Sa’ar: Israel ready to resume fighting if Hamas doesn’t free captives
(JNS) — During a meeting with European Union ambassadors in Israel on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar warned that Jerusalem would resume military actions in Gaza if Hamas does not release the hostages.
“We discussed today Hamas’s announcement of its intention to violate the framework for the release of the hostages. A decision by Hamas not to release the hostages is essentially a decision to return to war. So far, we have not taken any unilateral actions,” Israel’s top diplomat said.
“Anyone who watched the release of the hostages witnessed horrific scenes. What we saw last Saturday was severe — the released hostages had lost a significant amount of weight after being starved and tortured. There is evidence of this,” Sa’ar continued.
He added that Israel is prepared for potential attacks from Hamas.
The Israel Defense Forces is increasing troop reinforcements and mobilizing reservists in the Southern Command following Hamas’s announcement that the terrorist group would delay releasing hostages.
Unless Hamas returns Israeli hostages by noon on Saturday, Feb. 15, the ceasefire will expire and the IDF will resume fighting until it defeats Hamas totally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday.
Study: Enough food entered Gaza, but distribution issues persist
(JNS) — While sufficient quantities of food entered the Gaza Strip via Israel between January and July 2024, distribution failures resulted in it not always reaching those in need, according to an Israeli study published on Wednesday.
The study, titled, “Food supplied to Gaza during seven months of the Hamas-Israel war” and published in the Israel Journal of Health Policy Research, found that 478,229 metric tons of food were supplied to Gaza over the seven-month period.
The per capita daily nutritional supply averaged 3,004 kcal (well above the 2,100 kcal/day international standard set by the Sphere Project, a group of aid workers and entities seeking to improve humanitarian aid quality).
However, distribution was found to have been hindered by logistical obstacles, interference by Hamas, which has diverted or sought to control aid shipments, as well as breakdowns in coordination among humanitarian agencies.
The research team urges health professionals, humanitarian agencies, and international partners to improve coordination, emphasizing that collaborative efforts are critical to improving the food supply for Gaza’s civilian population.
Two Arab Israelis arrested on charges of planning Hamas terror attacks
(JNS) — Two Arab Israelis have been arrested on suspicion of planning a series of terrorist attacks against security forces and civilians, the Israel Police and Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) revealed in a statement on Thursday.
The suspects, aged 18 and 21, from the towns of Qalansawe and Zemer in central Israel, expressed support for the Hamas terror group following its Oct. 7, 2023, massacre, according to the statement.
The two had planned several attacks, including “a shooting at a military facility and a combined ramming and shooting attack targeting IDF soldiers or civilians,” it continued.
According to the investigation, one of the suspects purchased materials to make fire bombs and “conducted tests” to produce explosive charges with the intent to attack a bus transporting Israeli troops.
Following the arrests, a court extended the suspects’ detention. Charges were set to be filed against them on Thursday.
Arab crashes stolen vehicle into IDF base gate near Nablus
(JNS) — A Palestinian suspect driving a stolen vehicle crashed into the gate of the 442nd “Samaria” Brigade base near Nablus on Thursday morning. According to Kan News, the suspect attempted to flee after the crash but was shot by IDF soldiers.
No injuries were reported among the troops, and the suspect’s condition is currently unclear.
The man’s identity is being verified, and the Israel Defense Forces has not yet issued an official statement on the incident.
Separately, the IDF targeted a car bomb in Jenin in northern Samaria on Thursday morning. The vehicle was allegedly intended to be detonated near troops operating in the area.
Israel’s military has expanded its “Iron Wall” counter-terrorism operation to the Nur al-Shams camp near Tulkarem in northwestern Samaria, Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Sunday.
“We are crushing terrorist infrastructure in the refugee camps and preventing its return. We will not allow the Iranian axis of evil to establish an eastern terror front that threatens the communities in Samaria, the Seam Line and large population centers in Israel,” Katz tweeted.
The move represents a further expansion of the operation, which began in the Jenin sector on Jan. 21, with Israeli forces also targeting the area east of Jenin that includes Tubas, Tammun, Tayasir, Aqabah and Far’a.
Hamas confirms hostage release for Saturday—report
(JNS) — The Hamas terrorist organization has confirmed to Egyptian officials its commitment to continue with the hostage deal with Israel, including a sixth release of three captives set for Saturday, according to Saudi outlet Asharq News.
This is reportedly contingent on Israel supplying caravans, tents, fuel, heavy equipment, medicines and hospital renovation materials to Gaza.
Israel has reportedly informed Hamas through Egyptian and Qatari mediators that the hostage release-ceasefire deal will continue if the terrorist group frees three more hostages on Saturday.
Al Jazeera reported that caravans and heavy equipment entered the Gaza Strip from Egypt on Thursday, despite Israel not approving their entry due to Hamas’s violation of the agreement.
In response, Omer Dostri, the Prime Minister’s Office spokesman, reiterated: “As we have repeatedly stated, no caravans or heavy equipment will be allowed into the Gaza Strip.”
Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned of severe consequences if the hostages are not freed by Saturday, stating that “the gates of hell will open, just as [U.S. President Donald Trump] promised.”
