Israel SitRep: April 19, 2024

Today’s Issue: IDF Continues Pinpoint Gaza Operation, Eliminating Terrorists and Destroying Tunnel Shafts | IDF Announces Targeted Killing of Hamas Internal Security Officer | IAF Destroys 25 Targets in Gaza, Hits Hezbollah Military Building in Southern Lebanon | IDF Begins West Bank Counterterrorism Operation; Islamic State Operative Arrested in Earlier Operation | Latest FDD Analysis

IDF Continues Pinpoint Gaza Operation, Eliminating Terrorists and Destroying Tunnel Shafts: The IDF on Thursday published an update on its pinpoint operation in Gaza, on the outskirts of the Nuseirat camp, where soldiers from the 162nd Division have been operating. According to the report, soldiers from the 401st Armored Brigade, together with troops from the elite Yahalom combat engineering unit, killed more than 40 terrorists in close combat and through airstrikes and destroyed more than 100 terrorist infrastructures. The infrastructures included a site used by Hamas to manufacture rockets and weapons and a site used by Palestinian Islamic Jihad to produce long-range rockets. During the operation, IDF troops also destroyed 17 tunnel shafts as well as several rocket launchers and launch pits. In dozens of precision raids, troops have eliminated more than 1,000 terrorists in the area and destroyed more than 20 kilometers of tunnels.

IDF Announces Targeted Killing of Hamas Internal Security Officer: The IDF announced on Thursday that Yusuf Shabat, who was in charge of interrogations in the Hamas internal security service in Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza, was killed this week in an Israeli airstrike. Shabat was also a security officer in Hamas’s military intelligence, in the Beit Hanoun Battalion, and according to the IDF, his death “is a significant strike against the organization’s investigations department.” In another incident, the IDF, together with the Shin Bet, carried out an airstrike on a vehicle with 10 terrorists after precise intelligence was collected. The IDF also stated that on Wednesday, Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck a mortar launcher in the area of the Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City from which a number of projectiles were launched at troops from the 162nd Division who were operating there.

IAF Destroys 25 Targets in Gaza, Hits Hezbollah Military Building in Southern Lebanon: The Israeli Air Force on Friday announced that in the past day, IAF aircraft struck and destroyed 25 targets in the Gaza Strip, including military buildings, launching posts, and lookout posts. In central Gaza, an aircraft eliminated two terrorists who were moving toward IDF troops, and in Beit Lahia, an aircraft struck a weapons depot in response to rocket fire toward Ashkelon last night. In Lebanon, on Friday, an IAF aircraft struck a Hezbollah military building with terrorists inside in the area of Ayta Al-Shab after they were identified by soldiers of the 869th Combat Intelligence Unit.

IDF Begins West Bank Counterterrorism Operation; Islamic State Operative Arrested in Earlier Operation: The IDF on Friday announced a counterterrorism operation, begun overnight together with the Shin Bet and Border Police, in the Nur Shams refugee camp, which is near Tulkarem in the West Bank. In the operation, troops killed several gunmen and arrested a number of people. They also found explosive devices and searched buildings. Two soldiers from the Haruv Reconnaissance Unit were lightly wounded, and a soldier from the Lotar counterterrorism unit and a reserve officer from the Marom Brigade were moderately wounded. On Thursday, the Israel Police announced the arrest of an Islamic State operative in the West Bank town of Beitunia who was planning to carry out a terrorist attack in “the immediate term.” Border Police and IDF soldiers operating in Beitunia, near Ramallah, approached a building with a man inside who tried to flee and was arrested after attempting to draw his weapon.

Latest FDD Analysis:

Today at 8:30am (ET): “FDD Morning Brief,” featuring Jonathan Conricus and Brig. Gen. (Res.) Yossi Kuperwasser, FDD Event

“U.S. Presidential Elections Loom Over the Iranian Rial,” Saeed Ghasseminejad and Janatan Sayeh, The National Interest

“Hezbollah’s drones and missiles may become increasingly effective,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“Quiet before the storm: Is escalating Israel-Iran violence on the way?” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“Hezbollah claims to target IDF base with Burkan missile,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“US Army ships heading to Gaza, arrive in Crete,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“Hezbollah-Israel tensions grow as drones, airstrikes increase,” Seth J. Frantzman, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Israel Foils West Bank ISIS Plot,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Arrests Terrorists Hiding in School in Northern Gaza,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“White House Defends $10 Billion Sanctions Waiver to Iran Following Attack,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“U.S. Vetoes Palestinian Statehood Bid at UN,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Hamas Leader to Meet With Erdogan in Turkey,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Qatar Reevaluates Role as Hamas Mediator,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Iran Attempts to Destabilize Jordan,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief