Defense Minister Yoav Galant in the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee indirectly refers to yesterday’s elimination of the Iranian general in Syria: “We are in a multi-arena war, we are under attack from seven different sectors – Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Judea & Samaria, Iraq, Yemen and Iran. We have already reacted and acted in six of these sectors, and I say Here in the most explicit way – anyone who acts against us is a potential target, there is no immunity for anyone.”
Full statement by the Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi
Northern arena:
IDF attacks in Lebanon:
During the night, the IDF continued to attack in the western sector, reportedly attacking a house in the village of Shihin, which was empty because it had already been attacked once at the beginning of the war. Furthermore, the IAF attacked the area of Jal al-Alam, located near one of the UNIFIL bases. Additionally, Israeli tanks shelled targets in the border city of Naqoura and fired machinegun fire from a point in Metula towards Kafr Kila.
This morning, the IDF launched UAVs to attack the eastern side of the western side of the village of Mis al-Jabal and in the area of Ras al-Zahar – with no casualties.
Subsequently, the National News Agency reported that Israeli tanks shelled the Tufa area and several targets in the southeastern area of Mis al-Jabal, in addition to heavy weapons fire towards the wadis and valleys between the villages of Ita al-Shaab and Ramiya.
According to Lebanese media, surveillance aircraft circled throughout the night and into the morning over the western and middle regions as far as the Litani River, in addition to firing flares over villages on the border and near the Blue Line.
At around noon, it was reported that the IDF had directly attacked the Al-Hamra army center in the southern village of Aitaroun with tank fire, slightly wounding a number of Lebanese soldiers in the area.
About half an hour later, an Israeli UAV launched two missiles to strike an open area between the villages of Jebchit and Chihine. Later, the Islamic Scouts’ operations room announced that it had evacuated two wounded by Israeli shelling in the village of Asra.
This evening, a report from Lebanon stated that there had been an attack 27 Km. south-east of Tyre, in the Sahl al-Kalila area. Two vehicles were attacked, and reports of casualties.
Hezbollah:
Hezbollah’s media unit reported today that the organization had carried out a series of attacks on IDF soldier’s positions and assemblies near the border with Lebanon.
Hezbollah opened the hostilities today by firing at an IDF post near the village of Zabdin, and published an infographic photo along with an official announcement accompanied by a Qur’anic verse stating: “He who fights because he has been wronged, God helps him. “
At 11:40 A.M., Hezbollah attacked a group of IDF soldiers in the Ramyah area.
At noon, Hezbollah fired toward the northern Israeli community of Shomera, claiming that there were wounded, but Israel did not confirm the information.
At 12:10 P.M., shots were fired at the Israeli community of Dovev, no injuries were reported.
At 1:45 P.M., Hezbollah fired an anti-tank missile at the famous Greek Orthodox Church in the village of Iqrit near the Shomera area of Western Galilee. As a result of the ATGM attack, a man in his 80s was wounded and evacuated for further treatment in fair condition. The IDF confirmed that an IDF soldier was severely injured and eight were moderately and lightly injured when they came to evacuate the injured man. At the same time, Hezbollah reported that it had fired at a group of soldiers of the 91st Division (Galilee Division) in the Biranit area
At 14:50, Hezbollah Claimed to have fired Burkan on Har Dov without evidence as of yet.
At 15:30, Hezbollah announced that it had fired at the Baghdadi post with appropriate weapons and launched a suicide UAV at the IDF headquarters in the city of Kiryat Shmona, no hits or injuries were reported.
15:37 – Anti-aircraft missiles were fired in the area of Manara and Margaliot. Hits were detected in open areas inflicting no casualties.
16:04 – Rocket fire at Ramim Ridge sector again causing no injuries.
South/ Gaza:
Hamas continues to launch lethal rockets toward Israeli towns and communities.
This evening, IDF forces of the 36th Division launched an attack on terrorist infrastructures in the al-Burij camp, one of the camps in the center of the Gaza Strip. This is with the aim of defeating the battalions of the Hamas Central Camps Brigade.
During the past 24 hours, IDF ground, air, and naval forces continued to hit terror targets in Gaza, including a terrorist cell that attempted to plant an explosive device next to an IDF tank. Over the day, an IDF aircraft hit and killed more than 10 terrorists operating in Khan Yunis. Furthermore, IDF troops discovered rifles, explosive devices, and ammunition, as well as intelligence documents and military equipment used by terrorists during searches of an Islamic Jihad military complex in Daraj Tuffah.
The 931st Battalion discovered weapons during a raid in Daraj Tuffah, in the northern Gaza Strip. The forces discovered dozens of Kalashnikovs, grenades, Bazookas, RPG rocket heads, and Israeli license plates inside a children’s bedroom hidden beneath children’s blankets in a civilian house. The weapons discovered provide further evidence of Hamas’ intention to conceal weapons and terror activity behind civilian populations and infrastructure.
The Tsabar Battalion, Engineering Force, 460th Armored Brigade, and the IAF killed numerous terrorists in close-quarter combat in Daraj Tuffah during a coordinated operation. Furthermore, the soldiers uncovered and destroyed ten terror tunnel shafts as well as several missile launchers. An explosive device, a crate of grenades, a Nukhba uniform, and images from a family photo album of children and women holding M-16s rifles, RPGs, and sniper rifles were also discovered.
Gaza reports: Dr. Khamis al-Najjar, a member of the Hamas Legislative Council, was killed in an attack on his home in Khan Yunis.
Iran:
Iranian officials referring to the elimination of General Mousavi in Syria: “The response to the assassination of Razi Mousavi will be determined and effective, and will be carried out at the right time, place and method so that Israel cannot meet its goals.”
Yemen-Red Sea:
The British Center for Maritime Trade (UKMTO) reported an incident in the Strait of Bab al-Mandab, about 50 nautical miles from the Houthi-controlled port of Hudaydah in Yemen. Subsequently, UKMTO updated on two reports of the appearance of UAVs near a ship in the Strait of Bab al-Mandab, near the Houthi-controlled port of Hudaydah Yemen, and shortly after reported two five minutes apart explosions occurring near the ship.
Yemeni sources stated that the Houthis attacked an MSC ship in the Red Sea to prevent it from reaching Israel.
Egypt:
Security sources in Egypt confirmed that a UAV was downed near the Egyptian Red Sea resort city of Dahab today, in the second such incident in a month.
Iraq:
The US military announced that, last night, it attacked a series of targets belonging to the Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades (Kataib) in response to attacks by the pro-Iranian militias against US bases, including a drone attack on the Erbil Air Base in the north of the country yesterday that injured several soldiers. According to CENTCOM’s statement, several militia operatives were killed. Security sources in Iraq reported that at least one person was killed and 24 wounded in the US attack.
U.S. CENTCOM conducts strikes against Kataib Hezbollah terrorist group targets in Iraq
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 26, 2023
In response to multiple attacks against coalition forces in Iraq and Syria, U.S. military forces conducted airstrikes against multiple facilities used by Kataib Hezbollah and affiliated groups… pic.twitter.com/mmL4WqFXq9
India:
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that an explosion occurred near the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi, there were no casualties or injuries among the envoys and embassy employees. The circumstances of the incident are under investigation by the local authorities in full cooperation with the Israeli security forces.
Political:
The Japanese government has announced that it will impose sanctions and freeze the assets of three senior members of the Hamas terrorist organization who were allegedly involved in the October 7 massacre, Yahya Sinwar, Mohammad Def, and Marwan Issa.
@Israel_Alma_org:
Hezbollah operative’s funeral in southern Lebanon:
We followed the funeral of Hassan Ali Ibrahim, known as "Abu Hadi", a Hezbollah operative from the village of Blayda who was killed on December 20. At the head of the funeral procession marched active Hezbollah operatives in operational uniforms. Listen to the religious chants,… pic.twitter.com/ITUwO0FTtd
— Israel-Alma (@Israel_Alma_org) December 26, 2023