Israel at war: What happened on days 28-29?
1,400 Israelis murdered since October 7, including 345 soldiers • 241 held hostage by Hamas, four hostages released, one rescued
Israel will reach and kill Hamas's Yahya Sinwar, Gallant vows
IDF assassinates Hamas commanders, targets home of Hamas's leader Ismail Haniyeh.
Israeli forces will reach Hamas terror leader Yahya Sinwar and will kill him, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant vowed on Saturday evening briefing on developments in Operation Swords of Iron.
Further, Gallant said that "by the end of the war, there will be no Hamas in Gaza. There will be no threat to Israeli civilians from the Strip."
Israel intensified its ground operation in Gaza over the weekend, successfully targeting and dismantling vital Hamas elements, including their critical infrastructure and personnel.
Go to the full article >>Blinken: Shockingly many have forgotten Hamas brutality on October 7
“This right to self-defense, indeed this obligation to self-defense, belongs to every nation. No country could or should tolerate the slaughter of innocents, ” Blinken said.
It’s shocking that so many people appear to have forgotten the brutality of the Hamas October 7 attack, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, as he argued that Israel has an undisputed right to defend itself.
“It is striking and in some ways shocking that the brutality of the slaughter has receded so quickly in the memories of so many,” Blinken said.
He spoke during a one-day visit to Israel, close to one month since the start of the Gaza War which was sparked by the Hamas killing of over 1,400 people and its seizure of over 240 captives.
“Thirty-five Americans were murdered that day as well, and more than 200 foreign nationals from 35 countries,” Blinken said as he pointed to the global impact of the event.
Israel's Givati Brigade uncovers Hamas intel in northern Gaza stronghold
Operational maps, command and control tables and personal details of commanders who operate within the terrorist organization, were discovered.
Soldiers for the Givati brigade of the IDF took control over a Hamas stronghold in the northern Gaza Strip, uncovering documentation that could be crucial for the IDF moving forward in the war, according to a Friday statement from the IDF spokesperson.
The facility was said to house Najaba terrorists and the Jabaliya-based Hamas intelligence headquarters.
Within the stronghold, soldiers uncovered Hamas intelligence headquarters and associated documentation, complete with detailed maps, tables, means of communication and personal details about Hamas terrorists and commanders.
Similar content was found on the bodies of both captured and dead terrorists following the October 7th attacks.
Command and control charts as well as operational orders for the terrorist organization were also uncovered.
Go to the full article >>Rocket falls on Israeli kindergarten in Sderot
The rocket fall came amid a heavy barrage on Israel's Gaza border communities and the Western Negev area.
A rocket launched by Hamas from Gaza fell onto the grounds of a Sderot kindergarten on Friday, according to a spokesperson for the Sderot Municipality.
No injuries were reported, but the property has sustained damage.
The rocket fall came amid a heavy barrage on Israel's Gaza border communities and the Western Negev area, with sirens sounding in Netivot and nearby towns, as well as in Sa'ad, Tkuma, Zimrat, Shuva and more Gaza border towns.
Honduras recalls ambassador from Israel amid Gaza war
The Honduran foreign ministry said on Friday it is recalling its ambassador to Israel for consultations due to what it called Israel's "violations of international humanitarian law in the Gaza Strip."
This is a developing story.
Go to the full article >>IDF says it hit Gaza ambulance carrying Hamas terrorists
The IDF said a number of Hamas terrorists were killed in the strike.
The IDF said on Friday that one of its aircraft hit an ambulance which soldiers assessed was being used by a Hamas unit close to their position in the battle zone.
It said a number of Hamas terrorists were killed in the strike and said it had information that Hamas used ambulances to transport terrorists and weapons.
Israel, which says Hamas conceals command centers and tunnel entrances in al-Shifa hospital, ordered all civilians to leave the north of Gaza last month and its military encircled the area on Thursday.
Hamas' claims on the action
The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said on Friday Israel targeted a convoy of ambulances leaving Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.
Israel's military said on Friday it was looking into the report. Reuters could not immediately verify the report.
Go to the full article >>IN PICTURES: Hamas commanders killed by Israeli forces so far
White House: 100 US citizens and family members left Gaza on Thursday
The White House said on Friday that 100 US citizens and family members left Gaza on Thursday and said another large group of Americans were expected to leave on Friday.
Speaking to reporters as US President Joe Biden flew to Maine, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said negotiations are intense on getting foreign nationals out of Gaza and that it is a fluid situation.
Go to the full article >>34 French nationals evacuated from Gaza Strip on Friday -French government
Thirty-four French citizens were evacuated from the Gaza Strip on Friday, said the French foreign ministry.
Go to the full article >>Netanyahu holds security asessment with defense chiefs
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led a situational assessment on Israel's war on Hamas on Friday evening, attended by senior defense establishment officials including the defense minister and IDF chief of staff.
Israel-Hamas War: What you need to know
- Hamas launched a barrage of rockets on October 7, with thousands of terrorists infiltrating from the Gaza border
- Over 1,400 Israelis and foreign nationals were murdered as of Thursday afternoon, and more than 5,431 were wounded according to the Health Ministry
- IDF: 241 families of Israeli captives in Gaza have been contacted, 30 of them children