DAY 47 OF THE GAZA WAR: Hostage Exchange Delayed at the Last Minute; A Nation on Edge; Shifa's Secrets Unveiled
Tel Aviv Diary, November 22, 2023
Israel has experienced a day of high tension that reached a zenith tonight when it was suddenly announced — after an entire day of preparations for the ceasefire and the hostage exchange the government had declared would start tomorrow morning — that the agreement to release the hostages has not yet been signed — AND that there are still disagreements as to details. As a result, the earliest the hostage exchange and ceasefire could begin is Friday. At 11:45 PM tonight, a country already at its emotional edge in anticipation was pushed beyond.
Even when we thought the hostage release was happening tomorrow, everyone intellectually understood that the uncertainty inherent in negotiating with a terror organization like Hamas makes it impossible to reliably predict the outcome. The Israeli government received the names of the 50 hostages set to be released, however, late tonight we have learned that Hamas did not release the names of those to be released tomorrow as promised.
The mood in Israel remains complex and conflicted. While there is widespread support for the hostage exchange deal, it is accompanied by a prevailing sense of dissatisfaction. The unease stems from several factors: the reality that the majority of the hostages will remain with Hamas even after the exchange; Israel’s impending release of terrorists who have participated in violent acts of terror; and the fact that some of these terrorists will return to their homes in East Jerusalem.
Furthermore, there is discomfort and apprehension about the army being compelled to maintain its current position during the release period, coupled with concerns about the potential challenges in resuming the offensive after the ceasefire ends. Despite the reservations, there is a collective willingness across the country to accept the deal's terms, driven by the profound desire to see children reunited with their families. This complicated mix of support and trepidation reflects the challenging nature of such negotiations and the high emotional stakes involved.
THE HOSTAGE EXCHANGE DEAL: SOME DETAILS
The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is scheduled to begin no earlier than Friday at 10 AM, facilitating the six-hour window set for Hamas to hand over the first hostages to the Red Cross. During these six hours, Israel has agreed to refrain from flying drones over the Gaza Strip (theoretically to prevent the revelation of any information regarding where the hostages have been held.) Once the released hostages are in Israeli hands, the signal will be given to set free the Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The government has publicized a list of 300 Palestinian prisoners — double the number required for the release of the initial 50 hostages — in anticipation of liberating additional Israeli hostages. For every additional 10 Israeli hostages released by Hamas, Israel will let go 30 Palestinians and extend the ceasefire by one day.
Opponents of the current hostage release deal have until 7:30 AM Thursday morning to request the Supreme Court halts the deal. The Supreme Court has already rejected one such request. Once the final petition to quash the hostage release deal is dismissed, the host exchange can begin.
The Islamic Jihad reported the death of 76-year-old Hanna Katzir, who was under their care. Two weeks ago, they had considered releasing her but never followed through.
TWO MORE SOLDIERS KILLED IN GAZA
The IDF announced the death of two soldiers today. The army will take defensive positions inside Gaza tonight, with the expectation that the ceasefire will commence tomorrow morning, and potentially last up to two weeks
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IN THE NORTH …
Northern Israel experienced less fighting today than in the past several days — with a few mortar attacks and one possible drone infiltration. Hezbollah stated it would also observe the ceasefire if it takes place, Israel made no such commitment.
IRANIAN TARGETS IN SYRIA
It was reported that Israel targeted Iranian sites in Syria and the Damascus area today. Last night, the US struck several Iranian targets in Iraq.
YEMENITE HOUTHIS TARGET EILAT
The Houthis in Yemen launched a cruise missile at Eilat today, which was intercepted by Israeli fighter jets.
IDF REVEALS HAMAS OPERATIONS UNDER SHIFA HOSPITAL
The IDF revealed the underground tunnels and chambers beneath Shifa Hospital today. The areas shown to the press included large rooms with bathrooms, substantial quantities of weapons, and other military equipment. Numerous personal items of the hostages, both Israeli civilians and soldiers were also found at the hospital. Regrettably, this story did not make international headlines, and tonight the Russian UN Ambassador claimed that Israel has not provided sufficient proof of Hamas tunnels under the hospital
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ANTISEMITISM ON CAMPUS
Hillel International and the Anti-Defamation League conducted a survey on college campuses. The survey found that 32% of Jewish college students experienced antisemitism directed at them, with 79% of those students reporting multiple occurrences during the last academic year.
BUSINESS
The Israeli artificial intelligence company AI21 announced the expansion of its fundraising round that was announced in August. The amount raised stands at $53 million, which is in addition to the $155 million already announced, bringing the total for the round to $208 million. The expansion of this funding round was led by Intel Capital and Comcast Ventures, joining other investors in the current round including Google (+1.39% 138.87), Nvidia (-0.39% 497.49), Walden Catalyst, Samsung Next, and Pitango, as well as the funds b2venture and SCB10X. The company's valuation stands at $1.4 billion, and the completion of the round brings the total capital raised by the company since its inception to approximately $336 million.
Dream, the artificial intelligence-based defensive cybersecurity startup, which was founded last year by Shlomo Julio, a former member of the well-known offensive cybersecurity company NSO Group, along with former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and NSO, Adallom, and former Prime Minister's office member Gil Dolav, has completed a $35 million funding round. The round was led by the company's existing investors: Aleph Fund by Michael Eisenberg and Group 11 by Dovi Frances. In a conversation with Globes, Julio talks about closing the funding round while he himself is in the reserves, against the backdrop of the country's economic climate, which is problematic to say the least.