Gaza Region

Yom Hazikaron ceremony honors Gaza region rescue workers

The Home Front command today honored the units who worked to locate and retrieve the remains of those killed in the October 7th massacre.

UN figures on women, children killed in Gaza revised down 50%

Number of women killed in Gaza falls from 9,500 to 4,959, number of children falls from 14,500 to 7,797 in OCHA daily reports.

5 soldiers, Defense Ministry employee seriously wounded in Gaza

2 soldiers seriously wounded in mortar barrage in Rafah Crossing area, 3 Defense Ministry employees wounded in Gaza, 1 seriously.

Watch: Memorial Day commemorated in Gaza

Every soldier in the 401st Brigade received a kit containing a memorial candle, matches, a photo and the name of one of the fallen, along with a memorial sticker.

Report:

Sinwar had secret police force to quash dissent in Gaza

Documents seized from Gaza reveal Hamas General Security Service, which made files on 10,000 Gazans believed to critical of Hamas, including journalists and protesters.

Senator Graham:

'Stalling Israel aid would be a reward to Hamas'

Sen. Lindsey Graham responds to Biden's threat to stall military aid for Israel: Americans should be all in and helping Israel against an existential threat.

Report:

Sinwar is hiding in Khan Yunis

According to report in The New York Times, Yahya Sinwar is not in Rafah, but remains in the tunnels in Khan Yunis - surrounded by hostages to use as human shields.

UN chief demands 'immediate ceasefire' in Gaza

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appeals for immediate halt to Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

Blinken to Gallant:

'US opposes major military ground operation in Rafah'

Secretary of State speaks with Defense Minister, underscores "urgent need to protect civilians and aid workers in Gaza".

In phone conversation:

Sullivan, Israeli counterpart discuss alternatives to Rafah

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan speaks with Israeli counterpart Tzachi Hanegbi, expresses condolences on behalf of President Biden and the American people on Israel’s Memorial Day.

Erdogan:

'US and Europe not pressuring Israel to agree to ceasefire'

Turkish President claims Hamas agreed to a ceasefire and Netanyahu in response "attacked the innocent people in Rafah".

UAE denounces plans for Israeli administration of Gaza

The Emirates claim that any such plan would be 'providing cover for the Israeli occupation.'

Post-war plan:

Israel to assume civil administration of Gaza for at least a year

A new plan for the day after the war calls for Israel to assume control of civilian life in Gaza for at least a year when the military operation when the military operation ends.

IDF Spokesman:

'Our war is against Hamas, not against the people of Gaza'

IDF Spokesman Daniel Hagari issues English statement on operation in Rafah: Our operations against Hamas in Rafah remain limited in scope and have avoided densely populated areas.

Biden administration:

'Israel may have used US weapons illegally in Gaza'

New State Department report says it is “reasonable to assess” that US weapons have been used by Israeli forces in Gaza in ways that are “inconsistent” with international humanitarian law.

White House:

'We're watching operation in Rafah with great concern'

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby says the US wants the Rafah crossing reopened immediately.

Oct. 7th

'We shouted that we were police and evacuated the residents'

Shani Peretz and her colleagues fought against the terrorist cells in the Re'im sector. 'We drove south with guns drawn out the window. We saw bodies lying on the floor.'

Rafah:

Terror cells eliminated in close-quarters combat

IDF soldiers face Hamas terrorists in battle at Rafah crossing as IAF strikes rocket and mortar launching sites in Rafah.

Netanyahu:

'We will do what we have to do to protect our country'

Speaking to Dr. Phil, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he hopes he and Biden can overcome their disagreements, "but we will do what we have to do to protect our country".

Former US army chief:

'The United States killed a lot of innocent people'

Watch: Ret. Gen. Mark Milley hits back at those who criticize Israel's actions in Gaza, says the US has committed many war crimes over the years.

Biden in message to Israel:

'I will stop sending bombs over major invasion of Rafah'

US President says he will halt shipments of American weapons to Israel if Netanyahu orders a major invasion of Rafah: Civilians have been killed in Gaza as a consequence of those bombs.

Ex-Chief of Staff admits:

'We did not see Hamas as an existential threat'

Aviv Kochavi admits IDF knew of Hamas's tunnels and number of rockets prior to October 7, but was more focused on confronting Iran and Hezbollah.

Blood-stained tallit from the Holocaust taken into Gaza

Im Tirtzu Chairman, Matan Peleg, showed his soldiers a blood-stained tallit that he inherited from his great-grandfather, who fought the Nazis.

US military completes construction of Gaza aid pier

Pentagon spokesperson says current weather conditions make it unsafe to move the two-part facility into place at this time.

US official confirms:

US paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week

Senior US administration official says the decision was made over concerns that Israel was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on Rafah.

Anti-Israel rapper:

Rapper Macklemore releases pro-Palestine track: Nakba never ended

US rapper, released song ‘Hind's Hall,’ calling Israel, among others, "A state that's gotta rely on an apartheid system, to uphold an occupyin' violent."

Watch:

IDF destroys terror tunnel dug 150 meters from Israeli border

The tunnel that was uncovered was part of a branching network of Hamas tunnels, and was dug at a distance of about 150 meters from the border fence, but did not cross into Israeli territory.

If ‘never again is now,’ we must finish the mission in Gaza

We severely compromised our autonomy and mobility due to our longtime dependence on others. Now we have struck in Rafah despite world criticism - at last. Kol hakavod leTzahal!

UNRWA head:

'Israel barred me from entering Gaza for a second time'

UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini accuses Israel of denying the United Nations humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip.

In conversation with Gallant:

Austin expresses condolences for soldiers killed by mortars

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks to Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, reaffirms "commitment to the unconditional return of all hostages".

Britain:

Candidate shouts 'Allahu Akbar' in front of Palestinian flag

Mothin Ali promised that his tenure would focus on 'raising the voice of Gaza.'

Erdogan:

'Sanctions on Israel meant to force ceasefire'

Turkish President says Turkey's move to halt trade with Israel was designed to force the country to a ceasefire in Gaza.

IDF Chief of Staff to cadets:

'We have achievements against Hamas, but we are not finished'

Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi speaks with cadets as part of the “Joint Services Shabbat” held at the IDF's Officers’ Training School: This is a long war, and we are very determined to continue.

Operation imminent?

Israel briefs US on plan to move Gazans from Rafah

Sources tell Politico the IDF has informed aid groups and the Biden administration of a plan to begin removing Gazans from Rafah ahead of an invasion.

Boston:

City Council calls for ceasefire 'in Israel and Palestine'

Boston City Council votes by a majority of 11 to 2 to call for an “immediate and permanent ceasefire in Israel and Palestine”.

'Aggression against Palestine'

Turkey suspends export and import operations with Israel

Turkey suspends export and import operations with Israel, weeks after restricting certain exports. Foreign Minister Katz: This is how a dictator behaves.

Kibbutz Be'eri:

Dror Or was murdered on October 7, his body is held by Hamas

Dror Or is the father of Noam and Alma Or who were freed from captivity. Their mother was also murdered by Hamas on the day of the massacre.

Needed: Justice

The ground has not settled in Israel, our spirits are not at peace, and the blood of our victims cries out for justice. Op-ed.

Report:

US pier off Gaza could be operational by the weekend

Officials tell Politico the US military-built pier off the coast of Gaza will be up and running as early as this weekend barring weather delays.

Austin:

'Operation in Rafah needs credible plan to evacuate civilians'

US Defense Secretary speaks to Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, stresses US position on a possible Israeli operation in Rafah.

Blinken:

'The deal is there, Hamas should take it'

Secretary of State speaks to reporters, reiterates position about Rafah operation: We cannot, will not support a major military operation in Rafah absent an effective plan to make sure that civilians are not harmed.

Report:

Biden considering bringing Palestinian Arabs from Gaza to the US

President Biden is considering offering Palestinian Arabs a permanent safe haven, with various benefits that could eventually lead to permanent residency and possible US citizenship,

IDF divisions prepare for combat in Gaza

The 162nd Division and the 98th Division are operating to strengthen their readiness for continued combat in the Gaza Strip. The divisions have been enhancing readiness and holding situational assessments, and conducted learning sessions to draw lessons from the combat so far.

Hamas official:

'No major issues with Israel's latest proposal'

Hamas official says a delegation from the organization will arrive in Egypt on Monday to deliver the group's response to Israel's counterproposal: The atmosphere is positive unless there are new Israeli obstacles.

A month after fatal air strike

World Central Kitchen to resume operations in Gaza

World Central Kitchen says it has 276 trucks with eight million meals ready to enter through the Rafah crossing.

White House:

'Biden reiterated his clear position on Rafah incursion'

Following Biden-Netanyahu phone call, White House says Biden "reaffirmed his ironclad commitment to Israel’s security" and stressed the need for progress in delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

IDF Spokesperson to int'l media:

'More aid is going into Gaza than ever before'

IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari announces the amount of humanitarian aid going into Gaza will continue to scale-up even more in the coming days.

Israeli official clarifies:

'The preparations for entering Rafah are continuing'

Israeli diplomatic official responds to criticism over latest Egyptian ceasefire proposal: In any deal, if there is one, Israel will not give up the goals of the war.

'Freedom Flotilla' headed for Gaza blocked in Turkey

Organizers say the flotilla was unable to set sail after the West African country of Guinea-Bissau withdrew its flagged vessels.

Anti-Israel protest against White House correspondents

Demonstrators protest media coverage of the Israel-Hamas war at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.

Blinken:

'Saudi-Israel normalization before Gaza ceasefire is possible'

Secretary of State says it could be possible to roll out a framework for the normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia along with a two-state solution proposal before a Gaza ceasefire is in place.

Israel to Egypt:

'One last chance for hostage deal before Rafah invasion'

Axios reports that Israeli officials told their Egyptian counterparts that Israel is ready to give hostage negotiations "one last chance" to reach a deal with Hamas, but if there isn't progress soon it will move forward with a ground invasion of Rafah.

US campus protests:

At least 33 people detained at Indiana University campus

At least 33 people detained following protest in which demonstrators called for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Sanders to Netanyahu:

'It is not antisemitic to criticize your government'

Vermont Senator criticizes Israel's conduct in Gaza: Do not insult the intelligence of the American people by attempting to distract us from the immoral and illegal war policies of your extremist and racist government.

Israeli official:

'As far as Israel is concerned, the offer is for 33 hostages'

Israeli official comments on reports that the latest offer to Hamas involves the release of only 20 hostages.

PA to Biden:

'Prevent an operation in Rafah'

PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas' spokesman accuses the US administration of complicity in Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza.

Sderot house damaged in rocket attack from Gaza

Multiple people treated for anxiety after home struck by debris from interception of rocket.

Turkish attempt to influence war in Gaza thwarted

Turkey offered several Arab countries to devise a plan for deploying joint forces in Gaza on the day after the war, but they refused.

UN probe on UNRWA:

'Israel didn't provide evidence staff were terror group members'

Foreign Ministry fires back after UN probe says UNRWA is irreplaceable: UNRWA-Gaza is a rotten and poisonous tree whose roots are Hamas.

Closure 3 years on

Terrorist who murdered Barel Hadaria Shmueli eliminated

The terrorist who shot from point-blank range at IDF soldier First Sergeant Barel Hadaria Shmueli has been eliminated in an airstrike in Gaza.