DAY 39 OF THE GAZA WAR:Hostage Killed, Missile Attack on Tel Aviv,American Jews Rally

Tel Aviv Diary November 14, 2023

Today has been gray and stormy day in Israel, mirroring the somber mood here. We are acutely aware that our soldiers in Gaza are contending with the challenges of rain and mud. Adding to the gloom, the news overnight confirmed the death of Canadian-Israeli Vivian Silver, a prominent peace activist and founder of the organization “Women Wage Peace”. After over a month of fierce fighting for her return, together with the rest of the 239 hostages, last night it was tragically announced that Vivian Silver had been identified among those murdered. Her identification required DNA evidence from the remnants of Vivian’s home to confirm her heart-breaking demise.

In a harrowing development, Hamas released a tape overnight in which one of the hostages, Cpl. Noa Marciano, appeared. The first portion of the tape reportedly depicts Marciano pleading for a ceasefire, followed by a second part that grimly shows her lifeless body. Hamas has claimed that Noa Marciano was killed by Israeli bombing, though this remains unverified. The video is part of Hamas’s psychological warfare, and thus was not shown on Israeli media

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After a few days of diminished missile activity from Gaza, today marked a significant escalation. Numerous barrages targeted areas around Gaza, including a rocket attack in Ashkelon that caused substantial damage to a house and several vehicles. Most notably, a rocket aimed at Tel Aviv landed in Jaffa, exploding on a residential street and wounding three people, one seriously. A man, caught outside at a playground, did not follow the Home Front Command's guidance to lie on the ground. This attack is a stark reminder that, even if the barrages are smaller and less frequent, they can still be lethal.

Inside Gaza, the army is nearing completion of the capture of the northern third of Gaza. The 162 Division has successfully taken control of the al-Shati camp. Patients have been evacuated from most hospitals in northern Gaza, with the exception of Shifa Hospital. Today, Al Kuds hospital was also cleared.

The fate of Shifa Hospital remains uncertain, though it is believed that many of the Hamas terrorists have fled south, possibly along with hostages. This evening, the White House disclosed intelligence confirming that Hamas and Islamic Jihad are using Shifa Hospital as a command center and that hostages are being held there.

The IDF operation in the north of Gaza has been notably successful, with fewer casualties and a swifter outcome than anticipated. However, two primary objectives remain unfulfilled: the rescue of hostages and the neutralization of Hamas's top leadership. Despite conquering the largest city, the hostages and leadership appear to have escaped to the south. The fact that only one hostage has been rescued, as of now, is a source of disappointment.

Israel's Northern border was quieter today than in the past week, A few tank missile attacks were launched, along with some mortars — but all landed along the border.

Tonight, the Houthis in Yemen launched another ground-to-ground missile at Eilat for the third time. Once again, this missile was successfully intercepted by the Chetz anti-missile system, far from the city.

US JEWS HOLD MASSIVE RALLY TO SUPPORT ISRAEL

Today, a massive rally organized by American Jewry took place in Washington, drawing over 200,000 participants, a figure reminiscent of the Soviet Jewry Freedom Sunday rally in 1987. The overwhelming turnout has received extremely positive coverage in Israel, with commentators noting its heartwarming impact, amidst numerous anti-Israel rallies worldwide.

POLITICS

In political news, since the onset of the war, it has become increasingly evident that Prime Minister Netanyahu has no intention of resigning after the war. On the contrary, Netanyahu seems poised to attribute the situation to a myriad of factors other than his own leadership. There are even rumors of the Prime Minister’s belief that the army's actions (or lack thereof in the initial hours of the Oct. 7 massacre) were meant to undermine him.

Within Likud, discussions are underway about potentially removing Netanyahu through a constructive no-confidence vote, in a move that proposes an alternative government. Whether this alternative will materialize remains to be seen, as Likud Knesset members have historically been reticent to challenge Netanyahu. However, the mere fact that such conversations are taking place offers a glimmer of hope for change.

My long-time friend Yossi Klein has penned an article discussing the Jewish people's profound fear of isolation and lack of support. While I may not fully agree with all of Klein's viewpoints, it presents an intriguing perspective. Despite the far left's outcry, the U.S. has stood by Israel so far in this conflict. Whether this support will continue as the war persists is yet to be seen.

ECONOMY

Even before the war, Israel’s housing market was stagnant. Recent statistics reveal that by the end of September, contractors had been holding onto 61,400 unsold new apartments, a record high, predominantly in the Tel Aviv metro area. The onset of the war has further paralyzed the market.

BUSINESS

About a week and a half before a war broke out, Mitsubishi decided to become a strategic investor in ZutaCore, committing to an initial investment of $8 million and agreeing to distribute ZutaCore's developed technology. This move is seen as a major boost for ZutaCore, potentially establishing it as a key player in the rapidly growing field of server farm cooling, an area not widely recognized by the public.

ZutaCore's technology stands out for its efficiency and safety. It significantly reduces the electricity consumption of server farms, offering a safer and more implementable solution compared to other existing technologies. The technology is based on a unique, non-electrically conductive liquid, offering substantial benefits over traditional water-based cooling methods. This innovation not only lowers operational costs by reducing electricity usage, but also ensures a safer cooling process, adding value to the rapidly evolving data center industry.