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Dear A.,
Hamas launched
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a deadly rocket attack today from Rafah on Israelis near the Kerem Shalom Crossing, killing three IDF soldiers and forcing the closure of a key entry point for humanitarian aid.
The barrage of 14 rockets was fired 350 meters from a civilian camp in Rafah and close to a hospital treating Gazans.
Eleven other Israeli soldiers were wounded in the barrage and are undergoing treatment for their injuries.
This is the epitome of Hamas' despicable strategy: Killing Israelis under the cover of Gaza's civilians, while destroying the aid and ensuring Gazans continue to suffer.
The IDF said the attack is “another clear example of the systematic exploitation that the Hamas terror organization makes of humanitarian facilities and spaces for terror needs, while using the civilian population as a human shield.”
Israel struck the sites of the launches in Rafah in response, along with an adjacent building used by Hamas.
Hamas is choosing to fight in Rafah rather than release hostages and surge aid into Gaza.
During a visit to the central Gaza Strip today, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel believes Hamas is not interested in a hostage deal to pause the fighting, and in turn, the IDF will launch its offensive in Rafah “in the very near future.”
IDF destroys Hamas command center built inside UNRWA complex
Hamas continues to use U.N. buildings to shield its terrorist operations.
Today, IDF jets targeted and destroyed a Hamas command and control center located in an UNRWA building in the central Gaza Strip.
The strike "was carefully planned and carried out using precise munition in order to minimize harm to uninvolved civilians," the IDF said.
Hamas used the UNRWA facility as a staging ground for
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multiple attacks on IDF troops in recent weeks, and oversaw the supply of weapons to dozens of Hamas terrorists from inside. The IDF said that Hamas also used the base to attack humanitarian aid corridors.
"Hamas intentionally positioned the command and control position within an active UNRWA location, jeopardizing the Gazan civilians taking refuge there," IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Peter Lerner
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said .
PM Netanyahu: 'We'll pause Gaza war for hostage deal, but won't end it'
Israel is prepared to pause fighting in Gaza in exchange for a deal to release the hostages, but is not willing to end the war until the threat from Hamas is eliminated, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today.
“In recent weeks, we have been working around the clock to formulate an agreement that would return our hostages,” Netanyahu said.
“Throughout the negotiations, Israel has shown a willingness for significant movement, which has been described by U.S. Secretary of State Blinken and others as 'very generous.’ But while Israel has shown this willingness, Hamas has still held to its extreme positions, first and foremost the withdrawal of our forces from the Strip, the conclusion of the war and leaving Hamas intact.
Israel can not accept a situation “in which Hamas's battalions leave their tunnels, reestablish control over the Strip, rebuild their military industries and go back to threatening the citizens of Israel in the communities of the Western Negev, the cities of the south and throughout the country."
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Read more here.
International orgs ask Israel to reduce the aid it's surging to northern Gaza
While Israel continues to surge food and aid into the Gaza Strip, international organizations have reportedly
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asked Israel to reduce the volume , as too much is being sent to northern Gaza relative to the population.
According to COGAT, the agency overseeing aid distribution into the Strip, about 100 food aid trucks were sent to northern Gaza on a daily basis over the past few weeks in coordination with the international community, including the U.N.
"Noting the improved situation, [international organizations] stated last week that the volume of goods transported to northern Gaza must be reduced since the quantities are too high in relation to the population," COGAT said.
"In talks between Israeli and U.N. representatives...none of the entities indicated a risk of famine in northern Gaza. They noted that the humanitarian situation is improving and that there is a variety of goods in both warehouses and markets in the north."
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Hezbollah launches 60 rocket barrage into northern Israel
While Hamas carried out its deadly attack on IDF soldiers today, Iran's terrorist army in Lebanon continued its daily assaults on northern Israel.
Hezbollah fired more than 60 rockets at northern Israel, injuring a man and causing damage to homes, vehicles, and infrastructure in the city of Kiryat Shmona.
In a first wave of attacks, Hezbollah launched some 20 rockets toward Israeli communities, with
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Iron Dome intercepting many of the rockets heading toward populated areas. A 65-year-old man was injured by shrapnel in the attack.
But many of the rockets evaded the defense system and struck the city, setting cars on fire and causing a power outage in some areas.
Hezbollah then launched 40 more rockets into northern Israel. IDF jets struck Hezbollah sites in Lebanon in response to the attacks.
Below is a photo of a home damaged in Kiryat Shmona.
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Israel marks Yom HaShoah beginning tonight
Starting tonight, Israel marks its Holocaust Remembrance Day commemorating the six-million Jews who perished at the hands of the Nazis.
Solemn ceremonies will take place across the country, including a state ceremony at Warsaw Ghetto Square in Jerusalem's Yad Vashem, where survivors will light six torches to represent the six million victims of the Holocaust.
This Yom HaShoah is even more painful for the people of Israel, as they remember Holocaust survivors like 91-year-old Moshe Ridler, who was murdered by Hamas terrorists on October 7.
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Israel's State ceremony marking the start of Yom HaShoah was held tonight at Yad Vashem, with remarks from Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, and survivors.
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You can watch the broadcast here.
Continue to
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follow AIPAC on social media for the latest updates.
Sincerely,
Cory Meyer
Deputy Director of Communications
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Support our work to keep Israel safe.
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.
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