DAY 368 OF THE WAR: Terror Attack in Hadera, Two People Killed by Rocket in Kiryat Shmonah, Biden and Netanyahu Talk, Israel Set to Deploy Laser Defense System Soon

Tel Aviv Diary, October 10, 2024

The sad, challenging reality of life in Israel these days is that while you may not know where the next piece of bad news will come from—you know its arrival is inevitable. Today, tragedy struck in three different locations. The first was a terror attack in Hadera, followed by a significant rocket attack on the Haifa Bay, and finally, the devastating news that a couple, Revital Yehud (45) and Dvir Sharvit (43), were killed by a rocket fired from Lebanon, while walking their dogs in Kiryat Shmona.

Early this morning, two rockets fired toward Zichron Yaakov were both intercepted. Later in the morning, initial reports emerged of a possible stabbing incident in Hadera. Initially, it was unclear whether this was a criminal act or a terrorist attack. However, as more information became available, it was confirmed that several people had been stabbed at various locations, clearly indicating a terrorist act.

The Hadera attack was particularly gruesome, as the terrorist, armed with both a knife and an axe, rode from one location to another on a motorcycle, attacking people. The terrorist was eventually confronted and stopped by a group of armed civilians. Initially uncertain of his intentions, they acted when he brandished a knife, ultimately shooting him. It was later disclosed that the attacker hailed from Umm al-Fahm, an Arab-Israeli town. Six people were injured in the attack, all of whom are in critical condition. This incident marks the second recent terror attack perpetrated by an Israeli Arab, following a previous assault in Be’ersheva.

One might view the situation as akin to a glass that is either half full or half empty. The war has been going on for an entire year. When the war began, there were concerns that a significant number of Arab-Israelis might become involved. Thankfully, this has not happened. Nonetheless, the occurrence of two terror attacks by Israeli Arabs is indeed concerning. Moreover, the fact that there have been three terror attacks in less than a week is deeply alarming.

Shortly after the attack in Hadera, a large-scale rocket barrage was launched at the Haifa Bay Area. Six people were injured with fragments from the interceptors, one seriously. In the afternoon, 20 rockets were launched at Kiryat Shmona, a city that has mostly been evacuated. Tragically, a couple in their 40s, out walking their dogs, were killed when a rocket exploded just 30 feet away from them. Unusually, the Iron Dome failed to intercept it, and no warning had been issued.

Later in the day, 80 rockets were fired at the Safed area, with one rocket striking a house directly; fortunately, there were no injuries. By the evening, Hezbollah had launched a total of 200 rockets at Israel. Despite this escalation, the situation remains far from the worst-case scenario, thanks to the Air Force's success in destroying numerous Hezbollah rocket launchers. The IDF Chief of Staff remarked today that Hezbollah and Iran have yet to comprehend the extent of their losses fully.

One particularly troubling event today was the statement made by new Police Chief. He mistakenly asserted that the terrorist was from the West Bank, and criticized the Security Services for not thwarting the attack, when in fact, the attacker was an Arab Israeli (whose activities would not be under the supervision of the Security Services). Additionally, the Police Chief controversially claimed that enduring such attacks is Israel's “destiny".

BIDEN AND HARRIS SPEAK TO NETANYAHU

President Biden and Vice President Harris spoke to Prime Minister Netanyahu this afternoon.  Here is what I said on i24 shortly before their meeting:

The specifics of what was discussed during the meeting remain unknown. As I am not certain, I won't speculate. While various accounts will likely emerge, I would advise skepticism about any of them at this time. After the meeting President Biden stated that the U.S. “fully supports Israel’s right to defend itself against Iran and its proxies.”

President Biden spoke to a group of rabbis by phone in honor of the New Jewish Year. Here is an excerpt of the remarks Biden shared regarding Israel and our current moment in history:

The country [Israel] has been sort of, I don't know how I can say it, has not paid any much attention to the history. When I went over, shortly after the second smaller Holocaust, but even more vividly seen by the whole world, on the 7th, it was because I wanted to let the world know where I stood and where America stood. And I saw the remnants of what had happened 10 days earlier. I saw, and anyway, you all know, you understand it.

Now this event, today I want to thank you for joining this call, and I apologize for having to have you rescheduled it. You know, in my direction last week, the United States military took on unprecedented action, again, to actively assist the successful defense of Israel. You've heard me say before that I got really very badly criticized as a young senator saying I'm a Zionist. You don't need to be a Jew to be a Zionist. It’s not necessary. And the idea, I firmly believe, without an Israel, every Jew in the world's security is less stable. I mean that. It doesn't mean that Jewish leadership doesn't have to be more progressive than it is, but it does mean it has to exist. And that's what worries me most about what's going on now.

You heard me say before that my commitment to the safety of Jewish people and security of Israel and its right to exist is independent, independent of everything else. The Jewish state has to remain, has to remain an ironclad commitment to it. In the last three years, it's been an honor to do this high holiday with all of you from the White House. In a season of joy and a season of pain, and that's what we've been going through, a season of joy and pain. You know, you are the rock for your people. I want to thank you for all you do every single day, for your congregations, for your communities, for our country. And I know this year's call is very different and is a very difficult time for the Jewish community and for Jews around the world. And this is a high holiday.

Tonight, speaking at an Intelligence Corps base, Defense Minister Gallant stated that our retaliatory attack on Iran will be strong, destructive, and unexpected. The enemy will not comprehend what struck them or how. Until the attack occurs, the timing and nature of the attack should remain among Israel's most closely guarded secrets. However, there is speculation that the attack won’t take place until after Yom Kippur, but… we won’t know, until we know.

GAZA

Fighting continues both in South Lebanon and in Gaza. Here is the statement released by the IDF Spokesperson about the Army’s operations today:

IDF forces continue operations in southern Lebanon, eliminating terrorists in face-to-face encounters and from the air. The forces identified and neutralized launch positions that posed a threat to northern Israeli communities and uncovered various types of weaponry, including many anti-tank missiles.