237 days since they were brutally kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 125 hostages are still trapped in Gaza.
Today, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari confirmed that "Hamas is holding our hostages in Rafah, which is why our forces are operating in Rafah. We will not stop fighting for their freedom."
The IDF continued its incremental and targeted operation to dismantle Hamas' capabilities in the area, using precise weapons and employing numerous tactics to help prevent civilian casualties.
In the latest example of Hamas' despicable human shields strategy, Israel announced today that the booby-trapped tunnel that exploded on Tuesday and killed three IDF soldiers in Rafah was located inside a medical clinic.
Hamas terrorists had fired missiles at the Israeli troops from inside an UNRWA school, prompting the IDF to raid the building and the adjacent clinic.
With each day that Israel operates in Rafah, we see more chilling evidence of how Hamas turned the entire city into a terror fortress. America must continue to stand with Israel as it fights the terrorists and works to protect its families.
IDF demolishes tunnel in Jabaliya where bodies of seven hostages were recovered
The IDF destroyed a Hamas tunnel network in northern Gaza's Jabaliya neighborhood, from which the bodies of seven hostages were recovered earlier this month.
The bodies of Ron Benjamin, Itzhak Gelerenter, Amit Buskila, and Shani Louk were recovered on May 17, and the bodies of Orión Hernández Radoux, Hanan Yablonka, and Michel Nisenbaum were recovered on May 23.
All seven were murdered by Hamas terrorists on October 7 and their bodies were kidnapped to Gaza.
The IDF ruled out the possibility of additional hostages in the area before detonating the tunnels. Watch the footage of the demolition here:
New Marist Poll: 71% of Americans say U.S. should support Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas
In a new poll of 1,261 Americans from May 21-23, 71% of U.S. adults believe the United States should support Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas.
When asked "Which statement comes closest to your view about the United States´ role in the war between Israel and Hamas," 23% believe the U.S. should fully support all of Israel's military actions against Hamas, and 48% say the U.S. should support Israel's actions and encourage Israel to protect Palestinian civilians.
Only one-quarter of the electorate supports a ceasefire at all costs.
In a separate poll of 1,660 U.S. voters earlier this month, 79% said they support Israel in its war against Hamas, with 74% backing Israel’s operation in Rafah to destroy the terror group.
Palestinian activist: 'Is Recognizing a Palestinian State a Reward for Terrorism?'
Bassem Eid, a Jerusalem-based Palestinian political analyst and human rights activist, writes this week that the decision by three European nations to recognize a Palestinian state now "not only undermines the struggle for genuine peace and human rights, but also rewards a terrorist organization for its horrific acts of violence and sexual crimes."
"Who exactly would these countries recognize as the leaders of this new Palestinian state?" he writes.
"To reward such behavior with the recognition of statehood is not only morally indefensible but also sets a dangerous precedent. It tells the world that terrorism, violence, and the gross violation of human rights can be effective tools for achieving political ends. It undermines the principles of justice, human rights, and the rule of law that the international community claims to uphold."
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