Israel SitRep: March 15, 2024

Today’s Issue: Preliminary IDF Findings on Aid Convoy Incident: Gazans Shot at by Palestinian Gunmen | IDF Troops at Checkpoint Arrest Four in Car Carrying Explosive Device, Conduct West Bank Raids | IDF Continues Operations in Southern and Central Gaza, Strikes Hamas Targets in Northern Gaza | Ramadan Prayers on Temple Mount End Without Incident, Police Say | Latest FDD Analysis

Preliminary IDF Findings on Aid Convoy Incident: Gazans Shot at by Palestinian Gunmen: The IDF on Friday released a statement about an incident on Thursday night in Gaza City in which Palestinian civilians awaiting the arrival of a convoy of 31 humanitarian aid trucks were fired upon, causing casualties. According to the statement, in the incident, which took place in Kuwait Square, Palestinian gunmen shot at the civilians before the convoy arrived, continuing to shoot as the aid trucks entered. Gazans started looting the trucks, and some were run over. According to a preliminary IDF review, Israeli troops did not fire at the convoy with tank fire, gunfire, or an airstrike. The army is continuing to investigate the incident.

IDF Troops at Checkpoint Arrest Four in Car Carrying Explosive Device, Conduct West Bank Raids: On Thursday night, IDF soldiers at the Tzofim checkpoint in the West Bank arrested four passengers in a car they had stopped for inspection after a search of the vehicle turned up an explosive device and photos of weapons on the passengers’ phones. In addition, in overnight operations in the West Bank, the IDF, Shin Bet, and Border Police arrested another 14 suspects. In Arraba and in Tulkarem, five wanted persons were arrested, and near the Israeli settlement of Eldad, two individuals carrying knives were arrested. In Yatta, troops seized weapon parts. Since the start of the war, some 3,500 people have been arrested in the West Bank, more than 1,500 of them members of Hamas.

IDF Continues Operations in Southern and Central Gaza, Strikes Hamas Targets in Northern Gaza: The IDF’s 98th Division is continuing operations in the Khan Younis area in southern Gaza, working with the Israeli Air Force. In the past day, Givati Brigade and 7th Brigade soldiers killed terrorists and destroyed terror infrastructure with tank fire and sniper fire. In other operations, 7th Brigade soldiers saw several armed men loading explosives unto a vehicle and called in an airstrike that killed them. After soldiers spotted a number of operatives attempting to bury explosives, an aircraft struck and killed them before they were able to booby-trap the area. In central Gaza, Nahal Brigade troops are continuing operations, killing about 10 terrorists in the past day. In one incident, they spotted a terror squad nearby and shelled it. In another action in the area, IDF soldiers eliminated a squad of armed men in close combat. Following rocket fire at Israeli communities near the Gaza border, the IDF carried out an airstrike and artillery shelling against a number of terror infrastructures in the northern Gaza Strip.

Ramadan Prayers on Temple Mount End Without Incident, Police Say: Police reported no “unusual” incidents after tens of thousands of Muslims worshipers completed prayers on the Temple Mount on the first Friday of Ramadan. According to estimates by the Islamic Waqf, which administers the al-Aqsa Mosque, located on the Temple Mount, more than 80,000 took part in today’s prayers. More than 3,000 police and Border Police were on duty in the Old City of Jerusalem amid tensions relating to the war in Gaza and a call by Hamas for worshipers to barricade themselves inside al-Aqsa. The police also deployed large numbers of forces in Israeli Arab towns and mixed Arab-Jewish cities in the Central District to maintain order during Friday prayers.

Latest FDD Analysis:

Today at 8:30am (ET): “FDD Morning Brief,” featuring Jonathan Schanzer and Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus, FDD Event

“How to Ensure Israel Has the Weapons It Needs,” Bradley Bowman and Richard Goldberg, FDD Memo

“US ships begin long, slow trip to build Gaza dock in unique operation,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“IDF Gaza division commander fighting in Gaza tells politicians: Be worthy of us,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“Russia, China, and Iran deepen ties with naval drill,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“IDF targets Hamas leaders in Gaza,” Seth J. Frantzman, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Israel Facilitates Entry of Six Aid Trucks Into Northern Gaza,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“China, Russia, and Iran Hold Fifth Trilateral Naval Drill,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“U.S. Grants Iran Sanctions Waiver Worth $10 Billion,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief