Following the release of a proof-of-life video featuring kidnapped soldier Idan Alexander, a Hamas delegation led by senior official Khalil al-Hayya arrived in Cairo. The Israeli proposal submitted to the Egyptian mediators includes the release of between 9 and 10 living hostages, as well as roughly 10 hostages who were killed.
If the terrorist organization agrees to release more than eight hostages, the United States is expected to commit to Israel entering negotiations for a second phase, focused primarily on a pause in the war. Israeli officials believe the ongoing military pressure is having a significant effect.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this evening that efforts to bring the hostages home are continuing, stating, “Talks are underway even at this very moment.”
Israel controls 40% of the Gaza Strip
Over the holiday, the IDF completed the capture of the Morag Axis, a key route dividing Khan Younis from Rafah. With this move, Israeli forces split the Gaza Strip from east to west across 12 kilometers, turning the area between the Philadelphi Corridor and the Morag Axis into part of Israel’s security buffer zone. Israel now controls no less than 40% of Gaza’s territory.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said this evening, “Hundreds of thousands of residents have already evacuated combat areas. Significant portions of Gaza’s territory have become part of Israel’s security zones.”
IAF strikes over 90 terror targets in the past 48 hours
Over the past week and a half, while IDF forces maneuvered throughout the area, dozens of terrorists were eliminated, Hamas tunnel routes and terror infrastructure were destroyed, and the encirclement of Rafah was completed. In the last 48 hours alone, the Israeli Air Force struck more than 90 terror targets across the Strip. Among the sites hit were the launch site used to fire rockets at Israeli communities near Gaza, weapons depots, terror squads, and additional infrastructure.
Targeting women children,hospitals,schools,refugee camps,with drones and f16 ,is what the proud IAF are good when they’re no air defence on the other side. Can’t wait to see them try the same thing in Iran.