Israel at War - What happened on day 31?

The commander of Hamas's Deir al-Balah Battalion of the Central Camps Brigade, Wail Asfa, was eliminated overnight on Sunday by an Israeli airstrike, the IDF and Shin Bet said on Monday.

The strike, which was conducted by an IAF fighter jet, operated on intelligence provided by the Shin Bet and Military Intelligence Directorate in carrying out the operation.

Palestinian activist Ahed Tamimi, 22, was arrested Monday morning by the IDF, according to Israeli media citing Palestinian reports. Tamimi has gained prominence in her community for her violent actions against the IDF and has been deemed by many as a national hero for West Bank Palestinians.

Tamimi has become something of a symbol in the Palestinian struggle against Israeli policy in the Palestinian territories and became an honorary member of the Palestinian National Council in May 2018.

Last week, Tamimi called for the murder of settlers in the West Bank in an Instagram post. "We are waiting for you in all the West Bank cities from Hebron to Jenin - we will slaughter you and you will say that what Hitler did to you was a joke," she wrote on social media.

"We will drink your blood and eat your skull. Come on, we are waiting for you," she wrote on Instagram.

In March 2018, Tamimi was convicted on four counts of assaulting an IDF officer and soldier, incitement, and interference with IDF forces, and was sentenced to eight months in prison and eight months of probation. She was released on July 29, 2018 after serving her full prison term.

Ahed Tamimi next to her mother (R) Bassam and father Bassam (L) (credit: TOVAH LAZAROFF)

How did Tamimi rise to 'fame'?

The 21-year-old became famous following the distribution of videos and photographs in which she attacked IDF soldiers in several incidents in her home village, Nabi Saleh.

Following her arrest, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted on Facebook congratulating the IDF for arresting Tamimi. "Kudos to the IDF and the rest of the security forces who arrested the terrorist and 'human rights activist' Ehad Tamimi Manbi Saleh, who was previously convicted of attacking IDF soldiers and since the outbreak of the war has expressed sympathy and support for the Nazi human beings on social media. Zero tolerance with terrorists and supporters of terrorism! Just like that!

The Biden administration sent warnings to Iran and Hezbollah that the US was preparing for military intervention in combat if they launched an attack against Israel, The New York Times reported. 

This is a developing story. 

US Vice President Kamala Harris will discuss the Biden administration's efforts to increase the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas conflict with foreign leaders during a phone conversation on Monday, her office said.

The US issued an unusual announcement that an Ohio-class nuclear submarine had arrived in the operational area of the US Central Command, and the command published a photo of it passing through the Suez Canal, on Monday.

The identity of the submarine was not disclosed and it is not known whether it is one of the four submarines that carry Tomahawk cruise missiles or of the 14 submarines that carry the Trident-II ballistic missiles, but it is still a significant addition to the American deterrence force in the region, and the ability to attack if necessary.

On November 5, 2023, an Ohio-class submarine arrived in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. pic.twitter.com/iDgUFp4enp

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) November 5, 2023

Meanwhile, in the New York Times, it was reported earlier that following the announcement of the visit that was supposed to take place this week - the head of the CIA William Burns has already arrived in Israel. Burns is expected to hold talks on the continuation of the fighting against Hamas and the issue of the abductees.

The head of the CIA, William Burns, had already arrived in Israel, according to The New York Times.

Burns is expected to hold talks on the continuation of the fighting against Hamas and the issue of the abductees. 

This is a developing story.
 

Jordan's air force personnel air-dropped urgent medical aid to the Jordanian field hospital in Gaza early on Monday, according to a post on X from Jordan's king and state media.

"A royal air force plane dropped urgent medical aid using parachutes to the Jordanian field hospital in Gaza whose supplies were about to run out due to the delay of delivering aid through Rafah crossing," Jordan's state news agency said citing a military source in the General Command of the Jordanian Armed Forces.

Jordan announced last week recalled its ambassador to Israel and told the Israeli ambassador to stay away in protest at the Israeli bombardment of Gaza, saying the attacks had killed innocents and caused a humanitarian catastrophe.

A senior Israeli official said tonight that the aid drop was carried out in coordination with Israel and with its approval.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Ankara on Sunday, according to a Reuters eyewitness, where he will hold talks with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan on Monday amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.