Israel at war: What happened on day 456?
IDF troops dismantle Hamas tunnel complex • One Palestinian reported killed as terrorists clash with IDF in Nablus area •
Two rockets from Gaza launched at Israel, one falls near border
The IDF identified one rocket crossing into Israeli territory from northern Gaza and another rocket falling into the area of the Erez Crossing after sirens sounded in the Gaza border community of Netiv Ha'asara on Saturday.
The IDF did not note whether the fallen rocket crashed on the Israeli or Gazan side of the border.
Go to the full article >>New Hamas video reveals sign of life of hostage Liri Albag
"I'm only 19 years old. I have my entire life in front of me, but now my entire life has been put on pause," she says in the video.
Hamas published a propaganda video on Saturday revealing a sign of life of hostage Liri Albag.
Albag, 19, one of the female IDF observers taken hostage on October 7, 2023, was kidnapped by terrorists from Nahal Oz. In the video, she states that she's been held captive in the Gaza Strip for 450 days.
Go to the full article >>IDF troops destroy compound in northern Gaza serving as hideout and terror hub
IDF troops destroyed an entire compound in the “Officers’ Neighborhood” in northern Gaza, which served as a hideout and terror hub for Hamas commanders during the first week of January, the IDF announced Saturday.
Go to the full article >>US proposes $8b. arms deal with Israel, including fighter jet munitions
The deal would need approval from House and Senate committees and includes artillery shells and air-to-air missiles for fighter jets to defend against threats such as drones.
The Biden administration has informally notified the US Congress of a proposed $8 billion arms sale to Israel that includes munitions for fighter jets and attack helicopters, Axios reported on Friday, citing two sources.
The deal would need approval from House and Senate committees and includes artillery shells and air-to-air missiles for fighter jets to defend against threats such as drones, the report said.
Go to the full article >>'Stay on the line and hear them die': Recordings reveal horror of Hamas hostage crisis in Be'eri
Pessi Cohen's house became a symbol for the battles that went on in Be'eri, and the fight there lasted for about six hours.
New recordings of a hostage-taking situation during Hamas's October 7 attacks in Kibbutz Be'eri were published by Channel 12 on Friday.
The recordings were from Be'eri resident Pessi Cohen's house, which became notable during a situation on October 7 where 40 terrorists barricaded themselves in the house with 15 hostages. Only two of the captives survived. The recordings were taken in real time by the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency).
Go to the full article >>US to escalate strikes on Yemen's Houthis by end of Biden's term - KAN
As part of the expanded US strikes on Yemen, and amid increased Houthi attacks on Israel, the Americans will reportedly hit more missile-related targets.
The US has informed Israel that, by the end of US President Joe Biden’s term in office, America intends to escalate its attacks on Yemen’s Houthis, KAN 11 reported on Friday evening.
As part of the expanded US strikes on Yemen, and amid increased Houthi attacks on Israel, the Americans will hit more missile-related targets, KAN added. An informed source further told the Israeli public broadcaster that President Biden gave the US "permissive strike authorizations" for these operations.
Go to the full article >>Syria's new leader urges US to pressure Israel to withdraw - report
Despite Julani's reported request, Israeli authorities allegedly stated they had received no formal communication on the matter.
Syria’s new de-facto leader, Abu Mohammed al-Julani, has urged the United States to exert pressure on Israel to retreat from the buffer zone in Syria, including the Syrian part of Mount Hermon, according to a Friday report by KAN 11.
Despite Julani's reported request, Israeli authorities allegedly stated they had received no formal communication on the matter. A security official informed Kan News that Israel "will not compromise its security."
Go to the full article >>K-9 key roles: US military can learn from IDF Oketz unit, expert says
The IDF's Oketz canine unit has played a critical role in the ongoing Gaza conflict, with its use of military dogs providing key lessons for militaries worldwide.
Urban warfare expert John Spencer outlined how Oketz’s strategies, particularly in handling urban and subterranean operations, could inform US military preparations for future conflicts in dense urban environments in an analysis on the Modern War Institute's website on Wednesday.
Spencer referenced a specific moment in northern Gaza where an IDF commander, facing a heavily fortified Hamas position near a tunnel entrance, deployed a specially trained military dog rather than risk soldiers in a hazardous underground mission. This, he noted, highlighted the potential of military working dogs to mitigate risk in complex combat scenarios.
Go to the full article >>Rocket alerts sound again in Gaza border communities, false alarm
Rocket sirens sounded in the Gaza border communities of Sderot and Ibim on Friday evening. After reviewing the incident, the IDF later reported that the event was a false alarm.
The Israeli military identified another false alarm around an hour earlier after sirens had sounded in Netiv Ha’asara, another Gaza border community.
Go to the full article >>Nearly every building rigged: Hamas shifts tactics as north Gaza falls to IDF
Hamas terrorists are struggling to move within Jabalya, Beit Lahia, and Beit Hanoun due to the IDF’s aggressive operations in these areas.
As its fighters attempt to flee northern Gaza and those that are remaining struggle to maneuver in the area, Hamas has pivoted it combat strategy to booby-trapping almost every structure that remains standing.
This military approach has become a threat to the IDF troops operating in the local combat zones.
Go to the full article >>Israel at War: What you need to know
- Hamas launched a massive attack on October 7, with thousands of terrorists infiltrating from the Gaza border and taking some 240 hostages into Gaza.
- Over 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals were murdered, including over 350 at the Re'im music festival and hundreds of Israeli civilians across Gaza border communities
- 100 hostages remain in Gaza
- 49 hostages in total have been killed in captivity, IDF says
- The IDF launched a ground invasion of Lebanon on September 30
- The Israel-Lebanon ceasefire came into effect on November 27 at 4:00 a.m.