Iran Update, September 7, 2024

Key Takeaways:

• Gaza Strip: The IDF Air Force (IAF) conducted three airstrikes targeting Hamas command and control centers in Gaza City and Deir al Balah since CTP-ISW’s last data cut off on September 6. One airstrike in Deir al Balah killed PIJ’s eastern Deir al Balah Battalion commander Hatem Abu al Jedian and PIJ’s southern Deir al Balah Battalion commander Abdullah Khattab.
• Ceasefire Negotiations: CIA Director Bill Burns said on September 7 that whether Israel and Hamas accept a new ceasefire proposal will be determined by political will.
• Northern Israel: Iranian-backed militias, including Lebanese Hezbollah, have conducted at least 13 attacks into northern Israel since CTP-ISW’s last data cutoff on September 6.
• Yemen: US Central Command (CENTCOM) destroyed one Houthi drone and one Houthi “support vehicle” in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen on September 6.

Gaza Strip

Axis of Resistance objectives:

Erode the will of the Israeli political establishment and public to sustain clearing operations in the Gaza Strip
Reestablish Hamas as the governing authority in the Gaza Strip
The IDF Air Force (IAF) conducted three airstrikes targeting Hamas command and control centers in Gaza City and Deir al Balah since CTP-ISW’s last data cut off on September 6.[1] The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that the IAF struck command and control centers in the Amru Ibn al Aas school and Halima al Saadia school in Gaza City. An IAF airstrike on September 6 targeting a Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) command center in Deir al Balah killed two PIJ battalion commanders.[2] The IDF reported that the airstrike killed PIJ’s eastern Deir al Balah Battalion commander Hatem Abu al Jedian and PIJ’s southern Deir al Balah Battalion commander Abdullah Khattab. Khattab led a group of PIJ fighters in an attack in southern Israel on October 7.[3]

The al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades—the self-proclaimed militant wing of Fatah—claimed one rocket and mortar attack targeting Israeli forces around the Netzarim Corridor on September 7.[4] The IDF has operated around the Netzarim Corridor in recent weeks in order to expand IDF control over territory along the corridor.[5]

CIA Director Bill Burns said on September 7 that whether Israel and Hamas accept a new ceasefire proposal will be determined by political will.[6] Burns said that he had hoped to have a “more detailed” ceasefire agreement to propose to Israel and Hamas in the coming days and said that the remaining “10%” of the deal contains the most challenging obstacles. Israel, Hamas, and international mediators have not resolved opposing demands relating to the hostage-prisoner release and the presence of Israeli forces along the Philadelphi Corridor.[7] US officials have also recently questioned Hamas’ willingness to reach a deal after its execution of six Israeli hostages.[8] Israeli Army Radio reported on September 6 that Israeli officials are “pessimistic” and added that “the chances of a deal are slim.”[9]

West Bank

Axis of Resistance objectives:

Establish the West Bank as a viable front against Israel
CTP-ISW did not observe any clashes in the West Bank since CTP-ISW’s last data cutoff on September 6. This marks the first time CTP-ISW did not observe any West Bank clashes since June 17, 2024.[10]

Southern Lebanon and Golan Heights

Axis of Resistance objectives:

Deter Israel from conducting a ground operation into Lebanon
Prepare for an expanded and protracted conflict with Israel in the near term
Expel the United States from Syria
Iranian-backed militias, including Lebanese Hezbollah, have conducted at least 13 attacks into northern Israel since CTP-ISW’s last data cutoff on September 6.[11] Lebanese Hezbollah claimed a drone attack on the IDF’s 91st Division headquarters in Ayelet HaShahar on September 7.[12] Israel Army Radio confirmed that 2 to 3 drones “exploded” in the Ayelet HaShahar area on September 7 but did not cause any casualties.[13]

Iran and Axis of Resistance

US Central Command (CENTCOM) destroyed one Houthi drone and one Houthi “support vehicle” in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen on September 6.[14] [1] https://x.com/idfonline/status/1832406052333113611 ; https://x.com/idfonline/status/1832170881566830711

[2] https://x.com/idfonline/status/1832427669960511549

[3] https://x.com/idfonline/status/1832427684938310114

[4] https://t.me/nedalps/4393

[5] https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-august-27-2024

[6] https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/07/uk/cia-mi6-heads-appearance-london-intl-gbr/index.html

[7] https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/09/04/israel-gaza-ceasefire-hostages/

[8] https://www.axios.com/2024/09/05/gaza-israel-us-hostages-ceasefire-deal-prisoners

[9] https://t.me/moriahdoron/13537

[10] https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-june-17-2024

[11] https://x.com/idfonline/status/1832375267341291812;

https://x.com/idfonline/status/1832375273007841335; https://t.me/mmirleb/6644; https://t.me/mmirleb/6646; https://t.me/mmirleb/6647; https://t.me/mmirleb/6649; https://t.me/mmirleb/6651; https://t.me/mmirleb/6653; https://t.me/mmirleb/6655;

https://t.me/mmirleb/6658; https://t.me/mmirleb/6658 ; https://t.me/mmirleb/6658; https://x.com/GLZRadio/status/1832466933050175852

[12] https://t.me/mmirleb/6662

[13] https://x.com/GLZRadio/status/1832466933050175852

[14] https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/1832192910449635688