IDF reinforces troops on Golan Heights as Syrian rebels advance | IAF strikes smuggling sites in Lebanon & Syria | 2 Druze Israelis arrested for spying for Iran

14:43 - IDF reinforces aerial and ground troops in Golan Heights as Syrian rebels continue to advance

The IDF confirmed media reports that it was reinforcing "aerial and ground forces in the Golan Heights area," saying the move was "based on the situational assessment in the General Staff and Northern Command that has been ongoing since yesterday, and following developments in the internal conflict in Syria."

Islamist rebel forces reportedly reached the outskirts of the city of Homs in northern Syria on Friday, while more clashes erupted between armed groups and regime forces in southern Syria, close to the Israeli border.

"IDF troops are deployed along the border and the IDF is monitoring developments and is prepared for all scenarios, offensive and defensive alike. The IDF will not tolerate threats near the Israeli border and will thwart any threat against the State of Israel," the military stated.

לאור הערכת מצב שמתקיימת מאתמול במטכ״ל ובפיקוד הצפון, ולאור ההתפתחויות בלחימה הפנימית בסוריה, הוחלט על תגבור כוחות אוויריים וקרקעיים בגזרת רמת הגולן.

כוחות צה״ל פרוסים במרחב הגבול ומעלים כשירות ומוכנות בהתאם לתרחישים השונים >> pic.twitter.com/SSV98JmxIv

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) December 6, 2024

13:48 - IDF strengthens forces stationed on Golan Heights amid rebel advances in Syria

The IDF is significantly increasing its forces deployed on the Golan Heights amid reports of clashes between rebels and regime forces in southern Syria near the border with Israel, Ynet News reported.

13:28 - Five Israelis die in a car accident in Morocco during pilgrimage

Five Israeli citizens died in a car accident in the town of Zagora in Morocco, Israeli media reported.

The five young ultra-Orthodox men were in the desert area as part of a pilgrimage to visit the graves of Jewish holy men and prayer sites.

Several hours after the crash, other participants of the pilgrimage noticed that one car was missing, began a search and found the vehicle with the deceased men with the help of local authorities.

The Foreign Ministry is in touch with Moroccan authorities to return the five bodies for burial.

11:30 – Police and Shin Bet arrest 2 Druze Israelis for spying for Iran

Two residents of the Druze village of Mas’ada in the Israeli Golan Heights were arrested for carrying out surveillance missions on behalf of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard’s Quds Force, according to Shin Bet and Israel Police.

The two suspects, a father and son named Tahrir and Bassem Safadi, were arrested last month on the suspicion they were “recruited by Iranian elements and committed crimes of espionage and contact with a foreign agent during the war,” according to Shin Bet.

The investigation showed that Tahrir collected information about IDF activity in the Golan Heights area at the behest of his father, which was sent to a journalist based in Damascus, who is an operative of the Iranian Quds Force’s Palestine Division.

An indictment was filed against Tahrir Safadi, accusing him of “grave crimes of espionage.” His father will remain in administrative detention due to “the absence of a criminal proceeding alternative, and given his high risk to state security and public peace,” the Shin Bet stated.

09:00 – IDF kills terrorist who commanded Oct 7 massacre in Nahal Oz

The IDF killed the Hamas terrorist Majdi Aqilan, deputy commander of the group’s Shati Battalion as part of recent operations against the operatives of his battalion, the IDF said.

Aqilan was among the leading commanders of the Nahal Oz massacre on Oct. 7, of last year and was responsible for terrorist activities against IDF troops in northern and central Gaza since then.

In addition, a company commander in the same unit who was involved in abducting Israeli civilians into the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, was also killed, as well as a senior member of the tunneling unit in Hamas' Gaza division, who had also infiltrated Nahal Oz on Oct. 7.

He directed the planning and construction of Hamas tunnels, as well as underground training for operatives.

10:06 – IDF chief Halevi hosts German army general on Israel visit

The IDF’s Chief of the General Staff, Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi hosted the Chief of Defense of the German Bundeswehr, four-star General Carsten Breuer on Tuesday.

According to the military, they discussed recent operational events, with an emphasis on Israel’s northern front, the strengthening cooperation between the armies, and “readiness for threats near and far.”

Halevi expressed his appreciation to the Chief of Defense of the Bundeswehr for their shared commitment to enhancing regional stability and security in the Middle East.

הרמטכ"ל, רב-אלוף הרצי הלוי, אירח אתמול את רמטכ״ל גרמניה, הגנרל (****) קרסטן ברוייר כאורחו הרשמי.

השניים שוחחו על האירועים המבצעיים האחרונים בדגש על הזירה הצפונית, שיתוף הפעולה ההולך ומתחזק בין הצבאות והמוכנות לאיומים קרובים ורחוקים >> pic.twitter.com/LoyPtaiOFE

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) December 6, 2024

08:31 - IAF strikes Hezbollah weapon smuggling infrastructure in Lebanon & Syria

The Israeli Air Force conducted strikes on weapon-smuggling routes and terror infrastructure sites located near the Syrian regime’s crossings at the Syrian-Lebanese border overnight, the IDF stated.

“These routes were used by Hezbollah to smuggle weapons,” the army said. This strike is another aspect in the IDF’s efforts to dismantle weapon-smuggling routes used by the Syrian regime in the Syrian-Lebanese border over the past few weeks.”

“These targeted strikes degrade the capabilities of Hezbollah’s Unit 4400, responsible for smuggling weapons that are later used in terror attacks against Israelis and IDF troops.”

“The IDF will continue to act to remove any threat to the State of Israel that violates the outlines of the ceasefire agreement. The IDF will not allow the rehabilitation of the Hezbollah terrorist organization,” the military said.

מטוסי קרב של חיל האוויר תקפו במהלך הלילה צירי העברת אמצעי לחימה ותשתיות טרור בסמוך למעברי הגבול של המשטר הסורי בין סוריה ללבנון, אשר שימשו להעברת אמצעי לחימה לארגון הטרור חיזבאללה>> pic.twitter.com/iTjY0Zie3R

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) December 6, 2024