DAY 328 OF THE WAR: Hostage Negotiations Stuck, Gazans to Receive Polio Vaccine, Surprising Public Opinion Polls from Gaza
Tel Aviv Diary, August 29, 2024
ZOOM BRIEFING Sunday, September 1, 6 PM Israel, 4 PM GB 11 AM EDT. 8 AM PDT
Come hear me speak:
7:30 PM on Sept. 9th @ JCC, Elmira, NY;
7:45 PM on Sept. 11th @ WJC, Mamaroneck, NY, and
7:45 PM on Sept. Sept 12th @ Temple Emanuel of the Pascack Valley, Woodcliff Lake, NJ.
Hostage families drove to the Gaza border and then symbolically broke through the border fence, demanding the release of their loved ones. These families are doing absolutely everything in their power to ensure the plight of the hostages remains at the forefront of public consciousness. The images of parents and other relatives standing at the Gaza border, screaming words of encouragement to their children and grandchildren, urging them to hold on and promising to rescue them somehow, were both profoundly powerful and deeply heartbreaking.
Meanwhile, the status of the hostage negotiations remains unclear; they appear to be going nowhere. Somehow, the Philadelphi Corridor has been elevated, largely thanks to Netanyahu’s rhetoric, to a position of utmost strategic importance for the State of Israel. Concurrently, the port of Eilat is closed due to the Houthi blockade, which poses a genuine strategic challenge.
During an interview this evening, one of the more extreme far-right-wing members of the Coalition, Tzvi Sukkot, emphasized the critical importance of the Philadelphi Corridor. Questioned about his strategy for retrieving the hostages, he advocated for increased military pressure and the cessation of humanitarian aid. Sukkot’s stance indicated a willingness to risk the lives of the hostages to maintain Israel's presence in Gaza.
The slogan that keeps being repeated is “we can never let what happened in October 2023 happen again.” The problem with that mantra is that as long as we remain vigilant and station soldiers on the border to defend us, an October 7-style attack will never happen. That being said, it is unrealistic to expect that continuing combat in Gaza, even as we continually eliminate terrorists, will completely eradicate terrorism. Someday, perhaps we will reach some political settlement with the Palestinians, but in the meantime, we must remain vigilant. However, vigilance should not mean staying in Gaza and giving up on the lives of the hostages.
Thankfully, we did not lose any soldiers today. My favorite barista shared photos of his soccer team, together with the soldier who was killed in combat yesterday, and he asked me, “Why? Why can’t this end?” As I write this post, the evening news is airing an interview featuring the widow of Yohay Hay Glam (32). She is the mother of two-year-old twins, and struggled to speak about her husband while video displayed him joyfully playing with their daughters—it’s sheer heartbreak.
Today, I met with a colleague I hadn't seen in some time. He is affiliated with the Kibbutz Movement, which includes most of the kibbutzim near Gaza. He had recently attended the funeral of world-renowned veteran Holocaust educator and Hamas-held hostage murdered in captivity, Alex Dancyg. My colleague also shared details regarding the Yom HaShoah plans made to remember Alex and honor his legacy. When these plans were being formulated, there was a hopeful expectation that Alex would have returned from captivity by then—a hope that tragically did not materialize. He mentioned that the Deputy Polish Ambassador was at the funeral and read condolence letters from both the Polish President and the Foreign Minister. We now also hope to initiate a project in memory of Alex.
Farhan al-Qadi, who was just rescued from Gaza, reached out to the son of Arye Zalamovich this week. Al-Qadi revealed he had been with Zalamovich during the early part of the captivity and was present with him when he passed away. Moreover, al-Qadi shared that this was the most difficult part of his ordeal.
NOW IN GAZA
Today, the IDF announced that they have eliminated Hamas’s entire Rafah Brigade, and the last of its members are fleeing. Furthermore, the Army reported that 80% of the tunnels in the Philadelphi Corridor have been destroyed—a clear signal that it is now feasible to withdraw from the area.
The Army Spokesman provided the following description of their operations in Gaza today:
Division 162 soldiers continue to operate in the Rafah area, and over the past 24 hours, they have eliminated dozens of terrorists. Among them, in a joint operation between the Air Force and the 215th Artillery Brigade, an Air Force aircraft eliminated Osama Gadallah, who served as a commander in the military intelligence of the PIJ terror organization and participated in the October 7th terror attack.
Forces from Division 98 are operating in the Khan Younis area and the outskirts of Deir al-Balah. Over the past 24 hours, they have eliminated dozens of terrorists, some with the help of Air Force aircraft.
Division 252 continues to operate in the central part of the Gaza Strip. The forces eliminated a terrorist cell using Air Force aircraft and are conducting targeted raids in the central part of the strip.
In the past 24 hours, the Air Force attacked about 40 terror targets in the Gaza Strip. Among the targets attacked were manned firing positions, military buildings, terror infrastructure, and more.
I must say, the IDF Spokesman’s remarks above strongly resemble the US Army’s daily reports during the “Five O'Clock Follies” in Vietnam, where they would update journalists with the list of Vietcong killed each day.
POLIO VACCINES TO GAZA
The World Health Organization has announced that Israel has agreed to a three-day ceasefire in three different areas of Gaza to facilitate the distribution of polio vaccines following a minor outbreak of polio in the region.
A LATE REPORT BY THE IDF SPOKESMAN ON A HUMANITARIAN CONVOY
Earlier today (Thursday), a coordinated entry of a humanitarian aid convoy from the 'ANERA' organization was made into the southern Rafah area. During the convoy's journey, armed men took control of a vehicle at the front of the convoy (a jeep) and began to lead it. After the takeover and after further confirmation that only the vehicle with the armed men could be targeted, an attack was carried out against them. There was no harm to the other vehicles in the convoy, and it reached its destination as planned. The attack on the armed men removed the threat of the takeover of the humanitarian convoy.
After the incident, representatives of COGAT spoke with representatives of the 'ANERA' organization, who confirmed that all members of the organization and the humanitarian aid personnel who were part of the convoy are safe and reached their destination unharmed.
The presence of armed men within a humanitarian convoy without coordination is against protocols, complicates the security of the convoys and their workers, and thus harms the humanitarian effort in Gaza.
CIVILIAN INVESTIGATION INTO 7 OCTOBER
For the past month, a civilian investigation has been underway into the events of October 7th, initiated due to the absence of a national commission. Today, opposition leader Yair Lapid reported that there had been consistent warnings throughout the year about the erosion of Israel's deterrence:
From the middle of 2023, there were more and more voices within the terrorist organizations who said that the moment they had been waiting for had arrived, and these voices appeared in the intelligence assessments, and in discussions within the IDF, Shin Bet, and Mossad, Lapid stated, adding that during a joint briefing with Netanyahu, the Prime Minister “appeared disinterested.”
SHIFTING PUBLIC OPINION IN GAZA
The IDF released an interesting report detailing Hamas's attempts to manipulate public opinion polls conducted by the Palestinian Polling Institute (PSR) in Gaza. The Army does not believe PSR was involved in the manipulation.
THE WEST BANK
Israeli operations continue in the West Bank. The IDF eliminated an additional seven terrorists, including five who were in a mosque in Tulkarem. Among those killed was the leader of Islamic Jihad in Tulkarem, who had been wanted for quite a long time. This recent action raises the total number of terrorists killed in the West Bank to 17 over the past day and a half.
IN THE NORTH
The North remained notably quiet again today, with only a single drone attack on the Golan Heights that resulted in no damage or injuries.
GALLANT: "THE NORTH MUST BE RETURNED HOME"
Tonight, Defense Minister Gallant proposed that the war objectives be revised to include ensuring the return of citizens in the North to their homes. Until now, returning the Northern citizens back to their homes in safety has not been a primary war objective, the focus has been solely on the return of the hostages, and the removal of Hamas's military and governmental control of Gaza. Prime Minister Netanyahu responded that returning the residents of the North to their homes was self-evident, to which Former Defense Minister Gantz remarked, "Better late than never.”
HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER’S STRIKE
The Teachers’ Union announced that high schools will not open this Sunday, September 1. The issue under contention stems from an attempt to begin employing some teachers under individual contracts, a move categorically opposed by the high school union. The dispute is not new; unfortunately, a year of discussions has not resolved it.
NETANYAHU BRIEFLY VISITS THE NORTH
Yesterday, Prime Minister Netanyahu visited the North, however, he only met with Army personnel.
Tal Rachevesky, a resident of Kibbutz Sassa, wrote the following about Netanyahu's visit:
Last month Knesset member Benny Gantz came to meet the evacuated Kibbutz Sassa members at the Maagan holiday village. Gantz circulated between the tables, hugging and listening to people, and only then did he go to the serving station to eat with us. The food was prepared in the kitchen of evacuated Sassa, transported by car for an hour, and served to us at Ma'agan on disposable dishes, as is done every day. After lunch, he also visited all the communal children's houses.
Last Monday, Member of Knesset Yair Golan visited Sassa. The visit began with lunch; took his tray and sat down with us at the tables, just like any other kibbutz member. Afterward, he held an open meeting with all the Kibbutz members present, where he spoke to us about the future of the North, and the country, listened to our concerns, and also answered very tough questions of Kibbutz members, without avoiding any of them.
This evening, at 8:00 PM, we learned through the media that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had visited Sassa. "Visited" would be an exaggeration; it was a secret lunch in our dining hall, specially prepared for a "military visit with a senior, high-level officials" or something like that, without the kibbutz being informed at any point that he [Netanyahu] would be the one accompanying them. A table was set for him like in a restaurant, with white tablecloths that we only bring out on Friday nights — the same ones that the overwhelming majority of us haven't had the opportunity to eat on for nearly 11 months.
AND, the kibbutz members were not invited, so unfortunately, I don’t have a photo for this post.
He did not converse with any of us, he did not even meet with the members of the emergency response team. (Editor: except for 3 Kibbutz members, as it turns out). He didn't come to listen nor speak with us— not even to offer a pretend hug, even just for the cameras. We are invisible, and our beautiful Kibbutz, which we work so hard to keep alive and thriving, is nothing more than a backdrop for him.
What did you say Bibi?
“The North?” - It's there,” and then you chuckled.
The joke, as usual, is at our expense.
Confronting Campus Antisemitism
As college campuses begin their new semester, one of our readers shared an important online Time Magazine article, by economist Aaron Klein, titled: Acting to Stop Antisemitism on Campuses could Cost the Democrats Votes. They Should Do It Anyway
Another important read:
MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT
The Ministry of Transport in Israel conducted a multi-year experiment called “Derech Eretz”1 to study the impact of economic incentives on reducing private vehicle usage during peak hours. The initial phase, which ran from 2019 to 2023, produced promising results, with participants earning up to 2,000 shekels annually for modifying their driving habits. However, due to certain limitations in the first phase of the study, such as the absence of a control group and the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, a second phase is now being launched with improved methodology and additional incentives for the use of public transportation.
The research team, which included Tel Aviv University and Stanford University professors, described the findings from the first phase as "positive and encouraging." They reported a significant response to financial incentives, with participants showing a noticeable 10% approximate reduction in various travel metrics, especially in trips that contributed to congestion. Drivers not only reduced the number of trips but also adjusted the timing and routes of their journeys, demonstrating the potential effectiveness of economic incentives in shaping driving behavior.
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A PIECE OF HISTORY
“Mivtza Chomat Magen” (Operation Defensive Shield)
The Park Hotel Bombing on Passover’s Seder Night convinced Prime Minister Sharon of the need to launch a major military operation in the West Bank, that initiative became known as “Mivtza Chomat Magen” (Operation Defensive Shield).
The stated goals of Chomat Magen (as conveyed to the Israeli Knesset by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on April 8, 2002) were:
To catch and arrest terrorists and, primarily, their dispatchers and those who finance and support them; to confiscate weapons intended to be used against Israeli citizens; to expose and destroy facilities and explosives, laboratories, weapons production factories and secret installations. The orders are clear: target and paralyze anyone who takes up weapons and tries to oppose our troops, resists them or endangers them—and to avoid harming the civilian population.
The first target was Ramallah and Yasser Arafat’s compound, known as “the Mukhata”. Sharon's initial goal was to expel Arafat. However, the security services convinced Sharon that it would be better to leave Arafat in a place, isolated, and thus controllable than to allow him to circle the globe like he used to do. Sharon agreed. Arafat was isolated and President George W. Bush pushed Sharon to move back from Arafat’s headquarters.
In his biography of his father, Gilad Sharon quotes his father’s conversation with President Bush:
I am very much aware of your desire to see this operation finished as soon as possible,” my father said. “I do want you to understand, however, that our forces are operating in very difficult conditions in cities and towns with huge amounts of weapons, explosives, and active terrorists . . . all around, when we are trying very hard to minimize . . . any civilian casualties, and that makes it so difficult, and takes longer.
The President inquired as to the duration. “I will try my best. . . I hope you know, we have found materials that were given to your people that clearly connect Arafat to the recent suicide bombers and terrorist activity. “With Arafat it is impossible. If they want a Palestinian state, that is understandable, but [Arafat] wants a Palestinian state instead of the state of Israel.” “It will be difficult to achieve peace in the current situation,” the president said. It was a friendly conversation. “I support Israel, and I say this from a position of support.”2
Israeli troops did pull back from Arafat’s headquarters after it was agreed that the killers of Rehvam Ze’evi would be transferred to a prison in Jericho by the CIA and then guarded under international supervision.
Other parts of the West Bank were also targeted:
In Nablus, the IDF conducted street combat and used tactics to avoid booby traps, leading to the killing of over 70 Palestinian militants. The operation also resulted in the capture of numerous wanted individuals and the destruction of weapons labs, although it brought heavy destruction to parts of the city.
Bethlehem became a focal point during the operation when hundreds of Palestinians, including the city's governor, sought refuge in the Church of the Nativity. The IDF laid siege to the church, leading to a standoff that ended with some militants being deported. The siege brought international criticism, especially from the Vatican.
Tulkarem saw a relatively swift operation by the IDF, with Palestinian militants quickly abandoning their positions. The IDF destroyed key facilities and arrested many wanted individuals, marking the operation as a significant but less intense confrontation compared to other cities involved in Operation Defensive Shield.
The most difficult operation was in Jenin, which had become a significant base for terror groups like Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, and Hamas, with many suicide bombers in 2002 originating from the area. On April 2, 2002, over 1,000 IDF soldiers entered Jenin, urging civilians to leave as they conducted an operation to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure. The operation revealed that the camp was heavily booby-trapped, leading to intense house-to-house fighting, the use of armored bulldozers, and significant casualties on both sides.
The battle intensified on the third day when an IDF unit was ambushed, resulting in the deaths of 13 Israeli soldiers. In response, the IDF developed new tactics, using bulldozers to create entry points into houses, which helped them advance more safely. The battle concluded with the death of Palestinian commander Hazem Qabha and the surrender of most militants in the Hawashin neighborhood. At the time, there were widespread claims that Israel had carried out a massacre and had engaged in human rights violations. Israel allowed a UN investigation, which later concluded that there had been no massacre or widespread human rights violation in the battle.
In the end, the operation resulted in 52 Palestinian deaths, including both militants and civilians, while Israel suffered 23 soldiers killed and 75 wounded. The heavy fighting and the controversial nature of the operation led to international scrutiny, but the large-scale massacre initially claimed by Palestinians was ultimately found to be false.
Operation Defensive Shield did not end terrorism from the West Bank, but it did lead to a substantial decrease in terror activity from that area.
The term “Derech Eretz” literally means, “the way, or path of the land”; figuratively, it refers to proper conduct, good manners, or behaving in a respectful and considerate manner)
Gilad Sharon, Sharon (Enhanced Edition): The Life of a Leader, Harper, 2011.