Israel SitRep: January 8, 2025

Today’s Issue: | IAF Conducts Southern Gaza Strikes Against Hamas October 7 Participants | IAF Strikes Hamas Command-and-Control Center in Northern Gaza | IDF Troops Destroy Five Weapons Depots in Lebanon in 24 Hours | CENTCOM Conducts ‘Multiple Precision Strikes’ on Houthi Weapons Storage Facilities | Latest FDD Analysis  

IAF Conducts Southern Gaza Strikes Against Hamas October 7 Participants: On Tuesday evening, Israeli Air Force drones carried out several attacks in the area of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, with intelligence from the Shin Bet, Aman military intelligence, and the Southern Command. The strikes targeted several terrorists who took part in the Hamas massacre on October 7. The IDF said it took “numerous steps” to minimize the chances of harming civilians, including the use of aerial surveillance, weapons adapted to the type of attacks, and additional intelligence. The military also noted that Hamas terrorists continue to operate from civilian shelters and use civilians as human shields, adding: “The IDF and Shin Bet will continue to act decisively against terrorists from the Hamas terrorist organization who participated in the massacre of October 7.”

IAF Strikes Hamas Command-and-Control Center in Northern Gaza: On Wednesday, an Israeli Air Force combat helicopter, with intelligence from the Shin Bet, Aman military intelligence, and the Southern Command, struck Hamas terrorists in the Jabalya area in northern Gaza who were operating in a command-and-control center that previously housed the Halawa school. According to the IDF, Hamas operatives used the complex for planning and carrying out attacks against Israeli soldiers and against Israel. The military says it took “numerous steps” before the attack to minimize the chances of harming civilians, including aerial surveillance and additional intelligence. The announcement stated that “the Hamas terrorist organization systematically violates international law while cruelly exploiting civilian institutions and the population as human shields for terrorist activities,” adding: “The IAF will continue to act forcefully and decisively against the terrorist organizations.”

IDF Troops Destroy Five Weapons Depots in Lebanon in 24 Hours: The IDF on Wednesday reported on operations in southern Lebanon by the 300th (Baram) Regional Brigade, which destroyed five weapons depots in one day. The brigade, under the 146th Division, is continuing operations aimed at terrorist infrastructures and at eliminating threats. The IDF says the brigade is operating in accordance with the understandings between Israel and Lebanon and keeping the terms of the ceasefire agreement. During a “targeted operation” in a mountainous, complex terrain to search and clear the area of Hezbollah terrorists, troops found and destroyed five weapons depots that contained more than 200 mortars, combat vests, loaded rocket launchers, and a launcher hidden in the ground. Soldiers also found and seized a truck with three medium-range rocket launchers hidden in a mountainous area. The report includes footage of the brigade’s operations as well as footage showing the weapons the troops found and destroyed.

CENTCOM Conducts ‘Multiple Precision Strikes’ on Houthi Weapons Storage Facilities: U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) carried out “multiple precision strikes” today in Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen against two underground storage facilities containing advanced conventional weapons. According to CENTCOM, the Houthis carried out attacks on merchant vessels and U.S. Navy warships in the Gulf of Aden and the southern Red Sea using these facilities. CENTCOM said the strikes are part of its efforts to degrade attempts by the Iran-backed Houthis to threaten merchant vessels and military vessels in the region as well as “regional partners.” There were no injuries to U.S. personnel and there was no damage to U.S. equipment, CENTCOM stated.

Latest FDD Analysis:

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

“Trump’s year of opportunity against Iran,” Janatan Sayeh and Saeed Ghasseminejad, Washington Examiner

“In Verified Footage, New Syrian Justice Minister Presided Over Woman’s 2015 Execution,” David Adesnik, FDD Policy Brief

“Department of Defense Designates Over 50 Top Chinese Corporations as ‘Military Companies’,” Jack Burnham, FDD Policy Brief

“U.S. continues to target the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria,” Bill Roggio, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Tehran’s triad: propaganda, proxies, and preparedness,” Janatan Sayeh, FDD’s Long War Journal

“Turkey Pushing for ‘Elimination’ of Kurdish-Led, U.S.-Allied Syrian Democratic Forces,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Biden Administration Reallocates Egyptian Aid to Fund Lebanese Armed Forces,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief