On Friday, the name of Master Sgt. (res.) Asaf Cafri (26), who fell on Thursday, was released. Cafri was the great-grandson of Holocaust survivor Magda Baratz (96), who, at the time of his death, was en route to a memorial ceremony at Bergen-Belsen.
On Saturday night, shortly after the conclusion of Shabbat, the IDF and the police released terrible news. Lt. Colonel Ido Voloch (21), of Jerusalem, was killed in action on Friday. Also confirmed fallen was Sgt. Neta Yitzhak Kahane, a member of the Border Police’s elite unit.
Here is a summary of the preliminary findings from the Battle in Shuja'iyya, where IDF Officer Ido Voloch z"l and Border Police Fighter Neta Yitzhak Kahane (19) fell, as reported by Doron Kadosh, Military Correspondent for Galei Tzahal (Army Radio):
A force from the 16th Reserve Brigade operating in Sajayia went on an offensive operation on the outskirts of the neighborhood, about one and a half kilometers from the border fence between Israel and the Gaza Strip. The force conducted searches, destroyed terror infrastructure, and afterward, an ambush unit of Yamam fighters (the undercover unit of the Border Police) remained in the area.
Around 16:25 (yesterday), a cell of terrorists approached the Yamam fighters' ambush position and engaged in a firefight with them inside a building in Shuja'iyya. In the battle, a Yamam fighter was killed.
Immediately after the encounter and the injury to the fighter, a rescue operation began, requiring additional forces to reach the location and extract the fighters from the ambush. This rescue battle lasted a full two hours, during which Hamas terrorist cells fired no less than 5 times toward the rescue forces.
First, an anti-tank missile was launched at a military Humvee that arrived for evacuation, moderately wounding a fighter. Later, two anti-tank missiles were fired at a tank from Battalion 46, with no casualties.
At 17:39, about an hour after the first encounter in which the Yamam fighter was killed, another anti-tank missile was fired at another tank from Battalion 46 - this time the missile hit, and an officer from the battalion was killed. Another fighter was lightly wounded.
About half an hour later, an anti-tank missile was again fired at a force and terrorists opened small arms fire, and two more fighters were moderately wounded. In total during the entire incident - two fighters fell, and 3 fighters were wounded.
LEBANON
This afternoon, the Israeli Air Force destroyed a building in the Dahiyah section of Beirut, after issuing advance warnings to residents. U.S. officials were also notified ahead of the operation. According to Israeli sources, the target was a site where Hezbollah was assembling advanced missiles.
HOUTHIS
In the meantime, Houthi forces continue to fire at Israel. In the early hours of Saturday morning, widespread alerts were issued across much of the country warning of a potential missile strike. Ultimately, air raid sirens were activated only in Beersheba and its surrounding areas, while central Israel were able to sleep through the night.
A similar event occurred last night; this time, with alerts confined to the Dead Sea region. Later this morning, an Israeli attack helicopter intercepted and downed a drone approaching from Houthi-controlled territory. A second Houthi drone was also intercepted later this afternoon. Despite sustained, heavy U.S. airstrikes against them, the Houthis continue to launch attacks toward Israel—thankfully, without causing damage or casualties, so far.
TODAY’S ZOOM BRIEFING
EXPLOSION AT KEY IRANIAN PORT DISRUPTS MISSILE FUEL SUPPLY AND ECONOMY
One of the main news items over the past two days has been the story of the explosion at Shahid Rajaee port near the city of Bandar Abbas. The blast reportedly originated in missile fuel imported from China—a critical component for Iran’s arsenal. According to reports, Israel’s response to the Iranian attacks in October had already crippled Iran’s domestic production of the fuel.
The Iranian authorities claim that the explosion and fire were accidental, while Israel has denied any involvement. In reality, it is in no one's interest to publicly suggest Israeli responsibility, especially given prior warnings to port officials about unsafe storage practices. For now, the port—one of Iran’s largest and most vital—is non-operational, dealing a blow not only to Iran’s missile program but also to its broader economy, at least in the short term.
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Meanwhile, negotiations between the US and Iran continue, and by all accounts, they are making progress. The major concern is the imbalance at the negotiating table: the U.S. team lacks seasoned experts, while Iran is represented by experienced diplomats. It is likely that an agreement will be reached, and it is expected to closely resemble the original JCPOA, from which the U.S. withdrew, during Trump’s first administration.
NO SENIOR ISRAELI OFFICIALS ATTEND POPE FRANCIS’ FUNERAL
Yesterday, the funeral of Pope Francis was held. Israel did not send a special delegation, only its regular Ambassador—while most other countries were represented by heads of state or senior officials. In response to remarks Pope Francis made about the Gaza war, Israel chose not to send a higher-ranking representative—a decision that, once again, reflects poor judgment.
SUPREME COURT PRESSES GOVERNMENT ON ULTRA-ORTHODOX DRAFT
The Supreme Court has demanded the government explain why it has not issued draft notices to all eligible ultra-Orthodox men, and why it has failed to impose sanctions on those who have ignored previous draft summons.
HOSTAGE/CEASEFIRE NEGOTIATIONS
Rumors of multiple proposals have surfaced in recent days for ending the war and securing the return of the hostages. Hamas has reportedly offered a five-year truce in exchange for the release of all hostages. Another plan, floated by Egypt, calls for a six-month ceasefire, though it has not yet been accepted by Hamas. The main obstacle remains the Israeli government's refusal to agree to any proposal that would formally end the war—despite polls showing that 72% of Israelis support ending the war in exchange for the hostages' return.
SUMMARY OF THE IDF FINDINGS REGARDING THE OCTOBER 7th ATTACK ON ARMY BASE AT ZIKIM
The Home Front Command training base near Kibbutz Zikim in southern Israel was targeted by Hamas terrorists during the October 7, 2023, onslaught. The base, which served as a training facility, housed around 141 troops at the time of the attack. This included over 100 new recruits who had enlisted just two months prior. Approximately 70% of the trainees were young women. The trainees were described as unarmed and not yet trained for combat. Around 20 commanders were also at the base. Hamas terrorists, estimated at around 120 invaders, attempted to attack and capture the facility.
Despite the significant challenges, including being poorly defended and manned mostly by trainees and junior commanders lacking significant combat experience, the base was successfully held. The Hamas terrorists failed to capture the base. The quick thinking and bravery of a small number of junior commanders and soldiers were highlighted as crucial to the defense. They managed to prevent the base from being taken over in the way other bases were on October 7. Sources indicate that they "simply outperformed what might have been expected" given their lack of real combat training.
During the battle, six commanders and one soldier were killed. The slain commanders were identified as Maj. Adir Abudi (company commander), Cpt. Or Moses (deputy company commander), Lt. Yannai Kaminka (platoon commander), Lt. Adar Ben Simon (platoon commander), Staff Sgt. Eden Alon Levy (squad commander), and Staff Sgt. Omri Niv Firshtein (Abudi’s driver). Cpl. Neria Aharon Nagari, an 18-year-old soldier who had only enlisted in August, was killed while trying to help the wounded or during a confrontation with a terrorist who entered the base. All but one of the over 100 young trainees emerged alive. Sources state that over 100 unarmed new recruit soldiers' lives were "barely saved”.
Top (L-R) Maj. Adir Abudi, Cpt. Or Moses, Lt. Yannai Kaminka; bottom: Lt. Adar Ben Simon, Staff Sgt. Eden Alon Levy, Staff Sgt. Omri Niv Firshtein. (Israel Defense Forces)
The battle occurred at three main locations at the base: the Vav post on the southern edge, the gate facing the sea, and the gate leading to the shooting range. Commanders engaged terrorists approaching the perimeter fence at the Vav post, where Maj. Abudi and Cpt. Moses were killed. At the seaside gate, civilians fleeing Zikim beach were given shelter before a commander engaged approaching terrorists, killing one. At the shooting range gate, commanders battled terrorists from a distance for over an hour before an RPG attack killed four commanders (Ben Simon, Kaminka, Firshtein, and Alon Levy). Following the RPG attack, two terrorists breached the base. One was eventually killed by reinforcing senior commanders and a paratrooper who arrived. The other entered the barracks area, shot and wounded a trainee, and was confronted by Cpl. Nagari who was immediately shot dead. A civilian nurse was also shot and wounded. Trainee Daniel Abuhatzira fought the terrorist, and trainee Ayman al-Lala ultimately shot and killed him.
In total, nine Hamas invaders were killed. Two of these were killed after they entered the base. Sources indicate that two terrorists were killed by base forces, while other accounts detail multiple terrorists being killed by base personnel and reinforcements at various locations. Seven terrorists were killed nearby the base.
An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) probe, conducted by Col. Shlomi Ben Yair, investigated the battle, reviewing communications, surveillance, messages, and interviewing survivors. While highlighting the bravery, the probe also identified several errors and shortcomings:
The base commander remained in his hometown of Sderot during the attack and did not attempt to reach the base until the afternoon. He was reportedly protecting his children.
The training base was not "synchronized" with the operational army bases in the Gaza Division's Northern Brigade and did not maintain a synchronized operational routine.
The IDF had not considered the base potentially in danger despite its proximity to Gaza.
Most commanders had left for the weekend without their personal M-16 rifles, only taking pistols.
There was a clear gap in weaponry and equipment compared to Hamas terrorists, who had anti-tank missiles (RPGs) and sniper rifles. Commanders felt having grenades could have increased the terrorist casualties.
Gaps existed in observation and defense capabilities.
The sources also mention a related incident involving a problematic retreat by Golani brigade soldiers from Zikim beach on the same day. This incident, where seven soldiers retreated from five Hamas naval commandos without firing, was shown during the probe but Col. Ben Yair's mandate only covered the base itself. The lack of explanation and consequences for the soldiers involved in the beach incident drew criticism, leading to the IDF scheduling a future briefing on the matter.
Following the October 7 attack, the Zikim base was taken over by the 162nd Division for operations in northern Gaza, and Home Front Command training moved to a different facility. The IDF stated that Zikim and other such bases have since been equipped with improved weapons, including grenades and rocket-propelled grenades.
Timeline of Events at Zikim Base (October 7, 2023).
6:00 AM: Shift change; trainees take positions at Vav post and other guard posts. The shooting range gate is manned.
6:29 AM: Hamas launches a large rocket barrage, targeting Israeli military bases, including Zikim base.
Shortly after 6:29 AM: Rocket strikes knock out power, disabling communication devices. Commanders reach the Vav post and send the trainee there back to the barracks. Several commanders join the personnel at the shooting range gate.
6:40 AM (approx): Power outage causes communication systems to crash within ten minutes.
6:45 AM (approx): Gunfire is heard from the nearby Camp Yiftah and Zikim beach.
6:49 AM (approx): Following rocket launches, the company commander orders reinforcement of defense and sends commanders to posts.
Before 7:00 AM: Two Hamas ships breach navy defenses off Zikim beach.
7:02 AM: Approximately 20 civilians fleeing Zikim beach are allowed into a bomb shelter at the base's seaside gate.
7:24 AM: First identification of two terrorists.
Battle at Vav Post: Commanders exchange fire with terrorists outside the perimeter fence. Maj. Adir Abudi and Cpt. Or Moses are killed, five other commanders are wounded. Two terrorists are killed by forces. The battle continues, with the last commander falling around 8:35 a.m..
Battle at Shooting Range Gate: Commanders battle terrorists for over an hour after gathering at the gate. Sgt. Noa Ze’evi is critically wounded. Sgt. Ron Ben Ezra is slightly injured.
8:13 AM (around): Terrorists fire an RPG at the shooting range post, killing Lt. Adar Ben Simon, Lt. Yannai Kaminka, Staff Sgt. Omri Niv Firshtein, and Staff Sgt. Eden Alon Levy.
After 8:13 AM: Two terrorists who attacked the shooting range gate breach the base perimeter and split up.
8:25 AM (approx): The first terrorist is killed by soldiers of Tabor company.
8:28 AM (approx): Rescue of commanders Idan and Najib from a post.
8:30 AM (around): Some civilians leave the seaside gate shelter and flee north. Two Hamas terrorists approach the seaside gate. Commander Yariv Bibyar opens fire, killing one and wounding the second. Bibyar is hit in the helmet but unharmed. The wounded terrorist is killed later by IDF commandos. Sgt. Yoav is wounded at Post Vav.
Second Terrorist (Breached after 8:13 AM): Stumbles upon the barracks area where trainees and wounded are sheltering. He opens fire, wounding a trainee. Cpl. Neria Aharon Nagari attempts to return fire but is immediately shot dead by the terrorist. The terrorist fires into the shelter, hitting a civilian nurse three times. Trainee Daniel Abuhatzira fights the terrorist, pushing him out of the shelter. Trainee Ayman al-Lala shoots the terrorist five times, killing him.
9:00 AM (approx): The first force arrives from outside the base.
9:15 AM: Senior commanders and Lt. Avichail Reuven locate and kill the other terrorist who had breached the base (and run out of ammunition) as he attempts to escape.
9:16 AM (approx): The second terrorist is killed at the shooting range gate area (Note: This timestamp/location from appears to conflict with the narrative in describing the second breaching terrorist being killed in the barracks area by trainees and later by reinforcements near the gate).
9:40 AM: Initial scans of the Tabor company area and the base begin.
10:20 AM: Wounded soldiers begin to be evacuated to hospitals.
11:30 AM (approx): Bodies of slain troops are removed.
2:30 PM (14:30): The base is declared cleared of threats, and the situation is reported as restored.
Ahead of Yom HaZikaron (Israel’s Memorial Day), the Ministry of Defense announced that 25,418 soldiers have fallen in Israel’s conflicts from 1860 to the present. Since last Memorial Day, 317 soldiers have been killed. Today, Israel has 8,674 bereaved parents, 5,391 widows, 10,302 orphans, and 34,250 bereaved siblings—a total of 58,617 bereaved family members. Of these, 5,944 families (approximately 10%) have been added since the October 7th attacks.
PALESTINIAN-AMERICAN JOURNALIST/SCHOLAR WEIGHS IN ON ABBAS’ SUCCESSOR
Here is what Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib wrote about the potential successor to Mahmoud Abbas:
The Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, has named Hussein Al-Sheikh as his vice president and likely successor to lead the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Palestinian Authority (PA). Al-Sheikh is a veteran leader of the group Fatah and is part of the pragmatic and moderate wing of the Palestinian leadership. He has long spearheaded security and civil coordination with Israeli authorities and military officials, making him an exceptionally unpopular and controversial figure within the Palestinian street.
His appointment is likely a signal that Abbas registers the disaster facing the Palestinian national project, necessitating pragmatic and practical leadership that will dispense with useless slogans and engage in realistic planning and efforts that may one day lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Al-Sheikh is someone who will work with the Israelis and moderate Arab states to prevent a Hamas takeover of the West Bank and maintain stability, however tenuous and fragile, over the Palestinian-held parts of the territory. Furthermore, he will likely be tasked with working to establish a new framework for the PA’s partial or full eventual return to the Gaza Strip after the end of the war, with all the associated challenges and hurdles that such a task entails.
Nevertheless, Al-Sheikh has the challenge of not only winning public support, which is difficult because many view him as a “subcontractor for the Israeli military occupation,” but he also needs the backing of other Palestinian factions within the PLO. He must figure out a way to work with what remains of Hamas’s leadership abroad, assuming they remain alive for long, and to reverse his incredibly low polling numbers among the Palestinian people.
Al-Sheikh will hopefully reverse some of the contradictory policies that the PA has in place, like criminalizing acts of “normalization” and direct contact with Israeli individuals and organizations. Given that he is considered the godfather of coordination and collaboration with Israel, he will have a hard time maintaining the slogan-based facade of Palestinian nationalism that opposes normalization. Still, there’s a chance that he, in an effort to bolster his credibility with the
Palestinian public, may harden some of his stances and seek to distance himself from previous positions he adopted. What’s most critical to watch for is the Israeli official reaction to Al-Sheikh's appointment.
The current Israeli cabinet has stopped all forms of support for the Palestinian Security services, making their job exceptionally difficult and complicating the security architecture, strategy, and functions in the West Bank. If Netanyahu, Defense Minister Katz, and others see Al-Sheikh as a prospective partner, that could ensure the survival of the PA and may delay the collapse of the Palestinian body that serves Israeli interests just as much as it fulfills Palestinian national interests.
Noteworthy is how Al-Sheikh’s appointment is overtly supported by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he met senior members of the Royal family in recent weeks. However, he is loathed by elements of the “opposition Fatah” members led by Mohammed Dahlan, hosted and supported by the United Arab Emirates.
Our next destination is Megiddo. We will first visit the Kibbutz before continuing on to the ancient Tel—one of the most storied archaeological sites in Israel.
During Israel’s War of Independence, the nearby town of Lajjun was captured by the Golani Brigade. Most of its residents fled to Umm al-Fahm, and the town's buildings were subsequently destroyed. On the ruins of the destroyed village, Kibbutz Megiddo was founded on February 2, 1949, by members of Hashomer Hatzair— a group named after Yosef Kaplan that came from Mishmar HaEmek.
The founders of Kibbutz Megiddo were primarily Polish immigrants who arrived in Israel after surviving the Holocaust, some having passed through detention camps in Cyprus. Before establishing their own community, members of the group were dispersed among the kibbutzim of Gat, Ein HaShofet, Dan, and Negba, where they helped strengthen these settlements and received agricultural and security training. Those stationed at Negba even took part in the battles to defend the kibbutz during the War of Independence. Following the pivotal battles around Mishmar HaEmek, members of the core group came together to reinforce and ultimately establish Kibbutz Megiddo.
In February 1949, the group settled on the land at the entrance to Wadi Ara. The settlers set to work, building modest residential huts, a workshop, and a chicken coop to support their fledgling community. By August of that year, they marked a major milestone—celebrating the opening of their new dining hall and the connection to a vital water well. After several years, the kibbutz relocated to a nearby hilltop, where they established their permanent settlement.
Throughout the 1950s, new groups of immigrants from Lebanon, Mexico, and other South American countries joined the founders, each wave adding new life and energy to the growing kibbutz. By 1995, Kibbutz Megiddo had grown to a population of 460 members.
In 2003, Kibbutz Megiddo was privatized and now operates as a community settlement, though except for the inactive dining hall, the kibbutz maintained its character and kibbutz features.
Now on to Tel Megiddo, one of the most important archaeological sites in Israel and a key crossroads of ancient history. First inhabited around 7000 BCE during the Neolithic period, Megiddo grew into a powerful Canaanite city-state by the Bronze Age, strategically located overlooking the Jezreel Valley. It was the site of numerous battles due to its commanding position on vital trade routes, including the famous Battle of Megiddo fought by Egyptian Pharaoh Thutmose III around 1457 BCE — often considered the first battle ever recorded in detail.
Megiddo later became a prominent Israelite city, mentioned in the Bible as a fortified stronghold built by King Solomon. Over millennia, Megiddo saw layer upon layer of settlement, eventually declining in the Persian period. Its enduring fame also comes from Christian tradition: the name “Armageddon” derives from “Har Megiddo” — the hill of Megiddo — symbolizing the place of the final apocalyptic battle. Today, Tel Megiddo is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its extraordinary archaeological significance and as a witness to the rise and fall of empires over thousands of years.
Visiting Tel Megiddo offers a fascinating journey into the ancient world. Upon arrival, visitors begin at a small but informative visitor center where a short introductory film provides historical background. Walking trails guide you across the excavated ruins, including the remains of massive city gates, royal palaces, and Canaanite temples.
Perhaps the most striking feature is the ancient underground water system, a remarkable feat of engineering that allowed the city’s inhabitants to survive sieges — visitors can still walk through the tunnels today. The panoramic view from the top of the Tel reveals the sweeping Jezreel Valley, a reminder of why Megiddo was so fiercely contested throughout history.
Allow at least two hours to explore the site fully, with moderate walking involved along uneven paths and steps, particularly if you choose to experience the water tunnel. It’s best to visit in the morning to avoid the midday heat, and bringing water, a hat, and sunscreen is strongly recommended.
