Northern arena:
–Hezbollah accepted responsibility for 10 attacks against Israel since this morning.
-Around noon today, a number of rockets were launched from Lebanon toward an IDF post adjacent to Arab al-Aramshe, as well as an IDF post in the area of Mount Hermon. The IDF responded by striking the sources of the fire. Additionally, since this morning, IDF tanks, artillery, and aircraft have been striking several Hezbollah terror infrastructures and operational headquarters in Lebanon.
-In the afternoon, sirens sounded in the communities of Malkia, Matat and Shtula due to 16 rockets launched from Lebanon, all fell in open areas causing no injuries or damage. IDF forces responded with fire at the sources of the attack.
-After an attack carried out earlier today against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, the IDF announced that the Lebanese army soldiers injured in the attack were not the target. The IDF regretted the incident and said that it is being investigated.
South/ Gaza
-Intensive battles with aerial support against armed terror cells continue. Over the last day, the IAF struck approximately 250 terror targets in the Gaza Strip, destroying, weapon depots, underground terror tunnel shafts, explosives, and additional terror infrastructure.
– The IDF forces, under the intelligence guidance of the ISA and the Intelligence Division, eliminated four battalion commanders in the Gaza Brigade, among them: the commander of the Sabra Battalion, the commander of the Shati Battalion, the commander of the Darj Tupah Battalion and the commander of the Shuja’iyya Battalion.
-IDF spokesman released the following unique documentation of the deputy commander of the Northern Gaza Brigade Wael Rajab from a tunnel inside the Gaza Strip. Wael Rajab was eliminated by the IDF at the intelligence direction of the ISA:
Hamas’ human shield strategy:
– A massive weapons depot – one of the largest in Gaza was uncovered in adjacent to a medical clinic and a school; Hundreds of rockets and launchers, long-range rockets, ATGMs, UAVs, and ready-to-use explosive devices. This is further proof of the cynical use that Hamas makes of the residents of the Gaza Strip as human shields.”
Houthis/ Red Sea:
-A surface-to-surface missile was launched toward Israel around 13:00. The missile was intercepted by the Israeli Air Defenses, using the “Hetz” (Arrow) long-range defense system. According to the IDF, the target did not cross into Israeli territory and did not pose a threat to civilians.
– The Houthis’ military spokesman, Yahya Sariah, accepted responsibility for the shooting toward Eilat: “The armed forces in Yemen will continue to carry out military operations against Israel and implement the decision to prevent Israeli ships from sailing in the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea, in support of the Palestinian people until the aggression in Gaza ceases.”
-UKMTO reported an incident involving a UAV west of the Yemen port of Hodeidah.
-The US Navy’s guided-missile destroyer USS Mason shot down another drone in the Red Sea on Wednesday, just days after USS Carney downed three drones launched by Iran-backed Houthis, a Pentagon official confirmed.
-Saudi Arabia asked the US to show restraint in its response against the Houthis in Yemen in order to prevent the war between Israel and Hamas from escalating and degenerating into a widespread regional conflict. As you may recall, criticism was reported this week of the Biden administration following the lack of a decisive response to the Houthis’ attack on foreign merchant ships and an American warship In Egypt Bab al-Mandab.
Iraq:
-Pro-Iranian militias announced that they attacked the US forces deployed at Ain al-Assad base in Iraq last night.
Political:
– Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen decided to revoke the residence visa in Israel of the UN humanitarian coordinator for Judea and Samaria and the Gaza Strip, Lynn Hastings, stating: “Whoever did not condemn Hamas for the brutal massacre of 1,200 Israelis, for the kidnapping of the elderly and babies, for the horrific acts of abuse and rape, and for using the residents of Gaza as human shields and only condemns Israel, a democratic country that protects its citizens, cannot hold a position at the United Nations and will not enter Israel.”
– John Kirby, spokesman for the National Security Council at the White House stated that 8 Americans are still being held captive by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Negotiation efforts continue to reach a ceasefire in exchange for the release of hostages. The US supports Israel in its military operations.
-Turkish president Erdogan: “If Israel tries to harm Hamas members in Turkey – it will pay a heavy price.”
@Israel_Alma_org:
Hamas Lebanon is a ticking time bomb:
Lt. Col. (Res.) Sarit Zehavi, Founder & President, of Alma Research and Education Center explains the dangers it imposes on IDF forces and northern border communities alike.
