DAY 92 OF THE GAZA WAR: Chaos in the Security Cabinet, Hezbollah Launches 60 Rockets, IDF Chief of Staff Tours Tunnels Under Khan Younis

Tel Aviv Diary January 6, 2024

REMINDER: Zoom Briefing Tomorrow — Sunday, January 7th 6 PM Israel Time, 11AM East Coast. Invitations will go out in the morning

On Thursday night, the Security Cabinet convened for what was intended to be their initial meeting to discuss strategies for post-war Gaza. Defense Minister Gallant unveiled his plan, which hinges on the premise of a Hamas-free Gaza. Gallant's plan stipulates, “Gaza residents are Palestinian, and therefore, they will be under Palestinian governance. This arrangement is contingent upon the strict condition of no hostile actions or threats being made against the State of Israel.” Galant’s statement sets the framework for future governance and security conditions in the region.

The core of Galant’s plan involves comprehensive Israeli security oversight, coupled with a multinational force spearheaded by the United States, which will primarily handle civil affairs and the physical reconstruction of Gaza. Under this plan, Israel will scrutinize incoming goods to prevent the influx of weapons into Gaza, while Egypt will assume responsibility for managing the crossing. The existing administrative staff will maintain their roles, overseeing day-to-day operations. Galant’s plan was immediately panned by Finance Minister Smotrich, who said the strategy was “more of the same”. Smotrich called for “thinking outside-the-box, which, for him, means reestablishing Jewish settlements in Gaza.

At the meeting, Tzachi Hanegbi presented the National Security Council's plan for Gaza after the war, while Defense Minister Gallant outlined the Defense Ministry’s plan outlined above. The two plans bore similarities. Following their presentations, the floor was opened for comments from the Ministers. However, instead of focusing on the presented proposals, Likud members Regev and Amsalem incited a verbal assault against the Chief of Staff and the military. This caustic criticism was echoed by Ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir.

In response, representatives from the Nation Union Party, notably Gantz, staunchly defended the military. The divergence of focus by the coalition ministers resulted in the meeting concluding without a thorough discussion on post-conflict strategies for Gaza. It's noteworthy that Regev and Amsalem, who are ardent supporters of Netanyahu, are believed to have orchestrated this detour as part of a strategic maneuver. The disruption served two purposes: firstly, to prevent a potential clash over the plans that could jeopardize Netanyahu's government; secondly, as a part of a broader strategy to shift all responsibility for recent events onto the military, absolving Netanyahu of any accountability.

GALANT VISITS NORTHERN COMMAND

During his visit to the Northern Command on Friday, Gallant emphasized that while a diplomatic resolution regarding Hezbollah remains the preferred course of action, the window of opportunity for such a solution is rapidly closing. Gallant likened the situation in the North to an hourglass, with its sands swiftly approaching the bottom, symbolizing the urgency and limited time available for diplomacy.

NASRALLAH SPEAKS AGAIN

Nasrallah gave another speech on Friday, in which he once again threatened Israel with a reprisal for the killing of Saleh al-Arouri, saying that al-Arouri was a personal friend of his. However, Nasrallah also asserted that while he did not want to drag Lebanon into a full-scale war, he was not afraid of an all-out conflict either. Nasrallah added that after the war in Gaza ends, there will be a chance to retrieve some Lebanese land. This was a clear hint that Nasrallah might be willing to concede to an agreement that would include Israel giving up some small portions of lands Hezbollah claims belong to Lebanon, in return for pulling back its members North of the Litani River.

HEZBOLLAH RETALIATES & POTENTIAL NEGOTIATED RESOLUTION

It was a tense day on the Northern border, as Israel awaited Hezbollah’s promised response to al-Arouri’s assassination. We did not have to wait long. At 8:05 AM, my iPhone lit up with red alerts over a great many locations in the North. Some of the sirens blared in locations not near the border, including Mt. Meron where the air force has a radar facility..

A little while later, I was at the i24 studio scheduled to speak about Blinken's visit this week. Before I went on air, there was a second barrage of rockets to a wide range of locations in the North. I was informed that I would no longer be talking about Blinken, but rather, the attacks from Lebanon. Was this Hezbollah’s response the assassination? I thought so, but as I also said, it is impossible to fully anticipate Nasrallah's actions. A few minutes later, Hezbollah took responsibility for the rocket fire and declared it was in response to the assassination. Thankfully, none of the rockets caused damage or wounded anyone. Later in the day, Hezbollah stated this was the first response to the assassination, but not the last. Israel retaliated with aerial strikes on Hezbollah positions, resulting in the deaths of five Hezbollah members today. This brings the total number of Hezbollah fatalities in the current conflict to 152.

Israeli sentiment is predominantly pessimistic regarding the prospects of reaching an accord with Hezbollah. Conversely, American negotiators maintain a more optimistic outlook. One can only hope that the Americans' positive stance proves to be well-founded, but ultimately, only time will reveal the outcome of these complex negotiations.

BACK TO GAZA …

In Gaza, the conflict continued with another day of intense combat. The IDF reported the tragic loss of Lt. Col. Roee Yohay Yosef Mordechay (31), who was killed fighting in the northern Gaza Strip.

In a poignant contrast, the IDF spokesman announced that the Army had successfully dismantled all of Hamas's military infrastructure in the northern region of Gaza. The focus now shifts to the central and southern areas. A significant image was released today by the IDF, showing the Chief of Staff, the head of Shin Bet, and the head of Army Intelligence inside the Hamas tunnels beneath Khan Younis, indicating steady, albeit gradual, progress in the operation.

The Egoz unit, known for their specialized combat skills, has been actively engaged in the fighting in Khan Younis, playing a crucial role in the IDF's efforts in the region. The following depiction was released by the IDF Spokesperson:

The soldiers of the Egoz units of the Commando Brigade, fighting deep within the Khan Younis area, are eliminating terrorists in close-range combat, raiding and attacking terrorist targets and weapon production storage facilities.

During the operation, the soldiers raided a terrorist infrastructure located in a school in the Bani Suheila neighborhood. The soldiers encountered terrorists, returned fire, and eliminated three terrorists who had RPG missiles on their bodies. Additionally, the soldiers raided terrorist infrastructures and found extensive intelligence information about the Khan Younis Brigade.

In the terrorist infrastructure located in a civilian house, Egoz soldiers discovered numerous weapons, grenades, firearms, magazines, and vests used by Hamas terrorists. Some of these weapons were found in a bedroom alongside children's dolls and toys, including games that promote incitement against Israel.

The Washington Post Opinion piece titled, “The Arab world is extending a hand to Israel. Will it reciprocate?,” penned by the former Prime Minister of Lebanon, presents an intriguing perspective. As a member of the Israeli public, still reeling just three months after the October massacre, I believe many of us aren't yet prepared to engage in discussions about a Palestinian state. Our widespread hesitation is a complex issue that even our closest international allies might not fully grasp. Despite the myriad of qualms, I find the article to be thought-provoking and consider it a worthwhile read.

HOUTHIS

The Houthis attacked another ship today and damaged it. They do not seem to be deterred by US and British warnings.

THE HAMAS MONEY TRAIL

One of the best ways of going after Hamas is to starve the terrorist organization of money.  The US State Department is now doing just that, and is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information on Hamas’s financial network.  Here is the State Department’s announcement:

The U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice Program is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the disruption of financial mechanisms of the Foreign Terrorist Organization Hamas.  

Under this reward offer, the Department seeks information on Hamas financial facilitators Abdelbasit Hamza Elhassan Khair, Amer Kamal Sharif Alshawa, Ahmed Sadu Jahleb, Walid Mohammed Mustafa Jadallah, and Muhammad Ahmad ‘Abd Al-Dayim Nasrallah.

Abdelbasit Hamza Elhassan Mohamed Khair, “Hamza,” is a Sudan-based Hamas financier who has managed numerous companies in Hamas’s investment portfolio and was previously involved in the transfer of almost $20 million to Hamas, including funds sent directly to senior Hamas financial officer and U.S.-designated Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) Mahir Jawad Yunis Salah. The network used by Hamza to launder money and generate revenue for Hamas includes Sudan-based Al Rowad Real Estate Development, which the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated as an SDGT in May 2022. Hamza also has longstanding financing ties to al-Qa’ida and Usama bin Laden-linked companies in Sudan.

Amer Kamal Sharif Alshawa, Ahmed Sadu Jahleb, and Walid Mohammed Mustafa Jadallah are Hamas operatives and are part of Hamas’s investment network in Türkiye.

Türkiye-based Alshawa is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Trend GYO and has served as a board member on several Hamas investment portfolio companies.

Türkiye-based Jahleb serves as the Hamas investment portfolio secretary and coordinates various activities for Hamas-controlled companies and Hamas officials.

Türkiye-based Jadallah serves on the boards of several investment portfolio companies.

Muhammad Ahmad ‘Abd Al-Dayim Nasrallah is a longtime Hamas operative with close ties to Iranian entities. He has been involved in the transfer of tens of millions of dollars to Hamas, including to Hamas’s military wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassim Brigades.

On October 18, 2023, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated all five individuals as SDGTs under Executive Order 13224, as amended, which targets terrorist groups and their supporters.

The U.S. Department of State designated Hamas a Foreign Terrorist Organization in October 1997 and an SDGT entity in October 2001.

Rewards may be provided for information leading to the identification and disruption of:

• any source of revenue for Hamas or its key financial facilitation mechanisms;

• major Hamas donors or financial facilitators;

• financial institutions or exchange houses facilitating Hamas transactions;

• businesses or investments owned or controlled by Hamas or its financiers;

• front companies engaged in international procurement of dual-use technology on behalf of Hamas;

• criminal schemes involving Hamas members and supporters which financially benefit the organization.