Hezbollah continues to escalate its attacks on Israeli communities.
Today the Iran-backed terror army launched a barrage of 60 rockets at Israel’s Golan Heights. Footage circulating on social media showed several rockets exploding near a tour bus full of passengers, who were forced to take cover during the bombardment.
Israel continued to retaliate against the daily rocket, missile and drone fire from Hezbollah, striking the terror group’s infrastructure and targeting its operatives deep in Lebanese territory. The IDF eliminated a senior Hezbollah commander in an airstrike in southern Lebanon who was responsible for attacks on Israeli soldiers and communities. Israeli fighter jets also struck Hezbollah’s rocket launch sites and other buildings used by the terror group.
Hezbollah announced that 219 members have been eliminated by Israel since October.
Meanwhile, the IDF continues to uncover and destroy Hamas terror infrastructure throughout the Gaza Strip. Today Israel exposed a 6-mile-long Hamas tunnel network that passed beneath a hospital and a university in northern Gaza. The IDF discovered living quarters, bathrooms, and weapons depots in the tunnels, which were used to move terrorists throughout the Gaza Strip.
In an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal, IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari underscored the military’s findings over the last four months in Gaza – including Hamas’ deliberate use of civilians as human shields and Israel’s efforts to prevent civilian casualties.
“Most homes in Gaza have terror tunnels underneath or weapon caches inside, and the majority of schools, mosques, hospitals and international institutions have been used by Hamas for their military operations,” he wrote.
“We are fighting this war with a heavy heart, aware of the tragic loss of civilian lives on both sides…Our mission is to dismantle Hamas and bring our hostages home—not to destroy Gaza or displace its people.”
Read the op-ed here (paywall) and a write-up of Hagari’s statements here.
Hamas signals rejection of hostage deal
According to Israeli media reports, the terror group is signaling rejection of the latest hostage deal terms that Israel agreed to and negotiated over the weekend.
While Israel has agreed to pause the fighting, surge more aid, and release hundreds of convicted terrorists, Hamas must agree to release the hostages.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “Obviously, we want this deal if we can have it. It depends on Hamas. It’s really now their decision.”
Those demanding a temporary ceasefire in Gaza should direct their calls to the one address preventing one from happening: Hamas.
Ritchie Torres: “Strive to be fearless truth tellers in a world of moral confusion”
On Friday, Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-NY) delivered an impassioned sermon at Temple Emanu-El in New York City in honor of Black History Month, standing in strong solidarity with the Jewish and pro-Israel community.
“October 7th was a crime against humanity so barbaric that it cannot be ignored, it cannot go unpunished. Hamas must be brought to justice, and Israel has a right to defend itself against Hamas in the wake of October 7th for the same reason that the United States had a right to defend itself against Al-Qaeda,” he said.
“Imagine speaking to an Israeli mother whose child was murdered on October 7th – which is a mother's worst nightmare. I cannot imagine anything more cruel and callous than telling that mother, ‘You had this coming. You and your people brought this upon yourself.’ For me, this is not about politics. This is about decency. It is indecent to blame the victims of terrorism rather than the terrorist themselves.”
I encourage you to watch and share the 14-minute sermon here:
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