The IDF executed a military operation on October 7, eliminating Hezbollah terrorist Mohammed Shaheen in Lebanon. President Trump reported progress in hostage deal negotiations regarding Gaza while Eli Sharabi detailed his harrowing captivity experience. The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 1,200 deaths and hostages continuing to be held by Hamas, with significant military actions by Israel in Lebanon.
On October 7, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) executed the Hannibal Directive, a new military operation referred to as ‘Sword of Damocles’. This operation was initiated following intelligence that had previously neglected three potential Hamas invasions prior to the date. Concurrently, the Israel Air Force successfully targeted and eliminated Hezbollah terrorist Mohammed Mahdi Ali Shaheen in the Hermel area of Lebanon, who was involved in arms transactions along the Syrian-Lebanese border.
During a recent press conference, U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the ongoing negotiations regarding a second phase of the hostage deal in Gaza, stating, “We’ll have to see what happens”. He described the discussions as “pretty good” but provided minimal details on the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas, which has seen a three-phase ceasefire initiated on January 19. This ceasefire has resulted in the transfer of 33 Israeli hostages from Gaza in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.
Freed hostage Eli Sharabi recounted his intense experiences of surviving 491 days in captivity by Hamas during an interview with Channel 12’s program “Uvda”. He revealed the deep emotional struggles and the loss of family he faced, highlighting the formidable construction of Hamas tunnels which made military rescue operations extremely difficult. Sharabi emphasized the need for open discussion about his time in captivity to process his experiences: “Don’t walk on eggshells around me… We talk about everything”.
The ongoing conflict following Hamas’s surprise attack on October 7 resulted in substantial casualties, with over 1,200 individuals killed, including more than 350 victims at the Re’im music festival and numerous civilian deaths near the Gaza border. Currently, 59 hostages remain captive in Gaza, with reports of 49 hostages having been killed while in captivity, according to the IDF. The IDF had also initiated a ground invasion in Lebanon on September 30, and a ceasefire was put into effect on November 27.
In summary, significant developments have unfolded regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict, including military operations executed by the IDF and ongoing negotiations for a hostage deal. President Trump’s remarks indicate progress in the discussions for a ceasefire, while the personal accounts of freed hostages shed light on the psychological toll of captivity amid the conflict. As hostages remain in Gaza, the situation continues to evolve with international implications.
Original Source: www.jpost.com
