Rafah operation begins: Recapping the last two weeks in Israel

RAFAH OPERATION 

The IDF took over the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing on May 7. During what was termed “a limited operation,” the IDF said dozens of terrorists were killed, but there were no Israeli casualties. The Prime Minister’s Office said the war cabinet agreed to press ahead with a Rafah offensive, despite reports that Hamas had accepted a new hostage deal. It said the Hamas offer for the release of 33 hostages in exchange for a large number of Palestinian security prisoners was far from meeting Israel’s requirements, but negotiations would continue via US, Egyptian, and Qatari mediators.

FALLEN SOLDIERS 

On May 10, four IDF soldiers were killed by an explosive charge and a fifth in battle in Gaza City: Sgt. Itay Livny, 19; Sgt. Yosef Dassa, 19; Sgt. Ermiyas Mekuriyaw, 19 Sgt. Daniel Levy, 19, and St.-Sgt. Ariel Tsym, 20. On May 5, four IDF soldiers were killed when Hamas fired rockets from Rafah at Kerem Shalom: Sgt.-Maj. Tal Shavit, 21; Sgt. Michael Ruzal, 18; St.-Sgt. Ruben Marc Mordechai Assouline, 19; and St.-Sgt. Ido Testa, 19. On May 6, two IDF reservists were killed in a Hezbollah drone strike on northern Israel: Master Sgt. (res.) Dan Kamhaji, 31, and Master Sgt. (res.) Nachman Nathan Hertz, 31. Border Police officer Yitav Lev Halevi died on May 8 after being severely wounded in an operation against terrorists near Tulkarm.

US ARMS 

US President Joe Biden warned on May 8 that he would halt some shipments of American weapons to Israel if it proceeded with an invasion of Rafah. “I made it clear that if they go into Rafah... I’m not supplying the weapons that have been used historically,” Biden told CNN. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced earlier that the US had “paused” a shipment of “high-payload munitions” due to concerns over the Rafah operation.

NEVER AGAIN! 

At the opening of Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day at Yad Vashem on May 5, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu countered international opposition to Israel’s planned military operation in Rafah in English: “I say to the leaders of the world: No amount of pressure, no decision by any international forum will stop Israel from defending itself. If Israel is forced to stand alone, Israel will stand alone. But we know we are not alone because countless decent people around the world support our just cause. And I say to you, we will defeat our genocidal enemies. Never again is now!” 

AL JAZEERA 

The cabinet voted on May 5 to close the Qatari-based news channel Al Jazeera in Israel, saying its broadcasts were harmful to national security. Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi signed an executive order after the unanimous vote, calling Al Jazeera a “Hamas incitement organ.” The Foreign Press Association in Israel described the move as “a cause for concern for all supporters of a free press.”

ISRAEL PRIZE 

After weeks of controversy, Israel Prize laureates were announced by the Education Ministry ahead of a special ceremony in Sderot on Independence Day (May 14). Team Elchanan, comprising Menachem Kalmanson and Itiel Zohar, won the new Civilian Courage Award for saving lives after the Hamas massacre. Cochav Elkayam-Levy and Chen Kogel were honored in the new Mutual Responsibility category for their advocacy on behalf of October 7 victims. Lifetime achievement awards went to veteran filmmaker Moshe Edri and posthumously to Edna Solodar, a politician and pioneer of the kibbutz movement, who died on April 9 aged 94.

EUROVISION FEAT 

Israel’s Eden Golan, 20, came in fifth place in the 68th Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Hurricane,” which references the October 7 massacre, in Malmo, Sweden on May 11. Switzerland’s Nemo took the top prize, followed by Croatia, Ukraine and France. Golan performed brilliantly despite boos from some and cheers from others, coming second to Croatia in the televoting from audiences around the world. “I don’t have words. I’m so happy,” she said, thanking her team and supporters. “We got to a crazy place, that’s our victory. It’s a great privilege to be here and to represent the nation.”