We know what’s coming and we are prepared.
HOSTAGE DEAL UPDATE:
Early this morning, we saw reports in Israel that Sinwar was under increasing pressure due to the operation in Rafah and IDF control of the Philadelphi Corridor. Sinwar fears that every day that goes by without a deal, his chances of survival go down, and the chances that Israel will rescue more hostages go up (AKA he loses leverage in negotiations). Some unofficial sources claim that Sinwar has accepted that Hamas will not govern Gaza after the war. Still, he is ADAMANT that the IDF withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor because that is his oxygen supply. This will be the contention point going forward.
This afternoon, we received the report that the Mossad had received an answer from Hamas vis-à-vis the deal offered a few weeks ago. While we don’t have the full details of the answer yet, Israeli officials are claiming that this is the most positive response so far from Hamas, and they can work with it for once, albeit the negotiations will still take a long time and are not assured. Hamas supporters have already started celebrating, claiming that they were able to reach a deal to end the war.
From Israel’s perspective, while this is not necessarily the ideal situation, barring any untenable demands from Hamas, this deal will probably be the best way to get some hostages back alive. If there is no deal, the chance that hostages will be killed continues to escalate.
However, an important point to consider is that this deal was presented BEFORE the IDF took control of the Philadelphi Corridor, and that aspect of it would be a massive problem. I don’t see a situation where the IDF withdraws from the corridor, and I don’t see Hamas agreeing to a deal that keeps Israeli forces choking their supply lines. It remains to be seen how that issue will be negotiated.
It is essential to keep in mind that for many in Israel, Gaza is not nearly as important as the North anymore. All attention and focus are being shifted toward Lebanon, and the IDF needs as much of its available resources and manpower for what is to come with Hezbollah.
Overall, while I am not happy with the circumstances of this potential deal, I understand the various perspectives and considerations that go into it, and I trust Bibi to make the right decision for the country and our people. He holds all of the information, and we try to make sense of it; the rest is out of our hands.
(Raylan Givens on X)
Ukrainian forces have begun training and testing exoskeletons for battlefield use. Soldiers from the 147th Separate Artillery Brigade are using them in the Pokrovsk sector for both logistics and frontline operations. The goal is to reduce physical strain, especially when loading heavy artillery shells into howitzers without automatic loaders. Artillery crews can handle up to 1200 kg of ammunition per day, and early tests show that exoskeletons help them work faster and with less fatigue Above all, by improving the conditions for those soldiers on the front lines who handle such heavy loads, plus the stress of work. Seeking to reduce overall fatigue in the troops
🇺🇸❌🇮🇷 — Ground clashes are occuring between IRGC soldiers and American CSAR troops. American soldiers are inside Iran.
@GeoPWatch
⚡🇺🇸 Rumors have emerged that President Trump is in the hospital as all roads leading to Walter Reed Medical Center have been cordoned off and a "lid" has been called today by the White House, meaning Trump won't appear in public.
The White House has denied the rumors and it is Saturday, but those are the rumors.
@medmannews
🇺🇸🇮🇷🇮🇱 - WAR IN IRAN | APRIL 3rd, DAY 35 RECAP:
🇮🇷🇰🇼 - Iran has struck the Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery in Kuwait. Multiple fires have been reported.
🇱🇧🇮🇱 - “The disarmament of Hezbollah is not one of the objectives of the IDF’s fighting in Lebanon at this stage,” the IDF said.
🇮🇷🇰🇼 - Iran has struck a Kuwaiti power and desalination plant, causing damage, according to the Kuwait Ministry of Electricity.
🇮🇷🇦🇪 - Habshan gas facilities in Abu Dhabi have temporarily suspended operations after a fire broke out due to an Iranian attack.
🇫🇷🇮🇷 - A French-owned cargo ship crossed the Strait of Hormuz earlier this morning. It was broadcasting its position and planned route openly and encountered no incident.
🇺🇸🇮🇷 - A U.S. F-15 fighter jet was shot down over southwestern Iran. One pilot has been rescued, while the second is still missing, according to the Pentagon.
🇮🇷🇶🇦🇵🇰 - “In a dramatic turn of ...
