DAY 711 OF THE WAR: IDF Begins Gaza City Assault; Houthis Again; Netanyahu’s “Super Sparta” Remark Sparks More Fallout; Majority of Jewish Students Conceal Their Identity
Tel Aviv Diary, September 16, 2025
Last night, the IDF launched its assault on Gaza City. The operation began with a massive aerial and ground barrage, followed by a cautious advance into the city. The plan is to proceed block by block, slowly and methodically, in an effort to minimize risks to Israeli soldiers and reduce civilian casualties.
.Yet, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir repeatedly warned, that the offensive is a mistake. In every forum, Zamir has argued that the campaign is unlikely to deliver on the government’s stated objectives: the collapse of Hamas, the release of the hostages, or anything resembling those outcomes.
Commentators note that never before in Israel’s history has a major military operation begun with so little support. The public does not support it. The Army does not support it. The international community opposes it, with the exception of President Trump and his immediate circle. And as has been made clear, the goals of the operation remain uncertain.
Zamir has stressed again and again that unless the government decides on a long-term plan for Gaza’s future, the soldiers who may fall in the coming weeks will have died in vain. Without such a plan, Zamir insists, no objectives can be achieved. Zamir’s warning is already borne out by the lives lost in a war waged without any clear vision of what comes next.
This reality only sharpens the danger facing the Israeli hostages now trapped in Gaza City. President Trump last night cautioned Hamas not to use them as human shields. Why Hamas would take such a warning seriously, however, is beyond me.
At a meeting two days ago, Chief of Staff Zamir reportedly erupted in frustration. “Why are you not doing anything to reach an agreement? he demanded. Why is the head of Mossad still sitting here instead of traveling the world, trying to find a path toward some sort of agreement?”
In the middle of the night, hostage families rushed to Jerusalem and staged a sit-in outside Prime Minister Netanyahu’s residence, sleeping on the street. I only wish it would make a difference. Israel today feels so weighed down, so dispirited, that it is paralyzed into inaction. I’m not sure what it will take to bring millions into the streets, even though millions openly oppose the government’s current policies.
IDF CHIEF ZAMIR’S ADDRESS, FROM GAZA
Chief of Staff Zamir made the following statement tonight:
Following extensive discussions with the political echelon, over the past 24 hours we have been operating deep inside the territory of Gaza City. We are acting in depth across the area in coordination with ground forces. Our forces are advancing significantly into the city.
Our objective is to deepen the blows against Hamas until it is decisively defeated, to secure the release of the hostages, and to achieve Hamas’s defeat. This will be done using precise fire and high-quality intelligence. Before our eyes, our operations are being executed according to an orderly plan that will enable the ending of the campaign and the defeat of its military strength. We have degraded and harmed its core military power, and now we are deepening those gains in the war.
We have mobilized thousands of reservists for this campaign; they operate alongside the regular forces. They are the spearhead of the IDF and the guarantors of the state’s security. These soldiers undertake their missions with devotion, professionalism, and responsibility, bearing the heavy burden that falls upon them and their families. I want to emphasize: bringing our hostages home is a moral and national duty. I wish to express my appreciation for those serving the nation and working on its behalf.
As commander of the army, it is my duty to present, before every operation, all the implications and possible security risks. I have presented these clearly and professionally before the political echelon. Under this understanding, and with experienced and responsible leadership, the operation was approved to meet the full set of objectives.
Since October—the day we were brutally attacked our operational conception has changed completely. In cooperation with all security branches along the axis of Iranian aggression, we have eliminated much of Hamas’s leadership, struck at threats on land, at sea and in the air, and removed existential threats in the framework of Operation [it appears to be named; translation retains sense] “with a lion’s people.” These results were achieved by the sacrifice and bravery of our fighters and have created a new security reality and new opportunities that we can exploit to improve Israel’s strategic position in the Middle East.
In this campaign we act to prevent harm to civilians. The IDF operates in accordance with international law, doing our utmost to avoid civilian casualties. We are acting to eliminate the terror that declares, from every platform, that its goal is the destruction of the State of Israel.
As Rosh Hashanah approaches and while the people of Israel prepare to gather around holiday tables, we will continue to serve and protect our citizens. Our soldiers are positioned at the front and beyond enemy lines; they perform their duties almost every day in the field with a deep commitment to the people of Israel. We will not forget, for a moment, those who are not with us and their families. The entire State of Israel bows its head before the bereaved who paid the highest price. We will persist in caring for our wounded throughout their rehabilitation, and we will honor the sacrifice of those who gave their lives.
With the coming of the new year, we are united in shared destiny and committed to the future of the State of Israel. We will ensure that the gates of security and prosperity remain open for the growth and flourishing of our land. As the closing prayer of Ne’ilah says, “Open for us a gate as the gate is closing”—may this year bring security and flourishing to our country.
HOUTHIS
This afternoon, the Israeli Air Force struck the port of Hodeida, targeting piers the Houthis had recently brought back into use. A few hours later, at about 18:45, reports emerged that the Houthis had fired a missile at Israel. Minutes after that, we received a pre-alert on our phones warning that the missile might be headed toward our area. Milo immediately went to the door. However, we did not go down to the shelter, as we wait for an actual air-raid siren before doing so. This attack was aimed at much of the country but did not reach us directly. The missile was intercepted before impact.
“SUPER-SPARTA”
Prime Minister Netanyahu’s remarks last night about the need for Israel to become an “Autarky economy” and transform into a kind of “super-Sparta” reverberated throughout the media and the public today. Only belatedly did Netanyahu appear to recognize the damage his words had caused. While last night he asserted he was speaking about Israel’s arms industry, tonight Netanyahu convened a press conference to address the broader economy.
The real issue is not the rhetoric but the facts on the ground. Increasingly, Israeli businesses report losing sales and finding clients unwilling to meet. In recent days, Spain canceled two major arms deals with Elbit. Tomorrow, the European Union is set to meet to consider possible sanctions on Israel. While a few staunch allies, such as Hungary, remain in Israel’s corner, the outcome of these discussions is unclear.
At the same time, there is growing talk of cutting the roughly $600 million Israel receives annually for research and development. For more than a year, Israeli academics have reported mounting difficulties publishing papers and receiving invitations to conferences, amounting to a quiet boycott in many academic circles.
Yesterday’s Radio Show
GENOCIDE
The UN’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry reported today that Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza. I will not wade into the legal debate here. In my view, while Israel is NOT committing genocide, there can be no denying that some of our actions are immoral, and some may constitute war crimes.
At this stage of the war, when most Israelis, much of the military, and even many decision-makers outside the government believe these actions will not achieve their stated aims, every civilian death that is not Hamas feels, to me, like a crime.
Collateral damage is a tragic reality in any war, but when they serve no clear purpose and do nothing to bring the hostages home, they are unconscionable. I feel terrible. If this war had ended a year ago, this report would never have been issued. But here we are.
I do not absolve Gazans or other Palestinians of responsibility for the situation. There are many reasons peace was never achieved. However, the blame cannot be placed on a 12-year-old whose leaders failed him, or on a five-year-old who has known nothing but war. Some of these children may one day turn to terrorism, but our responsibility should be to prevent that outcome, not to kill them before they have the chance to grow up and live. What began, in many eyes, as a just war has, at some point, become something else.
MK GADI EISENKOT FORMS NEW POLITICAL PARTY— “YASHAR!”
In a recent political development, former IDF Chief of Staff, MK Gadi Eisenkot announced the formation of a new political party, named Yashar!— a name which translates to “honest” or “straight”. The exclamation point was deliberately added to convey the party’s sense of urgency. The move has drawn significant attention, particularly given the inclusion of the founder of Wiz and other prominent Israeli figures.
There is strong speculation that Yashar! may merge or collaborate with former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s party. Regardless of the eventual partner, Yashar presenting a unified front would give the new faction greater leverage in negotiations and enhance its influence on the political stage.
GLOBAL SURVEY FINDS JEWISH STUDENTS HIDING IDENTITY ON CAMPUSES
As the new academic year begins, a joint global survey by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the World Union of Jewish Students (WUJS) reveals an alarming reality: more than three-quarters of Jewish university students worldwide feel compelled to conceal their religious identity (78%) and their Zionist identity (81%). Conducted across the 2024–2025 academic year, the survey represents the first comprehensive global study of its kind, engaging 1,727 Jewish students from over 60 countries across six continents.
This survey exposes a devastating reality: Jewish students across the globe are being forced to hide fundamental aspects of their identity just to feel safe on campus, said Marina Rosenberg, ADL’s Senior Vice President of International Affairs.
When over three-quarters of Jewish students feel they must conceal their religious and Zionist identity for their own safety, the situation is nothing short of dire.
The findings paint a troubling picture. Over one-third of respondents (34%) know Jewish peers who were physically threatened, and nearly one in five (19%) know peers who were physically attacked. Orthodox Jewish students reported twice the rate of discrimination compared to other Jewish students, while nearly 30% of requests for religious accommodations were denied, with the situation particularly acute in Europe. Women also reported higher rates of concealing their Jewish and Zionist identity than men. Most of the discrimination originates from fellow students rather than professors or staff.
Students themselves spoke to the chilling campus atmosphere. Victoria, a Jewish Studies student at the University of Vienna, recalled:
There was an ‘Intifada Camp’ glorifying Hamas on campus, and our building already had antisemitic graffiti on it. One day, I was terrified to attend a seminar… We canceled the seminar and fled through the back exit. For a moment, I felt like it was the 1930s, and Jewish students were being chased from their universities.
WUJS President Josh Cohen added:
We are distressed and disappointed by the results of this survey, but not at all surprised. Since October 7th, Jewish students around the world have been speaking to the rise in antisemitism and ostracization. This survey only further highlights how striking the treatment of Jewish students is on campus.
Both ADL and WUJS urged universities to act decisively, including adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s Working Definition of Antisemitism, appointing coordinators to combat antisemitism, and ensuring accessible religious accommodations. They stressed that universities must partner with Jewish student unions to create campuses where Jewish students can feel safe, respected, and able to thrive.
ANTISEMITIC CONSPIRACY THEORIES EMERGE AFTER CHARLIE KIRK MURDER
The shocking murder of Charlie Kirk, conservative commentator and president of Turning Point USA, has already been weaponized by antisemites. Kirk was fatally shot on September 10 while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University. Within hours, before any suspect had been identified, false narratives spread online blaming Jews or Israel for the killing. The ADL Center on Extremism reports that this is a familiar pattern: in the absence of answers, antisemitic conspiracy theories rapidly fill the void, exploiting confusion and fear to sow distrust.
According to the ADL, one of the most popular claims has been a “false flag” theory that Israel orchestrated Kirk’s assassination. Since September 10, more than 10,000 posts on X have included the phrase “Israel killed Charlie Kirk.” Well-known extremist voices amplified the lie, with far-right commentator Stew Peters using antisemitic tropes and influencer Ian Carroll telling his million followers that Israel had “murdered him [Kirk] in front of his family.” Some conspiracy promoters pointed to Kirk’s platforming of Israel critics such as comedian Dave Smith as supposed justification for the killing. Others speculated that the shooting was staged to turn public anger against Muslims, noting that it occurred a day before the anniversary of September 11.
The ADL warns that these conspiracy theories are especially dangerous given today’s unprecedented threat environment for Jewish communities worldwide. “The longer the public is left with unanswered questions about this shooting, the more damage conspiracy theories about Jews and Israel being responsible can cause,” the group noted. The rapid spread of baseless allegations following Kirk’s murder underscores how extremists use high-profile tragedies to push antisemitic narratives—and how quickly such falsehoods can gain traction in a volatile public arena.
BUSINESS
Feelit Technologies
Israeli startup Feelit Technologies has secured $8.3 million in a Series A+ funding round led by Alea Capital Partners, with participation from existing investors Henkel Ventures and Takwin. The new capital will support the company’s expansion across Europe, the Middle East, and the United States, as it looks to scale deployments and strengthen partnerships with major industrial players.
Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Yokneam, Feelit employs 25 people and has developed a platform that digitizes factory and refinery operations through adhesive “Sticker” sensors. These AI-powered sensors provide real-time data on equipment performance, enabling early detection of potential failures. The company says the technology improves safety, reduces emissions, and delivers significant cost savings. In one refinery deployment, Feelit reports system-wide efficiencies alongside environmental benefits.
ZipRecruiter & Fiverr
ZipRecruiter announced today that it is closing its R&D center in Israel, laying off 80 employees. At the same time, Fiverr—one of Israel’s most successful startups of the past decade—said it is cutting a third of its workforce, about 250 people, as it restructures to stay competitive in the age of AI.
Ray Security
Israeli startup Ray Security has come out of stealth with an $11 million Seed round co-led by Venture Guides and Ibex Investors, aiming to transform enterprise data protection. The Tel Aviv–based company is introducing what it calls the world’s first predictive data security platform, designed to anticipate and safeguard information use in real time.
Founded in 2024 by CEO Ariel Zamir, CBO Eric Wolf, and CTO Dekel Levkovich—veterans of NetApp, Check Point, Guardicore, and Axonius—Ray Security shifts defenses from static barriers to adaptive systems. Its platform monitors how employees, systems, and AI agents access information, predicts what data will be needed next, and applies protections automatically. The company says this proactive approach can cut enterprise data risk by up to 90 percent, with coverage across hybrid cloud and on-premises environments.
Ray Security already counts Fortune 500 companies in finance, healthcare, and technology among its early customers. Backed by more than ten pending patents, the platform supports highly regulated industries where data protection is critical. The new funding will be used to accelerate product development and drive expansion in the U.S. “Static defenses fall short in dynamic environments,” Zamir said. “Our platform adapts in real time, reducing the attack surface at scale.”
Fabrix
Tel Aviv–based startup Fabrix Security has emerged from stealth with $8 million in Seed funding to tackle one of cybersecurity’s most enduring challenges: identity and access management (IAM). The round was led by Norwest and toDay Ventures, with participation from Jibe Ventures and prominent angel investors including Shmil Levy, co-founder of Sequoia Israel; Yotam Segev and Tamar Bar-Ilan, founders of Cyera; and Ofer Ben-Noon and Ohad Bobrov, founders of Talon, among others.
Founded by CEO Raz Rotenberg, a former founding engineer at Run:AI (acquired by NVIDIA), and CTO Ofir Yakovian, previously of Orca Security and Microsoft Entra, Fabrix already counts paying customers and partnerships with leading U.S. financial institutions. The company argues that traditional IAM tools, reliant on manual reviews and static rules, cannot keep pace with the explosion of human and non-human identities across cloud applications, bots, service accounts, and AI-driven workflows. “At this scale, traditional IAM systems can’t achieve their main objectives, enforcing least privilege and reducing the attack surface,” Rotenberg said.
Fabrix’s “AI-native IAM” platform builds an “identity fabric graph” by connecting data across organizational systems, then deploys AI agents to analyze and make real-time access decisions that adapt dynamically to changing business contexts. Designed to offer explainable and auditable reasoning, the system aims to reassure risk managers wary of AI’s opacity. “The identity space is on the verge of major disruption,” said Shay Michel, Managing Partner at toDay Ventures. “AI’s ability to multitask at scale and make instant decisions will eliminate today’s approval bottlenecks and long wait times.”
Check Point
Check Point has announced the acquisition of Lakera.AI, a Swiss-American cybersecurity company specializing in protecting agentic AI applications. The deal, estimated at $300 million, reflects the growing momentum around AI security and follows a series of recent moves in the sector, such as SentinelOne’s purchase of Prompt Security and Tenable’s acquisition of Apex. Founded in 2021 by former Google and Meta AI experts, Lakera.AI focuses on real-time protection for large language models, AI agents, and multi-agent platforms, and employs 70 people across its research hubs in Zurich and San Francisco.
Lakera is best known for its Gandalf AI platform, one of the largest red-teaming projects in the AI world—built on over 80 million attack data points. Its flagship solutions, Lakera Red and Lakera Guard, combine continuous offensive testing with real-time defense to protect AI systems from unauthorized or anomalous behavior. Already serving Fortune 500 clients worldwide in more than 100 languages, the company has positioned itself as a pioneer in securing AI at scale.
With the acquisition, Check Point plans to establish Lakera’s Zurich headquarters as its global R&D center for AI security. Working alongside Check Point’s existing development hub in Tel Aviv, the new center will lead efforts to set industry standards for end-to-end AI security, enabling organizations worldwide to embrace AI technology with greater confidence.