Israeli bites

“Swords of Iron” day 48

Today was my first time visiting Kibbutz Kfar Aza, one of the Kibbutzim that became the scene of the October 7th massacre, which is just a few kilometers from Gaza.

After almost 2 months since the start of the war what stood out to me the most when visiting Kfar Aza was the pervasive smell. The residences on the western side of the Kibbutz, nearer to the Gaza fence, lie in ruins—some charred, some in rubble, and others entirely obliterated with no remnants left. Yet, the lingering smell persists, a somber reminder that these were once homes filled with families. When observing these remnants, one is compelled to reflect on the individuals they housed and the lasting impact of what they left behind. Most of the people living in these houses were burnt alive, killed, massacred, tortured, and taken to Gaza as hostages.

What I saw today is pure evil.

What I saw today I won’t be able to unsee.

What I saw today has scarred my soul forever.

What I saw today will be a daily reminder of the price we, the Jewish people had to pay, to live in our homeland.

What I saw today I will never forget.

---

Arena overview

Southern border - Gaza

• Extensive Terrorist Tunnel System Exposed Under the Shifa Hospital Complex. The IDF troops exposed Hamas terror tunnel routes, dozens of meters of a tunnel system that also passes under the Qatari Building in the hospital complex, as well as rooms where Hamas terrorists can operate and stay for extended periods. The findings unequivocally display Hamas’ deliberate method of operating underneath hospitals. The terrorist organization also exploits the hospital buildings, using them to store weapons in and as terrorist headquarters.

  Watch IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari inside the tunnel complex:

• IDF troops are striking terror targets in the area of Jabalya. In total, during IDF activities in the Gaza Strip over the last day, aerial strikes were carried out on over 300 Hamas terror targets, including military command centers, underground terror tunnels, weapon storage facilities, weapon manufacturing sites, and anti-tank missile launch posts. Footage of the weapons found:

  

• The director of the Shifa Hospital in the Gaza Strip was apprehended and transferred for ISA questioning following evidence showing that the Shifa Hospital, under his direct management, served as a Hamas command and control center.

Northern border

• In response to ongoing Hezbollah rocket launches, which exceeded 35 rockets, the IDF targeted Hezbollah infrastructure and rocket sites in Lebanon. IDF strikes leveraged helicopters, fighter jets, and the "Iron Sting" system for these strikes.

• An IDF aircraft identified and targeted an anti-tank missile cell near the area of Zar'it in northern Israel.

• Overnight, a surface-to-air missile was launched toward IDF aircraft in Lebanon. The missile was intercepted by the Aerial Defense Array. In response to the launch, IDF aircraft struck the launcher and a weapons storage post.

Additional Arena

The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is supposed to begin tomorrow at 7 am local time.

13 Israeli hostages, women, and children will be released at 4 pm. 39 Arab prisoners will be released in exchange.

Hamas confirms Qatar’s announcement saying it will release within 4 days 50 Israeli hostages, women, and children under the age of 19 with a simultaneous ceasefire.

---

Timeline and operational update

Thursday 23rd November

07:45 AM Son of senior Hezbollah parliamentarian killed in Israeli strike in southern Lebanon together with four other group's operatives.

08:15 IDF reports attacking 300 Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip within 24 hours. The targets attacked include "military command centers, underground terror tunnels, weapon storage facilities, weapon manufacturing sites, and anti-tank missile launch posts."

10:40 IDF estimates dozens of rockets launched from Lebanon in largest barrage since start of war.

11:00 UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron visits Kibbutz Be'eri.

01:45 PM Israel President Herzog meets PMs of Spain, Belgium, and says hostage deal is in 'critical hours'. Herzog also stated: “This weekend the world will mark the International Day Against Violence Against Women. Unfortunately, the international community especially international organizations which were supposed to deal with these atrocious crimes which occurred on 7 October, have kept silent."

04:45 Israeli officials have received the names of the initial hostages to be released by Hamas.