Israel SitRep: April 11, 2024

Today’s Issue: Three Hamas Operatives, Sons of Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh, Killed in Israeli Airstrike | IDF Begins Operation in Central Gaza | IDF, Shin Bet, and Border Police Arrest Six in Overnight West Bank Raids | Israel Preparing for Possible Iranian Attack, CENTCOM Head Arrives in Israel for Talks | Latest FDD Analysis

Three Hamas Operatives, Sons of Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh, Killed in Israeli Airstrike: The IDF on Wednesday confirmed that an Israeli airstrike killed three Hamas operatives in central Gaza who were the sons of Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas’s political bureau. Amir Haniyeh was commander of a cell in Hamas’s military wing, while Muhammad and Hazem Haniyeh were Hamas military operatives. One of them held hostages in the past. According to the IDF, the three were on their way to carry out terrorist activity when they were struck. Israeli media have reported that for this reason, the strike was not approved in advance by Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi or by Southern Command head Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman and that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant were not informed before the strike. According to reports, the strike was approved by a colonel in the Southern Command after the IDF received an intelligence warning of terror activity.

IDF Begins Operation in Central Gaza: The IDF began what it called a “targeted operation” in central Gaza to destroy terrorist infrastructure and kill terrorists. The 162nd Division’s Nahal Brigade, 401st Armored Brigade, and other units are participating in the operation, which is the IDF’s first operation with ground troops on the outskirts of Nuseirat since the war began. Before the operation started, the Israeli Air Force and the 215th Artillery Regiment carried out dozens of strikes against terror infrastructures “above and below ground” based on “precise intelligence” indicating that there were many terrorists in the area and terror infrastructures as well. After Nahal Brigade soldiers saw an armed terrorist exiting a tunnel shaft and entering a military building, an airstrike targeted him while he was moving toward the soldiers. Soldiers from the 401st Armored Brigade also found several rocket launchers in the area. In addition, the Israeli Navy carried out several attacks aimed at the central Gazan coast to support the ground troops fighting in the area.

IDF, Shin Bet, and Border Police Arrest Six in Overnight West Bank Raids: The IDF, Shin Bet, and Border Police carried out overnight raids in the West Bank, arresting six people. In Al-Eizariya, they arrested two and seized a large quantity of weapons, including an M-16 rifle, a pistol, and additional weapons. In Urif and Qabalan, one wanted man was arrested, and troops confiscated many weapons and materials inciting to violence. In Kalandiya, another wanted man was arrested, and weapons and military equipment were seized. In Tulkarem and in Bir Al-Basha, a wanted man was arrested, and suspects were interrogated. In Hebron, an additional wanted man was arrested. Some 3,700 wanted persons have been arrested since the start of the war, about 1,600 of them belonging to Hamas.

Israel Preparing for Possible Iranian Attack, CENTCOM Head Arrives in Israel for Talks: Amid reports that Iran or its proxies may launch a major drone or missile strike against Israel in the coming days, which might be followed by an Israeli counter-strike, the Israeli Air Force is stepping up preparations. The IAF recently carried out a joint exercise with the Cypriot Army over Cyprus’s airspace to simulate an aerial attack on a distant target. For the past six months, the IAF has been more focused on the war in Gaza than on training, but it is now placing an emphasis on Iran. According to senior IDF officials, the army “is prepared to operate in any arena and is maintaining independent capabilities to operate by itself without relying on anyone else.” In addition, U.S. General Michael “Erik” Kurilla, head of CENTCOM, arrived in Israel today and will meet with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to prepare for a possible Iranian strike. An Israeli official stated that Jerusalem asked Washington to send warning messages to Tehran. Israel and the United States have increased their coordination on UAV and missile defense in preparation for an Iranian attack.

Latest FDD Analysis:

“Biden wavers,” Clifford D. May, The Washington Times

“The U.S. and Israel Negotiate Over the Fate of Hamas’s Last Bastion,” Enia Krivine, The National Interest

“Hamas Pervades Every Aspect of Life in Gaza, and Is Preventing the Distribution of Aid,” Enia Krivine, The Algemeiner

“The consequences of US weakness in Iraq and Syria,” Bradley Bowman and Cameron McMillan, FDD’s Long War Journal

“IDF trains to confront threats from Hezbollah,” Seth J. Frantzman, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Israel to Iran: Any Direct Attack Will Be Answered in Kind,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Strikes Syrian Army Position Used by Hezbollah Terrorists,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“U.S. Sends Ukraine Weapons Seized En Route from Iran to Yemen,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Iran Floods West Bank With Weapons,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Hamas Says It Cannot Locate Hostages,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Three Terrorist Sons of Hamas Chief Killed,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief