ISRAELI REPORTS
Netanyahu sets date for Rafah operation, pushes back at US
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu set a date for an IDF operation in Rafah to destroy the remaining Hamas battalions, as the United States reiterated its opposition to such a step, which it fears will create a humanitarian disaster.
“This victory requires entering Rafah and eliminating the terrorist battalions there. This will happen; there is a date,” Netanyahu said in a brief video message he issued to the public on Monday night.
He spoke after the IDF removed Brigade 98 from Gaza, a move believed to be necessary so the troops could rest and regroup in advance of any further military activity in the enclave.
It sparked speculation, however, that Israel had decided not to send the IDF into Rafah. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir threatened to leave the government if the IDF did not enter Rafah or if it prematurely ended the war.
** IDF: Overnight (Monday), IAF fighter jets struck and eliminated Ali Ahmed Hassin, the commander of the Hezbollah terrorist organization’s Radwan Forces in the Hajir region. The strike was carried out in the area of Sultaniyeh in southern Lebanon.
Ali Ahmed Hassin was a senior operative in the terrorist organization and held a rank equivalent to that of brigade commander. In his role, he was responsible for planning and carrying out terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians in northern Israel.
Since the beginning of the war, Hassin carried out numerous launches toward Israeli territory. During the strike overnight, two additional Hezbollah terrorists who were under his command were eliminated.
Attached is a video of the strike: https://bit.ly/43MvYFz
** IDF: The Spokesperson of the Islamic Jihad Political Bureau discloses to Unit 504 of the Intelligence Directorate: "Terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip are operating from all of the hospitals in the Gaza Strip; "The organization lied and fabricated a story about an Israeli rocket hitting a hospital at the start of the war."
During the precise, intelligence-based operation carried out by the IDF and the Israel Security Agency (ISA) in the Shifa Hospital, more than 500 terrorist operatives associated with terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip were apprehended. The terrorists, who were transferred to Unit 504 of the Intelligence Directorate and the ISA, included senior officials and operatives who are significant sources of information for the terror organizations. Among the terrorists detained was the spokesperson for the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization's Political Bureau in the Gaza Strip, Tariq Salami Otha Abu Shlouf, whose interrogation provides insight into the propaganda and incitement operations carried out by the terrorist organizations.
During the interrogation, Tariq revealed details of the operational method used by the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip to manipulate the Arabic and international media, with a focus on creating false narratives and lies about what is happening in the Gaza Strip. Moreover, Tariq admitted that the explosion in the Al-Ahli Al-Ma'mdani Hospital at the beginning of the war was caused by an Islamic Jihad rocket, and that the organization chose to knowingly lie and blame Israel for the event.
Tariq acted to incite terror and propaganda operations from within the Shifa Hospital and admitted to the use of the hospital compound and medical equipment for terrorist purposes, such as using ambulances to transport senior operatives of the terrorist organizations into and out of the hospital.
Attached is the interrogation of the spokesperson of the Islamic Jihad's Political Bureau, Tariq Salami Otha Abu Shlouf, by Unit 504: https://bit.ly/3UaoMQ8
** IDF: A short while ago, several launches were identified crossing from Lebanon toward the areas of the western Galilee and Har Dov in northern Israel. A number of the launches fell in Lebanese territory and the rest fell in accordance with protocol. No injuries were reported.
In addition, earlier today, a suspicious aerial target that crossed from Lebanon toward the area of Metula in northern Israel was successfully intercepted by the IDF Aerial Defense Array. No injuries were reported.
Throughout the day, IDF fighter jets struck Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure, military compounds, and a launch post in the area of the Kfarchouba in southern Lebanon.
Furthermore, a short while ago, IDF fighter jets struck a Hezbollah military compound where terrorists were identified, as well as terrorist infrastructure and an additional military compound in the area of Odaisseh in Lebanon.
HAMAS’ REPORTS
A little while later.. Al-Quds Brigades show scenes of targeting a vehicle and bombing the enemy’s military concentrations prior to their withdrawal from the front lines of advance in Gaza City.
#Al-Aqsa Flood
** Hamas leader Sami Abu Zuhri: We deal flexibly with the Cairo negotiations, while the occupation insists on limiting them to the exchange of prisoners and allowing a limited return of the displaced, and this does not lead to a successful agreement.
** In the name of God, the most gracious, the most merciful
Press Statement
During the last round of negotiations in Cairo, Hamas took over the (Israeli) position after the efforts of mediators in Egypt, Qatar, and America.
While the Hamas movement appreciates the great efforts made by the mediators, and while the movement is keen to reach an agreement that puts an end to the aggression against our people, the (Israeli) position remains stubborn and has not responded to any of the demands of our people and our resistance.
Despite this, the movement’s leadership is studying the submitted proposal with all national responsibility, and will inform the mediators of its response once this is completed.
Islamic Resistance Movement - Hamas
Tuesday: 30 Ramadan 1445 AH
Corresponding to: 09 April 2024 AD
Official website - Hamas movement
Jerusalem Post/Israel Defense Forces/Hamas Brigade al-Qassam