Israel at War: Day 78

Saturday, December 23 is the 78th day of the war that began early on October 7 when HAMAS launched missile strikes from Gaza on central areas of Israel, and thousands of militants invaded Israeli territory, killing over a thousand civilians, as well as hundreds of police officers and servicemen, and taking about 240 Israelis and foreign citizens hostages, many of whom are still held in the Gaza Strip.

From November 24 to 30, a ceasefire was in effect, during which 105 hostages were successfully returned, including 81 Israelis. In total, as of today, HAMAS has released 109 hostages, and one hostage was rescued by the IDF during the Gaza operation. The deaths of some hostages have been confirmed. Three hostages who escaped from terrorists were mistakenly killed by the Israeli military. Currently, according to the IDF, terrorists in the Gaza Strip continue to hold 128 hostages, 117 of whom are Israeli citizens.

On the first day of the war, October 7, terrorists attacked visitors of the music festival near the Gaza border in the Re'im forest. About 3000 people came to the festival. Hundreds were killed, and many were taken hostage. Terrorists committed massacres in the settlements of Be'eri, Kfar Aza, and Nir Oz, killing many people, including the elderly, women, and children. In addition, terrorists invaded Sderot, Ofakim, Netivot, and other settlements in the Western Negev, killing and robbing Israelis.

Shortly after the attack, HAMAS declared war on Israel, naming its actions Operation Al-Aqsa Deluge. In response, the Israeli government for the first time since 1973 declared a state of war and initiated Operation Swords of Iron.

As of now, more than 1300 people who died on October 7 and in the subsequent days of the war have been identified. Among the casualties are citizens of Israel, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, 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 people have been injured or traumatized.

Israel has not suffered such losses since the Yom Kippur War 50 years ago.

Since late October, a ground military operation has been underway in Gaza. During the fighting with terrorists in the Gaza Strip, the IDF has suffered significant losses, with about 140 servicemen killed. According to the IDF, approximately 8000 militants and their commanders have been eliminated in Gaza since the start of the war.

Since the beginning of the war, more than 12,000 rockets have been launched from the Gaza Strip (according to IDF estimates, up to 15% of them fell on Gaza territory). Hundreds of rockets were launched by Hezbollah from Lebanon (about 20% fell on Lebanese territory). HAMAS and Hezbollah terrorists also used armed drones.

Hundreds of thousands of Israelis were forced to evacuate their homes as the war unfolded.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) continue intense strikes on targets in Gaza, utilizing the Air Force, Navy, and artillery. The IDF reports over 22,000 targets have been attacked in the Gaza Strip since the war's onset. Regular strikes also occur in southern Lebanon, and the IDF is targeting sites in Syria.

The Gaza Ministry of Health, which is affiliated with HAMAS, has reported approximately 19,000 deaths and 52,000 injuries since the beginning of the conflict.

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

Humanitarian aid has been delivered to the Gaza Strip since October 21. However, HAMAS intercepts a significant portion of this aid.

Chronology of Events

22:00

A reservist is wounded due to shelling from Lebanon.

The IDF spokesperson reports that a reservist was injured in the area of Kibbutz Menara from shelling originating in Lebanon. He was taken to the hospital in a state of moderate severity. Israeli Air Force (IAF) planes struck a command post of the Hizballah terrorist group.

21:00

Lebanese sources report an IDF airstrike in the village of Aitaroun, targeting a private home. The Palestinian news agency Shehab reports airstrikes by the IDF in the central part of the Gaza Strip.

19:00

The IDF released the names of five more soldiers who died in combat in the Gaza Strip.

Staff Sgt. Nir Rafael Kananian, 20 years old, from Beit Keshet, a soldier in the Givati Brigade's reconnaissance unit, killed in action in the southern Gaza Strip.
Staff Sgt. Birhanu Kassie, 22 years old, from Beit Shemesh, a soldier in the Givati Brigade's reconnaissance unit, killed in action in the southern Gaza Strip.
Master Sgt. (res.) Shay Termin, 26 years old, from Rosh Pinna, a soldier in the 6623rd Battalion of the 55th Paratrooper Brigade Hod Hahanit, killed in action in the southern Gaza Strip.
Master Sgt. (res.) Alexander Shpits, 41 years old, from Carmiel, a soldier in the 6623rd Battalion of the 55th Paratrooper Brigade Hod Hahanit, killed in action in the southern Gaza Strip.
Capt. Oshri Moshe Butzhak, 22 years old, from Haifa, commander of the reconnaissance unit in the Nahal Brigade, killed in action in the northern Gaza Strip.

In the same battle where Nir Rafael Kananian and Birhanu Kassie were killed, five reconnaissance soldiers from the Givati Brigade sustained severe injuries. The wounded are in hospitals, and their families have been informed.