Author: AFSI Staff

Over 100 IDF officers who have served in Gaza signed a letter on Saturday addressed to the Security Cabinet saying not to let residents of Gaza return to their homes until the hostages are released.

The letter begins with the reiteration of the two main goals of the IDF in this war: The total destruction of Hamas and the successful release of all of the hostages.

The letter continued, claiming that it would be unfair to allow citizens of Gaza to their homes while there are still hostages that haven’t been returned. The fact that hostages are still in captivity demands the simple equation, “there is no reason for Ahmed to return to his home in Gaza before Ziv and Gali return to their home in Kfar Aza.”

Source:
‘Gazans can’t return home before hostages’: 100 IDF officers in letter to government, by Jerusalem Post Staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday told the council heads of the Gaza Envelope settlements, “We are determined to rebuild the communities and the kibbutzim, in what is called ‘the area adjacent to the Gaza Strip,’ to return the residents to their homes, and bring about a much greater prosperity than there was before the war.”

“To this end, we need – first and foremost – to achieve victory over Hamas, but also to carry out the necessary actions in the civilian sector; therefore, we have convened the War Cabinet today, together with the team of ministers,” Netanyahu said.

Rebuilding and repopulating are what we want to see but with one condition. There must be security components in place so that the residents can live with the knowledge that safety and security – free of the threat of terror attacks – is guaranteed.

Source:
Netanyahu: Peace and Prosperity around the Corner for Gaza Envelope Residents, by David Israel/Jewish Press, January 17, 2024

House Republicans are demanding testimony from the head of UNRWA, the United Nations agency for “Palestinian refugees” following reports that the agency is aiding Hamas with “food, fuel and supplies” meant for humanitarian relief.

“Our constituents are horrified that their taxpayer dollars may have, through UNRWA failures, supported Hamas terrorists,” the panel’s chairman, Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), and members Brian Mast (R-FL), Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Darrell Issa (R-CA) wrote in the letter.

Under the Trump administration, the US cut $300 million in funding to the agency in 2018. The Biden administration reversed the Trump policy and last year, the US increased its financial support reaching a record $223 million.

While the current administration defends the “work” of UNRWA, the American taxpayer continues to fund terrorism and many have no idea they are doing so. We’re thankful we have David Bedein, who joined us on a Zoom meeting recently, to continue the fight to bring the truth about UNRWA to politicians and the public.

Source:
House Republicans demand answers from UNRWA chief, by Elad Benari/Israel National News, January 17, 2024

The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit revealed Sunday recordings of conversations between Gaza residents and military intelligence operatives. Gazans expressed their frustration with the Hamas terror group that has been ruling the Gaza Strip and the cost of their actions to civilians. They cursed Hamas and berated their leadership for enjoying hotels abroad while civilians suffer. They also asked the IDF to fight until they destroy Hamas and kill its leaders.

Let’s see this truth go viral now.

Source:
‘They took us back 100 years, kill them’: Gazans express frustration with Hamas in calls with IDF, by Yoav Zitun/Ynetnews, January 14, 2024

A 70 year-old woman was killed and 18 more wounded in a terrorist attack Ra’anana at 1:44pm Monday.

The ramming and stabbing attack occurred when two Palestinian Arab terrorists stabbed a female driver, stole her car, and slammed into pedestrians at a bus stop on HaHaroshet Street.

After crashing the car, the terrorists exited the vehicle on Ahuza Street and hijacked another car, continuing the rampage. The terrorists then exited the vehicle again and began stabbing passersby. Shortly thereafter, Israeli security forces managed to find and apprehend the pair, both of whom were illegally residing in Israel.

A 34-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy are listed in serious condition while eight others are listed in moderate condition and the rest in light condition. Seven of the victims wounded in the attack were children, most of whom were injured as they left school.

Our hearts and condolences go out to those affected by today’s horrific terrorist attack. We pray for the day when headlines such as this exist no more. With that said, NO CEASEFIRE! All nations worldwide need to stay out of Israel’s business unless they can offer the right kind of support that does not undermine and attack the Jewish Nation State. The IDF – Israel’s Defense Forces – should be allowed to finish the job uninterrupted of eliminating this terrorist cancer and as they deem fit.

Source:
1 dead, 18 wounded in terrorist rampage in central Israel, by David Rosenberg/World Israel News, January 15, 2024

By President Isaac Herzog

A hundred days have passed since life came to a standstill, the skies darkened, and we, all of us, were exposed to the boiling and shocking lava of terror and profound hatred that was poured upon us.

A hundred days of the most justifiable war, which is a test for us as a nation. A test of courage, heroism, determination, righteousness, strength, mutual responsibility, unity, and the commitment we have as a society to our core values and principles that define us as a country.

In these difficult times, we cannot help but think of the sacrifice made by our sons and daughters, in uniform and in plain clothes. Their sacrifice, their courage, their love of life, and their commitment to the ideals we hold so dear attest to the strengths that we harbor within us.

Source:
The Israeli spirit will prevail once again, by President Isaac Herzog/Israel Hayom, January 14, 2024

Channel 13 Journalist Roi Yanovsky was discharged after 100 days of reserve duty, from the beginning of the war, and published a situation report on X, on his first-hand experience in the Gaza Strip.

Yanovsky writes, “Gaza is seen as a failing area, the ‘most crowded in the world’ which has been under Israeli ‘siege’ for years. There is no bigger lie than this. Gaza is a modern, beautiful, and developed city – with large and well-equipped houses, wide boulevards, public areas, a promenade on the beachfront, and parks. It looks much better than any other Arab city, from the river to the sea. It is much more similar to Tel Aviv than to Kfar Qasim or Umm el-Fahm. Of course, it is very far from being ‘the most crowded in the world.'”

Yanovsky continued: The houses are bursting with products and food from all countries in the Middle East, the latest furniture, advanced electrical appliances, and much more. There are also magnificent mansions that would put Savyon or Kfar Shmariyahu to shame. There is absolutely no shortage of wealth in Gaza. Most of the houses I stayed in were much bigger than the apartment I live in, in Tel Aviv.”

Source:
Released reservist reveals: Poverty? What life in Gaza really looks like, by Israel National News, January 15, 2024

By Alon Davidi, Mayor of Sderot – January 10, 2024

Until the morning of Oct. 7, the town of Sderot in southern Israel was a parable of hope and success. Less than a mile from the Gaza border, it emerged a few years after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war as a haven for Jewish refugees fleeing antisemitic persecution — from North Africa, Kurdish lands, Ethiopia and the former Soviet Union. I am a second-generation Israeli; my parents found refuge in Israel from Iran.

Those people forged a city brimming with cultural richness, industrial vitality and a spirit of coexistence.

The trials of those who built Sderot were indeed traumatic but did not define them. The city’s residents devoted themselves to moving on and forging a flourishing future built on educating the next generation.

Source:
The Agony and Determination of Sderot/New York Times, January 10, 2024, by Alon Davidi

Commander of the IDF Central Command Major General Yehuda Fox on Tuesday launched a widespread rampage of demolitions in Jewish communities near the town of Pnei Kedem in Gush Etzion.

A closed military zone order was issued for the entire region, including the access road to Pnei Kedem. Residents on their way to work were blocked by police for lengthy periods of time and were allowed to continue only after extensive questioning. MK Simcha Rothman, who lives in Pnei Kedem, passed through the area, and convinced the officers to allow residents to travel the road freely.

Late Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued instructions not to demolish the homes of soldiers and reservists during wartime. The photo in this article shows a bulldozer demolishing the home of a reservist.

Bedouin illegal construction lingering in almost the same location for years has not been evacuated. Nothing is done to stop illegal Arab construction which is rampant in the entire eastern Gush Etzion and all over Judea and Samaria. But demolishing the home of a reservist serving to defending the country right now is OK?

Sources:
Gen. Fox Sidesteps Smotrich to Justify ‘Urgent’ Demolition Rampage in Gush Etzion, by David Israel/Jewish Press, January 9, 2024

Netanyahu orders halt to home demolitions in Gush Etzion, by Hezki Baruch/Israel National News, January 9, 2024

By Maj. Gen. (res.) Gershon Hacohen

In the wake of October 7, the State of Israel, its society, and all its institutions are at a critical crossroads. One path forward demands a thorough investigation and examination of everything that failed on that day so the necessary corrections can be made. The second path directs Israel towards a comprehensive inquiry across all dimensions and urges the formulation of a new and updated national narrative in the face of the existential challenge. The question is, which of the two paths is worth pursuing?

Source:
A New Existential War – Part III: Forming a Clear Post-War National Vision Means Returning to the Roots of Zionism, by Maj. Gen. (res.) Gershon Hacohen/BESA Center, January 8, 2024