Israel At War Monday August 18

 Israel at war day 682

- Trump envoy Bashara Bahbah: "The residents of Gaza and the Egyptian-Qatari efforts have led to Hamas accepting the Witkoff proposal with minor amendments. The mediators are now waiting for Israel's response to this proposal. We hope these efforts will mature into a ceasefire that will lead to the end of the war."

- PM Netanyahu says Hamas under ‘immense pressure’ in response to reports it accepted truce offer

- An Israeli official stresses that Jerusalem’s commitment to a comprehensive deal remains unchanged.“Israel’s position has not changed — [regarding both] the release of all the hostages and adherence to the other conditions defined for ending the war,” the official says in a statement. 

- Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich expresses opposition to a potential partial ceasefire-hostage deal, arguing that Hamas has only eased its demands because it fears a planned Israeli offensive in Gaza City would destroy the group.

- Hamas accepts proposel for release of 10 live hostages.

- Details of the deal, according to a Palestinian source in Al-Mayadeen:

-A 1,000-meter withdrawal of IDF forces in the north and east of the Gaza Strip, except for Shuja’iyya and Beit Lahia.

 The release of 10 living hostages, in exchange for 140 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences, and 60 prisoners sentenced to more than 15 years.

The release of all minor prisoners and female prisoners.

For every dead hostage, 10 bodies of terrorists will be handed over. The number of bodies to be returned was not specified.

-Hamas is requesting changes to the maps of IDF presence in the Strip.

-Aid including fuel, water, electricity, hospital rehabilitation, and debris removal equipment will be delivered once the agreement takes effect. The aid will be transferred by the UN and the Red Crescent. (Amit Segal)

- Trump: We will only see the return of the remaining hostages when Hamas is confronted and destroyed!!! The sooner this takes place, the better the chances of success will be. Remember, I was the one who negotiated and got hundreds of hostages freed and released into Israel (and America!). I was the one who ended 6 wars, in just 6 months. I was the one who OBLITERATED Iran’s Nuclear facilities. Play to WIN, or don’t play at all! Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DJT

- The proposal given to Hamas according to Al-Hadath, is the release of 10 live hostages, 18 deceased hostages, entry of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip through aid organizations, the UN, and the Red Crescent, and a 60-day ceasefire. Negotiations to end the war will begin at the start of the ceasefire.

Hamas received a new proposal for a 60-day truce and hostage release in two phases, an anonymous Palestinian official said Monday, as Qatari Prime Minister was reportedly en route to Egypt amid intensifying talks.No details of the proposal were released. It was not immediately clear how many hostages would be freed in each phase.

-Thousands of Palestinians have left their homes in eastern areas of Gaza City, now under constant Israeli bombardment, for points to the west and south of the shattered territory.

-Israel Foreign Minister Sa'ar: "I have decided to revoke the residence permits of the Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority and instructed the Israeli embassy in Canberra to thoroughly examine every official Australian visa request for entry into Israel

- Australia's Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has canceled the visa of Knesset member Simcha Rothman. Burke ruled that Rothman's entry to Australia will be banned for three years, saying: "We will stop anyone who spreads a message of hatred and division."

- Iranian General Yahya Rahim Safavi, advisor to the Supreme Leader of Iran on military affairs: We are not in an official ceasefire with Israel and the US. There is no written protocol - the fighting can resume at any moment.

A new war between Israel and Iran can break out at any moment. We must be prepared. There may be another war, and after it, the wars will cease. The best defense is offense. We must be ready with an attack strategy.