Israelis are grieving after three hostages were killed in an IDF accident yesterday. The tragic mistake occurred when the hostages emerged from a building and were incorrectly identified as Hamas operatives.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it "an unbearable tragedy," while vowing to "bind up our wounds, learn the lessons, and continue with a supreme effort to return all our abductees home safely." Benny Gantz added, "I want to hug the families – the whole nation of Israel is crying with you." Gantz continued, "our responsibility is to win the war."
John Spencer, the Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at West Point’s Modern War Institute wrote, "I feel for the soldiers that made such a mistake in the hell of urban combat where Hamas uses human shields, wears civilian clothing, [and] holds hostages."
131 hostages held for 70 days
10 weeks since the October 7 massacre, 131 hostages remain held by Hamas in Gaza. In a powerful moment during a meeting with the President of the International Red Cross – who reportedly refused to take a picture with the families of the hostages – the father of Omer Shem-Tov, a 21-year-old hostage, demanded the Red Cross deliver medicine to his son.
Despite public pressure, the Red Cross has not yet seen or received medical reports of the remaining hostages.
Where do you think Israel is going? Spoiler alert: Nowhere.
Last night, comedian Bill Maher spent a significant portion of his HBO show discussing the war in Gaza and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In the 8-minute segment, he discusses the ongoing refusal by Palestinian leaders to share the land between the river and the sea.
"Wars end with negotiation, and what the media glosses over is, it’s hard to negotiate when the other side’s bargaining position is, 'you all die and disappear.'"
In a remarkable demonstration of Israeli strength and resilience, 18-year-old Noga Weiss, who was held hostage by Hamas for 50 days, returned to her scorched home in Kibbutz Be’eri to light Hanukkah candles with her sister. Their father Ilan is still being held captive in Gaza.
I've included a powerful photo of this moment for you to share below.
American Support for Israel
CENTCOM Commander General Michael Kurilla was in Israel yesterday for high-level military discussions with the IDF Chief of Staff. This wartime visit by the U.S. General is yet another demonstration of ongoing American commitment to Israel’s security.
In Washington this week, the House and Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act, a broad bill with major pro-Israel provisions.
Your ongoing support for AIPAC helped ensure the bill included funding authorizations for vital programs that keep Israel safe, such as $500 million for missile defense programs, increased funding for counter-drone cooperation, and resources for tunnel detection technologies.
The mission of AIPAC is to encourage and persuade the U.S. government to enact specific policies that create a strong, enduring and mutually beneficial relationship with our ally Israel.
AIPAC 251 H St. NW • Washington D.C. 20001 • TEL 202-639-5200
