Zoom Briefing Sunday, March 17th, 5 PM Israel Time, 11 AM EST
Fierce fighting continues in the Hemed neighborhood, where some of Israel’s elite commando unit members have described the combat as the most intense fighting they have encountered during the war. Today, Israel conducted two targeted assassinations of Hamas operatives. One took place in Rafah, and the second in Lebanon.
Here is the IDF statement regarding the assassination in Rafah:
Earlier today, an aircraft precisely eliminated Muhammad Abu Hasna, a Hamas terrorist in the operations department of the Rafah region. The attack was carried out following precise intelligence information from the Military Intelligence Directorate and the Shin Bet.
Hasna was involved in extensive activities of various Hamas units, was in contact with Hamas field operatives, and directed them. Hasna was responsible for an intelligence unit whose purpose was to provide reports on IDF forces ahead of attacks against them.
… And here is the IDF announcement of the assassination in Lebanon:
Earlier today, an aircraft attacked in the area of Tzur in Lebanese territory Hadi Ali Mustafa, a central activist in the Hamas terrorist organization belonging to the organization's external sector.
Hadi was involved in directing cells and terrorist activities in the area and also promoted attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets in various countries around the world. Additionally, he served as a leading activist in the organization's construction department, which was under the authority of Samir Fandi, one of Salah al-Arouri's close associates, who was eliminated alongside him.
The Israeli government has shifted their focus to humanitarian aid, finally recognizing that that the reports of starving children in Gaza are damaging Israel’s international image. The government now seeks to flood Gaza with aid.
Despite explicit warnings from President Biden and the US administration on this matter, Israel’s political leaders seemed to think that simply allowing more trucks to enter Gaza would be an adequate solution. However, the Army has been warning for months that without a political plan for the next phase, chaos will ensue, which could ultimately lead to the re-establishment of Hamas rule.
There are reports of a clash between Netanyahu and Defense Minister Gallant during a recent meeting. Minister Ron Dermer emphasized that the priority now should be humanitarian aid. Gallant responded that the challenge lies in distributing the aid within Gaza. Moreover, Gallant mentioned that he had proposed a plan months earlier to utilize a restructured Palestinian Authority for aid distribution, as there is no other viable alternative. Gallant pointed out that political maneuvering is the sole reason his plan was not approved. Netanyahu reportedly rejected the involvement of the Palestinian Authority, to which Gallant suggested calling the PA by some other name, and reiterated the absence of any alternative solution.
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During one of my two appearances on i24 today, I addressed the issue of humanitarian aid in Gaza. Here’s the clip:
Tonight I appeared again this time to talk about the impact of the American elections.
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