Israel SitRep: Feb. 13, 2024

Today’s Issue: In West Bank, Senior Hamas Operative Arrested, Palestinian Driver Attempts Car Ramming Attack | Soldiers Arrest 18 Wanted Persons in Overnight Operation in West Bank | IDF Forces in Western Khan Younis Increase Control of Area, Kill Numerous Terrorists | 646th Paratroopers Brigade Operates in Khan Younis, Kills Hamas Operatives Using Civilian Shelter | Latest FDD Analysis

In West Bank, Senior Hamas Operative Arrested, Palestinian Driver Attempts Car Ramming Attack: The IDF announced on Tuesday the arrest of senior Hamas operative Omar Fayed, one of the heads of the Hamas military infrastructure in Jenin, in a joint operation by the Border Police, the Shin Bet, and the IDF. According to the army, Fayed was recently involved in several attacks on IDF troops and was planning additional attacks. During the operation, Israeli forces shot at an armed man in the area and two Border Police soldiers were lightly wounded from shrapnel and taken to the hospital. On Tuesday morning, a Palestinian driver attempted to run people over at the Gush Etzion junction in the West Bank and was pursued by soldiers, who shot at him and caught him. The attacker was wounded and was taken to the hospital for treatment. Soldiers found a knife in his car.

Soldiers Arrest 18 Wanted Persons in Overnight Operation in West Bank: In an overnight operation in the West Bank, the IDF, Shin Bet, and Border Police arrested 18 wanted persons. In Jenin, troops seized weapons and arrested three wanted men. In Qalqilya, Israeli soldiers arrested seven wanted persons and found weapons. During the operation, a terrorist attempted to run over one of the soldiers and was shot and killed. In Silwad, two wanted persons were arrested and thousands of shekels believed to be earmarked for terrorist activity were confiscated. In the village of Huwara and in Hebron, troops confiscated weapons, and in a nine-hour operation in the village of al-Ram, IDF soldiers and Border Police interrogated dozens of suspects, arrested eight wanted persons, and seized weapons and military equipment. Some 3,100 wanted persons have been arrested in the West Bank since the war began, more than 1,350 of them affiliated with Hamas.

IDF Forces in Western Khan Younis Increase Control of Area, Kill Numerous Terrorists: The IDF on Tuesday gave an update on activities in Gaza, stating that the 7th Armored Brigade, which is operating in the western part of Khan Younis, killed more than 30 terrorists and increased its control of the area. Soldiers also carried out patrols and raids on terror infrastructure. Paratroopers in western Khan Younis killed two terror operatives who were attempting to mix in with the civilian population, one of whom pointed a gun at the soldiers’ armored vehicle. Also in the Khan Younis area, troops from the Border Defense Corps 414th Combat Intelligence Collection Unit saw several terrorists transporting explosive devices on a motorcycle and directed an aerial attack on the cell, which killed the men involved. Troops from the 98th Division directed attacks on two weapons depots located inside houses. In central Gaza, the Nahal Brigade’s combat team killed about 10 terrorists. After a terrorist squad entered a building from which it was preparing to fire anti-tank missiles at IDF troops, a fighter jet struck and killed its members.

646th Paratroopers Brigade Operates in Khan Younis, Kills Hamas Operatives Using Civilian Shelter: The IDF on Tuesday published a report on activities by the 646th Reserve Paratroopers Brigade in Khan Younis. In an operation begun this week, the soldiers raided terrorist infrastructures, killed terrorists, uncovered a tunnel, and discovered Hamas uniforms, weapons, grenades, and cartridges. During the operation, the soldiers set up a route to evacuate the civilian population from a shelter, which Hamas was exploiting as a cover for terrorism, and dozens of terrorists were killed or arrested in the shelter. In addition, a bomb exploded in a booby-trapped building during the operation, killing three soldiers and wounding others. After the wounded were evacuated, the troops continued their attack and destroyed additional terror infrastructure.

Latest FDD Analysis:

“A Palestinian Authority that rewards terrorism has no place in Gaza,” Natalie Ecanow, Washington Examiner

“What’s at stake for Israel, Hamas in Rafah showdown?” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“What is Iran’s strategy against Israel amid FM’s Middle East trips?” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“Israel Rescues Two Hostages From Gaza,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Hamas Data Center Found Under UNRWA Headquarters,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israeli Airstrikes Target Hezbollah Forces in Southern Lebanon,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Thwarts Drug Smuggling Attempts From Egypt,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israel SitRep: Feb. 12, 2024,” FDD Experts, FDD Israel at War Situation Report