ZOOM BRIEFING: Sunday, August 4, 2024, 6 PM Israel, 4 PM GB, 11 AM EDT, 8 AM PDT
Today was another day of waiting. Everyone is trying to maintain their regular routines as much as possible, but that’s not entirely possible. The cafes are open, and there are patrons in them. There has not been any panic-stocking up on supplies. Perhaps people are overly confident. Many of us cleaned out our bomb shelters long ago, leaving little else to prepare. On Friday, we purchased a transistor radio as a backup to follow the news in case all other means fail. But now, we simply wait. We were in a similar situation back in April, although this time, the threat includes Hezbollah as well. Hezbollah poses a much greater danger than Iran, as it has many more rockets and missiles within range of us. However, it is also easier for us to attack Hezbollah due to the proximity of its terrorist forces to our border.
Today has been particularly odd, marked by the anticipation of an attack on one hand and the celebratory news from Paris on the other. Israel won three additional medals at the Paris Olympics, including a gold, bringing our total to six medals—our highest tally ever, surpassing the four we won at the Tokyo Olympics. Normally, such achievements would be cause for widespread celebration. However, today's joy was fleeting, overshadowed by the overwhelming concern about what might happen in the next hour or on any given day. Last time, it took the Iranians nearly two weeks to respond to the assassination of their military commander in Syria.
At the end of the week, a significant meeting took place between the heads of the security establishment and Netanyahu regarding the hostages. They informed Netanyahu that an agreement was within reach if he permitted it, yet he continues to obstruct any agreement. The IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi stated,
The conditions exist for an agreement. I think we can enter negotiations and get the best possible agreement. We will continue to put pressure on Hamas until then, and after an agreement, we can turn to the North.
Halevi continued,
As to the Philadelphi Corridor, I don't suggest turning this into an insurmountable problem, or saying because of this we will not bring 30 people in the first stage, half of them women.
Defense Minister Gallant stated,
There is no defense reason to hold up an agreement. Because we are talking honestly, I will say that you are considering items that are not for the good of the issue. For all the moral and strategic reasons, I think we must take this opportunity to reach an agreement. There will not be an agreement with the additional terms you have added.
Reportedly, Netanyahu reacted angrily, slamming his fists on the table and accusing Halevi and Galant of being timid.
The Americans are extremely angry. They believed Netanyahu was committed to an agreement when he returned to Israel from his state visit in D.C; however, instead, he introduced new conditions to the initially accepted agreement. Reports suggest that during a phone call with Biden on Thursday evening, Biden told Netanyahu, "Stop bullshitting me." Meanwhile, the US is dispatching additional forces to assist in our defense
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Additional reports indicate that Netanyahu was planning to dismiss Defense Minister Gallant along with the leadership of the Army and Security Services. However, the recent assassinations of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Islamic Jihad leaders have postponed these plans. It is uncertain what the consequences will be if he proceeds, but Gallant and Halevi, despite bearing some responsibility for the events of October 7th, enjoy much higher approval ratings. The public perceives them as being significantly less culpable for the tragedy compared to Netanyahu.
IDF CHIEF OF STAFF SPEAKS
On Friday, IDF Chief of Staff said the following to Military Reservists currently serving in Gaza:
Our message to the entire Middle East this week is clear — whoever attacks Israeli citizens, whoever attacks the State of Israel, we are prepared to go far. We know how to exert great effort to gather very precise intelligence, to strike, to kill, and also to take risks. We attacked in Beirut, and we are attacking in Gaza, and we will be very strong in defense, and afterward, we will also strike very hard. This message is very important. We cannot do these things without relying on the fact that we know we have reservists with a great deal of willingness, very high professional ability, and a high level of dedication. The IDF is fighting excellently, you are fighting excellently, but we must know that we have the endurance, the determination to continue doing this correctly until we achieve the war's objectives.
In the meantime, the IDF has been active on multiple fronts…
WEST BANK
In the West Bank, the Security Services received intelligence about a group of terrorists near Tulkerem preparing for an attack. They called for air support, and the vehicle carrying the terrorists was destroyed from the air. Five terrorists were eliminated. Later in the day, a Duvdavan elite combat unit entered Tulkerem and came under fire. They, too, requested air support and a drone strike, which killed the four terrorists who were firing on them. After neutralizing the terrorists, the soldiers recovered M-16s and other weapons from the scene.
GAZA
In Gaza, there have been multiple targeted attacks. On Friday, eight rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel; one more was fired tonight. The IDF Spokesman released the following statement on Friday:
IDF forces, directed by the Intelligence Directorate, have precisely eliminated terrorist Muhammad Al-Jaabari, the deputy head of weapon manufacturing infrastructure and the financial officer for the manufacturing infrastructure in the Islamic Jihad organization. Muhammad was responsible for producing weapons for the organization in the northern Gaza Strip, distributing salaries and funds to the organization's terrorists, and actively participating in efforts to restore rocket manufacturing capabilities and the organization's infrastructure.
Prior to the strike, many measures were taken to minimize the risk to civilians, including the use of precision munitions and additional intelligence information.
The 162nd Division forces, including the brigade combat teams of Givati and Nahal, continue fighting in Rafah. In the last 24 hours, the forces have eliminated about 30 terrorists in close combat and air force strikes.
The combat team of the Jerusalem Brigade (16th) has begun fighting in the central Gaza Strip under the command of the 252nd Division. The brigade forces identified a terrorist cell emerging from a terror tunnel to attack our forces. In a coordinated strike, an air force aircraft eliminated the terrorists.
During an operation by the combat team of the Harel Brigade (10th), an air force attack helicopter destroyed a building storing explosives and many weapons.
On Saturday, the IDF Spokesman released the following statement:
Fighter jets recently attacked terrorists operating in a command and control facility of the Hamas terrorist organization, guided by intelligence from Aman, Shin Bet, and the Southern Command. The area previously served as the "Hamama" school in the city of Gaza, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.
The facility was used as a hiding place for Hamas terrorists, from which various terrorist operations against IDF forces and the State of Israel were planned and executed. Additionally, weapons used by the organization were manufactured and stored in the facility, and terrorists were trained in the use of these weapons against security forces and the State of Israel.
Prior to the attack, many steps were taken to minimize the likelihood of civilian casualties, including the use of weaponry suited to the type of attack, precise targeting, and additional intelligence information.
The Hamas terrorist organization systematically violates international law, cruelly exploiting civilian institutions and the population as human shields for its operations and terrorist needs.
IRANIAN EMBARRASSMENT
Additional details have emerged about the Mossad operation to assassinate Haniyeh in Tehran, according to reports from foreign media. The explosives were placed in three different rooms within a Revolutionary Guards facility by Iranian agents employed by Mossad. The original plan was to carry out the assassination in May during the funeral of former President Raisi. However, the high number of people in the building raised concerns about the potential failure of the operation. The agents were captured on the facility's security cameras and fled Iran shortly thereafter. Iranian authorities suspect that these agents were members of the Revolutionary Guards' security unit. In response, Iran has arrested more than 24 suspects related to the incident, including senior intelligence officers, military officials, and staff members at the guest facility.
The Navy has deployed a new weapon at a critical time. The Israeli Navy, together with MAFAT (Administration for the Development of Weapons and Technological Infrastructure) of the Ministry of Defense, and Israel Aerospace Industries have successfully tested the long-range interceptor 'LRAD'. Now operational, the Navy’s Sa'ar 6 missile ships are equipped with the comprehensive 'Barak Magen' air defense system. During testing, the 'LRAD' interceptor, in conjunction with advanced radar technologies, successfully destroyed a precision rocket aimed at a simulated strategic asset at sea. This system is capable of countering a variety of threats, including aircraft, UAVs, cruise missiles, and coastal-to-sea missiles.
During the test, the 'Barak Magen' air defense system, coupled with the 'LRAD' long-range interceptor, effectively demonstrated their capability by successfully intercepting and destroying a precision rocket aimed at a target simulating a strategic asset at sea. The 'Barak Magen' system detected, tracked, and classified the incoming threat, showcasing its operational readiness and effectiveness in combat scenarios. The successful deployment of both the 'LRAD' and 'Barak Magen systems bolsters the Navy's maritime defense capabilities. Brigadier General Guy Goldfarb emphasized the importance of this achievement for defending Israel's strategic assets and ensuring navigation freedom. Boaz Levy of Israel Aerospace Industries commended the collaborative effort, while Brigadier General Yehuda Elmakaies highlighted the extensive long-term research and development efforts that led to the success of this technological advancement.
INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES CANCEL SERVICE
Most of the remaining international airlines have now canceled flights to Israel, leaving only Israeli carriers in operation. This has resulted in thousands of Israelis being stranded abroad. To complicate matters further, Arkia, which expanded this year by using what is called a “wet lease”—an arrangement that includes leasing both a plane and its crew—the planes it had leased departed Israel, leaving even more people stranded.
BUSINESS
Intel's announcement of plans to lay off 15,000 employees worldwide has raised concerns in Israel. As the country's largest private employer and exporter, Intel's reductions will undoubtedly impact Israel's economy.
On March 21, 1997, the eve of the Jewish holiday Purim, a Palestinian suicide bomber carried out an attack at Café Apropo in Tel Aviv, Israel. At around 1:40 PM, the bomber entered the crowded outdoor café and detonated an explosive device concealed in a handbag. The blast killed three young Israeli women, all in their early 30s, including Anat Winter-Rosen, who was three months pregnant, her friend Yael Gilad, and Dr. Michal Avrahami. Additionally, at least 48 others were injured, among them a 6-month-old baby who sustained severe burns.
The attack occurred as many patrons were dressed in costumes to celebrate Purim. Witnesses reported spotting a suspicious man with two bags on the café's patio shortly before the explosion. The bomb, reportedly packed with nails to enhance its deadliness, exploded with such force that it scattered debris across the vicinity. In a poignant moment captured by photographers, a traffic policewoman was seen carrying a baby girl named Shani, who had been shielded from the blast by her mother Anat's body.
The Islamic terrorist group Hamas claimed responsibility for the bombing. The perpetrator was later identified as Musa Abd al-Qadir Ghanimat, a member of a Hamas cell from the West Bank village of Surif. In response to the attack, Israel immediately sealed off the West Bank and Gaza Strip, barring all Palestinians from entering Israel. Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat condemned the explosion and expressed condolences to Israeli leaders. The bombing marked the end of a year-long lull in suicide attacks.
Can we please stop the killing of innocent Palestinians civilians in Gaza and the West Bank.
This is creating a very bad image for us worldwide.
Thanks for the great report, Marc. All Israelis are in my prayers for your safety.