Israel SitRep: September 16, 2024

Today’s Issue: | Report: Northern Command Head Gordin Recommends Creation of Buffer Zone in Southern Lebanon | Defense Ministry and IDF: Re-equipping of 97 Civilian Security Squads in North Completed | Hezbollah Claims Responsibility for Six Attacks on Israel in Past 24 Hours | IDF: 5th Reserve Infantry Brigade Redeployed to Central Gaza | Latest FDD Analysis

Report: Northern Command Head Gordin Recommends Creation of Buffer Zone in Southern Lebanon: Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom reported on Sunday that Maj. Gen. Ori Gordin, head of Northern Command, has recommended in closed meetings that the IDF occupy a security buffer zone in southern Lebanon. According to the paper’s sources, Gordin believes that such a move will soon be possible since a large number of members of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force who were deployed near the border have been killed or fled north over the past 11 months. In addition, many civilians living in southern Lebanese villages have left, with only an estimated 20 percent still remaining. According to the article, a buffer zone would not only remove the threat from Hezbollah but also would help pressure it to reach a permanent settlement, even though a significant military operation will still be needed to enable Israelis living in the north to return to their homes.

Defense Ministry and IDF: Re-equipping of 97 Civilian Security Squads in North Completed: The Defense Ministry and the IDF announced on Monday that the process of re-equipping 97 security squads in northern border communities has been completed. The ministry will be purchasing some 9,000 Arad assault rifles for squads throughout the country at a cost of about 50 million shekels ($13.5 million). The rifles, manufactured by Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), are in addition to the 5,000 Arad rifles purchased earlier in the war. In the operation’s first phase, rapid response teams in northern Israel were provided with uniforms, combat and rescue gear, protective equipment, and medical supplies. The second phase will focus on the Golan Heights. A total of 120 security squads in the north will be reequipped once the operation is completed. Defense Ministry Director General Maj. Gen. Eyal Zamir noted that “the Defense Ministry … has been working to strengthen the security squads that fought bravely on October 7. After reequipping Gaza envelope communities, we are now completing reequipment of some 100 security squads in the north with weapons, including the Arad … the advanced weapon developed in Israel. The plan is part of the policy of strengthening defense on the borders and in areas of friction and increasing manufacturing independence.”

Hezbollah Claims Responsibility for Six Attacks on Israel in Past 24 Hours: On Monday, the Alma Research and Education Center published an update on events in Israel’s north, noting that Hezbollah has claimed responsibility in the past 24 hours for six attacks on Israel, using suicide drones, anti-tank missiles, and high-trajectory fire. Two drones that entered Israeli airspace in the upper Galilee and the Naftali Mountains were intercepted. On Sunday, Hezbollah launched projectiles toward the northern border town of Shlomi. It also fired suicide drones at the northern Golan Heights, claiming that this was a response to IDF attacks in the Beqaa Valley. Hezbollah targets struck by the IDF in southern Lebanon in the past 24 hours include weapons depots and rocket launchers in the areas of Jarmaq and Rachaya al-Foukhar.

IDF: 5th Reserve Infantry Brigade Redeployed to Central Gaza: The IDF announced on Monday that the 5th Reserve Infantry Brigade has been redeployed to central Gaza and will be operating under the 252nd Division. After completing its mission in the early days of the war to protect communities and kibbutzim in the Gaza envelope and to clear the area of terrorists, the 5th Brigade fought for months in the areas of Khirbet Ahza’a in southern Gaza and Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza, as well as the Netzarim corridor in central Gaza. In the past few days, soldiers from the brigade have completed training and drills in the National Center for Ground Training, practicing combat in open and built-up areas. The troops have also completed logistical preparation and held drills in mobility, supply, and immediate medical response.

Latest FDD Analysis:

Today at 8:30am (ET): “FDD Morning Brief,” featuring Jonathan Schanzer and Meir Litvak, FDD Event

“Hamas On The Ropes: A Progress Report,” Jonathan Schanzer, Commentary

“The Fundraising Shortcut Ripe for Abuse,” David May and Melissa Sacks, Townhall

“Afghanistan and Gaza: Tragedy and farce,” Ben Cohen, Jewish News Syndicate

“6 Things to Know About Samidoun, the ‘Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network,’” FDD Experts, FDD Insight

“IDF’s multi-front challenge: From Rafah to Lebanon,” Seth J. Frantzman, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Russia retakes some territory in the Kursk region,” John Hardie, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Hezbollah’s Vengeance for Shukr was a propaganda exercise from start to Nasrallah’s speech,” David Daoud, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Houthis Missile Fragments Strike Central Israel,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

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“Egypt and Ethiopia Tussle at UN Security Council as Nile Dam Tensions Escalate,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

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“Israel SitRep: September 13, 2024,” FDD Experts, FDD Israel at War Situation Report