Hezbollah attacks on Israel increased on Monday, November 13. Israeli leaders stressed that they want to continue concentrating on defeating Hamas in Gaza. Israel carried out naval operations, and tanks battled terrorists in Gaza as IDF forces press slowly forward into urban areas around Gaza City. One Israeli was killed, and several wounded in the north by Hezbollah attacks.
Israel’s air force has struck more than 5,000 targets in two weeks of ground operations, the IDF said on November 12. Hezbollah continues to threaten Israel in the north, carrying out attacks deeper into Israel and wounding soldiers and civilians.
Bill and Joe are back with an update on Israel’s ground offensive inside Gaza. They’re joined by FDD’s David May to discuss international pressure on Israel, trajectories and timelines, rumors about reporters from western outlets receiving tips and then traveling into Israel alongside Hamas on October 7, and more.
The IDF continues to operate in sectors around Gaza City as it attempted to root out terrorist infrastructure on Wednesday, November 8. This included demolishing and blowing up tunnels used by Hamas. In addition the IDF opened a corridor along a main road for civilians to flee south. The twin challenges of dismantling tunnels and enabling civilians to flee is increasingly part of the ground operation as troops settle into their areas of operation.
The Biden administration’s Oct. 27 attempt to deter Iran and its proxies from further strikes on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria has failed, as the militias launched an additional 21 attacks since that date.
Israel’s three key political leaders during the war, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Benny Gantz, who joined the “War Cabinet” after the October 7 Hamas attack, gave speeches to commemorate one month since the Hamas attack on Israel. Rockets continued to be fired at central Israel and Hezbollah also attacked in the north.
Bill and Joe are back to discuss the latest from Israel’s ground offensive in Gaza, including the established civilian corridor. They talk about Netanyahu’s recent remarks — and Nasrallah’s. They also debunk the latest “attempted Abbas assassination” rumors.
Israel’s ground operations in Gaza entered their second week on Monday, October 6. With IDF units now astride the Gaza Strip, encircling Gaza City, the two divisions the IDF has in Gaza can settle into their operational areas and begin to uncover Hamas terrorist infrastructure.
Israel Defense Forces’ spokesperson claimed that foreign fighters are entering Lebanon and are assisting Hezbollah.
Israeli forces pushed into Gaza over the weekend and have expanded operations on Monday, October 30. Close cooperation between ground forces and the air force has enabled 150 strikes on Hamas targets in the last several days. One Israeli hostage was freed by operations in Gaza while tensions continue between Hezbollah and Israel in the north.
As conflict continues on Israel’s northern border, Hezbollah is increasingly suffering losses.
The IDF is launching targeted raids, backed by air and artillery support, into the Gaza strip. These raids appear to be part of a new pattern of operations.
Bill and Joe are back with an update on the latest from Israel and Gaza. Today they’re also joined by their FDD colleague and Turkey expert, Sinan Ciddi, to unpack just how deep Turkey’s relationship is with Hamas.
The Givati brigade, which has been conducting specialized urban warfare training over the last week, led the assault. The operation is designed to prepare the ground for the next phase of combat.
Israel continued to carry out airstrikes on Hamas and on threats from Lebanon as the Israel Defense Forces prepare for a ground incursion into Gaza. Hamas rocket fire continues over Israel as the conflict stretches into its eighteenth day.
Bill and Joe talk through the latest headlines surrounding Israel and Gaza as of late afternoon (ET) on Monday, October 23, 2023.
Hamas employs an extensive propaganda network during times of war with Israel.
Bill and Joe give an update on the latest from Israel as of later morning/early afternoon (ET) on October 15, 2023.
The IDF issued an order for all Palestinian civilians to leave northern Gaza, a clear indication that Israel troops will soon enter. The IDF is heavily targeting Hamas assets in Gaza.
Shabaab congratulates Palestinian militant factions for their “victories” over Jews. This is not the first time Shabaab has interjected itself into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Hezbollah Brigades have now joined other Iranian proxies and sponsored groups in issuing threats against the United States over the ongoing war in Israel.
Abdul Malik al-Houthi says he willing to support ‘the Palestinian people’ with rocket barrages if the United States intervenes to support Israel.
Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, an Iranian proxy in Iraq that also operates in Syria, says American bases in Iraq and Syria will become legitimate targets if the US intervenes against Hamas.
Saraya Wa’ad Allah, an Iranian-backed group in Bahrain, calls for additional violence against Israelis in the island kingdom. However, it is unlikely to materialize.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps gave the go-ahead more than a week ago for the attack, according to The Wall Street Journal.
On Monday, Islamic Jihad started a two-week summer camp for children and teens with the goal of promoting jihad against Israel.
Israel eliminates members of Islamic Jihad’s leadership in an effort to restore deterrence lost since the last year’s operation in Gaza.
To unpack and assess the latest terror threats faced by Israel, Bill had to call in the experts: Dr. Jonathan Schanzer and Joe Truzman.
If you’d like to dig deeper on the topics discussed in this episode, we recommend you check out Joe’s project on mapping terrorism in the West Bank and Jon’s book “Gaza Conflict 2021: Hamas, Israel and Eleven Days of War” which according to LTG (Ret.) H.R. McMaster: “If you want to understand the hell in a very small place that is Gaza, read this book.”
Israel’s security agency says it arrested four Palestinians for attempting to carry out attacks against Israelis on behalf of the Gaza-based Popular Resistance Committees.
On Saturday, the Palestinian Mujahideen Movement published a statement saying the group was active in the West Bank.