We present here a diary of reported news from Israel and elsewhere about the Israel-Hamas war of 2023/2024, known in Israel as Swords of Iron. Our sources include Kan Israeli radio/TV, the IDF Spokesman, Israeli Kan TV/radio service, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office on Twitter/X (@IsraeliPM) and other sources considered reliable…
Current situation:
Since our last update of March 6, 2024, little has changed. The combat in Gaza continues, at a less intense level in the last 3 months under US/international pressure. Hostage release negotiations continue to be off and on. Friction continues on the Israel Lebanon border with Hezbollah. PM Netanyahu has now said many time the IDF will continue to complete victory, including the conquest of Rafiah in southern Gaza, but Israel’s hand has been stayed by international pressure as there are1-1.5 million Gazan civilians in the area.
- PM Netanyahu has now said many time the IDF will continue to complete victory, including the conquest of Rafiah in southern Gaza, but Israel’s hand has been stayed by international pressure as there are1-1.5 million Gazan civilians in the area.
- The Israeli public mood is one is one of disappointment. There are thought to be 133 Israeli hostages still in Gaza, dead or alive, with no sign of Hamas surrender in sight.
- In demonstrations in Tel-Aviv and Jerusalem, the families of hostages and others are calling for the resignation of PM Benjamin Netanyahu. They say he is blocking a hostage release deal. He continues to blame delusional Hamas demands.
- An opinion poll today indicates that 66% of Israelis want early elections, 26% don’t. And 45% blame PM Netanyahu for the October 7 failure, 35% blame the IDF Commander in Chief. Also, 29% think Netanyahu is performing well, 68% think is not performing well.
- The UN and other bodies say that famine is about to start in Gaza. Israel says it has opened more land passages for food supplies and that hundreds of Hamas militants recently captured were well fed.
- Israel has expressed regret about the death of 7 food aid workers but continues to attract severe world criticism. Israelis note there is no criticism of Hamas.
- Israel has not accepted responsibility for the recent deaths of senior Iranian military personnel in Damascus, including Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a top commander in the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). But Israel is taking precautions anyway against expected retaliation. These precautions include suspending Waze and Google Map GPS satellite navigation systems in some parts of Israel.
- Defense Minister Gallant said some IDF troops have been withdrawn from Khan Yunis. The plan is to prepare them for action in Rafah (which the US doesn’t want to see).
- When will it end (Comment)? It seems the war will only end when evacuated Northerners and Southerners feel it is safe to move back to their abandoned homes. Until then Israel will not be Israel, the government will not dare call an election. How will you know? When hotel accommodation, now occupied by evacuees becomes readily available again at the Dead Sea, Kineret, and coastal cities.
