Gaza War

Direct taxation, control of markets and smuggling are helping Hamas swell its coffers. Funds from abroad are funneled into the Gaza Strip through an offset mechanism in the form of goods. The IDF is divided: Southern Command is pushing for a return to fighting, while the General Staff warns against military rule in Gaza. A security official says the resignation of the head of the terrorist organization's government committee is "only for show, for the Americans. On the ground, nothing will change."

The plan to establish humanitarian shelters near Rafah is stirring anger and concern in Gaza border communities. Officials warn: "Any process that does not include disarming Hamas will endanger us and all of Israel." Kerem Shalom residents: "As long as Hamas is armed, it will be impossible to distinguish between residents and terrorists. There will be a drone smuggling highway."

Sabai Zahir Abd al-Hamid Abu Hasna, a Nukhba terrorist who took part in the Oct. 7 massacre and was involved in holding Omer Shem Tov captive, was eliminated in an IDF strike in the northern Gaza Strip. In another strike, three armed Hamas terrorists who tried to carry out terrorist activity against forces in Gaza were eliminated.

Hamas confirmed Mohammed Odeh’s death after he had taken up the post only about a week and a half earlier. Six people were killed in the strike in an upscale Gaza neighborhood, including his wife, sons and daughter. 

11 days after his predecessor, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, was eliminated by the Israeli Air Force, his successor, Mohammed Odeh, has also been eliminated. Before succeeding al-Haddad, Odeh headed the military intelligence headquarters in Gaza, which was responsible for gathering information on IDF bases in the western Negev.

Forces board vessels linked to IHH as Foreign Ministry calls the convoy a Hamas-serving "provocation" with no humanitarian purpose.

Following the strike in Gaza, an Israeli security official said there are indications that Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the leader of Hamas’ military wing and considered one of the architects of the Oct. 7 massacre, had been eliminated.

IDF officials warn that the quiet from Gaza is “misleading.” On the ground, Hamas supplies itself through smuggling from the air, sea and land, rebuilding its strength and rearming. The humanitarian aid it has seized is giving it cash and oxygen. That is why officials believe it is now important for Israel to keep insisting on advancing an agreement to demilitarize the Gaza Strip.

According to reports from activists on board, Israeli troops, who they claimed arrived in speedboats, boarded some of the vessels and ordered passengers to gather at the front of the boat and sit down in an orderly manner. The flotilla, which includes dozens of boats, set sail from Barcelona about 10 days ago en route to the Strip.

Organized under the banner of humanitarian aid, the convoy – which includes the sister of Ireland's president – has been sanctioned by Israel's defense minister as a Hamas-linked operation.