Israel update 30.1.25

No Israel Update next week – hopefully back on 13th February. HRG

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

 

Liri Albag, one of the four IDF women soldiers released on Saturday after 477 days as a captive of Hamas in Gaza, told her father, “Dad, there are two million terrorists there, make no mistake. I sat with children aged 8 and 4 who were cursing “the Jews”.Report here

HOSTAGES

 

Reportedly 8 of the hostages still to be released from Gaza during the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire are dead. Report here (paywall)

RELEASED HOSTAGES

 

Eight hostages were released by Palestinian terror groups today Thursday under an ongoing ceasefire deal with Hamas, returning to Israel after 482 days in captivity in Gaza. Seven of them were freed in a long, chaotic, uncontrolled, terrifying and dangerous handover in Khan Younis that prompted fury in Israel.

The three Israelis are IDF surveillance soldier Agam Berger, 20, and civilians Arbel Yehoud, 29, and Gadi Mozes, 80. The Thai nationals are Thenna Pongsak, Sathian Suwannakham, Sriaoun Watchara, Seathao Bannawat, and Rumnao Surasak. Report here

An internationally renowned agronomist, Gadi Moses has expertise in wastewater management and field crops. He also worked as a peace activist, helping to advocate for Palestinian rights and peace. Report here

 

On Saturday, IDF lookouts Liri Albag, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Karina Ariev were released from 15 months of Hamas captivity. Report here

 

15 female IDF spotters were killed at the Nahal Oz base during the Hamas attack, and 7 were taken into Gaza. 5 have now been released Ori Megidish was rescued in October 2023, and Noa Marciano was killed in captivity. Report here (paywall)

 

Some of the Israeli women recently released by Hamas still had shrapnel in their bodies from untreated wounds they suffered in the Oct 7 attack according to an Israeli medical official. Some had spent eight months in tunnels. The three civilians and four soldiers are suffering from malnutrition and metabolic problems. At least one female soldier was held in prolonged isolation and emerged whispering because she wasn’t used to speaking to people. Report here (paywall)

 

Three Israeli women released from Hamas captivity the previous week described being kept in unsanitary conditions for months and often denied showers and medical care. Some were held in complete darkness for extended periods and suffered from severe hunger.Report here

 

Reports indicate the hostages’ diet consisted mainly of bread, limited portions of rice, and even suspicions of being forced to drink seawater in place of potable water. They endured harsh hygienic conditions, complete lack of sunlight, and insufficient basic nutrition.
A lack of sunlight over an extended period results in severe vitamin D deficiency. A diet limited to bread and rice provides little to no B vitamins, leading to severe deficiencies. Report here

 

Footnote: How Spurs, Arsenal and Chelsea fans united to celebrate the release of Emily Damari. Report here

TERRORISTS RELEASED

 

Today Thursday, Israel delayed the release of 110 Palestinian prisoners by several hours in protest at the chaotic and terrifying handover of 7 hostages, saying it would not proceed “until the safe passage of our hostages can be guaranteed in the next releases.” Report hereReport here

 

Israel released 200 Palestinian terrorist prisoners on Saturday as part of the hostage-prisoner exchange deal. More than half were serving life sentences for terror attacks that killed dozens. Report here

 

Palestinian Authority Chairman Abbas congratulated released life-term prisoner Yasser Abu Bakr who had served 23 years in prison. He was convicted for orchestrating an attack in Netanya in March 2002 that claimed the lives of an Israeli civilian and an infant. He was also found guilty of murdering a police officer the same month. He planned multiple additional attacks, resulting in several life sentences. Report here

 

Some 230 dangerous Palestinian terrorists will be deported abroad as part of the hostage-ceasefire deal in Gaza.
The Israeli security establishment fears that many will return to terrorist activities against Israel    In Istanbul, the “West Bank headquarters” of Hamas’s military wing, primarily composed of terrorists expelled in the Shalit deal, operates under the full protection of Turkish intelligence and President Erdogan.
The large-scale release of high-profile terrorists will place an immense burden on Israel’s Mossad, requiring extensive surveillance to thwart potential attacks.  Report here

 

Footnote: Two prisoners refused to be released as part of the deal with Hamas on Saturday. However, one was ultimately persuaded and returned to Gaza. The other, a senior Fatah official, preferred to stay in an Israeli prison and was replaced with another prisoner. Report here

 

RELEASE OF THAI HOSTAGES

 

Shamir Hospital near Rishon Lezion treated 23 Thai nationals and one Filipino who were released by Hamas in late November 2023. Now with the experience in treating Thai patients from that earlier release, they are preparing to receive more hostages. Hebrew media reported that Thai restaurants in Tel Aviv were preparing to provide them with familiar food upon their return.Report hereand here

 

Footnote: Working through the trauma, Thai farmhands who survived Oct 7 return to the fields.Report here

LEBANON

 

The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon will be extended until Feb. 18. The extension will allow Israel’s military to finish its withdrawal from southern Lebanon and for the Lebanese army to finish its deployment along the border.Report here

 

Last week, the IDF dismantled Hizbullah infrastructure in southern Lebanon which was being used to store weapons and fire hundreds of rockets and anti-tank missiles into Israel. The weapons were located inside residential buildings, courtyards, kindergartens, and basements. Report here

 

The Israeli army on Saturday warned residents of dozens of Lebanese villages near the border against returning until further notice. The Lebanese army urged Lebanese residents to wait before heading to the border region.Report here

 

Eyal Zisser, professor of contemporary history of the Middle East at Tel Aviv University, told JNSthat he was skeptical about the Lebanese Armed Forces enforcing control over southern Lebanon or countering Hizbullah. Report here

 

EASTERN FRONT

 

Israeli soldiers have eliminated 15 terrorists and arrested 40 wanted persons in Jenin over the last few days, the IDF announced Monday. Soldiers confiscated or destroyed dozens of weapons, including a bomb found inside a washing machine and dozens of bombs that had been planted on roads in order to harm Israeli forces.Report here

 

An explosive four-engined drone rigged with a pipe bomb fell outside Yitzhar, the second drone launched in the same area within a short period – indicating increased technical capabilities of the terrorists in Judea and Samaria.(West Bank)Report here

 

Israeli aircraft struck an armed terrorist cell in the village of Tamun in Samaria as part of an ongoing security operation. Palestinian sources identified several of those killed as members of Palestinian Islamic Jihad.Report here

 

The IDF, Israel Security Agency, and Border Police have seized and destroyed over 150 explosive devices in Jenin since Monday. 18 terrorists have been killed and 60 wanted individuals arrested in Jenin and Tulkarm in the ongoing operation to remove embedded terrorists. Report here

THE UK

 

 

Nine Israeli  health-tech startups were recently selected by the Dangoor Health-Tech Academy to help its partners in the UK tackle challenges related to healthcare. The purpose of the initiative is to connect pioneering Israeli technology with the British healthcare ecosystem to help facilitate its advancement. The nine companies selected this year are all helping to advance healthcare with unique AI-based solutions relating to diagnostics, eating disorders, mental health, femtech, neuroscience, personalized treatments and nutrition.Article here

SWEDISH MEP

 

Swedish politician Alice Teodorescu Mawe is one of Israel’s most vocal supporters in Europe.

In a recent a speech to the European Parliament she said:

“The masks have fallen from the so-called freedom fighters, who, together with many of those taken for innocent civilians, surrounded like hyenas the three young women who were taken from Hamas’s violence yesterday,”

Calling out “the West’s spineless politicians, activist journalists and corrupt judicial institutions,”  Teodorescu Mawe called for tougher measures against Hamas.Article here

THE US

 

 Last week, the White House instructed the U.S. Department of Defence to lift the freeze on the supply of one-ton bombs to Israel. Report here

 

 

US Amb. Dorothy Shea told the UN Security Council on Tuesday, “Hamas cannot be allowed to play spoiler on behalf of the Palestinians any longer, not after it started this conflict through its horrific attack and its deplorable behaviour.”
“We are concerned about reports that returned Israeli hostages were held by Hamas in UN facilities during their prolonged captivity in Gaza….This follows a pattern of serious allegations on the misuse of UN facilities – particularly UNRWA facilities – by Hamas terrorists….It is Israel’s sovereign decision to close UNRWA’s offices in Jerusalem on January 30. The United States supports the implementation of this decision.”Report here

 

CO-OPERATION

 

Amid deadly blazes that swept California this month, a team of experts with Israel’s Fire and Rescue Authority flew there for a week-long visit to aid the state’s firefighters and share their experiences.After the six-person delegation returned to Israel, their American counterparts said that they now plan to adopt strategies used by Israeli firefighters to track the spread of wildfires.Report here

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY

 

Israel’s President Herzog addressed the UN General Assembly telling his audience that they were exhibiting moral corruption by defending those committing atrocities.

Full speech here.( If only first paragraph appears, scroll down past first photo and click “Read more”)

COMMENT & OPINION

 

Hostage/ceasefire deal

 

 

Irwin Cotler and Brandon Silver: A hostage recovery and ceasefire agreement could have likely been achieved earlier – and many lives saved – and at lower cost with less risks, had the world held Hamas accountable and unequivocally called for the release of the hostages as a standalone humanitarian principle and international legal obligation.
The singling out of Israel for selective opprobrium and indictment, coupled with indulgence of Hamas demands, only prolonged the process. In not condemning Hamas’s outrageous demands, the international community delayed a ceasefire and thereby contributed to the suffering of Palestinians and Israelis alike.   Article here

 

Gaza’s Future

 

 

Ariel and Rena Cohen: Gaza desperately needs a complete break from the terrorism haven it became under Hamas. At the same time, Israel cannot tolerate any repeat of Oct. 7. Nor can it countenance a continuation of the rocket attacks on Israelis from Gaza since 2006.
International receivership in Gaza is warranted. Gaza attacks its neighbours while constantly requiring international aid, and completely fails to develop effective self-governance or a viable economy. It is time to stage a comprehensive external intervention to transform Gaza’s future. Gazans who wish to start a new life abroad, away from the overcrowded strip, should be allowed, supported and encouraged to do so in other Muslim countries. Those who remain need completely new leadership, free of terror and extremism. Article here

 

 

Khaled Abu Toameh: Qatar, the largest funder and sponsor of Hamas, wants to guarantee Hamas’s continued domination of Gaza. Qatar wants the PA government to collect the garbage, rebuild destroyed houses, and pay salaries, while Hamas is busy rearming, regrouping and getting ready for the next attack on Israel.
Hamas has sustained enormous losses since the beginning of the war it started on Oct. 7, 2023. The Qataris seem to realize that Hamas cannot undertake the task of rebuilding Gaza on its own. They also seem to understand that the international community will not agree to transfer funds to Gaza through Hamas. Qatar needs the PA in Gaza to facilitate the flow of millions of dollars in Western aid. The Qataris want the PA to act as a cover for keeping Hamas in power.
Qatar has one main purpose: to safeguard its friends in Hamas, continue promoting radical Islam, and deceive Westerners into believing that the Jihadists are a better alternative to the Arab world’s present regimes. Article here

 

 

Hamas and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

 

 

Gerald M. Steinberg: the problem is that the ICRC was largely passive and failed to use its vast prestige to demand access to the 250+ hostages or campaign for their release. Red Cross officials failed to press Hamas to follow basic humanitarian and legal principles on the treatment of its “prisoners.” The Red Cross response to the hostages and the Gaza war closely parallels the organization’s inaction and excuses during the Holocaust. Like the victims languishing in the Nazis’ concentration camps, the Israeli hostages languishing in Gaza became non-persons – neither seen nor heard in the ICRC’s actions and public campaigns…
The ICRC repeatedly condemned Israeli military actions involving hospitals and clinics in Gaza, but said nothing about the extensive exploitation of these facilities by Hamas. ICRC personnel on the ground in Gaza were aware of the thousands of rockets used to strike Israeli population centres. Each of these attacks on Israel was a war crime. But the Red Cross reported nothing. Article here

Ireland

 

Brendan O’Neill: President Higgins’s hatred for Israel is bringing shame on Ireland. To use a commemoration for murdered Jews to attack the Jewish State is utterly unforgivable. Article here