DAY 377 OF THE WAR: Sinwar Eliminated; New Opportunities For Hostage Deal May Arise, Five Soldiers Killed in Lebanon, US Attacks Houthis with B-2 Bombers

Tel Aviv Diary, October 17, 2024

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On Tuesday, I wrote that I would only publish an update tonight if the news warranted doing so. At the time, I was thinking about the possibility of an Israeli retaliatory attack on Iran. Instead, we received strikingly different news: the elimination of Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind of the October 7th massacre and the leader of Hamas. Yesterday, a platoon from the tank commanders’ course was operating in the area of Rafah, not far from where the remains of the six murdered hostages were recently discovered. Acting on intelligence that high-ranking Hamas leaders were in the area the forces searched for terrorists.

Military Correspondent Doron Kadosh released the following timeline of the events that led to the assassination of Sinwar:

1. Yesterday at 10:00 AM, a soldier from Battalion 450 spotted a suspicious figure entering and exiting a building in Tel Sultan, Rafah. The soldier pointed out the building to the battalion commander (who was himself wounded in the battles on October 7), and the force began to gradually move toward the target, understanding that there were likely terrorists inside.

2. Around 3:00 PM, as the force deployed tanks and infantry, a drone identified three figures moving around, entering and exiting houses. It was understood that these were likely terrorists, possibly part of Sinwar’s escort, moving ahead of him to “clear the way.” Fire was opened on these terrorists, they were hit, and began to scatter.

3. The group that included Sinwar split up—he entered one building, and part of the group entered another. Sinwar went up to the second floor, and a tank fired a shell at that building.

4. The platoon commander from Battalion 450 entered the building where Sinwar was located for a sweep, and two grenades were thrown at him and his soldiers. As a result, they withdrew to continue using drones.

5. The force sent in another drone and saw a figure (later identified as Sinwar). He was wounded in the arm and masked. Sinwar was sitting in a room and tried to throw a wooden stick at the Israeli drone. The force then fired another tank shell.

6. The next time the force entered for a sweep was this morning, and only after they entered and saw the bodies did they notice the resemblance between one of the bodies and Yahya Sinwar.

   

Upon noticing that one of the bodies resembled Sinwar, the soldiers took a photograph and sent it to their commanders. Rumors of Sinwar's death soon began circulating in Israel. The speculation grew so pervasive that by late afternoon, the IDF issued a statement indicating that Sinwar might have been killed, though confirmation was still pending. As the day drew to a close, it was confirmed that he had indeed been killed. Around eight o'clock, an official announcement affirmed that Sinwar had indeed been eliminated.

The below video is from the drone that approaches wounded Sinwar

Here’s the statement released by the IDF Spokesman regarding the elimination of Yahya Sinwar:

The IDF spokesperson and the Shin Bet spokesperson confirm that following a year-long manhunt, yesterday (Wednesday), October 16, 2024, IDF forces from Southern Command eliminated Yahya Sinwar, the leader of the Hamas terrorist organization, in an operation in the southern Gaza Strip. Sinwar planned and executed the deadly attack on October 7 and promoted his murderous ideology during and before the war. He is responsible for the murder and kidnapping of many Israelis.

Sinwar was eliminated after a year of hiding within the civilian population in Gaza, both above ground and underground in Hamas tunnels. Dozens of operations carried out by the IDF and Shin Bet over the past year, and in recent weeks in the area where he was killed, limited Yahya Sinwar’s operational space as he was pursued by the forces, leading to his elimination.

In recent weeks, IDF and Shin Bet forces, led by Southern Command, including Division 162 and the Gaza Division, have been operating in the southern Gaza Strip based on intelligence from the Shin Bet and Military Intelligence, which pointed to suspected areas where senior Hamas officials were believed to be hiding. A force from Brigade 828 (Bislach), operating in the area, identified and killed three terrorists. After completing the identification process, it can now be confirmed that he was eliminated.

BUT, WHAT NOW?

Sinwar was not merely another leader of a terrorist organization. Like Nasrallah, Sinwar was a unique figure, combining charisma with a reputation for ruthlessness. Sinwar's leadership style was marked by both allure and intimidation. His death represents a significant setback for Hamas. Their envisioned triumph was to have Sinwar emerge alive from his bunker—however, that scenario can no longer materialize. It's uncertain who might fill his void.

The elimination of Sinwar could present an opportunity to negotiate the release of hostages, as Sinwar was viewed as a major barrier to securing such agreements. He was considered the major obstacle to such a deal. However, it remains to be seen who will assume leadership next.

There is also a risk of retaliatory actions by Hamas members grieving his demise. In light of these developments, a strategic approach is essential to effectively leverage Sinwar’s absence.

Sinwar’s death could so significantly weaken Hamas, as to present an opportunity to replace the terror organization. The question now is: if Hamas is to be replaced, who will step into to govern Gaza?

Tonight, Netanyahu made an announcement confirming Sinwar’s death, emphasizing that true victory cannot be achieved without the return of the hostages. Netanyahu indicated that now is the time to replace Hamas, though he did not specify how this would be accomplished. Netanyahu went to say:

To the Hamas terrorists I say—your leaders are running away and they will be eliminated. I call on everyone who holds our hostages: whoever lays down his arms and returns our hostages—we will allow him to leave and live. Whoever harms our hostages—there will be blood on his head and we will hold him accountable. The return of our hostages is an opportunity to achieve all our goals and it brings the end of the war closer.

There are reports that the Israeli government is proposing financial incentives and resettlement options to those who facilitate the return of hostages.

PRESIDENT BIDEN’S STATEMENT REGARDING THE KILLING OF SINWAR

Early this morning, Israeli authorities informed my national security team that a mission they conducted in Gaza likely killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. DNA tests have now confirmed that Sinwar is dead. This is a good day for Israel, for the United States, and for the world.

As the leader of the terrorist group Hamas, Sinwar was responsible for the deaths of thousands of Israelis, Palestinians, Americans, and citizens from over 30 countries. He was the mastermind of the October 7th massacres, rapes, and kidnappings. It was on his orders that Hamas terrorists invaded Israel to intentionally—and with unspeakable savagery—kill and massacre civilians, a Holocaust survivor, children in front of their parents, and parents in front of their children.

Over 1,200 people were killed on that day, the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust, including 46 Americans. More than 250 were taken hostage, with 101 still missing. That number includes seven Americans, four of whom are believed to still be alive and held by Hamas terrorists. Sinwar is the man most responsible for this, and for so much of what followed.

Shortly after the October 7 massacres, I directed Special Operations personnel and our intelligence professionals to work side-by-side with their Israeli counterparts to help locate and track Sinwar and other Hamas leaders hiding in Gaza.

With our intelligence help, the IDF relentlessly pursued Hamas’s leaders, flushing them out of their hiding places and forcing them onto the run. There has rarely been a military campaign like this, with Hamas leaders living and moving through hundreds of miles of tunnels, organized in multiple stories underground, determined to protect themselves with no care for the civilians suffering above ground. Today, however, proves once again that no terrorists anywhere in the world can escape justice, no matter how long it takes.

To my Israeli friends, this is no doubt a day of relief and reminiscence, similar to the scenes witnessed throughout the United States after President Obama ordered the raid to kill Osama Bin Laden in 2011.

Israel has had every right to eliminate the leadership and military structure of Hamas. Hamas is no longer capable of carrying out another October 7.

I will be speaking soon with Prime Minister Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders to congratulate them, to discuss the pathway for bringing the hostages home to their families, and for ending this war once and for all, which has caused so much devastation to innocent people.

There is now the opportunity for a “day after” in Gaza without Hamas in power, and for a political settlement that provides a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike. Yahya Sinwar was an insurmountable obstacle to achieving all of those goals. That obstacle no longer exists. But much work remains before us.

Tonight, extreme right-wing Finance Minister Bezalel Smotritch issued the following statement:

I hear the talks overseas about an “opportunity to stop the war,” talks coming from those who tried to pressure us to stop the war a long time ago and prevent us from entering Rafah. Now they praise the elimination of Sinwar, which was made possible thanks to our determination and persistence in the fight in Gaza.

If they are now aiming for a surrender deal where Israel throws away the hard-won achievements of this war, I’m telling them – forget about it. We will not stop just before the complete destruction of Hamas, the return of all the hostages, and the elimination of the threat Gaza poses to the State of Israel.

The only deal on the table now is the complete surrender of the remaining members of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the release of all hostages, and the exile of the terrorists outside of Gaza. Until then, we will increase military pressure, eliminate more and more terrorists and commanders, take Israeli responsibility for the humanitarian aid entering the Strip to ensure it does not reach the remnants of Hamas rule in Gaza, and offer financial rewards and a way out of Gaza to those who return hostages to us personally.

Together, with all our strength, until victory.

In stark contrast to Smotrich, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office issued the following statement:

U.S. President Joe Biden called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this evening from Air Force One and congratulated him on the elimination of Yahya Sinwar.

The American President praised the IDF for the excellent work. The two leaders agreed that there is an opportunity to advance the release of the hostages and that they will work together to achieve this goal.

INSIDE GAZA

Meanwhile, intense combat continues in other parts of Gaza, particularly in Jabaliya. The Air Force targeted a group of Hamas fighters positioned in a school. Following the mission, the IDF released a list of those present in the building was released to clarify that the casualties were Hamas terrorists, and not civilians.

IN THE NORTH

Heavy fighting continues in the North. The IDF described some of its actions today as follows:

Air Force fighter jets, along with forces from the 7338th Fire Brigade under Division 91, attacked and eliminated the terrorist Hussein Muhammad Awasha, a battalion commander in the Bint Jbeil area of the Hezbollah terrorist organization. Awasha was responsible for advancing firing patterns from several villages in the Bint Jbeil area toward Israeli territory.

In the past 24 hours, maneuvering forces and Air Force aircraft have eliminated more than 45 terrorists and destroyed over 150 Hezbollah targets. Among the targets attacked were weapons depots, launchers, and military structures belonging to the organization. Additionally, during several operations by fighters from Brigade 7, large caches of weapons were discovered.

The shared moment of joy among Israelis, following Sinwar’s assassination, was abruptly shattered shortly after 9 PM tonight, by the announcement that five soldiers from the elite Golani reconnaissance unit had been killed in an ambush in Southern Lebanon yesterday; an additional five were wounded. In another incident, another foursoldiers were seriously injured. The fallen soldiers are: Company Commander Maj. Ofek Bachar (24), from Nes Ziona; Team Commander Cpt. Elad Siman Tov (23), from Tzofim; Squad leader Staff Sgt. Elyashiv Eitan Wieder (22), from Jerusalem; Staff Sgt. Yakov Hillel (21), from Jerusalem; and Staff Sgt. Yehudah Dror Yahalom (21), from Hebron.

(From L-R) Staff Sgt. Yehudah Dror, Staff Sgt. Yakov Hillel, Staff Sgt. Elyashiv Eitan Wieder, Cpt. Elad Siman Tov and Maj. Ofek Bachar.

These losses bring the total number of military fatalities in this war to 745.

U.S. STRIKES HOUTHIS

Last night, the United States deployed B-2 strategic bombers in an attack against the Houthis, targeting underground bunkers that were being used to store weapons. The B-2 bomber, which entered service in 1997 and of which the U.S. possesses only 21 (each costing nearly $1 billion), carries a significant bomb load and is notably the only aircraft capable of delivering America's massive bunker-busting bomb, weighing over 20,000 lbs.

This capability is central to discussions about America's unique ability to potentially neutralize the Iranian nuclear program, specifically targeting installations located beneath mountains. The deployment of the B-2 serves as a strategic warning to Iran: the same capabilities used against the Houthis can be directed at you. It is hoped that the operation also succeeded in significantly reducing the Houthis' arsenal.

ANOTHER Iranian-Directed Assassination Plot

In a third such surreal incident in recent weeks, a 35-year-old Israeli man, Vladimir Verhovsky, has been indicted for allegedly plotting to assassinate Israeli figures at the behest of Iranian intelligence. According to the charges, Verhovsky engaged with an Iranian agent, who posed as an Israeli named 'Eli' in Canada and performed various tasks on his behalf. Verhovsky faces multiple charges, including contact with a foreign agent, conspiracy to commit a terrorist act, and weapons-related offenses.

The indictment claims that Verhovsky performed several tasks for Eli in exchange for modest payments in cryptocurrency, even though he was aware of the agent's hostile intentions towards Israel. Verhovsky’s tasks included spray-painting inflammatory graffiti, hiding tracking devices, and filming protests in Tel Aviv. Additionally, using funds supplied by him, Verhovsky purchased a dedicated phone for communication with Eli. The Verhovsky case raises concerns about how many similar situations might remain undiscovered.

ISRAELI DEFENSE COMPANIES BANNED FROM PARIS EXHIBITIONS

About four months after Israeli defense companies were barred from participating in the 2024 Eurosatory Arms Exhibition in Paris, following a decision by the French government and its attempt to pressure Israel to end the war in Gaza, France is now also preventing the participation of Israeli defense companies in the Euronaval Maritime Defense Exhibition, scheduled for the beginning of next month. This comes amid a new low in relations between the two countries—including a recent call by French President Emmanuel Macron for an arms embargo on weapons used by Israel in Gaza.

Euronaval is considered the largest naval defense exhibition in the world, and at least 12 Israeli companies were planning to showcase their products and developments related to naval warfare. One of them is Israel Shipyards, which announced that it would petition a French court against the decision to exclude it and other Israeli companies from the exhibition.

Israel Shipyards intended to set up a pavilion spanning dozens of square meters, showcasing the vessels it develops and manufactures, including the export model of the “Reshef 80” ship, which the Israeli Navy is expected to integrate into its fleet in the coming years. In addition, they planned to present the “Mini-Shaldag”–a fast patrol boat designed for reconnaissance and interception missions, along with other vessels.

This is the second time that Israeli defense companies have been banned from participating in international arms exhibitions in France—in addition to the arms embargo we are witnessing and the gradual, quiet boycott on the purchase of Israeli-made weapons.

BUSINESS

Monogoto

The startup company Monogoto, which develops software for managing wireless connectivity for smart devices, announced today (Tuesday) a Series A funding round of $27 million, led by Toyota Ventures. Monogoto was founded in 2018 by Itamar Kunik, who serves as CEO, and Maor Efrati, who serves as CTO. The two first met at Fring, a previous company they worked for. Today, Monogoto employs 50 people in Israel, the United States, India, and Europe.

The company offers cloud-based software for companies that need to manage a large number of devices requiring network connectivity via wireless connections, whether it’s cellular, wireless, or satellite networks. Monogoto serves industries like automotive, retail, energy, supply chains, and smart cities.

The current funding round also includes participation from Samsung Next, Kickstart, Assembly Ventures, Magenta Venture Partners, and J-Ventures, as well as existing investors such as Triventures, Singtel Innov8 Ventures, Telefonica, Team8, and Alter Venture Partners. The company’s previous funding round was in June 2021, raising $11 million. With this new round, Monogoto’s total funding has reached $38 million.

Port

The Israeli startup Port, which develops software for building an internal portal for developers within an organization, announced today (Tuesday) that it has raised $35 million. The current round was led by the Excel Fund, with the participation of a new investor, Bessemer Fund, alongside previous investors TLV Partners and Team8. This is Port’s third funding round since its establishment in 2022, bringing the company’s total fundraising to $58 million to date.

The idea for creating an internal portal for developers within an organization came together during the military service of Port’s two founders, Zohar Eini (CEO) and Yonatan Boguslavsky (CTO), in Unit 8200. Boguslavsky, who worked in infrastructure (DevOps), built an internal portal called “America” for use by developers in Unit 8200, while Eini was a developer in the unit who used America.

The portal integrates tools, interfaces, and information that developers need for their work. Eini gives examples of what developers can find and do through the portal. For instance, the portal contains a list of all the micro-services, the different units within the organization’s application, including documentation for each of them and a list of who is responsible for what. “Without such a portal, organizations rely on outdated Excel sheets,” says Eini. Another option in the portal is allowing developers to independently perform actions, like creating a cloud database without waiting for the infrastructure team.

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NOTE: “A PIECE OF HISTORY” entries will continue next week.

Weekly radio show from earlier in the week