The Gaza War: Day 106 . . . The War in the North

Yom Shabbat

Saturday

10 Shevat 5784

January 20 2024

Shabbat Snippets

*A worrisome graphic from yesterday–incoming missile sirens for the Haifa area:

As it turns out, it was not clear why the sirens went off. According to one report, a missile was intercepted over the city. Another report stated that a drone was intercepted. Yet another report said that there was no missile and no drone–that it was a false siren.

In any case, the fear is that Hezbollah missiles will hit the refineries in Haifa with a resulting ecological disaster in Haifa Bay.

*Khaled Mashal, the former head of HamISIS, spelled it out clearly yesterday for anyone who will listen (of course the Bidenites in Washington will not): “We will not agree to a two-state solution, we will first agree to the 67 lines, and at a later stage we will conquer Israel from Rosh HaNikra to Eilat.”  

*Who said what? PM Netanyahu and President Biden had their first telephone conversation in 26 days yesterday. CNN reported that Netanyahu told Biden that “he does not rule out the possibility of a Palestinian state.” Of course, Netanyahu immediately denied that he supports a Palestinian state.

However, in a kowtowing to Biden, Netanyahu did agree that flour coming into the port in Ashdod can be immediately transferred to Gaza. Let’s hope that it won’t be transferred until our inspectors ferret out all the weapons buried in the flour.

*Speaking of the “poor Palestinians” in Gaza, it appears that internet and cellphone service have been restored after several weeks of being knocked out. Superficially, this restoral of service seems like a good idea because Israel can intercept all messages on these networks. However, as we have discovered since October 7, HamISIS communicates with each other via landlines, walkie-talkies, and messages delivered by hand through the tunnels..

*4 Iranian Revolutionary Guards were killed in an IAF strike on Damascus. By this morning the 4 were “martyrs”–and Iran is vowing revenge.

*A survey commissioned by the “Mothers’ March” movement was published yesterday with these results–which we at OneIsrael believe accurately expresses the mood of Israelis :

1. What is more important?

46.6% obtaining the release of the kidnapped
44.8% victory in the war against Hamas

2. What is the best way to obtain the release of the abductees?

81.5% put military pressure on Hamas so that it agrees to acceptable terms for the release of the abductees
10% stop the fighting and negotiate with Hamas

3. Should Israel agree to all of Hamas’ demands in order to obtain the release of the abductees?

12.4% yes
72.9% no

4. Should Israel agree to withdraw IDF forces from the Gaza Strip in order to obtain the release of the abductees?

18.5% yes
70.5% no

5. Should Israel agree to the demand that Hamas remain in power in the Gaza Strip in order to obtain the release of the abductees?

8.1% yes
79.4% no

6. Should Israel agree to a long-term ceasefire in order to obtain the release of the abductees?

38.7% yes
47.2% no

7. To what extent will a long ceasefire for the purpose of releasing the abductees make it difficult to achieve victory in the war against Hamas?

46.6% would find it very difficult
37.7% would find it quite difficult

9.6% would not find it very difficult

8. Will a long ceasefire for the purpose of releasing the hostages result in more casualties among the soldiers when the fighting resumes?

71.9% yes
7.9% no

Remember that about 20% of those questioned were Israeli-Arabs.

*Leftist Israelis are shooting Israel in the foot. The Arab media throughout the Middle East went crazy yesterday reporting several comments from Israelis.

First from former PM Ehud Barak:

“Israel needs early elections before it’s too late. Hamas will not be defeated and the chance of returning the abductees decreases despite the army’s achievements. Israel needs new leadership and the lack of a realistic goal will cause us to sink into the Gaza mud.”

Of course, for reasons we will not state here, it is not surprising that the statement of a person who apparently spent much time with a person convicted of pedophilia would resonate in the Muslim world.

Second from former IDF Chief of Staff and current War Cabinet member Gadi Eisenkot:

“It is impossible to return the abductees alive without a deal and anyone who says otherwise is a liar.”

We all grieve for the loss of Eisenkot’s son who was killed in Gaza, but the reality is that Eisenkot was a miserable head of the Army and has no faith in its ability.

On that note, we wish our soldiers and you dear readers:

Shabbat Shalom!