Israel and Palestinian Territories

Israel Strikes Hamas Sites in Gaza Strip After Border Unrest 

Israeli airstrikes hit several targets in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, the IDF said, after Palestinian protesters flocked for the 12th straight day to the enclave’s frontier with Israel for demonstrations that have devolved into violent clashes with Israeli security forces. There were no reports of casualties in Gaza from the Israeli airstrikes, but Palestinian health officials reported that Israeli forces shot and wounded 11 protesters during Tuesday’s rioting along the border. The Israeli army said that it used a drone, helicopter, and tank to strike multiple posts in northern and southern Gaza belonging to the Strip’s Hamas rulers in response to what it described as “violent riots” at the security fence between Gaza and Israel.  

Israeli Involvement Suspected in Explosion Believed to Hit Iranian Missile Base 

A suspected explosion rocked the area of the Iranian city of Khorramabad on Monday evening, with some unofficial reports speculating it could have been a sabotage operation in a nearby underground ballistic missile base. Iranian media outlets affiliated with the country’s Islamic regime reported that a “terrible sound” was heard by local residents, who also said the ground had been shaking. However, official reports said later that no earthquake had been recorded in the area, and authorities also denied that an explosion had taken place, adding that the source of the disturbance was being investigated.

Situated some 35 kilometers (22 miles) from Khorramabad is the Imam Ali base, one of Iran’s two underground missile silos, where former President Mohammad Khatami ordered the production of Shahab-3 medium-range missiles — new variants of which have a range of 2,000 kilometers and are thought to be capable of hitting Israel and of carrying a nuclear warhead. 

Unofficial and unverified reports said the operation may have been conducted using attack drones. These, however, remain mere speculation, as no confirmation of an explosion or strike have occurred. Two separate mysterious fires or explosions took place this week at a Defense Ministry Energy Resources Department factory in Tehran. 

Israel Says Foiled Attempt to Target, Spy On Senior Israeli Politicians 

The Shin Bet security service revealed on Wednesday that it had uncovered an Iranian-backed terror cell that attempted to carry out attacks in Israel and the West Bank, including against National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and former Likud lawmaker Yehuda Glick. 

According to a statement from the Shin Bet, three West Bank Palestinians — Murad Kamamja, a 47-year-old resident of Kafr Dan; Hassan Mujarima, a 34-year-old resident of Jenin; and Ziad Shanti, 45 and also of Jenin — were arrested. Two Arab Israelis, Hamad Hammadi, a 23-year-old resident of Nazareth, and Yusef Hamad, an 18-year-old resident of Muqeible, were also arrested. Prosecutors have submitted indictments to the Military Court and Haifa District Court against those involved, listing serious security offenses and charging them with contact with a foreign agent, arson, and aiding infiltrators.  

According to the Shin Bet and Haifa prosecutors, an Iranian intelligence operative based in Jordan tasked Kamamja and Mujarima with smuggling weapons and organizing terror operations in Israel, including plans to set cars and gas stations alight and break the windows of businesses. They were told to ensure that the acts were documented on video, and that they would be paid for carrying out the tasks. They were also tasked with gathering intelligence on Ben Gvir’s and Glick’s security, apparently as part of efforts to harm them. The Shin Bet did not state what such plans entailed but noted that due to the security details of the two men, the suspects did not succeed in that task.  

Kamamja and Mujarima were responsible for recruiting Shanti to advance their plans. Shanti then recruited the two Arab Israelis, who set fire to at least four cars on Ha’Ari Street in Haifa on June 21, 2023. Hammadi and Hamad recorded their acts on video. According to the indictment filed in Haifa, Shanti offered Hamad NIS 1,000 for each car belonging to a Jewish person that he set ablaze. He also asked Hammadi in August 2023 to smuggle cellphones into Israeli prisons and to smuggle individuals from Lebanon into Israel in exchange for payment, but he refused.  

Lebanon and Hezbollah 

Wafiq Safa Gives First Interview to Iranian Media 

Marking the 17th anniversary of the 2006 Lebanon War, Wafiq Safa, the head of Hezbollah’s Communication and Coordination Committee, gave his first interview to an Iranian media outlet: Tasnim News Agency. Regarding the presence of Hezbollah’s tents in Israel, Safa said “Israel initially complained to the UNIFIL forces about the tents set up by the resistance in Lebanese territory and asked them to pressure the resistance to retreat. After witnessing the resistance’s indifference, they resorted to threats and repeatedly extended their deadlines, showing that they lacked the military capability to confront the resistance. Eventually, they also spoke of the necessity of negotiations on this matter. This clearly demonstrates Hezbollah’s deterrent power.”  

Syria 

Iran Using Syria to Ship Drones to Russia 

According to a Ukrainian government document obtained by The Guardian, Iran has diversified drone production through use of a Syrian factory delivering to the Russian port of Novorossiysk. These drones are intended for use against Ukraine. Kiev has recommended to its Western allies that they undertake missile strikes on production plants of these drones in Iran, Syria, and a potential production site in Russia.

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