DAY 115 OF THE GAZA WAR: Tunnel Under a Cemetery, Rocket Attack on Tel Aviv Area, Terror Attack in Haifa, Fallout From Conference on Resettling Gaza

Tel Aviv Diary January 29, 2024

On Sunday, February 3, I will be holding our biweekly zoom update at 6 PM Israel time (11 AM EST)

Denizens of Tel Aviv were taken aback late this afternoon when missile alert sirens sounded, marking the first time in a month that a Hamas rocket attack reached Tel Aviv. Fifteen rockets were fired from Gaza towards the center of the country, all of which were intercepted. A large rocket segment landed in Rishon LeTzion, striking part of a car. Notably, these rockets originated from Khan Younis, the very location where the largest concentration of IDF troops is currently positioned. The rockets were fired from an underground launch site.

In Khan Younis, the IDF has shifted its strategy, now engaging in active combat within the Hamas tunnels, which marks a significant departure from its previous tactics. Until recently, only dogs, robots, and special forces units entered these tunnels. However, it has become evident that to counter Hamas effectively, fighting inside the tunnels is necessary.

The IDF revealed a tunnel located under a cemetery in Khan Younis, which was evidently utilized by Hamas leaders. By the time IDF forces arrived, the leadership and any potential hostages had already vacated the site.

The conflict in Khan Younis remains fierce, with numerous Hamas members being killed, or surrendering daily. The Army spokesperson announced tonight that in Khan Younis alone, the IDF has eliminated over 2,000 Hamas operatives in both subterranean and surface operations, sometimes employing new, undisclosed technology. Furthermore, over 300 Hamas members have been captured in the past few days.

IN THE NORTH

It’s been another day of continued fire exchanges in the North. Hezbollah fired missiles, or rockets, from Rosh Hanikra to Kiryat Shmonah. The IDF responded with air attacks against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. Over the past week, I could have simply replicated what I had written the day before for the current day's update — it's difficult to say whether that's a bad thing. On one hand, hostilities on the Northern front have not escalated; on the other hand that does not help the 100,000 people who have been forced from their homes along the Northern Border.

TERROR ATTACK IN HAIFA

A very disturbing terror attack occurred today in Haifa. An Arab Israeli resident of Tamra, in the Galil, drove his car into the exterior wall of the Israel Naval base, subsequently hitting a soldier who was walking there. The soldier was very seriously wounded. With his car stuck in the wall, the terrorist exited his vehicle, heading towards the entrance of the base, wielding an axe.  When an Israeli Naval Academy officer standing by the entrance to the base realized what was happening, the officer fired at the terrorist and killed him.

This was the first significant act of terror by an Arab Israeli since the beginning of the war.

US RESPONSE

The US has yet to respond to the attack of the American base on the Syrian/Jordanian border. Although the militias responsible for the drone attack are definitively known to be backed by Iran, Iran was swift to deny any involvement in the strike. It has been a clear policy of Iran to damage American interests in the Middle East, while at the same time, not getting into a direct confrontation with the United States.

It’s now up to the US to find a way to strike back at the Iranians in a way that would hurt without starting a full-scale war. Today it became clear why the deadly drone was not intercepted. It turns out the militias’ attack drone was misidentified as a returning US drone, and thus, it was not shot down.

CONFERENCE ON RESETTLING THE GAZA STRIP

Echoes of last night's conference on Jewish resettlement of the Gaza Strip, and the remarks made by cabinet ministers there, continued to reverberate throughout today. Many found the video clips of the Likud and Jewish Home Party members dancing and celebrating to be particularly distasteful, particularly in the midst of a war, while our hostages remain held in Hamas captivity for 115 days (and counting).

Both the White House and the French Foreign Ministry issued statements condemning the remarks made at the conference. Former Defense Minister and member of the war cabinet Benny Gantz was particularly caustic in his criticism of the event, and the failure of Prime Minister Netanyahu to stop it. Gantz issued the following harsh condemnation:

The participation of ministers and coalition members in yesterday's conference has hurt Israeli society during a time of war. They have damaged our legitimacy in the world and hindered efforts to bring back our captives.

Prime Minister, this is not the time for addressing your electoral base, but for action for the benefit of all people. It's our collective responsibility. It's time to support the fighters of the IDF, the Shin Bet, the Mossad, and the police, regardless of their opinions or where they come from. It's time to show strength to the world and to act as one fist against our enemies in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. There will be time for clashes. Not now, not during combat, not when 136 families of captives are looking up to the leadership. This nation deserves a leadership that acts responsibly, where everyone holds their tongues.

My colleagues and I warned the Prime Minister before the conference. I also spoke to him about MK Gottlieb, who continues to serve in the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee as an alternate, undermining the security personnel who need support more than ever. She must be dismissed from her position.

I know many in the nation are hurt by this conduct. I know many on the front are affected by this behavior. And I know that most of the nation does not behave or feel this way. Especially today, I want to strengthen everyone on the battlefront and in the home front, to tell you that the nation is with you. We are all behind you. We are united, and we will prevail.

It's important that we and the world know — the ones making the decisions are the War Cabinet and the Political-Security Cabinet, as a whole. Those who dance and divide are not decision-makers, and those who are silent and dragged along are not leaders.

It's very difficult, but at this time, the responsibility obliges my colleagues and me to stay in the cabinet and government to make the tough and correct decisions ahead, to keep our country strong and united in times of trouble.

We must ensure that responsible decisions are made, and that's why we are there. Later, when the situation stabilizes, we will return to the people, and the entire public will have its say on those who, in these days of shared fate with the nation, are concerned with their own political fate.

TA UNIVERSITY SURVEY

A survey done by Tel Aviv University Public Policy Institute found that 49% of Israelis oppose the annexation of Gaza, while 35% support annexation. 60% support a Palestinian entity with the support of the Arab States taking control of Gaza, while 31% oppose it. Overall, when asked what they support as a solution to the Palestinian problem, 59% support the establishment of a demilitarized Palestinian state, while 42% support annexation of all Palestinian areas.

In another survey, Israelis were questioned about their views on the conspiracy theories proposed by MK Tali Gottlieb. Without any evidence, Gottlieb claimed that Shikma Bressler, a leader of the Judicial protest movement, had met with the head of the Mossad before October 7th. Gottlieb further alleged “Edna Carnival announced that the USA intercepted conversations between Shikma Bressler's husband, and the notorious Yahya Sinwar, days before the October 7th massacre.” These claims are entirely unfounded conspiracy theories. Yet, when polled, 18% of Israelis believed them to be true, 26% were unsure, and only 56% were confident that they were false.