Yom Shabbat
Saturday
6 Av 5784
August 10 2024
UPDATE 7:30 PM ISRAEL TIME
SPECIAL MESSAGE:
We apologize for the late blog today; however our local network has been beset by technical difficulties which have made a stable connection difficult.
Photos of the Day
Israeli marathoner Maro Tefri crossing the line in the marathon carrying (against the rules) an Israeli flag and wearing a hostage ribbon. Kolakevod!
And:
The Israeli Artistic Gymnastic Team won the silver medal today…Israel’s 7th. Kolakevod!
The News of the Day
One of the reasons that Iran and Hezbollah have paused their anticipated strikes on Israel is that a summit is supposed to take place on Thursday at which yet another effort will be made to have a ceasefire in Gaza. Iran has made noises to the effect that should a ceasefire happen, “punishment of the Zionists” will not be necessary.
In any case, a phalanx of Biden officials is on its way to try to push the negotiations forward.
Having said that, Israel remains adamant concerning its conditions for a ceasefire:
1. Maintaining control of the Philadelphi corridor that runs along the Gaza-Egyptian border.
2. Vetting all Gazans attempting to return to northern Gaza and preventing the return of arms there.
3. Having the final say on which Palestinian terrorists in Israeli prisons will be released for our hostages.
On the Ground in Gaza Today
The IAF struck a “school” in Khan Younis which was serving as a terrorist headquarters. Apparently, some 20 high-ranking HamISIS leaders were killed including HamISIS commander Walid al-Sousi the head of HamISIS security in southern Gaza.
The hilarious HamISIS pr machine, however, has been at full speed. At first, it claimed that “more than 100” civilians were killed. Then this was scaled back to 80. Now it has been scaled back to around 50. Who knows what tomorrow’s count will be.
On the Ground in the North Today
There have been 4 barrages of Hezbollah missiles and drones: Malkia (06:45 am); Malkia (12:41); Idmit, Eilon, Goren, Arab al-Aramshe (17:24); Iftach, Ramot Naftali, Dishon, Malkia (19:27).
At this moment, there is nonstop explosive drone fire at northern Israel.
And so it goes at this hour . . .
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.