DAY 438 OF THE WAR: Five Soldiers Fall in Gaza; Budget Passed on First Reading, Ben-Gvir Votes Against; A Day Filled with Rumors; Syrian Update
Tel Aviv Diary, December 17, 2024
Despite our hopes that the war is almost over and that our focus could shift solely to bringing hostages home, reality continues to harshly reassert itself. This morning, the distressing news broke that two soldiers had died in Rafah, Gaza, when a building they were in collapsed on them. The soldiers were identified as Maj. (res.) Moshiko (Maxim) Rozenwald (35), a company commander in the Combat Engineering Corps’ 7107th Battalion from Modi’in, and Sgt. First Class (res.) Alexander Anosov (26), a squad commander from the same unit and city. The building, situated in Rafah’s suburban area, collapsed while the two were inside. The Army’s preliminary findings suggest that the collapse was not triggered by direct enemy actions.
GAZA
The Givati Brigade has released an interim update on its operations in northern Gaza. The IDF Spokesman issued the following report on Givati Brigade activities:
The Givati Brigade Combat Team continues to operate in the Jabalia area as part of the 162nd Division’s operation.
“We entered this area and discovered the tunnel shaft,” says the commander of the Givati Reconnaissance Unit. “During our searches, we saw the shaft. Right at the edge of the shaft lay this Kalashnikov weapon that you see here. At the tunnel entrance, there was a bag with several magazines and ammunition. You can see the shaft up close—it’s a deep tunnel that goes about 20 meters into the ground.”
Following receipt of intelligence information, Givati forces located an underground tunnel shaft where a terrorist cell had barricaded itself. The cell was eliminated. During the operation, three fighters from the 460th Brigade Combat Team were killed:
• Res. Maj. Netanel Hershkovitz (37) (of blessed memory)
• Res. Sgt. Maj. Zvi Matityahu Marantz (32) (of blessed memory)
• Res. Sgt. Maj. Uri Moshe Bornstein (32) (of blessed memory).
(These names were all previously released)
The IDF shares in the families’ grief and will continue to support them.
The tunnel shaft was located near an underground route that was investigated and operated on by soldiers of the Yahalom Unit. The tunnel was approximately half a kilometer long and dozens of meters deep, containing rooms for staying and passages. The route, the shaft, and all findings were destroyed by the unit’s soldiers.
THE NATIONAL BUDGET
Last night, the government approved the budget in its first reading amid unnecessary drama. Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, and his party voted against the proposed budget. It is incredibly rare for coalition members, let alone a minister, to oppose a budget. Historically, such actions have been cause for dismissal.
Ben-Gvir stated that his reason for voting against the budget was driven by dissatisfaction with how the coalition leadership's handling of the agreement to begin efforts to dismiss the Attorney General. Despite a meeting to discuss dismissal of the AG the day before, there was no follow-up meeting as promised, and he felt the issue was not being taken seriously enough.
Ben-Gvir’s dissent seems to have achieved his primary goal—i.e., garnering media attention. He capitalized on the situation, recognizing that the budget would pass even without his party’s support. Nevertheless, Ben-Gvir’s actions also magnified the profound disdain between him and Finance Minister Smotrich, with both engaging in a conspicuous exchange of criticisms. The mutual mud-slinging was a sight to behold. Yesterday’s passing of the budget also showed that the coalition could continue without him, potentially weakening him.
As a reminder—Ben-Gvir and Smotrich ran together on a joint list in the last elections—a scenario that is unlikely to repeat.
Ben-Gvir continues to push for the swift removal of the Attorney General, but the process is difficult, further complicated by ongoing investigations into his closest associates. Removing the Attorney General, who oversees prosecutors would clearly be seen as interference in the legal process and would likely not withstand scrutiny when challenged in the Supreme Court.
RUMORS, RUMORS, RUMORS
If you like rumors, today was quite eventful in Israel. Netanyahu was scheduled to testify in court today, but requested a postponement yesterday, insisting on discussing the matter privately rather than in open court. After meeting with the judges, they agreed to defer his testimony until Monday.
This triggered a flurry of speculation regarding Netanyahu’s undisclosed whereabouts this morning. Initially, rumors circulated that he had been admitted to Hadassah Hospital for a medical procedure. Subsequently, there was talk Netanyahu had gone to Hadassah to receive the remains of former Israeli spy, Eli Cohen, retrieved from Syria. Another rumor hinted he was at a clandestine meeting in Crete to advance negotiations for the release of hostages, followed by a report that Netanyahu was on his way to Cairo, purportedly concerning hostages and ceasefire agreements. All of these rumors seemed to originate from multiple sources.
As it turned out, none of these were true. The reality? Netanyahu traveled to the top of Mt. Hermon (in Syria), supposedly to receive an update and inform future decisions. In truth, the judges were seemingly misled into permitting Netanyahu to spend the day on what was effectively an election campaign trip—filled with photo opportunities and nostalgic reflections about his last visit there during his IDF service with his team from Sayeret Matkal
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HOSTAGES
There is currently a great deal of optimism in Israel that an agreement on the hostages and a ceasefire is within reach. Ravid Drucker, a TV news host and investigative journalists whom I greatly admire and who has never supported Trump, conceded today that he might have to eat his words. In tonight’s broadcast, Drucker acknowledged that from Israel’s current perspective, it is fortunate that Trump was elected. Trump’s election and his insistence on securing an agreement between Israel and Hamas before his inauguration next month, have seemingly made both parties more flexible in the negotiations.
The current proposal on the table is essentially the same agreement that President Biden put forward in May. At that time, I believed an understanding was achievable, but Netanyahu seemed unprepared to commit. Now, with Hezbollah defeated, Assad ousted, Iran isolated, and Trump’s dual approach of making promises regarding Iran while also threatening to ensure an agreement is reached, Netanyahu appears ready. Hamas also recognizes that its future is bleak if it continues its current path—no one is coming to their rescue. While I'm optimistic, we‘ve been in this position before, so all we can do is hope.
SYRIA
Meanwhile, as Netanyahu stood on top of Mt. Hermon, declaring that Israel would remain there until alternative security arrangements are established, a promising tone emerged from Damascus. Abu Muhammad al-Julani, the head of Syria’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, stated in a comprehensive interview that Syria would not serve as a base for hostile actions against Israel. He also voiced support for the 1974 disengagement agreement and expressed a desire for the UN's return. However, he emphasized that Israel should return to the disengagement lines.
Israel has continued to attack munitions depots and other strategic sites. Over the past two days, these attacks have concentrated on areas previously under Russian control. Interestingly, the new Syrian government has remained relatively quiet about these Israeli strikes. This silence may indicate a tacit approval, as the current administration lacks the resources to govern effectively and may prefer not to be accountable for weapons potentially ending up in the hands of terrorist groups.
Numerous questions remain, especially regarding Turkey's role. Reports indicate that Turkey is planning to invade and seize control of the Kurdish regions. The Kurds are allies of the U.S. and have a discreet alliance with Israel. Israel’s relationship with Turkey has fluctuated over the years, and is currently at one of its lowest points. Before Erdoğan, Turkey was a secular, Western democracy. Under Erdoğan’s rule, Turkey has shifted toward an Islamic pseudo-democracy. It remains to be seen what vision the new interim Syrian government has for the country and whether implementing that vision is possible.
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DEFENSE/ECONOMY
The Ministry of Defense in Israel is implementing significant changes in response to recent arms embargoes, including signing major deals, such as a $130 million contract with Elbit Systems for advanced communication systems that was highlighted last night. These moves are part of a broader, more comprehensive “Blue and White” strategy, aimed at securing Israel's defense independence and stimulating the national economy.
As part of the “Blue and White” strategy, the Defense Ministry has committed to investing tens of billions of shekels in infrastructure and capabilities in the coming years, expanding existing production lines, establishing new ones, and acquiring stockpiles. This step is designed to re-establish the independence of Israel’s defense production. The Ministry explained that this policy is intended not only to address defense needs that arose during the war and “ensure that the IDF’s war machine continues to advance,” but also to inject funds into the economy, create new jobs, and serve as a catalyst for growth in defense exports.
Several significant defense contracts have been finalized, including a 1.5 billion shekel deal with Elbit Systems for a new munitions factory, a 2 billion shekel agreement with Rafael and Elbit Systems for the Iron Beam laser interception system, and a 2.4 billion shekel contract with Israel Shipyards for naval vessels. These deals reflect Israel's drive toward defense self-sufficiency.
The defense budget has seen a substantial increase, with the 2025 budget allocation already 30% higher than 2024, totaling 108 billion shekels. Further increases of 15-20 billion shekels may be recommended by the Nagel Commission, although additional funding remains contingent upon ongoing negotiations between the Defense Ministry and the Finance Ministry.
A key element in implementing the Ministry of Defense’s “Blue and White” strategy is the construction of Elbit Systems’ new industrial campus in Ramat Beka, located south of Be’er Sheva. Some facilities on the campus have already commenced production, with full operations anticipated to begin in the first quarter of 2025. The site will house dozens of factories and spans 52 square kilometers, making the campus 40% larger than the city of Petah Tikva.
Originally, the site was intended to replace the IMI facility in Ramat Hasharon, which was slated for demolition to make way for the construction of 36,000 housing units. However, due to a severe ammunition shortage created by the war, the Ministry of Defense directed Elbit Systems in early 2024 to extend production at Ramat Hasharon for at least a year beyond the previously scheduled evacuation date (Q1 2024) while simultaneously beginning production at Ramat Beka.
BUSINESS
Promise Bio
Israeli biotech startup Promise Bio has raised $8.3 million in seed funding, led by Awz Ventures, to address a critical challenge in the autoimmune disease treatment market where only about a third of patients respond to advanced biological therapies.
Operating in stealth mode since its founding in 2023, Promise Bio has developed an AI-integrated protein research system that can identify protein modifications (post-translational modifications) at scale without complex laboratory processes. The technology aims to predict patient responses to advanced treatments for autoimmune conditions including Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and lupus – diseases known for their variable clinical symptoms and complex causes involving genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.
The biological complexity of these diseases is significant and poses a major challenge for pharmaceutical companies, as current methods for processing biological data focus on genomic information (DNA, RNA) or identifying protein quantities alone, without examining protein modifications—critical for protein functionality, explains Dr. Ronal Wexler, CEO and co-founder of the company.
We enable pharmaceutical companies to answer questions such as predicting treatment responses, identifying subgroups of suitable patients, and understanding drug mechanisms of action.
Rivery
Boomi, which specializes in data integration, is acquiring the Israeli startup Rivery—which has developed a platform for managing, building, and automating data pipelines for medium and large enterprises.
Rivery employs 80 workers, who will continue working at the company even after the acquisition. Its CEO was badly wounded in Gaza during the war. While the acquisition details were not disclosed, market estimates suggest the deal is valued at $100 million, with a small portion of the payment made in the acquirer’s shares.
Since its last funding round, Rivery has not expanded its workforce, and it appears the deal was made at a significantly lower valuation compared to the last round. As a result, it is likely that only the early-round investors will see meaningful returns from the acquisition.
Teva
TEVA reports a breakthrough in a new drug— Teva Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi (Teva’a partner) announced promising results for their new drug Duvakitug from a Phase 2b clinical trial. The drug is being developed to treat ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD)—two common and chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).
Key Findings
1. Duvakitug is Effective
Ulcerative Colitis (UC): About 47.8% of patients on the high dose achieved clinical remission (symptoms greatly reduced) compared to only 20.4% of patients on a placebo.
Crohn’s Disease (CD): About 47.8% of patients on the high dose showed an endoscopic response (visible improvement in inflammation seen during a scope) compared to 13% on a placebo.
This result is significant because it represents the best results achieved so far with any drug in its class (TL1A inhibitors).
2. Safety
Duvakitug was well tolerated with no serious side effects. Adverse effects were reported in about 50% of patients across both treatment and placebo groups, showing no additional risk from the drug.
3. Next Steps
Teva and Sanofi plan to move to Phase 3 trials, the final step before potential approval, pending discussions with health regulators.
Why This Matters for Patients:
IBD Overview
Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease cause chronic inflammation in the digestive tract, leading to symptoms like severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatigue. There is no cure, so current treatments aim to reduce symptoms and prevent flare-ups.
How Duvakitug Works
Duvakitug blocks a specific protein called TL1A, which drives inflammation and tissue damage in IBD. By targeting this protein, the drug may help calm the immune system and reduce inflammation in the gut.
What’s New
This drug shows higher effectiveness compared to existing treatments, particularly for patients who don’t respond well to current options. If successful in Phase 3 trials, it could become a new and better option for IBD patients.
In summary, Teva and Sanofi’s drug Duvakitug has shown excellent results in reducing symptoms of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease in its Phase 2b trial. It was safe, effective, and has the potential to be a “best-in-class” treatment. The companies are now preparing for Phase 3 trials, a critical step toward making this drug available to patients in need.
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A PIECE OF HISTORY
Violence and Poor Decisions in July 2017
On July 17, 2017, three Arab Israeli individuals launched an armed assault on Jerusalem’s Har HaBayit (Temple Mount)/Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary). During the assault, two Israeli Druze police officers, Advanced Staff Sergeant Maj. Hayil Satawi (30), and Advanced Staff Sergeant Maj. Kamil Shnaan (22), were killed while guarding an entrance to the sacred site.
The attackers, armed with firearms and knives, emerged from the compound to carry out their assault before retreating back inside, where they were ultimately killed in a firefight with police. The two slain officers were identified by their families. Satawi left behind a wife and a newborn son, while Shnaan was the son of a former parliamentarian. The attackers were identified as Muhammad Ahmed Jabarin (29); Muhammad Hamid Jabarin (19); and Muhammad Ahmed Mufdal Jabarin (19) and all originated from the Arab town of Umm el-Fahm in central Israel.
In response to the vicious attack, Israel closed the sacred site, and before reopening it attempted to implement new security measures to prevent future attacks. Given the events that transpired, installing metal detectors may have appeared like a logical and prudent course of action. However, for the Waqf and extremist elements within it, Israel’s decision to deploy metal detectors provided a pretext for escalating violence. Regrettably, as is often the case, the Israeli decision-making process during the crisis fell short of expectations.
Firstly, the decision to introduce metal detectors was not based on a thorough analysis of potential consequences, but rather was made following a series of telephone conferences held prior to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s departure for Paris and Budapest. By the time Netanyahu returned home, it was evident that the crisis had escalated significantly.
On Thursday evening (before Friday prayers), the security cabinet convened, and both the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet (Israel’s internal security service) recommended the removal of the metal detectors. They argued that the violence they would generate would be more severe than the consequences of their removal. However, hawkish elements within Netanyahu’s right-wing cabinet opposed this move. Under normal circumstances, Netanyahu would likely have overruled their objections and followed the advice of the Army and Shin Bet. However, this time, he was concerned about being perceived as weak by his right-wing supporters and acquiesced to their demands. Tragically, the events that transpired the following day proved the Army’s assessment to be accurate.
The next day, Friday, July 22 2017, three Palestinians were killed and over 300 wounded in clashes with Israeli security forces across East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza. The protests, which involved over 3,000 participants, were in response to placement of the metal detectors at Jerusalem's Temple Mount following a recent attack that killed two Israeli police officers. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas suspended official contact with Israel over the measures. The Red Crescent reported that most injuries were caused by the spraying of tear gas, with some from live fire and rubber bullets. In response to the unrest, Israeli forces arrested 27 people.
That night, a 19-year-old Palestinian man entered a home in the West Bank settlement of Halamish and fatally stabbed three members of a family—a father and two of his adult children —during their Shabbat dinner. The attacker, Omar el-Abed, also seriously injured the mother before being shot and wounded by an off-duty soldier neighbor. The attack occurred amid heightened tensions surrounding the Al-Aqsa mosque, with el-Abed citing this as motivation on social media prior to the attack. Israeli security forces responded by arresting the attacker's brother, preparing to demolish their family home, and increasing IDF troop presence in the West Bank. Hamas expressed support for the killings, while Israeli officials linked the attack to recent violence in Jerusalem and the West Bank.
Here is my commentary of the events, written shortly after they occurred:
What has become crystal clear in the last few hours and days is how little Israelis and Palestinians understand each other, at all — and how little room there seems for the “grey” middle ground.
Let's start with the decision regarding the metal detectors. First, there was no realization that the government was considering a unilateral action; an action that would be considered a violation of the Status Quo. Second, there was no understanding that Muslim worshippers would be upset at all to go through a gauntlet of Israeli police in order to go pray.
Too many Israelis have no sense whatsoever that to the average Palestinian, Israeli police are an occupying power (and that we have been occupying them for 50 years.) To the Palestinians, the Temple Mount was the one place they had some sense of sovereignty. Another group that seems clueless are the Arab Members of the Israeli Knesset. The reason why these Knesset members took several days to condemn the initial terror attack by Arab Israelis is confounding. And then, instead of calling for calm and trying quietly to work out solutions, they — including the very secular ones — were those yelling the loudest that Israel had closed the Mosques for Muslim worship.
For a few minutes of fame, or to gain a few more radical supporters, the Arab MKs are missing the big picture. By taking the most radical position possible on these matters, they are hurting the larger Israeli-Arab population, who are rapidly integrating into Israeli life, becoming irreplaceable doctors, nurses and pharmacists. If Israelis are ever going to elect a government willing to make the necessary concessions they have to believe the conflict can ever end. The Arab MKs represent constituencies who have been living side-by-side with Israelis for 70 years and are too often seen as provocateurs rather than emissaries of co-existence.
The Palestinians clearly do not get it, either. Israeli radio interviewed Ziad Abuzayyad, formerly the Palestinian Minister for Jerusalem. Although he condemned all violence, every time the interviewers tried to get him to condemn the horrific attack on the Israeli family eating Sabbath dinner, he would respond — You have to look at the bigger picture and you cannot look at things only from the Israeli point of view. All Abuzayyad had to do was explicitly condemn the cold-blooded knifing of unarmed civilians (a woman and two men, one of whom was 70 years old) in their own home. But he could not bring himself to do that. If you want peace and want Israelis ever to withdraw, Israelis have to believe that you will not countenance terror against them.
This brings me to the last aspect of our inability to understand one another at all. When a well-known Israeli blogger brought up the deaths of the Palestinian rioters in the same post, she discussed the murder of the Israeli family from Halamish. She was attacked ruthlessly. One person on Facebook, as part of a long comment attacking her post, stated: “I don't feel you downplayed the slaughter of a Jewish family. I feel you desecrated it.” We have reached a point that showing even the smallest empathy for the other side is considered almost treasonous.
This weeks radio show