Israel SitRep: Nov. 2, 2023

Today’s Issue: IDF Makes Progress toward Encircling Gaza City | Jordan Recalls Ambassador to Israel; ‘Multiple Sources’ Refute Reports That Bahraini Ambassador Was Recalled | IDF Carries Out West Bank Raids | Humanitarian Aid Enters Gaza and Foreign Citizens Are Evacuated to Egypt through Rafah | Latest FDD Analysis

IDF Makes Progress toward Encircling Gaza City: On November 1, Brig. Gen. Itzik Cohen, who commands the IDF’s 162nd Division, stated that the IDF was “at the Gates of Gaza City.” There are reports that the IDF is moving south of Gaza City and is close to cutting Gaza in two. The army is also carrying out operations in the northern Gaza Strip. The IDF’s position shows progress in its ground operation. The IDF also announced that four soldiers were killed on November 1 and two others were badly injured. On November 1, the army announced that it had killed Muhammad A’sar, who headed Hamas’s Anti-Tank Missile Unit in Gaza.

Jordan Recalls Ambassador to Israel; ‘Multiple Sources’ Refute Reports That Bahraini Ambassador Was Recalled: On November 1, Jordan’s Foreign Ministry recalled its ambassador to Israel. Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Lior Haiat stated that “Israel regrets the Jordanian government’s decision to recall its ambassador for consultations.” Although Bahrain’s House of Representatives announced on November 2 the recall of the country’s ambassador to Israel, Al-Monitor tweeted on November 2 that “multiple sources” have confirmed to it that the report is wrong.

IDF Carries Out West Bank Raids: Israel announced on November 1 that it arrested 46 terror suspects in the West Bank, 30 of them Hamas members. Since October 7, the IDF has arrested 1,180 people in the West Bank, including 740 with ties to Hamas. Overnight between November 1 and 2, the IDF carried out West Bank raids, including in Ramallah, Nablus, and Qalqilya. The army also seized about 40,000 shekels in Kafr Bidou in the West Bank that were intended for terrorist activities and arrested 11 people.

Humanitarian Aid Enters Gaza and Foreign Citizens Are Evacuated to Egypt through Rafah: On November 1, Israel’s Office of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) announced that 61 trucks with humanitarian supplies, including medical supplies, food, and water, entered Gaza through the Rafah crossing. In addition, on November 1, foreign passport holders in Gaza departed for Egypt through the Rafah crossing. On November 2, hundreds of foreign passport holders, including about 400 Americans, were preparing to depart.

Latest FDD Analysis:

“The second war against the Jews,” Clifford D. May, The Washington Times

“Nasrallah’s Big Speech,” Jonathan Schanzer, Commentary

“Biden Administration Foreign Policy Tracker: November,” edited by John Hardie, FDD Tracker

“There is still time for Biden to deter Iran and support Israel,” Anthony Ruggiero, The Hill

“In first, Israel’s Arrow air defense system intercepts ballistic missile near Red Sea: IDF,” Seth J. Frantzman, Breaking Defense

“Hezbollah’s Terror Threat In Latin America,” Emanuele Ottolenghi, 1945

“Israel at War: November 1, 2023,” Joe Truzman and Bill Roggio, Generation Jihad (by FDD’s Long War Journal)

“Shabaab claims several al-Qaeda leaders present during infamous ‘Black Hawk Down’ incident,” Caleb Weiss, FDD’s Long War Journal

“IDF suffers increased casualties amid urban Gaza battles,” Seth J. Frantzman, FDD’s Long War Journal

“As battle in Gaza grows, Israel faces multi-front threats,” Seth J. Frantzman, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Blinken to Visit Israel and Jordan as Iran-Backed Groups Threaten Regional War,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief