Due to the security events unfolding in Gaza and likely Israel, I'm starting a thread where all relevant information on the actions of Palestinian militant organizations & the IDF will be posted here. Academics, journalists & government officials are welcome to use this material.
Hezbollah has issued a statement mourning the death of PIJ commander al-Jabari. The group extends its "deepest condolences and sympathy to the brothers in the Islamic Jihad movement." Hezbollah also expressed support for the actions PIJ will take in response to the killings.
The IDF has targeted a rocket launch site in Khan Yunis.
My latest piece on today's security event unfolding in Gaza.
Rumors say PIJ and other Palestinian factions will respond to Israel's military operation at 9 p.m. local time which is 8 minutes from now. The 9 p.m. time is symbolic due it coinciding with the time rockets would be launched under the orders or former PIJ commander Abu al-Atta.
Palestinian militant groups have begun their response. Red Alerts have been issued for Ashkelon and Ashdod.
Major response ongoing by Palestinian militant groups.
Iron Dome Tamir interceptors launched in response to rocket attack from Gaza.
Iron Dome Tamir interceptors launched tonight.
Red Alert issued south of Tel Aviv.
Rockets launched by Palestinian militant groups in Gaza towards Israel.
A missile barrage fired by Palestinian militants in Gaza towards Israeli communities a short time ago.
Sirens can be heard in Tel Aviv as rocket alerts have been issued just south of the city.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad statement: "As part of its initial response to the crime of assassinating the great commander, "Taysir al-Jabari" and his martyred brothers... Saraya al-Quds bombarded Tel Aviv, the central cities and its surroundings with more than 100 missiles."
A rocket fired from Gaza a short time ago towards Israel.
The bodies of several Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants killed today in an IDF targeted operation.
Barrage of rockets fired by Palestinian militants from what appears to be a civilian area in the Gaza Strip.
Ahskelon under rocket alert.
Much of today's events stem from the uptick in militant activity in the West Bank led by Islamic Jihad. @FDD's @LongWarJournal has been closely monitoring the activity since last yr. I invite those who are interested to read our reports to understand what's led to this conflict.
View from Gaza where rockets fired by Palestinian groups are intercepted by Iron Dome Tamir interceptors.
My initial observation regarding the rocket fire that began hours ago: At the moment it is led by Palestinian Islamic Jihad in support of smaller militant groups. It appears Hamas isn't operationally active in the fighting, maybe lending support by other means.
That can change at any moment. But for now, there has not been any statements made by Hamas' so-called military spokesperson, Abu Obedia.
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There is strong evidence that Muhammad Darwish, who was labeled as a journalist/cameraman killed by Israel in late 2023, was also a member of Hamas and took part in the invasion of southern Israel on October 7.
Other open-source evidence demonstrates his likely affiliation with Hamas. Darwish pictured below in his younger days.
There is a saying about the company that a person keeps.
🧵I took a look at some of the Palestinian prisoners Israel will release in the ceasefire deal in exchange for hostages held in captivity. Some of the prisoners are extremely dangerous individuals convicted for acts of terrorism.
Thabet Mardawi:
Affiliated with Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Offenses: Throwing an IED, membership in a terror org., committing serious bodily harm, manufacturing an IED, attempted murder, linked to committing a crime, linked to intentionally causing death, murder by hostile acts, services to an illegal organization, support for terrorism.
Tamer al-Mirawi:
Convicted of intentionally causing death, membership in an unrecognized organization, attempted murder, harm to the security of the area. Sentenced to life in prison.
Shadi Abdul Sami Suleiman Zaid Al-Kilani:
Convicted for membership in an unrecognized organization, attempted murder - hostile acts and murder by hostile acts.
The Israeli military declassified intelligence on a commando raid that destroyed an Iranian-funded and supported underground compound for manufacturing precision missiles in Syria:
On September 8, 2024, over 100 Shaldag commandos raided an underground compound in Masyaf, Syria. The target was a facility used to manufacture precision guided missiles for Hezbollah and other Iran-affiliated groups in the region.
The compound was a flagship project for Iran's efforts to arm its proxies on Israel’s northern border, the IDF said.
During the operation, Israeli forces reached critical machinery for manufacturing precision missiles, including a planetary mixer, numerous weapons, and intelligence documents, which were transferred for investigation.
Commandos destroyed the compound and safely returned to Israeli territory.
IDF footage showing the destruction of the compound:
A graphic showing the entrance and guarding positions of the underground compound:
Israel warned it will target Houthi leaders following a more than year-long campaign of drone & missile attacks. This raises the question: who comprises the Houthi's leadership?
Below is an overview of Houthi leaders by, @LongWarJournal & @FDD.
Abdul Karim Amiruddin Husayn Al-Houthi: Minister of interior, director of the executive office of Ansar Allah.
Ali Husayn Badruddin Al-Houthi: Son of founder Husayn Al-Houthi, deputy minister of interior, and de-facto commander of the Rescue and Central Security Forces.
A notable event occurred in Lebanon today: For the first time in this war, Israel eliminated a senior Fatah/Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades member in Lebanon. He is identified as Khalil al-Maqdah. Israel accused al-Maqdah of orchestrating weapons smuggling to the West Bank under the direction of the IRGC.
Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades issued a statement mourning the death saying he was martyred in a cowardly assassination operation carried out by treacherous Zionist aircraft on Sidon..while he was performing his duty in the struggle within the Battle of the Flood of Al-Aqsa.
Khalil's brother, Mounir, who is a Fatah leader in Lebanon & involved in orchestrating terrorist activities in the West Bank, said that his brother was a “a brigadier general in the Fatah movement, and was responsible for supplying the resistance inside Palestine."
The attempted suicide bombing in Tel Aviv, claimed by Hamas & Islamic Jihad, produces a lot of questions. Both actors felt compelled to claim responsibility despite the attack failed. The attempt is a one-off either. There have been attempts to carry out bombings earlier this yr.
So far, the perpetrator has yet to be named by the groups. There is no video testament of the bomber claiming responsibility for the attack, nor has there been evidence produced by the groups to support the claim.
That being said, Hamas and Islamic Jihad may not want to release any details so as to not give the Shin Bet information this early in the investigation. The possibility of Iranian or Hezbollah assistance in this attempt should not be discounted either.