The IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi and the head of the Shin Bet Ronen Bar held a briefing on the ground in southern Lebanon yesterday. The IDF is pressing ahead with its operation to clear terrorists and terror infrastructure from villages and areas along the border area.
Halevi vowed that the IDF would continue acting against Hezbollah and Hamas in Lebanon until its war goal of enabling Israeli citizens to return safely to their homes in the north is achieved. More than 80,000 Israelis have left the area since Hezbollah started firing rockets into Israel on October 8, 2023.
This morning, the IDF announced that it killed another commander in Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force who led the terror army’s anti-tank missile unit, while the air force struck a Hezbollah weapons armory with terrorists inside.
In the south, Israeli fighter jets intercepted a drone reportedly launched from Iraq. The drone triggered air raid sirens throughout Ashkelon and nearby towns. Backed by Iran, terrorists in Iraq have previously used drones to attack Israel as well as U.S. bases in the region.
A rising wave of terror attacks from the West Bank has prompted the IDF to call up additional units to reinforce security in central Israel, including along the West Bank barrier, amid increasing threats of terror attacks from the West Bank into Israel. The Palestinian Authority has lost security control in major areas of the West Bank to Iranian proxy groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
As Israel confronts Iranian proxies on multiple fronts, its political and military leaders are preparing a significant and direct response to Iran itself for its unprecedented ballistic missile attack on October 1. I encourage you to watch and share the 2-minute video recap below, highlighting Iran’s attack, the remarkable Israeli defense capabilities made possible through our work together, and the need for America’s leaders to ensure the regime faces severe consequences.
Wishing you a meaningful Yom Kippur observance. I will share more updates later this weekend as developments unfold.
Cory Meyer
Deputy Director of Communications
One Year of Hezbollah Attacks
Tuesday marked one year since Hezbollah launched its war against Israel, escalating the conflict and turning Hamas’ massacre into a regional war.
Since then, the Jewish state has faced near-daily attacks from Lebanon — including attempted infiltrations and more than 12,400 rockets, missiles and drones, an average of a launch every 45 minutes for the entire year.
Hezbollah launched more than 400 rockets and missiles at northern Israel this week alone. A Hezbollah rocket strike on Kiryat Shmona killed two Israelis on Wednesday.
Israel has responded with a series of significant strikes in Lebanon and Syria to degrade Hezbollah, including a strike that killed Hashem Safieddine, the recently appointed leader of Hezbollah.
Safieddine was a U.S. specially designated global terrorist and is the third Hezbollah leader killed in the past three weeks.
The United States must continue to stand with Israel as our ally acts to defend itself. Congress must reject any efforts to block, delay, or conditions weapons shipments to Israel.
Terror Attacks in Israel
Amid daily rocket barrages from Iran-backed terror groups on multiple fronts, Israelis are also facing persistent terror attacks on their streets:
Last week, two Hamas operatives from the West Bank city of Hebron killed seven people at a light rail station in Jaffa. Several others were wounded in the attack.
On Sunday, an Israeli was killed and ten others were injured when a terrorist opened fire at a bus station in Beersheba.
On Wednesday, six Israelis were injured in a stabbing terror attack in the northern city of Hadera. The terrorist attacked civilians in four different locations around the city. One of the victims has died of wounds sustained in the attack.
As required by the bipartisan Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum Act (SHIP Act), the Energy Information Agency released on Wednesday a report on Iranian oil exports.
The report found that Iran's revenue from petroleum exports and sales more than tripled over the last three years from $16 billion dollars in 2020 to $53 billion in 2023.
The report also found that as much as 89% of Iranian crude oil and condensate exports last year went to China.
The revenue Iran generates from its illegal oil exports, in violation of U.S. sanctions, fuels its regional aggression and funds terrorism around the world.
The United States must urgently increase the pressure on the Iranian regime, including by fully enforcing sanctions as required by law. Sanctions under the SHIP Act targeting ports and refineries that knowingly process Iranian oil go into effect later this month.
Qatar Must Be Held Accountable
As Iran and its proxies fire ballistic missiles at our ally and attack U.S. troops, Iran's president says Qatar is working to release $6 billion to the Iranian regime.
The report comes after Qatar hosted a meeting between Iran’s president and Hamas leaders.
A Treasury Department spokesperson denied the report. "The funds remain restricted, and we have strong assurances from our partners that they are not now moving."
Meanwhile, Qatar's Al Jazeera network published a comedy skit mocking the October 7 massacre.
A new report by a team of U.S. and Israeli intelligence professionals found that, "Qatar operates not as an independent mediator as it claims, but benefits directly from the bloodshed and geopolitical fallout and unrest that result from its policies" and "Qatari funding and policies led directly to October 7."
Oppose anti-Israel resolutions to stop weapons to Israel
Senators Bernie Sanders, Peter Welch, Jeff Merkley and Brian Schatz introduced resolutions to block vital weapons shipments to Israel.
These dangerous resolutions are meant to erode Israel's security, undermine the U.S.-Israel alliance, and weaken America and our ally.
As Iran and its proxies attack Israel, these senators want to leave it vulnerable and alone.
ACTION NEEDED: Urge Congress to reject these dangerous resolutions.
This week marked marked the first anniversary of the worst terror attack on Israel in history. One year later, Israel is still fighting to defend its families.
One year ago, Hezbollah joined this war by launching rockets indiscriminately at Israeli cities and towns. 12,000+ rockets later, Iran's terror army is still attacking Israel.
The White House: "There will be consequences, severe consequences, for [Iran's] attack, and we will work with Israel to make that the case."
There are still 101 hostages in Hamas captivity. #StandWithIsrael
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