Israel SitRep: Nov. 6, 2023

Today’s Issue: The IDF Divides Gaza into North and South, Seizes Weapons, and Takes Control of a Hamas Outpost | Evacuation of Foreign Nationals Is On Hold, Israel Gives Gazans a Window to Move from North to South | U.S. Secretary of State Blinken Makes a Whirlwind Middle East Tour | Jerusalem and the West Bank Heat Up | Latest FDD Analysis

The IDF Divides Gaza into North and South, Seizes Weapons, and Takes Control of a Hamas Outpost: On November 5, IDF forces reached the coastline of the Gaza Strip, segmenting it into northern and southern sections. The same day, the IDF spokesman announced that the army had seized grenades, drones, explosives, and intelligence materials from Beit Hanoun. On November 6, the IDF announced that it took control of a Hamas outpost overnight between November 5 and 6, which included tunnels, training complexes, and observation posts. Some terrorists were killed in the operation. In addition, the IDF struck 450 Hamas targets in the past 24 hours, killing some Hamas terrorists, including Jamal Musa, who was in charge of special security operations for the group. Communications and internet service in Gaza collapsed in the evening of November 5, according to Al Arabiya, citing the Paltel telecommunications company. On November 6, Paltel said that services have returned in some parts of the strip.

Evacuation of Foreign Nationals Is On Hold, Israel Gives Gazans a Window to Move from North to South: According to media reports, the evacuation of foreign passport holders through the Rafah crossing was suspended on November 4 after Israel struck an ambulance near al-Shifa Hospital, which the IDF said was being used by Hamas. A U.S. diplomat said that efforts were being made to reopen the crossing and expressed the belief that the problem would be solved. On November 6, the IDF gave Gaza residents a window between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to leave the northern Gaza Strip and head south through a humanitarian corridor. The IDF released footage showing Palestinians heading south.

U.S. Secretary of State Blinken Makes a Whirlwind Middle East Tour: On November 3, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel as part of a Middle East tour that also included the Palestinian Authority (PA), Jordan, Turkey, Cyprus, and Iraq, and called for a humanitarian pause in the Gaza war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected calls for a pause as long as Hamas refused to release Israeli hostages. In Blinken’s meeting with PA head Mahmoud Abbas, the secretary expressed Washington’s commitment to deliver humanitarian aid and stated that Palestinians must not be forcibly displaced. Abbas told Blinken that the PA will take full responsibility for Gaza as part of a comprehensive solution after Israel’s war with Hamas ends.

Jerusalem and the West Bank Heat Up: On November 6, a youth from Issawiya in East Jerusalem stabbed two Border Police officers at the Shalem Police Station near Herod’s Gate in the Old City, killing one and lightly wounding the other. The attacker was shot and killed and an individual suspected of aiding him was arrested. This was the second attack near the Shalem Police station and the third against Border Police officers in the “seam” between East and West Jerusalem since the October 7 Hamas attacks. The IDF announced on November 6 that it has arrested 38 people in the West Bank, five of them members of Hamas. It also stated that it has arrested 1,350 terror suspects in the West Bank since October 7, 850 of them linked to Hamas.

Latest FDD Analysis:

“The War to End All Wars Against Hamas,” Clifford D. May, Bradley Bowman, Hussain Abdul-Hussain, and Amir Eshel, FDD’s Foreign Podicy

“Iran’s Ever-Expanding Ring of Fire,” Mark Dubowitz and Behnam Ben Taleblu, Real Clear Defense

“The Hezbollah Two-Step,” Commentary, Jonathan Schanzer

Live at 12:00pm ET: “Mind the Gap: Federal Cybersecurity Workforce Initiatives,” Natalie Alms, Jason Barke, Camille Stewart Gloster, Seeyew Mo, and RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, FDD Event

“Exposing Iran’s Proxy Gambit One Proxy At A Time,” Saeed Ghasseminejad and Behnam Ben Taleblu, 1945

“10 Things to Know About Hezbollah,” FDD Experts, FDD Insight

“Russia’s alarming axis with Iran is in plain view and should stiffen resolve behind Ukraine,” Peter Doran and Ivana Stradner, New York Post

“Gaza and the De-Colonization Narrative,” Hussain Abdul-Hussain, American Purpose

“The gap between public declarations and actions is large. Prioritization is required.” Eyal Hulata, Ynet

“Russia-Iran axis: Could Wagner weapons in Lebanon harm Israel? – analysis,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“The key figures leading Israel’s military campaign to destroy Hamas in Gaza,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jewish Chronical

“The voice of Hezbollah breaking the silence: Nasrallah to speak on Friday,” David Daoud, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Hezbollah Leader Praises Hamas, Avoids Escalation,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Blinken Calls for “Pauses” in Gaza War,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Eyeing Growing Houthi Threat, Israel Downs Cruise Missile With F-35s,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Hamas Attacks Israeli Soldiers as the IDF Prepares Safe Passage for Gazans on Main Highway,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Blinken Probes Abbas on PA Role for Gaza,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Vows to Eliminate Hamas Terror Leader Yahya Sinwar,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israeli Forces Isolate Northern Gaza Strip,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief