Israel At War Wed Feb 12

Israel at war day 495

- Recent reports indicate that during yesterday’s security cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Netanyahu refused to discuss Phase B of the hostage deal, stating it was "irrelevant." This suggests that Israel is preparing to finish its operations against Hamas; it is a matter of when, not if. After Trump issued his ultimatum, he mentioned that it is unlikely Hams would agree to it. Only the hostages can temporarily save Hams, and releasing them all would mean the end of the organization now. Assuming that the war resumes on Saturday, there is a strong possibility that they would kill any remaining live hostages.

Israel estimates that there are approximately 35 live hostages still in captivity. In my opinion, they are trying to secure the release of as many hostages as possible before the fighting resumes. After that point, Hamas would likely kill any remaining live hostages.(Jewish Warrior on X)

Hamas statement: We are committed to the agreement as it is and will NOT release all prisoners on Saturday. Trump's threats don't scare us. There's nothing behind them. The Israeli Defense Minister's statements regarding the resumption of fighting are stupid. We are very pleased with the official Arab refusal to expel the Palestinians from Gaza

- Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff clarifies: "Hams is a terrorist organization and must not be allowed to be part of the government in Gaza. It's an unhealthy situation, and they need to go. And the president said everything we all need to know, which is that on Saturday at 12:00 he expects different events—and if not, then it will be a big problem."

- Defense Minister Israel Katz:

"I came here to make sure that the IDF is properly prepared for the renewal of the war in Gaza." The entire ceasefire agreement with the Hamas murderers was intended to bring about the rapid release of the Israeli hostages being held in extremely harsh conditions in Gaza, and in exchange for this, Israel agreed to pay heavy prices. If Hamas stops releasing the hostages, then there is no agreement and there is war.

"The new Gaza war will be different in intensity from the one before the ceasefire - and will not end without the defeat of Hamas and the release of all the hostages, and will also enable the realization of US President Trump's vision regarding Gaza."

- A senior Israeli official estimated this morning that three hostages will be released on Saturday, but not all of them. Trying to reduce the time for the release of all nine who are alive

-Egyptian source to local media: Egypt and Qatar are stepping up diplomatic efforts in an attempt to save the Gaza ceasefire agreement. Talks are continuing at the highest level with the parties amid increasing American and Israeli pressure to resume military operations - if the hostages are not released on Saturday

- IDF drone attack in Rafah. The attack in Rafah targeted two Hams terrorists who were trying to operate a drone. One was killed, the other was wounded.

- Netanyahu: ‘Intense fighting’ to resume in Gaza if hostages not released by Saturday

While PM’s statement does not explicitly call for all captives to be returned by week’s end, as Trump has demanded, an unnamed senior official later says Israel wants ‘all of them’ (Toi)

- Egypt plans to offer a "comprehensive proposal" to rebuild Gaza while ensuring Palestinians remain on their land.

- Reuters reports: Israel wants to keep its troops in Lebanon until February 28, according to two sources. Under the original ceasefire agreement, Israel was supposed to withdraw from southern Lebanon by January 26, a date that was extended until February 18 - and now, according to Reuters, Israel is seeking another extension

- Reuters: "Egyptian President al-Sisi will not visit the White House as long as Trump's plan to displace Gazans is on the agenda”

- Japan will accept wounded Gazans on humanitarian grounds

- Report: Mediators are working intensively to end the crisis and to force Israel to implement the humanitarian protocol in the Gaza ceasefire agreement. The mediators, Qatar and Egypt, are in contact with the American side, and there is some optimism about ending the crisis

 -NEW INFO from Ch. 14: So what happened in last night's Israeli cabinet meeting, and what should we expect? 

1. The cabinet made no official decision, as no vote was held.

2. The ministers agreed to adopt Trump's new proposal/ultimatum to Hamas, including the part where the president leaves Israel the decision on when to resume fighting.

3. Israel's goal is to rescue as many hostages alive as possible in the shortest possible time. If that does not succeed, the fighting will resume (

4. Even at the political level, there is some confusion about Trump's exact intention in saying "all the hostages by Saturday." Did the US president mean all nine living hostages included in Phase A who are still in captivity, or all hostages still held by Hamas—including those not included in Phase A of the deal? A call between Trump and Netanyahu may occur to clarify this and other points in the coming days.

5. The resumption of fighting is a done deal (unless Hamas disarms and its leaders leave the Gaza Strip, which will not happen). The only open question is the optimal timing.

6. The next round of fighting will be much more aggressive, with minimal humanitarian aid aimed only at keeping Gaza's population above starvation levels. In certain areas, no assistance may be allowed (Jewish Warrior on x)