Israel-Hamas war day 327: What happened in Israel, Gaza, Lebanon?

Vice President Kamala Harris didn't stray from the Biden administration's messaging and policy regarding Israel in her first media interview since replacing President Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket. 

Harris told CNN she's "unequivocal and unwavering" in her commitment to Israel’s defense and its ability to defend itself

"And that’s not gonna change,” she said, though how Israel defends itself matters

Harris said “we must get a deal that is about getting the hostages out.”
 

Interior Minister Moshe Arbel sent a letter to the legal advisor to the government where he expressed his opposition to the civilian investigation probe into October 7 and called for a state investigation instead, Israeli media reported on Thursday evening.

"The laws of investigative committees do not apply to the civil commission," Arbel wrote.

"In my personal opinion - a state investigative committee should be established as soon as possible," He added. 

Transportation Minister Miri Regev said in a statement on Thursday night that the state ceremony for the October 7 massacre will continue as planned regardless of the public discussion surrounding the event, Israeli media reported.

 "I am aware of the ongoing discussion between different parts of the public regarding the ceremony. As I have already announced, the state ceremony will be broadcast on October 7 at 9:15 p.m. as previously planned, and this is in order to allow the local events before the broadcast of the ceremony," Regev explained. 

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held a meeting on Thursday stating his intention to expand the current war goals to include ensuring the return of evacuated northern residents to their homes.

"The task on the northern front is still ahead of us, and it is the safe return of the residents [to the North]. In order to meet this goal, we must expand the goals of the war," Gallant said.

"I will bring the issue before the prime minister and the government cabinet," He added. 

The IDF uncovered documents revealing a systematic effort by the Hamas terror organization to falsify public opinion polls conducted by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PSR), Israel's military said on Thursday evening.

The documents were uncovered from Hamas's General Security Apparatus and obtained during operations in the Gaza Strip. Images released included a comparison of the original and falsified PSR poll results from March 2024, illustrating the extent of the tampering. 

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant approved the IDF's preparation plan for the start of the school year on September 1 in Israel's southern and northern settlements, he wrote in a Thursday X, formally Twitter, post.

As part of the plan, Gallant explained that the IDF would add to the northern and southern schools "protective measures, increase the presence of the forces, and hold a regular dialogue with the heads of the councils and the directors of the educational institutions."

קיימתי היום הערכת מצב מיוחדת לקראת פתיחת שנת הלימודים, יחד עם הרמטכ״ל רב - אלוף הרצי הלוי, מפקד פיקוד העורף האלוף רפי מילוא, בכירי צה״ל ומערכת הביטחון.

אישרתי את תוכנית צה״ל להיערכות מקיפה לקראת פתיחת שנת הלימודים בראשון לספטמבר ביישובי הדרום והצפון. נוסיף אמצעי מיגון, נתגבר את… pic.twitter.com/WHNrJGr0rk

— יואב גלנט - Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) August 29, 2024

Negotiators for a hostage and Gaza ceasefire deal are discussing the details of how to implement the agreement, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters in Beijing on Thursday.

“Negotiators are bearing down on the details, meaning that we have advanced the discussions to a point where it's in the nitty gritty, and that is a positive sign of progress,” Sullivan said.

Foreign Minister Israel Katz slammed Iran in a Thursday X/Twitter post and attached a picture of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei dressed as an octopus in it. 

"Iran is working to establish an eastern terror front against Israel through special units of the IRGC, involved in smuggling weapons, funding, and directing terror organizations," Katz wrote, explaining the stages in which the country does so. 

"Offensively, Israel must act decisively against the terror infrastructure being built on the ground, as we have already begun," he added.

Iran is working to establish an eastern terror front against Israel through special units of the IRGC, involved in smuggling weapons, funding, and directing terror organizations.

In the first stage, they smuggle weapons into the Kingdom of Jordan, mainly through the Syrian… pic.twitter.com/uO3Rw7iBGG

— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) August 29, 2024

The IDF uncovered a mosque located in Judea and Samaria that was being used as a terror operations center and explosives lab during a 30-hour counterterrorism operation in the Far'a refugee camp, located in the West Bank, Israel's military said on Thursday afternoon. 

The IDF shared the drone footage taken from within the terror site and said that "The mosque held explosives ready for use against security forces, numerous weapons, and other items."

Additionally, the IDF engaged in gunfire with terrorists who threw explosives at them during the operation; there were no casualties among the Israeli soldiers. 

This drone footage shows a place of worship that has become a hub for terrorism.

During our precise, counterterrorism operations in Judea and Samaria this week, our troops uncovered a mosque that was used as an operations center and an explosives lab.

Our troops will continue… pic.twitter.com/1DagAuqKV9

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) August 29, 2024

Twelve terrorists were killed, and ten wanted suspects were arrested during the first day of a joint IDF, ISA, and Israel Border Police counterterrorism operation in the areas of Jenin and Tularm, Israel's military said on Thursday afternoon.

Among the terrorists killed was Muhhamad Jabber, nicknamed Abu Shujaa, who was the head of a terrorist network in Nur Shams. He had been involved in numerous terror attacks, the IDF added.

In addition, security forces found dozens of explosive devices during the operation and dismantled them. They also confiscated numerous other weapons.