As the Iranian regime attacks Israel from multiple fronts, Israel targeted and killed one of the most senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp leaders and six of his deputies in a precision daytime strike in Damascus, Syria.
General Mohammad Reza Zahedi was the commander of the IRGC "Quds Force" in Syria and Lebanon, and was the key Iranian military official in charge of relations with Hezbollah and Iran-backed militias in Syria.
He is the most senior IRGC officer killed since the U.S. eliminated Qasem Soleimani in January 2020.
Today's strike came hours after an Iran-backed militia in Iraq launched a drone into Eilat, striking and damaging a military hangar.
Iran has simulated attacks on Eilat for years. In January 2023 Iranian media published a video showing Iran attacking a model of an Israeli naval base in Eilat.
State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said today that the attack on Eilat was further proof of Iran's commitment to Israel's destruction: “We will continue to make clear to those groups, and to Iran, that it is not in their interest to take strikes against Israel and it is not in their interest to take strikes against the United States,” he said.
The IDF withdrew from the Shifa Hospital complex this morning after a two-week operation to kill and capture terrorists who turned the facility into a command center.
Israeli troops captured 900 terror suspects during the raid, including 500 who were confirmed members of terrorist organizations. Another 200 terrorists were killed, including top Hamas and Islamic Jihad commanders.
The IDF also evacuated 350 patients and medical staff to a safe zone inside the complex, where the military provided them with humanitarian aid and supplies.
Prime Minister Netanyahu hailed the successful operation. "The surprise action by our forces was precise and surgical. They eliminated over 100 terrorists, including senior commanders, and additional terrorists surrendered. No hospital anywhere in the world looks like this; this was a terrorist lair."
He added that the important intelligence seized will be vital to locating the hostages and preparing for continued fighting.
Watch and share the IDF video below recapping the operation:
IDF to evacuate civilians, proceed into Rafah
In remarks last night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated Israel's commitment to achieving its war objectives to destroy Hamas and free the hostages, including by rooting out the terror group in its last stronghold of Rafah.
"I have approved the IDF operational plan for Rafah. The IDF is prepared for the evacuation of the civilian population and for the provision of humanitarian assistance."
"We will enter Rafah and we will eliminate the Hamas battalions there for one simple reason: There is no victory without entering Rafah and there is no victory without eliminating the Hamas battalions there. This is a fundamental part of the goals of the war, which also include returning all of our hostages."
America must continue to stand with Israel and give our ally the time, space, and resources needed to win this war.
IDF approves plans for continued fighting in the north
Today the IDF's chief of staff approved new plans "for the continuation of the fighting" against Iran-backed terrorists across Israel's northern borders.
The announcement comes as Hezbollah escalates attacks on Israeli communities near the Lebanon and Syrian borders.
Rep. Ritchie Torres in Israel: The Jewish state is not alone.
In Israel this week, Congressman Ritchie Torres spoke to The Jerusalem Post about the "colossal misjudgment" by the U.S. in abstaining from the U.N. Security Council ceasefire resolution last month, but underscored that America overwhelmingly stands with Israel and is committed to our ally winning the war.
“Hamas is intent on murdering every Jew in Israel until the Jewish state itself is annihilated. No country should be expected to coexist with a genocidal terror organization like Hamas. Israel has no choice but to remove Hamas from power,” he said.
“History tells us that the story of the Jewish people is a story of resilience, a story of rebuilding. Israel itself is the greatest example of a civilization rebuilt in human history. I’m leaving the South horrified by the massacre of October 7, but also heartened by the indefatigable optimism of the Israeli people.”
🎥 A message from Gil Dikman, whose cousin Carmel Gat is still held hostage by Hamas
Carmel Gat is 39 years old. She has been held hostage by Hamas for 178 days.
Carmel's cousin Gil Dikman shared the message below to AIPAC. "We're not fighting the Palestinian nation. We're not fighting two-and-a-half million Palestinians. Who we're fighting is a terror organization that believes in death. They don't want peace."
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
