IDF said to hit Iran targets in Syria * Israel tells UN of Hamas weaponization of rape * Ben Gvir, Likud run together in Tel Aviv vote *Vigilante IDF vet inspires US Jews

[Times of Israel]( [The daily edition]( Wednesday, February 21, 2024 Presented by [Hebrew University]( Live updates [LIVE: New explosions heard in Damascus, hours after alleged Israeli strike on Syrian capital]( By ToI Staff IDF soldier killed in Gaza takes ground op toll to 237 * Israeli official: No decision on Cairo talks without proof Hamas ‘softened’ stance * Report details Oct. 7 ‘sadistic sex crimes’ [Israel submits report to UN on Hamas’s mass weaponization of rape]( By ToI Staff Written by umbrella organization of rape crisis centers, grim document reviews Palestinian terror group’s strategic use of sexual violence, as deniers abound [Accusing left of forsaking Jewishness, Likud campaigns with Otzma Yehudit in Tel Aviv]( By Sam Sokol Despite PM’s calls for unity during war, parties tap into secular-religious divisions in the metropolis, urge preservation of its ‘Jewish heritage and character’ from our sponsor [Study in Jerusalem in English]( Experience academic excellence and cultural richness with a supportive community. Join Hebrew U’s Digital Open Day for International Degree Programs: February 25, 6 PM IST/11 EST [Smotrich says bringing hostages home ‘not the most important thing,’ sparking outcry]( By ToI Staff Far-right minister says Israel needs to focus on destroying Hamas, slams those who call for a deal ‘at any price’; Gantz and Lapid condemn his comments [One month after they entered Gaza, Qatar says Hamas has begun giving meds to hostages]( By Jacob Magid Op-ed: Day 138 of the war David Horovitz [In an Israel desperate for unity, Netanyahu keeps capitulating to the far-right, Haredim]( Ben Gvir’s pyromaniacal Temple Mount demands * Why the ultra-Orthodox must share the burden * The IDF’s Rafah preparations * Public diplomacy lessons unlearned Top Ops Nancy Goodman [In the Kalanit fields]( Seeing red in the wake of October 7 can spark Jewish survival instincts, shed Jewish insecurity, and reveal the truth about Jewish anti-Zionists Andrii Zaika [Help Ukraine and you help Israel]( Jewish support would help open the Ukrainian market to Israeli companies – and cover the humanitarian aid provided by before October 7 [IDF soldier killed as heavy fighting flares up again in northern Gaza]( By Emanuel Fabian and Agencies Military confirms large-scale operation launched in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighborhood, an area believed largely cleared of Hamas gunmen; aid groups suspend food convoys to area [WHO says 32 patients evacuated from ‘no longer functional’ Nasser Hospital in Gaza]( By Agencies and ToI Staff Explainer Jeremy Sharon [Israel a no-show at the ICJ, but its advocates argue the ‘occupation’ isn’t illegal]( Scholars contend Palestinian failure to accept several peace proposals and address Israeli security concerns are cause of long-term Israeli rule in the territories [ToI podcast / Daily Briefing Feb. 21: Day 138 – Israel in the dock at World Court over ‘apartheid’]( By ToI Staff [US vetoes Security Council resolution demanding immediate ceasefire in Gaza war]( By AP, ToI Staff and Jacob Magid Veto of Algerian-drafted text is the third time Washington has blocked resolutions since outbreak of fighting as Washington pushes alternative draft; UK abstains in 13-1 vote [US envoy heads to region to push hostage deal, press Israel on Rafah offensive]( By Jacob Magid and AFP [$14b US aid package for Israel crafted with eye to ‘multi-front war,’ not just Gaza]( By Ron Kampeas Inside story [On Oct. 7 killing grounds, a vigilante army vet inspires grieving US Jewish leaders]( By Canaan Lidor Eran Masas tells American visitors how he risked his life – and lied to his wife – to rescue survivors despite having no official mandate to act [Syria says two killed in alleged Israeli strike on Damascus apartment building]( By Emanuel Fabian and Agencies State media says missile fired through 4th-floor window in high-security neighborhood that houses Iranian facilities; no comment from IDF [Iran says Israel behind gas pipeline sabotage last week]( By AFP and ToI Staff [IDF says Hezbollah drone crashed in town near Acre; no sirens sound]( By Emanuel Fabian [Those We Have Lost]( [Those We Have Lost]( [Civilians and soldiers who have fallen since Oct. 7]( [Read Here]( Exclusive [US readying to issue 2nd round of settler sanctions in coming weeks — sources]( By Jacob Magid Several more Israeli extremists will face financial penalties with additional rounds to follow, official says; add that unilateral recognition of Palestinian state not likely [Troops kill 3 gunmen, detain 14 terror suspects in overnight Jenin raid – IDF]( By Emanuel Fabian [IDF’s top lawyer warns against ‘cases of unacceptable conduct’ by troops in Gaza]( By Emanuel Fabian Military advocate general to evaluate incidents, some of which ‘cross the criminal threshold,’ including unjustified use of force, looting, destruction of civilian property [IDF opens polling booths for troops inside Gaza to vote in municipal elections]( By ToI Staff Army says voting stations will remain open until February 27, when the rest of Israel will cast ballots in local elections that were delayed after October 7 massacres [Post-Oct. 7, Israeli band channeling 1930s Baghdad gets a boost from Iraqi musicians]( By Gavriel Fiske Led by the great-grandson of a foremost Iraqi musician of his era, La Falfula Groove Iraqi personifies the spirit of a bygone age while maintaining virtual ties with the Arab world [Those We Are Missing]( [The hostages and victims whose fate is still unknown]( [Read Here]( [High Court rejects petition to disqualify far-right Ben Gvir as a minister]( By Jeremy Sharon Panel of three judges find that despite Otzma Yehudit leader’s checkered past, his appointment to cabinet is not ‘unreasonable in the extreme’ [Gantz’s party threatens to veto bill allowing Ben Gvir to censor foreign media]( By Sam Sokol [Ben Gvir slashes budget for programs to protect women at risk of domestic abuse]( By ToI Staff Interview [October 7 and war trauma will lead to at least 30,000 new cases of PTSD, expert says]( By Renee Ghert-Zand [Day 138 – Israel in the dock at World Court over ‘apartheid’]( [listen to the podcast]( More Headlines [Presidents of Colombia, Bolivia back Brazilian counterpart’s Israel-Hitler comparison]( By AFP, Reuters and ToI Staff [Search this new list of Jewish family names from across the Middle East]( By Asaf Elia-Shalev [Rare Second Temple-era merchants box displayed at Israel Museum]( By Gavriel Fiske [UK man decries ‘filthy’ tampering after Israel rubbed out on baby’s birth certificate]( By ToI Staff [Harvard pro-Palestinian faculty group apologizes after sharing antisemitic imagery]( By JTA and ToI Staff [Professor who quit MIT over its antisemitism response takes job at Yeshiva University]( By Luke Tress [Theater charity Broadway Cares to fund relief for Israelis after Gaza aid ‘confusion’]( By New York Jewish Week via JTA and ToI Staff [French navy downs two drones over Red Sea as Houthis take aim at ‘Israeli’ ships]( By Agencies and ToI Staff [Teva CEO says production and distribution in Israel remain largely unaffected by war]( By Sharon Wrobel [Jews who experience antisemitism give more to charity, US survey shows]( By JTA and ToI Staff [First Hindu temple inaugurated in Abu Dhabi by Indian prime minister]( By ToI Staff [US to impose ‘major sanctions’ on Russia over Navalny death, as Kremlin shirks blame]( By Agencies [The daily edition]( [facebook]( [twitter]( [instagram]( [View in browser]( [Contact support](mailto:support@timesofisrael.com) [Advertise with us](mailto:advertise@timesofisrael.com) Were you forwarded this email? [Subscribe here]( [Unsubscribe]( from this List © 2024 The Times Of Israel, All Rights Reserved