Yom Rishon
Sunday
12 Tevet 5784
December 24 2023
UPDATE 9:00 PM
As we unfortunately expected when we first updated this morning, the list of soldiers who fell this weekend was only a partial list. Three more have been announced during the day:
Maj. Shalev Zaltsman, 24, from Ramat Yishai, a fighter in the 6623 Battalion, the ‘Spearhead’ formation (55), was killed yesterday (Saturday) in a battle in southern Gaza.
Maj. (res) Joseph Avner Doran, 26, from Jerusalem, fought as part of the Operational Mobility Unit (OMU), was killed yesterday (Saturday) in a battle in northern Gaza.
Maj. (res.) Aryeh Rein, 39, from Mishmarot, an armor officer in the 79th battalion, the 14th assault brigade, was killed in battle in the north of Gaza.
155 IDF soldiers have now fallen in the ground war in Gaza.
May their memories always be for a blessing.
Another White Flag Ambush
HamISIS has learned quickly. After the IDF issued the “white flag” order following the tragic death of the 3 hostages, there was another ambush yesterday.
These five soldiers were all killed when they responded to an Arab woman and a “child” who were waving a white flag and were ambushed by anti-tank missiles:
They were left: Sgt. Birhanu Kassie; top left: Sgt. Rafael Kananian; top right: Sgt. Shay Termin; lower left: Warrant Officer Alexander Shpits; lower right: Capt. Moshe Butzhak
Another tragedy–all for the sake of being “humanitarian.” We try to protect them; they murder us.
The Attack in Khan Younis Intensifies
On the ground. Even as air strikes have decreased, the IDF is bringing in more soldiers to support Division 98. After the additions, there will be 6 full combat teams operating in the city along with various special forces.
(Thanks to Amir Bohbot for this information).
At this point, it is believed that whatever hostages are alive are probably held under Khan Younis and that HamISIS head Yahya Sinwar may be there as well. In fact, one working assumption is that he is in a deep tunnel surrounded by hostages.
Why Did It Take So Long?
A new law came into force today requiring all food distributors, grocery stores, and supermarkets to label the origin of all fruits, vegetables, dairy products, poultry, beef, and fish. For the moment, this is only required at the point of sale. In two months, it will also apply to all online sales.
Why was this law necessary? So that Israelis would not inadvertently support our enemies since many such food items are imported from places like Turkey.
UPDATE 12:00 PM
Quote of the Morning
“Difficult morning for all of us. I would like to send my condolences and a big hug to the bereaved families of the fallen tonight. I am worried. Unfortunately we are too nice and considerate. It is unthinkable that we would endanger our soldiers, and send them exposed in all kinds of buildings, without having bombed them beforehand. Surrendering to any external pressure, even if it is from our best friends, is a grave mistake for which we pay heavy prices. Our role as the government of Israel is, first and foremost, to take care of the vital interests of the State of Israel. We must not give up because of any pressure.”
Nir Barkat, Israel Minister of Economy, upon entering the Cabinet meeting today–talking about the soldiers’ deaths that were announced this morning.
Barkat is correct. We need less face to face combat and more “HamISIS faces to IAF bombs” combat.
On the Ground in the Last 4 Hours
In the South:
*A security source: “In the air and with artillery – the level of fire of the IDF in Gaza is on a downward trend.” This is something that we here in the south do not need to be told because there has been a noticeable drop in booms coming from Gaza in the last 24 hours.
This is happening amidst U.S, and European statements that Israel needs to reduce the level of fighting intensity in Gaza. Certainly, this decrease is also noticed by HamISIS which must be beginning to feel like all it has to do is hunker down for another month in order to survive.
*Missiles and mortars have been fired at Be’eri, Alumim, and Nahal Oz this morning (10:46).
In the North:
Terrorists in Lebanon fired several missiles into the Ramot Naftali community near the border (08:18). No alarm was sounded because the missiles exploded in open areas.
Other missiles have been fired at Shlomi (10:20); Dotev, Matat (02:44).
According to the security situation, the IDF has instructed the remaining community members in the communities along the Lebanese border to close the gates to their communities and not allow any person to enter or exit.
In the Indian Ocean:
The MV Saibaba crewed by Indian sailors and flying the Gabonese flag was attacked last night around 10:00 p.m.
In the Red Sea:
*Last night, two ballistic missiles were fired by the Houthis at international shipping lanes–no ships were hit.
*The destroyer USS LABOON (DDG 58) shot down four unmanned aerial drones fired from Yemen.
UPDATE 8:00 AM
It is a dark and stormy Christmas eve here in Israel with record amounts of rainfall (80-150 mm overnight) falling all over the country.
It’s Christmas eve here in Israel, but what is supposed to be a season of peace and joy is anything but.
Our last update last night listed five soldiers who had fallen in battle, but concluded with these words: “It is being reported by those on the ground that the death toll may actually be much higher as intense fighting took place in several locations in the last 24 hours. Let’s pray this is not the case.
This morning comes tragic news (and even this is probably partial news) that 8 more soldiers have fallen:
Sgt. David Bogdanovskyi, 19, from Haifa, a fighter in the 603rd Engineering Battalion, was killed yesterday in a battle in southern Gaza.
Sgt. Orel Bashan, 20, from Haifa, a fighter in the 603rd Engineering Battalion, was killed yesterday in a battle in southern Gaza.
Sgt. Gal Hershko, 20, from Miftah, platoon commander in the 603rd Engineering Battalion, was killed yesterday in a battle in southern Gaza.
Sgt. Itamar Shemen, 21, from Malpid, a paramedic in the ‘Gesh’ formation, fought with the 603rd Engineering Battalion, fell yesterday in battle in southern Gaza.
Maj. (res.) Nadav Issachar Farhi, 30, from Herzliya, a combat medic in Battalion 7810, ‘Yiftah’ Brigade (11), fell yesterday in battle in the center of Gaza.
Maj. (res.) Eliyahu Meir Ohana, 28, from Haifa, a fighter in Battalion 7810, ‘Yiftah’ Brigade (11), fell yesterday in battle in the center of Gaza.
Maj. (res.) Elyassaf Shoshan, 23, from Jerusalem, a fighter in Battalion 6646, fell yesterday in battle in the center of Gaza.
Maj. (res.) Ohad Ashur, 23, from Kfar Yona, a fighter in Battalion 6646, was killed yesterday in a battle in the center of the Gaza.
The four fighters above from the Engineering Battalion were killed when their engineering vehicle was hit by an anti-tank missile.
Similarly the fighters in Battalions 6646 and 7810 were killed when they were hit by “an explosive devices.”
All told, 14 soldiers fell in battle this weekend.
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.