Israel-Hamas Conflict: Israeli Army Strikes Syrian Military Assets; Houthis Attack US Warship

KEY POINTS

• Iran reportedly sends second notice to US over 2020 assassination of top Iranian general
• Hezbollah rocket barrage injures 5 Israeli soldiers
• IDF expects 'steady, certain' escalation on northern front by Hezbollah

Live Updates

Pictured: an Israeli tank shells the Gaza Strip from southern Israel. Fighting in Gaza continues even as the Israeli army responds to attacks by Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups from different fronts. (Credit: AFP)

It's the 88^th day of the war in Gaza, and the Israeli army confirmed Tuesday that it struck Syrian military assets following launches toward Israeli territory Monday.

Hamas, after previously demanding that Israel agree to a ceasefire first, has reportedly dropped its pre-requisite and is now ready to resume negotiations for hostage releases.

In the Red Sea, Yemen's Houthi rebels attacked a U.S. Navy warship Tuesday, but denied reports that there was a fire exchange between the two sides.

The escalation of Houthi attacks comes as Iran deployed a destroyer to the Red Sea through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, where the Iran-backed rebel Houthi militia carried out multiple attacks against merchant ships in recent weeks.

• US had been pushing for IDF to withdraw some ground troops: Report
• Hamas sends 'totally off base' truce deal proposal to Israel: Report
• Syrian state news says Israel struck some areas in Damascus suburbs
• IDF tanks exited parts of Gaza City Tuesday, residents say
• Drones, rocket-propelled grenades target US airbase in eastern Syria: Arab media
• Kerem Shalom crossing reopens for humanitarian aid entry into Gaza
• IDF dropped leaflets to warn Syrian forces against joining Israel attackers: Local media
• Turkey arrests 33 people accused of engaging in espionage for Mossad: State media
• Yemeni rebel army official issues warning to US after sinking of 3 Houthi boats
• Israel mulls appointing representative for South Africa's ICJ case hearing: Local media
• Maersk plans to continue Red Sea shipments despite Houthi attacks

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it detected five launches from Syrian territory – about a week after Iran vowed that it will avenge the assassination of a top Iranian military adviser in an Israeli air strike.

Back in Gaza, the Israeli army reportedly conducted multiple raids near the northern border with Lebanon as another Iran-backed terror group, Hezbollah, increases the frequency of its rocket and missile launches toward Israel.

The fighting in Gaza is the latest round of Israel-Palestine conflict that has continued to bedevil the region for decades. The latest fighting erupted on Oct. 7, when Hamas operatives launched a surprise attack in Israel, killing more than a thousand people and dragging over 200 hostages to the Gaza Strip.

The live update has ended.

2 hr ago 06:41 AM EST

IDF urges central Gaza refugee camp residents to evacuate

The Israeli army on Tuesday dropped leaflets across the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, urging residents to evacuate to shelters in Deir al-Balah as the IDF was operating "strongly in the area."

דיווחים פלסטיניים: צה"ל פיזר מנשרים באזור מחנה הפליטים נוסייראת במרכז הרצועה - "האזור בו אתם נמצאים הוא אזור לחימה מסוכן. צה"ל פועל בעוצמה באזור מגוריכם. אנו קוראים לכם להתפנות מהמקום באופן מיידי ולהגיע למרכזי המקלט המוכרים בדיר אל-בלח"@gal_sade pic.twitter.com/eWX1JzD5Wz

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) January 2, 2024