Israel SitRep: Dec. 27, 2023

Today’s Issue: IDF Operates Overnight in West Bank’s Nur Shams Refugee Camp | IDF Fighting in Central Gaza’s Al-Bureij Refugee Camp | Elderly Man, Nine IDF Soldiers Injured By Hezbollah Missile Attacks on Northern Israel | IDF Operations Continue in Northern Gaza, Army Still Fighting in Khan Younis in Southern Gaza | Latest FDD Analysis

IDF Operates Overnight in West Bank’s Nur Shams Refugee Camp: On Wednesday, the IDF announced an overnight counter-terrorism operation in the Nur Shams refugee camp near Tulkarem. During the raid, conducted by IDF soldiers along with engineering forces, the Shin Bet, and the Border Police, six armed terrorists threw explosives at the soldiers and the Israeli Air Force responded with a drone strike, killing six. Troops also arrested three wanted persons and seized weapons and “terrorist funds.” In addition, IDF forces destroyed explosive devices under the road and on the side of the road. Overnight between Monday and Tuesday, the army raided Nur Shams and seized weapons, including rockets.

IDF Fighting in Central Gaza’s Al-Bureij Refugee Camp: On Wednesday, the IDF published a report about the operation its 36th Division carried out in central Gaza’s al-Bureij refugee camp on Tuesday. The aim of the operation was to dismantle Hamas’s al-Bureij battalion, which has some 1,000 fighters. The report noted that the camp has densely populated neighborhoods filled with infrastructures that constitute an “established Hamas terrorist nest.” IDF forces found a tunnel shaft leading to an underground route as well as a Hamas training complex with a large number of weapons. The 36th Division was previously operating in northern Gaza and gained control of Zeitun, Shejaiya, Rimal, and Shatti after killing hundreds of terrorists and destroying terror infrastructures. On Monday, the IDF announced that Nahal Brigade forces fought Hamas terrorists hiding in schools in Daraj Tufah in northern Gaza, killing a terrorist who shot at them from a school. They also found dozens of explosive devices in United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) bags as well as Kalashnikov rifles and explosive belts.

Elderly Man, Nine IDF Soldiers Injured By Hezbollah Missile Attacks on Northern Israel: On Tuesday, nine IDF soldiers were injured, one seriously, by an anti-tank guided missile launched by Hezbollah at the north of Israel. The soldiers were evacuating a man in his 80s who was injured by an earlier Hezbollah missile attack on St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church in the Israeli Christian village of Iqrit. When the soldiers arrived at the church, Hezbollah launched missiles at them. The Israeli Air Force responded by striking Hezbollah’s terrorist infrastructures in Lebanon. IDF forces also attacked the building to which the terrorist fled after launching the anti-tank missile at the church.

IDF Operations Continue in Northern Gaza, Army Still Fighting in Khan Younis in Southern Gaza: IDF ground, naval, and air forces are continuing to fight in Shejaiya in northern Gaza. In one incident there, IDF troops saw terrorists moving between buildings known to be a part of a terrorist command center and directed airstrikes at them. The military also launched precision strikes against terrorists who were preparing missiles to be shot at Israel. In southern Gaza, IDF troops are fighting “deep within Khan Younis,” according to the IDF, which released footage showing the Egoz, Duvdevan, and Maglan units fighting there. The army stated that its forces are destroying Hamas infrastructure, including tunnel shafts, and killing a large number of operatives. It added that IDF troops had used guided munitions in dozens of strikes during operations in Khan Younis.

Latest FDD Analysis:

“Egypt’s Gaza Dilemma,” Jonathan Schanzer, Commentary

“The U.N. Piles On Israel,” Orde Kittrie, The Wall Street Journal

“Israel-Hamas War: The Israeli drones keeping the IDF safe in Gaza,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“Israel’s consul-general in Montreal raises awareness of Hamas crimes,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“Hezbollah attack kills IDF soldier as Israel consolidates control in Gaza,” Seth J. Frantzman, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Iran Threatens Israel After IRGC Commander Killed in Syria,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Reveals That It Retaliates Against Attacks From Yemen, Iraq, and Iran,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

U.S. Forces Shoot Down Dozens of Houthi Missiles and Drones,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief