A group of Turkish commandos parades in Turkey in 2020 (Lefteris Pitarakis, AP).
After 48 hours, an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Gaza Strip militants has held. Leaders of the “Joint Operations Room” (the conglomerate of Gazan militant groups, including Hamas) began to emerge from their bunkers on Saturday and declared victory over Israel in the latest round of conflict. Hamas leader Ismayil Haniyeh thanked the Islamic Republic of Iran for its role in bankrolling and arming his organization, claiming that the war “foiled” Israel’s attempt to normalize relations with the Arab world.
For his part, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu declared victory for Israel in Operation Guardian of the Walls, claiming that the latest round of conflict in Gaza “changed the equation” between Israel and Hamas. The IDF published an infographic on its Twitter account reporting over 200 Gaza militants killed, including 25 commanders, and over 100 kilometers of underground tunnels and 675 rocket batteries destroyed. The IDF reported that 90% of all rockets fired into Israel toward populated areas were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system.
SKIP A COFFEE. CHANGE THE MIDDLE EAST. CLICK THE IMAGE FOR MORE.
Meanwhile, an ongoing Turkish operation against Kurdish PKK militants in Iraqi Kurdistan continued to expand. Using close airstrikes and ground forces, the Turkish military forced the evacuation of the small Kurdish village of Deshish in Duhok province on Friday. It is the third such Kurdish community to flee Turkish bombardment and incursion over the last 18 days, as the Turkish army secures territory to build new military bases and outposts in Duhok.
The Turkish government portrays Claw-Lightning and Claw-Thunderbolt as anti-terror operations aimed at the Kurdish PKK militia, which has been active in the northern, mountainous area of Duhok near the Turkish border for years. The Turkish military claims to have killed 121 PKK militants in the latest operation, while the PKK has become more sophisticated in its response to Turkish aggression, striking three military installations inside Southeast Turkey with explosive drones this week.
We are thankful that the most recent Israel-Gaza conflict has ended without a ground incursion, and are immensely grateful for the opportunity to host families from the Gaza Envelope in Northern Israel, providing them with several days of shelter, food and fellowship in a peaceful setting. However, FAI field teams in the Duhok area are concerned about the closer proximity of airstrikes and the advancement of Turkish forces in the province, and have seen the devastation that it is causing firsthand. We would ask the global Maranatha family to continue in prayer for the people of Kurdistan, and for the gospel laborers operating there, that we may continue to provide for the needs of the harassed and helpless, and that we might have the opportunity to bring them Good News of Great Joy.
Maranatha.
Sources:
Families flee third village under Turkish... | Rudaw.net
Israel announces unconditional ceasefire with Hamas, ending Gaza combat - The Jerusalem Post (jpost.com)
Hamas chief says war foils Israel's attempts at Arab coexistence, normalization | The Times of Israel
Netanyahu says Israel has 'changed the equation' with Hamas - Israel News - Haaretz.com
Gaza war ‘scorecard’: Both sides say they won, here’s what they did - The Jerusalem Post (jpost.com)
Israel Defense Forces on Twitter: "The IDF has successfully completed Operation Guardian of the Walls. This is what the 12-day-long operation looked like in numbers: https://t.co/AM2WoqPx4K" / Twitter
Joe Truzman on Twitter: "Hamas' Ismail Haniyeh: I offer my thanks and gratitude to those who gave money and weapons to the valiant Resistance, the Islamic Republic of #Iran, who were generous and provided the Resistance with money, weapons and technology. #Gaza #Israel https://t.co/W9IZmPO8rQ" / Twitter
Patrick on Twitter: "https://t.co/MUOTDWTOco" / Twitter
AA Canlı on Twitter: "Akar: "(Pençe Şimşek-Pençe Yıldırım operasyonları) Mehmetçik, teröristlerin inlerini başlarına yıkmaya devam ediyor. Şu ana kadar 121 terörist etkisiz hale getirildi"" / Twitter
Abdulla Hawez on Twitter: "According to GAV, a Duhok-based pro-KDP website, this video is Turkish airstrikes targeting a PKK tunnel - this is the second PKK tunnel destroyed in Kesta area in Amedi district in Iraqi Kurdistan since the start of the recent Turkish military operation." / Twitter
Abdulla Hawez on Twitter: "Turkish airstrikes have targeted several locations in Duhok province in KRI: three PKK vehicles were targeted; and Turkish military has asked another village, Dashesh where seven families live, via the village head to be emptied as TSK plans to set up a new outpost there." / Twitter
