Interception of a drone from Lebanon in northern Israel
A number of "suspicious aerial targets" were intercepted after they crossed from Lebanon toward the Western Galilee, following infiltration alerts activated Tuesday evening in localities in the area, the IDF said. The targets were apparently UAVs. In response, the IDF attacked Hezbollah targets in Lebanon; earlier IDF forces attacked an anti-tank launcher in the Lebanese border area. There were several instances of infiltration alerts activated in Lebanon-border communities late Tuesday afternoon and early Tuesday evening.
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The White House said on Tuesday the Houthis' seizure of a ship in the Red Sea is a flagrant violation of international law and said Iran is complicit. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby's comment was in reaction to the Houthis' seizure of a British-owned and Japanese-operated cargo ship in the southern Red Sea. Kirby said in response the United States is reviewing "terrorist designations." He called on the Houthis to release the ship and the crew.
Palestinian media sources close to Hamas reported that Jamal Muhammad Haniyeh, the oldest grandson of the head of Hamas' political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed Tuesday in an IDF attack in the Gaza Strip. About two weeks ago, Haniyeh's granddaughter, Roaa Hammam Ismail Haniyeh, a medical student at Gaza University, was killed in a similar bombing. In addition, it was reported that so far Haniyeh's nephew, brother and son have been killed and two of his properties in the Gaza Strip have been destroyed.
Jordan said on Tuesday Israel had ordered the evacuation of a Jordanian field hospital in Gaza, but added that it would not heed the order. Prime Minister Bisher al Khasawneh also said Jordan's army was beefing up its presence along the border in view of the developments in Gaza, in comments carried on state media.
U.S. and international forces came under attack at the Ain al-Asad airbase west of Baghdad early on Tuesday and U.S. forces responded in self defense, a U.S. military official said. The attack caused minor injuries and damaged infrastructure, the official added.
The European Commission said on Tuesday a review of its development aid to Palestinians had found no evidence of funds going to Hamas and its program would continue without delay. "The review found no indications of EU money having directly or indirectly benefitted the terrorist organization Hamas," said Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the review had been necessary following the Oct.7 Hamas attack on Israel. "This review has confirmed that the safeguards in place are effective. Work is now ongoing on the design of our future support to the Palestinians in view of the changing and still evolving situation," she said.
Khalil Harraz, deputy commander of the Al-Qassam Brigades in Lebanon, the military wing of Hamas, was killed in an Israeli strike along with three other senior figures in the terrorist organization, the Kuwaiti channel Al-Jarida reported on Tuesday.
This news comes after Hezbollah terrorists and Israeli forces exchanged fire across the border throughout Tuesday, with the IDF striking multiple targets of the terrorist group in southern Lebanon.
In the afternoon, three rocket barrages were fired from toward northern Israel within the span of five minutes. The IDF said that "a number of launches were identified from Lebanon toward Israeli territory" and that IDF soldiers were "striking the sources of the fire with artillery, mortars and tanks."
In the morning hours, an anti-tank missile directly hit a house in the northern border community of Metula. There were no casualties. The IDF responded with fire toward the shooting sources and attacked targets in Lebanon.
Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the launch, stating it was done "as part of the support for our people in the Gaza Strip and in response to Israel's attack on homes in southern Lebanon."
According to a report by Hezbollah's television channel Al-Manar, Israel attacked two empty houses in Kafr Kila in southern Lebanon.
According to the army, Israeli Air Force fighter jets carried out a series of strikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, including three anti-tank missile squads in response to the anti-tank missile strike on Metula and two other rocket attacks.
The IDF also reported that "A short while ago, terrorists fired mortar shells at an IDF post in northern Israel. No injuries were reported. IDF artillery is currently striking the source of the fire." Hezbollah later claimed responsibility for the attack.
Under the proposed hostage release deal that will be brought for a vote of the Security Cabinet and government Tuesday evening, Hamas will initially release 50 hostages and attempt to release 20 more.
Israel, in return for the first 50 releases, agrees to a four-day cease-fire, shorter than Hamas's five-day demand.
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Families of hostages call for release of loved ones in rally in Tel Aviv
(Photo: AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP)
The deal includes a provision to extend the cease-fire by two days if Hamas releases an additional 20 captives. Israel, meanwhile, is preparing for a potential extension of the ceasefire beyond six days, contingent on further releases
Meanwhile, Qatar announced that negotiations for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip have "never been closer to a conclusion."
The Qatari Foreign Ministry stated, "The Qatari mediation is in its final stage and at the closest point to reaching a cease-fire. We do not have a final agreement yet, but will announce the details as soon as we do."
Khalil al-Hayya, the deputy of Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar, told the media, "We are still waiting for the response of the occupation regarding the humanitarian truce agreement."
Earlier, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said that officials are "approaching a truce agreement" with Israel and the group delivered its response to Qatari officials.
The IDF announced the death of two Givati Brigade soldiers in fighting in the northern Gaza Strip. Captain (res.) Arnon Moshe Avraham Benvenisti Vaspi and Staff Sergeant Ilya Senkin were killed and five others were seriously wounded in action in Gaza.
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Staff Sergeant Ilya Senkin and Captain (res.) Arnon Moshe Avraham Benvenisti Vaspi
(Photo: IDF)
Palestinians reported on Tuesday of a communications outage in northern including in Gaza City, after a communication tower was bombed in the early morning hours.
On Monday, Mirjana Spoljaric, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), met in Qatar with Ismail Haniyeh.
"The ICRC does not participate in negotiations leading to the release of hostages. As a neutral humanitarian mediator, we are ready to facilitate any future releases agreed upon by the conflict parties, as ICRC teams have already done on two occasions," it was stated.
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Protesters in Tel Aviv call for release of hostages held by Hamas
(Photo: Dana Kopel)
Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden said on Monday he believes a deal to secure the release of hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza is near.
Rocket sirens sounded all across central Israel, as well as in the southern city of Ashdod. There were no reports of injuries. A vehicle in the central city of Holon was hit by shrapnel.
The IDF reported detecting two launches aimed at Israeli territory, both intercepted by the Iron Dome and David's Sling missile defense systems. Extensive warnings were issued due to concerns about shrapnel from the interceptions.
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Protesters calling for release of Gaza hostages seeking cover outside UNICEF offices in Tel Aviv as sirens began to blare
(Photo: Yariv Katz)
Dozens of protesters calling for the release of hostages in Gaza outside the UNICEF offices in Tel Aviv were seen seeking cover as sirens began to blare.
The Hezbollah-run TV channel Al-Manar on Monday evening broadcast footage of Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels taking over a cargo ship with supposed links to Israel in the southern Red Sea and capturing 22 crewmembers on board the day before.
In the almost four-minute video, a helicopter bearing a Palestinian flag lands on board the ship. Masked gunmen disembark from the helicopter and proceed to capture the ship's crew. The footage concludes with several smaller boats escorting the vessel.
Houthi rebels hijack Israeli-linked cargo ship
The Bahamas-flagged vessel, Galaxy Leader, is reportedly owned by the shipping company Ray, owned by Israeli businessman Rami Ungar. There were no Israelis on board.
Earlier, rocket alert sirens sounded several times in the morning hours and early afternoon in northern Israeli communities on the border with Lebanon. More than 20 launches were recorded in a barrage before 3 p.m. in the northern region. The IDF Aerial Defense Array intercepted a number of the launches and the rest fell in open areas. Moreover, three UAVs were identified striking adjacent to an IDF post. No injuries were reported.
A rocket fired from Lebanon hit the Biranit military post near the border
The Biranit military base in the Western Galilee was heavily damaged early Monday afternoon by rocket fire, according to videos circulating.
The IDF reported Thursday afternoon that, earlier in the day, a terrorist cell attempted to launch anti-tank missiles in the area of Marwahin in Lebanon. The IDF struck the cell. Additionally, in response to the launches toward Israeli territory earlier, IDF tanks, a fighter jet and a helicopter struck Hezbollah terror infrastructure in Lebanon.
First published: 06:57, 11.21.23