Israel News for 12-17-2024
News Update
An Israeli helicopter reportedly landed near a military site in the Damascus area last night for around 20 minutes. Soldiers were seen entering the site. In addition, more Israeli forces reportedly entered the demilitarized zone in Syria. Syrian rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa said that Syria will continue to adhere to the disengagement agreement signed in 1974 following the Yom Kippur War. He also criticized Israel’s advance into Syrian territory. Meanwhile, Israel is deciding how to respond to Houthi missile and drone attacks from Yemen.
IDF Major (Res.) Moshiko (Maksim) Rozenwald, 35, from Modi’in-Maccabim-Re’ut, and another soldier who’s name has not yet been released, were killed in a building collapse in the area of the Philadelphi Corridor in Rafah. Major Rozenwald served as a company commander in the 7107th Engineering Battalion.
Hamas has reportedly recruited over 4,000 new terrorists in Gaza and rebuilt its units in Gaza in recent months. The key Hamas leaders managing operations in Gaza are Mohammed Sinwar (“Abu Ibrahim”) and Az al-Din al-Haddad (“Abu Sohaib”). They have managed to avoid Israeli intelligence. Hamas has been using their control over humanitarian aid to retain power over the Gaza population. Poverty is a major factor in turning young men to join Hamas.
The Shin Bet announced today that Ardler (Israel) Amoyal, a 23-year-old from Jerusalem, was arrested last month on suspicion of collaborating with Iranian intelligence agents and carrying out security-related missions in Israel under their direction, in exchange for monetary compensation. His activities were intended to advance violent operations, including planning an attack in Israel. He was also instructed to recruit other agents, including individuals with criminal backgrounds.
Regarding the hostage negotiations, an Israeli official told Ynet, “The goal is to finalize a deal by the end of the month. Most details have been agreed upon, but the primary dispute centers on the number of hostages to be released in the first stage.” Yesterday, President-elect Trump reiterated his warning to Hamas, saying “all hell is going to break out” if the hostages are not released by his inauguration on Jan. 20.
International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi said Iran was enriching uranium to a military grade and was rapidly nearing the position of a nuclear state.
