Israel SitRep: Nov. 30, 2023

Today’s Issue: Terror Attacks in Jerusalem and West Bank | Truce Extended, Hamas Agrees to Release 10 Hostages, 3 Bodies | 16 Hostages Released on Day 6 | Blinken in Israel for Talks, including on Ceasefire Extension | Latest FDD Analysis

Terror Attacks in Jerusalem and West Bank: Early on Thursday, two terrorists carried out a shooting attack at a bus stop at the entrance to Jerusalem. Brothers Murad Namr, 38, and Ibrahim Namr, 30, from the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sur Baher, got out of a car and opened fire, killing two women and a man. At least 11 people were injured. The terrorists were killed by two soldiers and a civilian. According to the Shin Bet, the two men were members of Hamas and had served time in prison. Later Thursday, a car ramming attack took place at a military checkpoint in the Jordan Valley. Two soldiers were lightly injured and the attacker was shot.

Truce Extended, Hamas Agrees to Release 10 Hostages, 3 Bodies: On Thursday, Israel and Hamas agreed to extend the ceasefire for a seventh day, shortly before it was set to expire. Meanwhile, Egyptian and Qatari mediators are working for an additional extension of two days and for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza. According to the Qatari Foreign Ministry, the terms of the extension are the same as in the past: Hamas will release 10 hostages a day, and Israel will release 30 Palestinian prisoners. Media reports say that Hamas will today release 10 hostages, including two Israeli Bedouin teenagers from Rahat and two Russian citizens as well as three bodies.

16 Hostages Released on Day 6: On Wednesday night, Hamas released 16 hostages, 12 Israeli and four Thai citizens. The Thais were not part of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal and were freed through an agreement with their government. In addition, earlier Wednesday, Hamas released two women with dual Israeli-Russian citizenship in a separate arrangement as a “gesture” to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Five of the 12 Israelis released are teenagers and the others are women. One, Liat Beinin Atzili, is a dual Israeli-U.S. citizen. A total of 97 Israeli and foreign hostages have been released. According to the IDF estimates, 159 remain in captivity. Israel has released 210 Palestinian security prisoners so far.

Blinken in Israel for Talks, including on Ceasefire Extension: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Israel and is holding meetings with Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and members of Israel’s war cabinet. He is discussing an extension of the truce and humanitarian aid to Gaza. In Blinken’s meeting with Herzog, he stated that the truce “is producing results,” specifically “hostages coming home, being reunited with their families,” and noted that it has “also enabled an increase in humanitarian assistance to go to innocent civilians in Gaza who need it desperately.” Following Netanyahu’s meeting with the secretary, the prime minister released a statement saying that he told Blinken, “We swore, and I swore, to eliminate Hamas. Nothing will stop us. We will continue this war until we achieve the three goals – to release all our hostages, to eliminate Hamas completely, and to ensure that no such threat will ever come from Gaza again.”

Latest FDD Analysis:

“Trading terrorists for hostages,” Clifford D. May, The Washington Times

“10 Things to Know About Hamas and Turkey,” FDD Experts, FDD Insight

“Why Hezbollah Isn’t Joining Hamas in Total War Against Israel,” David Daoud, Haaretz

“Gaza’s Gordian Knot,” Seth J. Frantzman, The National Interest

“Khamenei promises ‘de-Americanization’ of Mideast,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“How Hamas is showcasing Islamic Jihad’s Gaza role,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“IDF demolishes home of terrorist who killed Sgt. Maxim Molchanov,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“Why Hezbollah Isn’t Joining Hamas in Total War Against Israel,” David Daoud, Haaretz

“Houthis slam G7, say hijacked ship linked to war,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“Pause in fighting in Gaza extended amid tensions,” Seth J. Frantzman, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Israel eliminates Palestinian Islamic Jihad commander,” Seth J. Frantzman, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Support for Hamas Surges in the West Bank,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Hamas Asks for Extension of Pause in Fighting,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Hamas Claims Three Members of Hostage Family Killed,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“U.S. Airlift of Gaza Aid Arrives in Egypt,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Iran Says It Finalized Deal to Buy Russian Aircraft,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israeli Forces Eliminate Two Islamic Jihad Terrorists in Jenin,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israel SitRep: Nov. 29, 2023,” FDD Experts, FDD Israel at War Situation Report