Israel SitRep: December 2, 2024

Today’s Issue: | Alma: Hezbollah Violating Ceasefire, Encouraging Residents of Southern Lebanon to Return Home | IDF Spokesman: Israel Closely Following Syria and Lebanon Situation, Will Act to Prevent Potential Threats | Kfir Brigade Operates in Northern Gaza, Killing Terrorists, Destroying Sites With Explosives | Shin Bet Investigation Reveals Iranian Intelligence Targeted Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs | Latest FDD Analysis

Alma: Hezbollah Violating Ceasefire, Encouraging Residents of Southern Lebanon to Return Home: On Sunday, the Alma Research and Education Center reported that the first weekend of the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire was marked by repeated violations by Hezbollah, which it says is encouraging people from southern Lebanon to return home, including to areas restricted by the IDF. The report notes that the Lebanese army is ignoring ceasefire violations by Hezbollah and accusing Israel of violations. The IDF announced on Sunday that soldiers have acted “to remove threats” in southern Lebanon that violated the ceasefire, including eliminating “armed terrorists” who shot at the troops from the area of a church that was being “actively used” by Hezbollah. On Monday, the IDF reported that it took action last night and this morning after Hezbollah carried out several operations that violated the ceasefire and threatened Israel. The IDF struck a number of military vehicles operating in the area of a missile-production site in the Beqaa Valley as well as military vehicles at several locations near the Lebanon-Syria border at Hermel that were being used to move weapons and violated the ceasefire. The IDF also struck a number of Hezbollah operatives in southern Lebanon “to remove a threat.”

IDF Spokesman: Israel Closely Following Syria and Lebanon Situation, Will Act to Prevent Potential Threats: IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, speaking to Sky News Arabia, said that Israel is closely following the situation in Syria and Lebanon. He noted that the IDF aims to “prevent Iran from smuggling weapons to Hezbollah through Syrian territory,” which Israel considers a “direct threat to its national security.” Hagari stated that Israel “will act appropriately” if Iranian weapons reach Lebanon or Hezbollah. In addition, he said, the IDF is monitoring the presence of extremist groups near Syria’s border with Israel and is “ready to act if necessary.” As for Hezbollah, the spokesman declared, “Hezbollah is promoting the idea of ​​Israel’s collapse. We are sending a clear message that we will not allow a repeat of what happened on October 7.” According to Hagari, “Israel’s commitment to its national security is not limited to monitoring only, but includes taking proactive steps to prevent any potential threat.” He added: “We will not allow the recurrence of tragedies that threaten the stability of the region.”

Kfir Brigade Operates in Northern Gaza, Killing Terrorists, Destroying Sites With Explosives: The IDF reported on Monday that the Kfir Brigade, part of the 162nd Division, is continuing operations in the Beit Lahia and Jabalya areas in northern Gaza, eliminating terrorists and destroying a large number of sites with explosive devices. Soldiers have been searching booby-trapped buildings used to store a large quantity of weapons. One search turned up hidden explosives as well as a camera with footage of the building being booby-trapped. Troops destroyed the building. In a raid on a weapons depot in the area, soldiers who discovered a camera with footage of a Hamas member hiding IEDs in an apartment seized the IEDs and other weapons. In addition, troops found a rocket-launching site near the building and destroyed it.

Shin Bet Investigation Reveals Iranian Intelligence Targeted Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs: Itay Blumental, military correspondent for Israel’s Channel 11, reports that a message sent to Israeli Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs in September in “garbled Hebrew” led to a Shin Bet investigation, which determined that the message came from Iranian intelligence. The message included the following: “Given the increasing level of danger in the country, the prime minister intends to have a conversation with you in the area of predicting the future activity of terrorist organizations. I have been tasked with arranging the dialogue. Please contact me as soon as possible to discuss further details.” According to the Shin Bet, Iran has made some 200 attempts to contact Israelis online, including public figures, in order to acquire personal information. Blumental states that Iran intends to use this information to carry out attacks against Israeli public figures using Israeli networks it has recruited. The Shin Bet and the Israel Police have foiled nine attempts by Israelis recruited by Iran to carry out missions in Israel, including assassinations.

Latest FDD Analysis:

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

“The Military America Needs,” Clifford D. May and RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, FDD’s Foreign Podicy

“Another week of attacks on Israel,” Clifford D. May, The Washington Times

“Trump Can — and Should — Fully Fund Our Military,” Bradley Bowman and RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, National Review

“After COP29, Israel and the Region Can Reaffirm the Abraham Accords Vision,” Eyal Hulata, The National Interest

“The economic silver lining of disarming Hezbollah,” Hussain Abdul-Hussain, Asia Times

“U.S. Should Expand Its Sanctions Against Tehran’s Industrial Metals Industry,” Saeed Ghasseminejad, Middle East Forum

“Security Cooperation With Jordan: Key to Protecting Israel’s Eastern Front,” Ahmad Sharawi, FDD Policy Brief

“Israel moves closer to a ceasefire in Lebanon,” Seth J. Frantzman, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire begins in Lebanon,” Seth J. Frantzman, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Iran hails ceasefire as an opportunity to rebuild Hezbollah,” Janatan Sayeh, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Israel Seizes Deadly Iranian Weapons Destined for West Bank Terrorists,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Ceasefire Holds on Day One in Lebanon as Evacuees — and Hezbollah — Head South,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“‘Now Hamas Has A Choice to Make’: After Lebanon Truce, Hamas Indicates Openness to Deal in Gaza,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“‘Barbarity and Brutality’: Hamas Releases Video of Israeli American Hostage,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Syrian Rebel Forces Take Aleppo in Lightning Offensive,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israel SitRep: November 27, 2024,” FDD Experts, FDD Israel at War Situation Report