Hey Rich, Good afternoon. I do want to start with
some breaking news here.
We are following reports out of Syria that indicate Syrian
air defense systems are active around the capital of Damascus.
This indicates the Israelis are striking Syria once again.
Another indication the Iranians are still trying to smuggle weapons
and supplies to groups not just in Syria but also
southern Lebanon.
Those reports associated to Syrian state media.
It also comes amid this devastating update out of southern
Israel today.
Judy Weinstein, a dual national.
American Citizen was announced that she is dead.
Her kibbutz, her small community in southern Israel.
Nero's making that announcement today,
just one week after Hamas indicated her husband was killed
on October 7th.
It's yet another reason why Israeli forces are continuing to
push forward with their offensive inside Gaza.
They're not just going after Hamas leadership,
but looking for the hostages that are still being held
by Hamas.
We understand Israeli forces are engaged in fierce battles in
central and southern Gaza this week.
The the chief of staff in Israel,
indicating that there is an expansion of activity and the
death toll rising among Israeli forces.
To 167 since the ground offensive began.
That number is unfortunately expected to rise as the Israelis
go after Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the tunnel system
in the southern part of Gaza.
I do want to shift your attention though to the
West Bank,
where overnight for the 4th night in a row,
Israeli forces launched raids against Palestinian militants and infrastructure in
10 separate locations.
Most notably though, in the city of Ramallah,
where according to local media,
14 people were wounded and one killed when the Israelis
went after.
A cash exchange location and also infrastructure belonging to militant
cells there.
There is a concerted effort by the Israelis to try
to clamp down on militant activity in the West Bank
as they continue operations inside the Gaza Strip.
Rich tradings live in Tel Aviv.
Trey, thank you.