IDF kills senior Jama’a Islamiya terrorist in Lebanon
The IDF killed Hussein Izzat Mohammad Atwi, a senior terrorist in the Jama’a Islamiya terror group affiliated with Hamas, during a strike in Lebanon, the military said on Tuesday.
The strike occurred in Haret El Naameh, south of Beirut.
Atwi took part in the planning of terror attacks from Lebanon against Israeli citizens and IDF soldiers operating on Israel’s northern border.
The military added that as part of his activities, Atwi carried out rocket attacks, guided terrorists, and advanced infiltration attempts into Israeli territory. Atwi also operated to target Israeli destinations worldwide.
The military further added that Atwi operated under the military wing of the Sunni terror group known as the Fajr Forces in cooperation with Hamas in Lebanon.
According to Reuters, the Fajr Forces have fired rockets at Israel for the past year, with the IDF targeting members of the terror group.
ADL says 2024 antisemitic incidents in US shattered records for fourth year in a row
Antisemitic incidents in the United States reached unprecedented levels in 2024, breaking annual records for the fourth consecutive year, according to a report released Tuesday by the Anti-Defamation League.
The 9,354 recorded cases of harassment, vandalism, and assault were the highest total since the ADL began tracking incidents in 1979, and five percent higher than in 2023, when the previous record was set, the antisemitism watchdog said.
The annual figure translates to more than 25 targeted anti-Jewish incidents per day, or more than one every hour, it noted. New York (1,437) and California (1,344) led in total cases, which were documented in all 50 states.
“This horrifying level of antisemitism should never be accepted, and yet, as our data shows, it has become a persistent and grim reality for American Jewish communities,” said ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt. “Jewish Americans continue to be harassed, assaulted and targeted for who they are on a daily basis and everywhere they go. But let’s be clear: we will remain proud of our Jewish culture, religion and identities, and we will not be intimidated by bigots.”
Hamas’s October 7, 2023, terrorist onslaught in Israel triggered a sharp rise in antisemitic activity across the US and around the world. The ADL has been actively tracking the growth of antisemitic activity, with recent reports profiling college efforts to fight hatred, alleged AI bias and misinformation on Wikipedia, and global antisemitic beliefs.
Report projects fewer than 100,000 living Holocaust survivors by 2032
Time is running out for the world to engage with Holocaust survivors during their lifetimes, stressed a report published Tuesday by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, which is known as the Claims Conference.
Of an estimated 211,300 Holocaust survivors alive in the world today, almost half will no longer be with us in seven years, according to the report released ahead of Holocaust Remembrance Day, which will be marked in Israel on Wednesday evening and Thursday.
The projection shows that by 2032, there will be fewer than 100,000 living survivors remaining in the world.
Dwindling numbers of living eyewitnesses to the Nazi murder of six million Jews during World War II means it will be more difficult to transmit the lessons of the Holocaust to the next generation, Holocaust educators say.
“Now is the time to hear first-hand testimonies from survivors. Invite them to speak in our classrooms, places of worship and institutions,” said Claims Conference president Gideon Taylor. “It is critical, not only for our youth but for people of all generations, to hear and learn directly from Holocaust survivors. This report is a stark reminder that our time is almost up.”
According to the Claims Conference, which works to negotiate compensation and restitution for Holocaust survivors, the median age of living survivors is 87 years, and more than 1,400 of them are over 100 years old. The majority — 61 percent — are female.
Some 70% of Holocaust survivors will no longer be living in 10 years, and by 2040, only about 21,000 will remain in the world, the report said.
In the US, where there are some 34,600 living survivors, 39% will pass away within five years, while in the former Soviet Union, where 25,500 survivors currently reside, an estimated 53% will no longer be living in 2030, the report said.
‘Risk of violence’: Israelis abroad warned to take precautions during Palestinian ‘Day of ‘Rage’
The National Security Council (NSC) issued guidelines for Israelis overseas ahead of events connected to a global “Day of Rage” on behalf of Palestinians.
The directives include avoiding displays of Israeli flags and symbols, complying with local security instructions, and avoiding areas where rallies are held.
Pro-Palestinian groups have announced plans for a “global shutdown for Palestine” scheduled for Tuesday. Activists are threatening to disrupt business operations, block roads, and engage in other forms of civil disobedience.
A NSC statement said, “Multiple online calls have emerged urging protests, demonstrations, and acts of disruption across various countries, primarily driven by pro-Palestinian activists,” the statement said.
“There is a risk that these gatherings could escalate into violent confrontations targeting Israelis, with additional concerns that individuals supporting terrorism or acting alone may exploit these events as opportunities to carry out attacks.”
Israelis were cautioned to remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings, to be in touch with local security in case of emergency, and to seek assistance at the Israeli mission if needed.
‘We see you every time we close our eyes’: Family marks Shiri Bibas’ birthday
Family and friends of Shiri Bibas, an Israeli hostage murdered in Hamas captivity, marked what would have been her 34th birthday on Wednesday with an emotional tribute on an Instagram page dedicated to her memory.
“Our Shiri was supposed to celebrate her 34th birthday today. Shiri, we see you every time we close our eyes – we remember you smiling, dancing, laughing. You meant everything to us… an incredible mother, a loving sister and daughter, a once-in-a-lifetime friend and Yarden’s whole world,” the post read.
The message continued, “Our beloved Shiri, we know that you are celebrating up above with Ariel and Kfir, with your parents Margit and Yossi, and with Tonto [the family’s dog]. Please give them a big hug and tell them how much we all miss them.”
Shiri Bibas, along with her husband Yarden and their two young sons, 5-year-old Ariel and 1.5-year-old Kfir, were kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir-Oz during the October 7 Hamas attack. The Bibas family became one of the most recognizable symbols of the hostage crisis after images of Shiri clutching her two red-haired children in a blanket were circulated worldwide.
In February, Yarden Bibas was released from Hamas captivity, after 484 days as part of the hostage deal and ceasefire agreement between Israel and the terror organization. Toward the end of the month, Hamas returned the remains of his wife Shiri and kids Ariel and Kfir, who were confirmed murdered in captivity following a forensic inspection.
