DAY 94 OF THE GAZA WAR : Tension on Lebanese Border, Rocket Factory Found in Gaza, Rightest Go Crazy Over Justice Barak Going to The Hague
Tel Aviv Diary, January 8, 2024
Fighting continues in both Israel’s North and South. In the North, Hezbollah launched rocket and missile attacks, targeting a variety of communities and military installations along the border. The IDF successfully eliminated Hezbollah Senior Field Commander Wissam al-Tawil, while he was traveling in a vehicle overseeing attacks against Israel. It was reported that al-Tawil was related by marriage to Nasrallah, suggesting that Hezbollah is likely to seek retaliation for this assassination.
In a separate operation, Israel also eliminated the head of Hamas in Syria, with Israel officially acknowledging responsibility for this action. The situation remains highly tense, and while it's uncertain how events will unfold, I believe an all-out war remains unlikely. Nevertheless, it's crucial for Israel to be fully prepared for any escalation.
BACK TO GAZA …
Fighting persisted both in Gaza’s central camps, as well as, in Khan Younis. Clashes with Hamas forces led to a substantial number of injuries among Israeli soldiers. I fear we will wake tomorrow morning to some terrible news
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In a major development, the IDF uncovered the largest metalworking facility discovered to date. Located in the Al-Bureij camp, this significant metalworking facility was being used to manufacture long-range rockets. The Army described this newly found facility as follows:
The 36th Brigade's combat soldiers have been operating in recent weeks in the Al-Bureij camp in the heart of the Gaza Strip. This densely populated camp, composed of civilian structures, was used by Hamas terrorists to produce tons of weapons used in the terror organization’s October 7th attack.
Combat teams from the 188th and Golani Brigades uncovered several pits reaching depths of about 30 meters. Through precise guidance from intelligence resources, a terror stronghold for the production of weaponry in the Gaza Strip was revealed, including numerous factories for manufacturing long-range rockets, explosives, precision components for rocket and mortar bombs, charges, light weapons, and underground unmanned aerial vehicles. Additionally, the forces eliminated dozens of terrorists in the area
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The 188th Brigade's combat team took control of the Al-Bureij battalion headquarters of the Hamas terror organization. During the raid, an observation command center was located. The Golani Brigade's combat team discovered the largest workshop uncovered since the beginning of the war. In this area, components for long-range rockets capable of reaching the north of the country were found, along with mortar bombs, charges, and ammunition. This workshop was connected by underground tunnels to an extensive tunnel network used for transporting weaponry to all battalions of the Hamas terror organization across the Gaza Strip.
As a result of the advanced intelligence information, this brigade operation significantly impacted the enemy's ability to strengthen and produce weapons in the Gaza Strip, preventing future attacks on the Israeli home front.
ROCKETS FROM GAZA LAUNCHED AT CENTRAL ISRAEL
This afternoon, for the first time in since New Year’s Eve, Hamas managed to launch a small barrage of rockets towards central Israel. The rockets reached as far north as Holon, though they did not reach Tel Aviv. Later in the evening, a barrage of 12 rockets targeted S’derot. It appears that these rockets were launched from Northern Gaza, a region which the IDF has previously claimed to have under control. While the frequency and volume of rocket fire from Hamas have significantly decreased, they still retain the sporadic capability to launch attacks.
NEXT PHASES OF COMBAT IN GAZA
Discussion in Israel today has centered on transitioning into the next phase of the war. This new stage will be signified by a reduction in overall firepower, focusing instead on more precise strikes against specific targets. Military operations continue in the northern part of Gaza, with efforts to locate any remaining tunnels and installations of Hamas, or Islamic Jihad, that may have been overlooked. While there are still individual terrorists in Northern Gaza, they are no longer functioning as cohesive units. The shift to fewer troops and less intense combat is, in part, a signal to the U.S. that Israel is entering a less aggressive phase of the conflict.
However, this strategy shift has sparked significant criticism, suggesting that Israel might be scaling back its military engagement without having achieved key objectives: i.e., the return of hostages, and the dismantling of Hamas's control over Gaza. The Army spokesperson has clarified that the military campaign in Gaza is expected to continue throughout most of 2024.
JUSTICE AHARON BARAK TO REPRESENT ISRAEL @ THE HAGUE
The appointment of Justice Aharon Barak as the Israeli judge who will serve at the hearing of the Internal Court of Justice has created a minor storm in right-wing circles. Throughout the attempted judicial overhaul, the right-wing created a false narrative that Barak was responsible for all the ills that they perceived in Israel’s legal system, and literally turned him into a Golem. Now, the right-wing have been forced to watch their own esteemed leader appoint Justice Barak to a vital mission, defending Israel at the Hague. Internalizing the fact Netanyahu chose Barak has been exceptionally difficult for them.
A significant number of right-wing politicians took to the air to criticize Netanyahu’s appointment, asserting— “How dare someone who recently criticized the government be appointed to this essential mission.” Prime Minister Netanyahu responded by saying that although we have our differences, Barak has successfully represented Israel many times in the past, and he is the right person for this assignment.
Veteran journalist Ben Caspit quoted the following dialogues from a Likud WhatsApp group:
After today, many will leave Likud in one word — disappointment.
We were stabbed in the heart by the one we least expected 😭😔.
They think we will continue to be their useful idiots.
We are the base, and the base doesn't leave home.
They thought that by doing this, they would also attract the soft-right, who are torn between the scarecrow that defends the children of Gaza, and a party that has lost all identity.
Well, that's it, we have stopped being their yes-men.
Blow yourselves up.
Bibi is so dismissive of us that he didn't even come out to explain or write why he did this.
He doesn't even think he owes us an explanation 😡😡😡.
He has led us astray for a whole year, creating a false pretense that he was determined to pass the judicial reform.
He made us go out and confront anarchists for the righteousness of the path we thought he supported.
Today, with one ‘small’ appointment, he showed us exactly what he thought of us and the judicial reform from the beginning.
Thank you very much, Netanyahu, for turning your back on us, for the mockery and humiliation you caused us.
You have embarrassed us enough.
I’m a field operator who has shed blood for him in the streets. Pass that on to him personally. I don't believe in polls; just everyone I talked to came out super disappointed and realized they got slapped in the face.
Today, I deleted the word 'Bibist' from my Twitter profile.
Tomorrow, I'm canceling my Likud membership.
Bibi will go down in history as the man who erased Likud.
The popular adage: “Be careful what you wish for, lest it come true" has never been more relevant. Netanyahu played a key role in perpetuating the myth that the Supreme Court — and by extension, Justice Aaron Barak as its former Chief Justice — were the obstacles preventing Likud from fulfilling its promises. This narrative served to justify the proposed clipping of the court's powers, with Barak cast as the primary antagonist. However, in a twist of fate, when Israel truly needed expertise and experience, it was Barak who responded to the nation's call. Remarkably, this request came from Netanyahu himself, who, in this instance, prioritized the nation's welfare over political considerations, exemplifying a rare moment when Netanyahu chose national interest above personal or party politics.
ZOOM CALL— A CLARIFICATION
Yesterday, in answer to a question raised during our bi-weekly Zoom briefing, I made two statements I believe made some listeners uncomfortable. First, I maintained that almost all journalists in Gaza are Hamas members; and second, I asserted that any car driving through Gaza is a potential target.
So first, some context. This morning, one of the leaders of the protest movement against Judicial reform appeared on one of the news shows. He offered “a mea culpa”, declaring that the events of October 7th had radically changed some of his views. He said before that horrific day, he believed that the settlers were responsible for the fact that we were not reaching peace with the Palestinians. Now, he says he understands that while he does not agree with them on many matters, it's not the settlers that are the problem — the root of the ongoing conflict lies in the deep-seated burning hatred Palestinians have towards us.
To many in Israel the “ah-ha moment” (proof of the profound and fervent animosity Palestinians feel toward Israel) came with the broadcast in Israel of the recording of the call of one of the Oct. 7 terrorists made to his father and mother, vigorously bragging about how he had just killed 10 Jews. His parents respond, telling their son how proud they are of him for personally killing so many Jews.
It was not just the terrorists that came that day to murder and rape, but many of us understand it's the whole society that hates us — and that hate us enough to happily massacre us if given the chance.
This brings me to the question of the journalists. Does anyone believe that the many local stringers hired by the media are independent journalists who work without the permission of Hamas? Nothing happens in Gaza without the hand of Hamas.
I also stated that any car moving was a potential target. Why? Because the only two groups that have access to fuel are UN workers in UN cars, which are clearly marked as such, and Hamas members who have been stealing the gas entering Gaza. In the specific case of the journalist whose car was attacked, the IDF claims that one of the people in the car was a Hamas operator controlling a drone.
ECONOMY
The State Comptroller released a report that the Finance Ministry did not have any plan to deal with the increase in prices. The State ombudsman revealed that food in Israel is, on average, 40-50% more expensive than the average throughout the OECD.
BUSINESS
Lufthansa and its related companies (Austrian Air and Swiss Air) resumed flying to Israel today.
A year after launching the Eros-C3 satellite and six months since it became operational, ImageSat International is starting to reap the benefits. ImageSat has signed a deal with one of its long-standing clients worth a total of $37.5 million for the provision of services from the EROS-C2 and Eros-C3 satellites, as well as associated maintenance services. The agreement is valued at $7.5 million per year for a period of five years, with an exit point for the client at the end of two years. The client has been given an option to extend the agreement for an additional five years under the same terms.
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