IDF reports indicate that Israeli forces are not only surrounding Khan Yunis, the second largest city in the Gaza strip, but are actually operating in the heart of the city. Khan Yunis is the birthplace of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. It is also both a military and administrative center for Hamas. I believe the Hamas … More Gaza War 6 Dec
This morning there was a rumor that Hamas was talking to Qatari and Egyptian representatives about a renewed Hostage for cease-fire deal. This looks to me like a fake news ploy. Hamas already made a series of absurd demands, including end of blockade and independence, when they left the negotiating table in Doha. This is … More Gaza War 5 Dec
Israel is fighting now in the southern part of the Gaza strip, but essentially with one hand tied behind her back. The US government is asking the IDF to make greater efforts to avoid civilian casualties. This plays into the hands of the Hamas propagandists who make even greater efforts to put out “humanitarian crisis” … More Gaza War 4 Dec
One of the concerns about the extended pause in the fighting was that it would give Hamas time to regroup and re arm. At least part of that was true. In the first 24 hours after the shooting started again Hamas launched several rockets. Prior to the pause the number of rockets launched at Israeli … More Gaza War 3 Dec
The Sabbath ended at sunset and I felt this point needed to be made as soon as possible. US Vice President Kamal Harris appeared in a media spot talking about what America thinks should be part of the “day after” for Gaza. French President Macron has also been saying similar things. They both are looking … More Gaza War 2 Dec
Welcome back to the war! Hamas ran out of women and children to exchange for more time. They tried to offer dead bodies, and Israel turned them down. The last exchange included only 8 hostages (Two of them were Israeli Beduin). So Hamas tried distractions: suicidal terror attacks in Jerusalem and elsewhere. They even admitted … More Gaza War 1 Dec
There seems to be no end to the fairy tales that Hamas can come up with. It’s reminiscent of the 1001 tales of the Arabian Nights. It’s also similar in that Hamas, like Scheherazade, is actually fighting for its’ existence. They also may be winning. The exchange of hostages for a pause in the fighting … More Gaza War 30 Nov
There has been another dribble of released hostages, for which we are very thankful. But the rumors coming out of Qatar, where the negotiations take place, are not entirely positive. Hamas is offering to continue releasing hostages, even including all men and soldiers. But in return they are demanding a complete halt to hostilities, an … More Gaza War 29 Nov
Continuing from yesterday – Hamas is trying to get support (media and international) to bring about a complete cease-fire and stay in control in Gaza. One way is by delaying release of hostages. The original exchange allowed for 2-4 days extension of the pause in the fighting in return for an additional 10 (or more) … More Gaza War 28 Nov
Today is the last day of hostage exchange. The first three days did not go without some minor problems. The most serious of them was due to what appears to me to be an effort by Hamas to gain points in the propaganda war. Since Israel has openly declared one of its major objectives is … More Gaza War 27 Nov
Wetherhorn 