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Hostage Updates
Hamas says it will give Israel on Friday names of the 4 hostages to be freed Saturday
Netanyahu speaks with mothers of the 3 hostages released Sunday, vows not to give up on other captives; Israeli envoy says Moscow working to free 3 non-Russian hostages
A senior Hamas official said Thursday that the terror group will provide Israel on Friday with the names of the four hostages it will release on Saturday, in the second exchange of hostages for Palestinian security prisoners as part of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement.
Speaking to the Qatari Al-Araby news outlet, senior Hamas leader Zaher Jabarin said, “Tomorrow we will give the mediators the names of the four hostages who will be released.”
Jabarin, who is in charge of the group’s activities in the West Bank, lives in Istanbul and is a Hamas leader in exile.
The second exchange of the deal is set to take place on Saturday afternoon, when Hamas is expected to release four women — both soldiers and civilians.
Hamas had also been expected to provide Israel with details on the status of the 30 remaining hostages due to be freed in the first stage of the deal, providing long-sought specifics on which hostages were alive.
However, the Kan public broadcaster, citing security officials, said Israel was bracing for the probability that Hamas would only provide the number of living hostages, and not specific details or names.
Even so, the number of living hostages would allow Israel to prepare the appropriate number of Palestinian security prisoners to be released.
On Wednesday, Hebrew media reported that Israel told Hamas that it expects the terror group to free hostage Arbel Yehud in Saturday’s exchange.
Yehud is among the civilian hostages held by Gaza terrorists, and, as a female civilian, should be in the next batch freed. However, she is thought to be held by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group and not Hamas, apparently leading to concern in Jerusalem that Hamas may attempt to put off her release.
The 33 hostages set to be returned in phase one of the Gaza ceasefire deal. Row 1 (L-R): Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, Arbel Yehud, Doron Steinbrecher, Ariel Bibas, Kfir Bibas, Shiri Bibas; Row 2: Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Agam Berger, Danielle Gilboa, Naama Levy, Ohad Ben-Ami, Gadi Moshe Moses; Row 3: Keith Siegel, Ofer Calderon, Eli Sharabi, Itzik Elgarat, Shlomo Mansour, Ohad Yahalomi, Oded Lifshitz; Row 4: Tsahi Idan, Hisham al-Sayed, Yarden Bibas, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Yair Horn, Omer Wenkert, Sasha Trufanov; Row 5: Eliya Cohen, Or Levy, Avera Mengistu, Tal Shoham, Omer Shem-Tov (all photos courtesy)
She is one of seven female hostages remaining from the original list of 33 to be released in the first phase of the hostage ceasefire deal. The others are Shiri Silberman Bibas, 33; Liri Albag, 19; Karina Ariev, 20; Agam Berger, 21; Danielle Gilboa, 20 and Naama Levy, 20.
For each of the female soldiers, Israel will release 50 Palestinian prisoners, 30 of them convicted terrorists who are serving life sentences.
Early Monday, Israel released 30 prisoners for each of the three civilian female hostages — Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher — Hamas set free the previous afternoon.
‘We won’t give up on the others’ On Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on the phone with the parents of Damari, Steinbrecher and Gonen, who urged him to do everything he could to bring the rest of the hostages home.
“We didn’t give up and we won’t give up on the others,” Netanyahu told them in a recording of the call distributed by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Meirav Leshem Gonen, Romi’s mother, thanked him for doing the “moral, responsible thing, having the courage” to bring them home. She said the three women are starting their process of recovery, “and their strong wish is to bring back the rest of their brothers and sisters.”
Released hostage Doron Steinbrecher reunites with her mother shortly after returning to Israel after 471 days in Hamas captivity in Gaza, January 19, 2025. (IDF)
Simona Steinbrecher, Doron’s mother, told Netanyahu that “we are asking in the name of Doron, begging, not to stop — everyone needs to be with their families.”
Emily’s mother Mandy, speaking in English, thanked the prime minister “for finally signing a ceasefire agreement, I know it took a lot of courage, but it was so important to get Emily back, and all the hostages need to feel as happy as we feel.”
Russia’s help
Israeli Ambassador to Russia Simona Halperin revealed Thursday that Jerusalem is also working with Moscow to help free three hostages held in Gaza who do not have Russian citizenship.
In an interview with the Russian RBC news agency, Halperin noted the ongoing work to help free Russian-Israeli hostage Sasha Trufanov, who is on the list of 33 hostages expected to be freed in the first stage of the ceasefire.
Hostage Sasha Trufanov in a video released by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group on November 13, 2024. (Screengrab)
In addition, she said, there are conversations regarding hostage Maxim Herkin, a native of Ukraine whose mother and daughter have Russian citizenship, and who is not currently slated for release.
Halperin said in the interview that “it is important to say that I am working with the Russian side to release the hostages not only with Russian citizenship,” saying there is work toward the release of “Maxim Herkin and two other hostages, whose fate Russia is concerned about.”
The ambassador said she would not reveal the other two names, which are not on the list of those being freed in the first stage: “We very much hope that the Russian side will be able to really help in this. I sincerely believe that if the Russian side insistently demands it, it will be able to help free these three hostages.” full article
Israel’s Ambassador to Moscow: "Efforts Underway to Free Three Hostages Without Russian Citizenship"
Ambassador Simona Halperin revealed that Jerusalem and Moscow are working together to secure the release of three hostages who are not part of the first phase of the deal. One of them, she noted in an interview with a local news outlet, is Maxim Harkin, whose daughter and mother hold Russian citizenship. The names of the other two hostages were not disclosed.
Israel’s Ambassador to Moscow, Simona Halperin, stated today (Thursday) in an interview with the Russian news site RBC that Israel and Russia are jointly working to secure the release of three hostages held in Gaza who are not part of the first phase of the agreement and do not hold Russian citizenship.
She mentioned that one of these hostages is Maxim Harkin, a 36-year-old originally from the Donbas region and now a resident of Tirat Carmel. While Harkin himself does not hold Russian citizenship, his daughter was born in Russia and resides there. Following his abduction, his mother also obtained Russian citizenship. The ambassador did not provide the names of the other two hostages whom Moscow and Jerusalem are reportedly striving to free.
"We truly hope the Russian side can assist in this effort. I genuinely believe that if Russia persistently demands their release, it could facilitate the freedom of these three hostages," Halperin emphasized.
The ambassador also clarified that Sasha Tropanov, a hostage with Russian citizenship who is included in the first phase of the deal, is being released not due to Russian efforts but because he was injured during his abduction on October 7.
Since the massacre, several videos and signs of life have been received from Tropanov, who is held by the Islamic Jihad. The latest was in November. According to the ambassador, his inclusion in the humanitarian deal was discussed early in negotiations with Hamas and other terror organizations in Gaza.
Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin directed Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to "work on Tropanov’s release," after he was abducted by gunmen along with his grandmother, mother, and partner. The latter three were released as part of the hostage deal in November 2023.
Meanwhile, Hamas is expected to release a list tomorrow of four female hostages who will be freed in the second phase of the agreement, slated for this Saturday. Among those expected to be released, Israel anticipates the inclusion of Arbel Yehud and three other female spotters. link
Moved dozens of times, kept in darkness: Inside Romi, Doron and Emily's captivity
Freed hostages say Hamas informed them of their release only hours before; 'We were terrified of the Gazan crowds,' they share; moved dozens of times, often underground, they say, 'We cared for each other constantly,' with one adding, 'I thought I’d die' Romi Gonen, 24, Emily Damari, 28, and Doron Steinbacher, 31, freed after 471 days in Hamas captivity, have begun recounting their experiences in Gaza while recovering in the hospital.
According to Channel 12 News, although none of the three were held alone, they were separated at various points and at times kept in underground facilities with little exposure to daylight.
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Emily Damari, Doron Steinbrecher and Romi Gonen with their mothers
(Photo: IDF)
The women said they were occasionally allowed access to television and radio, through which they saw their families and the public campaigning for their release. They learned that their families had survived the October 7 attacks in Israel. “We cooked for each other and looked after one another constantly,” one said.
“I didn’t think I would return. I was sure I would die in Gaza,” one of the women shared, adding that they only learned of their impending release on the morning of their handover. “We were terrified during the transfer from the terrorists to the Red Cross because of the hostile Gazan crowds,” they recalled.
Despite intermittent provisions from Hamas, one of the hostages endured a medical procedure without anesthesia, underscoring the terrorist group’s cruelty. Emily Damari recounted spending extended periods with Romi Gonen, during which they were repeatedly moved between locations, including both underground tunnels and residential apartments.
Emily, who lost two fingers to Hamas gunfire on October 7, revealed she also sustained a leg injury during captivity. Romi, trained as a medic, treated her wounds and provided vital care. The three women also disclosed they learned Arabic during their time in captivity.
'Dorona is still Dorona, Emily is a fighter'
Friends of Doron Steinbacher visited her at the hospital Monday evening and recounted to Ynet the moment they saw on television that their close friend had returned from Gaza. “It was overwhelming excitement; honestly, our first reaction was screaming—screams of joy,” said Meitar Yaakobi. “Then came tears and an emotional breakdown, the realization that she’s finally here. For 471 days, we hoped, prayed and waited, and finally, it happened. It was a moment we’ll never forget.”
Noa Mizrahi shared that she and the group have yet to meet Doron in person. “We had a short video call with her, and we mostly told her that we hadn’t slept from excitement, that we couldn’t believe we were seeing her and that this day had finally come, and that we love her,” Mizrahi said. “She kept saying she loves us too and that she thought about us all the time. There was an outpouring of emotions on both sides—a huge, joyful release. It was a short call, but it filled our hearts and souls.”
Doron's friends
(Photo: Moti Kimchi)
Another friend, Chen Kaner, described the happiness of seeing Doron again: “Her smile is the same smile, and Dorona is still Dorona. It’ll take time for us to process what she’s been through and figure out how to move forward, but for us, she’s the same Dorona. We waited for her. She’s smiling, and that’s what we were waiting for—to see her smile, to know she’s alive, breathing, healthy and standing on her own two feet.”
Commenting on Doron’s brunette hair—normally blonde—her friends said, “It looks so much better on her; it really makes her blue eyes pop. But she’s perfect in every way, and we’ll take her in any color.” They added that the first thing they plan to do with Doron is attend a reunion concert of Argentinian soap opera cast Rebelde. “Doron already knows and is in shock that they’re coming to Israel. The show’s been postponed twice, probably because they were waiting for Doron,” they joked. “We also have a list of gossip saved for her, and we’re waiting to sit down for coffee so she can catch up—she won’t miss a thing.”
Emily Damari after her release from Gaza captivity
The group of friends is also close with Emily Damari, who, like Doron, lived in Kibbutz Kfar Aza before October 7. Meitar spoke about Emily: “I think everyone saw last night exactly who Emily is. The clips were so brief, but they showed her essence—a fighter, someone who conquers everything, the queen of life. We saw her pictures along with the entire nation, and we saw how she broke the Internet—there’s no one like her. She’s incredible.”
Chen added, “That’s Emily. No one can meet Emily and not fall in love with her. She’s one of a kind, truly.”
Noa reminded everyone that Keith Siegel, Gali Berman and Ziv Berman from Kibbutz Kfar Aza remain in Gaza. “Our fight isn’t over until they come back and until the last hostage comes home. We’re not just here for Doron—the fight is for everyone. We’re not letting up. This deal needs to be fully realized and completed.”
'Too many families are still waiting for their loved ones'
The families of Emily, Romi and Doron gave their first public statements Monday evening following the women’s release from Hamas captivity.
“472 days ago, we received Doron’s harrowing recording. Those words brought us immense pain and relentless fear. That moment will forever be etched in our hearts, but today, Doron is home,” said Doron’s sister, Yamit Ashkenazi. “We are still processing and trying to cope. She is well, strong and brave, but the road to recovery is long. She is surrounded by the warmth and love of her family, friends and all of Israel.”
Ashkenazi also expressed gratitude for the support they received throughout Doron’s captivity. “Our community in Kibbutz Kfar Aza and Israeli society as a whole stood by us at every step of this long journey. You gave us strength and hope, and you were an inseparable part of her return home. Your embrace crossed borders. The journey to bring Doron back has ended, but her journey to recovery is just beginning. We, too, survived the massacre and have yet to begin our own process of healing.”
Mandy, Emily’s mother, said, “I’m happy to share that Emily is in good spirits and on the path to recovery. She is strong and determined.” She thanked Israeli security forces, outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden, incoming President Donald Trump, the British government, volunteers who worked for Emily’s release and the hospital staff caring for her.
“I have one request,” Mandy continued. “Keep fighting for the 94 hostages who still need to come home. Too many families are still waiting for their loved ones. The hostages in Gaza must receive humanitarian aid while awaiting their release—they need food, water and medicine. Thank you again for your support.”
Merav, Romi’s mother, began her remarks by noting the number of cameras present compared to the days following the October 7 massacre. “This shows where the nation and the media stand—kudos to us,” she said. Overcome with emotion, she added, “We are happy to say that Romi is now a former hostage. The reality we dreamed of has come true, and we are now a family of returnees.”
Merav also honored Ben Shimony, who tried to rescue Romi in his car during the Nova music festival before being killed, along with Romi’s friend Gaya Khalifa and Ofir Tzarfati, who were also murdered in the attack. She thanked the Israeli government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for their “courage and moral decision to initiate this critical process of bringing our sons and daughters home.”
Merav also expressed gratitude to the bereaved families, the families of the soldiers, U.S. President Trump and Qatar and Egypt for mediating the deal. link
Ahead of Hamas' Lists: Israel Faces Another Set of Harrowing Dilemmas
Hamas is expected to release today the list of four female hostages set for release tomorrow and, on Saturday, provide information on the condition of 26 additional hostages slated for release in the first phase of the deal. If the information contradicts Israeli intelligence assessments, the security establishment will face a difficult dilemma.
The wait for Hamas' list is nerve-wracking: Israel anticipates that the terrorist organization will publish today (Friday) the names of the four women to be released tomorrow. These hostages are expected to be handed over to the Red Cross starting at 4:00 PM on Saturday. In addition to tomorrow’s release, Hamas is also expected to provide a list detailing the condition of the 26 hostages planned for release in the subsequent stage of the agreement.
Israeli assessments suggest that among the 26 hostages whose names and conditions Hamas will reveal, eight are no longer alive. However, once the lists are published, Israel will face a grave challenge: if the information provided by Hamas contradicts intelligence estimates, the defense establishment will have to quickly determine whether it is truthful or another psychological tactic by Hamas.
Moreover, it remains unclear what action Israel will take if Arbel Yehud—slated for release tomorrow according to the agreement prioritizing civilian hostages over military personnel—is not included in the list of hostages.
In the previous deal, for instance, Hamas consistently manipulated the situation during the truce to avoid releasing mothers abducted with their children, later claiming it no longer held any women alive—contrary to Israeli intelligence assessments. A senior source described the dilemmas Israel faced at the time as "cruel," citing, for example, Hamas' efforts to prevent the release of Sharon Aloni-Kunio along with her three-year-old twin daughters, contrary to the agreed terms. In addition to Arbel Yehud, 29, Hamas may also release Shiri Bibas tomorrow. However, in November 2023, Hamas claimed, without evidence, that Bibas and her children, Ariel and Kfir, were no longer alive. Israel has not verified this claim. Other names potentially included in tomorrow's release are Liri Elbag, Naama Levi, Agam Berger, Daniela Gilboa, and Karina Arayev—all of whom were abducted while serving as lookouts at the Nahal Oz base.
Statement from Families at the Hostages’ Square
“The worry and fear that the deal won’t be fully realized are eating away at all of us,” said Vicky, the mother of Nimrod Cohen, a captive soldier, during a statement at the Hostages’ Square. She warned that continuing the war beyond the first phase would amount to a death sentence for the hostages still in Gaza, emphasizing, “No one must be left behind. Even now, some in the government are doing everything they can to sabotage the second phase, influencing public perception in the process. We must ensure this phase is carried out and leave no one behind. We will not rest or relent until the last hostage is home. We thank the public for their support and ask you to continue until everyone comes back.”
The negotiating team - don't stop." From right to left: Ayelet, Vicky and Ella
Ayelet, the mother of Yonatan Samrano, who was abducted at the Nova Festival and murdered by Hamas, said, “We started this week with emotions sweeping the entire nation,” referencing the burial of Oron Shaul’s remains and the release of Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher. “Ninety-four families already want to be in that moment. I call on the prime minister and the negotiation team: You’re doing an excellent job; don’t stop. Ensure that the second phase of the deal is secured before it concludes. All the hostages must come back.” Ella Ben-Ami, whose mother Raz was released in the previous deal and whose father Ohad is set to be freed in the first phase, also called for the deal to be fully implemented. “I’m filled with anxiety that the deal bringing my father back won’t include everyone,” she said. “This must not stop. It took us so long to reach a second agreement to reunite families, and we must not let it collapse. Since my parents were abducted, I haven’t sought therapy. I’m afraid of opening something I can’t handle. A few days ago, I went to a professional who told me that once my father returns, we can start healing everything.” link
Those Who Fought in Gaza Know: The Hostages’ Return Gives Us the True Feeling of Victory
During the maneuver in Gaza, in difficult and terrifying moments, we encouraged ourselves and our soldiers with the thought that the hostages could likely hear the sounds of battle and the rumble of tanks. Their return from Hamas' tunnels reminds us of what victory truly feels like.
Opinion
Victory—victory will likely always be accompanied by tears, the tears of warriors. I know that for me and most of the people who fought, were wounded, and lost comrades in the bitter war in Gaza, this week brought a unique and strange feeling—a mix of pride, melancholy, deep sorrow, longing, joy, and concern for the future. We went to war to protect the security of the State of Israel and its resilience in the most profound and immediate sense—mutual responsibility and Zionist solidarity.
As a nation, we have walked for many years on the paths of fire and blood that mark our just claim to this piece of land. For over 25 years, I have walked alongside the warriors, often leading them. Personally, the War of the Iron Swords was my fifth war, where I led young, brave fighters into battle.
The War of the Iron Swords was different and powerful. The shaken sense of security and the immediate need to restore trust, revive the Zionist spirit, reclaim Israeli strength, and reaffirm mutual responsibility were at the heart of our resolute march to the frontlines. What was unique about this war, compared to the past, where we were often tasked with achieving objectives that were hard to comprehend or explain, was that this week, for the first time, we as soldiers encountered a new reality.
The return of Romi, Doron, and Emily, and the knowledge that we will witness 94 more emotional, overwhelming, and, unfortunately, sorrowful returns, allowed us, for the first time, to feel in every fiber of our being what victory truly is, how it looks, and how it feels.
The price of the deal is undoubtedly steep, and it’s important to recognize and understand those who believe there might have been other ways to achieve this. The reality presented us with this deal, and we are grateful for it.
The choice to live in this region will likely mean many more years of vigilance and living by the sword. We are a nation that loves life and craves peace. We went to war for our national, Zionist, and personal security, and to fulfill our duty as a tough and united society toward our brothers and sisters who were cruelly abducted to Gaza. We fought with full force and determination to bring them back. This was the fundamental and moral goal underlying the decision to go to war—to restore trust in the state and to preserve and strengthen Zionist solidarity, which is the source of our strength and the foundation of our national security.
During the maneuver in Gaza, in difficult and frightening moments, we encouraged ourselves and our soldiers with the thought that the hostages could likely hear the sounds of battle and the rumble of tanks. This understanding—that we were on our way to them—strengthened their ability to endure captivity alongside the despicable people who abducted them to the heart of Gaza.
I am unfazed by the celebratory images or the ridiculous displays of weakness from Hamas. A hollow image of victory is the refuge of the defeated, the lowly, and the weak. Those who are confident in themselves, in the righteousness of their path, and in their abilities do not need an image of victory—they need to feel it. And this week, I felt it profoundly.
Thank you, Romi, Doron, and Emily, for allowing us to feel victorious. Only the return of the remaining 94 of our brothers and sisters still held hostage in Gaza will constitute an absolute victory—the shining light of our Zionist, confident, moral, and just strength.
Col. (Res.) Hanoch Daube is the Chairman of the Iron Swords Forum and a recipient of the Medal of Valor.
Gaza and the South
Hamas resumes power in Gaza: ‘A slap in the face to the Israeli government’
Hamas is effectively back in control of the Gaza Strip, with the terror group having recently returned thousands of troops to the streets to re-establish its grip, dealing a major blow to Israel’s war goals.
Hamas fighters have been out in droves across Gaza after resuming responsibility for managing law and order in the war-torn Palestinian enclave under the most recent cease-fire agreement, since Israel failed to back another entity to take control.
The return to the status quo was clearly evident Sunday when the terrorist group and its supporters brazenly paraded around Gaza City’s Saraya Square during the first day of the cease-fire, flashing victory signs and cheering as they surrounded the Red Cross vehicles carrying the three freed Israeli hostages.
The terror group’s police force has been tasked with restoring order as more than 1 million refugees return to their destroyed homes in Gaza. ZUMAPRESS.com
Gershon Baskin, the Middle East director for the diplomacy advocacy group International Communities Organization, said the images of armed Hamas soldiers and officers out in broad daylight undermine any progress made during the 15 months that Israel has spent fighting in Gaza.
“The Hamas presence on the ground, armed, is a slap in the face to the Israeli government and army,” Baskin told the Wall Street Journal. “It highlights that Israel’s goals for the war were never achievable.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that the dismantling of Hamas be part of any permanent peace agreement.
To that end, the Israeli army has spent months systematically wiping out the terror group’s highest echelons.
Throughout the war and heated cease-fire negotiations, the US has urged Israel to support the Palestinian Authority’s bid to regain control of the Gaza Strip from Hamas after the PA was ousted in 2006 when the terrorists took control.
During his last week in office, former US Secretary of State Antony Blinken even laid out a plan for the PA to return to Gaza and oversee the enclave’s reconstruction in place of Hamas.
Hamas’ ability to govern and retake control was showcased during Sunday’s hostage exchange.AFP via Getty Images
But Netanyahu rejected any and all proposals for the PA, which governs much of the West Bank, to lead Gaza.
Without any group to take its place, Hamas has remained in power, with its police force currently tasked with restoring order in Gaza as more than 1 million refugees return to their destroyed neighborhoods.
The Hamas police are expected to crack down on the gangs that have seized power in several neighborhoods and looted from humanitarian aid trucks.
Hamas operatives ride on a truck delivering aid to Gaza to protect it from gangs that have been looting the vehicles.REUTERS
The Hamas troops are allowed to be armed but are forbidden from approaching or engaging with the Israeli soldiers stationed along a buffer zone near the Gaza border.
With Hamas retaining its role, Israel has effectively failed to fulfill its main goal of the war: to eradicate Hamas and ensure Gaza no longer poses a risk to the Jewish state following the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre.
US officials estimate that Hamas has been able to recoup nearly all of its losses in the war despite Israel’s claim that it has killed more than 17,000 fighters, about 70% of its force.
While Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar admitted that the Jewish state has yet to meet its goal of dismantling Hamas, he insisted that the terror group cannot remain in power.
“There is no future of peace, stability and security for both sides if Hamas stays in power,” Saar said in a statement. link. Since the beginning of the war, my brother was the lone voice stating what most sane people are stating today. The only way to remove Hamas from Gaza governing and military is to replace it with a viable alternative. The only truly viable alternative is the Palestinian Authority (of an offshoot) that will take over all of the municipal duties and have the security/military backing of supporting states such as Egypt and the Gulf States to root out Hamas as a military terrorist force as well as a governing body. An ideology cannot be wiped out militarily either, nor ever, but the way to minimize it and push it to the outer edges of normal society is to offer a better future, a future of a state with civil and human rights, a rebuilding of Gaza, a future economy that benefits the population and the promise of better lives. Hamas is rebuilding itself because there is no alternative, only complete desperation in a devastated Gaza where people don't have money for even the most basic things: food, health, housing. This makes recruitment easier than it has ever been. Hamas is the only body in Gaza offering payment, food, health services and basic survival, so any young person who wants to save his family has that opportunity, they will jump at it. The major part of this recruitment is for survival purposes and not ideology. There are, of course those who are seeking revenge against Israel for the death and destruction but more and more people are blaming Hamas for bringing hell on earth down on them. The only answer to replacing Hamas is with the PA and it needs to be done sooner than later.
The Return of the Agents
The fact that among the thousands of militants who stormed Israel on October 7, not a single recruited agent was present to warn about the attack shattered the reliance on technology as a cornerstone of intelligence gathering. Israel has drawn lessons, with Unit 504 returning to Gaza after a 13-year absence, joining the Shin Bet in rebuilding the human intelligence (HUMINT) infrastructure. Senior officials in both agencies reveal the challenges and agree: the ultimate test will be maintaining assets even after troops withdraw from the field.
"Immediately after October 7, I was called up for reserve duty to participate in interrogating Nukhba operatives captured in the Gaza envelope," recounts Colonel (res.) A., a former deputy commander of Unit 504 of Military Intelligence. "One interaction that stuck in my memory was with a low-ranking operative who took part in the raid on Sderot. He told me that he learned of the attack only when summoned to the mosque on Saturday morning. However, a few days prior, he noticed something unusual: Nukhba forces' Toyota drivers were instructed to fill their fuel tanks and ensure vehicle readiness."
A., who also commanded the southern base of Unit 504 responsible for the Gaza Strip, adds, "If only we had an agent to report such an unusual order — even a gas station attendant — it could have been a critical warning."
Simulation of Unit 504. The operators find themselves for the first time in their lives in the Gaza Strip, and under fire.
The October 7 intelligence failure highlighted severe gaps in Israeli intelligence practices over the past decades, particularly in understanding enemy logic. Across all sectors, and especially in Gaza, there was excessive reliance on technology, under the assumption that Western analytical sharpness combined with advanced systems would address assessment challenges, primarily enemy intentions and war warnings. This reliance came at the expense of basic intelligence capabilities, including open-source intelligence (OSINT) — a field abandoned with the closure of Unit Chatzav in late 2021 — tactical signal interception, and simple observation reports, especially from lookout operators.
The Loss of HUMINT
A glaring gap exposed on October 7 concerned HUMINT operations — the recruitment and management of agents, one of intelligence's oldest pillars. Not one recruited agent from among thousands of Hamas and other terrorist faction operatives who stormed Israeli communities and bases could provide early warnings about the operation. Such a warning could have corroborated the critical but insufficient suspicions raised by Israel's technological intelligence capabilities, such as the "Jericho Wall" program detected by Unit 8200 years before the war or the "SIM card activation" flagged by the Shin Bet just hours before the assault.
HUMINT activity in Gaza has been ongoing since the region’s establishment after Israel’s War of Independence. Early operatives were infiltrated to gather intelligence on Egyptian military movements during and after the war. In 1956, one of the first targeted killings was carried out through a 504 agent against Mustafa Hafaz, an Egyptian intelligence officer managing fedayeen units, who was killed by a booby-trapped book. Over the years, this extensive agent network facilitated operations such as the assassination of Yahya Ayyash, Hamas’s military wing chief, in 1996 via an explosive-laden phone, along with dozens of high-profile eliminations during the Second Intifada.
Gaza as a HUMINT Challenge
"Gaza before October 7 was a complex HUMINT challenge," senior officials in Unit 504 explain. The challenges stemmed from a densely populated area where everyone knows everyone, compounded by Hamas’s aggressive counterintelligence efforts. "Since Hamas took over Gaza in 2007, anyone passing through the Erez Crossing was immediately interrogated at 'Hamsa-Hamsa,' a Hamas checkpoint near the crossing. In Gaza, Hamas’s surveillance network permeated every street corner, with local farmers instructed to report any suspicious activity near the borders," 504 officials detail.
Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, Hamas’s founder, identified intelligence penetration as a top threat, especially after his first military organization was exposed in 1983. He issued harsh fatwas against collaborators, whose punishment was death. To counter this, Hamas established the Majd intelligence mechanism, led by ruthless figures like Yahya Sinwar, who exposed, tortured, and executed suspected collaborators. Training manuals captured during the war reveal instructions for torturing suspects to extract information before public executions intended as deterrents — practices evident in previous conflicts like the 2014 Operation Protective Edge.
From an investigative article in the Arab media about unit 504. The unit's activities will also be examined in Lebanon and Syria
Post-October 7 Recovery
Following the shock of October 7, Unit 504 and the Shin Bet quickly transitioned into offensive mode, rebuilding the HUMINT network through renewed recruitment efforts. For Unit 504, absent from Gaza for 13 years, this meant a dramatic escalation. The unit reestablished old contacts, recruited new agents, assisted ground forces, and provided real-time operational intelligence. Recruitment in the current conditions remains challenging, with the presence of Israeli forces offering direct contact opportunities while Hamas’s remaining intelligence capabilities remain a deterrent.
Strategic Insights and Future Challenges
The cooperation between Unit 504 and the Shin Bet has been robust, marked by effective coordination in agent operations and interrogations. However, the hybrid nature of Gaza, with overlapping control by the IDF and Hamas, poses strategic questions about future governance. Both agencies face the challenge of balancing coordination with healthy internal critique, something lacking before October 7.
The main test will be maintaining HUMINT assets under scenarios of reduced or absent Israeli military presence in Gaza. Lessons from this challenge will also influence intelligence operations in Lebanon and Syria, particularly in providing early warnings of attacks, a critical gap exposed on October 7. link
Video shows Hamas executing several alleged ‘collaborators’ in Gaza
Hamas operatives executed several alleged “collaborators” in the Gaza Strip today, according to a video shared by popular online media channel Gaza Now.
Gaza Now, which boasts 1.7 million followers on Telegram, publishes a video showing more than a dozen Hamas operatives, many of them in uniform, opening fire on three men lying on the ground.
The video is captioned “The moment of punishing the agents of the Zionist occupation who caused the killing of thousands of our Palestinian people in Gaza.”
The video could not immediately be verified.
Hamas has regularly issued death sentences for people found guilty of “collaboration” with Israel, executing dozens of Palestinians in recent years.
Northern Israel - Lebanon/Hizbollah/Syria
Hezbollah warns against Israel staying in south Lebanon beyond 60-day deadline
Troops of the 7th Armored Brigade operate in southern Lebanon, in a handout photo issued on January 23, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces)
Hezbollah calls on “everyone, especially the political authority in Lebanon,” to pressure countries overseeing the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon to ensure that the IDF withdraws at the end of the 60-day period since the start of the truce, which falls on Sunday, January 26.
Israel has reportedly asked for a 30-day extension to withdraw from southern Lebanon.
In a statement, Hezbollah says if Israel stays in south Lebanon beyond the 60 days, it would be “considered a flagrant violation of the agreement and an infringement on Lebanese sovereignty.”
Security officials warn against delaying IDF withdrawal from Lebanon Some in political circles say Netanyahu may try to slow walk to delay pullback amid pressure from far-right finance minister; the officials say it would be devastating to the extraordinary military achievements in the war Senior security officials warned on Thursday that a delay of the IDF withdrawal from Lebanon would be devastating. According to the cease-fire agreement negotiated to end the war with Hezbollah, that stipulated that the terror group must be kept north of the Litani River, IDF troops must leave South Lebanon on Sunday, 60 days after the agreement came into effect.
"The IDF is effectively enforcing the deal," the officials said. "If we don't show the Americans and the Lebanese that we are complying with the terms of the agreement, we are putting our outstanding military achievements at risk," the officials said, amid their concerns that Hezbollah will rebuild its strength if Israel does will not stay true to its commitments to Lebanon.
Some in political circles believe Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to slow-walk or delay the military withdrawal, because of among other things, pressure from his far-right Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich.
The security officials pointed to the presence of Americans in Lebanon as one of the clear advantages in the deal, that could be in danger. "The current American administration could reexamine its position there, if the deal collapses. The fact that they are there, provides a high level of certainty for stability," an official said.
"There is today, an extraordinary and historic potential, the best since the 1980s, to reduce the terrorist forces including Hezbollah and achieve calm. There is Saudi and American will to rebuild there and a new president whom Israel may be able to work with," the official said, warning that this chance must not be lost. officials claim the IDF will continue to enforce the terms of the deal and initiate attacks over any violation from Hezbollah.
According to the cease-fire agreement, only Lebanon's army forces will be allowed to bear arms or use military force in South Lebanon, as of Sunday. The Lebanese army must work to dismantle any military or terror infrastructure built by Hezbollah in the areas south of the Litani.
According to Arab media reports, Lebanon's army has been trying to deploy to the South in accordance with UN resolution 1701, but have been coming across Israeli forces in some areas. In one report, a Lebanese army force was surprised to encounter three IDF tanks in the South Lebanon village of Talusa and delayed its deployment there. Lebanese troops completed preparations to deploy elsewhere in the area and were preventing the return of villagers from areas where IDF troops had not left.
Lebanon's former prime minister Najib Mikati said earlier this week that in a meeting of the international Cessation of Hostilities Implementation Mechanism, the committee that oversees the compliance with the cease-fire deal, the American chairman Major General Jasper Jeffers told him that the Israeli withdrawal might be delayed by a number of days.
The Hezbollah-affiliated al Akhbar newspaper quoted an official who claimed that the IDF had complained about the refusal of the Lebanon army to take control of Hezbollah assets, including warehouses and homes, and to confiscate weapons.
Lebanon's new president Joseph Aoun said his government is insistent on Israel's withdrawal. "The fact that Israel is not committed to pulling its troops out is contrary to the promises given to Lebanon during the negotiations." link
No decision made on IDF withdrawal from Lebanon during late-night security cabinet meeting — report
Israel is likely to keep troops stationed in parts of southern Lebanon beyond the deadline stipulated in the ceasefire agreement signed in November, although the security cabinet has yet to make a decision, Hebrew media outlet Ynet reports, citing an unnamed senior Israeli official.
According to the report, the security cabinet received an overview of the situation on the ground during a lengthy meeting last night but did not come to an agreement as to whether the government should greenlight the IDF’s withdrawal or push for a 30-day extension.
Under the terms of the ceasefire, the Israel Defense Forces is required to cede all of its positions in southern Lebanon to the Lebanese Armed Forces by January 26. However, Israel has reportedly requested a 30-day extension, asserting that the Lebanese army has deployed too slowly across the region, allowing Hezbollah time to regroup.
Speaking to the news outlet ahead of the cabinet meeting, an unnamed senior official assesses that the withdrawal would not be fully carried out by Sunday, and that the IDF would instead keep troops stationed in certain areas for the time being. The official stressed, however, that if it were to do so, it would be in coordination with the US President Donald Trump’s administration.
The Walla news site, meanwhile, reports that Israel has yet to receive the US’s blessing to extend the IDF’s deployment in Lebanon, and talks are ongoing.
The report comes after Army Radio reported yesterday that Trump was less inclined to grant a 30-day reprieve than was his predecessor Joe Biden, and wants the full withdrawal completed by Sunday.
Israel’s outgoing ambassador to the US Michael Herzog nevertheless told the radio network that he believes Jerusalem and Washington would “reach an understanding” on the matter.
West Bank and Jerusalem and Terror attacks within Israel
The Deployment of Checkpoints in the West Bank – At Smotrich’s Demand and Against the IDF Chief of Staff’s Position
Revealed: Halevi stated in the cabinet that the checkpoints would push uninvolved populations toward terrorism, make forces more vulnerable, and called for reallocating troops to offensive operations instead. Netanyahu and Katz backed the finance minister, who argued: "When the roads were closed after October 7, there were no attacks."
Resigning IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi expressed opposition to the numerous checkpoints set up in Judea and Samaria, which have caused massive traffic jams in recent days and complaints of humiliation from Palestinians, Ynet has learned. Meanwhile, Finance Minister and Minister in the Defense Ministry Bezalel Smotrich led the position that the IDF must deploy inspection checkpoints, claiming they provide a sense of security. He received support from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz.
Halevi presented the army's stance during the most recent cabinet meeting. He detailed that, in the IDF's view, the move was unwise for three reasons: it could push uninvolved populations toward terrorism and encourage attacks; such checkpoints make forces more vulnerable; and most importantly, given the army's limited troop availability, the focus should shift to offensive actions targeting terrorist infrastructure, rather than defensive measures.
Smotrich countered during the cabinet discussion, stating, "Experience has shown that when the roads were closed after October 7, there were no attacks in Judea and Samaria. Without checkpoints, the enemy can transfer weapons." His position was supported by Netanyahu and Katz, and the decision to deploy checkpoints was made accordingly.
With the establishment of the checkpoints, the Palestinian population has faced significant delays and traffic jams, with some waiting as long as eight hours.
The IDF's position, presented in the cabinet discussion, was echoed by Central Command Commander Major General Avi Blot, the Operations Directorate, and other professional bodies. They explained that the reinforcements deployed to Judea and Samaria—seven battalions—should be invested in offensive operations such as simultaneous campaigns in Jenin, Tulkarem, and other villages in northern Judea and Samaria, rather than being wasted on checkpoints. According to the army's assessment, the military approach to countering terrorism is offensive rather than defensive, and it can secure the roads without the need for checkpoints.
Despite the criticism voiced within the IDF General Staff about the disruptions affecting the lives of some three million Palestinians, some battalion commanders supported the measure, arguing that it is not collective punishment but rather a means to strengthen the sense of security in Judea and Samaria. According to these commanders, in the first phase of the hostage deal, Israel is expected to release hundreds of prisoners—some with "blood on their hands"—into the territories. Settlers are understandably concerned about the influx of convicted terrorists, as the Shin Bet estimates that over 80% of them are likely to return to terrorism.
The checkpoints at various locations in Judea and Samaria are designed to isolate roads shared by Israelis and Palestinians, aiming to minimize the risk of drive-by shooting attacks. Many Palestinians have expressed significant frustration over the long waits, with some stepping out of their vehicles to eat, pray, or attend to personal needs. The deployment of the checkpoints coincides with the impending release of prisoners in the next phase of the deal, which includes "high-profile" prisoners with blood on their hands, against the backdrop of Operation "Iron Wall" in Jenin. linkClosing the roads and putting up the checkpoints causes 3 million Palestinians' lives even more difficulties than the traditional occupation. After 15 months of the war and closing so many areas to the Palestinians and preventing them from working in Israel has brought tremendous damage to the economy of the Palestinian population. Anyone who believes that keeping 3 million people caged like this is a recipe for quiet and safety is as delusional as they have been all the time leading up to October 7. No one who has any understanding of human nature can expect holding masses of people for so long under an occupation that denies civil and human rights to be quiet and accepting of their situation. No one would be. And that is why the Israel/ Palestine conflict can only be resolved through diplomatic means, not war and not occupation. Only when they have a vision and possibility to live their lives in their own country with freedoms granted to them by their own country, can we expect to have real quiet and safety.
Exclusive: Despite IDF warning of rocket strike, Nova party not shut down, new information revealed Protecting intelligence sources prioritized over indications of possible rocket attack, cross border incursions and fire on gas rig; only minor steps taken, according to new details in miliary probes of Oct. 7 failings On the night before the October 7 Hamas massacre, an IDF intelligence unit collected signs of preparation for rocket fire on Israel. The unit also observed unusual activity of the Hamas aerial force that could indicate a transition of the terror group, to emergency mode, Ynet and its sister publication Yeditoth Ahronot learned.
Those indications, especially the possible rocket fire and others gathered, were discussed in IDF consultations in the following hours but did not bring about a decision to raise the alarm over a possible Hamas assault or to any significant steps being taken.
This information was included in documents reviewed by senior government and security officials and presented in their arguments for the resignation of Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi.
Hamas rocket attack on October 7, 2023
Contrary to earlier reporting, the IDF not only estimated that Hamas was preparing for a military exercise or to defend against a possible Israeli attack but had seriously considered the possibility that the terror group was about to launch an assault on Israel.
Despite that, the IDF decided on a limited number of actions. Amid calming indications and a wide consensus across the military and intelligence, the IDF opted to avoid exposing sensitive intelligence sources rather than preparedness. These revelations expose a central and dramatic aspect of that night. A participant in recent consultations on the matter defined them "a nuclear bomb."
Since the massacre, other indications that the intelligence had, came to light including the use of Israeli SIM cards and the deployment of emergency assets in the Strip, used during the 2021 conflict two years earlier. But the preparation to launch a rocket attack, "were a worrying sign on its own, and more so when it is added to other concerning indications."
The military is continuing its review and inquiries into the failings on that night. A person present in conversations about those inquiring said an senior officer had asked why there were no steps taken to prepare for a rocket attack, including moving the thousands of people from the Nova music festival grounds near the border where there were not enough shelters to protect against a rocket and mortar strike?
There is also a question of whether instructions that were given, such as launching an intelligence flight over Gaza, were carried out?
At 2 am, the Air Force duty command center was notified about the unusual activity in the Hamas aerial units. At the same time more indications of preparations for a rocket strike were received.
All of that information was discussed in a call that Yaron Finkelman, the chief of the Southern Command held with other senior officers, Shin Bet representatives and a representative of the Air Force. Their evaluation written in simple terms read "unusual activity was identified." Finkelman said there were three possibilities, the third being an assault.
As Ynet reported last Novermber, Finkelman gave a serious of orders but all were to be carried out while protecting sources and were to prevent Hamas from realizing Israel was aware of its unusual activities and to avoid "miscalculations."
An official close to the government said the Southern Command was aware of the Nova festival and had given the organizers the license for it. "If the information, not about the assault but about possible rocket fire, not meet the standard to stop the party, what would have?"
"Protecting sources was prioritized," said a senior officer, to explain the gap between the general consensus that there was low probability of an assault and the indications in the report. "If someone would have thought that there was really a danger, preventing it would have been prioritized over any of the intelligence sources and that is why a limited group was involved in the discussions." Missing from them were the chief of military intelligence and the Commander of the Air Force.
Summary of the Southern Command's consultations was delivered to Chief of IDF operations General Oded Basyuk who conducted a number of telephone calls. "After consulting the deputy head of Shin Bet, commander of the Southern Command, operations commander and intelligence research department chief, there are three possible scenarios," he wrote. "A Hamas drill, increased preparedness to defend against an Israeli attack, preparations for an operation against Israel in the coming hours including incursion from the sea or a strike on the gas rig, breeching the border, abduction, shooting attack, rocket attack and an incursion from the air."
He ordered a number of actions including a review of Israel's aerial defenses around the gas rig but although he understood that there was a risk of a rocket strike, abduction or "an unusual terror attack, the conclusion was that there must be careful preparation to protect sensitive sources and coordinate actions with military intelligence." (Later review showed that the Intelligence forces' operational brigade was not tapped about the possible deployment of forces along the border in the overnight hours and there is an ongoing debate about the responsibility for that.)
The chief of staff who held consultations with Basyuk and Finkelman at 4 am, ordered an aerial intelligence flight and said that if Hamas was conducting a drill, this would be an opportunity to gather information. Despite all of the information that was gathered, Item 8 in the summary said that barring significant developments, further consultations will be held in the morning. His office summoned some senior commanders for 8.30 am.
The IDF said in response to this report that the details in it are not from the official IDF probe. "The IDF will complete its inquiries into the Oct. 7 massacre in the coming weeks and will present their findings to the public." link
The Region and the World
Saudi Arabia optimistic about Lebanon under reforms, Saudi FM says in Beirut
Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud attends a session during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, January 21, 2025 (Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)
Saudi Arabia will continue supporting Lebanon and is optimistic about the country’s future after a ceasefire brought an end to a war between Israel and Iran-aligned Hezbollah, the kingdom’s foreign minister says from Beirut.
Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud tells reporters he stressed the importance of reforms in his meeting with Lebanon’s newly elected President Joseph Aoun, in the first trip to Beirut by Riyadh’s top diplomat in 15 years.
“I expressed to him that we believe in the importance of the reforms he presented so that Lebanon can overcome its crises,” Prince Faisal says.
The visit reflects seismic political shifts in Lebanon since Israel pummeled Hezbollah in last year’s war, and since Hezbollah’s Syrian ally Bashar al-Assad was toppled by rebels in December.
“The kingdom is looking at Lebanon’s future with optimism under the reformist approach that came in the president’s speech after his inauguration,” the prince says.
“These reforms will boost the confidence of Lebanon’s partners and open space for the country to regain its rightful place in the Arab and international spheres,” he adds.
Personal Stories
Orel Peso, 26: Budding DJ who was schooled in New York
Murdered by Hamas terrorists at the Supernova music festival on Oct.7
Orel Peso (Courtesy)
Orel Peso, 26, from Kiryat Yam, was murdered by Hamas terrorists at the Supernova music festival on October 7.
He attended the rave with his close friend, Hai Zfati. When the rocket fire began, he and Hai ran for a nearby bomb shelter, where they soon realized that there was more to fear at the festival than missiles.
At 7:20 a.m., he sent his mother one last message: “Mom, if something happens to me, know that you are my whole world and I love you the most in the world.” Orel and Hai were both shot dead inside the shelter. His family searched for any word of him for several days before they were informed that his body had been identified.
Orel was buried outside Haifa on October 11. He is survived by his parents, Meirav and Ariel, and his younger brothers Adiel and Maor.
Born in Haifa, when he was 4 his family moved to New York, where he attended public school in Queens, according to a state eulogy. At age 14, his parents divorced, and he returned to Israel with his mother and siblings and they settled in Kiryat Yam outside Haifa.
After finishing high school, Orel enlisted in the IDF and served as a truck driver in the Artillery Corps under the Northern Command. Following his release, he worked in a number of different jobs while pursuing his major dream — to produce techno music, a love he inherited from his parents.
He worked in deliveries and driving an ice cream truck, and in 2020 he moved to Hadera, where he worked as a waiter, before moving to Kiryat Motzkin in 2023.
He continually pursued a musical career, studying music production and creation at a school in Haifa, buying recording equipment, producing his own tracks and DJing at small festivals. He was planning to head to the US to visit his father and try his hand at pursuing music overseas.
His friend and collaborator Shahaf Zarfati wrote on Facebook that “at any event that I wanted him he would always come and not ask for a shekel. A modest guy with a huge talent in music. Just a couple months ago he gave me a closing set.”
His mother, Meirav, told a local news site that Orel “had a pure heart, a person you could never fight with. Someone would have to really work at it in order to get mad at him ever.”
Orel “was a good person, he respected his parents,” although she noted that “I wasn’t so into his dream to be a DJ, I wanted him to also study alongside his desire and efforts to be a DJ. I had a bad feeling but he told me that I was always worrying. He went to the Supernova on Friday and I never saw him again.”
Dark Legacy - The Abandonment of October 7th Hostages
Leadership, Authority, and Responsibility
Rami Matan
Colonel (Res.).
Every manager - and all the more so every political leader or military commander - is authorized to determine, manage, and make decisions. This authority goes hand in hand with responsibility for those actions and decisions.
Under no circumstance may authority be detached from responsibility.
Commanders or leaders who attempt such a separation commit a breach of their duty. The higher the leadership level, the greater the duty to bind authority with responsibility.
Benjamin Netanyahu has been serving as Prime Minister for 16 years. I deliberately refer to him not as a leader but as a democratically elected Prime Minister.
I will not list here all of his failures since he was first elected in 1996. I will only point out several milestones: involvement in the incitement to assassinate Rabin; the Western Wall Tunnels; procurement of submarines; the gas outline agreement; the Carmel fire; the Mount Meron disaster; the regime coup; and, of course, the October 7th massacre. The common thread of these events is that Netanyahu exercised authority and did not take responsibility, even after the Meron Commission found him guilty and after the Submarine Committee determined that he breached state security during purchase deals.
On October 7th, under his watch, 1200 civilians were massacred, 300 soldiers were killed, and 265 civilians were kidnapped. Simply being Prime Minister at this time renders Netanyahu responsible. True leadership entails facing the nation to say, “I am responsible”, which is something that Netanyahu, of course, never did.
In a systematic and orderly manner, Netanyahu makes it clear that he does not consider the return of the hostages to be a primary goal. He does not invest the maximum effort to bring them home. This was evident when the first deal was carried out, and then, again and again, as he torpedoed and thwarted any chance of moving the negotiations forward.
Netanyahu consciously abandoned the hostages. The more time passes, the more dire their situation becomes, and the terms of the expected deal are worsened for Israel. If I may, I find that Hamas’ Yahya Sinwar and Netanyahu share common interests — neither wants to release the hostages, each for his own reasons.
The question that arises is: where does motivation lie? Netanyahu knows that when the hostages return, the war will end. He does not want it to end, in order to hold on to his seat.
The commandment of redeeming hostages and the principle of never leaving wounded behind are supreme. Despite all difficulties, anyone who wants to be considered a leader must bring all the hostages home, no matter the circumstances.
At this point, I draw from my experience as a tank company commander during the Yom Kippur War. After an unbearable night fighting in the area that was dubbed “The Chinese Farm,” my tank was the only one left while 19 of my soldiers remained deep within Egyptian territory. I informed my commanding officers that I was going in to rescue them, and, although I was given an explicit order not to do so, I did. As commander, I knew what my authority and responsibility were. I adhered to the principle of not leaving any wounded behind.
The abandonment of the hostages is a sham, a stain, an eternal disgrace. This stain will be a Mark of Cain, etched on Netanyahu's forehead for generations.
Netanyahu is not interested in the return of the hostages.
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
Join my Whatsapp update group https://chat.whatsapp.com/IQ3OtwE6ydxBeBAxWNziB0 Twitter - @LonnyB58
The 33 hostages set to be returned in phase one of the Gaza ceasefire deal. Row 1 (L-R): Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, Arbel Yehud, Doron Steinbrecher, Ariel Bibas, Kfir Bibas, Shiri Bibas; Row 2: Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Agam Berger, Danielle Gilboa, Naama Levy, Ohad Ben-Ami, Gadi Moshe Moses; Row 3: Keith Siegel, Ofer Calderon, Eli Sharabi, Itzik Elgarat, Shlomo Mansour, Ohad Yahalomi, Oded Lifshitz; Row 4: Tsahi Idan, Hisham al-Sayed, Yarden Bibas, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Yair Horn, Omer Wenkert, Sasha Trufanov; Row 5: Eliya Cohen, Or Levy, Avera Mengistu, Tal Shoham, Omer Shem-Tov (all photos courtesy)
Emily Damari, Doron Steinbrecher and Romi Gonen with their mothers (Photo: IDF)
Simulation of Unit 504. The operators find themselves for the first time in their lives in the Gaza Strip, and under fire. 
From an investigative article in the Arab media about unit 504. The unit's activities will also be examined in Lebanon and Syria
Hamas rocket attack on October 7, 2023
Contrary to earlier reporting, the IDF not only estimated that Hamas was preparing for a military exercise or to defend against a possible Israeli attack but had seriously considered the possibility that the terror group was about to launch an assault on Israel.
Despite that, the IDF decided on a limited number of actions. Amid calming indications and a wide consensus across the military and intelligence, the IDF opted to avoid exposing sensitive intelligence sources rather than preparedness. These revelations expose a central and dramatic aspect of that night. A participant in recent consultations on the matter defined them "a nuclear bomb."Since the massacre, other indications that the intelligence had, came to light including the use of Israeli SIM cards and the deployment of emergency assets in the Strip, used during the 2021 conflict two years earlier. But the preparation to launch a rocket attack, "were a worrying sign on its own, and more so when it is added to other concerning indications."
The military is continuing its review and inquiries into the failings on that night. A person present in conversations about those inquiring said an senior officer had asked why there were no steps taken to prepare for a rocket attack, including moving the thousands of people from the Nova music festival grounds near the border where there were not enough shelters to protect against a rocket and mortar strike?
There is also a question of whether instructions that were given, such as launching an intelligence flight over Gaza, were carried out?At 2 am, the Air Force duty command center was notified about the unusual activity in the Hamas aerial units. At the same time more indications of preparations for a rocket strike were received. All of that information was discussed in a call that Yaron Finkelman, the chief of the Southern Command held with other senior officers, Shin Bet representatives and a representative of the Air Force. Their evaluation written in simple terms read "unusual activity was identified." Finkelman said there were three possibilities, the third being an assault.
As Ynet reported last Novermber, Finkelman gave a serious of orders but all were to be carried out while protecting sources and were to prevent Hamas from realizing Israel was aware of its unusual activities and to avoid "miscalculations." An official close to the government said the Southern Command was aware of the Nova festival and had given the organizers the license for it. "If the information, not about the assault but about possible rocket fire, not meet the standard to stop the party, what would have?"
"Protecting sources was prioritized," said a senior officer, to explain the gap between the general consensus that there was low probability of an assault and the indications in the report. "If someone would have thought that there was really a danger, preventing it would have been prioritized over any of the intelligence sources and that is why a limited group was involved in the discussions." Missing from them were the chief of military intelligence and the Commander of the Air Force. Summary of the Southern Command's consultations was delivered to Chief of IDF operations General Oded Basyuk who conducted a number of telephone calls. "After consulting the deputy head of Shin Bet, commander of the Southern Command, operations commander and intelligence research department chief, there are three possible scenarios," he wrote. "A Hamas drill, increased preparedness to defend against an Israeli attack, preparations for an operation against Israel in the coming hours including incursion from the sea or a strike on the gas rig, breeching the border, abduction, shooting attack, rocket attack and an incursion from the air."
He ordered a number of actions including a review of Israel's aerial defenses around the gas rig but although he understood that there was a risk of a rocket strike, abduction or "an unusual terror attack, the conclusion was that there must be careful preparation to protect sensitive sources and coordinate actions with military intelligence." (Later review showed that the Intelligence forces' operational brigade was not tapped about the possible deployment of forces along the border in the overnight hours and there is an ongoing debate about the responsibility for that.)
The chief of staff who held consultations with Basyuk and Finkelman at 4 am, ordered an aerial intelligence flight and said that if Hamas was conducting a drill, this would be an opportunity to gather information. Despite all of the information that was gathered, Item 8 in the summary said that barring significant developments, further consultations will be held in the morning. His office summoned some senior commanders for 8.30 am. The IDF said in response to this report that the details in it are not from the official IDF probe. "The IDF will complete its inquiries into the Oct. 7 massacre in the coming weeks and will present their findings to the public." link
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