The IAF struck Hezbollah’s weapon-smuggling routes near the crossings at the Syrian-Lebanese border on Thursday night, the IDF announced on Friday.
The strikes are said to have significantly depleted the capabilities of Hezbollah’s Unit 4400, which is in charge of weapons smuggling.
The IDF referred to the strike as part of its efforts to dismantle weapon-smuggling routes used by the Syrian regime in the Syrian-Lebanese border over the past few weeks.
Infographic showing the location of the IDF’s strikes on Hezbollah weapon’s smuggling routes (credit: IDF)
Hezbollah’s terror infrastructure
The IDF added that Hezbollah, with the support of the Syrian regime, takes advantage of civilian infrastructure to carry out terrorist activities and smuggle weapons with the purpose of harming Israeli civilians.
Additionally, the IDF stressed that it will continue to eliminate threats to Israel that violate the outlines of the ceasefire agreement, and will not allow Hezbollah to rehabilitate.
Egypt has tabled a new proposal for a phased cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip, involving an Israeli military withdrawal from Rafah and a temporary ceasefire lasting 60 days.
Egypt has laid out a new proposal on the table that includes a phased cessation of fighting in the Gaza Strip. According to the proposal, the Israeli military will withdraw from the Rafah crossing alongside a declaration for a temporary ceasefire lasting 60 days.
About a week after the temporary ceasefire takes effect, a process to return Israeli hostages who are still alive will begin. Concurrently, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners will be released from prisons in Israel.
Nonetheless, during the 60-day ceasefire, Israel will maintain a military presence in Gaza. According to the plan, the Rafah crossing is expected to be handed over to the management and supervision of the Palestinian Authority.
Overnight, Axios reported that Israel had conveyed an updated outline for a deal to Hamas through Egypt at the beginning of the week. This includes hostage releases and a ceasefire in Gaza.
Israeli senior officials stated that the updated outline was agreed upon in a discussion convened by Prime Minister Netanyahu on Sunday with several senior ministers and heads of security forces. The principles of the updated plan were conveyed to Egyptian intelligence officials, who presented them to Hamas representatives during talks held in Cairo on Monday and Tuesday.
The report also mentioned that the updated outline includes Israeli readiness for a ceasefire of between 42-60 days. Additionally, it includes the release of all female hostages, all male hostages over 50, and hostages in severe medical condition.
An Israeli official noted, “The Egyptian and Qatari mediators believe Hamas might now agree to a hostage-release and ceasefire deal.”
By WALLA!Updated: DECEMBER 5, 2024 08:40Illustrative image of Hamas terrorists.(photo credit: Canva, MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images, YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH 90)
Israel has given to Hamas, through Egyptian mediators, an updated version of a ceasefire deal proposal that involves the release of the remaining 100 hostages, two Israeli officials said.
Attempting to leverage regional and international shifts—including the elimination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in mid-October, the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah in Lebanon, and President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration in late January—the updated version of the proposal mirrors previous similar efforts while emphasizing the implementation of the first phase of the deal from August.
“The Egyptian and Qatari mediators believe Hamas might now agree to a hostage-release and ceasefire deal, even if it is partial,” one Israeli official noted.
Key points of the new proposal were finalized during a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, involving senior ministers and several security chiefs. These points were passed to Egyptian intelligence, who then presented them to Hamas representatives in Cairo.
“Egypt is currently the primary negotiation channel with Hamas, although Qatar is also involved,” Israeli officials stated.
Former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar on the backdrop of hostage posters. (Illustrative) (credit: FLASH90/CANVA)
The new proposal offers a ceasefire with Hamas lasting 42 to 60 days. During this period, the Gazan terror organization would release female hostages, male hostages over 50, and hostages in critical medical condition.
Israel, which initially demanded the release of 33 individuals in these groups, has adjusted its expectations, citing assessments that some hostages may no longer be alive.
Notably, the proposal maintains Israel’s readiness to release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including those serving life sentences, in exchange.
Israel awaits Hamas response
“We are waiting for the Egyptians to inform us of Hamas’s response,” an Israeli official remarked concerning Hamas’s stance on the updated proposal. “Within a few days, we will know whether Hamas is willing to negotiate within the framework we presented or not,” he added.
If Hamas responds positively, an Israeli delegation will travel to Cairo to finalize details such as the ceasefire duration, the number of hostages to be released, and which Palestinian prisoners will be freed.
In Washington, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer met with President-elect Donald Trump’s National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.
“The President-elect supports a deal for the release of hostages and a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, provided it is acceptable to Israel.” a Trump advisor said, adding, “Trump wants such a deal to move forward quickly, without delay, and before January 20.”
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told Sky News that he is in contact with Trump’s advisors on the matter.
“We have heard from Trump’s advisors that he wants the hostage issue and the Gaza ceasefire resolved before he takes office. We hope both sides understand this message,” he said.
