Israel-Hamas Conflict: Iran Reportedly Says Oct. 7 A Vengeance Operation For Commander's 2020 Assassination

Gaza resident says Hamas 'has their hands on UNRWA': Recording

A recording of what the IDF says was a phone call between an IDF officer and a Gaza resident indicates that United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) employees are working with Hamas.

"Hamas has their hands on UNRWA administration workers, and it manages UNRWA," the Gazan tells the Israeli army officer in the phone call, as per a translation by the IDF.

When pressed for more details by the officer, the resident says Hamas provides for its people first. The officer asked the resident why he did not inform UNRWA workers about Hamas supposedly prioritizing its members' needs before those of the Gazan public. "The administration workers in the agency (UNRWA) are Hamas (operatives)," he said as per the recording.

International Business Times cannot independently verify the accounts in the recording.

Hezbollah says it fired rocket barrage toward Rosh Hanikra

Hezbollah said Wednesday that it fired a salvo of at least 18 rockets toward Rosh Hanikra, a kibbutz in northern Israel, local media reported.

The Iran-backed terror group said it was targeting an IDF post near a Navy base in the area. Of the said number of rockets, at least six were intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome system and there were no immediate reports of damage to infrastructure or injuries.

Oct. 7 massacre one of retaliatory responses to Soleimani's assassination: IRGC

The Oct. 7 massacre of more than 1,200 people by Hamas was one of the operations that was carried out to avenge the 2020 assassination of Qasem Soleimani, then commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) foreign arm, the Quds Force, Arab and Israeli media outlets reported, citing the Iranian army's primary branch

Soleimani was assassinated by U.S. troops "at the direction of" former President Donald Trump early in 2020. The drone strike that targeted Soleimani also killed several other people who were on a convoy with the Iranian senior general en route to the Baghdad international airport, the Iranian military said at the time. Iran promised to avenge Soleimani's death

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Iran will deliver 'decisive response' at the right time for IRGC adviser's assassination: Defense minister

Iranian defense minister Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Ashtiani on Wednesday said the assassination of Seyyed Razi Moussavi, a senior IRGC adviser, will be avenged, as per the semi-official Mehr News Agency.

The "helpless" move of killing Moussavi "will not go unanswered, and at the right place and time, a decisive response will be given" to Israel, Ashtiani said according to the report.

The Iranian military announced Monday that Moussavi was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Syria. He was described as "one of the most experienced advisers" of the IRGC's foreign arm, Quds Force.

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Israeli army asks Bureij camp residents to evacuate

The Israeli army on Wednesday published a notice asking residents of the Bureij refugee camp to evacuate immediately to shelters in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza.

As reported earlier, the IDF confirmed that it is operating in three camps in central Gaza, including in the Bureij area.

Sirens sound near Israel's northern border

Rocket sirens sounded in towns near Israel's northern border with Lebanon Wednesday, local media reported.

Hezbollah has been increasing the frequency of its attacks toward Israel since the seven-day ceasefire collapsed early this month.

Hezbollah says one member killed in Israeli fire exchange

The Iran-backed terror group Hezbollah announced Wednesday morning local time that one of its members was killed during an exchange of bombardment with Israel, Arab media reported.

Iranian president to visit Turkey in January for expected Gaza talks: Report

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi will travel to Turkey on January 4 for talks that will "likely" focus on the war in Gaza, Reuters reported Wednesday, citing a Turkish official.

The news came after Raisi's Turkey trip in November was canceled due to a conflict in schedule between officials who were supposed to meet then.

While Turkey has consistently criticized Israel's offensive in Gaza, it has also retained commercial ties with the country, drawing criticism from Iran and other opposition factions.

3 killed in Israeli airstrike: Lebanese media

Three people were killed in an Israeli airstrike that targeted a building in Bint Jbeil, northern Lebanon, Lebanese media reported Wednesday local time.

The IDF has yet to confirm if it carried out an airstrike in the said area. Israeli media referred to Bint Jbeil as a Hezbollah stronghold.

Sirens sound in Gaza border communities

Rocket sirens sounded Tuesday morning in communities near Israel's southern border with the Gaza Strip, local media reported.

IDF operating in 3 Gaza refugee camps: Local media

The Israeli army has confirmed that it is operating in three refugee camps in central Gaza, local i24 News reported Wednesday morning local time, marking the "first time" the IDF confirmed reports regarding its operations at the Bureij, Nuseirat and Maghazi camps.

US, Israel talk 'different phase' of the war

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer Tuesday to discuss a "different phase" of the raging war in Gaza.

Among the key points discussed were steps to further improve humanitarian aid efforts for Gaza civilians and how Israel can "maximize focus on high-value Hamas targets."

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Kerem Shalom crossing shut down upon UN request

The Israeli government announced Tuesday night that the Kerem Shalom crossing, which was opened to increase the flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, has been shut down "at the request of the UN (United Nations)" due to "logistic constraints on the Gazan side of the crossing."

As a result of the crossing's closure, only 83 humanitarian aid trucks entered Gaza Tuesday.

Hamas mapped IDF positions and trained operatives to focus on weak points: Report

Ahead of its Oct. 7 carnage in Israel, Hamas successfully mapped the locations of IDF military positions then trained its agents to target the weak points of the sites, The Jerusalem Post reported Wednesday, citing a military source.

The raid on Israel was implemented with Hamas knowledge of which areas were under weak surveillance and where military posts had issues, the report added. They knew specifically of the security lapses of an IDF base located just several kilometers from Israel's southern border with Gaza, the source said.

War could go on 'for many months': IDF chief

IDF chief of staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said Tuesday that the war could ensue "for many months," signaling Israeli army's unwavering stance despite increasing pressure from the international community to agree to a ceasefire.

"There are no magic solutions, there are no shortcuts in dismantling a terrorist organization, only determined and persistent fighting," he reiterated.

Israeli warplane intercepts drone in the Red Sea

An Israeli Air Force (IAF) warplane intercepted a "hostile aerial target" in the Red Sea Tuesday. The drone was on its way to Israeli territory, the IAF said.

Freed twin toddlers changed after Hamas captivity: Mother

Sharon Aloni-Cunio, whose twin daughters Emma and Yuli, 3, were held hostage with her by Hamas for 51 days, revealed the change her children displayed after their time in captivity.

Before they were taken to Gaza by Hamas operatives who raided Israel on Oct. 7, the twins didn't throw tantrums and got along well. "Now they're screaming about everything, throwing fits, constantly asking, 'Where's Daddy? Why aren't they bringing him back?'" she said.

In tears, she said she couldn't imagine the conditions the remaining 129 hostages were in. Her husband, David, remains in captivity, along with her brother-in-law. She said her husband was being kept "in sub-human conditions, without proper clothing" during the cold season.

"For me, life didn't go on from the moment they separated me from David," she said when asked how she has been since she was freed during the seven-day truce that collapsed after Hamas refused to release more women and children.

Senior Hamas member killed in Israeli airstrike: Palestinian media

Khamis al-Najjar, a member of Hamas' legislative council, was killed Tuesday by an Israeli airstrike, Palestinian media reported.

Najjar was in his home in Khan Yunis when his house was struck, multiple Gaza outlets reported. The Israeli army has yet to confirm the reports.

3 soldiers, all from an elite battalion, fall in Gaza

The Israeli army lost another three soldiers with its Givati Brigade in fierce battles in the northern Gaza Strip early Wednesday, the IDF said on its tribute page for fallen soldiers.

• Lt. Yaron Eliezer Chitiz, 23 – deputy commander in the Shakked Battalion
• Sgt. Itai Bouton, 20 – fighter in the Shakked Battalion
• Sgt. Ephraim Yachman, 21 – fighter in the Shakked Battalion

The IDF's Shakked Battalion is an elite battalion in the Givati Brigade founded in 1984 that seeks to continue the legacy of the brigade's elite Shakked unit, which was first established in 1955 to protect the southern border.

Hamas systematically stealing aid for Gaza civilians: IDF spox

There's a lot of food entering the Gaza Strip, but Hamas is either stealing the supplies or the humanitarian aid is "stuck" inside UNRWA facilities, IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus said in an interview Tuesday.

The food "isn't reaching the people who need it" because there is "a systemic effort by Hamas to steal these supplies," he said. The Israeli army spokesman added that there are accounts of "brave Palestinians" who tried to take back the supplies from Hamas.

He said the IDF has obtained some voice recordings of Palestinians "speaking up" about how "UNRWA is collaborating with Hamas and that Hamas is stealing the humanitarian supplies."

When pressed further about the allegation, Conricus said a Palestinian informed an Israeli officer that "UNRWA workers" were cooperating with Hamas, allowing operatives to enter UNRWA facilities and take food "that is intended" for Gaza civilians.

Gaza plunged into another communications blackout

Telecoms providers in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday night announced another communications blackout across the enclave.

Internet outage tracker NetBlocks said the latest connectivity blackout "is consistent with previous internet and telecoms blackouts and is likely to leave most residents offline."

Biden talks hostage release efforts with Qatar's Emir

During the Tuesday phone call between Biden and Al-Thani, the two leaders discussed "the urgent effort" to free all the remaining hostages being held by Hamas, "including American citizens," according to a White House statement.

They also talked about efforts to facilitate a sustained and increase flow of humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza.

Israeli army has capabilities to see Hamas members across Gaza: Netanyahu

The Israeli prime minister on Tuesday night warned Hamas that the IDF has "eyes in the sky" and there are ground troops on the battlefield who sometimes move beneath the ground, as per a statement from Netanyahu's office.

He made the remarks during a visit to the IDF's Intelligence Unit wherein he was briefed about the Israeli army's intel system that uses "intelligence gathering technologies of the various strata." The system also uses artificial intelligence powered by "augmented reality visors that present a three-dimensional view of the Gaza Strip."

"We say to the terrorists: we see you and we will reach you ... we will fight to the end, with the help of the most advanced technology," he said.

Authorities investigating blast near Israeli Embassy in India

Investigations are underway following a blast near the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi Tuesday night, authorities said. The area where the explosion occurred is being inspected, but it has since been reopened to the public.

No staff members were injured or killed during the blast, authorities added.

The news came amid a spike in anti-Semitism around the world since the Oct. 7 massacre by Hamas.

US shoots down Houthi missiles and drones in the Red Sea

U.S. assets, including the USS Laboon destroyer, shot down 12 one-way attack drones, two land attack cruise missiles and three anti-ship ballistic missiles launched by Houthis in the southern Red Sea Tuesday, CENTCOM said.

No ships were damaged and no injuries were reported during the 10-hour period that the Yemeni rebel army fired missiles and drones, as per the U.S. military.

Houthis claim responsibility for MSC vessel attack

The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) on Tuesday night said the MSC UNITED VIII was attacked while it was transiting the Red Sea. The ship informed the U.S.-led maritime coalition about the attack and "engaged in evasive maneuvers" as instructed by the task force.

The shipping company said UNITED VIII was en route to Pakistan from Saudi Arabia. All crew are safe and the attacked ship is being assessed to determine damage if any.

Shortly after MCS released a statement, Yemen's Houthi rebel army claimed responsibility for the attack that was carried out using "appropriate naval missiles," as per a series of posts on X by Houthi spokesperson Yahya Sare'e.

He also noted that the Houthi rebel group will continue operations both in the Red and Arab Seas "against Israeli ships or those heading" to Israeli ports.

MSC said it will continue re-routing its ships initially booked for transiting at the Red Sea as its main priority was to ensure the safety of its seafarers.

9 soldiers injured while attempting civilian rescue after Hezbollah church attack

Nine Israeli soldiers were injured in a Hezbollah missile attack targeting a Greek Orthodox church in northern Israel Tuesday, IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a statement.

He said the soldiers responded to the area after Hezbollah fired an anti-tank missile from Lebanon toward the church, injuring two Israeli civilians. The nine soldiers were wounded after Hezbollah launched another missile during the evacuation of the civilians.

Shortly after the two launches, Hezbollah "then fired at Israel from next to a mosque in Lebanon," Hagari said, adding that such tactics follow "the same extremist and dangerous ideology as Hamas."

He said Hezbollah's war crimes were apparent as the terror group was "indiscriminately attacking places of worship just like Hamas." Finally, he warned that Hezbollah's actions were "risking the stability of the region for the sake of Hamas."