It's been yet another difficult day in Israel. Each day seems to deliver its own unique set of bad, distressing news. Today alone, we had a terror attack in the northern town of Carmiel, Jewish settlers stoning IDF soldiers, and two more murders in the Arab sector—all before noon. Later in the afternoon, the IDF assassinated one of the most high-ranking Hezbollah commanders. Tonight, we learned that another soldier had died in the fighting in Gaza.
The day started with an Army operation in the West Bank to dismantle the illegal settlement of Tzur Harel, which was constructed on private Palestinian lands. The Army had been trying to disband the settlement for several months, but Finance Minister Smotrich, who also serves as Deputy Defense Minister in charge of the West Bank, successfully blocked these efforts. However, Defense Minister Galant finally secured Prime Minister Netanyahu's support to proceed with the operation.
One of the primary reasons for removing the Tzur Harel settlement was that its residents were responsible for the numerous attacks against Palestinians in the area. The Army has been unable to curb these settler attacks, and the police have not prosecuted any of the individuals involved. In addition, the settlement was both illegal and was constructed on private Palestinian land. As the operation concluded, the settlers began hurling stones at the IDF soldiers and their vehicles. The violence escalated to the point where the Army declared it would no longer send any vehicles near the region. While our right-wing ministers have consistently been quick to emphasize the dangers of stoning and its potential to be lethal, of course, none have condemned this particular instance of stoning.
TERROR ATTACK IN CARMIEL
Shortly after 11 AM, reports emerged of a terror attack at a mall in Carmiel, located in the Galilee. An Israeli Arab from the nearby town of Nahf attacked two soldiers on the second floor of the mall. Approaching from behind, the terrorist snuck up and swiftly stabbed each of the soldiers multiple times. Despite suffering numerous stab wounds, one of the soldiers, Sergeant Aleksandr Lakiminskyi (19) from Nahariya, managed to get up, draw his gun, and fire several shots at the assailant, fatally wounding the terrorist before collapsing to the ground. Tragically, Sergeant Lakiminskyi succumbed to his injuries soon after reaching the hospital.
The young soldier’s quick thinking and presence of mind to fire his gun and neutralize the terrorist—despite being gravely wounded— undoubtedly saved many lives.
IN THE NORTH
Late in the afternoon, an Israeli aircraft launched a missile Near Tyre in Southern Lebanon.
Here is what the IDF Spokesman said about the attack:
In an airstrike in the Tyre region today (Wednesday), Mohammad Naama Nasser, the commander of Hezbollah's 'Aziz' unit responsible for launching attacks from southwestern Lebanon towards Israel, was killed.
Nasser had held his position since 2016 and led anti-tank and rocket fire from southwestern Lebanon towards the Israeli hinterland and IDF forces. He also directed numerous terror operations against Israel throughout the war and prior to it, and held key roles within Hezbollah.
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Nasser was the counterpart of Taleb Sami Abdullah, Commander of the 'Nasser' unit, who was killed about a month ago. Both were among Hezbollah's key figures in the southern Lebanon sector.
Last month, when we killed Taleb Sami Abdullah, Hezbollah responded with 200 projectiles on the North. So far, Hezbollah has fired 100 projectiles at Israel.
GAZA
Fighting continued in Gaza in the last 24 hours, taking the life of another soldier in Northern Gaza. He was Captain Elay Elisha Lugasi (21) from Kiryat Shmona. Three additional members of his squad were seriously wounded.
Here’s how the IDF Spokesman described the combat in Gaza today:
In the Shuja'iyya area, Division 98 forces eliminated terrorists, discovered weapons, and destroyed terror infrastructures.
Over the past 24 hours, combat team fighters from the Paratroopers Brigade destroyed more than 50 terror infrastructures during focused raids. The forces found operational tunnels and weapons, including 'Kalashnikov' rifles, grenades, magazines, and other combat equipment.
In the central Gaza Strip, Air Force aircraft, in cooperation with Division 99 forces, eliminated terrorists who posed a threat.
In the Rafah area, Air Force fighter jets, in collaboration with Division 162 forces, destroyed several terror infrastructures and eliminated terrorists. In one of the strikes, a fighter jet, in coordination with the Nahal Brigade combat team, targeted a military structure and killed two terrorists inside
Tonight, the Mossad announced that it had received an answer from Hamas to the Netanyahu/Biden proposal to secure a ceasefire and hostage deal. The Mossad said that Israel was carefully studying the answer. Government sources assert that for the first time, the answer from Hamas allows for the beginning of negotiations.
WEST BANK
Last night, an Israeli drone killed four terrorists in Tulkarem as they were planting an IED on the road. This action was taken following the deaths of two soldiers in the Tulkarem area over the past week, both killed by IEDs.
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