Israel-Hamas War: What happened on day 133?

President Isaac Herzog secretly met with the Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed Abdel Rahman Al Thani, on the sidelines of the Security Conference in Munich and discussed with him the negotiations for the release of the abductees in the Gaza Strip, Israeli media reported on Friday citing two sources familiar with the matter.
 
 

Israel has updated families of Gaza hostages on Friday that IDF found boxes with medicine, intended for their loved ones in Hamas captivity, at the Nasser Hospital in the southern Gazan city of Khan Yunis, the IDF confirmed following a Channel 13 report.

The names of hostages were written on the boxes with the medications, which appeared to have never reached the captives. The finding is being examined, the IDF said.

Israeli forces launched a targeted operation within the hospital on Thursday, aiming to apprehend Hamas terrorists and recover the bodies of hostages.

Israelis block a highway in central Israel, calling for the release of all Gaza hostages, on February 15, 2024 (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/MAARIV)

IDF: We have credible intel hostages' bodies are at Nasser Hospital

In a Thursday briefing, IDF Spokesperson R.-Adm. Daniel Hagari stated, “Sadly, we know that some hostages are no longer alive. We are committed to finding and returning the bodies of those hostages in Gaza.

“We have credible intelligence from a number of sources, including from released hostages, indicating that Hamas held hostages at the Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis and that there may be bodies of our hostages in the Nasser hospital facility,” Hagari continued.

Hamas' armed wing said on Friday that Israelis taken hostage by the terrorists on Oct. 7 had suffered many losses and that those that were alive were living in extremely difficult conditions.

Hamas terrorists killed more than 1,200 people in southern Israel and abducted at least 250 in their October incursion, according to Israeli tallies. Israel has responded with a military assault on the Gaza Strip that has killed more than 28,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

During a week-long truce in late November, Hamas freed more than 100 Israeli and foreign hostages in exchange for Israel releasing about 240 Palestinian prisoners.

Israel has updated families of Gaza hostages on Friday that IDF found boxes with medicine, intended for their loved ones in Hamas captivity, at the Nasser Hospital in the southern Gazan city of Khan Yunis, the IDF confirmed following a Channel 13 report.

The names of hostages were written on the boxes with the medications, which appeared to have never reached the captives. The finding is being examined, the IDF said.

Israeli forces launched a targeted operation within the hospital on Thursday, aiming to apprehend Hamas terrorists and recover the bodies of hostages.

The spokesman of Hamas' armed wing, Abu Obeida, said in a audio message on Friday that losses amongst Israeli hostages were many, and that the remaining hostages are living in extremely difficult conditions.

US Vice President Kamala Harris firmly called for a two-state solution as the answer to Israeli and Palestinian peace and security on the global stage Friday afternoon at the Munich Security Conference. 

Harris also firmly denounced American isolationism in her remarks in front of world leaders who are gathering amid tumult in the Middle East and Ukraine. 

"As President Biden and I have made clear over the past three years, we are committed to pursuing global engagement to uphold international rules and norms, to defend democratic values at home and abroad," Harris said. "And to work with our allies and partners in pursuit of shared goals."

While not mentioning former US president Donald Trump by name, Harris seemed to directly call out his criticism of NATO alliances and embrace of Russian President Vladimir Putin. 

Harris said it is a dangerous, destabilizing, and short-sighted worldview for America to isolate itself from the world to embrace dictators, and to abandon commitments to its allies. 

Kamala Harris: I believe two-states solution can be reached

Harris was also firm in the Biden administration's position on Israel and its war against Hamas, saying the US is working to end the conflict as soon as possible in a way where the hostages are released; the humanitarian crisis is resolved; Hamas does not control Gaza; and Palestinians can enjoy their rights to security, dignity and self-determination. 

Harris was questioned if she thinks a two-state solution is achievable. 

"The short answer is yes," Harris said. "I do believe it is, but we must put the discussion in context. Starting with October 7, Hamas committed a terrorist act that was about slaughtering over 1,200 Israelis, innocent people, many of them young people who are attending a concert. Women were horribly tortured and raped, raped, being used as a tool of war and it is important that we remember what that was."

Harris went on to say understanding that Israel has a right to defend itself, how it does still matters. 

President Isaac Herzog met with US Vice President Kamala Harris, as part of the Munich Security Conference in Germany on Friday.

Herzog thanked Harris for her support for Israel and emphasized the appreciation of the Israeli people to President Joe Biden and the US Administration for their unwavering support for Israel.

In their meeting, Herzog stated that the immediate and unconditional return of the hostages remained the main concern of the State of Israel.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah accused the US of being mainly responsible for the war in Gaza, saying "the one who insists on the goal of eliminating Hamas is America more than Israel," during a speech on Friday afternoon.

"For every drop of blood shed in Gaza and the entire region, the primary responsibility falls on [US President Joe] Biden, [US Secretary of State Antony] Blinken, and [US Secretary of Defense Lloyd] Austin," said Nasrallah.

The Hezbollah leader warned during the speech that Israel would "pay in blood" for civilians killed in Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah, adding that Israel had "gone too far in this matter."

Israel has no plans to deport Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz told the Munich Security Conference on Friday.

"We have no intention to deport any Palestinians out of the Gaza Strip," Katz said, adding that Israel did not want to rule Gaza after it ends its war against the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas that has been governing the territory.

Israel could continue its war on Hamas during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, war cabinet Minister Benny Gantz said on Friday afternoon.

"Hamas terrorists and leaders must know: Gaza will not have cities of refuge, above or underground," the minister said in an address. "The fire could continue into the month of Ramadan.

"If the hostages are not returned, we will expand the war into Rafah. We are preparing for this, working in collaboration with our partners including Egypt.

Gantz further addressed the issue of displacing over a million fleeing Palestinians in Rafah, saying that Israel will "evacuate the population to safe areas - and start operating."