🎗️Lonny's War Update- October 446, 2023 - December 25, 2024 🎗️
🎗️Day 446 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
*4:20am - south center - Ballistic missile from Yemen intercepted before entering Israel territory video of the missile in the sky
After a missile fired by Yemen’s Houthis was intercepted by air defenses overnight, large fragments are found in central Israel.
One large piece, apparently over a meter in length, is found in the yard of a home in Be’er Yaakov.
Police say fragments fell in at least three locations.
It was the second night in a row in which the Iran-backed group has fired a ballistic missile at central Israel, in what has become a near-nightly occurrence.
*5:25pm - South - hostile aircraft - Ashkelon, Gaza Envelope (Zilim, Carmia)
After a missile fired by Yemen’s Houthis was intercepted by air defenses overnight, large fragments are found in central Israel.
One large piece, apparently over a meter in length, is found in the yard of a home in Be’er Yaakov.
Police say fragments fell in at least three locations.
It was the second night in a row in which the Iran-backed group has fired a ballistic missile at central Israel, in what has become a near-nightly occurrence.
Hostage Updates
- Hostage negotiators returning to Israel for ‘internal deliberations,’ says PM’s office
The mid-level negotiating team that has been in Qatar for days working on a hostage deal with Hamas will return to Israel tonight, the Prime Minister’s Office says, calling it a “meaningful week” of talks.
“The team is returning for internal deliberations in Israel about the continuation of negotiations to bring our hostages home,” says the PMO.
Negotiation Team Returns from Qatar: Israel Struggles to Understand Hamas’ Goals
Most elements of the deal are nearly finalized, but Hamas continues to refuse to provide a complete list of the living hostages. The Prime Minister’s Office announced that the team, comprising senior officials from the Mossad, Shin Bet, and IDF, has returned from Qatar after a "significant week" of negotiations. No further details were provided.
Negotiations for the release of the hostages held captive by Hamas for 445 days are ongoing, but there is no clear indication whether an agreement is imminent. The range of possibilities spans from a deal being reached within days to no agreement at all.
The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Tuesday evening: “The negotiation team, which includes senior representatives from the Mossad, Shin Bet, and IDF, will return to Israel from Qatar this evening after a significant week of negotiations. The team is returning for internal consultations in Israel regarding the continuation of the negotiations to bring back our hostages.” No additional details were shared.
The gap between Israel and Hamas is not substantial, if it exists at all, allowing for potential agreements. Regarding the Philadelphi Route, there is more or less an understanding. The same applies to the Netzarim route, the terms of the ceasefire, and the phased release of hostages.
Both sides agree on Israel’s commitments in the deal. What is required from Hamas is to provide a complete list of living hostages and to ensure that the list corresponds to the original categories: women, children, female soldiers, elderly individuals, the ill, and the injured.
In the past, a list of 33 hostages was provided, which included several individuals who have since died and Noa Argamani, who was rescued. Israel estimates the number of living hostages expected to be released in the first phase and is insistent on this point. Hamas, however, refuses to provide the list, as doing so would signify agreement to the matter. Furthermore, Hamas dares not submit a smaller or revised list.
The major question in Israel is whether Hamas has the will to proceed. This is the sticking point in the negotiations, making it impossible to predict the future. The outcome could materialize tomorrow or never. Israel assesses that Hamas is not deceiving it. The terror group struggles with relinquishing the asset of living hostages, though its members have little to fear from doing so.
If some living hostages are released, Hamas would still retain several “Gilad Shalit-like” hostages. In 2011, Hamas received 1,027 prisoners in exchange for the IDF soldier. Therefore, Hamas’ intentions remain unclear. It may believe Israel lacks the resolve to stand firm in its demands. While Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. are applying pressure, Hamas has so far resisted.
The optimism that prevailed in recent days stemmed from the fact that daily communication with Hamas was taking place and from significant progress made in recent weeks. However, it is now difficult to assess what will happen next. If an agreement is reached, the release is expected to occur immediately after the ceasefire begins, within a day or two. link
Hamas claims Israel imposing new conditions, delaying potential hostage-ceasefire deal
In a statement, the Hamas terror group claims that negotiations for a potential ceasefire-hostage deal are being delayed by Israel imposing new conditions.
Hamas says the talks are “proceeding seriously in Doha with Qatari and Egyptian mediation” and that the terror group “has shown responsibility and flexibility.”
However, the terror group claims that Israel “has set new issues and conditions related to the withdrawal [of troops], the ceasefire, the prisoners and the return of the displaced, which delayed reaching the agreement that was available.”
Gaps between Israel and the Hamas terror group over a possible Gaza hostage release and ceasefire deal have narrowed, according to Israeli and Palestinian officials’ remarks earlier this week, though crucial differences have yet to be resolved. Hamas is reportedly yet to hand over a list of the hostages, living or dead, to be released in the first stage of a potential truce.link Based on all previous negotiation cycles, we cannot discount Hamas' claim even though they are a treacherous terror group of barbarians. Along with this, we know that Netanyahu has given very limiting guidelines to the negotiating team in the past as well as put in last minute demands knowing they would not be acceptable by Hamas, in order to kill any possible deals. This negotiation is being handled differently than all past negotiations with almost complete silence, except for statements by Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz, and those statements are not seen as being helpful towards the ongoing negotiations whatsoever. That, of course could be precisely why they have made the limited statements that they have. We have also heard that Mohammed Sinwar (Yihya's brother) who is apparently running things inside Gaza now is being non cooperative, even with the diaspora Hamas, but these are rumors. As so far, there are no official statements by any side, so all is very speculative and we need to wait. Waiting, however is dangerous for the hostages as winter is here and their bodies are so degenerated that it believed by all medical experts that they don't have the physical capabilities to withstand the winter. These delays could mean death sentences for any of the living hostages. Unfortunately, Netanyahu doesn't have any of the necessary empathy to see and feel that and give the order to the negotiating team "make a deal now". It was only when Netanyahu said that to David Meidan was a deal made to get Gilad Schalit home. In these 14 months plus, Netanyahu has yet to utter those words. Disgraceful!
Hostage families in plea for deal: ‘Any delay in the negotiations could cost lives’
Shir Siegel, whose father Keith is held hostage in Gaza, speaks at Hostages Square on December 25, 2024 (Hostages and Missing Families Forum)A day after an Israeli negotiating team returned from Qatar for consultations, the relatives of a number of hostages give statements in Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, pleading for an agreement to be made with Hamas as fast as possible.
Shir Siegel, whose father Keith Siegel was taken hostage on October 7 from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, warns that there is no time to lose as the captives face a second winter in dire conditions.
“From the stories of my mother and the other hostages who come back, and also according to all professionals, it is absolutely clear that the hostages do not have time,” she says. “We must return them home before the harsh winter in the tunnels.”
“Our future as a nation depends on the decisions taken now. Any delay, hesitation or postponement in the negotiations could cost lives,” she says.
Lishay Miran, the wife of abductee Omri Miran, says that any hostage deal must include everyone held captive in Gaza.
“This terrible journey we are on must end. Everyone must return so that the period of healing can begin,” she says.
“Over a year has passed since the last deal and now is the time for a new one that includes everyone and in which it is clear when and how the final hostage will return,” she says.
There is concern among hostages’ families that any men not released in the first stage of a potential truce could remain held for a further prolonged period, as many fear the deal will collapse before further phases are reached.
The press conference is held the day after a mid-level Israeli negotiating team that had been in Qatar for several days working on a potential hostage-ceasefire deal with Hamas returned to Israel for “internal deliberations in Israel regarding the continuation of negotiations.”
- Hamas still hasn’t sent list of living, dead hostages to be freed in deal’s 1st phase
Israel still has not received from Hamas a list of living and dead hostages to be released in the first phase of a potential ceasefire-hostage deal, the Kan public broadcaster reports.
The outlet additionally says that Hamas is resisting pressure from mediators.
According to Channel 12 news, Israeli officials believe Hamas is hoping for a “dramatic achievement” in the negotiations before providing the list. No further details are given.
Meanwhile, the Israel Hayom daily says that the terror group is backtracking after initially appearing to soften its position.
“Hamas is effectively backing down from the softening that led to the renewal of the talks, and is once again demanding an Israeli commitment to end the war at the end of the comprehensive deal as a condition for implementing its first phase,” an unnamed senior official tells the newspaper.
The reports come as a mid-level Israeli negotiating team that has been in Qatar for several days working on a potential hostage-ceasefire deal with Hamas, returned to Israel for “internal deliberations in Israel regarding the continuation of negotiations.”
The proposed ceasefire is reported to envision a three-phase implementation. The first stage would see Hamas release “humanitarian” captives — female hostages, children, older captives and the sick
Chief rabbi strongly backs releasing terrorists ‘with blood on their hands’ for hostages
Newly appointed Sephardic Chief Rabbi David Yosef says Israel has a responsibility to release terrorists, even those convicted of carrying out mass murders, in order to win the freedom of hostages being held in Gaza.
“My father handed down a very clear religious edict that it is allowed and necessary to release terrorists, even many terrorists, even killers with blood on their hands, to release them in exchange for hostages,” he says in an interview with the Haredi news site Kikar Hashabbat.
Yosef’s father, Ovadiah Yosef, was a powerfully influential rabbi who founded the Shas political party, which is part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition. Both Shas and fellow ultra-Orthodox party United Torah Judaism have come out strongly in support of a hostage deal, even as far-right coalition partners have railed against the possibility of releasing Palestinians with serious terror convictions.
Yosef says his father penned the ruling during the Entebbe hostage crisis of 1976, before Israeli commandos managed to free almost all of the passengers being held hostage in Uganda.
According to Jewish law, the danger faced by hostages today needs to be weighed against the potential future danger posed by the freed terrorists, Yosef says. “My father’s answer was that the current danger comes first.”
Yosef’s comments could help provide a tailwind for a deal, with both Israeli and Palestinian officials indicating that the sides have made progress. Among the remaining issues are thought to be the number of Palestinian prisoners to be released in exchange for hostages and their identities.
IDF probe finds troops acted ‘carefully’ in vicinity of 6 hostages murdered by Hamas in tunnel
This combination of six undated photos shows hostages, from top left, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino, Eden Yerushalmi; from bottom left, Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov, and Carmel Gat (The Hostages Families Forum via AP)An IDF investigation into the murder of six hostages by Hamas terrorists in southern Gaza’s Rafah in August has found that the military had acted carefully even though it had assessed that no captives were being held in the area.
Hostages Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Ori Danino, Alex Lobanov, Carmel Gat, and Almog Sarusi were killed by their captors in a tunnel in Rafah’s Tel Sultan neighborhood on August 29, and were discovered by troops on August 31.
The military did not have any concrete or real-time intelligence on the six hostages being held there in the weeks before they were murdered, but had general indications that Israeli hostages could be in the neighborhood, and therefore had operated carefully above ground and even more so underground.
The possibility of hostages being held in Rafah at the time was seen as low-to-moderate, according to the IDF.
On August 27, the IDF rescued hostage Farhan al-Qadi from a tunnel in Tel Sultan. Al-Qadi had no information on other hostages in the area.
On August 29, at least two Hamas terrorists murdered the six hostages and left their bodies in the tunnel. The IDF believes that after spotting Israeli forces approaching the area, the Hamas terrorists guarding the hostages decided to execute them.
On August 30, the IDF said troops killed two Hamas gunmen who attempted to flee from the tunnel complex, who are believed by the military with high likelihood to be the captors who murdered the six hostages.
On August 31, the IDF decided to briefly halt its activities in Tel Sultan as it held a fresh assessment on the possibility of hostages in the area. Later that day, the bodies of the six were found.
The IDF’s probe found that it had awareness of possible hostages in the area, and despite the assessment being a low possibility, the military operated in a careful manner.
The IDF says it has drawn various conclusions from the incident, from a strategic level to a tactical level, including regarding the army’s intelligence.
Ultimately, the military acknowledges it failed to bring those hostages back home alive.
The IDF probe also confirms that forensic findings located in the area of the tunnel indicate that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who was later killed nearby in October, was there. The IDF was unable to confirm if he was inside the tunnel at the same time the hostages were.
The findings of the probe were presented earlier today to the families of the six slain hostages.
Families’ Headquarters: "Had the Previous Negotiations Not Collapsed, the Six Hostages Would Be in Rehabilitation at Home"
The Families' Headquarters for the Return of the Hostages responded to the publication of the IDF's investigation into the murder of six hostages in a tunnel in Rafah this past August, stating that "it once again proves that military pressure kills hostages. Their return can only be achieved through a political agreement."
According to the headquarters, "For Uri, Almog, Alex, Hersh, Carmel, and Eden—it was too late. They survived 328 days in impossible conditions and should have returned alive. If the previous negotiations had not collapsed, they would now be undergoing rehabilitation with their families."
The statement concluded with a plea: "The time has come to bring back all the hostages. Action must be taken before it is too late."
Hostage Updates
- Hostage negotiators returning to Israel for ‘internal deliberations,’ says PM’s office
The mid-level negotiating team that has been in Qatar for days working on a hostage deal with Hamas will return to Israel tonight, the Prime Minister’s Office says, calling it a “meaningful week” of talks.
“The team is returning for internal deliberations in Israel about the continuation of negotiations to bring our hostages home,” says the PMO.
Negotiation Team Returns from Qatar: Israel Struggles to Understand Hamas’ Goals
Most elements of the deal are nearly finalized, but Hamas continues to refuse to provide a complete list of the living hostages. The Prime Minister’s Office announced that the team, comprising senior officials from the Mossad, Shin Bet, and IDF, has returned from Qatar after a "significant week" of negotiations. No further details were provided.
Negotiations for the release of the hostages held captive by Hamas for 445 days are ongoing, but there is no clear indication whether an agreement is imminent. The range of possibilities spans from a deal being reached within days to no agreement at all.
The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Tuesday evening: “The negotiation team, which includes senior representatives from the Mossad, Shin Bet, and IDF, will return to Israel from Qatar this evening after a significant week of negotiations. The team is returning for internal consultations in Israel regarding the continuation of the negotiations to bring back our hostages.” No additional details were shared.
The gap between Israel and Hamas is not substantial, if it exists at all, allowing for potential agreements. Regarding the Philadelphi Route, there is more or less an understanding. The same applies to the Netzarim route, the terms of the ceasefire, and the phased release of hostages.
Both sides agree on Israel’s commitments in the deal. What is required from Hamas is to provide a complete list of living hostages and to ensure that the list corresponds to the original categories: women, children, female soldiers, elderly individuals, the ill, and the injured.
In the past, a list of 33 hostages was provided, which included several individuals who have since died and Noa Argamani, who was rescued. Israel estimates the number of living hostages expected to be released in the first phase and is insistent on this point. Hamas, however, refuses to provide the list, as doing so would signify agreement to the matter. Furthermore, Hamas dares not submit a smaller or revised list.
The major question in Israel is whether Hamas has the will to proceed. This is the sticking point in the negotiations, making it impossible to predict the future. The outcome could materialize tomorrow or never. Israel assesses that Hamas is not deceiving it. The terror group struggles with relinquishing the asset of living hostages, though its members have little to fear from doing so.
If some living hostages are released, Hamas would still retain several “Gilad Shalit-like” hostages. In 2011, Hamas received 1,027 prisoners in exchange for the IDF soldier. Therefore, Hamas’ intentions remain unclear. It may believe Israel lacks the resolve to stand firm in its demands. While Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. are applying pressure, Hamas has so far resisted.
The optimism that prevailed in recent days stemmed from the fact that daily communication with Hamas was taking place and from significant progress made in recent weeks. However, it is now difficult to assess what will happen next. If an agreement is reached, the release is expected to occur immediately after the ceasefire begins, within a day or two. link
Hamas claims Israel imposing new conditions, delaying potential hostage-ceasefire deal
In a statement, the Hamas terror group claims that negotiations for a potential ceasefire-hostage deal are being delayed by Israel imposing new conditions.
Hamas says the talks are “proceeding seriously in Doha with Qatari and Egyptian mediation” and that the terror group “has shown responsibility and flexibility.”
However, the terror group claims that Israel “has set new issues and conditions related to the withdrawal [of troops], the ceasefire, the prisoners and the return of the displaced, which delayed reaching the agreement that was available.”
Gaps between Israel and the Hamas terror group over a possible Gaza hostage release and ceasefire deal have narrowed, according to Israeli and Palestinian officials’ remarks earlier this week, though crucial differences have yet to be resolved. Hamas is reportedly yet to hand over a list of the hostages, living or dead, to be released in the first stage of a potential truce.link Based on all previous negotiation cycles, we cannot discount Hamas' claim even though they are a treacherous terror group of barbarians. Along with this, we know that Netanyahu has given very limiting guidelines to the negotiating team in the past as well as put in last minute demands knowing they would not be acceptable by Hamas, in order to kill any possible deals. This negotiation is being handled differently than all past negotiations with almost complete silence, except for statements by Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz, and those statements are not seen as being helpful towards the ongoing negotiations whatsoever. That, of course could be precisely why they have made the limited statements that they have. We have also heard that Mohammed Sinwar (Yihya's brother) who is apparently running things inside Gaza now is being non cooperative, even with the diaspora Hamas, but these are rumors. As so far, there are no official statements by any side, so all is very speculative and we need to wait. Waiting, however is dangerous for the hostages as winter is here and their bodies are so degenerated that it believed by all medical experts that they don't have the physical capabilities to withstand the winter. These delays could mean death sentences for any of the living hostages. Unfortunately, Netanyahu doesn't have any of the necessary empathy to see and feel that and give the order to the negotiating team "make a deal now". It was only when Netanyahu said that to David Meidan was a deal made to get Gilad Schalit home. In these 14 months plus, Netanyahu has yet to utter those words. Disgraceful!
Hostage families in plea for deal: ‘Any delay in the negotiations could cost lives’
Shir Siegel, whose father Keith is held hostage in Gaza, speaks at Hostages Square on December 25, 2024 (Hostages and Missing Families Forum)A day after an Israeli negotiating team returned from Qatar for consultations, the relatives of a number of hostages give statements in Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, pleading for an agreement to be made with Hamas as fast as possible.
Shir Siegel, whose father Keith Siegel was taken hostage on October 7 from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, warns that there is no time to lose as the captives face a second winter in dire conditions.
“From the stories of my mother and the other hostages who come back, and also according to all professionals, it is absolutely clear that the hostages do not have time,” she says. “We must return them home before the harsh winter in the tunnels.”
“Our future as a nation depends on the decisions taken now. Any delay, hesitation or postponement in the negotiations could cost lives,” she says.
Lishay Miran, the wife of abductee Omri Miran, says that any hostage deal must include everyone held captive in Gaza.
“This terrible journey we are on must end. Everyone must return so that the period of healing can begin,” she says.
“Over a year has passed since the last deal and now is the time for a new one that includes everyone and in which it is clear when and how the final hostage will return,” she says.
There is concern among hostages’ families that any men not released in the first stage of a potential truce could remain held for a further prolonged period, as many fear the deal will collapse before further phases are reached.
The press conference is held the day after a mid-level Israeli negotiating team that had been in Qatar for several days working on a potential hostage-ceasefire deal with Hamas returned to Israel for “internal deliberations in Israel regarding the continuation of negotiations.”
- Hamas still hasn’t sent list of living, dead hostages to be freed in deal’s 1st phase
Israel still has not received from Hamas a list of living and dead hostages to be released in the first phase of a potential ceasefire-hostage deal, the Kan public broadcaster reports.
The outlet additionally says that Hamas is resisting pressure from mediators.
According to Channel 12 news, Israeli officials believe Hamas is hoping for a “dramatic achievement” in the negotiations before providing the list. No further details are given.
Meanwhile, the Israel Hayom daily says that the terror group is backtracking after initially appearing to soften its position.
“Hamas is effectively backing down from the softening that led to the renewal of the talks, and is once again demanding an Israeli commitment to end the war at the end of the comprehensive deal as a condition for implementing its first phase,” an unnamed senior official tells the newspaper.
The reports come as a mid-level Israeli negotiating team that has been in Qatar for several days working on a potential hostage-ceasefire deal with Hamas, returned to Israel for “internal deliberations in Israel regarding the continuation of negotiations.”
The proposed ceasefire is reported to envision a three-phase implementation. The first stage would see Hamas release “humanitarian” captives — female hostages, children, older captives and the sick
Chief rabbi strongly backs releasing terrorists ‘with blood on their hands’ for hostages
Newly appointed Sephardic Chief Rabbi David Yosef says Israel has a responsibility to release terrorists, even those convicted of carrying out mass murders, in order to win the freedom of hostages being held in Gaza.
“My father handed down a very clear religious edict that it is allowed and necessary to release terrorists, even many terrorists, even killers with blood on their hands, to release them in exchange for hostages,” he says in an interview with the Haredi news site Kikar Hashabbat.
Yosef’s father, Ovadiah Yosef, was a powerfully influential rabbi who founded the Shas political party, which is part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition. Both Shas and fellow ultra-Orthodox party United Torah Judaism have come out strongly in support of a hostage deal, even as far-right coalition partners have railed against the possibility of releasing Palestinians with serious terror convictions.
Yosef says his father penned the ruling during the Entebbe hostage crisis of 1976, before Israeli commandos managed to free almost all of the passengers being held hostage in Uganda.
According to Jewish law, the danger faced by hostages today needs to be weighed against the potential future danger posed by the freed terrorists, Yosef says. “My father’s answer was that the current danger comes first.”
Yosef’s comments could help provide a tailwind for a deal, with both Israeli and Palestinian officials indicating that the sides have made progress. Among the remaining issues are thought to be the number of Palestinian prisoners to be released in exchange for hostages and their identities.
IDF probe finds troops acted ‘carefully’ in vicinity of 6 hostages murdered by Hamas in tunnel
This combination of six undated photos shows hostages, from top left, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino, Eden Yerushalmi; from bottom left, Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov, and Carmel Gat (The Hostages Families Forum via AP)An IDF investigation into the murder of six hostages by Hamas terrorists in southern Gaza’s Rafah in August has found that the military had acted carefully even though it had assessed that no captives were being held in the area.
Hostages Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Ori Danino, Alex Lobanov, Carmel Gat, and Almog Sarusi were killed by their captors in a tunnel in Rafah’s Tel Sultan neighborhood on August 29, and were discovered by troops on August 31.
The military did not have any concrete or real-time intelligence on the six hostages being held there in the weeks before they were murdered, but had general indications that Israeli hostages could be in the neighborhood, and therefore had operated carefully above ground and even more so underground.
The possibility of hostages being held in Rafah at the time was seen as low-to-moderate, according to the IDF.
On August 27, the IDF rescued hostage Farhan al-Qadi from a tunnel in Tel Sultan. Al-Qadi had no information on other hostages in the area.
On August 29, at least two Hamas terrorists murdered the six hostages and left their bodies in the tunnel. The IDF believes that after spotting Israeli forces approaching the area, the Hamas terrorists guarding the hostages decided to execute them.
On August 30, the IDF said troops killed two Hamas gunmen who attempted to flee from the tunnel complex, who are believed by the military with high likelihood to be the captors who murdered the six hostages.
On August 31, the IDF decided to briefly halt its activities in Tel Sultan as it held a fresh assessment on the possibility of hostages in the area. Later that day, the bodies of the six were found.
The IDF’s probe found that it had awareness of possible hostages in the area, and despite the assessment being a low possibility, the military operated in a careful manner.
The IDF says it has drawn various conclusions from the incident, from a strategic level to a tactical level, including regarding the army’s intelligence.
Ultimately, the military acknowledges it failed to bring those hostages back home alive.
The IDF probe also confirms that forensic findings located in the area of the tunnel indicate that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who was later killed nearby in October, was there. The IDF was unable to confirm if he was inside the tunnel at the same time the hostages were.
The findings of the probe were presented earlier today to the families of the six slain hostages.
Families’ Headquarters: "Had the Previous Negotiations Not Collapsed, the Six Hostages Would Be in Rehabilitation at Home"
The Families' Headquarters for the Return of the Hostages responded to the publication of the IDF's investigation into the murder of six hostages in a tunnel in Rafah this past August, stating that "it once again proves that military pressure kills hostages. Their return can only be achieved through a political agreement."
According to the headquarters, "For Uri, Almog, Alex, Hersh, Carmel, and Eden—it was too late. They survived 328 days in impossible conditions and should have returned alive. If the previous negotiations had not collapsed, they would now be undergoing rehabilitation with their families."
The statement concluded with a plea: "The time has come to bring back all the hostages. Action must be taken before it is too late."
Gaza and the South
Israeli jets strike Hamas rocket launcher next to UN building in north Gaza, says IDF Hamas rocket launcher positioned next to a United Nations building in Gaza City’s Shati camp was struck by Israeli fighter jets a short while ago, the IDF says.
The military says the strike was carried out after calling on civilians in the area to evacuate.
Footage released by the IDF shows a rocket flying out of the site following the strike. video
2 Hamas attack tunnels with multiple exit shafts recently destroyed in Gaza, IDF says
Two Hamas attack tunnels were recently demolished by combat engineers in the Gaza Strip, the IDF says.
According to the military, the tunnels — one in southern Gaza and one in the Strip’s center — spanned a total of 2 kilometers underground and were to be used by Hamas to launch attacks.
The military says the tunnels featured branching paths and multiple exit shafts, some of which were booby-trapped. Numerous weapons were also found inside the tunnels, the IDF says.
Combat engineers with the Gaza Division, including the elite Yahalom unit, located and demolished the two tunnels.
Amid the operation by the Gaza Division, a strike was carried out against a cell of terror operatives who attempted to plant an explosive device, the army says. Strikes were also launched against anti-tank missile launch posts and other infrastructure in the area that the IDF says posed a threat to the troops. video of the explosion
Israeli jets strike Hamas rocket launcher next to UN building in north Gaza, says IDF Hamas rocket launcher positioned next to a United Nations building in Gaza City’s Shati camp was struck by Israeli fighter jets a short while ago, the IDF says.
The military says the strike was carried out after calling on civilians in the area to evacuate.
Footage released by the IDF shows a rocket flying out of the site following the strike. video
2 Hamas attack tunnels with multiple exit shafts recently destroyed in Gaza, IDF says
Two Hamas attack tunnels were recently demolished by combat engineers in the Gaza Strip, the IDF says.
According to the military, the tunnels — one in southern Gaza and one in the Strip’s center — spanned a total of 2 kilometers underground and were to be used by Hamas to launch attacks.
The military says the tunnels featured branching paths and multiple exit shafts, some of which were booby-trapped. Numerous weapons were also found inside the tunnels, the IDF says.
Combat engineers with the Gaza Division, including the elite Yahalom unit, located and demolished the two tunnels.
Amid the operation by the Gaza Division, a strike was carried out against a cell of terror operatives who attempted to plant an explosive device, the army says. Strikes were also launched against anti-tank missile launch posts and other infrastructure in the area that the IDF says posed a threat to the troops. video of the explosion
- In Gaza, Katz says IDF will hold onto security control of Strip. - Katz once again made this stupid statement which has all kinds of ramifications: military, economic, relations with allies, hostage negotiations. While the idiot finance minister claims that holding onto Gaza will only cost some hundreds of millions of shekels (as though that isn't a lot and it's coming from his uncles pocket), the IDF financial offices who understand the costs of military rule and governance have clearly stated that holding onto Gaza military rule will cost the state 25 billion shekels a year (close to $7 billion) that we don't have especially after such a costly war. And that doesn't even touch on the social costs of additional reserve duty and extending the mandatory service time for all mandatory soldiers. This direction is catostrophic for Israel but Katz, who is Netanyahu's yes man and only echoing Netanyahu's plan don't care about the costs to the state, only keeping their seats.
Northern Israel - Lebanon/Hizbollah/Syria
- Erdogan: Kurdish militants in Syria will be buried if they don’t lay down weapons. - Erdogan is a vicious autocrat who is determined to besiege and oppress the Kurdish minority in Turkey and especially in Syria. They have been a thorn in his side for a long time and he sees the overthrow of Assad and the somewhat chaotic situation in Syria as his opportunity to go beyond his border to take control of the autonomous Kurdish area in North East Syria. The US has placed additional troops along this border to prevent an onslaught by Turkey. The Kurds are allies of both the US and Israel.
West Bank and Jerusalem and Terror attacks within Israel
- IDF says it carried out drone strike on Palestinian gunmen near Tulkarem
The IDF says it carried out a drone strike against a group of Palestinian gunmen in the Nur Shams camp near the West Bank city of Tulkarem a short while ago.
The strike comes amid an ongoing IDF operation in the area, the military says.
No further details are given.
The IDF says it carried out a drone strike against a group of Palestinian gunmen in the Nur Shams camp near the West Bank city of Tulkarem a short while ago.
The strike comes amid an ongoing IDF operation in the area, the military says.
No further details are given.
Politics and the War (general news)
- Defense Ministry inks deal with IAI to expand production of Arrow 3 interceptors
The Defense Ministry says it has signed a deal worth billions of shekels with the Israel Aerospace Industries for the defense firm to expand its production of Arrow 3 interceptor missiles.
The order of more interceptors for the long-range air defense system comes following increased ballistic missile attacks on Israel by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen in recent days.
The Arrow 3 is designed to take out ballistic missiles outside of the atmosphere, and it has been used repeatedly against Houthi attacks, and against Iran’s direct attacks on Israel in April and October.
Under the deal, the ministry says IAI will provide the military with “a significant amount” of Arrow 3 interceptors, worth billions of shekels.
- Defense Ministry inks deal with IAI to expand production of Arrow 3 interceptors
The Defense Ministry says it has signed a deal worth billions of shekels with the Israel Aerospace Industries for the defense firm to expand its production of Arrow 3 interceptor missiles.
The order of more interceptors for the long-range air defense system comes following increased ballistic missile attacks on Israel by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen in recent days.
The Arrow 3 is designed to take out ballistic missiles outside of the atmosphere, and it has been used repeatedly against Houthi attacks, and against Iran’s direct attacks on Israel in April and October.
Under the deal, the ministry says IAI will provide the military with “a significant amount” of Arrow 3 interceptors, worth billions of shekels.
The Region and the World
- Houthis claim they busted spy ring working for Mossad, CIA
Yemen’s Houthi rebels claim that they have uncovered a spy ring working for the Mossad secret service and the CIA.
In an official statement, the group alleges that the spies were tasked with identifying and monitoring its military sites, such as those of its missile, drone and naval forces as well as weapons depots, and with locating and collecting information on Houthi political and military figures and other individuals in Yemen wanted by the United States and Israel.
The spy ring was allegedly operated by a Saudi man named Hamid Hussein Majali, who the Houthis claim has been active in Yemen since October 7, 2023, trying to recruit locals to conduct espionage activities and obstruct the Houthis as they attack Israel and international shipping lanes in support of Hamas in Gaza.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels claim that they have uncovered a spy ring working for the Mossad secret service and the CIA.
In an official statement, the group alleges that the spies were tasked with identifying and monitoring its military sites, such as those of its missile, drone and naval forces as well as weapons depots, and with locating and collecting information on Houthi political and military figures and other individuals in Yemen wanted by the United States and Israel.
The spy ring was allegedly operated by a Saudi man named Hamid Hussein Majali, who the Houthis claim has been active in Yemen since October 7, 2023, trying to recruit locals to conduct espionage activities and obstruct the Houthis as they attack Israel and international shipping lanes in support of Hamas in Gaza.
Personal Stories "A Lifetime of Work Destroyed in a Minute": The Former MK Whose Son Was Murdered on 10/7 Witnesses His Home’s Demolition
The home of Shai Hermesh in Kibbutz Kfar Aza was hit by tank fire during clashes with terrorists and has now been completely destroyed. “We built it over 55 years, and now it’s wiped off the face of the earth,” he said painfully. A memento from the daughter of a murdered friend and plans for the future: “Enormous uncertainty.”
Former Knesset member Shai Hermesh, a member of Kibbutz Kfar Aza, witnessed the ruins of his home today (Tuesday), which had been hit by tank fire on October 7, and again faced the unbearable loss of his son, Omer, who was murdered. “It’s a lifetime’s work destroyed in one minute,” he said painfully as bulldozers demolished his home.
On the night of the massacre, Hermesh and his family fled their home under fire. “For 22 hours, we were surrounded by terrorists,” he described. “We escaped wearing only sandals and T-shirts, and we were rescued thanks to the forces that evacuated us. My daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter, and newborn baby were with us.”
Hermesh relocated to Kibbutz Tel Yitzhak in the Sharon region and returned today to Kfar Aza to witness a particularly difficult moment—the demolition of his home. “We built it over 55 years, step by step. Now it’s erased from the earth, and what will remain is an empty lot,” he said.
Shai and his children’s mother, Chava, began their life in the kibbutz as a young couple without children. Their home was initially a small housing unit. Over the years, they expanded it, adding a spacious living room, extra rooms, and a well-tended garden. “Our son Omer, who was murdered, had recently become a member of the kibbutz. Our daughter had planned to build her home near ours. Everything was optimistic and good, and that optimism was destroyed in a moment,” Hermesh said.
"The longings are increasing day by day." Shay Harmesh
The former MK from the Kadima Party described the battle that took place in his home the day after he and his family were evacuated. “There was a fight between a terrorist hiding in the house and the Givati Brigade forces. The officer leading the force was killed,” he recounted. “They tried to bring down the house with a D9 [bulldozer] but couldn’t. In the end, they brought in a tank that fired a shell into the safe room—and from that moment, everything was lost and burned.”
"A Lifetime of Work Destroyed in a Minute": The Former MK Whose Son Was Murdered on 10/7 Witnesses His Home’s Demolition
The home of Shai Hermesh in Kibbutz Kfar Aza was hit by tank fire during clashes with terrorists and has now been completely destroyed. “We built it over 55 years, and now it’s wiped off the face of the earth,” he said painfully. A memento from the daughter of a murdered friend and plans for the future: “Enormous uncertainty.”
Former Knesset member Shai Hermesh, a member of Kibbutz Kfar Aza, witnessed the ruins of his home today (Tuesday), which had been hit by tank fire on October 7, and again faced the unbearable loss of his son, Omer, who was murdered. “It’s a lifetime’s work destroyed in one minute,” he said painfully as bulldozers demolished his home.
On the night of the massacre, Hermesh and his family fled their home under fire. “For 22 hours, we were surrounded by terrorists,” he described. “We escaped wearing only sandals and T-shirts, and we were rescued thanks to the forces that evacuated us. My daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter, and newborn baby were with us.”
Hermesh relocated to Kibbutz Tel Yitzhak in the Sharon region and returned today to Kfar Aza to witness a particularly difficult moment—the demolition of his home. “We built it over 55 years, step by step. Now it’s erased from the earth, and what will remain is an empty lot,” he said.
Shai and his children’s mother, Chava, began their life in the kibbutz as a young couple without children. Their home was initially a small housing unit. Over the years, they expanded it, adding a spacious living room, extra rooms, and a well-tended garden. “Our son Omer, who was murdered, had recently become a member of the kibbutz. Our daughter had planned to build her home near ours. Everything was optimistic and good, and that optimism was destroyed in a moment,” Hermesh said.
The former MK from the Kadima Party described the battle that took place in his home the day after he and his family were evacuated. “There was a fight between a terrorist hiding in the house and the Givati Brigade forces. The officer leading the force was killed,” he recounted. “They tried to bring down the house with a D9 [bulldozer] but couldn’t. In the end, they brought in a tank that fired a shell into the safe room—and from that moment, everything was lost and burned.”
A Historic Memory Amid the Ruins
One of Hermesh’s most cherished mementos was a photograph that had hung in the safe room—a picture of him carrying a bazooka on his back during the liberation of the Western Wall in the Six-Day War. “I was part of the first paratrooper unit that descended from the Temple Mount to the Wall,” he recalled. “That picture hung in our safe room and was burned in the attack.”
A few years ago, Hermesh had given an identical picture, with a dedication, to Izhar Feld, his friend from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, who was murdered with his family in the attack. “This morning, Izhar’s daughter found it in their home and returned it to me as a memento. It’s not only a keepsake of a historic event but also of a beloved person,” he said. He added that he would undoubtedly hang the picture in his new home.
Grappling with an Uncertain Future
The ruins of Shai Harmash's house. "We need to start planning and building"
Hermesh is not only dealing with the pain of the past but also with the uncertainty of the future. “The road is still long; many hardships lie ahead,” he said. “It took 15 months to begin demolishing the house. We need to start planning and building. We have to wait and see what happens. The uncertainty is enormous. Security problems are only worsening by the day. There’s no doubt that an unresolved security reality will not bring people back here to raise children.”
Hermesh concluded: “This is our home, and I have no other home. The longing grows stronger every day.” He expressed no expectations from the government. “They destroyed, and they won’t save. I don’t trust them,” he said firmly.link
The Surprising Decision in the Reserves: "Suddenly the War Starts, and I Have No Worries in My Head"
Amidst the action in the field, some reserve soldiers decided to embark on new paths in their civilian lives. There’s the successful life coach who decided to become a gardener, the manager who transitioned to a career advisor following professional confusion, and the teacher who left the classroom after three rounds in the field to open a restaurant in Jerusalem's Mahane Yehuda market. Others, after spending months in uniform, chose relocation—either to Kiryat Shmona or Thailand: “I don’t send pictures so as not to rub salt in anyone’s wounds.”
Gil Biton has likely spent more reserve days this past year than all the other interviewees in this article—nearly 400 days in uniform. Coordinating a brief phone call with him took over two weeks as he moved in and out of Lebanon. Surprisingly, the interviewee relaxing on a beach in Thailand was easier to reach. “Here in the north, with every minor event, you suddenly find yourself thrown into a two-day ambush. So, you’re either sleeping or busy with something,” he explains unapologetically.
Biton’s rare moments of reprieve are during short breaks—only a few days—which he spends at his parents’ home in Moshav Beit Halevi. More accurately, in their yard. It’s there, far from Battalion 8130, that a new dream began to take shape during this turbulent year: becoming a gardener, driven by a longing for Israel’s soil.
“I miss the outdoors. I grew up with a big garden and worked with tools and gardening all my life. Honestly, I’m tired of the city,” he shares. “I see it as something incredibly liberating and enjoyable. While I love working with people, I also love working alone—putting on protective headphones, tending to someone’s garden, and everything’s cool.”
Twenty-five-year-old Biton completed his mandatory service not long before the COVID-19 pandemic. In its wake, he pursued a career as a life coach. Today, after over a year in uniform, he’s less enthusiastic: “I was drawn to the field quickly. I signed up for every workshop and lecture I could find. I sought out coaches and immersed myself in learning how it all worked and how people function. It fascinated me. I received incredible feedback from clients who said their lives changed after just a few hours of coaching over a month.”
"Refreshing, I was carefree, going out and drinking as much as I wanted."
Then came October 7 and the return to uniform: “We were on standby, and after about two months, they told us, ‘You’re going home for now; we might need you in a month.’ Two days later, on a Saturday morning, we got the message: ‘Guys, report back. We’re going into Gaza.’ We spent two and a half months in Gaza. Afterward, I served briefly at a supply depot, where a friend invited me to join another battalion. I tagged along and went back to Gaza for another month and a half. When that was over, I returned to the depot and had another training session with my original battalion. After that, we took up a position on the Gaza border. We were released but were called back about three weeks later. It’s been two months, and we’re still on the Lebanese border.”
The shift in his mindset occurred during the military action: “I was always chasing something, thinking about my next move. But when the war started, all those worries disappeared. I had one mission: to return home safely and complete my tasks. Everything else faded away. During short breaks, I’d stay up late, go to clubs, drink, and do whatever I wanted. Suddenly, I wasn’t chasing anything anymore. I told myself, ‘Okay, I’m not pursuing anything out there now. This field, which is so competitive and demanding, isn’t for me.’” He’s now decided—this chapter of his life is over.
“I’ll keep training for myself, but I won’t coach others. I won’t take on the role of a coach anymore; instead, I’ll remain a trainee,” he explains. “There’s a lot of calm now, a lot of peace in my mind. I don’t feel the need to reach any specific benchmark. Sure, I have aspirations, but they’re much more relaxed. The war changed me profoundly.”
In his new profession, he will remain independent, as he emphasizes: “I don’t know how to be an employee. I’m independent by nature. I worked as an employee twice for a few months and couldn’t handle it. When I started thinking about what I could do independently and what interests me right now, gardening really drew me in.”
"The war really, really changed me"
Even the Clients Were Surprised by the Shift:
“There were trainees waiting for me to return, thinking it would take a month or two. No one really knew what would happen. At some point, everything just faded away. Seven months into the war, I finally sent a message to check in, ask if they were managing, and offer to connect them with another coach.”
Hermesh is not only dealing with the pain of the past but also with the uncertainty of the future. “The road is still long; many hardships lie ahead,” he said. “It took 15 months to begin demolishing the house. We need to start planning and building. We have to wait and see what happens. The uncertainty is enormous. Security problems are only worsening by the day. There’s no doubt that an unresolved security reality will not bring people back here to raise children.”
Hermesh concluded: “This is our home, and I have no other home. The longing grows stronger every day.” He expressed no expectations from the government. “They destroyed, and they won’t save. I don’t trust them,” he said firmly.link
The Surprising Decision in the Reserves: "Suddenly the War Starts, and I Have No Worries in My Head"
Amidst the action in the field, some reserve soldiers decided to embark on new paths in their civilian lives. There’s the successful life coach who decided to become a gardener, the manager who transitioned to a career advisor following professional confusion, and the teacher who left the classroom after three rounds in the field to open a restaurant in Jerusalem's Mahane Yehuda market. Others, after spending months in uniform, chose relocation—either to Kiryat Shmona or Thailand: “I don’t send pictures so as not to rub salt in anyone’s wounds.”
Gil Biton has likely spent more reserve days this past year than all the other interviewees in this article—nearly 400 days in uniform. Coordinating a brief phone call with him took over two weeks as he moved in and out of Lebanon. Surprisingly, the interviewee relaxing on a beach in Thailand was easier to reach. “Here in the north, with every minor event, you suddenly find yourself thrown into a two-day ambush. So, you’re either sleeping or busy with something,” he explains unapologetically.
Biton’s rare moments of reprieve are during short breaks—only a few days—which he spends at his parents’ home in Moshav Beit Halevi. More accurately, in their yard. It’s there, far from Battalion 8130, that a new dream began to take shape during this turbulent year: becoming a gardener, driven by a longing for Israel’s soil.
“I miss the outdoors. I grew up with a big garden and worked with tools and gardening all my life. Honestly, I’m tired of the city,” he shares. “I see it as something incredibly liberating and enjoyable. While I love working with people, I also love working alone—putting on protective headphones, tending to someone’s garden, and everything’s cool.”
Twenty-five-year-old Biton completed his mandatory service not long before the COVID-19 pandemic. In its wake, he pursued a career as a life coach. Today, after over a year in uniform, he’s less enthusiastic: “I was drawn to the field quickly. I signed up for every workshop and lecture I could find. I sought out coaches and immersed myself in learning how it all worked and how people function. It fascinated me. I received incredible feedback from clients who said their lives changed after just a few hours of coaching over a month.”
Then came October 7 and the return to uniform: “We were on standby, and after about two months, they told us, ‘You’re going home for now; we might need you in a month.’ Two days later, on a Saturday morning, we got the message: ‘Guys, report back. We’re going into Gaza.’ We spent two and a half months in Gaza. Afterward, I served briefly at a supply depot, where a friend invited me to join another battalion. I tagged along and went back to Gaza for another month and a half. When that was over, I returned to the depot and had another training session with my original battalion. After that, we took up a position on the Gaza border. We were released but were called back about three weeks later. It’s been two months, and we’re still on the Lebanese border.”
The shift in his mindset occurred during the military action: “I was always chasing something, thinking about my next move. But when the war started, all those worries disappeared. I had one mission: to return home safely and complete my tasks. Everything else faded away. During short breaks, I’d stay up late, go to clubs, drink, and do whatever I wanted. Suddenly, I wasn’t chasing anything anymore. I told myself, ‘Okay, I’m not pursuing anything out there now. This field, which is so competitive and demanding, isn’t for me.’” He’s now decided—this chapter of his life is over.
“I’ll keep training for myself, but I won’t coach others. I won’t take on the role of a coach anymore; instead, I’ll remain a trainee,” he explains. “There’s a lot of calm now, a lot of peace in my mind. I don’t feel the need to reach any specific benchmark. Sure, I have aspirations, but they’re much more relaxed. The war changed me profoundly.”
In his new profession, he will remain independent, as he emphasizes: “I don’t know how to be an employee. I’m independent by nature. I worked as an employee twice for a few months and couldn’t handle it. When I started thinking about what I could do independently and what interests me right now, gardening really drew me in.”
"The war really, really changed me"
Even the Clients Were Surprised by the Shift:
“There were trainees waiting for me to return, thinking it would take a month or two. No one really knew what would happen. At some point, everything just faded away. Seven months into the war, I finally sent a message to check in, ask if they were managing, and offer to connect them with another coach.”
Did this period make you see the coaching profession differently?
“Absolutely. There’s a current trend with all these Instagram mentors, and it made me look at the whole field from a different perspective. It’s turned into a world of influencers and their followers. It’s like a pandemic of sorts. These mentors tell you to ‘do this and that,’ all the ice baths and nonsense. I realized it’s all a sham. In a real moment of truth, in a crisis, you’re left with just yourself. You don’t have yoga, you don’t have these things. None of this influencer ‘pandemic’ is worth anything in extreme situations when you truly need it.”
You’ve accumulated nearly 400 reserve days during this war. How much longer can you keep this up?
“Look, people complain. I’m still single, so I joke that the only thing I have to worry about is a microwave. But then you see the married guys with kids—people are exhausted but still show up. Recruitment rates are very high. Even with all the running around, people say they’re tired but end up doing the job right. Some things are frustrating, like inequality among reservists in the army. I have friends who did three months for the entire war, while others grit their teeth and do everything, really going all out, and with pride.”
"I Showed Up and Set My Deadline":
I caught up with Daniel Gorlik in a place much farther from the Lebanese border: recently, he relocated to Thailand, where he plans to settle for the next few years and live as a digital nomad. “The day I got called up for reserve duty was tough—I didn’t know where I was headed or for how long,” says 26-year-old Gorlik, now in Koh Phangan, but until recently based in Tel Aviv. “About two months into the reserves, I decided I needed a mental break. They gave me a short leave from service, so I flew to Thailand for a month and a half to recharge. When I came back, they called me up again. After that second stint, I realized I wanted to work remotely and that my future lay abroad.”
"I bought a one-way ticket to Copenhagen." Daniel Gorlick in Thailand
"I Bought a One-Way Ticket to Koh Phangan":
“Before that, I worked for Brink’s as a driver and security guard. It’s a tough job, very similar to reserve duty because you’re always armed,” he shares. “I already had friends living as nomads in Thailand and Asia. One of them took me under his wing, telling me, ‘Go take a course and join our crew.’ So, I did. I bought a one-way ticket to Koh Phangan in June, with no job yet. I took a digital marketing course at Richer Academy, and then a friend, who had just become a department manager at a company in central Israel, decided to hire me remotely despite my lack of experience. Now I’m working with them and applying for a five-year visa.”
How much psychological pressure led you to this decision?
“It’s hard to explain. I felt like the country was kind of dumping on me as a reservist. I also felt stuck in my current job, and the reserves helped me realize things. Ultimately, I didn’t want to continue in the reserves—it became too hard. But I contributed my share. When my commander was killed in an accident during the war, that completely broke me. I felt a strong sense of mission in what we were doing, and then someone from your team, someone you’re always with, is suddenly gone. You understand the gravity of it.”
“At first, it was tough to deal with the situation in the south—it was scary. Then, when the northern front opened, and I moved there, I had moments of thinking the country was doomed. But after two weeks, when it became clear that Radwan Forces weren’t using the same tactics, I realized things were under control, though the war would be long.”
How do you handle the gap between being in Thailand and returning to reserve duty?
“It’s hard to describe, but it gave me a glimpse of the life I could choose. Seeing all my nomad friends living well while I had to return to reserves—it was tough. But I went back and did my duty. Still, I knew I was setting my own deadline. This is the life I want. Of course, if I’m back in Israel and needed, I’ll show up.”
Do you feel like you’ve left friends behind?
“Yes. I’ve pretty much cut off a lot of friends I had in Israel. It’s a completely different world. More than half my current friends are here, and they’re not Israeli. So, I also do a bit of advocacy. It’s strange and takes time to adjust. There’s some guilt—some of my friends are up north right now, and when they talk to me, it’s uncomfortable. I don’t send pictures to avoid stepping on toes. I worry about them, but they understand why I disconnected. Let’s just say when I flew to Thailand during the reserves, I experienced a bit of a boycott at first. But I get it—they were in the field while I flew to paradise.”
What might bring you back to Israel in the future?
“If the situation improves regarding agreements with Hamas, Hezbollah, and even Iran. With the U.S. elections, I think things might head in a good direction. That could bring me back to Israel. And, of course, I hope for a change in leadership and government in Israel—I’m dying for that to happen.”
"I fell in love with this city."
Jacky Adri is also undergoing a location change. The 58-year-old, who spent most of his adult life in Beit Shemesh, remains deeply connected to the city, where he once served as a city council member. However, after a year serving in the Home Front Command as a liaison officer for Kiryat Shmona’s municipality, he found himself falling for a city he hardly knew before.
After 27 years in Beit Shemesh, Adri has decided to relocate to Kiryat Shmona. "If you had told me this before October 7, I would’ve thought it was absurd," he says. "I’m deeply tied to my community and friends. But over the past year, I’ve developed a strong connection to Kiryat Shmona, its population, and its atmosphere. This is my path forward, and I won’t back down from it. It will take time since businesses are still not fully operational, but I’ve already spoken with office owners about renting and explored housing options. It’s not immediate, but it’s the direction I’m heading."
Adri Reflects on Loss and Duty
Adri is currently experiencing a hectic period, stepping away briefly from a year of military reserves. "I took two days off for my grandson’s pidyon haben ceremony. Recently, we buried my wife’s nephew, Gilad Elmalich, who fell in combat in Lebanon. He had served over 280 days in reserves—a father to five wonderful children, the youngest just four months old. His mother, my dear sister-in-law, told him before he left, ‘Stay home.’ But he replied, ‘How can I stay home when my friends are out there?’ This is my family."
Adri, who spent most of his life in education and even dabbled in local politics, transitioned into real estate a few years ago. He’s already planning to move his office to his new hometown. But his ambitions for Kiryat Shmona go beyond business. "I wish someone in Kiryat Shmona’s leadership would take me on as a right-hand advisor. I have ideas for the city in various areas, especially education. This place deserves major investment. Coming from a big city, I feel I can help. For perspective, my small neighborhood in Beit Shemesh has 28,000 residents, more than the entire population of Kiryat Shmona."
A Newfound Love for the North
What drew Adri to Kiryat Shmona? "The community composition took me back years, reminding me of my father’s home, stirring a desire to reconnect with dear people. The geography here is incredible—the Hula Valley, the entire area. I’ve always loved the north, but now I see its potential even more. For example, on Eilat Street, there are neglected buildings with breathtaking views. If the government prioritized urban renewal here, the city could thrive."
Adri first encountered Kiryat Shmona in 1990 as a company commander stationed in the area but admits he never truly knew the city. Now, at 58, well beyond the age for mandatory service, he’s devoted to contributing as much as he can. "Even when I take a break, like for my grandson’s ceremony, I’m already thinking about returning. It feels like I have to be there. I can’t explain it."
Family Adjustments
How did his wife react to the decision? "I didn’t tell her all at once. I explained that I wanted to take it step by step, and she understood that I fell in love with the place. It’s not easy, but she’s trying to connect with it. My eldest daughter lives in Ramat Magshimim in the Golan, so my wife said, ‘Great, you’ll be closer to her.’ It’s not simple, but what can I say? I fell in love with the city. How many times can I say it?"
During Guard Duty, I Imagined New Dishes
"In September 2023, I started teaching at a high school in Jerusalem. I taught 9th grade as a Bible studies teacher and waited for university classes to start in October, continuing to teach in the meantime," says 27-year-old Shai Tsatsashvili from Jerusalem. "We went on a Sukkot break with the students. On Sunday morning, October 8, I was supposed to wake up for class."
Before the war, he reveals, he had planned to travel to India. "I was called up for reserve duty on October 7. In mid-December, we left Gaza, and I returned to Jerusalem. I sat with Dor, my partner, and we thought about what to do. Then I decided I wanted to go all in."
"This" is Shai's new "baby," a restaurant. Shai, a student studying education at the Hebrew University, has always loved cooking—his cooking skills have been with him through various life events. Recently, they were with him in Gaza. Perhaps this explains why, after years of studying education, he chose to give up the dream of standing in front of a classroom to open "La Balagan," a restaurant in Mahane Yehuda Market, with a partner.
A New Beginning
The dilemma between his two professional passions, Shai explains, lingered for a long time. Reserve duty ultimately tipped the scales. "I wanted to teach in the morning and work at a bar in the evening. I debated what I wanted as the main focus of my life. For me, it was education. After my first round of reserve duty—I’ve done three so far, with a fourth on the way—it was all I could think about. I was supposed to return to teaching, but I kept making excuses. I just couldn’t bring myself to go back to school, to stand in front of students, or even to read or look at written materials. Still, I thought I would somehow combine the two eventually."
"My partner was my boss before. I had worked at a restaurant as a chef for three years as a student job during my degree. He wanted to open a new place and was looking for a partner. We talked about it, and the idea was floating around. In October, the conversations became more serious. Initially, it was supposed to be a side project alongside what I truly wanted to do." During a break after his first round of reserve duty, the idea became a reality. "Within two weeks, we sorted out all the bureaucracy, and on the first day of 2024, we launched."
Choosing a New Path
After his next round of reserve duty, Shai didn’t return to university. "What really helped me—what kept me around people and stopped me from isolating at home—was the work. During my second round of duty, I was even more torn, but afterward, I had a moment of clarity. I realized that what made me happy was the restaurant, and that’s what I love to do."
Shai continues: "In reserve duty, you’re in an environment where everyone has gone through the same experiences, and when you return to civilian life, it’s hard to explain what you went through to people who weren’t there. It’s exhausting and isolating. Work gave me a safe space where I had a role and a purpose. In contrast, as a teacher, you need to be there for others. You’re a mentor, and I wasn’t in a position to fulfill that role."
Leaving the Classroom Behind
"After my second round of reserve duty, I informed the school that I wouldn’t return for the rest of the year, as there wasn’t much left anyway. I told them I wouldn’t continue teaching. It was part of a program where I studied and was obligated to teach in the Ministry of Education for four years. But I closed that chapter of my life."
Did you feel like you abandoned a dream?
"I constantly think, 'What if I’m making a mistake?' Teaching was something I really wanted to do, but right now, given the situation, it’s easier to focus on the near future than the distant one—especially when I know I’ll likely be called up again in a month or two. It’s frustrating to admit, but the restaurant makes me happy. Life has become fragmented into periods at home and periods on reserve duty, and I adjust to wherever I am. Teaching was a dream of mine as a child, but now I’m fulfilling other dreams."
"I live in this country and care deeply about it. Over the past year, I’ve sacrificed a lot for it. The constant cycle of being called up for duty brings frustration. This is my fourth round, and it’s exhausting. It’s also impacting me financially—I don’t receive compensation because the restaurant is new. Every time I make progress on a project or plan, I’m called up again. It feels impossible to plan for the long term."
"I Lost Myself; I Was in a Bubble"
For Sergei Rolin, 36, from Ashdod, the story is different yet similar. A married father of one, he has spent weeks near the northern border with his comrades from Division 91. Most days are filled with training, leaving little time for contact with home. In his limited free time, he focuses on studying career coaching, his new chosen profession.
"After the October 7 attack, I was in shock and didn’t think about my life at all. Over time, as things calmed down in the north, I started reflecting. I realized I didn’t want to go back to my old job. I felt lost, stuck in a depressive bubble. It was scary because I had invested in my previous role as an operations manager at an electric bike import company. I sought out a career coach, went through the process, and decided to study it myself. Now I want to help others—soldiers, reservists, and anyone looking for direction."
How does your wife feel about it?
"My wife supports me and wants me to find what makes me happy, even if it means leaving my current job. But she also thinks the constant reserve duty is unsustainable and wants me back home."
Both Shai and Sergei illustrate the profound impact of recent events on personal and professional choices, showcasing resilience and the pursuit of meaningful paths amidst uncertainty. link
Dark Legacy - The Abandonment of October 7th Hostages
May 22
David MeidanFormer Mossad official, served as Benjamin Netanyahu’s coordinator for POWs and MIAs.
The Gate of Mercy is locked.The land is bubbling with hate.Our hostages are dying.Our land is quick to forget.The borders have been breached,The beginning was challenging,At first there was still some vestige of civility, some shame, some awe. Then we became accustomed to it.Aviad Frija made sure the victim was dead,Haim Sirotkin accelerated,The girlfriend only opened her mouth.Uri Harush kicked the head of the bereaved father lying on the ground. These are the supporters, and this is the spirit of things.Ignorance, fanaticism, and a mind of darkness.The Messiah is under duress.His liberty in this land has fallen into the hands of his zealots,And abroad, in the hands of Joe Biden.The Law has risen against him. Against him,Not against the right, not against the military, not against the Jewish people, and not against civilization itself.Against him.Not against the right and not against the military and not against the Jewish people and not against civilization.Against him.The north is barren,Qiryat Shemona is deserted.A city upturned, lying on its back.like Sderot, and like Metula.The Messiah is in hiding.Good Likudniks, where are you?Will the land forever grieve?Will you forever devour his lies?A failing, falling man is deceiving you. Without him we can rise from the ruins. Together.Put aside the divisions.This failure of a man is not Moses.Better people will come.They will repair, they will restore, they will rebuild. One step at a time.With devotion and perseverance.With real deeds... not with trickery.People of truth.Lovers of their land.Let this failure out of our lives.For the sake of the children.
David Meidan
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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