Israel at war: What happened on day 16?

A poll commissioned by the Israel Victory Project found that 70% of the Israeli public wants ‘eliminating Hamas’ to be the primary objective of Operation Swords of Iron. 54% of the respondents who said they had voted for an Arab party in the last election chose this option.

A separate answer, that the primary objective should be to ‘disarm Hamas completely,’ received 13% of responses. Only 15% of respondents chose ‘the unconditional release of captives’ as their choice for the operation’s primary objective.

The poll did not define ‘eliminating Hamas,’ but it did ask respondents who they thought ‘should rule Gaza after the overthrow of the Hamas regime.’

On this, respondents were almost evenly split into four camps: 24% said that Israel should govern Gaza, 22% chose the Palestinian Authority, 19% chose ‘Arab nations,’ and another 24% chose, simply, ‘new leadership in Gaza.’

When given a choice between ‘launching a ground operation in Gaza to eradicate Hamas’ or ‘avoiding a ground operation and finding another way to deal with Hamas,’ 68% said they would choose the ground invasion, while 25% chose the more nebulous second option. 

Asked how much consideration Israel should give to its opinion abroad, 43% of respondents said Israel must consider the perspective of allies, particularly the United States, while 55% responded that Israel ‘must ignore external demands and make its own security decisions.’

Asked whether, ‘if Saudi Arabia demands significant concessions to the Palestinian Authority by Israel as the price for formal ties,’ Israel should agree to the terms, 72% said no, while 21% said yes.

Billboard displayed near Prime Minister Bennett’s home, June 17, 2021. (credit: Courtesy)

Poll supports the views of the group that commissioned it

The Israel Victory Project (IVP), which commissioned the poll, states as its purpose “to put an end to the Palestinian resistance and thus ensure conditions for ending the conflict with the Palestinians and the bloodshed.”

The group argues on its website that “Only after [the Palestinians] acknowledge the defeat of their struggle against Israel will it be possible to negotiate the final settlement.” 

In 2022, before the national elections which resulted in the current (pre-war) government, the group paid for billboards in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv depicting Arab lawmakers wrapped in Israeli flags, with the caption “This is what a picture of victory will look like.”

Condemning “leaders like [Ahmed] Tibi and [Ayman] Odeh” as “pouring oil on the fire,” Gregg Roman, Director of the Middle East Forum, said that “the violence and the bloodshed will stop only when [Palestinians] have accepted that the war against Jewish sovereignty has ended.” 

For many years prior to the outbreak of this most recent war, the IVP has been advocating a “total elimination” of Hamas. In 2021, the group sponsored a billboard outside then-Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s house, reading “The nation demands victory!” Roman, speaking on the subject of Bennett’s inauguration, said that “the most important issue on the agenda should be to address restoring security for the citizens of Israel, and eliminating Hamas.” 

Respondents split on worst failure of Oct. 7

The poll also asked respondents “Which do you see as key mistakes leading to the catastrophic failure on Oct. 7?” With more than one answer permitted, 27% replied “A military that relies too much on defensive measures,” 29% replied “Poor intelligence capabilities,” 49% responded “Misconduct by the political echelon,” and 29% replied “The wrong ‘concept’ about Hamas.”

The poll was conducted by Shlomo Filber and Zuriel Sharon through Direct Polls Ltd on October 17, 2023. 1,086 Israeli adults were sampled with a statistical sampling error of 4.0%.

Former head of the National Security Council (NSC), Maj.-Gen. Giora Eiland, addressed the issue of returning the Israeli captives and abductees in Gaza on Sunday morning. 

In a conversation with Anat Davidov and Udi Segal on the "Seven Nine" program on 103FM, he stated, "It's a goal that, even if you define it, the chances of fully realizing it are not high."

"Even if we tell Hamas today, 'I'm willing to release all the terrorists from Israeli prisons, including the most despicable murderers, in exchange for all the captives, you have no deal.' Sinwar's euphoria is so high, from his perspective, the goal is to demolish the State of Israel, so event the achievement of releasing all the prisoners is not enough," he continued. "Let's say such a deal happens, Hamas isn't stupid, they won't release the hostages all at once, they'll stretch this over five years."

International community's response to Israel's attacks on Gaza

Later in the conversation, he referred to the international community's response to Israel's attacks on Gaza. "We see a very solid anti-Israel front; anyone who still fantasizes about overall Arab peace, it's not only that it won't happen - we are much more isolated," he said. "If we're talking about the international arena, the battle is not over. Arab countries, it's a lost battle. We're in a tough fight with the rest of the world."

"The world tells us, 'You had a terrible humanitarian disaster, but the dead cannot be brought back. We have no leverage on Hamas, but there's another humanitarian disaster in Gaza.'

Families of people who are missing or were abducted from Israel by Hamas hold a press conference asking for a humanitarian corridor for the transfer of medicine and humanitarian aid for hostages, in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 14, 2023. (credit: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)

"There is no entity in the world, including the United States, that supports Israel's war objective - the elimination of Hamas," Eiland clarified.

In conclusion, he said, "The rest of the world, including our friends, says we have the right to defend ourselves, but no one supports the Israeli offensive goal. Let's say we've achieved what we want, no one in the world is willing to dip their finger in Gaza and say they'll take responsibility for what's happening in Gaza.

"And let's say we've succeeded with everything in Gaza and deterred Hezbollah, now we'll have the challenge of how to return the residents of the north to live there when Hezbollah is 200 meters from the settlements. We are kind of in an independence war that will last a long time, meanwhile, it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel."

On Sunday, Israel evacuated 14 additional communities near the northern border in response to increasing threats by Hezbollah. Hezbollah has been carrying out attacks using anti-tank missiles, rockets, mortars, and small arms fire in the last two weeks. Israel evacuated 28 communities on October 16 and last week it also announced the evacuation of the city of Kiryat Shmona. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis have been affected by the evacuations and the murderous attack on October 7 that led to the massacre of 1,400 people and the devastation of communities near Gaza. 

The extent of the evacuations in northern Israel; red shows the first round on October 16, and then Kiryat Shmona on October 19 and now 14 more on October 22. A total of 42 communities and one city due to Hezbollah threats and attacks. pic.twitter.com/0IlBwYawsN

— Seth Frantzman (@sfrantzman) October 22, 2023

In a joint Defense Ministry and IDF announcement, the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) of the Defense Ministry and the IDF said they “are announcing the expansion of the state-funded evacuation plan to additional communities in northern Israel.”

An explosion is seen at what the Islamic Resistance said was an Israeli military site near the Israel-Lebanon border in this screengrab obtained from a social media video by Reuters on October 19, 2023 (Islamic Resistance/Handout via REUTERS)

The message said that “in addition of the communities was approved by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. A short while ago, the Northern Command updated the heads of the local authorities on the decision. The plan will be implemented by the heads of the local municipalities, the Ministry of Interior, and the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) of the Defense Ministry.” 

The 14 communities that are being evacuated on Sunday include Snir, Dan, Beit Hillel, She'ar Yashuv, Hagoshrim, Liman, Matzuva, Eylon, Goren, Gornot HaGalil, Even Menachem, Sasa, Tziv'on and Ramot Naftali. This is in addition to the 28 that were already evacuated due to their proximity to the border. The 28 included Ghajar, Dishon, Kfar Yuval, Margaliot, Metula, Avivim, Dovev, Ma’ayan Baruch, Bara’m, Manara, Yiftach, Malkia, Misgav Am, Yir’on, Dafna, Arab al-Aramshe, Shlomi, Netu’a, Ya’ara, Shtula, Matat, Zari’t, Shomera, Betzet, Adamit, Rosh HaNikram, Hanita and Kfar Giladi. 

These communities include Jewish and Arab communities. Arab al-Aramshe for instance is a Bedouin community and Ghajar is an Alewite community. The evacuations also affect foreign workers who work in many of these communities. The attacks from Hezbollah have killed and wounded residents of the border. A soldier was killed yesterday and two foreign workers were injured in an attack over the weekend.  

The north has seen a major increase in Hezbollah threats in the last week. This has included frequent use of anti-tank missiles on a daily basis and also other types of attacks. The IDF said overnight that a rocket was launched toward an IDF UAV in the area of the border with Lebanon. “The IDF Aerial Defense Array intercepted the rocket, and the aircraft was not damaged. In response, IDF aircraft struck the military compound from which the rocket was launched.” The IDF also said that “IDF fighter jets struck Hezbollah military infrastructure and observation equipment.” In addition “IDF soldiers identified a terrorist cell attempting to launch anti-tank missiles toward the Avivim area along the border with Lebanon. IDF soldiers struck the cell before it was able to carry out the attack.” 

Evacuation of border communities has become a new method in this multi-front conflict. Israel had already evacuated the 20 communities by the Gaza Strip, many of them devastated in the October 7 massacre. In addition, Sderot was evacuated in the first week. Many residents of Netivot and Ashkelon have also left due to the constant rocket fire. The overall number of people evacuated is not clear, but it could be between 100,000 and 200,000 people affected. 

In the aftermath of Hamas' "Day of Rage" call on October 20th, cities worldwide witnessed premature outbursts of demonstrations. According to a report by the Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Ministry, published this weekend, these public expressions of anger were further amplified by a chilling directive from ISIS on October 19th, instructing its followers to target Jewish entities globally. “This escalation is not just an immediate security concern but serves as a reflection of simmering global tensions,” the report explained.

These acts of violence took place in light of the Hamas Massacre on 7 October 2023. Over 1,400 Israelis were tragically killed, and an additional 4,834 were wounded. Alarmingly, 212 individuals were abducted, and between 100 to 200 are still missing.

The stark reality: a resurgence of antisemitism

Amidst this backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions, antisemitic incidents have disturbingly proliferated:

In Germany, a sharp 240% year-over-year rise in incidents was recorded in just one week, signaling a severe societal problem.

A boy kneels in front off candles at a pro-Israel demonstration next to a synagogue in Munich, Germany, October 12, 2023. (credit: REUTERS/MICHAELA REHLE)

Spain's Melilla, with its historically harmonious communities, saw its peace shattered by riots near a synagogue.
Buenos Aires, in Argentina, received email threats targeting the Israeli and US embassies, a chilling reminder of past terror attacks in the country.

Far north in Canada, a Toronto school bore witness to a hate crime, rekindling debates about antisemitism's stubborn presence.

The world responds, in multifarious tones

Germany has found itself at a cultural and diplomatic crossroads, evidenced by the withdrawals from the iconic Frankfurt book fair.

Meanwhile, in Spain, protests erupt, confronting institutions symbolizing Israel, while Melilla's historically Jewish sites come under threat.

Countries like Serbia, Greece, India, Australia, and Argentina show the conflict's far-reaching implications, with their mix of protests and shifts in corporate and diplomatic positions.

In the United States, the national dialogue swirls around policy interventions, university protests, corporate responses, and philanthropic gestures, painting a complex tableau of the American response.

The Arab perspective: diverse and definitive

While Egypt assumes a mediator's mantle, the streets of Jordan reverberate with protests. In the Gulf, nations like Saudi Arabia and the UAE tread carefully with their statements, with Qatar openly expressing support for Gaza. According to the report, the positions of Lebanon, Iraq, and Bahrain provide a comprehensive insight into the intricate web of Middle Eastern geopolitics.

The Director-General of the Diaspora and Combating Antisemitism Ministry, Avi Cohen Scali, stated: "The online realm serves as a battleground in every sense. We employ every tool at our disposal to diminish antisemitic hate speech and safeguard Jews, as well as Israelis."

Some 5,312 Israelis have been wounded since the beginning of Operation Swords of Iron on October 7, the Health Ministry announced on Sunday morning.

Some 12 are in critical condition; 287 in serious condition; 775 are moderate and 3,614 are in light condition.

Italy stands with Israel in its fight against Hamas’s antisemitic drive to uproot Jews from the Middle East, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu late Saturday night when the two met in Tel Aviv.

"We saw images that were incredible about what happened two weeks ago,” she said as she referred to the October 7th Hamas assault on southern Israel in which over 1,400 civilians and soldiers were killed and another 210 people were taken hostage. Some of those taken are believed to be Italian citizens.

She is among the European leaders who have harshly condemned the brutality of the attack that included burning adults and children alive, rape, and dismemberment.

This was more than an act of war, she told Netanyahu.

Israeli soldiers inspect the burnt cars of festival-goers at the site of an attack on the Nova Festival by Hamas gunmen from Gaza, near Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, October 13, 2023. (photo credit: REUTERS/AMIR COHEN)

This “showed somebody who wants to cancel Jewish people from this region,” Meloni said, as she attributed their actions to antisemitism.  

“That is something we have to fight yesterday and today,” Meloni stated.

Italy supports Israel’s right to exist and defend itself, she said, stressing that “terrorism has to be fought.” 

Meloni added that, “We believe and we think that you are able to do that in the best way, for we are different from those terrorists.”

Show of solidarity

It was important, she said, to visit Israel as a show of “solidarity” by the Italian government and the Italian people.

She was one of a host of world leaders that have arrived in Israel since October 7th, including US President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides also arrived in Israel on Saturday night and met with Netanyahu and his Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog. French President Emmanuel Macron is also due to arrive in Israel this week.

Meroni came to Israel after attending an international summit in Cairo on the Gaza war that began on October 7th. Close to 5,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since then either from IDF aerial strikes or failed Palestinian rocket launches.

While in Cairo she met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi.

During her meeting with Abbas, Meroni confirmed Italy’s support for the PA as the “legitimate authority representing the Palestinian people, who certainly do not identify with Hamas. Support for the prospect of two states was also reiterated,” her office stated.

In Tel Aviv, Netanyahu compared Hamas to ISI and asked Italy to lend its support to the ouster of the terror group from Gaza, an enclave that it has forcibly controlled since it seized control of the small enclave in 2007.

“We have to defeat this barbarism,” Netanyahu told her. “This is a test, a test of civilization and we will win. And we expect all the countries that lined up to fight ISIS, to line up and fight Hamas because Hamas is the new ISIS,” he said.

An IDF soldier was seriously injured as a result of an anti-tank missile impact in the Baram region on the Lebanese border, Hebrew media reported. This came as the result of the IDF offensive against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.

The soldier was taken to a hospital for medical treatment. Two other fighters were slightly injured and received medical treatment on the spot. Their families have been informed.

One target struck included a Hezbollah military compound where a surface-to-air missile was launched at an IDF tank, according to a statement by an IDF spokesperson.

The strike on the target was in retaliation for morning missile launch toward Israeli forces.

The IAF struck terrorist infrastructure in response to continued launches by Hezbollah on the state of Israel. 

Northern border sustains continued rocket fire

Hezbollah continued to attack Israel in the North with rockets, anti-tank missiles, and gunfire on Friday and Saturday, killing an IDF soldier and wounding at least two foreign workers on the Israeli side.

The IDF responded using aerial strikes, artillery, infantry, and other means to widely attack Hezbollah positions on the border several times over the weekend, including in the Mount Dov area.

One goal of the military is to make it harder for Hezbollah to keep up with the almost constant exchanges since Hamas invaded on October 7, without falling into a broader conflict in the North. Towns like Kiryat Shmona were evacuated over the weekend by the IDF.

Over the weekend, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held an operational situation assessment with soldiers and commanders alike in northern Israel.

“Hezbollah has decided to participate in the fighting and is paying a price for it. We must be vigilant and prepare for every possible [scenario]. Great challenges await us,” Gallant told the soldiers. “Your duty is to prepare for defense and for anything else that may be required. We are in a war. We had no choice. We will act wherever necessary and we will win this war.

Hezbollah continued to attack Israel in the North with rockets, anti-tank missiles, and gunfire on Friday and Saturday, killing an IDF soldier and wounding at least two foreign workers on the Israeli side.

The IDF responded using aerial strikes, artillery, infantry, and other means to widely attack Hezbollah positions on the border several times over the weekend, including in the Mount Dov area.

One goal of the military is to make it harder for Hezbollah to keep up with the almost constant exchanges since Hamas invaded on October 7, without falling into a broader conflict in the North.

Also over the weekend, the IDF evacuated Kiryat Shmona, near the border with Lebanon.

The measure came following two previous evacuations of Israelis living two and then five kilometers from the border.

Hezbollah members take part in a military exercise during a media tour organized for the occasion of Resistance and Liberation Day, in Aaramta, Lebanon May 21, 2023. (credit: AZIZ TAHER/REUTERS)

On Saturday, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held an operational situation assessment in the IDF’s 91st Division, together with the division commander, brigade commanders, and soldiers stationed in the northern region.

Gallant was briefed on the deployment of troops along the border and in nearby communities, as well as on defense and counterterrorism activities in the area.

'We will turn things around 180 degrees'

“Hezbollah has decided to participate in the fighting and is paying a price for it. We must be vigilant and prepare for every possible [scenario]. Great challenges await us,” Gallant told the soldiers. “Your duty is to prepare for defense and for anything else that may be required. We are in a war. We had no choice. We will act wherever necessary and we will win this war.

“Just two weeks ago, Hamas launched a war against us in the South. This war was designed to murder, kidnap, rape, and harm children, Holocaust survivors, and women. Moreover, it [the attacks] was documented and published by Hamas, in order to deter the State of Israel,” Gallant said. “We will turn things around 180 degrees – the day of the attack will be remembered as the day that started the final and complete destruction of the Hamas terrorist organization.”

He added that, “The challenges ahead of us may increase, and we have to be ready for any scenario. The State of Israel, the defense establishment, and the IDF are proud of you, and above all, we trust you.”

Gallant later met with mayors and councils in the North and helped them reinforce the authorities for managing the situation on the home front. 

In Israel's ongoing effort to track down all those involved in the brutal terrorist attack that left more than 1,400 victims, the Shin Bet has established a new unit named Nili, an acronym in Hebrew that translates as "The Eternity of Israel Will Not Lie".

This unit is dedicated to hunting down and eliminating every individual who played a role in the massacre in the western Negev settlements two weeks ago.

This force was specifically set up to target members of Nukhba (a special commando unit within Hamas's military wing) who infiltrated Israel, executed mass killings in various villages and IDF outposts, and subsequently returned to the Gaza Strip.

The members of this new organization function independently from other Command and Control units that are focused on neutralizing strike cells and high-ranking terrorists. This particular mission is distinct, with the organization encompassing both field operatives and intelligence personnel.

Smoke is seen behind Ashkelon near Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, October 13, 2023 (credit: REUTERS/AMIR COHEN)

Comes after Israel kills several key players in the attack

Last Saturday, Ali Qadhi, a commander within the Hamas Nukhba force and a key player in the attack on the border area, was taken out. The following day saw the elimination of another leading figure, Billal Al Kedra, who spearheaded the lethal raid in Nirim.

A spokesman for the armed wing of Hamas said on Saturday the group intended to release two more hostages for "humanitarian reasons", but that Israel had declined to receive them.

Abu Ubaida, the spokesman for the Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, said in a brief statement that it informed Qatar on Friday of Hamas' intention to release the two people.

However, the Israeli government saw the effort as less of an olive branch and more as psychological warfare, with more than 200 hostages still remaining.

Terrorist propaganda, PM exclaims

A statement from the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to the act as a method of propaganda. 

"We will not refer to false propaganda by Hamas. We will continue to act in every way to return all the kidnapped and missing people home," Netanyahu said.

People call on the release of Israelis held hostage by Hamas terroirsts in Gaza, outside the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv. October 17, 2023 (credit: YOSSI ZAMIR/FLASH90)

Saturday morning, an IDF spokesperson confirmed 210 hostages were still in Gaza after being kidnapped from Israeli territory and brought into the Gaza strip following the incident in southern Israel on October 7th.

Reuters contributed to this report.