Israel SitRep: December 6, 2024

Today’s Issue: | IDF: We Are Reinforcing Troops in Golan Heights in Response to Syrian Fighting | Father and Son from Golan Heights Druze Village Arrested for Espionage | IAF Eliminates Several Senior Hamas Terrorists Who Took Part in October 7 Attacks | IDF Strikes Weapons Smuggling Routes Between Lebanon and Syria | Latest FDD Analysis            

IDF: We Are Reinforcing Troops in Golan Heights in Response to Syrian Fighting: The IDF on Friday issued an announcement stating that “in light of a situation assessment that has been taking place since yesterday in the General Staff and the Northern Command, and in view of the developments in internal fighting in Syria, a decision has been made to reinforce air and ground troops in the Golan Heights sector.” According to the announcement, “IDF forces are deployed in the border area and are increasing fitness and preparedness in accordance with various scenarios.” The announcement adds: “The IDF is monitoring the events and is prepared for any scenario, defensive or offensive, will not allow a threat close to the Israeli border, and will act to thwart any threat to Israel’s citizens.”

Father and Son from Golan Heights Druze Village Arrested for Espionage: The Israel Police announced on Friday that two residents of the Golan Heights Druze village of Mas’ada were arrested in early November for spying for Iran. According to the police, during the investigation, it emerged that Tahrir Safadi, 21, collected intelligence for the “Shiite axis” about IDF activities in the area at the request of his father, Bassem Safadi, and passed it on to Hussam al-Salam Tawfiq Zidan, a journalist in Damascus who works for Iran’s Alalam News Network. According to the announcement, in recent years, Zidan has been working for the IRGC Qods Force — Palestinian Branch, whose purpose is “to assist Palestinian organizations to initiate terrorist activity against Israeli citizens.” The father and son both collected intelligence including photos of IDF troops, armed soldiers, equipment, weapons, and tank movements. Tahrir, who engaged in espionage during the war, including collecting intelligence on IDF troops and the locations of missile impacts, has been charged with espionage, while Bassem will be held in administrative detention.

IAF Eliminates Several Senior Hamas Terrorists Who Took Part in October 7 Attacks: This week, Israeli Air Force fighter jets, in a joint operation with the Shin Bet, eliminated several senior terrorists from Hamas’s Shati Battalion who participated in the October 7 attacks. One of those killed was Majdi Aqilan, a deputy battalion commander and company commander who was one of the commanders of the October 7 massacre on Kibbutz Nahal Oz and led attacks against IDF troops operating in northern and central Gaza. The IAF also eliminated Mamdouh Mehna, a senior member in the tunnel unit of Hamas’s Gaza City Brigade, who participated in the October 7 invasion of Nahal Oz and led the planning and building of Hamas tunnels and the training of tunnel operatives. In addition, the IAF killed Ahmed Suwaidan, a company commander in the Shati Battalion, who on October 7 was involved in kidnapping Israelis and taking them to Gaza.

IDF Strikes Weapons Smuggling Routes Between Lebanon and Syria: The IDF announced on Friday that overnight, Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck terrorist infrastructures and routes near a border crossing between Syria and Lebanon that are being used to move weapons to Hezbollah. The IDF says that the attacks are part of the military’s recent efforts to damage the capabilities of Hezbollah’s Unit 4400, which is responsible for smuggling weapons used in attacks against IDF troops and Israeli civilians. In a separate announcement, the IDF noted that troops on the Lebanese border dismantled launchers aimed at Israel as well as a truck with mortars, a missile launcher, dozens of rockets, ammunition, and AK-47 riles. The announcement adds that “the IDF operates in southern Lebanon in accordance with the understandings between Israel and Lebanon while adhering to the terms of the ceasefire.”

Latest FDD Analysis:

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

“Iran faces setbacks in Syria as proxies weaken, struggles to support Assad regime,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“US forces in Syria at frontline of Iran, regime threats,” Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

“Egyptian Satirist Jailed Over Political Cartoons, Spotlighting Cairo’s Abuse of Pretrial Detention,” Mariam Wahba, FDD Policy Brief

“IDF Eliminates Hezbollah Official Overseeing Weapons Transfer From Syria to Lebanon,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Egypt Ceasefire Proposal For Gaza Emerges as IDF Recovers Slain Hostage,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Captures Hamas Terrorist Wanted for Murder in West Bank Operation,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Women, Life, Freedom!’ Iran Temporarily Releases Nobel Peace Prize Laureate,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“‘Predetermined Outcome’: Amnesty International Report Amplifies ‘Genocide’ Charge Against Israel,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief