January 17, 2025 | Israel at War Situation Report
Israel SitRep: January 17, 2025
January 17, 2025 Israel at War Situation Report
Israel SitRep: January 17, 2025
Today’s Issue: | Six Israeli Hospitals Prepare to Receive Returning Hostages, Health Ministry Issues Guidelines for Tests and Treatment | Israeli Defense Ministry Signs Contract With Rafael to Increase Production of Iron Dome Interceptors | Alma: Hezbollah Financial Institution Al-Qard Al-Hassan Must be Completely Dismantled | COGAT: 335 Aid Trucks Entered Gaza Thursday, Some 800 Are Awaiting Collection | Latest FDD Analysis
Six Israeli Hospitals Prepare to Receive Returning Hostages, Health Ministry Issues Guidelines for Tests and Treatment: In preparation for the return of the first group of hostages, Israel’s Health Ministry has issued a protocol for initial examination and follow-up treatment. The guidelines, issued to six Israeli hospitals, specify that the hostages should be in facilities separate from other patients. Each hostage will have an initial medical exam, conducted by an emergency medicine doctor and a nurse, with at least one family member or representative present. For female hostages, priority will be given to women doctors and nurses. The hostages will also have psychiatric exams, and girls and women of childbearing age will be given pregnancy tests. In addition, the hostages will be tested for malnutrition, and their families will be instructed on how to feed them in order to prevent refeeding syndrome, in which people who are severely malnourished suffer adverse reactions, including even death, when they start eating again. Each hospital will also have mental health professionals to work with the released hostages. The protocol also includes documentation of atrocities the hostages experienced, which will be done by forensic teams, medical experts, and legal experts.
Israeli Defense Ministry Signs Contract With Rafael to Increase Production of Iron Dome Interceptors: The Israeli Defense Ministry announced on Thursday the signing of the first contract as part of the $8.7 billion aid package approved by the U.S. Congress in April 2024. The package allocates $5.2 billion to strengthen Israeli missile and air defense systems, including Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and a high-powered laser defense system being developed. Under the terms of the contract, Israeli defense technology company Rafael will expand production of Iron Dome interceptors and supply the Defense Ministry and the IDF with a “significant” number. The Iron Dome is produced by Rafael along with ELTA Systems, which is part of Israel Aerospace Industries, and mPrest. The U.S. Missile Defense Agency is a partner in developing and producing David’s Sling and the Arrow system and in producing Iron Dome components.
Alma: Hezbollah Financial Institution Al-Qard Al-Hassan Must be Completely Dismantled: On Thursday, the Alma Research and Education Center published an analysis of Hezbollah financial institution Al-Qard Al-Hassan, which is designated by the U.S. Treasury and serves as “Hezbollah’s de facto bank.” AQAH funds terrorism, supports a parallel Hezbollah-run economy in Lebanon, and increases Hezbollah’s influence in the Lebanese Shiite community. The bank, which provides services to some 300,000 Lebanese Shiites as well as funds for Hezbollah-managed programs, bypasses the official Lebanese banking system and the international systems. Israeli intelligence says that most of Hezbollah’s money is in AQAH, which the Israeli Air Force struck in October. The bank is also funding the reconstruction of houses used by Hezbollah to store rockets and missiles that the IDF destroyed during the recent war. In addition, AQAH enables Hezbollah to bypass sanctions on its operatives and promotes money laundering, and money sent by Iran to Hezbollah goes through the bank, allowing Hezbollah to buy weapons, pay salaries, and maintain infrastructure. The analysis states that while Israel’s strikes caused significant damage, the international community and Israel must exert “sustained pressure” in order to dismantle the bank completely, adding that this would help to rehabilitate the Lebanese state and “deal a critical blow” to Hezbollah’s terror infrastructure.
COGAT: 335 Aid Trucks Entered Gaza Thursday, Some 800 Are Awaiting Collection: On Friday, COGAT, the Israeli entity coordinating humanitarian aid for Gaza, published an aid update for Thursday, noting that 335 aid trucks entered Gaza through the Kerem Shalom and Erez crossings. In addition, 188 truckloads of aid were collected from the Gaza side of Kerem Shalom, while some 800 truckloads are still awaiting collection. COGAT published statistics on Thursday about the amount of aid entering Gaza since the war began, noting that it has facilitated the entry to Gaza of 65,312 aid trucks with 1,303,481 tons of goods, including more than 986,522 tons of food; more than 53,000 tons of water; more than 103,218 tons of shelter equipment; more than 29,805 tons of medical equipment; 776 fuel tankers; 1,428 cooking gas tankers; and 13 field hospitals.
Latest FDD Analysis:
Today at 8:30am (ET): “FDD Morning Brief,” featuring Jonathan Conricus and BG (Ret.) Amir Avivi, FDD Event
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