Israel SitRep: December 13, 2024

Today’s Issue: | IDF Troops in Syria Buffer Zone Carry Out Searches, Reinforce Barrier | IDF Soldiers Operating Along Lebanese Border ‘To Remove Threats’ While ‘Preserving Understandings’| IDF Troops in Northern and Southern Gaza Find Rocket Launchers, Tunnel Shafts, and Weapons; Eliminate Terrorists | Latest FDD Analysis  

IDF Troops in Syria Buffer Zone Carry Out Searches, Reinforce Barrier: The IDF published a report on Friday about troops under the command of the 474th (Golan) Brigade, who are carrying out forward defense operations in the buffer zone with Syria and along the border, where Egoz commandos, paratroopers, engineering troops, and armored forces are deployed. Soldiers are reinforcing the barrier on the Syrian front and carrying out defensive missions in order to ensure the security of Israelis, particularly residents of the Golan Heights. During searches, paratroopers found weapons including guns, ammunition, combat vests, anti-tank missiles, and additional equipment. According to Colonel Benny Kata, commander of the 474th Brigade, Israel “has no interest in the events taking place now in Syria” and is only “carrying out a mission to protect residents of the Golan Heights.”

IDF Troops in Northern and Southern Gaza Find Rocket Launchers, Tunnel Shafts, and Weapons; Eliminate Terrorists: The IDF announced on Friday that troops from the 162nd Division are still operating in northern Gaza, in the Jabalya and Beit Lahia areas. During operations, soldiers from the Kfir Brigade found large quantities of weapons as well as rocket launchers with dozens of launch pads. The troops destroyed the launchers, which were aimed at Gaza border communities in Israel. In addition, in Rafah in southern Gaza, Nahal Brigade soldiers are continuing fighting. In the past day, they have found tunnel shafts, destroyed terrorist infrastructure, and eliminated terrorists. In one incident, soldiers saw a group of armed men moving in their direction and called in a drone strike, which killed the men.

IDF Soldiers Operating Along Lebanese Border ‘To Remove Threats’ While ‘Preserving Understandings’: On Friday, the IDF published a report on operations by the 769th Brigade, which is deployed in southern Lebanon and along the border, working against Hezbollah terrorist targets and “to remove the threats.” During operations, the soldiers found a large quantity of weapons, including camouflaged Kornet missiles and launchers in a mountainous, forested area, as well as AK-47 rifles, cartridges, and other military equipment. Troops seized an anti-tank missile launching position that Hezbollah had used in the past year to fire at towns in the Galilee. In another operation, soldiers found a weapons depot with RPGs and mortars, which they seized. The IDF says that the brigade is working “to remove the threats to Israeli citizens while preserving the understandings between Israel and Lebanon.” The report includes a video showing weapons the soldiers found.

In West Bank Raids, IDF and Border Police Seize Weapons and Terror Funds, Destroy Explosives: The IDF announced on Friday that in the past week, the IDF, Border Police, and Shin Bet have been operating throughout the area covered by the Central Command, which includes the West Bank, seizing eight weapons and hundreds of thousands of shekels in terrorist funds, making some 50 arrests, and destroying explosives. On Friday, the Israel Police announced that a short time ago, Border Police and IDF troops, with guidance from the Shin Bet, carried out a counterterrorism operation in Beit Awwa in the Hebron area. During the operation, undercover Border Police arrested a wanted man and killed a man they believed posed a threat. Meanwhile, on Thursday, Defense Minister Yisrael Katz ordered the IDF to raise the alert level in the West Bank because of the possibility that terrorists will be inspired by events in Syria. According to Israel’s Army Radio, Israeli defense officials fear that the fall of the Assad regime could lead the Palestinian Authority to collapse.

Latest FDD Analysis:

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

“Assad is gone. What’s next for Syria?” Hussain Abdul-Hussain, The Washington Post

“Israel Secures its interests in Syria,” David Daoud, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Hayat Tahrir al Sham’s terror network in Syria,” Bill Roggio, FDD’s Long War Journal

“UN Human Rights Conference in China Pushes Beijing’s Narrative on ‘Economic, Social and Cultural Rights’ Agenda,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Hamas Yields on Key Israeli Demands, Hostage Deal Hopes Renewed,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Palestinian Terrorist Murders Israeli Boy in West Bank Shooting,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“‘Very Narrow Interpretation’: Ireland Joins South Africa’s Case Against Israel But Wants Different Definition of Genocide,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief