Israel SitRep: Dec. 1, 2023

Today’s Issue: Hamas Violates Ceasefire, Fighting Resumes | Rockets Fired at Southern Israel, Israeli Airstrikes Hit Gaza | Eight Hostages Released Thursday, Some 137 Remain | Israel Police Break Up Weapons Smuggling Ring on Jordanian Border | Latest FDD Analysis

Hamas Violates Ceasefire, Fighting Resumes: Israel’s week-long truce with Hamas ended overnight. The IDF announced the resumption of fighting after Hamas violated the ceasefire by launching rockets at Israel and failing to provide a list of hostages to be freed by 7 a.m. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement saying that Hamas violated the framework and that “it has not met its obligation to release all of the women hostages today and has launched rockets at Israeli citizens.” The Prime Minister’s Office also reiterated its commitment to the war’s goals: “Releasing the hostages, eliminating Hamas and ensuring that Gaza never again constitutes a threat to the residents of Israel.”

Rockets Fired at Southern Israel, Israeli Airstrikes Hit Gaza: Rocket fire from Gaza toward Israel began more than an hour before the scheduled 7 a.m. end of the ceasefire and continued during the day. The initial rocket barrage, just before 6:00 a.m., was intercepted by the Iron Dome system. At 7:03, the IDF announced the resumption of hostilities. During the day, rockets fell in a number of locations in southern Israel, and five IDF soldiers were wounded from a mortar that fell near Nirim in the Negev. Israeli airstrikes hit targets in Gaza shortly after the truce expired, and Israel dropped leaflets in southern Gaza telling residents to evacuate. The IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman announced that the IDF has published an interactive map dividing Gaza into zones. This will enable the army to give zone-specific instructions to civilians in each area.

Eight Hostages Released Thursday, Some 137 Remain: On Thursday, Hamas released two hostages in the afternoon and another six shortly before midnight. One of those released was 21-year-old Mia Schem, who appeared in the first hostage video released by Hamas. Also released were two Israel Bedouin siblings, Aisha (17) and Bilal (18) Ziyadne, whose father and brother are still being held by Hamas. The hostages included dual nationals from Russia, Mexico, and Uruguay. Israel released 30 Palestinian security prisoners and detainees. During the ceasefire, 105 hostages — 81 Israeli, 23 Thai, and one Filipino — were released by Hamas, and Israel freed 210 Palestinian security prisoners. Estimates are that 137 hostages remain in Gaza.

Israel Police Break Up Weapons Smuggling Ring on Jordanian Border: The Israel Police announced on Thursday that they foiled a smuggling operation on the Jordanian border. According to the announcement, the police seized 137 weapons, including 120 handguns, 17 M-16 riles, 250 cartridges, and numerous weapon parts with a total value of about 6 million shekels ($1.6 million). Southern District police officers worked with the IDF’s 80th Division in the operation, which led to the arrest of four smugglers. The suspects are residents of Bedouin communities near the Israeli town of Yeruham and are in their 20s and 30s. According to Southern District Police Commander Superintendent Amir Cohen, “This marks the largest thwarting of smuggling on the Jordanian border.”

Latest FDD Analysis:

“How dare these Western pro-Hamas liberals say they speak for me, an Arab who has suffered from Islamic terror,” Hussain Abdul-Hussain, New York Post

“Deploy the Precision Strike Missile to the Middle East,” Bradley Bowman and Ryan Brobst, Breaking Defense

“Iran continues to use drones in its shadow war against Israel,” Behnam Ben Taleblu, The Jerusalem Post

“The Gray Lady Quietly Retracts Yet Another Slander Against Israel,” David Adesnik, The Washington Free Beacon

“Terror attacks amid continued ‘pause’ in Gaza fighting,” Seth J. Frantzman, FDD’s Long War Journal

“U.S. destroyer shoots down Iranian-built drone over the Red Sea,” Joe Truzman and Bill Roggio, FDD’s Long War Journal

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

“Hamas Terrorists Murder Three in Jerusalem,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Extends Pause in Fighting by One Day,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israel SitRep: Nov. 30, 2023,” FDD Experts, FDD Israel at War Situation Report