Israel-Hamas War: What happened on day 100?

The IDF on Sunday published an extensive update on statistics related to the war to date.

Among the numbers was that the IDF has killed around 9,000 Hamas terrorists to date during the invasion of Gaza. Two out of Hamas's five brigade-level commanders have been killed. 

19 battalion-level commanders have been killed, relating to 24 battalions, but some of those include replacements from the same battalion.

Israeli, terror casualties in the North

Around 170 Hezbollah and Hamas-affiliated terrorists have been killed in the North.

Israeli forces operate in the Gaza Strip on January 14, 2024 (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

It has also arrested 2,300, who have been interrogated by IDF Unit 504.

In addition, there have been a total of 30,000 IDF attacks on Gaza and around 750 on Hezbollah or other terrorists in the North.

522 IDF soldiers have been killed since October 7, 188 of them since the invasion started.

President Isaac Herzog was set to address a 24-hour rally at Tel Aviv's Hostages' Square on Sunday evening, organized by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, to mark their loved ones' 100th day since being taken by Hamas terrorists on October 7.

40-year-old Hagar Broduch, who was kidnapped and returned to Israel after 51 days along with her three children, said that hostages in the Strip are "dealing with constant hunger, alienation, unbearable cold, never-ending longing, and psychological terror.

"IDF bombings put the hostages in real danger," Broduch said in Tel Aviv, recalling from her experience in Gaza. "When I was taken with my children, we were exposed to difficult scenes of hostages with amputated limbs, wounds that are not being treated...the clock is ticking.

"My soul, my children's souls, will not be able to begin the healing process until all hostages left behind are back home," the freed hostage told the crowd in attendance. "136 caskets...that is not a victory. They do not have much time."

Reports emerged on Sunday night of a suspected US attack on the western Yemeni city of Al Hudaydah, a port city on the Red Sea controlled by the Houthis.

Reports also suggested Israel could have been involved in the attack.

Yemen's Houthis have targeted ships traveling through the Red Sea toward Israel as part of the ongoing Israel-Hamas War. In the past week, the US, UK, and their allies have launched over 100 airstrikes across Yemen, targeting Houthi infrastructure. 

There were also reports coming out of Yemen of spy planes flying in the area.

On Israeli city streets and television, in shops and cafes, one symbol of solidarity with hostages held in Gaza has become ubiquitous in the 100 days since Hamas abducted them: military-style dog tags worn on neck chains.

The small metal rectangles, similar to those soldiers carry for identification, are typically inscribed with two slogans in Hebrew, "Our hearts are held hostage in Gaza" and "Together we will win," and one in English, "Bring them home now."

"Everyone wants to show their support one way or another," said Shayna Roth, 36, a digital marketing specialist and mother of three from Modi'in, near Tel Aviv.

"It just makes you feel that no matter where you go, no matter who you meet or talk to, we're all a nation, undivided."

Still recovering

Israel says Hamas killed 1,200 people during its assault on southern Israel on October 7, the worst loss of Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust and the deadliest day in Israel's 75-year history.

PEOPLE HOLD Israeli flags during a ceremony in early November in Jerusalem to mark the one-month anniversary of the October 7 Hamas massacre. (credit: RONEN ZVULUN/REUTERS)

Vowing to destroy Hamas, it has responded with a military offensive on Gaza that has so far killed close to 24,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials, displaced most of the population, and caused widespread hunger and disease.

Israel faces an international outcry over the death, destruction, and suffering in Gaza, including accusations brought by South Africa at the United Nations' top court that it is conducting a genocide there. It has rejected this as a false and grossly distorted accusation.

Of the 240 hostages who were kidnapped on October 7, more than 130 are still held captive in Gaza. Their plight, and the anguish of their families, are deeply felt across Israeli society.

"Wearing these dog tags really allows us to connect to the families that have been directly affected," said Roth, who also has pictures of hostages by her Shabbat candles, which in Jewish tradition are lit on Friday evenings to usher in the Sabbath.

President Isaac Herzog was set to address a 24-hour rally at Tel Aviv's Hostages' Square on Sunday evening, organized by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, to mark their loved ones' 100th day since being taken by Hamas terrorists on October 7.

The families of the Gaza hostages called on all Israelis to join them in Tel Aviv before Herzog's speech, which is set to wrap up 24 hours of ongoing rallies and exhibits in honor of the hostages.

"Come stand at our side during the president's speech. Don't stay at home," the Forum said in a statement.

Gaza hostages' songs must remain playing

Daniel Weiss, a resident of the ravaged Kibbutz Be'eri, who lost both his parents in the October 7 attacks, performed on stage in Tel Aviv, singing "This song must remain playing."

Daniel's father, Shmulik, was murdered during the Hamas terrorists' infiltration of the kibbutz. His wife, Yehudit, was taken and murdered in Gaza. The IDF in November located her body near the Shifa Hospital and returned it to Israel for burial.

People attend 24-hour rally for hostages marking 100 days since the start of the Israel-Hamas war (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI)

Also performing in Tel Aviv was musician Tamir Greenberg, who gave a rendition of "Coming Home" to the crowds of hostage families and other Israelis.

On Saturday, six suspects were arrested by Israel Police on suspicion of disturbing order after protesters emerging from the rally blocked the Ayalon highways.

A nearly 100-foot long (30-meter) tunnel exhibit was also unveiled at the plaza, opened ahead of the rally. The exhibit stood just feet away from the Shabbat table set up in honor of the kidnapped, set up in their honor in the earliest days of the war.

Following an announcement by Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, the construction of five buildings with 35 apartments each has begun in Chechnya's capital Grozny, with the aim of accommodating Palestinians who are fleeing the ongoing Israel-Hamas War from the Gaza Strip. So far, Russia has received around 1,200 Gazan refugees, some of whom have even obtained Russian citizenship.

Chechnya, a Russian republic in the Caucasus with approximately 1.5 million residents - predominantly Muslims - is promoting the establishment of a "Palestinian village" to absorb Gaza refugees who fled their homes due to the war and managed to leave the Strip.

The planned village, located in Grozny, will consist of residential buildings with a total of 35 apartments. The planned housing area will cover approximately 4,200 square meters. The houses will be situated in the Vizaitovskiy district of Grozny, near a school and a kindergarten.

Ramzan Kadyrov: Our Palestinian brothers will adapt to life here

During the ceremony marking the groundbreaking for the construction of the future settlement, the leader of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, participated along with Palestinian refugees. 

"We will continue actively promoting the adaptation of our Palestinian brothers to life in the Chechen Republic, including their employment," stated Kadyrov in his speech.

Soldiers of the IDF's Kfir Brigade are continuing to fight in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip and discovered caches of explosives, warheads for missiles and rockets, Kalashnikovs, grenades, and uniforms of Hamas Nukhba terrorists.

Last week, while inspecting a structure used by Hamas for terrorist activity, the soldiers encountered a terrorist at close range who was moving towards them.  The soldiers returned fire, and in the exchange of fire one soldier, the late Sgt. Roi Tal, was killed.

Tal was 19 years old and from Kfar Yehoshua.

"Over the course of the last few weeks, the forces of the brigade hit and exposed quite a few terrorist infrastructures, including underground infrastructures, houses, and ammunition," said the deputy commander of the brigade, Lt.-Col. Guy. "We had quite a few encounters with Hamas terrorists; we hit them hard, and we eliminated them."

Yemen's Houthis released footage over the weekend of military exercises, including attacking Israeli towns and taking Israelis hostage. 

"The Yemeni Armed Forces organized the 'Battle of the Promised Conquest and Holy Jihad' wargame," the military group announced in a statement. Footage from the training exercises shows armed terrorists entering a town with buildings marked by the Star of David.

The footage is reminiscent of the attacks launched by Hamas on October 7, when over 1,200 Israelis were killed. 

One of the buildings contains a hanging portrait of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while an Israeli bystander who is attacked appears to be dressed in ultra-Orthodox (haredi) clothing.

A portrait of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could be seen hanging on one of the walls (credit: SCREENSHOT ACCORDING TO 27A OF COPYRIGHT ACT)

Screenshot of Houthi training exercise, showing Stars of David adorning the walls, January 2024 (credit: SCREENSHOT ACCORDING TO 27A OF COPYRIGHT ACT)

Houthis respond to Western airstrikes 

US and British warplanes, ships, and submarine-launched strikes last week across Yemen in retaliation against Houthi forces for months of attacks on Red Sea shipping that the Iran-backed fighters cast as a response to the war in Gaza. Over 100 such strikes have been launched since last week. 

The Houthis have regularly attacked ships heading towards Israel as part of the ongoing Israel-Hamas War. 

"Our military operations in the Israeli depths and the Red Sea caused great losses to both the American and Israeli sides," Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, spokesperson for the Yemeni group, told Lebanese news outlet Al Mayadeen over the weekend. "We will avenge what America and Britain did."

"We had previously only targeted maritime navigation linked to the Zionist entity. Today, American and British ships no longer dare to cross the Red Sea," he added.

A Palestinian vehicle breached an IDF roadblock adjacent to the community of Metzad, the IDF announced on Sunday afternoon.

The soldiers pursued the terrorists' car, during which the terrorists opened fire toward them.

In response, the soldiers fired at the terrorists and neutralized them. The rifle used by the terrorists, an axe, and ammunition were found at the scene. 

The saying goes that God is in the details. I won't presume to comment on God, but when it comes to lies, they are certainly hidden there. Any police investigator will tell you that the suspect's versions usually don't collapse on the significant details, as those are generally carefully planned. Instead, they crumble on the small details that the liar repeats repeatedly to make it sound credible. Those are the small details that expose him.

In our case, despite dealing with billions, the small details were found on the sidelines of the prime minister's words: Prime Minister Netanyahu committed to "massive allocations" to the security industries to reduce Israeli dependence on foreign powers.

At first glance, these words seem like a no-brainer. Who wouldn't want to reduce Israel's dependence on foreign countries, especially one on which we rely whenever we need to replenish our emergency stockpiles urgently?

The problem starts when you roll this sentence in your mind repeatedly - and it sounds familiar - a bit like watching a movie and trying to remember where you've seen the leading actor before until it hits you: oh, it's the one who also played in...

Well, Netanyahu is the man who also played in the previous seasons of "Reducing Dependence on Foreign Powers," a series that is broadcast again and again in the worn-out brain of the prime minister without reaching a good ending or at least understanding, as often happens in series that have already exhausted themselves.

We've already had "Netanyahu Cutting with American Assistance" - an excellent episode that resonated with applause in Congress. Since then, as you know, Israel (even after making a small gesture by cutting some aid) no longer needs security assistance from the Americans.

If you enjoyed that episode of cutting aid, you indeed came back for more of Netanyahu's masterful season of "Reducing Dependence on Oil," another series that sounds impressive with a lot of buzz and vision on paper but ends its course (sometimes after establishing a committee to "examine the issue and formulate recommendations") sooner than other excellent proposals of this visionary, like the "freezing of mortgages" before the elections.