“Swords of Iron” day 63
Today, December 7th, marks 2 months since our hearts were shattered and taken to Gaza. Today marks two months since our brother and sisters were brutally murdered, beheaded, raped, and kidnapped by Hamas. This day, two months ago our lives changed forever. For us, it is the 7th of December but it is still the 7th of October.
On this same day, we also mark the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Chanukah. This holiday commemorates two miracles: the victory of the Maccabees over the Greeks and the miraculous eight-day burning of a small amount of oil in the Menorah.
In our current context, the modern-day Maccabees are our brave soldiers defending the State of Israel and the Jewish people. Their sacrifices provide us the privilege to live in peace and security in our homeland. It is thanks to them that we can celebrate this holiday with our loved ones. This is why tonight, as we light the first candle of the Menorah for Chanukah, I will express my gratitude to my brothers in arms for safeguarding our lives.
The IDF has published the names of 7 additional soldiers that were killed in battle in Gaza. May their memory be a blessing.
• Master Sgt. (res.) Gal Meir Eisenkot z”l 25, of the 551st Brigade's 699th Battalion, from Herzliya. He is the son of former chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot.
• Sgt. Maj. (res.) Jonathan David Deitch z”l 34, of the 55th Brigade's 6623rd Reconnaissance Battalion, from Harish.
• Sgt. First Class (res.) Maor Gershoni z”l 24, of the 6th Brigade's 8173rd Battalion, from Yokne'am Illit.
• Staff Sgt. Amit Bonzel z”l 22, of the Paratroopers Brigade's reconnaissance unit, from Shoham.
• Staff Sgt. Alemnew Emanuel Feleke, 22, of the Commando Brigade's Duvdevan unit, from Kiryat Gat. Feleke was wounded Dec. 5 and succumbed to his wounds yesterday.
• Sgt. Maj. (res.) Adi Shani, 39, of the 6036th logistics unit's patrol company, from Tzur Yitzhak.
• Sgt. First Class (res.) Yehonatan Malka, 23, of the 7th Armored Brigade’s 82nd Battalion, from Beersheba. Malka was killed fighting in Gaza.
• Lt. Col. (res.) Yochai Gur Hershberg, 52, the commander of a unit in the 98th Division tasked with locating missing persons, from from Havat Philip. Hershberg was killed in a military-related car crash in southern Israel.
Arena overview
Gaza
One of the largest weapons depots in the Gaza Strip was found near a clinic and school in the northern Gaza Strip. The depot contained hundreds of RPG missiles and launchers of various types, dozens of anti-tank missiles, dozens of explosive devices, long-range missiles aimed at central Israel, and dozens of grenades and UAVs. The weapons were seized by IDF troops. All of the terrorist infrastructure was found close to civilian buildings in the heart of a civilian population. This is additional proof of Hamas’ cynical use of the residents of the Gaza Strip as human shields.
The IDF continued its operations against Hamas, expanding ground operations in Hamas’ Central Gaza Brigade. Khan Younis, a Hamas stronghold and home of Hamas leaders like Deif and Sinwar, was encircled, with the IDF commando brigade entering the city in tactical raids. During these operations in Khan Yunis, IDF troops killed Hamas terrorists and struck dozens of terror targets.
Hamas launches rockets from within humanitarian zones toward Israeli civilians
Yesterday, at 15:59, Hamas terrorists launched 12 rockets toward Israeli civilians in the city of Beer-Sheva in southern Israel. The rockets were launched from near tents of evacuated Gazan civilians in Rafah in southern Gaza and from next to United Nations facilities.
A few days ago, acting on precise IDF and ISA intelligence, the IAF eliminated Abdel Aziz Rantisi, a senior terrorist operative from Hamas’ military intelligence unit. Rantisi had been responsible for field intelligence in the Gaza Strip and participated in the planning of the October 7th massacre.
Northern border
Several launches from Lebanese territory toward Israel were identified earlier today. In response to this launches IAF fighter jets struck terrorist infrastructure and an operational command and control center belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization in Lebanon.
Several launches were fired into the Golan area. After this launches Israeli air forces are striking south of Damascus.
Timeline and operational updates
Thursday 7th of December
08:00 AM IDF release details of attack on Hamas post in Jabalia camp, tunnel fighting. The IDF released an update on its activities in the Gaza Strip, particularly a raid on military post belonging to the terrorist organization Hamas in the Jabalia camp, as well as the Duvdevan special forces unit fighting near a tunnel shaft entrance.
11:30 IDF confirms location of tactical pause, corridors for humanitarian purposes. The IDF Spokesperson for Arabic, Lieutenant Colonel Avichay Adraee, announced on Thursday morning the location of tactical pause for humanitarian purposes that will take place until the early afternoon, as well as corridors for movement.
12:00 IDF confirms launches from Lebanon toward Israel, followed by retaliatory strikes on Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure. "Fighter jets of the Air Force recently attacked a series of targets of the terrorist organization Hezbollah in Lebanese territory. Among the targets that were attacked, terrorist infrastructures, launcher positions, military positions and military buildings of the terrorist organization Hezbollah," the IDF said in a statement.
12:30 All the aid goes underground': Gaza residents dare to openly condemn Hamas
03:45 PM Israeli civilian dies after being hit by anti-tank missile from Lebanon.
05:00 PM Netanyahu, Gallant and Halevi visit IDF military base at the Lebanese border: "We are determined to achieve victory”. During the assessment, Netanyahu underscored the resilience and determination exhibited by reservists, recognizing their efforts in restoring security. He paid tribute to fallen heroes, the abducted, and the wounded, acknowledging the solemnity represented by the Hanukkah candlelight—a symbol of hope amid mourning.
06:30 Prime Minister Netanyahu sends condolences to former IDF chief Eizenkot following death of his son in combat. "Sara and I are heartbroken over the death of your son Gal. We cry with you. We hug you. Gal was a brave warrior and a true hero.We send our condolences from the bottom of our hearts to your family and the families of all our fallen heroes."
07:30 Pentagon: U.S. resumes flying surveillance drones over Gaza to help locate Israeli hostages. Patrick Ryder, Department of Defense Press Secretary to the Pentagon, “In support of hostage recovery efforts, the U.S. is conducting unarmed UAV flights over Gaza, as well as providing advice and assistance to support our Israeli partner as they work on their hostage recovery efforts