Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., January 25, 2024)
The activity of the IDF forces continued focusing on the Khan Yunis area in the southern Gaza Strip. The forces located weapons and clashed with a large number of armed squads. The Palestinians claimed that the IDF forces had attacked an UNRWA facility. In the central Gaza Strip the forces uncovered a tunnel connecting the northern and southern Gaza Strip. So far, no progress has been made on the negotiations for a hostage deal. Hamas members denied all reports in the international news agencies and the Israeli media about a possible exchange deal sponsored by Qatar and Egypt. Senior Hamas members reiterated that they stood by their initial conditions for any deal, the first of which was a ceasefire and the withdrawal of IDF forces from the Gaza Strip. The heavy fighting has caused residents of the Khan Yunis area to continue moving to the Rafah area. Senior figures, including the president of Egypt, claim that the humanitarian aid received by the Gaza Strip every day is insufficient.
Hezbollah claimed responsibility for six attacks against Israel. Israeli Air Force fighter planes and artillery attacked in the Yaroun area. The Hezbollah-affiliated daily al-Akhbar published an article which claimed that the Lebanese army, Lebanon, and UNIFIL had "data" confirming Israel's intention to escalate the fighting. Mahmoud Abbas met with David Cameron, the British foreign minister. He said that contrary to Israel's plans, the Gaza Strip had no security or military solution and could not be cut off from the "Palestinian state." For the second time, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for launching a UAV to attack the Port of Ashdod. The Houthis attacked a ship flying the American flag.
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