DAY 359 OF THE WAR: Nasrallah’s Assassination: The Aftermath, Israel Attacks the Houthis, Gideon Sa’ar Joins Israeli Government
Tel Aviv Diary, September 29, 2024
Israel has continued its attacks on Lebanon and Beirut, both aiming to destroy additional missile stockpiles and to eliminate significant Hezbollah commanders. In the past two days, we have carried out four direct assassination attempts.
Today, the IDF announced that, along with Nasrallah, twenty other Hezbollah commanders were killed. They include:
• Ibrahim Hassan Jezzini; Head of Nasrallah's Security Unit.
• Samir Tawfiq Dib; Nasrallah’s longtime advisor, including on terrorism-related matters.
• Abd al-Amir Muhammad Sablini; Responsible for building Hezbollah’s military strength.
• Ali Naaf Ayoub; Responsible for Hezbollah's fire management.
I want to elaborate on what I wrote yesterday regarding the shift in mood in Israel, which has been dramatic and profound. This change isn’t solely due to Nasrallah’s elimination, but rather what has not happened since. It feels as if a massive weight has been lifted off people's shoulders. For years, we lived under the pervasive fear that Hezbollah could launch 3,000 rockets at us daily for an extended period, potentially overwhelming the Iron Dome system. We feared that Hezbollah's barrage would break through once the missile intercepters were depleted.
Yet, in the days since we crossed every red line, combined with the successful operations of the Air Force, Hezbollah has been unable to launch any significant retaliation. In fact, the number of rockets fired at us each day has decreased compared to before our latest actions. Some analysts had previously suggested that Nasrallah was holding back to avoid further provoking Israel. However, it has now become apparent that Hezbollah's limited response was simply due to their inability to mount a more substantial retaliation.
While we haven’t completely destroyed Hezbollah’s missile stockpile, it’s evident that we’ve dismantled a significant portion of their launchers. This disruption has made it nearly impossible for them to transfer the remaining missiles to their still operational launchers. Additionally, they have likely lost a considerable number of their trained personnel. Essentially, thanks to the precision and effectiveness of our Air Force in coordination with intelligence services, the persistent threat we've faced for years has now largely dissipated.
A friend remarked to me this morning what an incredible relief it is to see a part of the military operate precisely as we had hoped. The continuous string of successes, each building upon the last, has fundamentally changed the situation.
As my friend and I discussed while walking our dogs, there are still many internal issues that need addressing in this country, but suddenly, the existential threat to our physical survival seems to have been lifted. While we shouldn’t have been surprised by the Air Force’s remarkable success, the outcome has truly been astonishing. The combination of extraordinary intelligence and the advancements in smart bomb technology has severely crippled Hezbollah’s capabilities. As a result, many of our long-standing fears that intensified on October 7th have now dissipated.
The attacks from Hezbollah have not stopped today; there were eight barrages during the day. Two of drones, and six with rockets. The areas fired upon included: Tiberias, Safad, the Western Galilee and the Afula areas. Tonight, a large number of residents of Northern Israel, including Haifa and the surrounding areas, heard air-raid sirens. Reportedly, Hezbollah fired a ballistic missile that was downed.
ISRAEL ATTACKS HOUTHIS
After the Houthis fired two ballistic missiles at Central Israel in the last three days, as well as another missile a week prior, Israel conducted a strike on the Houthi's principal city in Yemen this afternoon. Here is the official statement from the IDF Spokesperson:
In a large-scale air operation today (Sunday), dozens of Israeli Air Force aircraft, including fighter jets, refueling planes, and intelligence planes, attacked military targets used by the Houthi terror regime in the areas of Ras Issa and Hudaydah in Yemen, directed by Israeli military intelligence. The IDF targeted power stations and a seaport used for importing oil.
These infrastructures and ports, utilized by the Houthi regime, have been facilitating the transfer of Iranian weapons to the region as well as supplies for military needs, including oil. The strikes were in response to recent attacks carried out by the Houthi regime against Israel.
Over the past year, the Houthi terror regime, directed and funded by Iran and in cooperation with Iraqi militias, has sought to harm Israel, destabilize regional order, and disrupt global maritime freedom.
The Israeli military is determined to continue its operations to target anyone posing a threat to the citizens of Israel, no matter how far away they may be.
According to reports, this latest attack on the Houthis was more extensive than Israel's earlier strikes. Two ports were attacked, a power plant and oil storage tanks. This will limit their ability to import oil. It presents a unique situation where, despite significant US military presence in the region, the American forces only target Houthi missiles that are on the verge of being launched. Meanwhile, the Houthis have managed to block a major maritime route without facing significant opposition from the western world. Interestingly, both of Israel’s recent attacks on the Houthis have been more forceful than those conducted by the U.S., despite the U.S. having an aircraft carrier within close range. Instead, Israel has had to dispatch planes on a 1,500-mile journey to carry out strikes on the Houthis.
CEASEFIRE
President Biden stated yesterday that the time has come for a ceasefire, a sentiment echoed by other countries. However, for the moment, we must do our best to ignore these calls. Each day that goes by, allows us to diminish Hezbollah's capabilities further, and as previously mentioned, eliminate more of their key people. We need to weaken Hezbollah’s influence to the extent that other local powers feel emboldened to challenge their authority and possibly seize power from them. At this juncture, initiating a ceasefire is neither in Israel's interest nor actually in the interest of any Western power. What Lebanon and Israel truly needs, is to reimpose UN Resolution 1559 that called for the disarmament of all militias in Lebanon.
UN passed Resolution 1559 (2004);
Adopted by the Security Council at its 5028th meeting, on 2 September 2004
The Security Council,
Recalling all its previous resolutions on Lebanon, in particular resolutions 425 (1978) and 426 (1978) of 19 March 1978, resolution 520 (1982) of 17 September 1982, and resolution 1553 (2004) of 29 July 2004 as well as the statements of its President on the situation in Lebanon, in particular the statement of 18 June 2000 (S/PRST/2000/21),
Reiterating its strong support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon within its internationally recognized borders,
Noting the determination of Lebanon to ensure the withdrawal of all non-Lebanese forces from Lebanon, Gravely concerned at the continued presence of armed militias in Lebanon, which prevent the Lebanese Government from exercising its full sovereignty over all Lebanese territory,
Reaffirming the importance of the extension of the control of the Government of Lebanon over all Lebanese territory,
Mindful of the upcoming Lebanese presidential elections and underlining the importance of free and fair elections according to Lebanese constitutional rules devised without foreign interference or influence,
Reaffirms its call for the strict respect of the sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity, and political independence of Lebanon under the sole and exclusive authority of the Government of Lebanon throughout Lebanon;
Calls upon all remaining foreign forces to withdraw from Lebanon;
Lebanese militias; Calls for the disbanding and disarmament of all Lebanese and non--Lebanese militias;
Supports the extension of the control of the Government of Lebanon over all Lebanese territory;
Declares its support for a free and fair electoral process in Lebanon’s upcoming presidential election conducted according to Lebanese constitutional rules devised without foreign interference or influence;
Calls upon all parties concerned to cooperate fully and urgently with the Security Council for the full implementation of this and all relevant resolutions concerning the restoration of the territorial integrity, full sovereignty, and political independence of Lebanon;
Requests that the Secretary-General report to the Security Council within thirty days on the implementation by the parties of this resolution and decides to remain actively seized of this matter.
UN Resolution 1559, which was adopted by a vote of 9 in favor and 0 against, with 6 abstentions], effectively called for the disarmament of Hezbollah. Is achieving this outcome possible? It may seem unlikely, but it could be achievable.
GAZA
The IDF Spokesman issued to the following statement regarding recent operations in Gaza:
In collaboration with the Southern Command’s engineering unit and the Yahalom Unit, the brigade’s forces located, investigated, and destroyed an underground tunnel approximately one kilometer long. The tunnel was situated in the central Gaza Strip near residential homes within a civilian area.
Earlier today, Israeli Air Force aircraft carried out a targeted strike, guided by intelligence from the IDF Military Intelligence Directorate and Southern Command, on terrorists operating within a Hamas command and control complex. This facility was located in the former “Umm al-Fahm” school in the northern Gaza Strip.
Hamas militants used the command and control center to plan and execute terrorist attacks against IDF forces and Israel.
Numerous precautions were taken before the strike to minimize the risk to civilians, including the use of precision weaponry, aerial reconnaissance, and additional intelligence information.
POLITICS
Gideon Sa’ar has agreed to join the Netanyahu government. He will not receive a ministerial position, but will be part of the decision-making group. Sa’ar—no doubt—hopes to become Defense Minister at some point. In the meantime, Netanyahu is getting additional free support, without having to pay any political price. Yair Lapid the head of the opposition issued this statement:
“Don’t give up, there’s no reason to. Gideon Sa’ar’s entry is one of those moments that makes you want to vomit from politics. None of the sides are even pretending it’s about ideology. It’s just that Sa’ar and Elkin decided it’s better to ‘die’ politically with security guards and a driver, and Netanyahu enjoys buying them cheaply.”
IMPACT OF THE GAZA WAR ON US CAMPUSES OVER-TIME
A reader sent this interesting study to me. It's an in-depth report looking at what impact the war has had on US campuses, especially on Jewish students.
BUSINESS
After signing an agreement in early July to acquire Desktop Metal, Nano-Dimension (Nano-Dimension) announced on Wednesday (9/25), a new agreement to acquire another public company in the 3D printing industry: Markforged from Massachusetts. The combined revenues of the three companies for the fiscal year 2023 amounted to $340 million.
According to the agreement, Nano-Dimension will purchase all of Markforged’s shares for a total of $115 million, at a price of $5 per share. This represents a significant premium of 71.8% over Markforged’s closing stock price on Tuesday, which stood at $2.73. Following the merger announcement, Markforged’s stock surged by 74% yesterday, closing at $4.75, close to the deal’s price. Nano-Dimension’s stock also responded positively, rising by more than 11%, bringing its market value to $544 million.
Markforged has developed a family of 3D printers that print with materials such as continuous carbon fibers, fiberglass, nylon, and polylactic acid (PLA). The company also developed a printer for affordable metal printing and offers a cloud platform for designing and modeling objects for printing.
Nano Dimensions is an Israeli managed firm based in the US whose R&D is all done in Israel.
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A PIECE OF HISTORY
Two Attacks on IDF Troops in Gaza with Deadly Consequences
In May 2004, Israeli forces suffered two devastating attacks on armored personnel carriers (APCs) in the Gaza Strip within a span of two days. The first attack occurred on May 11 in the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City, where Palestinian militants detonated an explosive under an Israeli troop carrier, killing six soldiers. The blast scattered the remains of the soldiers, and militant groups later claimed to have seized body parts from the attack site.
The incident triggered an extensive and grim search-and-recovery mission by Israeli forces. Supported by helicopter gunships, hundreds of soldiers conducted a house-to-house search in the Zeitoun neighborhood to recover the remains of their fallen comrades. This led to a tense standoff, as Palestinian militants refused to return the body parts, unless certain conditions were met, including an Israeli withdrawal from the area.
The following day, on May 12, a second APC was ambushed near Rafah in southern Gaza, resulting in the deaths of five more Israeli soldiers. Similar to the previous incident in Gaza City, this vehicle was also laden with explosives, triggering a massive secondary explosion that scattered the soldiers' remains across a broad area. It was believed that several body parts had crossed into Egyptian territory, prompting Israel to seek Egypt's cooperation in the search efforts.
The retrieval of body parts became a critical priority for the Israeli military, driven by Jewish law and long-standing policy to bury the entire body of fallen soldiers when possible. The search for remains extended to the Philadelphi Corridor along the Israel-Egypt border, with soldiers meticulously combing through the sand. Egyptian authorities agreed to allow rabbis to search for remains on their side of the border, highlighting the extent of the recovery operation.
Ultimately, after intense negotiations involving the Palestinian Authority and Egypt, an agreement was reached for the return of the soldiers’ remains from the first attack. This led to the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza City in the early hours of May 13, 2004. The incidents, resulting in a total of 11 Israeli soldier deaths over two days, marked one of the deadliest periods for the Israeli military in recent years and raised questions about military operations and equipment in Gaza.