Tuesday

Yom Shleeshee

7 Tevet 5785

January 7 2025

UPDATE 9:00 AM ISRAEL TIME

May Their Memories Be For A Blessing

Another brazen, murderous attack in broad daylight in Samaria yesterday: two Palestinian terrorists stopped their car beside the main road in the middle of the Palestinian settlement of Al-Funduk (between Karnei Shomron and Kedumin) got out, and opened fire on two Israeli vehicles and an Israeli bus going by.

These three Israelis were murdered:

L-R: Sgt. Elad Winkelstein, Aliza Reiz, Rachel Cohen

Sgt. Winkelstein, from Ein Hanatziv, was an investigator at the Ariel Police Station, a high school teacher, and a rabbi. He was driving one of the cars and managed to get off a few shots before he was shot and killed. He is survived by a wife (Tal) and two children Neve and Omer (10-year-old Omer was with him in the car but was not hit in the gunfire). His funeral was held on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem last night.

Aliza and Rachel (sisters-in-law) were in the front seat of their car when the terrorist opened fire–killing them both instantly. Rachel, 73, was an educational counselor until her retirement. She is survived by her husband and 5 daughters. Aliza, 69, worked as an educational counselor. She is survived by her children and family.

In Kedumim last night, tributes were paid to the two murdered women.

Naomi, Rachel’s daughter, eulogized her mother last night: “Mother was a woman full of joy, kindness and positive energy. She radiated goodness to everyone, full of faith and fear of God, and an active and beloved grandmother and mother. She was our family address for everything and every matter. She was a mother and a woman full of depth and love. A special and moving woman, full of the light of kindness and mercy who always chose to see the good in her life and that is how she raised us. She had many plans ahead of her, she made sure throughout the years to help many people, boys and girls, she was a listening ear to everyone without exception. And all out of love and optimism.”

Yair, Aliza’s son, eulogized his mother: “Next week we planned to celebrate her 70th birthday with a surprise. She was a larger-than-life woman who did everything with her 10 fingers, like Rabbi Akiva. She only started studying at university at the age of 40 and never gave up. Nothing stood in her way. She had willpower and tenacity that led her to do great things in every field. Mother was a strong woman who thought of everyone. She was a pioneer, volunteered with dedication in the Civil Guard. And she was an educational counselor with the grace of God, who was never given up on even after she retired. She saw only the good in everyone. She loved to live and loved life and family more than anything.”

8 other Israelis were wounded in the attack–the bus driver is in critical condition this morning.

More than these victims, two more of our soldiers have fallen in Gaza:

Capt. Eitan Israel Shiknazi, aged 24, from Eli, Deputy Company Commander in the 932nd Battalion, Nahal Brigade, fell during combat in northern Gaza. He is the 20th soldier from the small community of Eli who has fallen in the war.

Maj. Dvir Zion Revach, 28, from Jerusalem, company commander in Battalion 932, Nahal Brigade. fell in the same battle as Capt. Shiknazi.

Five of our best, brightest, and bravest killed: another dark day for Israel.

Once again, may their memories be for a blessing.

More Information about the Terror Attack At Al-Funduk

Within an hour after the attack occurred and within a few meters of where the attack occurred, Palestinians in Al-Funduk were already giving out sweets to celebrate the murders:

This morning, the PLO has issued a statement applauding the attack and calling for similar attacks in Israel.

It should also be noted that 30 minutes prior to the attack, a contingent of IDF soldiers left Al-Funduk to join up with a convoy of Border Police who were on their way to destroy a fledgling Jewish community in the Shiloh area.

When they heard about the attack, they turned around–but not to try to capture the terrorists (who still remain at large). Instead they went to Yitzhar to stop Jewish community members from responding to the attack.

Just unbelievable.

On the Ground in Gaza

Another day, more missiles fired out of northern Gaza at Sderot (at 11:11):

In fact, three missiles were fired by the terrorists: one was intercepted, one hit “an open space”, and one hit near a kindergarten in the city.

Afterwards, residents appeared on Israeli television wondering why they returned to Sderot–given the fact that missile fire has resumed to its pre-October 7th level.

On the Ground in Lebanon

Is anyone surprised?

As we have noted, the Lebanese Army which was supposed to have deployed 60,000 soldiers into southern Lebanon has in fact only deployed half that many.

And those that have been deployed are closely allied with Hezbollah to the extent that no Hezbollah installations have taken control of–and Hezbollah has not moved north of the Litani River.

Despite this, the IDF withdrew all of our forces from the western sector of southern Lebanon yesterday.

And so it goes in Israel this morning . . . so far . . .