ISRAEL (IINO)
Bar Kokhba revolt-period hiding complex revealed near Sea of Galilee [2:01] Israel National News
The most extensive hiding complex discovered to date in the Galilee was excavated in an archaeological excavation carried out by the IAA at the site of Huqoq. The excavation uncovered finds that reveal dramatic episodes in Jewish history.
Mar 18, 2024, 8:53 AM (GMT+2) – Archaeological excavations at Huqoq near the Sea of Galilee, in which students, local residents, and soldiers participated over the past few months, provide a glance at dramatic episodes in the history of the Jewish people: the preparation of shelters in preparation for the Revolt of the Jews against the Romans, led by Bar Kokhba in 132–136 CE.
The excavation also revealed that, as part of the preparations for the First Revolt in 66 CE and the Bar Kokhba Revolt in 132 CE, the residents of Huqoq converted the water cistern (dug in the Second Temple period) into a hiding complex. In addition, at the time of danger, they broke one of the walls of the mikveh and dug a tunnel into other cavities. Several tunnels allowed maneuvering in narrow low spaces underneath the houses. In this underground system—the largest and most impressive discovered at the Galilee—there are about eight hiding cavities, and the connecting tunnels are dug at 90 degrees, to hamper the heavily armed Roman soldiers chasing the rebels. The excavation also yielded hundreds of broken clay and glass dishes, an impressive ring for a precious stone (the stone itself was not found), and other fascinating finds.
Huqoq is known as a Jewish town from the Early Roman period, about 2,000 years ago. The Jerusalem and Babylonian Talmuds mention Rabbi Pinhas and Rabbi Hezekiah, sages from the third and fourth centuries CE, who were based in the area. On the hilltop, near the hiding complex, a synagogue with impressive and unique mosaics, dating to the Byzantine period was discovered. The synagogue was dug in 2011 by an expedition from North Carolina University, headed by Professor Jodi Magness.
Hamas confirms Marwan Issa killed, buried under rubble – report By YAEL HALFON
According to the sources, the number three in Hamas’s high command was killed in the IDF strike in Nusirat, in central Gaza, while he was hiding in one of Hamas’s terror tunnels.
MARCH 17, 2024 – Hamas stated behind closed doors that Marwan Issa, deputy to Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, who was targeted in an Israeli strike last week, has been killed, according to a Sunday Kan News report, citing Palestinian sources.
According to the sources, the number three in Hamas’s high command was killed in the IDF strike in Nusirat, in central Gaza, while he was hiding in one of Hamas’s terror tunnels.
Hamas number three still buried under terror tunnel
The sources further told Kan that his body was still buried underneath the rubble.
According to the report, Razi Abu Tomeh, Commander of a Hamas Brigade, was also killed in the strike.
Smotrich: ‘General Staff responsible for one of greatest disasters in Israeli history.’ Israel National News
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, strongly criticizes the General Staff and the round of appointments in the IDF during the war.
Mar 17, 2024, 8:39 PM (GMT+2) – Finance Minister and Minister in the Ministry of Defense Bezalel Smotrich on Sunday strongly criticized the IDF General Staff and the round of appointments in the IDF during the war.
“Nothing will happen if people stay in office for another few months. These appointments are going to create difficulty with the debriefings. This General Staff, which completely failed on October 7, has brought upon us one of the greatest disasters in Israel’s history, and it did not fail only on October 7; this is a long-lasting failure of a misconception that collapsed,” Smotrich told Channel 12 News.
He added that “this General Staff will not model the IDF into the next generation. It will not appoint the new commanders after the change. There is no more trust in them for this. Currently, we are totally supporting them to win the war; but nothing more than that.”
Smotrich was asked if he would suggest not sending the Israeli delegation to negotiations on the hostages. He replied: “I think that the best way to bring the hostages home is to cut off negotiations and renew intensive military effort – now we must enter Rafah.”
We should have entered Rafah six weeks to two months ago. There is no argument about whether we should be bringing the hostages back home – the debate is how to do it. There is no proposal on the agenda today, and there is a debate about it,” he emphasized.
Smotrich noted that “we accepted the previous deal because Hamas was under a lot of pressure. We were united and very aggressive. Currently, Hamas is not in the same situation, so they are going crazy. I thought we should have entered the central camps and Rafah in a more continuous and determined campaign. The timing of Ramadan was actually beneficial to us in this regard.”
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Israeli PM Netanyahu Slams Chuck Schumer’s ‘Totally Inappropriate’ Remarks, Urges Him to Stop Meddling By Ben Kew
Mar. 17, 2024 1:40 pm – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has slammed Chuck Schumer’s remarks about his leadership as “totally inappropriate” after the Senate Majority Leader called for him to step down.
During a speech on the Senate floor this week, Schumer suggested that Israel should have fresh elections in order to find a new leader.
“The Netanyahu coalition no longer fits the needs of Israel after October 7,” Schumer declared. “The world has changed, radically, since then, and the Israeli people are being stifled right now by a governing vision that is stuck in the past.”
He continued:
Hezbollah Panic!! Israeli F-16 Jets hit their main launchers with 3rd powerful airstrike in 2 day! [12:38] USS Pentagonal
Israel CRACKS DOWN on West Bank Weapons Smuggling; Iran INFLAMING Mideast Tensions [15:16] Yair Pinto
Mar 16, 2024 – TBN Israel’s Yair Pinto reports on the enormous influx of weapons and drug smuggling flowing through Jordan into Israel’s Judea and Samaria, otherwise known as the West Bank. Learn the brief history of Judea and Samaria and how Israel is working to thwart Iran’s ambitions to arm terrorist groups there by cracking down on smuggling routes, weapons warehouses, and production facilities. Hear why Jordan and Israel are the first line of defense against terrorism and why these countries need the Western world’s full support.
Terrorist opens fire on Jewish community in Hebron, eliminated by IDF By SAM HALPERN
Palestinian sources identified the shooter as Sheikh Mahmoud Nofal, the imam of Hebron’s al-Qassem Mosque.
MARCH 16, 2024 19:02 – A terrorist opened fire on the Jewish community in the West Bank city of Hebron on Saturday, the IDF said. The suspect was subsequently targeted and eliminated by IDF soldiers.
No injuries were reported, and no damage was caused, but IDF troops have begun searching the area for additional terrorists.
Palestinian media sources identified the shooter as Sheikh Mahmoud Nofal, the imam of Hebron’s al-Qassem Mosque.
Video shows suspected shooter firing from a cemetery
Walla shared a video of the incident that appears to show the terrorist shooting from within a cemetery complex.
Watch: Terrorists open fire on Gazan civilians waiting for aid Elad Benari
IDF releases exclusive footage of Palestinian Arab terrorists opening fire on Gazan civilians in South Zeytun in the Strip, an incident which Hamas blamed on Israel.
Mar 15, 2024, 8:14 PM (GMT+2) – The IDF on Friday released exclusive footage of Palestinian Arab terrorists opening fire in the midst of Gazan civilians about an hour before a humanitarian aid convoy entered the area of South Zeytun in the Strip.
The Gazan “ministry of health”, which is controlled by Hamas, claimed on Thursday night that it was the IDF that opened fire on the Gazans, killing at least 21 people, but the IDF said those allegations were false.
A preliminary IDF investigation into the incident found that Gazan terrorists were, in fact, the ones who opened fire on the civilians waiting for the aid.
“About an hour before the entry of the aid convoy last night, Palestinian gunmen were seen opening fire in the midst of a crowd of Gazan civilians. We emphasize that there was no opening of fire by IDF forces at the aid convoy in Kuwait Square,” the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said on Friday.
“The IDF is continuing to examine the incident while making strenuous efforts to bring humanitarian aid to the residents of the Gaza Strip, while Hamas terrorists are harming the residents of Gaza and spreading lies with the purpose of blaming the State of Israel,” it added.
