12:51 – New Syrian leader Jolani in possible first comment on Israel: ‘No intention to enter wars’
Syria “isn’t ready to enter wars,” declared Abu Muhammed al-Jolani, also known by his civilian name Ahmad al-Shara, leader of the Islamist group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, which appears to dominate the new Syrian government.
In a message to “foreign countries” fearful of the change in the country, Jolani said Syria “has no intentions to enter wars in the future. On the contrary, the source of concern was the presence of Iran & Hezbollah.”
The comments were widely interpreted as a first indication of his intentions toward Israel, after massive Israeli airstrikes destroyed most of the military equipment to prevent strategic weapons from falling into rebel hands, and the IDF created a buffer zone in Syrian territory.
11:57 – President Herzog welcomes President of Paraguay for inauguration of embassy in Jerusalem
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog welcomed the President of Paraguay, Santiago Peña, on his official visit to Israel, which will include the inauguration of the Paraguayan Embassy in Jerusalem.
President Herzog thanked him for his nation’s “firm support for Israel,” and congratulated him on the opening of the embassy in Jerusalem.
“It means a lot to the people of Israel, the fact that you’re coming here after a year when the Israeli public, the Israeli people, the Israeli nation has gone through a most challenging time, painful, agonizing… but the friendship that you are radiating to the people of Israel, to the nation of Israel, to the entire vista of beautiful Israel, means the world to us,” Herzog said.
10:48 – US State Sec. Blinken to visit Turkey on Friday to discuss Syria developments
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit Turkey on Friday to discuss the situation in Syria, a Turkish official source told AFP.
“He will be in Turkey on Friday,” the source said, adding that more details would be released “as they are finalized.”
The rebel coalition that ousted the Assad regime included the Syrian National Army, which reportedly follows Turkish instructions and is being funded and trained by Turkey, as well Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, which has also received some backing from Turkey.
09:37 – 3 Israelis lightly wounded by Palestinians while trying to enter Nablus overnight
Three ultra-orthodox Israeli men were lightly wounded when Palestinian gunmen shot at their car as they tried to enter the city of Nablus in Samaria overnight, to pray at Joseph’s Tomb.
The tomb lies within Area A, which is controlled by the Palestinian Authority and into which Israelis are forbidden to enter, according to Israeli law. Access to the Jewish holy site can be arranged with the IDF, which the three reportedly did not do before their attempted visit.
After being shot, they drove to an IDF checkpoint to report the incident and then drove to a hospital.
The IDF noted that they were questioned by the police and the army would investigate the incident. “Entry into Area A is dangerous and prohibited for Israelis by law,” the military added.
08:28 – 2 rockets from Gaza intercepted by IAF
The IDF announced a short while ago, that two projectiles that crossed from central Gaza into Israel were intercepted by the IAF. Sirens were not sounded in accordance with protocol.
07:42 – 2 rockets from Gaza land in open areas in the Gaza Envelope
The IDF announced a short while ago, that two projectiles that were launched from the central Gaza Strip and fell in open areas were identified. No injuries were reported. Sirens were sounded in accordance with protocol.
07:18 – Turkish-backed rebels seize control of Deir ez-Zor in eastern Syria
Turkish-backed Syrian rebels announced that they had seized full control of the city of Deir ez-Zor in eastern Syria, on the banks of the Euphrates River. The groups also took control of the military airport in the city.
06: 15 – SOHR says Israel destroyed over 80% of Syrian military arsenal
The director of the opposition-linked Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said that ” Israel has destroyed more than 80 percent of Syria’s military arsenal so far.” He also said that since the new powers ruling Syria today have fought Iran and Hezbollah in the past, there can be no friendly relations between them.
02:30 – SOHR claims around 220 killed in clashes between Kurdish and Turkish-backed groups in Manbij
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said this morning that Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are mobilizing to launch a campaign in the countryside of Deir Ezzor after the defection of a leader in the council. The organization also said that a hot front still exists in the countryside around Manbij, with fighting between the SDF and pro-Turkish factions. During 3 days of clashes, about 220 members were killed near the Qarqousak Bridge and Manbij countryside.
01:51 – US military says it defeated Houthi attack in the Gulf of Aden
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said last night that two U.S. Navy destroyers “successfully defeated a range of Houthi-launched weapons while transiting the Gulf of Aden, Dec. 9 – 10.”
CENTCOM Forces Defeat Houthi Attacks on U.S. Navy and U.S.-Flagged Ships in the Gulf of Aden.
U.S. Navy destroyers USS Stockdale (DDG 106) and USS O’Kane (DDG 77) successfully defeated a range of Houthi-launched weapons while transiting the Gulf of Aden, Dec. 9 – 10.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 10, 2024
01:05 – Hamas denies reports of new hostage release proposal
The Hamas representative in Lebanon, Ahmed Abdel Hadi, told the Hezbollah-affiliated al-Mayadeen news site that the group had not received any new proposal while its representatives were in Cairo and that it did not hand over a list of hostages. Abdel Hadi claimed that the reports “are just Israeli rumors.”
00:35 – 7 Palestinians reported killed in Gaza strike
At least seven Palestinians were reported killed in an IDF airstrike in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip according to Reuters, citing “medical officials in the Gaza Strip.”
