KEY POINTS
- Netanyahu rebukes ICRC stance on Israel's self-defense and Hamas atrocities
- IDF to discipline soldiers who violated army's COC in activity near Jenin mosque
- US asks Israel to tone down offensive in the Gaza Strip amid rising death toll
On the 70th day of the Israel-Hamas war, the Israeli army said it has completed seizing the headquarters of Hamas' Shuja'iyya Battalion, marking a significant turnaround in fierce battles between the warring sides following the Israeli army's loss of nine soldiers in a Shuja'iyya ambush earlier this week.
Israeli special forces retrieved the bodies of three hostages in Gaza -- one civilian and two soldiers -- as the families of remaining hostages pressure the Israeli government to get back to negotiations with Hamas for the safe release of their loved ones.
The U.S. expressed confidence that the days of Yahya Sinwar, Hamas' highest-ranking official in Gaza, are "numbered," considering how he has American "blood on his hands."
- Offer Hamas with expulsion of its leadership in exchange for hostages: CIS proposal
- Another incident reported around Bab el-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea: UKMTO
- Israel's flooding test on Hamas tunnels successful: Report
- France expresses 'immense sorrow' over French-Israeli hostage's death in captivity
- US warns Houthis of consequences amid Red Sea attacks: Report
- Israeli army brings home bodies of 1 civilian, 2 soldiers who died in Hamas captivity
- Projectile from Yemen hits Liberian-flagged cargo ship, causing fire onboard
- Mossad's Barnea, Sullivan discuss Iran's 'triple-layered threat'
- Court clears Dutch exports of F-35 warplane parts to Israel
- 20 of 132 remaining hostages in Gaza believed dead
Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the Thursday attack on a Hong Kong-flagged container ship, the latest in attacks targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea. The rebel army said the vessel was headed to Israel.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has reportedly promised $400,000 for information about Sinwar's whereabouts as the Israeli army continues to operate in Khan Yunis, the senior Hamas official's hometown.
Palestinian telecoms providers said Thursday night that communications were down due to continuous Israeli strikes. The latest blackout marks at least the sixth "near-total" collapse in connectivity in the Gaza Strip since the war started.
Iran-backed Hezbollah continues to launch rockets toward Israel. The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has been responding to the launches while also targeting Hamas military infrastructure across Gaza.
Hamas' massacre of more than 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals on Oct. 7 marks a significant escalation in the Israel-Palestine conflict history that dates back to the early 1900s.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President Mirjana Spoljaric to discuss the inhumane conditions more than 130 remaining hostages in Gaza are suffering in Hamas captivity.
The live update has ended.
Israeli aircraft attacks Hezbollah target in Lebanon
Israeli air forces attacked and destroyed a Hezbollah target in Lebanon Friday, the IDF said. The attack was carried out after an IAF aircraft was struck by a launch from Lebanese territory.
כלי טיס של חיל האוויר תקף והשמיד מטרת טרור של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה בשטח לבנון. בנוסף, לפני זמן קצר כלי טיס של חיל האוויר תקף מחבל שפעל בשטח לבנון סמוך למרחב זרעית.
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) December 15, 2023
כמו כן, במהלך הבוקר כוחות צה"ל תקפו שני מחבלים חמושים שפעלו בשטח לבנון, סמוך למרחב יארון pic.twitter.com/fG5B39KIEQ
Israel says there are still 132 hostages in Gaza
There are still 132 hostages believed to be in captivity in the Gaza Strip, Netanyahu's office told CNN Friday, with 13 of the captives being women. Twenty of the remaining hostages are believed to be dead.
Of the remaining hostages, there are two minors, and there are 10 abductees aged 75 and older. There are 11 foreigners among the hostages, while the rest are Israelis, the prime minister's office said.
A total of 110 hostages have been freed by Hamas, and eight others were killed in captivity. Their bodies were located by Israeli troops, the office added.
Dutch court junks appeal to block Netherlands's exports of F-35 jet parts to Israel
The district court in The Hague on Friday dismissed a case brought by a group of human rights organizations to halt Dutch exports of F-35 warplane parts to Israel. The organizations, which included Amnesty International, argued that supplying Israel with the jet parts contributed to the country's alleged violations of international law in the 70-day war in Gaza.
"The considerations that the minister make are to a large extent of a political and policy nature and judges should leave the minister a large amount of freedom," the court said in the ruling.
Read the full story here.
Hamas leaders in Doha understand the war's current reality: ex-IDF intelligence officer
Former IDF intelligence officer Raphaël Jerusalmy said in an interview that Hamas isn't aware that it has already lost the war. He also criticized the terror group's top official in Gaza, Sinwar, whom he says is "completely disconnected from reality," as opposed to other leaders living in Qatar who see on television what's really happening in Gaza, which is why they had other things to say.
'Hamas has lost the war, it has lost Gaza... It has lost the sympathy of the population... They have lost the war but they don't know it yet. Sinwar is completely disconnected from reality,' says Frmr. IDF intelligence officer Raphaël Jerusalmy pic.twitter.com/WsH2Kl8IPq
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) December 15, 2023
Jerusalmy's remarks came after Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouk signaled in an interview published Thursday that the militant group may recognize Israel's right to exist as the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) had done.
The ex-IDF intel officer went on to note that Hamas' armed wing seems to understand that they're at a disadvantage at this stage of the war since "more and more" of them are surrendering to Israeli forces.
Mossad chief, Sullivan talk Iran threat
Mossad chief David Barnea met U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan Thursday night to discuss the war in Gaza, the return of remaining hostages in Gaza, and the "triple-layered threat from Iran: nuclear, regional strengthening and terrorism."
The two also talked about the "regional importance" of building new connections in the Middle East for Israel to achieve security goals across the region.
Mossad Director David Barnea met last night, at Mossad HQ, with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) December 15, 2023
In their talks, Mossad Director Barnea focused on broad strategic issues, especially the triple-layered threat from Iran: Nuclear, regional strengthening and terrorism. pic.twitter.com/886JjbJPCD
Cargo ship catches fire in the Red Sea after projectile launched from Yemen
A projectile launched from Yemeni territory hit a Liberian-flagged cargo ship in the Red Sea, causing the vessel to catch fire, the Associated Press reported Friday, citing a U.S. defense official and private intelligence firm Ambrey.
Ambrey told the outlet that the projectile reportedly hit "the port side of the vessel and one container fell overboard due to the impact." The attack reportedly caused a "fire on deck."
At around the same time of the report, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it received a report that "a vessel has been impacted by an unknown object which has resulted in a fire onboard." There were no reported casualties.
UKMTO WARNING 010/DEC/2023 - UPDATE 001
— United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) (@UK_MTO) December 15, 2023
INCIDENT
Warnings - 2023 (https://t.co/5An1YH0JyE)#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/a5dHEqtWoP
Bodies of 2 captive soldiers retrieved: IDF
The Israeli army recovered the bodies of two soldiers who died in Hamas captivity, the IDF announced Friday morning local time in a series of Google-translated posts on X.
Corporal Nick Beiser and Sgt. Ron Sherman were both abducted from Israel on Oct. 7. Their remains have since been brought back to Israel.
גופותיהם של רב"ט ניק בייזר ורב"ט רון שרמן חולצו משטח רצועת עזה לישראלhttps://t.co/KYyyDqch4L pic.twitter.com/aDc4W8Z3Sm
— ynet עדכוני (@ynetalerts) December 15, 2023
Beiser was taken hostage while serving as driver and Sherman abducted while serving as a coordination and liaison officer. They were both providing services for the Gaza Police Headquarters when they were kidnapped, as per the IDF.
The announcement came hours after the IDF revealed that it has recovered and brought back to Israel the body of a French-Israeli civilian hostage from Gaza.
Israeli 188th Brigade Combat Team takes over Shuja'iyya Battalion HQ: IDF
Israeli soldiers with the 188th Brigade Combat Team, in cooperation with other IDF units, including the IAF, "completed the takeover" of Hamas' Shuja'iyya Battalion headquarters, the IDF announced Friday morning local time.
כוחות צוות הקרב החטיבתי 188, בשיתוף פעולה של כוחות שיריון, הנדסה, חי״ר וחיל האוויר השלימו את ההשתלטות על מפקדת גדוד שג'עייה של ארגון הטרור חמאס. במהלך הפעילות הלוחמים חיסלו מחבלים והשמידו פיר מנהרה ובו מחבל שניסה להשליך מטען על כוחותינו >> pic.twitter.com/OLDVKHp6r3
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) December 15, 2023
During the takeover operations, Hamas militants were eliminated and a tunnel shaft was destroyed, the IDF added. A Hamas combatant was inside the tunnel and tried to throw an explosive at Israeli troops.
The news comes at a critical time in the fighting, and two days after the Israeli army lost nine soldiers in a multi-round ambush by Hamas operatives in Shuja'iyya, including its highest-ranking IDF official to have fallen since the war started.
Washington warns Houthis against continuing Red Sea attacks
The Biden administration has delivered messages through several channels to Yemen's Houthi rebel army, warning them that there is a price to pay for continuing attacks against Israeli and commercial ships sailing in the Red Sea, local Walla reported Friday, citing two senior U.S. officials.
Houthis have carried out missile attacks against multiple vessels over the past few days, including a launch Thursday that targeted a Hong Kong-flagged container ship.
French FM expresses 'immense sorrow' over hostage's death in captivity
French minister for Europe and foreign affairs Catherine Colonna, in a Google-translated post on X, expressed "immense sorrow" after the IDF announced that it recovered the body of a civilian hostage from Gaza. "The release of all hostages is our priority," Colonna said.
The remains of French-Israeli Elia Toledano, 28, were located and retrieved by Israeli Special Forces and were brought back to Israel. He was one of dozens of festival goers abducted by Hamas from the Re'im music festival during the Oct. 7 cross-border raid.
The IDF announced that troops in Gaza recovered the body of Elia Toledano, 28, kidnapped by Hamas terrorists from the Nova music festival during the Oct 7 massacre.
— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) December 15, 2023
May his memory be a blessing. pic.twitter.com/JUoRgr5jOL
Israel's tunnel flooding attempt successful: Report
Israel's limited trial to flood Hamas tunnels with seawater was a success, the Times of Israel reported Friday. The outlet earlier said it has confirmed reports that the IDF started testing its new combat strategy.
The news comes after senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan claimed Thursday that the terror group's tunnels were constructed to withstand flooding and other "potential dangers."
193 humanitarian trucks entered Gaza Thursday
A total of 193 humanitarian trucks carrying food, water, medical supplies and equipment for shelter entered the Gaza Strip Thursday, the Israeli government said. Of the said trucks, 79 were inspected through the Kerem Shalom crossing, which was opened Tuesday for the inspection of deliveries for Gaza civilians.
UKMTO gets another incident report in the Red Sea
The UKMTO received another incident report Friday morning local time in the vicinity of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, off the port of Mokha in Yemen. Ships traveling to the area have been advised to sail with caution.
UKMTO WARNING 009/DEC 23
— United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) (@UK_MTO) December 15, 2023
INCIDENT https://t.co/a6eYax4Zi0#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/IgRw6J3UeB
The report comes just a day after the UKMTO received an incident report around the same area, but closer to the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeidah.
CIS proposes Hamas leadership expulsion offer: Report
The Commanders for Israel's Security (CIS) has proposed to the war cabinet to offer Hamas the expulsion of its leaders from Gaza in exchange for Israeli hostages still being held by the terror group, the Jerusalem Post reported Friday.
The offer will also include the release of Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons. CIS chief Matan Vilnai told the outlet that the Israeli government still has to adjust other significant details in the proposed offer.
Netanyahu's government has yet to confirm whether it is considering the proposal from the CIS, which is made up for hundreds of former senior IDF and security officials.
IDF recovers another civilian hostage's body
The Israeli army announced Friday morning local time that the body of another hostage, 28-year-old Elia Toledano, has been recovered by Israeli Special Forces during an operation in Gaza.
The body of 28-year-old Elia Toledano who was taken hostage by Hamas terrorists on October 7, has been recovered by our Special Forces in an operation in Gaza and brought back to Israel.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) December 15, 2023
The IDF sends the family its heartfelt condolences.
Our national mission is to locate the…
Toledano, a French-Israeli, was among more than 200 hostages abducted from Israel during the Oct. massacre. His remains have been brought back to Israel, the IDF said.
Live update: IDF recovers body of civilian hostage Elia Toledano, 28, from Gaza https://t.co/OpQdXTdK1N . Click to read ⬇️
— TOI ALERTS (@TOIAlerts) December 15, 2023
US urges Israel to scale down ground operations
Washington has discussed with Israel about the possibility of "transitioning from what we would call high-intensity operations, which is what we're seeing them do now, to lower intensity operations sometime in the near future," White House spokesperson John Kirby said.
The move comes amid increasing global pressure on Israel to take more steps to ensure that Gaza's civilians are not harmed in the Israeli army's offensive.
Read the full story here.
Israeli soldiers in Jenin mosque incident removed from operational activity
The Israeli army will discipline several soldiers seen in videos on social media who allegedly misused the speakers of a mosque in Jenin during military operations in the area as their conduct was "serious and stands in complete opposition to the values of the IDF."
"The soldiers were immediately removed from operational activity" for acting "against the IDF codes of conduct within a religious establishment," the IDF said in a statement Thursday.
Netanyahu rebukes Red Cross over stance on Israel's self-defense
The Israeli prime minister on Thursday spoke with Spoljaric to discuss the brutal conditions that the remaining hostages in Gaza are experiencing in Hamas captivity. He also pointed out that the ICRC has made "some" statements not distinguishing between Israel's offensive due to self-defense and Hamas' "deliberate and systematic" atrocities.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today, at the Kirya in Tel Aviv, with International Committee of the Red Cross (@ICRC) President Mirjana Spoljaric. pic.twitter.com/h6QzS6uN73
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) December 14, 2023
"I want to express my gratitude for your help in securing the release of the hostages, but at the same time, some of the statements that have come out of your organization seem to not make the distinction that I've just made," he told the ICRC president.
He went on to note that his ultimate goal in holding conversations with the ICRC was to come up with ways to help more than 130 hostages still being held in Gaza. "You have every avenue, every right and every expectation to place public pressure on Hamas," he said.
Spoljaric responded, saying putting public pressure on the terror group "would not work," explaining that the more they are pressured, "the more they would shut the door." Netanyahu said, "Why don't you try?"
Gaza under another communications blackout: Telecoms
Gaza's telecoms providers Paltel and Jawwal announced Thursday that "all telecoms services" in the Gaza Strip have been lost. "Gaza is blacked out again," they wrote on X.
Communications outage tracker NetBlocks also confirmed a "new collapse in connectivity" in the enclave, marking at least the "sixth near-total telecommunications blackout" in Gaza since the Oct. 7 massacre.
⚠ Confirmed: Live network data show a new collapse in connectivity in the #Gaza Strip; the incident will be experienced as the sixth near-total telecommunications blackout since the start of the conflict, as providers struggle to maintain service amidst ongoing fighting 📉 pic.twitter.com/SY5aYenDVo
— NetBlocks (@netblocks) December 14, 2023
IDF puts $400,000 bounty on Sinwar: Reports
The IDF has been dropping leaflets across the Gaza Strip that offered monetary rewards for information on the whereabouts of Sinwar and three other senior Hamas leaders, as per multiple local outlets and posts on social media.
The fliers reportedly say the Israeli army will provide $400,000 for information on Sinwar, $300,000 for Sinwar's brother, Muhammed Sinwar, and $200,000 for the commander of the terror group's Khan Yunis Battalion, Rafa'a Salameh.
Another $100,000 is reportedly being offered for intelligence on Muhammad Deif, Hamas' military wing commander.
International Business Times could not independently verify the reports.
Houthis claim responsibility for attack on Hong Kong-flagged ship
Yemeni Houthi rebels on Friday claimed responsibility for a supposed drone attack against M/V Maersk Gibraltar, a Hong Kong-flagged container ship sailing in the Red Sea.
The Houthi rebel army's official spokesman Yahya Sare'e wrote on X early Friday local time that the said vessel was headed to Israel. "The hit was accurate," he said, adding that Houthis successfully prevented the passage of multiple ships headed towards Israel in the past two days.
About an hour before Sare'e made the remarks on social media, the U.S. Central Command said a ballistic missile was fired from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen towards the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, but no injuries or damage were reported.
Midday Dec. 14 (Sanaa time), a ballistic missile was fired from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen toward the international shipping lane north of the Bab-el-Mandeb. There were no injuries or damage. Following the missile launch, the M/V Maersk Gibraltar was hailed by the Houthis,… pic.twitter.com/MMmDlEaywM
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 14, 2023
Maersk has since denied that one of its vessels was hit by a drone. The Danish shipping company did acknowledge that the Maersk Gibraltar, which was en route to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was targeted by a missile Thursday. "The vessel was not hit," a Maersk spokesperson told Reuters. The crew were also reported safe.
Biden administration official issues stark warning against Hamas' top leader in Gaza
U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan during his Thursday visit to Israel expressed confidence in the Israeli army's capability to hunt down Sinwar. "I think it's safe to say his days are numbered. I also think it's safe to say it doesn't matter how long that takes," he said, multiple outlets reported.
He pointed out that Hamas' most senior official in Gaza has American "blood on his hands" following the killings of several U.S. nationals during the Oct. 7 carnage. "Justice will be served on Sinwar," Sullivan warned.
There are still several American hostages in Hamas captivity in Gaza along with more than a hundred other Israelis and foreigners.
