Yom Shishee
Friday
21 Iyar 5783
May 12 2023
Kolakevod to PM Netanyahu!
War With Gaza: Continuous Updates
UPDATE: 6 pm (Friday) Israel Time
The scene over Ashkelon last night as a barrage of missiles was intercepted by Iron Dome interceptors (photo: Reuters). Since the beginning of the war Ashkelon has been hit by more than 90 missiles fired in 21 volleys.
Where do we stand at this hour?
More than 1000 missiles and mortars have been launched out of Gaza towards Israel since this war began. One Israeli has been killed–because she was unable to go to a fortified place when she heard incoming missile sirens and because an Iron Dome malfunction failed to take down the incoming missile.
On a day which saw missiles sent toward Jerusalem (sirens in Beit Shemesh, the Judean Hills and Efrat), the terrorists have now settled into a pattern for the last two hours of repeatedly attacking Nahal Oz, Kerem Shalom, and Kfar Gaza–all communities right on the Gaza border.
It appears that the weapons of the moment are mortars.
Meanwhile, the IDF continues an unceasing attack on Islamic Jihad. Within the last hour, another targeted attack on an apartment in Gaza with a “suicide drone” eliminated at least 5 terrorists including 3 operational commanders. Terror leaders who are still alive are seeing their homes being destroyed one by one.
Ceasefire talks have collapsed again.
Your humble servant has only one word to say about the current course of events:
Kolakevod!
Congratulations to the Netanyahu government for staying the course. How many times in the past have we seen premature ceasefires that left our enemy in full possession of its leadership and weaponry?
This time around Netanyahu seems determined to not kowtow to the likes of the Biden Administration, European Union, United Nations, and others. Of course, this war might end this evening, but it appears that we have inflicted and continue to inflict massive damage on Islamic Jihad.
Over the weeks leading up to this war, your humble servant was harshly critical of Netanyahu and Defense Minister Galant. From what we can see this time, they have both performed admirably–in the face of resistance from the IDF General Command which has been urging a cessation to the hostilities.
In other news:
For some days now, we have not updated what is going on in the ongoing war in Judea and Samaria. Here is a summary of the last 48 hours (from May 10-12):
Shooting attacks:
Palestinian terrorists opened fire on an Israeli bus between Tapuach and Migdalim, There were no physical casualties.
Palestinian terrorists opened fire on IDF troops operating in Nur Al-Shams. One soldier was lightly wounded.
Palestinian terrorists opened fire on IDF soldiers in Tubas.
IED, Molotov, and “rock” attacks:
Palestinian terrorists attacked on Road 90 near Yatev, between Efrat and the T-Junction in Gush Etzion near Umm Salmona, Ma’ale Shomron Square (67-year-old Israeli man wounded in the face), between the small and large Yitzhar Junction, between Mevo Dotan and Hermesh, at Karmi Tzur, on the Gush Etzion-Hevron Road, at the Giti Avishar Junction near Ariel, on Road 443 near Beit Horon, at Psagot, near Zita, Singil, Hawara, Al-Aruv, Turmus’aya, on Road 458 (IED detonated as a car passed by), Jiptalik, south of Shechem, between the Tunnel Checkpoint and Al-Khader, Emmanuel, Deir Istaiya, Einbus Square, and at other locations.
Stabbing attack thwarted:
A knife-wielding Palestinian woman from Beit Awa arrived at the Gurvitz Crossing and rushed toward soldiers saying that she wanted to commit suicide. She was disarmed.
In sum, who knows what Shabbat will bring but we wish Israel (and especially those Israelis in bomb shelters):
SHABBAT SHALOM!
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.