Israel SitRep: July 29, 2024

Today’s Issue: | Alma: Hezbollah’s Situation is ‘Win-Win,’ Escalation ‘Will Occur Sooner or Later’ | Israel Defense Ministry Signs $220 Million Deal with Elbit Systems | Two Hezbollah Operatives Killed in Presumed Israeli Airstrikes | IDF Continues Operations in Khan Younis and Rafah, Eliminating Terrorists, Destroying Terrorist Infrastructures | Latest FDD Analysis

Alma: Hezbollah’s Situation is ‘Win-Win,’ Escalation ‘Will Occur Sooner or Later’: On Sunday, the Alma Research and Education Center published an analysis of Hezbollah’s July 27 rocket strike on the Golan Heights Druze village of Majdal Shams, which killed 12 children and teenagers and wounded about 50 people. The Falaq-1 rocket used in the attack — which the IDF says “is an Iranian rocket … custom made in order to attack Israel” — was launched from Shebaa in southern Lebanon. Its range is 10 kilometers (about six miles), and the rocket used in the attack had 53 kilograms (16.6 pounds) of explosives. High-ranking Hezbollah operative Ali Muhammad Yahya was responsible for directing the rocket fire, which the Iron Dome failed to intercept. While Hezbollah claimed responsibility that evening for firing a Falaq-1 toward Mount Hermon, it then denied responsibility for the attack on Majdal Shams, which Alma notes “is located at the foot of Mount Hermon.” Hezbollah supporters have claimed it was an Iron Dome interceptor missile that struck the village. According to Alma, “Hezbollah is in a ‘win-win’ situation”; it seeks escalation to all-out war, but even without war, the situation is “exhausting Israel” and providing Hezbollah insights for a future escalation, which “will occur sooner or later.”

Israel Defense Ministry Signs $220 Million Deal with Elbit Systems: On Monday, the Israeli Defense Ministry announced that it signed an order worth more than $220 million (815 million shekels) with Israeli defense company Elbit Systems to purchase thousands of Iron Sting precision-guided missiles. According to the announcement, the Iron Sting is “equipped with sophisticated laser and GPS guidance systems” and will strengthen the “operational capabilities” of IDF ground forces by “enabling precise targeting” and thus “minimizing collateral damage and reducing the risk to non-combatants.” The announcement also notes that the Defense Ministry’s Directorate of Defense Procurement has stepped up the purchase of “cutting-edge armaments” since the war began to ensure that troops have “the most advanced and effective ammunition.” It has also expanded procurement from Israeli companies to ensure “manufacturing independence in essential areas and to strengthen the economy.” The IDF is already using the Iron Sting, including in Gaza.

Two Hezbollah Operatives Killed in Presumed Israeli Airstrikes: On Monday, after Lebanese media reported on Israeli airstrikes targeting a motorcycle and a car between the southern Lebanese towns of Mays Al-Jabal and Shaqra, Hezbollah announced the death of one of its members “on the road to Jerusalem,” an expression the group uses for operatives eliminated by Israel. The death of the Hezbollah operative, Abbas Hijazi, from the southern Lebanese village of Majdal Selm, brings the group’s death toll since the Gaza war began to over 380. Hezbollah later announced the death of another operative in the drone strike, Abbas Salami from the village of Khirbet Selm in southern Lebanon. On Saturday, Israeli airstrikes killed four members of Hezbollah’s Radwan Force.

IDF Continues Operations in Khan Younis and Rafah, Eliminating Terrorists, Destroying Terrorist Infrastructures: The IDF on Monday reported on operations in Gaza, where troops from the 401st Armored Brigade and the Givati Brigade, fighting in Rafah, eliminated a number of terrorists in the past day in close combat and through Israeli Air Force drone strikes. In Khan Younis, north of Rafah, the paratroopers and the 7th Armored Brigade are continuing to fight, and in the past day the soldiers, along with Israeli Air Force drones, have eliminated a large number of terrorists, including some who shot at the troops, and destroyed terrorist infrastructures. IAF fighter jets and drones struck some 35 terror targets in Gaza in the past day, including gunmen, terrorist infrastructures, military buildings, and booby-trapped buildings.

Latest FDD Analysis:

Today at 8:30am (ET): “FDD Morning Brief,” featuring Jonathan Schanzer and Hon. Elliott Abrams, FDD Event

“Spy Story,” Clifford D. May and Daniel Hoffman, FDD’s Foreign Podicy

“The Terrifying Lebanon Scenarios,” Jonathan Schanzer, Commentary

“Iran’s House of Cards,” Janatan Sayeh and Saeed Ghasseminejad, The National Interest

“Trudeau must avow Canadian support for Israel in Gaza,” Tzvi Kahn, Toronto Sun

“Worrying signals on the Middle East from Britain’s new Labour government,” Ben Cohen, Jewish News Syndicate

“The perils of a Turkish-Syrian rapprochement,” Sophia Epley and Sinan Ciddi, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Israeli forces recover the bodies of 5 hostages in Gaza,” Seth J. Frantzman, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Germany Closes Islamic Center Due to Iran and Hezbollah Ties,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Iran Orchestrating Online Campaign of Threats Against Israeli Olympic Athletes,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“U.S. Citizen Who Attempted to Assassinate Salman Rushdie Charged with Aiding Hezbollah,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Executions in Iran Surge as Presidential Inauguration Nears,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Hamas Rejects Proposed Israeli Changes to Ceasefire Deal,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Children Among Dozens of Dead, Wounded as Hezbollah Rocket Strikes Soccer Field in Majdal Shams,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Funerals Held for Victims of Hezbollah Attack on Majdal Shams,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israel SitRep: July 26, 2024,” FDD Experts, FDD Israel at War Situation Report