Iraq

Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., December 28, 2023)

he IDF forces continued to attack terrorist targets in a number of central locations in the Gaza Strip, among them Daraj and Tufah in the northern Gaza Strip, the al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip and Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. In Rantisi Hospital in Gaza City, the IDF completed the destruction of the underground tunnel complex. The Palestinians reported that the IDF's ground maneuver in the central Gaza Strip focused on the Juhor al-Dik area (Wadi Gaza) and the al-Bureij refugee camp. Hamas' military-terrorist wing announced it was using "new weapons”. According to an unofficial estimate, since October 7 approximately 1,300 Israeli civilians and security personnel have been killed, 501 of them soldiers and officers; 129 civilian and military hostages are still being held by the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip, 16 of them women and children; 121 hostages have been returned to Israel. The preoccupation with "the day after" continues. Hamas informed Egypt that a situation in which Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) would not be part of the leadership of the Gaza Strip after the war was unrealistic. Hamas denied reports in the French newspaper Le Figaro stating that half an hour before the start of Operation al-Aqsa Flood, they updated Hezbollah. Hezbollah accepted responsibility for three attacks. A barrage of about 30 rockets was launched at Kiryat Shmona. Three hostile aircraft crossed from Lebanon and fell in the area of Mount Dov.Israeli security forces conducted an extensive operation to confiscate funds intended to finance terrorism and detained suspects for helping to finance Hamas.The Islamic Resistance Front in Iraq claimed responsibility for attacking a vital target in the Golan Heights. Read more...

Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., December 27, 2023)

The IDF forces continued to attack terrorist targets, terrorist groups and military facilities in the Gaza Strip focusing on the Daraj and Tufah neighborhoods of Gaza City and the refugee camps in central Gaza, and in Khan Yunis in the south. The Palestinians reported intense IDF artillery fire targeting east al-Bureij and al-Maghazi, shelling targeting east Khan Yunis, and attacks in Jabalia and Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip and in east Gaza City. A three-phase updated Egyptian proposal has been published which includes a ceasefire, the return of the hostages and the release of Palestinian prisoners. Senior Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) reiterated that there was nothing new in the proposal. According to reports, Egyptian officials are working to settle "the day after" and are in contact with the Hamas leadership "abroad." Hezbollah claimed responsibility for nine attacks. An anti-tank missile was fired at a church in the Christian village of Iqrit, injuring a civilian and several IDF soldiers. The heads of the Palestinian Authority are dealing with "the day after." Iranian leaders continued commenting on the killing of Seyyed Razi Moussavi and threatened Israel with a harsh response. An Israeli Air Force fighter jet intercepted a hostile air target in the Red Sea area en route to Israeli territory. Read more...

Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., December 26, 2023)

The ground, sea, and air forces continued to attack terrorist targets, terrorist cells and military sites in the Gaza Strip. The Palestinians reported intense attacks in the Jabalia area, the center of Khan Yunis and Rafah, adding that the IDF had completed splitting the Strip According to a report, an ISIS operative who participated in the October 7 attack and massacre was reported killed by the IDF in Rafah. A commission of UN agencies, governmental and non-governmental organizations and civilian social organizations published a comprehensive report regarding the food crisis in the Gaza Strip. The contents of a letter from Yahya al-Sinwar, head of the Hamas political bureau in the Gaza Strip, to the Hamas political bureau were revealed. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for ten attacks. Hamas' military-terrorist wing claimed responsibility for firing rockets at the Western Galilee.. At the meeting of the PLO Executive Committee, Mahmoud Abbas said the war had to be brought to a complete, permanent halt, all humanitarian needs in the Gaza Strip had to be met and Israel's plan to displace the residents of the Gaza Strip had to be blocked. Sayyed Razi Mousavi, a senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Qods Force operative, was killed in the Damascus area in an attack attributed to Israel. Iranian officials threatened to avenge his death. Read more...

Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., December 25, 2023)

The IDF land, sea, and air forces continued their integrated ground maneuver. In the northern Gaza Strip the forces gained operational hold over the Jabaliya refugee camp, one of Hamas' most important strongholds. In Gaza City the fighting focused on the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood. In the southern Gaza Strip fighting continued in Khan Yunis. Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) reiterated that no negotiations would begin before a ceasefire and there would be no temporary ceasefires, only a total end to the fighting and a comprehensive exchange deal. According to the Palestinian social media, a boy who was trying to reach a truck carrying humanitarian aid was shot and killed by the Hamas police in Rafah. A PIJ delegation arrived for talks in Cairo. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for four attacks during the past day..The Palestinians reported the entry of a large Israeli security force into the Jenin refugee camp, along with heavy exchanges of fire with "armed Palestinians" [terrorist operatives]. Read more...

Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., December 24, 2023)

IDF forces continued their integrated ground maneuver against terrorist operatives, destroying terrorist facilities and locating large quantities of weapons in the northern, central and southern Gaza Strip. Palestinians reported fierce ground fighting and airstrikes, as well as the extension of the fighting to the Philadelphia Axis area (the border area between the Gaza Strip and Egypt). "Sources" familiar with the talks held by the Hamas leadership with the Egyptian mediators in Cairo said that the Hamas delegation returned to Qatar to consult with the [Hamas] political bureau regarding an Egyptian initiative for a three-stage hostage deal. UNRWA officials said that the area was now full of displaced persons and UNRWA shelters were full. They said that no place in Gaza was safe. Residents complained of having to move from one place to another. Hezbollah continued attacking IDF posts. Between December 21and 24, 2023, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for 19 attacks. An IDF soldier was killed by rocket fire. In response the IDF attacked Hezbollah targets in south Lebanon with artillery fire and airstrikes. Border Police fighters were attacked in Barta'a (west of Jenin); a female fighter was slightly injured.The Islamic Resistance in Iraq announced it had attacked the Harish gas rig and the city of Eilat. A Japanese-owned ship was hit in the Indian Ocean by a UAV apparently launched from Iran. After a week of delays caused by differences of opinion, the Security Council passed a softened draft resolution calling for urgent, immediate entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, and for creating conditions for a cessation of the hostilities. Read more...

Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., December 21, 2023)

The IDF forces expanded their activities in the northern Gaza Strip. In Gaza City, the IDF took control of the "senior Hamas terrorist quarter. In Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip IDF forces raided the homes of senior Hamas terrorists and exposed an extensive underground infrastructure. A barrage of about 30 rockets was launched at south and central Israel. According to an unofficial estimate, since October 7 approximately,1,300 Israeli civilians and security personnel have been killed, 469 of them soldiers and officers; 129 civilian and military hostages are still being held by the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip, 16 of them women and children; 121 hostages have been returned to Israel. Hamas refused to discuss the issue of the hostages until a comprehensive ceasefire had been reached. In Gaza Strip the situation of the residents was deteriorating, especially of the displaced persons. Hezbollah attacks continued, including launching rockets at the northern cities, towns and villages. In response, the IDF attacked with artillery fire and attacks near the city of Sidon. The Israeli security forces continued their counterterrorism activities. The Houthis announced they were recruiting operatives to "help" the Palestinians and were erecting camps to train them. The debate on a ceasefire was postponed once again because of differences of opinion between the UAE, which had submitted the proposal, and the US. Read more...

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Iraq

The Republic of Iraq (الجمهورية العراقية – Al-Jumhūrīyya Al-‘Irāqīyya) borders with Turkey in the north, Syria and Jordan in the west, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in the south, and Iran in the east. Iraq has a population of over 31 million, the vast majority of whom are Arabs (97% Muslim, 65% Shiite and 35% Sunni). In northeastern Iraq there is an autonomous Kurdish entity known as Iraqi Kurdistan. There are no relations between the State of Israel and Iraq, and Iraq refuses to recognize Israel.

After the Iraq war, the country was run by a coalition of countries that had invaded Iraq, headed by the United States. In 2005, civilian control was transferred to the interim Iraqi government that was appointed after a general election for a temporary parliament, which was held for the first time in the history of Iraq. In 2006, a permanent Shiite government was formed, and thus a change of government took place in Iraq, which had been in the hands of the Sunnis up to that time. In December 2011, the last American soldiers stationed in Iraq left the country.

After the fall of Saddam Hussein, a branch of Al-Qaeda was established in Iraq, headed by Abu Mus’ab al-Zarqawi. This branch later evolved into ISIS. This branch, which enjoyed widespread support among the Sunni population in Iraq, carried out terrorist attacks directed against Shiite civilians and against the Iraqi regime. In 2014, in the city of Mosul, ISIS declared the establishment of an Islamic Caliphate and took control of vast areas in western and northwestern Iraq, with the intention of taking control of the Iraqi capital Baghdad as well. In the years that followed, through efforts by the Iraqi security forces and local militias supported by the United States, these areas were liberated and ISIS slowly began to lose its power.