Live updates day 514: What happened in Israel, Lebanon, and Gaza?

IDF soldiers left so many markers on social media that Hamas invaders on October 7 had a complete breakdown of nearly every unit, sub-unit, and building within the Nahal Oz IDF base when they overwhelmed it, killed 53 soldiers, and took 10 hostage on October 7, 2023.

16 of those killed were female field observers, many killed when Hamas burned the building they were in, and several of the hostages were among the recently released female hostages as part of the January 19 ceasefire. Two officers and five soldiers did escape the burning situation room by breaking a bathroom window and sneaking out.

So complete were the social media descriptions, often simply from photos that soldiers snapped next to different buildings on their first or last day in a position, that the IDF official probe of the battle has concluded that Hamas did not need a single spy to pull off its highly specific infiltration plan.

The IDF on Monday published its probe into Hamas’s October 7 slaughter of 64 members of the Kfar Aza community, and its taking of 19 hostages, with findings that there was no IDF warning, that the inadequate first IDF defense line was overcome rapidly, and that there was no IDF second defense line until it was too late.

Kfar Aza was the third largest number of casualties from any single village or battle from October 7, but is considered the most severe in relative terms given that there were only 850 residents and in terms of some of testimonies of brutal murders and rape which took place there.

Over the course of a few days, Hamas invaders also killed 18 security forces, including American-Israeli soldier Yona Brief, and two from the Shin Bet and various police combat fighters, on top of the 64 Kfar Aza residents who were killed.

State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman took part in a Knesset State Control Committee on Monday, investigating the Israel-Hamas War and mental health treatment following the October 7 massacre.

Englman stressed the need for oversight into the core failures on October 7, both at the political and military level.

Englman also cited his statement from October 10, 2023, by saying "I would initiate a thorough audit that would include personal accountability for those responsible for the failures and lapses. I determined that the audit would cover all levels—political, military, and civilian. I also said at the time that if a state commission of inquiry were to be established, I would coordinate jurisdictional boundaries with it. The legislature has empowered you to establish a state commission of inquiry based on the state comptroller’s audit report."

The Palestinian Authority is a potential partner among many for peace, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer said in a closed-door meeting with the Jewish Agency Board of Governors.

According to a source present at the meeting, Dermer “Spoke about the PA as a potential partner but only as one option among others—not as the only option. He was not consistent about anything. He left all options open." 

One of the participants who was in the room said about the meeting, "The subtext was that he only sees the option of war, which is why he spoke about many scenarios." 

IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi on Monday informed the organization’s Board of Governor’s that Iran’s 60% level enriched uranium had increased to 275 kilograms, an increase of approximately one full nuclear weapon’s worth per month since December.

Further, the IAEA has found that Tehran has enough 60% enriched uranium which could be quickly converted to the 90% weaponized level, to make six nuclear weapons, if it decided to do so.

This is without even taking into account the Islamic Republic’s enriched uranium to 20% and lower levels.

“I want you to know that I regret that it took us such a long time,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told freed hostage Eli Sharabi on Sunday night, apologizing for the extensive delay in securing his release.

During the phone call, Sharabi told Netanyahu that “the other hostages, certainly the living, urgently need to return home to their families,” and added that “the deceased hostages, including my brother Yossi, must be brought back for burial in Israel so their families can mourn over their graves.”

"This is the objective, and I want you to know that we will not relent for a moment, even as I am speaking to you,” Netanyahu responded.

The funeral procession for slain hostage Itzik Elgarat, whose body was returned recently from Gaza captivity, began on Monday in Rishon Lezion.

Seven released hostages are flying to Washington to meet with US government officials, the Hostages Families Forum announced on Monday morning.

Four people were reportedly wounded in a stabbing attack at Lev HaMifratz Mall in Haifa on Monday morning, according to the police.

"There are initial indications of multiple casualties, though their condition remains unclear," the police stated.

A terrorist allegedly planning to detonate explosive devices in a Moscow synagogue and metro station was shot in an exchange of gunfire with the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation, the security service announced on Monday.

FSB officers attempted to arrest the suspect, but he resisted and was shot dead by return fire, the FSB said.