News Digest — 10/29/24
Cabinet Weekly Sessions Move Underground Amid War Threats
The Israeli government took the extraordinary step Monday (28th) of convening its weekly Cabinet meeting in a fortified underground facility in Jerusalem, marking what security officials called a “new reality” in protecting the country’s senior leadership. The unprecedented relocation from the cabinet’s traditional chamber at the Prime Minister’s office came in direct response to last week’s Hezbollah drone attack on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s private residence in Caesarea and subsequent intelligence warnings of elevated threats against government officials. In a measure reflecting heightened alert status, ministers were notified of the secure location merely hours before the session and were explicitly instructed to arrive without their senior staff – a dramatic break from standard government practice.
Security sources familiar with last week’s drone incident revealed new details about the sophistication of the attack on Netanyahu’s Caesarea compound. The precision-guided drone that struck the prime minister’s bedroom window was part of a coordinated three-drone assault specifically calibrated to penetrate the residence’s defense systems. Debris from the impact was later recovered from the compound’s swimming pool and surrounding security perimeter, according to officials briefed on the investigation who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the ongoing security assessment.
The security establishment’s concerns were further amplified by the filing of severe indictments at the Haifa District Court against seven Israeli nationals from the northern region. The defendants stand accused of operating a sophisticated Iranian intelligence network, marking one of the most significant counter espionage cases in recent years. The charges include wartime collaboration with an enemy entity and transmission of classified information – offenses that carry substantial prison terms under Israel law. State prosecutors have petitioned for extended detention, citing the grave national security implications.
According to the indictment, the alleged operatives functioned within a meticulously structured network under direct Iran oversight, conducting extensive surveillance operations through a two-year period. Their documented activities included systematic intelligence gathering and detailed photography of strategic military assets, including Israeli Air Force bases in Nevatim and Ramat David, the heavily guarded Kirya defense headquarters in Tel Aviv, Iron Dome anti-missile battery deployments, and numerous other classified security installations across the country.
‘We’ve Had Enough:’ After IDF Operation, Gazan Ambulance Driver Says Hamas Embeds In Hospitals
Hamas uses hospitals for terror purposes, an ambulance driver at the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Jabalya in the northern Gaza Strip confirmed while being interrogated by security officials, according to footage published by the IDF on Monday (28th).
In the video, the driver, reportedly apprehended on suspicion of involvement in terror activities, confirms his role as driver and paramedic at the Health Ministry in the Kamal Adwan and Al-Ahli Arab Hospitals.
“Hamas military operatives are present; they are in the courtyards, at the gates of the buildings, in the offices of Kamal Adwan Hospital,” the driver stated. “They operated ambulances to transport their wounded military operatives, and to transport them for their missions, and this is instead of using the ambulances for the benefit of civilians.”
“We, the public in the northern Gaza Strip, are sick of this situation. We have had enough; they (Hamas) are stationed in the hospitals, stationed in the schools,” the driver confirmed.
This comes as the IDF and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) carried out targeted operations in the Gaza hospital to counter terrorist activities in the area. Prior to the operation, the IDF facilitated the evacuation of civilians and made sure that emergency care continued, the military said.
The military noted that within the hospital precincts, Hamas terrorists, some of whom had taken part in the October 7 massacre, have embedded themselves within the Kamal Adwan hospital.
Following operations, troops arrested some 100 terrorists, including some who had tried to flee during the evacuation of civilians from the area.
Within the hospitals, troops located weapons, money used for terror purposes, and intelligence documents, the IDF reported.
The military further noted that throughout the Israel-Hamas War, the terrorist group had used hospitals in order to detain hostages, carry out terrorist activities, and hide weapons.
Your Comrades Are Strengthened When They Hear You’re Recovering
Monday (28th), as part of a week of paying tribute to IDF soldiers wounded in the “Swords of Iron” War, the Chief of the General Staff , LTG Herzi Halevi, visited the Soroka Medical Center in Be’er Sheva.
During the visit, the Chief of the General Staff spoke with the wounded, their families, and the medical teams, expressing his gratitude for their contributions and efforts in the war. Additionally, the Chief of the General Staff presented a certificate of appreciation to the Director of Soroka Medical Center, Professor Shlomi Kodesh.
Chief of Staff Halevi stated, “The path to recovery is no less challenging than fighting on the battlefield. When your comrades are fighting in the field and know that you’re here making progress – it strengthens them. The partnership and connection between the medical personnel, the air squadrons, and the troops in the field – they are our strength. To the medical teams, I hear from the wounded and their families about their feelings regarding your extraordinary contribution.”
“Every part of the chain of treatment, from the first medic in the field to the ongoing support in rehabilitation – you are saving lives,” Halevi said.
Knesset Passes Law Barring UNRWA From Operating In Israel
The Knesset approved Monday evening (28th) with a historic majority of 92 out of 120 MKs, the bill to ban UNRWA activities in the territories of Israel. Only 10 MKs voted against the bill, with the Opposition parties National Unity, Yisrael Beytenu, and Yesh Atid supporting it. The Democrats party abstained.
MK Boaz Bismuth, one of the initiators of the bill statedm “UNRWA terrorists, your story ends, enemies have no right to exist in the State of Israel.”
Shai Rosengarten, chairman of the Im Tirtzu organization, said, “A historic moment for the State of Israel, a very important moment for the Knesset. Since the establishment of the State of Israel, UNRWA has acted as a hotbed of incitement to terrorism instead of caring for the Arabs in Israel and in Gaza. Now the Knesset is finally correcting the distortion. Kudos to Knesset Speaker MK Amir Ohana and coalition chairman MK Ofir Katz for their determination, kudos to the Knesset members who initiated this. Kudos to the chairman and also Yuli Edelstein for the hard work in the committee. After a year’s struggle, justice has finally been done, the people of Israel live!”
According to the bill, the only agreement (from 1967) that allows UNRWA to operate in Israel will be annulled, and as a result, the organization’s activities will no longer be legal in Israel. In addition, any contact between officials from Israel and UNRWA personnel will be prohibited and among others, they will not be given diplomatic visas and economic benefits. The bill also stipulates that any criminal procedure that has or will apply to a UNRWA employee in connection with the crimes they committed on October 7th or in any connection related to the anti-terrorism law will remain valid.
The bill received initial Knesset approval in July.
Later Monday evening (28th), the plenary approved a second bill against UNRWA, which revoked the organization’s tax breaks and diplomatic status and immunities.
UNRWA, which has long been criticized for cooperating with Hamas, has come under increased scrutiny as its workers have been found to have been directly involved in Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
Israel revealed in January of this year that UNRWA staff participated in the October 7 Hamas attacks. It then presented a dossier showing that the UNRWA workers who participated in the Hamas massacre kidnapped a woman, handed out ammunition and actively took part in the massacre at Kibbutz Be’eri where 97 people were murdered.
Last week, the IDF announced that the IAF struck and eliminated the terrorist Mohammad Abu Itiwi, a Nukhba commander in the Al Bureij Battalion of Hamas’ Central Camps Brigade. Mohammad Abu Itiwi has also been employed by UNRWA since July 2022.
On October 7th, Mohammad Abu Itiwi was involved in the murder and abduction of Israeli civilians. Mohammad Abu Itiwi led the murderous attack on the bomb shelter on Route 232 in the area of Re’im in southern Israel.
Last month, Sharif Abu al-Amin, a senior Hamas official in Lebanon and chairman of UNRWA’s teachers’ union in that country, was eliminated in an airstrike in Tyre.
Ayelet Samerano, mother of Yonatan Samerano who was murdered on Oct. 7th and his body abducted to Gaza, told the UN in May that her son was kidnapped by an UNRWA social worker.
Despite the accumulation of proof of UNRWA’s employment of Hamas terrorists, Israel has faced significant international pressure not to pass the bills targeting UNRWA, including from the US. Foreign ministry officials have warned that the move could lead to Israel’s suspension from the UN.
Danon To Security Council: Enough Empty Words, Impose Crippling Sanctions On Iran
Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, on Monday (28th) called on the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on Iran’s military and economic infrastructure and designate the Revolutionary Guards a terrorist organization.
Danon also warned Iran that any further aggression on its part will be met with swift action on the part of Israel.
Addressing Iran’s leaders, Danon stated, “Take this as a warning: Israel has shown restraint, but from here on you will only see strength. Any further aggression will be met with consequences that are swift and decisive.”
Turning to the members of the Security Council, the Israeli Ambassador added, “We call on you to act. Enough empty words. Enough statements of ‘concern.’ The Iranian regime must face real consequences for its actions.”
“We demand immediate and crippling sanctions targeting Iran’s military and economic infrastructure. Designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as the terrorist organization it is, isolate Iran diplomatically, but most importantly: Take the necessary measures to prevent a lunatic regime from obtaining nuclear capabilities,” he added.
“Imagine who will sit here in a few years if, God forbid, they acquire nuclear capabilities. The world cannot afford to ignore the threat Iran imposes. It is no longer a matter of words. It is a matter of action,” stated Danon.
Monday’s (28th) meeting of the Security Council was requested by Iran, following the Israeli strikes on military sites in the Islamic Republic early Saturday morning (25th-26th)
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, referencing his request for the emergency meeting of the Security Council, expressed little hope on Sunday (27th) that the meeting would contribute to de-escalating tensions or preventing Israeli actions in the region.
Israeli Laser Defense Set For 2025 Deployment After $536 Million Expansion
An Israeli laser-based air defense system under development is expected to become operational in mid-2025 the Israel Defense Ministry said Monday (28th), as it announced the signing of a $536 million order to expand its production.
The Magen Or system, more commonly referred to as “Iron Beam” is the laser equivalent to Israel’s better-known Iron Dome system.
“At the outbreak of the war, the Ministry of Defense signed hundreds of orders worth tens of billions of shekels, to strengthen the independence of blue and white production and to build the strength of the Israel Defense Forces,” said Major General (Res.) Eyal Zamir, the Defense Ministry’s Director General.
The ‘Magen Or’ deal is one of the most important deals we have signed, as it heralds the beginning of a new era on the battlefield – the laser era,” which Zamir said “is expected to enter operational service in a year from today. The ‘Magen Or’ deal will ensure the continuation and acceleration of equipping many more laser systems.”
The Magen Or system is designed to intercept a wide range of aerial threats, including rockets, mortars, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and cruise missiles. The plan is to integrate Iron Beam into the Iron Dome system. In the future, an algorithm will determine whether to shoot down aerial threats with a laser or the Tamir interceptors.
Iron Dome’s Tamir interceptor missiles reportedly cost around $50,000 apiece and require replenishing.
However, the 100-kilowatt laser has a range of about five to six miles, which is considerably shorter than that of Iron Dome.
Each laser can engage a single threat at a time, unlike the Iron Dome which can intercept multiple threats, simultaneously.
In 2022, then-prime minister Naftali Bennett said the system would “bankrupt” Israel’s enemies.
“Until today, it cost us a lot of money to intercept each rocket. Today they can invest tens of thousands of dollars in a rocket and we will invest $2 on the electricity for intercepting that rocket,” Bennett said at the time.
The Iron Dome system put Israel on the map with its ability to shoot down short-range threats such as rockets, missiles and mortars.
It was first deployed in March 2011, and the following month, it scored its very first interception.
The primary contractors for Iron Beam’s production are Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Elbit systems, both based in Haifa.
In January 2020, the Israel Defense Ministry announced three different laser programs: a ground-based laser to supplement Iron Dome, a mobile system to protect military units during maneuvers and an aerial system capable of downing threats from above.
This aerial version will give Israel the ability to use lasers against rockets above cloud cover.
Israel’s multi-layered air defenses drew considerable international attention for intercepting a variety of ballistic and cruise missiles and drones launched by Iran and its proxies during the past year.
The Arrow-3 system is capable of intercepting ballistic missiles in space. The system made its first interception when it shot down a ballistic missile fired by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The interception is widely believed to have taken place outside the earth’s atmosphere, which would make Israel the first country to shoot down a missile in space. But Israel has not confirmed that detail.
Other layers of Israel’s air defense system include David’s Sling which is designed to shoot down medium-range threats at high altitudes, and the C-Dome system, designed to protect naval vessels from short-range threats.
