a drone strike in the southern Lebanon village of Deir Siryan earlier today, killing a Hezbollah operative.

  According to the military, the operative “posed a threat to IDF troops deployed to the area, in violation of the agreement between Israel and Lebanon.”

  The IDF publishes footage of the strike against the Hezbollah member who was riding a motorcycle.

  “The IDF continues to be committed to the understandings regarding the ceasefire in Lebanon,” the military says, adding that it is still deployed to ​​southern Lebanon “and will work to remove any threat to the State of Israel and its citizens.”

West Bank and Jerusalem and Terror attacks within Israel

•  Police say a terrorist was shot and “neutralized” by a civilian security guard at the West Bank Qalandiya checkpoint after launching a flare at security forces.

  There were no other injuries in the incident.

  Police say that the terrorist was also armed with a knife, and was wearing a shirt emblazoned with the symbol for the Islamic State terror group.  
  
  

• Around 20 extremist settlers threw stones toward the West Bank village of Qaryut, footage shows.

  A security source tells Army radio that Palestinian residents of the village arrived to throw stones back at the attackers.

  IDF troops and the civilian security squad chief of the nearby settlement of Shilo dispersed the rioters, Army Radio says, adding that no arrests were made.  video It's very interesting to note that these extremist settlers, who are absolutely terrorists are all religious, yet they have no issue instigating violence and throwing stones on Shabbat, actions that are not allowed on Shabbat.

Politics and the War (general news)

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The Region and the World
   

• Merkel slams Netanyahu in post-politics memoir
  Former German chancellor accuses prime minister of undermining work toward two-state solution, and praises his predecessor: 'I could talk to Olmert'; expresses shock at antisemitic protests after October 7 massacre
  Angela Merkel says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu systematically undermined the possibility of a two-state solution by encouraging the settlement enterprise. "We agreed to disagree," Merkel, the former German Chancellor, writes in a memoir out on Tuesday. The book has aroused great interest since it is seen as a "letter of defense" to claims that arose after the end of her term in 2021, centering around her responsibility for the immigrant crisis and dependence on Russian gas. In the book, Merkel not only answers these claims, but briefly deals with Israel and its leaders, and alongside the strong support she emphasizes for Israel and its right to defend itself - especially after the October 7 massacre. she wrote that, unlike Netanyahu, she personally liked his predecessor Ehud Olmert because she could talk to him directly and openly, even about explosive problems and issues such as the Palestinian conflict. n the chapters where Merkel touches on her relationship with Netanyahu, nearly forgets her German composure and accuses him of being someone whose policies sabotaged the possibility of resolving the Middle East conflict.
  Merkel's attitude toward Israel is much more sympathetic. She recalls her first visit to Israel as a government minister in 1991, shortly after the reunification of Germany. According to Merkel, Israel had a great academic reputation in East Germany, despite the isolation in the communist country where she grew up and lived until reunification. The visit came after years of indirect contact between Merkel and Israel: she grew up in East Germany, which did not have any relations or scientific ties with Israel, but for the purpose of her doctoral thesis in quantum chemistry she was helped by the works and studies of Israeli researchers and scientists, which were sent to her by American and British researchers.
  Merkel also discusses her last visit to Israel, 30 years after the first - and after she had already announced that she would step down as chancellor. It was a farewell visit where she met with then-Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. and made sure to visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial. The most memorable visit for Merkel was in 2008, during the celebrations for the 60th year of the establishment of Israel. Merkel then gave a historic speech in the Knesset plenum, a speech which she began in Hebrew saying that Israel's security is part of Germany's "raison d'etre" - a statement that became unofficial German policy in the region, and has been the basis of Berlin's support for Israel since the October 7 massacre. Merkel points out that during that trip she visited the home of David Ben-Gurion in Sde Boker and told an inquisitive resident who wanted to know when she would return, "I like the way you live and I can see myself moving here when I am no longer chancellor." She writes that she was serious at the time but now doubts she would be able to.

  In the book, Merkel presents for the first time a reference to the October 7 massacre. She says that Israel is the only democracy in the region and is under constant existential threat - and expresses surprise and astonishment that after the murderous terrorist attack, instead of receiving solidarity and empathy, Israel and Jews experienced a huge wave of antisemitism and hatred in Germany and many other countries.

  She writes that she fully supports the right of citizens to demonstrate for the Palestinians and against the policies of Israel and Germany, but warns against abuse of the right to protest and freedom of speech. Everyone who lives in Germany, writes Merkel, is committed to its basic rules - including the fight against racism and antisemitism - and she says that action must be taken against those who do not meet this commitment by all possible means. link

Personal Stories

 

For five months, we thought our son was alive. Release Hamas hostages and spare others our pain.

My son was considered among the living hostages in Gaza for months. Despite his murder, my family continues for fight for the families who still have hope.

Ruby Chen  -  Opinion contributor

Earlier this year, I wrote about the moment I learned my son was taken hostage. Last October – a few days after Hamas’ murderous rampage through Israel – a group of Israeli officials stood at my doorstep.

My 19-year-old son, Itay Chen, was taken captive while serving at the Gaza border. He was in the hands of terrorists who murdered, mutilated and raped hundreds of Israelis, but he was believed to be alive as there was no evidence to prove the alternative. So, there was reason for hope. 

For five months, we lived off that hope. The hostage families established a nonprofit organization to coordinate all the hostage family efforts for 241 families from more than 40 nationalities, and I joined its executive steering committee. I have met presidents, chancellors and ambassadors; visited Qatar, Germany and, of course, Washington, D.C., to try to influence the decision-makers so that the next time an official showed up at my door, it would be cause for celebration. My son was coming home. 

Unfortunately, I was wrong. On March 11, the Israel Defense Forces and U.S. officials came back with new intelligence: My son was among the more than 40 American citizens murdered on Oct. 7, and Hamas savages took his remains, apparently to use as a future bargaining chip.

Hamas terrorists took American citizen Itay Chen, center, hostages on October 7. His mother Hagit Chen and father Ruby Chen, who later found out their son was killed, are working with families of other hostages to secure their release.

My son is a hero. He deserves to return home.

Hamas seems to have taken a page out of the Islamic State terrorist organization's strategy to take dead hostages, while not notifying the Red Cross he was killed, to increase the psychological pain of his parents and the Israeli and U.S. people. 

I thought my wife and I would never suffer pain greater than learning our son was a hostage. That now feels like a passing twinge in comparison with the agony that consumes us today – and will for the rest of our lives. 

But we refuse to let the pain paralyze us. According to the Jewish tradition, when a family is notified of a deceased family member it should hold a “shiva” – a week of mourning and prayer for the deceased and start a new chapter in life. Instinctively, upon notice, I told the Israeli and U.S. officials that we will not start the shiva until Itay’s remains are returned to Israel for burial as the hero that he is.

This is the same message I shared with President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Antony  Blinken, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and numerous senators and congressmen who called to share their condolences. It is my daily reminder to them that my mission as a father is not done until Itay is back home. And I remind all elected officials to pressure Hamas in any way possible to get a deal done. 

Ruby Chen, father of Israeli hostage Itay, held in Gaza since the Oct 7 attack, lifts and hourglass as he delivers a statement to the media in Tel Avi on Dec 16, 2023.

It would have been humane to leave Itay’s body behind, but Hamas terrorists deprived my family of even the smallest mercy – the chance to bury Itay and mourn over his body. These terrorists are like ISIS and are the worst of humanity, and this requires all of us to unite to defeat this darkness.

The hostage crisis is not a political issue and should stay a bipartisan cause, despite the temptation of the election year. The hostage families felt the respect and unity during the State of the Union address when the president acknowledged the hostage families in the audience and we received the only bipartisan standing ovation of the evening. We urge both the U.S. Congress and the Israeli prime minister against turning our family members into a topic for political gain. 

Finally, we would also like to reach out to the U.S. Muslim community and wish them a Ramadan Kareem, which is the month of prayer and charity between one another. We hope that U.S.-based Muslim religious leaders will denounce the Hamas actions and remember that Islamic laws demand respect for the sacred bodies of the deceased of any religion.

We will continue to fight – harder than ever before – until Itay and all the hostages are released from captivity and reunited with their families.

Ruby Chen is the father of 19-year-old American Itay Chen, who was killed Oct. 7 while stationed at the Gaza Strip border.

c

Dark Legacy - The Abandonment of October 7th Hostages

We are Stuck With A Prime Minister Who Cares Only About his Political Survival

Neta Heiman Mina

Member of Kibbutz Nir Oz, daughter of Ditza Heiman

who was taken hostage on October 7th and released after 53 days.

Benjamin Netanyahu's views were never my views, but at the beginning of his term of office, I had hopes that he was doing what he believed was for the benefit of the State of Israel and its citizens. As the years passed and the corruption scandals and indictments increased, doubts arose, along with the sense that whenever criticism flared, he would ignite the region, and those who paid the price were the residents of the Gaza Envelope - residents of the area which before Netanyahu's time was called the Western Negev, the beautiful peaceful Negev in which I grew up. I was furious at his conduct. I protested against him at Balfour and Kaplan [demonstration sites in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv], and as far as Ramot and Neve Ativ in northern Israel.

Then came October 7th. It was clear to me that he would not accept responsibility, but I was certain that he would do everything possible to bring home those who had been forsaken and taken to Gaza under his watch.

    I was disillusioned very soon. His speeches were crystal clear about his priorities.

When they said in the beginning that only military pressure would bring back the hostages, it sounded most probable, but I still thought I might be missing something.

Then came the hostage deal. Over 100 hostages were returned in this deal, including my mother, who came back on the 53rd day of the war, the fifth day of the deal. On the seventh night, still within the adrenaline rush of my mother's return, I realized that the deal was going up in smoke. He preferred war over the return of more live hostages. True, the number of days hostages were released was seven and not ten as had been agreed, Hamas was not holding up its end of the deal. But I had no expectations from Hamas - it is a cruel and murderous terrorist organization. However, I expected more from my Prime Minister, and yes, he's still mine, even though I didn't vote for him. I expected him to understand that there was nothing more important than human lives. The disappointment was overwhelmingly bitter.

And thus, the ritual began. Every time negotiations move forward, it is suddenly extremely urgent to eliminate some arch-terrorist, thus avoiding any possibility of a deal. The pressures he faces from his coalition - not to stop the war and not to release prisoners - were and are clear to all. Time passed, and he discovered a better tactic: it was so easy to make a damaging statement when a deal was in the works, for Hamas to take back a step.

The abandonment of October 7th turned into continuous abandonment, not to mention countless abandonments every moment in which any and every possible action is not being taken to reach a deal.

 We are stuck.

We are stuck with a Prime Minister who cares only about his political survival, and the contributing factor for reaching this end is continuation of the war; a Prime Minister whose sole interest is his voters’ base, as can easily be seen in the photo-ops with the released hostages a week ago. I don't remember him having a photo-op, visiting, or even calling the hostages who came back in the early hostage deal, nor with the two kibbutz hostages that our heroic soldiers released.

Eight months of military pressure, and the hostages have never been further from returning. Many of them will not return alive, even though they were abducted alive, and their blood, and the blood of those who are yet to die, is on the hands of one person, our Prime Minister.

Acronyms and Glossary

COGAT - Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories

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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