Israel at War: What happened on day 19?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted for the first time that he would have to answer for the military failure that occurred on October 7, when Hamas caught the IDF by surprise and infiltrated southern Israel.

“This failure will have to be investigated to the last degree. Everyone will have to give answers,” he said. “Myself included.”

The admission came on the 19th day of the war, and after Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and other top brass in the military had already admitted to one of the bigger military fiascos since the creation of the state.

“Citizens of Israel, October 7 was a black day in our history,” but the issue of accountably can only occur after the war is over, Netanyahu said.

"Everyone will have to give answers, myself included."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the October 7 Massacre

“As prime minister, I am responsible for securing the future of the country, and now my role is to lead the State of Israel and the people to a crushing victory over our enemies. 

“Now is the time to join forces for one goal: To charge forward to victory,” Netanyahu said.

At least 500 Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists received specialized training from the IRGC's Quds Force up to a month before the deadly October 7 massacre, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

The terrorists were trained by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards' elite forces in Iran as recently as in September, the report noted, citing "people familiar with intelligence related to the assault."

Several high-profile Palestinian and Iranian leaders reportedly attended the training drills, including the Quds Force chief Esmail Qaani.

More than 1,400 Israelis and foreign nationals were killed in the mass infiltration and massacre of Israel's South by Hamas.

At least 500 Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists received specialized training from the IRGC's Quds Forces up to a month before the deadly October 7 massacre, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

This is a developing story.

The IDF's Home Front Command issued an unusual warning to residents of Gaza border towns to seek shelter immediately amid an impending "widespread attack," Israeli media reported on Wednesday evening.

Residents were told to bring means of communication, food and water, mattresses, blankets, medicine and other necessary equipment into their shelters.

This is a developing story.

Four more bodies of murdered Israelis were discovered in the vicinity of the ravaged kibbutz Be'eri, Israel's National Rescue Unit 360 announced on Wednesday evening.

These join the 130 previously recovered bodies of civilians murdered by Hamas in the kibbutz during the October 7 massacre.

Israel has agreed to delay the invasion of Gaza for now, so the US can rush missile defenses to the region, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing US and Israeli officials.

US military officials were trying to convince Israel against carrying out a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip in response to Hamas's October 7 massacre, CNN reported on Wednesday citing "several sources familiar with the matter."

As per the report, American officials advised the IDF against a counter-invasion, with the fear it could "endanger hostages, civilians, and further inflame tensions in the region."

US urges Israel against invasion, more precision airstrikes

Instead, the IDF was urged to deploy a "combination of precision airstrikes and targeted special operations raids" across the Strip.

US military officials are trying to convince Israel against carrying out a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip in response to Hamas's October 7 massacre, CNN reported on Wednesday citing "several sources familiar with the matter."

As per the report, American officials advised the IDF against a counter-invasion, with the fear it could "endanger hostages, civilians, and further inflame tensions in the region."

Instead, the IDF was urged to deploy a "combination of precision airstrikes and targeted special operations raids" across the Strip.

This is a developing story.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday rejected accusations that he had justified Hamas attacks on Israel in his statement to the Security Council on Tuesday.

"I am shocked by the misrepresentations by some of my statement ... as if I was justifying acts of terror by Hamas. This is false. It was the opposite," he told reporters. "I believe it's necessary to set the record straight – especially out of respect for the victims and their families."

Israeli fighter jets are heavily striking terror targets across the Gaza Strip, Israeli and Palestinian media reported on Wednesday afternoon.

Palestinian media reported strikes near al-Jalaa, the site of the media building bombed by the IDF due to its use by Hamas in May of 2021. It further reported targeted strikes of homes and buildings across central Gaza for at least 20 minutes straight.

#فيديو | طائرات الاحتلال تشن غارات عنيفة غرب غزة. pic.twitter.com/oqyj3u6kpF

— وكالة شهاب للأنباء (@ShehabAgency) October 25, 2023

Four rockets land in northern Israel, IDF strikes in Lebanon

Four rockets were launched north of Israel at Kiryat Shmona, near Israel's borders with Lebanon and Syria, the IDF confirmed earlier on Wednesday.

The four rockets landed in open fields, the IDF said. The Iron Dome was not activated. The Israeli military was reportedly striking targets in Lebanon following the launch.