THE EARLY PHOENIX
ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR
August 22 – 26, 2024
August 26, 2024
The Philadelphi Corridor: Israel Maintains Forces as Truce Talks Continue
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that the IDF will not reduce its forces in the Philadelphi Corridor, rejecting reports of any withdrawal as part of a Gaza ceasefire and hostage agreement. Despite ongoing negotiations in Cairo, Israel insists on retaining control of the critical border area between Gaza and Egypt. The talks aim to modify the agreement, but Israel emphasizes that no changes to the status quo in the Philadelphi corridor will occur in the first phase. Israel remains firm on its security stance as discussions with U.S. and regional mediators continue.
500th U.S. Military Airlift Reaches Israel as Ceasefire Talks Progress
The 500th U.S. military airlift carrying essential supplies, including armored vehicles, munitions, and medical equipment, has landed in Israel since the Israel-Hamas war began. Over 50,000 tons of equipment have been delivered through air and sea shipments. As military flights continue, ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas are reportedly advancing. U.S. officials, including Brett McGurk, remain in Cairo to facilitate the next phase of negotiations, focusing on the exchange of hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners in Israel.
Israel Declares Victory Over Hamas’ Rafah Division, Shifts Focus North
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced the defeat of Hamas’ Rafah Division, marking a significant victory for Israel. During a visit to the Philadelphi Corridor, Gallant confirmed the destruction of 150 tunnels used by Hamas.
Israeli Drone Strike Kills Seven in Gaza as West Bank Raids Intensify
Israeli drone strikes in Gaza City killed at least seven people, leading to the evacuation of injured Palestinians from the last functioning hospital in Deir al-Balah. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have intensified operations in the West Bank, conducting raids in Tulkarm and Idhna that resulted in multiple casualties and arrests. Over 10,000 Palestinians have been arrested since the conflict began on October 7, as Israel escalates its military actions in both Gaza and the West Bank.
Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar Hides Among Gaza Civilians to Evade IDF
Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar has reportedly been disguising himself as a woman while hiding among Gaza’s civilian population to avoid detection by Israeli forces. Sinwar, who took over as Hamas’s overall leader after Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran, has been moving between various hiding places in Gaza. Israeli intelligence suggests he has occasionally left Hamas’s tunnel network, fearing detection through electronic communications. Sinwar is now relying on human couriers to communicate as Israel intensifies efforts to locate and eliminate him.
Hamas Publishes Video of M-90 Rocket Launch as IDF Responds
Hamas’s military wing released a video documenting the launch of an M-90 rocket aimed at Rishon LeZion. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the rocket launcher was destroyed shortly after the launch. The IDF’s rapid destruction of the launcher highlights Israel’s focus on maintaining security. No further details were provided regarding casualties or additional operations linked to this rocket launch.
IDF Discovers Weapons Stash in Gaza Apartment During Operations
During operations in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, IDF forces from the 202nd Battalion discovered a stash of weapons, including anti-tank missiles, military vests, munitions, and knives, hidden next to a baby’s crib in a residential apartment. Additionally, the IDF’s Yahalom Unit and the 603rd Battalion destroyed a 700-meter-long Hamas tunnel. These discoveries are part of the IDF’s expanded operations, which have resulted in the elimination of dozens of Hamas terrorists and over 100 aerial strikes on terror targets in the past two weeks.
Abu Mazen Arrives in Saudi Arabia for Unplanned Visit
Palestinian Authority Chairman Abu Mazen arrived in Saudi Arabia for an unexpected meeting with Saudi leaders. He was accompanied by PLO Working Committee Secretary General Hossein al-Sheikh and Palestinian intelligence head Majed Faraj. Abu Mazen is expected to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for discussions that have drawn significant attention in regional diplomatic circles. The unplanned nature of the visit has sparked speculation about possible developments in Saudi-Palestinian relations. No official details about the visit’s purpose have been released.
August 25, 2024
Israel-Egypt Tensions Rise Over Philadelphi Route in Ceasefire Talks
Israel has solidified control over the Philadelphi Route, a vital corridor on the Gaza-Egypt border, during military operations. The IDF began constructing infrastructure, including a road, to establish a lasting presence while neutralizing many Hamas smuggling tunnels. Egypt, concerned about potential violations of peace agreements, demanded Israel relinquish control of the Philadelphi Border Crossing during ceasefire talks with Hamas. Egyptian mediators are urging Israel to reduce its military presence, but Prime Minister Netanyahu insists on maintaining control to prevent Hamas from rearming. This issue has become a major obstacle in ceasefire negotiations, with tensions between Israel and Egypt escalating over the Philadelphi Route’s strategic importance.
Hamas Claims Responsibility for M-90 Rocket Launch as IDF Sounds Sirens
Senior Hamas officials confirmed no breakthrough in ceasefire talks in Cairo. Hamas’s military wing claimed responsibility for launching an M-90 rocket toward Tel Aviv. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported sirens sounding in Rishon LeTsiyon, central Israel, following the launch.
August 24, 2024
IDF and Hamas Heavy Clashes Continue Despite Ceasefire Talks
Heavy clashes persisted between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Hamas despite ongoing ceasefire talks. Al Jazeera, citing medical sources, reported that 71 Palestinians were killed in Southern Gaza due to Israeli strikes, with violence particularly intense around the Deir al-Balah area. The death toll of Palestinians has surged dramatically, with more than 40,400 fatalities reported since the conflict began.
August 23, 2024
Israeli Strikes and Evacuations Cause Mass Displacement in Gaza
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted the Al-Qudsia outpost of Hamas in western Khan Yunis, resulting in 50 Palestinian casualties. Later in the day, the IDF issued its 12th evacuation order within a week, displacing over 250,000 people. The northern Gaza evacuation followed rocket fire from the area, forcing mass displacement with no safe refuge. As Israeli forces advanced, Gaza’s Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah began emptying, with patients and shelter-seekers fearing they might be caught in the fighting. Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City and Khan Yunis killed at least 19 people, while fighting resumed between Israel and Hezbollah across the Lebanon border. The United Nations reported that Israeli evacuation orders now cover 84% of Gaza’s territory, displacing approximately 90% of the population.
- Hamas Delegation Arrives in Cairo as Hostage Talks Face Disputes
Hamas sent a delegation to Cairo to receive briefings on ceasefire-for-hostages negotiations, refusing direct participation. Egyptian mediators are addressing disputes between Israel and Hamas, particularly control over the Philadelphi Border Crossing and Corridor. Israel insists on maintaining a military presence to prevent Hamas from rearming, while Egypt and Hamas demand a full Israeli withdrawal. Nationwide rallies in Israel continue to pressure the government to secure a deal to bring hostages home.
- Biden Pressures Netanyahu to Adjust Philadelphi Corridor Presence During Talks
President Biden urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to partially withdraw Israeli forces from the Philadelphi Corridor to facilitate a ceasefire and hostage-release deal. Netanyahu agreed to reposition one IDF post, allowing U.S. support for Israel’s broader military deployment. However, Egypt’s opposition to Israel’s continued presence complicates negotiations with Hamas. Meanwhile, Israeli negotiators in Cairo, led by Mossad chief David Barnea, face significant disagreements over Israel’s insistence on maintaining IDF control of the Philadelphi Corridor. Hamas demands a full withdrawal, creating an impasse that risks jeopardizing talks.
Israel Declares Victory Over Hamas’ Philadelphi Division, Shifts Focus North
On August 22, 2024, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced the defeat of Hamas’ Philadelphi Division, marking a significant strategic victory for Israel. During a tour of the Philadelphi Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border, Gallant confirmed the destruction of 150 tunnels in southern Gaza, with orders to eliminate the remaining few. With military objectives in Gaza largely achieved, Israel is now shifting its focus to the northern front, where tensions with Hezbollah have escalated since October 2023.
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Iran and its Allies: The Planned Massacre Against Israel in October 2023
In October 2023, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and the Iraqi militias, along with the logistical, training, and captagon services provided by Assad in Syria, Iran launched its envisioned holy war against the Jewish State.
The 40,400+ death toll of Palestinians as a result of this war, unprecedented in any operations Israel has ever launched, underscores that this bloodbath was initiated by none other than Iran.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas’s ‘freedom fighters’ under the direction of Iran raped, mutilated, burnt children alive, decapitated men, and caused Israel’s 9/11 in less than 12 hours. What would Iranian-led Hamas have done to Israelis if it had the upper power in the last eleven brutal months?
