Nadene Goldfoot
The IDF said that is has already begun operations in Gaza City and currently controls 40% of the city. IDF spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin told reporters that Israeli forces have been operating for weeks in the Zeitoun and Sheikh Radwan neighborhoods of Gaza City as part of Operation Gideon's Chariots II, and said that the operation will expand in the coming days.
from BBC: Israeli strikes and demolitions have destroyed dozens of buildings in areas of Gaza City, satellite images show, as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its offensive has established control over 40% of the city. The new images reviewed by BBC Verify show that intensive bombardments and controlled explosions have levelled several neighbourhoods over the past four weeks. Rows of tents - which have sprung up over the city to shelter Palestinians displaced by the Israeli military campaign - have also disappeared over the past month, the images show. (Did they miss these?) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel's intention to seize all of the strip and launch an incursion into Gaza City after indirect talks with Hamas on a ceasefire and hostage release deal broke down in July.
After the beginning of Gaza war, Barnea pushed for a deal with Hamas to secure the release of Israeli hostages. On 9 November 2023, Barnea met with CIA Director William J. Burns and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani in Doha. The possibilities of a ceasefire and the release of hostages were discussed. In addition to CIA chief Burns, Barnea was also included in the talks between US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the release of hostages. Barnea prevailed against Netanyahu, who is said to have long preferred a purely military solution.
In July 2025, Barnea asked the US for assistance in persuading countries in Asia and Africa to accept displaced Palestinians from Gaza.
IDF Chief of Staff Zamir, Foreign Minister Sa'ar, Mossad Director David Barnea and other ministers have reportedly urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to pursue a temporary ceasefire with Hamas rather than expand the war with a full scale assault on Gaza C
Hamas today released a video showing hostages Alon Ohel and Guy Gilboa Dalal talking in a vehicle in Gaza City on August 28. Only a brief 28 second clip of the video has been released by the families.
Unusually, Gilboa-Dalal is seen in part of the footage above ground, inside a car. In the video, he refers to being held captive for 22 months, which could indicate that the footage was filmed recently. The family of the second hostage has asked for him not to be identified, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. The families have not given consent for the video itself to be published. (Courtesy)
Hamas releases a video showing the hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal together with another hostage. Unusually, Gilboa-Dalal is seen in part of the footage above ground, inside a car. In the video, he refers to being held captive for 22 months, which could indicate that the footage was filmed recently. The family of the second hostage has asked for him not to be identified, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. The families have not given consent for the video itself to be published.
Gilboa-Dalal was last seen in a video in February, during a ceasefire, when Hamas forced him and another captive, Evyatar David, to watch the release of other hostages. This video is a painful testament to the starvation and abuse that Evyatar and the other hostages are enduring in captivity. Evyatar’s sister, Ya’ala David, shared a post on social media responding to the distressing footage of her brother, saying that this is more than just a personal message: “Hamas is starving the hostages and the residents of Gaza, denying them the humanitarian aid that Israel and the world are sending – all for the sake of media and propaganda.”
.Hamas releases videos as part of its psychological warfare campaign, to persuade Israelis to demand that the government end the war at all costs, to save the hostages, and possibly trigger a new Israeli military operation in Lebanon.
Sadly, what many Israelis do not realize is how deeply Qatar is with Hamas. They seem to forget the connection the family had with Qaradawi, head propaganda radio and TV evangelist for hatred against Israel and Jews. Holding meetings with anyone of the family in Qatar only lets Hamas know the plan. It's the younger generation of Israelis who don't seem to be aware. I am adding this information because I did so much reading about him years ago and now shudder when I see meetings taking place there. He's bad news, and some journalists are just now becoming aware.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Jews are gathering nightly to recite Selichot, prayers for forgiveness, during the weeks leading up to Rosh Hashana.
Resource:
israelAM
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gideon_Sa%27ar
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