From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
In city assaulted on Oct. 7, culture minister vows Israel won’t stop fighting until enemies defeated
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleSam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
Speaking at a Memorial Day ceremony in the southern city of Ofakim, Culture Minister Miki Zohar insists that Israel will not stop fighting its enemies until they are defeated.
“Here in the city that experienced the worst of all, and before the residents, who displayed great strength, we make it clear to our enemies: We will continue to strike with power anyone who challenges us, and we will not let up until the war is decided and victory is achieved,” he declares.
Israel is currently in the middle of fragile ceasefires with Lebanon and Iran.
Fifteen Hamas terrorists from the terror group’s elite Nukhba force infiltrated Ofakim early on the morning of October 7, 2023, and launched a brutal assault, murdering 25 civilians and injuring several others. The Israel Defense Forces failed in its mission to protect the city, a military investigation published last year concluded, determining that the rapid halt to the killing spree was due not to military intervention, but to the courage and initiative of local police officers, armed civilians and a handful of soldiers.
The Times of Israel Community.