There’s been significant news in the past 24 hours. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed Israel Katz as Defense Minister and Benny Gantz as Foreign Minister. While this may spark questions globally, the critical point remains unchanged:
Israel continues to fight for survival in a seven-front war.
The message from Israel today is the same as yesterday:
Iran’s war on Israel continues, with its terror proxy Hezbollah launching deadly attacks on Israeli cities. At 11:23 AM today, as I prepared this broadcast, phones buzzed with alerts of a rocket attack targeting Tel Aviv. This has become alarmingly normal in Israel, but it’s anything but normal.
The Scope of the Conflict
Since October 8th, Hezbollah has launched nearly 16,000 Iranian rockets, missiles, and drones at Israel. This relentless barrage has displaced over 60,000 Israelis, many of whom remain unable to return to their homes.
The United Nations’ failure to enforce UN Security Council Resolution 1701 has allowed Hezbollah to:
- Fortify positions along Israel’s border.
- Stockpile hundreds of thousands of rockets.
- Continue arms shipments from Iran through Syria.
Israel has responded by targeting Hezbollah’s weapons facilities in Syria, striking key sites three times this week alone. Israeli citizen soldiers are now disarming Hezbollah incrementally, as no one else has taken action.
Humanitarian Aid to Gaza
While fighting continues, Israel has facilitated unprecedented levels of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Since Hamas’ October 7th Massacre:
- Aid deliveries have tripled compared to pre-war levels.
- Yesterday, 206 truckloads of aid were collected by COGAT (Israel’s agency responsible for Gaza aid).
However, over 600 truckloads of aid remain undelivered, awaiting collection on the Gazan side of the border. Aid organizations must address this failure instead of blaming Israel for Hamas’ actions, which prioritize war over Gaza’s civilians.
Audience Q&A
Question: What is Israel expecting from an incoming Trump Administration?
Answer: Israel expects continuity in the longstanding US-Israel relationship. This partnership is rooted in mutual support, shared democratic values, and collective security against adversaries like Iran. Regardless of who is in the White House, Israel hopes this critical alliance will continue to grow.
Question: If UN Resolution 1701 is implemented, will Hezbollah’s rockets still threaten Tel Aviv?
Answer: Yes. Hezbollah possesses long-range ballistic missiles capable of reaching deep into Israel, including Tel Aviv. While moving Hezbollah back to the Litani River would provide a buffer, it wouldn’t eliminate the threat entirely. Israel’s missile defense systems, while effective, cannot offer complete security.
Question: A former Iranian official said Iran is close to achieving a nuclear bomb. What are your thoughts?
Answer: Iran’s nuclear ambitions are a dire threat. Allowing Iran—a tyrannical, theocratic regime—to become nuclear-armed would destabilize the world. Israel, alongside allies like the US, must continue efforts to ensure Iran does not achieve this capability.
Question: Are the 60,000 evacuees in northern Israel any closer to returning home?
Answer: Unfortunately, no. Northern Israel remains under regular rocket fire from Hezbollah, rendering it unsafe for evacuees to return. Many homes have been damaged or destroyed. Israel’s fight against Hezbollah in Lebanon aims to eliminate this persistent threat to Israeli civilians.
Question: What is the public mood in Israel amidst the conflict?
Answer: While Israelis are resilient and optimistic, the reality is grim. Families are displaced, loved ones are fighting on the front lines, and civilians face daily rocket threats. Despite this, the hope for peace, the return of hostages, and a safer future remains strong.
Thank you for joining today’s briefing. We’ll be back tomorrow at 3 PM Israel time (8 AM EST) with more updates.
I’m Asher Westropp-Evans. Stay safe.
