In The Times, Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron wrote yesterday that “Israel has a right to eliminate the threat posed by Hamas” and said that calls for a ceasefire must not ignore why Israel defends itself, and such a pause could quickly collapse into “further violence”, making it harder to “build the confidence needed for peace”. “Hamas must lay down its arms”, he added. In an interview in the same paper, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said that Cameron’s approach entails “hostages released”, the end of rocket fire and “a political process in place to make sure that we get to the day after”.
Rt. Hon. Robert Jenrick MP condemned antisemitism at UK universities and the “moral bankruptcy of our academic institutions” in The Telegraph. He said that a 1,200 percent increase in the prejudice spiked immediately following the barbaric attacks of 7th October.
Brendon Clarke-Smith MP said on GB News that “a ceasefire involves two sets of people”, and that “the emphasis needs to be put on Hamas”. Adding, “it’s about looking towards the future”. Clarke-Smith said that the “long term recognition” of “peace in the area” is “very different from some of the short term calls where a lot of the emphasis is put on Israel” despite Hamas rocket fire, Hezbollah attacks’ and “Iran as a hostile actor”, sponsoring the proxy terror groups.
CFI Director of Public Affairs Rachel Blain has written in the Jewish News on “the indignity of not being believed”. Rachel writes about the international community’s failure “to speak out against the barbaric sexual violence committed by the terrorist group, Hamas”.
Discussing the stark contrast between the Me Too movement, the “cruel kidnapping of 276 girls by Boko Haram” and the “silence” that followed 7th October – Rachel said that indisputable and “harrowing” testimonies shows international organisations’ “reluctance to condemn sexual violence against Israeli women in its entirety”. Women’s movements which only condemn Hamas violence within a “more general” condemnation of violence are “doing themselves a disservice”.
“Let’s not allow ‘Israeli/Jewish women’ to join the excuse catalogue of rapists who argue that ‘her skirt was too short’ and ‘she asked for it’”, Rachel continued. She added that, “no one asks for it, but the world’s deafening silence is excusing Hamas’ behaviour, legitimising sexual violence as a weapon of war”.
Footage emerges of Hamas senior official, Mohammed Sinwar, driving through largest-found terror tunnel network
The IDF has discovered the largest-ever Hamas terror tunnel today, close to the Erez Israel-Gaza border crossing, according to reports.
Running 2.5 miles, the IDF found that the tunnel was large enough to transport vehicles at a depth of 165 feet, indicating their intended use for the “vehicle-borne raids” according to Commanding Officer of the Northern Gaza Brigade Col. Haim Cohen.
The structure contains plumbing, electricity and communication facilities, together with blast doors to prevent IDF advances. The network was constructed by dozens of personnel using specialised equipment under the leadership of Mohammed Sinwar, brother to Hamas’ Gaza chief Yahya Sinwar.
Mohammed Sinwar can be seen traveling through the tunnel in a vehicle in a recently released silent video.
Fighting was directed from the tunnel network, and several Hamas gunmen were killed inside it. 800 tunnel shafts in the Strip have been discovered by the IDF since the beginning of the ground offensive, with 500 already destroyed.
Hamas fighting from schools, hospitals in Gaza Strip
The IDF have reported fighting Hamas terrorists which had positioned themselves within schools on Friday. Hamas terrorists including those who participated in the October 7th attacks, concealed themselves within the Al-Mu’tasim Bi’llah and Al-Farabi schools, in the Rimal neighbourhood of Gaza City.
That day, IDF soldiers conducted targeted raids on terror compounds in Khan Yunis, where numerous weapons were seized.
On Saturday, 90 Hamas terrorists were reportedly arrested in Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, as doctors at the hospital informed the IDF of Hamas weapons stored within NICU incubators which were supposed to be used for premature babies. Additionally, anti-tank missiles, firearms and explosives were seized, with the IDF reporting that intelligence was also recovered.
Mossad Chief meets with Qatari Prime Minister and C.I.A. Director
Mossad Chief David Barnea met today with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and C.I.A. Director Bill Burns for talks on renewed prospects of a hostage deal, according to Israeli news reports.
The Mossad Chief was reported to have also met with the Qatari Prime Minister separately in Norway late last week. Two Egyptian sources revealed that Hamas has insisted on unilaterally deciding on who will be freed in future hostage releases, in addition to wanting the IDF to withdraw to pre-set lines, according to Reuters reports on Sunday.
According to the sources, Israel rejected the latter term, but accepted the first: “While Israel agreed on Hamas setting the list, the sources said it demanded a timeline and to see the list before setting the time and duration of the ceasefire,” Reuters reported.
105 civilians were freed from the terror group Hamas from Gaza in November after successful talks brokered largely by Egypt and Qatar. 80 Israeli women and children were freed for the release of 240 Palestinian female and under-age security prisoners in a 3:1 ratio.
Gaza aid intercepted by Hamas
Aid trucks have been seen being stripped of their aid and looted as they entered Gaza yesterday. 79 trucks began entering the strip on Sunday, according to the Egyptian Red Cross, after Israel opened its Karem Shalom crossing for aid.
Videos have appeared of trucks carrying crucial supplies seized by masked men. Israeli media have reported that they are connected to the terror group Hamas
Cyber attack hits Iran by group with links to Israel
A group in Iran which has been previously linked to Israel, has claimed a cyberattack resulting in the closure of 70% of the Islamic Republic’s petrol stations.
“Predatory Sparrow”, the group claiming the attack, stated that the attack is a result of “the aggression of the Islamic Republic and its proxies in the region”. It warned that “this is just a taste of what we have in store”.
The Predatory Sparrow group said that the attack was “conducted in a controlled manner while taking measures to limit potential damage to emergency services”.
Last month, Iran and Hezbollah launched a cyber attack against the Ziv Medical Center, in Safed, according to the Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD).
Hackers stole 100,000 IDF medical records among the 500 gigabytes of data, in order to both harm the hospital’s operations and Israel’s resilience.
Ziv and INCD successfully blocked interference with the actual medical functions but did temporarily shut down some systems. The hospital has now adopted new safeguards.
Houthi terror group reports attacks on two vessels as major companies halt trade in Red Sea
The Iran-backed Houthi terror group has reportedly attacked two vessels in the Red Sea, including the Norwegian M/V Swan Atlantic and the MSC Clara. The organisation claimed to use sea planes in the attack.
BP, Mediterranean Shipping Company, CMA CGM, Danish shipping giant Maersk and German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd have all halted trading across the Red Sea due to the attacks, pushing up gas prices globally.
Hamas leaders meet in Turkey to discuss next steps
Hamas leaders, including former Hamas Chief and the Deputy Chairman of its Political Bureau, together with other senior officials, met in Turkey to discuss the terror group’s next plans after the barbaric attacks of 7th October.
The group met in person to avoid interceptions by Israeli intelligence, and considered Turkey safe enough to convene. The countries President announced earlier this month of “serious consequences” if Israel seeks targeting Hamas members outside of the Palestinian territories.
Although much of the groups funding comes from Iran, its vast financial network has a significant presence in Turkey, as in Sudan, Algeria and others.
Operational and terror update
A six-week old baby and parents, 27-year old Mevaseret Cohen and her husband, Yishai Cohen, were travelling in traffic near Ateret, central West Bank, when attacked by a terrorist who approached on foot, spraying several bullets into their vehicle. Yishai returned fire with his weapon and forced the terrorist to flee the scene.
The IDF conducted numerous raids across the West Bank recently, clashing with gunmen in Jericho, al-Faraa and Kafr Aqab.
The IDF has completed its operation in Beit Hanoun, north-eastern Gaza Strip. “Many” terrorist cells have been reported destroyed together with military infrastructure and tunnel shafts. The IDF also reported “intense” fighting today in Shejaiya.
The IDF have responded to Hezbollah rocket fire toward northern Israel. Several terror sites, including rocket launchers and infrastructure, have been targeted by IDF artillery and fighter jet strikes.
