Gaza Strip
“The main thing: to eliminate Hamas and achieve victory. We are approaching it step by step,” the Israeli premier told families of captives and fallen soldiers.
Ahead of the airstrike, “numerous steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians,” the IDF said.
A new Defense Ministry pilot for the South includes fortified physical barriers and rapid-response teams.
In August 2005, Israel unilaterally disengaged from the Strip, removing thousands of Jews from their homes.
The hostages were identified as Avraham Munder, Yoram Metzger, Nadav Popplewell, Yagev Buchshtav, Chaim Peri and Alex Dancyg.
The explosive had been planted by terrorists with the intention of harming Israeli security forces.
Washington’s top diplomat said he held a “very constructive” meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the subject.
“Erase Gaza. Don’t leave a single person there,” superstar Eyal Golan said following the Hamas-led Oct. 7 massacre.
“The prime minister reiterated Israel’s commitment to the current American proposal on the release of our hostages,” the PMO stated.
While Israelis mark the holiday of love, families of hostages cling to hope and devotion.
“If Israel wanted to commit genocide, they would have killed 10 times as many,” said Glasgow Shettleston MSP John Mason.
“I’m here as part of an intensive diplomatic effort on President Biden’s instructions to try to get this agreement to the line, and ultimately over the line.”
