🎗️Lonny's War Update- October 461, 2023 - January 9, 2025 🎗️

  

🎗️Day 461 that 98 of our hostages in Hamas captivity
**There is nothing more important than getting them home! NOTHING!**

“I’ve never met them,

But I miss them. 

I’ve never met them,

but I think of them every second. 

I’ve never met them,

but they are my family. 

BRING THEM HOME NOW!!!”

We’re waiting for you, all of you.
A deal is the only way to bring
all the hostages home- the murdered for burial and the living for rehabilitation.

#BringThemHomeNow #TurnTheHorrorIntoHope

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

‎אין נצחון עד שכל החטופים בבית

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

*10:10am - South - Gaza Envelope - rockets - Magen, Ein Habasor

3 IDF soldiers killed during fighting in northern Gaza, says IDF

From left: Staff Sgt. Nevo Fisher, Staff Sgt. Kanaoo Kasa and Staff Sgt. Matityahu Ya'akov Perel (IDF)

Three Israeli soldiers were killed and three were wounded while fighting Wednesday in the northern Gaza Strip, the military announced amid several days of deadly battles in the area.

The three slain troops were named as Staff Sgt. Matityahu Ya’akov Perel, 22, from Beit El, Staff Sgt. Kanaoo Kasa, 22, from Beit Shemesh, and Staff Sgt. Nevo Fisher, 20, from Bruchin.

MAY THEIR MEMORIES BE A REVOLUTION

They all served with the 401st Armored Brigade’s 46th Battalion.In the same incident, three other soldiers were wounded, including an officer in serious condition.

In the same incident, three other soldiers were wounded, including an officer in serious condition.

According to an initial IDF probe, the troops were hit by a large explosive device that was detonated against a tank during operations in Beit Hanoun.

The incident came after three other troops were killed and several more wounded in separate incidents the previous two days, and brought Israel’s toll in the ground offensive against Hamas in the Strip and in military operations along the border with the enclave to 401.

Hostage Updates 

The amount of hostages in Gaza periodically gets reduced but not in the way we want. They are reduced through the rescue of dead hostage bodies and the longer Netanyahu refuses to end the war and make a deal to bring all the hostages home, the amount of body bags will climb and the amount of live hostages will no longer be something to count.

• IDF: Body of Youssef Ziyadne recovered from Rafah tunnel alongside bodies of 2 Hamas operatives

A large Hamas tunnel found along the Philadelphi Corridor in southern Gaza's Rafa h, September 12, 2024. (Emanuel Fabian/Times of Israel)

The tunnel in southern Gaza’s Rafah from which the body of hostage Youssef Ziyadne, 53, was recovered, is located in an area where the military had operated before.

The IDF returned to the area following new intelligence to recover the body.

The bodies of at least two Hamas operatives were located alongside Ziyadne’s remains in the tunnel, and they are believed by the IDF to have been guarding him.

Also inside the tunnel, the IDF recovered findings that raise concerns for the life of Youssef’s son, Hamza — who was also taken hostage — as well as other intelligence materials.

The cause of Youssef’s death is still under investigation by the IDF, though according to initial assessments, it did not occur recently.

Additionally, the IDF says it located findings in the tunnel linked to Ziyadne’s son, Hamza, who was abducted with him on October 7.

The military says the findings raise “grave concerns for his life.”

Two of Youssef’s other children, Bilal and Aisha, were released on November 30, 2023 after more than 50 days in Hamas captivity.

Despite the IDF statement, Defense Minister Israel Katz says in a statement that the bodies of both Youssef and Hamza were recovered “in a heroic operation,” and expresses his condolences to the Ziyadne family.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offers condolences from himself and his wife Sara to the Ziyadne family.

“We hoped and worked for the safe return of the four members of the family from Hamas captivity,” says Netanyahu. “We returned the children Bilal and Aisha on November 23, and we wanted to return Youssef and Hamza in the same way.” Full article This is such BS. Netanyahu has done everything to block every possibility of a deal to bring the hostages home  the blood of every hostage who was taken alive and killed in captivity is on Netanyahu’s hands

Family and friends mourn death of hostage Youssef Ziyadne, blame government inaction
Relatives say they had held out hope the 53-year-old father of 19 would be freed alive in an imminent deal; released hostage Farhan al-Qadi eulogizes his childhood friend

 The family and friends of Youssef Ziyadne, whose body was recovered from Gaza 15 months after he and his son were abducted by Hamas terrorists, on Wednesday mourned the loss of the 53-year-old father of 19 while directing their anger at the government for failing to rescue their loved ones.

Youssef’s body was found Tuesday night in a tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip, along with findings that the IDF said were linked to his son Hamza Ziyadne, 22, who was taken hostage alongside him during the October 7, 2023, terror onslaught.

Members of the Ziyadne family said the military informed them Hamza’s body was also recovered from the Strip, although the IDF did not confirm this, saying only that the findings raised “grave concern” for the 22-year-old’s life.

Youssef and Hamza were kidnapped along with another two of Youssef’s children, Bilal, 18, and Aisha, 17, while working in the cowshed at Kibbutz Holit near the Gaza border.

Bilal and Aisha were released on November 30, 2023, after more than 50 days in Hamas captivity. Until Tuesday, Youssef and Hamza were presumed alive.

The cause of death was still under investigation by the IDF, though according to initial assessments, did not occur recently.

“We wanted them to come back to the family alive,” Youssef’s brother Ali Ziyadne told Hebrew media outlet Ynet. “It’s a difficult and shocking disaster.”

Ali said he had believed his brother and nephew would be released from Gaza soon, as negotiators in Doha have been pushing for a new hostage release and ceasefire deal.

Youssef Ziyadne and his son Hamza Ziyadne. (Courtesy)

“Every day, the boys and I checked to see if there was anything new,” he said. “We thought that they would be released in the new deal because we saw reports that they were among those who would be released, we had hope that they were still alive.”

“Today, after we received the message that they had been found, we couldn’t digest it and we said to ‘check, maybe you’re wrong, maybe they’re alive, don’t rush,'” he recounted. “In the end, all we could do was accept the hard news that tore our hearts.”

In comments to the Hebrew press, Youssef’s relative Odeh Ziyadne accused the government of intentionally allowing the hostages to die.

“They have decided that they want the hostages dead. That’s the problem,” he charged. “Do you know why? Because they don’t want witnesses against them in a commission of inquiry — if there even is one. They don’t want witnesses from among the hostages.”

“We had hope, Youssef was on the list,” he said. “They could have rescued them alive.”

Repeating that “the government has indicated that it does not want them alive,” Odeh slammed Defense Minister Israel Katz for issuing a statement on the recovery of Youssef’s body and findings linked to Hamza before all members of the large Bedouin family had been informed.

“The defense minister forgot that he is the defense minister, he ran to tell the other guys about the bodies, to check it off,” he accused. “I hope that the fate of the other families will be different to that of my family. On October 7, they were alive.”

This handout picture released by Israel’s Government Press Office (GPO) on December 1, 2023, shows former Arab-Israeli hostages 18-year-old Bilal Ziyadne (R) and 17-year-old Aisha Ziyadne (L) reunited with a relative at Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, following their release by Hamas on November 30, 2023. (GPO / AFP

Speaking to the Kan public broadcaster, an unnamined relative of Ziyadne said that “what they [Hamas] did on October 7, regardless of whether it was to Bedouins or Jews, is not allowed in Islam.”

“We lost sons, it doesn’t matter if they were Jewish or Muslim,” the relative said. “They all have mothers and children waiting for them. We’ve been in mourning for 15 months, unfortunately, it ended like this. It hurt a lot to hear it.”

The reverberations of Youssef’s death — and fear for Hamza’s life — were felt far beyond the Ziyadne family and extended across the city of Rahat, where they live in the Ziyadne neighborhood named for their extensive clan.

Rahat Mayor Talal Alkernawi lamented that the city had been “waiting to receive them alive, to embrace the family,” but now would not be able to.

He said the city would observe a day of mourning on Thursday and that municipal services and the education system would be on strike.

Former hostage Farhan al-Qadi eulogized his former neighbor and friend.

“Everyone in our home is crying, we hoped to see them alive,” said Qadi, who was rescued by the IDF from a tunnel in Gaza in August 2024.

Rescued hostage Farhan al-Qadi returns to a tent near his home near Rahat, August 28, 2024. (Jamal Awad/Flash90)

“Yousef, my friend, my neighbor, my childhood friend. It’s very hard. We need to end this war and bring them home, everyone. He was a friend to everyone, a father to everyone, he doesn’t deserve this — nobody does.”

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum mourned the loss of Youssef, who it said was “a man of people and dialogue, a pillar of his family and a significant figure in his community.”

“The deal being formulated will come too late for Youssef — who was abducted alive and should have returned that way,” the forum said. “Every day in captivity endangers the lives of the hostages who have managed to survive for 15 months and endangers the ability to recover the fallen for proper burial.”

It is now believed that 94 of the 251 hostages abducted by Hamas on October 7 remain in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 34 confirmed dead by the IDF.

Hamas released 105 civilians during a weeklong truce in late November, and four hostages were released before that. Eight hostages have been rescued by troops alive, and the bodies of 40 hostages have also been recovered, including three mistakenly killed by the military as they tried to escape their captors.

Hamas is also holding two Israeli civilians who entered the Strip in 2014 and 2015, as well as the bodies of two IDF soldiers who were killed in 2014.

•  Why Some Israeli Hostages May Never Come Home

  Experts explain why the odds of rescuing all 100 hostages are slim

  A hostage deal is looming, expected to coincide with President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration around January 20. But hopes for the release of all 100 Israeli hostages are fading fast. Despite any concessions Israel may offer, experts warn the chances of bringing everyone home are slim—a sobering reality in the aftermath of the devastating October 7 attacks.

  “I always talk about the release of hostages rather than the release of the hostages,” cautioned professional negotiator Moty Cristal, a seasoned expert who served on Israeli negotiation teams with Jordan and the Palestinians from 1994 to 2001.

  For the past 16 months, Qatar, Egypt, and the United States have been working tirelessly to broker a hostage-for-ceasefire deal aimed at ending the war and securing the return of Israeli captives. Their efforts have so far yielded only one breakthrough: a week-long pause in November 2023, during which 80 Israeli hostages and about two dozen others were freed in exchange for nearly 250 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

  On Monday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed cautious optimism, stating that a deal was within reach. However, he acknowledged that it might only materialize after President Joe Biden leaves office under Donald Trump’s administration. Speaking in Seoul, Blinken emphasized, “We very much want to bring this over the finish line in the next two weeks,” adding that any agreement would align with President Biden’s plan, which has garnered broad international support.

  Biden’s proposal calls for an end to the fighting in Gaza, where Israel has spent 16 months dismantling Hamas’ military infrastructure. The campaign followed the brutal October 7 massacre, during which over 6,000 Gazans—half of them armed terrorists—stormed into Israel, killing more than 1,200 people. In the chaos, 251 Israelis and foreign nationals were abducted and taken into Gaza. Today, 96 hostages remain, in addition to four Israelis captured and killed in earlier conflicts, such as Lt. Hadar Goldin and 1st Sgt. Oren Shaul. The IDF estimates that at least a third of the remaining captives are no longer alive.

  On Monday, a Saudi news agency leaked a list of hostages reportedly slated for release in the first phase of any agreement. The list included women, children, elderly individuals, and those in poor health. However, it was unclear which of the people on the list were alive or dead.

  The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) quickly clarified that the list, widely circulated in the media, had not been provided by Hamas. Instead, Israel originally shared it with mediators back in July 2024.
  

  “As yet, Israel has not received any confirmation or comment from Hamas regarding the status of the hostages on the list,” the PMO stated.

  However, an Israeli source later told a local outlet that Hamas had indeed passed on a list of hostages. In addition, on Sunday, a Hamas official, speaking to Reuters, insisted that any agreement would still have to hinge on Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza and the establishment of a permanent ceasefire.

  The challenge, experts say, is that even if Hamas wanted to return all the hostages, it might not be able to. Gershon Baskin, director of the International Communities Organization Middle East and a negotiator involved in the 2011 release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit from Hamas captivity, is certain of this.
  

  “I 500% believe Hamas doesn’t know where all the hostages are,” he told The Media Line.
  

  “There’s no reason to doubt that,” Baskin explained. “Hamas controls very little of the Gaza Strip. Most of it—80% of the buildings—has been bombed or destroyed. Thousands of Gazans are missing, buried under rubble, with their families having no idea where they are. The hostages are likely buried under the rubble as well.”

  Complicating matters, not all the hostages were taken by Hamas. Other terrorist organizations abducted some, while others were seized by civilians unaffiliated with any group. Since the IDF began operations in Gaza, Hamas’s central command has been dismantled. According to Baskin, the group now lacks any functional communication system—digital or analog—to coordinate with its members.

  Hamas itself admitted in September that it needed a week of ceasefire just to locate the hostages. Baskin believes this was no exaggeration. Tragically, he added, it’s highly probable that some hostages’ bodies will never be recovered, leaving their fates forever unknown.

  However, even if the hostages could be located, it is unlikely that Israel can or will agree to the terms Hamas would demand to release everyone: a total ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip.

  Cristal explained to The Media Line that throughout the history of hostage negotiations, one golden rule was consistently followed: the release of Israeli hostages was always exchanged for Palestinian prisoners.
  

  “It was always kept on the humanitarian—purely people for people,” Cristal said. “Any attempt to provide additional considerations—political considerations, like territory or any other consideration—was rejected by Israel.”

  This approach changed in February 2024 when the Biden administration linked the release of hostages to a ceasefire agreement, pressuring Israel to accept the plan.

  “By linking the release of prisoners to the end of the war, you actually gave a structure of veto power to both [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu and Hamas,” Cristal said.

  Ending the war completely is not in Israel’s national interest because Hamas remains a significant threat in both Gaza and the West Bank, despite Israel’s efforts to weaken it. Israel will, for a long time if not forever, need to maintain military pressure to deter the organization and protect its citizens. Cristal explained that tying hostage releases to a full cessation of hostilities ensures either that no deal will ever be reached or that Hamas will perpetually hold bodies or live hostages as bargaining chips to halt Israeli military action.

  “That is the root of a bad deal—a really bad deal,” Cristal said. “We will need to live with many, many Ron Arads, Goldins, and Shauls.”

  Ron Arad was an Israeli Air Force officer who disappeared during a mission over Lebanon and is believed to have been captured by terrorists before being handed over to Hezbollah.  link

• Israeli official lays out state of hostage talks, says no dramatic developments
  

  There have been no dramatic developments in hostage talks in Doha in recent days, an Israeli official tells The Times of Israel. Hamas still has not provided a list of living hostages, but talks are ongoing.

  Egypt is not present at the talks, says the official. “They help when there are certain obstacles. It is possible that if there is progress we will bring in the Egyptians physically. For now, they’re helping from the side.”

  In recent days, discussions have focused on Hamas’s demand that the war in Gaza end in order to release the hostages not freed in the first “humanitarian” phase.

  “We are trying to find language that is ambiguous enough to square the circle,” says the official.

  There is also disagreement over freeing male hostages under 50. “Hamas says they are willing to release them, but they want a lot of ‘valuable’ terrorists, terrorists with blood on their hands, released,” according to the official.

  Contradicting recent reports in the media, the official insists that Israel is not open to giving Hamas a short ceasefire period to put together a list of living hostages. “Fake news,” says the official.

  Israel welcomes the arrival of top Donald Trump aide Steve Witkoff to the Qatar talks. “More pressure on Hamas is always welcome,” says the official. link The most absurd thing is that a deal could easily be made to bring all the hostages home if Netanyahu would just go beyond his self interests and agree to end the war. It's that simple.

Gaza and the South

• In the Shadow of "The Emirates' Plans for the Day After": Foreign Minister Sa'ar Visits Abu Dhabi

  The visit was kept secret and only revealed concurrently with a meeting between Sa'ar and the UAE Foreign Minister. This marks the first visit of an Israeli foreign minister to the UAE since the outbreak of the war, held against the backdrop of reports on behind-the-scenes discussions involving the Emirates about Gaza. The two are expected to "discuss regional developments and bilateral relations between the countries."

  Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar met on Tuesday evening in Abu Dhabi with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed. The visit was kept under wraps and disclosed only now, coinciding with the meeting between the two ministers. This is the second public visit by an Israeli minister to the Emirates since the war began and the first by a foreign minister, adding to a series of secret visits by senior Israeli officials during the conflict.

  The two are currently meeting at a palace in Abu Dhabi, hours after Reuters reported on behind-the-scenes discussions in which the UAE is involved. According to the report, the UAE, along with the U.S., is prepared to participate in the temporary administration of the Gaza Strip "on the day after" the war—until a reformed and "strengthened" Palestinian Authority can assume governance there.

  Sa'ar's office stated that he came to Abu Dhabi at the invitation of his counterpart and that "the two are expected to discuss regional developments and bilateral relations between the countries."

  The UAE reported that "Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed met with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar. During the meeting, the two discussed regional developments, particularly the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, and regional and international efforts to achieve a stable ceasefire."

Conditions for Deploying Forces and the "Leverage" on Netanyahu

According to Reuters' report this morning, based on conversations with 12 diplomats and Western officials, the temporary administration in Gaza would be managed under the proposal by the UAE, the U.S., and other countries. The administration would handle governance, security, and rebuilding the massive destruction caused during the war until control is transferred to the Palestinian Authority. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly opposes this idea. However, diplomats and sources told Reuters that unlike most Arab states, the UAE, which has normalized relations with Israel, has "some leverage" over him and his government.

Additionally, sources emphasized that while Israel refrains from presenting a clear vision for Gaza's post-war future, the international community also struggles to form a "practical plan." They noted that the ideas proposed in Abu Dhabi's discussions remain underdeveloped, lack a formal written plan, and have not been adopted by any government.

According to the report, Abu Dhabi is promoting an idea that has surfaced repeatedly in the past—that the Gaza Strip would be managed by a reformed Palestinian Authority. Sources added that the UAE envisions an independent Palestinian state, with the Palestinian Authority also governing the West Bank and East Jerusalem, a prospect that Netanyahu seems highly unlikely to support.

An official UAE source insisted that agreeing on a roadmap leading to a Palestinian state is a precondition for Abu Dhabi's participation in any plan related to Gaza's administration and reconstruction. "The UAE will not participate in any plan that does not include significant reform of the Palestinian Authority, its strengthening, and the creation of a credible roadmap towards a Palestinian state," the source said. "These fundamentals—which are currently absent—are crucial for the success of any plan for Gaza on the day after." Link It's very difficult to believe that something will come out of meetings like this with the current Israeli leadership. As stated, Netanyahu is against anything that includes the PA, reformed or otherwise. Saar is as right as Netanyahu and as against any possibility of a Palestinian state as Netanyahu, therefore would be against any reformation of the PA and any agreement with the UAE, Saudi Arabia or anyone else that even smelled like it was going in the direction of a Palestinian State. And on the other side, The UAE, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states are going to be the money backers for rebuilding Gaza and they have clearly stated that no money whatsoever will go into rebuilding Gaza without the PA governing there and that is to lead to negotiations to end the Israel/Palestine conflict which can only be done through a 2 state solution. For the people of Gaza, they are between a rock and a hard place. Israel is occupying Gaza and keeping 2 million people as refugees in terrible conditions and there is no hope for rebuilding the strip or their lives without intervention from the West and Gulf states and they will only do that with an alternative government in Gaza which must be the PA. Israel cannot continue to occupy or have a military government at a cost of 25 billion shekels a year (over $7billion). Someone must budge.

• Gazan ‘human shield’ for IDF shot dead in error by officer — report
  Palestinian was said to be assisting troops in Nahal Brigade’s 931st Battalion in Rafah area over summer; army has said the practice is forbidden, but does not deny it took place
  

  A Palestinian who was assisting Israeli forces in searching potentially booby-trapped buildings and tunnels in the Gaza Strip over the summer was shot dead erroneously by an officer, according to a report by the independent news site Hamakom Hachi Ham Bagehenom (The Hottest Place in Hell).

  The report said the Palestinian man was serving as a human shield for the Nahal Brigade’s 931st Battalion, when the unit was deployed to the Rafah area in August.

  The news outlet said that the Palestinian man would be sent to search buildings and tunnels before troops did, a practice that has been reportedly commonplace in the IDF during the war in Gaza.
  

  Hamakom said the Gazan man was also allowed to reside alongside the Nahal troops inside a building.

  A commander in the battalion who entered the building spotted the man and opened fire on him, without knowing he was cooperating with the military, the report said.

  The IDF Spokespersons Unit confirmed the incident to Hamakom, saying “the case was investigated by the brigade commander. The lessons of the investigation have been implemented into the forces’ activities.”

  

  IDF soldiers operate in the southern Gaza city of Rafah on August 13, 2024. (IDF)

  An extensive New York Times report published in October detailed the practice of using Palestinians to carry out reconnaissance missions throughout operations in Gaza, seeking to minimize harm to troops. The newspaper said it spoke with seven IDF soldiers who said the practice was “routine, commonplace, and organized.”

  In response, the military told The Times of Israel that “the orders and instructions of the IDF forbid using civilians in Gaza who were arrested in the field for military missions.”
  

  “The orders and instructions are made clear regularly to soldiers in the field during the war,” the IDF added at the time.

  The New York Times also cited retired IDF Brig. Gen Tamir Hayman, a former head of the Military Intelligence Directorate, saying that some detainees had either been coerced into entering suspected booby-trapped tunnels or volunteered to guide troops in the field in order to seek favor with the military.

  The New York Times report said that the IDF soldiers they spoke to indicated that the practice required “the awareness of senior field commanders.” Some soldiers in the field expressed opposition to the practice, the newspaper said, but their concerns were largely dismissed, and the detainees were referred to as “terrorists” even if there was no evidence of any affiliation to Hamas.

  Israel has long accused Hamas of using Gazan civilians as human shields as common practice, positioning rocket launchers, command centers and other operations in the heart of residential areas. Many released and rescued hostages from Gaza have testified that they were held in homes in crowded apartment buildings among families.

  The Israeli military has often cited information gathered from Gazan detainees as being used in operations to rescue hostages or recover their bodies from Gaza. In July, the Shin Bet published a photograph showing a handcuffed Palestinian detainee dressed in protective gear alongside IDF troops during an operation to recover the bodies of five Israeli hostages. link

• Shooting, Violence, and Intimidation: Inside Hamas' New Unit Targeting Gazans | The Evidence

  Armed men were filmed shooting at the hands and legs of bound Gazans in Khan Yunis, accusing them of selling stolen goods. Meanwhile, the terror organization continues to recruit members and pay salaries but operates in an "emergency mode." As a potential deal looms, the Gazan public remains optimistic, while Hamas applies psychological pressure.

"This Is What Happens to Looters in Gaza"

A year and three months after October 7, Hamas continues to terrorize Gazans to assert its dominance in the Strip. True to form, the organization spares no means. Armed men were recorded shooting at the hands and legs of tied-up Gazans in Khan Yunis, alleging they sold stolen goods.

In another recently released video on platforms affiliated with Hamas, an armed individual is seen brutally beating a bound Gazan with batons. The victim's cries of pain echo in the background, yet the Hamas operative relentlessly continues the assault. This tactic, adopted by Hamas' "Arrow Unit" (Sahm), has become increasingly common, as evidenced by videos emerging from Gaza.  video of the violent enforcement

A Source in Gaza: "Sahm Instills Fear—It's Terror in Every Sense of the Word"

Hamas' "Arrow Unit," subordinate to the Gaza Ministry of Interior, has been active in recent months, attempting to showcase governance through violence—albeit framing it as cracking down on local crime and theft.

Unit members operate in civilian clothing, carrying light weapons. Their duties include "guarding" merchants' warehouses and markets, apprehending thieves, dealing with collaborators aiding Israel in "looting humanitarian aid," securing aid convoys until they reach designated storage, and punishing merchants for price gouging.

Hamas' Informant Network and Public Executions

Hamas enforces its authority brutally, publicly executing thieves, suspected collaborators with Israel, or anyone attempting to demonstrate independent power. This "witch hunt" extends to anyone who catches Hamas' attention, such as those criticizing the terror organization.

Hamas' platform, dubbed "Catch the Collaborator," has effectively become a public snitch line in recent months. With the click of a button, residents can report thieves or suspected collaborators. Hamas then publicizes the suspects' details and calls on the public to identify and report them.

The group enforces emergency governance under the guise of orange, green, and yellow municipal worker vests. In reality, this is emergency-mode governance addressing Gaza's basic needs and little more.

Hamas Continues Recruitment and Pays Salaries

Despite losing personnel, Hamas continues to recruit operatives for its military wing and government workers, compensating them with salaries. The tenth installment of payments has already been distributed, with each salary ranging between 800 and 1,200 shekels—a lifeline for young Gazans, many of whom follow Hamas for financial reasons.

Meanwhile, Gazans express increasing optimism about the possibility of a ceasefire. In one displaced persons' camp, residents were recorded celebrating recently. Hamas leverages such moments to exert psychological pressure, serving its interests, including targeting the Israeli public's perception.

"Sahm Is Like a Daesh  (ISIS) Terror Cell"

A source in Gaza speaking with N12 described the Arrow Unit: "Sahm is like a Daesh terror cell—it instills fear, and everyone is afraid of it. It’s terror in every sense of the word. We’ve survived the war so far, and we’re not willing to pay the price because of these terrorists."

Gazan Influencer Criticizes Hamas

Gazan influencer Hamza al-Masri reacted yesterday to a video showing Hamas shooting at looters, writing: "Can Hamas also deal with the big thieves? The Zionist merchants, the thieves from Hamas' Ministry of Economy? Unfortunately, the big thieves send a few masked men to shoot the small thieves." link

 

Northern Israel - Lebanon/Hizbollah/Syria

• Israel mulling international summit that would divide Syria into cantons
  

  Israeli government and security officials have reportedly been holding covert talks about the future of Syria, including an initiative for an international summit that would discuss a proposal to split Syria into different administrative divisions (cantons) in order to guarantee the safety and rights of all Syrian ethnic groups.

  The Israel Hayom daily, without citing a source, says top officials in the security establishment and the government have discussed the possibility since the fall of the Assad regime last month, and Energy Minister Eli Cohen has proposed holding the international summit during which it would be weighed.

  The developments reportedly happened during a security cabinet meeting two days ago helmed by Defense Minister Israel Katz, ahead of an imminent discussion led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
  

  The ministers are also said to have discussed Turkey’s influence in Syria and ways to counter it, as well as suspicions regarding new Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa and fears for the Druze and Kurdish minorities.

  The goal of holding the international summit would be to enable Israel to defend itself from the threats posed by the Islamist former rebel groups that are now in power and aren’t committed to a decades-old Israel-Syria ceasefire agreement.

  “The main fear is that an idea that is identified with Israel will necessarily not be accepted in Syria, which is why the discussions on the matter are classified,” Israel Hayom says in its report.  link If this is true, I find it unbelievable and to close to imperialism. While it is true that Syria has been a direct threat and danger to Israel since our independence, it is not our place or right to determine the future of a separate independent country. What we should be doing instead is engaging with the new government, open communications and try to build a future of good neighbors and peace.

• After 2 years without a president, Lebanese MKs pick army chief Joseph Aoun for role
  

  

  Lebanese Army Commander General Joseph Aoun arrives for a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, at the government palace in Beirut, Lebanon, December 16, 2024. (AP/Bilal Hussein)

  Lebanese lawmakers elects army chief Joseph Aoun as head of state, filling the vacant presidency with a general who enjoys US approval and showing the diminished sway of the Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group after its devastating war with Israel.

  The country has been without a president for two years, and multiple previous efforts to elect one had failed.
• In message to Hezbollah, new Lebanese leader vows to ensure state has monopoly on power
  

  Lebanon’s newly elected President Joseph Aoun tells lawmakers he will work to ensure the state has the exclusive right to carry arms, in his first speech at parliament after he was elected.

  His comments are seen partly as a reference to the Hezbollah terror group’s arsenal, which he had not commented on publicly as the former army commander.

  According to Reuters, lawmakers burst into the longest applause of the speech after Aoun’s statement, while Hezbollah parliamentarians remained still.

  Before Israel dealt it a series of setbacks in recent months, the Iran-backed Hezbollah over the years amassed far greater powers than the Lebanese army and took over southern Lebanon in violation of a UN Security Council resolution.

  He also vows to end the Israeli presence in southern Lebanon from which the IDF is slated to finish withdrawing at the end of the month.

  “I pledge to oversee the activation of security agencies and to discuss a strategic defense policy that enables the state to remove Israeli occupation from all territories,” Aoun says.

• IDF says it struck Lebanon suspects loading Hezbollah weapons onto vehicle
  

  Earlier today, the IDF says, it carried out a drone strike in southern Lebanon after identifying suspects loading a vehicle with weapons.

  The weapons were being taken from buildings that the military says were used by Hezbollah.

  An Israeli Air Force drone struck the vehicle with the weapons “to remove the threat,” the IDF says.

• 
  

West Bank and Jerusalem and Terror attacks within Israel

• Settlers reportedly erect billboard in West Bank threatening ‘There is no future in Palestine’ Palestinians report that Israeli settlers have erected another billboard in the West Bank that reads, “There is no future in Palestine” in an apparent attempt to intimidate Palestinians.

  The Arabic message is accompanied by a picture of displaced Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, implying that Palestinians in the West Bank will eventually have the same fate.

  Several of these billboards have gone up in recent months, without intervention from Israeli security forces.

  
  
  
  

• ‘Nothing has been done’: High Court judges said to pan police over settler attacks 
  Residents of a southern West Bank village have accused security services of ignoring court’s order to facilitate their return to their homes, following repeated harassment
  
  
High Court justices impatiently demanded answers for police’s failure to curb settler violence in the southern West Bank during a hearing on Monday.

The court was reviewing a petition by residents of the Palestinian village of Khirbet Zanuta, who have accused the IDF, the Israel Police and the Defense Ministry of contempt of court for failing to fulfill court orders to protect them from violence.

The residents of Khirbet Zanuta fled the villageat the end of October 2023 due to persistent attacks against them and the village’s infrastructure during that month by extremist Jews. They returned to their homes on August 21 after the High Court ordered the IDF and police to enable their return. But the villagers allege that renewed attacks, the refusal of the security services to protect them, and steps by security services that stop them from making Khirbet Zanuta habitable again have led to the depopulation of the village.

In the request, the village’s lawyers provided photos of settlers from the nearby illegal settlement outpost of Meitarim Farm filming villagers inside their homes and harassing their livestock.

According to Ynet, Acting Supreme Court President Isaac Amit banged on the table at one point, telling a police representative: “Not a single indictment had been filed. We see settlers inside their homes. Nothing has been done.”

Chief Inspector Aviad Balmas, head investigator for the Hebron station, said police regularly “send a team” when complaints are made, “which searches and finds nothing. It happens all the time, with those filing the complaints not even at the scene.”

The official added: “You need to understand, there are dozens of complaints of trespassing…. There are no real [land] boundaries. So a flock goes through with the shepherd, in an area without anything, no crops, so the shepherd’s sheep go into the Palestinian land. What am I supposed to do now? A police car will come, take the shepherd, and the sheep will scatter?”

As for violence, he asserted again that “we send a car to every incident. The area is huge. We investigate and summon people for questioning. The fact that there are complaints does not mean all of them happened.”

Justice Daphne Barak-Erez retorted: “You’re presenting it as though everything is fine. People here were forced to leave their homes… in the end there are the results, and the results are not good.”

The motion also included pictures of IDF soldiers confiscating blankets used by the villagers to cover their ruined homes and removing fencing erected around the village, which it was argued demonstrated that the security services do not lack manpower in the region and are able to comply with the court order and protect the villagers if they had the will to do so.

The contempt of court accusation also appended a legal position paper authored by internationally respected Israeli legal scholars who told the court that the conduct of the IDF, police and Civil Administration constituted the forcible transfer of Khirbet Zanuta’s residents, which is illegal under international law and also possibly a war crime under the Fourth Geneva Convention.

The residents of Khirbet Zanuta fled the village at the end of October 2023 following a massive spike in settler violence against Palestinians in Area C of the West Bank — where Israel has military and civil control — in the wake of the October 7 Hamas atrocities. These attacks led to the displacement of over 1,000 Palestinians from rural shepherding communities, particularly in the South Hebron Hills and the Jordan Valley.

In the residents’ absence, many of the stone houses in Zanuta were destroyed or damaged and an EU-built school in the village was bulldozed. Law enforcement authorities have failed to identify the perpetrators.

An Israeli, allegedly from the illegal settlement outpost of Meitarim Farms, films Palestinians in their homes in the West Bank village of Khirbet Zanuta August/September 2024 (Courtesy Haqel)

On July 29, the High Court ordered the IDF and police to enable the residents to return to their homes, with some of the villagers taking up residence in Khirbet Zanuta on August 21.
But less than three weeks later, the Civil Administration informed the residents that it would enforce demolition orders from 2007 against their homes if they did not agree to relocate.

Due to the repeated settler attacks and the demolition threat, the last villagers left Zanuta by September 12.

The stone structures were built in Zanuta by its Palestinian residents in the 1980s after the caves in which they had previously lived began to collapse. These homes are illegal, however, since the village has no zoning masterplan or construction permits, which are in general extremely difficult for Palestinians living in Area C of the West Bank to obtain.

Following years of legal proceedings in the High Court, the state agreed in 2017 not to implement the demolition orders while it drew up new planning criteria.

In its request for a contempt of court order filed on September 18, the Haqel legal aid organization, which is representing the residents of Khirbet Zanuta, alleged that what it described as the “second transfer” of the village’s residents had been carried out “deliberately and with premeditation” by the authorities as well as some eight local settlers.

Israeli police speak to Palestinians returning to the West Bank village of Khirbet Zanuta, after they were previously driven out by threats from settlers ,Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (AP/Maya Alleruzzo)

“During all the weeks in which the residents of Zanuta tried to return to their homes following the High Court ruling, they were persecuted without mercy by the settlers and the respondents, and ultimately were expelled for a second time,” Haqel wrote.

The organization said armed settlers trespassed onto Khirbet Zanuta’s land “and did not stop threatening the residents, attacking them and harming and killing their sheep” since they came back in the middle of August.

Haqel’s request also alleged that the police “totally refused” all requests by the villagers for the settlers to be removed from the village, despite the High Court’s order to police and IDF to protect the villagers.

Instead, it said, the police and IDF told the villagers that the settlers had a right to be present in the village, including in one incident that was caught on camera.

Written requests for assistance to the police were ignored, Haqel attorney and the organization’s co-director Quamar Mishirqi-Assad told The Times of Israel.

“Over 100 incidents of harassment were recorded” in the three weeks between the residents’ return to the village and second exit, “in real time as well as after the fact,” but police failed to respond to any of them, Haqel charged.

The organization also pointed out that the Civil Administration, an agency of the Defense Ministry that runs civilian affairs in the West Bank, repeatedly refused to allow residents of the village to repair homes that were damaged in apparent settlers attacks after they fled the village in October 2023.

• Settlers allegedly torch car in Palestinian village near Bethlehem
  

  For the second night in a row, settlers have allegedly torched a Palestinian vehicle in the West Bank as violence from Israeli extremists continues to unchecked throughout the territory.

  The latest incident takes place in the village of Wadi Rahhal near Bethlehem, Palestinian media reports.

  There are no reports of arrests, which are highly rare in such cases, leading Western countries to begin sanctioning violent settlers last year.

  
  
  
  
  
  

Politics and the War (general news)

• Amid growing spat, Katz orders Halevi to ‘fully cooperate’ with Oct. 7 probe
  IDF hits back, says issues shouldn’t be resolved via the media, military already cooperating with state comptroller; defense minister’s spokesman threatens army spokesman Hagari
  

  Defense Minister Israel Katz on Wednesday said he had instructed Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi to “fully cooperate” with the state comptroller’s investigation into the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, amid growing tensions between the pair.

  The order came after State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman on Monday accused the military of “intimidating” senior officers who gave testimony in the framework of his investigation into the multi-level failures leading up to and during the October 7 Hamas invasion, and said its conduct raised suspicions it was not fully cooperating with his probe.

  Englman’s probe is not a high-level state commission of inquiry, the establishment of which has thus far been rejected by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and most members of his government.
  

  Critics of the government, including members of the opposition and several government watchdog groups, have expressed concern that the probe by Englman, who has no legal background and was appointed to his position under a Netanyahu-led government, could seek to minimize political responsibility for the devastating October 7 onslaught.

  Englman has denied this and insisted that his investigation will address all aspects of the failings with equal weight.

  Netanyahu and the government in general have strongly resisted the establishment of a state commission of inquiry, claiming such a probe would be politically slanted against them since its members would be selected by the president of the Supreme Court — which they say is a left-leaning institution — and contending that any probe should only take place after the war is over.
  

  The IDF is conducting its own investigations into its failings before and during the October 7 assault, including its overall assumptions relating to the situation in Gaza and of Hamas, issues regarding intelligence and the decision-making process leading up to the attack, and the fighting after the invasion was staged. LINK
  Katz is just a mouthpiece for Netanyahu and this attack on the IDF and its senior command is extremely deliberate. Since October 7, Netanyahu has done everything possible to rewrite the narrative of responsibility for October 7 and pin it entirely on the security forces, in particular on the IDF and not take any responsibility. He has refused to have an Official State Commission of Inquiry because he knows very well what they will find - his culpability and responsibility, so he is pushing other types of inquiry that will not look at the culpability of the government and the person who stands at the top. This inquiry by the State Comptroller is only looking at the army's responsibility and the commission that Netanyahu and his cronies are pushing for is a government commission that is appointed by them and under their auspices, which will have limited investigative power and be directed in specific directions which will not be in Netanyahu's direction. It will not have any legal power to recommend or bring charges against anyone and will do the bidding of Netanyahu. Never before in Israel's history have we had such a major incident without an Official State Commission of Inquiry. The last one was following the disastrous tragedy of Mount Meron Lag B'Omer where over 40 people were trampled to death and Netanyahu was one of the people who were found responsible and culpable, yet no charges were brought and it had no punishments. That commssion was appointed by the government that was led by Naftali Bennett in its short term of office. Netanyahu will do everything possible not to have that occur again when the implications and outcome will be much harsher.
  
  

• 800 parents of soldiers accuse PM of aimlessly extending Gaza war, threaten action
  

  More than 800 parents of IDF conscripts and reservists who fought or are still fighting in Gaza issue a public letter accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of irresponsibly and unnecessarily risking their children’s lives, and demanding that he reach a deal to end the war.

  In a letter addressed to the premier, the relatives accuse him of leading “a war without a horizon, unlike anything in our history, solely in the interest of your own political survival.”

  “Our sons and daughters set out on a necessary war brought upon us by your actions,” they claim. “They lost many friends and are continuing to die and get injured, mentally and physically.”

  They say the troops were motivated by the stated war goals, “first and foremost returning the hostages.” But now, after more than a year, they assert the only way this will happen is as part of a deal with Hamas, alleging that the war is being extended aimlessly and that “the IDF has no reason to stay in Gaza, besides fulfilling messianic wishes of settling there.”

  “We accuse you of abandoning the hostages and the soldiers,” the parents write, threatening to launch an “all-out struggle.”

  
  

The Region and the World

• Jerusalem said blocking UN investigation on Hamas sexual violence that also requires probe of Israel
  
  
• Top Iranian general acknowledges Assad regime’s fall was ‘very big blow’ to Tehran

Personal Stories

  

Omer Wenkert

Although Omer doesn't know how to cook, he connects with the restaurant industry: he loves hosting people, managing teams, and initiating projects. Omer was supposed to start studying in a restaurant management course at Shenkar in December 2023 - but didn't get the chance. He sees himself developing in these fields and maybe even opening a restaurant.

Yonatan Samerano

Yonatan achieved success in Israel thanks to the unique parties he created - each one with a different concept. He dreamed of succeeding abroad as well and planned to fly to New York in early 2024 to fulfill his dream.

Ohad Ben Ami

Ohad dreams of going on a vacation abroad with his whole family. It hasn't happened in years.

Dark Legacy - The Abandonment of October 7th Hostages

Moshe (Bogie) Ya’alon

Former Defense Minister and IDF Chief of Staff.

In one of the meetings with the families of the hostages, battle navigator Uri Arad described his time in captivity after his plane went down on the Egyptian front during the Yom Kippur War. He depicted the harrowing days and nights in captivity, during which he went through harsh, unrelenting torture. He said that what kept him alive and sane was his knowledge that the State of Israel would not abandon him and would bring about his release.

When I was appointed Commander of the General Staff Reconnaissance Unit back in 1987, about a year after the capture of combat navigator Ron Arad, I asked myself - without being told to - what the unit could do to bring about his release, as the redemption of captives is a basic value. I initiated operations to bring “assets” over from Lebanon. The unit carried out three operations to capture Hezbollah operatives, taking great risks in the process. In the operation to capture Mustafa Dirani (which took place after I concluded my role), Shahar Argaman was wounded. Similarly, in 1972 the unit carried out “Operation Crate” to kidnap senior Syrian officers patrolling along the Lebanese border in order to bring about the release of fighter pilots Eitan Magen and Boaz Eitan and combat navigator Pini Nachmani, whose planes were shot down in the War of Attrition.

After the October 7th massacre, following many long months in which the Israeli government has time and again delayed decisions for the release of the hostages, and also decisions regarding the end of the military campaign (“the day after”), I am convinced should any soldier or civilian, God forbid, be captured by the enemy, they will not feel that same sense of trust - that the State of Israel will bring about their release - as combat navigator Uri Arad felt.

During the debate on the liberation of women and children, initiated by the Israel Defense Forces (and not the government!), several ministers objected to the plan. One of them (Itamar Ben-Gvir) voted against it, and another (Bezalel Smotrich) voted for it, but only under the condition that the ceasefire would last no more than ten days. This prevented the possibility of accepting the Hamas’ proposal to release the elderly, sick, and wounded, their condition being a continued ceasefire.

The conduct of this government, in which serving ministers appear to be willing to sacrifice the hostages for their Messianic end goal, is an open wound in Israeli society, a shameful disgrace for evermore. A wound whose damage to national security is far graver than the price we will pay for the return of the hostages. It is clear to me that this government will not rescue the hostages due to the objection of its Messianic elements - an objection that could bring down the coalition. The abandonment of the hostages will be Benjamin Netanyahu’s legacy, a shameful disgrace for eternity. Only elections will amend these outrageous violations - first and foremost the violation of abandonment.

Acronyms and Glossary

COGAT - Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories

ICC - International Criminal Court in the Hague

IJC - International Court of Justice in the Hague

MDA - Magen David Adom - Israel Ambulance Corp

PA - Palestinian Authority - President Mahmud Abbas, aka Abu Mazen

PMO- Prime Minister's Office

UAV - Unmanned Aerial vehicle, Drone. Could be used for surveillance and reconnaissance, or be weaponized with missiles or contain explosives for 'suicide' explosion mission

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