Weekly Israeli Bites
Good morning, and welcome back to Weekly Israeli Bites.
It’s been a difficult time for all of us, with the ongoing war affecting so many lives across Israel. The recent news of the murders of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Carmel Gat, Ori Danino, Almog Sarussi, and Alex Lobanov has devastated us more than we could have ever imagined. My thoughts are with their families who are facing these unimaginable challenges.
Amidst this, I’m excited to restart writing this newsletter—to create a space of connection, reflection, and resilience. In times like these, it's more important than ever to come together, share stories of strength and unity, and remind ourselves of the values and spirit that keep us going. Through this newsletter, I hope to provide a moment of solidarity as we navigate these challenging times together.
Thank you again for joining me—let's move forward with strength and purpose.
While browsing social media, I stumbled upon a powerful image that spoke volumes—truly a picture worth a thousand words. It captures three IDF soldiers—Ari, Joseph, and Amitai—standing in the Soroka rehabilitation center, each having faced unimaginable adversity. Their resilience and determination radiate from the photo, and I felt compelled to learn more about their incredible journeys.
Amitai Argaman, an IDF reservist who served in the elite Maglan Commando Unit, lost both of his legs in one of the first mass-casualty incidents during Israel’s ground operation in the Gaza Strip: the explosion of a booby-trapped tunnel shaft that killed four IDF soldiers and seriously wounded five more. Despite this, he has displayed remarkable strength and perseverance after intense rehabilitation. Amitai continues to push his physical limits, even excelling at tennis, a testament to his positive spirit and determination during rehabilitation. His recovery journey is of faith, strength, and triumph, inspiring others to draw from his courage.
Ari Shpitz, 21, a combat soldier in the Givati Brigade, regained consciousness on Monday, a month and a half after being seriously wounded in the Gaza Strip and survived severe injuries after an explosion. His case was particularly dire, and his survival was described as miraculous. After multiple surgeries and a long period in intensive care, Ari regained consciousness, signaling a hopeful start to his long recovery process.
While Joseph's journey remains less publicized, his presence in the photo alongside these heroes tells a story of the shared strength and perseverance of a soldier on a path to recovery.
Moved by their stories, I’ve realized that these men are more than just soldiers—they embody resilience, reminding us of the incredible strength within the human spirit, even in the face of life’s most significant challenges. These soldiers are the true leaders of the State of Israel, the people who risk their lives to protect us. They are the ones who speak the least and do the most, the ones who save the world every day, and the world doesn’t even know they exist.
As Ben Gurion once said, “The revival demands human sacrifices of us, and if we, the young people who suffer the pain of our nation’s ruin, are not swift to sacrifice ourselves, we are lost.” His words speak to the deep sense of responsibility and sacrifice required to ensure the survival and flourishing of the Jewish state. This sentiment is mirrored in the stories of soldiers like Ari, Joseph, and Amitai, who have given so much through their physical sacrifices, unyielding resilience and quiet strength. Their willingness to risk everything to carry the weight of the nation on their shoulders reflects the selflessness and commitment that our survival has always demanded.
Ari, Joseph, and Amitai’s stories are far from defined by their injuries. Instead, these men have become symbols of courage, endurance, and hope. Let’s learn from them and be worthy.
Arena overview
Southern Front
IDF troops continue conducting precise, intelligence-based operations in the Rafah area. Troops have eliminated over 200 terrorists and located dozens of weapons in civilian structures. The weapons included ten rocket launchers designed for firing long-range rockets.
Based on IDF and ISA intelligence, IAF aircraft conducted a precise strike on a command and control center used by Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists, which was embedded inside the Humanitarian Area in Deir al-Balah.
Several terrorists were eliminated in the strike, including:
The terrorist Abdallah Khatib, commander of the Islamic Jihad’s Southern Deir al-Balah Battalion, who commanded the terrorist activity of the battalion during the October 7th Massacre in southern Israel, and Hatem Abu Aljidian, commander of the Islamic Jihad’s Eastern Deir al-Balah Battalion who advanced and carried out attacks against IDF troops throughout the war.
Northern front
Following the sirens that sounded during the early morning hours in the upper Galilee, approximately 50 projectiles were identified crossing from Lebanon. The IDF Aerial Defense Array successfully intercepted most of the projectiles. Fallen projectiles were identified in the area. No injuries were reported.
Overnight (Saturday), the IAF struck Hezbollah military structures in the areas of Aitaroun, Maroun El Ras, and Yaroun in southern Lebanon.
Yesterday, the IDF struck and eliminated terrorists from the Amal terrorist organization that operated within a Hezbollah military structure in the area of Froun in southern Lebanon.
Judea and Samaria
In the past week, the IDF operated with high intensity across Judea and Samaria, and the Jordan Valley.
In Jenin, Tulkarm, and Far'a, extensive counterterrorism operations were carried out, resulting in the elimination of about 35 terrorists and the apprehension of approximately 45 others. Additionally, dozens of weapons and explosives were confiscated, and three explosive labs were destroyed.
Chief of the General Staff
The Chief of the Defence Staff of Italy, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, arrived this week (Tuesday) in Israel as the official guest of the Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi.
The two chiefs of staff discussed challenges in the region, as well as the operational cooperation between the two militaries. During the visit, the Chief of the Defence Staff received strategic and security briefings from IDF officers, with a focus on the situation along the northern border and recent operational events.
Think Tank
“Stop Blaming US” October 7 Survivor Tells UN
Oct. 7 survivor Sabine Taasa, 48, who lost her husband and 17-year-old son during the Hamas attack on the Israeli village of Netiv Haasara, told the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in Geneva on Tuesday, "I need you to stop blaming us." His killers filmed her son's murder. "Is that normal? Shooting a child of 17 six times in the head?" she asked.
When Hamas militants entered Taasa's home, they lobbed a grenade at her husband Gil, 46, a firefighter. Gil threw himself on top of it to protect his children. Two of their sons were injured. The youngest, Shay, now nine, had an eye blown out of its socket, permanently blinding that eye. Taasa urged the committee to reflect on what it means to be "not just a child in Gaza, but also a child in Israel living with trauma marking them for life."
"We are not criminals," she said, insisting it was Hamas "who are the terrorists, the devils who kill children, women, men, the elderly....We didn't ask for this war."
On Tuesday, Israel's military announced it had killed Ahmed Fozi Nazer Muhammad Wadia, the Hamas commander who led the invasion of Netiv Haasara and who was photographed inside Taasa's home.Jerusalem Court Orders Seizure of Frozen PA Funds in Terror Victim Compensation Case
The Jerusalem District Court on Wednesday issued a temporary seizure order for NIS 160 million ($43 million) against Palestinian Authority funds frozen by the government in response to a lawsuit by the families of Palestinian terror victims demanding compensation from the PA for supporting and encouraging the violence.
The original compensation suit was submitted on behalf of 78 victims of Palestinian terrorism; 200 more victims and family members have since joined the suit, meaning that a further seizure order covering their claims could be issued.