Israel SitRep: Feb. 16, 2024

Today’s Issue: IDF Arrests 20 in Nasser Hospital Raid, Including Participants in October 7 Attacks | IDF Gives Update on Gaza Operations in the Past Day | Two Killed in Terror Attack in Southern Israel, Four Wounded, Two Seriously | IDF Reports on Training Exercises for Combat on Northern Border | Latest FDD Analysis

IDF Arrests 20 in Nasser Hospital Raid, Including Participants in October 7 Attacks: On Friday, the IDF gave an update on its operation at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, announced yesterday, which is being carried out by the Commando Brigade, the Navy’s Shayetet 13, and other special forces. According to today’s announcement, in the operation, IDF troops have arrested 20 individuals who participated in the October 7 attacks, and soldiers from the Maglan commando unit have found mortars, hand grenades, and other weapons belonging to Hamas. Among those captured in the hospital are Maeed Adel Muhamad Abu Nazira, an ambulance driver who took part in the October 7 attacks; Amro Khaled Shahada Abu Rida, a convicted terrorist from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine; and Ismail Ahmed Ali Odeh, who took part in the October 7 attacks. According to a Hamas operative who was captured and interrogated, at least 10 hostages were held in the hospital. Some of the released hostages have also said they were held at Nasser Hospital.

IDF Gives Update on Gaza Operations in the Past Day: The IDF on Friday gave an update of its activities in Gaza over the past day, noting that the Israeli Air Force struck numerous Hamas targets, including the group’s operational headquarters, military buildings, and launch sites and that several aerial attacks were launched to aid forces on the ground. Paratrooper combat teams conducted raids in the south of Gaza, killing a number of terror operatives, and troops found a bomb in the area in which they were operating and neutralized it. In the Khan Younis area, the 7th Brigade combat team killed 12 terrorists in several incidents, and in central Gaza, the Nahal Brigade combat team also killed several combatants. In one incident, IAF forces identified a terrorist squad close to the ground forces and attacked it, killing several terrorists. In northern Gaza, the 215th Brigade directed an airstrike against several Hamas targets, killing an aide to the commander of the Hamas Sabra Battalion.

Two Killed in Terror Attack in Southern Israel, Four Wounded, Two Seriously: On Friday, at the Re’em Junction, near Kiryat Malachi, a man opened fire at a bus stop before being shot and killed by a civilian who was driving by the scene. According to some Hebrew-language media, the man lived in the Shuafat Refugee Camp in East Jerusalem. He arrived at the bus stop in a stolen car. Six people were evacuated in moderate to serious condition, and sappers carried out a search of the area. Two of the wounded later died. After the incident, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, referring to the civilian who shot the terrorist, stated that “weapons save lives.” Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai added, “We have increased alertness throughout the country.

IDF Reports on Training Exercises for Combat on Northern Border: The IDF on Friday published a report on its preparations on the northern border. According to the report, soldiers from the 146th and 210th reserve divisions are undergoing training, and Golani Brigade soldiers this week began the process of increasing preparedness on the northern border. As part of the army’s efforts to increase the preparedness of ground forces for fighting in the north, regular soldiers and reserve soldiers in the northern sector carried out training in an area that simulates the northern border in wintery conditions. The training included a joint exercise with armored, infantry, engineering, and artillery forces in complex mountainous areas and exercises in camouflage techniques, combat in open areas, and evacuation of the wounded in harsh weather conditions. In addition, Maj. Gen. Uri Gordin, who heads the Northern Command, held a situation assessment this week at the Ramat David Air Force Base with the base commander.

Latest FDD Analysis:

Today at 8:30am (ET): “FDD Morning Brief,” featuring Jonathan Schanzer and Amb. Gilad Erdan, FDD Event

“American Forces Under Attack by Iran and its Proxies,” Mike Daum and Bradley Bowman, FDD Visual

“Deadly rocket attack in North shows Hezbollah undeterred,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“Iran media claims Hezbollah supplied with Iran’s ‘Almas’ missiles,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“Rocket fire from Lebanon strikes IDF base,” Seth J. Frantzman, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Does Hezbollah’s Silence Link the Attack on Safed to Israel’s Strike on Nabatiyeh?” David Daoud, FDD’s Long War Journal

“IDF: Hamas Held Hostages at Nasser Hospital,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Kills Senior Hezbollah Commander, Deputy in Strike,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“U.S. and Arab Partners Plan for Palestinian Statehood,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Turkey, Egypt Presidents Meet to Repair Ties, Call for Gaza Ceasefire,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israel SitRep: Feb. 15, 2024,” FDD Experts, FDD Israel at War Situation Report