News Digest — 8/5/24
Drawing On The Legacy Of Ze’ev Jabotinsky – Editorial
For the second time in months, Israelis are sitting and waiting, as Iran and its proxies have promised to exact revenge on the Jewish state in response to the deaths of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh – who was assassinated in Tehran early Wednesday (7/31) in an alleged Israeli operation – and the killing of senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr, who was targeted in Beirut.
Where and when the grand act of revenge will occur is proving challenging to estimate. Western Intelligence sources told Sky News Arabia that they had evidence that Iran plans to attack Israel on Tisha B’av next week. Other reports quote US and Israeli security officials as saying that the attack may come as early as today (4th), leaving Israelis in limbo.
The promised retaliation threatens to be far, far greater than when Iran directly attacked Israel for the first time in April. Then, 300 missiles and drones were launched at Israel. But with the promise of assistance from Hezbollah and Yemen-based Houthis this time, the attack could be much, much larger and much more dangerous.
This is a genuinely worrying time for Israelis, many of whom are too young to remember the Second Intifada or have only known military operations taking place on Israel’s periphery. Under normal circumstances, people expect to look to their leaders for strength, guidance, and cohesion for inspiration, or to the past.
Sunday (4th) marked Jabotinsky Day, a national holiday celebrated annually to commemorate the life and vision of the Zionist leader. But what, if anything, can be learned from the former chief of Revisionist Zionism during these trying times?
Ze’ev Jabotinsky was a towering figure in Zionist history who championed visionary ideas for his time, and remains profoundly relevant today. His advocacy for a strong, defensible Jewish state was driven by the pressing need to protect Jews from rising anti-Semitism in Europe. He emphasized the necessity of a robust defense system and a proud national identity, both of which are acutely relevant in today’s geopolitical landscape.
Jabotinsky’s doctrine of defense was encapsulated in his famous Iron Will concept, which argued that only through an unassailable defense could Jews ensure their security and sovereignty. Israel has built on this since the state’s founding, from the strength of the IDF and its ability to call up reservists in times of war, to the modern-day technological phenomenon that keeps Israel’s citizens relatively safe from incoming rockets, UAVs, and missiles. His insistence on a strong military is mirrored in Israel’s contemporary defense strategies, including its preemptive strikes on Iranian targets in Syria and advanced missile defense systems like the Iron Dome.
Another pillar of Jabotinsky’s thought was the importance of strategic alliances. He understood that Israel could not stand alone against its adversaries. This belief is evident in Israel’s current diplomatic efforts to build coalitions against Iranian aggression. Many have sought to alienate the State of Israel after Hamas’ attacks on October 7, but we have seen (and saw in April during Iran’s attack) that our neighbors and allies can and will come to our aid when necessary. Israel’s close relationship with the US echoes Jabotinsky’s foresight in recognizing the necessity of having powerful friends. This alliance is crucial in countering Iran’s influence and ensuring continued support for Israel’s security needs.
One of Jabotinsky’s most vital tenets of Zionism also emphasized fostering a resilient and culturally proud Jewish population. He believed that a strong national identity was essential for the survival of the Jewish state. Today, as Israel faces one of the greatest threats in 75 years of statehood, this principle is reflected in our efforts to stand together as one and face our enemies. This comes after a year of civil unrest and a divide over the government’s attempted Judicial reform.
Jabotinsky’s advocacy for military strength, strategic alliances, and national pride offers a blueprint for navigating the complexities of modern threats, particularly from Iran. By adhering to these principles, Israel can increasingly maintain its security and sovereignty in the region. Drawing on Jabotinsky’s legacy will be essential as the country continues to confront Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional hostility.
Iran Rejects World Leaders’ Call For Restraint, Expected To Strike Israel Imminently
Iran has rejected calls from world leaders to show restraint following its threats against Israel, and US officials say Iran may strike Israel as early as Monday (5th). According to the Wall Street Journal, Iranian officials said they will strike Israel even if it means all-out war.
Israel is currently bracing for a potential attack from Iran after the assassination in Tehran of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
Three US and Israeli officials told Axios reporter Barak Ravid on Sunday (4th) that Iran may strike Israel as early as Monday (5th).
Michael Erik Kurillla, commander of US Central Command, arrived in the Middle East on Sunday (4th). The purpose of the visit was to prepare Israel to counter an attack.
Kurilla, who commands US forces in the Middle East, whose trip was planned before the recent escalation, is expected to rally the same international coalition that defeated the previous Iranian attack on April 13, according to an American official.
In addition, Hezbollah announced that rather than focus on military targets in its rocket attacks against Israel, it would start aiming for civilians.
Meanwhile, the IDF Spokesperson stated in a public announcement that “the defense is not airtight – every citizen must act responsibly,” he added. “There is no change in the Home Front Command policy. We will update any changes in preparedness.”
The IDF Spokesperson was asked why Israel is not carrying out a preemptive strike and responded, “We will follow any instruction from the political leadership.”
Journalist Ben Caspit reported that the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) prepared the underground command bunker in Jerusalem, where senior political leaders are expected to stay during a state of emergency.
The bunker is equipped with all command and control facilities, connected to the bunker in the Kirya [military Headquarters] and all other war rooms. It allows for extended stays and is fortified against all types of weaponry,” Caspit noted.
According to estimates, at least 100,000 Israeli tourists travel daily this season, many of whom may face complications returning to their country. Transportation Minister Miri Regev held an urgent press conference Sunday evening (4th) to address concerns about cancellations of flights by foreign airlines. However, Regev clarified that the state currently has no complete alternative.
“Israelis who wish to travel abroad can do so, but passengers need to be responsible and understand that their return flight may be delayed by several days, or they may need to fly from a different location,” Regev said.
Israel Will Stand Against Iranian Threat Near And Far, Netanyahu Warns
Israel will stand firm against the threat by Iran and its proxies near and far, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Sunday (4th) as the international community scrambled to prevent an all-out Iranian-Israel war.
“Iran and its detractors seek to surround us with a stranglehold of terror. We are determined to stand against them on every front and in every arena.- far and near, Netanyahu said.
“Anyone who hurts us will pay a heavy price,” he said, echoing the words that Gallant had uttered hours earlier.
“Our readiness in terms of defense is high – be it on the ground or in the air,” he stated.
The United States moved a carrier ship to the region in light of the increased threat that followed twin assassinations of Hezbollah Commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut and Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
Israel has taken responsibility for Shukr’s killing but not Haniyeh. It is, however widely believed to be responsible for the latter’s killing and Tehran has sworn to avenge his death, accusing Israel of crossing all red lines and violating its sovereignty.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Tehran’s revenge will be “severe and at the appropriate time, place and manner.”
The US is prepared to defend Israel, as it did when Iran attacked overnight on April 13, when it led a coalition of five armies that shot out 300 missiles and drones out of the Israeli skies.
The United States is “preparing for every possibility, just as we did in advance of April 13, when Iran attacked Israel, and the United States and a coalition of our partners and allies worked with Israel to defeat that attack,” US national security deputy adviser Jonathan Finer told ABC’s This Week.
“The Pentagon is moving significant assets to the region to prepare for what may be another need to defend Israel from an attack,” he said.
But he added the US is also “working very hard to de-escalate the situation diplomatically.
Finer said that the US is in close “conjunction with our Israeli allies and our partner allies, and is doing everything possible to make sure that this situation does not boil over, even in the context of providing significant assets, US assets and the help of other countries to defend Israel, should the need arise again.”
Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi was set to travel to Iran on Sunday (4th) in a rare visit to discuss regional developments with his Iranian counterpart.
Regional tensions have spiked following the assassination, with countries warning its citizens to leave Lebanon.
Safadi’s visit to Iran follows continued diplomatic contacts by the United States and its partners including France, Britain, Italy, and Egypt on Saturday (3rd) to prevent further regional escalation.
Jordan was one of the five armies, along with Israel, the US, Great Britain, and France, that defended Israel from Iran in April. It (Jordan) is located in the flight path of some of the missiles that were and would be launched from Iran.
Sirens In The North: Direct Hit In The Hula Valley, IDF Officer And Soldier Hit
Sirens warning of an infiltration of hostile aircraft, as well as the firing of rockets and missiles were heard early Monday morning (5th) in a number of towns in the Galilee.
The Upper Galilee Regional Council said following the sirens that several interceptions had been carried out and that fire had broken out in open spots in several places in the area.
It was later reported that a UAV hit a building in Kibbutz Ayelet HaShahar, located in the Hula Valley.
As a result of the attack in the area, an IDF officer and soldier were moderately injured and evacuated to a hospital to receive medical treatment, Their families were notified, a statement read.
The Hezbollah terrorist organization claimed responsibility for firing on the north and said it launched “a swarm of drones towards Ayelet HaShahar,” reported the Lebanese Al Maydeen network, which is Hezbollah affiliated.
Two Dead, 2 Hurt In Terror Stabbing Spree In Holon; Palestinian Attacker Shot By Police
Two Israeli civilians were killed and two others were wounded in a terror stabbing attack in the central city of Holon on Sunday morning (4th), police and medics said.
The terrorist, a West Bank Palestinian, stabbed the victims at three different locations before being shot dead by a police officer.
“This was a complex and difficult terror attack. The casualties were at three separate locations, approximately 500 meters from each other,” Magen David Adom ambulance service medics said.
A woman aged 66 was declared dead at the scene, MDA said. She was later identified as Rina Daniv, a resident of the city. Her husband, Shimon Daniv, 68, was seriously injured in the attack. The couple were enjoying their daily walk in the park, when attacked, their family said.
MDA said it took three of the victims to nearby Wolfson Medical Center: a man in his 80s in critical condition, a man 68 in serious condition, and a 26-year-old in moderate condition.
The critically wounded man, identified as Avraham Somechi, in his 80s, arrived at Wolfson without vital signs, and was declared dead.
The terrorist stabbed the first victims – the Danivs – at the entrance to a park on Moshe Dayan Street, hospital officials said.
He then continued to a nearby bus stop adjacent to a gas station, where he stabbed and critically wounded the man in his 80s, who was later declared dead.
The last victim, 26-year-old Yakov Libertov, was stabbed at a bus parking lot on Dan Shomron Street, according to MDA.
Speaking to the media from his hospital bed, Libertov explained he was out walking his dog on a route he takes daily through a local park, when he saw the terrorist approaching him.
However, he was not alarmed as the man was walking slowly and did not appear to be carrying a weapon, though Libertov described him as having “an angry expression.”
Then the terrorist abruptly charged him, attacking with a knife, and stabbing Libertov in the shoulder.
He was able to ward off the assailant and escape, taking his dog with him, though he suffered moderate to serious injuries with stab wounds also to the stomach.
He immediately called emergency services while heading to the adjacent bus depot, “because I knew there would be alot of people there.”
Drivers at the depot helped him while taking over his call to the police and explaining to officers that there had been an attack.
The terrorist was finally shot by an officer who arrived at the scene, police said.
He was brought to Shamir Medical Center in critical condition where his death was declared a short while later, hospital officials said.
He was identified by a security source as Amar Odeh, 34, a resident of the West Bank city of Salfit. The source said he did not have an entry permit to be in Israel.
Police added that they were scanning the area for possible additional suspects involved in the attack.
Tensions in Israel and the West Bank have soared since October 7, when terrorists burst through the Gaza border into Israel in a Hamas-led attack, killing some 1,200 people and seizing 251 hostages.
Since then, 25 Israelis, including security personnel, have been killed in Palestinian terror attacks in Israel and the West Bank – including in Sunday’s (4th) attack. Another five members of the security forces were killed in clashes with terror operatives in the West Bank.
Iran’s Steadily Eroding Ring Of Fire – Yaakov Lappin
Iran’s ring of fire around Israel is shrinking and the Islamic Republic’s axis is not what it was several months ago, says Maj. -Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror, a former national security adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He emphasized that the Israel Defense Forces’ recent achievements in Gaza represents a significant blow to the Iranian axis, noting that the successful elimination of key figures in Hezbollah and Hamas is part of a larger picture.
Amidror pointed out that Hamas in Gaza, once a formidable military-terror organization, now operates at a fraction of its previous strength due to sustained IDF operations. “If Hamas began Oct. 7 with 100% capabilities, today it is at 30%. 70% was destroyed by Israel. The picture in front of decision-makers in Tehran, Beirut and elsewhere is different from a few months ago when it seemed Israel was losing its position.”
Amidror listed Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas deputy politburo chief Saleh al-Arouri, who was targeted in Beirut in January, and Hamas military-terror chief in Gaza Mohammed Deif, as well as Hamas’ No. 3 in Gaza, Marwan Issa, as being eliminated. “So we now have four out of six of the top leaders who were already punished for what they had done on Oct. 7.” Remaining alive are Yahya Sinwar and his brother Muhammad. (JNS)
(jns.org)
