KEY POINTS
- Netanyahu says Israel is attacking Hamas 'accomplices' outside Gaza
- IKEA warns of possible supply shortages amid Red Sea shipping disruptions
- IDF says multiple launches detected from Syrian territory
It's the 76th day of the war in Gaza, and tensions in the northern border are reaching a boiling point as local authorities take more steps to protect communities that Iran-backed Hezbollah may target Thursday.
The Yemeni Houthi rebels' chief directly warned the U.S. not to target Houthis. The rebel army has been attacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea in recent weeks, prompting Washington to establish a multinational naval coalition to protect shipping activities in the area.
Hopes for a potential new hostage deal dashed after Hamas reportedly rejected Israel's latest ceasefire offer. Over in Iraq, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said a rocket was fired at an American air base, magnifying fears of a regional spillover from the Israel-Hamas war.
- Hamas demanded all prisoners be freed in exchange for remaining hostages: Report
- We're 'constantly attacking' Iran's gas stations network: Hackers
- Delayed UN draft resolution adjusts wording to call for 'suspension' of fighting
- IKEA expects shipping delays due to Red Sea turmoil
- Israel, Cyprus discussing Gaza humanitarian aid deliveries through maritime corridor: Israeli FM
- Houthis will target American navigation interests if U.S. attacks: Houthi leader
- EU will 'contribute' to Red Sea naval protection: Bloc's head of foreign policy
- Israel will accept a 'reformed' Palestinian Authority: Israeli national security chief
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said late Wednesday that Israeli troops completed the takeover of the "Hamas leadership center in the Gaza Strip" after weeks of targeting the so-called "Senior Quarter" of the Palestinian terror group.
Hackers who claimed responsibility for a cyberattack against Iranian gas pumps said they were told fuel station workers were ordered to "lie" about the "severity" of the situation.
The United Nations Security Council has once again pushed back a vote on Gaza to Thursday as the council grapples to display a united front amid international pressure.
Even with mounting pressure from the international community to agree to a ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said anyone who thinks the IDF will halt military operations against Hamas "is detached from reality."
The Netanyahu government's unwavering stance regarding its goal of eliminating Hamas draws from decades of largely violent Israel-Palestine disputes that ultimately erupted on Oct. 7, when Hamas militants killed more than 1,200 people in a surprise carnage in Israel.
U.S. President Joe Biden has reiterated Washington's support for Israel's right to self-defense but has urged its Middle Eastern ally in recent days to fight with the protection of Gaza civilians in mind.
Over a dozen communities basically locked down over Hezbollah threat: Local media
The local council of Upper Galilee in northern Israel has "basically put at least 15 communities on lockdown" due to the ongoing threat from Iran-backed terror group Hezbollah.
Road closures in Israel's north amid #Hezbollah threats
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) December 21, 2023
'At least 15 communities on lockdown, they're closing the roads, urging residents to stay off the roads' i24NEWS correspondent @zachonearth reports from the Israel-Lebanon border pic.twitter.com/W0pw9Mxldo
Authorities have urged residents to stay "off the roads" as they shut down junctions in the area due to a "credible threat" specifically from southern Lebanon. The road closures are temporary for the next few hours as Israel monitors the threat, local i24 News reported Thursday local time.
Hezbollah delivered "strong statements" of plans to attack the affected communities, triggering more stringent actions by Israeli authorities to protect residents.
The outlet noted that the closure of roads marks a significant milestone in actions taken by the authorities in northern Israel due to Hezbollah's continuing aggression near the border with Lebanon.
Hostage deal without full ceasefire 'worthless': Senior Hamas official
Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, said Thursday that an Israeli offer for a hostage release agreement that doesn't include a full ceasefire is "worthless," local media reported, citing the Al-Araby Al-Jadeed newspaper.
"The time for truces is over," he added, echoing the earlier report that Hamas rejected Israel's offer for a one-week truce in exchange for around 40 of more than 120 remaining captives in Gaza.
Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri tells Qatari-owned 'Al-Araby Al-Jadeed' that any Israeli offer for a hostage release deal that doesn't include a complete ceasefire is "worthless," amid reports of Hamas' refusal to a 7-day truce. "The time for truces is over," says Abu Zuhri. pic.twitter.com/baTdUI9lB5
— Ariel Oseran (@ariel_oseran) December 21, 2023
A 'moderate' Palestinian body needed to govern Gaza after war: Israeli security chief
Tzachi Hanegbi, chief of Israel's National Security Council, wrote in an op-ed for Saudi newspaper Elaph that Israel was calling for a "moderate Palestinian governing body" to rule over the Gaza Strip after the war.
He wrote that Israel was not interested in governing the enclave's civil affairs, and it would accept a "reformed Palestinian Authority." He noted that Israel will not decide which party should take over, but Gaza's current leadership needs a "fundamental reform" to transform the Strip's new generation into one that values tolerance and peace.
EU to 'contribute' to US-led Red Sea alliance
The European Union has "agreed to contribute to the U.S. Operation Prosperity Guardian," the Washington-led maritime coalition that will bolster shipping activity protection in the Red Sea, the bloc's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Wednesday.
He also condemned Yemen's Houthi rebels for their "irresponsible" aggression threatening navigation freedom in the Red Sea. He added that the bloc will "increase our presence with additional naval assets" to prove that the EU is a "maritime security provider."
Irresponsible Houthi actions are a threat to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) December 20, 2023
At the extraordinary PSC meeting I called today, Member States have agreed to contribute to the US Operation Prosperity Guardian @SecDef through Operation @EUNAVFOR ATALANTA.
Freed hostage talks of 'mental' abuse in Hamas captivity
Ofir Engel, one of the hostages freed by Hamas, talked Wednesday about how Hamas "mentally abused" him and other captives by telling them their families no longer wanted to have them back.
"I was there, and every moment the hostages are there is danger. They have no time. Why do I get to be here, and they don't?" he said to an audience of loved ones of hostages still in Hamas captivity in Gaza.
Today in Kibbutz Be'eri: Released Israeli hostage, Ofir Engel, shared his harrowing experience of captivity. He shed light on the mental abuse they endured and the ever-present danger during their time in Gaza.
— The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) December 20, 2023
🎥: @bringhomenow pic.twitter.com/GHcPCnWH6T
IDF exchanges fire with Hezbollah
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) exchanged fire with Iran-backed Hezbollah near the northern border with Lebanon Wednesday night, the IDF said. Israeli troops also attacked some Hezbollah targets in Lebanese territory after several launches were detected from Lebanon.
במהלך הלילה ובשעות הבוקר, מטוס קרב של חיל האוויר וכלי טיס של צה״ל תקפו תשתיות טרור של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה, ומשגר ממנו בוצע ירי לעבר שטח ישראל אמש.
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) December 21, 2023
כמו כן, הכוחות תקפו בארטילריה בשטח לבנון >> pic.twitter.com/8TJIGcjZP2
Israel signals gradual shift to civilian-centric operations
Israel is looking to focus on border security as the war ensues, IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a press briefing late Wednesday.
Aside from moving towards activities that protect the Israeli borders, Hagari noted that "we will ensure a different security situation allowing residents to return when the time comes."
His remarks came amid concerns from Israelis displaced by the fighting. He said earlier this week that aside from those who had to evacuate due to the raging Hamas battles, there are also more than 80,000 northern Israel residents who were displaced by Hezbollah attacks near the Lebanon border.
Houthi chief warns US against responding to its attacks
The leader of Yemen's Houthi rebel army, Abdel-Malik al-Houthi, warned the U.S. not to target Houthis if it wants to prevent retaliation from the rebel group.
"Any American targeting our country will be targeted by us, and we will make American battleships, interests, and navigation a target of our missiles, drones, and military operations," Al-Houthi said in a televised speech, as per a translation by local i24 News.
Al-Houthi further noted that the Yemeni rebel group was prepared to confront any direct attacks.
The Houthi chief's warning came after Washington announced a 10-nation maritime force that will focus on protecting shipping in the Red Sea. The alliance was established amid Houthi-initiated attacks against commercial vessels in recent days.
Evacuations ordered for Khan Yunis residents
Israel has issued evacuation orders Wednesday for Khan Yunis, the second-largest city in the Gaza Strip, and the main city in the enclave's southern tip.
The news came after the IDF said it has refocused ground operations in Khan Yunis, the known hometown of Yahya Sinwar, Hamas' most senior leader in Gaza.
Read the full story here.
Israel seeks faster aid delivery to Gaza through Cyprus naval passage: FM
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said Wednesday that Israel wants to speed up the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip through a maritime pathway from Cyprus, specifically through the Cypriot port of Larnaca.
Technical teams from both sides are discussing the initiative's details through Thursday, he said.
IDF attacks Syrian army post after 4 launches toward Israeli territory
The IDF attacked the sources of four launches that targeted Israeli territory Wednesday. A Syrian army post was also struck in response to the launches that triggered rocket sirens in the Golan Heights area.
מטוסי קרב של חיל האוויר תקפו לפני זמן קצר מפקדה מבצעית של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה בשטח לבנון.
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) December 20, 2023
בהמשך להתרעות שהופעלו במרחב רמת הגולן, זוהו ארבעה שיגורים משטח סוריה שחצו לשטח ישראל. כוחות צה״ל תקפו את מקורות הירי וכן עמדה צבאית של צבא סוריה >> pic.twitter.com/VbrsKr78Mh
Shipping delays, product shortages possible amid Red Sea disruptions: IKEA
Furniture giant IKEA on Wednesday warned of possible shortages in some products during the holiday season due to the re-routing move of shipping companies that used to sail by the Red Sea. The company also said it was expecting delays in shipping and possible "availability constraints" due to the ongoing disruptions at the Red Sea.
The home furniture company's concerns came amid multiple attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea by Yemen's Houthi rebels.
Israel will not stop until victory: Netanyahu
The Israeli Prime Minister reiterated again that Israel will continue fighting "until Hamas is eliminated – until victory."
"Whoever thinks that we will stop is detached from reality," he said in a statement Wednesday night, adding that the Israeli army is not only targeting Hamas operatives in Gaza, but they are also "attacking their [Hamas] accomplices near and far."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) December 20, 2023
"We are continuing the war to the end. It will continue until Hamas is eliminated – until victory.
Whoever thinks that we will stop is detached from reality. https://t.co/oWWwhgMPF5 pic.twitter.com/hY2au03s7s
His remarks came amid continuing fire exchanges between Israeli forces and Iran-backed Hezbollah near Israel's northern border with Lebanon. The IDF has also been responding to launches from Syria in recent days.
UN Security Council to vote on draft resolution calling for 'urgent suspension' of Gaza fighting
The UN Security Council, which has been postponing a vote on Gaza since Monday, will vote Thursday on a draft resolution that now calls for the "urgent suspension of hostilities" in the Gaza Strip.
The U.S. previously raised issue with the draft text's language that initially called for a "cessation" in the fighting. The text has evolved over the past three days after the U.S. – one of only five permanent members of the council – said it may support a resolution that calls for a "suspension" in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Hackers claim Iranian gas station workers ordered to 'lie' about dire situation
Gonjeshke Darande, the hacking group that claimed responsibility for a major cyberattack that targeted Iranian fuel stations earlier this week, said Wednesday that they were told "employees [at the petrol stations] were ordered to lie about the severity of the situation."
According to our sources and gas stations we know that employees were ordered to lie about the severity of the situation. Which is severe because we are constantly attacking the network ;)
— Gonjeshke Darande (@darandegonjeshk) December 20, 2023
We invite everyone to comment with content showing the current situation for the world to.
Iran's oil minister said during the suspected cyberattack Monday that around 70% of gas stations in the country were out of service. The hacking group said Wednesday that the situation in Iran was "severe" because it continued to attack the Iranian fuel network.
During the downtime of most gas pumps in Iran, the hackers warned Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei that "playing with fire has a price."
The group also said the hack was carried out "in response to the aggression of the Islamic Republic and its proxies in the region."
Israeli army takes over compound used by Hamas leadership in Gaza: IDF
"The IDF forces have completed the takeover of Hamas' 'Senior Quarter[s]' in the center of Gaza City," the IDF said in a Google-translated statement late Wednesday.
In the complex, Israeli troops discovered a "branching network of tunnels" that connected offices, apartments, hiding facilities and other infrastructure used specifically by Hamas' most senior officials, the IDF said.
The "above and below ground" complex was a "central security control center" of Hamas' political and military wings, the statement added. Furthermore, underground infrastructure in the area included "back doors and living rooms" that allow for Hamas leaders to hide "for a long period of time." Some tunnel networks in the complex were found to have food, water, and electrical lines, as per the statement.
During several weeks of targeted operations at the compound, Israeli forces eliminated around 600 militants.
Hamas rejected Israel's offer for weeklong truce: Report
The militant group rejected an offer by Israel to stop fighting for a week in exchange for around 40 hostages still being held in Gaza, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday night, citing Egyptian officials. The IDF previously said there are still 129 hostages in Hamas captivity.
Hamas reportedly reiterated that it will not begin negotiating for the release of captives unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire first. The Palestinian terror group also reportedly demanded that Israel release all remaining Palestinian detainees in exchange for the hostages abducted during the Oct. 7 massacre.
The news came after Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh traveled to Cairo Wednesday to talk with Egypt – a mediator alongside Qatar that helped deliver a seven-day truce agreement late last month – over developments in the Gaza war and a possible new ceasefire deal.
Iraqi forces investigating rocket fired at U.S. air base
A 122mm rocket was fired at the al-Assad Air Base – which hosts American and other western forces – in Iraq Wednesday morning, CENTCOM said Thursday. No casualties or damage were reported from the launch and the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) are investigating the incident.
At approximately 7:30 a.m. (Iraq time) on Dec. 20, a 122mm rocket was fired at al Assad Air Base in Iraq – there were no injuries or damage caused. Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve located the point of origin and passed the location to the Iraqi Security… pic.twitter.com/Jj3ekol4Re
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 21, 2023
The ISF seized a modified "flatbed truck" located at the site that can be used to launch "up to 5 x 122mm rockets," CENTCOM added.
During Operation Iraqi Freedom, the al-Assad Air Base was the second-largest U.S. military airbase in the country. It is located in western Iraq and was the target of four Katyusha rockets late in October. At the time, Iraqi armed groups aligned with Iran threatened to target American military assets if the U.S. continues to support Israel in its battle against Hamas.
