DAY 426 OF THE WAR: Hostage Talks, Netanyahu Trial To Begin as New Scandal Breaks, Syrian Opposition Forces Advance, Israel Eliminates Another Hamas Leader

Tel Aviv Diary, December 5, 2024

PROGRESS MAY BE POSSIBLE ON HOSTAGE DEAL

There are mixed reports in Israel regarding the likelihood of making serious progress on a hostage deal. Qatari mediators are reportedly returning to participate in the negotiations for the hostages’ release, and there is some guarded optimism that progress might be achievable. According to reports, Hamas has demonstrated increased flexibility. Concurrently, there is a perception that Prime Minister Netanyahu might be prepared to take greater political risks. Netanyahu appears to believe that despite their threats, MKs Ben-Gvir and Smotrich will not topple the government. In the coming days, it will become clear whether there is genuine progress or if this is merely another illusion of a possible deal

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NETANYAHU TRIAL

In a separate development, the Israeli court today denied Prime Minister Netanyahu’s request to limit the days or hours he must testify in his trial. He is scheduled to begin testifying next week, three days a week, from 10 AM to 5 PM. In a way that can only happen in Israel, it is expected that the testimony will take three months in this trial, which has already lasted three years.

THE SHIN BET AND YORAM COHEN

One of the recurring stories in recent days involves former Shin Bet head Yoram Cohen, who revealed today that in 2018, Prime Minister Netanyahu asked him to utilize the Shin Bet’s (Security Services) special capabilities to surveil then-IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz and Mossad head Tamir Pardo. Cohen alleged that Netanyahu requested the Shin Bet to eavesdrop on their conversations, purportedly to prevent any leaks about a mission being planned at that time.

This allegation was initially reported on Israeli TV in the investigative journalism program “Uvda” (“Fact”) the same year. At the time, Prime Minister Netanyahu responded by calling the report a lie and denied making any such request.

Today, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office released the following statement:

Yoram Cohen, who is feigning innocence while deeply engaged in a political campaign, is trying to fabricate another ‘manufactured affair.’ The Prime Minister sought to protect a vital state secret, followed the legal advice provided, acted according to the law, and did not infringe on anyone’s rights.

Contrary to Cohen’s claims, the real threat to democracy in Israel does not come from elected officials but from certain elements within the enforcement authorities who refuse to accept the will of the voters and attempt to stage a governmental coup through unrestrained political investigations that are unacceptable in any democracy.

The statement above is not exactly a denial.

National Unity Party leader Benny Gantz responded to Cohen’s recent remarks, saying

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For over 40 years, I have served—and continue to serve—Israel's security in the most sensitive roles. The good of the state and its security have always been my top priority. Those who know me understand that, unlike Netanyahu, I never leak state secrets, even when my position is not accepted. There were such cases during the current conflict while I was a member of the war cabinet. The fact that Netanyahu asked the Shin Bet Chief to break the law and use tools intended for our enemies against the heads of security branches does not surprise me—neither then nor now. It says more about him and the criminal culture that surrounds him.

Is this story significant? Although it occurred six years ago and may seem like ancient history, it provides further insight into how Netanyahu operates. Netanyahu’s request to the Shin Bet chief reveals that he apparently recognizes no limits and disregards both rules and truth as constraints on his actions.

IDF SPOKESMAN, MISSPOKE?

The latest Netanyahu controversy isn’t the only bizarre story today. Last night, I mentioned that the IDF spokesperson had publicly criticized a proposed bill that recently passed its first reading in the Knesset. This bill would permit any military personnel to take it upon themselves to report any classified information they encounter directly to the Prime Minister or Defense Minister.

During a press conference, when questioned about the military's stance on the bill, IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari cautioned that it would create chaos within the military and jeopardize sensitive sources. The backlash triggered by Hagari’s comments was swift and severe. Facing pressure, including from the IDF Chief of Staff, Hagari apologized for overstepping his role by commenting on a law still under Knesset deliberation. One might have thought that the censure, and the subsequent apology it prompted, would resolve the issue, but the criticism has only escalated. Some coalition members have gone as far as accusing Hagari of initiating a “military coup.”

INVESTIGATION INTO PRISON AUTHORITY & POLICE LEADERS

Meanwhile, new details have emerged in the case involving the detention of the head of the Prison Authority and the head of the West Bank Police Division. Commander Avishai Mualem, who head of the West Bank Police Division, is currently under investigation. Mualem is accused of allegedly disregarding requests from the Shin Bet (General Security Services) to arrest Jewish terrorists in the West Bank.

Reports suggest this was done to curry favor with Minister of National Security Ben-Gvir in hopes of securing a promotion. Additionally, the head of the Prison Authority is being investigated for allegedly alerting Mualem about the inquiry, which was meant to remain confidential.

These investigations have sparked a series of attacks by Ben-Gvir and his associates against the Shin Bet, a long-standing target of Netanyahu and the current government. Simultaneously, the Attorney General has faced mounting hostility, and has become a focal point of criticism from the right. The attacks have reached unprecedented levels, with a Knesset member from Ben-Gvir’s party labeling her a “traitor.” Ben-Gvir’s refusal to condemn this inflammatory remark has further fueled tensions.

One of Israel’s principal security agencies, the Shin Bet, continues to endure relentless assaults, primarily from the Netanyahu government and its supporters. The situation has grown so alarming that the police were compelled to release the following official statement:

As part of the ongoing investigation by the Police Internal Investigations Department (PIID) against Superintendent Avishai Mualem, Commissioner Kobi Yaakobi, and another police officer, PIID has permitted the release of only the following paraphrased information:

The investigation was initiated based on intelligence received by the Exposure Team within the Investigations Division of PIID. Following the intelligence, the investigation began as a covert operation, which became public last week.

Contrary to claims, the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) did not initiate the investigation and is not involved in its management. The investigation is being conducted solely by the Police Internal Investigations Department.

The main suspicion in the case involves allegations of bribery and breach of trust attributed to the primary suspect. Additionally, there is an investigation into allegations that information about the covert investigation was leaked to the primary suspect.

SYRIA

In Israel, recent developments in Syria have suddenly dominated the news. After several days of relative quiet, some “experts”—whose opinions I viewed skeptically—claimed that the rebels stood no chance of success. However, today the rebels achieved a significant breakthrough by capturing the key city of Hama. The Syrian army collapsed in the area, and so far, there has been no indication of substantial support from either the Russians or the Iranians.

It appears likely that the Russians lack the capacity to provide meaningful assistance at this point, and the Iranians are hesitant due to U.S. forces actively blocking any ground movement from Iran. Additionally, Iran may fear that any significant deployment of troops to Syria could provoke an Israeli attack on their forces.

Opinions remain divided on whether this development is beneficial or detrimental for Israel. Here’s the link to an article titled, “Syria: Better the devil we don’t know,” by Amos Yadlin, former head of Israeli Intelligence. In the essay, Yadlin argues that Israel could have significant opportunities if the rebels ultimately prevail.

GAZA

Last night, the IDF eliminated another significant Hamas member, Osama Ghanem. Here is the statement issued by the IDF Spokesman regarding the action:

Last night (Wednesday), Israeli Air Force fighter jets, guided by precise intelligence from Military Intelligence (AMAN), the Shin Bet, and the Southern Command, conducted a targeted strike in the humanitarian area of Khan Younis, eliminating several militants. Among those killed was Osama Ghanem, a senior member of Hamas’ Internal Security apparatus, who was involved in the suppression of Gaza residents and responsible for identifying internal threats to Hamas within the Gaza Strip.

Osama Ghanem played a central role in Hamas’ brutal incrimination methods, which included violent interrogations of Gaza residents, severe human rights violations, suppression of Hamas opponents, and persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals in the territory.

Before the strike, numerous measures were taken to minimize harm to civilians, including the use of precision munitions, aerial surveillance, and reliance on additional intelligence.

FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON REFLECTS ON THE MID-EAST CONFLICT

During an interview with Andrew Ross Sorkin at the New York Times DealBook Summit on Wednesday, former U.S. President Bill Clinton reflected on the missed opportunity for peace in the Middle East. Clinton expressed regret that younger generations in America find it difficult to understand the dynamics of the failed negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians during his presidency. Speaking about Yasser Arafat’s decision to reject a proposed peace deal, Clinton remarked,

I think what’s happened there in the last twenty-five years is one of the great tragedies of the twenty-first century.

Clinton explained to Sorkin that young Americans are often shocked when he recounts the details of what Arafat declined. The former President lamented that

All [young people in America] know that a lot more Palestinians have been killed than Israelis. And I tell them what Arafat walked away from, and they, like, can’t believe it.

Recalling the offer from the Oslo peace negotiations, Clinton reiterated the terms Arafat rejected:

A Palestinian state, with a capital in East Jerusalem, 96% of the West Bank, 4% of Israel to make up for the 4% [of the West Bank to be annexed for Israeli settlements].

This account, which Clinton has frequently revisited in recent interviews, highlights his frustration over the outcome of the talks that took place toward the end of his presidency. The negotiations, aimed at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a two-state solution, ultimately failed just six weeks before Clinton’s second term ended.

Clinton described how he often explains the specifics of the proposal to young people who are critical of the current situation in Gaza. “I go through all the stuff that was in the deal, and they, like – it’s not on their radar screen, they can’t even imagine that happened,” Clinton said, emphasizing the generational divide in understanding the historical context.

While promoting his book Citizen: My Life After The White House, the former president, expressed deep regret over the unresolved conflict, which remains a source of tension and heartbreak in the region and the subject of ongoing debate around the world.

BUSINESS

D-Fend Solutions

D-Fend Solutions has secured $31 million in a funding round led by Israel Growth Partners (IGP), with support from existing investors Vertex Ventures and Vertex Growth. This brings the company’s total funding to $67 million. D-Fend’s cutting-edge EnforceAir technology uses RF cyber-takeover methods to neutralize rogue drones safely, avoiding collateral damage and operational disruption.

The company, founded by CEO and Chairman Zohar Halachmi, CTO and VP Assaf Monsa, and Chief Product Officer and President Yaniv Benbenisti, employs about 180 people globally. With this latest investment, IGP’s General Partner Uri Erde will join the Board of Directors, alongside existing members Yoram Oron of Vertex Ventures and Rami Hadar of Claridge Israel.

D-Fend has achieved over 60% year-over-year revenue growth and continues to expand geographically and across new sectors. Its technology is currently deployed in approximately 30 countries, including key FVEY, G7, and NATO member states.

enSights

Israeli startup enSights has raised $10M to tackle a costly problem in renewable energy—over 70% of systems operate below maximum capacity, wasting money and energy potential.

“People think it's enough to install solar panels and let the sun do the work. But it doesn't work like that,” says CEO Alon Moskovich, who founded the company in 2021 with Roy Fadida and Dekel Yaakov. In Israel, for example, there are about 1,650 hours of sunlight annually. While systems are installed with specific energy production targets based on panel coverage, they often underperform due to undetected issues.

Their AI-powered platform acts as an operating system for renewable energy, managing thousands of solar systems, batteries, and EV charging stations in real-time. The software aggregates alerts, filters false alarms, and automates maintenance by dispatching technicians when needed. For battery systems, it optimizes energy storage and usage based on electricity prices and customer demands.

enSights controls nearly a third of the Israeli market and optimize over 6,000 clean energy assets globally. While we sell primarily to large asset management companies rather than consumers, our technology reaches individual users through business partners—for instance, Tadiran integrates our system into their storage batteries. The goal is helping businesses achieve energy neutrality—generating all their power needs through properly functioning renewable systems instead of relying on the grid.

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A PIECE OF HISTORY

Bloody October (2015)

In October 2015, Israel experienced a wave of violent attacks, escalating tensions across the country. One of the most harrowing incidents was an assault on a bus in Jerusalem, where Richard Lakin, a 76-year-old American-Israeli, was shot and stabbed by Palestinian assailants. Lakin, a retired principal who had dedicated his life to coexistence and education, succumbed to his injuries after two weeks in the hospital. His death was part of a surge of attacks that resulted in multiple Israeli civilians being killed and wounded in a series of stabbings, shootings, and vehicle-ramming incidents.

Beersheba experienced one of the most complex attacks when a Bedouin Arab-Israeli opened fire and stabbed commuters at the central bus station. The attack resulted in the tragic death of a soldier and injuries to several others. Amid the chaos, an Eritrean asylum seeker, mistaken for a second assailant, was fatally shot and beaten by bystanders—a misjudgment that sparked widespread debate and introspection within Israeli society. This event underscored the deepening divisions and heightened anxieties among the public.

In Jerusalem’s Old City, a Palestinian teenager fatally stabbed two ultra-Orthodox Jewish men and wounded a mother and her toddler. The attacker, identified as a 19-year-old law student, had previously declared his support for an uprising against Israeli authorities. This attack, along with others in Ra’anana and Hebron, demonstrated the growing pattern of lone-wolf assailants, often armed with knives, acting independently of established militant groups.

This escalating violence was accompanied by intense clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli security forces, particularly in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. Security measures were tightened, with calls for curfews in Arab neighborhoods of Jerusalem. However, imposing such restrictions was politically sensitive and logistically challenging, leaving the government grappling with how to restore security without further inflaming tensions.

Israeli society faced mounting fears and challenges during this time. The attacks, largely carried out by individuals rather than organized groups, created a sense of unpredictability, as anyone could be a potential target or perpetrator. This new phase of violence, fueled by tensions over holy sites and broader geopolitical conflicts, posed a sobering reminder of the complex and volatile realities of life in Israel.