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International Business Times
International Business Times
World
Marvie Basilan

Israel-Hamas Conflict: Israeli Army Encircles Last 2 Hamas Strongholds; Houthis Attack Norwegian Tanker

Hamas Israel Gaza Hezbollah IDF the Gaza Strip

KEY POINTS

  • UNGA will hold emergency session Tuesday amid calls for immediate ceasefire
  • The IDF said it will take disciplinary actions if Israeli soldiers act unethically
  • A psychiatrist who treated the freed hostages says they experienced "cruelty"
Live Updates
Pictured: Israeli soldiers on a hill overlooking northern Gaza. The Israeli army continues to defend the country on both the northern and southern fronts, from Hezbollah and Hamas respectively. (Credit: AFP)

The Israel-Hamas war is on its 67th day, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) encircling the last two strongholds of Palestinian terror group Hamas, and U.S. President Joe Biden warning of a potential shift in the international community's support for Israel's offensive in Gaza.

Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant said some Hamas battalions in northern Gaza are "on the verge of dismantling" after more than a month of ground operations by Israeli forces.

  • Houthis attack tanker ship off Red Sea: US military
  • Israeli Air Force destroys several rocket launching sites in Gaza
  • Freed hostage says remaining abductees 'won't survive' if they don't leave Gaza 'today'
  • Qatar, Israel holding 'secret' talks over potential hostage-exchange deal: Arab report
  • Houthis claim the oil-carrying Norwegian tanker was headed for Israel
  • Fire exchanges ensue in Israel's northern border with Lebanon
  • Released hostage talks of 'Russian roulette' experience in captivity
  • Drone alerts sounded twice in northern Israel: Local media
  • Rocket barrage fired from Gaza towards Israel's border communities
  • Yemen gets invited by US to join Red Sea shipping security coalition: Report
  • Israeli tanks operating near Sinwar's house in Khan Yunis: Report

The Kerem Shalom crossing will open Tuesday for security checks as part of the Israeli government's efforts to help hasten the delivery of aid for Gaza civilians.

IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said late Monday that the Israeli army will take command and disciplinary actions should Israeli soldiers act unprofessionally and unethically on the battlefield.

The U.S. and other allies have shown support for Israel since Hamas operatives swept into Israel in a surprise attack that killed more than 1,200 Israelis and foreigners on Oct. 7. Hamas officials have said they attacked Israel to avenge the occupation – a key issue in Israel-Palestine tensions that sparked multiple skirmishes between Israel and Hamas for years.

Meanwhile, near Israel's northern border with Lebanon, rockets are being launched by a much larger terror organization, the Iran-backed Hezbollah. The two sides have been exchanging fire more frequently when the seven-day ceasefire fell apart.

Loved ones and families of hostages remaining in Gaza continue to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's government and the international community for the abductees' immediate release.

The live update has ended.

Israeli tanks operating in street near Sinwar's house in Khan Yunis: Report

Israeli military tanks were operating Tuesday morning in the street where the house of Hamas' most senior official in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, was located, Reuters reported Tuesday, citing a resident of Khan Yunis.

The Israeli army previously said it was moving deeper into Khan Yunis, southern Gaza's main city, and Netanyahu said late last week that Israeli troops were surrounding Sinwar's house. It was not immediately clear if Sinwar was inside the residence at the time.

The Israeli army has intensified its ground operations in Khan Yunis, the known hometown of Yahya Sinwar (C), Hamas' most senior leader in the Gaza Strip. (Credit: AFP)

Yemen receives invitation from US to join military coalition for Red Sea shipping security: Report

The Yemeni government has received an invitation from Washington to be part of a military coalition that will work to ensure shipping lines across the Red Sea are safe, Israel's national broadcaster Kan reported, citing the Al-Jazeera channel.

"We will participate in the military coalition through a naval force that will fight the actions of the Houthi rebels, who are supported by Iran," the Yemeni government reportedly said.

The report comes following several attacks against commercial ships in the Red Sea by Yemen's Houthi rebel group.

Rocket barrage from Gaza towards border communities: Local media

A "large rocket barrage" has been fired from Gaza towards communities near Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, local i24 News reported. Rocket sirens also sounded in Ashkelon, a coastal city in southern Israel, located just around eight miles from the border.

Drone alerts sound near northern border

Drone warning alerts sounded along Israel's northern border with Israel Tuesday morning local time, multiple outlets reported.

Freed hostage says being in Hamas captivity felt like 'Russian roulette'

Sharon Alony-Cunio, told Reuters in her first interview since her release from Hamas captivity, that being a hostage was like "Russian roulette" as she didn't know whether she will be killed or kept alive during the 54 days she was held in Gaza.

Alony-Cunio, who was held captive with her young twin children, fears for the life of her husband, David, and others who remain hostage in the Gaza Strip. "Every minute is critical. The conditions there are not good and the days go on forever," she said.

Food was a problem in captivity, but waiting to use the toilet was a bigger problem, especially for the girls and women captives. She was in a group of hostages that was held above ground. They moved around a few times while in captivity.

"We are not just names on a poster. We are human beings, flesh and blood. The father of my girls is there, my partner, and many other fathers, children, mothers, brothers," she said in a call for the remaining hostages to be freed. David was separated from Sharon and their kids three days before the three were freed.

Two launches from Lebanese territory: IDF

The Israeli army said two launches were detected from Lebanese territory Tuesday morning local time. The rockets were fired towards the Malkia area in northern Israel, the IDF added. Israeli fighter jets have responded with artillery towards the sources of the launches.

Pictured: smoke billows along hills in southern Lebanon after Israeli bombardment from a position along the border in northern Israel. (Credit: AFP)

Fire exchange reported near northern border: Local media

An exchange of artillery took place Tuesday morning local time near Israel's northern border with Lebanon following continuous fire exchanges over the past few weeks between the Israeli army and Iran-backed Hezbollah, local i24 News reported.

Houthis claim responsibility for attack on Norwegian tanker

Yemen's Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for an attack on Norwegian-flagged tanker Strinda Monday night. The tanker was "loaded with oil and headed to the Israeli entity," wrote Houthis' military spokesperson Yahya Sare'e on X Tuesday morning local time.

The confirmation came hours after the U.S. military said Strinda was passing by the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait when it was attacked by a missile.

Qatar, Israel holding secret talks on potential exchange deal that could include men, soldiers: Arab report

Qatari mediators and Israel are holding "secret" discussions on a possible hostage-prisoner exchange deal that could expand the exchanges of remaining hostages in Gaza, local media reported, citing Arabian website Elaph. The previous agreement only covered the release of women and children.

The discussions are reportedly being held in a European capital, which is a stark move away from the negotiations on the previous truce deal that were held in Doha and Israel. The deal could include the remaining women and children that were not freed under the seven-day ceasefire, as well as men and three senior IDF officers that the terror group captured, according to the report.

The report further revealed that Israel has "committed" to freeing around 300 Palestinian detainees, plus 10 prisoners who are serving long sentences. Among them, reportedly, is Marwan Barghouti, convicted of murder by an Israeli court.

Qatar and Israel have yet to confirm the report.

In photo: a woman looks at portraits of Israeli hostages taken by Palestinian militants on Oct. 7. (Credit: AFP)

'They won't survive', freed hostage says of remaining abductees

"They need to get out today. Otherwise, they won't survive," 85-year-old Yocheved Lifshitz told NBC News regarding the remaining hostages in Gaza who are being held by Hamas and other Palestinian factions.

The elderly Israeli was among more than 200 hostages taken into Gaza on Oct. 7. Her husband, Oded Lifshitz, is among the abductees who remain in Gaza. "Time is running out," she said, adding that the "lack of air in the tunnels, as well as the shortage of food and medicine, could bring people to complete exhaustion."

Lifshitz's daughter, Sharone, said the families of remaining abductees "feel strongly that this week is the most crucial week," and if the hostages aren't freed within this week, "most of them will be dead."

Freed Israeli hostage Yocheved Lifshitz, 85, takes part in a protest outside the defense in Tel Aviv to call for the release of remaining hostages in Gaza. (Credit: AFP)

Qatar reached out to Israel over the weekend regarding new hostage deal: Report

Qatari mediators reached out to the Israeli government to ask if it was interested in resuming indirect negotiations with Hamas for a new hostage deal, Israeli political journalist for Axios, Barak Ravid, said late Monday in a series of posts on X, citing two Israeli sources.

One source said the new agreement may include "humanitarian elements" such as freeing elderly and sick men, or those who have been seriously wounded in the fighting. The development, albeit small, comes as the families of remaining hostages continue to press the Israeli government for more action in getting their abducted loved ones home.

The sources noted that the renewed talks were "only initial" and has not reached a level that will resume actual discussions between the warring sides.

Israeli army attacks launching sites across Gaza

The Israel Air Force (IAF) attacked multiple rocket launching sites throughout Gaza in the past day, the IDF said Tuesday.

One site was firing towards Sderot when the IAF attacked and destroyed the said launching area.

2 more soldiers fall in Gaza

The IDF lost two more soldiers Monday amid raging battles in the Gaza Strip, the IDF announced Tuesday on its tribute page for fallen soldiers.

  • Maj. Ari Yehiel Zanilman, 32 – fighter in the 8111th Battalion of the 5th Brigade
  • Maj. Tzvika Lavi, 30 – fighter in the 699th Battalion of the 551st Brigade (Hafti Hash formation)

Maj. Lavi died Monday of mortal wounds he sustained in a battle in the northern Gaza Strip last month, the IDF said.

Houthis attack commercial tanker: US military

An anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) was launched Monday night toward motor tanker Strinda "from a Houthi controlled area of Yemen" while the tanker was passing through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait between the Arabian Peninsula and Yemen, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said Tuesday.

No American ships were in the vicinity during the attack, but the U.S.S Mason responded to the area and is providing assistance, the military command said. The Norwegian-flagged ship was headed for Venice, Italy, as per local i24 News.

As a result of the missile attack, the Strinda "reported damage causing a fire on-board." No casualties have been reported as of writing.

The latest attack comes after Yemen's Houthi rebels seized an Israeli-linked cargo ship in the Red Sea last month and attacked three commercial ships last month. A Houthi official has warned that if Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates join a coalition against Yemen, it will not leave Saudi nor UAE oil and gasfields in one piece.

IDF vows to fight for Israel's future amid Hanukkah holidays

The Israeli army has vowed that it will fight "for our future," in a message posted on social media Tuesday for the Jewish people around the world celebrating the Hanukkah holidays.

"We light Hanukkah candles at a dark time in the story of our people – a time of mourning, a time of pain – a timely reminder of what we're fighting for," the IDF said.

"We will fight for our future ... a future where there will once again be ... no need for context," the Israeli army said.

Kerem Shalom crossing to open starting Tuesday: Israeli government

The Kerem Shalom crossing will open starting Tuesday to allow for faster inspections of humanitarian aid coming into Gaza, the Israeli government's Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) department said late Monday.

In particular, the crossing's opening will double the amount of inspections on humanitarian trucks coming from Egypt's Al-Arish port before the trucks are sent to the Rafah border crossing for entry into the Gaza Strip.

Biden warns of possible 'overnight' shift in world opinion

The POTUS reaffirmed during a White House Hanukkah reception on Monday night that he will continue to support "the safety of the Jewish people and the security of Israel and its right to exist" following the Oct. 7 massacre.

However, the U.S. president also acknowledged that while Washington will continue to provide military assistance until Israel completely eliminates Hamas, the allies "have to be careful."

"The whole world's public opinion can shift overnight, we can't let that happen," he said. He also acknowledged that both the U.S. and Israel are in a "tough spot" due to the raging war.

Biden's remarks came amid increasing calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza as the Palestinian death toll climbs and the families of remaining hostages call for negotiations to get the abductees home instead of a military rescue operation.

He said the White House will "work relentlessly" to get the remaining hostages back home, adding that he has "personally" spent many hours with Israel and mediators Qatar and Egypt to secure the abductees' freedom.

Some freed hostages held in 'inhumane' conditions: Psychiatrist

Some of the hostages that Hamas freed during the seven-day truce with Israel were held in "inhumane sanitary conditions," Dr. Renana Eitan, a psychiatrist who treated the released hostages, revealed Monday.

It was "cruelty that I haven't seen before," she said of the experiences of the freed abductees. She further revealed that the hostages were "subject to severe physical, sexual and mental abuse," as per ABC News.

One freed hostage was kept in "total darkness" for a total of four days, resulting in the patient becoming "psychotic" and experiencing hallucinations, Eitan said.

Pictured: demonstrators hold portraits of hostages calling for their release outside the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. There are still at least 138 hostages being held in Gaza, the Israeli army previously said. (Credit: AFP)

Israeli army will take 'disciplinary' steps if soldiers act unprofessionally in battle: IDF spox

Following the release of images that showed captured Palestinians in their underwear and blindfolded, Hagari said in a special message late Monday that Israeli soldiers are expected to "act professionally and ethically" in the battlefield.

In the incident that the actions of Israeli soldiers do "not align with IDF values," the Israeli army will take "command and disciplinary steps," Hagari noted.

He added that IDF leadership "will not compromise" on requirements that Israeli soldiers "operate according to the values and spirit of the IDF."

UNGA to hold emergency session

The United Nations General Assembly will hold an emergency session Tuesday amid the raging Israel-Hamas war, multiple outlets reported.

An emergency session is convened when there is "lack of unanimity of the permanent members," or they "fail" to exercise their responsibility of maintaining international peace and security.

The move comes after the U.S. vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Washington's envoy Robert Wood said at the time that the resolution "would not have moved the needle forward on the ground."

Read the full story here.

IDF completes encirclement of Hamas' remaining strongholds: Defense minister

Gallant said in a press conference Monday that the Israeli army has "encircled the last strongholds of Hamas in Jabalia and Shejaiya (Shuja'iyya)," marking another milestone in the IDF's ground operations in the Gaza Strip after Khan Yunis, southern Gaza's main city, was surrounded last week.

He said the Jabalia and Shuja'iyya battalions "that were considered invincible, that prepared for years to fight us, are on the verge of being dismantled."

The defense minister's announcement came after Netanyahu said Sunday that dozens of Hamas members have surrendered to Israeli forces.

Israeli troops on the ground in the Gaza Strip, seen in a picture released by the Israeli army on Dec. 7, 2023. (Credit: AFP)
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