🎗️Lonny's War Update- October 557, 2023

🎗️Day 557 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

Hamas says it is studying proposal for Gaza ceasefire, to respond soon
Hamas says it is studying the proposal it received from mediators for a ceasefire in Gaza, adding it will submit its response “as soon as possible.”

Egypt earlier received an Israeli proposal for a ceasefire in the enclave, the state-affiliated Al Qahera News TV cited sources as saying earlier today after talks ended in Cairo without a breakthrough.

Hamas official: We refuse disarmament as part of negotiations for Gaza ceasefire

Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri says in a live interview with Al-Jazeera that “the draft that we received as part of the negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza is an Israeli draft, and it includes, for the first time, the disarmament of Hamas as part of the negotiations of the second phase of the ceasefire.”
Abu Zuhri says that “this is a million times a red line,” and that Hamas rejects it.
He also says Hamas is prepared to release all hostages in one go, in return for ending the war and the retreat of the IDF forces from the Strip.

With some Israeli demands: Report – The Israeli draft passed to Hamas through mediators

Behind the scenes: Netanyahu and Dermer are not willing to discuss a permanent ceasefire – only a partial deal is on the table • Egypt conveyed a firm message to Hamas: Limited time window for negotiations before Israel expands its military operation • Security official: These are critical days, but no substantial agreements yet • Israel is also preparing for the possibility of negotiations collapsing and is nearing the moment when it will have to make a dramatic decision.

Efforts for a hostage deal: In Egypt, it was reported last night (Monday) that a proposal for an agreement between Israel and Hamas, including the release of between seven to nine living hostages, was passed to Hamas, and that the terror organization is willing to discuss it. However, it was reported that the terror group has not budged from its fundamental stance that all hostages will only be released in exchange for a permanent ceasefire – something Netanyahu and negotiation head Dermer are unwilling to accept, so only a partial deal is currently on the table.

A senior Hamas official was quoted by Reuters yesterday, claiming that the organization is willing to release hostages "in one phase" only in exchange for stopping the war and a withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

Protesters in favor of a hostage deal at Begin Gate (Photo: The Pink Front)

Egypt conveyed a very clear message to Hamas: The window of opportunity for this stage of negotiations is limited, after which Israel will increase military pressure. A source involved in the talks said that the next two weeks are critical to see if a breakthrough can be achieved for another partial phase. Another security official added: These are crucial days – but there are still no substantial agreements.

Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Al-Mayadeen network reported on the Israeli draft passed to Hamas in Cairo:
Hamas will release Edan Alexander on the first day of the ceasefire – as a special gesture to the United States.
The ceasefire will be temporary and last for 45 days.
On the second day of the emerging deal, Hamas will release five living hostages. In exchange: 66 Palestinian terrorists serving life sentences – and 611 terrorists from Gaza.
Israel demands that the hostages be released without "parades or public ceremonies."
After the release of the five hostages, aid and equipment needed for sheltering displaced persons in the Gaza Strip will enter.
Only then will Israel begin "repositioning" in the Rafah area and northern Gaza.

According to the published outline, on the seventh day, four living hostages will be released. In exchange – 54 terrorists and 500 detainees arrested after October 7.
On the tenth day, Hamas will provide information on the condition of all remaining hostages in its possession, in exchange for information on terrorists.
On the twentieth day, Hamas will release 16 hostages who were murdered or killed, in exchange for 160 Palestinian terrorists.
According to the document, there will be an option to extend the temporary ceasefire if an agreement is reached.

In Israel, Hamas’s flexibility is attributed to a combination of military pressure and the halt of humanitarian aid, and there is belief that with a bit more pressure, the number of living hostages in the deal can be maximized. If initially Hamas spoke of one (Edan Alexander), now they are discussing nine or possibly even more. An Egyptian source also said that Hamas is showing flexibility regarding the number of hostages.

Natalie and Einav Zangauker at a rally near Ron Dermer’s home (Photo: Haim Goldberg, Flash 90)

A senior Hamas official told Al-Jazeera that the Egyptian proposal includes the release of half of the Israeli hostages in the first week of the agreement, in exchange for a 45-day ceasefire during which the second phase will also be discussed. He also added that Egypt demands the complete disarmament of Hamas – but the terror organization refuses.

However, the same official reiterated that Hamas is willing to release all hostages in exchange for an end to the war.

Despite the flexibility Israel identifies in Hamas, it is also preparing for the possibility that negotiations will collapse. Israel is nearing the moment when it will have to make the most dramatic decision of all – where to go from here. If the goal is truly to defeat Hamas, what does that mean for the hostages still remaining in Gaza? What does it mean for the hundreds of thousands of reservists who will need to be mobilized? Therefore – the next two weeks will be decisive.  link This isn't a deal, this is a Netanyahu recipe for preventing a deal. He knows that Hamas will not accept any deal that does not include an end of the war with international guarantees. Hamas doesn't change their bottom line demands, ever, no matter the BS that Netanyahu tries to sell to the public and he knows it. All of the deals since November 2023 were bad deals because they were drips and drips of hostage releases. This wasn't something that came from Hamas. It came from Netanyahu. He was looking for ways to break any deal that could possibly be made so he wouldn't have to end the war and he keeps proposing these horrible deals that leave too many hostages in the hell of Hamas captivity. Netanyahu is a war criminal against his own people and he should be tried as such. Because the blood of 2000 Israelis killed since October 7 is not enough for him, he doesn't care if the amount of blood on his hands increases by 24 (the number of hostages assumed still alive).

Hamas official says terror group likely to respond to hostage deal proposal within 48 hours
A senior Hamas official tells AFP that the terror group will “most likely” respond to an Israeli ceasefire-hostage release proposal it received through mediators within 48 hours.
“Hamas will most likely send its response to the mediators within the next 48 hours, as the movement is still conducting in-depth consultations… within its leadership framework, as well as with resistance factions, in order to formulate a unified position,” the official tells AFP.
350 authors call on Netanyahu to end war, reach deal to return all hostages
Three hundred and fifty Israeli authors call on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the war and bring the 59 remaining hostages home.
The signatories include David Grossman, Shifra Horn, Fania Oz-Salzberger, Yehoshua Sobol, Ilan Sheinfeld, Zeruya Shalev, and other authors, poets, editors, translators, illustrators and literary professionals.
“Hamas has offered a deal for returning hostages, prisoner release, and a ceasefire. The prime minister outlined a phased deal but has done everything possible for the past seventeen months to thwart the agreement, fearing the war’s end would mean the end of his rule—and his freedom as a criminal defendant,” states the letter.
“For the sake of his liberty, fearful of incarceration for his pending indictments, the prime minister continues to rob the hostages of their freedom, endanger IDF soldiers, and inflict disproportionate harm on Gaza’s civilian population — all while escalating a constitutional coup within Israel,” they write.
“In doing so, the prime minister is violating the most fundamental values of a just society and democratic nation, as well as the founding principles of Israel’s Declaration of Independence. He is eroding mutual responsibility, equality, and justice, and turning us from equal citizens in a functioning democracy into subjects of an authoritarian theocracy — where we are obligated to serve in the army, sacrifice our children to the ruling idol, but are denied equal rights, mutual responsibility, and the justice and security a democratic state owes its citizens.”
The signatories also mention that the prime minister has railed against the supposed refusal of certain reservists to serve, but he and his ministers are legally and financially enabling sweeping exemption from service for the ultra-Orthodox, allowing them to shirk responsibility for Israel’s security and future.
“This war endangers the lives of IDF soldiers, of the hostages, and causes horrific suffering for helpless civilians in Gaza,” write the authors. “The acts being committed in Gaza and the occupied territories are not done in our name, but they will be on our account. We call on you to immediately stop the war, to return all the hostages home, and to chart a future international and agreed-upon path for Gaza.”
The letter states that most of the signatories have served in the IDF and contributed to building the State of Israel, its culture, and its literature.
Shayetet 13 commandos publish letter, joining wave of calls for hostage deal
Illustrative: Israeli naval commandos from the Shayetet 13 unit. (screen capture: YouTube)
Dozens of veterans and reservists from the Israeli Navy’s Shayetet 13 commando unit issue a statement calling for the release of the remaining hostages, even at the cost of ending the war, according to a Haaretz report.
“Stop the fighting and bring all the hostages home — every passing day puts their lives at risk,” the letter reads.
According to the letter’s organizers, 69 of the 254 signatories currently serve in active reserve duty within the unit.
The letter comes a week after IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar dismissed reservists who signed a similar petition from the air force. In recent days, similar calls to end the war for the sake of the hostages have emerged from the IDF’s elite 8200 intelligence unit, graduates of the IDF’s prestigious Talpiot program, and navy veterans.
Additionally, Haaretz reports that around 3,000 members of Israel’s healthcare system — including Nobel Prize laureates — publish a letter urging a deal to end the war and return the hostages. Over the past week, additional public statements have come from academics, educators, and writers.
Top Egyptian official notes ‘positive turn’ in talks for ceasefire-hostage release deal
Diaa Rashwan, chair of Egypt’s State Information Service, says there has been a “positive turn” in mediated talks between Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire-hostage release deal, speaking to state-affiliated Al Qahera News TV.
Rashwan says efforts by Egypt and Qatar have resulted in the progress, and that Hamas’s response to a proposal it received from mediators will come quickly.
Netanyahu to hostage’s mother: Only Hamas decides which hostages will be on list of those to be released

Avinatan Or, a Nvidia employee, taken captive by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023 from the Supernova desert rave. (Courtesy)
The mother of hostage Avinatan Or told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that her son would be abandoned if he signed an agreement to only bring back a limited number of hostages, the hawkish Tikva Forum says in a Facebook post.
Netanyahu asserted that he was working to bring back all 59 hostages remaining in captivity during a meeting with Ditza Or yesterday, the forum says.
Ditza Or told the premier that the release of hostages in multiple stages causes tension among hostage families, and asked him how the lists of those meant to be released are determined.
Netanyahu replied: “Only Hamas determines who will be on the list.” link Netanyahu really doesn't know how to tell the truth anymore, if he ever did. His statement to Avinatan's mother is a half truth tied to a complete lie. Yes, it is true that, in the end, Hamas determines who is released but we have seen in the last hostage release deal (there have only been 2 deals), Israel basically prepared the list of the 33 hostages (living and dead) to be released and sure enough, they were the ones released. And the total lie is regarding the staged releases. This was never a Hamas demand, it was purely Netanyahu who put in the stages of releases which saw small numbers each time. Hamas has been prepared to release all the hostages in a single deal and a single release tied to the ending of the war. Netanayahu, since the first deal in November 2023 put in place the staged release so he could test Hamas and then say they breached the deal so he could go back to fighting, which is precisely what he did instead of concluding the deal and bringing home all the hostages. The same was the case with this latest deal, although he didn't even claim that Hamas breached the deal. Netanyahu unilaterally breached the deal during phase 1 of the deal. Israel's negotiating team was supposed to begin the deep negotiations of the details of phase 2 on the 16 day of phase 1. Netanyahu didn't allow that to happen at all and made clear that he would not allow implementation of phase 2 whatsoever because it concluded with ending the war.
Some 200 relatives of hostages, 23 freed hostages urge ending war for hostage deal
Around 200 relatives of hostages and 23 freed hostages sign a letter backing reservists who have called for the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas, even if it means ending the war in Gaza, the Life Forum says.
The letter calls for all hostages to be returned in exchange for an end to the war, stating that ongoing fighting “endangers the lives of hostages,” and stressing that it is “not an assessment, it is a fact.”
Parents of kidnapped soldier Idan Alexander demand meeting with Dermer: "No response from the office"

Yael and Adi Alexander reacted to the video released by Hamas documenting their son. "The first reaction is shock, fear. It's a very disturbing video. It breaks my heart. He cried out from the depths of his soul, and it wasn’t scripted," they said. Netanyahu spoke with Alexander’s parents after the video was released, and they shared that "the PM did not mention anything concrete." While top U.S. officials met with them, the family has not been granted a meeting with Minister Dermer, who is responsible for negotiations: "We demand to meet with him."

Just before Passover, a video of kidnapped soldier Idan Alexander was released. His parents spoke tonight with The Main Edition and described how the video shook them. "The first reaction is shock, fear. It's a very disturbing video. Our son is in darkness, screaming his soul out, very angry," they said.

"He’s so thin, and it looks like he hasn’t slept, with bags under his eyes, and he’s just screaming and shouting—it breaks my heart," said his mother, Yael. His father, Adi, added, "It’s heartbreaking. The first thought that comes to mind is, why is there another video after four months? Wasn’t one video enough? Why does he have to go through this nightmare and turmoil just to make his voice heard from the tunnels? It… it doesn’t make sense. And really, it’s a mark of shame for the situation we’ve found ourselves in."

Alexander chose to immigrate to Israel alone and enlisted in the IDF. He was kidnapped from the Kissufim outpost during Hamas’s October 7 attack. In the video, he said, "I’ve broken down physically and mentally, and I’m suffering from nightmares." His parents described their reality as unbearable: "He cried out from the depths of his heart, voicing the scream of all the hostages who can’t cry out, and we felt it—it wasn’t scripted. It truly came from within Idan, and it’s very hard to watch. Somehow, we’re coping, but it’s impossible."

Yael and Adi, Idan Alexander’s parents, said they continue to fight: "There’s no other choice. We keep fighting for Idan and the other hostages still in captivity, and we won’t stop. The day before the weekend, we were in Washington for meetings. We don’t have a moment to rest—we keep pushing, talking about it again and again, raising the issue of how crucial it is to bring them home."

PM Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Yael and Adi after the video’s release: "He didn’t mention anything concrete. He reiterated his personal commitment to the hostages and the deal, saying he felt we were close to an agreement, and I hope he’s right. He has information we don’t, and we really, really hope to see it happen."

"He said we’re getting closer to a deal. This information is also out there in American channels—the Americans are optimistic too. I honestly don’t know where this optimism comes from. And if you follow Arab media, there are occasional mentions of a deal getting closer. We have to stay optimistic and hope for the best."

While the family spoke with Netanyahu, they have not met with him or Minister Ron Dermer, who was appointed to lead negotiations, for a long time. "The truth is, we briefly saw Minister Dermer last July, during a meeting with Biden, when he was there with the PM. We didn’t get to speak. The last time we met with the PM was in November in Israel, and then again in July in Washington. I’d really like to meet Minister Dermer—he’s here often and visits a lot."

Documentation of Idan Alexander in Hamas captivity
Approved for use by the family

"We submitted a request but haven’t gotten the meeting, and we’ll keep insisting on seeing him," Alexander’s parents said, explaining that they asked to meet with Dermer but received no response. "There’s no reply from the office, and we keep demanding, again and again, to meet with him. It hasn’t happened yet."

In contrast, the family said they recently met with senior U.S. officials: Steve Witkoff, envoy of former President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. "We’ve had a series of meetings here locally. We have no complaints about the administration—in fact, they’re very attentive, and all doors are open to us here. Remember, Idan is the only living hostage with American citizenship."

"There isn’t much intelligence information in these meetings. We want to rally everyone to help Israel in these negotiations. We… apparently Israel really needs help. We can’t neglect the issue of the hostages—it must stay at the top of the agenda—and we must work toward their release and an end to this war."

Alexander’s parents said they’ve heard "optimistic statements" that almost gave them "heart attacks." "We’ve heard too many optimistic words, and… in some cases, we almost had a heart attack. But words are one thing, actions another. We’re really waiting for action and for positive results. For example, a few weeks ago, *The New York Times* reported that Hamas was about to release Idan when Trump’s envoy, JAdam Bohler, was in direct talks with Hamas, but then Israel found out and was furious, and it stopped. We think there was a real chance (for his imminent release)."

Regarding Israel’s stance against direct talks with Hamas, Alexander’s parents said: "We’re looking forward. We need to get as many people out as possible, as quickly as possible. The public has already forgotten about the commitment to Phase Two—why didn’t we move forward? Why did we resume fighting? What happened along the way? The public forgot, and these are the questions we need to ask our leaders: What happened to Phase Two? Why didn’t we progress? Why didn’t we negotiate with Hamas? Where is our commitment to releasing the remaining hostages? After 556 days, it feels like we’re just repeating ourselves, crying out—truly, our hearts are shattered. I just want everyone to come home already."  link

Gaza and the South

IDF strike hits Gaza field hospital, spokesman for facility says
An Israeli airstrike hits the northern gate of a field hospital in the Gaza Strip, wounding several medics, a spokesman for the hospital says.
The strike hit the Kuwaiti Field Hospital in the Muwasi area, where hundreds of thousands of people have sought shelter in sprawling tent camps. Saber Mohammed, a spokesman for the hospital, confirms the injuries but did not immediately have further details.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.
The military has struck hospitals on several occasions during the 18-month war, accusing Hamas terrorists of hiding in them or using them for military purposes. Hospital staff have denied the allegations and accused Israel of recklessly endangering civilians.
IDF strike kills Hamas terrorist who took part in Oct. 7, hostage release ceremony
Hamas terrorists flank hostages (L-R) Ohad Ben Ami, Eli Sharabi and Or Levy on a stage before handing them over to a Red Cross team in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, on February 8, 2025. (Bashar Taleb / AFP)
A Hamas terrorist who invaded Israel during the October 7, 2023, onslaught, and was involved in one of the terror group’s hostage release ceremonies, was killed in an airstrike in the Gaza Strip some two weeks ago, the IDF and Shin Bet announced.
Hamza Wael Muhammad Asafah was the commander of a cell in Hamas’s Nukhba force in the terror group’s Deir al-Balah Battalion, and he participated in the October 7 attack, according to the military.
The IDF says that Asafah also participated in the “cynical” release ceremony for hostages Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben Ami, and Or Levy in February.
In the strike in central Gaza some two weeks ago, the IDF says it took steps to mitigate civilian harm.

Northern Israel, Lebanon and Syria

Syrian president making first official visit to Qatar
Syria’s new president was traveling to Qatar today for his first official visit to the Gulf state, a key backer of the new administration after longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad’s ouster, a minister says.
“Today we are accompanying President Ahmed al-Sharaa on his first presidential visit to the country that has stood by Syrians from day one and has never abandoned them,” Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani says in a statement on social network X. He accompanies the post with a photo of the Syrian and Qatari flags.
Sharaa’s Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham led the rebel alliance that ousted Assad from power on December 8. His new administration has received support from several countries including key backers Turkey and Qatar, as well as several Arab states.
Qatar was one of the first Arab countries to back the armed rebellion that erupted after Assad’s government crushed a peaceful uprising in 2011. Unlike other Arab nations, Doha did not restore diplomatic ties with Syria under Assad.
UN rights office raises alarm over harm to civilians caused by Israeli strikes in Lebanon
The United Nations human rights office is concerned about the protection of civilians in Lebanon as civilians have continued to be killed in Israeli military operations since the ceasefire.
“Israeli military operations in Lebanon continue to kill and injure civilians, and destroy civilian infrastructure, raising concerns regarding the protection of civilians,” the spokesperson for the United Nations Office for the High Commissioner of Human Rights, Thameen Al-Kheetan, tells reporters in Geneva on Tuesday.
Israel says strikes in Lebanon since the November ceasefire target Hezbollah and other terror operatives violating the agreement, and aim to prevent the terror group from rebuilding its infrastructure in the country.
Israeli drone strike reportedly hits car in southern Lebanon

West Bank, Jerusalem, Israel and Terror Attacks

Politics and the War and General News

Furthest from "Refusal": The Truth Behind the Reservists' Letters - by Retired IDF Major General Yisrael Ziv

These reservists are not calling for refusal—they are expressing absolute distrust in the prime minister. Netanyahu exploits the public’s patriotism for his own ends, not to bring the hostages home. This situation cannot last much longer. The IDF is being worn down in a prolonged war with no clear objective, contrary to all traditional Israeli military doctrine.

This Is Not Refusal
Contrary to the claims of the propaganda machine, the growing wave of reservist letters contains no call for refusal. What they do express is complete distrust in the prime minister and the political war his government is waging in Gaza. These reservists—soldiers and commanders—are not blind. They read reality clearly and are not fooled by empty slogans like "total victory." They no longer believe the promises to return the hostages.

This distrust is far more dangerous than calls to avoid service. If it turns out that living hostages died due to the government’s actions, the fallout will be catastrophic.

Netanyahu’s Mistake: Calling Them "Weeds"
Netanyahu is wrong. The authors of these letters are not "weeds." They are the pillars of this country, its silver platter, the driving force of Israel and the IDF in both peace and war. They were the ones who saw disaster looming while a judicial coup was being advanced and sounded the alarm. It was arrogance and blindness—not them—that led us to October 7. And now, Netanyahu is repeating the same failures that will bring the next catastrophe.

The real "weeds" are not hard to find—they surround the prime minister. They are the sycophants, the poison-spreaders, the dividers and haters in his orbit. Never in Israel’s history has there been a government so bloated, so devoid of purpose, so filled with spineless opportunists clinging to power.

And the people Netanyahu claims chose him? 70% of them no longer trust him. They don’t believe he is acting to return the hostages, they don’t believe in his reckless budget, they demand a state inquiry, and they know he will never take responsibility.

Exploiting Patriotism
A war ostensibly fought to bring back hostages—but in reality waged to occupy Gaza as a political maneuver to preserve the coalition—is an illegitimate war. A war without consensus, which will sooner or later lose the last remnants of public support.

This is a betrayal of the IDF, forced to fight a war that contradicts its purpose. It exploits the sincerity of soldiers who genuinely long to bring their brothers home and refuse to abandon them. They are raised not to leave wounded behind or forsake comrades in enemy captivity. They know tomorrow it could be them. Netanyahu understands this well—which is why he spouts slogans about "returning the hostages" while his real goal is occupying Gaza, even at the cost of sabotaging hostage deals.

The Collapse of Israel’s Security Doctrine
Israel’s security doctrine has always revered time as a strategic foundation—the measure of success or failure. Hence the principle of "short wars." Past wars lasting weeks were considered long and reflected weakness in the IDF’s ability to decisively win.

But this war has lost all sense of time. It lurches from slogan to slogan—"total victory," "a step from victory," now "negotiations under fire." Weeks turn to months, and we’ve been fighting for a year and a half against Hamas, our weakest enemy. This is an absurd, illogical war—one driven by the frustration of leaders who promise greatness but fail to deliver. Above all, it is a political war, its timeline dictated by the coalition’s survival, disconnected from realities on the battlefield.

What Are We Even Fighting For?
The only remaining justification is the hostages. But Netanyahu could bring them back tomorrow if he returned to the deal he himself sabotaged. Instead, he prefers to grind down the military rather than end the war "too soon." And the IDF is being ground down.

The new General Staff, eager to prove itself, only deepens the quagmire in Gaza. Again and again, troops return to places they’ve already been, killing more terrorists after the thousands already eliminated. With no clear objectives or timelines, there’s no way to measure success—and reality shows only failure.

The chief of staff’s duty is to demand the government define explicit, measurable goals and a timeline. That is his obligation to the public and to soldiers’ families. Instead, he leads the army into an unclear war, a path with no end in sight.

The Public Must Speak Out
Even if Egypt convinces Hamas to agree to another deal, it’s clear Netanyahu has no intention of honoring it. His only goal is to retrieve a few more hostages, calm the public slightly, and improve the statistics—which his spokesmen trumpet proudly as if hostages are mere numbers.

This man is detached, devoid of empathy, and alienated from the public’s pain.

The people must make their voices heard—lawfully, firmly, and now. The public has no right to break the law as its government does. It must be far better than its leaders, who long ago lost legitimacy. Everything must be done to push for elections immediately. The people have no time to lose—not while their money is plundered, their freedoms endangered, and their sons and daughters sent to pointless wars.

Yisrael Ziv is a retired IDF major general. Former head of the Infantry and Paratroopers Corps, Gaza Division commander, and head of the Operations Directorate.  link

The direct and piercing words of retired General Uriel Saguy, former head of Military Intelligence, who joins a long line of military and security figures who dedicated most of their lives to Israel's security. Words for the pantheon:

"Bibi Netanyahu, I am speaking to you.

For three transgressions and for four, I will not hold back: for deceit, breach of trust, and bribery—the court will judge.

For divisiveness, hatred, tyranny, forcefulness, and plunging all of Israeli society into chaos—you will not be forgiven.

Bibi, you opened a Pandora's box. Ostensibly a judicial reform, in reality a regime coup. You unleashed demons and passions that escaped the bottle, but you also awakened a significant part of Israeli society. This is the part that bears the burden and carries the country's security and economy on its shoulders.

We will fight for the identity of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state. Because if we are to overturn the natural order, then those who do not serve in the IDF or national service, who do not work or contribute to Israeli society, no longer deserve to be carried on our shoulders.

See where you have brought us. We are isolated in the world, closer than ever to civil war, the IDF and other state institutions are at risk of disintegration, and the economy is on the brink of collapse.

And you chose to be held captive by a dark and racist gang—Ben Gvir, Smotrich, Levin, Rotman, and Deri—those who never planted a tree in their lives in the soil of the Land of Israel, and when we fought for the country's security—I did not see them there.

You, Bibi, are now imprisoned by this messianic gang—as the Sages said, 'Tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are.'

Bibi, I was 20 meters away from your brother Yoni when he fell in Entebbe. We were dozens of 'anarchist,' 'terrorist,' 'scum' fighters who went 'to hell' to rescue 103 Israeli hostages. Fighters who now turn their backs on you.

For 40 years, I served the state with great love, because this is our country. We fought on all fronts, in many operations beyond the country's borders. We never questioned whether to follow our commanders because we believed in them and in the righteousness of the path.

We never checked who was Ashkenazi and who was Mizrahi, who was religious and who was secular, who was from the working settlement, who was urban, and who was from the periphery. There, in Golani, we coined the term 'my brother.' And it was real. We lost many friends and family members, but we never doubted that we were doing our utmost for the security of the State of Israel.

Bibi, according to you, I have forgotten what it means to be Jewish. Well, for your information, I am a seventh-generation Israeli, fourth-generation of those who worked the land here in the Land of Israel. Not you, not Smotrich, nor the inciting rabbis will teach me what Judaism and love of the land are.

I will conclude with something from my family's legacy. My great-grandfather in Yesud HaMa'ala fought against a hostile Turkish government. And won. My grandfather in Yesud HaMa'ala and Metula fought against a hostile British government during the Mandate and won. And I ask—must I now report to my late parents, among the founders of the moshav Kfar Bialik, that I must fight against a hostile Jewish government in the Land of Israel?

Bibi Netanyahu, wake up. You are the messiah's donkey. Messianists and racists are using you to turn the State of Israel into a halachic, undemocratic, and racist state.

This is not how you build a wall and Israeli unity.

We are here to stay. We are here to tell you: Stop this systemic madness.

We are here to remind you that we must all act together for the future of the State of Israel in the spirit of the Declaration of Independence. Better one hour earlier.

The State of Israel, at 75, is a tremendous success for Zionism and building a home for the Jewish people—we will not let you destroy it. It was built with much blood, sweat, tears, and hope."

Thank you, Uriel Saguy, for your moving words!

Eyal Rottfeld

The Lobby for Strengthening the Democratic and Liberal Camp

Lapid: ‘Government of criminals’ attacking Shin Bet to divert attention from Qatargate
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid weighs in on the Shin Bet classified leaks affair, saying that attacks by the “government of criminals” on investigators are an attempt to distract attention from the investigation into the Qatargate affair.
“The State of Israel has only one army, one police, one Shin Bet, and one Mossad. They have a chain of command and rules that manage them,” he writes on X.
Lapid praises Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar as someone who has dedicated his life to the country’s security, decrying threats against him as endangering Israel’s security.

The Region and the World

US Confirms: May Allow Saudi Arabia Domestic Nuclear Program

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright acknowledged during a visit to Riyadh that one of the options under consideration is permitting the kingdom to enrich uranium on its soil—a move Israel opposes. Wright stated, "The agreement would allow Saudi Arabia to develop a commercial nuclear energy industry." Opposition leader Yair Lapid responded: "Israel must demand that the US explicitly ban uranium enrichment on Saudi territory."

As the US seeks to advance a new nuclear deal with Iran, it is also negotiating a separate nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia—raising concerns in Israel. Yesterday (Sunday), US Energy Secretary Chris Wright confirmed that the Trump administration has resumed talks with Saudi Arabia on a deal granting the kingdom access to American nuclear technology, potentially including domestic uranium enrichment.

During his visit to Riyadh, Wright said the agreement would enable Saudi Arabia to build a "commercial nuclear energy industry" and expects "significant developments" this year. "We haven’t finalized the details, but there is certainly a path to an agreement," he said. "The issue is control over sensitive technology. Are there solutions that include enrichment in Saudi Arabia? Yes."

Originally intended as part of a tripartite deal involving the US, Saudi Arabia, and Israel—a framework the Biden administration sought to advance, culminating in normalization between Jerusalem and Riyadh—the agreement now faces major Israeli apprehension. "Israel must demand that our closest ally, the US, explicitly prohibit uranium enrichment on Saudi soil in any nuclear cooperation agreement," wrote opposition leader Yair Lapid this morning.

For years, Saudi Arabia has pressured the US to assist in developing a nuclear energy program as part of its efforts to diversify energy sources and reduce oil dependence. However, past negotiations stalled, partly because Riyadh refused conditions aimed at preventing nuclear weapons development. A key dispute was whether the kingdom would import uranium or enrich it domestically—a scenario that could theoretically enable weapons-grade uranium production.

Under the Biden administration, talks gained momentum when Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman agreed to establish diplomatic ties with Israel in exchange for nuclear reactor cooperation and other US concessions, including security guarantees. These discussions reached an impasse after the October 7 massacre and the ongoing Gaza war, which strengthened Saudi support for the Palestinians and public criticism of Israel.

The emerging deal faces significant hurdles. The US requires countries to meet strict non-proliferation standards before nuclear cooperation, including, in some cases, bans on domestic uranium enrichment and fuel processing. Additionally, Congress must approve the deal—and could block it, especially if it excludes normalization with Israel.

Previously, bipartisan lawmakers, including now-Secretary of State Marco Rubio, opposed such an agreement. Critics argue it is too risky; Crown Prince bin Salman has repeatedly stated that Saudi Arabia would pursue nuclear weapons if Iran does.

Proponents counter that if the US doesn’t provide civilian nuclear technology, Saudi Arabia could turn to less-regulated suppliers like China—eager to expand its Middle East influence. Reports suggest bin Salman is pushing for a deal allowing domestic enrichment, believing the kingdom has vast uranium resources, though searches have so far yielded "clearly uneconomical" deposits, per the IAEA. link

Maldives bans entry of Israelis in ‘resolute solidarity’ with Palestinians
The Maldives announces it is banning the entry of Israelis to the luxury tourist archipelago in “resolute solidarity” with the Palestinian people.
President Mohamed Muizzu ratifies the legislation shortly after it is approved by parliament today.
“The ratification reflects the government’s firm stance in response to the continuing atrocities and ongoing acts of genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people,” his office says in a statement.
“The Maldives reaffirms its resolute solidarity with the Palestinian cause.”
The ban will be implemented with immediate effect, a spokesman for Muizzu’s office tells AFP.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry urged citizens last year to avoid traveling to the Maldives.

Personal Stories

"We Didn’t Wait for Anyone": The Brothers in Arms Initiative to Rebuild Kfar Aza

Omri Ronen, a reserve captain and one of the leaders of the initiative to rebuild the kibbutz, lost his grandmother in the October 7 massacre. He addressed criticism directed at the organization he belongs to: "They managed to convince people that I’m the problem in the State of Israel—that saddens me."

Over the past few months, the reconstruction of Kibbutz Kfar Aza, which was severely damaged in the October 7 attack, has begun through a civilian initiative led by volunteers, professionals, and the Brothers in Arms organization. The kibbutz lost 65 of its members, 18 were kidnapped (some still in captivity), and many homes were destroyed or abandoned. With the state struggling to provide an immediate response and its mechanisms paralyzed, a civilian emergency center stepped in to act in place of the government.

Omri Ronen, one of the leaders of Brothers in Arms | Photo: News 12

The first completed project is "The Green Floors"—the restoration of 16 housing units in the older neighborhood, rebuilt through donations, volunteer work, and independent initiative. Volunteers, including reservists, architects, and professionals from across the country, transformed the devastated area into an inviting and fully equipped neighborhood. Notably, they chose not to install bars or reinforced doors—a statement of their determination to return to normal life.

The initiative of the Brotherhood in Arms activists for the reconstruction of Kfar Gaza

Omri Ronen, a reserve captain and one of the initiative’s leaders, responded to accusations that Brothers in Arms members are "serving the enemy":

"My soldiers didn’t think that way. They saw people calling me a traitor, and it seeped into the military. I still love these people; I think they’re mistaken. They’ve been convinced that I’m the problem in Israel. That saddens me. But I believe we’ll succeed in changing their minds."

Many of the volunteers in the project lost friends or family members.

Omri Ronen returned with his father to the house where his grandmother, Nira, was murdered. Inside, they found a journal with a threatening message left by the terrorists:

"The Al-Qassam Brigades were here. You Zionists, you will die and not remain here."

At the neighborhood’s inauguration, the volunteers described their work as a continuation of the Zionist project—a message of hope and unity in a time of crisis. Michal Levinson, who lives in one of the model apartments, requested that a shell impact remain unrepaired "until the hostages return." The entrance sign to the neighborhood reads: "Built by the citizens of Israel."

Omri concluded:

"I promised my grandmother I’d do everything to restore her life’s work. We didn’t wait for anyone—and we still believe the state will step up." link

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

Search This Blog

Lonny's Ramblings