Israel at War: Day 79

Sunday, December 24th, marks the 79th day of the war that began in the early hours of October 7th with rocket attacks on central Israel from Gaza. This conflict also witnessed the breach of the border by thousands of militants who invaded Israeli territory, resulting in the deaths of over a thousand civilians, as well as hundreds of police officers and soldiers. Additionally, around 240 Israelis and foreign citizens were taken captive, with many still being held in Gaza.

From November 24th to 30th, a ceasefire was in place, during which 105 hostages, including 81 Israelis, were successfully returned, held by terrorists. (To date, Hamas has released a total of 109 hostages, with one female hostage being rescued by the IDF during an operation in Gaza.) The deaths of some hostages have been confirmed. Unfortunately, three hostages who had escaped from the terrorists were mistakenly killed by Israeli military forces. Presently, according to IDF data, terrorists in the Gaza Strip continue to hold 128 hostages, including 117 Israeli citizens.

On the first day of the war, on October 7, terrorists attacked participants of a music festival near the Gaza border in the Re'im forest. Approximately 3,000 people attended the festival. Hundreds were killed, and many were taken hostage. The terrorists carried out massacres in the villages of Be'eri, Kfar Aza, and Nir Oz, killing hundreds of people, including the elderly, women, and children. Additionally, the terrorists invaded Sderot, Ofakim, Netivot, and other towns in the Western Negev, killing and looting Israeli citizens.

Soon after the attack, Hamas declared war on Israel, naming their actions "Al-Aqsa Deluge." In response, the Israeli government declared a state of war (for the first time since 1973) and initiated the "Iron Swords" War.

As of the current moment, over 1300 casualties have been identified from the events of October 7th and the subsequent days of conflict. The deceased include citizens from Israel, the USA, Canada, the UK, France, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal, Romania, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Paraguay, Ukraine, Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Moldova, Brazil, China, India, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, the Philippines, Nepal, South Africa, Sudan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan. Approximately 11,000 individuals have sustained injuries or trauma during these events.

Israel has not suffered losses of this magnitude in the last 50 years, since the time of the Yom Kippur War.

Since late October, a ground military operation has been underway in Gaza. The IDF has suffered significant losses, with over 150 servicemen killed during engagements with terrorists in the Gaza sector. According to IDF reports, approximately 8000 militants and their leaders have been eliminated since the commencement of the conflict in Gaza. Additionally, casualties among military personnel have been reported during combat actions along the border with Lebanon.

Since the beginning of the war, over 12,000 rockets have been launched from the Gaza sector (according to IDF estimates, up to 15% of them fell within Gaza's territory). Hundreds of rockets were fired by Hezbollah from Lebanon (approximately 20% landed in Lebanese territory). Terrorist groups Hamas and Hezbollah also utilized drones for targeted strikes.

Hundreds of thousands of Israelis, both in the south and in the north, were forced to leave their homes following the start of the war.

"The IDF is conducting intensive strikes on targets in Gaza, deploying the Air Force, Navy, and artillery. The Israel Defense Forces claim that over 22,000 targets in the Gaza sector have been attacked since the war's outset. The IDF consistently strikes targets in southern Lebanon as well as within Syrian territory.

The Gaza Ministry of Health (affiliated with Hamas) reports approximately 19,000 deaths and 52,000 injuries since the start of the war.

According to the United Nations, around 1.7 million residents of the Gaza Strip have been forced to flee their homes. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 1.3 million displaced residents from Gaza are living in shelters in the southern part of the sector. The IDF states that over 1 million residents from the northern part of Gaza have moved to the southern sector.

Since October 21st, humanitarian aid has been supplied to the Gaza Strip. Hamas is known to take a significant portion of this assistance.

Event Timeline:

09:00

The IDF has disclosed that within the past 24 hours, approximately 200 targets in the Gaza sector were struck by a combination of ground forces, the Air Force, and the Navy. Notably, the 11th Brigade 'Iftach' successfully identified and directed an air force plane and helicopter towards a group of militants.

In a separate operation, members of the 261st Brigade uncovered an arms depot and explosive devices concealed within a civilian building, disturbingly located near educational institutions, a mosque, and a clinic. The 460th Brigade's soldiers, operating in the Jabalia area, pinpointed targets for the Air Force and artillery, resulting in the neutralization of seven militants and four Hamas observation points. Additionally, the 900th Brigade, operating in Khan Yunis, uncovered a significant arsenal, including dozens of grenades and mines.

08:00

The IDF artillery struck targets near the Lebanese villages of Yaroun, Maroun al-Ras, and Itaroun. These strikes were in response to the overnight shelling of IDF positions in the Mount Dov area.

07:00

IDF forces withdraw from Nur ash-Shams (east of Tul Karem).

06:00

The IDF reports that eight Israeli servicemen have been killed in combat over the past day in the Gaza sector.

Sergeant David Bogdanovsky, 19, from Haifa, a member of the 603rd Engineer Battalion of the 7th 'Saar mi-Golan' Brigade, was killed in action in the southern part of the Gaza sector.

Sergeant Orel Bashan, 20, from Haifa, a fighter in the 603rd Engineer Battalion of the 7th 'Saar mi-Golan' Brigade, also lost his life in combat in the southern area of the Gaza sector.

Sergeant Gal Gershko, 20, from Iftach, a squad commander in the 603rd Engineer Battalion of the 7th 'Saar mi-Golan' Brigade, died in battle in the southern region of the Gaza sector.

Sergeant Itamar Shemen, 21, from Lapid, a paramedic who served in the 77th Battalion of the 7th 'Saar mi-Golan' Brigade, was killed in action in the southern part of the Gaza sector.

Reservist Staff Sergeant Nadav Issachar Farkhi, 30, from Herzliya, a medic in the 7810th Battalion of the 11th Armored Brigade 'Iftach,' lost his life in combat in the central part of the Gaza sector.

Reservist Staff Sergeant Eliyahu Meir Ohana, 28, from Haifa, a fighter in the 7810th Battalion of the 11th Armored Brigade 'Iftach,' was killed in battle in the central area of the Gaza sector.

Reservist Staff Sergeant Eliyasaf Shoshan, 23, from Jerusalem, a fighter in the 6646th Battalion of the 646th Brigade 'Shualei Marom,' died in combat in the central part of the Gaza sector.

Reservist Staff Sergeant Ohad Ashur, 23, from Kfar Yona, a fighter in the 6646th Battalion of the 646th Brigade 'Shualei Marom,' also lost his life in combat in the central area of the Gaza sector.

Additionally, five other servicemen sustained severe injuries: two from the 7th Brigade, two from the 646th Brigade's 646th Battalion, and one from the 11th Brigade's 7810th Battalion.

05:00

Fighting continues in Jabalia, in the northern part of the Gaza sector.

03:00

Reports persist of ongoing operations and clashes in Shejaiya.

02:00

An alarm sounded again in Dovev, indicating a rocket attack.

Alarm in northern Israel. "Code Red" in Sasa, Matat, and Dovev. Suspected drone intrusion.

Sources in the Palestinian Authority report that IDF forces are continuing operations in Tul Karem and its environs.

Sources in Gaza state that the IDF Air Force attacked the home of the Abu al-Auf family in the Tal al-Sultan area in Rafah, in the southern part of the sector.

Sources in the Palestinian Authority report the apprehension of a suspect in Beit Ummar, north of Hebron.

01:00

Sources in the Palestinian Authority report that IDF forces are engaged in operations in Shejaiya and Bayt (south of Shejaiya), with reports of ongoing clashes.

00:00

According to Palestinian Authority sources, IDF forces are active in Nur ash-Shams, east of Tul Karem, with reports of ongoing combat. Sounds of gunfire and explosions can be heard.

There are reports of clashes in Tul Karem.

Fighting persists in the Jabalia area in the northern part of the Gaza sector.

The most recent shelling from Gaza was recorded at 18:01 on December 23. During the current conflict, terrorist groups in the Gaza sector typically (though not always) halt rocket attacks on Israeli territory during the night.