Turkey threatens Kurdish militias in Syria | BBC report says hostage deal 90% complete | CENTCOM strikes targets in Houthi Yemen

12:15 - DM Katz visits Lebanon, warns Hezbollah not to move south of Litani River

Defense Minister Israel Katz visited an IDF outpost in southern Lebanon this morning.

"We have pulled out the snake's teeth and if Hezbollah does not withdraw beyond the Litani and tries to violate the ceasefire - we will crush its head," Defense Minister Israel Katz said.

During the visit, the defense minister conducted a situation assessment and spoke with the commanders and fighters, expressing his great appreciation for their work, and for the protection of the residents and communities of the north.

10:35 - Palestinian media reports 4 killed in drone strike

Palestinian media reported that four people were killed in an IDF drone strike on a vehicle in Gaza City this morning.

The IDF has not commented on the strike, or released any statement regarding targeting Hamas members in a strike.

09:55 - Former Hamas spokesman killed in Jabaliya

According to Palestinian reports, Hamas official Muhammad Abu Askar, who previously served as spokesperson for the Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades, the terror group's military wing, was killed in Jabaliya in the northern Gaza Strip.

09:24 - Minister Amsalem says cabinet 'never discussed Gaza settlement'

Regional Cooperation Minister David Asmalam, who is an "observer" in the Cabinet, in an interview with Kan Reshet Bet Sunday morning, said that "settlement in Gaza will not return and it is not in the cards at all." According to him, "We never talked about it in the Cabinet, not even on the first day of the war."

08:50 - IDF eliminates Hamas terrorists in Musa bin Nusayr school

The IDF said this morning that the IAF conducted a precise strike on Hamas terrorists operating in a command-and-control center in the area of Daraj Tuffah in the Gaza Strip. The command-and-control center was embedded inside a compound that previously served as the 'Musa bin Nusayr' School. The center was used to plan and execute terrorist attacks against IDF troops and the State of Israel.

The military said that prior to the strike, numerous steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians, including the use of precise munitions, aerial surveillance and additional intelligence.
"This is a further example of the Hamas terrorist organization’s systematic abuse of civilian infrastructure in violation of international law," the IDF Spokesman's Office said. "The IDF will continue to operate against Hamas in defense of the citizens of Israel."

07:43 - IDF conducts training exercises in Jordan Valley

The IDF will conduct training exercises in the Jordan Valley starting Sunday afternoon. According to the military, troop movement could be seen and loud explosions will be heard in some areas. There are no changes to the Home Front Command guidelines.

05:00 - Turkey threatens to attack Kurdish militias in Syria 

During an interview with France 24, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said if the new leadership in Syria cannot deal with Kurdish militias which Ankara considers to be terror groups, Turkey would do "whatever is necessary" to ensure its security. Fidan stated that the YPG militia, which is a militia affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), must be dismantled immediately. 

04:45 - US fighter plane shot down in apparent friendly fire incident following Houthi strike 

According to a report in Associated Press, a U.S. F-18 navy fighter jet was mistakenly shot down by a U.S. Navy ship over the Red Sea following the CENTCOM strike on targets in Houthi -controlled Yemen. Both pilots of the plane ejected safely and were rescued by U.S. forces. 

03:15 - Palestinian official tells BBC ceasefire talks 90% complete 

A “senior Palestinian official” was cited by the BBC as saying that talks between Israel and Hamas for a hostage release ceasefire deal are “90 percent complete” but a few outstanding issues remain. 

According to the official, the creation of an IDF controlled buffer zone along the Philadelphi Corridor is one issue still being worked out. 

01:55 - Houthi leaders reportedly at command center struck by CENTCOM 

Sky News in Arabic reports that Houthi leaders were apparently in one of the locations targeted by CENTCOM earlier tonight. Saudi TV network Al-Arabiya reported that the U.S. attack targeted a home in the center of Sana'a, which the Houthis used as a command center.

00:04 - US CENTCOM strikes Houthi missile storage sites 

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted precision airstrikes against a missile storage facility and a command-and-control facility operated by Iran-backed Houthis in Sana'a, Yemen. 

CENTCOM said the strikes were to “disrupt and degrade Houthi operations” against vessels in the Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. 

CENTCOM Conducts Airstrikes Against Iran-Backed Houthi Missile Storage and Command/Control Facilities in Yemen

TAMPA, Fla. - U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted precision airstrikes against a missile storage facility and a command-and-control facility operated by… pic.twitter.com/YRWWQJIweP

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 21, 2024