Israel At War Tuesday Oct 31

 Israel at war day 25 refresh page for updates

1:00am Wednesday 

- Tragic 9 soldiers killed HYD

-The The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit has released the names of nine soldiers who tragically lost their lives during a recent operation in the Gaza Strip. 7 died from a anti tank rocket that hit their humvee 2 died when their tank drove over a explosive device

 The soldiers are as follows:

- Lt. Ariel Reich, 24, from Jerusalem

- Cpl. Asif Luger, 21, from Yagur

- Sgt. Adi Danan, 20, from Yavne

- Staff Sgt. Halel Solomon, 20, from Dimona

- Staff Sgt. Erez Mishlovsky, 20, from Oranit

- Staff Sgt. Adi Leon, 20, from Nili

- Cpl. Ido Ovadia, 19, from Tel Aviv

- Cpl. Lior Siminovich, 19, from Herzliya

- Staff Sgt. Roei Dawi, 20, from Jerusalem

This announcement comes in addition to the two soldiers' deaths that were reported earlier, bringing the total number of IDF casualties in this operation to eleven.  

7:30 pm

-The White House admitted Hamas is holding nearly 500 Americans hostage in Gaza. Per U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee  

- The IDF Aerial Defense Array intercepted an aerial threat that was identified in the area of the Red Sea, south of the city of Eilat, a short while ago. No threat was posed to civilians and no infiltration into Israeli territory was identified.

- Violent clashes have been continuing for more than 3 hours in the town of Beit Hanoun" in northern Gaza

-Michael Bloomberg pledged to donate nearly $44 million to MDA, Israel’s emergency medical service. He matched it bringing the total to 88 million. Walmart corp donated 1 million 

- The US and Israel are exploring options for the future of the Gaza Strip, including the possibility of a multinational force that may involve American troops if Israeli forces succeed in ousting Hamas, per Bloomberg.

- During the raid in Gaza Israeli forces eliminated the commander of the Jabaliya centre brigade in Hamas, who is believed to be acting as the overall commanding officer of Hamas units fighting in northern Gaza. 

- In the possession of the security forces were maps captured by Hamas terrorists and in them are precise drawings containing sensitive information of a strategic and important installation in the center of the country, which they intended to reach and occupy. In addition, maps of two settlements were discovered with very disturbing target markings, especially in the aspect of the intelligence gathering that was achieved

- With online rumors of a event in Gaza, IDF spokesman says not to rely or spread any unverified rumors and information as they will issue all facts and update verified news releases.

- New York Times: The Pentagon updates that American commando forces stationed in Israel are assisting the IDF forces in operations to identify and locate abductees in the Gaza Strip, among other things also to locate the American citizens held in the Gaza Strip

- Law enforcement has identified a person of interest in relation to threats of a mass shooting and antisemitic violence at Cornell University. This individual is currently in New York State Police custody for questioning.

- IDF: Over the past day, IDF troops operated in a Hamas terrorist stronghold in Jabaliya, northern Gaza. The stronghold was used for training and execution of terrorism activities. During the ground activity, the troops eliminated approx. 50 terrorists, as well as destroyed entrances to terrorist tunnels and weapons. 

- Egypt's PM says the country is "prepared to sacrifice millions of lives" to ensure "no one encroaches upon" its territory — WSJ

Israel’s Channel 12 news says that a reported Israeli airstrike in the Jabaliya camp in northern Gaza was aimed at, and hit, a “Hamas facility” and that “dozens of terrorists, including senior field commanders, were killed.”

Hamas say they will release foreign citizens in the coming days 

- 2 IDF soldiers killed during Northern Gaza fighting, 20 year old Lavi Lifshitz HYD from Moddiin, 20 year old Roei Wolf from Ramat Gan HYD

- Yemen Houthis officially declares war on Israel. Say they will hit the nuclear reactor in Dimona.

- IDF flattens  several blocks with heavy explosives in Jabalia Northern Gaza  Palestinian media reporting  over 400  casualties 

- A massive barrage  of rockets was fired at Ashdod with 2 direct hits. there are 4 are wounde A 50-year-old man in a serious condition, three others in  light condition.`

- IDF Southern command leader: as troops head deep inside Gaza  "We have one goal - victory. No matter how long and how difficult - the is no other outcome than victory"

-Rockets fall in Tel Aviv no injuries reported

- Rav Dov Landau shlita issued a harsh  letter that was printed in the Hebrew yated Neeman. The paper reports the letter is in response to new initiatives by social activists and frum organizations  and businessmen  who have begun collaborations with organizations and bodies some of which have waged war on the values of the Torah and kedoshei yisrael  and the collaboration has led to initiatives that are of no use and may even cause serious damage in the future by breaching fences.

"We have nothing but the study of the Torah And those who are engaged in other actions attracting weak hearts who pretend that in them we are saved from all the troubles and dangers that surround us should know that they are damaging themselves their children families and others.., Leave, leave the delusions and ideas and imaginations of your hearts and return to Hashem in the Torah, tefilah and teshuva  that He will save us from all the harm and bad that come upon us. The salvation from Hashem will come in the blink of an eye.(See full letter below)

- Sirens sounded in Bnei Brak today with large crowds at the kever of rav Shach on his yartzeit 

- Israeli troops fight ‘fierce battles’ against Hamas in urban areas deep inside Gaza

-Over the last day, during ground operations:

Numerous Hamas terrorists have been eliminated. The IAF struck terrorist targets and infrastructure. IDF combat forces struck approximately 300 targets Terrorist compounds inside underground tunnels.

- Jewish homes in Paris are being marked with Stars of David.

- IDF demolishes West Bank home of exiled senior Hamas official Saleh al-Arouri

- Israeli Combat Aircraft and a “Arrow 2” Anti-Ballistic Missile were launched earlier in order to Intercept a number of Hostile Drones and a Land-Attack Cruise Missile which were Detected over the Red Sea heading towards Southern Israel and Eilat. Rebels from Yemen promise to shoot more missiles

- Over 550 muslim protesters have now been arrested for storming the airport  in Dagastan, Russia “searching out jews” and now face 5-15 years in prison each.

Letter from Rav Landau