"IDF Confrontation: Elite LOTAR Unit and 188th Armored Brigade Face Off Against Hamas in Gaza City School"
In a gripping development captured on video, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers engaged in a tense standoff with Hamas terrorists inside the ruins of a school in Gaza City's Shejaiya neighborhood. The footage, released on Friday, revealed members of the elite LOTAR Unit and the 188th Armored Brigade's 74th Battalion pursuing the terrorists through the bullet-ridden remnants of the building.
The encounter unfolded as the terrorists attempted to draw the IDF forces into an ambush with gunfire and explosives. In response, the LOTAR Unit and tank fire from the 74th Battalion successfully eliminated the Hamas cell. Subsequent searches of the school uncovered a tunnel shaft in one of the classrooms, connecting to a nearby mosque—a passage allegedly used by Hamas operatives.
Israel's Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, signaled a significant development in the conflict, stating that there are "signs that indicate [Hamas] is beginning to break in Gaza." Gallant made this announcement after attending a Hanukkah candle lighting ceremony with troops from the Border Defense Corps' Caracal Battalion.
The intense footage underscores the ongoing military efforts by Israel to dismantle Hamas's presence in Gaza, particularly following more than two months of conflict. The IDF's pursuit of Hamas began when an estimated 3,000 terrorists stormed southern Israel, leading to a series of violent events that resulted in casualties. While a weeklong ceasefire last month saw the release of over 100 civilian hostages taken during the initial attack, fighting resumed due to disagreements over the continued order of hostage releases during negotiations between Israeli and Hamas representatives. The situation remains complex, with the IDF actively engaged in operations to address security threats and dismantle Hamas infrastructure in the region.
"Stay Informed with The Post's Israel War Update: Rockets Intercepted Over Tel Aviv and Ongoing Operations in Gaza"
For timely updates on the Israel-Hamas conflict and the global rise in antisemitism, subscribe to The Post's Israel War Update, delivered to your inbox every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. On Friday evening local time, warning sirens blared over Tel Aviv as rockets from the Gaza Strip threatened the central part of Israel. The Iron Dome, Israel's mobile air defense system, successfully intercepted the rockets in the night sky, as seen in footage shared by Times of Israel reporter Emmanuel Fabian.
Simultaneously, Israel confirmed that its military was gathering Palestinian men in northern Gaza for interrogation in the search for Hamas militants. This confirmation followed the emergence of images showing men stripped and kneeling or sitting in the streets of Beit Lahiya. Israeli troops reportedly detained individuals as young as 15 in a school converted into a shelter, with the group consisting of "military-aged men who were discovered in areas that civilians were supposed to have been evacuated weeks ago," according to Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy.
Additionally, more Hamas operatives began surrendering to the IDF, as military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari reported engaging in fierce battles with hidden terrorists. In the past 48 hours, the IDF arrested over 200 suspects in Gaza, with dozens handed over for interrogation by the Military Intelligence Directorate’s Unit 504 and Shin Bet in Israel. This includes Hamas commanders and Nukhba operatives.
In central Gaza, Israeli planes dropped leaflets at refugee camps in Nuseirat and Maghazi, delivering a message to Hamas leaders combining verses from the Quran and a similar reading from the Old Testament, emphasizing a reciprocal approach in response to ongoing hostilities. Stay informed as the situation unfolds with The Post's Israel War Update.
"UN Security Council Convenes Emergency Meeting on Gaza Crisis, Disagreements Persist on Cease-Fire"
In the midst of the escalating conflict in the Gaza Strip, the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting in New York to address what it labeled a "catastrophic situation." The retaliatory bombardment in Gaza has reportedly claimed at least 17,000 lives. UN Secretary-General António Guterres invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter earlier in the week, urging for a permanent cease-fire.
During the tense Friday meeting, Guterres condemned the deliberate killing of approximately 1,200 people, including 33 children, and the injuring of thousands more by Hamas. However, he emphasized that the brutality of Hamas does not justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people. Guterres highlighted that under the ongoing bombardment, the conditions for effective humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza no longer exist.
Several delegations, including Russia, China, and the United Arab Emirates, echoed calls for a cease-fire. However, the United States sided with Israel, expressing concerns that an immediate cease-fire would prolong what it referred to as Hamas' "reign of terror" in the region. Deputy Permanent Representative Robert A. Wood stated that the U.S. does not support calls for an immediate cease-fire, asserting that it would only sow the seeds for future conflicts, as Hamas allegedly lacks the desire for a durable peace and a two-state solution.
Despite discussions, the meeting concluded without a new draft resolution on the crisis. The Security Council planned to reconvene later in the day at 5:30 p.m. ET to address the ongoing challenges and seek potential resolutions.
"As the UN Security Council grapples with the catastrophic situation unfolding in the Gaza Strip, marked by a retaliatory bombardment claiming thousands of lives, the world witnesses a stark divide in opinions on the path forward. The emergency meeting, prompted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres' call for a permanent cease-fire using Article 99 of the UN Charter, showcased a tense dialogue.
Guterres, while condemning the deliberate attacks by Hamas that resulted in significant civilian casualties, emphasized that such brutality should not justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people. Calls for a cease-fire resonated from several delegations, including Russia, China, and the United Arab Emirates. However, the United States stood firmly behind Israel, expressing concerns that an immediate cease-fire could inadvertently support what it described as Hamas' "reign of terror" in the region.
The meeting concluded without a new draft resolution on the crisis, underscoring the challenges of finding common ground in the face of complex geopolitical dynamics. The Security Council's planned reconvening later in the day signifies ongoing efforts to navigate the complexities and seek potential resolutions, highlighting the pressing need for diplomatic solutions in a crisis that continues to unfold on the ground."