BIDEN’S LETTER TO CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP. The letter highlights the U.S. military’s strengthened posture to support Israel in response to over 200 Iranian missile attacks on October 1, 2024. Key actions include the extension of carrier strike groups, the deployment of additional destroyers and submarines, and the presence of advanced fighter jets like F-35s and F-22s.
‘Historic Defense of Israel’. American forces in the region “contributed to a historic defense of Israel against Iranian threats,” wrote the President.
U.S. Military Will Remain In The Region, wrote the President. In his words: “In this context, I directed the deployment to Israel of a ballistic missile defense system and United States service members capable of operating it to defend against any further ballistic missile attacks.”
Defending American Persons And Interests. The strengthened posture of the U.S. military aligns with presidential responsibility to protect America’s interests, he said. He explained, “I directed this action consistent with my responsibility to protect United States persons and interests abroad and in furtherance of United States national security and foreign policy interests, pursuant to my constitutional authority as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive and to conduct United States foreign relations.”
For more details, see the letter draft here.
HEZBOLLAH TARGETED EARLY MORNING TODAY. The IDF struck an underground Hezbollah weapons depot in Beirut, marking the first attack on the city in days, following a barrage of 50 rockets fired by Hezbollah into northern Israel. The airstrike was preceded by evacuation warnings to minimize civilian harm. IDF forces have also reported intense combat with Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon, destroying numerous weapons caches and killing operatives. [Times of Israel report]
IRAN CONTINUES TO DESTABILIZE REGION, ATTACK ISRAEL. Much of the instability in the region today, including the conflict in Gaza and Lebanon, bears the fingerprints of the Iranian regime. This month, the Saudi newspaper Arab News firmly held Hamas and Iran responsible for the war in the region, bluntly writing that “Iran-backed Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel, triggering war in Gaza.”
Iran Continues Posturing Through Proxies. This reflects Iran’s strategy of using proxy forces to pressure Israel and the U.S. [see latest on Hezbollah, Houthis, and Iraqi militias]. Two new developments: The Iranian foreign minister was in Lebanon recently where he signaled Tehran will continue to use Lebanon to attack Israel, much to the consternation of many Lebanese citizens who do not want to be part of Iran’s war against Israel [see this]. Also, on Tuesday, Hezbollah’s deputy leader released a video message from a hideout promising to continue his terror group’s attacks on Israel using Lebanese soil, while also saying the terror group is ready for a ceasefire [The U.S. said last week this shows Hezbollah weakness thanks to Israeli military action].
Iran recruits Israeli Man To Assassinate Israeli Scientist in exchange for $100,000. The suspect, approached by an Iranian handler, planned to use poison to carry out the assassination. Israeli police uncovered the plot and arrested the man before the plan could be executed, highlighting growing concerns over Iranian attempts to target Israeli figures. [Times of Israel report]
A screenshot from a video released by the Israeli military from a captured Hezbollah bunker in Lebanon [click image to watch the video]
Regime Foreign Minister’s Panic Tour. The Arab media has noticed that Iran is now seeking Arab help to avert possible Israeli attack, which would be in retaliation to Iran’s October 1 missile attack. The UAE’s The National noted that Iran Seeks Gulf Political Support, a Soufan Center report noted that Iran is pressuring Gulf states to help deter Israel, and CNN described it as “urgent diplomacy” by Iran to avoid a strong Israeli response.
ISRAELI ARMY HELPS VACCINATE PALESTINIAN CHILDREN. Working with the United Nations, the Israeli government and military facilitated 64,122 children under 10 to get vaccinated against the Polio virus in central Gaza on Tuesday. So far, 156,943 children were vaccinated during the second round of the campaign. Additionally, 51,727 children received vitamin A treatment this week. These figures are from a post by COGAT, which is the Israeli government’s office for humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Don’t Forget Kfir And Ariel Bibas. Five-year-old Ariel and his baby brother Kfir, who celebrated his first birthday under Hamas captivity in Gaza, were abducted along with their mother on October 7, 2023. As the Israeli military helps Gaza’s children get polio vaccinations, in fulfilling its humanitarian responsibility, there is no information about Ariel and Kfir, and Hamas terror group refuses to say it is providing them with medical care and necessary vaccination.
Read their story here.
