Australia / Israel Review

ROCKET AND TERROR REPORT

More than 77 rockets were launched at Israel from Gaza between July 1 and Aug. 12. Three hundred and thirty Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since Israel began its ground offensive there, as of Aug. 12. Counterterrorism raids in the West Bank have led to the deaths of several senior terrorist commanders and operatives, including in drone strikes in and around Tulkarem and Jenin on Aug. 3 and 6 and July 23. 

An Israeli civilian was killed and another injured in a shooting in the Jordan Valley on Aug. 11, while two Israeli civilians were killed and another two injured in a stabbing attack in Holon on Aug. 4, amidst numerous other non-fatal terrorist attacks.

Nine Israeli soldiers were arrested on July 29 amidst allegations of sexual and other abuse against Palestinian detainees at Sde Teiman, a military base where many terrorists captured on October 7 are held. The arrests prompted riots later that day at Sde Teiman and the Beit Lid military base by far-right activists – actions condemned by PM Binyamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi. The Government has since announced that the IDF would phase out the use of Sde Teiman. Four of the arrested soldiers were later released. 

VIOLENCE IN ISRAEL’S NORTH

Hezbollah’s offensive actions along Israel’s northern border persisted, with July witnessing the group’s most lethal attack since the onset of hostilities. On July 27, Hezbollah fired a large Iranian-made Falaq-1 rocket, which struck a soccer field in the Israeli Druze town of Majdal Shams, killing 12 children and injuring 50 spectators.

Hezbollah initially publicised the attack, saying it targeted a military facility, but subsequently denied responsibility. Israel released images of rocket fragments with lettering matching pictures of Falaq rockets, used only by Hezbollah in Lebanon. In retaliation for the attack, Israel targeted and eliminated Fuad Shukr, Hezbollah’s most senior military commander, in a strike in southern Beirut three days later.

On July 27, the Israeli Navy intercepted a Hezbollah drone that appeared to be targeting the Karish offshore gas field in northern Israel. 

Throughout July, Hezbollah and other organisations launched 259 attacks against Israel from Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of 17 Israelis.

ISRAEL STRIKES YEMEN AFTER HOUTHI DRONE ATTACK

On July 19, the Houthis, an Iranian proxy, launched a modified Iranian Samad-3 drone from Yemen that struck Tel Aviv, killing one person and injuring ten. In response, Israel launched an extensive bombing raid against the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeidah. It was the first time, at least officially, that Israel has struck targets in Yemen. 

The Houthis have launched more than 200 missiles and drones at Israel since October 2023. Meanwhile, reports have emerged that Russian military intelligence officers are on the ground in Yemen helping the Houthis and that Moscow was poised to deliver missiles and other equipment to the Houthis.

ISRAEL DEGRADES HAMAS

Israel has killed several senior Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad commanders and officials since June, including Hamas’ military chief in Gaza Muhammed Deif on July 13. After some uncertainty, Israel confirmed on Aug. 1 that Deif had indeed been killed. Hamas’ Khan Younis brigade Commander Rafa’a Salama also died in the strike. 

Hamas’ overall leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Iran on July 31, although Israel hasn’t officially taken responsibility. Hamas announced on Aug. 6 that Yahya Sinwar, its leader in Gaza and mastermind of the October 7 attacks, would replace Haniyeh. 

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant told the Knesset on July 10 that 60% of Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip had been killed or wounded since the commencement of Israel’s operation in Gaza. 

NEW JOINT APPEAL FOR CEASEFIRE DEAL

The ongoing ceasefire-for-hostages discussions between Israel and Hamas appeared to be at a stalemate prior to the Haniyeh assassination, with reports on July 26 revealing that Hamas had rejected a new hostage deal proposal before any official language had even been sent. Israeli negotiators had added a condition that Israeli forces should be entitled to screen Palestinians returning to Gaza’s north to prevent the return of Hamas fighters. Hamas accused Israeli PM Netanyahu of stalling, and was reportedly adamant that Israel must agree to completely withdraw from the strip. In addition, Egypt rejected Israel’s requirement that Israel have a role in controlling Gaza’s border with Egypt to prevent smuggling. 

However, following an Aug. 9 statement from the leaders of the US, Qatar and Egypt imploring the sides to finalise a deal, Israel announced it would send its negotiating team to the talks on Aug. 15 in an attempt to finalise the details. Hamas said it would not send a delegation.

UPDATE ON GAZA AID

According to the Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), 5,283 aid trucks entered Gaza during June, but only 3,414 were collected by aid organisations and distributed. In total, 858,131 tonnes of aid have been delivered to Gaza since the start of the war, as of late July. 

Following the dismantling of the US floating pier on the coast of Gaza, Israel announced that it will replace it with ‘Pier 28’ in Ashdod port to help deliver aid. 

On June 26, Israel announced plans to increase Gaza’s water supply and repair its war-damaged sewage system to alleviate the water crisis and prevent health hazards. On July 3, COGAT confirmed IDF plans to rebuild power lines to restore electricity to a UNICEF-run desalination plant in southern Gaza. 

AL-QAEDA PLEDGES TO WORK WITH IRAN

According to reports, the new leader of the Sunni terrorist group al-Qaeda, Saif al-Adel, is shifting its policy from attacking Shi’ites to reconciling and cooperating with Iran. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has secretly sheltered al-Adel, an Egyptian paratrooper officer, for many years. In late July, al-Adel revealed his new status and called for attacks on Zionist targets in America, Europe, and Israel, while citing a strategic necessity for jihadists to ally with Iran.

IRANIAN ATTACKS ON US FORCES RESUME

On July 25 and 26 and Aug. 5 and 10, Iranian-sponsored militia fired projectiles against bases hosting US-led coalition troops in Iraq and Syria. Seven US personnel were injured in the attacks. This was a renewal of direct attacks on US forces by Iranian proxies after a hiatus in such attacks for nearly three months. 

Meanwhile, US Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines stated on July 9 that Iran has become increasingly influential amongst activists in the US protesting against the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, with actors linked to Iran’s government posing as activists online and Iran also supplying protestors with financial support for their activities. 

CHINA BROKERS VAGUE PALESTINIAN UNITY DEAL

On July 23, the rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas signed a joint statement in Beijing, brokered by China, that endorsed the formation of a unity government for the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Smaller Palestinian groups also reportedly signed the statement. The plan, which does not have a timetable for implementation and faces other hurdles, is to form an interim reconciliation government for both territories. 

In addition, 899 Palestinian terrorists who were captured in Gaza were recognised by the PA as prisoners on June 16, making them eligible to receive monthly salaries from the PA under its “pay for slay” scheme. 

Stranger than Fiction

“Zionists” everywhere!

There is a long, tragic history of Jews being scapegoated for the ills of society. In these more sophisticated times, some instead blame “Zionists”, but it’s clear who they mean. 

Take the virulently anti-Israel Maduro regime in Venezuela, for example. Despite having some of the world’s largest oil deposits, Venezuela has become an economic basket case under the authoritarian socialist rule of Hugo Chavez and his successor, current President Nicolas Maduro, with millions having fled the country to escape poverty and oppression. 

In the July 29 presidential election there, official voting machine receipts released by the opposition show their candidate Edmundo González won around two-thirds of the vote, yet the Government-controlled election authority insists Maduro won. Not surprisingly, unrest has followed. 

So who did Maduro blame for this civil unrest? Zionists, of course. Maduro claimed what he called Venezuela’s “extremist right” was financed by “international Zionism”. “All the communication power of Zionism, who controls all social networks, the satellites and all the power [are] behind this coup d’etat,” he said.

Then there’s the biggest controversy of the Paris Olympics, the participation in the women’s boxing competition of two boxers, including Imane Khelif of Algeria, previously banned by the International Boxing Association for failing gender eligibility tests.

The controversy intensified after Khelif’s first-round Italian opponent retired after 46 seconds, saying she had never been hit so hard. So who did Algerian Olympic and Sports Committee Director Yassine Arab blame for the controversy over Khelif? “The Zionist lobby” of course, saying “they want to break the mind of Imane… They don’t want a Muslim or Arabic girl goes higher in the level of female boxing.”