All articles tagged with #idf
Israel’s IDF released statistics alleging Hezbollah fired about 3,000 mortars and missiles from near the Litani River since the operation began, refuting Lebanon’s Jan. 8, 2026 claim that Hezbollah had been disarmed in southern Lebanon; the IDF calls the Lebanese claim a lie and says Hezbollah has reinforced its forces and can move south via bridges and crossings, undermining the LAF’s disarmament effort.
Missiles fired from Lebanon toward central Israel triggered sirens in Tel Aviv and nearby areas; at least two launches occurred, with one missile intercepted and another landing in an open area, and no injuries were reported. The attack followed a day of escalation and rocket fire on northern Israel. The IDF said it is prepared to respond and warned that additional areas may come under fire. Prime Minister Netanyahu urged disarmament talks with Lebanon, while the US clarified that Lebanon is not part of the Iran-focused ceasefire.
The IDF’s 98th Division announced it is gaining operational control of the southern Lebanon town of Bint Jbail, where Hezbollah and Radwan Force operatives are believed present. In the broader border hostilities, Hezbollah fired roughly 50 rockets at Israel (about 40 crossed into Israeli territory and were intercepted), as Israel reinforces its defense posture along the Lebanon border with multiple divisions active.
The IDF says it killed Muhammad Samir Muhammad Washah, a Hamas figure tied to rocket and weapons production, who allegedly used an Al Jazeera journalist identity as cover to plan attacks in Gaza. Washah had been involved in drones and weapons development and arms transfers; the strike aimed to minimize civilian harm, with southern Gaza forces continuing to counter immediate threats.
The IDF says all critical and essential pre-war targets in Iran will be destroyed by Wednesday, claiming about 60-70% of total pre-war targets have already been hit, with the prospect of additional targets if the war continues, and noting Iran can sustain missile fire at roughly 5-20 missiles for an extended period.
Four IDF soldiers were killed and two wounded during fighting in southern Lebanon, with three names released (Captain Noam Madmoni, Staff Sergeant Ben Cohen, and Staff Sergeant Maxsim Entis) and the fourth not yet disclosed. The incident raises the IDF fatality toll in Lebanon since the start of Operation Roaring Lion on February 28 to nine, amid ongoing clashes with Hezbollah and cross-border fire that has affected civilians.
The Israeli military suspended the Netzah Yehuda reserve battalion after soldiers detained CNN’s crew in the West Bank village of Tayasir, with a photojournalist choked and his camera damaged; the crew was held for about two hours. The IDF said the incident was unacceptable and will release full findings after an internal inquiry, with the unit remaining in reserve but undergoing retraining to reinforce professional and ethical standards.
An American-born Israeli soldier, Sgt. Moshe Yitzchak Hacohen Katz, 22, born in New Haven, Connecticut, was killed in combat in southern Lebanon and was posthumously promoted; Netanyahu said Katz enlisted after moving to Israel and served in the Paratroopers Brigade's 890th Battalion. Details of his death were not disclosed; the incident occurs as Israel fights Hezbollah on a southern front amid broader Iran-related tensions.
Israel's air force says it struck Tehran-based missile-production facilities, including a Defense Ministry site that makes critical ballistic-missile components, plus drone-engine and air-defense sites, as part of a broader campaign against Iran's infrastructure that also targeted nuclear facilities in Arak, Ardakan, and Bushehr; Iran reports no casualties.
Israel’s top general suspended all operational activity of a reserve Netzah Yehuda battalion after its troops detained and assaulted CNN’s team in the West Bank village of Tayasir, including a chokehold on photojournalist Cyril Theophilos and damage to his camera. The battalion will be withdrawn from the West Bank and reassigned to training while a review and disciplinary steps proceed, with further actions planned against individuals. The move, announced about 48 hours after CNN’s report, underscores growing concerns about settler violence and the IDF’s response.
Israel's air force conducted wide-ranging strikes in Tehran, hitting a central Defense Ministry site that produced critical ballistic missile components and multiple weapon production/storage facilities, plus drone engine and air-defense development sites. The operation also targeted Iranian nuclear-development facilities, including Arak's heavy-water reactor and Ardakan's uranium-enrichment facility, and struck the Bushehr plant with no reported casualties; Tehran reportedly relocated many command centers to mobile units in response.
The IDF announced the death of US-born Sgt. Moshe Yitzchak Hacohen Katz, 22, who was killed in Lebanon during an attack that wounded three other soldiers, the latest fatality in Operation Roaring Lion. Katz immigrated to Israel from the United States and served in the Paratroopers Brigade; Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed condolences as Iran and Hezbollah continued attacks across the region.
The Foreign Press Association condemned an Israeli soldiers’ violent assault and detention of a CNN crew reporting near Tayasir, noting rifles pointed at journalists and a photographer choked with a camera damaged. The IDF said the incident would be investigated, and CNN corroborated the events; this follows another CNN incident earlier this month, highlighting ongoing tensions and threats to press freedom in the West Bank amid broader Gaza-related violence.
Israel’s campaign against the IRGC’s missile program, part of Operation Roaring Lion, is shrinking Iran’s launcher fleet: about 470 launchers exist, but fewer than 180 remain operational as many are damaged or sealed in tunnel systems. The IAF uses a precision “needle threading” approach to target buried sites, with U.S. support to compensate for weather and airpower limits. Iran’s ability to launch large numbers has eroded, while launch crews show reluctance; Tehran and Hezbollah are pressing for ceasefire talks. Israel also monitors crater sites to prevent rebuilding and counters Lebanon-based launches that accompany the pressure campaign.
Israel said its forces struck Iran’s Khandab heavy‑water reactor near Arak and the Ardakan yellowcake facility, part of simultaneous attacks on regime infrastructure; Iran reported no casualties and evacuation warnings were issued for Arak residents, with the IDF describing the sites as key assets tied to nuclear production.