Day 93 of Gaza War: Hezbollah Did Significant Damage to IAF Warning Base,Violence in the West Bank, Aharon Barak to Asked to Judge Hague Case Against Israel

Tel Aviv Diary, January 7, 2024

The fighting continues on all fronts. Some of the focus today shifted to developments in the West Bank. Last night, a patrol of Border Police soldiers was ambushed by an IED in Jenin, resulting in the death of one soldier Sgt. Shay Germay 19, and injuries to several others.

A drone was deployed to assist in their extraction and the safe retrieval of their vehicles. In the ensuing operation, seven terrorists were killed. This morning, an Arab-Israeli resident of East Jerusalem was shot in the West Bank. A woman in a car that followed was wounded during the attack.

Later in the day, a car-ramming attack occurred on the outskirts of Jerusalem, injuring a pedestrian. Soldiers at the scene immediately neutralized the driver. Tragically, a woman and a three-year-old child who were in the vehicle nearby were killed by the soldiers’ fire. There must be a better way.

AIR FORCE RADAR FACILITIES DAMAGED

The Army censor has authorized disclosure that Hezbollah’s attack on Mt. Meron yesterday caused damage to the Air Force radar facilities located there. While information of this incident was already circulating on social media yesterday, it had been subject to censorship. Hezbollah launched 60 rockets and missiles at the base, which is positioned within anti-tank missile range from the Lebanese border. The base's proximity to the border presents a significant challenge, as there is limited effective defense against these line-of-sight missiles. The Air Force put in place alternative systems to ensure there were no gaps in coverage of the skies near Israel.

IN THE NORTH

The North faced 15 additional rocket attacks today. In response, Israel conducted further air raids in Southern Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of eight additional Hezbollah members. The Army spokesman emphasized that the IDF’s objective is to render it untenable for Hezbollah's Radwan fighters to remain safely positioned near the border. One of Hezbollah’s rockets struck a hotel in Metullah. Fortunately, as the town of Metullah was evacuated weeks ago, no injuries were reported.

WAR IN LEBANON?

Today's Washington Post article, titled “Israel’s Talk Of Expanding War To Lebanon Alarms U.S.,” suggests that U.S. sources believe Netanyahu may consider expanding the war into Lebanon for political reasons. Although I acknowledge that prolonging the conflict in Gaza could serve Netanyahu's interests, I am skeptical about the likelihood of him instigating an all-out war with Hezbollah purely for political gain. Netanyahu is aware of the potential costs of an all-out war in the North, and would likely only take such drastic action if absolutely compelled by Hezbollah's aggression.

Moreover, even if the decision was made that there is no choice but to go to war with Hezbollah eventually, the Israeli Army is currently not in an optimal state for such a conflict. Our finest units have been engaged in Gaza for nearly three months. The Israeli military is not structured for prolonged warfare, and before any consideration of engaging on an additional front, there is a critical need to rest and re-equip our troops. Furthermore, before engaging with Hezbollah, there's a necessity to produce more interceptors for the Iron Dome, and preferably, get our laser defense systems operational.

This is not to say that Israel would be incapable of responding if Hezbollah forces our hand. However, a fundamental principle of warfare is to engage only when at our strongest. Frankly, we are not in that position right now, nor are we inclined to fight a two-front war. On Yom Kippur in 1973, we were forced into such a situation — that war was not a matter of choice.

BACK TO GAZA …

IDF forces revisited the Shuja'iyya area of Gaza City, which the army previously declared as cleared. During this operation, we uncovered a previously undetected tunnel network belonging to the Islamic Jihad. A unit was promptly dispatched back to the location. They entered the tunnels, which were also utilized as launch sites for rocket attacks, gathered vital intelligence data, and subsequently destroyed the tunnel network.

The last northern area to come under IDF control was Deraj Tufah. Here's a compelling narrative from the army spokesperson detailing the combat engagements in that region:

The combat team of the Nachal Brigade, operating under Division 162, has been active in recent weeks in the Deraj Tufah area in the northern Gaza Strip. During their operations, guided by intelligence from the Intelligence Corps, the combat team, along with special forces, located a strategic pit of the Hamas terror organization, leading to a 100-meter-long tunnel housing a weapons manufacturing site.

As part of the focused intelligence effort around these manufacturing sites and precision components, components were found that prove Hamas terrorists, under Iranian guidance, learned how to operate and build precise components and strategic weapons, accumulating technological knowledge in this field.

During the raids, many terrorists were eliminated in close-range combat with the brigade's soldiers and in attacks by the brigade's fire array using remotely piloted aircraft and combat helicopters.

In Khan Younis and the central camps the Army continues to make slow but steady progress. Here is another Army spokesman account:

As part of their operations, the combat soldiers of the Kfir Brigade in Khan Younis eliminated dozens of terrorists and destroyed over a hundred terror targets, including terrorist infrastructures, observation posts, and anti-tank positions. Additionally, the forces destroyed several underground pits and tunnels in the area.

During the forces' operation in the Bani Suheila neighborhood, the soldiers encountered a cell of five terrorists. The forces directed an aircraft from the Air Force and, in coordination with ground fire, eliminated the cell. After the exchange of fire, the forces destroyed nearby terrorist infrastructures, where the terrorist cell had been hiding and observing the movements of the forces.

Throughout the raids, the forces discovered numerous weapons, including firearms, grenades, explosive charges, and RPG missiles. These weapons, used by the Hamas terror organization, were partly hidden in UNRWA sacks.

In a separate operation, engineering equipment destroyed an operational command center of the Hamas terror organization, which the terrorists had used to plan the attack on October 7.

Despite apparent substantial progress in the region, reports are suggesting that as many as 150,000 civilians have returned to areas in Northern Gaza from which Israeli forces have withdrawn. It is highly likely that among these returning civilians, terrorists have also infiltrated back into these areas.

THE HOUTHIS

There are unconfirmed reports tonight that a mysterious explosion in Iran damaged 16 boats of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. Some of the damaged boats contained weaponry designated for the Houthis.

THE HAGUE

South Africa has officially accused Israel of genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza at the International Court of Justice. A hearing regarding this accusation is scheduled for Thursday and Friday in The Hague. Addressing the question of why South Africa is the complainant: in matters of alleged genocide, any nation has the right to file a complaint. The current South African government is known for its strong pro-Palestinian stance.

Proceedings at the court can extend over several years. However, the court is also empowered to issue interim orders, such as issuing mandates to preserve evidence, or ordering a country to stop committing genocide. Additionally, the International Court of Justice has the authority to demand an immediate cessation of hostilities, which is an outcome Israel strongly wishes to avoid. Consequently, Israel is approaching this case with utmost seriousness, and is preparing to present a robust defense on Friday.

To substantiate a charge of genocide, two key elements must be proven: intent and actions. Regarding intent, the South African prosecution plans to cite statements from several Israeli ministers, such as the Minister of National Security Ben-Gvir and Minister of Finance Smotritch, who have advocated for the removal of Palestinians from Gaza. Israel's defense is expected to argue that these ministers do not make policy decisions.

In terms of actions, the South Africans are likely to present the mounting number of casualties in Gaza as evidence of genocide. In response, Israel plans to demonstrate its efforts to minimize civilian harm, such as warning civilians to vacate areas prior to attacks and seeking prior approval from military legal advisors to ensure the legality of their actions. Israel will argue that by using civilians as cover, it is Hamas that is committing crimes.

In an intriguing aspect of these international legal cases, both the prosecuting and defending countries are allowed to appoint a judge to the panel—if none of the existing judges are from their respective countries. In this instance, Israel has chosen to exercise this right to appoint a judge. Prime Minister Netanyahu has selected Aharon Barak, the 87-year-old former Chief Justice of Israel’s Supreme Court, for this role.

Netanyahu’s decision is particularly noteworthy given recent history. Right-wing factions have spent the last year ruthlessly criticizing Barak, accusing him of being an “activist” responsible for the Supreme Court's overreach, which they sought to overturn through their judicial reform efforts. Despite being subjected to frequent protests right in front of his apartment, Barak has responded affirmatively to the request for his assistance from the very government that has been demonizing him. Barak’s willingness to serve, despite these circumstances, underscores his commitment to Israel, to justice, and to the legal process.

TODAY’S ZOOM BRIEFING