The Gaza War: Day 28 . . . The War In the North

Yom Shishee

Friday

20 Cheshvan 5784

November 3 2023

UPDATE 10:00 PM

The evil that is HamISISs was revealed again today by an Arab journalist who posted a video which shows civilians lying dead in the road after being shot by Hamas snipers as they tried to leave northern Gaza for southern Gaza. Be warned: the video is graphic. Click here.

It also turns out that in the major firefight that the Givati Brigade engaged with HamISIS terrorists two nights ago–the terrorists placed approximately 100 women and children in front of them so that our soldiers could not fire. A number of those civilians were killed by HamISIS while shooting at our soldiers.

On the Ground and at Sea Today

Click here to see IDF soldiers celebrating Shabbat in Gaza.

341 IDF soldiers have fallen in battle since the beginning of the war.

260 wounded IDF soldiers have been evacuated from Gaza to hospitals in Israel by the rescue Unit 669. 

The National Insurance Institute reports that 13,544 Israelis have been physically wounded or are suffering from PTSD since the war began. Of that number, 2,786  suffer from severe PTSD.

The U.S. Aircraft Carriers Ford and Eisenhower along with their accompanying strike forces have joined up in the eastern Mediterranean.

In the South

Missiles and mortars launched against southern and central Israel today:

Ramle. Azaria (21:29); Bat Yam, Tel Aviv, Rishon Lezion (21:27); Netiv Ha’asara (19:48); Netivot (17:00); Ashkelon, Zikim (15:32); Netivot (15:25); Nirim (14:59); Sufa (13:01); Kerem Shalom (12:09); Kissufim (9:29).

In the North

A large IED was discovered floating in the water off the coast of Haifa near the Meridian Hotel. It was defused by police sappers.

2 IDF soldiers were wounded in a drone attack on Mt. Dov today.

In the Red Sea

The U.S. Navy intercepted more missiles sent from Yemen to attack Israel today.

In Judea and Samaria

A Palestinian terrorist tried to attack our forces at the Taysir barrier near Tubas. He was shot and killed.

UPDATE 6:00 PM

In the hours since our noon update, there have been three significant “speeches”. This update solely focuses on these; our next update will go over what has happened on the ground today.

First, U.S. Secretary of State Blinken’s press conference from Jerusalem reaffirmed three main points:

1. The U.S. stands with Israel, and will stand with Israel in the face of a Hezbollah and/or Iranian escalation. When asked specifically if that means U.S. forces would actively participate in the fighting should it come to that, he reiterated President Biden’s warning about Hezbollah and/or Iran trying to open another front.

2. Blinken also reiterated that the U.S. is greatly concerned about the plight of the “civilian” population of Gaza, and would greatly like to see a pause in the fighting in the belief that hostages might be released. 

3. Blinken reiterated that the U.S. position about “the day after” is that Gaza should be turned over to the PLO so that a Palestinian state can be created.

—

At the same time that Blinken was speaking, Hezbollah head Hassan Nasrallah was speaking in Beirut. His main points:

1. He praised the Palestinians for what happened on October 7. Then, extremely disingenuously and in an obvious attempt to avoid blame, he went on to say that the “attack” was 100% planned and executed by the Palestinians–and their planning was hidden from everyone else. 

2. He criticized those who have criticized Hezbollah for not doing enough to help Hamas. He said that Hezbollah has been fighting Israel since October 8. He did not state what further steps Hezbollah is prepared to take other than what it is already doing.

3. He placed the blame for the current events in Gaza on the U.S. saying that Israel is merely the executor of U.S. plans. He went on to talk about how the U.S. has threatened Lebanon.

4. He praised Iranian proxies in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen for entering the war.

—

When Nasrallah finished, it was PM Netanyahu’s turn. The high points of his address:

1. There will be no ceasefire unless all the hostages are released.

2. Israel will not allow fuel into Gaza.

3. Israel and the IDF are strong and the war will not end until 3 conditions are met: the hostages are released, Hamas is completely destroyed, and safety and security return to the citizens of Israel.

In summary, Blinken said what he was told to say by Biden about the importance of humanitarian considerations, but his opening impassioned defense of Israel was welcome.

Nasrallah was relatively subdued despite waving his finger to arouse the crowd watching his video. It may be that his terror organization has been deterred by the U.S. after all. Of course, one never knows with Nasrallah what tomorrow morning will bring. 

Netanyahu’s passionate address was one of his best; he finally seems to be getting his footing as leader in a time of war. His remarks about the hostages, a ceasefire, and no fuel for Gaza were excellent.  

UPDATE 12:00 PM

Gaza City is now completely surrounded and the circle will be gradually tightened according to the IDF. Last night saw particularly heavy fire into Gaza from the Israel Navy.

Another Hamas leader, Moztapa Delol, Commander of the Tel Elhua Battalion, has been eliminated.

Americans on the Ground and Air in Gaza

This morning comes news that U.S. Army MQ-9 drones are operating over Gaza to aid in the search for hostages. American special forces and “contractors” are working with Israeli special forces for the same reason.

The U.S. Army describes the MQ-9 drone (also known as the “Reaper“) as “an armed, multi-mission, medium-altitude, long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft that is employed primarily against dynamic execution targets and secondarily as an intelligence collection asset.”

A Much Wider War?

The decision has already been made in Tehran and delivered to Hassan Nasrallah of Hezbollah who will make a speech in Beirut this afternoon (on a large video screen) detailing Hezbollah’s next moves. At the same time, Iranian proxies in Syria announced they are ready to start firing cruise missiles into Israel depending on what Nasrallah says.

In the last 24 hours, senior American military officials have said that a Hezbollah declaration of escalation would be tantamount to a declaration of war by Iran.