Bill and Joe catch up on the latest news from the Middle East, including U.S. pressure on Israel (led by Secretary of State Blinken) to come to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza while the U.S. also considers withdrawing its own troops from Syria; Israeli casualties in Gaza (including suffering the recent historic loss of 24 IDF reservists); Israeli strikes inside Lebanon; and, yes, more Houthi drama.
The US Ambassador to Israel visited Israel’s Northern Command, where IDF commanders discussed threats from Hezbollah. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant spoke with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. IDF tanks found a terrorist training facility in Gaza, and the IDF wrapped up a two-day raid in the West Bank.
Bill and Joe discuss stats released this week by the IDF pertaining to its operations in Gaza and why escalation at Israel’s northern border with Lebanon is “just a matter of time.”
The Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Herzi HaLevi discussed the likelihood for escalation in northern Israel amid continued Hezbollah attacks. As Israel’s 36th division is ending its deployment in Gaza, two airstrikes targeted terrorist cells in the West Bank.
Israeli forces killed three gunmen that infiltrated northern Israel from Lebanon on Sunday morning. The trio were claimed by an unknown group calling itself Islamic Azz Brigades.
Joe just returned from Israel and joins Bill to share insights from his trip which included a sobering visit to Nir Oz, one of the kibbutz communities along the Gaza border that was brutally attacked by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
Nine IDF soldiers were killed in Gaza, six of which died as a result of a mistaken demolition explosion. Hezbollah increased drone attacks on Israel with strikes deeper into northern Israel. Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
The IDF says it is in a high state of readiness in the wake of the killing of Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri in Lebanon on January 2. Israel did not take responsibility for the killing, but pro-Iranian groups like Hezbollah have blamed Israel. Meanwhile, Red Sea tensions increased with the Houthis continuing to target commercial ships.
Israel revealed details about a Hamas headquarters that was uncovered and destroyed in northern Gaza. The extensive tunnel system linked several houses and the tunnels included electricity and sewage systems. In southern Gaza, the IDF continued to expand operations. Hezbollah attacks targeted numerous communities in northern Israel, and the Israeli air force carried out retaliatory airstrikes against Hezbollah.
On December 28, sirens sounded near Haifa as a Hezbollah drone infiltrated Israeli airspace and was intercepted in northern Israel. Additionally, Hezbollah fired rockets and anti-tank missiles at numerous communities in northern Israel. The IDF also released findings from the investigation into its mistaken shooting of the three hostages earlier this month.
Hezbollah threats against Israel grow as rocket fire from Hezbollah targeting a church in northern Israel wounded both civilians and soldiers. Meanwhile in Gaza, the IDF expanded operations near Khan Yunis as well as in central Gaza.
On December 22, Israel expanded operations inside Gaza while Hamas launched rocket barrages at central and southern Israel and Hezbollah targeted a northern Israeli community with anti-tank fire.
The IDF trains reservists in northern Israel for possible escalation with Hezbollah. In Gaza, the IDF recovered the bodies of several hostages. In addition, the IDF carried out airstrikes near the Egyptian border, and IDF troops used a new loitering munition in Gaza.
IDF forces fought In Khan Yunis, Dier al-Balah and Shujaiaya and uncovered terrorist infrastructure in Rimal and Shati in northern Gaza. Elite counter-terror forces bolstered IDF units in Shujaiaya, while a hostage rescue operation resulted in injured IDF soldiers. Hezbollah escalated attacks in the north and tensions rose at the Syrian border on December 7 and December 8.
Israel eliminated Hamas battalion commanders and targeted Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar’s home in Gaza. A Houthi missile was fired at Eilat and Israel’s Defense Minister discussed the importance of preventing Hezbollah threats to Israeli communities in the north. In the West Bank a raid uncovered tunnel shafts in Jenin.
Israeli forces expanded operations into Khan Yunis in southern Gaza on Tuesday, December 5. IDF Southern Command head Maj. General Yaron Finkelman called December 5 the most intense day of fighting since the beginning of the ground operation. The IDF is also focusing on defeating remaining Hamas units in Jabalya and Shujaiya, adjacent to Gaza City. Israel has detained over 1,200 Hamas operatives in the West Bank since October 7, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi said.
Bill and Joe are back with an update on Israel’s now-resumed war in Gaza, and they’re joined by FDD Senior Fellow and Hezbollah expert David Daoud. They discuss the latest activity from Hezbollah at Israel’s border with Lebanon, U.S. funding to the Lebanese Armed Forces (or as Bill calls it: “giving crack to a crackhead”), the pieces in play on the Islamic Republic of Iran’s regional chessboard, and more.
Hamas renewed rocket fire on Israel just before 06:00 local time on Friday, December 1, ending a pause in fighting that had held for one week. The Israel Defense Forces said the Iron Dome air defense system had been activated to intercept rockets launched from the Gaza Strip, and Israel responded with airstrikes on Gaza soon after the rocket launch began.
Israel and Hamas agreed to a four-day pause in fighting in which 50 hostages would be released by Hamas and 150 prisoners freed by Israel. The first three days of the deal went mostly as planned, and Israel and Hamas may agree to extend the deal for several more days. Israeli commanders and the Defense Minister vowed to continue the fight against Hamas when
As the IDF continues to eliminate Hamas in the northern Gaza Strip, Hebzollah continues to keep the Lebanon-Israel border active.
Israeli infantry and armored units continued to isolate Gaza City on November 17-19, pushing into Jabalya and Zaytun neighborhoods. Israel also faced a winter storm that lashed the Golan with its first snow and will require troops to be kitted out with gear for the cold months ahead. The IDF released new footage obtained from Shifa hospital showing hostages transported to the hospital by Hamas on October 7.
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.
Israel’s ability to prevent extensive damage from Hamas and other Iranian-backed groups’ rocket and missile threats heavily relies on its advanced air defenses.
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.
Nasrallah to break his silence on Israel-Gaza war. Will he open a second front?
Bill and Joe provide a mid-week update on Israel and Gaza — including Joe’s key takeaway from today’s IDF conference call, IDF tactics on the ground inside Gaza (particularly related to the tunnels), Hezbollah propaganda ahead of Hassan Nasrallah’s Friday speech, and more.
Hamas targeted Israel with rockets, including long-range attacks on cities more than 100 miles from Gaza, as the war between Israel and Hamas continues. The Israel Defense Forces also highlights Iran’s support of Hamas and its involvement in providing training and support for the terrorist group.
Bill and Joe give an update on the latest from Israel as of later morning/early afternoon (ET) on October 15, 2023.
Hezbollah foments chaos at Israel’s northern border.