DAY 341 OF THE WAR: Two Dead in Rafah Helicopter Crash, Terror Attack on West Bank, U.S. Presidential Debate, Combative Day in the North

Tel Aviv Diary, September 11, 2024

NOTE: This week’s originally scheduled Zoom “ISRAEL UPDATE” briefing will be postponed until next week, Sunday, September 22nd.

An Israeli Blackhawk helicopter suffered a fatal crash during a landing in the Rafah area overnight. The helicopter was conducting a rescue mission to evacuate a seriously wounded Israeli soldier. Onboard were members of the elite 669 rescue unit, responsible for extracting wounded Israeli soldiers and providing immediate medical care en route to the hospital. The crash was not the result of enemy action but was likely due to either pilot error or mechanical failure.

The Blackhawk has been in service with the Israel Air Force since 1994, and this incident marks its first accident. Since the onset of the war, the Elite 669 unit has conducted 1,000 rescue missions, evacuating 2,000 soldiers. Given this high level of activity, an accident, unfortunately, is not unexpected. According to experts, landing in a location like Rafah at night, especially in dusty conditions, poses significant challenges. If a technical issue arises during the final moments of flight, there is minimal opportunity for recovery. Air Force Commander Major General Tomer Bar has halted Blackhawk training exercises until the investigation into this terrible incident is complete.

Tragically, two soldiers were killed: Sergeant Major (Res.) Daniel Alloush and Sergeant Major (Res.) Tom Ish-Shalom, both reserve members of the 669 unit. In the harrowing incident, the pilot, a reservist airborne mechanic from the ‘Desert Birds Squadron’ (123), a reservist doctor, and a reservist soldier from the 669 tactical rescue unit sustained severe injuries. Additionally,  a reservist combat doctor from the 669 tactical rescue unit and a reservist airborne mechanic from the ‘Desert Birds Squadron’ (123) also suffered moderate injuries in the disastrous episode.

Following the crash, four additional helicopters and rescue teams were deployed to assist the victims and transport them to the nearest medical facilities. Regarding the heartbreaking crash, Member of Knesset (MK) Chili Tropper issued the following remarks:

My heart breaks for Res. Master Sergeant Tom Ish-Shalom and Res. Master Sergeant Daniel Alush, of blessed memory, who fell last night during a rescue operation in Rafah.

Tom was a neighbor and friend from the Moshav. He was the husband of Carmit and the father of Yotam, Gaia, and Maya. He was a loving and beloved family man.

Tom was a quiet, humble person. He loved the sea and traveling the land, and he always volunteered. Even for operational reserve duty with Unit 669, he volunteered to return despite having moved to a different role. That’s just how he was. It’s hard to comprehend that he will no longer be seen in the streets of the Moshav or praying in the synagogue.

Tom, Daniel, and their rescue team colleagues are among the great heroes of this war. Their faces are always hidden, their identities concealed. Thus, Tom and Daniel operated in the shadows until they fell last night. Only after their deaths were their faces revealed to the people of Israel – the noble faces of this land.

Heartfelt condolences to dear Carmit and the entire family. Condolences to the Alush family. May their memory be blessed.

THE NORTH

Last night, the IAF conducted a series of attacks on the Hezbollah rocket sites, destroying 30 of them.  Each site is thought to have included 30-40 rockets. According to Army estimates, in the past few weeks, Israel has destroyed 15,000 rockets.    

Today, Hezbollah responded with large-scale rocket and missile attacks on the North. One barrage included 60 rockets. During the course of the barrage, one reserve soldier was seriously wounded by a direct hit by an anti-tank missile fired from Lebanon to the area of Kibbutz Dan. In response to this attack, the IAF attacked a Hezbollah observation point in Southern Lebanon. Since this morning, 100 rockets have been launched at the North.

WEST BANK

A Palestinian tanker driver deliberately rammed into a bus stop near the Givat Assaf settlement in the West Bank, killing Staff Sargent Geri Gideon Hanghal (24).

The incident occurred on Route 60, with video footage capturing the tanker veering off the road and intentionally crashing into a guard post. Soldiers at the scene neutralized the driver, identified as 58-year-old Hayil Dhaifallah. The involvement of a a 58-year-old in a terrorist act is an unusual and troubling development.

GALLANT SHARES INTELLIGENCE ON HAMAS

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant visited the IDF base where documents from Hamas's most sensitive archives have been collected since the war began. Today, Gallant revealed internal correspondence that sheds light on what senior Hamas leaders have expressed about the state of their organization.

Holding the document, Gallant stated:

In this letter to Mohammad and Yahya Sinwar, written by Rafa Salama—Hamas’s Commander of Khan Younis, who was eliminated by the IDF last July—described the dire situation of the Hamas organization. According to Salama’s calculations, 70% of Hamas’s weapons have been destroyed, 95% of the rockets have been obliterated, and 50% of their terrorists have been eliminated or wounded. Additionally, many have fled, leaving only 20% of their manpower intact. Hamas is truly in distress, severely strained across all ranks, from the lowest to the senior levels. Salama urgently called on the Sinwar brothers for assistance, which they were unable to provide.

Why? Gallant stressed,

the ongoing efforts begun in October are progressing step after step, and the IDF has targeted every senior Hamas leader. The Defense Minister concluded with a warning to the Sinwar brothers that they, too, would eventually be reached.

U.S. CENTCOM UPDATE [SEPT. 10]

In the past 24 hours, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed five Iranian-backed Houthi uncrewed aerial vehicles and two missile systems in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. 

It was determined these systems presented a clear and imminent threat to U.S. and coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. These actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels.

THE U.S. PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE

During last night's presidential debate, one question was posed regarding Israel. VP Kamala Harris responded as follows:

Let's understand how we got here. On October 7, Hamas, a terrorist organization, slaughtered 1200 Israelis, many of them young people, who were simply attending a concert. Women were horribly raped.

And so absolutely I said then, I say now, Israel has a right to defend itself, She went on to say. How it does so matters because it is also true that far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed: children, mothers. What we know is that this war must end. It must end immediately.