Israel-Hamas War: What happened on day 145?

In an unprecedented legal proceeding, the American government opened an investigation into Finkelstein Metals and is examining the government's conduct, Maariv reported Wednesday morning. According to the American authorities, grants received by the company due to activities in a development zone constitute a prohibited government subsidy, and they allowed the company to sell its products in the US at inflated prices. The decision to open the investigation and sanctions against Finkelstein has puzzled Israeli officials.

The scope of Finkelstein's activities in the US is minimal compared to the American complainants, and it holds less than 3% of the market share in the US. However, this is about 75% of its sales volume. The American administration's claim also contradicts the trade agreement between the two countries, which has existed for decades.

Forces of the Southern Command, in conjunction with the Air Force, attacked eight important targets in Gaza, in the area from which rockets were launched towards Ashkelon later on Tuesday, the military said on Wednesday. 

Troops also targeted terror shafts and infrastructures from which terrorists exited to carry out terror activities in the Gaza Strip.

In western Khan Yunis, the combat team of the 7th Brigade raided buildings where troops found weapons and military equipment.

IDF troops operate in the Gaza Strip. February 28, 2024. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

IDF eliminates terrorists in the Strip

In parallel, the troops killed five terrorists by firing a precise missile at a vehicle in which they were traveling. In addition, IAF jets attacked two military compounds, killing terrorists who were located in them, the military said.

Forces of the Paratrooper Brigade killed terrorists with sniper fire. Furthermore, two terrorists were killed by an IDF aircraft after soldiers of the Givati Brigade identified it and directed the aircraft towards them.

Similarly, forces of the 98th Division directed a fighter jet that struck terrorists who were readying to ambush the forces in a military compound in the Khan Yunis area. The attack triggered secondary explosions, illustrating the presence of additional weapons in the compound, according to the military. 

In Zaytun, in the center of the Gaza Strip, forces of the 162nd Division 162 continued to operate. In the past day, a task force of the Nahal Brigade killed terrorists and found weapons in the area. During one of the operations, troops identified a terrorist squad, which was subsequently eliminated by a combat helicopter.

Representatives of Hamas and Fatah will meet in Moscow on Feb. 29 to discuss the formation of a unified Palestinian government and the rebuilding of Gaza, the RIA state news agency reported on Wednesday, citing the Palestinian ambassador to Russia.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov also confirmed to RIA Novosti that such a meeting was planned.

It was 10 minutes of shouted accusations of being a "genocide enabler" and having "blood on your hands" that made a British lawmaker fear for his safety over his decision to voice support for Israel in its war with Hamas.

Almost touching noses with his accuser before walking away and warning he would call the police, the opposition Labour Party member said the incident in a town in his constituency was just the latest of several that made him change his behavior.

Anyone who got lost the last couple days while trying to follow the flood of new leaks about errors that allowed Hamas to invade southern Israel, kill 1,200 people, and kidnap around another 240 should not feel badly.

Even for those of us who have been living and breathing this information constantly for nearly five months, it was not that easy to follow.

Just as important, it took time to analyze who was behind the different leaks (it was different parties) and why they leaked what they did.

The Biden administration asked Israel to sign a declaration stating that the use of American weapons in the region will adhere strictly to international law, three senior Israeli and American officials told Walla! on Tuesday. Additionally, the US urged Israel to permit humanitarian aid into Gaza and has only given Israel 45 days to respond to the request.

The Biden administration threatened that failure to provide a "credible and reliable" commitment within the deadline may result in the suspension of arms shipments.

The Hamas terrorist organization said on Tuesday that "there are still big gaps that need to be bridged," Maariv reported.

Hamas's comments came in response to US President Joe Biden saying that he hopes a ceasefire will be reached in the Gaza Strip by next Monday.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly clashed with US President Joe Biden Tuesday night over his claims that Israel was losing world support due to his “conservative” government’s Gaza policies and its National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

“Since the start of the war, I have been leading a diplomatic campaign to block pressure designed to end the war prematurely, and to secure strong support for Israel,” Netanyahu said in a short video message he issued last night.

"Four out of five citizens in the US support Israel and not Hamas," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed in a video his office described as "a response to [US President Joe] Biden," "This gives us additional strength to continue the campaign until absolute victory." On Monday, the US President claimed that Netanyahu's government's conduct could cause Israel to lose world support.

Netanyahu responded on Tuesday to criticism leveled by Biden against the conduct of the Israeli government - which he earlier said could lead to Israel losing world support. Netanyahu replied: "Today, a poll was published in the United States showing that 82% of the American public supports Israel."