OVERNIGHT ISRAEL: Everything that happened in Israel overnight.

 Good morning, New York. Welcome to Overnight Israel, the Israeli news show for Americans who just want the juice of what's happening on the ground in the Holy Land. I'm here in the fabulous J Feed Studios in Jerusalem with everything that unfolded in Israel when you slept.

At 6 a. m. Israel time, midnight in New York, the Israeli Defense Forces roared back into action, launching Operation Strength and Sword across Gaza. The surprise bombing campaign shattered a ceasefire that's held since January 19th. targeting Hamas leaders and their hideouts. Four senior officials, including Issam al Dalis, Hamas administrative chief, was killed.

The Hamas run health ministry claimed 413 are dead and 660 are wounded, but the numbers have yet to be verified. Israel's telling residents in towns like Beit Hanoun to evacuate, signaling that this could be just the start. The world didn't waste time weighing in. Iran's foreign ministry condemned the strikes, blaming the U.

S. for fueling a continuation of genocide. Ireland's Prime Minister Michael Martin slammed the civilian losses, begging for peace. Egypt, a key player in the January truce, called it a flagrant violation while Turkey accused Israel of a new phase of genocide. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, visibly shocked, demanded the ceasefire return.

As the Red Cross reported Gaza's hospitals are overwhelmed and buckling under the pressure, the Kremlin in Russia also voiced their distaste. Now, feel the heartbreak for a second. Families of the 59 hostages still in Gaza, 24 believed alive, stormed Outside the Prime Minister's office today, they're terrified that these strikes could seal their loved ones fate.

The hostages and their missing families forum demanded a sit down with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, asking, how does this war keep their people alive? Freed hostage Emily Damari posted that she's crushed and her hope is fading for those still held in Gaza.

Overnight, Benjamin Netanyahu huddled with Katz and now IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir at Tel Aviv's military HQ steering the operation. Missing from the spotlight, Shin Bet Chief Ronen Barr, who Netanyahu set to fire over an aid related probe. A vote delayed. From today, amidst all of the chaos, Netanyahu's corruption trial testimony was scrapped for an 11 a.

m. security meeting today. Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Saar defended the move, saying that military pressure is the only way to budge Hamas after stalled talks and negotiations. Enter Finance Minister Bezalel Smutrych, a far right heavyweight. He said that the strikes are a powerful attack on Gaza to destroy Hamas and free all the hostages.

Smutrich promised that this phase, planned since Zamir took over, will quote, look completely different from what has been done so far. On the flip side, opposition and democratic leader Yair Golan fired back. He accused Netanyahu of using soldiers and hostages as cards in his game of survival. Tweeting that the PM restarted this war to dodge protest over Barr's dismissal.

Golan called Netanyahu corrupt and dangerous, urging Israelis to resist this madness and save the nation from his grip. A stark contrast to Smutrich's war cry and compliments. And now, a fresh reveal. The IDF dropped a brand new photo overnight. It captures Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, Shin Bet Ronen Barr, and Air Force Chief Major General Tomer Barr.

in the Israeli Air Force Underground Command Center in Tel Aviv. Lastly, the Foreign Ministry vowed to ramp up the fight, blaming Hamas for rejecting two U. S. proposals. Hamas denied planning any attacks, calling Israel's pretext basically nonsense. The IDF's mission is to crush Hamas entirely, their military and their government, and all of their arms, and bring every single hostage home.

The U. N. Secretary Counsel meets at 10 a. m. Eastern Standard Time today to discuss all that happened so far. That's your front row seat of what has been quite an eventful day for Israel and its people. Bibi obviously has major beef with Ronen Bar, but supposedly the differences have been momentarily put aside for the security of the State of Israel.

And if it wasn't clear, the world is not too fond of Israel. But we press on, we'll bring our loved ones back home, and we'll make the world a safer place for all. This has been Simcha Brodsky, your host for Overnight Israel from J Feed Studios in the holy capital of Jerusalem. See you tomorrow.