The West

Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., March 12, 2024)

The IDF forces continued their activity in the southern Gaza Strip, mainly in the Hamad neighborhood in the northwest of Khan Yunis and in the neighborhoods to the east of the city. In the central and northern Gaza Strip, the forces took action mainly against armed operatives and rocket launchers. Hamas officials reported that no progress had been made and blamed Israel for causing attempts to reach an agreement before Ramadan to fail. Arab sources stated that the pier under construction for the delivery humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip was insufficient and that aid should also be brought in in additional ways. Senior sources in the Gaza Strip claimed the issue of the pier "was suspicious" and there were problems that had to be solved before its operation. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for eight attacks during the past day. On the night of March 11, 2024, Israeli Air Force fighter jets attacked two Hezbollah aerial force compounds in the Beqa'a region. In response, Hezbollah launched about 70 rockets at Israel. Israeli security forces killed a terrorist operative in the village of Zeita near Tulkarm, who was en route to carry out a suicide bombing attack in Tel Aviv. A rifle and an IED prepared for detonation were found in his possession. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed its operatives had launched a UAV at Ben Gurion Airport; the launch was videoed and distributed by the "resistance." The Houthis reported attacking another ship in the Red Sea. The Security Council convened to discuss the sexual assaults during the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack and massacre, following the report written by the UN Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict.A cell of three Palestinians was detained, apparently with connections to the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades in Judea and Samaria, which planned to carry out terrorist attacks. One of the detainees is wanted by Israel.
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Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., March 11, 2024)

The IDF forces continued their activity in the southern Gaza Strip in Khan Yunis' Hamad neighborhood. In the central Gaza Strip, the forces operated mainly against armed terrorist squads. Naval fighters in the northern Gaza Strip directed a combat helicopter to attack and destroy a vessel used by the terrorist organizations. After the Hamas delegation left Cairo, senior Hamas members stated that there was no specific date for its return to the talks. They denied reports that communications had been suspended between the Hamas leadership in the Gaza Strip and the "external" leadership and reiterated their demands. Airlifts of humanitarian aid from various countries continue. Israel's attempts for cooperation from clan heads in the Gaza Strip have allegedly failed. Hamas also warned against such attempts, calling them "treason." Isma'il Haniyeh, head of Hamas' political bureau, gave a speech for Ramadan in which he reiterated Hamas demands for a hostage deal. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for ten attacks, including two rocket barrages targeting the Meron and Hermon areas, allegedly Hezbollah's response to IDF attacks on Lebanese civilians. Four UAVs were launched simultaneously at a single target. The Israeli security forces operated in the Nur Shams, Tulkarm and Qalqilya refugee camps.
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Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., March 10, 2024)

The IDF forces continued their activity in the Gaza Strip, focusing on the Hamad neighborhood in the northwest of Khan Yunis and Qarara, east of Khan Yunis. In the central Gaza Strip, attacks on armed terrorist squads continued. On March 7, 2024, the Hamas delegation left Egypt for consultations with the movement's leadership. "Egyptian sources" said that the mediating countries would strive to hold a new round of negotiations. The president of the United States ordered the construction of a temporary port on the shore of the Gaza Strip to bring in humanitarian aid. During the weekend, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for 25 attacks. Hezbollah reported seven dead A combined shooting-IED attack against IDF soldiers was carried out in the Homesh area; the Jenin Battalion claimed responsibility for the attack, which was welcomed by Hamas and the PIJ. Mahmoud Abbas swore in six new district governors. His office expressed satisfaction with the State of the Union address, claiming it was in line with the Palestinians' demands. The Islamic Resistance claimed to have attacked Israel three times. The Houthis increased their activity in the Red Sea and the United States military and the coalition countries increased their countermeasures. The Houthis and Hamas reported the ongoing, close and connections between the movements. A delegation of the families of Palestinian casualties from the Gaza Strip visited the UN and met with the UN secretary general and members of the Security Council.
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Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., March 5, 2024)

During the past day IDF activities focused on the Hamad neighborhood in the northwest of Khan Yunis. The fighters detained dozens of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorist operatives who tried to escape by mingling with the civilian population evacuated by the IDF. The Israeli Air Force attacked more than 50 Hamas targets. The IDF spokesperson revealed that at least 450 UNRWA workers in the Gaza Strip were operatives of terrorist organizations, some of whom participated in the October 7, 2023 attack. The Hamas delegation is still in Cairo for further talks regarding a ceasefire agreement and hostage deal. So far, no official announcement has been made about the status of the negotiations. "Sources" reported internal Hamas criticism of the decision made by Yahya al-Sinwar, head of the Hamas political bureau in the Gaza Strip, to launch the attack on October 7, 2023, without consulting the other leaders of the movement. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for six attacks.. American Mediator Amos Hochstein began a series of meetings with senior officials in Lebanon.Israeli security forces detained a terrorist operative in the Balata refugee camp in Nablus who planned, along with other terrorists, to carry out an attack in the immediate future.Mahmoud Abbas went on a three-day visit to Turkey.The Houthis reported damage to a ship with connections to Israel in the Gulf of Aden. It was owned by Switzerland and flying the Liberian flag. There were no casualties.
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Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., March 4, 2024)

The IDF forces continued the integrated ground maneuver, focusing on Khan Yunis, particularly the Hamad neighborhood in the northwestern part of the city and the Qarara area to the north.. Palestinian media reported air and ground attacks by IDF forces throughout the Gaza Strip. A "senior Hamas source" claimed they were working "seriously" to reach an agreement for a ceasefire, and that contrary to news items about Ramadan as the target date, none had been specified. Gazans continue to criticize the airlifted aid, claiming that it is a propaganda stunt and the aid does not reach the entire population . On the morning of March 4, an anti-tank missile was fired at civilian community of Margaliot, killing one person and wounding several. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for seven attacks during the past day.Mahmoud Abbas, PA chairman, issued a "presidential edict" ordering the appointment of three new district governors. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for an attack on the "chemical materials plant in Haifa Port," using a UAV. In reality, no such attack occurred.
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Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., February 29, 2024)

During the past day, IDF forces focused on western Khan Yunis and the Zeitoun neighborhood in Gaza City. The forces exposed terrorist facilities and clashed with armed squads of terrorist operatives.  According to reports, Hamas' ministry of the interior established a "people's defense committee" in Rafah to help enforce the law against business owners who raised prices in the markets.  Hezbollah claimed responsibility for four attacks. It was reported that Hassan Nasrallah, secretary general of Hezbollah, and Esmail Qaani, the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps' Qods Force, met in Beirut, and Qaani gave Hezbollah a green light to escalate its attacks if the IDF began a ground operation in Rafah. According to reports, two attacks on Hezbollah and its affiliated militias were carried out in Syria and attributed to Israel. Mahmoud Abbas sent communiqués to a number of presidents, prime ministers and heads of organizations stating the PA's opposition to the Israeli government's plan for "the day after" the war in Gaza.
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