January 18, 2025 | Flash Brief

‘On Guard Ahead of Gaza Deal:’ Houthi Missiles, Stabbing Attack Hit Israel

January 18, 2025 | Flash Brief

‘On Guard Ahead of Gaza Deal:’ Houthi Missiles, Stabbing Attack Hit Israel

Latest Developments

  • Double Launch: Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen launched two ballistic missiles towards Israel on January 18, as Israelis marked the Jewish Sabbath one day before the implementation of the Gaza truce and hostage release deal. Both missiles were safely intercepted, but the first set off sirens in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and other parts of Israel, sending hundreds of thousands of people into shelters, while the second caused a limited alert around the southern city of Eilat. The Houthis — who are dedicated to the destruction of the Jewish state and Jews in general but say their attacks on Israel and Red Sea shipping are acts solidarity with the Palestinians — have signaled that they will hold fire once the Gaza truce is implemented.
  • Tel Aviv Knifing: A Palestinian attacked a civilian with a knife in southern Tel Aviv on January 18, seriously injuring one man before he was shot dead by an armed passer-by. Initial media reports described the assailant as a resident of Tulkarem, in the West Bank, who had entered Israel illegally. There was no immediate claim of responsibility by Palestinian terrorist groups.
  • IDF Steps Up Security Operations in West Bank and Gaza: In anticipation of the release of hundreds of jailed Palestinian terrorists under the Gaza deal, the IDF was reinforcing troops in the West Bank with seven additional companies. The IDF will also be assisting in the transfer to hospitals of the three hostages due to be recovered on January 19, as well as with the remaining 30 who will be brought back to Israel as part of the six-week-long first phase of the deal. The IDF also published details on its redeployment within the Gaza Strip as of 0830 on January 19, when the truce will commence. An IDF map provided online with Arabic instructions showed that troops would assume positions in a de facto buffer zone of several hundred yards along the inside of the enclave’s entire territorial border — including with Egypt. The IDF will also remain in a broad swathe of land in and around the Netzarim Corridor, which separates Gaza City and other northern areas from the south.

FDD Expert Response

“As Israelis confront the list of nearly 2,000 jailed terrorists set to be released under the Gaza deal, new waves of violence have already emerged. The Tel Aviv stabbing and attacks by Iran-backed Houthis serve as stark reminders that the ceasefire—like any ceasefire—is only a pause. Islamist enemies remain relentless in their mission to target and kill Israelis.”  — Mark Dubowitz, FDD CEO

“Israel is taking the necessary and painful steps to achieve one of its war goals: The return of all hostages held by terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip. Consequently, Israel’s decision to release Palestinian terrorists to the West Bank will likely exacerbate the already unstable climate in the territory. Similar to the repercussions following the release of terrorists in the Gilad Shalit deal and the December 2023 ceasefire, the IDF must be prepared for the likely scenario that prisoners released in the coming days and weeks will return to committing acts of terrorism.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

FDD Background and Analysis

“‘Hamas Finally Agreed’: Israel-Hamas Reach Second Hostage Ceasefire Deal After 15 Months of War,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hostage Recovery Deal Approved by Israeli Security Cabinet,” FDD Flash Brief

“IDF Strikes Hamas Cell in Jenin Amid PA Crackdown,” FDD Flash Brief

Issues:

Issues:

Iran Iran-backed Terrorism Israel Israel at War

Topics:

Topics:

Iran Israel Palestinians Jewish people Islamism Gaza Strip Egypt Israel Defense Forces Yemen Gaza City West Bank Jerusalem Mark Dubowitz Houthi movement Arabic Tel Aviv Jenin War Eilat Tulkarm Gilad Shalit