Israel SitRep: April 30, 2024

Today’s Issue: IDF Maps and Destroys Two Terror Tunnels in Gaza’s Beit Hanoun | Israel Increasing Efforts to Bring Humanitarian Aid to Gaza | IAF Carries Out Numerous Strikes in Gaza in the Past Day | Turkish Tourist Who Stabbed Border Police Officer in Jerusalem Is Shot and Killed | Latest FDD Analysis

IDF Maps and Destroys Two Terror Tunnels in Gaza’s Beit Hanoun: The IDF on Monday reported on its operations to “destroy and neutralize” the tunnel infrastructure in Gaza, which are being led by the Gaza Division’s engineering unit. In recent weeks, troops mapped and destroyed two terror tunnels in northern Gaza’s Beit Hanoun, one belonging to Hamas and the other to Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The tunnels, which were under surveillance for an extended period, were both destroyed last week. Neither one crossed into Israel. The report includes footage of engineering work done in the Beit Hanoun area and mapping of the tunnels in preparation for their destruction. It also includes a video taken inside one of the tunnels, as well as footage of the destruction of the Hamas tunnel.

Israel Increasing Efforts to Bring Humanitarian Aid to Gaza: On Monday, COGAT, the Israeli entity coordinating humanitarian aid for Gaza, gave an update on aid efforts, citing a statement by IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari. According to the statement, the amount of aid entering Gaza has increased significantly in recent weeks and will continue to increase in the coming days. Some aid will be going through the port of Ashdod, recently opened for delivery of humanitarian aid, and a new crossing into northern Gaza. The amount of aid coming through Jordan will also be increased. In addition, Israel is coordinating with CENTCOM (U.S. Central Command), which is building a temporary pier in Gaza through the JLOTS (Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore) project, and this is also expected to increase the amount of aid reaching Gaza. Furthermore, Israel will be expanding the humanitarian aid zones in Gaza and streamlining distribution.

IAF Carries Out Numerous Strikes in Gaza in the Past Day: The Israeli Air Force on Tuesday published an update on operations in Gaza. According to the IAF, fighter jets directed by the 99th Division struck a number of terrorist targets in central Gaza in the past day. These included a weapons depot and a terrorist squad. In addition, fighter jets struck and killed a number of terrorists in a location from which projectiles were launched at IDF soldiers. An IAF aircraft also struck and killed a terrorist who was spotted observing IDF troops from a military building. In yet another IAF strike, an aircraft eliminated two terrorists who were moving toward IDF soldiers. Air defense forces yesterday intercepted a projectile fired from northern Gaza at the Israeli town of Sderot, and a short time later, IAF fighter jets attacked tunnel shafts, an anti-tank missile launch site, and terrorist infrastructure in the area from which the projectile was fired from northern Gaza.

Turkish Tourist Who Stabbed Border Police Officer in Jerusalem Is Shot and Killed: On Tuesday afternoon, a Border Police officer sustained light-to-moderate injuries in a stabbing attack near Herod’s Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem. Another Border Police officer shot and killed the perpetrator. Jerusalem District police officers arrived at the scene, carried out searches, and found the knife used in the stabbing. The attacker, age 34, has been named as Hassan Sıklan, a Turkish citizen who entered Israel yesterday from Jordan on a tourist visa. Police are continuing to investigate the attack and are attempting to rule out the possibility that the attacker was working with accomplices.

Latest FDD Analysis:

“Erdogan Needs a Reset with the US but Congress Could Stand in the Way,” Sinan Ciddi and Tyler Stapleton, Ekathimerini

“The Out-of-Control Social Media App Spreading Antisemitism at Columbia,” Antonette Bowman, FDD Insight

“IDF Strikes Hamas Positions in Rafah Ahead of Planned Offensive,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Readying for U.S. Military’s Floating Pier off Gaza Coast for Humanitarian Aid,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief

“The Netherlands Considers Restoring UNRWA Funding, Pending Reform,” FDD Experts, FDD Flash Brief