Israel's War Against Hamas - Updates

Gruesome details revealed in West Bank terrorist home-invasion murder.
Military prosecution charges the Hamas operative with murder for targeting Yohai Avni because he was Jewish, acknowledging a nationalist motive after 51 days and intense family pressure, marking it as a terrorist act.
Liran Tamari|08.27.24 | 12:25.

In a dramatic, last-minute turn, the military prosecution charged the terrorist responsible for the murder of Yohai Avni, a 40-year-old resident of Givon HaHadasha in the West Bank, with committing the crime "because the victim was Jewish." This nationalist motive was added to the indictment just hours before it was presented in military court Tuesday morning, marking the first official recognition – 51 days after the incident – that it was indeed a terrorist attack. This decision came after persistent pressure from the victim's family and media coverage by Ynet and "Yedioth Ahronoth.

The indictment accuses Hamas operative Ibrahim Mansour of intentionally causing death, an offense equivalent to murder under military law. Military tribunal judge, Major Barak Tamir, ordered that Mansour remain in custody until at least September 11. "The indictment details how the accused decided to enter Givon HaHadasha, knowing it was a settlement populated solely by Jews, and proceeded to cause the victim's death. It describes the brutal acts and how the accused stabbed the victim 66 times," the judge said.

Previously, Ynet reported that a polygraph test revealed Mansour lied about not planning the murder, which he claimed was a burglary gone wrong during his interrogation. Further investigation indicated that Mansour roamed the settlement with a knife shortly before the murder. The forensic institute confirmed that Avni was stabbed 66 times across his body.
Some of the details in the indictment are difficult to read.

The horrific attack occurred on July 7. The indictment graphically recounts the chilling sequence of events. Mansour initially attempted to break into a second-floor apartment but, finding the door locked, climbed onto the roof and entered through a window. Yohai, a prison service officer, was asleep in bed. Despite seeing Yohai asleep, Mansour entered, and when Yohai awoke, a struggle ensued as he tried to defend himself and shouted for help.

According to the indictment: "The defendant resolved to cause the deceased's death, attacking him with extreme brutality, partly because he was Jewish." It describes how, as Yohai tried to defend himself, Mansour struck his head with a vase with such force that it shattered into many pieces. "The defendant beat the victim with a chair multiple times until the chair broke from the force of the blows," the indictment adds.

Mansour murdered Yohai with 66 stabbings using two different knives, one of which came from the apartment's kitchen and had an 17-inch blade. The indictment gruesomely details the number of times Yohai was stabbed in different body parts: nine times in the head, nine in the neck, 10 in the chest, once in the abdomen, twenty in the back, five in the torso, twice in the buttocks, and once each in the shoulder, arm, hand and thigh. Most of the stabbings were inflicted with the knife or a similarly sized blade.
יוחאי אבני לוחם שב"ס שנרצח בדירתו
Yohai Avni (Photo: Courtesy of the family)
Finally, the indictment states: "The defendant drove the knife into the deceased's neck, on the right rear, and plunged it deeply through the neck until the blade emerged from the left front side – all because the deceased was Jewish and to ensure his death. After the murder, the terrorist set the apartment on fire and fled but was arrested two days later."
Attorney Ran Ruchberger said the family is relieved that the charge includes the nationalist motive. "The family feels a great sense of relief this morning and welcomes the indictment," said Ruchberger, the family's lawyer. "We appreciate the military prosecution's consideration of our arguments. The indictment clearly acknowledges the nationalist motive behind the heinous murder of Yohai Avni, offering some solace to the grieving family."
Yohai's sister, Nitzan, spoke during the morning hearing. "We lost the most precious person, Yohai Avni. He was incredibly good, with endless generosity. We suffered an immense loss. As days passed, we uncovered the horrific act of hatred committed by the terrorist, an act of terrorism. Two days ago, we learned he was stabbed 66 times – not just in vital organs but all over his body, not only to kill but to torture. He then burned everything."

"We are confident that justice is on our side," said Nitzan. "We fought a hard battle, with high costs, but it's our fight as a nation, as Jews, with such a difficult history. My father is a son of Holocaust survivors, whose entire family was murdered and burned in Auschwitz. I, too, am a granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, as is my husband, Niv. We'll do everything to ensure that in Israel, we can sleep peacefully, put our children to bed at night without fearing a terrorist will come and commit hate crimes against us. Such a situation cannot exist. We'll do everything, and the prosecution, the State of Israel, will stand with us, for we have no other option. We are together. As Yohai said in his video: Am Yisrael Chai!"
 
Starved in isolation, rescued hostage says watched fellow captive die.
Farhan Alkadi shares with relatives harsh conditions and isolation he faced in captivity, spending much of his time in darkness; friend calls Hamas ‘a devil’
Hassan Shaalan, Matan Tzuri, Yoav Zitun|08.27.24 | 23:02
[Starved in isolation, rescued hostage says watched fellow captive die YNet]

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Rescued hostages open up about captivity: 'The guard used a pen to tie our mouths shut, he looked for ways to punish us'.
Former hostages Almog Meir and Andrey Koslov describe their ordeal as part of a project to record the horrors of captivity; Nili Margalit, who was freed in November, says it was hard to breathe in the tunnels, wounds did not heal.
Yael Ciechanover|Updated:08.29.24 | 21:36
[Rescued hostages open up about captivity: 'The guard used a pen to tie our mouths shut, he looked for ways to punish us' YNet]

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Ppl
Israeli envoy: ‘Pro-terror’ protests should worry all New Yorkers.
Since arriving, Ofir Akunis has advocated against the protesters he sees as a danger to Americans.
By Luke Tress (JTA)
August 29, 2024, 11:13 am
[Israeli envoy: ‘Pro-terror’ protests should worry all New Yorkers - Jewish News JewishNews]

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Aryeh Zalmanovich was murdered beside his friend Farhan al-Qadi.
Qaid Farhan al-Qadi, Bedouin Israeli rescued from Gaza captivity, says hostage Aryeh Zalmanovich was held hostage alongside him until his death.
Aug 29, 2024, 12:38 PM
[Aryeh Zalmanovich was murdered beside his friend Farhan al-Qadi INN]

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IAF shoots down UAV approaching from Syria.
Aug 29, 2024, 1:14 PM
[IAF shoots down UAV approaching from Syria INN]

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IDF arrests suspects, seizes weapons near Ramallah.
Aug 29, 2024, 2:44 PM
[IDF arrests suspects, seizes weapons near Ramallah INN]

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IDF Spokesman reveals: Farhan al-Qadi was rescued from the heart of Rafah.
Aug 29, 2024, 3:58 PM
IDF Spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari spoke with commanders and soldiers who rescued the hostage Farhan al-Qadi and revealed for the first time that he was rescued from the heart of Rafah.
[IDF Spokesman reveals: Farhan al-Qadi was rescued from the heart of Rafah INN]

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MIT Pres. warns students over flyers linking to Mapping Project.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) President Sally Kornbluth published a letter to the student body warning antisemitism will not be tolerated after flyers linking to project mapping Jewish institutions distributed on first day of semester.
Gary Willig, Aug 29, 2024, 4:03 PM (GMT+3)
[MIT Pres. warns students over flyers linking to Mapping Project INN]

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Watch: Border Police officers eliminate terrorists near Jenin
Aug 29, 2024, 4:43 PM.

Footage filmed by a camera mounted on the helmet of Border Police special operations officers shows a close-quarters encounter between the officers and armed terrorists

Watch: Border Police officers eliminate terrorists near Jenin.
[Watch: Border Police officers eliminate terrorists near Jenin INN]

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Joint IDF counterterror operation kills 12 terrorists in Jenin and Tulkarm.
By Jerusalem Post Staff.
08/29/2024 04:46 PM
[Joint IDF counterterror operation kills 12 terrorists in Jenin and Tulkarm JPost]

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Indictment filed against a resident of (Arab) Kafr Kassem for forging ID cards.
By Jerusalem Post Staff.
08/29/2024 04:49 PM
[Indictment filed against a resident of Kafr Kassem for forging ID cards JPost]

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IDF uncovers terror hub in West Bank mosque during 30 hour operation.
By Jerusalem Post Staff.
08/29/2024 05:00 PM
[IDF uncovers terror hub in West Bank mosque during 30 hour operation JPost]

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EU's Red Sea mission says still no oil spill from tanker hit by Houthis.
By Reuters.
08/29/2024 05:11 PM
[EU's Red Sea mission says still no oil spill from tanker hit by Houthis JPost]

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IDF reveals: Hamas' Rafah Brigade has collapsed.
IDF officials say that until now 80% of the tunnels in the Philadelphi Corridor have been destroyed.
Israel National News. Aug 29, 2024, 5:13 PM (GMT+3)
[IDF reveals: Hamas' Rafah Brigade has collapsed INN]

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Parents of American hostage: 'Hostage crisis is not a partisan issue'.
After advocating for their son's release at both the RNC and DNC, the parents of Omer Neutra wrote an op-ed in Newsweek stressing: '[The hostages’] captivity cannot be a political issue—it is a global humanitarian crisis, and it can only be solved through unity and focus.'
Israel National News. Aug 29, 2024, 5:34 PM (GMT+3)
[Parents of American hostage: 'Hostage crisis is not a partisan issue' INN]

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Three explosions heard in a stream near Metulla, no casualties.
By Jerusalem Post Staff.
08/29/2024 05:42 PM
[Three explosions heard in a stream near Metulla, no casualties JPost]

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Iran continues uranium enrichment, no progress on key issues, IAEA reports show.
By Reuters.
08/29/2024 06:39 PM
[Iran continues uranium enrichment, no progress on key issues, IAEA reports show JPost]

IAEA: Iran continues to enrich uranium, does not cooperate.

Aug 29, 2024, 7:22 PM

New reports by the International Atomic Energy Agency show that Iran continues to enrich uranium and does not cooperate with the agency.

Reuters reported that Iran's supply of uranium that has been enriched to 60% has grown substantially and is bringing it closer to the amount needed for four nuclear weapons.
[IAEA: Iran continues to enrich uranium, does not cooperate INN]

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Houthis publish new footage of attack on Greek oil tanker.
Israel National News. Aug 29, 2024, 9:10.PM
[Houthis publish new footage of attack on Greek oil tanker INN]

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44% of hate crimes in New York State targeted Jews, State Comptroller says.
Report by NY State Comptroller finds hate crimes in state rose 69% from 2018-2023, hate crimes against Jews rose 89%..
Israel National News. Aug 29, 2024, 9:14 PM (GMT+3)
[44% of hate crimes in New York State targeted Jews, State Comptroller says INN]

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New Arabic-language site offers facts about the Temple Mount.
Aug 29, 2024, 9:47 PM

Beyadenu launches new Arabic-language site featuring historical facts, interactive map of Temple Mount. 'Site should've been launched years ago by the Israeli government.'
[New Arabic-language site offers facts about the Temple Mount INN]

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Hostages' families to WHO: Vaccinate hostages for polio.

The Hostages Families Forum is urging WHO and UNICEF to include the hostages in their ongoing polio vaccination campaign and all other health interventions.
Israel National News, Aug 29, 2024, 10:04 PM
[Hostages' families to WHO: Vaccinate hostages for polio INN]

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IDF attacks gunmen who took control of humanitarian vehicle in Gaza.
By Jerusalem Post Staff.
08/29/2024 11:20 PM
[IDF attacks gunmen who took control of humanitarian aid vehicle in Gaza JPost]

IDF hits terrorists who attacked humanitarian aid convoy in southern Rafah.
IDF destroys vehicle carrying terrorists who attempted to divert a humanitarian aid convoy.
Israel National News, Aug 30, 2024, 12:14 AM (GMT+3)
[IDF hits terrorists who attacked humanitarian aid convoy in southern Rafah IMN]

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Blinken promised Israel US support for preemptive strike on Hezbollah - NYT.
By Jerusalem Post Staff.
08/30/2024 12:16 AM
[Blinken promised Israel US support for preemptive strike on Hezbollah - NYT JPost]

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Anti-Israel vandalism group founder arrested by UK police - report.
By Michael Starr.
08/30/2024 12:58 AM
Palestine Actions’ co-founder Richard Barnard was arrested for supporting a proscribed terrorist organization and encouraging criminal activity, the anti-Israel vandalism group announced on Instagram late Thursday...
[Anti-Israel vandalism group founder arrested by UK police - report JPost]

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Toronto man arrested for antisemitic threats on subway train
By Michael Starr.
08/30/2024 01:24 AM
A Toronto man who made antisemitic threats to harm a passenger on a subway train was arrested on Tuesday, the Toronto Police Service announced on Thursday.

Vilis Snikers Awan Bahadur, 32, was charged with uttering threats after an August 13 incident in which he began to verbally engage a fellow passenger soon after they boarded the train.
[Toronto man arrested for antisemitic threats on subway train JPost]

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Anti-Israel activist who praised October 7 arrested in UK - report
By Michael Starr.
08/30/2024 01:26 AM
Anti-Israel activist Sarah Wilkinson was arrested by British police on Thursday, according to the Beirut-based outlet to which she is a contributor.

The Lebanese MENA Uncensored said that its writer Wilkinson was arrested for “supporting the Palestinian resistance.”

Roger Waters denounced the arrest and said that such law enforcement actions against a human rights activist indicated that the UK was becoming a fascist state.

Combat Antisemitism Movement said on social media that Wilkinson had praised October 7 as “incredible” and wished Hamas “Godspeed.”
[Anti-Israel activist who praised October 7 arrested in UK - report JPost]

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IDF strikes Hezbollah launchers in southern Lebanon.
By Jerusalem Post Staff.
08/30/2024 03:40 AM
[IDF strikes Hezbollah launchers in southern Lebanon JPost]

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Israeli aircraft strikes terror cell in Jenin, West Bank.
By Jerusalem Post Staff.
08/30/2024 06:17 AM
[Israeli aircraft strikes terror cell in Jenin, West Bank JPost]

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Terrorists identified by UAV, eliminated in air strike.
IDF strikes launcher from which projectiles were fired toward Israeli territory; dozens of terrorists eliminated in southern and central Gaza.
Israel National News.
Aug 30, 2024, 9:53 AM
[Terrorists identified by UAV, eliminated in air strike INN]

IDF kills dozens of terrorists in Rafah, strikes Khan Yunis missile launcher.
By Jerusalem Post Staff.
08/30/2024 09:55 AM
[IDF kills dozens of terrorists in Rafah, strikes Khan Yunis missile launcher JPost]

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Three terrorists eliminated south of Jenin.
Israel National News.
Aug 30, 2024, 10:16 AM
[Three terrorists eliminated south of Jenin JPost]

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Wassem Hazem, head of Hamas in Jenin, eliminated in strike.
Israel National News.
Aug 30, 2024, 10:49 AM
[Wassem Hazem, head of Hamas in Jenin, eliminated in strike INN]

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1.2 mln polio vaccine doses delivered to Gaza ahead of Sept. 1 campaign, WHO says.
By Reuters.
08/30/2024 12:03 PM
[1.2 mln polio vaccine doses delivered to Gaza ahead of Sept. 1 campaign, WHO says JPost]

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IDF tells residents of some areas of Gaza that it is safe to return.
By Jerusalem Post Staff.
08/30/2024 12:28 PM
[IDF tells residents of some areas of Gaza that it is safe to return JPost]

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Salvage of stricken oil tanker in Red Sea expected in coming days, say sources.
By Reuters. 08/30/2024 01:51 PM
[Salvage of stricken oil tanker in Red Sea expected in coming days, say sources JPost]

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US imposes visa restrictions on 14 Syrian officials, State Dept says.
By Reuters.
08/30/2024 03:18 PM
[US imposes visa restrictions on 14 Syrian officials, State Dept says JPost]

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The Israeli Paralympic climber who wants to compete and serve in the reserves.
Mor Sapir says he refused to give up after losing all of his fingers in an accident in Nepal and recounts how he regained his independence while winning medals and serving in Gaza.
Stav Ifargan | published:08.30.24|16:13
[The Israeli Paralympic climber who wants to compete and serve in the reserves YNet]

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'Critical stage': Hamas responds to cabinet decision to keep IDF in Philadelphi.
By Jerusalem Post Staff.
08/30/2024 04:21 PM
['Critical stage': Hamas responds to cabinet decision to keep IDF in Philadelphi JPost]

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Terrorists fire heavy rocket toward Metula, northern Israel - report.
By Jerusalem Post Staff.
08/30/2024 04:49 PM
[Terrorists fire heavy rocket toward Metula, northern Israel - report JPost]

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