Iraq

On November 24, 2023, at 7 a.m., a four-day hiatus in the fighting began in the Gaza Strip, followed by the first phase of the deal to release the abductees. So far 26 Israeli civilians and 15 foreigners have been released in two groups. Israel released 76 Palestinian prisoners. More abductees are supposed to be released in the coming days. Senior Hamas terrorists and international figures are talking about extending the agreement and releasing more hostages. However, Hamas continues posing difficulties, claiming Israel is violating the terms of the agreement. Trucks bringing humanitarian aid began entering the Gaza Strip. Gazan sources claimed the amount of aid was insufficient and should be increased. Hamas' military-terrorist wing announced the deaths of four senior commanders; their funeral was held in the northern Gaza Strip. Protests in Gaza continue. Although Hezbollah did not officially announce it would participate in the pause in the fighting, with the exception of isolated incidents, relative quiet has prevailed in the northern arena since the pause began. In Judea and Samaria: The IDF security forces continue their counterterrorism activities. Iran supports the temporary hiatus and hopes it will be extended, while stressing that Israel has not achieved anything and Hamas is winning.The pro-Iranian militias have been asking whether they should stop their activities against United States military bases and Israel following the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Read more...

Despite the announcements of a deal to release some of the abductees and a ceasefire on November 23, as of now the agreement has not been implemented and the timetable for its implementation is unclear. According to Isma'il Haniyeh's advisor, the discussions are currently about the mechanisms for its implementation. In the southern arena: IDF forces continued operations in Gaza City and the northern Gaza Strip. An extensive tunnel network was uncovered at Shifa Hospital, used as headquarters by Hamas terrorist operatives, and apparently Israeli hostages from the October 7, 2023, attack were held there. According to an unofficial estimate, since October 7 approximately 1,200 Israeli civilians and security personnel have been killed, 392 of them soldiers and officers; 236 civilian and military abductees are being held by the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip. Sporadic rocket launches were carried out from the Gaza Strip, in northern Israel an unusual barrage of 48 rockets was launched at the Galilee, a ballistic missile was launched at Eilat from the region of Yemen and intercepted before it reached Israeli territory. The difficult humanitarian continues in the Gaza Strip. Hezbollah military-terrorist activity continued. In Judea and Samaria, Israeli security force counterterrorism activities continue. The Iranian foreign minister visited Lebanon and met with government officials, and secretary general of Hezbollah and representatives of the Palestinian terrorist organizations. Read more...

IDF forces continued the integrated ground maneuver, focusing mainly on the northern Gaza Strip and Gaza City. Palestinian officials reported IDF activity at the Indonesian Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip. The IDF spokesman exposed Hamas terrorist activity inside Shifa Hospital, including a 55 meter (about 60 yards) tunnel passing directly under the hospital intended for Hamas activity. He also revealed that Israeli abductees had arrived at the hospital and that one of them was murdered within its walls. Hamas denied the reports. Jordan sent equipment into the Gaza Strip for the construction of a second field hospital in Khan Yunis. In Lebanon, Hezbollah continued attacking IDF positions along the border. Hezbollah reported carrying out about 15 attacks. The IDF responded by attacking Hezbollah targets with artillery fire and airstrikes. In Judea and Samaria Vehicles were shot at in the Salfit area. No casualties were reported. The Houthis hijacked a ship, which they claimed was Israeli ,and captured the crew Read more...