Israel SitRep: Jan. 4, 2024

Today’s Issue: IDF Continues Operations in Khan Younis, Kills Several Hamas Operatives in Airstrikes | IDF Operation in Nur Shams Refugee Camp Continues for Over 30 Hours | Hezbollah Confirms Deaths of Large Number of Operatives, Israel Strikes Hezbollah Targets in Lebanon | IAF Airstrike Kills ‘Prominent and Pivotal’ Figure in Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza | Latest FDD Analysis

IDF Continues Operations in Khan Younis, Kills Several Hamas Operatives in Airstrikes: On Thursday, IDF Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee reported on the army’s actions in Gaza in the previous 24 hours. In Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, Israeli Air Force planes killed three operatives who were attempting to plant an explosive device near IDF soldiers, and an IAF fighter jet bombed a Hamas weapons depot. In addition, after an anti-tank missile was launched at IDF soldiers, the army responded with a strike against the missile-launching site as well as the terrorist cell at the site. Also, an IAF fighter jet struck a Hamas military building in which a member of the Deir al-Balah Battalion anti-tank missile group was present as well as two buildings with a large number of weapons to which terrorists had fled. An additional terrorist, who went to the buildings to search for weapons, was also killed.

IDF Operation in Nur Shams Refugee Camp Continues for Over 30 Hours: The IDF’s large-scale counter-terror operation in the Nur Shams refugee camp near Tulkarem, begun overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday, has been going on for over 30 hours. Troops have confiscated a large number of weapons, destroyed terrorist infrastructure, and questioned hundreds of suspects, arresting some of them. Last week, in operations in Nur Shams, the IDF seized over 30 weapons and rockets, destroyed an explosives lab, and launched drone strikes, killing several terrorists. The IDF has arrested some 2,600 individuals in the West Bank, around half of them affiliated with Hamas, since the start of the current war.

Hezbollah Confirms Deaths of Large Number of Operatives, Israel Strikes Hezbollah Targets in Lebanon: On Wednesday, Hezbollah announced the deaths of four “martyrs” in Naqoura in southern Lebanon who were killed in an Israeli airstrike. One of the men, Hussein Yazbak, was in charge of Hezbollah operations in the city. In a separate announcement, Hezbollah confirmed the deaths of five additional operatives, bringing the total number of Hezbollah fighters killed since the start of the war to 149. On Thursday, the Israeli Air Force struck Hezbollah terror infrastructure and a Hezbollah observation post in the area of Marun al-Ras, a village in southern Lebanon, and an IDF force attacked an anti-tank squad a short time later. In addition, several projectiles were fired at Israel in the morning.

IAF Airstrike Kills ‘Prominent and Pivotal’ Figure in Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza: On Thursday, the IDF announced the death of Mamdouh Lolo, a “prominent and pivotal figure” in Palestinian Islamic Jihad who was in contact with senior Hamas officials overseas. Lolo was killed in an Israeli Air Force strike carried out with the guidance of the Shin Bet and Aman military intelligence. An aide to commanders of PIJ’s northern Gaza division, Lolo “planned and led countless attacks” against IDF soldiers and Israeli civilians, not only during the current war but at other times as well. The IDF stated that “for many years and during this war, Mamdouh Lolo advanced the planning of terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians and territory.”

Latest FDD Analysis:

“All the Ayatollah’s men,” Clifford D. May, The Washington Times

“Were terrorists behind the explosions in Iran?” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“Houthi terrorists meet Iranian officials, coordinate Middle East policy,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“How Israel’s alleged assassination of al-Arouri ends an era for Hamas,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“Iranian media vows retaliation to Israeli killing of Saleh al-Arouri,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“Israel prepares for escalation as fighting continues in Gaza,” Seth J. Frantzman, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Iran Deploys Warship to Red Sea As Houthis Continue Attacks,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Turkey’s Erdogan Tries to Distract from His Support for Hamas,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israel SitRep: Jan. 3, 2024,” FDD Experts, FDD Israel at War Situation Report