DAY 548 OF THE WAR: Netanyahu Arrives in Washington After Visit to Hungary; Hamas Launched 10 Rockets At Ashdod, IDF Releases Report on October 7th Attack on Kibbutz Nirim
Tel Aviv Diary, April 6, 2025
Prime Minister Netanyahu arrived early Thursday morning at 3 a.m. for a weekend visit and received a warm welcome from Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán. Netanyahu’s visit came shortly after Orbán announced Hungary's withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), which had recently issued an international arrest warrant for Netanyahu
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Orbán’s decision to leave the ICC, as a gesture intended as a show of solidarity with Netanyahu, underscores the complex relationships between Israel and some of Europe's more right-wing leaders, irrespective of their current political standing. These leaders, who are often staunchly pro-Israel, rarely criticize the actions of the Netanyahu government. Although these right-wing leaders come with baggage, particularly in the area of civil rights, the backing of figures like Orbán—who frequently block EU measures critical of Israel—has grown increasingly important as criticism of Israel intensifies from other quarters. This pattern is reminiscent of our embrace of President Trump, but I’ll leave that for another day.
Over the course of their meetings in Budapest, Netanyahu and Orbán jointly called President Trump to inform him of Hungary’s decision to withdraw from the ICC. According to reports, Netanyahu raised the issue of tariffs the U.S. has placed on Israeli goods during the conversation. Trump responded, “Let’s talk about this in person,” and extended an invitation for Netanyahu to visit.
Trump subsequently reiterated this invitation, confirming that Prime Minister Netanyahu would be visiting soon. The Israelis interpreted the overture as an open invitation and tried to arrange a visit during Chol Hamoed Passover or shortly thereafter. However, the White House insisted on an immediate visit. Consequently, today, Netanyahu concluded his visit to Budapest and departed for Washington.
The true purpose of the meeting between Netanyahu and Trump remains unclear. Some speculate that Trump is seeking a swift victory in the trade wars— though it’s hard to see what Israel could offer, since duties on U.S. goods are already non-existent. Another prevailing theory suggests the meeting concerns Iran. Notably, the U.S. has bolstered its military presence in the region—particularly with bombers—and has deployed an additional THAAD system. The THAAD system has proven effective in intercepting ballistic missiles in Israel, significantly enhancing our defenses against potential Iranian strikes.
However, I suspect that these actions are largely theatrical, designed to create the impression of a credible U.S. threat to pressure Iran into negotiations. I believe the Iranians might engage in negotiations at the last moment—if they aren't already doing so—and Trump may want to ensure that Netanyahu doesn’t undermine those talks. We might learn more on Tuesday, or perhaps we won’t.
HOSTAGES
Last night, as I left our building to attend the weekly gathering at Hostage Square—in support of the hostages and their families—I found myself wondering: how has attending rallies become our regular Saturday night activity?
It all began over two years ago, when Justice Minister Yariv Levin unveiled his plan to substantially weaken the power of the judiciary. In some ways, attending those rallies became routine—as none of us genuinely believe that the government heeds our voices. However, the rallies at Hostage Square serve a deeper purpose: to demonstrate solidarity with the families of the hostages, who are largely ignored by our government as their loved ones continue to endure torture—and possibly die—in Gaza.
Last night’s rally was especially poignant, with speeches delivered from freed hostages Liri Albag, Omer Wenkert, and Gadi Mozes. Each of them condemned the renewed warfare in Gaza, emphasizing the grave dangers IDF military operations pose to the remaining hostages.
Undoubtedly, the highlight of the evening was Liri Albag’s speech. Before the 20-year-old took the stage, the day of her release was displayed on the monitors, moving many to tears. Then Liri stepped up to the podium, flanked by her parents—who had become familiar faces from their frequent TV appearances during their daughter’s more than year-long captivity in Gaza. The crowd erupted in applause, quickly bringing tears to any remaining dry eyes.
It wasn’t merely Liri’s presence that moved the crowd; it was her words. Liri delivered an eloquent and impassioned plea for the release of the remaining hostages. “How can we celebrate the Festival of Freedom,” she questioned, “when so many are still not free, being held [against their will] in the darkness?”
GAZA
Israeli troops have continued to incrementally intensify their operations in Gaza and have threatened to expand them further.
The IDF Chief of Staff is set to receive a report on the attack on a Red Crescent convoy, which is expected to be subsequently made public.
Tonight, Hamas fired ten rockets at Ashdod. Five of the rockets were intercepted, however, three people sustained minor injuries. Even 548 days into the war, Hamas retains the capability to fire rockets at Israel. In response, the IDF attacked the missile launcher positioned in Der El Balak, in Central Gaza.
SUPREME COURT REGARDING FIRING OF SHIN BET HEAD
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court is scheduled to conduct a hearing to determine the legality of the dismissal of current Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar. In a court filing, the Attorney General raised concerns, noting that Netanyahu’s office is currently under investigation by the Shin Bet in connection with the “Qatargate” affair.
Ronen Bar submitted a letter to the court asserting that Netanyahu stated the PM had “lost confidence in him” because Bar refused to draft a letter claiming it was too dangerous for Netanyahu to testify in court—a letter that would have effectively have delayed his trial indefinitely.
Bar also disclosed that Netanyahu had requested he use Shin Bet’s powers against “inappropriate people,” [i.e., political adversaries of the Prime Minister] a request Bar refused. In any normal country, such a revelation would spark a political earthquake. Here, it was just another day.
Today’s Zoom Brieifing
SUMMARY OF THE IDF REPORT REGARDING THE OCTOBER 7 ATTACK ON KIBBUTZ NIRIM
The Hamas attack on Kibbutz Nirim on October 7, 2023, involved a large number of terrorists who breached the border fence and infiltrated the kibbutz, resulting in casualties and hostages. An IDF probe into the events revealed significant failures in the preparedness and response to the attack.
Key Events and Findings:
Breach and Initial Infiltration: Around 150 Hamas terrorists invaded Nirim in three waves. The initial breach of the border fence occurred at approximately 6:30 AM, facilitated by a tractor that was familiar to IDF forces and observation posts due to its regular presence near the perimeter for agricultural work. This was the first breach in the entire Gaza Envelope. The breach happened under the cover of a massive rocket barrage targeting the Kissufim sector outposts.
IDF Preparedness and Response: The IDF was not prepared for a broad surprise attack, expecting a more focused infiltration. Forces in the area were understaffed, lacked sufficient warning, and continued with their regular routines. The Southern Brigade in the Gaza Division did not receive adequate alerts and were significantly outnumbered by the attackers. A systemic failure in the defense concept and adherence to defense principles was identified.
Commander’s Intervention: The commander of the Southern Brigade, Colonel Asaf Hamami, upon learning of the breach around 6:32 AM, quickly moved towards Nirim with his team. By 6:44 AM, he declared "war" on the radio. Hamami and his team engaged the terrorists, attempting to protect civilians.
Casualties and Hostages: Five civilians in Nirim were murdered, and five deceased residents were taken hostage. Ten soldiers were killed in the battles in and around Nirim, and eight soldiers were taken hostage.
Resistance Efforts: The headquarters of Colonel Hamami and a company-level combat team managed to significantly delay the terrorists. Armed residents and the local readiness squad also engaged the attackers. However, the readiness squad's initial response was delayed due to instructions from the settlement security officer to remain in their homes until around 8:00 AM.
Terrorist Objectives and Actions: Initially, around 150 terrorists reached the Nirim area. Intelligence later revealed that their plans included reaching Beersheba and the Hatzerim airbase. However, the fierce resistance in Nirim disrupted these plans. After the initial Nukhba forces retreated around 9:30 AM, a third wave of mainly unarmed Gazans entered the kibbutz to loot, burn, and commit sexual assault.
IDF Reinforcements and Clearance: The first reinforcement force arrived around 1:30 PM, and the last terrorist in the kibbutz was eliminated by 2:00 PM. Initial clearing of the kibbutz was completed by 6:30 PM.
Buffer Zone Reduction: The IDF probe highlighted that the shrinking of the security perimeter along the Gaza border in the years leading up to the attack, in response to Hamas demands following escalations, significantly contributed to the ease of the breach.
Current Situation: Eighteen months after the attack (as of April 2025), most residents were still prevented from returning to Nirim by an IDF emergency order, unless they were part of the local security squad. While more IDF forces were present in the area compared to before the attack, residents still felt abandoned. The village was in the early stages of recovery, with many damaged houses and ongoing military noise. There were still parts of the border fence near Nirim that appeared to have no IDF soldiers defending them.
Timeline of Events in Nirim on October 7, 2023 (Compiled from Walla! News Article):
6:29AM: Hamas launches a surprise attack, firing dozens of rockets across the country, including towards communities near the Gaza fence. Red alert sirens activate, and soldiers in bases and outposts enter protected spaces.
6:30AM: The collection department commander in the Kissufim sector reports via the battalion radio network: "Receiving a complex event on reporting line 174. A tractor is lowering the fence".
6:36AM: Terrorists breach the border fence ("hourglass") at three points opposite Kibbutz Nirim, penetrating the 62-soldier company-level combat team through ten axes.
6:40AM: The terrorists’ breakthrough force reaches the kibbutz and encounters the headquarters of the Southern Brigade commander, Colonel Asaf Hamami.
6:41AM: Terrorists neutralize observation equipment.
6:42AM: Terrorists successfully enter Kibbutz Nirim on six motorcycles.
6:44AM: Colonel Hamami declares "war" on the radio.
6:45AM: Terrorists detonate all "Ro'eh-Yoreh" (See-Shoot) positions.
6:45AM: Colonel Hamami and his soldiers reach the kibbutz.
6:49AM: Additional terrorists infiltrate the kibbutz on five motorcycles.
8:00AM (approx.): The settlement security officer informs the readiness squad that no IDF support will arrive and their defense is their responsibility.
8:18AM: Another wave of terrorists arrives at the kibbutz in eight pickup trucks and approximately thirty motorcycles.
8:20AM (approx.): Remaining IDF fighters near Nirim are diverted to other fighting locations like Kissufim.
8:37AM: Colonel Hamami's jeep is taken into the Gaza Strip.
8:40AM: Another wave of terrorists, including members of Islamic Jihad and unaffiliated individuals, arrives at the kibbutz.
9:09AM: The IDF bombs trucks along the fence, a fire breaks out in the kibbutz, and a Nukhba terrorist force retreats.
9:12AM: Terrorists begin to withdraw from Kibbutz Nirim.
9:20AM: The main killing spree in Nirim ends (approximately).
9:20-9:35AM: A combat helicopter fires two missiles, and artillery is fired at terrorists on reporting line 164.
9:30AM (approx.): Most Nukhba terrorists leave the kibbutz.
10:00AM: The local readiness squad mobilizes.
10:50AM-11:00AM: A combat helicopter fires three missiles at three motorcycles returning to Gaza.
10:53AM-11:36AM: A combat helicopter focuses on the breach in the fence at reporting line 167 opposite Nirim, engaging a utility vehicle and another pickup truck arriving from the north with about six occupants. Subsequently, three artillery shells are fired at the fields near the kibbutz.
11:00AM (approx.): Combat helicopter activity in the area contributes to reducing the scope of the raid.
1:30PM (approx.): The first reinforcement force arrives from the Commando Brigade training base.
2:00PM: The last terrorist is eliminated in the kibbutz.
6:30PM: Initial clearing of the kibbutz is completed.
Google Notebook LLM Podcast
PALESTINIAN-AMERICAN JOURNALIST, SCHOLAR
In this post, Palestinian-American Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib expresses his frustration with the one-sided criticism of Israel in the Gaza conflict, highlighting his own previous condemnations of Israeli actions. Once again, Alkhatib criticizes the pro-Palestine community for not condemning Hamas's role in the suffering of Gazans, emphasizing the need for balanced accountability for both parties involved in the conflict.
Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib writes:
Why don’t you condemn Israel! That’s what so many regularly ask me, or in some instances, yell, scream, and hurl in the form of insults at me. For most, this is how one shows care for the Palestinian people’s suffering in Gaza – condemn and decry Israeli actions, atrocities, excesses, wrongdoings, and repeated killings of so many Palestinian civilians, so many of whom have lost their lives in recent days. After all, the Netanyahu government is quite easy to loathe and condemn, especially when so many Israelis are opposed to their own government.
What folks don’t get is that I have done an endless amount of condemnation of Israeli actions. In fact, I have called Netanyahu a war criminal worthy of prosecution, have lauded the ICC’s decision to issue an arrest warrant for him, and have described the actions of individual Israeli soldiers and commanders as being criminal and completely unwarranted – including the killing of dozens of my own family members. And what has that achieved? What has that done to reverse the horrendous trajectory in Gaza? What did my voice, along with many millions of others, accomplish for the Palestinian people in Gaza when condemning Israeli actions & Netanyahu, whom we know was partly responsible for Hamas’s rise to political power through billions worth of Qatari suitcases full of cash?
Do you know what’s missing? In the entirety of the “pro-Palestine” community in the Western world, there hasn’t been a single sincere voice that has condemned Hamas’s terrorism, decision to launch the October 7 massacre, or incessant desire to keep playing roulette with the fate of 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza. Ask yourself: have you tried calling for Hamas to release Israeli hostages, give up governance of the Strip, sacrifice a little so others may live? Do you believe in any Palestinian agency and responsibility? Are you aware that of the 350 million + Arabs and the 1.7 billion + Muslims, most still don’t see a problem with Hamas’s actions on October 7, despite the group’s terrorism going against every possible Muslim and Arab value and ethical code?
Ask yourself why the “pro-Palestine” movement has never produced anything beyond surface-level, token-grade condemnation of Hamas, which can end the suffering of Gazans right this minute. Ask yourself why Palestinians who despise the Islamist terror group can’t call it out in public. Ask yourself why a single Arab government hasn’t been publicly calling Hamas out and demanding that the terror group step down to save what can be saved of Gaza. Ask yourself why Netanyahu allowed the group’s rule to be entrenched and grow in an effort to kill the two-state solution and claim that no partner for peace or negotiations exists.
Ask yourself why no real condemnation of Hamas’s treatment of Gazans and Palestinians is ever expressed, but detailed critique and criticism of Israel & Netanyahu are everywhere in media, academia, activist circles, and advocacy networks. Why is it so easy for Israelis to call out Netanyahu, Ben Gvir, Smotrich, and other fascists and far-right figures in Israeli politics, but it’s virtually impossible for any pragmatic or moderate pro-Palestine voice to call out Hamas’s terrorism and ISIS-like ideology & behavior? Ask yourself why the “pro-Palestine” movement hardly said a word about tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza protesting against Hamas in the midst of a war, calling for an end to the violence, peace, and a different future.
I’m desperately trying to fill a gap and show that Hamas is inseparable from Israeli actions that are getting Gaza annihilated and destroyed. I’m trying to do what hundreds of Gazans and Palestinians ask me to in secret: to keep going and exposing the supposed “resistance” group that has destroyed their lives! You cannot talk about Israeli atrocities in Gaza without simultaneously bringing up Hamas’s criminality and terrorism, which have harmed Palestinians just as much, or even more than Israelis. And remember, imperial Japan surrendered after two nuclear bombs to save its people; post-Hitler Germany surrendered to ensure there’s still a Germany left! But, alas, Hamas will “resist” to the last child and woman in Gaza – that is a crime and a travesty.
BUSINESS
AutonomyAI
Arik Faingold, the Israeli entrepreneur who co-founded cybersecurity unicorn Pentera, has launched a new venture aimed at transforming enterprise software development. His latest startup, AutonomyAI, has emerged from stealth with $4 million in pre-seed funding and a mission to integrate artificial intelligence directly into development teams. Unlike typical AI coding assistants, AutonomyAI’s platform becomes part of a company’s existing workflow, learning its development standards and generating production-ready code that meets internal requirements. According to the company, its platform can cut days of development time down to minutes, boost team productivity by over 44%, and achieve a 95% code acceptance rate—far surpassing the industry average of 30%.
Led by a founding team that includes four former CTOs from top Israeli tech firms, AutonomyAI is built around its proprietary Agentic Context Engine, which allows it to adapt to each organization’s infrastructure and coding practices. “In the cybersecurity world, we saw how AI could completely change the game. The same thing is happening in software development,” said Faingold, now Chairman and Co-founder. CEO Adir Ben Yehuda is steering the company through its early growth phase, with early customers in Israel and the U.S. already generating $100,000 in monthly revenue. As companies look to reduce costs and increase output, AutonomyAI’s promise of seamless, AI-driven productivity could position it as a key player in the future of enterprise software development.
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TRAVEL ACROSS ISRAEL
The Golan Heights: Wineries
A reader recently noted that my travel guide on the Golan Heights inadvertently missed mentioning the region's exquisite wineries. To remedy this oversight, here’s a special section dedicated to exploring these captivating vineyards.
The Golan Heights in Israel is renowned for its superb growing conditions, with volcanic soil and a cool climate that are perfect for wine-making. Here are some of the top wineries in the area:
Golan Heights Winery: Established in 1983 and located in Katzrin, this winery is one of Israel’s largest and has played a pivotal role in revolutionizing the country’s wine industry. It produces wines under labels such as Yarden, Gamla, and Mount Hermon. The winery offers tours that include visits to the barrel room and tastings of various wines
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Château Golan: Situated in Moshav Eliad in the southern Golan Heights, Château Golan is known for its grand, pillared cellar and produces a range of wines, including limited editions. The winery combines traditional winemaking methods with modern technology.
Pelter Winery: Located in Kibbutz Ein Zivan, Pelter Winery was founded by Tal Pelter after his studies in Australia. The winery produces a variety of wines, including whites and reds, and operates a boutique distillery offering products like gin and whiskey. Visitors can tour the facilities and enjoy tastings.
Odem Mountain Winery: As Israel’s northernmost winery, Odem Mountain Winery is situated in Moshav Odem near Odem Forest. This family-run boutique winery produces kosher wines and offers a visitor center where guests can taste wines accompanied by cheese platters.
Bazelet HaGolan Winery: Located in Kidmat Zvi, Bazelet HaGolan specializes in red wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes. The winery emphasizes the influence of the Golan’s basalt soil on its wines and offers tastings in a visitor center adjacent to a beautiful garden.
Ortal Winery: Situated in Kibbutz Ortal, this boutique winery cultivates its own vineyards, growing varieties like Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery offers tastings and provides panoramic views of the northern Golan Heights from its terrace.
Assaf Winery: Part of the Kedem Wine Village complex near the Gilabon River, Assaf Winery is a family-run establishment that produces wines from various grape varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. The visitor center offers guided tastings and insights into the winemaking process.
Bahat Winery: Located in Kibbutz Ein Zivan, Bahat Winery is a family boutique winery offering a range of red wines, liqueurs, and dessert wines. The visitor center provides tours and tastings, and there’s also a boutique store selling local cheeses and delicacies.
Terra Nova Winery: Situated in Moshav Kanaf, Terra Nova Winery produces red wines from varieties like Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as liqueurs from locally grown fruits. The winery offers tastings of wines and olive oils in its courtyard.