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
It's the 88th 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.
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
Maersk plans continued Red Sea operations despite recent Houthi targeting
Shipping giant Maersk is still planning to continue operations in the Red Sea despite recent attacks on a Maersk vessel by the Yemeni rebel army.
The company is looking to sail more than 30 container ships through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea following a 48-hour suspension of activities in the area due to the Maersk Hangzhou attacks Sunday.
Iranian-backed Houthi small boats attack merchant vessel and U.S. Navy helicopters in Southern Red Sea
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 31, 2023
On Dec. 31 at 6:30am (Sanaa time) the container ship MAERSK HANGZHOU issued a second distress call in less than 24 hours reporting being under attack by four Iranian-backed… pic.twitter.com/pj8NAzjbVF
'Suspicious' aerial target falls near Israel's border with Lebanon
A "suspicious" aerial target that crossed Israeli territory from Lebanon Tuesday fell near the northern border, local media reported. Alert sirens were activated in the Upper Galilee area. No injuries were reported from the said incident.
Israel considers appointing judge at ICJ for hearing of South Africa case
Israel is considering the appointment of an advocate and international expert to represent it before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) following South Africa's case filed at the court.
Among the people being considered for the job is American Alan Dershowitz, as per Haaretz. Dershowitz has written several books about Israel.
South Africa last week filed a case at the ICJ that accused Israel of committing "genocidal" acts in the Gaza Strip. Israel has since rejected South Africa's "blood libel" move.
Read the full story here.
Houthi official says US 'opened fire on itself' by attacking the Yemeni rebel army
The U.S. "opened fire on itself by hurting the Armed Forces of the Houthis in Yemen," a Houthi official said Tuesday, as per Israel's national broadcaster Kan.
The official's remarks came a day after the U.S. army said it sank three Houthi boats that attacked a Maersk vessel in the Red Sea. The U.S. "will not come out of this in peace," the Houthi official said, as per a Google translation of the report.
Turkey arrests 33 people accused of spying for Israel's Mossad: State media
Turkish authorities have arrested 33 people suspected of spying for Israel's intelligence service, Mossad. Police are searching for 13 other suspects.
Read the full story here.
Israeli forces capture infrastructure within Hamas commander's home
Israeli troops with the 460th Brigade combat team have taken over Hamas infrastructure "located in the house of the commander of the Gaza City Brigade," the IDF said in a statement Tuesday.
The operation was implemented during a raid in the Darj Tupah area in northern Gaza. Israeli forces also found intelligence that linked the central mosque in Darj Tupah to the Oct. 7 massacre by Hamas.
IDF confirms attacks in Syrian territory
The Israeli army confirmed Tuesday morning local time that it conducted airstrikes targeting "military infrastructure belonging to the Syrian Army" as a response to launches from Syrian territory toward Israel on Monday.
In response to yesterday's launches toward Israeli territory, the IDF struck military infrastructure belonging to the Syrian Army.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) January 2, 2024
IDF fighter jets also struck Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure in Lebanon.
The IDF will continue to operate against any threat to Israel's… pic.twitter.com/xSty1eyMkb
Hamas junks ceasefire pre-requisite: Arab report
Hamas has waived its condition of a ceasefire, the Arab World News Agency (AWP) reported, citing Palestinian sources familiar with the discussions. It previously demanded a ceasefire first before negotiations for hostage exchanges resume.
The Palestinian terror group has informed Qatari and Egyptian mediators of its new position, as per the report. Hamas is now reportedly open to freeing 40 hostages for a one-day truce for each abductee released. It also wants 120 Palestinian detainees freed.
The news comes after Axios reported that Hamas delivered a truce deal proposal to Israel through mediators over the weekend, indicating that the Iran-backed group was now ready to restart negotiations for a hostage-ceasefire exchange agreement. Israel reportedly rejected the proposal as it was "totally off base."
Israeli warplanes attack Hezbollah posts in northern Lebanon
Israeli fighter jets "recently" attacked Hezbollah posts in the village of Yaroun in northern Lebanon, the IDF said Tuesday.
מטוסי קרב של חיל האוויר תקפו לפני זמן קצר תשתיות טרור בהן פעלו מחבלי ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה במרחב הכפר יארון שבשטח לבנון.
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) January 2, 2024
במהלך הלילה, צה"ל תקף תשתית צבאית של צבא סוריה בתגובה לשיגורים אמש לעבר שטח ישראל.
בנוסף, זוהו לפני זמן קצר שני שיגורים שחצו משטח לבנון לעבר מרחב שלומי pic.twitter.com/Kfb4CJDgTW
IDF dropped leaflets to warn Syrian forces
The Israeli army dropped leaflets in recent days that warned Syrian forces against cooperating with groups that attack Israel from Syrian territory, local media reported.
Syrian state media reported earlier Tuesday that Israeli airstrikes targeted some areas in the suburbs of Damascus overnight following launches fired from Syrian territory toward Israel Monday.
Kerem Shalom opens for humanitarian aid transfers
The Kerem Shalom crossing, which was previously shut down at the request of the United Nations due to distribution lapses on the Gazan side, opened Monday for inspections and transfers of humanitarian supplies into the Gaza Strip, the Israeli government said.
A total of 163 aid trucks entered the enclave Monday, including 76 that were inspected and allowed entry through the Kerem Shalom crossing.
163 humanitarian aid trucks were transferred to Gaza (Jan. 1).
— COGAT (@cogatonline) January 1, 2024
87 inspected at Nitzana and transferred to Gaza via the Rafah Crossing.
76 inspected and transferred via Kerem Shalom.
Over 50% of the trucks carried food, the rest had water, medical supplies and shelter equipment. pic.twitter.com/bQw0smFx1O
Israeli army uncovers rocket launchers near UNRWA school
The combat team of the IDF's Golani Brigade uncovered several rocket launchers "planted near" a United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) school, the IDF said Tuesday morning local time.
במרחב אל בורייג' צוות הקרב של חטיבת גולני איתרו מספר משגרי רקטות שהוטמנו סמוך לבית ספר של אונר"א pic.twitter.com/KqntxK5ECd
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) January 2, 2024
US airbase in Syria attacked: Arab media
A U.S. military airbase in the countryside of Deir ez-Zor in eastern Syria was attacked Tuesday morning local time by drones and rocket-propelled grenades, Sky News Arabia reported.
The U.S. has yet to confirm the report, but attacks against American army bases and personnel have been increasing in recent weeks.
Israeli tanks withdraw from parts of Gaza City: Residents
Israeli tanks withdrew from the Sheikh Radwan district in Gaza City following 10 days of the "most intense" warfare in the area since Oct. 7, residents said Tuesday.
The tanks also left several other areas in Gaza City, including from the al-Mina district and parts of Tel al-Hawa district, as per Reuters.
Car explodes in Netanya
A vehicle exploded Tuesday morning local time in Netanya, a city in central Israel. One person incurred light to moderate injuries in the blast, according to Israel's national broadcaster Kan.
The explosion marks the second blast in the same area in less than a week, as per the report.
פיצוץ מטען שני בתוך יומיים בנתניה: רכב משלוחים עלה באש, גבר כבן 25 נפצע קל עד בינוני@hadasgrinberg, אורלי אלקלעי
— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) January 2, 2024
(השימוש ביצירות שבעל הזכויות בהן לא ידוע או לא אותר נעשה לפי סעיף 27א לחוק זכויות יוצרים. זיהיתם צילום שלכם? פנו ל-zcuyot@kan.org.il) pic.twitter.com/VamsUw22k5
Israel attacked some areas in Damascus suburbs: Syrian state news
Israeli forces attacked some areas in the suburbs of Damascus overnight, Israel's national broadcaster Kan reported, citing Syrian state-owned outlet SANA. The launches were fired from the annexed Golan Heights, as per the report.
As reported earlier, the IDF said it detected five launches from Syrian territory Monday – a week after the Iranian army said an Israeli airstrike in Syria killed an Iranian senior military adviser.
Hamas sends ceasefire deal proposal to Israel: Report
Hamas has delivered a ceasefire proposal to Israel through Qatari and Egyptian mediators over the weekend, Axios reported Monday, citing two Israeli officials and one source with knowledge of the proposal.
One Israeli official said the offer indicates Hamas is now ready to restart negotiations for a new hostage agreement even with fighting ensuing in Gaza.
The proposal has three phases, in which the first stage will include Israel withdrawing some ground troops in exchange for roughly 40 hostages. Some Palestinian detainees are also expected to be freed under the proposed deal. Israel rejected the proposal.
"The proposal we received from Hamas on Sunday was totally off base and we asked the mediators to try and produce a more acceptable proposal. They are working on it and let's see what happens," one Israeli official told the outlet.
IDF's withdrawal of some troops a move US pushed: Report
The Biden administration has been pressuring Israel to withdraw some of its ground forces from the Gaza Strip, NBC reported Monday, citing a U.S. official.
The revelation comes after the IDF revealed plans to withdraw five brigades – thousands of soldiers – from Gaza. Fighting continues, and the troops will be withdrawn to make sure fighters are well-rested for a longer war, the IDF said earlier Monday.
Some reservists will also be withdrawn as part of the Israeli government's efforts to boost the economy.
IDF expects steady escalation by Hezbollah: Spokesperson
"I think that we're going to see a continued, steady, certain rise and escalation along the Lebanese border promoted by Hezbollah – keeping the level almost where it is now until Israel presents a very clear and credible military threat of action," IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus said in an interview with local i24 News Monday.
His remarks came amid increasing fire exchanges between Israeli forces and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants near Israel's northern border with Lebanon.
'I think that were going to see a continued steady, certain rise and escalation along the Lebanese border, promoted by Hezbollah'
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) January 1, 2024
Lt. Col. (Res.) @jconricus breaks down the conflict in Israel's north and what is to be expected moving forward pic.twitter.com/VPaMkEEwlX
IDF strikes Hezbollah terror cell in Houla after 5 Israeli soldiers injured
Launches from Lebanese territory by Hezbollah Monday injured five Israeli soldiers in the Adamit area in northern Israel, the IDF said.
In response to the attacks, Israeli forces struck Hezbollah infrastructure and military positions in Lebanon. A Hezbollah terror cell operating in the village of Houla in southern Lebanon was also attacked.
A number of launches from Lebanon toward the area of Adamit in northern Israel were identified earlier today. 5 IDF soldiers were lightly injured as a result.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) January 1, 2024
IDF soldiers and aircraft struck terrorist infrastructure, military sites in which Hezbollah terrorists were operating…
Iran sends 2nd notice to US over 2020 killing of Iran's Qasem Soleimani
The Iranian foreign ministry has sent a second official notice to the United States Monday, seeking arbitration over the 2020 assassination of Lt. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, then head of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force in a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad.
Tavakkol Habibzadeh, the head of the center for the Iranian President's Legal and International Affairs, said the U.S. did not respond to the first notice that requested negotiations, state-owned Press TV reported.
Iranian military officials issued contradicting statements last week regarding the Oct. 7 massacre by Hamas in Israel being a vengeance operation for Soleimani's killing.
Israeli army conducts raids along northern border: Local media
The IDF has reportedly conducted multiple raids along the Israel-Lebanon border Monday, local i24 News correspondent Ariel Oseran posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Footage from Labbouneh in southern Lebanon showed the aftermath of Israeli airstrikes near the area.
Video from the village of Labbouneh in southern Lebanon of an Israeli airstrike, amid reports of multiple raids along the Israel-Lebanon border. Earlier, IDF targeted 2 Hezbollah cells attempting to launch drones at northern Israel, and struck additional Hezbollah infrastructure. pic.twitter.com/FAKHgUhxoM
— Ariel Oseran (@ariel_oseran) January 1, 2024
Iran-backed Hezbollah has been steadily increasing its launches toward Israel in recent weeks. The Lebanon-based militant group has said it will continue to attack Israel until it halts military operations in the Gaza Strip.
Iranian Navy sends destroyer to the Red Sea
Iran's Navy has deployed its Alborz destroyer to the Red Sea. The destroyer arrived at the area on Monday through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, according to the semi-official Mehr News Agency of the Iranian government.
The destroyer was deployed as part of the flotillas engaged in regular international water missions, as per the report. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei previously said the Iranian Navy must maintain its presence in international waters.
The news comes as Iran-backed Houthis continue to threaten commercial shipping activities in the Red Sea. The rebel army has also warned that all ships transiting the Red Sea are safe, except Israeli ships, vessels linked to Israel, and those en route to Israeli ports.
A U.S.-led maritime task force has since been established in the area to help deter Houthi attacks.
Multiple launches detected from Syrian territory: IDF
The Israeli army detected five launches from Syrian territory that crossed into Israel Monday evening and fell into open areas, the IDF said. The sources of the launches have since been attacked by Israeli forces.
News of the launches from Syria came a week after Iran vowed that it will avenge the killing of senior Iranian army adviser Razi Moussavi, who was assassinated in an Israeli airstrike in Syria early last week.
Houthis target US warship: Arab media
A Houthi missile targeted an American warship in the Red Sea Monday, Sky News Arabia reported, citing Yemeni military sources.
Two ballistic missiles were reportedly fired toward a U.S. Navy warship near Hanish Island in the southern part of the Red Sea. No damage was caused to the targeted battleship, as per a Google translation of the report.
The sources added that Houthi boats "fired shells from a long distance" at the warship but did not hit. The Yemeni rebel group reportedly denied that an armed clash took place between the parties.
Earlier Monday, pro-Houthi media reported explosions were heard in the Red Sea amid supposed fire exchanges between Houthi boats and an American battleship, as per local media.
