Israel SitRep: December 27, 2024

Today’s Issue: | IAF Bombs Crossing Used for Weapons Smuggling on Lebanon-Syria Border | IDF Begins ‘Targeted’ Operation at Kamal Adwan Hospital in Northern Gaza, a ‘Key’ Terrorist Stronghold | IDF Troops Operating in Naqoura in Southern Lebanon, Find Weapons in Civilian Buildings | Israeli Military Data Show Number of West Bank Terror Attacks Decreasing This Year, Suicide Attacks Increasing | Latest FDD Analysis  

IAF Bombs Crossing Used for Weapons Smuggling on Lebanon-Syria Border: The IDF announced on Friday that Israeli Air Force fighter jets carried out strikes today on the border crossing at Janta, on the Lebanon-Syria border in Lebanon’s Beqaa Valley. The announcement notes that Hezbollah’s Unit 4400, which smuggles weapons into Lebanon from Iran and Iranian proxies, has built “many strategic routes” on the border. As part of Operation Northern Arrows, the IDF’s war against Hezbollah in Lebanon, the IAF has carried out “extensive attacks” on weapons-smuggling routes and “numerous targeted killings” of Unit 4400 commanders. These included the elimination of the unit’s commander in Beirut in early October and the elimination of his intended successor in Damascus several weeks later, as well as the elimination of other senior commanders. The IDF says that these attacks are part of its efforts to disrupt weapons smuggling from Syria to Lebanon and to disrupt Hezbollah’s efforts to restore weapons-smuggling routes. The announcement adds: “The IDF will continue to act to remove any threat to the state of Israel, in accordance with the understandings in the ceasefire agreement.”

IDF Begins ‘Targeted’ Operation at Kamal Adwan Hospital in Northern Gaza, a ‘Key’ Terrorist Stronghold: On Friday COGAT, the Israeli entity coordinating humanitarian aid for Gaza, announced that the IDF has begun an operation near Kamal Adwan Hospital, located in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza, after receiving intelligence about “the presence of terrorist infrastructure and operatives” there. COGAT says that the hospital is a “Hamas terrorist stronghold,” adding that terrorists have been operating from the hospital throughout the war. The IDF and Shin Bet last operated at Kamal Adwan in October, but the hospital has again become “a key stronghold for terrorist organizations,” who are using it as a hideout. The announcement states that the IDF’s operations are “targeted” and that the army is “mitigating harm” to patients, medical staff, and civilians who are not involved in the terrorist activities, adding that prior to the operation, the IDF facilitated their evacuation, with COGAT coordinating with local health officials and international organizations. The IDF and COGAT are in touch with hospital officials and are making “extensive efforts” to ensure that the evacuated patients are treated elsewhere and that food, fuel, and other supplies are delivered to the area, according to the statement.

IDF Troops Operating in Naqoura in Southern Lebanon, Find Weapons in Civilian Buildings: The IDF on Friday published a report on operations by troops from the 226th Paratroopers Brigade, under the command of the 146th Division, who are operating in the area of Naqoura, the westernmost village in southern Lebanon. According to the IDF, dozens of terrorist infrastructures used by Hezbollah for attacks on Israel were found in the village. During searches, soldiers discovered weapons depots and military equipment in civilian buildings, including a pharmacy, where they found a large quantity of weapons, including explosive devices, AK-47 rifles, and RPGs. Troops also found Burkan missiles, mortars, and mortar bombs, as well as weapons ready to be fired. The IDF adds that the operations are being carried out in accordance with the understandings between Israel and Lebanon. The report includes footage of operations by troops from the 226th Paratroopers Brigade as well as footage of soldiers searching a civilian building used as a weapons depot.

Israeli Military Data Show Number of West Bank Terror Attacks Decreasing This Year, Suicide Attacks Increasing: Israeli news website Ynet reported this week that according to military data, the number of terrorist attacks in the West Bank fell this year to 254 from 847 in 2023 and 342 in 2022. Other acts of violence, such as rock throwing, decreased from 3,779 in 2022 to 3,256 in 2023, then to 1,188 in 2024. Nevertheless, the casualty figure for IDF soldiers and Israeli civilians has not changed much over the past three years. As for Palestinians killed in confrontations with the IDF, the figures are 155 in 2022, 504 in 2023, and 497 in 2024. While some of the terrorist attacks are carried out by “lone wolves,” a resurgence in terror cells affiliated with Hamas and other groups has caused a rise in the number of suicide attacks, in particular car bombings. Armed groups in refugee camps, especially in the northern West Bank, have become a new threat in the past three years, as they are well-funded and have built infrastructure, hideouts, and command centers. Both Hamas and Iran attempt to smuggle weapons through Jordan, which the IDF is trying to counter through the use of technology, increased cooperation with Jordanian forces, and the establishment of a new border division.

Latest FDD Analysis:

“Shabaab announces the death of senior official Mohamed Mire,” Caleb Weiss, FDD’s Long War Journal

“‘Whatever Distance is Necessary’: IDF Strikes Sana’a International Airport in Retaliation for Houthi Attacks,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Press Vest ‘Doesn’t Turn a Terrorist into a Journalist’: IDF Strikes Islamic Jihad Terrorists in Gaza Posing as Journalists,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief