DAY 423 OF THE WAR: American-Israeli Oleh Omer Neutra Declared Dead, Lebanon Ceasefire Tested, New Scandal in Police & Prison Authorities, Houthis Attack US Ships
Today, the IDF announced that Cpt. Omer Maxim Neutra, initially believed to be a hostage in Gaza, was actually killed on October 7th, with Hamas currently holding his remains. Neutra, a lone soldier who made Aliyah from Long Island, was the commander of a tank positioned on the border during the attack.
The tank was encircled and struck by missiles, injuring all crew members. All but one have now been declared deceased, with the remaining crew member officially confirmed as still alive and being held hostage in Gaza. This recent announcement brings the total number of soldiers killed in the conflict to 808. Currently, there are 101 hostages in Gaza, of whom 37 are confirmed no longer alive.
CASE OF FLARES FIRED AT NETANYAHU’S CAESAREA RESIDENCE
Today, four individuals charged with firing flares near the Prime Minister's residence in Caesarea were formally charged with terrorism and attempted arson. The accused, participants in the anti-Netanyahu protest movement, include a retired Brigadier general. The prosecution has requested that they be detained without bail until their trial, a request to which the judge has temporarily agreed.
Detention without bail is typically reserved for individuals deemed a danger to society. Notably, three of the four defendants are in their sixties and apart from their protest activities, have dedicated their lives to serving the country. There has been significant debate suggesting that the decision to detain these suspects without bail until their trial may be an attempt to equitably treat individuals from both the "right" and the "left," especially considering that Eli Feldstein (the suspect in the leaked top-secret documents case) is also being held without bail. However, I believe that house arrest would be a more appropriate measure in both cases, as it is inconceivable to understand how any of these suspects poses a genuine threat to society.
LEBANON
During the day, Israel attacked several Hezbollah targets, which it alleges were violations of the ceasefire terms. The United States voiced concerns, criticizing Israel for being overly aggressive towards Hezbollah. Prior to the truce agreement, Israel received specific guidelines about permissible actions during the ceasefire. It is clear that Israel is currently operating in a very grey area. Nevertheless, the Lebanese Army has yet to deploy to the South, a move Israel is urgently requesting. An expert on the Lebanese Army today dismissed the likelihood of the military taking action, suggesting that the ceasefire's fate hinges solely on Hezbollah's decisions—if Hezbollah decides to maintain the ceasefire, it will persist; if not, the Lebanese Army will not intervene.
Throughout the day, there were warnings from Lebanon that Hezbollah might retaliate against Israel’s military actions. This evening, Hezbollah launched rockets at an Israeli base on Mount Dov, prompting Israel to respond with extensive bombing in parts of Lebanon, including rocket launchers. Despite the events of today the ceasefire is likely to hold, because the agreement continues to serve the interests of both parties involved.
Tel Aviv Diary is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Israeli Jets Intercept Iranian Transport Plane Over Syria
In a separate incident yesterday, Israeli fighter jets intercepted an Iranian transport plane over Syria, forcing it to return to Iran with its military cargo.
GAZA
Fighting continues in Gaza, primarily in the Northern part. The IDF Spokesman describes a portion of the combat as follows:
The Kfir Brigade Combat Team, under the command of Division 162, continues its operations in the Jabaliya and Beit Lahia areas. During these operations, forces eliminated militants and uncovered and destroyed numerous explosive devices intended to target IDF forces.
In another raid on a weapons depot in the area, the forces discovered a camera documenting a militant hiding explosive devices in a booby-trapped apartment. The explosives and additional weaponry found at the site were confiscated. Nearby, a rocket-launching pit was located and destroyed by the forces in the field.
“Since October 7th, the Shimshon Battalion has been fighting on all fronts,” says Lt. Col. Yoel, commander of the Shimshon Battalion. “From defensive battles in the north, through significant operations in Judea and Samaria, to our current activities in the northern Gaza Strip in Beit Lahia. We fight daily, destroying the enemy and its infrastructure, and we will be wherever required.”
IDF forces continue their efforts to uncover enemy tactics and dismantle their military capabilities.
Yesterday I did not include a significant story regarding the Army’s actions in Jenin, a location to which Israel has been compelled to return to on a regular basis. Here is the statement issued by the IDF Spokesman regarding their most recent operations in Jenin:
On Sunday, an Israel Air Force aircraft, guided by intelligence and operational direction from the Shin Bet, struck and eliminated a terrorist cell responsible for multiple shooting attacks targeting communities in the Gilboa region.
The leader of the cell, Wael Lahluh, a 31-year-old resident of Kabatiya, was among those killed in the strike. Lahluh had carried out the shooting attack at the Mehola Junction on August 11, 2024, in which Yonatan Deutsch was murdered, and another Israeli civilian was injured. Following the attack, Lahluh continued to operate in Jenin, recruiting operatives and planning additional imminent attacks.
Immediately after the strike, IDF forces from the Menashe Brigade raided the site and discovered three firearms on the bodies of the terrorists. Additional weapon components, vests, and materials for bomb-making were also found.
POLICE & PRISON AUTHORITY SCANDAL
Today, a major scandal emerged involving two high-ranking law enforcement officials. A senior police officer was arrested and is currently under investigation for allegedly accepting bribes. Concurrently, the head of the Prison Authority has also been detained on charges of alleged illegal activities. Details of the case remain under seal, limiting the full understanding of the allegations. However, it is known that both individuals have close ties to Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, and the bribery investigation seems to implicate him in some way as well.
Reports suggest the senior police officer may have been sharing unauthorized information with Minister Ben-Gvir. In response, Ben-Gvir held an emergency press conference, demanding that the cabinet discuss the removal of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara at their next meeting. Ben-Gvir accused the AG is unfairly targeting him.
However, this strategy could backfire, as removing the Attorney General necessitates providing compelling evidence to The Advisory Committee for Senior Appointments in the Civil Service demonstrating that Baharav-Miara cannot effectively collaborate with the government. Moreover, if Baharav-Miara’s potential dismissal appears to be directly linked to her role in investigating Minister Ben-Gvir, the decision will not withstand scrutiny by the Supreme Court.
The Houthis still pose a significant threat. Beyond the ballistic missile fired at central Israel yesterday, they continue to attack U.S. and allied ships, further destabilizing the region.
US CENTCOM ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING EVENTS OF THE LAST TWO DAYS
On November 30 and December 1, 2024, U.S. Navy destroyers USS O’Kane and USS Stockdale intercepted and destroyed multiple missiles and drones launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels while escorting American merchant vessels through the Gulf of Aden.
The destroyers successfully neutralized three anti-ship ballistic missiles, three unmanned aerial attack drones, and one anti-ship cruise missile. No injuries were reported.
SYRIA
The rebels have continued to advance southward towards Homs. Meanwhile, Iran is dispatching Iraqi Shiite militias to Syria to support Assad. Israel has issued a warning against using this support as a conduit for supplying arms to Hezbollah.
THE RISKS OF HIGH-ALTITUDE MISSILE INTERCEPTIONS
One intriguing question raised by many yesterday concerned the effectiveness of the Air Force’s missile interception outside of Israel, effectively over the Red Sea— and why air raid sirens were, nevertheless, activated 100 kilometers away in central Israel? It turns out that Israel intercepted the Houthis missile at a very high altitude, outside the atmosphere. The interception occurs at such a high altitude that, although the warhead is destroyed, fragments of the missile can continue to travel considerable distances (due to their inertia) — as far as 100 kilometers — and potentially cause injuries upon falling.
In addition, this evening, the Navy intercepted a drone approaching from the east over the Red Sea.
TRAVEL NEWS
Today, the Lufthansa Group announced that its return to Israel would be delayed at least until January 31st. All airlines that operated flights to Israel prior to the war have requested to retain their landing slots at Ben Gurion Airport.
