✈️ SECOND “GIDEON” KC-46 JOINS THE IAF: The Israeli Air Force has received its second Boeing KC-46 “Gideon” aerial refueling aircraft, the second of six tankers purchased by the Defense Ministry’s procurement mission in the United States for the IAF.
The aircraft arrived from the United States and landed at Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel, where a ceremony was held yesterday to induct it into the new “Gideon” Refueling Squadron (46).
The KC-46s are intended to replace the IAF’s aging Boeing 707 refueling fleet, which played a key role in Israel’s recent wars against Iran.
According to the IDF, the new tankers “enable the extension of the operational range and loiter time of fighter jets in the air, alongside advanced and multi-mission transport capabilities.”
The military said the arrival of the KC-46 “constitutes a significant enhancement of the Air Force’s capabilities in a multi-front war and in operations in distant theaters.”
The aircraft is part of a broader, large-scale force-building effort being carried out by the Defense Ministry for the IDF and is expected to significantly strengthen Israel’s long-range operational capabilities.
⚠️ BEN GURION AIRPORT STRIKE FALLOUT CONTINUES: Amit Segal, reporting after returning from Ben Gurion Airport, wrote: “By the way, I just got back from Ben Gurion Airport. Anyone who thinks the strike is over is delusional. Thousands of passengers are waiting for hours for luggage that never arrives.”
Segal also sharply criticized Pinhas Idan, accusing him of continuing to act as he pleased amid the disruption.
❌ TERRORIST ELIMINATED DURING STABBING ATTEMPT IN JENIN: Last night, during IDF operational activity in Jenin in Judea and Samaria, a terrorist armed with a knife attempted to stab an IDF soldier. The soldiers responded by firing toward him and eliminating him. No IDF injuries were reported.
The IDF said Paratroopers Brigade soldiers were carrying out an arrest raid when they were attacked. “The forces returned fire at the terrorist and eliminated him,” the IDF said.
Palestinian media identified the attacker as Fathi Hazem, the father of Ra’ad Hazem, who opened fire at a bar in Tel Aviv on April 7, 2022, killing Tomer Morad and Eytam Magini, two friends both aged 27, and Barak Lufan, a 35-year-old father of three.
Ra’ad Hazem fled after the attack and was found hiding near a mosque in Jaffa after an hours-long manhunt involving hundreds of security officers. While initially raising his hands in surrender, he reportedly then drew a gun and opened fire on officers, who returned fire and killed him.
At the time, Fathi Hazem praised his son for the killings and refused Israeli summons for questioning.
🎯 HAMAS TERRORIST WHO HELD NUMEROUS HOSTAGES ELIMINATED: On Wednesday, the IDF struck in the Nuseirat area and eliminated Sabahi Sami Mahmoud Shahata, a platoon commander in Hamas’s military wing.
According to the IDF, Shahata infiltrated Israeli territory and participated in the October 7 Massacre and “took part in holding numerous hostages in Hamas captivity during the war.”
In November 2023, as part of the hostage release agreement, Shahata participated in the handover “ceremony” of released hostages and their transfer to the Red Cross.
The IDF said that recently, Shahata had attempted to advance terrorist attacks against IDF troops and Israeli civilians. The military cited this threat in explaining the strike amid the ceasefire, saying he was “eliminated to remove the threat.”
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