Israel SitRep: March 6, 2024

Today’s Issue: IDF Troops in Northern Gaza Kill Two Participants in October 7 Attack | IDF Troops Operate in Hamad Town in Khan Younis, Killing Terrorists and Finding Weapons | 14-Year-Old Suspect Apprehended in Stabbing Attack in Jerusalem | IDF Shoots Down Explosive Drone Launched by Hezbollah, Strikes Hezbollah Military Targets | Latest FDD Analysis

IDF Troops in Northern Gaza Kill Two Participants in October 7 Attack: On Wednesday, near Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza, an IDF fighter jet, guided by the Gaza Division’s Northern Brigade, attacked two terrorists who were fleeing to a military building. Fighter jets also struck two terrorists who participated in the October 7 attack on Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak. In addition, the IDF killed two platoon commanders and a squad commander of Hamas’s Nukhba forces. The Nahal Brigade, which is continuing its operations in central Gaza, eliminated about twenty terrorists over the past day through sniper fire, a remotely piloted aircraft, and a fighter jet. In one attack, in an IDF sniper ambush, forces killed 15 terrorists. In yet another incident, a fighter jet struck a site from which terrorists fired at the Nahal soldiers. The explosions that followed the strike indicate the presence of a large quantity of weapons at the site.

IDF Troops Operate in Hamad Town in Khan Younis, Killing Terrorists and Finding Weapons: On Wednesday, the IDF, reporting on the army’s operations in the Hamad Town complex in Khan Younis, said that Givati Brigade troops operating there spotted several terror operatives, and an attack helicopter then struck and killed them. Afterward, soldiers killed an armed terrorist they saw moving in their direction. Commando Brigade soldiers continue to search buildings in Hamad Town and have found Kalashnikov rifles and cartridges. Soldiers from the 7th Armored Brigade have also searched the neighborhood and found weapons and military equipment. They also directed an aircraft that killed two terrorists. In another incident, during an ambush, soldiers from the IDF’s Bislamach Brigade killed five armed men at close range.

14-Year-Old Suspect Apprehended in Stabbing Attack in Jerusalem: Israeli police have arrested a 14-year-old resident of eastern Jerusalem on suspicion of perpetrating a stabbing attack at a bus stop in the northern Jerusalem neighborhood of Neve Ya’akov. The youth, who fled the scene, was apprehended after searches of the area. The victim was taken to the hospital with light-to-moderate injuries. Police found the knife used in the stabbing. Meanwhile, the IDF soldier who was stabbed yesterday in the West Bank is now in good condition, according to the hospital where he is being treated. In overnight operations in the West Bank, Israeli security forces arrested 17 wanted persons and interrogated many suspects in Hebron. Since the war began, the IDF has arrested about 3,450 people in the West Bank, about 1,500 of them members of Hamas.

IDF Shoots Down Explosive Drone Launched by Hezbollah, Strikes Hezbollah Military Targets: The IDF on Wednesday shot down a Hezbollah-launched explosive drone, which crossed from Lebanon into the area of Metula on Israel’s northern border. There were no casualties. Later, Israeli fighter jets struck a Hezbollah military building in the Yaroun area and another Hezbollah military building in the area of Kafra. IDF forces also struck in Kfarhamam in order to “remove a threat.” In Wednesday’s report on incidents in the north of Israel over the past 24 hours, the Alma Research and Education Center noted that Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for 12 attacks with Katyusha rockets and anti-tank missiles. A UAV entered Israeli territory from Syria yesterday and was intercepted. There have been no claims of responsibility. IDF fighter jets yesterday struck Hezbollah targets in Ayta ash-Shab, Dibbine, and Aarab El Louaizeh. Kiryat Shmona was struck three times with high-trajectory fire and anti-tank missiles, and an anti-tank missile was shot last night at the community of Avivim, causing damage. According to the IDF, Hezbollah fired about 30 rockets at Kiryat Shmona on Tuesday, at least 10 of which were intercepted by the Iron Dome.

Latest FDD Analysis:

Today at 8:30am (ET): “FDD Morning Brief,” featuring Jonathan Schanzer and Benjamin Weingarten, FDD Event

“Suspected Terrorists Arrested in Israel’s Largest Operation in Ramallah in Years,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Jordan Asks Israel to Extend Water-for-Energy Deal,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israeli Forces Demolish Largest Terror Tunnel in Northern Gaza,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“More Than 450 UNRWA Staff Are Terrorists, Israel Says,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israel SitRep: March 5, 2024,” FDD Experts, FDD Israel at War Situation Report