Israel SitRep: November 25, 2024

Today’s Issue: | IAF Strikes Dozens of Targets in Lebanon and Eliminates Hamas Commander and October 7 Terrorist | IAF Continues Pounding Dahieh; Over the Weekend, IAF Struck Hezbollah Weapons Smuggling Border Crossing | IDF Soldiers in Northern Gaza Find Missiles in Clinic Near Humanitarian Corridor | Israeli Military Procurement Committee Approves Purchases Worth Billions of Shekels | Latest FDD Analysis

IAF Strikes Dozens of Targets in Lebanon and Eliminates Hamas Commander and October 7 Terrorist:

In the past day, the Israeli Air Force has attacked dozens of Hezbollah terror targets deep in Lebanon and in southern Lebanon. These included command centers, a large number of launchers — including some used yesterday to fire rockets at the Haifa Bay and Sharon areas — and weapons depots. In addition, over the weekend, the IAF, with guidance from Aman military intelligence, the Shin Bet, and the 215th Artillery Regiment, eliminated Ahmed Abd Halim Abu Hussein in a drone strike. Abu Hussein was in charge of rocket fire for Hamas’s East Jabalya Battalion and was responsible for firing many rockets and mortars at IDF soldiers in Gaza and at Israeli communities. Several other terrorists were also killed in the drone strike, including Muhammad Abdul Rahman Mahmoud Zaqut, who participated in the atrocities of October 7.

IAF Continues Pounding Dahieh; Over the Weekend, IAF Struck Hezbollah Weapons Smuggling Border Crossing: On Monday morning, Israeli Air Force fighter jets carried out additional strikes against command centers in the Beirut suburb of Dahieh, a Hezbollah stronghold, which the IAF has struck repeatedly over the past week. The IAF says that the strikes are part of its effort to damage Hezbollah’s ability to attack Israel and to destroy weapons-production sites and weapons depots that the group set up in Dahieh over the years. Overnight between Saturday and Sunday, the IAF carried out “an intelligence-based strike” near the Jousieh border crossing, which connects the Syrian town of Jousieh with the Beqaa Valley in Lebanon. The crossing is operated by Syria and is used by Hezbollah’s Unit 4400 to smuggle weapons into Lebanon.

IDF Soldiers in Northern Gaza Find Missiles in Clinic Near Humanitarian Corridor: The IDF on Monday published a report on operations by the 162nd Division in northern Gaza, noting that the Kfir Brigade, Givati Brigade, and 401st Armored Brigade are fighting in the area of Beit Lahia and Jabalya. In a clinic in the area near the humanitarian corridor, soldiers from the Givati reconnaissance unit found two surface-to-air missiles ready to be launched, which had been hidden by terrorists holed up in the clinic. One missile was hidden under a bed used for patients. During operations, the 401st Armored Brigade’s combat team killed terrorists in close combat and by directing a drone strike, fighting in a built-up area to destroy explosive devices and terrorist infrastructures.

Israeli Military Procurement Committee Approves Purchases Worth Billions of Shekels: The Israeli Defense Ministry has announced that acquisitions worth billions of shekels have been approved by the Ministerial Committee for Military Procurement. This includes the purchase of five Reshef missile ships from Israel Shipyards to replace the Nirit Sa’ar 4.5-class missile ship, which is being decommissioned. It also includes the purchase of hundreds of joint light tactical vehicles (JLTVs), which are armored combat mobility vehicles. The announcement notes that the approvals come after interim recommendations from the Nagel Committee, which was established after October 7 to review defense acquisitions as well as force buildup. According to the announcement, the approvals “reflect the Israeli government’s comprehensive reassessment of military procurement priorities.” The projects approved will be submitted to the Knesset’s Joint Defense Budget Committee, and the Defense Ministry will finalize procurement arrangements after receiving the committee’s approval.

Latest FDD Analysis:

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

“Israel Under Attack from Turtle Bay and The Hague,” Clifford D. May, Orde Kittrie, and Richard Goldberg, FDD’s Foreign Podicy

“Trump administration should target Chinese car manufacturers active in Iran,” Saeed Ghasseminejad, Washington Examiner

“ICC’s accusations against Israel are unfounded — and the data prove it,” David Adesnik, National Post

“Amsterdamned: The shame of Femke Halsema,” Ben Cohen, Jewish News Syndicate

“What can work in Lebanon can also work in Gaza.” Eyal Hulata, Ynet

“Israeli Military Action is Key to Stopping Iran’s Proxies in Iraq,” Ahmad Sharawi, FDD Policy Brief

“State Department Warns Turkey Against Hosting Hamas Headquarters,” Sinan Ciddi and Sophia Epley, FDD Policy Brief

“Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu visits Gaza’s Netzarim Corridor,” Seth J. Frantzman, FDD’s Long War Journal

“IDF targets sites in Beirut as Hezbollah says it is ready for a “long battle”,” Seth J. Frantzman, FDD’s Long War Journal

“‘Corrupt to its Core’: World Reacts to ICC Warrants Against Netanyahu and Gallant,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“‘We Are United’: Former UNRWA Chief Preached Unity With Iran’s Terror Proxies,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israeli Strike Eliminates Hezbollah Leader Responsible for Killing Americans,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“‘Abhorrent Antisemitic Terrorist Attack’: Rabbi Kidnapped and Murdered in UAE,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israel SitRep: November 22, 2024,” FDD Experts, FDD Israel at War Situation Report