Day Two Of The War: The Enormity of the Disaster Becomes Apparent
Tel Aviv Diary October, 8, 2023
On the second day of the current war with Gaza, an eerie calm descended upon Tel Aviv. Since last night, no rocket attacks were launched upon the city. The city's usual vibrancy has been muted with most businesses, restaurants, and bars closed. While passing one of the local restaurants, I noticed an unusual bustle. Upon closer inspection, I realized that this eatery, which had been at the forefront of the protest movement, was filled now with volunteers. They were assembling food packages, with lines of cars queued up, ready to deliver sustenance to the freshly drafted soldiers.
A palpable sense of helplessness pervades. While many reservists have been mobilized, those who remain back home are seeking ways to contribute. The initial impact of yesterday's catastrophic, tragic events is yet to begin to subside. If anything, the shock has only intensified as the scale of the disaster unfolds. Last night's casualty count totaled 250 casualties; today, that number has surged to 700 — a sum that is anticipated to rise even further.
The names and, in many instances, photographs of the 57 fallen soldiers were broadcasted, evoking profound sorrow. The roll call of the departed brought back memories of my youth in New York, when local TV stations displayed a seemingly endless list of the names of those killed in Vietnam. The deceased included senior IDF commanders from elite units, who had hastened to the scene, and young women soldiers, who met their end during the initial assault as they operated observation cameras at the border. Combat soldiers, police officers, Fire Fighters, and numerous citizen guards on each of the Gaza-border kibbutzim all perished yesterday protecting our homeland. Each one had a unique story and a life full of potential ahead of them.
While the military casualties were prominently broadcast due to their early identification and the fact that the harrowing news was quickly delivered to their families. The fate of scores of missing civilians was a central focus on the news. Reports were rife with narratives of anguished parents and siblings frantically searching for information about their loved ones, many of whom had been at the “nature party” not far from our Gaza border. Press conferences were organized by families of those missing, holding onto hope, with some even praying their children might be hostages in Gaza. But, grimly, it is likely that many will receive the most devastating news: Late this afternoon, over 250 bodies were discovered in the forest where the nature party was held.
Tonight, Hamas and Islamic Jihad announced they are holding over 130 Israeli hostages, many of whom are women and children. It's a situation difficult to comprehend.
Among the concerning developments today is the revelation that 36 hours after the attack commenced, Israel still hasn't fully regained control of the area surrounding Gaza. As of this writing, pockets of terrorists remain active in both Kfar Aza and Kibbutz Be’eri. The hope is that by tomorrow morning, the IDF will announce that the region is free of terrorists. Aerial patrols have secured the border, and anyone who approaches, from either side, faces lethal consequences.
In response to the developing situation, thousands of troops are being dispatched both to the north and south. It’s anticipated that up to 200,000 troops could be mobilized. It has been estimated it will take another two days before the IDF is prepared for offensive operations.
In the North, brief skirmishes erupted between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, involving mortars and artillery. However, these confrontations were short-lived. The prevailing hope is that Hezbollah remains out of the conflict, although Israel is making preparations for every eventuality.
Internationally, Israel has garnered support from a majority of Western nations. Notably, the EU, UK, and Germany have expressed solidarity with Israel during this challenging time.
President Biden has remained steadfast in his backing, both verbally and through tangible measures. The U.S. is sending additional arms to Israel and has dispatched the Aircraft Carrier USS Gerald Ford to the region.
Despite the depth and breadth of support Biden has already extended to Israel, some Republicans have levied unfounded accusations against the President, slanderously attempting to pin the blame for Hamas’ heinous attack on the Biden administration.
In reality, President Biden has always and continues now to demonstrate unwavering support for Israel.
On the political front here, there is momentum to establish an emergency cabinet. Along with other members from his party, Benny Gantz is considering joining the government — provided they are granted a significant role in current decision-making.
In Alexandria, Egypt, two Israeli tourists were killed, when a rouge Egyptian policeman opened fire on their tour bus. That policeman was neutralized by a fellow policeman on the scene. Israelis were promptly advised to exit Egypt, with warnings issued to Israelis currently visiting any country in the Arab world.
Tomorrow will be the third day of the war. The first official war since the Yom Kippur War. The government is yet to decide on a strategy for this war. Those decisions will have to be made soon.