KEY POINTS
- Israeli army chief tells ground troops it's 'not the IDF' to shoot Israeli or Gaza civilians
- Austin is expected to announce a bigger maritime task force in the Red Sea amid Houthi aggression
- Hacking group Gonjeshke Darande said it carried out a cyberattack in response to Iran's 'aggression' in the region
It's the 73rd day of the Israel-Hamas war, and a hacking group, referred to as "Israel-linked" by local media, claimed responsibility for a cyberattack that it said crippled Iran's gas stations Monday. The group said the attack was carried out in response to Iran and its proxies' aggression in the Middle East.
A top official of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) broke his silence regarding the attacks, and the current conditions of Gazans caught in the fighting due to Hamas' violent methods, marking the first time a senior PLO official spoke publicly about Hamas tactics since the Oct. 7 carnage.
The Israeli army has warned that Iran-backed Hezbollah is dragging the Lebanese public into an "unnecessary war" as the Lebanon-based militant group continues to fire toward Israel near the northern border.
The Syrian army said Sunday that Israeli missiles hit some sites near Syria's capital Damascus, which is the latest in a series of launches from Israel that are believed to target Iranian assets. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has yet to officially confirm the report.
- Hezbollah attacks displaced over 80,000 people in northern Israel: IDF spokesperson
- 2 Syrian soldiers wounded in Israeli airstrike: SANA
- US-backed maritime force expected to involve Arab states: British media
- IDF loses another 5 soldiers in Gaza battles
- Israeli airstrike kills son of PIJ spokesperson: Report
- PLO official says Hamas should rethink its methods
- IDF troops uncover largest Hamas tunnel yet
- 'Possible explosion' around Bab el-Mandeb Strait: UKMTO
- Majority of Iranian gas stations not working Monday: Oil minister
- France says one of its consulate workers killed in Israeli airstrike
- Specific details on Hamas tunnels 'lost at the way of intelligence': Ex-Shin Bet member
- Israel 'ready to transition' to next phase of war: US defense official
- US pressuring Saudi to delay signing peace deal with Houthis: Report
- Mossad chief, head of CIA, Qatari PM to meet for possible new hostage outline: Report
IDF chief Lt. Gen Herzi Halevi on Sunday reminded Israeli forces fighting in the Gaza Strip that the army should be "right going forward," following the "mistaken" killing of three hostages by Israeli fire Saturday.
The Kerem Shalom crossing has been opened for the first time for the entry of humanitarian trucks. The said crossing was only opened last week for delivery inspections, not for the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip.
The Oct. 7 massacre of more than 1,200 people by Hamas militants who raided Israel draws from the decades-long Israel-Palestine conflict history that has only been magnified in recent weeks as protesters from both sides stage demonstrations around the world.
Amid pressure from the international community for the war to end, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country will fight to the end "on behalf of the fallen" and to ensure the security of "the Land of Israel."
The live update has ended.
Rocket sirens sound in southern Israel
Rocket sirens sounded after lunch Monday local time in communities near Israel's southern border with Gaza, local media reported.
🚨Rocket alert sirens sound in Gaza border communities
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) December 18, 2023
