Terror attack leaves two dead in Holon, reports say Iranian assault could be 'imminent'

Israel Air Force jets struck terrorists on Sunday which were located in the Hassan Salame and Nasser schools in Gaza City.

The IDF located on Sunday dozens of underground Hamas tunnel routes in the area by the Philadelphi Corridor, including one that goes three meters high.

The IDF finds a large, three meter high tunnel near the Philadelphi Corridor. August 4, 2024. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

This is a developing story.

The French Foreign Ministry on Sunday advised its citizens who are in Iran to leave it temporarily due to possible military escalation in the region following the deaths of senior Hamas and Hezbollah leaders.

Dozens of people protested on Sunday afternoon in front of the Kirya military headquarters, demanding the immediate release of the eight detained soldiers suspected of abusing a Hamas Nukhba terrorist at the Sde Teiman facility.

The IDF confirmed on Sunday afternoon that, following sirens that sounded in central Israel, approximately five launches were identified crossing from the southern Gaza Strip.

One of the launches fell in the area of the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council.

Earlier, rocket sirens had sounded in the central Israel localities of Bitzaron, Gan Yavne, Hatzor, Azrikam, Sde Uziyahu, and Shtulim.

Rockets have been fired off from Gaza less frequency as the IDF has destroyed much of Hamas's terrorist infrastructure and weaponry. It has become especially rare for rockets from the Gaza Strip to be launched at central Israel.

An Israel Air Force aircraft eliminated the terrorist Ismail Nofal this week in a strike in the Nuseirat area, the IDF reported on Sunday.

Nofal was responsible for rocket launches toward Israeli territory and participated in the massacre on October 7, the military noted.

The IDF added that Nofal was killed with precise munition by an IAF aircraft with IDF and ISA intelligence.

The night before, a Hamas operative who conducted terror activities in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip was also struck by an IAF aircraft.

According to senior officials familiar with the deal's negotiations, a significant negotiation meeting held in Cairo led to progress in the parameters related to the Philadelphi Corridor and the Rafah crossing.

The Egyptian mediator, Intelligence Minister Abbas Kamel, hosted an Israeli delegation led by Mossad head David Barnea, Shin Bet head Ronen Bar, and the coordinator of operations in the territories, Major-General Rasan Alianis. All of them are significant factors in advancing the negotiations. 

They arrived in Egypt on Saturday.

The delegation's departure to Egypt is the result of heavy US pressure on Israel and Egypt in recent days to continue negotiations on the hostage deal and on security issues related to it - even after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Walla reported.

The military court in Beit Lid on Sunday morning will request extending the detention of five IDF soldiers who were arrested last week at the Sde Teiman base on suspicion of abusing a Hamas Nukhba terrorist until Wednesday for further investigation, Walla reported.

During the hearing, their lawyers are expected to demand their release.

The IDF confirmed on Sunday that the Military Prosecution requested to extend the detention of five of the suspected soldiers until Wednesday in order to carry out further investigations. 

In the case of the other three suspected soldiers, the Military Prosecution requested, at this stage, to extend their detention by several hours in order to complete necessary investigative actions. Upon their completion, a decision will be made regarding their continued detention.

The hearing regarding the eight suspects is currently taking place, and a judicial decision will be made later today.

This is a developing story.

Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi will travel to Iran on Sunday in a rare visit to discuss regional developments with his Iranian counterpart following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Iranian state media reported.

Regional tensions have spiked following the assassination of Haniyeh on Wednesday, which came a day after an Israeli strike in Beirut which killed Fuad Shukr, a senior military commander from the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah.

Hamas and Iran have both accused Israel of carrying out the assassination of Haniyeh and have pledged to retaliate. Israel has not claimed responsibility for the death nor denied it.

Safadi's visit to Iran follows continued diplomatic contacts by the United States and its partners including France, Britain, Italy, and Egypt on Saturday to prevent further regional escalation.

Iran and Jordan are seeking to improve their relations following recent tensions related to Amman accusing pro-Iranian militias in Syria of smuggling narcotics into the country and its taking part in the interception of Iran's first ever direct attack on Israel last April.

Greece’s National Intelligence Service (EYP) and other counter-terrorism authorities were warned by foreign security services that Iran, or Iranian-backed terrorists, may attempt to target Israeli interests in the country, Greek media source Kathimerini reported on Friday.

The level of vigilance has only increased since Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Iran on Wednesday. While Israel has not taken responsibility for the death of the terror leader, Tehran has promised to attack Israel.

Iran’s mission to the United Nations claimed that Hezbollah would target Israeli civilians in coming attacks but only in Israeli territory. However, Iran-backed terror groups have increasingly targeted Jewish and Israeli sites in the diaspora.