Yom Shabbat
Saturday
6 Adar II 5784
March 16 2024
UPDATE 12:00 PM
The IDF has been busy in Gaza overnight and this morning as Phase 3 of the ground war continues (a decrease in division-wide maneuvers, and an increase in targeted raids) continues.
Some of the reported attacks that have killed 123 terrorists:
Helicopter gunship attacks on HamISIS in Rimal, Nuseirat, Wadi Gaza, and Rimal.
Artillery attacks on Khan Younis and east of Rafat.
Combined infantry and air attacks at Al Mugraqa and Al Zahraa.
UPDATE 9:00 AM
Shabbat Snippets of News
In the South
*It is simply incredible how Sderot continues to be targeted by missiles. This was the target area last night at 9:00 pm:
Sderot was targeted by incoming missiles at 9:00 pm last night, again.
And just as incredible is the fact that the missiles last night were fired from northern Gaza–an area supposedly under complete IDF control. What was different last night is that within minutes of the attack, the site in northern Gaza was destroyed by IDF artillery and and IAF air strike.
*The newest absurd HamISIS hostage demands:
Stage 1: (to take place in three 42-day (6 week) intervals during which time there is a ceasefire)
–the release of women, children and the elderly in exchange for 700-1000 Palestinian prisoners.
–female soldiers will also be released among the women. In exchange for the soldiers, Hamas demands the release of 100 “heavy” Palestinian terrorists serving life sentences for murdering Israelis.
After Stage 1, a date will be determined for a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of the IDF from Gaza.
Stage 2: a full release of the rest of the hostages in exchange for the full release of all Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons.
Note: HamISIS still refuses to provide us with a list of “living” hostages. 35 of the 134 have been officially declared dead. Estimates by some officials are that at least 80 of the 134 are dead.
In the North
*The IDF Spokesman: more than 50 launch sites of “heavy” rockets” have been destroyed in Lebanon. Nevertheless, there were numerous missile attacks on northern Israel yesterday from Lebanon at such places as Margaliot (13:14); Malkia (14:03); Shtula, Evan Menachem, Netua (14:38); Zarit, Shomera, Shtula (14:43); Shtula, Evan Menachem, Netua (17:38); Shlomi (20:25).
Elsewhere in Israel
*IDF soldiers intercepted a car with 4 Palestinian terrorists at the Hasem Scopus Crossing into Jerusalem. Inside the car was a bomb. The IDF and Shin Bet captured 14 more terrorists in Judea and Samaria overnight.
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.