DAY 48 OF THE GAZA WAR:Ceasefire in the Morning, First Hostages to Be Returned at 4PM. Over 30 Attacks in the North

Tel Aviv Diary, November 23, 2023

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Today was another intense day in Israel. Until 11:45 PM last night, nearly everyone in the country, and most importantly, the families of the hostages — including those of the children who were likely to be released — believed their loved ones were coming home in a matter of hours. Without a prior personal phone call, the hostage families learned about the delay of the release through mass cell phone push notifications. This emotionally crushing revelation came less than two hours after Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Gallant, and the Former Defense Minister held a press conference announcing the agreement and expected release, seemingly before a final agreement was signed (a fact released only in the aftermath of the reported delay).

We all woke up this morning hopeful the issues delaying the agreement had been resolved. There were allegedly several technical issues of contention. However, the primary dispute was over Israel's demand for the Red Cross to visit all the hostages who would not be released in the first group. Prime Minister Netanyahu had publicized this precondition twice. Moreover, this stipulation was part of the agreement presented to the cabinet prior to their vote on the hostage exchange. Eventually, the disagreement was resolved by keeping the requirement for the Red Cross visit in the agreement, with the understanding that the Red Cross check up would likely not occur

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Throughout the day, we impatiently waited hour after hour for the Qatari Foreign Minister to announce the start of the temporary ceasefire, along with the schedule for the hostage release. TV announcers nurtured and bolstered the anticipation throughout the morning and afternoon until just after 4 PM, when the Qatari Foreign Minister finally announced the agreement had been finalized.There would be a temporary ceasefire beginning at 7 AM tomorrow (Friday), cessation of Israeli drone flights over Gaza at 10 AM, and the arrival of 13 hostages (including six children), at the Rafiah crossing at 4 PM. Released hostages will be met by IDF soldiers, as well as, an IDF doctor who will conduct a quick medical check before being flown to Sheba Hospital in Be’ersheva to reunite with their families.

All hostage families have been informed whether or not their loved ones will be released tomorrow. It's expected that 12 or 13 hostages will be released each of the following three days. Hamas has been informed that for every additional 10 hostages they release, Israel will extend the ceasefire by another 24 hours, and 10 Palestinian terrorists held by Israel will also be released. On Friday, after the return of the Israeli hostages, 39 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel will be released.

All of Israel is anxiously awaiting 4 PM tomorrow and each of the days to follow. Already the TV screens have a countdown clock on them with the number of hours until the first hostages are released. This hostage situation is unprecedented in Israel's history, with the closest parallel being the return of Israeli prisoners of war after the Yom Kippur War. However, unlike that time, the hostages now include civilians and children, faces familiar to every Israeli. The unspoken question on everyone's mind, too painful to ask aloud, is whether the children are all still alive. Frustratingly, all we can do is hope.

Tonight, there are reports that an agreement brokered by Iran has been reached to release the hostages from Thailand and Nepal.

In a surprising move during last night's press conference, Netanyahu stated he had ordered the Head of Mossad, who had been in Qatar, to arrange the killings of Ismail Haniyeh and Kaled Mashal, reportedly also in Qatar. It's unclear why, amid delicate negotiations for the lives of over 230 hostages, Netanyahu felt compelled to make such a statement. Many have criticized not just the timing of Netanyahu’s threat, as conventional wisdom asserts — you don’t speak about things like that … you just do them.

In Gaza today, the fighting was centered mostly around the city of Jabaliya. Israel is working to clear that area of Hamas terrorists and establish defensive positions, in anticipation of a ceasefire that may last up to two weeks. Additional stores of arms, missiles, and other weapons were discovered in homes across various locations throughout Jabaliya. The IDF has begun systematically destroying Hamas’s tunnel system, however, doing so is a monumental task that will take time

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Today, security services arrested the Director of the Shifa Hospital while he was heading south. The hospital director is suspected of aiding Hamas and consistently lying about it. Tonight, the IDF announced the killing of the head of Hamas's naval forces. This official announcement seems exaggerated, as Hamas’s naval capability primarily consists of a small number of frogmen (most of whom have been killed) and a few small boats. Labeling the aforementioned “a navy” seems like an overstatement.

Today, Defense Minister Galant addressed members of Israel's Navy commando unit, informing them that the upcoming ceasefire will be brief, and that the war will likely continue for at least two more months

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Today was also the most violent day yet on our Northern border, with over 30 rockets and other projectiles fired at Israel. Following our attacks on Hezbollah squads firing anti-tank missiles into Israel, which resulted in the death of an important Hezbollah member, Hezbollah claimed the death was the result of a targeted killing — a claim Israel denies. In response, Hezbollah increased attacks on Israeli targets, but did not extend their range, indicating a reluctance to escalate the current situation.

Hezbollah has stated it will observe the Gaza ceasefire. While we are not bound to uphold the ceasefire regarding Hezbollah, Israel has reportedly received a request from President Biden to abide by the ceasefire in the North, as well.

POLITICS

Politically, MK Ben-Gvir’s opposition to the hostage deal in the cabinet meeting has caused friction with Likud Ministers. While none are enthusiastic about the agreement, one publicly criticized Ben-Gvir, suggesting he's lost touch with Jewish values which prioritize the importance of saving lives above almost all else.

Israeli Communication Minister Shlomo Karhi, who objected to what he views as the Ha’aretz newspaper’s “defeatist false propaganda and incitement against Israel”, has asked the government to end all subscriptions and halt all government advertising in the publication— a move seen as an attempt at financial censorship during the war.

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To my American readers, Happy Thanksgiving! Since we returned to Israel (12 years ago), we have always celebrated Thanksgiving. At first, primarily with my daughter’s friends, and more recently with my son’s friends (for some of whom it was the first time they celebrated Thanksgiving.) This year, however, we really did not feel up to hosting a large, joyous, feast. While we are all thankful to be healthy and generally safe, there is just too much pain in this country right now to celebrate a day of thanksgiving. Hopefully, we will join in the celebration next year!