KEY POINTS
- US denies Houthis' attack claim on 'military cargo ship'
- Iran urges UN to condemn alleged Israeli strikes in Syria that killed 5 IRGC members
- Elon Musk visits Auschwitz following criticism over anti-Semitic posts on X
The war in Gaza has entered its 109th day, and the crisis in the Middle East ensues as the fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas militants triggered instability across the region.
Israel has reportedly offered a two-month ceasefire to Hamas as part of a possible hostage deal that could see all the remaining abductees freed under a multi-phased process.
This comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he rejected a ceasefire-hostage proposal by Hamas, as it demanded a total truce, leaving the terror group intact, and the complete withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from the Gaza Strip.
- Iran is 'very directly involved' in Houthis' Red Sea attacks: US Navy's Mideast commander
- 3 Israeli army commanders of Paratroopers Brigade fall in southern Gaza
- 5 Arab countries working on proposal for normalization of Saudi-Israel relations: Report
- 21 IDF soldiers killed in southern Gaza after militant fired RPG at tank near 2 buildings
- Pro-Iran Iraqi militias claim drone strike at Ashdod port
- IDF launches investigation into 'disaster' that killed 21 reserve soldiers: Netanyahu
- Houthis vow retribution after latest joint US-UK strikes in Yemen
In the tension-packed Israel-Lebanon border, Hezbollah, a Hamas ally and Iran-backed terror group, continues to fire rockets toward northern Israel. The attacks have displaced thousands of Israelis who are pushing the government to reinstate security in the border area.
Over in the Houthi-disrupted Red Sea, the United States and the United Kingdom launched their second joint strikes in Yemen that targeted Houthi assets. The Yemeni rebel militia, another Iranian-backed group, continues to attack merchant shipping lanes in the area, claiming the attacks were in solidarity with Palestinians.
Back in Gaza, Israeli troops are expanding operations in Khan Yunis, the enclave's second-largest city, where the IDF said it found a massive tunnel that was used to house around 20 hostages.
Netanyahu has not wavered despite international scrutiny over Israel's military campaign in Gaza. His resolve draws from the violence-loaded history of the Israel-Palestine conflict that snowballed during the Oct. 7 Hamas massacre. Hamas operatives murdered more than 1,200 Israelis and foreigners, burned down homes in multiple Israeli communities and abducted over 240 hostages, around 130 of whom are still in captivity.
Hamas appears to pin blame on Palestinians over Oct. 7 atrocities
Hamas official Razi Hamed admitted that "mistakes happened" on Oct. 7, adding that the terror group's was not to kill or abduct civilians, Israel's national broadcaster Kan reported Tuesday, citing Qatari media. "Our main goal was military," he said, as per a Google translation.
"When the fence between us and Israel was breached, many people poured in and did what they did," Hamed said, seemingly blaming other Palestinians who entered Israel during Hamas' shock invasion.
Mossad chief offered to spare Hamas leaders: Report
David Barnea, the chief of Israel's intelligence agency Mossad, has offered to Hamas the exile of its senior leaders as part of broader ceasefire talks, CNN reported Tuesday, citing two officials familiar with the discussions.
Barnea's suggestion was reportedly brought up during the meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani earlier this month.
The Qatari leader reportedly told Blinken that the proposal "would never work," in part due to Hamas' doubt that Israel will end its military campaign in Gaza after senior leaders leave the enclave, as per one official.
Sirens sound in northern Israel
Rocket sirens sounded in northern Israel Tuesday morning, local media reported. It is the third time so far in the day that rocket sirens were activated in the region.
Lebanon-based Hezbollah, which is a staunch Hamas ally and Iran-backed terror group, has been firing rockets towards northern Israeli communities since the war in Gaza started.
It also vowed vengeance following the killing of Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri within Lebanese territory weeks ago, which Hamas, Iran and Hezbollah said Israel was responsible for.
Israeli troops complete encirclement of Khan Yunis
Israeli ground forces in southern Gaza have completed encircling Khan Yunis, southern Gaza's main city, the IDF said Tuesday.
אוגדה 98 מבצעת ביממה האחרונה מתקפה נרחבת בחאן יונס.
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) January 23, 2024
צוותי הקרב של חטיבת הצנחנים, חטיבת גבעתי וחטיבה 7 השלימו את כיתור חאן יונס ולוחמי עוצבת הקומנדו העמיקו את ההתקפה ללב המרחב, אשר משמש כמרכז כובד של חטיבת חאן יונס בארגון הטרור חמאס>> pic.twitter.com/6zak4sCu5D
The news comes after the Israeli army suffered its highest personnel losses since the war started when a total of 24 soldiers were killed Monday in the Gaza Strip.
Rescue operations after buildings collapsed on soldiers 'took a long time': Local media
The rescue operations that were carried out after two two-story buildings collapsed on 21 Israeli reserve soldiers Monday "took a long time," local i24 News correspondent Pierre Klochendler reported Tuesday.
He also revealed that the incident that killed the soldiers took place "in an area where there is low intensity fighting."
'It occurred in an area where there is low intensity fighting...600 meters away from the Israeli border'
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) January 23, 2024
i24NEWS Correspondent @P_klochendler brings us details on the deadliest incident since the #Gaza ground operation began pic.twitter.com/mKbopUz8UV
The IDF's chief spokesperson, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, earlier said that a militant fired at a nearby tank where reserve fighters were planting explosives on two buildings for demolition.
Houthis vow retribution for latest US-UK strikes
Yemeni Houthi rebels on Tuesday vowed that the latest attacks on its assets will be avenged, saying the joint U.S.-UK forces launched "18 air strikes" toward different areas across Yemen. Among the attacked governorates were Taiz and Sana'a, the Iranian-backed rebel group said.
"These attacks will not go unanswered and unpunished," Houthi spokesperson Yahya Sare'e said in a statement.
The U.S. military said the Monday strikes were "part of ongoing international efforts to respond to increased Houthi destabilizing and illegal activities in the region."
U.S. Forces, Allies Conduct Joint Strikes in Yemen
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 22, 2024
As part of ongoing international efforts to respond to increased Houthi destabilizing and illegal activities in the region, on Jan. 22 at approximately 11:59 p.m. (Sanaa / Yemen time), U.S. Central Command forces alongside UK… pic.twitter.com/BQwEKZqMAo
Israeli army launches probe into deaths of 21 soldiers: Netanyahu
The Israeli army has launched an investigation into "the disaster" that killed 21 soldiers in southern Gaza Monday, Netanyahu said. He said Israel "must draw the necessary lessons and do everything to preserve the lives of our warriors."
As reported earlier, the IDF announced the deaths of 21 reserve soldiers during a demolition operation in southern Gaza. Three Israeli army officers were also killed in southern Gaza earlier Monday.
War cabinet minister calls for unity after 'terrible disaster' in southern Gaza
War cabinet minister Benny Gantz on Tuesday called for unity among Israelis after the IDF said 21 soldiers were killed in the "terrible disaster" Monday in southern Gaza when a militant's RPG fire collapsed two buildings the reservists were preparing for demolition.
"On this difficult morning, we must be united, remember the heavy price we are forced to pay for such a just war and the lofty goal for which our heroes fell – to secure our future, to return our daughters and sons, and to take care of Israel forever," he said in a Google-translated statement on X.
Iraqi pro-Iran group claims it hit Israeli port
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella organization of pro-Iranian Iraqi militias, on Tuesday claimed that it launched a drone attack at the Israeli port of Ashdod, Arab media reported.
Israel has yet to confirm the report.
Israel's defense minister grieves 'painful morning' after IDF's losses
Yoav Gallant on Monday expressed grief during a "difficult and painful morning" for the Israeli army following the IDF's announcement that 21 of its soldiers were killed in southern Gaza on Monday.
"The fall of the fighters is a requirement to achieve the goals of the war," he said, as the ongoing war is one "that will determine the future of Israel for decades to come."
21 Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza: IDF
Hagari on Tuesday said a total of 21 reserve soldiers were killed Monday afternoon in southern Gaza, in addition to three announced earlier in the day, marking the highest single-day losses among Israeli personnel since the war started.
Hagari announced the news in a televised statement Tuesday morning, revealing that two buildings, which were being prepared for demolition, collapsed on Israeli forces when a militant fired a rocket-propelled grenade at a military tank nearby.
IDF Spox. Daniel Hagari delivers statement after 21 soldiers killed in action in #Gaza pic.twitter.com/0oHX8i6akW
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) January 23, 2024
Earlier in the day, the IDF added 3 Israeli officers were announced to have been killed in southern Gaza, all of them with the Paratroopers Brigade.
Musk visits Auschwitz concentration camp
Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter) and CEO of Tesla, visited the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland on Monday, where he lit a candle during a ceremony that raised awareness about the horrors of the Holocaust.
His visit comes after criticism of his alleged tolerance of anti-Semitic posts on X.
Peace matters. Elon Musk and Little 𝕏 visit Auschwitz pic.twitter.com/ktVz7hX9Ug
— Tesla Owners Silicon Valley (@teslaownersSV) January 22, 2024
5 Arab countries at work on Saudi-Israel normalization in exchange for Palestinian state: Report
Five Arab nations are working on a proposal for a post-war Gaza that would ultimately lead to Palestinian statehood in exchange for normalized Saudi Arabia-Israel relations, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday, citing Arab officials.
The proposal has been submitted to Israel through the United States, Israel's top western ally that has repeatedly said it believes a two-state solution would resolve the turbulent Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Late last week week, Netanyahu publicly rejected the creation of a Palestinian state, saying it "collides with the idea of [Israeli] sovereignty."
3 IDF officers killed in southern Gaza
The Israeli army has lost three officers in fierce battles against Hamas militants in the southern Gaza Strip, the IDF announced late Monday. All three were from the 202nd Battalion of the Paratroopers Brigade.
- Maj. David Nati Alfasi, 27 – deputy battalion commander
- Maj. Eli Levy, 24 – a company commander
- Capt. Eyal Mebaruch Toito, 22 – platoon commander
Three soldiers have fallen in battle in Gaza. They are:
— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) January 22, 2024
🕯️ Maj. David Nati Alfasi, 27
🕯️ Maj. Ilay Levy, 24
🕯️ Cpt. Eyal Mevorach Twito, 22
May their memories forever be a blessing 💔 pic.twitter.com/7rKF81M2bE
The news comes amid intensifying battles between Israeli troops and Hamas operatives in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza's main city and the known hometown of Yahya Sinwar, Hamas' top official in the enclave.
Iran 'very directly involved' in Houthi attacks: Top US Navy commander
Iran is "very directly involved" in Houthi attacks against shipping lanes in the Red Sea, Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, the U.S. Navy's top Middle East commander told AP Monday.
"Clearly, the Houthi actions, probably in terms of their attacks on merchant shipping, are the most significant that we've seen in two generations," he said in a telephone interview, but he stopped short of saying whether Iran directed individual attacks by the Yemeni rebel militia.
He also acknowledged that growing threat from Iran's "proxies" and its weapons distribution activities have extended not just within Red Sea areas but out in the wider Indian Ocean.
Iran's FM urges UN to condemn Israel's alleged attacks in Syria
Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian late on Monday called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to strongly condemn Israel's alleged "unlawful use of force and provocative military acts," including the supposed "targeting of Iranian military advisers" in Syria during the weekend, as per a copy of the letter sent by Abdollahian to UN chief Antonio Guterres that Iran's semi-official Mehr published.
Iran has accused Israel of carrying out a strike in Damascus Saturday that killed five members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
US denies cargo ship was attacked by Houthis
Yemeni Houthi rebels on Monday claimed that they attacked M/V Ocean Jazz, which the group described as a "military cargo ship."
The U.S. Nava Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) denied this claim hours later, saying the said vessel had a "safe transit" in the Red Sea.
The Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists' report of an alleged successful attack on M/V Ocean Jazz is patently false. NAVCENT has maintained constant communications with M/V Ocean Jazz throughout its safe transit.
— U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet (@US5thFleet) January 22, 2024
Houthis have been focusing attacks on U.S.-owned or U.S.-linked vessels in recent days after attacking multiple merchant ships since Nov. 19 that it claimed were either Israeli vessels, ships linked to Israel, or those headed for Israeli ports.
US, UK launch 2nd joint strikes in Yemen
The allies on Monday launched their second joint strikes in Yemen that specifically targeted Houthi assets in the country.
Among the assets struck were a Houthi "underground storage site and locations associated with the Houthis' missile and air surveillance capabilities." The allied nations previously said their strikes were meant to cripple the Yemeni rebel group's capabilities in attacking Red Sea shipping lanes.
Read the full story here.
IAF warplanes attack Hezbollah building in Lebanon
Warplanes of the Israeli Air Force (IAF) on Monday attacked a paramilitary building "where terrorists from the terrorist organization Hezbollah were staying" in the Maroun al-Ras area, the IDF said.
מטוסי קרב של חיל האוויר תקפו במרחב מארון א-ראס מוקדם יותר היום מבנה צבאי בו שהו מחבלים מארגון הטרור חיזבאללה. לאחר תקיפת המבנה ניתן לראות פיצוצי משנה רבים המעידים על המצאות אמצעי לחימה במקום>> pic.twitter.com/6McjVeJbPJ
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) January 22, 2024
"Many sub-explosions" followed the strikes, "indicating the invention of weapons on the spot," the IDF added. Other Hezbollah assets were targeted earlier in the day, in the areas of Marvin, Tayba, Tir-Kharfa and Shehin.
The attacks came following rocket launches detected from Lebanese territory toward Israel earlier in the day.
Israel offers proposal to Hamas for 2-month truce: Report
Israel has offered Hamas a proposal through Qatari and Egyptian mediators that includes a ceasefire of up to two months, Axios' Barak Ravid reported early Tuesday, citing two Israeli officials.
New: Israel has given Hamas a proposal through Qatari and Egyptian mediators that includes up to two months of a pause in the fighting as part of a multi-phase deal that would include the release of all remaining hostages held in Gaza. My story on @axios https://t.co/bvqiAi8JrM
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) January 22, 2024
The offer is part of a possible multi-phased agreement that could see the release of all remaining abductees in the Gaza Strip. The report added that Israel's war cabinet approved the terms of a new hostage deal proposal 10 days ago, as per the officials.
The first phase of the Israeli-proposed deal would see the release of women, men aged 60 and beyond, and abductees suffering critical medical conditions, the officials said. In the next stages, female captive soldiers, non-military men under the age of 60, and male soldiers will be freed. It will also include returning the bodies of hostages.
For a period of up to two months, the two sides will agree in advance regarding the number of Palestinian detainees to be freed in exchange for an Israeli hostage in each of the categories. Separate talks will be conducted on the names of the prisoners for release.
Hamas has yet to respond, but the officials said Israel is "cautiously optimistic" that progress may be made in negotiations in the coming days.
