Yom Rishon
Sunday
23 Adar I
March 3 2024
UPDATE 4:30 PM
One of the soldiers critically wounded in the booby trapped house explosion in southern Gaza yesterday has died:
Maj. Dennis Yekimov (res), 33, from Be’er Sheva, a fighter in the auxiliary company of the 17th Battalion, Bislah Brigade, has died.
May His Memory Be For A Blessing
On the Ground in Gaza
We now have some clarification about what we heard last night and reported on in our first update today.
From the IDF Spokesman a short while ago:
“Last night, the maneuvering forces and the fire center of Division 98 launched an extensive divisional attack in the west of Khan Yunis to deepen the operational achievement, while destroying terrorist infrastructures and eliminating terrorists in the terrorist organization Hamas who operate from civilian facilities in the heart of the built-up area.
The divisional operation began with an opening flight, in the framework of which fighter jets of the Air Force attacked about 50 terrorist targets in 6 minutes with the help of artillery forces.
Among the targets that were attacked were underground infrastructures, military buildings, anti-tank firing positions, trapped buildings and gathering points of terrorists who posed a threat to the forces in the area.
The extensive airstrike was designed to create favorable conditions for the ground forces and at the end of it, the brigade combat teams began a surprise assault on the area, during which the fighters raided terrorist targets and eliminated terrorists, the forces continue to operate in the area with intensity.
During the last day, the fighters of the Nahal Brigade’s combat team eliminated dozens of terrorists in the central area of the Gaza Strip and located weapons.
In one of the activities, the brigade’s fire complex detected a squad of terrorists loading weapons and moving towards fighters in the area. In response, an aircraft attacked and destroyed the squad.”
The Hostage “Negotiations”
Is something moving or not?
On the one hand, we have news that an Israeli negotiating team is ready to leave for Cairo.
On the other hand comes news that HamISIS has rejected the Israeli demand to produce a list of living hostages and has rejected the Israeli demand that a more reasonable number of terrorists to be released per hostage be produced.
UPDATE 8:00 AM
Three more of our brave soldiers have fallen. They were all killed yesterday when booby-traps exploded inside a house they were examining in southern Gaza. Eight other soldiers were critically wounded.
The dead:
Sgt. Dolev Malka, 19, from Shlomi, a fighter in the 450th battalion (platoon commander training) of the Bislah Brigade, served as a fighter in the ‘Nachshon’ battalion (90), Kafir Brigade.
Sgt. Afik Tery, 19, from Rehovot, a fighter in Battalion 450 (platoon commander training) of the Bislah Brigade, served as a fighter in Battalion ‘Nachshon’ (90), Kafir Brigade.
Sgt. Inon Yitzhak, 20, from Mitzpe Ramon, a fighter in Battalion 450 (platoon commander training) of the Bislah Brigade, served as a fighter in Battalion ‘Nachshon’ (90), Kafir Brigade.
May Their Memories Be For A Blessing
Intense Fighting Overnight in Gaza
The night here in Ashdod (40 km north of Gaza) was marked by numerous jets, drones, explosions from Gaza, and then more jets, drones, and more explosions from Gaza.
As best we know at this hour, IDF forces advanced into previously untouched areas of Khan Younis: the suburb of Hamad north of the city, and Al-Karrar–and used a deadly mix of air and ground power to do so.
Residents on the ground nearer the Gaza border report an intensity not seen or heard in recent months.
A Hostage Update
After the HamISIS announcement yesterday which teased about the fate of 7 of the abductees (are they alive or are they dead?), Israel again declared our intention not to send a delegation to Cairo to talk about a ceasefire/hostage release until a list of all the abductees who are alive is received. HamISIS has already stated that it does not intend to comply with this demand.
Stop and think about this for a moment.
134 Israeli hostages have now been held for 5 months. We know from our own sources of information that around 30 of these are dead (though a HamISIS spokesman two days ago said that 70 are dead). We have never gotten a list from the terrorists delineating who is being held–nor have we apparently demanded one before now.
On the Ground in the North
Hezbollah terrorists have already fired missiles into Shlomi and Betzat (7:56 am). There are no reports of casualties or damages.
Gantz Goes Grandstanding Again
The ever abominable Benny Gantz, a member of our War Cabinet, has decided on his own—and against the express orders of PM Netanyahu—to go on a junket to Washington to meet with Bidenites led by VP Kamala Harris.
What is the purpose of this absurd visit?
There is no purpose other than to try to prop up his image here in Israel as being the main Israeli politician who can work with the Americans.
The School System Reopens in the Gaza Border Communities
5 months after the horrific events of October 7, the school system in Sderot and surrounding communities reopened this morning.
There is no indication at this time how many students will actually attend classes. Many families have not returned, and among those that have there will undoubtedly be parents who will refuse to send their children.
The IDF says that the entire restart will be under “heavy security”, but already there has been missile fire at Kissufim early this morning.
Would you send your child?
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.