Day 189 of the Israel-Hamas Gaza War
1. Israeli Airstrike in Gaza Kills Three Sons of Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh
According to both the IDF and Hamas official sources, three of Haniye’s sons were killed earlier this week in an IDF attack in Central Gaza. IDF official sources said the three were involved in militant activity when killed. Hamas sources said that four of Haniye’s grandchildren were also killed in the airstrike, the IDF did not confirm this.
Turkey’s Erdogan, Iran’s PM Raisi, Hizbollah leader Nassarallah and other Islamic leaders sent their condolences to Haniye, following the killing of his sons.
Haniyeh, who relocated from Gaza to Qatar in 2019, accused Israel of acting in “the spirit of revenge and murder.” In a media interview, Haniye also said that the killing of his sons will not cause Hamas to soften its positions on the proposed ceasefire deal.
Israeli media reported that the IDF did not brief PM Netanyahu and the war cabinet before the airstrike that killed the Hamas leaders’ sons. IDF and Shin Bet (Central Security Service) officials said that in the aftermath of the October 7th Hamas attack and the war in Gaza, such operational decisions were made without government approval. However, other military officials said that the elimination of family members of high-ranking leaders usually requires authorization from top political leadership.
Analysts voiced a concern that the assassination of Haniye’s sons, who is directly involved in hostage release negotiations, may jeopardize efforts to reach an agreed upon ceasefire/hostage deal.
2. Intense High Alert In Israel, As Iran Threatens to Take Revenge
Iranian clerics and officials promised to retaliate against Israel, after an Israeli airstrike killed eleven people in the Iranian Embassy’s consular annex in Damascus. The April 1 airstrike leveled the building while targeting Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior commander in the Quds Force, responsible, among other things, for smuggling ammunition and precision weapons into Lebanon. A total, of eleven were killed, including Zahedi, his lieutenant and seven Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) members, including two generals.
After the killing Israeli and American analysts predicted that Iran will retaliate, but not necessarily in Israel and also not necessarily shortly after the killing. Later the assessments changed due to direct threats coming from Iran. In a public speech during the Muslim holiday at the end of the Ramadan, a senior official Iranian openly stated that revenge is close.
In response, Israels foreign minister and minister of defense, threatened Iran, declaring that Israel has the ability to protect itself and attack wherever needed in order to defend its’ people.
American intelligence has also assessed an impending retaliation by Iran. Inside Israel the stage of alert is high and all army and civil agencies are on high alert status. Israeli civilians have been alerted to prepare to take shelter if needed.
The US promised to side with Israel if Iran decided to attack.
Meanwhile the violent clashes between Israel and Hizbollah in Lebanon continue, while tens of thousands of Israelis from villages and communities bordering Lebanon are still displaced from their homes with no clear target of when they will be able to return home.
3. PM Netanyahu Declared that He Scheduled a Date For the Ground Operation in Rafah
Rafah is the southern town on the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. This is the place that, according to intelligence assessments, Hamas leaders are hiding in tunnels. PM Netanyahu keeps promising a total victory that would be achieved by a military operation in Rafah. Earlier this week PM Netanyahu declared that he has set the date for the Rafah ground operation.
President Biden said clearly in a media interview earlier this week that he opposes a ground operation in Rafah. All European leaders strongly oppose an Israeli military operation in Rafah, especially as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza grows and intensifies. This is primarily due to the fact that Rafah unwillingly hosts 1.2 million Palestinians who have been displaced from their homes in Gaza city and other communities in the Northern Gaza Strip. Israel refuses to allow the refugees to return to their homes in the Northern Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile the Israeli Defense Force released most of the reserve forces that were called up after October 7. In addition, the IDF has pulled most of its forces out of Gaza, even from the south. Israeli forces now protect and keep a separation corridor between the north and south areas of the Gaza Strip, that was established mainly to prevent Palestinians from returning to their homes in the north. Israel claims that this is the only way to prevent Hamas operators from returning to the northern Gaza Strip.
If Israeli military forces enter and operate in Rafah, this may cause an open confrontation between PM Netanyahu and President Biden. The relations between the two leaders are already tense and on track to clash.
4. Turkey Imposes Restrictions on Export of Products to Israel
Citing Israel’s rejection of Turkey’s request to take part in an humanitarian aid airdrop for Gaza, the Turkish trade ministry announced immediate restrictions on the export of products from 54 different categories to Israel. These include iron, cement, blocks, aluminum products, optical fibers, forklifts, chemical fertilizers, forklifts, plastic pipes, jet fuel and cranes.
The trade ministry’s announcement further stipulated that the restrictions would continue “until Israel declares a ceasefire immediately and allows adequate and uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.”
In response, Israel said that it will draft an “extensive” list of Turkish products to be banned from import and will advocate vis-a-via the US administration and other governments to punish Turkey over its move.
Analysts claim that while Erdogan’s move to restrict exports to Israel may be a smart move politically, it will negatively affect both the Turkish and Israeli economies. According to Israeli analysts, the construction industry, already negatively impacted since October 7th together with the prolonged closure of the West Bank, will be hit hard by these restrictions.
5. A Dramatic Twist In PM Netanyahus Corruption Trial
The state attorney decided to cancel the state witness status of one of the key witnesses against PM Netanyahu in the bribery indictment. The witness, who served as the general director of the ministry of communication, gave a statement during his investigation that proved that PM Netanyahu was personally involved in the decision making process in the ministry of communication because he wanted to make sure that decisions made in the ministry will benefit his friend, who is now under the same indictment and trial. This was the key event leading to Netanyahu’s bribery indictment.
If his immunity as a state witness is canceled he will be charged and indicted under criminal law. The decision will be made after a hearing. The district attorney claims that the witness contradicted himself and gave different testimony in court than during the investigation, and that he lied in court committing perjury.
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