🎗️Lonny's War Update- October 444, 2023 - December 23, 2024 🎗️
🎗️Day 444 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
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
- There are so many reports coming out about the hostage negotiations, from Israel, the US, Egypt, Qatar, Lebanon and others and many of these reports are contradictory for very good reasons. There is very little, next to nothing, official coming from any of the negotiating teams. Most is speculation and spins, some is based on some information from Netanyahu's contradictory announcements last week to the 2 Hostage family groups (the larger Forum of Hostage Families which has come out strongly with comments against Netanyahu's preventing deals, and the smaller Hope group which is made up of families of hostages who are Netanyahu supporters and follow Netanyahu's line). To the Forum, he told that a deal is close, to Tikvah, he said there is no deal on the table, Hamas official and unofficial statements and the optimistic statements by the US and Qatar to keep the negotiations going. The bottom line is that we can't believe any of the details of the deal being negotiated because they are not known at all. There is no deal until there is a deal, and only then we will know details of the deal.
- Report: Israel demands 11 male hostages be among those freed in first stage of dealEgyptian TV network says Hamas demanding ‘special consideration’ in exchange; Palestinian official tells BBC 90% of negotiations are done, but Philadelphi remains sticking point
Israelis protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and call for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, Dec. 21, 2024. (AP/Ohad Zwigenberg)
As mediators in Cairo and Doha continued efforts to reach a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and the Hamas terror group, international reports purported to shed some light on some of the gaps remaining between the two parties.
An Egyptian report on Sunday claimed that Israel is demanding the freeing of 11 Israeli men in the first round of hostage releases, while a report from the BBC the previous evening said that the talks are 90 percent agreed upon, although control of the Philadelphi Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border remains a sticking point.
Israel has been largely mum on any recent developments in the negotiations being brokered by Egypt and Qatar, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying last week that “that the less we discuss this, the better.” The families of the hostages still being held captive have demanded in public statements that a deal be reached to release all of their loved ones in one stage, calling a partial release a “death sentence” for those left behind.
Unnamed sources told Egypt’s Al-Ghad outlet on Sunday that Israel has requested the inclusion of 11 men on the list of hostages to be released in the first phase of a potential hostage-ceasefire deal, with Hamas apparently demanding further compensation in return for setting them free.
A rally in support of the hostages held in Gaza in New York City’s Central Park, December 15, 2024. (Luke Tress/Times of Israel)According to the report, the first phase of the potential deal between Israel and Hamas will see 250 Palestinian prisoners released from Israeli prisons in exchange for the children held in Gaza, the five female soldiers, and the older and sick captives.
While not specifically mentioned by the report, it is assumed that the first round of releases will also include the female hostages who are not serving in the military.
According to the report, Israel has requested the release of 34 hostages in the first phase, including 11 considered by Hamas to be soldiers. The terror group classifies all Israeli men of military age to be soldiers.
However, Al-Ghad said Hamas had agreed for the 11 to be included in the first phase in return for “special consideration” in the deal, implying that Palestinian prisoners who also do not fit the agreed-upon categories could be released.
The outlet said other areas under discussion include the reopening of the Rafah Border Crossing between Gaza and Egypt, the potential withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Netzarim Corridor, which divides north Gaza from the south, and the return of Gazan civilians to the north of the Strip without conditions, but with vehicle inspections.
The report also claimed that talks were being held on a gradual Israeli withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border, a route that Netanyahu long vowed would remain under Israeli control, although Defense Minister Israel Katz reportedly said last week that the corridor “would not constitute an obstacle to a deal; there is flexibility from Hamas on this issue.”
But a senior Palestinian official involved in the negotiations told the BBC on Saturday that Philadelphi is one of the areas of contention, claiming that 90% of other issues in the talks have already been decided upon.
The official said that ongoing talks in Doha are considering the potential creation of a buffer zone along Gaza’s border with Israel that would be several kilometers wide, which would have an Israeli “military presence.”
Once these issues are resolved a potential ceasefire could begin within days, the official told BBC.
According to the report, the deal will see 20 Palestinian prisoners released for every female soldier freed in the first stage of the ceasefire, with the names of those prisoners not yet decided upon.
The report did not say if any male hostages will be released in the first stage and also does not mention either children or the women held in Gaza who are not serving in the military.
The BBC said Gazan civilians will be permitted to return to the north of the Strip “under a system with Egyptian/Qatari oversight,” echoing similar claims in the Egyptian report. Additionally, around 500 trucks will bring humanitarian aid into Gaza every day.
The BBC reported that the third stage of such a deal would see the end of the war, with Gaza to be “overseen by a committee of technocrats from the enclave, who would not have previous political affiliations but would have the backing of all Palestinian factions.”
The report said it is assumed that the released prisoners will not include Marwan Barghouti, who is serving five life sentences in an Israeli prison for his part in planning three terror attacks that killed five Israelis during the Second Intifada.
Men walk past a section of Israel’s security barrier painted with a portrait of convicted Palestinian terrorist Marwan Barghouti, held in an Israel jail, on November 6, 2023 in Bethlehem in the West Bank. (HAZEM BADER / AFP)Barghouti, 65, is often touted as one of the top candidates to succeed octogenarian Mahmoud Abbas as leader of the Palestinian Authority. He is especially favored by the younger generation, who perceive him as untainted by the PA’s corruption and collaboration with Israel.
Responding to a media report that Barghouti’s family recently visited Qatar to discuss his release to Turkey as part of a hostage deal, Netanyahu’s office issued a statement on Saturday declaring, “the terrorist Marwan Barghouti will not be released if and when a deal is made to release the hostages.”
Hamas-led terrorists kidnapped 251 people during their murderous onslaught through southern Israel on October 7, 2023, including soldiers from IDF bases along the border, partygoers from a music festival and families snatched from their homes. Ninety-six of the hostages remain in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 34 confirmed dead by the IDF.
An Israeli TV report on Saturday evening claimed that Hamas has still not provided Israel with a list of living hostages held by terror groups in the Gaza Strip who would be exchanged during a deal.
In a rare joint statement issued Saturday following talks in Cairo a day earlier, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine claimed that “the possibility of reaching an agreement is closer than ever, provided the enemy stops imposing new conditions.”
A Hamas leader told AFP on Saturday that talks had made “significant and important progress” in recent days.
“Most points related to the ceasefire and prisoner exchange issues have been agreed upon,” he said on condition of anonymity. “Some unresolved points remain, but they do not hinder the process. The agreement could be finalized before the end of this year, provided it is not disrupted by Netanyahu’s new conditions.
Father of the Abducted Soldier: Matan Was on the Humanitarian List, and They Removed Him
The father of Matan Angerast, an abducted soldier held in Gaza, gave an interview to Kan News: "We trust Netanyahu to make a brave deal and bring everyone back to the country, including the dead for proper burial."
Haggai, the father of Matan Angerast, who has been held captive in Gaza for 443 days, revealed on Sunday evening during an interview with Maya Rachlin on the program Kan at Six that his son was removed from the humanitarian list. This is the list of hostages expected to be released in the first phase of the deal, should one be finalized.
Haggai explained that his son, who was severely injured during his abduction and the sole survivor of his team, had been on the humanitarian list until two months ago. He urged the government to "reconsider and reinstate him on the list." He expressed concerns about the fragility of the negotiations, stating, "Any statement can derail them instantly, even the humanitarian aspect."
The father emphasized his trust in Prime Minister Netanyahu "to make a courageous deal and return everyone to the country, along with the dead for a proper burial." He criticized reports that two government ministers warned families of abducted soldiers against agreeing to a partial deal: "We ignore them. They are war- and death-hungry. One of them opposes any deal, even in exchange for flour—against bringing our children back home."
In recent days, Arab media reported that Israel is demanding the release of 11 captives who do not meet humanitarian criteria, and Hamas has agreed to this. According to Al-Rad, an Arabic channel broadcasting from Egypt, the list consists of "young men," meaning soldiers.
As Negotiations Continue: Netanyahu and Gantz Clash
Amid ongoing negotiations in Qatar, National Unity Party chairman MK Benny Gantz criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu. Gantz claimed that Netanyahu’s statements in an interview with The Wall Street Journal were undermining the hostage deal negotiations, while the negotiation team is working to finalize an agreement.
"In Netanyahu's own words just a week ago: 'The less we talk, the better.' And yet, like a repeated broadcast, the Prime Minister rushes again to foreign media and speaks," Gantz wrote. "Netanyahu, you do not have the mandate to sabotage the return of our hostages for political reasons. Returning the hostages is the right thing to do—morally, security-wise, and nationally."
The Prime Minister's Office responded to Gantz's criticism, stating, "Gantz, who called for a ceasefire even before entering Rafah, should not lecture Prime Minister Netanyahu. Those who do not contribute to the national effort should at least refrain from harming it."
The confrontation escalated when Gantz's office replied: "Netanyahu, don't be a serial coward. You were afraid to dissolve the coalition, and only Gantz's insistence has already brought back over 100 hostages. You were afraid to launch a maneuver in Gaza. You've previously sabotaged opportunities to secure a hostage deal for fear of coalition collapse. We won't let you do it again."
Progress in Talks: "IDF to Withdraw from Most of Philadelphi Route." Senior U.S. Official: "Hamas Seems Interested"
Despite differences with Hamas, the Israeli delegation has made progress in Doha, and there is optimism in the Israeli Cabinet that a prisoner exchange deal is nearing. "The sense is that there will be a deal; Hamas does not want to anger Trump," U.S. sources say. Israeli officials, however, urge caution: "We must not forget we are negotiating with monsters."
The Israeli delegation in Qatar's capital, Doha, led by a senior Mossad official, has reported progress on several issues related to the emerging prisoner exchange deal, although gaps remain. Cabinet ministers are optimistic that the deal is close, and a senior American official told Ynet Sunday evening that it might be finalized next week.
"The feeling is that there will be an agreement. It seems Hamas is interested in a deal and wants to avoid angering Donald Trump," the U.S. official said. However, an Israeli source tempered the enthusiasm: "Despite the optimism, we must not forget that we are negotiating with monsters. Until it is sealed, it is not sealed."
The Egyptian channel Al-Rad reported that the potential agreement includes an IDF withdrawal from most of the Philadelphi Route and an agreement to reopen the Rafah Crossing under the 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access, without Israeli presence. "The Rafah Crossing will be managed by Palestinians on the Palestinian side, and Israel will withdraw from the Netzarim Route to Salah al-Din Street," the report stated. "The agreement also includes the return of displaced Gazans without restrictions and the release of Israeli hostages—sick, elderly, and women—in exchange for Palestinian prisoners."
Meanwhile, some families of hostages believe that an interview Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave two days ago to the Wall Street Journal, in which he emphasized that Israel would not stop the war until Hamas was no longer in power in Gaza, could complicate negotiations.
"Netanyahu may have been speaking to his base in Israel, but Hamas also heard his comments, which harden the organization’s stance," said Ruby Chen, the father of Itai Chen, one of the fallen. "The mediators told me more than once that Netanyahu's statements make it harder for them to mediate between the sides."
Most of Sunday’s Security Cabinet meeting, held in the Northern Command, focused on the situation in the north and lasted four and a half hours. The Cabinet did not, as far as is known, discuss the hostages. Ministers received in-depth briefings, asked questions, and, according to informed sources, engaged in a high-quality and detailed discussion, which included a general overview of the Houthi threat in Yemen.
Behind the scenes, progress was also reported over the weekend in the hostage deal talks. An Israeli team, led by the Mossad, remains in Doha and continues the discussions. Informed sources said that gaps remain and that it will take time to determine whether a deal is feasible, but the negotiations are progressing positively.
Israeli sources expressed optimism, saying there seems to be "goodwill on both sides to move forward with a deal." There is speculation that Hamas might agree to the deportation of prisoners with "blood on their hands" to a third country.
Israel's insistence on ending Hamas' rule in Gaza could cast doubt on Hamas' willingness to accept a smaller-scale deal, knowing Israel might resume fighting after a humanitarian exchange. Although Hamas has shown flexibility on the Philadelphi Route issue, agreeing to limited Israeli presence, it is estimated that without sufficient guarantees from mediators that Israel will not return to war, Hamas may continue to oppose a smaller-scale deal.
Yesterday, senior Hamas officials met in Cairo with leaders of Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front to discuss what they described as "ending the war and developments related to the ceasefire negotiations and prisoner exchange deal."
In an official Hamas statement, it was written: "The possibility of reaching an agreement is closer than ever—if the enemy stops imposing new conditions." The statement also mentioned that the delegations in Cairo "discussed recent developments regarding the support committee for managing the Gaza Strip, expressed their appreciation for Egyptian efforts, and emphasized the importance of practical steps to establish the committee and announce it as soon as possible." link
Captivity Awareness in NYC
While those who have followed the stories of the hostages continue showing their support and following their plight, it has escaped the attention of many Americans. Filmmaker Jonathan Dekel conducted a social experiment in New York City to explore how people react when faced with the reality of captivity. Watch the full video and consider contributing to the Hostages' Families Forum to support the continued effort of bringing them all home.
Can You Hear Me? - Bring Them Home Now
Urgent Appeal to Save Hostages: They have names, faces and families. Watch the Video
Hundreds from the Religious Zionist Community Participate in a Rally for the Return of the Hostages
The religious Zionist rally for the abductees in JerusalemThis evening, Jerusalem's First Station complex was filled with the sounds of prayer and song as bereaved families and families of hostages pleaded with the public and leaders. John Poland, father of the late Hersch z”l, called on attendees to act for a release deal, while Niva Wenkert demanded the return of her son alive. The evening concluded with a moving performance by Aaron Razel, and a power outage that reminded many of the darkness of captivity.
"I am seeking my brothers"—hundreds of people from the Religious Zionist community participated tonight (Sunday) in a prayer and outcry rally for the return of the hostages. The rally, held at the First Station in Jerusalem, included bereaved families, among them the family of Aner Shapira z”l, Ben Zussman z”l, and the families of hostages Hersch Goldberg-Polin z”l, Rumi Gonen, and Omer Wenkert.
John Polin, father of Hersch z”l, who was abducted and killed in Hamas captivity in Gaza, addressed the crowd of Religious Zionist attendees:
"To those who support a deal, I say: there is a disconnect between you and the political leaders representing the Religious Zionist public. I urge you to go to the Knesset and let the members of Knesset hear that you support a deal and that the cost of forgoing a deal will be much heavier."
He added:
"Tonight, 100 of our brothers and sisters, along with their families, are living in the depths of despair, struggling to find hope. My blessing is that all 100 of these brothers and sisters will rise from despair to redemption. Each of you here tonight can influence that blessing. It’s excellent that you are praying for the hostages, and it’s helpful to participate in gatherings like this. But for those of you who believe a deal is the way to free our brothers and sisters, you can do more.”
Polin was greeted with applause from the audience.
Niva Wenkert, mother of Omer Wenkert, who is being held captive by Hamas in Gaza, also spoke on stage:
"I am asking for my son back alive," Niva pleaded.
"I want him alive because he is alive. We must not let Hamas turn us into them by sacrificing lives. I am calling on you: go to the Knesset tomorrow. Make your voices heard. Call, write letters to members of Knesset. Do everything you can to support the Israeli government in bringing our brothers and sisters home. We must not leave them behind; otherwise, we will become a broken, defeated society."
During the evening, Aaron Razel sang the words:
"I am seeking my brothers, tell me—where are they?"
The audience joined in the singing. A technical issue caused a power outage at the event, and Niva Wenkert commented on the moment:
"Liam Or, who was with Omer in captivity, said one of the hardest things they endured was the darkness. They were in tunnels, in utter darkness, to the point where they had to touch their eyelids to make sure their eyes were actually open." link
Mistaken Identity: The Rescue Operation of Hostage Sahar Baruch and the Tragic Error
Following the lighting of the first Hanukkah candle, members of the IDF’s elite Sayeret Matkal embarked on a hostage rescue mission. However, it quickly turned into an operation to extract wounded soldiers under fire. Due to inaccurate intelligence, the soldiers faced heavy gunfire, leaving two seriously injured. The intense confrontation ended tragically with the death of hostage Sahar Baruch. It remains unclear whether he was killed by friendly fire or murdered by terrorists.
The Initial Misunderstanding
A year ago, it was revealed that 25-year-old Sahar Baruch, who was abducted from his home in Kibbutz Be’eri on the infamous “Black Saturday,” was murdered in Hamas captivity. A day prior, Hamas released a video claiming Baruch had been taken alive but later died in Gaza. The details of the tragic event were undisclosed until now. On Sunday evening, the central news broadcast unveiled the covert operation that preceded Sahar’s death.
The Mission Launch
The forces set out on the operation a year ago, shortly after the first Hanukkah candle was lit. At the time, they believed they were rescuing another hostage—actually a female hostage, Noa Argamani, who was eventually freed in June during Operation “Arnon.”
Sayeret Matkal operatives were under the impression they were heading to rescue Noa Argamani. In reality, the intelligence they received was incorrect.
The Error and the Encounter
Upon reaching the designated structure, the soldiers opened the entrance door. Within seconds, heavy gunfire erupted from the terrorists inside.
The hostage rescue mission swiftly turned into a retreat operation for evacuating the wounded. The soldiers engaged in a fierce battle, killing many terrorists. Two Sayeret soldiers were critically injured during the exchange.
The Shocking Discovery
Hours later, after the team’s return, military intelligence received information that stunned everyone: the hostage inside the structure was not Noa Argamani but Sahar Baruch, who had been abducted from his home in Be’eri.
During the rescue operation and ensuing battle, Sahar was shot in the head and killed. To this day, it is unclear whether he was murdered by the terrorists or accidentally hit by friendly fire.
A Change in Protocol
Whether related or not, since that operation, responsibility for hostage rescue missions has shifted to the police’s elite Yamam unit, which successfully led the rescue of Noa Argamani months later.
Responses
Sahar Baruch’s family told *Channel 12 News:
"Military pressure can lead to the death of hostages. We hope there will be no more such tragedies, and that all hostages will be returned quickly through a deal."
The IDF Spokesperson stated:
"The IDF thoroughly investigated the rescue attempt in which hostage Sahar Baruch was killed. Lessons were learned, and the IDF shares the family’s sorrow. The military will continue to act by all means to bring the hostages home."
Sahar’s Life and Loss
Sahar Baruch, z”l, was an electrical engineering student at Ben-Gurion University. His family lost contact with him on October 7, when he was abducted from his home in Kibbutz Be’eri. Tragically, his 20-year-old brother Idan and their 81-year-old grandmother were also murdered that day. Sahar’s body is still held by Hamas.
His aunt, Meirav Barkai, recounted:
"Sahar was at home with his brother Idan, in their mother’s house. They woke up that morning, like all of us, to the sound of the Red Alert siren and explosions." link
The deal may be delayed; the young hostage's family appealed to the Cabinet: "He is humanitarian."
An Israeli official told Ynet that the deal for the release of the hostages might be postponed until Trump's inauguration date: "There is progress, but the main dispute is over the number of living hostages." Meanwhile, the family of hostage Omer Wankert (23) appealed to the Cabinet, demanding his inclusion in the deal after receiving an expert opinion: "Are the kidnappers deciding who is ill?"
A dispute over the number of hostages, focusing on those alive: An Israeli official said Monday morning to Ynet that the target for finalizing the deal was this month but might extend until January 20—the date of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. Simultaneously, Ynet learned that the family of hostage Omer Wenkert (23) had obtained a new medical opinion about his condition and contacted members of the security-political cabinet: "Only Israel will determine who qualifies as a humanitarian case."
According to the official, "There is progress, but the main dispute is over the number of hostages to be released, with a focus on those still alive—and the delayed submission of a list of living hostages. The higher the number of hostages, the more they will demand the release of prisoners." Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar confirmed that discussions revolve around a phased framework. In a classified Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting, Sa'ar warned, "If attempts are made to alter the framework and restart negotiations, it may delay the existing process."
Omer Wenkert and his father, ShaiMeanwhile, the family of Omer Wenkert (23), abducted from the Nova party, has reached out to the security-political cabinet members, urging that he be recognized as a humanitarian case based on a new medical opinion. This comes amid rumors that Omer is not on the list of humanitarian hostages expected to be released in a partial deal. "There are many rumors," said the family. "We fear Omer is not on the list, and we are deeply anxious."
Diagnosed at 14 with colitis—a chronic autoimmune inflammatory bowel disease primarily affecting the colon—Omer's condition can flare up without treatment, leading to life-threatening complications like bleeding, perforations in the intestine, and the need for a total colectomy. A medical opinion by Professor Haim Shirin, head of the Gastroenterology and Liver Institute, warned that Omer faces severe life-threatening risks due to a lack of appropriate treatment. He stated, "The absence of medication, immense stress, and inadequate monitoring and nutrition are significant triggers for his disease's escalation."
Niva, Omer's mother, appealed to the Cabinet members last night with the medical opinion. In her plea, she wrote: "Omer, my son, is kidnapped and suffering from a severe bowel disease that can flare up at any moment. What international law permits holding a sick civilian hostage? What nation allows a terrorist organization to determine what constitutes a humanitarian case? Omer is captive without proper medication, with a grenade in his abdomen, and his captors decide who is ill? Our souls are tormented, our minds cannot grasp it, and our eyes are teary. Only Israel will decide who qualifies as a humanitarian case."
Following the appeal, several ministers assured Niva they would bring up the issue for discussion in the Cabinet. They also promised to deliberate on defining humanitarian hostages under Israeli criteria.
Meanwhile, MK Simcha Rothman (Religious Zionism) addressed the negotiations in an interview with Ynet's studio, saying, "My stance on the hostage deal has not been accepted. There’s no point in creating a coalition crisis over this matter." He added, "I don't deal in speculations—that's a mistake. What good does it do to dwell on theoretical scenarios and weaken Israel against a ruthless enemy?"
Rubi Hen, the father of Staff Sgt. Itay Hen, who fell on October 7 and is being held in Gaza, responded to Rothman's comments during the broadcast: "Rothman thinks I'm a puppet on a string. He should look in the mirror at how they exploit the most sacred thing—bereaved families—to oppose the deal. Let Rothman look at himself first."
Yamit Ashkenazi, the sister of hostage Doron Steinbrucker, also commented on the recent reports about the deal in Ynet's studio. She said: "We’ve seen numerous reports and headlines, and it seems to be heading in a good direction. But on the 444th day, my optimism has cracked. I don’t pin my hopes to avoid disappointment. My optimism is fading." She added, "I don’t understand what’s delaying bringing people home. I want to believe there’s nothing political in the decision-making. Someone needs to be brave enough to sign the deal. What are they waiting for? The 500th day? Two years in captivity? What’s delaying this decision? What’s preventing my sister from returning home already?"
Ashkenazi continued, "I want to believe that everyone involved understands this is about human lives. There aren’t many living hostages left. Every delay means that, in the end, we’ll get our hostages back in body bags, in coffins. They’ll all arrive for burial. And there are still hostages we can save. I choose to be naïve and believe there’s no consideration other than security considerations."
The Israeli delegation in Doha, Qatar, led by a senior Mossad official, made progress yesterday on several aspects of the developing hostage deal. However, gaps between the sides remain. Among Cabinet members, there is optimism that the deal is nearing completion, and an American official told Ynet yesterday that it might be finalized next week.
"The feeling is that there will be a deal. It seems Hamas is interested and wants a deal to avoid angering Donald Trump," said the American official. However, an Israeli source tempered the enthusiasm: "Despite the optimism, we must remember that we’re dealing with monsters. Until it’s closed, it’s not closed."
Meanwhile, the Egyptian channel Al-Rad reported yesterday that the potential deal includes the withdrawal of the IDF from most of the Philadelphi Route, as well as an agreement to reopen the Rafah crossing per the 2005 crossing agreement without Israeli presence. "The Rafah crossing will be managed by Palestinians from the Palestinian side, and Israel will withdraw from the Nitzarim Route up to Salah al-Din Street," the report stated. "The agreement also includes the return of Gaza Strip evacuees without restrictions and the release of Israeli hostages—sick, elderly, and women—in exchange for Palestinian prisoners." link
Hostage Updates
- There are so many reports coming out about the hostage negotiations, from Israel, the US, Egypt, Qatar, Lebanon and others and many of these reports are contradictory for very good reasons. There is very little, next to nothing, official coming from any of the negotiating teams. Most is speculation and spins, some is based on some information from Netanyahu's contradictory announcements last week to the 2 Hostage family groups (the larger Forum of Hostage Families which has come out strongly with comments against Netanyahu's preventing deals, and the smaller Hope group which is made up of families of hostages who are Netanyahu supporters and follow Netanyahu's line). To the Forum, he told that a deal is close, to Tikvah, he said there is no deal on the table, Hamas official and unofficial statements and the optimistic statements by the US and Qatar to keep the negotiations going. The bottom line is that we can't believe any of the details of the deal being negotiated because they are not known at all. There is no deal until there is a deal, and only then we will know details of the deal.
- Report: Israel demands 11 male hostages be among those freed in first stage of dealEgyptian TV network says Hamas demanding ‘special consideration’ in exchange; Palestinian official tells BBC 90% of negotiations are done, but Philadelphi remains sticking point
Israelis protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and call for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, Dec. 21, 2024. (AP/Ohad Zwigenberg)As mediators in Cairo and Doha continued efforts to reach a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and the Hamas terror group, international reports purported to shed some light on some of the gaps remaining between the two parties.
An Egyptian report on Sunday claimed that Israel is demanding the freeing of 11 Israeli men in the first round of hostage releases, while a report from the BBC the previous evening said that the talks are 90 percent agreed upon, although control of the Philadelphi Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border remains a sticking point.
Israel has been largely mum on any recent developments in the negotiations being brokered by Egypt and Qatar, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying last week that “that the less we discuss this, the better.” The families of the hostages still being held captive have demanded in public statements that a deal be reached to release all of their loved ones in one stage, calling a partial release a “death sentence” for those left behind.
Unnamed sources told Egypt’s Al-Ghad outlet on Sunday that Israel has requested the inclusion of 11 men on the list of hostages to be released in the first phase of a potential hostage-ceasefire deal, with Hamas apparently demanding further compensation in return for setting them free.
A rally in support of the hostages held in Gaza in New York City’s Central Park, December 15, 2024. (Luke Tress/Times of Israel)According to the report, the first phase of the potential deal between Israel and Hamas will see 250 Palestinian prisoners released from Israeli prisons in exchange for the children held in Gaza, the five female soldiers, and the older and sick captives.
While not specifically mentioned by the report, it is assumed that the first round of releases will also include the female hostages who are not serving in the military.
According to the report, Israel has requested the release of 34 hostages in the first phase, including 11 considered by Hamas to be soldiers. The terror group classifies all Israeli men of military age to be soldiers.
However, Al-Ghad said Hamas had agreed for the 11 to be included in the first phase in return for “special consideration” in the deal, implying that Palestinian prisoners who also do not fit the agreed-upon categories could be released.
The outlet said other areas under discussion include the reopening of the Rafah Border Crossing between Gaza and Egypt, the potential withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Netzarim Corridor, which divides north Gaza from the south, and the return of Gazan civilians to the north of the Strip without conditions, but with vehicle inspections.
The report also claimed that talks were being held on a gradual Israeli withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border, a route that Netanyahu long vowed would remain under Israeli control, although Defense Minister Israel Katz reportedly said last week that the corridor “would not constitute an obstacle to a deal; there is flexibility from Hamas on this issue.”
But a senior Palestinian official involved in the negotiations told the BBC on Saturday that Philadelphi is one of the areas of contention, claiming that 90% of other issues in the talks have already been decided upon.
The official said that ongoing talks in Doha are considering the potential creation of a buffer zone along Gaza’s border with Israel that would be several kilometers wide, which would have an Israeli “military presence.”
Once these issues are resolved a potential ceasefire could begin within days, the official told BBC.
According to the report, the deal will see 20 Palestinian prisoners released for every female soldier freed in the first stage of the ceasefire, with the names of those prisoners not yet decided upon.
The report did not say if any male hostages will be released in the first stage and also does not mention either children or the women held in Gaza who are not serving in the military.
The BBC said Gazan civilians will be permitted to return to the north of the Strip “under a system with Egyptian/Qatari oversight,” echoing similar claims in the Egyptian report. Additionally, around 500 trucks will bring humanitarian aid into Gaza every day.
The BBC reported that the third stage of such a deal would see the end of the war, with Gaza to be “overseen by a committee of technocrats from the enclave, who would not have previous political affiliations but would have the backing of all Palestinian factions.”
The report said it is assumed that the released prisoners will not include Marwan Barghouti, who is serving five life sentences in an Israeli prison for his part in planning three terror attacks that killed five Israelis during the Second Intifada.
Men walk past a section of Israel’s security barrier painted with a portrait of convicted Palestinian terrorist Marwan Barghouti, held in an Israel jail, on November 6, 2023 in Bethlehem in the West Bank. (HAZEM BADER / AFP)Barghouti, 65, is often touted as one of the top candidates to succeed octogenarian Mahmoud Abbas as leader of the Palestinian Authority. He is especially favored by the younger generation, who perceive him as untainted by the PA’s corruption and collaboration with Israel.
Responding to a media report that Barghouti’s family recently visited Qatar to discuss his release to Turkey as part of a hostage deal, Netanyahu’s office issued a statement on Saturday declaring, “the terrorist Marwan Barghouti will not be released if and when a deal is made to release the hostages.”
Hamas-led terrorists kidnapped 251 people during their murderous onslaught through southern Israel on October 7, 2023, including soldiers from IDF bases along the border, partygoers from a music festival and families snatched from their homes. Ninety-six of the hostages remain in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 34 confirmed dead by the IDF.
An Israeli TV report on Saturday evening claimed that Hamas has still not provided Israel with a list of living hostages held by terror groups in the Gaza Strip who would be exchanged during a deal.
In a rare joint statement issued Saturday following talks in Cairo a day earlier, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine claimed that “the possibility of reaching an agreement is closer than ever, provided the enemy stops imposing new conditions.”
A Hamas leader told AFP on Saturday that talks had made “significant and important progress” in recent days.
“Most points related to the ceasefire and prisoner exchange issues have been agreed upon,” he said on condition of anonymity. “Some unresolved points remain, but they do not hinder the process. The agreement could be finalized before the end of this year, provided it is not disrupted by Netanyahu’s new conditions.
Father of the Abducted Soldier: Matan Was on the Humanitarian List, and They Removed Him
The father of Matan Angerast, an abducted soldier held in Gaza, gave an interview to Kan News: "We trust Netanyahu to make a brave deal and bring everyone back to the country, including the dead for proper burial."
Haggai, the father of Matan Angerast, who has been held captive in Gaza for 443 days, revealed on Sunday evening during an interview with Maya Rachlin on the program Kan at Six that his son was removed from the humanitarian list. This is the list of hostages expected to be released in the first phase of the deal, should one be finalized.
Haggai explained that his son, who was severely injured during his abduction and the sole survivor of his team, had been on the humanitarian list until two months ago. He urged the government to "reconsider and reinstate him on the list." He expressed concerns about the fragility of the negotiations, stating, "Any statement can derail them instantly, even the humanitarian aspect."The father emphasized his trust in Prime Minister Netanyahu "to make a courageous deal and return everyone to the country, along with the dead for a proper burial." He criticized reports that two government ministers warned families of abducted soldiers against agreeing to a partial deal: "We ignore them. They are war- and death-hungry. One of them opposes any deal, even in exchange for flour—against bringing our children back home."
In recent days, Arab media reported that Israel is demanding the release of 11 captives who do not meet humanitarian criteria, and Hamas has agreed to this. According to Al-Rad, an Arabic channel broadcasting from Egypt, the list consists of "young men," meaning soldiers.
As Negotiations Continue: Netanyahu and Gantz Clash
Amid ongoing negotiations in Qatar, National Unity Party chairman MK Benny Gantz criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu. Gantz claimed that Netanyahu’s statements in an interview with The Wall Street Journal were undermining the hostage deal negotiations, while the negotiation team is working to finalize an agreement.
"In Netanyahu's own words just a week ago: 'The less we talk, the better.' And yet, like a repeated broadcast, the Prime Minister rushes again to foreign media and speaks," Gantz wrote. "Netanyahu, you do not have the mandate to sabotage the return of our hostages for political reasons. Returning the hostages is the right thing to do—morally, security-wise, and nationally."
The Prime Minister's Office responded to Gantz's criticism, stating, "Gantz, who called for a ceasefire even before entering Rafah, should not lecture Prime Minister Netanyahu. Those who do not contribute to the national effort should at least refrain from harming it."
The confrontation escalated when Gantz's office replied: "Netanyahu, don't be a serial coward. You were afraid to dissolve the coalition, and only Gantz's insistence has already brought back over 100 hostages. You were afraid to launch a maneuver in Gaza. You've previously sabotaged opportunities to secure a hostage deal for fear of coalition collapse. We won't let you do it again."
Progress in Talks: "IDF to Withdraw from Most of Philadelphi Route." Senior U.S. Official: "Hamas Seems Interested"
Despite differences with Hamas, the Israeli delegation has made progress in Doha, and there is optimism in the Israeli Cabinet that a prisoner exchange deal is nearing. "The sense is that there will be a deal; Hamas does not want to anger Trump," U.S. sources say. Israeli officials, however, urge caution: "We must not forget we are negotiating with monsters."
The Israeli delegation in Qatar's capital, Doha, led by a senior Mossad official, has reported progress on several issues related to the emerging prisoner exchange deal, although gaps remain. Cabinet ministers are optimistic that the deal is close, and a senior American official told Ynet Sunday evening that it might be finalized next week.
"The feeling is that there will be an agreement. It seems Hamas is interested in a deal and wants to avoid angering Donald Trump," the U.S. official said. However, an Israeli source tempered the enthusiasm: "Despite the optimism, we must not forget that we are negotiating with monsters. Until it is sealed, it is not sealed."
The Egyptian channel Al-Rad reported that the potential agreement includes an IDF withdrawal from most of the Philadelphi Route and an agreement to reopen the Rafah Crossing under the 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access, without Israeli presence. "The Rafah Crossing will be managed by Palestinians on the Palestinian side, and Israel will withdraw from the Netzarim Route to Salah al-Din Street," the report stated. "The agreement also includes the return of displaced Gazans without restrictions and the release of Israeli hostages—sick, elderly, and women—in exchange for Palestinian prisoners."
Meanwhile, some families of hostages believe that an interview Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave two days ago to the Wall Street Journal, in which he emphasized that Israel would not stop the war until Hamas was no longer in power in Gaza, could complicate negotiations.
"Netanyahu may have been speaking to his base in Israel, but Hamas also heard his comments, which harden the organization’s stance," said Ruby Chen, the father of Itai Chen, one of the fallen. "The mediators told me more than once that Netanyahu's statements make it harder for them to mediate between the sides."
Most of Sunday’s Security Cabinet meeting, held in the Northern Command, focused on the situation in the north and lasted four and a half hours. The Cabinet did not, as far as is known, discuss the hostages. Ministers received in-depth briefings, asked questions, and, according to informed sources, engaged in a high-quality and detailed discussion, which included a general overview of the Houthi threat in Yemen.
Behind the scenes, progress was also reported over the weekend in the hostage deal talks. An Israeli team, led by the Mossad, remains in Doha and continues the discussions. Informed sources said that gaps remain and that it will take time to determine whether a deal is feasible, but the negotiations are progressing positively.
Israeli sources expressed optimism, saying there seems to be "goodwill on both sides to move forward with a deal." There is speculation that Hamas might agree to the deportation of prisoners with "blood on their hands" to a third country.
Israel's insistence on ending Hamas' rule in Gaza could cast doubt on Hamas' willingness to accept a smaller-scale deal, knowing Israel might resume fighting after a humanitarian exchange. Although Hamas has shown flexibility on the Philadelphi Route issue, agreeing to limited Israeli presence, it is estimated that without sufficient guarantees from mediators that Israel will not return to war, Hamas may continue to oppose a smaller-scale deal.
Yesterday, senior Hamas officials met in Cairo with leaders of Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front to discuss what they described as "ending the war and developments related to the ceasefire negotiations and prisoner exchange deal."
In an official Hamas statement, it was written: "The possibility of reaching an agreement is closer than ever—if the enemy stops imposing new conditions." The statement also mentioned that the delegations in Cairo "discussed recent developments regarding the support committee for managing the Gaza Strip, expressed their appreciation for Egyptian efforts, and emphasized the importance of practical steps to establish the committee and announce it as soon as possible." link
Captivity Awareness in NYC
While those who have followed the stories of the hostages continue showing their support and following their plight, it has escaped the attention of many Americans. Filmmaker Jonathan Dekel conducted a social experiment in New York City to explore how people react when faced with the reality of captivity. Watch the full video and consider contributing to the Hostages' Families Forum to support the continued effort of bringing them all home.
Can You Hear Me? - Bring Them Home Now
Urgent Appeal to Save Hostages: They have names, faces and families. Watch the Video
Hundreds from the Religious Zionist Community Participate in a Rally for the Return of the Hostages
The religious Zionist rally for the abductees in JerusalemThis evening, Jerusalem's First Station complex was filled with the sounds of prayer and song as bereaved families and families of hostages pleaded with the public and leaders. John Poland, father of the late Hersch z”l, called on attendees to act for a release deal, while Niva Wenkert demanded the return of her son alive. The evening concluded with a moving performance by Aaron Razel, and a power outage that reminded many of the darkness of captivity.
"I am seeking my brothers"—hundreds of people from the Religious Zionist community participated tonight (Sunday) in a prayer and outcry rally for the return of the hostages. The rally, held at the First Station in Jerusalem, included bereaved families, among them the family of Aner Shapira z”l, Ben Zussman z”l, and the families of hostages Hersch Goldberg-Polin z”l, Rumi Gonen, and Omer Wenkert.
John Polin, father of Hersch z”l, who was abducted and killed in Hamas captivity in Gaza, addressed the crowd of Religious Zionist attendees:
"To those who support a deal, I say: there is a disconnect between you and the political leaders representing the Religious Zionist public. I urge you to go to the Knesset and let the members of Knesset hear that you support a deal and that the cost of forgoing a deal will be much heavier."He added:
"Tonight, 100 of our brothers and sisters, along with their families, are living in the depths of despair, struggling to find hope. My blessing is that all 100 of these brothers and sisters will rise from despair to redemption. Each of you here tonight can influence that blessing. It’s excellent that you are praying for the hostages, and it’s helpful to participate in gatherings like this. But for those of you who believe a deal is the way to free our brothers and sisters, you can do more.”Polin was greeted with applause from the audience.
Niva Wenkert, mother of Omer Wenkert, who is being held captive by Hamas in Gaza, also spoke on stage:
"I am asking for my son back alive," Niva pleaded.
"I want him alive because he is alive. We must not let Hamas turn us into them by sacrificing lives. I am calling on you: go to the Knesset tomorrow. Make your voices heard. Call, write letters to members of Knesset. Do everything you can to support the Israeli government in bringing our brothers and sisters home. We must not leave them behind; otherwise, we will become a broken, defeated society."During the evening, Aaron Razel sang the words:
"I am seeking my brothers, tell me—where are they?"
The audience joined in the singing. A technical issue caused a power outage at the event, and Niva Wenkert commented on the moment:
"Liam Or, who was with Omer in captivity, said one of the hardest things they endured was the darkness. They were in tunnels, in utter darkness, to the point where they had to touch their eyelids to make sure their eyes were actually open." linkMistaken Identity: The Rescue Operation of Hostage Sahar Baruch and the Tragic Error
Following the lighting of the first Hanukkah candle, members of the IDF’s elite Sayeret Matkal embarked on a hostage rescue mission. However, it quickly turned into an operation to extract wounded soldiers under fire. Due to inaccurate intelligence, the soldiers faced heavy gunfire, leaving two seriously injured. The intense confrontation ended tragically with the death of hostage Sahar Baruch. It remains unclear whether he was killed by friendly fire or murdered by terrorists.
The Initial Misunderstanding
A year ago, it was revealed that 25-year-old Sahar Baruch, who was abducted from his home in Kibbutz Be’eri on the infamous “Black Saturday,” was murdered in Hamas captivity. A day prior, Hamas released a video claiming Baruch had been taken alive but later died in Gaza. The details of the tragic event were undisclosed until now. On Sunday evening, the central news broadcast unveiled the covert operation that preceded Sahar’s death.
The Mission Launch
The forces set out on the operation a year ago, shortly after the first Hanukkah candle was lit. At the time, they believed they were rescuing another hostage—actually a female hostage, Noa Argamani, who was eventually freed in June during Operation “Arnon.”
Sayeret Matkal operatives were under the impression they were heading to rescue Noa Argamani. In reality, the intelligence they received was incorrect.
The Error and the Encounter
Upon reaching the designated structure, the soldiers opened the entrance door. Within seconds, heavy gunfire erupted from the terrorists inside.
The hostage rescue mission swiftly turned into a retreat operation for evacuating the wounded. The soldiers engaged in a fierce battle, killing many terrorists. Two Sayeret soldiers were critically injured during the exchange.
The Shocking Discovery
Hours later, after the team’s return, military intelligence received information that stunned everyone: the hostage inside the structure was not Noa Argamani but Sahar Baruch, who had been abducted from his home in Be’eri.
During the rescue operation and ensuing battle, Sahar was shot in the head and killed. To this day, it is unclear whether he was murdered by the terrorists or accidentally hit by friendly fire.
A Change in Protocol
Whether related or not, since that operation, responsibility for hostage rescue missions has shifted to the police’s elite Yamam unit, which successfully led the rescue of Noa Argamani months later.
Responses
Sahar Baruch’s family told *Channel 12 News:
"Military pressure can lead to the death of hostages. We hope there will be no more such tragedies, and that all hostages will be returned quickly through a deal."
The IDF Spokesperson stated:
"The IDF thoroughly investigated the rescue attempt in which hostage Sahar Baruch was killed. Lessons were learned, and the IDF shares the family’s sorrow. The military will continue to act by all means to bring the hostages home."
Sahar’s Life and Loss
Sahar Baruch, z”l, was an electrical engineering student at Ben-Gurion University. His family lost contact with him on October 7, when he was abducted from his home in Kibbutz Be’eri. Tragically, his 20-year-old brother Idan and their 81-year-old grandmother were also murdered that day. Sahar’s body is still held by Hamas.
His aunt, Meirav Barkai, recounted:
"Sahar was at home with his brother Idan, in their mother’s house. They woke up that morning, like all of us, to the sound of the Red Alert siren and explosions." link
The deal may be delayed; the young hostage's family appealed to the Cabinet: "He is humanitarian."
An Israeli official told Ynet that the deal for the release of the hostages might be postponed until Trump's inauguration date: "There is progress, but the main dispute is over the number of living hostages." Meanwhile, the family of hostage Omer Wankert (23) appealed to the Cabinet, demanding his inclusion in the deal after receiving an expert opinion: "Are the kidnappers deciding who is ill?"
A dispute over the number of hostages, focusing on those alive: An Israeli official said Monday morning to Ynet that the target for finalizing the deal was this month but might extend until January 20—the date of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. Simultaneously, Ynet learned that the family of hostage Omer Wenkert (23) had obtained a new medical opinion about his condition and contacted members of the security-political cabinet: "Only Israel will determine who qualifies as a humanitarian case."
According to the official, "There is progress, but the main dispute is over the number of hostages to be released, with a focus on those still alive—and the delayed submission of a list of living hostages. The higher the number of hostages, the more they will demand the release of prisoners." Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar confirmed that discussions revolve around a phased framework. In a classified Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting, Sa'ar warned, "If attempts are made to alter the framework and restart negotiations, it may delay the existing process."
Omer Wenkert and his father, ShaiMeanwhile, the family of Omer Wenkert (23), abducted from the Nova party, has reached out to the security-political cabinet members, urging that he be recognized as a humanitarian case based on a new medical opinion. This comes amid rumors that Omer is not on the list of humanitarian hostages expected to be released in a partial deal. "There are many rumors," said the family. "We fear Omer is not on the list, and we are deeply anxious."
Diagnosed at 14 with colitis—a chronic autoimmune inflammatory bowel disease primarily affecting the colon—Omer's condition can flare up without treatment, leading to life-threatening complications like bleeding, perforations in the intestine, and the need for a total colectomy. A medical opinion by Professor Haim Shirin, head of the Gastroenterology and Liver Institute, warned that Omer faces severe life-threatening risks due to a lack of appropriate treatment. He stated, "The absence of medication, immense stress, and inadequate monitoring and nutrition are significant triggers for his disease's escalation."
Niva, Omer's mother, appealed to the Cabinet members last night with the medical opinion. In her plea, she wrote: "Omer, my son, is kidnapped and suffering from a severe bowel disease that can flare up at any moment. What international law permits holding a sick civilian hostage? What nation allows a terrorist organization to determine what constitutes a humanitarian case? Omer is captive without proper medication, with a grenade in his abdomen, and his captors decide who is ill? Our souls are tormented, our minds cannot grasp it, and our eyes are teary. Only Israel will decide who qualifies as a humanitarian case."
Following the appeal, several ministers assured Niva they would bring up the issue for discussion in the Cabinet. They also promised to deliberate on defining humanitarian hostages under Israeli criteria.
Meanwhile, MK Simcha Rothman (Religious Zionism) addressed the negotiations in an interview with Ynet's studio, saying, "My stance on the hostage deal has not been accepted. There’s no point in creating a coalition crisis over this matter." He added, "I don't deal in speculations—that's a mistake. What good does it do to dwell on theoretical scenarios and weaken Israel against a ruthless enemy?"
Rubi Hen, the father of Staff Sgt. Itay Hen, who fell on October 7 and is being held in Gaza, responded to Rothman's comments during the broadcast: "Rothman thinks I'm a puppet on a string. He should look in the mirror at how they exploit the most sacred thing—bereaved families—to oppose the deal. Let Rothman look at himself first."
Yamit Ashkenazi, the sister of hostage Doron Steinbrucker, also commented on the recent reports about the deal in Ynet's studio. She said: "We’ve seen numerous reports and headlines, and it seems to be heading in a good direction. But on the 444th day, my optimism has cracked. I don’t pin my hopes to avoid disappointment. My optimism is fading." She added, "I don’t understand what’s delaying bringing people home. I want to believe there’s nothing political in the decision-making. Someone needs to be brave enough to sign the deal. What are they waiting for? The 500th day? Two years in captivity? What’s delaying this decision? What’s preventing my sister from returning home already?"
Ashkenazi continued, "I want to believe that everyone involved understands this is about human lives. There aren’t many living hostages left. Every delay means that, in the end, we’ll get our hostages back in body bags, in coffins. They’ll all arrive for burial. And there are still hostages we can save. I choose to be naïve and believe there’s no consideration other than security considerations."
The Israeli delegation in Doha, Qatar, led by a senior Mossad official, made progress yesterday on several aspects of the developing hostage deal. However, gaps between the sides remain. Among Cabinet members, there is optimism that the deal is nearing completion, and an American official told Ynet yesterday that it might be finalized next week.
"The feeling is that there will be a deal. It seems Hamas is interested and wants a deal to avoid angering Donald Trump," said the American official. However, an Israeli source tempered the enthusiasm: "Despite the optimism, we must remember that we’re dealing with monsters. Until it’s closed, it’s not closed."
Meanwhile, the Egyptian channel Al-Rad reported yesterday that the potential deal includes the withdrawal of the IDF from most of the Philadelphi Route, as well as an agreement to reopen the Rafah crossing per the 2005 crossing agreement without Israeli presence. "The Rafah crossing will be managed by Palestinians from the Palestinian side, and Israel will withdraw from the Nitzarim Route up to Salah al-Din Street," the report stated. "The agreement also includes the return of Gaza Strip evacuees without restrictions and the release of Israeli hostages—sick, elderly, and women—in exchange for Palestinian prisoners." link
Gaza and the South
- Armed looters a growing threat to Gaza aid deliveries — NY Times
Organized looting is increasingly threatening aid delivery in war-torn Gaza, with armed groups taking advantage of the chaos and lack of governance to steal basic items, The New York Times reports.
The paper says the phenomenon, which was once limited to desperate individuals, has now blossomed into systematic practices by armed groups in the enclave.
The growing threat has led the UN and other aid groups to halt operations, contributing to rising hunger and leaving tens of thousands of people without critical supplies, the report says.
The report says the Israeli military has tried to find alternate routes for aid that will bypass looters, but success has been only partial.
It adds that the IDF appears to increasingly be targeting armed looters with airstrikes to deter the practice.
Organized looting is increasingly threatening aid delivery in war-torn Gaza, with armed groups taking advantage of the chaos and lack of governance to steal basic items, The New York Times reports.
The paper says the phenomenon, which was once limited to desperate individuals, has now blossomed into systematic practices by armed groups in the enclave.
The growing threat has led the UN and other aid groups to halt operations, contributing to rising hunger and leaving tens of thousands of people without critical supplies, the report says.
The report says the Israeli military has tried to find alternate routes for aid that will bypass looters, but success has been only partial.
It adds that the IDF appears to increasingly be targeting armed looters with airstrikes to deter the practice.
Northern Israel - Lebanon/Hizbollah/Syria
- IDF forces in Syria find part of Israeli helicopter that crashed in 1974
IDF troops operating in Syria found a part of an Israeli Air Force helicopter that crashed there more than 50 years ago.
The military says that during routine defensive operations in Syria, troops of the IAF’s Shaldag unit and the 810th Mountains Regional Brigade located the rotor head of the SA 321 Super Frelon, known in the IAF as “Wasp.”
The chopper, number 17 in the IAF’s 114th Squadron, was involved in a deadly crash on April 27, 1974, after being dispatched to rescue paratroopers wounded in fighting in the Yom Kippur War.
During an attempt to land near an army post in Syria, the helicopter crashed, killing all six crew members — pilots Maj. Golan Levy and Lt. Amir Amit; flight mechanics Staff Sgt. Yaakov Bernheim and Yaakov Rolle; and Unit 669 doctor Maj. Dr. Ahikam Avni Feinstein and Unit 669 medic Sgt. Meir Rosenstein. Their bodies were brought back to Israel for burial.
Illustrative: An IAF SA 321 Super Frelon, also known as Wasp, which later crashed in Syria on April 27, 1974. (Israel Defense Forces)The military says Unit 669 and the IAF’s missing persons unit came to the site in recent days to recover the rotor head and search for personal or other items left in the area that could be meaningful for their families.
Iran is considering establishing an air corridor to Lebanon by which to resupply the Hezbollah terror group, after losing its land route through Syria with the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, The Times reports.
The paper notes that this would be in breach of Israel’s ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah.
An unidentified regional source tells the paper that discussions on the matter are taking place in Tehran. The source says Western nations are “concerned that Iran has lost [Damascus as] its go-to airport in the region for smuggling weapons and is now trying to turn Beirut airport into its new logistics hub, just as they did in Syria.”
They add that such action “could lead to the next escalation.”
Israel has said it will enforce the terms of the ceasefire in Lebanon by force where necessary. It has intercepted cargo flights from Iran to Lebanon that it believed were carrying arms for Hezbollah, forcing them to turn around.
- IDF forces in Syria find part of Israeli helicopter that crashed in 1974
IDF troops operating in Syria found a part of an Israeli Air Force helicopter that crashed there more than 50 years ago.
The military says that during routine defensive operations in Syria, troops of the IAF’s Shaldag unit and the 810th Mountains Regional Brigade located the rotor head of the SA 321 Super Frelon, known in the IAF as “Wasp.”
The chopper, number 17 in the IAF’s 114th Squadron, was involved in a deadly crash on April 27, 1974, after being dispatched to rescue paratroopers wounded in fighting in the Yom Kippur War.
During an attempt to land near an army post in Syria, the helicopter crashed, killing all six crew members — pilots Maj. Golan Levy and Lt. Amir Amit; flight mechanics Staff Sgt. Yaakov Bernheim and Yaakov Rolle; and Unit 669 doctor Maj. Dr. Ahikam Avni Feinstein and Unit 669 medic Sgt. Meir Rosenstein. Their bodies were brought back to Israel for burial.
Illustrative: An IAF SA 321 Super Frelon, also known as Wasp, which later crashed in Syria on April 27, 1974. (Israel Defense Forces)The military says Unit 669 and the IAF’s missing persons unit came to the site in recent days to recover the rotor head and search for personal or other items left in the area that could be meaningful for their families.
Iran is considering establishing an air corridor to Lebanon by which to resupply the Hezbollah terror group, after losing its land route through Syria with the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, The Times reports.
The paper notes that this would be in breach of Israel’s ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah.
An unidentified regional source tells the paper that discussions on the matter are taking place in Tehran. The source says Western nations are “concerned that Iran has lost [Damascus as] its go-to airport in the region for smuggling weapons and is now trying to turn Beirut airport into its new logistics hub, just as they did in Syria.”
They add that such action “could lead to the next escalation.”
Israel has said it will enforce the terms of the ceasefire in Lebanon by force where necessary. It has intercepted cargo flights from Iran to Lebanon that it believed were carrying arms for Hezbollah, forcing them to turn around.
West Bank and Jerusalem and Terror attacks within Israel
- Suspect who attempted to stab soldier near Jerusalem checkpoint shot and injured
A suspect who attempted to stab a soldier near the Hizme checkpoint in Jerusalem was shot and injured, police and medics say.
According to police, the assailant got out of a vehicle on Sayeret Dukhifat Street in the capital and brandished a knife as a soldier passed by.
The soldier opened fire at the suspect, seriously wounding him. He was taken by medics to a hospital in Jerusalem.
Police say the incident was an attempted attack. There are no other injuries.
- PA says security officer killed ‘by treacherous and cowardly gunfire’ in Jenin during clashes with terrorists
A Palestinian Authorities officer was killed during clashes with terrorists in the West Bank, the PA security forces announce, marking the second such death in as many days amid ongoing fighting in the Jenin area.
“The officer was killed after he was targeted by treacherous and cowardly gunfire from outlaws in the Jenin camp,” Anwar Rajab, spokesman for the PA’s security force says in a statement.
The incident comes amid a PA crackdown against terror groups in Jenin, which the PA says is to restore security and stability to the area and comes as Ramallah appears to be trying to signal that it could play a significant role in managing a postwar Gaza Strip.
Palestinian rivals of the Fatah party, which dominates the PA, have condemned the arrests and accused the security forces of aiding Israel.
In addition to the two security personnel, three people have been killed since the clashes began on December 5 — two civilians and a field commander of the Jenin armed battalion.
A suspect who attempted to stab a soldier near the Hizme checkpoint in Jerusalem was shot and injured, police and medics say.
According to police, the assailant got out of a vehicle on Sayeret Dukhifat Street in the capital and brandished a knife as a soldier passed by.
The soldier opened fire at the suspect, seriously wounding him. He was taken by medics to a hospital in Jerusalem.
Police say the incident was an attempted attack. There are no other injuries.
A Palestinian Authorities officer was killed during clashes with terrorists in the West Bank, the PA security forces announce, marking the second such death in as many days amid ongoing fighting in the Jenin area.
“The officer was killed after he was targeted by treacherous and cowardly gunfire from outlaws in the Jenin camp,” Anwar Rajab, spokesman for the PA’s security force says in a statement.
The incident comes amid a PA crackdown against terror groups in Jenin, which the PA says is to restore security and stability to the area and comes as Ramallah appears to be trying to signal that it could play a significant role in managing a postwar Gaza Strip.
Palestinian rivals of the Fatah party, which dominates the PA, have condemned the arrests and accused the security forces of aiding Israel.
In addition to the two security personnel, three people have been killed since the clashes began on December 5 — two civilians and a field commander of the Jenin armed battalion.
Politics and the War (general news)
To the People of Israel, to the People of Palestine. ****An extremely important article to read in its entirety. It is the true recipe for a future of peace in this land****
These have been fourteen of the worst months in the history of both of our people for the past 76 years. We have killed and wounded so many of each other that it is hard to imagine how any of us can ever overcome the pain and the trauma of this war. None of us are new to this, let’s face it, Jews and Palestinians have been killing each other over the land, that we both claim as our own, for more than 100 years. As national groups, we have been willing to fight, to die, and to kill over a territorial expression of our identity. We both, Israeli Jews and Palestinian Arabs, claim that we take our national-ethnic-religious identity from this land and we give our identity to it. We claim that only our side has the right to national identity on this land. The map of this narrow land for Israelis and for Palestinians is almost identical and since the war began last October many of our young people adorn that map on a chain around their necks. From the River to the Sea is the same river and the same sea for seven million Israeli Jews and seven million Palestinian Arabs. And the land in-between the river and the sea is soaked with too much of the blood of both peoples. If there is any lesson to be learned from the past 14 months it is this: This must be the last Israeli-Palestinian war; we cannot continue doing this.
October 7, 2023 will be marked in the history of Israel and the Jewish people as the day of awakening from the (mis)conception that you can occupy and control another people for 56 years and expect to live in peace. It should be the wakeup call that you cannot put 2.3 million people under blockade living in abject poverty for 20 years and expect to have quiet. Eventually people rise up and say no more. No Israeli would ever agree to live as Israel has subjected the Palestinian people to live over decades of control, domination, discrimination, confiscation of land and dignity and denial of national rights. Yet Israel has believed for years that this must continue to be the policy of the State of Israel because if not, the Palestinians will rise up and kill us.
Palestinian resistance movements, including those motivated by distorted versions of Islam rose up and gained support amongst the Palestinian people initially out of rejection of the recognition of the right of the Jewish people to establish their state on the land that they believed was only theirs. This land that we share had a large Palestinian Arab majority prior to 1948. But Palestinian have to come to terms with the fact that Jews have been present in this land for thousands of years. The Holy Quran is a testimony to the Jewish presence in this land. With that understanding, Palestinians can easily remind their Jewish neighbors that they were never alone in this land. There have always been others in the land, and today the Palestinians are the others. There is no exclusive right of one of these two peoples to the land between the River and the Sea. Until we all absorb that basic truth, we will continue to hate each other and to kill each other.
We have lost too much of our humanity in this war between us. The Palestinian people, under the leadership of Hamas crossed red moral lines on October 7, 2023. Hamas and other Palestinian groups and non-affiliated individuals committed crimes against humanity and war crimes on October 7, 2023. Hamas has claimed that its actions were justified in order to free the Palestinian people from Israel’s occupation, instead they have subjected the Palestinian people with a catastrophe worse than the Nakba of 1948. The State of Israel, its leaders, commanders and soldiers have crossed moral red lines during the past 14 months. Since October 8, 2023, Israel has been committing crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza and in the West Bank claiming self-defense. It is very difficult for both sides to look in the mirror and grasp the reality of what we have been doing to each other. We both justify our actions because we claim that they are existential. The other side only understands that language of force, we say, and that is the only language we have been relying on for decades. Each side believes that the other side has proven over and over again that they are not prepared to treat us as equals and to live in peace with us. We say, they covet our land and believe that it belongs only to them and that the other side has no right to claim rights to this land. Whether we like it or not, in so many respects we are mirror images of each other.
This war must be the last war. For at least the past two decades, a majority of Israelis and a majority of Palestinians have been saying: I want to live in peace, but they (pointing to the other side) do not. Both sides have had more than enough justifiable reasons to point to the lack of willingness of the other side to prove their lack of trust that the other side is willing to live in genuine peace. But how do we Israelis and Palestinians convince each other that we are prepared to live in peace? To do that, we need to begin by looking inward. We both need to understand that the path to peace go through the hearts and the minds of the other people on this land. Peace will not be imposed from the outside. Peace will come about when both peoples recognize each other’s’ national existence and right to be here. Yes, Israelis want all 193 Member States of the United Nations to recognize the State of Israel (165 countries recognize Israel) and yes, Palestinians want all 193 Member States to recognize the State of Palestine (about 150 countries recognize Palestine today). But in reality, what is most important is that Israelis recognize the State of Palestine and Palestinians recognize the State of Israel. That is much more important and much more urgent than all of the other efforts to gain international recognition. When Israelis and Palestinians both recognize their mutual national existence, then the rest of the world will as well. The adjustment that we need to make in our minds is that we are not each other’s enemy – rather our fear of each other is the enemy. We both need to address that fear within our minds that prevents us to turning the page on this conflict.
For this to happen we need people on both sides to stand up with courage to speak loudly the words of peace. I want to stop fighting you. I want to live in peace in this land. I recognize your legitimate right to be here. I don’t want to live behind walls and fences. I want security and I know that I will only have security when you also have security. I want dignity, and I know that I will only have dignity (national and personal) when you also have dignity. I want political separation because I want to have a nation-state that represents my identity, but I am prepared for a minority population from the other national group to live in my state with full equality. I recognize that even after we partition this land into two states, we all have emotional and historic connection to all parts of the land. That is why I understand that peace between us Israelis and Palestinians must be a warm peace, with high levels of cooperation. Not like the peace between Israel and Egypt and Jordan. We share this land and we cannot separate as if we are on different planets. We need to stand up and also voice remorse and regret for the crimes that we have committed against each other. Even if we did not personally do it, it was done in our names and the way to break down the walls of suspicion and fear is through the expression of remorse, sorrow and eventually forgiveness.
When we begin to reach that level of consciousness, we will understand that we have to begin making peace by looking at what we teach our children. What we teach in our schools is the best reflection of what we value and hold dear to us. We do not teach peace; we do not even teach the possibility of peace. Let’s begin with the easy part of our education – languages. Hebrew and Arabic are sister languages – there is so much in common between the two. All Israelis should be learning Arabic from grade one – written and spoken. All Palestinians should be learning Hebrew from grade one. Our studying each other’s language should not be “learning the language of the enemy” but rather learning the language of my neighbor. Then comes the more difficult part – changing what and how we teach about each other. There is no need to rewrite history at this point. We have done horrible things to each other in this conflict and need to recognize that. But we need to begin to teach other about each other in a much more objective and open-minded way. We need to remove the teaching of hate from our curricula and text books. To be practical, we should agree on criteria for the evaluation of what we teach and then each side needs to undertake and in-depth internal study of their own educational systems. This is a decision that must be taken on the national level and it must be a sincere and serious exercise of self-examination. It must be done by both sides, but even if it begins with only one side, it is a step in the right direction and will have impact on the other side.
Lastly, we want to address the issue of leadership and political representation. We do not today have leaders who will take us forward to peace. Netanyahu, Abbas and Hamas are all leaders of yesterday. They have failed their people in so many ways and have prevented us from living in peace. They all need to be pushed out of the present into the realm of history. We need leaders who have the ability and the vision to understand that our futures are tied to each other and that the only way to good secure life can be provided to our citizens is by making peace between the people of Israel and the people of Palestine. There are about 30% of the citizens on both sides who today will reject any peace deal between them. These are the fanatics, the radicals, the messianics, the jihadists, on both sides who reject any notion of sharing this land. We do not have the tools or the ability to convince them at this point. But there is a potential of about 70% on both sides who would be willing to make the compromises necessary to reach peace, If they believed that the other side was sincere in its willingness to live in peace. We need new political leaders in order for this to happen. Where are those leaders? Who are those leaders? We honestly don’t know at this time. But we know that if there a change on one of the sides in the right direction, it will have a deep and lasting impact on the other side. Change can begin on one side first.
Our challenge as citizens – Israelis and Palestinians – is to create the partnerships of belief and commitment to peace. We need to raise our voices together in unison with the common shared message and vision that it is our responsibility to demonstrate to those in doubt (who are the majority) that we all want basically the same thing. We want freedom, self-determination, dignity and security. We all want to ensure a good life for our families and opportunities for material prosperity, cultural wealth and the knowledge that our futures are secure. All of our worthy aspirations are only possible if they can be achieved by both peoples who share this land.
Gershon Baskin and Samer Sinijlawi have now founded the Israeli-Palestinian Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-States Solution. link
A short alarm sound and an announcement about a terrorist infiltration: The alert system Southern Command declined to adopt.
In 2021, the Home Front Command proposed to the Southern Command a new alert system to warn of potential terrorist infiltrations. The proposal was accepted by the Central Command but not by the Southern Command. The commander at the time, Tolendano, claimed he "approved it in principle" but was not informed of the gaps that prevented its implementation. The IDF stated: "The gap in implementing the system was not presented to Major General Tolendano during his tenure."
On October 7, residents of the Gaza Envelope area only understood that terrorists had infiltrated and it wasn't just another rocket barrage after a significant delay—a delay that cost many lives. Last night (Saturday), during "Weekend News," we revealed that an alert system differentiating between rocket fire and terrorist infiltrations was supposed to be operational a year and a half earlier—but it was not implemented.
While the system was introduced in the Central Command, the Southern Command decided against it. The failure emerged in an IDF investigation submitted to the Chief of Staff, sparking a blame game between Eliezer Tolendano, then-Southern Command chief, and Home Front Command officers.
At the end of 2021, senior Home Front Command officials approached Central Command chief Major General Yehuda Fuchs and Southern Command chief Major General Eliezer Tolendano, proposing a new alert to warn of terrorist infiltrations into settlements. The proposed alert included a short alarm sound followed by repeated announcements stating "terrorist infiltration."
By March 2022, the new alert system was introduced in Judea and Samaria but not in the Gaza Envelope, where it was decided to maintain the existing alerts, which did not distinguish between rocket fire and infiltration. The decision had grave consequences on October 7: Emergency squads stayed in shelters instead of heading to armories or engaging attackers, and residents sought protection from rockets rather than defending against infiltrators. If they had known immediately about the infiltration, the response would have been different.
To the People of Israel, to the People of Palestine. ****An extremely important article to read in its entirety. It is the true recipe for a future of peace in this land****
October 7, 2023 will be marked in the history of Israel and the Jewish people as the day of awakening from the (mis)conception that you can occupy and control another people for 56 years and expect to live in peace. It should be the wakeup call that you cannot put 2.3 million people under blockade living in abject poverty for 20 years and expect to have quiet. Eventually people rise up and say no more. No Israeli would ever agree to live as Israel has subjected the Palestinian people to live over decades of control, domination, discrimination, confiscation of land and dignity and denial of national rights. Yet Israel has believed for years that this must continue to be the policy of the State of Israel because if not, the Palestinians will rise up and kill us.
Palestinian resistance movements, including those motivated by distorted versions of Islam rose up and gained support amongst the Palestinian people initially out of rejection of the recognition of the right of the Jewish people to establish their state on the land that they believed was only theirs. This land that we share had a large Palestinian Arab majority prior to 1948. But Palestinian have to come to terms with the fact that Jews have been present in this land for thousands of years. The Holy Quran is a testimony to the Jewish presence in this land. With that understanding, Palestinians can easily remind their Jewish neighbors that they were never alone in this land. There have always been others in the land, and today the Palestinians are the others. There is no exclusive right of one of these two peoples to the land between the River and the Sea. Until we all absorb that basic truth, we will continue to hate each other and to kill each other.
We have lost too much of our humanity in this war between us. The Palestinian people, under the leadership of Hamas crossed red moral lines on October 7, 2023. Hamas and other Palestinian groups and non-affiliated individuals committed crimes against humanity and war crimes on October 7, 2023. Hamas has claimed that its actions were justified in order to free the Palestinian people from Israel’s occupation, instead they have subjected the Palestinian people with a catastrophe worse than the Nakba of 1948. The State of Israel, its leaders, commanders and soldiers have crossed moral red lines during the past 14 months. Since October 8, 2023, Israel has been committing crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza and in the West Bank claiming self-defense. It is very difficult for both sides to look in the mirror and grasp the reality of what we have been doing to each other. We both justify our actions because we claim that they are existential. The other side only understands that language of force, we say, and that is the only language we have been relying on for decades. Each side believes that the other side has proven over and over again that they are not prepared to treat us as equals and to live in peace with us. We say, they covet our land and believe that it belongs only to them and that the other side has no right to claim rights to this land. Whether we like it or not, in so many respects we are mirror images of each other.
This war must be the last war. For at least the past two decades, a majority of Israelis and a majority of Palestinians have been saying: I want to live in peace, but they (pointing to the other side) do not. Both sides have had more than enough justifiable reasons to point to the lack of willingness of the other side to prove their lack of trust that the other side is willing to live in genuine peace. But how do we Israelis and Palestinians convince each other that we are prepared to live in peace? To do that, we need to begin by looking inward. We both need to understand that the path to peace go through the hearts and the minds of the other people on this land. Peace will not be imposed from the outside. Peace will come about when both peoples recognize each other’s’ national existence and right to be here. Yes, Israelis want all 193 Member States of the United Nations to recognize the State of Israel (165 countries recognize Israel) and yes, Palestinians want all 193 Member States to recognize the State of Palestine (about 150 countries recognize Palestine today). But in reality, what is most important is that Israelis recognize the State of Palestine and Palestinians recognize the State of Israel. That is much more important and much more urgent than all of the other efforts to gain international recognition. When Israelis and Palestinians both recognize their mutual national existence, then the rest of the world will as well. The adjustment that we need to make in our minds is that we are not each other’s enemy – rather our fear of each other is the enemy. We both need to address that fear within our minds that prevents us to turning the page on this conflict.
For this to happen we need people on both sides to stand up with courage to speak loudly the words of peace. I want to stop fighting you. I want to live in peace in this land. I recognize your legitimate right to be here. I don’t want to live behind walls and fences. I want security and I know that I will only have security when you also have security. I want dignity, and I know that I will only have dignity (national and personal) when you also have dignity. I want political separation because I want to have a nation-state that represents my identity, but I am prepared for a minority population from the other national group to live in my state with full equality. I recognize that even after we partition this land into two states, we all have emotional and historic connection to all parts of the land. That is why I understand that peace between us Israelis and Palestinians must be a warm peace, with high levels of cooperation. Not like the peace between Israel and Egypt and Jordan. We share this land and we cannot separate as if we are on different planets. We need to stand up and also voice remorse and regret for the crimes that we have committed against each other. Even if we did not personally do it, it was done in our names and the way to break down the walls of suspicion and fear is through the expression of remorse, sorrow and eventually forgiveness.
When we begin to reach that level of consciousness, we will understand that we have to begin making peace by looking at what we teach our children. What we teach in our schools is the best reflection of what we value and hold dear to us. We do not teach peace; we do not even teach the possibility of peace. Let’s begin with the easy part of our education – languages. Hebrew and Arabic are sister languages – there is so much in common between the two. All Israelis should be learning Arabic from grade one – written and spoken. All Palestinians should be learning Hebrew from grade one. Our studying each other’s language should not be “learning the language of the enemy” but rather learning the language of my neighbor. Then comes the more difficult part – changing what and how we teach about each other. There is no need to rewrite history at this point. We have done horrible things to each other in this conflict and need to recognize that. But we need to begin to teach other about each other in a much more objective and open-minded way. We need to remove the teaching of hate from our curricula and text books. To be practical, we should agree on criteria for the evaluation of what we teach and then each side needs to undertake and in-depth internal study of their own educational systems. This is a decision that must be taken on the national level and it must be a sincere and serious exercise of self-examination. It must be done by both sides, but even if it begins with only one side, it is a step in the right direction and will have impact on the other side.
Lastly, we want to address the issue of leadership and political representation. We do not today have leaders who will take us forward to peace. Netanyahu, Abbas and Hamas are all leaders of yesterday. They have failed their people in so many ways and have prevented us from living in peace. They all need to be pushed out of the present into the realm of history. We need leaders who have the ability and the vision to understand that our futures are tied to each other and that the only way to good secure life can be provided to our citizens is by making peace between the people of Israel and the people of Palestine. There are about 30% of the citizens on both sides who today will reject any peace deal between them. These are the fanatics, the radicals, the messianics, the jihadists, on both sides who reject any notion of sharing this land. We do not have the tools or the ability to convince them at this point. But there is a potential of about 70% on both sides who would be willing to make the compromises necessary to reach peace, If they believed that the other side was sincere in its willingness to live in peace. We need new political leaders in order for this to happen. Where are those leaders? Who are those leaders? We honestly don’t know at this time. But we know that if there a change on one of the sides in the right direction, it will have a deep and lasting impact on the other side. Change can begin on one side first.
Our challenge as citizens – Israelis and Palestinians – is to create the partnerships of belief and commitment to peace. We need to raise our voices together in unison with the common shared message and vision that it is our responsibility to demonstrate to those in doubt (who are the majority) that we all want basically the same thing. We want freedom, self-determination, dignity and security. We all want to ensure a good life for our families and opportunities for material prosperity, cultural wealth and the knowledge that our futures are secure. All of our worthy aspirations are only possible if they can be achieved by both peoples who share this land.
Gershon Baskin and Samer Sinijlawi have now founded the Israeli-Palestinian Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-States Solution. link
A short alarm sound and an announcement about a terrorist infiltration: The alert system Southern Command declined to adopt.
In 2021, the Home Front Command proposed to the Southern Command a new alert system to warn of potential terrorist infiltrations. The proposal was accepted by the Central Command but not by the Southern Command. The commander at the time, Tolendano, claimed he "approved it in principle" but was not informed of the gaps that prevented its implementation. The IDF stated: "The gap in implementing the system was not presented to Major General Tolendano during his tenure."
On October 7, residents of the Gaza Envelope area only understood that terrorists had infiltrated and it wasn't just another rocket barrage after a significant delay—a delay that cost many lives. Last night (Saturday), during "Weekend News," we revealed that an alert system differentiating between rocket fire and terrorist infiltrations was supposed to be operational a year and a half earlier—but it was not implemented.
While the system was introduced in the Central Command, the Southern Command decided against it. The failure emerged in an IDF investigation submitted to the Chief of Staff, sparking a blame game between Eliezer Tolendano, then-Southern Command chief, and Home Front Command officers.
At the end of 2021, senior Home Front Command officials approached Central Command chief Major General Yehuda Fuchs and Southern Command chief Major General Eliezer Tolendano, proposing a new alert to warn of terrorist infiltrations into settlements. The proposed alert included a short alarm sound followed by repeated announcements stating "terrorist infiltration."
By March 2022, the new alert system was introduced in Judea and Samaria but not in the Gaza Envelope, where it was decided to maintain the existing alerts, which did not distinguish between rocket fire and infiltration. The decision had grave consequences on October 7: Emergency squads stayed in shelters instead of heading to armories or engaging attackers, and residents sought protection from rockets rather than defending against infiltrators. If they had known immediately about the infiltration, the response would have been different.
Why Did This Happen?
Home Front Command officials claimed Major General Tolendano, then-chief of the Southern Command, held discussions on the matter but did not approve it. Tolendano argued he approved it in principle but was not informed of the remaining gaps that hindered implementation. The painful realization is that many lives could have been saved during those critical minutes.
The IDF responded: "The gap in implementing the system was not presented to Major General Tolendano during his time as Southern Command chief. The IDF is currently conducting an operational inquiry into the events of October 7 and the lead-up to them. Investigations are ongoing and will be transparently shared with the public once concluded."
Findings from October 6-7
On Thursday, more than a year after the surprise attack, findings from the investigation into the IDF leadership's performance on the night between October 6 and 7 were revealed. These findings were presented on Friday amidst Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s demand to complete the investigations by the end of January. This also set the timeframe for the Chief of Staff's tenure conclusion, though no decision has been made to establish a state commission of inquiry to examine the political echelon's role.
Timeline of Events: The Night of the Massacre
The Chief of Staff received intelligence updates the night before the massacre and requested a discussion with commanders. At 4:00 a.m., he spoke with the Southern Command chief and the Operations Directorate head. He was briefed on the intelligence, and they relayed their instructions. At the time, he believed they were "on top of the situation." Another situation assessment was held at 8:00 a.m., but the intelligence presented did not indicate what would unfold.
Identified Failures
- The Chief of Staff failed to order a comprehensive situation assessment.
- Some intelligence presented was unknown to key participants.
- The information received did not suggest an imminent attack.
- The Chief of Staff failed to order a comprehensive situation assessment.
- Some intelligence presented was unknown to key participants.
- The information received did not suggest an imminent attack.
Situation Assessment Participants
The phone-based assessment included:
- Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi
- Southern Command Chief Major General Yaron Finkelman
- Operations Directorate Head Major General Oded Basiuk
- Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi
- Southern Command Chief Major General Yaron Finkelman
- Operations Directorate Head Major General Oded Basiuk
Not present in the assessment:
- Operations Division Head Brigadier General Shlomi Binder
- Then-Military Intelligence Head Major General Aharon Haliva
- Air Force Commander Major General Tomer Bar
- Operations Division Head Brigadier General Shlomi Binder
- Then-Military Intelligence Head Major General Aharon Haliva
- Air Force Commander Major General Tomer Bar
Had a full assessment involving all relevant parties taken place, it is likely that additional intelligence systems and warning signs indicating an alternative event could have been identified. Different decisions might have been made with a high degree of probability. However, the Chief of Staff decided that morning—too late—to convene another assessment. link
One Front Too Many? Signs of Government Weakness and Netanyahu's Pressure
The shift in the balance of power within the government is becoming apparent, with some believing it signals the beginning of disintegration and the approach of elections. Minister Ben Gvir's defiant actions have been met with attempts at reconciliation rather than punishment, while the escalating crisis over military draft exemptions adds fuel to the fire—amidst Netanyahu’s battle on yet another, highly critical front. Mohammed Majadleh examines the growing scent of elections and those who might become central to campaigns against their will.
This week's events in the Knesset marked a new low in the slow but persistent decline of Netanyahu’s government. The rebellion by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who along with his Otzma Yehudit faction voted against budget-related laws, did not result in significant penalties or sanctions from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—a contrast to how other prime ministers have handled similar situations.
Coalition party leaders and senior Likud ministers believed Ben Gvir should be dismissed for his blatant violation of coalition discipline to prevent similar breakdowns with other coalition members in the future. Netanyahu thought otherwise and even invited the minister for a conciliatory meeting that same night, after the budget laws narrowly passed their first reading.
But Ben Gvir was not placated. On the contrary, he declared that he would not relent in his demand to include a proposal to dismiss Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara on the agenda of the next government meeting. Ben Gvir even claimed that it was none other than Minister Bezalel Smotrich who was providing her a lifeline and preventing the discussion.
While the coalition views Ben Gvir’s rebellion as severe, some interpret it as a shift in the power dynamics. The addition of Gideon Sa’ar and his three party members has given Netanyahu breathing room, reducing Ben Gvir’s leverage to blackmail the government or condition budget approval on meeting his demands. On the other hand, public statements by coalition leaders declaring the end of Ben Gvir's extortion era might only provoke further defiance from him toward other coalition members, potentially causing future crises—a concern that deeply troubles the Prime Minister and his inner circle.
Meanwhile, another front saw developments within the coalition this week—the ultra-Orthodox draft crisis. Defense Minister Israel Katz met with senior military officials, who presented the need to recruit approximately 10,000 ultra-Orthodox individuals by July 2026. According to these officials, the war's damages and its prolongation have underscored the necessity of bolstering manpower in the IDF.
While the Minister Discusses Recruiting Ultra-Orthodox with Dialogue to Avoid Unnecessary Turmoil...
A group of Sephardic ultra-Orthodox rabbis, including members of the Shas Council of Torah Sages, signed a letter urging Knesset members to oppose advancing the draft law. This follows recent statements by former Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, who declared: "Even someone who is idle—it is forbidden for him to join the army." The coalition remains uncertain about how this crisis will end, but it appears that even here, the level of threats from ultra-Orthodox parties is not particularly high, especially as they have no viable alternative or solution outside Netanyahu's government.
For those who may have forgotten, the war will reach over 440 days this weekend. In the north, despite the ceasefire, the post-war recovery and compensation efforts have not yet begun. Meanwhile, in Gaza, 100 hostages and their families await the results of negotiations currently taking place in two Arab capitals—Cairo and Doha.
On the Israeli side, officials suggest that agreements with Hamas and even a deal could be reached within weeks. However, on the Palestinian side, there is less optimism. Hamas emphasizes that, from its perspective, any agreement would only be partial, including a two-month ceasefire to allow for negotiations toward a final deal. This final agreement, in their view, would bring the war to an end and result in the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.
Challenges and Internal Opposition
Israel has clarified to mediators that Netanyahu’s stance on two key demands remains firm. Yet the government faces challenges even here from Smotrich and Ben Gvir. Both ministers declared this week that a deal with Hamas is not the solution: Smotrich, who supported the previous deal, emphasized that this would be a "bad deal that would leave hostages behind."
Netanyahu’s Personal Struggles
All these developments are unfolding while the Prime Minister faces one of the most dramatic personal processes of his life—his testimony in court. This week, Netanyahu completed his fourth testimony before the judges. In a rare decision, the court granted the defense's request to postpone his testimony to allow him to participate in a security assessment and special tour in the Syrian Hermon area.
Despite his long-standing claims of superhuman ability to manage both the state and his legal trial simultaneously, the initial stages of his testimony revealed that this might be one front too many.
Opposition Sees Opportunity
The opposition leadership senses moments of weakness in the coalition, with some claiming this marks the beginning of its collapse. According to assessments, the crises involving Ben Gvir, Smotrich, and the ultra-Orthodox are likely to escalate in the near future. Pressure on the government to reinstate the judicial overhaul legislation and dismiss the Attorney General is expected to intensify as Netanyahu's trial reaches more critical stages.
In such a scenario, opposition leaders predict that Israel will head to elections in the second half of next year—either because Netanyahu chooses to bring them forward or his partners force his hand.
The Path Ahead
While recent polls do not bode well for Netanyahu's bloc, making the opposition's predictions appear far-fetched, the coalition's efforts to block the establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the failures of October 7, alongside attempts to revive judicial overhaul laws as repeatedly declared by Justice Minister Yariv Levin, reflect Netanyahu's ambition to shape a different agenda.
Eventually, the stage will be set for elections, focusing on issues favorable to Netanyahu—not the failures leading to the state's greatest security disaster, but a steady stream of ministers and Knesset members embracing and reinforcing the indicted Prime Minister. This, against the backdrop of the courthouse, will become the focal point of the next elections—whether the judges like it or not. link It is rare to see any news item involving Netanyahu that doesn't show that his own self interests are paramount to the interests of the State. No matter how he tries to spin things, with the knowledge that is out there, every spin becomes a joke. He is not deserving to lead Israel and its population. We are worthy of better leaders.
One Front Too Many? Signs of Government Weakness and Netanyahu's Pressure
The shift in the balance of power within the government is becoming apparent, with some believing it signals the beginning of disintegration and the approach of elections. Minister Ben Gvir's defiant actions have been met with attempts at reconciliation rather than punishment, while the escalating crisis over military draft exemptions adds fuel to the fire—amidst Netanyahu’s battle on yet another, highly critical front. Mohammed Majadleh examines the growing scent of elections and those who might become central to campaigns against their will.
This week's events in the Knesset marked a new low in the slow but persistent decline of Netanyahu’s government. The rebellion by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who along with his Otzma Yehudit faction voted against budget-related laws, did not result in significant penalties or sanctions from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—a contrast to how other prime ministers have handled similar situations.
Coalition party leaders and senior Likud ministers believed Ben Gvir should be dismissed for his blatant violation of coalition discipline to prevent similar breakdowns with other coalition members in the future. Netanyahu thought otherwise and even invited the minister for a conciliatory meeting that same night, after the budget laws narrowly passed their first reading.
But Ben Gvir was not placated. On the contrary, he declared that he would not relent in his demand to include a proposal to dismiss Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara on the agenda of the next government meeting. Ben Gvir even claimed that it was none other than Minister Bezalel Smotrich who was providing her a lifeline and preventing the discussion.
While the coalition views Ben Gvir’s rebellion as severe, some interpret it as a shift in the power dynamics. The addition of Gideon Sa’ar and his three party members has given Netanyahu breathing room, reducing Ben Gvir’s leverage to blackmail the government or condition budget approval on meeting his demands. On the other hand, public statements by coalition leaders declaring the end of Ben Gvir's extortion era might only provoke further defiance from him toward other coalition members, potentially causing future crises—a concern that deeply troubles the Prime Minister and his inner circle.
Meanwhile, another front saw developments within the coalition this week—the ultra-Orthodox draft crisis. Defense Minister Israel Katz met with senior military officials, who presented the need to recruit approximately 10,000 ultra-Orthodox individuals by July 2026. According to these officials, the war's damages and its prolongation have underscored the necessity of bolstering manpower in the IDF.
While the Minister Discusses Recruiting Ultra-Orthodox with Dialogue to Avoid Unnecessary Turmoil...
A group of Sephardic ultra-Orthodox rabbis, including members of the Shas Council of Torah Sages, signed a letter urging Knesset members to oppose advancing the draft law. This follows recent statements by former Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, who declared: "Even someone who is idle—it is forbidden for him to join the army." The coalition remains uncertain about how this crisis will end, but it appears that even here, the level of threats from ultra-Orthodox parties is not particularly high, especially as they have no viable alternative or solution outside Netanyahu's government.
For those who may have forgotten, the war will reach over 440 days this weekend. In the north, despite the ceasefire, the post-war recovery and compensation efforts have not yet begun. Meanwhile, in Gaza, 100 hostages and their families await the results of negotiations currently taking place in two Arab capitals—Cairo and Doha.
On the Israeli side, officials suggest that agreements with Hamas and even a deal could be reached within weeks. However, on the Palestinian side, there is less optimism. Hamas emphasizes that, from its perspective, any agreement would only be partial, including a two-month ceasefire to allow for negotiations toward a final deal. This final agreement, in their view, would bring the war to an end and result in the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.
Challenges and Internal Opposition
Israel has clarified to mediators that Netanyahu’s stance on two key demands remains firm. Yet the government faces challenges even here from Smotrich and Ben Gvir. Both ministers declared this week that a deal with Hamas is not the solution: Smotrich, who supported the previous deal, emphasized that this would be a "bad deal that would leave hostages behind."
Netanyahu’s Personal Struggles
All these developments are unfolding while the Prime Minister faces one of the most dramatic personal processes of his life—his testimony in court. This week, Netanyahu completed his fourth testimony before the judges. In a rare decision, the court granted the defense's request to postpone his testimony to allow him to participate in a security assessment and special tour in the Syrian Hermon area.
Despite his long-standing claims of superhuman ability to manage both the state and his legal trial simultaneously, the initial stages of his testimony revealed that this might be one front too many.
Opposition Sees Opportunity
The opposition leadership senses moments of weakness in the coalition, with some claiming this marks the beginning of its collapse. According to assessments, the crises involving Ben Gvir, Smotrich, and the ultra-Orthodox are likely to escalate in the near future. Pressure on the government to reinstate the judicial overhaul legislation and dismiss the Attorney General is expected to intensify as Netanyahu's trial reaches more critical stages.
In such a scenario, opposition leaders predict that Israel will head to elections in the second half of next year—either because Netanyahu chooses to bring them forward or his partners force his hand.
The Path Ahead
While recent polls do not bode well for Netanyahu's bloc, making the opposition's predictions appear far-fetched, the coalition's efforts to block the establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the failures of October 7, alongside attempts to revive judicial overhaul laws as repeatedly declared by Justice Minister Yariv Levin, reflect Netanyahu's ambition to shape a different agenda.
Eventually, the stage will be set for elections, focusing on issues favorable to Netanyahu—not the failures leading to the state's greatest security disaster, but a steady stream of ministers and Knesset members embracing and reinforcing the indicted Prime Minister. This, against the backdrop of the courthouse, will become the focal point of the next elections—whether the judges like it or not. link It is rare to see any news item involving Netanyahu that doesn't show that his own self interests are paramount to the interests of the State. No matter how he tries to spin things, with the knowledge that is out there, every spin becomes a joke. He is not deserving to lead Israel and its population. We are worthy of better leaders.
The Region and the World
- IDF: Air Force shot down drone launched from Yemen at Israel earlier today
A drone launched at Israel from Yemen was shot down by the Israeli Air Force earlier today, the military says.
According to the IDF, the drone was intercepted before entering Israeli airspace, and no sirens sounded according to protocol.
- Iran-backed militia groups in Iraq have decided to stop their attacks on Israel, Lebanon’s pro-Hezbollah newspaper Al-Akhbar reports.
Militias have been launching attack drones at Israel since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023, as part of Iran’s so-called Axis of Resistance. This past October, two soldiers were killed and 24 others wounded when an Iraqi drone hit their Golan Heights base.
But one militia leader tells the paper that the groups have agreed with the Iraqi government to halt the attacks, while also avoiding getting involved in Syria.
“The armed factions adhered to the words of the Iraqi government, especially after what happened in Syria, which says that there may be an intention to drag the country into a scenario worse than the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, which may lead to the return of terrorism to Iraq again,” the member of Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba says.
Another militia official, of the Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, argues that “the factions’ operations against Israel were linked to the operations of the Lebanese Hezbollah, and when the ceasefire was reached in Lebanon, the operations of the Iraqi factions stopped, and there are also partners in Iraq who have an opinion and reservations about those operations, and they must be listened to.”
There is no outside confirmation to the report.
Another bit of Iranian hypocrisy
Iran says Syria should not become ‘a haven for terrorism’
Iran says it supports Syria’s sovereignty and that the country should not become “a haven for terrorism.”
“Our principled position on Syria is very clear: preserving the sovereignty and integrity of Syria and for the people of Syria to decide on its future without destructive foreign interference,” says foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei, adding that the country should not “become a haven for terrorism.”
He adds: “We have no direct contact with the [new] ruling authority in Syria.”
Tehran strongly supported deposed dictator Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian civil war.
Personal Stories
A drone launched at Israel from Yemen was shot down by the Israeli Air Force earlier today, the military says.
According to the IDF, the drone was intercepted before entering Israeli airspace, and no sirens sounded according to protocol.
Militias have been launching attack drones at Israel since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023, as part of Iran’s so-called Axis of Resistance. This past October, two soldiers were killed and 24 others wounded when an Iraqi drone hit their Golan Heights base.
But one militia leader tells the paper that the groups have agreed with the Iraqi government to halt the attacks, while also avoiding getting involved in Syria.
“The armed factions adhered to the words of the Iraqi government, especially after what happened in Syria, which says that there may be an intention to drag the country into a scenario worse than the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, which may lead to the return of terrorism to Iraq again,” the member of Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba says.
Another militia official, of the Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, argues that “the factions’ operations against Israel were linked to the operations of the Lebanese Hezbollah, and when the ceasefire was reached in Lebanon, the operations of the Iraqi factions stopped, and there are also partners in Iraq who have an opinion and reservations about those operations, and they must be listened to.”
There is no outside confirmation to the report.
Another bit of Iranian hypocrisy
Iran says Syria should not become ‘a haven for terrorism’
Iran says it supports Syria’s sovereignty and that the country should not become “a haven for terrorism.”
“Our principled position on Syria is very clear: preserving the sovereignty and integrity of Syria and for the people of Syria to decide on its future without destructive foreign interference,” says foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei, adding that the country should not “become a haven for terrorism.”
He adds: “We have no direct contact with the [new] ruling authority in Syria.”
Tehran strongly supported deposed dictator Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian civil war.
- Video for the Widows and Orphans of the IDF Video
- Video for the Widows and Orphans of the IDF Video
"Sagi protected us during the attack; they could have kidnapped me in my eighth month of pregnancy": The family of the hostage Sagi Dekel Hen celebrates the first birthday of the daughter he has never met.
Behind the heated debates over a partial or full hostage deal are people who have been trapped in the hell of Gaza for over a year. Baby Shahar Mazal celebrated her first birthday. Her father, Sagi Dekel Hen, was not at the party, nor was he present for her birth. For over a year, we have been following the fight of his wife to bring Sagi back home to her and their three daughters. "When he returns, I will tell him I'm sorry. I'll say, 'I did everything for you.'"
The party is filled with uncles, aunts, grandparents, and even an international film crew. Everyone came to celebrate the first birthday of sweet Shahar Mazal — everyone except her father, who has never met her. Sagi was kidnapped when she was still in her mother’s womb. With a view of Gaza, the place where her father is held, the birthday is being marked here. "Celebrating" is a big word. In truth, everyone is rather frozen and shocked. It’s a difficult moment for all.
"I’ve been holding back my tears all day, even now," says Avital, his wife. "It’s such a messed-up moment to celebrate without Sagi. It doesn’t make sense in any way." She adds, "Shahar deserves to celebrate, but more than that, she deserves to celebrate with her dad." Sister Gali wished Shahar: "May Dad come back soon so you can meet him. I love you. Happy birthday."
"She deserves more to celebrate with her father." Baby Shahar Mazal celebrates a year
"Such a screwed-up moment that should be celebrated without error." Shahar Mazal's birthday cake
"Even the birth is thanks to him"
Sagi was kidnapped while protecting their home in Nir Oz. Mili — as everyone calls her, though her official name is Avital — was eight months pregnant at the time, with two young daughters, Bar and Gali. She blocked the shelter door with a changing table and held the handle tightly.
At the hospital before giving birth, she expressed her pain: "I don’t want this to happen yet; I just want him here, to meet his daughter. How can a child be born without her father being present? I’m not the story; Sagi is the story. Even this birth is thanks to him. He protected us so much that this is happening because of him. Do you understand that I could have been there right now? That my daughters and I could have been hostages in this situation?"
Looking back, she recalls: "When it was time to leave the hospital with the baby carrier, there’s this image all mothers have — when they and their partners leave the hospital together with the baby carrier. I don’t have that picture. Instead, Sagi’s brother opened the door for me at the hotel and said, 'I’ll take her to the room.' He carried the baby in the carrier. I looked on and thought, 'How is it possible that I’m returning with a two-day-old baby and Sagi isn’t the one carrying her first?'"
"Nothing feels right — I don’t have my home, my belongings, my daughters need me," she shares. "I came back from the hospital when Bar was about to perform at the kibbutz Hanukkah celebration. A day and a half after giving birth, I sat down to watch her. People asked me, 'What are you doing here?' I replied, 'What do you mean? Who else will watch her if not me?'"
Happiness and sadness mingled. The birth of Shahar Mazal
"I can't be coming back with a two-day-old girl and Guy doesn't take her first"
"I did everything to bring him back."
Since that day, the four of them—initially in a hotel in Eilat and later in a new home in Karmey Gat—have lived without him. "Bar and Gali know who their father is. But Shahar, apart from the pictures I show her, doesn’t have a father figure like my other daughters do. I don’t know what’s harder: not having a father figure at all, or having one who is just an hour away but can’t be with us. At night, when she wakes up and wants me to hold her, I tell her, ‘Daddy will come back. Daddy will come back. He has to come back. He has to be here with me through this.’"
Do you sometimes think about what you’ll say to him first?
"I’ve told myself that when I see him, I’ll hug him and say, ‘I did everything for you. I did everything for you.’ So he won’t feel like I didn’t do anything, or like I just waited. I’ll tell him I’m sorry he had to go through this—it’s not something he deserves. And I’ll thank him for protecting us and wish him a good life from now on."
The Dekel Family before October 7
Mili is made of different stuff. Her weekly schedule is crazy: while raising her daughters, she continues running the business she and Sagi started, The Columbus, a grocery store inside a bus. "He worked so hard on this, and I’m not willing to let it stop. I have to keep it going." She’s also learning English to speak to diplomats, constantly giving interviews—sometimes even two lectures a day—to ensure people know Sagi’s story and fight alongside her. She speaks at rallies, declaring, "I’m not strong; I’m just scared. Scared to give up," as she said in Hostages’ Square. "Sagi, I love you, and everyone is with you."
"I hope she forgets this year quickly."
Last August, she appeared on Friday Studio with the baby in her arms, on the day her husband turned 36 in captivity. "Today, Sagi is celebrating alone. His daughters can’t even bring him a drawing with a note, sing happy songs to him, or light candles with him," she said then. "Sagi, my love, know that the people of Israel are making your wish today—that you’ll come home."
At a visit to the health clinic, the nurse commented about Shahar, "She doesn’t remember that I hurt her," and Avital responded, "Yes? That’s good. People forget quickly. I hope she forgets this past year quickly too."
What’s been the hardest thing to do without Sagi so far?
"The first tooth coming in, and the baby crying at night, and I’m crying with her—not because of the tooth, but because I’m holding her alone. Then there’s the morning wake-ups, the first day she enters a daycare, and four o’clock in the afternoon when the dads come, and I show up as just the mom. What isn’t hard? What hasn’t been difficult?"
In one living room conversation, the youngest daughter, Gali, asked, "Where’s Daddy?" Mili replied, "He’s in Gaza. He wants to come but can’t." When the child asked, "Why, Mommy?" Mili explained, "Because he was kidnapped." Another time, they passed a hostage sign, and Gali pointed at her dad and sang, "Our daddy, we won’t give him up."
"His daughters can't even bring him a painting with a blessing." Sagi Dekel Chen reads a story to his older daughters
"Can he just come and surprise me?"A video of Gali crying for her dad crossed oceans—two million people watched thirty heart-wrenching seconds of a three-year-old child who’s spent a third of her life without her father. "People saw with their own eyes what my daughter is going through. It’s not like telling people how hard it is—they see it. It’s less than a minute that they watch, and they can’t bear it. But I live it all day, every day," Mili shares.
"This week, we woke up and saw chocolate in a little dish on the table. She asked me, ‘Mommy, who gave us this chocolate?’ I didn’t remember, so I said, ‘I don’t know, but someone brought it as a gift, so I put it in the dish.’ Then she said, ‘Maybe Daddy left it for us?’ And I had to tell her, ‘No, Gali, Daddy didn’t leave it for us.’ And even that moment—thinking maybe her dad left her a surprise—is something she holds onto."
Do you think she really remembers him?
"Yes. Yes. Bar said to me, 'Mom, when dad comes back, please don't tell me before. Maybe he'll just come to school and surprise me? Come to school and tell me he's here'. Her request is my request - please, don't tell me, don't Tell me. Freeze this thing, call me when it's here. Take all the information away from me, just tell me when it's here."
"I will thank him for taking care of us and that he will have a good life from now on." Avital and the girls.
"I don’t know if I’ll fall into the abyss."
"I wanted to explain it to you as if someone is standing at the edge of an abyss, with one person pushing them and another pulling them back," she describes. "That’s how it feels—standing at the edge of an abyss for a whole year. In one hand, I’m holding Shahar; in the other, Gali; and on my back is Bar. Every time, someone comes along and says, ‘Go ahead, fall into the abyss,’ while someone else pulls me back and says, ‘Not yet, not today.’ That’s how I’ve been this year—on the edge, not knowing if I’m about to fall or step back. Thankfully, there are far more people pulling me back than pushing me forward. That’s why I’m still standing."
"This ordeal will end someday. In the end, those who did nothing will face the conclusion and ask themselves, ‘Were we part of the success of bringing them back?’ Those who weren’t part of it, who didn’t do enough, won’t be able to stand tall and say, ‘We did everything for you.’ They’ll stand in shame because they’ll come back. Those people will pass Sagi or Liri or someone else on the street and think, ‘I can’t even look them in the eye. I did nothing for them.’"
"Bar told me, ‘Mommy, when Daddy comes back, please don’t tell me in advance. Can he just come to school and surprise me? Bring him to school and tell me he’s here.’ Her wish is my wish too—please, don’t tell me. Don’t tell me. Freeze this moment and just call me when he’s here. Don’t share any updates with me. I can’t handle the emotional pressure anymore. Just tell me when he’s here."
"Standing as if in front of an abyss." Millie
And there’s one more task she’s not ready to complete: "For each of the girls’ birthdays, it’s a family tradition to give them a photo album from the past year. There are so many pictures of her with other people holding her, and not a single one with Sagi. I haven’t sent the album to print yet because I’m hoping he’ll get here just before I need to finalize it. Then I’ll be able to take that one photo of them together and put it in the album." LINK
"Sagi protected us during the attack; they could have kidnapped me in my eighth month of pregnancy": The family of the hostage Sagi Dekel Hen celebrates the first birthday of the daughter he has never met.
Behind the heated debates over a partial or full hostage deal are people who have been trapped in the hell of Gaza for over a year. Baby Shahar Mazal celebrated her first birthday. Her father, Sagi Dekel Hen, was not at the party, nor was he present for her birth. For over a year, we have been following the fight of his wife to bring Sagi back home to her and their three daughters. "When he returns, I will tell him I'm sorry. I'll say, 'I did everything for you.'"
The party is filled with uncles, aunts, grandparents, and even an international film crew. Everyone came to celebrate the first birthday of sweet Shahar Mazal — everyone except her father, who has never met her. Sagi was kidnapped when she was still in her mother’s womb. With a view of Gaza, the place where her father is held, the birthday is being marked here. "Celebrating" is a big word. In truth, everyone is rather frozen and shocked. It’s a difficult moment for all.
"I’ve been holding back my tears all day, even now," says Avital, his wife. "It’s such a messed-up moment to celebrate without Sagi. It doesn’t make sense in any way." She adds, "Shahar deserves to celebrate, but more than that, she deserves to celebrate with her dad." Sister Gali wished Shahar: "May Dad come back soon so you can meet him. I love you. Happy birthday."
"She deserves more to celebrate with her father." Baby Shahar Mazal celebrates a year
"Such a screwed-up moment that should be celebrated without error." Shahar Mazal's birthday cake"Even the birth is thanks to him"
Sagi was kidnapped while protecting their home in Nir Oz. Mili — as everyone calls her, though her official name is Avital — was eight months pregnant at the time, with two young daughters, Bar and Gali. She blocked the shelter door with a changing table and held the handle tightly.
At the hospital before giving birth, she expressed her pain: "I don’t want this to happen yet; I just want him here, to meet his daughter. How can a child be born without her father being present? I’m not the story; Sagi is the story. Even this birth is thanks to him. He protected us so much that this is happening because of him. Do you understand that I could have been there right now? That my daughters and I could have been hostages in this situation?"
Looking back, she recalls: "When it was time to leave the hospital with the baby carrier, there’s this image all mothers have — when they and their partners leave the hospital together with the baby carrier. I don’t have that picture. Instead, Sagi’s brother opened the door for me at the hotel and said, 'I’ll take her to the room.' He carried the baby in the carrier. I looked on and thought, 'How is it possible that I’m returning with a two-day-old baby and Sagi isn’t the one carrying her first?'"
"Nothing feels right — I don’t have my home, my belongings, my daughters need me," she shares. "I came back from the hospital when Bar was about to perform at the kibbutz Hanukkah celebration. A day and a half after giving birth, I sat down to watch her. People asked me, 'What are you doing here?' I replied, 'What do you mean? Who else will watch her if not me?'"
Happiness and sadness mingled. The birth of Shahar Mazal"I can't be coming back with a two-day-old girl and Guy doesn't take her first""I did everything to bring him back."
Since that day, the four of them—initially in a hotel in Eilat and later in a new home in Karmey Gat—have lived without him. "Bar and Gali know who their father is. But Shahar, apart from the pictures I show her, doesn’t have a father figure like my other daughters do. I don’t know what’s harder: not having a father figure at all, or having one who is just an hour away but can’t be with us. At night, when she wakes up and wants me to hold her, I tell her, ‘Daddy will come back. Daddy will come back. He has to come back. He has to be here with me through this.’"
Do you sometimes think about what you’ll say to him first?
"I’ve told myself that when I see him, I’ll hug him and say, ‘I did everything for you. I did everything for you.’ So he won’t feel like I didn’t do anything, or like I just waited. I’ll tell him I’m sorry he had to go through this—it’s not something he deserves. And I’ll thank him for protecting us and wish him a good life from now on."The Dekel Family before October 7Mili is made of different stuff. Her weekly schedule is crazy: while raising her daughters, she continues running the business she and Sagi started, The Columbus, a grocery store inside a bus. "He worked so hard on this, and I’m not willing to let it stop. I have to keep it going." She’s also learning English to speak to diplomats, constantly giving interviews—sometimes even two lectures a day—to ensure people know Sagi’s story and fight alongside her. She speaks at rallies, declaring, "I’m not strong; I’m just scared. Scared to give up," as she said in Hostages’ Square. "Sagi, I love you, and everyone is with you."
"I hope she forgets this year quickly."
Last August, she appeared on Friday Studio with the baby in her arms, on the day her husband turned 36 in captivity. "Today, Sagi is celebrating alone. His daughters can’t even bring him a drawing with a note, sing happy songs to him, or light candles with him," she said then. "Sagi, my love, know that the people of Israel are making your wish today—that you’ll come home."
At a visit to the health clinic, the nurse commented about Shahar, "She doesn’t remember that I hurt her," and Avital responded, "Yes? That’s good. People forget quickly. I hope she forgets this past year quickly too."
What’s been the hardest thing to do without Sagi so far?
"The first tooth coming in, and the baby crying at night, and I’m crying with her—not because of the tooth, but because I’m holding her alone. Then there’s the morning wake-ups, the first day she enters a daycare, and four o’clock in the afternoon when the dads come, and I show up as just the mom. What isn’t hard? What hasn’t been difficult?"In one living room conversation, the youngest daughter, Gali, asked, "Where’s Daddy?" Mili replied, "He’s in Gaza. He wants to come but can’t." When the child asked, "Why, Mommy?" Mili explained, "Because he was kidnapped." Another time, they passed a hostage sign, and Gali pointed at her dad and sang, "Our daddy, we won’t give him up."
"His daughters can't even bring him a painting with a blessing." Sagi Dekel Chen reads a story to his older daughters
"Can he just come and surprise me?"A video of Gali crying for her dad crossed oceans—two million people watched thirty heart-wrenching seconds of a three-year-old child who’s spent a third of her life without her father. "People saw with their own eyes what my daughter is going through. It’s not like telling people how hard it is—they see it. It’s less than a minute that they watch, and they can’t bear it. But I live it all day, every day," Mili shares.
"This week, we woke up and saw chocolate in a little dish on the table. She asked me, ‘Mommy, who gave us this chocolate?’ I didn’t remember, so I said, ‘I don’t know, but someone brought it as a gift, so I put it in the dish.’ Then she said, ‘Maybe Daddy left it for us?’ And I had to tell her, ‘No, Gali, Daddy didn’t leave it for us.’ And even that moment—thinking maybe her dad left her a surprise—is something she holds onto."
Do you think she really remembers him?
"Yes. Yes. Bar said to me, 'Mom, when dad comes back, please don't tell me before. Maybe he'll just come to school and surprise me? Come to school and tell me he's here'. Her request is my request - please, don't tell me, don't Tell me. Freeze this thing, call me when it's here. Take all the information away from me, just tell me when it's here."
"I will thank him for taking care of us and that he will have a good life from now on." Avital and the girls.
"I don’t know if I’ll fall into the abyss.""I wanted to explain it to you as if someone is standing at the edge of an abyss, with one person pushing them and another pulling them back," she describes. "That’s how it feels—standing at the edge of an abyss for a whole year. In one hand, I’m holding Shahar; in the other, Gali; and on my back is Bar. Every time, someone comes along and says, ‘Go ahead, fall into the abyss,’ while someone else pulls me back and says, ‘Not yet, not today.’ That’s how I’ve been this year—on the edge, not knowing if I’m about to fall or step back. Thankfully, there are far more people pulling me back than pushing me forward. That’s why I’m still standing."
"This ordeal will end someday. In the end, those who did nothing will face the conclusion and ask themselves, ‘Were we part of the success of bringing them back?’ Those who weren’t part of it, who didn’t do enough, won’t be able to stand tall and say, ‘We did everything for you.’ They’ll stand in shame because they’ll come back. Those people will pass Sagi or Liri or someone else on the street and think, ‘I can’t even look them in the eye. I did nothing for them.’"
"Bar told me, ‘Mommy, when Daddy comes back, please don’t tell me in advance. Can he just come to school and surprise me? Bring him to school and tell me he’s here.’ Her wish is my wish too—please, don’t tell me. Don’t tell me. Freeze this moment and just call me when he’s here. Don’t share any updates with me. I can’t handle the emotional pressure anymore. Just tell me when he’s here."
"Standing as if in front of an abyss." MillieAnd there’s one more task she’s not ready to complete: "For each of the girls’ birthdays, it’s a family tradition to give them a photo album from the past year. There are so many pictures of her with other people holding her, and not a single one with Sagi. I haven’t sent the album to print yet because I’m hoping he’ll get here just before I need to finalize it. Then I’ll be able to take that one photo of them together and put it in the album." LINK
Dark Legacy - The Abandonment of October 7th Hostages
Inspired by Avraham Shlonksy's VowShira GeffenAuthor.By his eyes that saw the griefExploiting slaughter to gather more power By his lies, beyond beliefUttered only to escape justice's hourHe vowed to ruin one and allAnd forget those he had forsaken.He'll grip his throne, through storm and squall, Leaving his people isolated and shaken.Cross every boundary, break every moral code Will we again remain silent, suppress our rage? Will we, come morning, go back to our old ways And elect the tyrant, time and time again?
My Son was Sacrificed by the Felon Benjamin NetanyahuDr. Maayan ShermanMother of Ron, who was kidnapped alive from his army base and killed while in Hamas captivity.
Ron Sherman, my beloved son, was 19 years old when he died. Ron was an ambitious, intelligent, good-looking and charismatic soldier, who loved life so much. Ron’s life ended because of the greatest blunder in the history of the State of Israel.The Hamas monster was fostered under the patronage of Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s Prime Minister for the past 15 years... Netanyahu enabled and even assisted in the growing and strengthening of Hamas. During his tenure as prime minister, Hamas armed itself and planned without hindrance how to carry out its satanic attack.On the morning of October 7th, Ron was at his army base near Gaza, where he served as a coordination and communications commander. He was texting with me from 6:30 a.m. up until the moment he was kidnapped. His last words were: “I love you all, they are here, it’s over.Ron was kidnapped from inside a bomb shelter and was seen in a Hamas video being led out by Hamas terrorists, barefoot, frightened and beaten, but alive and uninjured, into the tunnels of Gaza.I believed, from the first moment, that the Israeli government had a supreme moral obligation to bring Ron and all the other hostages home.Last November, Hamas published a flier with Ron’s picture and a message in Hebrew warning that Netanyahu intends to kill our son together with Hamas leaders. A few days later, on November 10th, Ron, Nick Baizer, and Eliah Toledano were killed as a result of the bombing of the tunnel in which they were held, the tunnel of Ahmed Randur, Hamas’s northern brigade commander.I keep asking myself, how did this happen? Where was our government over the past years? Where was Israel’s Prime Minister, Netanyahu, “Mr. Security,” as he was referred to, who claimed he was the only one standing strong against Hamas? Who would have believed that a day would come in which all that arrogance would crumble into one dreadful moment that would change our lives forever?Netanyahu abandoned Ron. Ron was a combat support soldier whose role was to provide services to the Gaza population, under the auspices of the Israeli government and its leader. The thought was that if we took care of the Gazans’ welfare, they would not want to harm us.Benjamin Netanyahu failed in his most important mission: to guarantee the safety of Ron and of the citizens of Israel. Moreover, Netanyahu actually sacrificed the lives of Ron and his friends. The life of Ron, a simple soldier, was a price Benjamin Netanyahu was willing to pay for the head of a Hamas commander.My family and I are constantly facing the dreadful understanding that Ron’s life came to a tragic end because of a conscious decision. Ron’s death could have been prevented. Benjamin Netanyahu abandoned Ron by doing nothing to defeat Hamas over his 15 years as Israel’s Prime Minister. Benjamin Netanyahu sacrificed Ron’s life after Ron was kidnapped when he approved the targeting of Ahmed Randur together with the hostages who surrounded him. Benjamin Netanyahu abandoned and sacrificed so many, amongst them, my son Ron Sherman.This is Netanyahu‘s legacy, and this is how he will be remembered to the end of time.
My Son was Sacrificed by the Felon Benjamin Netanyahu
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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