Commandos rented house in Gaza as part of an undercover operation to rescue hostages

Some had expressed concern that this was not wise to publish since Hamas could learn about IDF undercover techniques. I thought, if the IDF thought it was a dangerous story, it would probably not get out. Today we see it has reached the Jerusalem Post front page.

Jerusalem Post, 2024-06-16, pg 1.

Jerusalem Post, 2024-06-16, pg 1.

At least the story might give hope to the people that the army and government are doing hard work to rescue the POWs.

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Four hostages rescued leaving 120 behind

This operation took 3 to 4 months of intense planning in the top IDF units. Sadly, one soldier lost his life during the operation.

This is truly amazing and heroic: “According to The Jewish Chronicle, a team of Israeli undercover soldiers rented a house on the same street that Noa Argamani was being held hostage, and stayed there for multiple days to gather intelligence confirm where Noa and 3 other hostages were being held.”

Scene: Arched footbridge which spans an 8-lane divided roadway in Tel Aviv. On the far side, Israelis are blocking traffic to draw attention to the POWs captive in Gaza. I took this from a window of a tall building connected to the bridge.

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Average Israeli Salary as of March 2024

The current median salary in Israel is 14,000 sheqels per month, and has fluctuated from 13k-14k ever since 2023.  At a rate of 0.27 USD per sheqel 14k ILS equals:

$3,780 USD per month;

3,500 EUR per month;

Back in 2018, the poverty line was 7,000 sheqels per month.  It may be 9,000/mo now.

$1,890 USD per month is 7,000 ILS (2024-06-05) 

1,750 EUR per month is 7,000 ILS

$2,430 USD per month is 9,000 ILS 

12,250 EUR per month is 9,000 ILS

See chart below:

Monthly salary graph for 2019 thru the frist quarter of 2024. Clip from https://www.cbs.gov.il/he/mediarelease/DocLib/2024/167/26_24_167b.pdf captured on 5 June, 2024.

Source:  https://www.cbs.gov.il/he/mediarelease/DocLib/2024/167/26_24_167b.pdf

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How to delete WhatsApp but still access the chats

Delete whatsapp from phone and still access it on a laptop or tablet

You can delete WhatsApp from your phone and still access it on your laptop or tablet using the following methods:

Method 1: WhatsApp Web

WhatsApp offers a web version that allows you to access your WhatsApp account on your laptop or tablet by scanning a QR code on your phone. To use WhatsApp Web:

  1. Open WhatsApp on your phone and go to Settings > WhatsApp Web.
  2. Tap on “Scan QR code” and point your phone’s camera at the QR code displayed on your laptop or tablet.
  3. Once the QR code is scanned, you’ll be logged in to WhatsApp Web on your laptop or tablet.

Method 2: WhatsApp Desktop App

WhatsApp also offers a desktop app for Windows and macOS. You can download and install the app on your laptop or tablet and log in using your phone number and password.

  1. Download and install the WhatsApp Desktop app from the official WhatsApp website.
  2. Launch the app and log in using your phone number and password.
  3. You’ll be logged in to WhatsApp on your laptop or tablet.

Method 3: WhatsApp Business App

If you have a WhatsApp Business account, you can access it on your laptop or tablet using the WhatsApp Business app.

  1. Download and install the WhatsApp Business app from the official WhatsApp website.
  2. Launch the app and log in using your business phone number and password.
  3. You’ll be logged in to WhatsApp Business on your laptop or tablet.

Note: To access WhatsApp on your laptop or tablet, you’ll need to have a stable internet connection and a compatible device. Additionally, you’ll need to ensure that your phone and laptop or tablet are connected to the same internet network.

By using one of these methods, you can delete WhatsApp from your phone and still access it on your laptop or tablet.

Privacy keeps our work safe.  Also, we need your Support.

 

Related Posts:

WhatsApp is not private – but once upon a time, it was

Weed, War, & WhatsApp

Internet Privacy

 

WhatsApp is not private – but once upon a time, it was

tldr: WhatsApp is not private; Also, it can be deleted from the phone and accessed elsewhere. This may improve the situation slightly.  The apps from Signal.org may be considered as it is a very popular and well-designed alternative.

WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption is not as private as it seems.

A loophole in the system allows the recipient of a message to flag it, which copies the message and sends it to Facebook for review. This means that Facebook can access the content of the flagged message, despite WhatsApp’s claims of end-to-end encryption.

Metadata Collection

WhatsApp also collects metadata, which includes information about the message such as the sender, recipient, time sent, and sender location. This metadata is stored by WhatsApp and can be accessed by Facebook. While the content of the message is encrypted, the metadata is not, making it possible for Facebook to track user activity and behavior.

WhatsApp’s Connection to Facebook

As a Facebook-owned company, WhatsApp’s data is shared with Facebook. This means that Facebook can access user data, including messages, contacts, and other information. WhatsApp’s privacy policy states that it shares limited amounts of data with Facebook, which can be used to improve the services offered by both companies.

WhatsApp’s Status Feature

WhatsApp’s Status feature, similar to Instagram Stories, is not private. Anyone in your WhatsApp contacts can view your Status updates, even if they are not online. This means that your Status updates can be seen by anyone who has your phone number, regardless of whether they are online or not.

Tips for Making Your WhatsApp Account More Private and Secure

  1. Be cautious when sharing sensitive information on WhatsApp.
  2. Use two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security to your account.
  3. Regularly update your WhatsApp app to ensure you have the latest security patches.
  4. Avoid sharing your phone number with unknown contacts.
  5. Use a strong password and keep it confidential.
  6. Open WhatsApp web, or other client app to read chats, then delete from the phone, as a minor reduction in privacy risks.

In conclusion, while WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption provides a high level of security, there are still ways for Facebook to access user data and metadata. Additionally, WhatsApp’s Status feature is not private, and users should be cautious when sharing information on the platform. By following the tips above, you can take steps to make your WhatsApp account more private and secure.

Privacy keeps our work safe. Also, we need your Support.

Related posts:

How to delete WhatsApp but still access the chats

Weed, War, & WhatsApp

Internet Privacy

Article Sources:

arstechnica.com
parade.com
www.cnbctv18.com
Reddit (via Redlib) r/privacy:  Do you guys trust WhatsApp? 

Israel placed 5th in song contest, out of 37 nations and 26 finalists

Outside of North America, Eurovision is a global annual song contest, with this year’s slogan, “United by Music.”  Important to note that jury voters gave a ridiculously low number of points to the performance from Israel; Despite this, the public votes propelled Israel into 5th place.  The jury awarded Germany (12th place) and Luxembourg (13th place) double Israel’s 52 points.  However, the public proved their appreciation for the Israeli people, and for Israel’s songwriting and performance by awarding 323 points.

Give, and Pray for our work.

Israel’s singer Eden Golan performed the song “Hurricane,” and passed all the rules for non-political messaging.  Some of the song’s lyrics:

Someone stole the moon tonight
Took my light
Everything is black and white
Who’s the fool who told you boys don’t cry?

 

Screenshot from https://eurovisionworld.com/eurovision/2024 as of 2024-05-15.

37 nations competed, but only 25 became qualified for the contest (Netherlands was disqualified for behavior after the semifinal).

 

Notable headlines:

At Eurovision, Greta Thunberg did not protest the environment for once, but protested against Israel, and got herself arrested for the news

Eurovision organizers rebuke [non-competing] performer who wore keffiyeh during first semifinal show

Eurovision jury points overwhelm the public votes to grant Switzerland first place, to a male singer wearing a skirt and lipstick

Notable Mentions:  Croatia (2nd place) with the funniest lyric: “Hey, I’m a big boy now / I’m going away and I’m selling my cow.”

Luxembourg, (13th place) with Israeli-born Tali, raised in Chile, Argentina, and Luxembourg, with the wisest lyric, “You’re not 20 anymore / You don’t have time / To act like a child / To just party”

Give, and Pray for our work.

Archeologists unearth abused skeletons under Hitler’s HQ

 

A wooden floor rotted away, and bodies of adults and children, no hands nor feet, no clothes, were found there in shallow soil.  Where? In Hitler’s eastern front military headquarters, in Hermann Goering’s villa.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/skeletons-without-hands-or-feet-unearthed-at-hitlers-wwii-bunker/

 

 

 

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Source:  https://www.timesofisrael.com/skeletons-without-hands-or-feet-unearthed-at-hitlers-wwii-bunker/