Israel SitRep: May 10, 2024

Today’s Issue: IDF Rafah Operation Continues, IAF Hits More Than 40 Gaza Targets | IDF Holds Drills to Prepare for Combat in the North | IDF Spokesman: IDF Recently Killed Nine Hezbollah Operatives, Struck Some 115 Hezbollah Targets | 1,594 Israel Soldiers and Civilians Killed Since Last Memorial Day | Latest FDD Analysis

IDF Rafah Operation Continues, IAF Strikes More Than 40 Gaza Targets: The IDF’s 162nd Division is continuing its operations in eastern Rafah. On the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing, the 401st Armored Brigade has eliminated several terrorist squads in close combat and by calling in airstrikes. Israeli aircraft have also struck a number of areas in Rafah from which rockets and mortars were fired in the past few days at Israel and at the Kerem Shalom crossing. Nahal Brigade and 2nd Brigade soldiers are operating in the Zeitun area in central Gaza, working with the Shin Bet and Aman military intelligence, eliminating terrorists, and dismantling terrorist infrastructures. The Israeli Air Force has destroyed more than 40 targets throughout Gaza in the past day, including lookout posts, military buildings, and terrorist cells.

IDF Holds Drills to Prepare for Combat in the North: The IDF on Friday published a report on an exercise held this week by the Northern Command to prepare for fighting in the north. The Etzioni Brigade’s reserve battalions took part in an exercise in Western Galilee simulating combat in Lebanon, with infantry, engineering, and armored troops practicing cooperation in mountainous and difficult terrain using camouflage and combat techniques. The Etzioni Brigade has been protecting Israel’s northern border, from Rosh Hanikra to the Golan Heights, since the war began. The 91st Galilee Division held an exercise in which the division headquarters and division commanders practiced a variety of scenarios to increase readiness in the event of an attack. In addition, the 769th Brigade, along with the Israeli Air Force and logistics personnel from the Northern Command, practiced airlifting supplies to forces operating in enemy territory.

IDF Spokesman: IDF Recently Killed Nine Hezbollah Operatives, Struck Some 115 Hezbollah Targets: In a Thursday press briefing covering a range of topics, IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari announced that the IDF killed nine Hezbollah terrorists in recent days and struck some 115 Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon during the week. He also spoke about the IDF’s targeted killing on Wednesday of Ahmed Ali, who commanded Hamas’s Naval Unit in Gaza City. According to a previous IDF announcement, Ali was killed in a joint IDF-Shin Bet operation in Gaza City and was behind “several attacks on Israeli territory” and attacks in Gaza against IDF ground troops. Hagari also noted that Israeli Air Force fighter jets in Shejaiya eliminated a Nukhba Force commander who led operations against IDF troops in Gaza. This may be a reference to Aiman Zaarab, whose death the IDF announced on Saturday evening. According to that IDF announcement, Zaarab was responsible for the October 7 Nukhba Force attacks on both the Sufa military post and Kibbutz Sufa and recently led Palestinian Islamic Jihad preparations “for significant combat” in the southern part of Gaza.

1,594 Israel Soldiers and Civilians Killed Since Last Memorial Day: In advance of Memorial Day, which begins Sunday night, Israel on Thursday released figures on soldier and civilian deaths, stating that 1,594 soldiers and civilians have been killed since Memorial Day last year — the largest number in five decades. The Defense Ministry says that 760 soldiers died in the past year during military service and another 61 disabled veterans died from injuries sustained during their service. Since 1860, the first year in which the Jewish community in pre-state Israel began keeping track, 25,034 have died fighting in wars. In the past year, according to the National Insurance Institute of Israel, 834 civilian victims of terror died, most of them in the October 7 attacks.

Latest FDD Analysis:

Today at 8:30am (ET): “FDD Morning Brief,” Jonathan Schanzer and Lorenzo Vidino, FDD Event

“The Netzarim corridor has become a magnet for Hamas attacks,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“With US pier ready, will it make a difference?” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“Iran wants a ‘perfect storm’ to threaten Israel with proxies,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“Syrian fighters belonging to Islamic Jihad killed in southern Lebanon,” Seth J. Frantzman, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Israel’s Defense Minister visits north amid Hezbollah attacks,” Seth J. Frantzman, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Hezbollah Attack Kills IDF Soldier,” FDD Experts , FDD Flash Brief

“Palestinian Statehood Bid Risks Triggering U.S. Defunding of UN,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Hamas Fires Rockets at Kerem Shalom Crossing Hours After Reopening,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Canada’s House of Commons Presses Trudeau to Designate IRGC,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief