Israel SitRep: March 4, 2024

Today’s Issue: Missile Fired From Lebanon Toward Israel Kills One, Wounds Nine | In Overnight West Bank Raids, IDF Destroys Terrorist’s Home, Makes Arrests, Discovers Explosives Charges | In Two-Week Gaza Operation, IDF Kills More Than 100 Terrorists, Destroys Numerous Military Infrastructures | Latest FDD Analysis

Missile Fired From Lebanon Toward Israel Kills One, Wounds Nine: On Monday, one person was killed and nine wounded when an anti-tank guided missile from Lebanon landed in Margaliot, near the Lebanese border. The victims, all foreign workers, have shrapnel wounds, and survivors are being treated at several Israeli hospitals. IDF forces attacked the source of the launch. In addition, Israeli Air Force jets on Monday attacked a Hezbollah military site in the area of Chihine in southern Lebanon, and earlier in the day, fighter jets struck a Hezbollah military building in the area of Ayta ash-Shab, which they did on Sunday as well. The Israeli Air Force on Sunday also attacked Hezbollah military infrastructure in Kafr Kila. A number of projectiles were shot toward Israel from Lebanon on Sunday — at the Metula area, near the Lebanese border; at Ghajar, an Alawite village on the border between Lebanon and the Golan Heights; and at Malkiyah, also near the Lebanese border.

In Overnight West Bank Raids, IDF Destroys Terrorist’s Home, Makes Arrests, Discovers Explosives Charges: The IDF, Shin Bet, and Border Police carried out an overnight operation in Nablus to destroy the apartment of a terrorist who took part in the attack on April 7, 2023, in which Lucy Dee and her daughters Maia and Rina were killed. In addition, troops arrested 13 wanted persons overnight in the West Bank. In a six-hour operation in Am’ari, soldiers arrested two wanted persons, interrogated many others, and seized “inciting materials” produced by Hamas. During violent disturbances in the course of the operation, stones and Molotov cocktails were thrown at the soldiers, who shot back. A female Border Police officer sustained a leg injury and was taken to the hospital. In the Nur Shams refugee camp, forces uncovered explosive charges buried under the roads. In Hebron, troops arrested two wanted persons and interrogated many others. In Deir Ammar, they arrested four more, and in Tubas, another two. Since the war began, Israeli forces have arrested some 3,400 wanted persons, some 1,500 with ties to Hamas.

In Two-Week Gaza Operation, IDF Kills More Than 100 Terrorists, Destroys Numerous Military Infrastructures: The IDF on Sunday published a report on operations in the Zeitun area of northern Gaza over the past two weeks. Soldiers from the 401st Armored Brigade conducted raids on Hamas terrorist targets in the Zeitun area, killing more than 100 terror operatives and destroying dozens of military terrorist infrastructures belonging to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, including weapons-production factories and weapons depots. Using drones that scanned the targets, the soldiers captured dozens of Hamas operatives, who were interrogated and provided intelligence information. IDF troops also destroyed hundreds of launching pits and launchers. During an IDF raid on a terror infrastructure, a Hamas cell shot an anti-tank missile from close range, and an Israeli Air Force aircraft attacked the cell, killing a number of operatives, while the others fled and hid in an ambulance. In another incident, after a Hamas sniper fired at IDF troops from a building, an aircraft struck and killed him. Soldiers also destroyed terrorist infrastructure belonging to the commander of Hamas’s Gaza City Brigade.

Shin Bet Thwarts Islamic State–Inspired Plot Targeting IDF Soldiers: The Shin Bet announced on Monday that it foiled a plot by four West Bank Palestinians who produced about 100 explosive devices to target IDF soldiers. According to the Shin Bet, the four — Murad Markatan, Hasin Markatan, Muhammad Markatan, and Ahmed Markatan — live in Tarqumiyah and were inspired by the Islamic State. They were arrested in February. The group manufactured the explosives using instructions from Islamic State contacts abroad and online videos. The cell members were also in possession of M-16 rifles and Carlo submachine guns and intended to use them for terrorist attacks. Police sappers detonated the explosive devices and confiscated the weapons. The four have been indicted on serious security charges in the Judea military court.

Latest FDD Analysis:

Today at 8:30am (ET): “FDD Morning Brief,” Jonathan Schanzer and Haviv Rettig Gur, FDD Event

“View of the World from Boston,” Clifford D. May and Jeff Jacoby, FDD’s Foreign Podicy

“Preventing an Iranian nuclear weapon remains Israel’s top priority,” Jacob Nagel and Mark Dubowitz, The Jerusalem Post

“Hamas’ South African Support Network,” David May, The National Interest

“Tehran slowly tightens its noose around the Middle East,” Bill Roggio and Behnam Ben Taleblu, Generation Jihad (by FDD’s Long War Journal)

“Israel rotates units as Khan Younis battles continue,” Seth J. Frantzman, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Airdrops increase in Gaza as new method to deliver aid,” Seth J. Frantzman, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Reported Israeli airstrikes kill IRGC Navy advisor in Syria,” Joe Truzman and Bill Roggio, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Foreign fighters are operating in Lebanon against Israel,” Joe Truzman, FDD’s Long War Journal

“U.S. Vetoes UN Resolution Falsely Accusing Israel of Aid Convoy Deaths,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Evacuated Israelis Begin Returning to Homes Near Gaza,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israeli Forces Raid Residences of Hamas Commanders, Capture Terrorists,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Alleged Israeli Airstrike in Syria Kills IRGC Officer and Hezbollah Members,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Demands Clarity from Hamas on Hostages,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Iran Failed to Declare New Nuclear Facility, IAEA Reports,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“New Zealand Designates Hamas as a Terrorist Group,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israel SitRep: March 1, 2024,” FDD Experts, FDD Israel at War Situation Report