DAY 324 OF THE WAR: Israeli Preemptive Attack Foils Hezbollah Retribution, Two Soldiers Killed in Gaza, Ben-Gvir Out Of Control Again
Tel Aviv Diary, August 25, 2024
The morning began abruptly with an early call from the United States: “You should get up; Hezbollah’s retaliatory attack is starting.” I checked my iPhone, and sure enough, I found numerous notifications about rocket attacks all across the North. I headed out with my dog for our regular morning walk, passing by the Museum and Hostage Square, reassured by the knowledge of the large underground parking lot nearby—a place I had previously taken shelter during a rocket attack.
As we walked, the extent of what was happening became clear—Ben Gurion Airport was closed to traffic, and the Home Front Command had issued special instructions to remain near a shelter or other safe spaces. By the time we reached the park, there seemed to be a slight reprieve as it was announced that Ben Gurion Airport would reopen at 7:00 AM. I ran into a close friend in the park, who half-jokingly chided me for saying recently that things couldn’t get worse— a statement I never made. We continued another somber conversation, which, as usual, ended on a bleak note. My friend remarked to a bystander that over the past three years, our conversations had never concluded on a positive note.
What transpired today soon became clearer when the IDF Spokesperson detailed the morning's events. Reports had surfaced as early as yesterday, suggesting that the Army was anticipating a Hezbollah retaliation for the elimination of Fuad Shukr in the coming days. Although I had been aware of the report, since similar warnings had been issued many times over the past weeks, I hadn’t given it much weight and chose not to include it in last night’s update. It turns out there was strong, credible intelligence indicating a large-scale attack on Israel was planned for 5 AM. Consequently, the IDF was ordered to carry out a preemptive strike. This attack had been planned for quite some time, making the operation’s execution just a matter of implementation.
Within minutes, 100 planes were airborne, targeting predetermined locations in southern Lebanon. Initial intelligence indicated that Hezbollah intended to fire 3,000 rockets at Israel. However, it later became clear Hezbollah only planned to launch hundreds of rockets and dozens of drones. The IDF strikes were highly successful, destroying 6,000 rockets and launchers. Indeed, hundreds of rockets were fired, targeting Iron Dome batteries, among other sites. Hezbollah also aimed to dispatch a fleet of drones toward Israeli intelligence bases near Tel Aviv.
Despite our preemptive strike, Hezbollah managed to fire over 200 rockets at various locations in the North, including Akko, where there were direct hits. However, most of the rockets were intercepted. Hezbollah’s rocket barrages did not strike Iron Dome batteries or other critical locations, failing to overwhelm the Iron Dome systems. Additionally, Hezbollah also deployed about three dozen drones toward the center of the country, aiming to attack the intelligence base of Unit 8200 and the Mossad headquarters, both located a few miles north of Tel Aviv.
All the drones Hezbollah deployed were successfully intercepted. The long-range drones, being larger than those attacking the North, were easier to identify. Their extended flight time to the Tel Aviv area also made it much easier for them to intercept. In this instance, most were downed by Air Force planes, while some were intercepted by the Iron Dome. Tragically, the attack did result in one casualty—a sailor in the Navy. It's not entirely clear what happened, but it appears that an Iron Dome interceptor, aimed at a drone near a Dvora patrol boat off the coast of Nahariya, either mistakenly struck the ship or intercepted the drone directly above the vessel, causing an explosion that led to the death of sailor First Sargent David Moshe ben Shittrit (21).
Video footage suggests that the explosion occurred above the ship rather than directly on it.
NASRALLAH SPEAKS
Tonight, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah spoke and stated that Hezbollah was not seeking a larger war, confirming that their targets were the 8200 base and the Mossad Headquarters. He also asserted that today’s actions were in retaliation for the killing of Hezbollah’s top commander, Fuad Shukr. While Nasrallah acknowledged that the attack might not have achieved its desired success, suggesting the possibility of further actions, it was evident that he seeks to bring this round of conflict to an end. The loss of Shukr appears to have significantly impacted Hezbollah's operational capabilities.
One outcome of Hezbollah's attacks was the temporary closure of Ben Gurion Airport for two hours this morning. As a result, the few foreign airlines still flying to Israel temporarily halted their operations, leaving a few thousand Israelis stranded. However, despite these disruptions, this day is considered an overall success for the IDF. The preemptive strike effectively neutralized the threat, and Hezbollah's attack has widely been viewed as a failure.
GAZA
In Gaza, fighting continues, and yesterday claimed the life of another soldier, First Sergeant Amit Tsadikov (20), . Tsadikov died when a group of soldiers entered a booby-trapped building. This is not the first or second-time soldiers have been tragically lost in such a manner. Despite grievances from Gazans about the destruction of their properties, it is crucial to recognize that many buildings have been rigged with explosives by Hamas, leading to their destruction. Although the extent of the destruction might seem excessive, the primary cause of the damage is the booby traps set by Hamas. Tonight, it was announced that Master Sergeant (res.) Shlomo Yehonatan Hazut (36) was killed in central Gaza. He became the 702th soldier killed in this war.
Tonight, Hamas fired two rockets toward Tel Aviv. One rocket failed to make it out of Gaza, while the second rocket landed in an open field near Rishon Letzion, south of Tel Aviv.
HOSTAGES
Israeli negotiators traveled to Cairo today but have already returned. There is a report that Hamas has rejected the American proposal aimed at bridging differences. However, on their return, Israeli negotiators stated that progress was made and negotiations will continue.
BEN-GVIR, OUT OF CONTROL
Meanwhile, amidst war and escalating tensions, our Minister of National Security, Ben-Gvir, placed a paid advertisement in newspapers attacking General Security Services Head Ronen Bar. The Minister accused Bar of “failing on October 7th” and alleged that negotiations by Bar for hostage releases would “bring further disaster to Israel.” It's astonishing to believe that a cabinet member would publicly attack the Director of an Israeli Security Agency in the press. Ben-Gvir’s public denunciation of GSS Head Bar led to a confrontation within the cabinet.
Defense Minister Gallant: [Whether we reach a] truce now or [continue the] war, regardless, in the end, there will be a truce.
Minister Ben-Gvir: The idea is that after a war, they won't be able to recover, but you're fixated on reaching a truce [now]. You don't understand that you're harming the residents of the North.
Gallant: While we’re talking, I was shocked to open the newspaper and see that you're attacking the head of the Shin Bet [G.S.S.] this morning using party funding. Public funds.
Ben-Gvir: Why is it okay for the head of the Shin Bet to attack ministers, oppose the government's policy, and publish letters against the Prime Minister, but I'm not allowed to criticize him?
Gallant: With party funding?
Communication Minister Kari: Is it okay for them to fund a farewell party for 1,500 people for [outgoing IDF Intelligence Head] Haliva?
Gallant (about Kari): I see that all of Ben-Gvir's party members are attacking me.
Minister Ben-Gvir: The problem is that you're no longer a member of Likud and don't understand that there's one law for the North and another law for Tel Aviv. Do you understand what's happening in Kiryat Shmona? You're ignoring the fact that Hezbollah is crossing red lines, breaking all boundaries, and our Defense Minister is talking about a truce.
Also, after the Knesset’s security briefing, the following exchange took place:
Netanyahu: Today, there was an exceptional preemptive strike that included the integration of forces among all branches and security agencies. Also, excellent work by the IDF and the Shin Bet.
Minister Moshe Arbel (Shas): Excuse me, Prime Minister, but is this the same Shin Bet that received a personal smear campaign funded by a party sitting here around the government table this morning?
Netanyahu: I agree that even if criticism is to be expressed, there is a way to do it. And I want to say to the ministers who are not currently in the room (Ben-Gvir stepped out for coffee), “Who is a hero? One who controls his criticism.” This is a day when we all needed to be united as one. The enemy sees our division as weak as spider webs. We must show them that we are united as one, like a fist against evil.
CAMPUS
I thought it would be interesting to reference a New York Times article written shortly before the Annual Conference of Hillel (The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life) in August 2001:
As the first anniversary of the onset of the current Palestinian uprising approaches in September, leaders of Jewish organizations are anticipating a surge in campus protests over Middle East politics, part of a broader growth in student activism. After a year of increased demonstrations, Arab-American groups plan a campaign this fall, modeled on the anti-apartheid movement of the 1980s, to urge universities to divest themselves of holdings in companies doing business with Israel.
ECONOMY
The Israeli high-tech sector is facing significant challenges, as numerous startups either close or downsize their operations over the past year. This downturn follows the tech bubble of 2021, characterized by abundant and easy funding into the industry. As funds from that period are depleting, companies are finding it increasingly difficult to attract new investments, resulting in severe repercussions.
The situation in Israel mirrors a global trend, with data from the U.S. showing a 60% increase in startup bankruptcies compared to the previous year. The ongoing war in Israel has exacerbated these difficulties, with foreign investors becoming hesitant and local investors backing out due to economic and political uncertainty. Some companies, like FruitSpec and GistMD, have been forced to shut down after failing to secure additional funding.
Entrepreneurs report that raising money has become increasingly challenging, with valuations dropping and investors becoming more cautious. The combination of global investment decline and the unstable situation in Israel has created a particularly difficult environment for startups. However, some companies have noted that Jewish investors seem more eager to help during this time, potentially offering a lifeline to struggling Israeli startups.
BUSINESS
Fattal, Israel’s largest hospitality group, reported record revenues of 1.99 billion shekels in the second quarter of 2024, a 5% increase from the previous year. This growth was primarily attributed to the opening of new hotels and the weakening of the shekel against European currencies. However, the ongoing war has had a noticeable impact on the company's operations in Israel, as evidenced by the results from the first half of 2024.
The war's effect is most apparent in the decline of revenues from Israel, which dropped from 887 million shekels in the first half of 2023 to 861 million shekels in the same period of 2024. This decrease was mainly due to a reduction in overnight stays for foreign tourists. Despite this, Fattal managed to increase its EBITDAR by 32%, largely through operational efficiencies such as cost-cutting measures and hosting evacuees from conflict-affected areas. While the war did not significantly impact the second quarter results, its influence on the Israeli tourism sector is evident in the overall first-half performance.
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A PIECE OF HISTORY
Durban and 9/11
In the aftermath of the Sbarro bombing in August 2001, there were repeated efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. However, every time tensions seemed to subside, there was another killing—either of Israelis by Palestinians or of Palestinians by Israelis.
On a single particularly violent day in late August, six Israelis were killed: three soldiers in an attack on an Army base, as well as three Israeli civilians who were traveling on Route 443 (an alternative road to Jerusalem), were killed by roadside terrorists. Day after day, the violence continued. Palestinians would fire on the Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo, prompting Israel to enter the Palestinian village of Beit Jalla, the source where the firing originated. Despite these efforts, they were unable to halt the attacks.
An event far away in Durban, South Africa, at a UN Conference on Racism in early September further strained tensions. Arafat, who was still supposed to be Israel’s partner in peace, stated:
This brutality and arrogance are moved by a mentality of superiority that practices racism and racial discrimination that adopts ethnic cleansing. What we can hope for is that this conference will say what is bad, what is just in the face of this bloody tragedy that has befallen the Palestinian people. It is a colonial racist plot, a plot of aggression, of uprooting, of taking over land as well.
Israelis and Americans were dismayed. “We regret very much the very bizarre show in Durban,” Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said. “An important convention that’s supposed to defend human rights became a source of hatred.” Peres spoke as Israel announced that it would join the United States in walking out of the conference after being attacked by a coalition of rights groups as “an apartheid regime” guilty of “ethnic cleansing and acts of genocide” against the Palestinians.
World events took a dramatic turn on September 11, 2001, when two planes struck the World Trade Center and another crashed into the Pentagon. These attacks were orchestrated by an Arab terrorist organization known as Al Qaeda. Suddenly, Israel found itself fighting the same war as the United States and much of the Western world against Islamic terrorists. As a result, relations with the United States, especially with its rapidly expanding intelligence services, intensified. More importantly for Israel, Prime Minister Sharon’s relationship with President Bush also deepened. Bush, who already viewed Sharon fondly, no doubt due in part to a private helicopter tour of Israel Sharon had hosted for him when he was governor, found a shared purpose with Israel in combating terrorism.
In August 2008, Gilad Sharon (son of then Prime Minister Ariel Sharon) interviewed President George W. Bush. Here is an excerpt from the interview:
Gilad Sharon: How much, if at all, does interaction and personal relationships affect relations between countries’ policies?
Bush: I think it affects them because if you earn somebody’s trust, it makes it easier to listen and exchange ideas. If you’re not trustworthy, or if people feel you don’t care what they think or believe that you don’t share the same goals, then it’s really hard to have a constructive dialogue. Your dad and I worked hard to develop mutual trust.
Secondly, what really helped define the relationship, of course, was the evidence of extremism on our soil. The attacks of September 11th were very defining, and they put most Americans squarely on the side of other countries that were fighting extremists, like Israel. In other words, it became very evident that Americans were part of the same front against people who murdered innocent people to achieve their political objectives. I think your father appreciated that I saw this so clearly and stated it so absolutely—that the United States would fight extremists, help our friends in fighting extremists, and promote democracy as an alternative to the vision that these people had.
At the time, I think a lot of people in Israel were wondering whether the United States fully understood their security risks. I believe my statements made it clear that I did understand them, and I think your dad appreciated that. So, not only did we have a good personal relationship, but we also shared the same kind of philosophy on how to conduct ourselves in a very dangerous world.