Yom Shnee
Monday
28 Kislev 5784
December 11 2023
Here in Israel, it is already the 5th night of Chanukah! (image courtesy of rotter.net).
May The Light Of Chanukah Bring Victory
Over The Evil Darkness Of Palestinian HamISIS
UPDATE 10:00 PM
Since The Beginning of Gaza Ground Operation
104 IDF Soldiers Have Fallen In Battle
On the Ground in the South
There has been little reportage from the IDF today about operations in Gaza except from IDF Chief of Staff Halevi who surprisingly appeared in Khan Younis today (left below) with Ronen Bar, the head of Shin Bet (on the right below), and said that the Army is “deepening its achievements” throughout Gaza:
Of course, many of us within earshot of Gaza continue to hear nonstop bombing and huge explosions–even at this very moment.
Also this afternoon, there have been numerous reports of explosions in Israel without any warning sirens. Here in Ashdod, we had a major explosion in very close proximity to our house (between the house and the sea). There was no warning; later, it was reported a missile “fell in an open space” (aka exploded in the dunes between our house and the sea).
On the Ground in the North
*In the last hour, terrorists in Lebanon fired anti-tank missiles into Metula. Two houses were hit, but no one was wounded (most of the city has evacuated). The IDF is now firing artillery at the source of the terrorist launch site.
*The IAF has eliminated the terror squad that launched missiles at Shtula earlier in the day, and destroyed the site from which missiles were launched into Yaftach.
*The IDF carried out intense artillery fire all afternoon at such locations as: Belida, Al-Adisa, Dahari, Yarin, Al-Sha’ab, Al Khayam, Kfar Kila, and Deir Imas.
UPDATE 6:00 PM
Three more soldiers have fallen in battle:
Maj. (res.) Roman Bronshtein, 46 years old, from Bat Yam, a training officer in the 8111 Battalion, 5th Brigade
Capt. (res.) Eliya Yanovsky, 24 years old, from Jerusalem, a platoon commander in the 8111 Battalion, 5th Brigade
Maj. (res.) Ari Yehiel Zenilman, 32 years old, from Jerusalem, a fighter in the 8111 Battalion, 5th Brigade
May their memories be for a blessing.
It is always tragic when our brave soldiers die, but the deaths of these three when combined with two announced this morning has called into question IDF tactics.
You will notice that all 5 soldiers were reserve officers in the 8111 Battalion 5th Brigade.
What happened yesterday is that the Brigade encountered terrorists who were firing at them from inside an empty school. Aerial photos released by the IDF showed that the IAF targeted different entrances to the building, but not the building itself despite having the building in its target sights.
Why? Apparently because orders had been given to the IAF not to destroy schools–even long unused schools– for humanitarian reasons.
Because the building was not destroyed, the soldiers were killed when they assaulted it.
The entire incident is very Gantzian–meaning that when Benny Gantz was the IDF Chief of Staff in the 2014 war, there were instances in which it was reported that he exposed our soldiers to risk because of humanitarian reasons. In one particular instance at Shifa Hospital, his troops were apparently under fire for 3 days because Gantz refused to give permission to fire on the terrorists on the top floors of the hospital who were firing on his troops.
This is not the first time in the last 65 days that our soldiers were killed because an order was not given to destroy a building. As you can imagine, this situation has provoked outrage among the parents of soldiers who rightly believe that soldiers’ lives come first.
One last point. For the last 48 hours, we have heard nonstop bombing apparently coming from northern Gaza. Some of that bombing is so concussive that it is apparent that the IAF is using bunker/tunnel busting bombs. Given that a considerable amount of northern Gaza has been destroyed, many wonder why we don’t simply raze northern Gaza.
Not another soldier should die because of humanitarian concerns for the enemy or out of some absurd notion that we have to leave buildings standing.
UPDATE 12:00 PM
In the photo above a wounded IDF soldier (with the yellow kipa and white sweatshirt) is helped by another soldier to light the 4th candle last night. The wounded soldier whose face has been blurred is undergoing intensive rehabilitation from his wounds.
The War In Gaza
The IDF and IAF are attacking on numerous fronts. Some of what we know:
*The IAF has hit numerous buildings in the center of Jabaliya. Massive artillery fire is also directed at Jabaliya.
*IDF ground forces have also been engaged in firefights in Jabaliya as well as in the area of Ma’an and Bani Suhila near Khan Younis, and Shujayieh.
*Combined forces have struck the homes of HamISIS leaders Abu Warda in Jabaliya al-Nazla (57 reportedly killed), the Toba terror group in Tal al-Sulta (more than 10 terrorists killed), and the Matar family of terrorists in Deir Al-Balah.
*An apartment building housing HamISIS terrorists was also destroyed in Rafah.
Missile Attacks This Morning in the South
Nahal Oz (10:20); Sderot (08:48); Kerem Shalom (03:26); Holit (03:22)
In the above attack on Sderot, 7 missiles were intercepted over the city. There were no missile falls or casualties.
UPDATE 8:00 AM
On the Ground in the North:
(07:29)Incoming missile sirens for Ma’alot, Kfar Vradim, Hossen, Abirim, Fassuta. 8 missiles were fired from Lebanon: 6 were intercepted and 2 fell in open areas.
On the Ground in the South:
IDF ground forces have encountered heavy resistance in Zeytun.
The IAF and IDF artillery continue to strike HamISIS targets in Khan Younis and Rafah
In Judea and Samaria:
The IDF captured Palestinian terrorists in Deheisha, Beitonia, Kufr Dan, and Al-Ezaria.
Four More Soldiers Have Fallen
Maj. Etay Perry, 36 years old, from Modi’in, a company liaison in the 8111 Battalion, 5th Brigade.
Maj. (res.) Eviatar Cohen, 42 years old, from Kfar Saba, training officer in the 8111 Battalion, 5th Brigade
Maj. Gal Becher, 34 years old, from Oranit, training officer in the 36th division
Sgt. Maj. (res.) Gideon Ilani, 35 years old, from Mashael, fighter in battalion 2855
May Their Memories Be For A Blessing
A student from Malawi, who had worked with an Israeli health volunteer in his country battling AIDS, came up to us as we walked down the street in the UC-Davis Picnic Day Parade and wanted to carry the Israeli flag.