Israel SitRep: Jan. 23, 2024

Today’s Issue: 24 IDF Soldiers Killed on Monday, 21 in One Incident | IDF Troops Complete Encircling of Khan Younis in Southern Gaza | Two Islamic State Supporters from Eastern Jerusalem Indicted for Car-Bombing Plot | Israeli Forces Arrest Wanted Individuals, Confiscate Weapons and Money in West Bank | Latest FDD Analysis

24 IDF Soldiers Killed on Monday, 21 in One Incident: On Monday, 24 IDF soldiers were killed in southern Gaza in two separate incidents. According to an IDF statement on Tuesday, Hamas operatives apparently fired an RPG at a tank that was securing soldiers near Khan Younis who were removing terrorist infrastructure that posed a threat to Israelis. The soldiers, who were operating 600 meters (654 yards) from the border with Israel, across from Kibbutz Kissufim, were working to create a secure area from which Hamas could not fire on Israel and were preparing to destroy buildings that Hamas could have used to attack Israeli communities. The soldiers were in two adjacent buildings being prepared for demolition, when an explosion caused the buildings to collapse. A total of 21 soldiers were killed. The cause of the incident is being investigated. In addition, three paratrooper officers were killed earlier in a separate incident in a refugee camp west of Khan Younis.

IDF Troops Complete Encircling of Khan Younis in Southern Gaza: On Monday, troops from the IDF’s 98th Division completed the encirclement of Khan Younis in southern Gaza and, in coordination with the Israeli Air Force, killed “many dozens” of terrorists. In a large-scale attack, soldiers from the paratroopers, the 7th Armored Brigade, and the Givati Brigade encircled Khan Younis, and the division’s Commando Brigade attacked the heart of the area, a stronghold for Hamas’s Khan Younis Brigade. IDF soldiers killed dozens in face-to-face battles that involved cooperation with the Israeli Air Force. During the fighting, Hamas operatives fired anti-tank missiles, and IDF soldiers killed operatives armed with RPGs who were several dozens of meters away, and others who were booby-trapping buildings. IDF troops discovered tunnel openings, rockets ready for launch, and numerous weapons.

Two Islamic State Supporters from Eastern Jerusalem Indicted for Car-Bombing Plot: On Monday, the Israel Police announced that Jerusalem District police officers, the Border Police, and the Shin Bet had foiled a terrorist attack by two Islamic State (IS) supporters from eastern Jerusalem. The men, Mustafa Abdel Nabi, 19, and Ahmad Natsha, 20, were arrested on December 26 in the Ras al-Amud neighborhood of Jerusalem. The Jerusalem District Attorney’s office on Monday submitted an indictment against them to the Jerusalem District court. When Jerusalem District police and Border Police officers searched their homes, they found chemicals that they believe the men planned to use to prepare explosives. They also found IS and Hamas flags along with a notebook with details about preparing explosives. According to the Israel Police, the two men had pledged allegiance to IS and intended to use explosives to attack civilians and security forces. The indictment alleges that the two planned to set off a car bomb with gas tanks near the Knesset.

Israeli Forces Arrest Wanted Individuals, Confiscate Weapons and Money in West Bank: IDF soldiers, Border Police officers, and the Shin Bet arrested eight wanted individuals overnight in the West Bank and seized weapons and materials for preparing explosives. In addition, reserve soldiers carried out operations in Nablus in the casbah and the Balata Refugee Camp. In the village of Mazra’a, Israeli forces found weapons and arrested a wanted man, and in Khirbat al-Luz and Dhahiriya, troops seized weapons. In Hebron and in the village of Shuyukh, troops confiscated tens of thousands of shekels which according to the IDF, were intended to support terrorism. On Tuesday, a Palestinian carrying a knife approached soldiers near the fence to the community of Psagot in the West Bank and was shot.

Latest FDD Analysis:

“Iran’s Leaders Say They Don’t Want a War. Should We Believe Them?” Reuel Marc Gerecht and Ray Takeyh, The New York Times

“After Israel-Hamas war, Egyptian Copts face ambiguous future,” Haisam Hassanein, Washington Examiner

“Freeing Gaza from Hamas is a priority, but very complex,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“The Hamas numbers game: Recruiting new terrorists,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“Iranian media falsely claims to have ‘injured’ Israeli in Iraq attacks,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“Iran considering next steps against Israel, US amid strikes,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“Palestinian-ISIS Attacks in Jerusalem Foiled,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“12,000 Trucks With Humanitarian Aid Have Entered Gaza Since October 7,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Houthis Protect Chinese and Russian Shipping, Target Global Shipping,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Offers Two-Month Pause in Fighting in Exchange for Hostages,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israel SitRep: Jan. 22, 2024,” FDD Experts, FDD Israel at War Situation Report