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Iraq

Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., December 20, 2023)

The IDF forces continued their integrated ground maneuver in the northern and southern Gaza Strip, attacking more than 300 targets. The ground forces, air force and navy carried out simultaneous attacks, and according to reports gained control of the Jabaliya area in the northern Gaza Strip. The Palestinians reported heavy fighting. In the Gaza Strip Senior Hamas terrorists continue to reiterate their refusal to conduct negotiations without a comprehensive ceasefire. An "Egyptian source" said the American administration still believed that if Egypt and Qatar exerted greater pressure on Hamas, a new agreement could be reached. Trucks carrying humanitarian aid continue to enter the Gaza StripHezbollah claimed responsibility for two attacks, claiming one was carried out in response to the death of a Lebanese civilian. IDF forces attacked Hezbollah targets in south Lebanon. Israeli aerial defense forces intercepted a rocket and a UAV launched at Israel from Lebanese territory. A Palestinian attempted a vehicular-ramming attack. Meanwhile, the Israeli security forces continue their counterterrorism activities. The Army of the Nation in Jerusalem, a Salafi-Jihadi organization, operating in the Gaza Strip and affiliated with al-Qaeda, claimed its operatives were involved in the October 7 attack and massacre, and in the fighting in the Gaza Strip.
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Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., December 19, 2023)

The IDF forces continued the integrated ground maneuver in the Gaza Strip, with fighting in Jabalia, Shejaiya and Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip; there was also activity in Gaza City. In the southern Gaza Strip IDF forces continued taking control of Khan Yunis. Palestinian sources reported escalating intensity and accused Israel of attacking hospitals throughout the Strip. Senior Hamas terrorists reiterated that no negotiations were currently taking place and that any deal would be conditioned on a comprehensive ceasefire. Regarding the publication of the video in which three hostages were seen, Hamas claimed it was message sent to the Israeli public because "the Israeli leadership was indifferent and misleading the public" [sic].There were reports of aid trucks entering the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing and the Kerem Shalom crossing.Hezbollah claimed responsibility for three attacks, one of which was a rocket barrage attacking Kiryat Shmona in response to an IDF attack during the funeral of a Hezbollah terrorist operative.Houthi sources, responding to the United States plan to establish a multinational force in the Red Sea, claimed they would be able to deal with such a force and reiterated that they only operated against Israeli ships or those whose destination was Israel.
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Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., December 17, 2023)

IDF forces continued their integrated ground maneuver in the Gaza Strip, focusing mainly in Jabalia, Shejaiya and Gaza City in the northern Gaza Strip, and Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip.: On December 15, 2023, during the fighting in Shejaiya, IDF forces accidentally killed three hostages. The IDF is investigating the incident, which occurred in a combat zone where there were many encounters with terrorists. The Palestinians repeatedly emphasize that there will be no hostage negotiations without a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire and according to the conditions determined by the terrorist organizations.The situation in the Gaza Strip remains serious. Due to hardships in hospitals and the large number of wounded, a school in Deir al-Balah was converted into a field hospital.Hezbollah continued attacking IDF posts, concentrations of forces on the northern border and civilian targets, using mainly UAVs. On December 16, 2023, two UAVs with explosive warheads crossed the border; one was intercepted by IDF forces and the other crashed into Margaliot, a moshav, killing a reserve soldier. On December 15, 2023, a stabbing attack of IDF soldiers near Nablus was prevented. There has recently been a significant increase in the activities of the Houthis against ships in the Red Sea. As a result, a number of international shipping and transport companies announced they would no longer sail that route. Seven people, including four suspected Hamas terrorist operatives, were detained in several European countries on suspicion of planning to attack Jewish institutions in Europe.
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Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., December 14, 2023)

The IDF integrated maneuver continued in the northern and southern Gaza Strip, focusing on the Shejaiya and Jabalia neighborhoods in the northern Gaza Strip and Khan Yunis in the south. A Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) spokesman claimed the "resistance" had gone from halting the IDF forces, to drawing them in and eliminating them. According to an unofficial estimate, since October 7 approximately 1,200 Israeli civilians and security personnel have been killed, 445 of them soldiers and officers; 135 civilian and military hostages are still being held by the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip, 16 of them women and children; 115 hostages have been returned to Israel. IDF forces identified two more hostages who were killed by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Hamas officials reiterate that at the moment no negotiations are taking place on the issue. The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip worsened due to the rains. Residents of East Khan Yunis were reportedly asked to leave their homes. Isma'il Haniyeh, claimed Hamas was open to any discussion that could lead to the cessation of the "aggression," to a settlement and reaching a "political path". Hezbollah continued to attack IDF posts, groups of soldiers and cities, towns and villages on the northern border. In response the Israeli Air Force attacked Hamas targets in south Lebanon. The Israeli security forces have been conducting intensive activities against terrorist operatives in Jenin and the Jenin refugee camp. The Palestinians reported 11 deaths and hundreds of detentions.The findings of Public opinion survey indicated a fundamental difference between the attitudes of the residents of Judea and Samaria and those of the residents of the Gaza Strip.
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Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., December 13, 2023)

IDF forces continued their integrated maneuvers in the northern and southern Gaza Strip, and during the past day, ground, air and sea forces attacked over 250 terrorist targets. Senior Hamas officials admit the enormous destruction in the Strip, but still claim that they have the upper hand and that Israel will not be able to subdue them. They also accuse the United States of cooperating with Israel IDF forces recovered two kidnapped bodies (a civilian and a soldier) and bring them to Israel. Senior Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists reiterate that if Israel is interested in negotiations and a deal, it must stop fighting in the Strip.The situation in the Gaza Strip is deteriorating. Many evacuees are in the south of the Gaza Strip. Hezbollah continued attacking Israel, targeting military targets and launching rockets at the cities, towns and villages of the Western Galilee. The United Nations General Assembly held an emergency session and passed a resolution demanding an urgent humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The Palestinians welcomed the decision, which they viewed as international support for the Palestinian issue. In Geneva, foreign ministers of Arab and Islamic countries met at the World Refugee Forum to discuss the "situation of human rights in Palestine."
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Operation Iron Swords (Updated to 1 p.m., December 12, 2023)

IDF forces continued fighting in the northern and southern Gaza Strip, exposing large quantities of weapons and weapons training facilities, most of which were situated in civilian sites, such as residences and mosques. The forces detained a large number of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorist operatives. The Palestinians reported fierce combat in the southern and northern Gaza Strip.Senior Hamas and terrorists continue reiterating that any further hostage exchange deal will be made after a ceasefire is announced. A "Palestinian source" reported that initial negotiations were underway regarding the possibility of continuing the hostage exchange deal.The situation in the Gaza Strip is deteriorating. Medical personnel reported the outbreak of disease. In the Rafah area, another Qatar-funded field hospital is under construction. Hezbollah continued attacking IDF posts, concentrations of fighters and civilian targets. Hezbollah claimed it had attacked Metula with guided missiles in response to the death of the mayor of the Lebanese town of Taybeh, killed by an IDF mortar shell. The IDF responded by attacking Hezbollah terrorist targets in south Lebanon.The Houthis attacked a ship flying a Norwegian flag in the Bab al-Mandeb area which they claimed was carrying oil to Israel.
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