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The Israeli Palestinian Conflict

Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., December 17, 2023)

IDF forces continued their integrated ground maneuver in the Gaza Strip, focusing mainly in Jabalia, Shejaiya and Gaza City in the northern Gaza Strip, and Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip.: On December 15, 2023, during the fighting in Shejaiya, IDF forces accidentally killed three hostages. The IDF is investigating the incident, which occurred in a combat zone where there were many encounters with terrorists. The Palestinians repeatedly emphasize that there will be no hostage negotiations without a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire and according to the conditions determined by the terrorist organizations.The situation in the Gaza Strip remains serious. Due to hardships in hospitals and the large number of wounded, a school in Deir al-Balah was converted into a field hospital.Hezbollah continued attacking IDF posts, concentrations of forces on the northern border and civilian targets, using mainly UAVs. On December 16, 2023, two UAVs with explosive warheads crossed the border; one was intercepted by IDF forces and the other crashed into Margaliot, a moshav, killing a reserve soldier. On December 15, 2023, a stabbing attack of IDF soldiers near Nablus was prevented. There has recently been a significant increase in the activities of the Houthis against ships in the Red Sea. As a result, a number of international shipping and transport companies announced they would no longer sail that route. Seven people, including four suspected Hamas terrorist operatives, were detained in several European countries on suspicion of planning to attack Jewish institutions in Europe.
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Military-Terrorist Activities of the Houthis in Yemen during Operation Iron Swords

Since the beginning of Operation Iron Swords, the Houthi movement in Yemen has intensified its on against the State of Israel and on vessels sailing in the Red Sea near the coast of Yemen, launching 13 missiles and 34 UAVs, and attacking at least nine ships in the Red Sea area. The Houthis claim that the attacks are in response to Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip and they will only stop when Israel stops attacking. For Iran, using the pro-Iranian militias in Iraq, Syria and Yemen as proxies for another level of escalation, on the one hand, expresses its commitment to the concept of "uniting the arenas," especially in view of the Israeli ground attack in the Gaza Strip, and on the other, relieves it of the necessity of involving Hezbollah in an all-out confrontation with Israel, which could exact a heavy price from the organization and possibly from Iran itself .So far Iran has hidden its involvement in the Houthi attacks.
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Public opinion poll finds Palestinians in the West Bank more satisfied about Hamas’ activity than Palestinians in the Gaza Strip

The Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research published the results of survey conducted in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip in the midst of the war. The survey findings indicates a fundamental difference between the attitudes of the residents of the West Bank and those of the residents of the Gaza Strip and a completely different perception of reality. The survey findings also indicate broad public support for the October 7 Hamas attack, but the vast majority deny that Hamas committed atrocities against Israeli civilians.
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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.
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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.
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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."
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