Israel SitRep: October 30, 2024

Today’s Issue: |IDF Troops Continue Lebanon Operations, Eliminating Hezbollah Operatives, Finding Weapons, and Destroying Tunnel Shafts | In Gaza, IDF Kills Terrorists, Destroys Terrorist Infrastructures, Strikes Terrorists Operating in Humanitarian Zone | Israel Defense Ministry: U.S. Marines Complete Training on Air Defense System Incorporating Iron Dome Interceptor Missile | IDF Announces Capture of Hezbollah Commander in Southern Lebanon’s Ayta Al-Shab | Latest FDD Analysis

IDF Troops Continue Lebanon Operations, Eliminating Hezbollah Operatives, Finding Weapons, and Destroying Tunnel Shafts: On Wednesday, the IDF announced that Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck more than 100 terrorist targets over the past day and killed dozens of Hezbollah operatives throughout Lebanon. The targets included the launcher from which projectiles that landed in Ma’alot-Tarshiha were fired. Meanwhile, troops from the 146th Division are continuing operations in southern Lebanon, and over the past day, have found weapons and attacked dozens of targets, including military buildings and anti-tank missile launch positions. In addition, an IAF drone struck a Hezbollah terrorist squad. Soldiers from the 91st “Galilee” Regional Division are continuing to eliminate terrorists, find weapons, and destroy tunnel shafts, and, in the past day, found anti-aircraft missiles and maps used for targeting Israel. They also found launchers placed in the heart of a civilian population that were aimed at northern Israel as well as a large quantity of weapons.

In Gaza, IDF Kills Terrorists, Destroys Terrorist Infrastructures, Strikes Terrorists Operating in Humanitarian Zone: The IDF on Wednesday announced that the 162nd Division is continuing operations in the Jabalya area of northern Gaza, eliminating dozens of terrorists in the past day in close combat and through airstrikes. Forces from the 252nd Division and the Gaza Division are operating in central and southern Gaza and have destroyed terrorist infrastructures and eliminated terrorists in the past day. Overnight, Israeli Air Force fighter jets, with precise intelligence from the Shin Bet, Aman military intelligence, and the Southern Command, struck Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas operatives engaging in terrorist activity in the humanitarian zone in Khan Younis. The IDF states that before the attack, it took many measures to avoid harm to civilians, including aerial observations, additional intelligence, and the use of precision weapons.

Israel Defense Ministry: U.S. Marines Complete Training on Air Defense System Incorporating Iron Dome Interceptor Missile: The Israel Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday that U.S. Marines completed a live-fire training exercise on an air defense system that incorporates the Iron Dome Tamir interceptor missile. The system is based on an American radar and command-and-control center, along with the Tamir, as well as a mobile launcher developed by Israeli defense technology company Rafael, with the American defense company Raytheon as the main contractor. The announcement notes that the Tamir can intercept cruise missiles, “various rockets,” UAVs, mortars, and artillery shells, adding that Rafael worked with Raytheon to adapt the Tamir to the configuration of the Marine Corps. During the exercise, the Marines successfully intercepted targets and demonstrated “proficiency in fully operating the system.” According to the Defense Ministry, “The success of the live-fire exercise marks a significant milestone toward the operational deployment of the first prototype battery for the Marines.”

IDF Announces Capture of Hezbollah Commander in Southern Lebanon’s Ayta Al-Shab: The IDF announced on Tuesday that about two weeks ago, Hezbollah’s commander in the Ayta al-Shab region in southern Lebanon, Hassan Aqil Jawad, was captured along with other terrorists by troops from the Golani Brigade, based on intelligence they received. The troops found the men inside a tunnel shaft in a command-and-control center. After the soldiers surrounded the building and the men surrendered, they were detained and interrogated by Unit 504 of Aman Military Intelligence, then taken to the unit’s detention facility in Israel for further questioning. During their interrogation, they described a large number of terrorist infrastructures spread around the Ayta al-Shab area, which helped the troops in the field to locate and destroy them. The IDF notes that in recent weeks, investigators from Unit 504 have detained and interrogated a number of terrorists who provided significant intelligence for Israel’s ground operation in southern Lebanon.

Latest FDD Analysis:

Today at 8:30am (ET): “FDD Morning Brief,” featuring Jonathan Schanzer and Eyal Hulata, FDD Event

“Cry Me a River, UNRWA,” Jonathan Schanzer, Commentary

“Captured Documents Show Al Jazeera Ties to Hamas, Islamic Jihad,” Ahmad Sharawi, FDD Policy Brief

“IDF clears hospital of terrorists in northern Gaza,” Seth J. Frantzman, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Naim Qassem vows Hezbollah will continue fighting,” David Daoud, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Israel’s retaliatory strikes in Iran,” Joe Truzman, Bill Roggio, and Behnam Ben Taleblu, Generation Jihad (by FDD’s Long War Journal)

“Israel Passes Legislation Curtailing UNRWA’s Operations,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Iran Executes German-Iranian Dissident Who Lived in California,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Hezbollah Picks Longtime Nasrallah Deputy as Replacement for Dead Leader,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief