Israel-Hamas War: What happened on day 89?

The United States does not have any reason to believe that Israel assassinated Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters in Washington on Wednesday, as he also clarified that his country had nothing to do with the killing.

“The US was not involved in any way and any suggestion to the contrary is ridiculous,” Miller said. “We have no reason to believe that Israel was involved in this explosion,” he stressed.

Yemen's Houthis have "targeted" the CMA CGM Tage container ship bound for Israel, the group's military spokesman Yahya Sarea said on Wednesday.

He added that "any US attack will not pass without a response or punishment."

Mossad Director David Barnea on Wednesday gave a loud hint to Israeli involvement in the assassination of Hamas Deputy Chief Saleh al-Arouri saying, "Any Arab mother should know that if their son was a partner to the slaughter of October 7, his blood is [in his own hands]."

Speaking at the funeral of former Mossad chief Zvi Zamir who died on Tuesday morning, he did not mention Arouri, who was killed late Tuesday night in Beirut, by name, but the timing and back-handed reference was unmistakable.

It was surprising that Barnea came out with the statement given that Israel has publicly not taken credit for the killing, presumably to try to avoid a harsh retaliation by Hezbollah.

However, half a day after Hezbollah had not retaliated, possibly Israeli officials were feeling more confident.

Saleh al-Arouri, former senior leader of Hamas outside of Gaza (credit: NATI SHOHAT/FLASH90)

'We are in the heat of a war'

"Also today, we are in the heat of a war, the Mossad, like 50 years ago, is obligated to settle the score with murderers who invaded the Gaza corridor on October 7, both with the planners and with their messengers," said Barnea.

The Mossad chief added, "this will take time, as it took time after the slaughter in Munich, but our long arm will reach them in any place that they may be."

Iranian state media reported on Wednesday that there had been an explosion near the cemetery in the southern city of Kerman during a ceremony held to mark the 2020 killing of Iran's top commander Qassem Soleimani in a US drone attack at Baghdad airport.

State media gave no further details.

The United States "disturbed the regional balance" in the Middle East, Iranian Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani said on Wednesday, after the targeted killing of Hamas’s deputy leader outside of Gaza, Saleh al-Arouri, along with at least five other people in an alleged Israeli drone strike in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

"We will see solidarity against American policies with such actions in the region," the defense minister said on the sidelines of an Islamic Regime cabinet meeting, as per state-owned Tasnim.

"The consequences of this terror will be felt by [the US]."

Mossad Director David Barnea on Wednesday gave a loud hint to Israeli involvement in the assassination of Hamas Deputy Chief Saleh al-Arouri saying, "Any Arab mother should know that if their son was a partner to the slaughter of October 7, his blood is [in his own hands]."

Speaking at the funeral of former Mossad chief Zvi Zamir who died on Tuesday morning, he did not mention Arouri, who was killed late Tuesday night in Beirut, by name, but the timing and back-handed reference was unmistakable.

It was surprising that Barnea came out with the statement given that Israel has publicly not taken credit for the killing, presumably to try to avoid a harsh retaliation by Hezbollah.

However, half a day after Hezbollah had not retaliated, possibly Israeli officials were feeling more confident.

IDF combat soldiers uncovered a tunnel shaft and photographs of weapons inside a school in the Khirbet Khuza'a area of the Gaza Strip, the IDF said Wednesday morning.

In Khirbet Khuza'a, the IDF struck anti-tank firing posts and Hamas observation posts.

Givati fighters in Khan Yunis also identified a terrorist attempting to attach a bomb to an IDF tank, eliminating him and three others in the area via airstrike.

Soldiers also uncovered a stockpile of weapons and a safe holding hundreds of thousands of shekels inside a terrorist's home in Noh'ba.

An Israeli Air Force fighter jet attacked a weapon and munition factory in Khan Yunis associated with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

Israeli Air Force employs use of drones to support troops in Gaza

The IAF's unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have also remained with IDF troops on the ground, supporting both directly and indirectly. The drones have allowed ground troops to remain alert to incidents and important intelligence information nearby.

Israeli forces operate in the Gaza Strip on January 2, 2023 (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

These UAVs also carry out strikes, gather intelligence, and provide rapid ground support for soldiers. They can strike terrorists hiding inside civilian buildings and in urban areas, preparing attacks on IDF soldiers.

Nahal Brigade soldiers also identified a terrorist squad operating observational drones over IDF forces, quickly circling in on them and eliminating the group.

Israeli forces from the Shin Bet, Border Police, and the IDF launched a widespread operation in the Nur Shams refugee camp in the West Bank, the Israeli military said in a Wednesday statement.

IDF said 18 Palestinian terrorists had already been detained with six arrested since the operation launched earlier in the morning.

During the raid, an IDF unmanned aerial vehicle struck terrorists who attempted to hurl explosives at forces operating in the area. 

In addition, four terror suspects were arrested, and weaponry seized in Kalkilya.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is deeply concerned at any potential for escalation that could have devastating consequences for people on both sides of the Blue Line, spokesperson Kandice Ardiel said on Wednesday.

"We continue to implore all parties to cease their fire, and any interlocutors with influence to urge restraint," she added.

A Houthi official met with the Iranians this week, according to Houthi-linked media in Yemen.

According to the report Mohammad Abdul Salam, who is the head of the Iran-backed Houthi negotiating delegation, met with Mohammed Ghalibaf in Iran, Ghalibaf is on Iran’s Shura council and he is an important figure. He also met with Iran’s foreign minister and other officials and the Houthis discussed policies against Israel and other issues in the region.

Salam has handled relations with Iran in the past. In 2018, when his role was Houthi spokesperson, he met with Iran’s foreign minister Javad Zarif. At the time they were discussing the Yemeni Civil War involvement of Iran and Saudi Arabia. He has been a chief negotiator for the Houthis in more recent years.

He has also put out statements about Houthi attacks on ships and threats to Israel. This means his meeting with the Iranians this week is important. The Houthis carried out several attacks over the weekend and this week, including missile attacks and using small boats to harass a ship. Other reports say an Iranian destroyer is now in the Red Sea.

According to the reports at Al-Masirah Houthi media, the Houthi official met with Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian. They “discussed issues of common interest between the two countries, the peace path, UN negotiations, the Israeli aggression against Gaza, and the necessity of strengthening the steadfastness of the valiant Palestinian resistance.” He also held other meetings about “Yemen and Palestine.” He also met with the Secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council, Ali Akbar Ahmadian.

Houthis want to increase role in Middle East

The meetings are related to other developments. The entry of an Iranian warship into the Red Sea increases tensions. In addition, the Houthis launched more missiles on the night of January 2 against ships. The Houthis also slammed the killing of Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut on January 2. The Houthis want to increase their role. In addition, it appears pro-Hamas networks in the West have now begun to put out calls of support for the Houthis are protest. This is globalizing the Houthi role in the current conflict.

The fact Houthi media has highlighted the current meetings with the Iranians shows this is not clandestine, but rather an open call to unite the various “arenas” in the region as part of Iran’s regional policy against Israel and the US.