Israel SitRep: Dec. 29, 2023

Today’s Issue: IDF Operating in Area from Which Hamas Terrorists Launched October 7 Attack | In West Bank Raids, Israel Arrests 21 Suspects for Funding Hamas | Several Israelis Injured in West Bank Terror Attacks on Thursday Evening, Friday | Hezbollah Launches Rockets at Israel, IDF Responds With Strikes in Southern Lebanon | Latest FDD Analysis

IDF Operating in Area from Which Hamas Terrorists Launched October 7 Attack: The IDF on Friday published a description of the operation it launched in the Khirbat Ikhza’a area of southern Gaza, near Khan Younis, targeting the area from which the Hamas terrorists initiated their October 7 attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz. The current operation is part of Operation Oz and Nir, named for the kibbutz, which began earlier this week. Troops from the Gaza Division’s 5th Reserve Brigade, along with armored and engineering forces, are working to achieve “operational control” of the area. According to the IDF statement, the troops have attacked several important terrorist targets, including tunnel shafts, a tunnel route, and anti-tank launching positions, and have killed terrorists. They also found a large number of weapons, including rocket launchers, Kalashnikov rifles, pistols, mines, and grenades. In addition, the engineering forces destroyed terror infrastructure in the homes of the Hamas operatives who took part in the October 7 massacre.

In West Bank Raids, Israel Arrests 21 Suspects for Funding Hamas: On Thursday, Israel launched an operation in the West Bank to confiscate funds belonging to Hamas, arresting 21 individuals suspected of providing financial services to the terror organization. The operation, carried out by the Israel Police’s Lahav 433 crime-fighting unit, the Border Police, the IDF, and the Shin Bet, involved raids in Jenin, Hebron, Ramallah, Tulkarem, Al-Bireh, and Atil. According to the Israel Police, the suspects helped fund Hamas through cryptocurrencies. Israeli forces confiscated tens of millions of shekels as well as safes, documents, and phones. After a terror cell in Jenin fired at the forces, an Israeli aircraft struck the cell.

Several Israelis Injured in West Bank Terror Attacks on Thursday Evening, Friday: On Thursday evening, two members of the Israeli security forces were stabbed and wounded, one moderately, one seriously, at the Mizmoria checkpoint south of Jerusalem by a 24-year-old resident of the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Jebel Mukaber. According to the police, the perpetrator arrived at the checkpoint in a car, and when stopped for a security check, he stabbed the two. He was shot and killed. On Friday, four Israelis were wounded in a car-ramming attack on Routhe 60 in the southern West Bank, north of the settlement of Otniel, one moderately, the others lightly. IDF troops shot and killed the attacker.

Hezbollah Launches Rockets at Israel, IDF Responds With Strikes in Southern Lebanon: On Thursday, Israel targeted Hezbollah terror infrastructures in the villages of Ayta al-Shab and Ramyeh in southern Lebanon after Hezbollah launched numerous rocket barrages and drones at northern Israel, causing damage in the city of Kiryat Shmona. Israeli Air Force jets, tanks, and artillery fire were used in the strikes. According to an IDF statement, the areas struck had been used for attacks on Israel. The army added that Israeli Air Force jets attacked a Hezbollah military compound in response to launches at Israel earlier in the day. Hezbollah fired some 50 rockets and missiles, as well as two drones, at Israel on Thursday. The IDF intercepted one of the drones near Haifa.

Latest FDD Analysis:

“The Hezbollah Threat Looms Large Over Israel,” Enia Krivine and Shannon Walsh, The Messenger

“IDF shares findings from hostage shooting investigation as Hezbollah continues escalatory attacks,” Seth J. Frantzman, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Network of Iraqi militias claim responsibility for attack in Israel,” Joe Truzman and Bill Roggio, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Hezbollah increases attacks, IDF expands Gaza operations,” Seth J. Frantzman, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Israeli airstrike eliminates key Iranian general in Syria,” Joe Truzman and Bill Roggio, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Israel Battles Hamas Battalion in Gaza City,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Second American-Israeli Murdered in Hamas Captivity,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Seizes Hamas Funds in Raid on West Bank Money Exchanges,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Hezbollah Fires Anti-Tank Missile at Church in Northern Israel,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Conducts Counterterrorism Raid in Northern West Bank,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Hezbollah’s Provocations Wear Israel’s Patience Thin,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Iran Triples Production of Highly Enriched Uranium,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“U.S. Strikes Iraqi Militia After Three Servicemembers Injured,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief