🎗️Lonny's War Update- October 447, 2023 - December 26, 2024 🎗️
🎗️Day 447 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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A reservist soldier was killed in fighting in the central Gaza Strip, the military announces.
The slain troop is named as Cpt. (res.) Amit Levi, 35 from Kibbutz Shomria.
MAY HIS MEMORY BE A REVOLUTIONHis funeral will be held tomorrow at 3 p.m. at the Har Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem.
Israel’s toll in the ground offensive against Hamas in Gaza and in military operations along the border with the Strip stands at 392. The toll includes a police officer killed in a hostage rescue mission and a Defense Ministry civilian contractor.
A reservist soldier was killed in fighting in the central Gaza Strip, the military announces.
The slain troop is named as Cpt. (res.) Amit Levi, 35 from Kibbutz Shomria.
His funeral will be held tomorrow at 3 p.m. at the Har Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem.
Israel’s toll in the ground offensive against Hamas in Gaza and in military operations along the border with the Strip stands at 392. The toll includes a police officer killed in a hostage rescue mission and a Defense Ministry civilian contractor.
Hostage Updates
- If they had advanced a comprehensive deal on the return of all the hostages, there would have been no argument with Hamas about who would be released in the first and perhaps the only release. Yes, Hamas can be accused of disagreeing with Israel about who should be released in the first place, but why are they even talking about a partial deal? The answer: because Netanyahu does not agree to end the war. All the hostages will not return if the war does not end. A comprehensive deal can be reached on the return of all the hostages, the end of the war, an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and there will also be a large release of Palestinian prisoners. But it is also possible to reach an agreement that Hamas will not control Gaza after the war, but Netanyahu refuses to talk about Gaza after the war because in his view there will be no end to the war. (Gershon Baskin, 12-25-2024)
Hostage Updates
- If they had advanced a comprehensive deal on the return of all the hostages, there would have been no argument with Hamas about who would be released in the first and perhaps the only release. Yes, Hamas can be accused of disagreeing with Israel about who should be released in the first place, but why are they even talking about a partial deal? The answer: because Netanyahu does not agree to end the war. All the hostages will not return if the war does not end. A comprehensive deal can be reached on the return of all the hostages, the end of the war, an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and there will also be a large release of Palestinian prisoners. But it is also possible to reach an agreement that Hamas will not control Gaza after the war, but Netanyahu refuses to talk about Gaza after the war because in his view there will be no end to the war. (Gershon Baskin, 12-25-2024)
Israel and Hamas accuse each other of foiling hostage-ceasefire deal
PM’s office says terror group ‘reneging on understandings already reached’ after Hamas claims Israel adding new demands; Qatar reportedly asks Israel to show more flexibility Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Wednesday accused the Hamas terror group of lying about ongoing hostage-ceasefire negotiations and walking back terms it had agreed to, as renewed talks appeared to stall despite previous expressions of optimism by senior officials.
“The terrorist organization Hamas is lying again,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement, “reneging on the understandings already reached, and continuing to make it difficult for the negotiations.
“Nevertheless, Israel will continue tirelessly in its efforts to bring home all of our hostages,” the statement added.
Israeli officials charged Wednesday that Hamas had backed away from a softened stance that could have enabled a ceasefire and hostage deal in the Gaza war, and instead returned to a position that is holding up progress toward an agreement.
The terror group, which started the war with its October 7 attack last year, earlier Wednesday accused Israel of making new demands in the negotiations and causing a delay.
In a statement accusing Israel of derailing the talks, Hamas insisted the ceasefire negotiations via Qatari and Egyptian mediators had been proceeding “in a serious manner” and claimed that it had shown “responsibility and flexibility.”
But Israel, it claimed, “has set new issues and conditions related to withdrawal, ceasefire, prisoners, and the return of the displaced [Gazans to their homes], which has delayed reaching the agreement that was available.”
The recriminations poured cold water on recent optimistic remarks from involved officials as to the chances of closing a deal being mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the US.
Families of Israelis held hostage in Gaza hold a press conference at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on December 25, 2024. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)
Informed unnamed sources told the Kan public broadcaster that Hamas’s leader in Gaza, Muhammad Sinwar, is even more intractable in the talks than his brother Yahya, the former terror chief, who was slain by Israel in October.
The sources said Hamas was not giving in to pressure to be more accommodating.
Officials speaking to the Israel Hayom newspaper said that Hamas was backtracking after initially appearing to soften its position, enabling a renewed push over the past few weeks for an agreement. They also cite Sinwar’s stubbornness as a key factor in the talks stalling.
“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 told the newspaper.
Hostages Square in Tel Aviv. December 22 2024 (Miriam Alster/FLASH90)
Both reports said that a major obstacle is Hamas’s refusal to hand over a list of living and dead hostages who would be released during the first phase of the proposed three-stage ceasefire.
The initial stage would see Hamas release “humanitarian” captives — female hostages, children, older men and the sick.
Women, children, and older men would be released first and then, after seven days, Hamas would provide a list of the sick hostages to be released, Kan reported.
However, there is a dispute over which hostages would be considered “sick” as Israel is insisting it include younger men who are injured or unwell, whereas Hamas sees all the younger men as soldiers and therefore prized captives to be held on to for further negotiations.
Aside from the list, other key points of dispute are the number of Palestinian security prisoners that Israel will release for each hostage, and Hamas’s revival of a demand that the ceasefire agreement include the terms for a permanent end to the war, something it had previously backed down from, the Israel Hayom report said.
Israeli singer Narkis is seen onstage at a rally calling for the release of the hostages held captive by the Hamas terror group in Gaza, at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, December 24 2024. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
A senior cabinet minister told the newspaper that Israel expects stronger support from the incoming US administration of Donald Trump and more pressure on Hamas.
Sources have told The Times of Israel that the Qatari negotiators have been asking the Israeli government to be more flexible, with Hamas seeking assurances that Israel won’t return to fighting after the first phase of the deal is implemented.
The IDF operates in the southern Gaza Strip’s Rafah in this hand out image from December 16, 2024. (IDF)
The Kan sources said the talks have not fallen apart, despite a mid-level Israeli negotiating team returning for deliberations Tuesday night from Qatar where they were being held. If there is progress, another negotiating team will head back to Qatar, negotiators said.
Over the past week, Israeli and Palestinian voices indicated a deal could be reached, saying the remaining gaps between the sides had narrowed, though crucial differences have yet to be resolved.
At the end of last month, The New York Times cited officials as saying Hamas seemed willing to give up on some core demands, enabling the long-stalled talks to find traction.
The Report Revealed: The Shocking Abuse of Hamas Terrorists Against Hostages
After collecting a series of harrowing testimonies from released hostages, Israel has drafted an official report to be submitted to the United Nations. For months, hostages recounted, Hamas terrorists subjected them to sexual, psychological, and physical abuse. The testimonies, provided by both adults and children, also address the aftermath and the trauma endured by those who returned from Gaza. The descriptions presented in the report are potentially distressing to read.
For the first time since the outbreak of the war, and after gathering dozens of accounts from former captives who returned home, Israel has prepared an official report that chillingly details the abuse inflicted by Hamas terrorists. Some endured this treatment for months and continue to struggle even after their release.
The report, compiled by doctors and psychologists from the Ministry of Welfare and Health, is expected to be submitted to the UN soon. It contains disturbing but critical findings that shed light on what the hostages endured—and continue to endure—over extended periods. The report includes testimonies from adult and child hostages who described sexual assaults, being branded with hot metal, and severe violence, including hair being pulled out and limbs being tied.
The freed hostages also recounted in the report that they were deliberately separated from their captive family members. Shockingly, abducted children were forced to watch videos of the October 7 massacre. Other hostages underwent surgeries without anesthesia, some were forced to soil themselves, and female captives were turned into slaves.
The report states that before the hostages' release, Hamas terrorists increased food portions to create the illusion that the captives were treated well. According to the testimonies, children lost 5–10 kilograms (11–22 pounds), while adults lost around 15 kilograms (33 pounds). Freed hostages reported severe trauma—they rarely leave their homes, struggle to return to normalcy, and fear sleeping alone. Additionally, they complain of physical pain, and released children either hoard food or eat very little.
It is important to note that these hostages were held captive for only two months. The doctors and psychologists who prepared the report emphasized that the released hostages cannot heal while knowing that others remain trapped in the tunnels. link
Sources in Negotiations Criticize Netanyahu and Katz: "Unnecessary and Harmful Statements"
Sources involved in the negotiations have spoken out against recent remarks by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Katz regarding the deal and the situation in Gaza. They stated: "When you say 'we will not move, not withdraw, not stop, and will maintain military control'—why would the first phase of the deal happen at all?"
Prime Minister's Office responded: "A false echo."
Sources in the security establishment familiar with the details of the negotiations expressed harsh criticism of Netanyahu and Katz's comments, as reported on the main evening broadcast this Wednesday. According to these sources, their statements about the negotiations and the situation in Gaza are unnecessary and even detrimental.
"These are unnecessary and harmful statements," the sources said. "The only hope for implementing the first phase lies in the belief that in the second and third phases, the war will come to an end. When they hear statements like 'we will not move, not withdraw, not stop, and will maintain military control,' why would the first phase even take place?"
Netanyahu and Katz believe their remarks on maintaining the IDF’s security control are natural and self-evident following the events of October 7, dismissing the criticism as unfounded.
Israel and Hamas Trade Accusations
Both Israel and Hamas are accusing each other of introducing new demands. Hamas claims Israel is insisting on receiving a list of hostages before progressing toward an agreement. Meanwhile, Jerusalem fears that Hamas may attempt to manipulate and mislead during the negotiations.
Israeli officials stated, "We won't reveal mid-process who is being released. That's not how you form a deal." Ultimately, the negotiations remain unfinished. These are critical moments for defining the identities of prisoners, key exchange elements, and reference points for the deal, requiring tough decisions.
Defense Minister Katz on Security in Gaza
Sources also addressed Katz's statements earlier today at the Philadelphia Corridor. Katz declared, "Security control in Gaza will remain in the hands of the IDF. There will be no ruling Hamas and no military Hamas here. We will also ensure buffer zones and strategic control points in Gaza. Alongside this, we will work to bring all the hostages home and decisively defeat Hamas."
Opposition Criticizes Netanyahu
Katz's remarks followed Netanyahu’s interview with the Wall Street Journal, where he clarified that he would not agree to a hostage deal that ends the war. Opposition leaders criticized Netanyahu: Benny Gantz accused him of undermining the negotiations, while Yair Lapid claimed he does not want a hostage deal.
Prime Minister's Office Responds
The Prime Minister's Office stated: "This is yet another false echo of Hamas propaganda, coming from unidentified individuals within the negotiating team who are driven by political agendas. Prime Minister Netanyahu is fully committed to bringing all our hostages home and achieving the war’s objectives in Gaza. It would be better for these informants to focus entirely on the sacred mission of bringing our hostages back and stop playing into the hands of the terrorist organization Hamas." link
Fearing a Security Incident: Police Disperse Candle-Lighting Event for Hostages Near Kirya in Tel Aviv
The event was relocated to the plaza of Beit Ariela due to a report of a suspicious individual. Less than half an hour later, the police announced that the individual had been apprehended in the area and that the security threat had been eliminated.
The family organization stated: "Due to suspicion of a security incident and at the request of security forces, Watch 101 was dispersed."
A Hanukkah candle-lighting event calling for the release of hostages was dispersed on Wednesday evening following a suspected security threat. Shortly thereafter, the police announced that a suspicious individual had been arrested in the area and that the security concern was resolved. The suspect, apprehended on HaGdud HaIvri Street in southern Tel Aviv, will be transferred from police custody to the Shin Bet.
The hostages' family advocacy group issued a statement: "Due to suspicion of a security incident and at the request of security forces, Watch 101 was dispersed." The candle-lighting event was relocated to the plaza of Beit Ariela.
Police Issue Updates at the Scene
At the scene, police updated attendees, saying: "We have a suspected security incident in the Tel Aviv area. Everyone is asked to disperse calmly and safely. Please do not run. Thank you for your understanding."
The event began in the afternoon with hundreds of mothers and relatives of hostages, along with additional participants and supporters, holding a silent protest on Shaul Hamelech Street across from the Shaul Gate at the Kirya. There was also a significant police presence reported at the nearby Azrieli Mall.
During the event, police stated: "At this stage, the report of a suspicious individual is being investigated, and no additional details are available. Police forces are conducting operational activities and extensive searches. We will update the public if further details become available." They emphasized: "In any case of suspicion of an unusual event or suspicious object, the public is urged to immediately notify the police emergency line at 100."
Scheduled Speakers Impacted
Scheduled to speak during the evening were Yifat Calderon, Hadas Calderon, and Naomi Or, a relative of hostage Dror Or.
Hamas Accuses Israel
Hamas emphasized that "the movement demonstrated responsibility and flexibility, but the occupation introduced new issues and conditions related to withdrawal, ceasefire, prisoners, and the return of displaced persons, which delayed reaching an achievable agreement."
In response, the Prime Minister's Office stated: "The Hamas terrorist organization is once again lying, reneging on understandings already reached, and continuing to complicate the negotiations. Nonetheless, Israel will tirelessly continue its efforts to bring back all our hostages."
About Watch 101
Watch 101 is an independent initiative by mothers, hostage families, and citizens aiming to pressure decision-makers to advance a deal for the hostages' return. The organizers stated: "The watches take place in front of symbols of authority in quiet, white-clad, non-political gatherings. Together, we demand that the government fulfill its duty to save lives, to save the lives of our daughters and sons."
Negotiations Continue in Doha
Meanwhile, negotiations for a hostage deal continued in Doha, Qatar's capital. In the morning, the Prime Minister's Office announced that the negotiation team would return from Qatar for consultations on the next steps. Hamas confirmed in an official statement that talks are progressing but accused Israel of introducing new conditions to the deal.
"The negotiations for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange are continuing seriously in Doha, under Qatari and Egyptian mediation," the terrorist organization said. link
Hamas official: Terror group unable to provide full list of living hostages until truce starts
An unnamed Hamas official tells Qatari-owned Al-Araby Al-Jadeed outlet that Hamas has provided a partial list of living hostages to negotiators, but is unable to communicate with all the groups holding captives.
The official says the terror group will be in a better position to provide information on the hostages once the ceasefire has begun and communication in Gaza becomes easier.
The comment comes in the wake of Israeli reports that the terror group is refusing to provide information on the captives it is holding.
The newspaper also claims that the first stage of the ceasefire will see the release of two male soldiers holding American citizenship. It is unclear if this refers to serving troops, as Hamas classifies all men of fighting age as troops.
In addition, the first phase will also see the release of two men holding Russian citizenship, the report says.
The report says there has been some disagreement over the classification of humanitarian cases, with Hamas unwilling to include soldiers wounded during fighting within that category.
Unnamed Egyptian sources claim the talks are “a few steps from the finish line.”
However, Israeli officials charged yesterday that Hamas had backed away from a softened stance that could have enabled a ceasefire and hostage deal in the Gaza war, and instead returned to a position that is holding up progress.
The terror group, which started the war with its October 7 attack last year, earlier accused Israel of making new demands in the negotiations and causing a delay. link As much as Hamas should never be taken by its words alone, this happens to be true. I have known this since the beginning of the war. While it is true that at the beginning, Hamas and Jihad tried to round up as many hostages as possible to have control over them, there were many hostages that were taken by individual Gazans and hid as they believed they would make a lot of money from the hostages. After Hamas and Jihad gained control over the hostages, they were still kept and moved to many different locations, not only in the Hamas tunnels. Throughout the war, with the constant aerial bombings, hostages and their captors were killed or injured and the living ones moved around. Hamas and Jihad lost track due to the situation and broken communications. They honestly don't know where some or many are or what their status is, whether the hostages are living, injured or killed. They have been saying in all of the negotiations that they need about a week of ceasefire to ascertain the whereabouts of as many hostages as possible. Unfortunately, there will also be hostages whose whereabouts will never be known because of all the bombing and destruction in Gaza. There are thousands of Gazans buried beneath rubble and there is every reason to believe that there are also hostages who will never be found in the rubble.
Hostage Release? Minister from Otzma Yehudit Claims: "There Is Nothing More Important Right Now Than Dismissing the Attorney General"
Minister Amichai Eliyahu argued in an interview with Galatz that the dismissal of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara is currently the most critical issue: "The legal problem is one that harms Israel's security."
On the ongoing negotiations for a deal: "We cannot pay any price. They are toying with the families of the hostages and giving backing to Hamas."
Minister Amichai Eliyahu from the Otzma Yehudit party stated in a Galatz interview last night (Wednesday) that the top priority at the moment is the dismissal of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara: "This is exactly what we are saying, that there is nothing more important than this."
When the interviewer questioned how such a claim could be made while Iran is advancing its nuclear program and 100 hostages remain held in Gaza, Eliyahu responded: "I think you are wrong in your analysis, because I see the legal issue as one that today harms Israel's security." link Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) is the party of Ben Gvir, the renewed Kach party of Meir Kahana which was outlawed as a racist party. Otzma Yehudit is no different but we are living in different times when we have a Prime Minister who has no problem normalizing this racism so he can be and remain prime minister. This racist party has never viewed the hostages as having any importance, just the opposite. They view the hostages as necessary collateral damage to realize their goals and messianic ideologies and as such, have threatened Netanyahu with bringing down the government each time a hostage deal is anywhere close to being brought to the table. Every single one of these party members are beneath contempt and should have stayed on the periphery of political and social life in Israel and would have remained there if Netanyahu didn't put them into focus and being essential to be elected to the Knesset so he could regain power. And then to add insult to injury, he gave them important ministries including public security, the police which Ben Gvir has been remolding in his image. Their aims are to destroy democracy because they don't believe Arabs should have any place in Israel and their belief is the same regarding anyone on the left. They are a danger to Israel and our future.
Israel and Hamas accuse each other of foiling hostage-ceasefire deal
PM’s office says terror group ‘reneging on understandings already reached’ after Hamas claims Israel adding new demands; Qatar reportedly asks Israel to show more flexibility Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Wednesday accused the Hamas terror group of lying about ongoing hostage-ceasefire negotiations and walking back terms it had agreed to, as renewed talks appeared to stall despite previous expressions of optimism by senior officials.
“The terrorist organization Hamas is lying again,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement, “reneging on the understandings already reached, and continuing to make it difficult for the negotiations.
“Nevertheless, Israel will continue tirelessly in its efforts to bring home all of our hostages,” the statement added.
Israeli officials charged Wednesday that Hamas had backed away from a softened stance that could have enabled a ceasefire and hostage deal in the Gaza war, and instead returned to a position that is holding up progress toward an agreement.
The terror group, which started the war with its October 7 attack last year, earlier Wednesday accused Israel of making new demands in the negotiations and causing a delay.
In a statement accusing Israel of derailing the talks, Hamas insisted the ceasefire negotiations via Qatari and Egyptian mediators had been proceeding “in a serious manner” and claimed that it had shown “responsibility and flexibility.”
But Israel, it claimed, “has set new issues and conditions related to withdrawal, ceasefire, prisoners, and the return of the displaced [Gazans to their homes], which has delayed reaching the agreement that was available.”
The recriminations poured cold water on recent optimistic remarks from involved officials as to the chances of closing a deal being mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the US.
Families of Israelis held hostage in Gaza hold a press conference at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on December 25, 2024. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)
Informed unnamed sources told the Kan public broadcaster that Hamas’s leader in Gaza, Muhammad Sinwar, is even more intractable in the talks than his brother Yahya, the former terror chief, who was slain by Israel in October.
The sources said Hamas was not giving in to pressure to be more accommodating.
Officials speaking to the Israel Hayom newspaper said that Hamas was backtracking after initially appearing to soften its position, enabling a renewed push over the past few weeks for an agreement. They also cite Sinwar’s stubbornness as a key factor in the talks stalling.
“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 told the newspaper.
Hostages Square in Tel Aviv. December 22 2024 (Miriam Alster/FLASH90)
Both reports said that a major obstacle is Hamas’s refusal to hand over a list of living and dead hostages who would be released during the first phase of the proposed three-stage ceasefire.
The initial stage would see Hamas release “humanitarian” captives — female hostages, children, older men and the sick.
Women, children, and older men would be released first and then, after seven days, Hamas would provide a list of the sick hostages to be released, Kan reported.
However, there is a dispute over which hostages would be considered “sick” as Israel is insisting it include younger men who are injured or unwell, whereas Hamas sees all the younger men as soldiers and therefore prized captives to be held on to for further negotiations.
Aside from the list, other key points of dispute are the number of Palestinian security prisoners that Israel will release for each hostage, and Hamas’s revival of a demand that the ceasefire agreement include the terms for a permanent end to the war, something it had previously backed down from, the Israel Hayom report said.
Israeli singer Narkis is seen onstage at a rally calling for the release of the hostages held captive by the Hamas terror group in Gaza, at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, December 24 2024. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
Sources have told The Times of Israel that the Qatari negotiators have been asking the Israeli government to be more flexible, with Hamas seeking assurances that Israel won’t return to fighting after the first phase of the deal is implemented.
The IDF operates in the southern Gaza Strip’s Rafah in this hand out image from December 16, 2024. (IDF)
The Kan sources said the talks have not fallen apart, despite a mid-level Israeli negotiating team returning for deliberations Tuesday night from Qatar where they were being held. If there is progress, another negotiating team will head back to Qatar, negotiators said.
Over the past week, Israeli and Palestinian voices indicated a deal could be reached, saying the remaining gaps between the sides had narrowed, though crucial differences have yet to be resolved.
At the end of last month, The New York Times cited officials as saying Hamas seemed willing to give up on some core demands, enabling the long-stalled talks to find traction.
The Report Revealed: The Shocking Abuse of Hamas Terrorists Against Hostages
After collecting a series of harrowing testimonies from released hostages, Israel has drafted an official report to be submitted to the United Nations. For months, hostages recounted, Hamas terrorists subjected them to sexual, psychological, and physical abuse. The testimonies, provided by both adults and children, also address the aftermath and the trauma endured by those who returned from Gaza. The descriptions presented in the report are potentially distressing to read.
For the first time since the outbreak of the war, and after gathering dozens of accounts from former captives who returned home, Israel has prepared an official report that chillingly details the abuse inflicted by Hamas terrorists. Some endured this treatment for months and continue to struggle even after their release.
The report, compiled by doctors and psychologists from the Ministry of Welfare and Health, is expected to be submitted to the UN soon. It contains disturbing but critical findings that shed light on what the hostages endured—and continue to endure—over extended periods. The report includes testimonies from adult and child hostages who described sexual assaults, being branded with hot metal, and severe violence, including hair being pulled out and limbs being tied.
The freed hostages also recounted in the report that they were deliberately separated from their captive family members. Shockingly, abducted children were forced to watch videos of the October 7 massacre. Other hostages underwent surgeries without anesthesia, some were forced to soil themselves, and female captives were turned into slaves.
The report states that before the hostages' release, Hamas terrorists increased food portions to create the illusion that the captives were treated well. According to the testimonies, children lost 5–10 kilograms (11–22 pounds), while adults lost around 15 kilograms (33 pounds). Freed hostages reported severe trauma—they rarely leave their homes, struggle to return to normalcy, and fear sleeping alone. Additionally, they complain of physical pain, and released children either hoard food or eat very little.
It is important to note that these hostages were held captive for only two months. The doctors and psychologists who prepared the report emphasized that the released hostages cannot heal while knowing that others remain trapped in the tunnels. link
Sources in Negotiations Criticize Netanyahu and Katz: "Unnecessary and Harmful Statements"
Sources involved in the negotiations have spoken out against recent remarks by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Katz regarding the deal and the situation in Gaza. They stated: "When you say 'we will not move, not withdraw, not stop, and will maintain military control'—why would the first phase of the deal happen at all?"
Prime Minister's Office responded: "A false echo."
Sources in the security establishment familiar with the details of the negotiations expressed harsh criticism of Netanyahu and Katz's comments, as reported on the main evening broadcast this Wednesday. According to these sources, their statements about the negotiations and the situation in Gaza are unnecessary and even detrimental.
"These are unnecessary and harmful statements," the sources said. "The only hope for implementing the first phase lies in the belief that in the second and third phases, the war will come to an end. When they hear statements like 'we will not move, not withdraw, not stop, and will maintain military control,' why would the first phase even take place?"
Netanyahu and Katz believe their remarks on maintaining the IDF’s security control are natural and self-evident following the events of October 7, dismissing the criticism as unfounded.
Israel and Hamas Trade Accusations
Both Israel and Hamas are accusing each other of introducing new demands. Hamas claims Israel is insisting on receiving a list of hostages before progressing toward an agreement. Meanwhile, Jerusalem fears that Hamas may attempt to manipulate and mislead during the negotiations.
Israeli officials stated, "We won't reveal mid-process who is being released. That's not how you form a deal." Ultimately, the negotiations remain unfinished. These are critical moments for defining the identities of prisoners, key exchange elements, and reference points for the deal, requiring tough decisions.
Defense Minister Katz on Security in Gaza
Sources also addressed Katz's statements earlier today at the Philadelphia Corridor. Katz declared, "Security control in Gaza will remain in the hands of the IDF. There will be no ruling Hamas and no military Hamas here. We will also ensure buffer zones and strategic control points in Gaza. Alongside this, we will work to bring all the hostages home and decisively defeat Hamas."
Opposition Criticizes Netanyahu
Katz's remarks followed Netanyahu’s interview with the Wall Street Journal, where he clarified that he would not agree to a hostage deal that ends the war. Opposition leaders criticized Netanyahu: Benny Gantz accused him of undermining the negotiations, while Yair Lapid claimed he does not want a hostage deal.
Prime Minister's Office Responds
The Prime Minister's Office stated: "This is yet another false echo of Hamas propaganda, coming from unidentified individuals within the negotiating team who are driven by political agendas. Prime Minister Netanyahu is fully committed to bringing all our hostages home and achieving the war’s objectives in Gaza. It would be better for these informants to focus entirely on the sacred mission of bringing our hostages back and stop playing into the hands of the terrorist organization Hamas." link
Fearing a Security Incident: Police Disperse Candle-Lighting Event for Hostages Near Kirya in Tel Aviv
The event was relocated to the plaza of Beit Ariela due to a report of a suspicious individual. Less than half an hour later, the police announced that the individual had been apprehended in the area and that the security threat had been eliminated.
The family organization stated: "Due to suspicion of a security incident and at the request of security forces, Watch 101 was dispersed."
A Hanukkah candle-lighting event calling for the release of hostages was dispersed on Wednesday evening following a suspected security threat. Shortly thereafter, the police announced that a suspicious individual had been arrested in the area and that the security concern was resolved. The suspect, apprehended on HaGdud HaIvri Street in southern Tel Aviv, will be transferred from police custody to the Shin Bet.
The hostages' family advocacy group issued a statement: "Due to suspicion of a security incident and at the request of security forces, Watch 101 was dispersed." The candle-lighting event was relocated to the plaza of Beit Ariela.
Police Issue Updates at the Scene
At the scene, police updated attendees, saying: "We have a suspected security incident in the Tel Aviv area. Everyone is asked to disperse calmly and safely. Please do not run. Thank you for your understanding."
The event began in the afternoon with hundreds of mothers and relatives of hostages, along with additional participants and supporters, holding a silent protest on Shaul Hamelech Street across from the Shaul Gate at the Kirya. There was also a significant police presence reported at the nearby Azrieli Mall.
During the event, police stated: "At this stage, the report of a suspicious individual is being investigated, and no additional details are available. Police forces are conducting operational activities and extensive searches. We will update the public if further details become available." They emphasized: "In any case of suspicion of an unusual event or suspicious object, the public is urged to immediately notify the police emergency line at 100."
Scheduled Speakers Impacted
Scheduled to speak during the evening were Yifat Calderon, Hadas Calderon, and Naomi Or, a relative of hostage Dror Or.
Hamas Accuses Israel
Hamas emphasized that "the movement demonstrated responsibility and flexibility, but the occupation introduced new issues and conditions related to withdrawal, ceasefire, prisoners, and the return of displaced persons, which delayed reaching an achievable agreement."
In response, the Prime Minister's Office stated: "The Hamas terrorist organization is once again lying, reneging on understandings already reached, and continuing to complicate the negotiations. Nonetheless, Israel will tirelessly continue its efforts to bring back all our hostages."
About Watch 101
Watch 101 is an independent initiative by mothers, hostage families, and citizens aiming to pressure decision-makers to advance a deal for the hostages' return. The organizers stated: "The watches take place in front of symbols of authority in quiet, white-clad, non-political gatherings. Together, we demand that the government fulfill its duty to save lives, to save the lives of our daughters and sons."
Negotiations Continue in Doha
Meanwhile, negotiations for a hostage deal continued in Doha, Qatar's capital. In the morning, the Prime Minister's Office announced that the negotiation team would return from Qatar for consultations on the next steps. Hamas confirmed in an official statement that talks are progressing but accused Israel of introducing new conditions to the deal.
"The negotiations for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange are continuing seriously in Doha, under Qatari and Egyptian mediation," the terrorist organization said. link
Hamas official: Terror group unable to provide full list of living hostages until truce starts
An unnamed Hamas official tells Qatari-owned Al-Araby Al-Jadeed outlet that Hamas has provided a partial list of living hostages to negotiators, but is unable to communicate with all the groups holding captives.
The official says the terror group will be in a better position to provide information on the hostages once the ceasefire has begun and communication in Gaza becomes easier.
The comment comes in the wake of Israeli reports that the terror group is refusing to provide information on the captives it is holding.
The newspaper also claims that the first stage of the ceasefire will see the release of two male soldiers holding American citizenship. It is unclear if this refers to serving troops, as Hamas classifies all men of fighting age as troops.
In addition, the first phase will also see the release of two men holding Russian citizenship, the report says.
The report says there has been some disagreement over the classification of humanitarian cases, with Hamas unwilling to include soldiers wounded during fighting within that category.
Unnamed Egyptian sources claim the talks are “a few steps from the finish line.”
However, Israeli officials charged yesterday that Hamas had backed away from a softened stance that could have enabled a ceasefire and hostage deal in the Gaza war, and instead returned to a position that is holding up progress.
The terror group, which started the war with its October 7 attack last year, earlier accused Israel of making new demands in the negotiations and causing a delay. link As much as Hamas should never be taken by its words alone, this happens to be true. I have known this since the beginning of the war. While it is true that at the beginning, Hamas and Jihad tried to round up as many hostages as possible to have control over them, there were many hostages that were taken by individual Gazans and hid as they believed they would make a lot of money from the hostages. After Hamas and Jihad gained control over the hostages, they were still kept and moved to many different locations, not only in the Hamas tunnels. Throughout the war, with the constant aerial bombings, hostages and their captors were killed or injured and the living ones moved around. Hamas and Jihad lost track due to the situation and broken communications. They honestly don't know where some or many are or what their status is, whether the hostages are living, injured or killed. They have been saying in all of the negotiations that they need about a week of ceasefire to ascertain the whereabouts of as many hostages as possible. Unfortunately, there will also be hostages whose whereabouts will never be known because of all the bombing and destruction in Gaza. There are thousands of Gazans buried beneath rubble and there is every reason to believe that there are also hostages who will never be found in the rubble.
Hostage Release? Minister from Otzma Yehudit Claims: "There Is Nothing More Important Right Now Than Dismissing the Attorney General"
Minister Amichai Eliyahu argued in an interview with Galatz that the dismissal of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara is currently the most critical issue: "The legal problem is one that harms Israel's security."
On the ongoing negotiations for a deal: "We cannot pay any price. They are toying with the families of the hostages and giving backing to Hamas."
Minister Amichai Eliyahu from the Otzma Yehudit party stated in a Galatz interview last night (Wednesday) that the top priority at the moment is the dismissal of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara: "This is exactly what we are saying, that there is nothing more important than this."
When the interviewer questioned how such a claim could be made while Iran is advancing its nuclear program and 100 hostages remain held in Gaza, Eliyahu responded: "I think you are wrong in your analysis, because I see the legal issue as one that today harms Israel's security." link Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) is the party of Ben Gvir, the renewed Kach party of Meir Kahana which was outlawed as a racist party. Otzma Yehudit is no different but we are living in different times when we have a Prime Minister who has no problem normalizing this racism so he can be and remain prime minister. This racist party has never viewed the hostages as having any importance, just the opposite. They view the hostages as necessary collateral damage to realize their goals and messianic ideologies and as such, have threatened Netanyahu with bringing down the government each time a hostage deal is anywhere close to being brought to the table. Every single one of these party members are beneath contempt and should have stayed on the periphery of political and social life in Israel and would have remained there if Netanyahu didn't put them into focus and being essential to be elected to the Knesset so he could regain power. And then to add insult to injury, he gave them important ministries including public security, the police which Ben Gvir has been remolding in his image. Their aims are to destroy democracy because they don't believe Arabs should have any place in Israel and their belief is the same regarding anyone on the left. They are a danger to Israel and our future.
Gaza and the South
- Gazan baby is third infant to freeze to death in Strip in days, doctors say
A baby girl froze to death overnight in a Gaza tent camp, her family and doctors say, after two other infants also died of cold in recent days.
The father of 3-week-old Sila, Mahmoud al-Faseeh, wrapped her in a blanket to try and keep her warm in their tent in the al-Muwasi area outside Khan Younis, but it wasn’t enough, he tells The Associated Press. He says the tent was not sealed from the wind and the ground was cold, as temperatures Tuesday night dropped to 9 degrees Celsius (48 degrees Fahrenheit) in the coastal zone that Israel has attempted to funnel civilians into.
“It was very cold overnight and as adults we couldn’t even take it. We couldn’t stay warm,” he says. Sila woke up crying three times overnight and in the morning they found her unresponsive, her body stiff, he recalls.
“She was like wood,” says al-Faseeh. Doctors at a field hospital tried to revive her, but her lungs had already deteriorated. Images of Sila taken by the AP showed the little girl with purple lips, her pale skin blotchy.
Ahmed al-Farra, director of the children’s ward at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, confirms that the baby died of hypothermia. He says two other babies – one 3 days old, the other a month old – had been brought to the hospital over the past 48 hours after dying of hypothermia.
Israel says it regrets harm to civilians amid fighting, blaming Hamas for fighting in populated areas and causing mass displacements, but aid groups and others say Israel must do more to protect Gazans from hunger, cold and violence.
Palestinian casualty claims in the Hamas-ruled Strip are not possible to verify from Israel.
A baby girl froze to death overnight in a Gaza tent camp, her family and doctors say, after two other infants also died of cold in recent days.
The father of 3-week-old Sila, Mahmoud al-Faseeh, wrapped her in a blanket to try and keep her warm in their tent in the al-Muwasi area outside Khan Younis, but it wasn’t enough, he tells The Associated Press. He says the tent was not sealed from the wind and the ground was cold, as temperatures Tuesday night dropped to 9 degrees Celsius (48 degrees Fahrenheit) in the coastal zone that Israel has attempted to funnel civilians into.
“It was very cold overnight and as adults we couldn’t even take it. We couldn’t stay warm,” he says. Sila woke up crying three times overnight and in the morning they found her unresponsive, her body stiff, he recalls.
“She was like wood,” says al-Faseeh. Doctors at a field hospital tried to revive her, but her lungs had already deteriorated. Images of Sila taken by the AP showed the little girl with purple lips, her pale skin blotchy.
Ahmed al-Farra, director of the children’s ward at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, confirms that the baby died of hypothermia. He says two other babies – one 3 days old, the other a month old – had been brought to the hospital over the past 48 hours after dying of hypothermia.
Israel says it regrets harm to civilians amid fighting, blaming Hamas for fighting in populated areas and causing mass displacements, but aid groups and others say Israel must do more to protect Gazans from hunger, cold and violence.
Palestinian casualty claims in the Hamas-ruled Strip are not possible to verify from Israel.
- 5 Palestinian Islamic Jihad operatives killed in Gaza strike were ‘posing as journalists’
The IDF details the positions of five Palestinian Islamic Jihad operatives killed in an airstrike overnight in central Gaza’s Nuseirat.
The aftermath of an Israeli strike on what the IDF said was Palestinian Islamic Jihad operatives 'posing as journalists' in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, on December 26, 2024 (Eyad BABA / AFP)The military says the five terror operatives were “posing as journalists.” The Palestinian TV channel Al-Quds Today, which is affiliated with Islamic Jihad, identified those killed in the airstrike as its staffers.
The military says the strike killed Ibrahim Jamal Ibrahim al-Sheikh Ali, an operations officer and involved in Islamic Jihad’s combat propaganda; Faisal Abdallah Muhammad Abu Qamsan, head of Islamic Jihad’s security in Nuseirat; Mohammed Ayad Khamis al-Lada’a, involved in Islamic Jihad’s combat propaganda; Ayman Nihad Abd Alrahman Jadi, involved in Islamic Jihad’s combat propaganda, and a former member of the terror group’s naval force; and Fadi Ihab Muhammad Ramadan Hassouna, also involved in Islamic Jihad’s combat propaganda.
According to the IDF, “intelligence from multiple sources confirmed that these individuals were Islamic Jihad operatives posing as journalists.”
The military says one of the sources was a list of Islamic Jihad operatives that was captured by troops in Gaza. “This list explicitly identified four of the eliminated individuals as members of the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization,” the army says.
The IDF says it took steps to mitigate civilian harm in the strike.
A graphic released by the military giving details of what it says was five Palestinian Islamic Jihad operatives posing as journalists who were killed in an airstrike on December 26, 2024 (IDF)
- IDF says troops demolished 2-km Hamas tunnel in north Gaza’s Jabalia
A two-kilometer-long Hamas tunnel in northern Gaza’s Jabalia was recently demolished by combat engineers, the IDF says.
According to the IDF, Hamas operatives would reside in the tunnel for long periods.
After combat engineers with the 401st Armored Brigade investigated it, the underground passage was destroyed. video of the explosion
The IDF details the positions of five Palestinian Islamic Jihad operatives killed in an airstrike overnight in central Gaza’s Nuseirat.
The military says the five terror operatives were “posing as journalists.” The Palestinian TV channel Al-Quds Today, which is affiliated with Islamic Jihad, identified those killed in the airstrike as its staffers.
The military says the strike killed Ibrahim Jamal Ibrahim al-Sheikh Ali, an operations officer and involved in Islamic Jihad’s combat propaganda; Faisal Abdallah Muhammad Abu Qamsan, head of Islamic Jihad’s security in Nuseirat; Mohammed Ayad Khamis al-Lada’a, involved in Islamic Jihad’s combat propaganda; Ayman Nihad Abd Alrahman Jadi, involved in Islamic Jihad’s combat propaganda, and a former member of the terror group’s naval force; and Fadi Ihab Muhammad Ramadan Hassouna, also involved in Islamic Jihad’s combat propaganda.
According to the IDF, “intelligence from multiple sources confirmed that these individuals were Islamic Jihad operatives posing as journalists.”
The military says one of the sources was a list of Islamic Jihad operatives that was captured by troops in Gaza. “This list explicitly identified four of the eliminated individuals as members of the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization,” the army says.
The IDF says it took steps to mitigate civilian harm in the strike.
A two-kilometer-long Hamas tunnel in northern Gaza’s Jabalia was recently demolished by combat engineers, the IDF says.
According to the IDF, Hamas operatives would reside in the tunnel for long periods.
After combat engineers with the 401st Armored Brigade investigated it, the underground passage was destroyed. video of the explosion
Northern Israel - Lebanon/Hizbollah/Syria
- IDF to erect temporary army posts inside Syria
The IDF is readying to build temporary army posts inside a buffer zone between Israel and Syria, as the military has been instructed by political officials to maintain its forward defenses there during the winter months.
The military says the army posts are intended to ensure that troops can operate in southern Syria throughout the winter.
The posts will be dismantled when the army is instructed to leave the buffer zone, according to the IDF.
West Bank and Jerusalem and Terror attacks within Israel
Politics and the War (general news)
- Former police chief Roni Alsheich says that the force has become politicized and that officers have told him they are given quotas for the number of people that should be detained at protests.
“I hear from officers that they come to a demonstration with a quota of detainees,” he tells the Kan public broadcaster, apparently referring to demonstrations against government policy.
“I shudder when I say that. Beyond the fact that it is clearly illegal, it does not serve anyone,” he says. “Something bad is happening and I don’t know where exactly it is coming from but it’s coming from above.”
Alsheich additionally says that far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir “allows himself to do whatever he wants and the political system swallows it because it understands that without him there is no government.”
“The national security minister… talks in forums about promoting officers who will advance his policy. This serves him and not the public,” Alsheich says.
Alsheich also questions the process that saw Ben Gvir’s appointment of Daniel Levy to head the police force.
“The leap between district commander and commissioner is enormous. It’s not one step,” he says when asked to comment on Levy’s recent admission that he had a “longstanding friendship” with a key aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“I hear from officers that they come to a demonstration with a quota of detainees,” he tells the Kan public broadcaster, apparently referring to demonstrations against government policy.
“I shudder when I say that. Beyond the fact that it is clearly illegal, it does not serve anyone,” he says. “Something bad is happening and I don’t know where exactly it is coming from but it’s coming from above.”
Alsheich additionally says that far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir “allows himself to do whatever he wants and the political system swallows it because it understands that without him there is no government.”
“The national security minister… talks in forums about promoting officers who will advance his policy. This serves him and not the public,” Alsheich says.
Alsheich also questions the process that saw Ben Gvir’s appointment of Daniel Levy to head the police force.
“The leap between district commander and commissioner is enormous. It’s not one step,” he says when asked to comment on Levy’s recent admission that he had a “longstanding friendship” with a key aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Region and the World
- Is Iran Worried About an Israeli Strike? Senior Officials Distance Themselves from Houthi Actions
In recent days, unusual statements by senior Iranian officials have emerged, seemingly reflecting concerns about an Israeli response to missile launches from Yemen. Despite these denials, a senior Revolutionary Guard commander continues to operate in Yemen, directing terrorist activities. The Houthis are facing numerous attacks and may find themselves in a position of weakness.
Calls for Direct Action Against Iran
Following another Houthi attack from Yemen into Israel on Tuesday night, voices in Israel have reiterated the argument that the appropriate response should target Iran itself rather than Yemen. Recent developments suggest Tehran is keenly aware of these calls, as it attempts to distance itself from the Houthis, portraying them as an entirely independent entity disconnected from Iran’s axis of terror.
Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, stated yesterday: “The Yemenis, using missiles they produced themselves, play an unprecedented role in defending the Palestinian people.” Iran appears eager to emphasize the Houthis’ independence, even though reports consistently indicate that the Revolutionary Guards continue to support and direct Houthi actions.
Revolutionary Guard Commander Hossein Salami, addressing concerns over potential Israeli strikes on Iran, said this week: “We support the resistance axis, but they manufacture their weapons independently.” Salami highlighted Iran’s independent offensive capabilities, citing missile operations in April and October, and added: “In our operations against Israel, we could have transferred weapons to resistance countries, but we acted independently.”
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei joined these statements, asserting: “Iran has no proxies,” and adding, “Iran does not need any proxies to operate in the region.”
A Shift in Iran’s Tone
Until recently, such explicit denials of responsibility for Houthi terrorist actions in Yemen had not been heard from senior Iranian officials. The timing of these statements aligns with growing calls in Israel to target Iran directly. Tehran seems to have more reasons for concern now, particularly following the destruction of its air defense systems in an Israeli strike in late October and the potential return of Donald Trump to the White House.
The Role of Abdul Reza Shahlai
Abdul Reza Shahlai, a senior Quds Force official with a $15 million bounty on his head from the U.S., has operated closely with Houthi leadership in Yemen in recent years. Reports indicate that he directly oversees missile and UAV attacks on Israel and attacks on commercial and military ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The U.S. allegedly attempted to assassinate Shahlai in tandem with the killing of Qassem Soleimani in Iraq on January 3, 2020, but these efforts failed.
Despite Iran's denials, Shahlai continues to direct Houthi terrorist activities in Yemen. According to intelligence blog "Intelli Times," Shahlai has been pivotal in guiding Houthi operations since the start of the Yemen war and even earlier.
Intensified Strikes Against the Houthis
As Houthi attacks on Israel increase, the Yemeni terrorist organization has also faced a surge in attacks by Israel and the U.S. Over the past two weeks, at least five strikes targeting Houthi facilities were conducted by U.S. and Israeli forces, potentially signaling an escalation.
Since the arrival of the aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman off Yemen’s coast last week, the U.S. military has conducted at least four strikes, with two reportedly targeting Houthi command and control centers rather than just weapon depots.
Houthi Leadership on the Run
In recent days, Arab media outlets have reported that senior Houthi leaders have fled Sanaa to undisclosed hideouts, fearing targeted Israeli strikes. Meanwhile, tensions have escalated along Yemen’s northern border with Saudi Arabia. Saudi forces and anti-Houthi militias have intensified artillery bombardments in the region, possibly identifying a window of opportunity as the Houthis find themselves relatively weakened.
Civilian Displacement in Yemen
Reports from Yemen indicate significant migration from northern Yemen to Aden in the south, potentially out of fear of imminent Israeli attacks. The situation remains tense as regional actors assess and respond to the shifting dynamics in Yemen and Iran’s ongoing involvement. link
- IDF confirms airstrikes against Houthi targets across Yemen
The IDF confirms launching airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen in response to the Iran-backed terror group’s repeated ballistic missile and drone attacks on Israel in recent weeks.
In a statement, the military says Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck Houthi targets along Yemen’s western coast and deeper within the country.
The targets included “infrastructure used by the Houthi terror regime for its military activities” at Sanaa International Airport in the capital; the Hezyaz and Ras Kanatib power plants; and infrastructure at the Hodeida, Salif, and Ras Kanatib ports on the coast.
“These infrastructures were used by the Houthi terror regime to transfer Iranian weapons to the region and for the entry of senior Iranian officials,” the IDF says.
The airstrikes were approved by IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Defense Minister Israel Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the military adds.
In recent days, unusual statements by senior Iranian officials have emerged, seemingly reflecting concerns about an Israeli response to missile launches from Yemen. Despite these denials, a senior Revolutionary Guard commander continues to operate in Yemen, directing terrorist activities. The Houthis are facing numerous attacks and may find themselves in a position of weakness.
Calls for Direct Action Against Iran
Following another Houthi attack from Yemen into Israel on Tuesday night, voices in Israel have reiterated the argument that the appropriate response should target Iran itself rather than Yemen. Recent developments suggest Tehran is keenly aware of these calls, as it attempts to distance itself from the Houthis, portraying them as an entirely independent entity disconnected from Iran’s axis of terror.
Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, stated yesterday: “The Yemenis, using missiles they produced themselves, play an unprecedented role in defending the Palestinian people.” Iran appears eager to emphasize the Houthis’ independence, even though reports consistently indicate that the Revolutionary Guards continue to support and direct Houthi actions.
Revolutionary Guard Commander Hossein Salami, addressing concerns over potential Israeli strikes on Iran, said this week: “We support the resistance axis, but they manufacture their weapons independently.” Salami highlighted Iran’s independent offensive capabilities, citing missile operations in April and October, and added: “In our operations against Israel, we could have transferred weapons to resistance countries, but we acted independently.”
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei joined these statements, asserting: “Iran has no proxies,” and adding, “Iran does not need any proxies to operate in the region.”
A Shift in Iran’s Tone
Until recently, such explicit denials of responsibility for Houthi terrorist actions in Yemen had not been heard from senior Iranian officials. The timing of these statements aligns with growing calls in Israel to target Iran directly. Tehran seems to have more reasons for concern now, particularly following the destruction of its air defense systems in an Israeli strike in late October and the potential return of Donald Trump to the White House.
The Role of Abdul Reza Shahlai
Abdul Reza Shahlai, a senior Quds Force official with a $15 million bounty on his head from the U.S., has operated closely with Houthi leadership in Yemen in recent years. Reports indicate that he directly oversees missile and UAV attacks on Israel and attacks on commercial and military ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The U.S. allegedly attempted to assassinate Shahlai in tandem with the killing of Qassem Soleimani in Iraq on January 3, 2020, but these efforts failed.
Despite Iran's denials, Shahlai continues to direct Houthi terrorist activities in Yemen. According to intelligence blog "Intelli Times," Shahlai has been pivotal in guiding Houthi operations since the start of the Yemen war and even earlier.
Intensified Strikes Against the Houthis
As Houthi attacks on Israel increase, the Yemeni terrorist organization has also faced a surge in attacks by Israel and the U.S. Over the past two weeks, at least five strikes targeting Houthi facilities were conducted by U.S. and Israeli forces, potentially signaling an escalation.
Since the arrival of the aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman off Yemen’s coast last week, the U.S. military has conducted at least four strikes, with two reportedly targeting Houthi command and control centers rather than just weapon depots.
Houthi Leadership on the Run
In recent days, Arab media outlets have reported that senior Houthi leaders have fled Sanaa to undisclosed hideouts, fearing targeted Israeli strikes. Meanwhile, tensions have escalated along Yemen’s northern border with Saudi Arabia. Saudi forces and anti-Houthi militias have intensified artillery bombardments in the region, possibly identifying a window of opportunity as the Houthis find themselves relatively weakened.
Civilian Displacement in Yemen
The IDF confirms launching airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen in response to the Iran-backed terror group’s repeated ballistic missile and drone attacks on Israel in recent weeks.
In a statement, the military says Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck Houthi targets along Yemen’s western coast and deeper within the country.
The targets included “infrastructure used by the Houthi terror regime for its military activities” at Sanaa International Airport in the capital; the Hezyaz and Ras Kanatib power plants; and infrastructure at the Hodeida, Salif, and Ras Kanatib ports on the coast.
“These infrastructures were used by the Houthi terror regime to transfer Iranian weapons to the region and for the entry of senior Iranian officials,” the IDF says.
The airstrikes were approved by IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Defense Minister Israel Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the military adds.
In largest strike so far, Israel hits Sanaa airport, disabling control tower and damaging aircraft, along with Hodeidah’s port and power stations; strikes coincide with Houthi leader's speech mocking Israeli deterrence
Personal Stories The October 7 Generation: "Broken but Mature"
Goma Chamias, a high school senior and resident of Kibbutz Kfar Aza, spent her last year of school under the shadow of the traumatic events of October 7. Displaced from her home, she buried community members, cared for her severely injured father, and allowed others to care for her. Last week, she joined the Elem Association in presenting the Welfare Minister with Elem’s report, which highlights the troubling state of Israeli youth. In a heartfelt plea, she said: "Involve us in decision-making and listen to what we need."
The moment Goma Chamias, 18, grasped the magnitude of the horrors her community and she had endured was when she first returned to retrieve belongings from her home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, three months after the massacre. "I didn’t realize I had been through trauma until I came back to the kibbutz," she said. "Everything was scorched. My house had become a frightening place. Everything around was silent; I felt uncomfortable."
Fifteen months after the dark day that changed her life and the lives of her community in Kfar Aza, she has a clear message: youth who experienced the events of October 7 need to be heard and involved in decisions. For her, what helped her navigate the year and successfully complete her matriculation exams was the supportive framework of the "Breathing Space" project, run by the Elem Association in collaboration with the Welfare Ministry. This project operated at Kibbutz Shefayim and about 20 other centers housing evacuated youth.
Goma’s October 7 began at Kibbutz Or HaNer, near Sderot, far from her family. "We were hosting a delegation of German students who had arrived two days earlier. We went to sleep late, around 4 a.m. on Saturday morning. Two hours later, sirens started, and we entered the safe room. We tried to reassure the German teens that everything was fine while receiving news of terrorist infiltrations. Only when we were informed that our council head, Ofir Liebstein (z”l), had been murdered did we realize the severity."
Goma’s mother and brother hid in their safe room for 27 hours until they were rescued. "At one point, the terrorists barricaded themselves on our roof and, miraculously, didn’t try to enter. They likely thought no one was home since there were no cars in the driveway, and the ladder was propped near the front door." Her father was critically injured after stepping out to help police fight in Kfar Aza. "He was hit by two bullets in the lungs and an RPG exploded near him. He held on for three hours, conscious, until he was evacuated to the hospital."
Kibbutz Kfar Aza was severely impacted on October 7: 62 community members were murdered by Hamas terrorists, and five captives are still in Gaza—Doron Steinbrecher, Emily Tehila Damari, Keith Segal, Ziv Berman, and Gali Berman. Goma’s classmate, Agam Goldstein Almog, was abducted and released in a hostage deal after 51 days in captivity.
The October 7 Generation: "Broken but Mature"
Goma Chamias, a high school senior and resident of Kibbutz Kfar Aza, spent her last year of school under the shadow of the traumatic events of October 7. Displaced from her home, she buried community members, cared for her severely injured father, and allowed others to care for her. Last week, she joined the Elem Association in presenting the Welfare Minister with Elem’s report, which highlights the troubling state of Israeli youth. In a heartfelt plea, she said: "Involve us in decision-making and listen to what we need."
The moment Goma Chamias, 18, grasped the magnitude of the horrors her community and she had endured was when she first returned to retrieve belongings from her home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, three months after the massacre. "I didn’t realize I had been through trauma until I came back to the kibbutz," she said. "Everything was scorched. My house had become a frightening place. Everything around was silent; I felt uncomfortable."
Fifteen months after the dark day that changed her life and the lives of her community in Kfar Aza, she has a clear message: youth who experienced the events of October 7 need to be heard and involved in decisions. For her, what helped her navigate the year and successfully complete her matriculation exams was the supportive framework of the "Breathing Space" project, run by the Elem Association in collaboration with the Welfare Ministry. This project operated at Kibbutz Shefayim and about 20 other centers housing evacuated youth.
Goma’s October 7 began at Kibbutz Or HaNer, near Sderot, far from her family. "We were hosting a delegation of German students who had arrived two days earlier. We went to sleep late, around 4 a.m. on Saturday morning. Two hours later, sirens started, and we entered the safe room. We tried to reassure the German teens that everything was fine while receiving news of terrorist infiltrations. Only when we were informed that our council head, Ofir Liebstein (z”l), had been murdered did we realize the severity."
Goma’s mother and brother hid in their safe room for 27 hours until they were rescued. "At one point, the terrorists barricaded themselves on our roof and, miraculously, didn’t try to enter. They likely thought no one was home since there were no cars in the driveway, and the ladder was propped near the front door." Her father was critically injured after stepping out to help police fight in Kfar Aza. "He was hit by two bullets in the lungs and an RPG exploded near him. He held on for three hours, conscious, until he was evacuated to the hospital."
Kibbutz Kfar Aza was severely impacted on October 7: 62 community members were murdered by Hamas terrorists, and five captives are still in Gaza—Doron Steinbrecher, Emily Tehila Damari, Keith Segal, Ziv Berman, and Gali Berman. Goma’s classmate, Agam Goldstein Almog, was abducted and released in a hostage deal after 51 days in captivity.
Finding a Breathing Space
It took two long, exhausting days for Goma to evacuate Kibbutz Or HaNer and reunite with her family at a displaced persons' hotel in Kibbutz Shefayim, where they lived in a single-room apartment until recently. She describes the initial days after evacuation as utter chaos. "Many people came wanting to help. It was heartening but also overwhelming. At some point, most of those who came left."
One of the few who stayed for over a year were members of Elem, an organization established 40 years ago to support at-risk youth. During normal times, Elem operates extensively in the field, including running mobile units that locate and assist youth in distress. Since the war began, Elem has also supported evacuated youth from southern and northern Israel and survivors of the Nova music festival. They initiated the "Breathing Space" project, providing emotional support and immediate assistance at roughly 20 evacuation centers, including Shefayim, Tiberias, Netanya, Eilat, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Ma’ale Hahamisha, and Mishmar HaEmek, with the Welfare Ministry's support.
Goma says that the breathing space in Shefayim gave her strength and calm amidst the chaos. "One day, I had been at funerals and memorials since morning, and when I returned to my room, three nice people from Elem arrived and invited me to sit with them. I agreed because it gave me a reason to leave my room. It became a kind of routine—when Elem came, we would sit on mats and talk. There was food, tea, treats, and warm meals. It was nice to sit with them. They didn’t force questions; they were just there to talk about whatever I wanted. That’s how we started to open up to them."
"I Hope They Listen to Me"
Last week, Elem published a report outlining the challenges faced by youth in the aftermath of October 7. The report paints a bleak picture, showing a sharp increase in feelings of distress, depression, substance abuse, and exposure to violence outside the home. Elem representatives presented the report to the Welfare Minister, Yaakov Margi, and his senior staff to raise awareness of the urgent need for youth-focused intervention. Goma shared her story at the event, calling for action and attention to the needs of youth.
Goma completed her senior year at Hof HaSharon High School, far from her friends and the community where she was born and raised. She fought alongside other students to integrate into a "regular" school rather than a special framework designated for evacuees. "I wasn’t in the mindset to make new friends; I just wanted to finish my exams," she admits. "What helped me throughout the year were the conversations and personal attention."
Now, Goma is preparing to enlist in the army next month. She will serve in her dream role—as an observer. "Every holiday, we prepared care packages for the observers, especially at the Nachal Oz outpost. We had a connection with them, knew what their role was, and it always interested me," she says.
Regarding concerns about the role, which became a symbol of negligence on October 7, Goma says: "I hope that when I take on the role, they will listen to me and that what I do will be meaningful. It’s a role that no one wants today, but I think that’s a mistake because it’s an incredible role."
*The "Breathing Space" initiative by Elem is run in collaboration with the Ministry of Welfare and Social Security. link
Last week, Elem published a report outlining the challenges faced by youth in the aftermath of October 7. The report paints a bleak picture, showing a sharp increase in feelings of distress, depression, substance abuse, and exposure to violence outside the home. Elem representatives presented the report to the Welfare Minister, Yaakov Margi, and his senior staff to raise awareness of the urgent need for youth-focused intervention. Goma shared her story at the event, calling for action and attention to the needs of youth.
Goma completed her senior year at Hof HaSharon High School, far from her friends and the community where she was born and raised. She fought alongside other students to integrate into a "regular" school rather than a special framework designated for evacuees. "I wasn’t in the mindset to make new friends; I just wanted to finish my exams," she admits. "What helped me throughout the year were the conversations and personal attention."
Now, Goma is preparing to enlist in the army next month. She will serve in her dream role—as an observer. "Every holiday, we prepared care packages for the observers, especially at the Nachal Oz outpost. We had a connection with them, knew what their role was, and it always interested me," she says.
Regarding concerns about the role, which became a symbol of negligence on October 7, Goma says: "I hope that when I take on the role, they will listen to me and that what I do will be meaningful. It’s a role that no one wants today, but I think that’s a mistake because it’s an incredible role."
*The "Breathing Space" initiative by Elem is run in collaboration with the Ministry of Welfare and Social Security. link
Dark Legacy - The Abandonment of October 7th Hostages
The Government of Israel and its Prime Minister are Continuously Abandoning the Israeli PeopleProf. Tova MostProfessor Emeritus and former Dean of Students, Tel Aviv University.
As a speech therapist and a researcher in the fields of rehabilitation and education of the deaf and the hard of hearing, interpersonal communication is in my soul. Throughout my life, I have researched the elements and characteristics of human communication, studying which of these influences enables and optimizes effective communication. Communication enables fruitful dialogue, the exchange of messages, emotions, and intentions, and is a significant factor contributing to our quality of life. For the communication process to succeed, it is crucial to consider the traits and characteristics of its participants. It is essential that the speaker is aware of the recipient's characteristics and needs. When trying to converse with people with hearing difficulties, even more attunement is required. Without this attunement there can be no communication.From this perspective, which emphasizes the importance of interpersonal communication, I want to cry out loud and clear: The government of Israel and its Prime Minister are continuously abandoning all of Israel's citizens by blatantly ignoring the countless voices of the Israeli people, and by their ongoing, persistent, and aggressive choice to avoid contact and communication with the people.This abandonment is particularly evident among communities affected on and since October 7th. The families of the hostages, the people murdered, the fallen, the wounded, and the evacuees have been and are still being abandoned. They have not received even minimal attention or any sort of communication from government officials—not to express condolences, not to acknowledge their suffering, and not to offer help and support. The lack of communication between the government and the families of the victims is an expression of abandonment that is beyond comprehension. Those elected as the representatives of the people are obligated to ensure the safety of the citizens, and to protect the core values standing at the basis of our shared existence. Shamefully, the current government abandons its own people, operating without any public responsibility. Not only does it continue to destructively and stubbornly shirk any possibility of fruitful communication, but sadly, it chooses to alienate the victims, insult, disconnect, and even blame them.In sharp contrast to the government's attitude, how moving, empowering, and effective it is to be part of a huge and caring group of people, who are determined and responsible, who communicate with sensitivity and profound attention to the unique needs of citizens affected on and since October 7th? Citizens who have volunteered to provide every possible support to the evacuees and the families of the hostages, the fallen, and the murdered. Many volunteer and partnership initiatives have been set up to ensure that the affected citizens are not left alone in their suffering. As a proud Israeli, and daughter of Holocaust survivors, it was always clear to me that Israel is our home and there is no alternative. Even during my years of studying abroad, I never had a moment of hesitation about returning home to Israel. How vastly different and unsettling my feelings are about this "home" now. My pride has been replaced by feelings of shame and fear.I am hopeful that, thanks to the numerous citizens who show deep connection, immense care, and willingness to fight for our home, we will emerge from these dark days.
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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