Tag Archives: Israel

Qassem speech December 2024

Analysis: Naim Qassem on Hezbollah’s post-ceasefire posture

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem gave two speeches after the November 27 ceasefire that discussed Hezbollah’s next steps. In his first, he didn’t mention Hezbollah’s withdrawal from south of the Litani River. However, he made an about-face in his second speech, perhaps under Israeli military pressure and due to the situation in Syria. Qassem also discussed cooperating with the Lebanese government to reconstruct areas damaged during the war.


Israeli troops patrol southern Lebanon

Israeli defense officials meet as Syrian regime loses ground to rebels

Israeli Minister of Defense Israel Katz met with Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi on December 5 as the situation in Syria shifts rapidly. “The IDF monitors developments and is prepared for all scenarios, offensive and defensive alike. The IDF will not tolerate threats near the Lebanon-Syria border and will thwart any threat against the State of Israel,” the IDF said in a statement. It is the second high-level meeting Israel has had in the wake of the Syrian regime losing ground to opposition forces. At the same time, the IDF continues to operate in southern Lebanon.


IDF troops operating in northern Gaza

IDF uncovers munitions and explosives in northern Gaza

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) uncovered explosives and munitions in northern Gaza this week. The 401st Armored Brigade operating in Jabaliya found an explosives lab, while Israeli infantry also found a building rigged with explosives in another sector. An IDF commander estimated that the fight against Hamas in Jabaliya could take up to another month. In central Gaza, the IDF eliminated seven terrorists it said had participated in the October 7 attack. The IDF declared that hostage Omer Neutra was killed on October 7, 2023, and Hamas holds his body in Gaza.


Assad sign Syria

Analysis: Tehran on the back foot: Proxy struggles and Assad’s dilemma

Just a year ago, the Islamic Republic was on the offensive as it used its proxies to launch coordinated attacks on Israel from six fronts to demonstrate the extent of its regional influence. Now, the momentum has shifted. Israeli operations have severely weakened Hamas and Hezbollah, Syrian rebels backed by Turkey wage a relentless war against Assad, and the United States targets Iranian-backed militia bases across Syria.


Klapper visits Lebanon

Hezbollah and Israel conduct attacks as ceasefire at risk

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out strikes against Hezbollah on December 2, five days after a ceasefire began on November 27. Hezbollah launched mortars toward Mount Dov in northern Israel. The IDF has carried out daily strikes on Hezbollah, including the group’s rocket launchers and vehicles, since the ceasefire, accusing the group of violating the terms of the agreement.


Ori Gordin visiting Lebanon

Ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah holds over first 5 days

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) eliminated an estimated 2,500 Hezbollah members during two months of fighting that ended with a ceasefire on November 27. The ceasefire has essentially held over the first five days despite accusations of violations, and IDF Home Front Command changed guidelines, enabling Israelis to return to normal activity in all areas of the country except near the border with Lebanon. The IDF continued to call on Lebanese civilians not to return to areas close to the border, and commanders said the Israeli military would enforce the ceasefire “forcefully.”


Norkin visits IDF troops in Lebanon

Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire begins in Lebanon

Israel agreed to a ceasefire on November 27 that ended the current fighting with Hezbollah. The agreement calls for Israel to conduct a phased withdrawal from southern Lebanon within the next 60 days. “The Government of Lebanon will prevent Hezbollah and all other armed groups in the territory of Lebanon from carrying out any operations against Israel, and Israel will not carry out any offensive military operations against Lebanese targets,” the ceasefire said. “The fundamental test of the ceasefire agreement taking shape along the Israel-Lebanon border will be in its full implementation, ensuring the security of all residents of the north of Israel,” Israeli President Isaac Herzog noted.


Hezbollah supporters celebrating

Analysis: Iran hails ceasefire as an opportunity to rebuild Hezbollah

With Israel and Hamas having reached a ceasefire agreement, the rhetoric coming from Tehran is far from de-escalatory. Military and civilian officials within the Islamic Republic continue to underscore their commitment to rebuilding Hezbollah’s capabilities and have reiterated threats of launching a third phase of the “True Promise” operation against Israel.


IDF soldiers near Litani River

Israel moves closer to a ceasefire in Lebanon

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out several rounds of airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in Beirut on November 26 ahead of a possible ceasefire expected to take effect on November 27. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised Israelis that “we will achieve victory” and said the ceasefire would enable the IDF to “maintain full freedom of military action” if Hezbollah seeks to re-arm or return to threaten Israel near the border. Israeli units continued limited operations in southern Lebanon.


Toophan

Amid ceasefire talks, Israel focuses on disrupting weapons smuggling to Hezbollah

Hezbollah launched numerous barrages of rockets at Israel on November 26 as reports in Israel indicated a possible ceasefire might be agreed to this week. The IDF focused its attacks on Hezbollah’s weapons smuggling networks that stretch into Syria and are backed by Iran. In addition, the IDF showed off some of the vehicles and Iranian weapons it has seized in Lebanon.



Daqduq

Israel kills wanted Hezbollah commander behind the establishment of Iraq’s Iran-backed militias

Ali Mousa Daqduq was one of the founders of Iraq’s Iran-backed militias that are responsible for killing over 600 American soldiers in Iraq. Daqduq was in US custody in 2007 before being handed over to the Iraqi government, which subsequently freed him in 2011. He returned to Hezbollah and served as deputy commander of the Radwan Force when he was killed.


Halevi visit to Lebanon

IDF targets sites in Beirut as Hezbollah says it is ready for a “long battle”

On November 21, the Israeli military said it conducted three rounds of strikes that were “directed toward Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure and are part of the IDF’s efforts to dismantle Hezbollah’s weapons production and storage capabilities.” IDF Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi visited the 98th Division in Lebanon and discussed the importance Israel places on returning evacuated civilians to border communities. A clash near an archaeological site led to the death of a 71-year-old Israeli researcher who was also a major in the reserves.


Hezbollah rocket launcher

IDF expands Lebanon airstrikes and ground operations

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) expanded operations in Lebanon, committing several new units to the battle against Hezbollah and moving artillery into the country for the first time. In southern Lebanon, the IDF found rocket launchers with rockets ready to launch. Israel also increased precision airstrikes in Beirut, targeting terrorist infrastructure and eliminating Hezbollah spokesperson Mohammad Afif.



Israeli Navy

IDF reports 6 Israeli soldiers killed in Lebanon

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released the names of six soldiers from the 51st Battalion of the Golani Infantry Brigade who were killed in southern Lebanon on November 13. The same battalion suffered heavy losses during Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023. Hezbollah carried out attacks targeting central Israel on November 13, and Israel intercepted drones aimed at southern Israel on November 12 and 13. In addition, the Israeli Navy targeted a Hezbollah naval site.


IDF troops in southern Lebanon

IDF strikes Hezbollah in Beirut as the group increases rocket and drone attacks

On November 12, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the Israeli Air Force has “dismantled a majority of Hezbollah’s weapons storage and missile manufacturing facilities located under the Dahieh district” of Beirut. In southern Lebanon, the IDF found an underground compound and dismantled it by pouring concrete into its bunkers and tunnels. Hezbollah launched around 200 projectiles and numerous drone attacks on Israel on November 11.


IDF soldiers in northern Gaza

Israel expands humanitarian area in Gaza, intercepts weapons smuggling

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continued operations against terrorists in Jabaliya and Beit Lahia in northern Gaza while facilitating humanitarian aid entering Beit Hanoun and Jabaliya. A total of 713 humanitarian aid trucks have entered Gaza’s north since the beginning of October. However, Israeli forces found ammunition during an inspection of a truck that was part of a convoy moving into the area. In southern Gaza, the IDF expanded the Mawasi humanitarian zone and is also preparing to open the Kissufim crossing.


Israeli solider in southern Lebanon

IDF uncovers Hezbollah training facility near UNIFIL post

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) uncovered a Hezbollah training site near a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) base, the IDF said on November 8. The IDF also carried out airstrikes on Hezbollah terrorists in Baalbek in eastern Lebanon. Hezbollah fired around 400 rockets at Israel between November 5 and November 8, including long-range rockets that reached central Israel.



Vaccines Gaza

1.1 million vaccines administered in Gaza via Israel-facilitated campaign

The IDF and COGAT facilitated the transfer of polio vaccines to Gaza over the last three months. The campaign, carried out with WHO and UNICEF, has now provided two rounds of vaccinations for around 550,000 children. In addition, the IDF 252nd Division wrapped up several months of control of the Netzarim Corridor and turned the area over to the 99th Division.


IDF Humvee in northern Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu removes Defense Minister Gallant

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu removed Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant from office on November 5 after months of tension between the two men. The move comes as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continues to operate in Lebanon against Hezbollah, and Israel faces threats on multiple fronts. In Gaza, the IDF has eliminated approximately 1,000 terrorists and cleared a large area of northern Gaza of Hamas members.


Hezbollah weapons

IDF strikes Hezbollah units as rocket and drone attacks continue

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) downed seven drones between October 31 and November 1, including five launched from Iraq. On November 4, the IDF intercepted four drones launched from Lebanon and Iraq. Hezbollah fired more than 100 rockets and drones per day at Israel on November 2 and November 3, and the IDF struck several key Hezbollah commanders in southern Lebanon.



IRGC and MOI logos

Analysis: Spy surge: Tehran’s espionage strategy against Israel

The Islamic Republic has accelerated its intelligence operations in Israel, with at least five spy rings uncovered in October alone. Between October 14 and 31, Israeli authorities arrested some 20 individuals who were operating on behalf of Iran. Led by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence (MOI), Tehran’s multifaceted espionage strategy in Israel employs cyber warfare and direct human intelligence engagement.



Halevi in a Hezbollah bunker

Israeli forces uncover Hezbollah bunkers and tunnels in southern Lebanon

Four Israel Defense Forces (IDF) divisions continued operations in southern Lebanon between October 27 and 29. The IDF found one Hezbollah facility that was 24 feet underground, while another stretched for more than a mile underground and “included food supplies, beds, storage cabinets, electrical power, and an arsenal of weapons.” The IDF also captured several Hezbollah members, including the commander of a local village.


Naim Qassem

Analysis: Naim Qassem vows Hezbollah will continue fighting

Naim Qassem became Hezbollah’s new secretary-general on October 29. His last speech as the group’s deputy secretary-general, given two weeks earlier, indicates that Nasrallah’s successor intends to continue in his predecessor’s confrontational path.


IDF troops in northern Gaza

IDF clears hospital of terrorists in northern Gaza

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) completed an operation in the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza’s Jabaliya. During the raid, the Israeli military found weapons and detained 100 suspected terrorists. This is the third time the IDF has operated in Jabaliya to clear it of terrorists, and the second time it has raided the hospital and detained suspected militants.