Israel SitRep: Nov. 8, 2023

Today’s Issue: Netanyahu Reiterates: No Ceasefire Without Release of Hostages; Qatar-Mediated Deal on Ceasefire-Hostage Exchange Reported to be Underway | IDF: Israel Operating in the ‘Heart of Gaza’; Hamas Retains the Ability to Launch Missiles | 20 Rockets from Lebanon Enter Israel, Hezbollah Leader Warns Israel of ‘Serious Consequences’ if It Expands Its Campaign | Gazans Continue Moving South Through the Humanitarian Corridor | Latest FDD Analysis

Netanyahu Reiterates: No Ceasefire Without Release of Hostages; Qatar-Mediated Deal on Ceasefire-Hostage Exchange Reported to be Underway: In a war update for Israelis on November 7, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that “there will not be a ceasefire without the return of our kidnapped,” adding that Israel would not allow fuel into Gaza until the hostages are freed. He noted that in talks with the Red Cross, he demanded that the organization visit the hostages and work for their freedom. Meanwhile, on November 8, AFP reported that Israel and Hamas are holding hostage negotiations with Qatar as mediator to discuss a one-to-two-day pause in the fighting in exchange for the release of 10-15 hostages.

IDF: Israel Operating in the ‘Heart of Gaza’; Hamas Retains the Ability to Launch Missiles: Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated on November 7 that “IDF forces are in the heart of Gaza City” and added: “They came from the north and the south. They stormed it in full coordination between land, air and sea forces.” The same day, Hamas launched rockets toward Israel, setting off sirens in the Tel Aviv area, at Ben Gurion Airport, and in the Sharon region. The IDF announced on November 8 that it had killed Hamas rocket and strategic ammunition specialist Muhsin Abu Zina in an airstrike overnight.

20 Rockets from Lebanon Enter Israel, Hezbollah Leader Warns Israel of ‘Serious Consequences”’ if It Expands Its Campaign: On the afternoon of November 7, the IDF confirmed that about 20 rockets from Lebanon entered Israel, setting off sirens in the Galilee and the Golan Heights. The IDF responded with artillery strikes against the sources of the fire. Also in the afternoon of November 7, the IDF shot down a “suspicious aerial target” before it entered Israeli territory. In the evening, IDF fighter aircraft struck Hezbollah targets, including launch sites and a weapons storage facility, in response to firing from Lebanon earlier in the day. Hezbollah Deputy Secretary-General Naim Qassem stated in a November 7 interview with NBC News that his group is attempting to reduce “the pressure on Gaza” by participating in the conflict. According to Qassem, Hezbollah’s attacks send a “clear message” to Israel that there will be “serious consequences” if it expands its campaign.

Gazans Continue Moving South Through the Humanitarian Corridor: The IDF spokesman announced on November 8 that “thousands of residents of the northern Gaza Strip” were moving southward on the Salah a-Din road in response to calls by the IDF. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs stated that some 15,000 people went southward on Tuesday, a significant increase over the numbers from Monday (5,000) and Sunday (2,000). The Israeli Defense Ministry’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) stated on November 7 that Israel was providing humanitarian aid to Gaza at levels above those required by international law. He added that inventories are monitored daily.

Latest FDD Analysis:

Video, audio, & transcript: “Mind the Gap: Federal Cybersecurity Workforce Initiatives,” Natalie Alms, Jason Barke, Camille Stewart Gloster, Seeyew Mo, and RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, FDD Event

“In Israel vs. Hamas, China Backs Iran vs. America,” Matt Pottinger, David Feith, and Ben Noon, FDD Memo

“Russia’s Second Front in Europe,” David R. Shedd and Ivana Stradner, Foreign Affairs

“Iran’s War on Israel Has Reached A New and Deadly Stage,” Seth J. Frantzman, The National Interest

“The mouth of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah hath spoken—and nothing useful came out,” David Daoud, MENASource

“Israel’s enemies may see the war in Gaza as a road to Jerusalem – analysis,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“How the U.S. Can Slash Tehran’s Oil Revenue,” Saeed Ghasseminejad, FDD Policy Brief

“Boeing’s Cyber Incident Highlights Need for Greater Information Sharing,” Jiwon Ma Program and Suyash Pasi, FDD Policy Brief

“Saudi Arabia Buys Time for Normalization Talks With America and Israel,” Andrea Stricker and Anthony Ruggiero, FDD Policy Brief

“Russia’s Wagner Group to Transfer Air Defense System to Hezbollah, U.S. Intel Says,” John Hardie, FDD Policy Brief

“Pentagon Deploys Ohio-Class Guided Missile Submarine to the Middle East,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Hezbollah Attempts Anti-Tank Missile Attack From Lebanon,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief