Israel-Hamas War: What happened on day 97?

Yuval Arad, daughter of Israeli Air Force officer Ron Arad who was kidnapped in Lebanon almost 40 years ago, shared a unique post on Facebook, expressing her frustration and sorrow over the ongoing situation surrounding the Israeli captives held hostage by Hamas and the lack of lessons learnt from past experiences.

"In the last three months, I've memorized the names of all the hostages, read the life story of each one, and felt the hole in my heart that my father left widening," Yuval wrote. "Unfortunately, my father is now a poster, 'Captured Navigator Ron Arad,' that no one wants to be."

Yuval, who professes to keep a low public profile and stays away from social media, decided to share her message via her mother Tami's Facebook page. She emphasized the pain that accompanies the family members of captives, who endure the waiting, uncertainty, and the repeated assurances that everything possible is being done to bring them back.

"Time is running out; in a few days, a hundred days will pass of the captivity of young and old, soldiers and soldiers, women and men, brothers and sisters, fathers and partners," Yuval wrote. "Families wait, and they are told, 'a little more military pressure, and we will be better placed to bring them back,' or 'don't talk to the media because it affects the negotiations,' or 'we're doing everything; we also want them home.'"

"We were also told, "everyone comes back.'"

She highlighted the difficulty of the decisions that must be made by Israel's leaders to secure the release of the hostages, acknowledging the painful sacrifices that may be required. Yuval stressed the need for responsibility, directness, and accountability when making such decisions and urged leaders to face the challenges head-on.

"To bring the abductees home, the decision-makers, the government, and its leader, need to make tough decisions," she wrote. "It's necessary to negotiate and deal with a murderous terrorist organization, and mainly to give [concessions]. They will hurt us as a people and as a country, and they will hurt the government politically. And that's precisely why there's no deal."

In her post, Yuval also expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of behind-the-scenes negotiations and deals. She called for a focus on addressing the root causes of the strengthening of terrorist organizations rather than engaging in discussions about the personalities involved in negotiations.

Yuval concluded by advocating for a more assertive and responsible approach from the Israeli leadership, stating, "It doesn't happen because leadership and responsibility are two qualities that were also taken hostage."

The story of Ron Arad

On a mission to target Palestinian terrorists in southern Lebanon in October 1986, Ron Arad and pilot Yishai Aviram were forced to evacuate their aircraft after a premature explosion. 

While Aviram was retrieved by the Israeli Air Force, Arad was captured by terrorists of the Lebanese Resistance Regiments (Amal). Despite attempts to secure his release, he remained in Lebanese hands and apart from little documented evidence, Israel declared in 2016 that he died in captivity in 1988.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) received a report on Thursday of an incident 50 nautical miles east of Oman's Sohar.

No further details were reported about the incident.

Two ISIS-affiliated terrorists were arrested in December in east Jerusalem by officers of the Jerusalem District of Israel Police and the Israel Security Service (Shin Bet), the police announced on Thursday.

 The terrorists planned to prepare explosive devices and target Israeli security forces before their attempts were thwarted and they were arrested. 

Early in December,  a 23-year-old resident of Jabel Mukaber in east Jerusalem was arrested by security services. The suspect was interrogated, and his arrest was extended by the court from time to time. On December 25, 2023, another suspect, a 21-year-old resident of Jabal Mukaber, was also arrested and transferred for investigation.

The investigation by the Central Unit of the Jerusalem District and the Shin Bet revealed that the two terrorists, supporters of Islamic State's ideology, collected jihadist material from the Internet and Telegram, including disturbing videos and pictures, videos of ISIS terrorists fighting in the Middle East, and more. Falling under the influence of Islamic extremism, they planned to carry out terror attacks against police officers and IDF soldiers. 

The two were residents of Jabel Mukaber in east Jerusalem (credit: ISRAEL POLICE SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Pedophilic material found on one of the terrorist's phones

Investigations showed how the two studied how to prepare the explosive devices and means of sabotage they intended to use in the attacks. Additionally, in a search conducted by investigators on the mobile phone of one of the terrorists, pedophilic material was found, leading to the opening of an additional investigation against him.

Upon completion of the investigation by the Shin Bet and the Jerusalem District Court, a solid evidentiary infrastructure was established against the two terrorists, and a statement of claim was filed against them. Their arrest has been extended from time to time, and an indictment is expected to be filed against them in the Jerusalem District Court.

Since the Israel-Hamas War began after the October 7 massacres, some 26 indictments have been filed in joint operations by the IDF's Judea and Samaria Division and Israel Police to target Hamas infrastructure in the West Bank.

Two serious indictments were filed by military prosecutors along with a request for an extension of detention pending trial this week. Following intelligence efforts, operational activities, and investigations carried out by the IDF's Judea and Samaria Division, soldiers acted to indict a resident of the village of Hable near Qalqilya.

The first individual concerned was arrested by IDF soldiers on suspicion of intentionally damaging the security barrier preventing the illegal entry of infiltrators into Israel. The suspect was shot in the leg by security forces and caught.

At the conclusion of the investigation, an indictment and a request for detention pending trial were filed by the military prosecution in the Gush Etzion Military Court for offenses of sabotage in a military facility and assistance in leaving a closed military area.

Support for Hamas has grown in the West Bank since the October 7 massacres (credit: ISRAEL POLICE SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Additionally, another indictment was filed on Wednesday by the military prosecution following intelligence efforts in which an additional suspect from Hebron was arrested for incitement and support for a terrorist organization.

This is part of ongoing operational activities of the IDF, the Israel Security Service (Shin Bet), and the Israel Police in the Judea and Samaria region.

Since the beginning of the war, Israeli security forces have been working to target terrorist infrastructure and arrest wanted individuals. So far, 26 indictments have been filed by the military prosecution following the arrest of suspects by IDF and security forces for incitement to terrorism and support for Hamas. 

Security forces have also seized hundreds of thousands of shekels and confiscated vehicles.

Hamas support grows in West Bank since Oct. 7

A poll carried out by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PCPSR) in December found that over 70% of Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip supported Hamas's decision to carry out the October 7 massacre, and the vast majority do not believe that Hamas carried out atrocities during the massacre.

The poll found that there were "significant differences" between the attitudes of West Bank residents and Gaza residents. In the West Bank, 82% believed that Hamas' decision to launch the attack was correct, and only 12% said it was incorrect, while in Gaza, 57% said it was correct, and 37% said it was incorrect.

Additionally, while 85% of West Bank Palestinians expressed satisfaction with Hamas' behavior in the war, only 52% of Gazan Palestinians felt the same. In reference to specifically Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, 57% of West Bank residents expressed satisfaction with his role, while 43% of Gazans said the same.

Tzvi Joffre contributed to this report.

United Hatzalah found its equipment in the hands of a Palestinian ambulance crew on Wednesday following a failed terror attack in the West Bank when it arrived at the scene.

Following a thwarted terrorist attack in Atarot in the Binyamin region on Wednesday, United Hatzalah, Israel’s volunteer-based EMS organization, reported that its equipment was found in the possession of a Palestinian ambulance crew that had also come to the scene.

The IDF had neutralized a terrorist after an attempted stabbing near the town of Atarot in the West Bank. 

Bulletproof vests and helmets were found 

Upon arrival, United Hatzalah volunteers were surprised to see members of the Palestinian ambulance crew wearing United Hatzalah bulletproof vests. Helmets and other equipment belonging to the organization were found inside the Palestinian ambulance.

The police were immediately alerted by the volunteers, who opened an investigation into the unauthorized possession of the EMS equipment to uncover how the equipment ended up in the hands of the Palestinian ambulance team. 

United Hatzalah equipment was found in the possession of a Palestinian ambulance crew. (credit: UNITED HATZALAH‏)

United Hatzalah expressed deep concern and disappointment over the incident in a statement. 

The organization is fully cooperating with the ongoing police investigation and called for enhanced security measures to prevent future incidents that could compromise the integrity of emergency medical services in the region. 

Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, met with the Permanent Observer of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to the UN, Laetitia Courtois, on Wednesday in New York and strongly criticized the organization for its failures over the Israeli hostages still held by Hamas.

"The Red Cross refuses to publicly condemn Hamas, which even denies access to the hostages or the transfer of medication to them and carries out the most serious war crimes," Erdan said at the meeting. 

"Hamas is committing heinous and abhorrent war crimes, and the Red Cross covers it up, refusing to condemn its actions publicly and not presenting to the world the monstrous behavior of Hamas towards the captives," Erdan added.

A Hamas terrorist interacts with members of the International Committee of the Red Cross. (credit: Hamas Military Wing/Handout via REUTERS)

Hamas's plan to use int'l law against Israel

Erdan detailed to Courtois that Hamas had planned from the beginning to use international law against Israel and, immediately after committing the massacres of October 7, to manipulate the UN and international organizations to pressure Israel for a ceasefire that would allow Hamas to remain in power.

The ambassador emphasized that it is clear that if Hamas regains its capabilities, it will attempt to carry out another massacre against Israeli civilians. Erdan also criticized UN agencies for using the privileges they receive from Israel for their employees to identify and spread falsehoods against Israel.

Erdan emphasized that the day after the war, he will recommend to the government to cancel residence permits and immediately expel many UN employees until fundamental changes and reforms occur in the motivated UN bodies.

Senior White House adviser Amos Hochstein is expected to visit Beirut on Thursday, a US official said late on Wednesday, as part of US efforts to ease tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border.

Washington fears Israel's war in Gaza could spread violence across the region, with armed groups backed by Israel's arch-rival Iran launching solidarity attacks in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen.

Lebanese armed group Hezbollah has been trading fire with the Israeli military across Lebanon's southern border since Palestinian terrorist group Hamas attacked Israel from Gaza three months ago, prompting Israel's heavy assault the Palestinian enclave.

The border violence has forced tens of thousands on both sides to flee and raised fears the conflict in Gaza could spiral into the rest of the region.

Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati told a senior United Nations official on Tuesday that his country was ready for talks on long-term stability on its southern border with Israel.

General view of the Phoenicia hotel and other buildings in Beirut, Lebanon January 6, 2024. (credit: REUTERS/MOHAMED AZAKIR)

Hochstein, the US energy envoy, last year floated the possibility of talks on drawing the land border between Israel and Lebanon, after having mediated a 2022 deal setting the maritime borders between the two countries.

Israel has said it is giving a chance for diplomacy to prevent Hezbollah from firing on people living in its north and to push Hezbollah back from the border, warning that the Israeli army will otherwise take action to achieve these aims.

More than 130 Hezbollah fighters have been killed in Lebanon during the hostilities. Hezbollah has said it does not seek full-scale war but would not hold back if Israel starts one.

Hamas's Oct. 7 attack on Israel killed 1,200, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's subsequent offensive has killed more than 23,000 Gazans, about 1% of Gaza's 2.3 million people, according to the health ministry of Hamas-governed Gaza.

The head of Yemen's Houthi supreme revolutionary committee, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, said on Thursday the UN resolution on navigation on the Red Sea is a "political game" and that the United States was the one violating international law.

The UN Security Council on Wednesday demanded Yemen's Houthis immediately end attacks on ships in the Red Sea and implicitly endorsed a US-led task force that has been defending vessels while cautioning against escalating tensions.

Al-Houthi said in a posting on media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, that what Yemeni armed forces were doing comes within the framework of legitimate defense, and that any action they face will have a reaction.

"We call on the Security Council to immediately release 2.3 Million people from the Israeli-American siege in Gaza," he said.

A Houthi fighter stands on the Galaxy Leader cargo ship in the Red Sea in this photo released November 20, 2023. (credit: Houthi Military Media/Handout via REUTERS)

Houthis vow to attack Israel-bound ships

The Houthis, an Iran-aligned group that seized much of Yemen in a civil war, have vowed to attack ships linked to Israel or bound for Israeli ports to show support for Hamas Islamists battling the Israeli offensive in Gaza. However, many of the targeted ships have had no links to Israel.

The UN Security Council on Wednesday demanded Yemen's Houthis immediately end attacks on ships in the Red Sea and cautioned against escalating tensions while implicitly endorsing a US-led task force that has been defending vessels.

The demand came in a Security Council resolution that also called on the Houthis to release the Galaxy Leader, a Japanese-operated vehicle carrier linked to an Israeli businessman that the group commandeered on Nov. 19, and its 25-person crew.

Eleven members voted for the measure demanding the Houthis "immediately cease all attacks, which impede global commerce and navigational rights and freedoms as well as regional peace."

Four members, including veto-wielding Russia and China, abstained. None voted against.

Resolution implies endorsement of Operation Prosperity Guardian

The key provision of the resolution, sponsored by the US and Japan, noted the right of UN member states, in accordance with international law, "to defend their vessels from attack, including those that undermine navigational rights and freedoms."

The United Nations Security Council meets about the situation in Venezuela in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., January 26, 2019 (credit: REUTERS/CARLO ALLEGRI)

The provision amounted to an implicit endorsement of Operation Prosperity Guardian, a US-led multinational naval task force that has been defending commercial ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden from Houthi missile and drone attacks.

"The threat to navigational rights and freedoms in the Red Sea is a global challenge that necessitates a global response," US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said in urging the council to approve the resolution.

The Houthis, an Iran-aligned group that seized much of Yemen in a civil war, have vowed to attack ships linked to Israel or bound for Israeli ports to show support for Hamas Islamists battling the Israeli offensive in Gaza. However, many of the targeted ships have had no links to Israel.

The US accuses Iran of providing critical support for the Houthi attacks, including advanced missiles and drones, in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. Tehran denies the allegation.

The Houthi spokesman in Yemen, Mohammed Abdul Salam, dismissed the UN resolution as a "political game" and said the US was the one violating international law.

The council voted after rejecting amendments proposed by Russia that would have stripped out the implicit endorsement of the US-led task force and included the war in Gaza among the "root causes" of the Houthi strikes.

Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia questioned the legitimacy of the task force and said the resolution as drafted was "an open-ended blessing of it."

The Houthi attacks have disrupted maritime commerce, prompting some shipping lines to divert vessels from the Red Sea to longer routes, threatening to increase energy and food prices.

In the latest strikes, Washington said US and British warships on Tuesday shot down 21 drones and missiles fired by the Houthis at southern Red Sea shipping lanes in what London called the largest such attack in the area.

US Central Command said there have been 26 Houthi strikes on shipping since the Houthis seized the Galaxy Leader.

In a video published in English on Wednesday night Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says "Israel has no intention of permanently occupying Gaza or displacing its civilian population."

The video has likely been produced due to the upcoming South Africa vs Israel case at the International Court of Justice, in which South Africa has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.

in the video, Netanyahu can be heard saying "Israel has no intention of permanently occupying Gaza or displacing its civilian population. Israel is fighting Hamas terrorists, not the Palestinian population, and we are doing so in full compliance with international law."

"I want to make a few points absolutely clear:
Israel has no intention of permanently occupying Gaza or displacing its civilian population.
Israel is fighting Hamas terrorists, not the Palestinian population, and we are doing so in full compliance with international law. pic.twitter.com/amxFaMnS0P

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) January 10, 2024

He highlights that the IDF has attempted to minimize Palestinian casualties through leaflets, providing warnings, and creating safe passage corridors, while Hamas has done its utmost to maximize Palestinian casualties.

"Our goal is to free Gaza of Hamas terrorists and free our hostages," followed by, "Once this is achieved Gaza can be demilitarized and deradicalized, thereby creating the possibility of a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike."

A man holds a placard which accuses Israel of genocide in the Gaza war, at the International Court of Justice in the Hague, in Cape Town, South Africa, January 10, 2024 (credit: REUTERS/ESA ALEXANDER)

South Africa vs Israel

Much of the legal backing for the case will rest on whether South Africa can prove Israel's intent to commit genocide.

As a result, Israel's case will be based on showing that it provided mitigating measures to keep civilians alive.

In this light, the video can be seen as a summation of Israel's case to the ICJ, and further, as Netanyahu making Israel's case to the world.