Weekly Israeli Bites
IDF: Ballistic missile launched by Houthis from Yemen intercepted this Sunday morning.
Good afternoon, and welcome back to Weekly Israeli Bites.
For years, Hezbollah claimed it was the sole defender of Lebanon against Israel. Its advanced weaponry and elite commandos were ready to execute lethal "surprises" if a conflict arose. The group also reassured its followers that a coalition of Iranian-backed militias would join in their defense during battles. However, these assertions have been debunked.
After 13 months of conflict, Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire with Israel on Wednesday, following three months of Israeli bombardments that have left the organization in turmoil. At the height of its power before the war, Hezbollah was viewed as such a military threat that both Israel and the U.S. worried a war with it could cripple Israel.
Yet, hostilities and the rapid escalation of attacks from the IDF left Hezbollah unable to mount the strong counteractions it had long promised. Furthermore, its presence along the Israeli border had previously discouraged Israeli strikes on Iran due to concerns Hezbollah would retaliate and assault Israel. That deterrent has significantly diminished, leaving Iran vulnerable.
The Lebanese government released the full text of the ceasefire agreement with Israel. The appendix features a map indicating the zones where Hezbollah forces are restricted from operating and where the Lebanese army is required to remove remaining unauthorized installations.
A key highlight of the agreement is the significant role of the United States in overseeing its implementation. While American troops will not be based in Lebanon, an American general will be assigned to the area, and monitoring and control centers will be set up in Beirut and Safed.
Arena Overview
Northern border
IDF: Before the Ceasefire Began: Hezbollah's Largest Precision-Guided Missile Production Site was Struck by the IDF
Before the ceasefire came into effect, IAF fighter jets, struck Hezbollah's largest precision-guided missile production site in Bekaa's Janta area. The 1.4-kilometer-long underground infrastructure was used to produce surface-to-surface missiles and components of different weapons and store a range of precision weapons designated to be used in attacks on Israel.
The site was located in an underground compound near the Syrian border. Due to its proximity, the site was a central point through which thousands of weapons components and even terrorist operatives were smuggled from Syria and Lebanon.
The IDF took action throughout Friday in response to threats from Lebanon that violated the ceasefire agreements. In one instance, armed individuals were seen loading a vehicle with RPGs, ammunition boxes, and other military gear. Shortly after that, the IAF targeted the vehicle. Hezbollah terrorists were also spotted approaching their structures in southern Lebanon, prompting an IAF strike against them. IDF forces later found weapons, including grenades and firearms, with the terrorists.
Furthermore, recent intelligence identified terrorist activities at a Hezbollah facility with rocket launchers near Sidon in southern Lebanon, leading to an IAF attack on the launchers.
The IDF remains active in southern Lebanon, addressing any threats to the State of Israel and enforcing the ceasefire agreements.
A Short While Before the Ceasefire Came into Effect: Troops of the 7th Brigade Located Weapons Storage Facilities and Loaded Launchers in Hezbollah Strongholds in Southern Lebanon.
Southern arena
IDF: Numerous Weapons Located Near a Hospital and Mosque in Rafah
In recent months, the Nahal Brigade soldiers have been operating in the Rafah area under the command of the Gaza Division.
Over the past week, the troops conducted searches near a hospital and a mosque in Rafah and located weapons, anti-aircraft and anti-tank missiles, ammunition, AK-47 rifles, grenades, military vests, and more.
Terrorists and terrorist infrastructure were targeted in precise strikes led by the brigade’s Fire Control Center. In one of the strikes, the troops eliminated a terrorist cell that had placed explosive devices in the area.
Additional arena
The Biden administration is pushing ahead with a $680 million arms sales package to Israel. The package includes thousands of joint direct attack munition kits (JDAMs) and hundreds of small-diameter bombs. The package follows a $20 billion sale in August of fighter jets and other military equipment.
On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu listed the need to replenish weapons stocks as one of the reasons for the ceasefire in Lebanon. "It is no secret that there have been big delays in weapons and munitions deliveries. These delays will be resolved soon."On Saturday night, the Hamas terror group shared a propaganda video featuring signs of life from hostage Edan Alexander, 20, marking the first video of this nature in months. The three-and-a-half-minute video lacks a date, although Alexander claims he has been held for more than 420 days. If accurate, the video would have been recorded this week. Alexander, a dual US citizen, is a soldier who was stationed near the Gaza Strip on the morning of October 7 when he was taken captive by Hamas, along with 250 other hostages.
The ISA and the IDF recently seized weapons originating in Iran and intended to arm terrorist operatives in the Jenin area of Judea and Samaria.
As part of the operation, the forces seized rockets, 40 powerful Claymore explosives of various types, some with wireless activation systems, bombs, mortar launchers, sniper rifles, and additional weapons.
In recent months, Israeli security forces have identified attempts by Iranian forces to resume smuggling advanced weapons into Israel, intended for the Judea and Samaria area. This is part of an ongoing Iranian campaign to destabilize the region's security by arming terrorist cells in Judea and Samaria, to carry out attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops.