Israel SitRep: September 18, 2024

Today’s Issue: | Tensions High After Pager Attack; Northern Command Head: ‘We are Determined to Change the Security Situation’ | IAF Strikes Hezbollah Targets in Six Locations, Intercepts Drones from Iraq and Lebanon | Israel Police: Target of Last Year’s Explosion in Yarkon Park Was Former Defense Minister Ya’alon | IDF Establishing New Reserve Division for Border Defense and Rapid Incident Response | Latest FDD Analysis

Tensions High After Pager Attack; Northern Command Head: ‘We are Determined to Change the Security Situation’: The Lebanese health minister has announced that the death toll from yesterday’s pager attack on Hezbollah operatives has risen to 12, with some 2,800 wounded, 300 of them in critical condition. Hezbollah confirmed the deaths of 12 operatives in the past 24 hours, some in IDF strikes, others in the pager attack. In a related development, the IDF’s 98th Division, which has been fighting for months in Gaza, is being redeployed to northern Israel. The division, which includes the Paratroopers Brigade, the Commando Brigade, and the 7th Armored Brigade, will become part of the IDF’s Northern Command. Commenting on the situation, Northern Command head Maj. Gen. Ori Gordin stated: “The mission is clear: We are determined to change the security situation as soon as possible.”

IAF Strikes Hezbollah Targets in Six Locations, Intercepts Drones from Iraq and Lebanon: Last night, the Israeli Air Force struck Hezbollah targets in different areas of southern Lebanon. After IDF soldiers spotted several Hezbollah members operating in a building in the Majdal Selm area, IAF fighter jets attacked the building. The IAF also struck military buildings in five additional areas — Chihine, Markaba, Odaisseh, Maroun Al-Ras, and Blida — and the IDF used artillery fire against several other areas in southern Lebanon. On Wednesday, the IDF intercepted a drone launched from Iraq while it was over the Sea of Galilee, and a drone launched from Lebanon was intercepted near Rosh Hanikra on the Lebanese border. No party claimed responsibility for the launches. Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for one attack on Israel in the past 24 hours with high-trajectory fire.

Israel Police: Target of Last Year’s Explosion in Yarkon Park Was Former Defense Minister Ya’alon: The Israel Police announced on Wednesday that the target of the bombing last September in Tel Aviv’s Yarkon Park was former defense minister and chief of staff Moshe “Bogie” Ya’alon, who lives in the area. Eight suspects have been arrested. The police and Shin Bet launched an investigation after an explosive device was detonated in the park on September 15, 2023. The investigation included viewing footage from cameras in the area, with a focus on people known to frequent the area at the relevant time, and investigators concluded that Ya’alon was the intended target. As the investigation proceeded, the investigators found out who was involved in placing the explosive device, and the people responsible said that they had installed a camera on the device to view activity in the park remotely. The device was detonated against a person they believed to be Ya’alon but caused no injuries. In addition, the Shin Bet announced yesterday that Hezbollah attempted to assassinate another former high-ranking official but did not release his name.

IDF Establishing New Reserve Division for Border Defense and Rapid Incident Response: Doron Kadosh, the military correspondent for Israel’s army radio, reported on a new reserve division being established by the IDF. Thousands of soldiers aged 35 and above who have received exemptions from reserve duty have enlisted in the division, known as the 96th Division, or David Division, which will have a dual mission: border defense — possibly in the Jordan Valley — and protecting Israeli communities in response to fast-moving incidents. The division’s five brigades will be divided by areas, and soldiers will serve in their area of residence and will keep their weapons in their homes. The plan is for the division to have some 15,000 soldiers. Recruitment is taking place now, and about 25 percent of the positions have been filled. The chief of staff is expected to appoint the brigade commanders soon, and 27 battalion commanders and most of the company commanders have already been approved. The new division will also include the first Bedouin battalion in the IDF. The IDF estimates that the 96th Division will be ready for its missions by mid-to-late 2025.

Latest FDD Analysis:

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

“Iran’s Assassination Plots Against Jews Persist Despite the West’s Leniency on Regime,” Janatan Sayeh, The Algemeiner

“The Abraham Accords are not about Palestinians,” Hussain Abdul-Hussain, Asia Times

“Why Israel is shifting focus to returning evacuees to the North,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“Hezbollah’s worst nightmare: Chaos in its ranks,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“Iran rallies proxy groups and allies to vote against Israel ahead of UN speech,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“Georgetown’s Qatari Branch to Host Former Al Jazeera Executive Who Praised October 7 Massacre,” Natalie Ecanow and David Adesnik, FDD Policy Brief

“Hundreds of Hezbollah Operatives Wounded as Pagers Explode Across Lebanon,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“IDF Eliminates Palestinian Islamic Jihad Rocket Commander,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Hamas, Houthis Open Offices in Iraq,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief