Defense and Security
The resident of Tayibe wanted to use a kidnapped soldier as leverage to force Israel to end the war against Hamas.
The regime is rapidly reconstructing missile factories Israel targeted in June, but experts say key solid-fuel mixing equipment is absent.
Alaa Ga’udat Bani Ouda and Mohammad Qassem Suleiman were part of a cell planning an imminent attack.
U.S. Mideast envoy Witkoff expressed confidence that “in the coming days, we’ll be able to announce some sort of breakthrough.”
“Alon’s injury has severely worsened, worsened as a result of cruel captivity and negligent treatment,” said his parents Idit and Kobi Ohel.
The slain man was identified as Staff Sgt. Chalachew Shimon Demalash.
Magen David Adom medics treated victims at the scene and evacuated them, including two in serious condition, to Yoseftal Medical Center.
This is “further proof of Hamas’s cynical and systematic modus operandi of exploiting civilian infrastructure as manned terror command posts.”
The top U.S. diplomat added that there still existed a “window of opportunity” to pursue a ceasefire-for-hostages agreement.
The IDF has opened an investigation into the incident.
“We want to bring the hostages home and return to normal life,” said the U.S. president.
“Hamas has repeatedly rejected reasonable offers to make peace, and we can’t forget October 7,” the U.S. president told the U.N. General Assembly.
