News Digest — 8/14/24
In First, IDF Airstrike In Jordan Valley
Israeli security forces on Wednesday morning (14th) began a counterterror operation in the Palestinian Authority Arab villages of Tubas and Tammun, near Jericho in eastern Samaria.
An IDF Spokesman said that thus far, the forces have eliminated one terrorist and injured others during a shootout. Wanted terror suspects have also been arrested, and weapons have been located and confiscated.
According to Arab reports, a UAV struck a home in Kfar Tubas, which was later surrounded by the forces. One terrorist was eliminated in the structure, reports added.
UAVs have traditionally not been used in the area, so this is the first strike of its kind.
The IDF confirmed the report, stating: “A short while ago, as part of a counterterrorism activity in the Jordan Valley area, an aircraft struck a number of armed terrorists in the area of the town of Tammun, details to follow.”
Gallant: ‘We Remove Threats And Are Prepared To Attack’
On Tuesday (13th) Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant visited an IDF intelligence base in northern Israel, where he was briefed on the intelligence operations that enabled the elimination of Hezbollah military chief Sayyid Muhsan. The briefing also focused on efforts to thwart Hezbollah terrorists and threats across Lebanon.
Later in the visit, Minister Gallant held a meeting with the head of the IDF’s Northern Command, Maj. Gen. Uri Gordon and discussed the operational readiness and preparations within the branches of the command.
Minister Gallant said upon completing his visit, “I am now completing a visit to an intelligence base in the northern area of our country. It was from this place that Hezbollah Military Chief Muhsan was eliminated. The troops here are working very hard and are preparing for anything that may take place.”
“We deal with both removing threats and preparing all the possibilities in order to be able to attack wherever we decide,” he said.
“We are determined to fulfill our mission – we must ensure the safe return of Israel’s northern residents to their homes, once we ensure that Hezbollah withdraws north of the Litani River.”
“I am aware of the tensions and the great burden placed on the citizens of Israel. We are closely following what is happening – also in Beirut, in Tehran and in additional places. Thanks to the people at this base and in many places all over the country – at sea, on land, and in the air, the citizens of Israel can maintain their routine lives, but must remain vigilant, alert and ready, and must follow the instructions published by the Home front Command,” Gallant concluded.
Hamas Fires Rockets At Tel Aviv, A First Since May, As IDF Advances In Khan Younis
Hamas launched rockets toward Tel Aviv on Tuesday (13th) for the first time in months, as Israeli troops continued to operate in Gaza and Palestinian medics claimed at least 19 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes throughout the Strip.
According to the Israel Defense Forces, a terror group fired two rockets toward central Israel on Tuesday afternoon (13th), with one falling in the sea and the second failing to cross the border and falling short inside Gaza.
No sirens were set off as neither rocket threatened any populated area, though some residents reported hearing a loud boom from the underwater explosion.
Hamas claimed responsibility for the rockets, its first attack on Tel Aviv since late May. The projectiles were launched from the Khan Younis area in Gaza, not far from where the 98th Division is operating.
Hamas later released footage of the failed attack, which showed operatives using makeshift rocket launchers instead of the standard launch pits that the terror group would normally use for long-range rocket fire on Israel.
The IDF has assessed that Hamas still possesses the capability to carry out attacks on central Israel or Jerusalem, but the terror group does not have many long-range rockets or launchers left to use.
Several hours after the rocket attack, the military issued a new evacuation order for Palestinians in Khan Younis, with the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman publishing a list of the zones that needed to be cleared.
The announcement by Col. Avichay Adraee called for Palestinians in the specified areas to evacuate to the Israeli-designated humanitarian zone.
The military said earlier Tuesday (13th) that troops in one division were pushing ahead with a new offensive in Khan Younis, and had also targeted a cell of terrorists who had launched a site in an airstrike. Evacuation orders were also issued for these areas before the raid.
Later Tuesday (13th), the IDF released footage of a recent airstrike on a group of gunmen in southern Gaza’s Rafah, and said Givati Infantry Brigade troops have killed more than 100 gunmen in the city amid the ongoing operation there.
Overall, more than 1,000 terror operatives have been killed in Rafah since early May, according to the IDF.
Israel launched its war against Hamas in Gaza following the terror group’s onslaught on southern Israel on Oct. 7 during which it killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, 111 of whom are believed to still be held in the Gaza Strip.
Israel says it has killed some 15,000 terrorist combatants in battle and some 1,000 terrorists inside Israel during the October 7 attack.
Israel’s toll in the ground offensive against Hamas in Gaza and in military operations along the border with the Strip stands at 332.
No Difference Between Hamas “Politicians” And Terrorists – Bassam Tawil
Hamas has chosen arch-terrorist Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind of the October 7, 2023 atrocities against thousands of Israelis, as chairman of its “political bureau.” By electing Sinwar as its “political” leader, Hamas itself is stating that it does not distinguish between politicians and terrorists. It also demonstrates that when it comes to Islamist terror organizations, there is no difference between political and military leaders.
Did anyone ever consider referring to Osama bin Laden and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the heads of Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (ISIS), as the “political leaders” of their organizations?
Hamas’ “political bureau” includes several figures such as Khalil al-Hayya, Khaled Mashaal, Musa Abu Marzouk, Ghazi Hamad, and Taher a-Nunu who have long-been advocating the armed struggle against Israel and glorifying acts of terrorism against Israelis. On the day of the Hamas-led attack on Israeli communities, these leaders held a special prayer in the office of Ismail Haniyeh in Doha, Qatar, to thank God for the crimes perpetrated by their terrorists and thousands of “ordinary Palestinians,” which resulted in the murders of 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of 251 others to Gaza as hostages. (Gatestone Institute)
Erdan At UN: “You Convened For These Terrorists, But Not For The Children Of Majdal Shams
In his final speech at the UN, outgoing Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan attacked the Security Council on Tuesday (13th) for not considering convening after the Majdal Shams massacre.
The Security Council convened for an urgent session Tuesday (13th) at the request of Algeria regarding the IDF’s strike on the Tabaeen school compound in Gaza. Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, presented the Council with images of the Hamas terrorists who were eliminated in the school. Strongly criticizing the Council, he remarked, “You convene for these terrorists who use a school as their terror base, but for the children of Majdal Shams, murdered by Hezbollah rocket fire, you couldn’t find the time for an urgent session, Shame on you.”
Erdan presented the UN with images of the Hamas terrorists who were the target of the strike in Gaza, as well as images of the Israeli children who were murdered in Majdal Shams, and sharply criticized the Security Council: “The Council convened today (Tuesday, 13th) to discuss Hamas’ false claims. Shockingly, it seems that you have decided to dedicate your time listening to the terrorists’ lies while no real concern has been shown when Israeli children were murdered recently by Hezbollah.”
Ambassador Erdan displayed a board with the faces of the terrorists targeted in the strike, saying, “These are terrorists eliminated in Gaza on Saturday (10th) – terrorists exploiting Tabaeen school as a base for their murderous objectives. These are the people you called an emergency session for.”
He also displayed a board with the faces of the children who were murdered by a Hezbollah missile in Majdal Shams: “While those terrorists used a school as their terror base, these children will never see their school again. But for them, you couldn’t find the time for an urgent session! Shame on you.”
In addition, he further criticized the Council for its disregard of the threat of an Iranian attack against Israel, stressing, “The most unbelievable thing is your inaction to condemn and stop the biggest danger and threat to the entire region: Iran,”
“Right now, millions of Israelis are preparing for a direct Iranian attack, just as they did in April. Iran’s aggression threatens the entire region with war. Yet, you are here wasting time on falsehoods spread by the word of terrorists.”
Second Temple Finds Shed Light On Final Days Of Ancient Jerusalem
A new excavation in Jerusalem has unearthed a treasure trove of artifacts from the Second Temple period, offering a glimpse into the city’s vibrant past and its eventual decline. The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), with funding from the City Of David, is conducting the dig in a drainage channel that once ran beneath Jerusalem’s main street.
Ayala Zilberstein, excavation director for the IAA, explained the significance of the find: “Small finds tell us a big story, from Jerusalem’s heyday of prosperity and splendor when its streets bustled with life, until the city’s ebbing moments during the rebellion against the Romans, and its total abandonment following the Temple and city’s destruction.”
The excavation revealed a diverse array of items, including a complete glass vial, grape pips (seeds), 2,000-year-old egg shells, and ceramic lamps still bearing soot from their last use. These objects were preserved in the channel, which passed beneath the bustling markets at the foot of the Temple Mount and along the City of David.
“Into the channel’s mouth were swept the detritus of life above Jerusalem’s main street; where they remained preserved between the walls just as they were at the moment of the city’s destruction,” Zilberstein said.
The accumulation of silt in the main drainage channel, filling it to almost half its height, indicates a gradual neglect of city maintenance. This neglect corresponds to the process of Jerusalem’s destruction according to Dr. Zilberstein.
In the upper layers of soil, archaeologists discovered complete pottery lamps dated to the end of the Second Temple period, with soot still visible on their rims, These findings, along with a previously discovered Roman sword in its leather scabbard, may have belonged to rebels who sought refuge in the channel during the city’s final days.
Deeper excavations revealed artifacts testifying to Jerusalem’s wealth and splendor during the Second Temple Period. A team led by Nissim Mizrahi uncovered complete vessels, including ceramic vials for perfume and expensive oils, as well as a remarkably well-preserved delicate glass vial.
Initial examinations of the pottery and glass assemblages, conducted by Yael Gorin- Rosen and Shulamit Terem, revealed an exceptionally rich and diverse concentration of vessel types. “Through this large variety of pots and dishes that accumulated in the drainage channel we encountered nearly the complete tableware set of Jerusalem’s residents,” Zilberstein explained.
The excavated dirt was sent to the Sifting Project in Emek Tzurim National Park, where additional items such as coins, beads, and food remains were discovered. These findings, including grape pips, grain kernels, fish bones, and eggshells, provide insight into the ancient Jewish diet.
Laboratory tests conducted by the IAA, in collaboration with archaeologists from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and the Weizmann Institute, aim to examine the ancient dirt from various scientific angles.
Eli Escusido, director of the Antiquities Authority, emphasized the importance of these discoveries: “In these days, when the word ‘destruction’ takes on more relevance then usual, there is great value and it is important to look back into our past, to remember where we came from and what we went through, to connect with our history, and thus gain a broader view of our life here in Israel.”
