DAY 123 OF THE GAZA WAR: Hamas Demands End of War, Many Hostages Killed, Iranian Support for Hamas, Ultra-Orthodox and the IDF
Tel Aviv Diary, February 6, 2024
HAMAS HELD HOSTAGES: 123 DAYS AND COUNTING…
This evening, Israel finally received a response to the hostage release proposal from Hamas, via Qatar. The Israeli government's official stance is that the Mossad is currently evaluating Hamas’s response. Unofficially, Israel views Hamas's demand for a complete and final ceasefire essentially as a rejection of the proposed agreement. President Biden's responded to Hamas’s reaction, noting: “There is some movement ... There's been a response from the opposition. But it seems to be a little over the top.” Biden later clarified that the opposition he referred to was Hamas.
It’s not clear where we go from here. Reports, both in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, stated that at least 32 of the hostages still held captive by Hamas are dead, a fact later confirmed by the IDF spokesman who stated that the army had notified the families of the dead. Furthermore, the Army is in the process of verifying the potential death of an additional 20 hostages
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PROBES INTO THE FAILURES THAT LED TO OCTOBER 7TH
The IDF has initiated its own internal probes into the events of October 7th. These inquiries are being conducted by the units directly involved, rather than by external officers. It's important to note that these internal investigations are not meant to replace the National Commission of Inquiry, but rather to serve the IDF's internal purposes.
IN GAZA
Fighting continued both in Khan Younis, as well as in the Northern part of the Gaza Strip, in Gaza City. IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi visited the troops in the Northern segment of the strip.
In Khan Yunis, the IDF continues to delve into the underground command complex built by Hamas. Today’s disclosures include documents that reveal Iran's direct financial support for Hamas, amounting to $154 million between 2014 and 2020. This represents the funds funneled directly to Yahya Sinwar, and is no doubt only one of many means in which Teheran supports Hamas
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Israel announced the death of Major David Shakuri (30) in fighting in Gaza City.
PRESIDENT OF ARGENTINA IN JERUSALEM
The newly elected President of Argentina, Javier Milei arrived in Israel for a visit. Upon his arrival, Milei announced his decision to relocate the Argentine Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
LEBANON
Today was another day of heavy rocket and missile fire from Lebanon into Israel. The American envoy is optimistic about making significant headway towards a diplomatic resolution. It's evident that reaching an agreement serves the interests of both parties, yet the prospects remain uncertain.
IDF MILITARY EXERCISES & RIGHT-WING SENSIBILITIES
One of the craziest stories from the past day is the IDF's extensive military exercise in the West Bank. During the exercise, the Army explored 100 potential scenarios that could unfold. Notably, one scenario involved settlers kidnapping a Palestinian (an incident that has occurred twice before.)
The mere suggestion of this hypothetical situation sparked fierce outrage from right-wing factions, who vehemently objected to the insinuation that a settler would commit such an act. The uproar was so significant that Prime Minister Netanyahu, who has not yet condemned any actions by his ministers that endanger Israel’s security, publicly censured the military for considering this scenario and instructed them to never again include such scenarios from their exercises in the future.
GANTZ’S PRESS CONFERENCE
Former Defense Minister, and Inner War Cabinet member, Benny Gantz, held a press conference tonight, during which he expressed his concerns about the government's lack of a post-war strategy. Gantz criticized the government for its failure to discuss a plan for the aftermath of military operations, highlighting that in the absence of a political strategy, Hamas swiftly regains control whenever the IDF withdraws from any area. Gantz emphasized that although Israel agreed to allow the entry of humanitarian aid, it is Hamas that controls distribution of this aid. He pointed out that without establishing and empowering an alternative authority or even initiating discussions on the matter, Hamas is poised to retain power. Furthermore, Gantz announced his decision to relocate to Kibbutz Yad Mordechai, situated near the Gaza border.
HAREDIM & THE MILITARY DRAFT
Days before the Hamas massacre occurred, a headline in the Jerusalem Post read, “As Israel prepares for Knesset's return, Haredi draft law battle looms large.” Then, on October 7th, it appeared as though everything was set to change. In the initial days of the war, there were reports of ultra-Orthodox men, aged 30 and older, signing up for shortened military service, signaling the potential of a welcomed attitude shift. This perception was not unfounded.
Prior to the war, there had been discussions about the IDF transitioning towards a smaller, professional army. However, the events of October 7th accentuated the necessity for rapid expansion of Israel’s military, highlighting a critical shortfall in available recruits. This newfound necessity starkly contrasted with previous attitudes, underscoring the urgent need for more soldiers, including those from the ultra-Orthodox community. Yet, disappointingly, the most recent draft cycle saw even fewer ultra-Orthodox enlistees than the already modest projections.
Criticism of the ultra-Orthodox community’s exemption from military service has grown exponentially louder, surprisingly, not solely from secular circles, but notably, also from within the religious Zionist community, which has traditionally defended the ultra-Orthodox. A poignant critique from one religious Zionist highlighted the disparity in parental concerns: “Why must I lie awake at night, anxious over my three sons fighting in Gaza, while you, the ultra-Orthodox father, are spared this torment?” This sentiment underscores the deepening divide and growing demands for an equitable sharing of national duties.
A PIECE OF HISTORY
Kishnev Pogroms
In February 1903, a youth named Michael Rybalenko was killed in Dabossary, a town near Kishnev, in Russia. Although it was later proven that Rybalenko was killed by his uncle, a rumor spread that he had been killed by Jews — purportedly to use his blood for Passover matzah. This vicious and infamous blood libel, one of the most frequently recurring antiseptic tropes in Jewish history, was exacerbated by the local government-funded newspaper, Bessarabetz, which incited calls for the execution of Russian Jews.
On Easter Eve, a rumor was spread that Jews had killed a Christian servant girl. On Easter Sunday, April 6, 1903, a mob began attacking Jewish homes and shops in Kishnev. The rioting lasted three days, until Russian troops intervened. Some 47 Jews were killed and over 500 were wounded. The Kishnev pogrom — the first pogrom in the 20th century — underscored the vulnerability of the Jewish people in Europe, and was simultaneously a catalyst for the establishment of a Jewish defense organization in Eastern Europe, and for the continuing growth of the Zionist movement.
