Israel SitRep: Feb. 26, 2024

Today’s Issue: After Hezbollah Downs an Israeli UAV, Israeli Fighter Jets Attack Hezbollah Sites in Lebanon | IDF Carries out West Bank Raids, Arresting 22, Seizing Terror Funds | IDF Denies Reports Stating ‘Hundreds’ of Israeli SIM Cards Activated in Gaza Before October 7 Attacks | Latest FDD Analysis

After Hezbollah Downs an Israeli UAV, Israeli Fighter Jets Attack Hezbollah Sites in Lebanon: On Sunday, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for six attacks against Israel. The attacks used high-trajectory fire, including Falaq-1 and Burkhan rockets. On Monday, Israel’s David’s Sling aerial defense system shot down a surface-to-air missile that was fired at an Israeli Air Force Hermes 450 drone operating in Lebanon. However, another missile was also fired at the drone, causing it to fall in Lebanese territory. Israeli fighter jets struck Hezbollah sites in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley later in the day. The IDF also attacked in the Nabatieh area, striking what remained of the drone. The IAF uses the Hermes 450, also known as the Zik, as a surveillance and attack drone. According to Lebanese media, there were Israeli strikes near Baalbek, in the northeast of Lebanon, which would make them likely the deepest Israeli strikes in Lebanon in a number of years. Reuters is reporting that at least two Hezbollah members were killed in the strikes near Baalbek.

IDF Carries out West Bank Raids, Arresting 22, Seizing Terror Funds: Forces from the IDF, the Shin Bet, and the Border Police arrested 22 wanted persons overnight in raids in the West Bank. In Nablus and in Kafr Kalil, troops seized more than 100,000 shekels (around $28,000) in terrorist funds. They also confiscated “inciting materials” from terrorist organizations from a publishing house in Nablus. In the village of Silwad, troops arrested a wanted man and interrogated numerous suspects connected to Hamas. In Deir Ammar, they arrested six wanted men, while in Bet Ummar, troops arrested four wanted men. Since the war began, Israeli forces have arrested some 3,250 wanted individuals, more than 1,350 of them with ties to Hamas.

IDF Denies Reports Stating ‘Hundreds’ of Israeli SIM Cards Activated in Gaza Before October 7 Attacks: On Monday, after news media reported that the IDF censor had cleared for publication reports stating that Israeli intelligence identified hundreds of Israeli SIM cards being activated in the Gaza Strip some hours before Hamas began its attacks on October 7, the IDF issued a statement calling these reports inaccurate. According to the IDF, “reports of 1,000 Israeli SIM cards activated simultaneously are false.” The statement added that “there was an accumulation of signs that included, inter alia, activation of only dozens of SIM cards, which had been activated during previous events.” The IDF said that as a result, “intelligence and operational actions were carried out” and noted that all information concerning that night will be examined as part of investigations by the IDF and the Shin Bet.

IDF Troops Discover and Destroy Gaza Tunnels Extending over 10 Kilometers: The IDF on Monday reported that troops from the 162nd Division — from the Yahalom combat engineering unit, Nahal Infantry Brigade, and other forces — found a network of tunnels running for over 10 kilometers and linking the north and south of the Gaza Strip. After gaining control over the tunnels, the troops destroyed large portions of them. The tunnels run underneath the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital and Israa University, south of Gaza City, and extend to the area of Gaza City’s Zeitun neighborhood. Hamas’s Central Camps Brigade and Gaza City Brigade, including the Sabra, Zeitun, and Nuseirat brigades, used the tunnel system to move operatives. The tunnels included living quarters with bathrooms as well as storage rooms for combat equipment and weapons. Bodies of terrorists were also found in the tunnels.

Latest FDD Analysis:

Today at 8:30am (ET): “FDD Morning Brief,” featuring Jonathan Schanzer and Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL), FDD Event

“The UN’s Support for Hamas’ War On Israel,” Clifford D. May, Bonnie Glick, and Richard Goldberg, FDD’s Foreign Podicy

“Biden’s Hezbollah Plan Is a Win-Win—for the Terrorists,” Richard Goldberg, The Dispatch

“Supporting America’s Allies Puts America First,” Bradley Bowman and RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, National Review

“Israel looks to ‘day after’ in Gaza,” Seth J. Frantzman, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Israel Prime Minister Presents Plan for Post-War Gaza,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Two Islamic Jihad Terrorists Killed by Israeli Airstrike in Jenin,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Sidesteps UNRWA to Deliver Gaza Aid Via WFP,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Houthis Target Israel and International Shipping,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Sends Negotiators to Hostage Talks in Paris,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Firm on Gaza Truce Terms,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israel SitRep: Feb. 23, 2024,” FDD Experts, FDD Israel at War Situation Report