Iran bombed a spy center for the Mossad in Iraq’s Erbil, Yemen attacked a U.S. ship in the Red Sea, and a Palestinian car-ramming attack took place near Tel Aviv. Meanwhile, Gaza’s Health Ministry warned hospitals are running out of crucial supplies.
Casualties
- 24,285+ killed* and at least 61,154 wounded in the Gaza Strip.
- 387+ Palestinians killed in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem
- Israel revises its estimated October 7 death toll down from 1,400 to 1,147.
- 524 Israeli soldiers killed since October 7, and at least 2,193 injured.**
*This figure was confirmed by Gaza’s Ministry of Health on January 16. Some rights groups put the death toll number closer to 31,000 when accounting for those presumed dead.
**This figure is released by the Israeli military.
Key Developments
- Israel pulls out 36th Division from Gaza Strip as Minister of Defense announces that “intensive stage” of war in north Gaza reached end.
- Hamas releases video confirming death of two Israeli captives during two separate Israeli bombings of locations in Gaza .
- Hamas fires volley of rockets on Sderot settlement and releases video of Hamas fighters attacking Israeli tanks and armored vehicles near Al-Bureij.
- Yemeni Armed Forces, led by Ansar Allah, claims attack on American ship in Gulf of Aden on Monday.
- Iran Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) launches ballistic missiles at spy center run by Israeli Mossad in northern Iraq.
- Israeli military announces one female soldier injured in shooting attack near border crossing with Egypt, claims drug smuggling incident.
- Gaza Ministry of Health says it is “running out of nitrous gas in operating rooms and a severe shortage of other medical gases.”
- Israeli forces bomb houses of Al-Haddad, Al-Sousi, Muznar, and Shamaa families in Gaza.
- Israel transfers and redeploys Duvdevan special unit from Gaza Strip to West Bank.
- Disturbing video emerges of Israeli cold-blooded killing of Muhammad Sayel Abdel Qader Al-Jundi, 38, from town of Yatta, south of Hebron in December.
- Israeli military pulls out entire division from Gaza Strip. The Israeli army withdrew the 36th Division from the occupied Gaza Strip on Monday afternoon, leaving behind the 162nd Division in northern Gaza, the 99th Division in central Gaza, and the 98th Division in the southern region of Khan Younis. Hundreds of Israeli soldiers and military vehicles were seen leaving the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military said the 36th Division would be given a short break and go through a training period, confirming that the war on Gaza would carry on. However, the pullout of the division came as Yoav Gallant, the Minister of Defense, said that the “intensive stage” of the war in north Gaza has reached its end.“ We made it clear that the intensive manoeuvring [sic] stage would last for approximately three months,” Gallant said on Monday. “In southern Gaza, we will reach this achievement, and it will end soon, and in both places, the moment will come when we will move to the next phase,” he added. Gallant said that the 36th Division was pulled out after it achieved its goals of “eliminating hundreds of terrorists” and destroying kilometers of Palestinian resistance tunnels in central and northern Gaza.
Israel’s Genocide War in Gaza Continues
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said yesterday that the “intensive maneuvering stage” of Israel’s military offensive in Gaza will “end soon.” Gallant said Israel’s initial plan in Gaza was a three-month operation after the Oct. 7 attacks, but that the Israeli military adapts its approach “in accordance with the reality on the ground” and its intelligence. It follows the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announcing that its 36th army division, comprising engineering and infantry companies, exited the Gaza Strip last night, marking the most significant indication yet of a shift to a new phase of fighting which Israel has previously promised. Radina Gigova, Ivana Kottasová, and Amir Tal report for CNN.
Gaza urgently needs increased aid or its population will suffer widespread famine and disease, the heads of three major U.N. agencies warned yesterday, as the death toll in the war surpassed 24,000 over the weekend. The agency chiefs said that aid delivery is being hampered by too few border crossings, a slow vetting process, and continuing fighting throughout the territory. Najib Jobain, Samy Magdy, and Tia Goldenberg report for AP News.
A 70 year old woman was killed and 17 others injured in what police say was a terrorist attack in Raanana, Israel, about 12.5 miles north of Tel Aviv. The suspects, two Palestinians from the West Bank, allegedly ran over pedestrians in different locations using stolen vehicles. The woman was killed after being stabbed by a suspect before he and his accomplice took her car, using it to run over others. Raffi Berg reports for BBC News.
Hamas fighters are using weapons from around the world, according to new expert analysis by the Associated Press of more than 150 videos and photos taken since the Oct. 7 attacks. Experts were able to identify features that show where many weapons used by Hamas were manufactured, including in Iran, China, Russia, and Bulgaria, but such analysis does not provide evidence of whether they were supplied by the governments of those countries or where they were purchased.
Hamas said yesterday that two hostages captured on Oct. 7 had been killed in Israeli airstrikes and released footage appearing to show their bodies. An IDF spokesperson cast doubt on the footage, saying at least one of the hostages was not killed by the IDF. Matthew Mpoke Bigg and Adam Rasgon report for the New York Times.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society said yesterday it resumed emergency and rescue services in Gaza city, over two months after Israel’s ground offensive forced it to shut down its hospital and cease operations. A spokesperson for the society said it was able to resume services because the Israeli military is withdrawing from areas surrounding some hospitals in northern Gaza as the IDF focuses its operations on the south. Hiba Yazbek reports for the New York Times.
REGIONAL RESPONSE
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) said it attacked the “spy headquarters” of Israel in Iraq’s Kurdistan region, state media reported last night. The IRGC also said they struck in Syria against the self-styled Islamic State militant group. Iraq’s foreign ministry released a statement condemning Iran’s “aggression,” and said it will take all legal measures against IRGC’s actions. Parisa Hafezi and Timour Azhari report for Reuters.
U.S. RESPONSE
The United Kingdom will ban the Hizb ut-Tahri Islamist group as a terrorist organization after followers allegedly chanted “jihad” at a pro-Gaza rally praising the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks. British Home Secretary James Cleverly said the group is “antisemitic” and “actively promotes and encourages terrorism.” The order was laid before Parliament yesterday and is due to take effect from this Friday, unless it is voted down. In response, the group said it “completely refutes any idea that it is antisemitic or encourages terrorism” and would challenge the proposed ban “using all available legal means.” Dominic Casciani reports for BBC News.
| White House says ‘it’s the right time’ for Israel to scale back Gaza war as fighting hits 100 days |
| Israel has been under growing international pressure to end the war in Gaza, but it has so far been shielded by U.S. diplomatic and military support. Israel argues that any cease-fire would hand victory to Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007 and is bent on Israel’s destruction. But differences with the Americans have begun to emerge. Read more. Biden “running out” of patience with Bibi as Gaza hits 100 days. Biden ‘running out’ of patience with Bibi as Gaza war hits” 24,000 dead Palestinians! Yet he still wants to send Bibi $14billion in weapons. Btw, the ideas we’ve presented to Bibi are insufficient & delusional. All we should say is “stop the bombing now”.“The Biden admin has repeatedly urged Israel to dramatically upscale humanitarian aid, but Israel has refused because israeli leaders want to continue to weaponize mass starvation. Biden’s Gaza policy is a failure of epic proportions—politically, militarily & especially morally.” Khaled Elgindy@elgindy_ A Top Biden Official Is Pushing An Urgent Post-Gaza Plan That’s Alarming Some Insiders Brett McGurk is pursuing a proposal to rebuild the Palestinian territory that focuses on a deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia, U.S. officials told HuffPost. Many say that plan would sow seeds of future instability in the region.“This is what happens when two consecutive administrations make Israeli-Arab normalization the central focus of their Middle East policy: a surreal plan that is totally out of touch with a changed reality in the region.” Gregg Carlstrom @glcarlstom |
IRAN-BACKED MILITANTS
An elderly Israeli woman and her son have been killed in a Hezbollah anti-tank missile attack launched from Lebanon, Israel has said. The missile hit the town of Kfar Yuval on Israel’s northern border. Lipika Pelham reports for BBC News.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said today that the military had carried out a strike in the area of Ayta ash Shab in Lebanon. It did not specify what kind of forces had struck or the location of the operation. The IDF added its aircraft also struck an anti-tank missile launcher in southern Lebanon belonging to Hezbollah. Reuters reports.
MILITARY CONFLICT WITH HOUTHIS
A missile fired by the Iran-backed Houthis struck a U.S.-owned container vessel near the coast of Yemen yesterday, according to the U.S. Central Command. No injuries or significant damage were reported, and the ship is continuing its journey. Sareen Habeshian reports for Axios.
The Houthis will expand its targets in the Red Sea to include U.S. vessels, the group said yesterday. A spokesperson for the Houthis said, “The ship doesn’t necessarily have to be heading to Israel for us to target it. It is enough for it to be American…The United States is on the verge of losing its maritime security.” The Houthis previously said they would only target Israeli ships or ships en route to Israel, in demonstration of its support for Palestine. Hatem Maher and Muhammed Al Gebaly report for Reuters.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the joint U.S.-U.K. strikes on the Houthis were intended as a “limited, single action.” Sunak added that the United Kingdom “will not hesitate to protect our security, our people, and our interests where required.” Becky Morton reports for BBC News.
The vice president of Yemen’s United Nations-recognized government said it warned the United States about the Houthi dangers but “they didn’t do anything.” Major General Aidarus al-Zubaidi said he met with American and British officials at the U.N. General Assembly in September and informed them that the Iran-backed group was rearming during a fighting pause in its longstanding war with a coalition led by Saudi Arabia. Keir Simmons and Natasha Lebedeva report for NBC News.
| Who builds the weapons that Hamas fighters useAn Associated Press analysis of more than 150 videos and photos taken in the three months of combat since Hamas launched its Oct. 7 attack on Israel shows the militant group has amassed a diverse patchwork arsenal of weapons from around the world – much of it smuggled past a 17-year blockade that was aimed at stopping just such a military buildup. Read more. |
| Why this matters:Those weapons have proved deadly during weeks of intense urban warfare in Gaza, where Hamas fighters are typically armed only with what they can carry and employ hit-and-run tactics against lopsided Israeli dominance in arms and technology. |
Palestinians in Gaza “living a disastrous life” after 100 days of war
The growing risk of famine, shortages of clean water and medicine, and unsanitary conditions in Gaza are increasing fears after 100 days of war that hunger, disease and dehydration could begin to kill just as many — if not more — Palestinians than Israel’s military campaign. More than 23,900 Palestinians — 70% of whom were women and children — have been killed in Israel’s relentless bombardment and ground offensive that began after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, according to the Ministry of Health in Hamas-run Gaza. The fighting, Israel’s bombardment and the resulting mass destruction have displaced more than 1.9 million Palestinians — about 85% of the population — putting enormous pressure on the Strip’s already stressed humanitarian and hospital systems. Israel allows only a limited amount of humanitarian aid into the Strip, worsening conditions across the tiny enclave. These realities have made conditions ripe for the spread of infectious diseases. More than 100,000 cases of diarrhea and 150,000 cases of upper respiratory infection, and numerous cases of meningitis, skin rashes, scabies, lice and chickenpox have been reported since mid-October, the World Health Organization said.
Intensifying Israeli Operations Amid Internal Crises.
Israeli operations continue in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, reaching a critical juncture in the conflict with Hamas, with no imminent ceasefire in sight. These operations have focused on confiscating military equipment from Hamas leadership, targeting weapon storage facilities and other key military infrastructures. In the north, Israeli forces reported the elimination of five Hamas members, bringing the total number to approximately 9,000. Concurrently, Hamas released a video of three Israeli hostages taken on October 7, appealing to the Israeli government for their release. Abu Ubaida, spokesman for the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, stated uncertainty regarding the fate of other Israeli hostages in Gaza, suggesting that many might have been killed, and attributing responsibility to Israel. The Israeli War Council faces internal strife, impacting the execution of its war strategy in Gaza. Disputes include budget allocation, war priorities, detainee repatriation, and policies regarding the West Bank and Palestinian workers. Tensions between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Galant are particularly influential, complicating the management of military operations. A recent Israeli Cabinet session, which discussed the 2024 budget encompassing war costs in Gaza, witnessed withdrawals by several ministers amid escalating tensions with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Education Minister Yoav Kisch exited the session following a heated debate with Smotrich, amid discussions on increasing VAT and reducing coalition party funding. The Israeli Shin Bet reported Iranian efforts to infiltrate and manipulate social media targeting families of hostages in Gaza, aiming to incite discord within Israeli society. These operations included photographing homes of Israeli officials and recruiting agents, showcasing Iran’s strategy of influence. Israeli forces conducted a raid on An-Najah National University in Nablus, arresting nine individuals from a Hamas student cell, with additional arrests made in a joint operation between the Israeli army and Shin Bet. The Israeli Defense Minister accused Turkiye of being Hamas’ ‘executive arm’ ‘ following the arrest of Israeli footballer Sagiv Yehezkel in Turkiye for expressing solidarity with Israel during a match. Turkiye alleged that Yehezkel incited hatred, leading to his exclusion from his club. Israeli media reported that most Hamas military leaders have fled Beirut, fearing Israeli assassinations after the drone strike killing of deputy leader Saleh Al-Arouri. Hamas officials relocated to Syria and Turkiye, while Ghazi Hammad sought refuge in Qatar. Al-Arouri’s two sisters were detained in the West Bank.
ARE THE US AND IRAN HEADED TOWARD CONFLICT?
Bottom Line Up Front:
* Iran’s actions against commercial shipping and efforts to support its “axis of resistance” allies are increasing the prospects for direct US-Iran armed conflict.
* Iran and the United States appear to be inching closer toward open warfare, unintentionally, even as officials on both sides try to avoid a broader armed conflict in the region.
* Iran and its regional allies appear to be locked into hardline stances in favor of attacking U.S. and allied interests, and U.S. officials are under pressure to respond forcefully.
* The Houthi movement in Yemen, Lebanese Hezbollah, and Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria are all part of Tehran’s unity of fronts strategy, as Iranian proxies tie their regional actions to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.