On Thursday night, just as we were finalizing our daily update, word began to circulate about a joint statement by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt urging Israel and Hamas to return to negotiations and expressing their readiness to bridge any differences between the two sides. In the few minutes before we published, we were able to confirm the story from enough sources to include it, though I did not lead with that breaking news.
Shortly after we published, further sources confirmed the information, and then, much to my surprise, the Prime Minister's Office released a statement indicating that Israel would be sending representatives to the talks later this week. It is clear that Israel was not caught off guard by the tri-lateral statement and, in fact, welcomed it.
Whether this initiative is a last-ditch effort or a very deliberate plan remains unclear. The Iranian UN representative stated that Iran would not take any actions to delay the implementation of a ceasefire plan. However, how this initiative might impact Hezbollah is still uncertain.
For Israel and Netanyahu, this could be a way to de-escalate and secure a ceasefire, thereby ending the war. Unfortunately, a significant minority has embraced the narrative that demands total victory, prioritizing it over the lives of the hostages. This perspective was exemplified by the statement from the far-right Finance Minister, Smotrich, on Friday in response to the call for negotiations. Smotrich implored:
You have to read this to believe it and mostly to understand the distorted and dangerous mindset of those pressuring us to stop the war and surrender. The “mediators” actually wrote in their statement yesterday that “the time has come to finalize the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and release the hostages and prisoners,” creating an absurd symmetry between the Israeli hostages—men, women, and children—who were brutally kidnapped from their beds, and the vile terrorists who murdered Jews and are serving their sentences in prisons?!
So, absolutely not. The time to release the hostages has long since arrived. But it is definitely not time to release the vile, Jew-murdering terrorists. And above all, it is definitely not time for a surrender deal that would stop the war before the Nazis of Hamas-Daesh [Hamas-ISIS] are destroyed and allow them to recover and resume killing Jews.
It is definitely not time for a dangerous trap in which the “mediators” dictate a “formula” to us and force a surrender agreement that would waste the significant bloodshed we’ve endured in this most just war we’re fighting—a “deal” that would leave Hezbollah on the borders of northern residents and reward terrorism and Iranian attacks against us. A deal that would severely erode Israeli deterrence and its image in the Middle East, presenting it as a weak protectorate and alienating it from its friends in the moderate Arab states that made peace with it out of respect for its strength and independence.
I call on the Prime Minister not to fall into this trap and not to agree to even the slightest movement away from the red lines he only recently set, which are already highly problematic.
In response, White House Security Council Spokesman John Kirby attacked Smotritch, stating that Smotrich seems committed to perpetuating the war and willing to sacrifice the lives of hostages to achieve that end.
Hopefully, Netanyahu will ignore Smotrich and will pursue a deal. While his government is dependent on the far right, both of the major opposition parties have said they will provide the government with the support needed to implement an agreement. There are ongoing reports that Sinwar is interested in a deal at this moment and is under pressure to negotiate. Opponents of a deal in Israel, many of whom favor a preemptive strike on Lebanon, share a common belief—i.e., that our military power is unlimited. Unfortunately, despite our considerable military strength, ten months of combat have exhausted our Army. Their perspectives are unrealistic. It is hoped that Netanyahu will recognize that after the recent successful assassinations, we are now positioned to move forward with negotiations.
Our negotiators will depart to attend the latest round of talks on Thursday. The goal is to secure a framework agreement and then iron out the details.
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GAZA
This morning, notifications emerged that Israel had killed 100 people at a school in Gaza, with major Western news organizations all carrying similar headlines. The IDF, however, provided a significantly different account of the events:
Today (Saturday), the IDF and Shin Bet targeted militants operating in a military headquarters located in the 'Al-Taba'in' school compound. Following intelligence analysis, it can be confirmed that at least 19 militants, members of the Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorist organizations, who were engaged in terrorist activities against IDF forces and the State of Israel, were eliminated within the compound.
The strike was carried out using three precision munitions, which, according to professionals, could not have caused damage consistent with the casualty reports from Gaza's Government Information Office. Furthermore, as seen in the post-strike imagery, no significant damage was inflicted on the compound where the militants had gathered.
Prior to the strike, measures were taken to minimize the risk to civilians, including the use of precision munitions with a reduced warhead, visual means, and accurate intelligence collection.
The Hamas terrorist organization systematically violates international law and operates from civilian shelters, using the population as human shields for terrorist activities.
Attached are the names and photos of the militants who were eliminated in the military headquarters at the 'Al-Taba'in' school on August 10, 2024, in the Daraj Tuffah neighborhood of Gaza City
:
More recent reports now talk about 93 deaths. The report from Palestinian Civil Defense alleges 93 fatalities, including 11 children and six women. This suggests that approximately 70 of the deceased are adult males, all likely members of Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), indicating that about 75% of those killed were combatants.
On the other hand, the White House issued the following statement:
We are deeply concerned about reports of civilian casualties in Gaza following a strike by the Israel Defense Forces on a compound that included a school. We are in touch with our Israeli counterparts, who have said they targeted senior Hamas officials, and we are asking for further details.
Everyone needs a ceasefire. Our hostages, our soldiers, as well as the civilians in Gaza. Securing a ceasefire will come at a painful cost, but as they say—there’s no “free lunch.”
Meanwhile, the fighting continues in Gaza, including renewed attacks on Khan Younis. Here’s the statement released by the IDF Spokesman regarding recent combat in Gaza:
Yesterday (Friday), Air Force fighter jets, directed by intelligence from the IDF's Military Intelligence Directorate (AMAN), struck and eliminated Walid Al-Sousi, a member of the military wing of the Hamas terrorist organization and a senior official in Hamas' General Security apparatus in the southern Gaza Strip. Al-Sousi was actively involved in managing the creation of intelligence pictures by utilizing various sources within the Gaza Strip and worked with the resistance movement of Hamas within the area.
The combat teams of Brigade 7, the Paratroopers Brigade, and the Yahalom unit, operating under the command of Division 98, are carrying out targeted raids on terrorist targets based on intelligence information. Over the past 24 hours, the forces have eliminated dozens of militants and destroyed numerous terrorist infrastructures.
Division 162 continues to fight in the Rafah area, and during the last 24 hours, Nahal Brigade fighters have eliminated several militants and discovered weapons in residential homes. Aircraft attacked militants who were identified as observing the troops in the area and posed a threat to the forces.
During the past week, the 215th Fire Brigade eliminated several terrorists from various organizations who participated in the massacre on October 7th.
JEWISH TERROR
On Friday night, a car transporting Arab Israeli women, including a young child, accidentally entered the illegal hilltop West Bank settlement of Givat Ronen. Their car was stoned by Givat Ronen residents. The car's windows were broken, and finally, the women ran for their lives to reach some IDF soldiers who came to their aid. The women were all hospitalized, and their car was set on fire by the residents of Gavat Ronen.
STILL WAITING…
This Shabbat in Tel Aviv was rather normal. Tonight, the weekly demonstrations and rallies took place. The numbers are clearly smaller as people remain concerned. Contradictory messages are being sent regarding the retaliatory attacks. Within a five-minute period, I received one notification that stated that officials in Washington believe Hezbollah plans to attack Israel this weekend. Several minutes later, a notification was sent stating that Arab governments have asked Hezbollah to postpone any significant retaliatory attacks until after August 15th in order to give ceasefire talks a chance to succeed. So, we continue to wait and hope for the best.
SOME GOOD NEWS
Today, the Israeli Olympic team won a silver medal in rhythmic gymnastics. This represents the seventh medal won by Israelis at this Olympics, setting a new national record.
U.S. Central Command Update [August 8]
In the past 24 hours, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed two Iranian-backed Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles and one Houthi ground control station in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. Additionally, USCENTCOM forces successfully destroyed one Houthi uncrewed surface vessel in the Red Sea.
These weapons presented a clear and imminent threat to U.S. and coalition forces and merchant vessels in the region. This reckless and dangerous behavior by Iranian-backed Houthis continues to threaten regional stability and security.
U.S. Central Command Update [August 9]
In the past 24 hours, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed one Iranian-backed Houthi missile launcher and one uncrewed surface vessel in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
Additionally, USCENTCOM forces successfully destroyed two Houthi uncrewed aerial vehicles over the Red Sea.
These weapons presented a clear and imminent threat to U.S. and coalition forces and merchant vessels in the region. This reckless and dangerous behavior by Iranian-backed Houthis continues to threaten regional stability and security.
Between December 13-15, 1998, President Clinton visited Israel and the Palestinian territories. The President’s visit came two months after the signing of the Wye Memorandum, with some of its provisions being implemented. A significant element of the agreement was the amendment of the Palestinian National Charter to eliminate calls for the destruction of Israel. During his visit, President Clinton and Prime Minister Netanyahu held a joint Press Conference—during which most of the questions were directed at Clinton concerning the impeachment inquiry related to the Monica Lewinsky affair. The primary objective of Clinton’s trip was to encourage Netanyahu and the Israeli government to fully implement the Wye Accords and to ensure that Arafat would uphold his commitment to the agreement.
Clinton then traveled to Gaza, where the Palestinian National Assembly did indeed modify its charter. Both Arafat and Clinton spoke during the session. This event likely marked the last time there was such widespread hope for a peaceful resolution in the Middle East.
I've had two profoundly emotional experiences in the last less than 24 hours. I was with Chairman Arafat, and four little children came to see me whose fathers were in Israeli prisons. Last night, I met some little children whose fathers had been killed in conflict with Palestinians at the dinner that Prime Minister Netanyahu had for me. Those children brought tears to my eyes. We have to find a way for both sets of children to get their lives back and to go forward. (Applause.)
Palestinians must recognize the right of Israel and its people to live safe and secure lives today, tomorrow, and forever. Israel must recognize the right of Palestinians to aspire to live free today, tomorrow, and forever. (Applause.)
And I ask you to remember these experiences I had with these two groups of children. If I had met them in reverse order, I would not have known which ones were Israeli and which Palestinian. If they had all been lined up in a row and I had seen their tears, I could not tell whose father was dead and whose father was in prison or what the story of their lives was, making up the grief that they bore. We must acknowledge that neither side has a monopoly on pain or virtue. (Applause.)
At the end of America's Civil War, in my home state, a man was elected governor who had fought with President Lincoln's forces, even though most of the people in my home state fought with the secessionist forces. And he made his inaugural speech after four years of unbelievable bloodshed in America, in which he had been on the winning side but in the minority in our home. And everyone wondered what kind of leader he would be. His first sentence was, “We have all done wrong.” I say that because I think the beginning of mutual respect after so much pain is to recognize not only the positive characteristics of people on both sides but also the fact that there has been a lot — a lot — of hurt and harm.
The fulfillment of one side's aspirations must not come at the expense of the other. We must believe that everyone can win in the new Middle East. (Applause.) It does not hurt Israelis to hear Palestinians peacefully and pridefully asserting their identity, as we saw today. That is not a bad thing. (Applause.) And it does not hurt Palestinians to acknowledge the profound desire of Israelis to live without fear. It is in this spirit that I ask you to consider where we go from here.
