 to the special edition on I-24 News. I'm Bacha Lemondaw coming to you live from our Tel Aviv studios. Thanks for joining me at this hour. We start with breaking news out of Iran this Wednesday afternoon. Iranian state media reported two explosions near the cemetery in the southern city of Kaman, killing around 50 people and injuring dozens more. The blast occurred during a ceremony held to mark the 2020 killing of Iran's top commander, Qasem Soleimani, who was assassinated in a US drone attack at Baghdad Airport. Local Iranian officials are calling this a terror attack. The attack comes a day after the assassination of Al-Arouri in Lebanon, Hamas is number two, with extremely close ties to Iran. And following the visit of Iranian anti-government activists by Heads of Bahashti to Israel, speaking at a Knesset forum, Bahashti told the forum that Israel should not be afraid of attacking Iran directly, especially if this is the only language they understand. The big question of the hour, could Israel have been behind the attacks? And with me here in studio is our Middle East correspondent Ariel Oceran. So Ariel, obviously the major question Israel would likely not admit to it, but is there a slight possibility that this could have been Israel? Well, Bata, this doesn't really bear the hallmark of an Israeli attack, given that the vast majority of casualties in this attack appear to be civilians. Obviously, details are still coming out. This is still under investigation. According to Iranian media, the death toll has risen to 53, with at least five hospitals preparing to receive the injured. And so this is a significant event going on in Iran. As for the motive, initially the Iranian officials said that this was a gas pipe explosion, but given the fact that there was a second detonation, even more powerful than the initial one, and other details in the investigation has led the deputy head of the province of Karaman province in Southeast Iran to say that this is a terror attack. And usually when they're sure that this is the Israelis, that they immediately claim that. That is not the case so far, so that does leave some room for speculation. Obviously, if it were Israel wouldn't admit it immediately, if at all. But I think besides who is behind this, I think it is also interesting to determine who was injured, who the casualties were. If indeed, these were only civilians, but obviously the fact that this took place on the ceremony to commemorate the death of Qasem Suleimani in the cemetery there just in the entrance is indeed a significant blow to Iran regardless of who it was from. Absolutely, and the fact that this happened at that event is obviously significant in and of itself. And as you mentioned, the video that does seem to be circulating is already showing dozens of bodies stoned sort of across the road. Explain a little bit perhaps to the audience that may have forgotten or at least been overshadowed by what's happening at the moment between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, exactly who Qasem Suleimani was and why this event was taking place. Qasem Suleimani is seen as the mastermind behind Iran's current proxy activity in the region, in the Middle East over the past couple of decades. And so he was the head of the Quds Force that is part of the IRGC, Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps that is responsible on paper for exporting the ideology of the Islamic Revolution mainly to take over failing countries and to install pro-Iranian militias there and to use those countries, whether it's Iraq, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria or Yemen as a platform for their operations in the region. Now, this Suleimani was taken out in a drone strike in Baghdad by the Americans. And if we're trying to tie this to what's going on in Gaza, I think it was last week that the Iranians officially joined the death toll not only with their militiamen on the border with Israel and Syria, but also Razi Musavi, the head of IRGC operations in Syria, eliminated a significant blow. Today, again, it's not quite clear what the target of this explosion was, whether this was just to send a message, having it at the cemetery, or if indeed there were any high-level officials in the IRGC or the Iranian regime that were targets in this, but the fact that this is all happening together is obviously a message to the Iranian leadership. And whether it was Israel or the United States or possibly some other force, obviously that message being very strong, is that possibly to indicate at all the connection with Israel and Gaza saying, stop using proxy forces at the moment to target Israel or we'll hit you directly? Well, that depends if there was Israel. There is also rumors on social media that are tying this to the PKK, to the Turkish militias that also are fighting with pro-Iranian militia. And so you have a bunch of, there's a long line of groups and countries that have grievances with the Iranian leadership that would have a motive to carry out such an attack. But again, I think this is still soon for speculation and we're still receiving initial details from the field at this point in time. And as you brought up, initial details, obviously this is a breaking news story. We will continue, of course, to bring you more information as it becomes clearer in the coming hours. Middle East correspondent Ariel Osseran stay with us because I wanna move the topic to here at home. It is day 89 of war between Israel and Hamas. But all eyes lately have moved from Gaza to Lebanon. This is Hezbollah is vowing revenge following the killing of Hamas's number two man, Salah al-Arouri was taken out along with other Hamas terrorists in an alleged Israeli strike in Beirut on Tuesday evening. Hinting at the strike but not commenting on it directly Mossad chief David Bania sent a warning to the terrorists of October 7th. Today we are in the middle of a war and the Mossad today as it was 50 years ago is obliged to come to terms with the murderers who raided the South communities on the 7th of October with the organizers and with their senders. It will take time as it did after the Munich massacre but our hand will reach them wherever they are. Every Arab mother should know that if her son participated directly or indirectly in the massacre of October 7th he signed his own death warrant. Meanwhile, IDF spokesperson Daniel Higari responded by saying that the Israeli military is at a very high level of readiness in all arenas in both defense and offence. Our correspondent Robert Swift has more in this report. Amid ongoing hostilities between Israel and the Iran backed Lebanese terror group Hezbollah has sent clear warnings to Jerusalem against conducting targeted killings on its home turf. Any assassination on Lebanese soil will be met with a decisive response. We will not tolerate this. Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said recently, following the assassination of Salah al-Aururi in what foreign media says was an Israeli drone strike Hezbollah warned that its finger is on the trigger. Its ability to strike Israel is not being underestimated. Hezbollah holds one of the world's largest rocket arsenals with missiles surpassing the weapons in Hamas' armory in range, accuracy and quantity. Missiles that could pose a threat to cities if Israeli air defenses are overwhelmed by mass launches. Officials in Jerusalem have stressed that their fight is with Hamas and not Hezbollah. We are focused on the battle against Hamas from the beginning and we will continue to do so. It remains unclear if Hezbollah will back up its threats with action. The Iranian proxy may talk large while simply continuing or escalating its skirmishes along the border with Israel as it has reasons not to gamble on all-out war. While Lebanese politicians and media condemned Jerusalem for al-Aururi's death, community leaders in the country have also recently urged Hezbollah not to provoke Israel. Lebanon's chronic economic and political stagnation makes a confrontation with Israel highly risky for Hezbollah, which holds responsibilities as part of the ruling coalition. How it reacts in the coming days and hours may prove to be a pivotal decision in this war. Still with me here in studio, I'm going to at least correspond on Ariel Ossar and Ariel no doubt this was a big blow to Hamas, saying that there is going to be a sense of some kind of retaliation, possibly even from Hezbollah, but very much making clear that Hezbollah and Lebanon were not the targets. Are they going to see it as such, considering this was done so deep in Hezbollah territory? Nasrallah said to speak later today, are we bound to hear some calls for revenge? This is the moment that Nasrallah's words and threats are going to be put to the test because just a few months ago he warned that any attack on any element, not only Lebanese, Palestinian, Iranian, Iraqi on Lebanese soil, will prompt a significant response against Israel now. That's already happened with at least 140 Hezbollah operatives killed in exchanges of fire with IDF forces since October 7th or October 8th. That's when they joined the fight against Israel. So this has been put to the test until so far, Nasrallah has not spoken publicly since Hezbollah has joined the fight. So it will be very interesting to hear what he has to say. At the end of the day, he's going to be faced with his own threats, his own rhetoric, and he's going to have to make a decision. Now, I will note that since the start of the war, Hamas officials in Lebanon and Beirut have been holding nearly daily press conferences and their official telegram accounts sharing the address of the office of Hamas in Beirut and showing the level, the sense of security that they had that they felt leading up to this assassination. I think that is also part of the message by Israel that no one is safe, whether they're Hezbollah or Hamas. But as of now, I think Hezbollah is gonna is left at a point to make a decision, whether this will be a make or break situation or they'll just simply continue with the dynamic that has been going on so far. And no doubt is one of obviously Iran's biggest proxies in the region. It's likely that the breaking news coming out of Iran is likely to have some kind of at least influence on Israel's speech coming out later. But another proxy in the region that has been almost egging on Israel has been the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Today announcing that they have claimed to take responsibility, Ariel, for hitting a ship through the Red Sea that was bound for Israel. Right, firing three missiles for a ship that was bound for Israel, not Israeli-owned. But this indeed is another claim of responsibility for attack. I think this is the second or third since the formation of the coalition in the Red Sea, the US-led coalition. We have seen this coalition engage against Houthi terrorists who tried to commandeer a ship. We have not seen this coalition take proactive steps against Houthis on their own territory. This is another example of, again, if we're talking about moments of truth and words being put to the decision in the Red Sea, if they're simply going to contain or thwart these attacks carried out by the Houthis, or if indeed they're going to take some more proactive steps to try and exact a toll from the Iranian-backed proxy in Yemen. Middle East correspondent Ariel Osterrand, thank you very much for that. And as we said earlier, the breaking news coming out of Iran with two explosions hitting a ceremony to mark the four-year anniversary of the killing of Qasem Soleimani. Reports indicate that now 73 people have been killed and around 173 injured. As that toll continues to change and as more updates become available, we'll be bringing them to you right here on this special edition. Now the targeted assassinations that we were speaking about here in studio in Lebanon, although not confirmed by Israel as they're doing, are already having ramifications in Gaza. Hamas has frozen all negotiations with Israel on any hostage exchange deal. Currently, there are still 129 Israeli hostages being held captive in the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, fighting continues and the IDF has now shifted its operations to the south of the Strip. The military reportedly struck Hamas sites and terrorists in Khan Yunus, and head a drone squad in Gaza City. As the battle rages on, the humanitarian crisis continues to be at the fore of international attention. Especially as there are reports out of Israel that the government has suggested moving many displaced Palestinians out of the Gaza Strip. And also with me here in studios, political and international security analyst Martin Himmel. Martin, thank you for being with me this afternoon. Israel is now in talks with the Congo and other countries in order to potentially look at a voluntary migration plan. I do want to point out that these are reports coming out. The Israeli official has actually said, or at least confirmed these reports. But this is a very interesting plan. Just how viable is it? It's a complete non-starter. And it's also very destructive. Because it puts the United States into an impossible position. It is never going to support any sort of transfer of refugees from Gaza to Africa or anywhere else. It flies in the face of everything that the Palestinians stand for. And they're not going to push that hard. What it is going to do is it's going to exacerbate and aggravate relations between Israel and the United States. Which will make Israel's position all the more difficult when it will need to count on the United States. Apart from the usual criticism and condemnation targeted at Israel, of course, there is plenty. This is no doubt adding fuel to the fire. Ready reports coming out that Israel is making Palestinians, quote unquote, once again refugees. How is none of the blame, but none squared on Hamas? They have to take some responsibility. At least the international community, if not Hamas, needs to take some responsibility. That Hamas is in control of the Gaza Strip. Surely they should bear even a semblance of responsibility? Well, they should bear much more than a semblance of responsibility. They should bear a great deal of the responsibility, if not most of the responsibility. They started this war with an unprecedented massacre of Jews that hasn't been seen since the Holocaust. They are using human shields of its own population. Of course, they have a great deal of response. But that's a big difference between pushing the population southward within the Gaza Strip or calling for their expulsion to somewhere in Africa. We're also seeing different nations, even those that did have or once have influence in Africa, like France, the president of the French Republic. Emmanuel Macron is already coming out and warning Israel against displacing Gazans. France, along with many in the EU, are supposed to be allies of Israel. But the minute this touches more toward the humanitarian crisis, we start to see a bit of a shift in tone, in particular, among the Europeans. Well, listen, despite the fact that there is really an unprecedented human crisis in Gaza, and that most of the population is displaced, Israel's been able to do what it wants to do fundamentally. And that's because of the United States and also tacit understanding from Europe and from the Gulf states, et cetera, because they all want Hamas out. And that will work as long as that humanitarian crisis stays in Gaza. The second it's trying to be exported, Israel's gonna lose a lot of friends. In the last 24 hours, one of Israel's biggest friends, obviously the United States, a massive supporter and ally of the Jewish state, came out and slammed by name, it's Amir Ben Gvera and Patel El Smatrych, two of Israel's far right cabinet members, saying that they need to be very careful with their words on how they come across in terms of indicating what happens the day after the war in Gaza, what happens to the Palestinians. This is also a break with the usual rhetoric or at least policy of the United States. Normally they don't call them out by name and it's specifically said in the report that Biden has called on Netanyahu to rein them in. Just how dangerous are these far right ministers at the moment when we are currently in the midst of a war? They're very dangerous. Let's consider the fact they're basically acting like children in a playground, causing trouble and snickering at the world. But that world is a key asset for Israel. It's facing problems in the International Court of Justice. It has to maintain its friendship in Europe. It has to maintain its ties to the United States. I think Israel should consider itself very lucky that the US is pointing out Ben Gvera and Smatrych. It was pointing out the Israeli government because they are, after all, ministers. It would be a much more difficult situation. So I think they're actually doing Israel a favor in pointing them out. It's a hard line to walk at the moment when the majority of Israelis say that politics can take a seat on the back burner, at least while the war is going on. So the military aspect is obviously of higher importance. But politics in a country that is so political is always prevalent. How is this day after going down at the moment, at least, we've spoken about more of the far right members. But again, we've now got an emergency war cabinet formed of which there are members of the opposition sitting in. Is it likely that the politics of the past few months will also take a back seat? And the politics of the future will come forward in the sense of trying to put out what's best for Israel? I think it's going to be a combination of post-October 7 views and pre-October 6 politics. They're both going to struggle. The pre-October 6 politics is going to push very hard in Netanyahu, not to make any fundamental changes in the Gaza Strip, basically renew the complete occupation of the Gaza Strip by Israel, keeping the world out. The post-viewpoint of October 7 is going to say, we need the world here. We need the help of the United States, of the Gulf states of Egypt in order to contain the Gaza problem. And to bring in an alternative leadership, after all, Israel wants an alternative leadership to Hamas. It can't just provide a vacuum, because it provides a vacuum. Hamas is still the leader. Which is a very scary reality, no doubt. Martin Himmel, political and international security analyst, thank you for joining me this afternoon. And from the northern and southern France to the eastern flank now, Israeli forces from the Shin Bet border police and the IDF launched a joint and widespread operation in the Noor Shams refugee camp in the West Bank this Wednesday. The IDF said 18 Palestinian terrorists around had been detained, with six more arrested since the operation launched earlier in the morning. And with us here in studio to discuss this is our correspondent, Robert Swift. Robert, is this still part and parcel of Operation Break the Wave? Or is this sort of shifted to something else entirely, given that there is now an ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, but also many Hamas affiliates or operatives in the West Bank? I think we've switched beyond Operation Break the Wave. The events of October 7th have to be taken into context. In terms of the actual operations on the ground, they probably do bear a lot of similarities to what has been seen prior to that day. Essentially the same tactics, but on a larger scale. Israel is clamping down on Hamas where it can. And that's what we're seeing in these sorts of operations. How likely is it that we can expect more arrests in the West Bank given that things are continuing to escalate, not just in the South, but obviously with the North? We've seen that, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think there's over 1,300 of some of these arrests since the beginning of the war in the West Bank that have pledged some kind of allegiance to Hamas. Are we likely to see some of them pledging more allegiance to Hamas, ISIS, possibly even Hezbollah that are likely to be arrested as well? In terms of pledging allegiance to them, that may depend on what happens on the battlefield. Success on the battlefield is often followed by political support. If Hamas can hold on in the Gaza Strip, see additional support from individuals in the West Bank. We've already seen in polling a couple of weeks ago the support for Hamas in the West Bank has increased up into around about 80%, so much the polling said. And of course, we have to take into account the events of yesterday, the death of Saleh Khalla Arori yesterday in Beirut, that may tie into this West Bank issue. He was originally from the West Bank, born in Ramallah, studied in Hebron. There have been calls from Palestinian factions to protest at his death to uprise. As a result of his killing, how that plays out may be an answer to your question. If we see big protests tomorrow, Friday, then this is something that could escalate. If there is a muted response to his killing, then maybe the West Bank will remain simmering but not boiling over as it has been doing for the last three months. Obviously far easier for the Israeli military and security establishment to deal with events unfolding in the West Bank since it's inside of its borders compared to Gaza or even Lebanon. But just today, walking through Jaffa, there was a Hamas flag that was being raised at one of the restaurants walking along the strip there. Are we going to start seeing possibly another front opening up among Israeli Arabs as well, or is this more of a fringe and more of a smaller faction that we're expecting? That's a big fear that many Israelis have had since I remember speaking with people, interviewing people on the street in the first days of the war regarding that. The truth is that that has not really been seen, not in the ways that it was in some of the last couple of confrontations between gas infections and Israel. Speaking with Israeli Arabs, Israeli Palestinians, a lot of them have essentially distanced themselves from Hamas, even if they had some sort of political support for Hamas. I think many of them have found themselves disgusted and left without anywhere to stand after seeing what Hamas did. At the same time, many of these Palestinians who are Israeli citizens, they also don't find a very sympathetic place for them in Israeli society. So from those that I've spoken with, many of them find themselves somewhat isolated, I would say. Chris Bond and Robert Swift, thank you very much for that update. Now, again, I want to recap the breaking news this Wednesday afternoon. Iranian state media has reported that two explosions near the cemetery in the southern city of Kerman have killed over 73 people and injured dozens more. While the reports coming out indicate around 173 wounded, the blast occurred during a ceremony that was held to mark the 2020 killing of Iran's top commander, Qasem Soleimani, who was assassinated in a US drone attack at Baghdad Airport. Local Iranian officials are calling this a terror attack. It also comes a day after the assassination, as we've mentioned here in studio of Al-Arouri in Lebanon, Hamas is number two with extremely close ties to Iran. And following the visit of Iranian anti-government activist Fahid Bahashti to Israel, who spoke to the Knesset and said that Israel should not be afraid of attacking Iran directly. Our Middle East correspondent, Ariel Osoron, is still with me in studio. And Ariel, I'd like to just get the latest updates with this breaking news. Obviously, more details are coming out, including the death toll that is going up and the wounded toll, what do we know at this hour? Right, so the current death toll is as seen on screen. And we are starting to receive more information regarding the details of the explosion that occurred on the road leading to the ceremony just outside of it. Now, the first explosion took place, occurred about just 700 meters from the grave of Soleimani. And the second explosion is reportedly was targeting security forces that were organizing and securing the event. And so Iranian media already saying that the death toll is expected to rise. We talked about five hospitals receiving the injured. This is a big incident. And obviously, Iranian officials are calling this terror attack. Still, the investigation is ongoing. And it seems at least from the initial images that are coming out that there were hundreds, if not thousands of people that were attending this, were most of them likely to be pro-Iranian regime supporters? Were some of them perhaps coerced into being there? What can we gather in terms of just how many people were gathered for a celebration like this? Obviously, as you mentioned, a very significant event have targeted in the first place. Look, we've seen, and this would be the third anniversary, so to speak, to the assassination of Soleimani. All these events have been very widely attended. Soleimani, four supporters of the regime is seen as a hero who will be remembered for decades on, given his contribution to the Islamic Revolution in their eyes and promoting it in the region. And so it is understandably expected that the vast majority of the thousands of people who attended were indeed avid supporters of Soleimani and, of course, support the Iranian regime. Again, I think what is most interesting here is to try to identify who, indeed, the targets were. And from that, we can derive who, perhaps, was responsible for this. Correspondent Ariel Ouzara, no doubt, in the coming moments, we will probably get more details unfolding on the breaking news out if you ran. And we'll continue with our broadcast here of the 89th day of war between Israel and Hamas to stay with us. In a state of war, families completely gone down in their beds. We have no idea where we see. As our soldiers are fighting on the front lines, but the general perception is something that certainly needs to be fought as well. Special edition here on I-24 News. I'm Bacha Levendol, coming July from our Tel Aviv studios. Thanks for joining me at this hour. We start with developing news out of Iran this Wednesday afternoon. Iranian state media reporting two explosions near the cemetery in the southern city of Kerman, killing around 73 people and injuring more than 170. The blast occurred during a ceremony held to mark the 2020 killing of Iran's top commander, Qasem Soleimani, who was assassinated in a US drone attack at Baghdad Airport. Local Iranian officials are calling this a terror attack. The attack coming a day after the assassination of Salah al-Arouri in Lebanon, Hamas is number two with extremely close ties to Iran, and following the visit of Iranian anti-government activist Vahid Bahashti to Israel. Addressing the Knesset, Bahashti said that Israel should not be afraid of attacking Iran directly, especially if this is the only language that they understand. And here at home, it is day 89 of war between Israel and Hamas, but all eyes lately have moved from Gaza to Lebanon. This says Hezbollah is vowing revenge following the killing of Hamas's number two man in Beirut on Tuesday evening, an assassination strike that many are tying to Israel. Let's go now to our correspondent, Zach Anders, who is standing by for us in northern Israel. Zach, tensions high amid a possible retaliation from Hezbollah in the north. What is the atmosphere on the ground there right now? Certainly tense. The regional councils here, however, have provided the same message they've been providing most days, which is no special instructions remain near shelters and anticipate that there could be red alerts throughout the day. We have not seen any of late, but the IDF says there have been some cross-border attacks limited in scope. The IDF strikes, however, in southern Lebanon appear to be the greatest scale that's taken place on this border here with some videos on social media showing large impact craters and quite a bit of damage to some buildings in southern Lebanon. Apparently the Israeli Air Force was striking these positions just a short time ago, but we are again anticipating that speech from Nasrallah that is set to begin here at 6 p.m. local time. Absolutely no doubt. Some hints or at least cues as to how Hezbollah plans on responding in that speech by Nasrallah. Hezbollah also recently announced the death of two terrorists claiming that 140 have been killed since the start of the war. We also know that dozens have been killed on the Israeli side of the border. If a war was not incurring at the moment with Hamas in Gaza, it's likely that these numbers would cause a full-fledged war with Hamas with Hezbollah rather in the north. Yeah, there's certainly some concern tonight as to what Nasrallah will say in this speech that will be his third since the start of this war. He last spoke in November and did not commit Hezbollah to any wide campaign. Simply saying that there would be retribution for attacks that took place on the border, that they would support Gaza and continue to do what they could, but that did not entail any language regarding some sort of widespread attack. Of course, the rhetoric did reach levels that made it seem as though their commitment would be much greater, but then we did not see an increase or a pickup in attack since his last speech November 11th. You can expect tonight that much or a good portion of his remarks will likely be dedicated to Soleimani and what's happened in Iran today because this speech was originally set for the anniversary of Soleimani's death and he was supposedly going to speak on this issue, on this topic, a much wider scope and range involving the different regional players and the implications for what is taking place here on the northern border. With this attack in apparent terrorist bombings that have taken place in Iran, you would imagine that he will, with the high casualty toll, speak to this and reference this tonight, but no doubt he will also devote a majority of what he will speak to as to what's happened in Beirut, in this neighborhood of southern Beirut and the strike, the assassination of several Hamas members. Again, no crystal ball here to know exactly what he will say, but the Israeli sources that I've spoken to have said the same thing they've said day in and day out that they're continuing to keep a watch on this northern border, not expecting anything out of the ordinary that these cross-border attacks will continue, but they're ready and prepared for whatever comes next. All right, correspondent Zach Anders there in the north will be crossing live to you a little later in the early hours of the evening here in Israel for more updates. All right, now let's go to Hora Sharon in central Israel where I'm joined by Professor Chuck Freilich, a former Israeli deputy national security advisor and a senior fellow at INSS and the Miriam Institute. Good afternoon to you and thank you for joining me. Good afternoon. Now, Iran has multiple foes who could be behind this assault, including exile groups, militant organizations and state actors, but also Israel and the United States. What would be your take on who could be responsible for this? Well, I think it's highly doubtful that either Israel or the US was involved in this. It's not the type of operation that either country has ever conducted. There is of course a covert war going on that's clear to everyone, but when Israel or the US do it, it's always very targeted, very focused on an individual leader. This was of course supposed to be the commemoration of the targeted killing of Soleimani. I don't think that anybody would have tried to turn this into a mass casualty event. Right, and we are getting news just in with regards to that explosion that happened in Iran earlier today that the bombs at Soleimani's grave could have been detonated remotely, that according to the Revolutionary Guard linked news agencies has NIM. We're also hearing that they are now more than 80 people that have been killed that up from 70 just a little while earlier. Now as commander of the Revolutionary Guards overseas operations armed the Kurds force, Soleimani was an architect of Iranian policy across the region. What were some of them and what was perhaps the most alarming one that the US felt the need to take him out? Well, he really was the mastermind behind the entire Iranian strategy in the region. And he was considered not just a mastermind but almost an irreplaceable leader because of the connections that he had the ties that he had forged with leaders around the world because of the effective strategy that he had come up with which we're very much feeling these days. The idea of surrounding Israel with a ring of fire from all sides Hezbollah in the North and Hezbollah and Iranian militias in Syria and Iranian missiles in Iraq and Yemen and of course Hamas. This was all part of the strategy that he came up with and he also was considered to be a particularly charismatic leader. So for various reasons and it's direct involvement in a number of attacks it was decided the US decided that it was time to take him out. And Professor, the United Nations is now urging restraint on Israel's Northern border with Lebanon this after Hamas officials were killed in Lebanon including their number two, the deputy leader of the political bureau. Could we see a full fledged war break out in the North too is going into war with Israel something that Nasrallah wants to take on or something that he desperately wants to avoid? Well, we don't know the answer to that since the war began there has been ongoing cross-border fire which is intensified as time has gone by on both sides Hezbollah and we as well. So far the two sides seem to be keeping it below the level that requires that they escalate but that of course could change intentionally or even unintentionally in miscalculation at any time. The targeted killing of Aroura yesterday the number two of Hamas is the type of event that Hezbollah will probably have to try and avenge so to speak. And they also have last week also attributed to Israel a the killing of the Iranian general in Syria. They've got that there was a previous targeted assassination from a few months ago. So she's but last got a big account so to speak with us that they want to settle. And it is possible that as let's say the news titans around Sinwall and other Hamas leaders in Hanyunas or wherever they are in Gaza that could also be the kind of situation which Hezbollah decides that it is now appropriate. And this means that Iran has decided that it is now appropriate to escalate. And you also have to take into account that there are people in Israel who for some very good strategic reasons would like to take advantage of the current situation to escalate. As a matter of fact, the defense minister and the chief of staff reportedly took that position when the war broke out that they said that Hezbollah is the far greater danger which it undoubtedly is. And that we should make Hamas the secondary front and focus on doing them. And of course I think everyone in Israel would like to put an end to the Hezbollah threat because it is a very big one. There are also people who have political interests and may be doing this and prolonging the war. It could escalate. Professor Chuck Freilich, former Israeli deputy national security advisor and a senior fellow at INSS and the Miriam Institute. Thank you so very much for joining me this afternoon. Thank you. As we've been speaking about the targeted assassination of Al Roury although not confirmed by Israel as they're doing are already having ramifications in Gaza. Hamas has frozen all negotiations with Israel on any hostage exchange deal. Currently there are still 129 Israeli hostages being held captive in Gaza. Meanwhile, fighting continues and the IDF has now shifted its operations to the south of the Strip. The military reportedly struck Hamas sites and terrorists in Khan Yunus and hit a drone squad in Gaza city. As the battle rages on, the humanitarian crisis continues to be at the fore of international attention, especially as there are reports out of Israel that the government has suggested moving many of the displaced Palestinians out of the Gaza Strip. Well, let's go now to our correspondent, Nicole Zedek who is standing by for us live in southern Israel. Nicole, what is the latest on the ground there? It's been relatively quiet in terms of rocket alerts over the last couple of hours but what's the situation there, the sour? That certainly seems to be the case that we've seen throughout the coming days. These rocket alerts in these southern border towns, having lulls of maybe 10 hours, 12 hours, really kind of, we're seeing a decrease in the firing but that is because the IDF continues to operate deep inside the Gaza Strip. As you said, moving a lot of their operations from the northern part to the central and southern part as well. The southern part specifically where we're seeing this high intensity, a lot of this close combat fighting. In fact, just earlier today, the IDF publishing some of their findings while operating in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, finding a school during their search and inside that school, though it was underneath it, of course, tunnel shafts. Once again, Hamas terrorist hiding underneath children's schools and not only what was underneath the school but inside the school too, Batia. What they found was laminated pictures. When you go to schools, you often see different laminated pictures whether it be of different playground equipment or different foods that you want to teach these students about. Well, here they found laminated pictures of grenades, weapon launchers, different types of missiles to also educate these children. So these are the findings that they're finding inside these schools in the south. It's similar to what they've also been finding over the past three months of operations in the north and central part of the Gaza Strip as well. So they had to continuing to tackle all of these different Hamas terrorists no matter where they might be but they are hiding out in this civilian infrastructure. Now this is as the fighting continues heavily in the south but some operations in the northern part as well. You mentioned taking out a drone strike in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, some drone operators in the northern part, Hamas terrorists that were using their drones to spy in and get some observation on different IDF troops. Another publication that came out today also from the IDF when we're talking about what's happening in the sky above Gaza, publication just confirming the use of different IDF drones to help the troops on the ground. This comes after we've heard from some far right lawmakers here in Israel with some unsubstantiated claims really that the Air Force is not helping the ground troops enough during this ongoing operation but the IDF with their earlier publication today showing concrete evidence that the troops on the ground are in constant communication not only with the drone operators but of course with the Air Force as well. And I can tell you while we're here in the southern part of Israel, we do continue to hear the sounds of different operations happening above our heads whether it be different drones, whether it be helicopters as well. You do hear the constant sound of war taking place not only on the ground but above our heads as well. Corresponding calls that are giving us the latest from the south of Israel, thank you for that. And joining me here in studio to continue the conversation is reserve Colonel Dr. Moshe Elad, the former IDF coordinator to the Palestinian Authority on Security Issues and a lecturer at the Western Galilee Academic College. Thank you for joining me. AFP recently did a report today where they interviewed residents in Beirut regarding the assassination of Al-Arouri of which many of them responded that they had no idea that a Hamas office was even located in Beirut. But this does come slightly as a surprise given the fact that Hamas themselves advertising on their official pages, their social media pages, the actual location of the officers in Beirut. Was this almost just a lack of fear that Israel, the United States and any other enemy could locate them? I guess that the Al-Arouri and his people, don't forget they were probably six people killed. They felt very immune there. They felt very sure. They couldn't even imagine that in an Australian house, it's a Dahya in Beirut, they will be attacked. So this is why they choose this type of place to hide or to have some kind of a meeting. And this was actually where they were surprised by Israel. Israel peaked a minute that was out of their mind in all kinds of issues. For example, I had people in Beirut saying, how could Israel attack a Dahya, not in a framework of a overall war, of a bigger war like it was in 2006. It was a surprise and I would say even a humiliation. I'm always afraid of the word humiliation. You don't have to humiliate. We humiliated Nasrallah. And when he yesterday announced that he's going to cancel his speech, I said, oh man, this is going to be another attack. But then he returned and said that he will speak at six o'clock. So I'm a little bit more optimistic that it won't be that bad. Doctor, say with me, because I do want to continue this conversation, but I do want to get an update from our correspondent, Emily Francis, who is live in Tel Aviv for us now at Hostage Square, more specifically. Emily, are the families and relatives of the hostages feeling some kind of fear that there may be retaliation on their loved ones in Gaza Strip, still being held captive as a result of taking out Hamas's number two in Lebanon? Listen, of course, Bati, we just got here right now. We don't have any family members who are here right now to talk to specifically, but last night I was in the Kyriah when this all went down. And at the same time that the prime minister was meeting with some of the families, I even spoke to Disa Orr, the mother of Avi Natan last night. And she just maintained the sense of faith. Listen, the families obviously have fear. The families have had to learn how to manage their expectations because every time they get their hopes up for a potential deal, it seems to be dashed. So I think at this point, it's kind of a numb feeling. Being angry, being excited, being sad becomes such an emotional roller coaster that kind of the best way to manage this is just to not have any expectations of all. But of course we're all feeling the fear of retaliation that you're talking about, especially as yesterday, there did seem to be some movement, some forward movement with a potential hostage release deal before the number two Hamas official was, was killed in Beirut. So obviously that put a stop to any potential negotiation, but they're not gonna lose hope. One other note you'll see behind me in about an hour. Again, people are continuing to come here. We're gonna have a very famous Israeli singer, Shlomi Shaban, who is a very well-known classical pianist who is now a pop rock pianist and singer. So there is still some hope, there is still some light, there is still some comfort here in Hostage Square. As you just see the solidarity of the Israeli people bringing as much love and comfort to the families as possible. Emily Francis, our correspondent there at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, thank you for that update. Still with me in Studio Reserve, Colonel Dr. Moshe Elad, you are itching to comment on any of these reports. We usually run very quickly to conclusions like, maybe the hostages will be the next people to be killed just because what happened. One have to bear in mind that, right, Aruri and Sinwar are both Hamas. However, both are affiliated with Hamas but they are two different ideologies and they are actually not such a good friend. So today, I guess that Sinwar is feeling much more free to take decision but not necessarily to do something with the hostages. They had a lot of tension between these two guys. There was tension beginning a couple of years ago and there was a competition running up to the top between the both of them. However, now I guess the Sinwar is having a whole ground playing the only the sole player on this ground as the head, as the leader of Hamas. Not necessarily that he will take advantage of the killing of Aruri to retaliate. Not necessarily because I don't think a big love was between these two people. It's interesting to hear you explain the connection between the two. So what should we expect as a retaliation? I know many Israelis are a bit cautious and feeling tense at the moment. Are we expecting Israel to mention something in his speech or is it likely that he'll skip over it and focus only on Soleimani? I think that he will say a few words, of course he will say a few words about what happened yesterday. He probably warned Israel as usual. And that's it. I don't think that he will say something like expect another surprise in Haifa or in Tel Aviv. However, we have to be very careful not to sell in the region. In many other places around the world, don't forget the retaliation of the Iranians in Argentina in the 90s. They might take some kind of an Israeli symbol outside like an embassy or a consulate or either even a Jewish federation, something like that. These are Jewish and Israeli symbols. They have much more access, easier access to these places. So I don't think that we'll see the retaliation here in this area, our area here. Well, it could be likely that perhaps retaliation is already underway in exactly an area that you mentioned Argentina. We know that three Lebanese and Syrian nationals were arrested in Buenos Aires Airport over an alleged terror plot because the Maccabi games are happening there. So do Jewish communities around the world now need to be on high alert? Absolutely. They have to take care. They have to take measures. Police should take care also in every single place. I guess in some places, the alert should be higher than any time in the past and especially because those are easy places to enter, to have access like India, like in Asia, like in Africa. We have to be very careful because I believe that if there will be a retaliation, not necessarily there will be because many of those events that we attacked haven't been retaliated at all. But if yes, it could be any place in the world, not necessarily in this area. I do want to point out that there are updates coming out from the explosions that went off in Iran in the ceremony marking the third anniversary of the killing of Qasem Soleimani that there are now 103 people said to have been killed and over 140 injured. I do want to move those slightly from the events happening in Iran and the north of Israel back to the south, the main front of the war because obviously there is a lot of concern now regarding the day after we've been speaking about it here and the channel numerous other Israeli outlets, even international outlets have been speaking about what happens in Gaza the day after the IDF has completed its tasks of dismantling Hamas, bringing home the hostages, and making sure that the threat is no longer in Israel's borders. It appears that the far-right cabinet ministers in the current government are getting a lot of flak from the United States specifically and now from France, who says that they are fueling tensions with their remarks. How can Israel attempt to put a lid almost on some of their remarks that may be seen as slightly controversial in the midst of the war? It depends. What can be like a victory picture? Yesterday we had, I would say, a quarter of a picture, maybe between a quarter and a half, but the full picture of victory would be probably the return of the hostages, even many of them, not all of them, I don't know, or the killing slash putting your hand on those people like Marwan Isai, Mohamed Dev, and of course, Sinois. What would be on the day after? I can tell you who shouldn't be there after this day. I mean, after we decide to get out, Israel shouldn't be there. We have been a lot. We suffered a lot. And we still, we don't want to suffer more than that. We have to leave this area and do something inside Israel, not necessarily in Gaza. The Palestinian Authority shouldn't be there. The Palestinian Authority failed in the West Bank. Abu Mazenin's people, nobody should give them another chance to fail also in Gaza. It will definitely implicate our, of course, area in the south. I guess that the coalition of Arab countries, maybe with some Western countries that will like to contribute to this type of project, would be a perfect solution. It's a big question if they would agree to do that. But why should Israel stay there? Israel should say to them, bye-bye. We're out. Take care. Egypt, you are so much, you know, you care for the Palestinians. Go ahead, take it. The Emirates, the others, why should we stay there? No reason for remaining there. So I would really recommend, by the way, I was a governor of these areas for many 16 years. I can tell you, this is the worst experience I ever had. So why put other people inside also for another time in these areas? It's obviously part of the hypocrisy, as you say, that there does seem to be so much outpouring of grief and concern for the Palestinians. But no one wants to take responsibility for them. Dr. Moshe Elad, the former IDF, coordinated to the Palestinian Authority on security issues, as you so rightly mentioned, for 16 years and a lecture at the moment at the Western Galilee Academic College. Thank you very much for your analysis and does bring us to the end of this special edition. But don't stress because you can tune in again at the top of the hour for more updates on both the developments here in Israel but also coming out of Iran. We'll be right back. Stay with us. Israel is in a state of war. Families completely done down in their beds. We have no idea where is she as our soldiers are fighting on the front line. But the general perception is something that certainly needs to be fought as well. This week on News 24, Israel under attack. News 24 in Spanish brings the analysis and the information of the events of the war, Spades of War. Exclusive interviews and reports from the war zone, the reaction of the Spanish-speaking countries. News 24, the only comedian in Spanish that keeps you informed and connected with the Latin community in Israel. News 24, only on I-24 News. My 24 News, I'm Bacha Leventhal coming July from our Tel Aviv Studios. Thanks for joining me at this hour. We start with the developing news out of Iran this Wednesday afternoon. Here, reporting two explosions near the cemetery in the southern city of Karman, killing around 73 people and injuring more than 170. The blast occurred during a ceremony held to mark the 2020 killing of Iran's top commander, Qasem Soleimani, who was assassinated in a U.S. drone attack at Baghdad Airport. Local Iranian officials are calling this a terror attack. The attack coming a day after the assassination of Salah al-Arouri in Lebanon, Hamas is number two with extremely close ties to Iran and following the visit of Iranian anti-government activist Vahid Bahashti to Israel. Addressing the Knesset, Bahashti said that Israel should not be afraid of attacking Iran directly, especially if this is the only language that they understand. And here at home, it is day 89 of war between Israel and Hamas, but all eyes lately have moved from Gaza to Lebanon. This says Hezbollah is vowing revenge following the killing of Hamas' number two man in Beirut on Tuesday evening. An assassination strike that many are tying to Israel. Let's go now to our correspondent Zach Anders, who is standing by for us in northern Israel. Zach, tensions high amid a possible retaliation from Hezbollah in the north. What is the atmosphere on the ground there right now? Certainly tense. The regional councils here, however, have provided the same message they've been providing most days, which is no special instructions remain near shelters and anticipate that there could be red alerts throughout the day. We have not seen any of late, but the IDF says there have been some cross border attacks limited in scope. The IDF strikes, however, in southern Lebanon appear to be the greatest scale that's taken place on this border here with some videos on social media showing large impact craters and quite a bit of damage to some buildings in southern Lebanon. Apparently the Israeli Air Force was striking these positions just a short time ago, but we are again anticipating that speech from Nasrallah that is set to begin here at 6 p.m. local time. Absolutely no doubt. Some hints or at least cues as to how Hezbollah plans on responding in that speech by Nasrallah. Hezbollah also recently announced the death of two terrorists claiming that 140 have been killed since the start of the war. We also know that dozens have been killed on the Israeli side of the border. If a war was not incurring at the moment with Hamas in Gaza, it's likely that these numbers would cause a full-fledged war with Hezbollah rather in the north. Yeah, there's certainly some concern tonight as to what Nasrallah will say. And in this speech that will be his third since the start of this war, he last spoke in November and did not commit Hezbollah to any wide campaign. It's simply saying that there would be retribution for attacks that took place on the border, that they would support Gaza and continue to do what they could. But that did not entail any language regarding some sort of widespread attack. Of course, the rhetoric did reach levels that made it seem as though their commitment would be much greater, but then we did not see an increase or a pickup in attack since his last speech, November 11th. You can expect tonight that much or a good portion of his remarks will likely be dedicated to Soleimani and what's happened in Iran today because this speech was originally set for the anniversary of Soleimani's death and he was supposedly going to speak on this issue, on this topic of much wider scope and range involving the different regional players and the implications for what is taking place here on the northern border. With this attack in apparent terrorist bombings that have taken place in Iran, you would imagine that he will, with the high casualty toll, speak to this and reference this tonight, but no doubt he will also devote a majority of what he will speak to as to what's happened in Beirut, in this neighborhood of southern Beirut and the strike, the assassination of several Hamas members. Again, no crystal ball here to know exactly what he will say, but the Israeli sources that I've spoken to have said the same thing they've said day in and day out that they're continuing to keep a watch on this northern border, not expecting anything out of the ordinary that these cross-border attacks will continue, but they're ready and prepared for whatever comes next. All right, correspondent Zach Anders there in the north will be crossing live to you a little later in the early hours of the evening here in Israel for more updates. All right, now let's go to Hora Sharon in central Israel, where I'm joined by Professor Chuck Freilich, a former Israeli deputy national security advisor and a senior fellow at INSS and the Miriam Institute. Good afternoon to you and thank you for joining me. Good afternoon. Now, Iran has multiple foes who could be behind this assault, including exile groups, militant organizations and state actors, but also Israel and the United States. What would be your take on who could be responsible for this? Well, I think it's highly doubtful that either Israel or the US was involved in this. It's not the type of operation that either country has ever conducted. There is of course a covert war going on that's clear to everyone, but when Israel or the US do it, it's always very targeted, very focused on an individual leader. This was of course, supposed to be the commemoration of the targeted killing of Soleimani. I don't think that anybody would have tried to turn this into a mass casualty event. Right, and we are getting news just in with regards to that explosion that happened in Iran earlier today, that the bombs at Soleimani's grave could have been detonated remotely, but according to the Revolutionary Guard linked news agencies as NIM, we're also hearing that they are now more than 80 people that have been killed that up from 70 just a little while earlier. Now as commander of the Revolutionary Guards overseas operations on the Kurds force, Soleimani was an architect of Iranian policy across the region. What were some of them and what was perhaps the most alarming one that the US felt the need to take him out? Well, he really was the mastermind behind the entire Iranian strategy in the region and he was considered not just a mastermind but almost an irreplaceable leader because of the connections that he had, the ties that he had forged with leaders around the world because of the effective strategy that he had come up with which we're very much feeling these days. The idea of surrounding Israel with a ring of fire from all sides, Hezbollah in the North and Hezbollah and Iranian militias in Syria and Iranian missiles in Iraq and Yemen and of course Hamas. This was all part of the strategy that he came up with and he also was considered to be a particularly charismatic leader. So for various reasons and its direct involvement in a number of attacks, it was decided, the US decided that it was time to take him out. And Professor, the United Nations is now urging restraint on Israel's northern border with Lebanon. This after Hamas officials were killed in Lebanon including the number two, the deputy leader of the political bureau. Could we see a full-fledged war break out in the North too? Is going into war with Israel something that Nasrallah wants to take on or something that he desperately wants to avoid? Well, we don't know the answer to that. Since the war began, there has been ongoing cross-border fire which has intensified as time has gone by on both sides, Hezbollah and we as well. So far the two sides seem to be keeping it below the level that requires that they escalate. But that of course could change intentionally or even unintentionally in miscalculation at any time. The targeted killing of Arour yesterday, the number two of Hamas, is the type of event that Hezbollah will probably have to try and avenge, so to speak. And they also have last week, also attributed to Israel, the killing of the Iranian general in Syria. They've got that. There's a previous targeted assassination from a few months ago. So Hezbollah's got a big account, so to speak, with us that they want to settle. And it is possible that as, let's say the news titans around Sinwall and other Hamas leaders in Hanyunas or wherever they are in Gaza, that could also be the kind of situation which Hezbollah decides that it is now appropriate. And this means that Iran has decided that it is now appropriate to escalate. And you also have to take into account that there are people in Israel who for some very good strategic reasons would like to take advantage of the current situation to escalate. As a matter of fact, the defense minister and the chief of staff reportedly took that position when the war broke out that they said that Hezbollah is the far greater danger which it undoubtedly is, and that we should make Hamas the secondary front and focus on doing them. And of course, I think everyone in Israel would like to put an end to the Hezbollah threat because it is a very big one. There are also people who have political interests and may be doing this and prolonging the war. It could escalate. Professor Chuck Freilich, former Israeli deputy national security advisor and a senior fellow at INSS and the Miriam Institute. Thank you so very much for joining me this afternoon. Thank you. As we've been speaking about the targeted assassination of Al Roury, although not confirmed by Israel as they're doing, are already having ramifications in Gaza. Hamas has frozen all negotiations with Israel on any hostage exchange deal. Currently, there are still 129 Israeli hostages being held captive in Gaza. Meanwhile, fighting continues and the IDF has now shifted its operations to the south of the Strip. The military reportedly struck Hamas sites and terrorists in Khan Yunus and hit a drone squad in Gaza city. As the battle rages on, the humanitarian crisis continues to be at the fore of international attention, especially as there are reports out of Israel that the government has suggested moving many of the displaced Palestinians out of the Gaza Strip. Well, let's go now to our correspondent, Nicole Zedek, who is standing by for us live in southern Israel. Nicole, what is the latest on the ground there? It's been relatively quiet in terms of rocket alerts over the last couple of hours, but what's the situation there this hour? That certainly seems to be the case that we've seen throughout the coming days, these rocket alerts in these southern border towns, having lulls of maybe 10 hours, 12 hours, really kind of, we're seeing a decrease in the firing, but that is because the IDF continues to operate deep inside the Gaza Strip. As you said, moving a lot of their operations from the northern part to the central and southern part as well, the southern part specifically, where we're seeing this high intensity, a lot of this close combat fighting. In fact, just earlier today, the IDF publishing some of their findings while operating in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, finding a school during their search. And inside that school, though it was underneath it, of course, tunnel shafts. Once again, Hamas Terra is hiding underneath children's schools. And not only what was underneath the school, but inside the school too, Batia, what they found was laminated pictures. When you go to schools, you often see different laminated pictures, whether it be of different playground equipment or different foods that you want to teach these students about. Well, here they found laminated pictures of grenades, weapon launchers, different types of missiles to also educate these children. So these are the findings that they're finding inside these schools in the south. It's similar to what they've also been finding over the past three months of operations in the north and central part of the Gaza Strip as well. So they had to continuing to tackle all of these different Hamas terrorists, no matter where they might be, but they are hiding out in this civilian infrastructure. Now this is as the fighting continues heavily in the south, some operations in the northern part as well. You mentioned taking out a drone strike in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, some drone operators in the northern part, Hamas terrorists that were using their drones to spy in and get some observation on different IDF troops. Another publication that came out today, also from the IDF when we're talking about what's happening in the sky above Gaza, publication just confirming the use of different IDF drones to help the troops on the ground. This comes after we've heard from some far right lawmakers here in Israel with some unsubstantiated claims really that the Air Force is not helping the ground troops enough during this ongoing operation, but the IDF with their earlier publication today showing concrete evidence that the troops on the ground are in constant communication, not only with the drone operators, but of course with the Air Force as well. And I can tell you while we're here in the southern part of Israel, we do continue to hear the sounds of different operations happening above our heads, whether it be different drones, whether it be helicopters as well, you do hear the constant sound of war taking place not only on the ground, but above our heads as well. Corresponding calls that are giving us the latest from the south of Israel, thank you for that. And joining me here in studio to continue the conversation is reserve Colonel Dr. Moshe Elad, the former IDF coordinator to the Palestinian Authority on Security Issues and a lecturer at the Western Galilee Academic College. Thank you for joining me. AFP recently did a report today where they interviewed residents in Beirut regarding the assassination of Al-Arouri, of which many of them responded that they had no idea that a Hamas office was even located in Beirut. But this does come slightly as a surprise given the fact that Hamas themselves advertising on their official pages, their social media pages, the actual location of the officers in Beirut. Was this almost just a lack of fear that Israel, the United States and any other enemy could locate them? I guess that Al-Arouri and his people, don't forget they were probably six people killed. They felt very immune there. They felt very sure. They couldn't even imagine that in an Australian house, it's a Dachia in Beirut, they will be attacked. So this is why they chose this type of place to hide or to have some kind of a meeting. And this was actually where they were surprised by Israel. Israel peaked a minute that was out of their mind in all kind of issues. For example, I had people in Beirut saying, how could Israel attack a Dachia not in a framework of a war, of a bigger war like it was in 2006? It was a surprise. And I would say even a humiliation. I'm always afraid of the word humiliation. You don't have to humiliate. We humiliated Nasrallah. And when he yesterday announced that he's going to cancel his speech, I said, oh, man, this is going to be another attack. But then he returned and said that he will speak at 6 o'clock. So I'm a little bit more optimistic that it won't be that bad. Doctor, stay with me, because I do want to continue this conversation. But I do want to get an update from our correspondent Emily Francis, who is live in Tel Aviv for us now at Hostage Square, more specifically. Emily, are the families and relatives of the hostages feeling some kind of fear that there may be retaliation on their loved ones in Gaza Strip still being held captive as a result of taking out Hamas's number two in Lebanon? Listen, of course, Bhatti, we just got here right now. We don't have any family members who are here right now to talk to specifically. But last night, I was in the Kyriah when this all went down, and at the same time that the prime minister was meeting with some of the families, I even spoke to Disa Orr, the mother of Avi Natan last night. And she just maintained the sense of faith. Listen, the families obviously have fear. The families have had to learn how to manage their expectations, because every time they get their hopes up for a potential deal, it seems to be dashed. So I think at this point, it's kind of a numb feeling. Being angry, being excited, being sad, becomes such an emotional roller coaster that kind of the best way to manage this is just to not have any expectations of all. But of course, we're all feeling the fear of retaliation that you're talking about, especially as yesterday. There did seem to be some movement, some forward movement with a potential hostage release deal before the number two Hamas official was, was killed in Beirut. So obviously that put a stop to any potential negotiation, but they're not going to lose hope. One other note you'll see behind me in about an hour. Again, people are continuing to come here. We're going to have a very famous Israeli singer, Shlomi Shaban, who is a very well-known classical pianist, who is now a pop rock pianist and singer. So there is still some hope, there is still some light, there is still some comfort here in Hostage Square. As you just see the solidarity of the Israeli people bringing as much love and comfort to the families as possible. Emily Francis, our correspondent there at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv. Thank you for that update. Still with me in Studio Reserve, Colonel Dr. Moshe Elad, you are itching to comment on Italy's report. We usually run very quickly to conclusions like, you know, maybe the Hostage will be the next people to be killed just because what happened. One has to bear in mind that, right, Aruri and Sinoir are both Hamas. However, both are affiliated with Hamas, but they are two different ideologies and they are actually not so such a good friend. So today, I guess that Sinoir is feeling much more free to take decision but not necessarily to do something with the hostages. They had a lot of tension between these two guys. There was tension beginning a couple of years ago and there was a competition running up to the top between the both of them. However, now I guess the Sinoir is having the whole ground playing the only the sole player on this ground as the head, as the leader of Hamas. Not necessarily that he will take advantage of the killing of Aruri to retaliate. Not necessarily because I don't think, a big love was between these two people. It's interesting to hear you explain the connection between the two. So what should we expect as a retaliation? I know many Israelis are a bit cautious and feeling tense at the moment. Are we expecting Israel to mention something in his speech or is it likely that he'll skip over it and focus only on Soleimani? I think that he will say a few words, of course. He will say a few words about what happened yesterday. He probably warned Israel as usual. And that's it. I don't think that he will say something like, expect another surprise in Haifa or in Tel Aviv. However, we have to be very careful not to sell in the region. In many other places around the world, don't forget the retaliation of the Iranians in Argentina in the 90s. They might take some kind of an Israeli symbol outside, like an embassy or a consulate or even a Jewish federation, something like that. These are Jewish and Israeli symbols. They have much more access, easier access to these places. So I don't think that we'll see the retaliation here in this area, our area here. Well, it could be likely that perhaps retaliation is already underway in exactly an area that you mentioned Argentina. The three Lebanese and Syrian nationals were arrested in Buenos Aires airport over an alleged terror plot because the Maccabi games are happening there. So do Jewish communities around the world now need to be on high alert? Absolutely. They have to take care. They have to take measures. Police should take care also in every single place. I guess in some places, the alert should be higher than any time in the past. And especially because those are easy places to enter, to have access, like India, like in Asia, like in Africa, we have to be very careful because I believe that if there will be a retaliation, not necessarily there will be because many of those events that we attacked haven't been retaliated at all. But if yes, it could be any place in the world, not necessarily in this area. I do want to point out that there are updates coming out from the explosions that went off in Iran and the ceremony marking the third anniversary of the killing of Qasem Soleimani, that there are now 103 people said to have been killed and over 140 injured. I do want to move those slightly from the events happening in Iran and the north of Israel back to the south, the main front of the war because obviously there is a lot of concern now regarding the day after. We've been speaking about it here in the channel numerous. Other Israeli outlets, even international outlets have been speaking about what happens in Gaza the day after the IDF has completed its tasks of dismantling Hamas, bringing home the hostages and making sure that the threat is no longer in Israel's borders. It appears that the far-right cabinet ministers in the current government are getting a lot of flak from the United States specifically and now from France, who says that they are fueling tensions with their remarks. How can Israel attempt to put a lid almost on some of their remarks that may be seen as slightly controversial in the midst of the war? It depends. What can be like a victory picture? You know, yesterday we had, I would say, a quarter of a picture, maybe between a quarter and a half, but the full picture of victory would be probably the return of the hostages, even many of them, not all of them, I don't know, or the killing slash, you know, putting your hand on those people like Marwan Isai, Mohammad Def, and of course, Sinwa. What would be on the day after? I can tell you, who shouldn't be there after this day? I mean, after we decide to get out, Israel shouldn't be there. We have been a lot. We suffered a lot, and we still, you know, we don't want to suffer more than that. We have to leave this area and do something inside Israel, not necessarily in Gaza. The Palestinian Authority shouldn't be there. The Palestinian Authority failed in the West Bank, Abu Mazenis people. Nobody should give them another chance to fail also in Gaza. It will definitely implicate our, of course, area in the south. I guess that the coalition of Arab countries, maybe with some Western countries that will like to contribute to this type of project, would be a perfect solution. It's a big question if they would agree to do that. But why should Israel stay there? Israel should say to them, bye-bye, we're out. Take care. Egypt, you are so much, you know, you care for the Palestinians. Go ahead, take it. The Emirates, the others, why should we stay there? No reason for remaining there. So I would really recommend, by the way, I was a governor of these areas for many, 16 years. I can tell you this is the worst experience I ever had. So why put other people inside also for another time in these areas? It's obviously part of the hypocrisy, as you say, that there does seem to be so much outpouring of grief and concern for the Palestinians. But no one wants to take responsibility for them. Dr. Moshe Elad, the former IDF coordinated to the Palestinian Authority on security issues, as you so rightly mentioned, for 16 years. And a lecture at the moment at the Western Gallery Academic College. Thank you very much for your analysis. And it does bring us to the end of this-