• In the southern Gaza Strip, a cell of at least 18 Hamas operatives attempted to raid an IDF encampment in the Khan Younis area on Wednesday morning. Hamas terrorists emerged from a known tunnel in an effort to breach a military encampment and building. During the attack, three Israeli soldiers were injured, one seriously. The IDF believes the Hamas gunmen intended to abduct troops.
• The IDF acknowledged a "failure" in the fact that the attack occurred, even though the soldiers successfully fought back, repelling the attack and killing approximately 15 of the militants.
• Since the end of the last ceasefire in March, the IDF has reportedly has eliminated over 2,100 terror operatives, including several high-ranking Hamas commanders. In addition, the IDF reports that its air, naval, and drone forces have struck more than 10,000 terror targets since March 18.
• Jihad Kamal Salem Najjar, a Hamas terrorist responsible for the kidnapping of Yarden Bibas on October 7, 2023, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on August 10 in Gaza. The IDF and Shin Bet jointly announced his death on Tuesday.

Hostage Situation and Ceasefire Negotiations

• Of the 50 remaining hostages, approximately 20 are believed to be alive, while 28 have tragically been confirmed dead.
• Hamas has formally accepted a new ceasefire and hostage-release proposal that Qatar has described as "almost identical" to a previous US-backed plan. The proposal includes a 60-day truce, the release of 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 deceased hostages, and the release of 150 Palestinian prisoners. Israel is still considering the proposal.
• Netanyahu stated publicly his preference for a single, comprehensive deal for all remaining hostages, not a phased release, and has vowed to continue the war until all hostages are returned and Hamas is disarmed.
• Egyptian security officials are reportedly pressuring Hamas to temporarily place their weapons in Egyptian custody to address Israel’s demands for demilitarization.
• The Cabinet remains divided over the Hamas proposal. Opposition Leader Yair Lapid has pledged his party's full support for any potential hostage deal, offering his 24 Knesset votes to help pass the agreement without demanding anything in return from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But Netanyahu's far-right coalition partners, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, have vowed to oppose the proposed ceasefire deal and have threatened to quit the government if it is approved.
• Reports yesterday indicate that MK Benny Gantz, Chair of the centrist Blue and White-National Unity party, may rejoin the government in a show of support for the proposed ceasefire and hostage-release deal with Hamas.