Monthly Archives: April 2024

Two IDF Divisions prepare for next phase in Gaza

The Israel Defense Forces said on April 30 that two of its divisions are prepared for the next phase of combat in Gaza. The two divisions played a key role in battles in Gaza between October 2023 and March 2024. The IDF’s statement follows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying that Israel will proceed with an offensive into Rafah in southern Gaza.




IDF Focuses on Humanitarian Aid in Gaza

The Israel Defense Forces are focused on facilitating humanitarian aid entering northern Gaza as well as on receiving aid that will arrive via the US-built temporary floating pier off the coast of Gaza. The IDF’s 99th division also began operating to secure the Netzerim corridor in Gaza, a key element of protecting the aid that may arrive whether by land or by sea.



IDF rotates units in central Gaza as Rafah operation looms

Israel redeployed its Nahal brigade from Gaza, replacing it with two reserve brigades that have been undergoing training. The movement comes as the IDF continues to carry out numerous daily airstrikes in Gaza and as Hamas seeks to increase its presence in northern Gaza. Additionally, Hamas released a hostage video of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin.


Hezbollah Targets Israeli Coast with Drone attack

Hezbollah carried out a drone attack on northern Israel, setting off sirens along twenty miles of Israeli coastline. The Israel Defense Forces said air defenses were activated to intercept the threats. Hezbollah said they had carried out the attack in response to the IDF killing a commander in Hezbollah’s elite Radwan unit.



Generation Jihad Ep. 162 — Something went boom in Isfahan

Bill is back and leaning on co-host Joe Truzman to help him piece together the events of last week. They revisit Iran’s historic strike on Israel and Israel’s retaliatory strike in Isfahan, Iran — including what targets they hit, what message they wanted to send by hitting them, and whether this was the right move. They contemplate whether Israel’s relatively tempered response is indicative of U.S. restraint and if Israel will continue to go after IRGC-QF targets.

They also discuss reports of an attack on an Iranian-backed militia outside of Baghdad as well as allegations of Hezbollah Brigade forces launching an attack on U.S. forces in Syria.


Generation Jihad Ep. 161 — A Jihad for Knowledge

Another co-host takeover (“Freaky Friday edition”): Behnam is joined by his friend, former FDD colleague, and top expert on Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Ali Alfoneh, now with The Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. They discuss this week’s historic conflagration between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Israel.


Israel prepares for potential escalation at its northern border amid Iran tensions

An IDF military division conducted a training exercise to prepare for a potential conflict in the north. The 91st division, which is responsible for the northern border of Israel, led the drill that ended on April 15 with the division commander then meeting with the heads of local communities. On April 19, reports said Israel carried out an airstrike near Isfahan inside Iran.


Israel contends with rocket fire, pushes more aid to Gaza

The Israel Defense Forces carried out strikes on 25 targets in Gaza over the course of April 18 and 19. In addition, the IDF launched more operations to secure a corridor of control across Gaza south of Gaza City. The IDF said it had eliminated more than 1,000 terrorists in recent raids. Humanitarian aid transfers by trucks are increasing in southern and northern Gaza.






Between Iran and Rafah, IDF considers next steps

The Chief of Staff for the Israel Defense Forces spoke to Israeli air force personnel at the Nevatim base in southern Israel on April 15, praising them for their defense against the attack by Iran. Israel is considering its options for responding to the Iranian attack. In addition, Israel’s Minister of Defense held discussions about upcoming operations in Rafah.


Generation Jihad Ep. 159 — Six months of war in Gaza and Hamas still ≠ ISIS

Bill is joined by LWJ’s Seth Frantzman just after the six-month mark of Israel’s defensive war in Gaza resulting from the October 7 attack by Hamas. They discuss Seth’s latest visit to border communities in Israel and whether there’s a realistic timeline for still-evacuated citizens to return, disturbing reports that Hamas has apparently lost track of which hostages are dead or alive, and Tehran’s possible response to Israel’s April 1 assassination of an IRGC-QF commander in Damascus as we enter day ~seven of bracing for an imminent Iranian attack against Israel within 24-48 hours.




Israel’s Defense Minister details new humanitarian focus in Gaza

Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant noted Israel’s challenges in Gaza on the humanitarian front, saying that aid has increased in phases and he supports increasing the amount of aid and number of crossings into Gaza for the aid. In addition, he praised the US-Israel relationship and discussed how Hamas has ceased to exist as a military organization in many parts of Gaza.



Analysis: The consequences of US weakness in Iraq and Syria

Tehran is threatening new attacks in the Middle East after the April 1 Israeli airstrike in Damascus that killed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander responsible for smuggling weapons to Lebanon. Analysis of Iranian-backed attacks and U.S. responses in recent months makes clear that a U.S. failure to hit back hard will simply invite more Iranian attacks and risk more American casualties.


IDF trains to confront threats from Hezbollah

The Israel Defense Forces conducted a training in the north that brought together an IDF division, police, search and rescue, navy and air force units. It focused on “multi-branch and multi-organizational cooperation.” In addition, Israel’s Minister of Defense spoke with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.


IDF ends operations in Khan Younis as Gaza war reaches six months

The Israel Defense Forces withdrew the 98th division and the 7th armored brigade from Khan Younis after four months of battles in the city. Israel’s Defense Minister said “the withdrawal of troops from Khan Younis was carried out once Hamas ceased to exist as a military framework in the city.” The shift in forces is being watched closely across the region as Israel continues to say it will enter the southern Gaza city of Rafah in order to defeat Hamas.



Generation Jihad Ep. 157 — A Quds Day special

Bill, Behnam, and Joe discuss the Israeli airstrike in Damascus that took out a senior IRGC-QF commander, Israel on high-alert after Iran vows revenge, Lebanese Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah’s statement about the slain leader, whether the Biden administration has finally turned on Israel, and today’s holiday: Quds Day. 



Iran’s grasp is loosening on its eastern borders

Recent attacks by Jaish al-Adl and ISKP showcase Iran’s loosening grasp over its eastern borders. This trend also underscores the growing grievances of Iran’s ethnic minorities, exasperated by systemic neglect, mismanagement, and kleptocracy. 


Israel faces renewed rocket threat from Gaza

Rocket fire from Gaza targeted the Israeli cities of Netivot, Sderot and Ashkelon on April 4. Although rocket fire has increased in recent days, this is the first attack on Netivot since January. In Gaza, the IDF operated in Beit Hanoun, Khan Younis and other areas, and clarified that while it is generally on high alert due to the multi-front conflict, it has not changed home front guidelines amid increased Iranian threats.