Swords of Iron, Day 95: Blinken is Back in Israel in Another Diplomatic Attempt
Four IDF soldiers fell in battle yesterday, as the IDF Spokesperson acknowledged that Israel is entering a new phase of the war and said that fighting would last throughout 2024
Mandi Kogosowski
| 09/01/2024
A difficult day of fighting in the Gaza Strip yesterday, as the Swords of Iron War is nearing its 100th day. Four IDF soldiers were killed in battle yesterday, and several others were wounded. The fallen are Sergeant First Class (res.) Gavriel Bloom (27); Sergeant First Class (res.) David Schwartz (26); Sgt. Roi Tal (19); and Sgt. First Class (res.) Yair Hexter (26).
Heavy fire was also exchanged on Israel’s northern border. IDF forces attacked a terrorist cell operating in Lebanese territory that attempted to launch anti-tank missiles towards Israel. In addition, the forces targeted terror infrastructure used by Hezbollah in Lebanon, and artillery forces hit the sources of several projectile launches.
IDF Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said that Israel operated in Syria and eliminated Hassan Hakashah, a central figure responsible for Hamas-fired rockets from Syrian territory in recent weeks.
Another central figure killed yesterday was Wissam al-Tawil, the commander of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force. He was killed in a drone strike on southern Lebanon. While Hezbollah points its finger at Israel, the latter did not assume responsibility.
In his daily press briefing, Hagari also noted that Israel is entering a new phase in Gaza, which will be more focused on targeted raids and incursions, adding that fighting is expected to continue throughout 2024.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is currently on an official visit to Israel, in an attempt to prevent a further escalation on all fronts. The Israeli lag of the journey follows visits to Turkey, Greece, Jordan, Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.
“I think there’s broad agreement on a few basic objectives: first, that Israel and Israelis should be able to live in peace and security, free from the fear of terrorist attacks or aggression from any of their neighbors,” Blinken remarked yesterday.
“Second, that the West Bank and Gaza should be united under Palestinian-led governance; third, the future of the region needs to be one of integration, not division and not conflict; and fourth, for that to happen, we need to see the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.”
Four IDF soldiers fell in battle yesterday, as the IDF Spokesperson acknowledged that Israel is entering a new phase of the war and said that fighting would last throughout 2024
A difficult day of fighting in the Gaza Strip yesterday, as the Swords of Iron War is nearing its 100th day. Four IDF soldiers were killed in battle yesterday, and several others were wounded. The fallen are Sergeant First Class (res.) Gavriel Bloom (27); Sergeant First Class (res.) David Schwartz (26); Sgt. Roi Tal (19); and Sgt. First Class (res.) Yair Hexter (26).
Heavy fire was also exchanged on Israel’s northern border. IDF forces attacked a terrorist cell operating in Lebanese territory that attempted to launch anti-tank missiles towards Israel. In addition, the forces targeted terror infrastructure used by Hezbollah in Lebanon, and artillery forces hit the sources of several projectile launches.
IDF Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said that Israel operated in Syria and eliminated Hassan Hakashah, a central figure responsible for Hamas-fired rockets from Syrian territory in recent weeks.
Another central figure killed yesterday was Wissam al-Tawil, the commander of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force. He was killed in a drone strike on southern Lebanon. While Hezbollah points its finger at Israel, the latter did not assume responsibility.
In his daily press briefing, Hagari also noted that Israel is entering a new phase in Gaza, which will be more focused on targeted raids and incursions, adding that fighting is expected to continue throughout 2024.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is currently on an official visit to Israel, in an attempt to prevent a further escalation on all fronts. The Israeli lag of the journey follows visits to Turkey, Greece, Jordan, Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.
“I think there’s broad agreement on a few basic objectives: first, that Israel and Israelis should be able to live in peace and security, free from the fear of terrorist attacks or aggression from any of their neighbors,” Blinken remarked yesterday.
“Second, that the West Bank and Gaza should be united under Palestinian-led governance; third, the future of the region needs to be one of integration, not division and not conflict; and fourth, for that to happen, we need to see the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.”
