The West

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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. Read more...