Israel is currently on high alert for a possible attack by Iran, a military source quoted by CNN as saying. The source said Israeli officials are analyzing the situation and Iranian decision-making to determine if and when there will be a response to last week’s Israeli strikes. Israeli strikes against Iranian missile production facilities and air defense have created difficulties for Tehran, reducing its ability to strike Israel and defend itself in the event of future attacks.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards commander Hossein Salami said Israel will receive an “unimaginable response” in response to Saturday’s attacks on Iranian military sites. The statement was reported by Mehr and follows an order from Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to prepare to strike Israel.
In a separate context, a United Nations official has denounced that Israel’s ban on the Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) is a “death sentence” for nearly two million people in war-torn Gaza. Michael Fakhri, the UN special rapporteur on the right to food, has warned of the devastating impact of this law passed by the Israeli parliament, which severely limits UNRWA’s operations in the occupied territories.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Air Force intercepted a drone from Syria overnight. The Israeli military confirmed that the drone did not enter its airspace. In addition, about ten rockets were fired from Lebanon toward Israeli territory; some were intercepted while others fell in uninhabited areas.
Israel has also conducted at least ten airstrikes on the southern outskirts of Beirut, leaving two dead and several injured. Most residents in the area are evacuating due to the bombing, but many are left without alternatives as shelters are already full.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reiterated US support for Israel and its allies in the region against Iranian threats. In addition, the destruction of the UNRWA office in the Nur Shams refugee camp by the Israeli army was reported, severely impacting the essential services provided to Palestinian refugees. Finally, four Thai citizens were killed by rockets fired from Lebanon towards northern Israel.
Something is moving, albeit slowly and hesitantly. During the opening of the winter session of the Knesset, Benyamin Netanyahu announced that “Israel is engaged in an agreement with Hamas” to free “some” hostages in exchange for several days of ceasefire in Gaza.
The Israeli military announced that it has “eliminated numerous Hamas terrorists” in Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip. Operations to evacuate civilians to safer areas are ongoing, the IDF said via Telegram.