Iran

Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., November 6, 2023)

The integrated activity of the IDF forces in the Gaza Strip intensified and the forces currently encircle Gaza City. During the night, a massive integrated attack was carried out on Hamas targets. Sources in the Gaza Strip said it was the most severe attack since the outbreak of the war. Hamas strongly denied the IDF spokesman’s statement that Hamas exploited the hospitals in the Gaza Strip for military-terrorist use. The IDF continued urging the population to evacuate to the south, while Hamas continued preventing them from leaving the northern Gaza Strip. A senior Hamas figure in Beirut claimed there were still 900,000 Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip, indicating the failure of the Israeli plan. Hezbollah continued attacking IDF posts and the cities, towns and villages near the border, firing mortar shells and anti-tank missiles. Rocket barrages were launched at Kiryat Shemonah In Jerusalem, a Palestinian terrorist stabbed a Border Police fighter who later died. The Iraqi prime minister visited Iran. Many Arab sources condemned the Israeli minister of heritage regarding the possibility of dropping an atomic bomb on the Gaza Strip. They called it a “violent and racist” proposal and called on the international community to take action. Read more...

Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., November 5, 2023)

The IDF’s integrated aerial, land and naval maneuver in the Gaza Strip intensified. According to reports, more than 2,500 terrorist targets have been attacked since the beginning of the ground maneuver. The forces exposed Hamas’ exploitation of civilian facilities for positioning rocket launchers. Sources in the Gaza Strip claimed the “resistance” had the upper hand in combat and Israel had made no operational achievements. Hamas accused Israel of attacking UNRWA ambulances, hospitals and schools which shelter local residents. Officials in the Gaza Strip noted that the humanitarian situation was deteriorating and the aid delivered through the Rafah Crossing was insufficient. According to the Hamas-controlled ministry of health in Gaza, so far 9,770 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip.Hezbollah continued attacking IDF posts and the cities, towns and villages on the northern border. Hamas’ military-terrorist wing claimed responsibility for launching a barrage of rockets. In Judea and Samaria Palestinians terrorists carried out three shooting attacks and an attempted stabbing attack. Read more...

Profile of Saleh al-Arouri, a Senior Hamas Terrorist

On the morning of October 31, 2023, in the village of ‘Arura (north of Ramallah), Israeli security forces demolished the home of Saleh al-Arouri, deputy chairman of Hamas' political bureau and in charge of the Hamas terrorist activity in Judea and Samaria. Palestinians rioted during the activity, throwing rocks and IEDs at the forces, who responded with riot control measures. Al-Arouri has not lived in the house for the past 15 years. After the Israeli forces left, residents came carrying Hamas flags to express their solidarity and see the destroyed house up close (QudsN Twitter account, October 31, 2023). Saleh al-Arouri is considered number two in Hamas. He serves as deputy chairman of Hamas' political bureau and is responsible for Hamas’ terrorist activity in Judea and Samaria. Al-Arouri is responsible for Hamas' military buildup, its entrenchment in Lebanon, and the strengthening of the movement's ties with Iran. He is known for his militant statements against Israel, in which he often called for the killing of IDF soldiers and settlers in Judea and Samaria. He is also known for encouraging the escalation of terrorist activity in Judea and Samaria. At the same time, he conducts political activity. Since 2018, al-Arouri has also been wanted by the American State Department. In recent years, al-Arouri has been staying regularly in Beirut, in the southern suburb (al-Dahiya), which serves as Hezbollah's stronghold. Since the beginning of the war in the Gaza Strip, al-Arouri has continued to be interviewed by the media, especially al-Manar TV and al-Jazeera. He stressed Hamas' determination to wage a prolonged war against Israel. Read more...

The Houthis and Operation Iron Swords

Since the beginning of Operation Iron Swords, on four different occasions missiles and UAVs have been launched at Israel from the Red Sea area, all of which were intercepted before they reached Israel's airspace. The Houthi movement in Yemen claimed responsibility for the attacks. Since the war began, senior figures of the Houthi movement have been threatening that if Israel continued its actions against the Gaza Strip they would not hesitate to join the campaign alongside Hamas. The Houthi movement was established in Yemen in the early 1990s on a foundation of the country's Zaydi Shi'ite Muslims, who make up about 30% of the population. In 2004, the movement rebelled against the centralist government on the grounds that it had become too closely identified with the United States and Israel. By 2009 six rounds of fighting between the parties had taken place, at the end of which the Houthis established an autonomous region in north Yemen. They increased their power and areas of control, and in 2015 deposed the incumbent president. That led to the establishment of a coalition of Arab countries, led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, whose goal was to defeat them and restore the previous regime. In response, the Houthis attacked Saudi Arabia and the UAE using advanced weapons provided by Iran, which has supported them over the years and included them in the "axis of resistance." The Houthi movement, thanks to assistance from Iran, has at its disposal an arsenal of missiles and UAVs that can attack both Israeli territory and Israeli vessels in the Red Sea and near the coast of Yemen. In ITIC assessment, the Houthi attacks on Israel were coordinated with Iran, since the Houthis are part of the "axis of resistance." Iran regards the use of pro-Iranian Shi'ite militia proxies in Iraq, Syria and Yemen as an escalation which on the one hand is an expression of the concept of "consolidating the arenas," especially in light of the Israeli ground attack, and which on the other hand Read more...

Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., November 2, 2023)

The southern sector: During the past day the IDF ground maneuver in the Gaza Strip intensified, supported by the Navy and Air Force which helped neutralize threats on the ground and attack Hamas operatives. IDF forces had attacked approximately 12,000 targets. Senior Hamas figures boasted about the failure of Israel's ground maneuver and denied the deaths of senior military-terrorist operatives. So far, over 1,400 civilian and soldier deaths have been reported; 242 civilian and soldier abductees are still being held by the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip. Eighteen IDF soldiers have been killed since the beginning of the ground maneuver. The Gaza Strip: Hospitals report hardships because "they have run out of fuel." On November 1, 2023, the IDF spokesman revealed a conversation with the participation of the director of the Indonesian Hospital, who reported Hamas took fuel from the hospital. The northern sector: Hezbollah terrorist operatives continued attacking IDF positions on the northern border. The IDF responded by shooting at the squads and eliminating squads that were planning to shoot; Hezbollah facilities were also attacked. Judea and Samaria: An Israeli died as the result of a shooting attack carried out by Palestinian terrorists in Samaria. The IDF forces continued counterterrorism activities. Palestinian Authority (PA) Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh met with international figures to try to bring about a ceasefire and the transfer of aid to the Gaza Strip. Iran: Reports multiplied about the frequent visits of Esmail Qaani, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps' (IRGC) Qods Force, to Beirut. Senior Iranian officials continue to blame Israel and the United States for the events. The Houthis in Yemen continue to express support for the Gaza Strip and promise to join the fight. A senior Hamas official thanked Yemen for its support. Jordan recalled its ambassador from Israel. Meanwhile, King Abdullah has engaged in a series of diplomat Read more...

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

The IDF expanded the ground maneuver in the Gaza Strip. Since the beginning of the fighting, IDF forces have attacked more than 11,000 terrorist targets, including operational headquarters and terrorist squads, mainly belonging to Hamas. The Palestinian terrorist organizations continued launching rockets at Israel from the Gaza Strip. Another launch was intercepted in the Red Sea region. The IDF has increased the presence of Navy ships in the area. Sources in the Gaza Strip reported a deterioration of the humanitarian situation and a terrible situation in the hospitals. Egypt began evacuating the wounded for treatment in its territory. Senior Hamas figures called on Arab and Muslim countries to join the battle against Israel and praised Hezbollah for joining in the campaign. Musa Abu Marzouq said that the tunnels in Gaza were meant to protect Hamas from attacks, but the responsibility for protecting the residents of Gaza rested with the United Nations.: Hezbollah operatives continued firing rockets and mortar shells at IDF positions and the cities, towns and villages on the Lebanese border. Read more...

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