Seven months ago today, Israel and all those who love the Jewish state were forever changed. The Israeli people are still grieving, still mourning their family members and friends, and still praying for the return of the hostages who remain captive in horrific conditions in Gaza.
This morning, the IDF completed a precise ground operation to capture the Rafah crossing along the Egyptian border.
Israeli troops eliminated 20 terrorists during the operation and uncovered three tunnel shafts belonging to the terror group. Israel now controls all of the known above-ground crossings into Gaza.
For years, Hamas has used aid crossings and tunnels along the border with Egypt to smuggle weapons and money into Gaza.
In a video message today, Prime Minister Netanyahu called the initial operation "a very important step on the way to destroying Hamas's remaining military capabilities."
For the second time this week, Hamas launched rockets from Rafah toward the Kerem Shalom Crossing, despicably using civilians in Rafah as human shields and attacking one of the key entry points for aid into Gaza. On Sunday, the first barrage of mortars and rockets killed four IDF soldiers and injured several others.
"These launches are further evidence of Hamas’ systematic exploitation of the area of Rafah for terrorist purposes," the IDF said. "We will continue to operate and eliminate every threat against Israeli civilians."
PM Netanyahu: Fake Hamas offer intended to sabotage Rafah operation
The prime minister emphasized that Hamas' offer was "very far from Israel's vital demands."
“Israel will not allow [Hamas] to rehabilitate its military capabilities in order to keep working toward our destruction. Israel cannot accept a proposal that endangers the safety of our citizens and the future of our country,” he said.
Last week, President Biden praised the Israeli offer to pause the fighting in exchange for the release of hostages. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called that proposal "extremely generous." Yet Hamas rejected that offer and is prolonging this war.
Two IDF reserves soldiers killed in yesterday's Hezbollah drone attack
The IDF announced today that two IDF reserves troops were killed yesterday in a Hezbollah drone attack in northern Israel.
The military attempted, but failed, to intercept the explosive drone that ultimately struck and killed the soldiers.
In response, the IDF carried out strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon, including buildings and rocket launching sites used by the Iran-backed terror group.
70,000 Israeli civilians remain internally displaced in Israel as a result of Hezbollah's attacks, which began on October 8.
IDF completes 20-hour operation against terror cell in the West Bank
While the IDF fights Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iran is surging money and weapons to terrorist cells in the West Bank.
Today the IDF completed a 20-hour counter-terrorism operation in the West Bank city of Tulkarem, killing one terrorist, detaining six wanted suspects, and demolishing three bomb-making labs.
Since October 7, the military has arrested some 4,000 terror suspects across the West Bank, including more than 1,700 affiliated with Hamas.
Watch this AIPAC interview with Enia Krivine from The Foundation for Defense of Democracies to learn more about the threats facing Israel in the West Bank.
WATCH: Israel's Eurovision Song, "Hurricane"
20-year-old Eden Golan is representing Israel this year at the Eurovision Song Contest with her song "Hurricane."
Originally titled, "October Rain," the track was rejected multiple times by the event organizers who demanded it be rewritten due to alleged political messaging.
After numerous submissions and rewrites, a final revised version was accepted. The contest final will take place this Sunday in Malmö, Sweden.
"It's a super important moment for us, especially this year," Golan said. "I feel honored to have the opportunity to be the voice of my country."
I encourage you to watch this moving music video produced by Israeli artists Boaz Tamir and Uri Gallero, using AI imagery to capture the song and this moment for the people of Israel.
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