Sunday
Yom Rishon
9 Adar 5785
March 9 2025
UPDATE 8:00 AM ISRAEL TIME
On the Ground in Gaza
A jumble of confusing reports this morning about a ceasefire (good luck to you and rest of us figuring out what is going on):
*Hamas denied that it has agreed to extend Phase 1, and insists that Phase 2 begin: “We did not convey to the mediators a positive message regarding our readiness for a temporary ceasefire. We stand by the agreement that states we must move on to Phase 2.”
*From the usually reliable Saudi Al-Hadath Channel: “Hamas agreed in principle to extend the first phase of the deal for two months in exchange for the release of several live hostages. The progress in negotiations between Hamas and Egypt in Cairo is what pushed Israel to send the delegation to Doha on Monday.”
*From an unnamed Israeli Cabinet source Israel: “The delegation that will leave for Doha on Monday will present and approve the “Witkoff Outline.” According to this outline, there will be a temporary ceasefire for the Ramadan and Passover periods.”
*From PM Netanyahu’s Office: “Israel has accepted the invitation of the mediators backed by the United States, and will send a delegation to Doha on Monday in an effort to advance the negotiations.”
*From a source in PM Netanyahu’s Office: “Israel denies the report in the Arab media that there is an agreement between Israel and Hamas on a temporary ceasefire during Ramadan.”
——
From the IDF Spokesman (speaking yesterday morning):
“During the night, a drone was detected crossing from the territory of the State of Israel into southern Gaza. The drone was monitored throughout its flight. Earlier today, an Air Force aircraft attacked the drone and a number of suspects who had gathered it in southern Gaza.”
This was another case of weapons smuggling by Bedouins in Israel to Hamas terrorists.
From the IDF Spokesman (speaking last night):
“Since the morning, several shooting incidents have occurred in the southern Gaza Strip, during which Palestinians attempted to approach the forces and IDF fighters carried out a suspect arrest procedure. In two cases in the Khan Yunis and Rafah areas, a hit was identified. It is estimated that these were Hamas operatives.”
Note how the IDF continues to fall back to the pre-October 7 conception: Hamas terrorists have now become “operatives.”
On the Ground in the North
In Lebanon:
The IAF struck a Hezbollah vehicle in the village of Khirbet Salem, in the western sector of southern Lebanon – with initial reports indicating at least one terrorist killed:
In Syria:
The gruesome massacres of Alawites and Christians in the Syrian Mediterranean coastal enclave continue with more than 4000 now reported murdered by forces of the “new Syrian government.” The Alawite leader has appealed to Israel for protection.
Elsewhere in Syria, the IDF entered the village of Tafas in the Daraa area in the south. Immediately the muezzin in the mosque there called for “a jihad” against our soldiers.
From the IDF Spokesman:
“Fighters from Brigade 474 under the command of Division 210 continued their defensive operations today (Saturday) and are deployed at control points in Syria. Over the past week, paratroopers, armor, and the Yahyalam unit under the command of Brigade 474 led targeted raids in Syrian territory based on intelligence indications. The forces located, confiscated, and destroyed numerous weapons, including rifles, ammunition, missiles, and other military equipment.”
On the Ground in Judea and Samaria
*IDF soldiers discovered and destroyed a bomb factory in Tulkarm in Samaria:
*IDF and police forces located and confiscated a vehicle containing three weapons and cartridges in the area of the Samarian Palestinian settlement of Imatin. The confiscated weapons were transferred to the security forces for further processing.
Despite Everything, Israelis Head Out To Nature
Israelis crossing a footbridge over the marshes at Ahula:
From the Nature and Parks Association last night:
“About 65,000 hikers went out to enjoy the beautiful winter blooms and the ‘Nature Conservation Month’ activities that took place in the nature reserves and national parks. Among the notable parks: Tel Afek-Yarkon River Mouths National Park, Caesarea National Park, Nahal Hermon-Banias Nature Reserve and Ein Afek Nature Reserve. This was reported today (Saturday) by the Nature and Parks Authority. About 1,000 visitors spent the weekend sleeping in the authority’s overnight parking lots, the most notable parking lots: Mamshit and Eshkol.”
And so it goes in Israel this morning . . . so far . . .
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.