Israel-Hamas War: What happened on day 158?

An IDF aircraft strike, in collaboration with the Shin Bet intelligence, killed Muhammad Abu Hasna, a commander in Hamas’ Operations Unit in Rafah on Wednesday.

This is a developing story.

The United States is working “every single hour” with mediators Qatar and Egypt to finalize a deal with Hamas that would see the release of the hostages, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in Washington on Wednesday.

“We're intensely engaged every single day, almost every single hour with Qatar with Egypt, to see if we can get a ceasefire agreement that will get the hostages out, get more aid in, and create a pathway perhaps for a more lasting, secure solution,” Blinken said.

The head of the IDF Research Department, Amit Sa'ar, said on Wednesday that he will resign from his positions after investigations into the IDF's failure in the October 7 massacre, KAN reported.

Sa'ar made these statements to the head of the Military Intelligence Directorate and the commander of Unit 8200. He is expected to finish his position in the summer. However, due to the war, his replacement has not yet been appointed.

The report said the military investigation into the events of October 7 began about a week ago and is expected to be completed in about three months.

An Italian appeals court refused on Wednesday to send a Palestinian suspected of plotting terrorist attacks to Israel, saying he risked "cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment" if he was extradited.

The man, named by the court as Anan Kamal Afif Yaeesh, 36, was one of three Palestinians arrested in central Italy on suspicion they were planning attacks in an unspecified country.

Israel applied for the extradition of Yaeesh, but his lawyer opposed the request, presenting reports by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch on prison conditions for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.

In a written ruling, a panel of three judges in the central city of L'Aquila sided with the defense, saying Yaeesh would face "acts constituting a violation of human rights" if the extradition request was granted.

However, they ruled that he should be kept in prison in Italy because he is being investigated by the public prosecutor's office for the same charges for which Israel had requested his extradition.

South African International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor suggested in a speech this week that South Africans who have served in the IDF could be arrested upon returning to the country.

“I’ve already issued a statement alerting those who are South African and who are fighting alongside or in the Israeli Defense Force (sic) we are ready when you come home, we’re going to arrest you,” Pandor said, to raucous applause.

The minister was speaking at an event held by her party, the ruling African National Congress (ANC), on the subject of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In response to the statements, which were made last week but were circulating online and in the Israeli media on Wednesday, MK Yulia Malinovsky of Yisrael Beiteinu wrote on X, “Why is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs silent? Why do we still have diplomatic relations with South Africa?” adding, “After everything that happened The Hague.”

South Africa made global headlines last fall when it filed a case in the International Court of Justice alleging that Israel was committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The suit requested that the court demand Israel cease fighting there. 

The court has not yet ruled on the merits of the case but declined to make such a demand, instead issuing a series of directives that essentially demanded Israel observe its existing obligations under the Genocide Convention and report to the court on its doing so. 

Brig.-Gen. Dan Goldfus, commander of the IDF’s 98th Division, held a rare press conference on the Gaza border, where he addressed Israeli politicians on Wednesday, where he said "we achieve many achievements on the battlefield. But you must be worthy of us, you must be worthy of those soldiers who sacrificed their lives."

"I would like to appeal to our leaders from all sides. I hope they can find time to listen to the heart of a fighter who has been fighting since October 7, and since then I have not stopped fighting and sending soldiers towards the line of fire."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was informed about Goldfus's words and the Chief of Staff sent a message to the Prime Minister's Office stating that he would talk to the division commander about the matter.

Speaking as tanks churned up dust in the background, Goldfus has led the 98th through tough fighting in Khan Yunis, the southern Gaza city, which is the hometown of Yahya Sinwar. In that city, the IDF has uncovered tunnels and terrorist infrastructure. This has also enabled other operations around Khan Yunis, clearing out the border area of terrorists where the October 7 Hamas attackers had emerged from during that dark day five months ago.

Goldfus is well known for his efforts at eliminating the underground infrastructure of Hamas and using commandos from his division to defeat the enemy. This has been a different kind of battle in Khan Yunis than in northern Gaza. It has been more precise. A lot of lessons have been learned. The unit also has been fighting in the 'Hamad' neighborhood in Khan Yunis over the last weeks. This fancy area is entirely of similarly designed multi-floor buildings. It was a project linked to investment from Doha, and hundreds of terrorists have been found in the area.

IDF soldiers operate in the Hamad neighborhood of Khan Yunis, in Gaza, March 13, 2024 (credit: SETH J. FRANTZMAN)

The commandos have been going through the high-rise buildings and eliminated 100 terrorists over the course of the operation. This matters because it shows these terrorists were lurking in this bucolic neighborhood that looks like a leafy suburb of any normal city in the region, except it is in Gaza. In fact, the neighborhood was supposed to showcase what Gaza could be like in the future. However, as with all things in Gaza, Hamas burrowed in and exploited these areas that were supposed to be for civilians.

Precision airstrikes used in Hamad

Precision airstrikes have been used in Hamad. Maglan, Egoz and Givati fighters have been operating in the area. These are the unique forces that the 98th has been working with to bring the fight to the enemy. This matters because the 98th’s ability to combine various special units is important and shows a model of fighting in Gaza that may be relevant for the future. This is equivalent to using special forces of any Western military or specialized infantry units.

Brig. Gen. Goldfus has a beard, a rarity among many of the officers at similar levels in Gaza. As such, he cuts a unique figure in this war, and the units under his command have been fighting since October 7. Khan Yunis has been their big task. In his statement to the press on March 13, he said the unit had neutralized 3,500 terrorists and detained 1,500. In addition, they destroyed the Khan Yunis brigade, which is considered to have been 70 percent defeated. This means that the Khan Yunis brigade shouldn’t be able to function much more since units that take seventy percent casualties are usually considered to have been broken. Israel has defeated around 18 of the 24 Hamas brigades in Gaza. What remains of Hamas is now holding out in Rafah and the Central Camps area.

The tip of the spear in southern Gaza

The 98th has been the tip of the spear in southern Gaza. For 100 days, it has been logged through tunnels and has removed Hamas threats. Goldfus discussed how they had uncovered terrorist infrastructure, which the enemy invested heavily in. He praised the close work with the ground and air forces and navy. He described the complex battlefield and the civilians who have been evacuated, as well as how Hamas hid in hospitals in Khan Yunis. Hamas exploited Nasser and Amal hospitals.

The commander, reading from a prepared statement, praised Israel as a democratic society and discussed how his units have sought to reach every place below ground. Dozens of kilometers of terror tunnels have been found in Khan Yunis. He mentioned the operations in Hamad as well, discussing the role of the 7th Armored, the 84th Givati Brigade, and the 828th Bislamach Brigade. He praised the role of reservists in this war and said Israel owes them an immense debt for the sacrifices they have made. “We couldn’t have done this without them,” he said.

Now, the 98th and other units will prepare for the next phase. That could come in Rafah or the Central Camps or other areas. The commander also emphasized the importance of returning hostages and protecting Israel from threats. He also said Israel cannot return to October 6. The message from the 98th is that Israel must gird itself for a long war, but it must not let fear or worry bring dark clouds over the coming fight. The enemy is being defeated. Using precision fire and the unique capabilities of the 98th has brought victory to Khan Yunis.

We have seen the pattern now over and over again since October.

Either the IDF or Hezbollah escalates from whatever form of attack it was carrying out before, and the other side escalates back.

Within hours, commentators, statesmen, and defense officials' rhetoric shift to something sounding bordering more on war than the still relatively measured conflict between Israel and Hezbollah to date.

Act I of the current Israel-Hezbollah conflict showed a somewhat cowed and worried IDF only responding to rocket and anti-tank missile attacks but with no real initiative or attempt to reframe the northern border in a way that would give the evacuated residents the confidence to return.

Israeli soldiers operate near the northern border with Lebanon, on February 21, 2024 (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

However, some time after the IDF gained operational control over most of northern Gaza and started to take apart Hamas in southern Gaza, still without facing a major escalation from Hezbollah, the IDF escalated.

Without any one specific ultimatum, in early-mid December 2023, the IDF started to attack all Radwan Hezbollah forces across southern Lebanon, going beyond just responding to the terror group’s attacks on Israel.

This included hitting the terror group in a variety of villages, which it had used as large-scale human shields to avoid being targeted, and not just attacking terrorists in open areas.

At first, Hezbollah’s counter-escalation was increased drone attacks alongside its regular rocket attacks and a somewhat increased volume of rockets, including some days with three rounds of attacks.

By late December, it appeared that Hezbollah was undertaking a tactical retreat, withdrawing between 50% to 75% of its Radwan forces to avoid them being killed while also refraining from a true spike in attacks in Israel, which might change the balance of power, but could also lead to a general war.

A new UN investigation has determined that Israeli tank fire killed Reuters reporter Issam Abdallah in Lebanon last year, when soldiers fired two 120 mm rounds at a group of "clearly identifiable journalists," in apparent violation of international law.

The investigation by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), summarized in a report seen by Reuters, said its personnel did not record any exchange of fire across the border between Israel and Lebanon for more than 40 minutes before the Israeli Merkava tank opened fire.

"The firing at civilians, in this instance clearly identifiable journalists, constitutes a violation of UNSCR 1701 (2006) and international law," the UNIFIL report said, referring to Security Council resolution 1701.

The seven-page report dated February 27 said further: "It is assessed that there was no exchange of fire across the Blue Line at the time of the incident. The reason for the strikes on the journalists is not known."

Under resolution 1701, adopted in 2006 to bring an end to the war between Israel and Hezbollah, UN peacekeepers were deployed to monitor a ceasefire along the 120 km (75 mile) demarcation line, or Blue Line, between Israel and Lebanon.

A journalist's car burns at the site where Reuters videojournalist Issam Abdallah was killed and six others were injured on Friday when missiles fired from the direction of Israel struck them, in Alma Al-Shaab, near the border with Israel, southern Lebanon, October 13, 2023. (credit: REUTERS/THAIER AL-SUDANI)

As part of their mission, UN troops record violations of the ceasefire and investigate the most egregious cases.

Besides killing Abdallah, the two tank rounds also wounded six other journalists at the scene.

Asked about the UNIFIL report, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Nir Dinar said Hezbollah had attacked the IDF near the Israeli community of Hanita on October 13. It responded with artillery and tank fire to remove the threat and subsequently received a report that journalists had been injured.

"The IDF deplores any injury to uninvolved parties, and does not deliberately shoot at civilians, including journalists," Dinar said. "The IDF considers the freedom of the press to be of utmost importance while clarifying that being in a war zone is dangerous."

He said the General Staff's Fact Finding and Assessment Mechanism, which is responsible for reviewing exceptional events, will continue to examine the incident.

According to the IDF's website, the fact-finding team submits its reviews to the Israeli military's legal affairs department, which decides whether a case warrants a criminal investigation.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant hinted that the IDF is getting closer to invading Rafah, speaking during a Wednesday visit to Gaza City.

Gallant entered the Gaza Strip on Wednesday morning along with forces from the IDF's 162nd Division. In his visit, Gallant warned that "those who think we are delaying [the invasion of Rafah] will soon see that there is no place we cannot reach.

"Our forces can reach any place, and the conclusion is that there is no safe haven for terrorists in Gaza," the defense minister added.

"We will bring every single person involved in the October 7 massacre to justice - we will either kill them or try them in Israel. There is no safe space, not here, not outside Gaza, not across the entire Middle East.

"We will put everyone in their place," Gallant said.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant visits the Gaza Strip, March 13, 2024 (credit: ARIEL HERMONY/DEFENSE MINISTRY)

Gallant: More aid strengthens IDF grasp on Gaza

The defense minister, speaking on recent efforts made to send more humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, said that aid that reaches civilians would "weaken Hamas while strengthening our grasp" of the Gaza Strip.

Gallant overlooked recent prep work made ahead of the United States's anticipated construction of a floating pier to sit off the coast of Gaza to bring in more aid.

During his visit, Gallant also spoke with division commanders who had been operating in Gaza for another five months.

The IDF fired warning shots at two individuals suspected of being Hamas terrorists on Wednesday, Army Radio and Channel 13 reported.

The two suspects were approaching Zikim Beach off the northern shores of the Gaza Strip. The incident is currently under investigation.

The suspects were dressed in diving gear, and the two violated the security instructions in the maritime space in the northern Gaza Strip, Channel 13 reported citing the IDF.

Further attempts to infiltrate Israel via Zikim Beach

In the early days of the war, on October 10, the IDF killed four Hamas terrorists who attempted to infiltrate southern Israel from Zikim Beach, which was carried out by their 17th Battalion and Magellan Unit.

Residents of Zikim and Karmia were told to stay indoors as fire between the terrorists and IDF was ongoing.

Approximately two weeks after that, another ten terrorists were killed off Zikim shores after attempting to infiltrate Israel.

The Navy, Air Force, and the Gaza Division struck the terrorists and stopped them from arriving at the coast.