The IDF announced the tragic death of an officer killed during fighting in the southern Gaza Strip on Friday, bringing the death toll in the ground offensive against Hamas to 248 R”L:
Maj. (res.) Amishar Ben David HY”D, 43, head of the Commando Brigade chief’s forward command team, from Eli.
WE MOURN
IDF commando, Amishar Ben David, 43-years-old, was killed while fighting Hamas in Gaza.
He is the 18th graduate of “Bnei David” Mechina in Eli to be killed in this war.
May God comfort the Ben David family, which includes Amishar’s wife and 5 children. pic.twitter.com/5gg00Onorb— Dov Lipman (@DovLipman) March 9, 2024
USA
US President Joe Biden says he is concerned that violence will break out in East Jerusalem if a temporary ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip with Hamas is not agreed upon as Ramadan begins.
Israeli Defense Force Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari:
“Hamas cares only about one thing: the survival of Hamas leaders.”
“Hamas has been stealing humanitarian aid and stockpiling equipment and food for Ramadan for Hamas terrorist leaders instead of the Gazan civilians in need.
Hostage Updates:
Arab and Israeli officials believe that Sinwar is deliberately undermining hostage talks in the hope that Ramadan will galvanize popular Arab support for Hamas, leading to an escalation of tensions in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
Qatar has threatened to expel Hamas officials from their base in Doha should they fail to persuade the group’s Gaza-based leaders to agree to a deal.
Mossad Update:
Mossad intelligence agency says Hamas is _”fortifying its position”_ with regard to a potential hostage deal, and instead is looking to _”ignite the region during Ramadan.”_
_”At this stage, Hamas is fortifying its position as if it is not interested in a deal, and it strives to ignite the region during Ramadan at the expense of the Palestinian population of the Gaza Strip,”_ according to the Mossad.
Charedi Draft Updates:
While speaking about recent developments pushing the compulsory drafting of Charedim into the IDF Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, the Chief Rabbi of Israel, said during his weekly session that “If they force us to join the army, we will all move abroad.”
“The yeshivas and kollels are what hold up the world. The state exists on Torah study, and without the Torah, there would have been no success for the army.”
May this be a week of Besuros Tovos.
