Hezbollah

Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., December 14, 2023)

The IDF integrated maneuver continued in the northern and southern Gaza Strip, focusing on the Shejaiya and Jabalia neighborhoods in the northern Gaza Strip and Khan Yunis in the south. A Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) spokesman claimed the "resistance" had gone from halting the IDF forces, to drawing them in and eliminating them. According to an unofficial estimate, since October 7 approximately 1,200 Israeli civilians and security personnel have been killed, 445 of them soldiers and officers; 135 civilian and military hostages are still being held by the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip, 16 of them women and children; 115 hostages have been returned to Israel. IDF forces identified two more hostages who were killed by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Hamas officials reiterate that at the moment no negotiations are taking place on the issue. The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip worsened due to the rains. Residents of East Khan Yunis were reportedly asked to leave their homes. Isma'il Haniyeh, claimed Hamas was open to any discussion that could lead to the cessation of the "aggression," to a settlement and reaching a "political path". Hezbollah continued to attack IDF posts, groups of soldiers and cities, towns and villages on the northern border. In response the Israeli Air Force attacked Hamas targets in south Lebanon. The Israeli security forces have been conducting intensive activities against terrorist operatives in Jenin and the Jenin refugee camp. The Palestinians reported 11 deaths and hundreds of detentions.The findings of Public opinion survey indicated a fundamental difference between the attitudes of the residents of Judea and Samaria and those of the residents of the Gaza Strip.
Read more...

The hostilities in south Lebanon have driven tens of thousands of local residents to flee to the northern areas

Hezbollah joined the fighting against Israel on October 8, 2023, the day after Operation Iron Swords began, and opened a front on Israel's northern border, In the wake of the tense situation and the fear of escalation, residents of villages and towns in south Lebanon began to move to northern areas, noteworthy because Hezbollah usually places its posts and bases in or near civilian settlements. According to current estimates, between 20,000 and 60,000 Lebanese have left their homes for the north and the number may be higher. Some of them left on their own initiative and some following orders from Hezbollah. As long as the situation in south Lebanon remains tense and people fear escalation, it is more likely that most of the displaced civilians will not return to their homes. Such a situation will have serious long-term economic consequences, primarily on those who earn their living from agriculture and on Lebanon's economy as well, which is in the throes of a deep economic crisis.
Read more...

Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., December 13, 2023)

IDF forces continued their integrated maneuvers in the northern and southern Gaza Strip, and during the past day, ground, air and sea forces attacked over 250 terrorist targets. Senior Hamas officials admit the enormous destruction in the Strip, but still claim that they have the upper hand and that Israel will not be able to subdue them. They also accuse the United States of cooperating with Israel IDF forces recovered two kidnapped bodies (a civilian and a soldier) and bring them to Israel. Senior Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists reiterate that if Israel is interested in negotiations and a deal, it must stop fighting in the Strip.The situation in the Gaza Strip is deteriorating. Many evacuees are in the south of the Gaza Strip. Hezbollah continued attacking Israel, targeting military targets and launching rockets at the cities, towns and villages of the Western Galilee. The United Nations General Assembly held an emergency session and passed a resolution demanding an urgent humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The Palestinians welcomed the decision, which they viewed as international support for the Palestinian issue. In Geneva, foreign ministers of Arab and Islamic countries met at the World Refugee Forum to discuss the "situation of human rights in Palestine."
Read more...

Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., December 12, 2023)

IDF forces continued fighting in the northern and southern Gaza Strip, exposing large quantities of weapons and weapons training facilities, most of which were situated in civilian sites, such as residences and mosques. The forces detained a large number of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorist operatives. The Palestinians reported fierce combat in the southern and northern Gaza Strip.Senior Hamas and terrorists continue reiterating that any further hostage exchange deal will be made after a ceasefire is announced. A "Palestinian source" reported that initial negotiations were underway regarding the possibility of continuing the hostage exchange deal.The situation in the Gaza Strip is deteriorating. Medical personnel reported the outbreak of disease. In the Rafah area, another Qatar-funded field hospital is under construction. Hezbollah continued attacking IDF posts, concentrations of fighters and civilian targets. Hezbollah claimed it had attacked Metula with guided missiles in response to the death of the mayor of the Lebanese town of Taybeh, killed by an IDF mortar shell. The IDF responded by attacking Hezbollah terrorist targets in south Lebanon.The Houthis attacked a ship flying a Norwegian flag in the Bab al-Mandeb area which they claimed was carrying oil to Israel.
Read more...

Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., December 11, 2023)

The IDF forces continued to expand their activities in the southern and northern Gaza Strip. A senior IDF officer said that in recent days they had detected signs of cracks in the Hamas façade and problems in command and control, especially in the northern Gaza Strip, where mainly small groups of terrorist operatives were fighting without senior command. Cracks were also appearing in the civilian population's solidarity with Hamas. Palestinian sources reported intense fighting mainly in the Khan Yunis area and in refugee camps in the central Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, the Palestinian terrorist organizations continue attacking Israel with rocket fire, although at a relatively low rate and mainly targeting the cities, towns and villages surrounding the Gaza Strip. On the afternoon of December 11, 2023, at noon, a barrage was launched towards central Israel and the plains west of Jerusalem; buildings and cars were damaged in Holon. Senior Hamas terrorists continue to stress that the hostages will be released only according to the organization's terms and Israel will submit to Hamas pressure. Hezbollah continued attacking Israel. On the morning of December 11, 2023, a large barrage of rockets was launched towards the cities, towns and villages in the Galilee. Hamas claimed responsibility for attacking two posts in the Western Galilee. Meanwhile, Hamas continues developing the "pioneers of Operation al-Aqsa Storm" in Lebanon, whose establishment it announced a few days ago.
Read more...

Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., December 10, 2023)

Fighting continues in the northern and southern Gaza Strip. Integrated IDF forces continued to expand their presence in the area, attacking hundreds of Hamas terrorist targets. The local media reported fierce fighting and the surrender of dozens of Gazans. Senior Hamas terrorists claimed they had the upper hand, were successfully combatting the IDF forces and could hold out for many months.An IDF attempt to free the hostages failed (no hostage was present at the site) and two soldiers were injuredThe situation in the Strip continues to deteriorate. The spokesman for the Hamas-controlled the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip reported the collapse of the public health system, stating hospital occupancy stood at 260%.Hezbollah continued attacking IDF posts and forces. The IDF responded with artillery fire and airstrikes. Reportedly, there has been increasing criticism from senior Hezbollah terrorists of the Radwan forces along the border and its performance during the war. The American embassy in Baghdad was attacked. The Houthis declared they would absolutelyThe Security Council debated a proposed resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. It was vetoed by the United States, on the grounds that it did not condemn Hamas' October 7 massacre, or the sexual violence perpetrated by its terrorist operatives, and there was no mention of calling on the Red Cross to provide the hostages with medical treatment. The Palestinians and their supporters condemned the United States' veto.
Read more...