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 the IDF Spokesman, Israeli Kan TV/radio service, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office on Twitter/X (@IsraeliPM) and other sources considered reliable…
Wednesday February 14, 2024 (Day 131)
- Situation: The Israel-Hamas war continues, so does friction with Hezbollah
- Hostage negotiations breakdown? Netanyahu reportedly vetoed further Cairo negotiations, without consulting the war cabinet. Netanyahu has again said Israel wants complete victory and compromise from Hamas’ “delusional” demands (Times of Israel, Kan and others)
- Lebanon friction: continues unabated between Israel and Hezbollah, with deaths on both sides – a female IDF soldier was killed on her way to a sheltered area (Kan and others):
- International Criminal Court: A delegation of family members of Israeli hostages being held by terrorists in Gaza filed complaints of war crimes against Hamas leaders at the International Criminal Court in The Hague on Wednesday, demanding that the atrocities not go unpunished. The ICC is separate from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where Israel has been accused by South Africa of committing genocide in Gaza. While the ICJ deals with nations, the ICC prosecutes individuals (Times of Israel)
- Spotted: Yahya Sinwar is seen on film running away and hiding in his underground terrorist tunnel network as Gazan civilians suffer above ground under the rule of Hamas terrorism. The IDF says: There is no tunnel deep enough for him to hide in (IDF X/Twitter).
- Nasser Hospital Kan Younis: IDF operations continue. IDF troops uncovered medications with the names of Israeli hostages inside the hospital along with weapons. A report was received regarding the failure of electrical systems within the hospital. IDF troops worked to repair the generator while bringing an alternative one. In addition, the IDF supplied food for infants and water to the hospital (IDF X/Twitter).
Tuesday February 13, 2024 (Day 130)
- Broken promise: Doctors in Sheba hospital, Israel, noted that one of the hostages rescued yesterday (Feb 12, 2024) had not received medicines the hospital had sent him while in captivity, despite promises from France and Qatar (Kan and others).
Monday February 12, 2024 (Day 129)
- Two rescued: IDF special forces staged a complex operation and rescued two Israeli/Argentinian hostages, Louis Har and Fernando Marman, before 2a.m on the second floor of a building in Rafah. But Two IDF soldiers were killed, and the Red Cross claim around 60 Gazans died. It is not clear whether the Gazans include Hamas terrorists. The hostages are said to be in a reasonable condition and are undergoing hospital tests. The operation had long been planned as the area in Rafah is densely populated, and included an air force attack. The IDF spokesman said: “”From the moment of the breach and entry into the apartment, Yamam Police commando forces shielded Louis and Fernando with their bodies, initiating a daring battle and heavy exchanges of fire at several locations simultaneously, with many terrorists.” Comment: Israelis are treating it as good news with a heavy price. It strengthens the resolve for the IDF to operate in Rafah. Ben Gvir was not invited to the Cabinet viewing apparently (Kan and others).
- Biden to Netanyahu before the rescue: “President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke this morning with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel. The President reaffirmed our shared goal to see Hamas defeated and to ensure the long-term security of Israel and its people. The President and the Prime Minister discussed ongoing efforts to secure the release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas. The President emphasized the need to capitalize on progress made in the negotiations to secure the release of all hostages as soon as possible. He also called for urgent and specific steps to increase the throughput and consistency of humanitarian assistance to innocent Palestinian civilians. And he reaffirmed his view that a military operation in Rafah should not proceed…(Kan and others).
