General Assessment:
The IDF continued its assault on Hamas terrorists in Gaza over the previous 24 hours, in one instance striking more than ten terrorists in a single precision aerial strike. The IDF continues to seek Hamas leaders, operatives, and those responsible for the inhumane attacks on October 7th, as well as Hamas assets and infrastructures. The IDF is retaliating against all Hezbollah provocations in the Northern arena by striking back at the sources of the attacks, killing multiple Hezbollah terrorists, and destroying Hezbollah infrastructure along the border.
The IDF continues to urge Gaza City residents to relocate to a safe humanitarian zone in the Gaza Strip’s southwest, in the Al-Mawasi area, where international aid will be directed in the future via the Rafah crossing. Simultaneously, Hamas terrorists attempt to obstruct the evacuation by persuasion or force, with the goal of using these civilians as human shields.
Continuing tensions remain extremely elevated in northern Israel. Since the October 7 Hamas offensive, Hezbollah has fired scores of anti-tank guided missiles, rockets, and mortars into Israeli military positions and communities, while also sending terrorists attempting to infiltrate into Israel. Several unmanned aircraft have been intercepted over northern Israel as well.
So far, according to the IDF since Saturday morning Oct. 7, 1,300 Israelis were killed, among them 306 fallen soldiers. 3,900 Israelis have been wounded. 203 have been confirmed abducted, and many more missing. Since the beginning of hostilities, nearly 7,000 rockets have been launched into Israel.
Operational Updates:
Northern Arena:
The IDF is ready to act on all fronts against any threat – The IDF remains on high alert for further provocations on the northern border.
Hezbollah has been escalating attacks on Israel under the direction and with the full support of Iran.
The Israeli government authorized the evacuation of northern settlements within five kilometers of the border if necessary.
– Just after midnight, the IDF attacked targets in Lebanon, including Hezbollah outposts in the area of Kfar Chouba, Lebanon.
– At noon, an anti-tank missile was launched toward the Kibbutz Manara area on the Lebanese border; two launches were detected; no casualties were reported. In response, the IDF retaliated by striking the source of the fire with artillery fire.
– 16:30 – Six rocket launches from Lebanon toward Israeli territory were identified. Five launches landed in open areas, with one rocket intercepted by the IDF Aerial Defense Array.
- A report was also received about anti-tank missile fire directed at Dvoranit and light weapons fire directed at Zar’it. There were no reported injuries. The IDF is actively targeting the source of the fire in Lebanon.
Throughout this evening, scores of rockets have been launched into Israel all along the northern territory, injuring 3 civilians in the town of Kiyryat Shmona. Hamas Lebanon took responsibility for the attacks. IDF forces are retaliating with artillery fire.
According to Alma’s Center analysis displayed in the above graphs, Hezbollah is responsible for the vast majority of attacks. The majority of the attacks are anti-tank rockets launched at IDF border outposts between the hours 15:00 and 16:00, occasionally garnished with mortars, rockets, or small weapons fire roughly an hour before or after the substantial fire. Every event is met with a harsh response from the IDF, which generally results in the death of multiple terrorists. Most incidences result in minor to serious injuries on the Israeli side. Finally, it appears that the number of occurrences is gradually increasing, but not much more than in the early days of the war. The IDF is powerful, and it is punishing Hezbollah for every mistake.
Gaza and Southern Israel:
- The IDF’s campaign in Gaza is still progressing, with the goal of eliminating Hamas terrorists who were directly responsible for the abominable attacks on October 7th, as well as all Hamas terror assets and infrastructures. the prominent targets eliminated today are Hamas leaders, Rafat Harb Hussein Abu Hilal, the leader of the military branch of the Popular Resistance Committees in Rafah and a member of Hamas’ political wing, Gamila El-Shanti, the widow of Abd al-Aziz Rantisi, a former Hamas official who was assassinated in 2004, and the Commander of the Hamas-led National Security Forces in Gaza Jehad Mheisen, all 3 killed in Israeli airstrikes. According to Palestinian reports, Mheisen was killed along with his family members in an attack on his home in the neighborhood of Sheikh Radwan in Gaza City.
- The IDF, led by the GSS, destroyed hundreds of Hamas terrorist facilities, including dozens in the Sageya neighborhood. Anti-tank missile launch locations, tunnel shafts, intelligence infrastructures, operations headquarters, and other headquarters were among the hundreds of terrorist facilities targeted. At the same time, dozens of mortar rocket launch sites were struck, with the majority of the rockets being destroyed right after they were launched at Israel.
- Rocket attacks throughout the Past 24 hours towards south and central Israel continue.
International Arena:
- US President Biden completed his historic and extraordinary visit to Israel (President Biden is the first US president to visit Israel during a war). The US president reiterated his unwavering support for Israel. While in Israel, President Biden visited with Prime Minister Netanyahu, sat on the Israeli special war council, and met with survivors and relatives of Israeli citizens held hostage in Gaza, literally hugging them and offering emotional and moral support. The president also totally acknowledged Israel’s account regarding the incident in Al-Ahli Hospital. In response to the president’s request, Prime Minister Netanyahu has consented to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza via Egypt.
- British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrived in Israel this morning, beginning a visit in which he will meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and representatives of abducted Israelis’ families before heading to other regional capitals.
- USS Eisenhower is en route to the Mediterranean. More US cargo planes are due to arrive with advanced armaments so the IDF is fully equipped for any scenario.
- The United Nations Security Council, met yesterday in response to two resolutions submitted by Russia, calling for an immediate, durable, and total ceasefire and for “humanitarian pauses” to transfer crucial aid to millions in Gaza, as well as an end to attacks on Gaza. The US vetoed the proposed resolution.
