DAY 305 OF THE WAR: Nasrallah Threatens To Keep us Waiting, Drones Strike South of Nahariya, Terrorist Killed in Jenin, Ultra-Orthodox Riot at Draft Office

Tel Aviv Diary, August 6, 2024

Yesterday, Israel eliminated a top Hezbollah commander. In response, today Hezbollah deployed three drones deep into Western Galilee. The drones flew over Nahariya and were fired upon by Israeli missiles south of the city. Debris from the missiles fell onto the road, injuring 13 people. Additionally, six soldiers were wounded by a drone that seems to have crashed on a base.

It is highly frustrating that ten months into the war, we have yet to seriously rethink our strategy for intercepting drones. The Ukrainians are achieving excellent results using guns and an acoustic system to warn of approaching drones. Instead, we have focused on enhancing our high-tech radar systems and Iron Dome, all aimed at intercepting devices that could have been easily taken down with World War II technology.

Until a few years ago, both the Air Force and the Navy were equipped with radar-controlled Vulcan machine guns, but these were since phased out. There has been a decision to reintroduce them, yet it remains unclear whether they are stored somewhere or if we need to purchase new equipment. What is evident is our approach to drone defense needs a rapid and thorough reassessment.

Hezbollah made it clear that today’s drone attack was solely in retaliation for yesterday's assassination, and nothing else.

THE NORTH

Additional attacks occurred throughout the day in the North. For a period tonight, towns in the North, including Nahariya and various communities and villages in the Golan Heights, were advised to stay close to safe spaces. This warning was lifted after an hour. We eliminated additional Hezbollah members this morning, leading to expectations of further attacks on communities near the border.

Two rockets landed near Kiryat Shemonah. While thankfully, there were no injuries, a fire is currently burning in the town.

Today, Hezbollah leader Hasan Nasrallah delivered a speech in which he explained that part of their strategy in delaying attacks in response to the assassination of Fuad Shukr is to make us anticipate and suffer the wait, which he described as part of the punishment. Nasrallah warned that he would broaden the areas Hezbollah will target and specifically warned residents of Haifa to brace for attacks.

Moreover, Nasrallah asserted that their fight aims to prevent Israel from undermining the Palestinian resistance movement, clarifying that their current objective is not to destroy Israel. Nasrallah added that Hezbollah’s response could be coordinated with other groups that oppose Israel or carried out independently. In short, we learned very little from Nasrallah’s speech tonight—other than his clear intent to launch a retaliatory attack, his enjoyment in watching us squirm, and his plan to keep us waiting.

Meanwhile numerous conflicting reports emerging from Iran, including claims that Putin is reportedly pressuring the Iranians to moderate their response. Other reports suggest they have not yet decided how they want to respond. In short, as we wait, we have no idea of their intentions.

JENIN

Today, a significant clash occurred in Jenin involving IDF forces, who were engaged there for 24 hours. According to the IDF, the confrontation resulted in one soldier being seriously wounded and the deaths of 11 terrorists.

The IDF Spokesman released the following statement about today’s incident:

IDF soldiers, along with the Shin Bet and Border Police, conducted a counterterrorism operation starting yesterday afternoon in Jenin and nearby villages in the Menashe Brigade area. During the operation, an Air Force aircraft, directed by the Shin Bet, and forces from the Haruv Reconnaissance Unit and Unit 636 attacked and eliminated four armed terrorists in the Jenin area.

Additionally, Haruv Reconnaissance Unit fighters and the Samaria Regional Brigade's undercover unit engaged in firefights, eliminating seven terrorists and injuring several others. These included armed terrorists, those throwing explosives at the forces, and others attempting to plant explosives in the area.

The forces also destroyed many explosives planted under routes intended to harm soldiers, arrested several wanted individuals, and seized an M-16 rifle. During the operation, an IDF soldier was moderately injured and evacuated to a hospital for medical treatment. The soldier’s family has been informed. The arrested suspects and confiscated weapons were handed over to security forces for further processing.

TERROR ATTACK SOUTH OF JERUSALEM

This morning, at a checkpoint near the tunnels to the South of Jerusalem, passengers on a bus were asked to disembark for a security check. During this process, one of the riders attacked a border Policewoman with a screwdriver. The attacker was neutralized by border police officer at the scene, while the injured border policewoman was lightly wounded.

GAZA

Tonight, Hamas announced that Yahya Sinwar would replace Ismail Haniyeh as the head of Hamas’s Political Bureau. Shortly after this announcement, rockets were fired at Ashkelon and Sderot.

Israeli troops were wounded in the Rafah area today. The IDF spokesperson provided the following description of the event:

In the morning hours, terrorists launched anti-tank missiles at an IDF force operating in eastern Rafah, near the humanitarian corridor. IDF forces are working to locate and eliminate the terrorists in the area.

As a result of the attack, several IDF soldiers were injured to varying degrees and were evacuated to a hospital for medical treatment. Their families have been notified.

Terrorist activities in humanitarian areas and densely populated regions disrupt humanitarian coordination and the distribution of aid from the Kerem Shalom crossing to the residents of the Gaza Strip.

Travel and coordination on the humanitarian corridor have been temporarily halted, as the area is an active combat zone. It should be noted that the Kerem Shalom crossing and all other aid routes are operating as usual.

Those wounded included an Army doctor and an Army medic.

ULTRA-ORTHODOX PROTEST MILITARY DRAFT

Today marked the second day that prospective ultra-Orthodox inductees were ordered to report for pre-draft testing. Only a small percentage of the those summoned actually complied. Instead, violent demonstrators broke into part of the base, disrupting traffic. Police removed them but made no arrests.

Some of those willing to be interviewed likened their experience to the treatment at Auschwitz, while others compared what happened to them as “equivalent to the events of October 7th”. There is simply no way to fully describe how angry such statements make most Israelis. The willingness of these ultra-Orthodox young people to break into Army bases, declaring their rejection of the State, while still living here and accepting government funds, is utterly beyond comprehension.

BILHA INON

The IDF confirmed tonight that the last individual reported missing from Oct. 7 has been declared deceased. The person identified is Bilha Inon, whose remains are believed to be held by Hamas. There is a prevailing concern within the IDF that some bodies in Gaza might never be recovered

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AG DEEMS GOVERNMENT DECISION PROCESS “FLAWED”

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara wrote a serious letter to the government criticizing their decision-making process as flawed and possibly unlawful. Here is an excerpt of what AG Baharav-Miara wrote:

For some time, significant government decisions have being made through flawed work processes. This has been happening without prior professional staff work; with submission of materials for the consideration of relevant parties either prior to or during government meetings, in a manner that does not allow professionals or ministers to fulfill their roles and responsibilities. Furthermore, these decisions sometimes rely on legal opinions from unauthorized individuals, private entities, or the government secretary. The result is a breach of the law and harm to the public.

Attorney General Baharav-Miara also referred to decisions involving the Security Cabinet, which legally must approve military actions that could lead to war. However, due to an utter lack of trust in Ben-Gvir and Smotritch with confidential information, these decisions are not being made within the Security Cabinet framework.

TRAVEL

Additional international airlines have ceased operations to Israel. Air France, British Airways and Iberia, continue to operate flights. Czech Airlines and Wizz Air also maintain service to Israel. Delta has announced that it will not resume flights before September 1. EasyJet suspended their service to Israel until March 2025.

U.S. Central Command Update [August 5]

In the past 24 hours, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed three Iranian-backed Houthi uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen over the Gulf of Aden.

Additionally, USCENTCOM forces successfully destroyed one Iranian-backed Houthi UAS in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.

Separately, USCENTCOM forces successfully destroyed one Houthi uncrewed surface vessel (USV), one Houthi uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) and one Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) in the Red Sea.

These weapons presented a clear and imminent threat to U.S. and coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. This reckless and dangerous behavior by Iranian-backed Houthis continues to threaten regional stability and security.

U.S. Central Command Update [August 6]

In the past 24 hours, U.S. Central Command forces successfully destroyed one Iranian-backed Houthi uncrewed aerial vehicle and two Iranian-backed Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen over the Red Sea.

These weapons presented a clear and imminent threat to U.S. and coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. This reckless and dangerous behavior by Iranian-backed Houthis continues to threaten regional stability and security.

BUSINESS

(Haifa, Israel, August 6, 2024) Elbit Systems Ltd. announced that it was awarded a contract worth approximately $270 million to supply rocket artillery to an international customer. The contract will be performed over a period of 4 years.

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A PIECE OF HISTORY

Bungled Assassination Attempt on Khaled Mashal

Following the Hamas bombing in Jerusalem in July 1997, Netanyahu took decisive action by authorizing an assassination plot in September 1997. This covert operation, carried out by Israel's Mossad in Amman, Jordan, targeted Hamas political leader Khaled Mashal. However, the mission ended in disaster.

Two Mossad agents, posing as Canadian tourists, attempted to assassinate Mashal by spraying a toxic substance into his ear with a specialized device. Initially, there appeared to be no effect, but Mashal quickly became seriously ill. The prompt actions of Mashal's bodyguard resulted in the capture of the agents, causing the operation to fall apart.

The incident elicited a furious response from King Hussein of Jordan, who viewed the assassination attempt on Jordanian soil as a severe breach of trust. King Hussein demanded that Israel supply an antidote to save Meshal's life, under threat of severe diplomatic repercussions. This crisis cornered Israel, forcing it to not only deliver the life-saving antidote but also to release Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, the spiritual leader of Hamas, from Israeli prison, along with other Palestinian prisoners.

This botched operation had far-reaching repercussions for Israel. It severely strained relations with Jordan, one of Israel's few regional allies, and angered the United States, which was working to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace talk negotiations. Canada, outraged by Mossad agents’ use of forged Canadian passports, recalled its ambassador to Israel as a form of protest.

For Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the incident was a multi-faceted disaster, damaging Israel's international standing and failing to curb Hamas terrorism as he had promised. The release of Sheikh Yassin, in particular, was a significant concession. Imprisoned since 1989, Yassin was a powerful symbol for Hamas. His return to Gaza as a free man was seen as a victory for the organization. The entire episode was viewed as a major blunder by Netanyahu's government and the Israeli intelligence services, undermining their credibility and effectiveness in combating Palestinian terror groups.

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