🎗️Lonny's War Update- October 510, 2023 - February 27, 2025 🎗️

  

🎗️Day 510 that 59 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

*

Hostage Updates 

• Netanyahu’s office confirms Hamas will return 4 dead hostages tonight, without ceremony
  

  Israel confirms that an agreement has been reached with Hamas over the return of 4 slain hostages.

  The bodies will be returned tonight, without Hamas putting on a ceremony ahead of the handover.
  The 4 hostages are:
  Itzik Elrarat
  Shlomo Mantzur
  Tzahi Idan
  Ohad Yahalomi

  

  MAY THEIR MEMORIES BE A REVOLUTION
  
  
  

  Four bodies released overnight by Hamas from the Gaza Strip were confirmed Thursday by Israeli authorities to be of hostages Itzik Elgarat, Ohad Yahalomi, Shlomo Mantzur, and Tsahi Idan.

  The IDF informed the families of Yahalomi, Idan, Mantzur and Elgarat that their loved ones had been murdered, and that their remains were returned to Israel, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement Thursday morning.

  Yahalomi, Idan, and Elgarat were murdered while in captivity in Gaza, the PMO said, while Mantzur was killed on October 7, 2023, when his body was kidnapped and held in Gaza.

  Itzik Elgart  ז״ל

  Age 69, Nir Oz 

  

  Itzik was abducted from his home in Nir Oz. He was shot in the hand, and his brother Danny tried to guide him over the phone on how to apply a tourniquet. His brother recounted that Itzik tried to close the safe room door until he finally said, "Danny, this is the end." He was abducted along with his brother-in-law, Alex Danzig, who was murdered in captivity. Itzik is a father of two, lived in Denmark for many years, and returned to the kibbutz after his divorce. He is a devoted football fan and a loyal supporter of Maccabi Tel Aviv.
  

  Shlomo Mansour ז״ל  

  86 years old, from Kissufim  

  

  Shlomo, of blessed memory, was abducted from Kissufim. On October 7th, Shlomo and his wife Mazal were in their safe room. Terrorists fired a burst of bullets at the door and broke in. Mazal hid in the bathroom. The terrorists found Shlomo, handcuffed him, and took him out of the house. Shlomo was a Holocaust survivor who endured the Farhud pogrom in Iraq. He was one of the founders of Kissufim and had lived in the kibbutz with his wife Mazal for 60 years. He was a grandfather to 13 grandchildren and a skilled carpenter. In recent years, he volunteered with his wife Mazal in the army, restoring and renewing the inscriptions on tombstones in the military cemetery. Those who loved him describe him as a big-hearted man, gifted with golden hands and a man of action. He was a father to his children, a grandfather to his grandchildren, and had five brothers and many friends in the kibbutz. "It is impossible to even imagine how an 85-year-old man endured the hell forced upon him against his will after reaching such an advanced age." On February 11, 2025, the Kissufim kibbutz announced that Shlomo Mansour was murdered on October 7th. His body is still being held by Hamas.

  The family of hostage Tsahi Idan ז״ל confirms that officials have told them he is on the list of four dead captives set to be returned tonight.

  
  

  “We are all still waiting for the awaited certainty, which we will only be able to get after he returns to Israel and after all the necessary checks are performed by the bodies authorized by the state, while preserving the privacy of Tsahi and his family,” the Idan family says in a statement carried by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.

  The family notes that Tsahi was alive at the time of the November 2023 hostage deal and thanks the public for the “much love and support.”

  Idan was expected to be returned in the upcoming batch of slain hostages, as one of the remaining names on the list of captives included in the ongoing first phase of the ceasefire deal.

  Tzachi was separated from his family and is believed to have been kidnapped to the Gaza Strip from his home in Nahal Oz. In a chilling live video from the family's home, the horrors the family endured were documented, including the shooting of their eldest daughter, Maayan, an 18-year-old who was murdered. Tzachi's wife, Gali, and their two other children—Yael (11) and Shachar (9)—were rescued. At one point, the terrorists handcuffed Tzachi and his neighbor, Omri Miran, who was brought into Tzachi's home by the terrorists, and took them away, likely in Tzachi's car. (Tzahi is included in the list of hostage bodies to be returned from captivity this week. He was killed in captivity by the Hamas monsters)

  Ohad Yahalomi  ז״ל

  Age 50, Nir Oz

  

  Ohad was abducted while injured from his home in Nir Oz. His son, Eitan, was also abducted but separately. The terrorists managed to break through the doors of the safe room where the Yahalomi family was sheltering. They shot Ohad, and he remained in the house, with contact lost from that moment. The terrorists abducted his wife, Bat-Sheva, along with their two daughters on one motorcycle, and Eitan on another. In a split-second decision, Bat-Sheva managed to jump off the motorcycle while holding her young daughters and ran until she reached safety. Eitan was left alone. Ohad is an employee of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, an Ironman athlete, a sports enthusiast, a lover of hiking and nature, and a family man. Eitan was released on November 27, 2023.

  The body of Ohad Yahalomi, of blessed memory, was returned last night as part of the hostage deal.  

  Yahalomi, of blessed memory, a father of three and an employee of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, was abducted along with his family. His wife and daughters miraculously escaped, his son Eitan was released from captivity, and he was left behind. His family announced this morning: "With deep sorrow, we announce the murder of our beloved. We are in pain and struggling to believe."  

  
  

  The body of Ohad Yahalomi, of blessed memory, who was abducted from his home in Nir Oz on October 7, was returned last night (between Wednesday and Thursday) as part of the first phase of the hostage deal. Yahalomi was abducted at the age of 50. His son Eitan was also abducted but was released in the first hostage exchange deal. 

  
  

  In their statement, the family wrote, "Ohad was abducted from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz to the Gaza Strip on October 7 and was murdered in captivity." Kibbutz Nir Oz also announced Yahalomi's death: "He was a devoted and loving family man. He was a sports enthusiast and a traveler at heart, familiar with every trail and path in the desert he so loved."  

  
  

  

  Ohad Yahalomi, of blessed memory, and his son Eitan  
  
  

  "For years, he worked at the Israel Nature and Parks Authority and dedicated his life to preserving nature," added the statement from Nir Oz. "Out of his great love for the desert, he co-published a scorpion guide and was involved in educational initiatives within the Bedouin community. We will always remember him as a principled, compassionate man who loved people and the land."  

  
  

  According to testimonies, terrorists managed to break into the safe room where the Yahalomi family was hiding, shot Ohad, and left him in the house. The terrorists abducted Bat-Sheva, Ohad's wife, along with their two daughters on one motorcycle, and Eitan on another.  

  
  

  

  Ohad Yahalomi, of blessed memory

  
  

  On October 7, they hid in the safe room in Nir Oz: Ohad, of blessed memory, Bat-Sheva, and their three children—Eitan, 10-year-old Yahel, and the infant who was not yet two years old. The terrorists wounded Ohad and abducted Bat-Sheva and the children on motorcycles. Bat-Sheva and the daughters were on one motorcycle, Eitan on another. Moments before crossing the breached border, two IDF tanks appeared. Bat-Sheva took advantage of the chaos and managed to escape with the two daughters, while Eitan's motorcycle continued, and he was abducted alone to Gaza.  

  
  

  Eitan remained in captivity and was released after 52 days as part of the hostage deal on November 27, 2023. After returning from captivity, his mother shared: "He was very surprised by the attention he received. Over time, he talks less about what happened—at first, when he was released, he asked a lot of questions. He wanted to fill in all the gaps, he wanted to know. He also shared a lot. Over time, he talks less—although every night when he goes to bed, he says he is scared. Sometimes he does talk about what happened. He asks about his father."

  
  
• Danny Elgarat's Song to His Brother: "You Were Sacrificed on a Political Altar, They Defeated Me with a 'Total Victory'"  

  In his song, the brother of the slain hostage wrote: "This is the last night without information and the last without worry, preparations are being made for a funeral" • Later, he pointed an accusing finger at the government for his brother's death and added: "Forgive me and the entire country, we didn’t do enough. I failed to keep my promise to bring you back."  

  
  

  Danny Elgarat, the brother of the hostage Itzik Elgarat, whose body was announced today (Wednesday) to be transferred to Israel from the Gaza Strip, published a song he wrote for his brother on Facebook titled
  "I Failed."  

  
  

  Danny Elgarat's Post  

  "The bitter news has arrived,
  you are on the list,
  you won’t return from the sadistic captivity.
  You were sacrificed on a political altar.
  This is the last night without information
  and the last without worry.
  Preparations are being made for a funeral.
  The plot has already been chosen,
  the place of mourning determined.
  The struggle has suffered a defeat.
  I failed in the rescue mission.
  You were abducted, wounded, from the shelter.
  They defeated me with a 'total victory.'
  Forgive me and the entire country,
  we didn’t do enough to save you.
  I failed to keep my promise to bring you back safely." 

  
  

  The Context  

  Itzik Elgarat was one of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. His death and the subsequent return of his body have sparked deep emotions and criticism toward the Israeli government. Danny Elgarat's heartfelt and poignant song reflects the pain, guilt, and frustration felt by many families of hostages who feel that not enough was done to save their loved ones.  

  
  

  The Accusation Against the Government  

  In his song, Danny Elgarat directly blames the government for his brother's death, accusing it of sacrificing Itzik on a "political altar." This sentiment echoes the growing frustration among the families of hostages and the broader public, who demand accountability and action from their leaders.  

  
  

  The Promise Unfulfilled  

  Danny's words, "I failed to keep my promise to bring you back safely," highlight the personal and collective sense of failure in rescuing the hostages. His plea for forgiveness underscores the heavy burden carried by those who feel they could have done more to save their loved ones.  

  
  

  The Broader Implications  

  The return of Itzik Elgarat's body is a somber reminder of the ongoing hostage crisis and the human cost of the conflict. Danny Elgarat's song serves as both a personal tribute to his brother and a powerful critique of the political and military failures that led to this tragedy.  

  
  

  As Israel continues to grapple with the aftermath of the hostage crisis, the voices of families like the Elgarats will remain a poignant call for accountability, justice, and change.  link

  
  
• Bibas family tells Netanyahu to ‘shut up,’ as he details the murders of Shiri, Ariel and Kfir
  Publishing unapproved information is ‘abuse for its own sake,’ says Ofri Bibas, hours after Netanyahu publicly gives graphic details for 2nd time this week despite family’s request  Bibas family tells Netanyahu to ‘shut up,’ as he details the murders of Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Link Netanyahu, the worst prime minister in our history has no restraint, no empathy, no sympathy, no soul and no matak compass. Without hesitation and despite repeated requests from the Bibas family, he parades the blood of Shiri, Ariel and Kfir for his own public relations, instead of bowing his head in shame, taking responsibility and begging for forgiveness from the Bibas and Lifshitz family and the families of the 1200 people slaughtered on October 7 and from everyone in the country for his role of bringing us to October 7. When will his disgraceful actions and behavior be a thing of the past?
  
  
• Ex-hostage Iair Horn mourns Bibases, says ‘I won’t really be here’ until brother Eitan and all captives return

  

  Captivity survivor Iair Horn, speaks to the media and foreign dignitaries at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, February 26, 2025. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

  Captivity survivor Iair Horn addresses dozens of foreign diplomats at a vigil for Shiri Bibas and her young sons Ariel and Kfir at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, hours after the three were buried near Kibbutz Nir Oz.

  Horn, who, like the Bibas family, hails from the ravaged community, follows the diplomats in lighting a candle and laying a flower at a makeshift memorial for Shiri and the boys.

  Among the foreign dignitaries is Nepalese Ambassador Dhan Prasad Pandit, whose country’s citizen Bipin Joshi remains in captivity.

  Before reading prepared remarks, Horn, who was released on February 15 as part of the ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas, says that “for you, they are the Bibas family, but for me, they are family.”
  

  Horn, who like the Bibases holds dual Israeli-Argentine citizenship, recalls his friendship with Shiri. He recounts how “Arielito” ran away from him when they first met but played with him the next time. Horn says he similarly tried to become friends with baby Kfir but ran out of time.

  “I was released after 498 days in Hamas captivity,” says Horn, whose younger brother Eitan is still being held hostage.

  Thanking the foreign diplomats for their efforts to bring the captives home, Horn continues: “It’s true that I stand here in front of you… but there are still 63 hostages in Hamas’s tunnels, among them my younger brother Eitan.”

  “Until Eitan and all the others return, I won’t really be here,” he says. “My body might be here, but my soul isn’t.”

  “This is actually the first time I’ve stood in the sun for so long,” he says. “While we’re here, enjoying the sun — not even appreciating it — hostages are fighting to breathe.”

  Horn extols the “small things, like wearing sunglasses, being blinded by the sun, feeling cold in my bald spot.”

  “Small things, but immense. Like my little brother Eitan, who is small to me but is a giant,” Horn adds in tears.

  He thanks US President Donald Trump, saying that “without you, I would still be in captivity,” and urges him to ensure the hostage deal proceeds to its next, second phase, which would see Hamas release the remaining living hostages, including Eitan.

  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has largely held off on negotiating the second phase, which would require Israel to withdraw from Gaza. The premier’s right-wing flank has threatened to topple the government should Israel proceed to the next phase of the deal.

  Addressing Trump, Horn says: “We need you so that the next phase of the deal goes forward. My brother has no time. The rest of the hostages don’t have time. We don’t have time.”

  “I know what the hostages feel,” he says. “Every day, it gets worse. No person in the world should go through that.”

  Horn, flanked by his brother Amos and sister-in-law Dalia Cusnir, speaks in front of a podium featuring an illustration of Shiri, with angel wings, hugging Ariel, who was 4 at his death, and Kfir, nine months.

  The picture is adorned with the English-language slogan “Never forgive, never forget.”

  A large, stuffed purple elephant — akin to the one clutched by Kfir in a now-famous photo — sits on a stool next to the podium.
  Under the podium stand three small columns: a black one, in the center, holds a photograph of Shiri; Ariel and Kfir are featured on the other two, which are painted orange in honor of the boys’ bright red hair.
  

  
  

• As Israel buries Bibas family, Hamas official boasts of ‘humane, moral’ treatment of hostages
  

  On the day of the funeral of the three members of the Bibas family murdered in captivity in Gaza, Hamas politburo official Muhammad Nazal claims that the Palestinian terror group “treats its prisoners in a humane, moral and civilizational manner.”

  Speaking to the Al-Arabi al-Jadeed outlet, Nazal says Hamas’s handling of the hundreds of hostages — mainly civilians abducted from their homes or a music festival on October 7, 2023 — has been “wonderful” and “humanitarian… as shown by them appearing in good health, and in an advanced moral state.”

  However, families of released hostages have continued to reveal new gruesome details about the conditions their loved ones faced in Hamas captivity. Some were kept alone in tunnels for hundreds of days, many arrived in Israel visibly malnourished and emaciated, and several responded almost unresponsive. Former hostage Keith Siegel said after his release that “[Hamas] terrorists kicked me, spat on me and held me with no water, no light, no air to breathe.”

  Nazal says that Hamas will not let postwar Gaza be ruled by Arab states, opposing international efforts toward a “day after” plan. He emphasizes the terror group’s commitment to continued “armed resistance” until “full sovereignty” over Gaza is reinstated.

  Asked how Hamas would respond if Arab leaders decide at the upcoming Arab summit in March that Hamas must surrender Gaza, Nazal responds that political pressure can hardly make Hamas “put down its weapons” after over a year of “fierce resistance.”
  He adds: “I think the Arab countries understand our position, which is the position of the Palestinian resistance in general, and not the position of Hamas alone.”

  
  

• Hamas Agrees to Extend Phase One: Senior Officials Directed to Advance Phase Two  

  The terror organization is shifting direction • The new leadership is showing uncharacteristic flexibility and even "swallowing frogs," such as delaying the release of prisoners to achieve their goals • Khaled Mashal clarified in Egypt: "Hamas ranks have been instructed to move forward with Phase Two" • Hamas' "Holy Grail" – and the two swords hanging over its neck  

  Tonight (Wednesday), the final phase will be implemented, in which the bodies of the slain hostages Shlomo Mansour, Tzachi Idan, Itzik Elgarat – and another victim – will be returned to Israel. The repatriation of the bodies, which will take place a day after the burial of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas, marks a jarring end to the deal. However, Israel understands that it must strike while the iron is hot and work toward initiating Phase Two. Hamas, too, recognizes that these are decisive days – and is expected to calculate its steps and act accordingly.  

  The terror organization is not operating as it did in the past. Despite the violations and unbearable displays of force, Hamas is not behaving as we have known it to: it is showing relative flexibility and even "swallowing frogs," such as agreeing to delay the release of prisoners in response to Israel's return of the body – which was not Shiri Bibas'.  

  Instead of the "language of threats" it used at the beginning of the war, the terror organization is now taking a different, more winding path, showing a genuine willingness to discuss extending Phase One. Despite the significant losses it has suffered since the start of the war, both in assets and senior officials, its members clarify that the costs for advancing Phase Two will be entirely different.  

  The Negotiations for Phase Two  

  The negotiations for Phase Two are Hamas' "Holy Grail." Even Khaled Mashal, a senior figure in Hamas' political wing, clarified during his visit to Egypt today that "the professional and political ranks in Hamas have already received instructions to move forward with Phase Two."  

  What is Hamas Afraid Of?  

  Alongside the appointment of new senior officials in place of those eliminated, new recruits are being trained, and round-the-clock efforts are underway to produce improvised weapons. However, it seems that two heavy swords are hanging over the neck of the terror organization.  

  1. **The Sword of Resuming Combat** – In Gaza, there is genuine fear of an Israeli "Blitzkrieg" (lightning war). Hamas understands that even if the attack is brief, Israel has the power to destroy entire sections of the northern Gaza Strip and target Hamas strongholds. It is worth noting that while there is no Iranian axis behind it, and in its place is President Trump threatening to "open the gates of hell," Hamas is preparing for the resumption of fighting and understands the implications of failing to reach agreements with Israel.  

  2. **The Diplomatic Sword** – The terror organization fears bad news from the Arab summit scheduled for next Tuesday: an initiative to disarm Hamas. A senior Hamas official clarified earlier today that, in its decision, the Arab world might do "what Israel failed to achieve in a year and a half of war."  

  The Funeral of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas  

  The funeral of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas, who were murdered in Hamas captivity, took place yesterday. The images of their burial serve as a painful reminder of the horrors endured by the hostages and their families.  

  The Broader Context  

  As Hamas navigates these critical days, it is clear that the organization is under immense pressure from both military and diplomatic fronts. The coming days will reveal whether Hamas can maintain its newfound flexibility or if the swords hanging over its neck will force it into a corner. For Israel, the focus remains on leveraging the current momentum to secure the release of more hostages and advance toward a lasting resolution.  

  Families' Response  

  The families of the hostages and victims continue to demand answers and accountability. They emphasize that the least they deserve is to be the first to receive any new information and to have their questions about the failures that led to their loved ones' deaths addressed before the public.  

  "The leak of the investigation before it was presented to us is a great shame for the IDF and a continuation of the disgraceful conduct of the military toward the bereaved families. In light of this conduct, many families have decided tonight to consider their steps and whether to attend the military's presentation of the investigation on Thursday. The IDF Chief of Staff and other military officials promised the families after previous leaks that a Military Police investigation would be opened. We are still waiting and demanding the opening of a Military Police investigation into tonight's leak as well."  

  "In addition, they promised that the families would be the first to receive any new information – and any investigation on the matter."

• Israel has now received all 33 hostages agreed upon in phase one of ceasefire
  

  
  The 33 hostages returned in phase one of the Gaza ceasefire deal. Row 1 (L-R): Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, Arbel Yehoud, 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 Mantzur, Ohad Yahalomi, Oded Lifshitz; Row 4: Tsahi Idan, Hisham al-Sayed, Yarden Bibas, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Iair Horn, Omer Wenkert, Sasha Troufanov; Row 5: Eliya Cohen, Or Levy, Avera Mengistu, Tal Shoham, Omer Shem Tov (all photos courtesy)

  With the identification of all four hostages’ bodies, Israel has received all 33 hostages that were to be handed over in the first phase of the ceasefire deal. Twenty-five returned alive, while eight were deceased.

  Any future hostage releases will depend on reaching further understandings with Hamas, upon either entering a second phase or extending the current one.

  
  
  

Gaza and the South

• MOVING FORWARD (reposted from yesterday)

  Lapid’s proposal to hand over Gaza to Egypt for 15 years was creative and out-of-the-box, but it also demonstrates a complete ignorance of the realities of the Arab world. Egypt immediately rejected Lapid’s suggestion and said that Egypt will never take responsibility for Gaza BECAUSE GAZA BELONGS TO THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE (Trump needs to understand this as well). This might be hard for Israelis (and Trump) to grasp, but Gaza is part of Palestine and will be part of the State of Palestine that eventually will be recognized by the State of Israel.  

  October 7 should have been a wake-up call for Israelis that the occupation must end and that Israel cannot deny the right of the Palestinian people to a state of their own in the territories occupied by Israel in 1967.  I understand that we are all still in a state of deep trauma. I understand that the majority of Israelis today reject the idea of a Palestinian state. But the reality of more than 7 million Israeli Jews and more than 7 million Palestinian Arabs living on the land between the River and the Sea is much stronger and compelling than the current mood of Israeli public opinion. Anyone is who is a genuine leader (unlike the so-called leaders that we now have) understands that leaders shape public opinion, they don’t run after it. Even leaders of the so-called left in Israel, like Yair Golan, are afraid to speak the words “two states” because he is afraid of public opinion, or because his so-called “strategic advisors” tell him not to speak about a Palestinian state. Yair Golan – that is a failure of your leadership and hints that perhaps you don’t have what it takes to actually be a leader.  

  We (Israelis and Palestinians) need new leaders. We need leaders who have the confidence to know that the conflict in this land which has witnessed the killing of each other for more than one hundred years must come to an end. We can no longer allow the extremists on both sides to determine our future. There are two people living on this land and neither will vacate the land for the other. Both peoples see this land as their rightful homeland and that will not change.  There are no military or security solutions to this conflict. There are only political solutions which require leadership. There are security realities that must be dealt with. Both Israelis and Palestinians must live with security, freedom, and dignity. Both sides must respect the right of the other for self-determination and national expression on a designated territory. But peace will be built by cooperation, not by walls and fences that prevent people from interacting. Political separation – YES.  Cross border cooperation – ABSOLUTELY!

  This is a call for leadership. It is a call for leadership on both sides. It is a call for Israelis to understand that the fastest path to security is through recognizing the right of the Palestinian people to establish their state in Palestine. It is a call for Palestinians to end their foolish ant-normalization campaign in which they even boycott Israelis who are working against the occupation and support Palestinian freedom. It is a call for Palestinians to stop denying Israel’s right to exist just as Israelis must stop denying the existence of the Palestinian people. It is a call for both of our peoples to wake up from the trauma of the past 15 months and move us from trauma to facing reality head-on with the understanding that only looking back to the past will never allow us to move forward to a new future. 

•  ‘Trump Gaza number one’: President shares AI video reimagining Strip as glitzy beachfront haven
  

  US President Donald Trump has shared an AI-generated music video to his Truth Social platform, created by an unknown party and showing what is assumedly his vision for a Gaza Strip riviera.

  The clip depicts a modern coastal strip lined with promenades, high-rises, and shimmering beaches. Odd details include bearded belly dancers, a child clutching a golden balloon shaped like Trump’s face, and a massive golden statue of Trump himself. People dance as dollar bills rain down, while an Elon Musk lookalike enjoys a local dish, basking in the spectacle.

  Trump himself is seen dancing with a scantily clad woman and, at the end, lounging with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by the pool at one of his hotels, emblazened with the large golden words “Trump Gaza.”

  And here are some of the lyrics:

  “No more tunnels, no more fear, Trump Gaza is finally here
  Trump Gaza shining bright, golden future a brand new light
  Feast and dance the deal is done, Trump Gaza number one.”  link to this sick video of a megalomaniac This video is nothing less than sick. Trump sees the destruction of Gaza and the plight of 2 million refugees as nothing more than a huge real estate deal that can make him billions of dollars and have his name up in lights and gold along his 'Gaza Riviera'

  
  

• Israeli official says IDF won’t withdraw from Philadelphi Corridor as ceasefire stipulates
  

  An Israeli official has sent a statement to Israeli reporters on condition of anonymity stating that Jerusalem will not withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor, despite the hostage-ceasefire deal’s requirement for the IDF to depart the Egypt-Gaza border stretch at the end of the first phase.

  “We will not leave the Philadelphi Corridor. We will not allow the Hamas murderers to again roam our borders with pickup trucks and guns, and we will not allow them to rearm through smuggling,” the Israeli official says, maintaining that Hamas had been using the route to sneak weapons into Gaza.

  In July, when Israel’s hostage negotiating team believed that it was on the verge of a hostage deal with Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu added new conditions aimed at maintaining Israel’s presence in the Philadelphi Corridor, thereby scuttling the talks, Israeli and Arab officials have told The Times of Israel.

  Ultimately, though, the deal Netanyahu accepted six months later still requires Israel to begin completing its withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor on the 42nd day of phase one — this coming Saturday — and to finish that pull-out by the 50th day of the ceasefire (March 9).

  The Israeli official’s announcement comes shortly after Israeli authorities finished identifying the last four bodies of hostages released in phase one.  link Remember what I have written so many times before; whenever there is a statement by an anonymous Israeli official, it is coming from Netanyahu but enables him to claim plausible deniability. In this case, he needs that deniability because our non compliance with leaving the Philadelphi Corridor is not just non compliance of the agreement with Hamas but non compliance of the peace treaty with Egypt which constitutes a much bigger issue. Egypt has played the role of negotiating partner for us along with Qatar because they both can speak directly with Hamas. However, with Egypt we have a peace treaty with them for over 45 years and the Gaza war has put major pressure on the treaty and we have further complicated the relations with so many things we have done since October 7. The latest thing has been submitting an official public complaint about the additional Egyptian forces in Sinai that they brought in due to the possible onslaught of Gazans previous to our incursion into Rafiah and since. I have little doubt that the Egyptians received our agreement, or at least our nod to do so, as we agreed a number of years ago when Egypt needed additional forces to fight ISIS in Sinai with our full agreement. The limitations of Egyptian forces in Sinai is based on the agreements when we handed back Sinai as part of our peace treaty with Egypt. The reasons for us not leaving the Philidelphi Route are mostly political and not security based. It helps Netanyahu with regard to his extremist partners and wannabe return partners (Ben Gvir) although he probably believes that it will also give us an upper hand in negotiations with Hamas. It may do so, although we don't know how Egypt will handle it as one of our go betweens with Hamas due to the breech towards them.

  
  

Northern Israel - Lebanon/Hizbollah/Syria

• IDF names Hezbollah arms smuggling official targeted in airstrike as Mahran Ali Nasruddin
  

  The IDF names the “central” Hezbollah terrorist targeted earlier in an airstrike on the Al-Qusayr area of southern Lebanon as Mahran Ali Nasruddin, of the terror group’s Unit 4400, which coordinates weapons smuggling.

  The military says this means transferring arms from Iran and its proxies in the region, particularly via Syria.

  It notes that many senior members of the unit have been killed during the war, including its commander and the latter’s expected successor.

  Nasruddin played a “significant” role in weapons smuggling and has been directly involved in collaborating with smugglers working at the Syria-Lebanon border.

West Bank and Jerusalem and Terror attacks within Israel

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Politics and the War (general news)

• Ignoring the Warning Signs – and the Heroism of the Fighters: The IDF Investigation into the Invasion of Nahal Oz Outpost  

The Hamas terror organization gathered precise intelligence on the IDF outpost • In three separate waves, the terrorists attacked the outpost and did as they pleased • IDF investigation: During the attack, only one guard was stationed, and only at the observation post • In captivity, one of the terrorists told a female observer: "I don’t understand how you didn’t notice our preparations the day before" • All the details from the investigation and exclusive footage  

The IDF has completed its investigation into the terrorists' infiltration of the Nahal Oz base on October 7th. Today (Tuesday), we published the main findings of the investigation on the "Main Edition" – which highlight the bravery of the fighters and the major failure of the IDF on that Black Sabbath. Fifty-three soldiers fell at the outpost, and ten were abducted. Here are the details of the investigation – along with exclusive footage from the terrorists' body cameras.  

The Intelligence Hamas Gathered  

Hamas' "Jericho Wall" plan identified the Nahal Oz and Yiftach outposts as the two most strategic outposts. Hamas sought to understand and map the base and its vulnerabilities, using intelligence gathered over many years.  

The terrorists knew the location of every room and every point. They knew where the guards were supposed to be and where they weren’t. Hamas estimated that the optimal time for the attack would be during a holiday or weekend, due to the reduced forces the IDF left at the base.  

The Night Before  

At 6:00 PM, Hamas updated its operatives on the orders. That evening, the terrorists and squad commanders began preparing for the invasion. One of the terrorists who participated in the massacre told a female observer in captivity: "I don’t understand how you didn’t notice our preparations the day before."  

According to the investigation, the indicators that appeared that night were not translated into IDF preparations. The brigade issued clear orders not to approach the fence, and the battalion interpreted the instructions as meaning there was no need to raise alert levels. The investigation concluded that if the soldiers had taken up their positions, the battle would have looked different.  

The Operational Failure  

During the attack, there was only one guard stationed across the entire perimeter of the base – at the observation post. In some areas, the terrorists reached the base walls before our fighters. Additionally, despite our numerical advantage of 2:1, the soldiers were at a disadvantage in terms of firepower and equipment.  

According to the investigation, the soldiers' retreat to the shelters played into the terrorists' hands: it allowed them to kill in large numbers.  

 The Timeline of the Invasion  

The first wave of the invasion of Nahal Oz began at dawn, at 6:30 AM. Approximately 65 terrorists participated in the assault on the outpost, located just 800 meters from the Gaza border. According to the IDF investigation, there were 162 soldiers at the base at the time, 90 of whom were armed. Eighty-one were combat soldiers.  

At 6:45 AM, the deputy battalion commander was injured, and about twenty minutes later, the fighters retreated to the shelters, and terrorists began infiltrating the outpost itself. By 7:30 AM, the fighters who jumped into battle were overwhelmed after heroic combat. At 7:40 AM, a company commander arrived in an IDF Namer armored vehicle, marking the first IDF armored engagement with the terrorists.  

At 7:50 AM, our forces regrouped for a counterattack, but by 8:20 AM, this attack failed when the company commander's force walked into an ambush and was killed. At 8:53 AM, the terrorists managed to disable the tank stationed at the outpost.  

At 9:00 AM, a second wave of 50 terrorists began, and they did almost as they pleased in the outpost. By 10:00 AM, a third wave of 100 terrorists was recorded. It was then that the abduction of soldiers from the tank by the mob and the abduction of female soldiers occurred.  

At 12:00 PM, the command center burned down, and the enemy disengaged. At 2:00 PM, rescue forces arrived to evacuate the wounded. By 8:00 PM, the site was also abandoned by our forces.  

The Performance of the Observers and Trackers  

The trackers and observers performed well, according to the investigation. They identified the threats from the outset and sounded the alarm. The disregard for the observers' warnings was blatant and glaring. One of the three trackers, Ibrahim Haruba, told the observers and sergeants before he fell in battle: "It was the greatest honor to protect you."  

Nahal Oz: A Symbol of Abandonment  

Nahal Oz is one of the most significant symbols of the abandonment and lawlessness of October 7th. Fifty-three soldiers, male and female fighters, risked their lives defending this outpost. Ten were abducted. The return of the heroic observers from captivity may begin to heal the wound slightly. But, as observer Karina Ariev, who was a split second away from death inside the shelter, told the Chief of Staff: "Out of the entire period, October 7th is the hardest moment for me."  

Families' Response  

The families of the observers and sergeants who fell at the Nahal Oz outpost requested to convey the following: "We are shocked and pained by the leak of the IDF investigation to Channel 12 News before it was presented to us, the bereaved families. The least we deserve is to receive answers about the failure that led to the murder of our daughters before the public does."  

"The leak of the investigation before it was presented to us is a great shame for the IDF and a continuation of the disgraceful conduct of the military toward the bereaved families. In light of this conduct, many families have decided tonight to consider their steps and whether to attend the military's presentation of the investigation on Thursday. The IDF Chief of Staff and other military officials promised the families after previous leaks that a Military Police investigation would be opened. We are still waiting and demanding the opening of a Military Police investigation into tonight's leak as well."  

"In addition, they promised that the families would be the first to receive any new information – and any investigation on the matter."  link

• Shin Bet says another Israeli has been arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran
  

  Yet another Israeli citizen was arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran, say police and Shin Bet spokespeople in a joint statement today.

  Prosecutors plan to indict Petah Tikvah resident Daniel Kitov this morning in the Lod District Court on the charge of contacting a foreign agent.

  Security forces arrested the 26-year-old earlier this month for allegedly spray-painting several areas in Petah Tikvah and Rosh HaAyin at the behest of an Iranian handler. Police say Kitov carried out these acts of vandalism for money.

  The Iranian agent also asked Kitov to photograph military bases and the home of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, however he never acted on these suggestions. Kitov himself offered to photograph the home of MK Benny Gantz, but did not follow through with this either.

  Police note that Iranian agents have ramped up their efforts on social media platforms to recruit ordinary Israeli citizens as spies, promising them money to carry out missions. In most of these cases, the suspects began by carrying out small, innocuous tasks, which gradually grew into more serious offenses, like intelligence gathering and assassination plots.

  Last December, the police arrested nearly 30 Israelis, mostly Jewish citizens, for espionage activities on behalf of Iran.

The Region and the World

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Personal Stories

  

**Yarden Bibas Moved by Beitar Jerusalem's Gesture: "I Saw It and Got Chills"**

The former hostage, who returned from Hamas captivity, sent a message to the club from the Hatikva neighborhood after the players took to the field wearing shirts in memory of his wife and two sons who were murdered: "I want to thank you for the gesture." Two youth teams at the club will be named after Ariel and Kfir. The team secured an important victory.

Since the outbreak of the Iron Swords War, we have seen many emotional gestures and significant involvement from Israeli sports. Monday, one of the most touching gestures took place: Beitar Jerusalem took to the field for their National League match against Hapoel Ramat HaSharon wearing shirts in memory of the Bibas family, who were murdered in Hamas captivity. Yarden Bibas, the father of the family, was deeply moved and sent an emotional message.

"I want to thank you for the gesture you made for my family and for me," Yarden said through his father, Eli. "I don’t take this for granted. I appreciate it very much, and I can say that it moved me, but I don’t think I can explain how much it gives me chills when I see it! Thank you so much for all the support."

In a statement from Beitar Jerusalem, it was written: "A gesture that will ensure their faces remain etched in the public memory, and a painful reminder of their fate and heroism. Beitar Jerusalem is the orange team of the State of Israel. Our color symbolizes community, commitment, and family, and when the world was exposed to the red hair of Ariel and Kfir, the connection was immediate. Tonight, the color orange takes on an even deeper meaning—not just our identity, but also our way of remembering, honoring, and commemorating."

The club also promised an additional gesture: "As a club with a huge soul and heart, we decided to immortalize the names of Ariel and Kfir in a way that will last for generations. At the initiative of Eliran Oved (the owner), Beitar Jerusalem’s pre-A team will now be called 'Beitar Jerusalem – Kfir Bibas Tel Aviv,' and the children’s C team will be called 'Beitar Jerusalem – Ariel Bibas Tel Aviv.' The Beitar Jerusalem family embraces the Bibas family and promises: The color orange will always remember, always cry out, and always honor the memory of the victims. From here, we send strength and prayers to Yarden and the entire Bibas-Silverman family."

63 Hostages Remain in Gaza - Their Stories (5 a day)

**Eitan Horn**  

Age 38, Kfar Saba  

Eitan was kidnapped along with his brother Yair when he went to visit him at Kibbutz Nir Oz. He works in informal education and is involved in delegations, boarding schools, and youth movements. Yair was released from captivity in a hostage deal on February 15, 2025, while Eitan remains in captivity.

**Gali Berman**  

Age 27, Kfar Gaza  

Gali and Ziv, twin brothers, were kidnapped from Kfar Gaza. They lived together in the younger generation's neighborhood of the kibbutz, an area located right next to the fence. The brothers, who have been best friends since birth, worked together at the sound and lighting company "Syncopa." They traveled the world and are both fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv and Liverpool. They play for the kibbutz's football team, "Shu'alei Kfar Gaza." On that Saturday, Ziv was in his room, and Gali went to the apartment of his friend Emily Damari, "she's alone, scared," and sent a selfie with her from the safe room. Ten days later, the family received a message from IDF officers stating that the brothers were most likely kidnapped. The family does not know if they are together or if they are injured. Their father, Doron, suffers from Parkinson's disease, and their mother, Talia, takes care of him. She prepared new apartments for them near her sister's house in Beit Guvrin, where they await their return.

**Ziv Berman**  

Age 27, Kfar Gaza  

Ziv and Gali, the twin brothers, were kidnapped from Kfar Gaza. They live together in the younger generation's neighborhood of the kibbutz, an area located right next to the fence. The brothers, who have been best friends since birth, worked together at a sound company. They traveled the world and are both fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv and Liverpool. They play for the kibbutz's football team, "Shu'alei Kfar Gaza." On that Saturday, Ziv was in his room, and Gali joined a friend who lives two apartments away from Ziv's. Ten days later, the family received a message from IDF officers stating that the brothers were most likely kidnapped. The family does not know if they are together or if they are injured. Their parents and older brother, Idan, who live in the kibbutz, survived the horrors.

**Bar Kupershtein**  

Age 22, Holon  

Bar is a medic with United Hatzalah who worked as a security guard at a party in Re'im. His friends saw him in a Hamas video, bound and lying on the floor, and according to his family, he clearly called out his name. In recent years, he became the main breadwinner for his family after his father became disabled. His mother is currently dealing with a severe fracture, and his two younger brothers are managing the family affairs. The family's bank accounts have been frozen by court order.

**Omri Miran**  

Age 47, Nahal Oz  

Omri Miran was kidnapped on camera from his neighbor's house in Nahal Oz. He was kidnapped along with Tzachi Idan. Tomer Arava, the neighbor's son, who went from house to house under the threat of the terrorists, also reached them: "He asked us to open the door and promised they wouldn't do anything to us or to him. He didn't beg, he didn't cry, he understood that this was his mission and that to stay alive, he had to do it," said Lishi, Omri's wife. "We opened the door, and they pointed guns at us. They didn't let us take Alma, who was still asleep. We begged them, but they didn't let us get up," Lishi recounted. "Tomer decided to intervene. He asked the terrorists to allow him to bring little Alma, who was left alone in the safe room. After the family's pleas, the terrorists allowed Omri to go out, and he returned with Alma, crying in his arms. They were taken to the neighbor's house, where Hamas terrorists gathered the family with another family and with Natalie and Yehudit Ra'anan, who were also kidnapped and have since been released." On April 27, 2024, Hamas released a sign of life from Miran, in which he said, "My dear family - I miss you all. Dad, my brothers, my sister, my beloved Lishi, Roni, and my dear Alma. This year, we couldn't celebrate any holidays together because of this cursed war, and I hope that at least the next holiday, Independence Day, we can all celebrate together. It's time to reach a deal that will bring us out of here alive, whole, and healthy."

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

IPS - Israel Prison System

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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