Today, Reutersreported on new U.S. intelligence that indicates Hezbollah is already working to rearm and regroup following heavy IDF blows to its terrorists and military infrastructure.
“U.S. intelligence agencies assessed in recent weeks that Hezbollah, even amid Israel's military campaign, had begun to recruit new fighters and was trying to find ways to rearm through domestic production and by smuggling materials through Syria,” the report says.
The assessments note Hezbollah’s longtime use of Syria as a “safe haven and transport hub” for getting weapons from Iran to Lebanon.
Hezbollah’s efforts to rearm and regroup are in direct violation of the recent ceasefire agreement.
The agreement allows Israel to take action to prevent Hezbollah violations, and the IDF has been forced to do so repeatedly since the agreement was reached last week.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made clear yesterday, "We are enforcing this ceasefire with an iron fist, acting against any violation, minor or major."
Tomorrow, the committee created by the ceasefire agreement to monitor Hezbollah’s and Lebanon’s compliance is expected to meet for the first time.
America must stand with our ally as it defends its people against these Iranian-backed threats, ensure it has the resources needed to do so, and increase the pressure on Lebanon and Hezbollah to honor the agreement.
Israeli hostage body recovered from Gaza as Hamas threatens executions if IDF attempts rescue
Today, in a joint IDF and Shin Bet operation, the body of Israeli hostage Itai Svirski was recovered from the Gaza Strip and returned to Israel for burial.
38-year-old Itai was visiting his parents in Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7 — when his parents were murdered, and he was abducted by Hamas and murdered in captivity in January.
During his time in Gaza, Itai was held alongside Noa Argamani, who was rescued by the IDF this summer.
Meanwhile, a Reutersreport from today underscores the murderous nature of Hamas amid Israeli attempts to free additional hostages.
In a statement, Hamas leaders ordered operatives to execute any hostages if the IDF attempts to rescue them. The statement was made as Hamas leaders claimed to have intelligence about an impending Israeli rescue attempt.
IDF releases new footage from tunnel where hostages were held
The IDF released footage today from inside the two tunnels where six other hostages were held until late December 2023: Alex Dancyg, Yagev Buchshtav, Chaim Peri, Yoram Metzger, Nadav Popplewell and Avraham Munder.
All six hostages were executed by their captors as the IDF closed in on their location.
The elaborate tunnel complex — underneath the city of Khan Younis — includes holding cells, living quarters for the terrorists, plumbing and a kitchenette.
In a press conference, IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said, “Its height makes it difficult to stand in, and it is as wide as a mattress. It is cramped… it has no conditions for humans to live in.”
You can watch the IDF video from inside the tunnel here:
Video of the Day: Bipartisan members honor American-Israeli hostage on House floor
Last night, a bipartisan group of House members held a memorial tribute on the House floor for Omer Neutra — the 21-year-old American-Israeli who grew up on Long Island, was taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, and was pronounced dead by the IDF on Monday.
The Neutra family held a memorial service for Omer yesterday morning.
You can watch the 12-minute video of the members’ floor speeches here:
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