MAX Security routinely sends an in-depth update on the Israel-Hamas war and the impact on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The frequency of the report is determined in accordance with the developments in the region. At the current time, the report will be issued every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The pace of reporting will continue to be adjusted as the war evolves into the next phases.

• On June 8, the IDF rescued four living Israeli hostages from Gaza’s Nuseirat. This reflects Israel’s significant intelligence-gathering and operational capabilities. 
• On June 9, National Unity party leader Benny Gantz resigned from the emergency government. This will not cause the government’s collapse. However, it will increase Netanyahu’s dependence on his far-right coalition partners and fuel the anti-government protest movement.

Gaza Strip & southern Israel 

• The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that during the morning hours (local time) of June 8, Israeli security forces rescued four living Israeli hostages from two residential buildings in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip. Israeli forces operated under heavy fire, resulting in the death of one special forces Commander. 
• On June 9, the IDF confirmed that three male hostages were being held in the residence of Hamas operative Abdullah al-Jamal, stating that this is further evidence of Hamas’ use of the civilian population as a human shield. Al-Jamal was reportedly a journalist for a prominent Qatari news agency, although the outlet has denied any such affiliation. 
• Reports quoting Israeli military officials from June 8 indicate that Hamas has paid Gazan civilians to hold Israeli hostages within their homes. 
• According to reports quoting Palestinian health authorities, 274 Palestinians were killed in the operation. IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari reportedly stated that the IDF is aware of less than 100 Palestinian casualties.  
• June 8 reports citing unnamed Israeli and US officials indicate that Washington provided unspecified intelligence which aided in the rescue mission.  
• On June 9, US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the US-built pier was not used by the IDF during the rescue operation in Nuseirat. 
• On June 9, Hamas stated that the IDF killed three Israeli hostages during the June 8 rescue operation in Nuseirat. 
• Reports from June 9, quoting Prime Minister (PM) Benjamin Netanyahu, stated that high-intensity operations in Rafah are “close to conclusion”. 
• On June 9, the IDF reported the continuation of operations in central Gaza’s eastern Deir al-Balah, al-Bureij, as well as southern Gaza’s Rafah. The IDF said that fighter jets destroyed launchers used to fire mortar shells from the vicinity of the Islamic University in Gaza City toward IDF troops operating along the Netzarim Corridor. 
• On June 8, the IDF stated that it had bolstered the security of the US-built pier in the Gaza Strip, to help facilitate the arrival of humanitarian aid to the area. 
• On June 7, the IDF confirmed that it struck and killed a leader in Hamas’ General Security Apparatus in Rafah on June 6. 
• On June 10, the IDF operated in the central Gaza Strip to eliminate Hamas militants, including members of its elite Nukhba forces, and destroyed underground infrastructure in the area.  

Northern Israel & Lebanon 

• On June 9, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for launching surface-to-air missiles toward Israeli fighter jets which allegedly broke the sound barrier flying over Lebanon. The IDF confirmed the launch of multiple missiles which did not endanger Israeli jets, stating that it eliminated the militants that conducted the launch in Tyre. 
• On June 9, the IDF stated that two drones launched from Lebanon fell in the northern Golan, sparking fires in the area. No casualties were recorded.  
• On June 8, the IDF reported that a number of anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) launched from Lebanon caused damage to buildings in northern Israel’s Malkia and Misgav Am. A fire was reported in Misgav Am.  
• On June 8, the IDF intercepted a “suspicious aerial target” off the coast of Nahariya. No siren was sounded. 
• On June 7, sirens sounded in northern Israel’s Nazareth area, located approximately 38km south of the Israel-Lebanon border. The IDF confirmed that a UAV from Lebanon landed in an open area of the Jezreel Valley after a failed interception. One interception attempt failed. No casualties were recorded.  
• Three demonstrators were arrested at an anti-war protest in Haifa that condemned the Palestinian casualties inflicted during the IDF rescue operation in Gaza’s Nuseirat on June 8. Israel Police stated that the demonstration was illegal.

Central Israel 

• On June 8, thousands of protesters gathered in areas across Israel, including in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, calling for the release of hostages and new elections. Video footage from the protest in Tel Aviv depicts protesters lighting fires near the Azrieli Junction, prompting scuffles with police who later deployed water cannons. Israel Police stated that 33 protesters were detained. Reports from June 9 indicate that authorities will probe the arrest of a medic.  

West Bank 

• On June 10, the Israel Police neutralized one armed Palestinian and arrested one wanted militant during a raid in Tulkarm’s Danaba neighborhood. 
• The Palestinian Authority (PA)-linked official news agency stated on June 10 that a 15-year-old Palestinian was killed during an IDF operation conducted in al-Faraa camp, south of Tubas.  
• Israel’s public broadcaster stated on June 9 that following a Palestinian arson attack in Yitzhar, unrest was recorded between Jewish and Palestinian residents in Urif. Security forces arrived to disperse the unrest. Three Palestinians were reportedly wounded. 

Red Sea 

• Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree claimed on June 9 to have targeted British Royal Navy destroyer “HMS Diamond” and two commercial vessels in the Red Sea in response to Israel’s rescue operations in Gaza’s Nuseirat. A British Ministry of Defense spokesman reportedly refuted the claim.  
• On June 8-9, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) announced that two vessels in the Gulf of Aden were hit by projectiles, causing fires on board which were subsequently contained.
• US CENTCOM confirmed on June 9 that one anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) struck “M/V Tavvishi”, a Liberian-flagged, Swiss-owned and operated container ship. A second ASBM and an anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) struck “M/V Norderney” an Antigua and Barbados-flagged, German-owned and operated cargo ship. Both vessels reported damage but continued their voyage. CENTCOM forces destroyed an uncrewed aerial system over the Gulf of Aden and two Houthi land attack cruise missiles over Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.  

General Developments 

• On June 9, National Unity party leader Benny Gantz announced his resignation from the emergency wartime government, calling on PM Netanyahu to hold general elections this autumn. Fellow National Unity member Gadi Eisenkot also resigned.  
• Following Gantz’s resignation on June 9, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir reportedly demanded to join the War Cabinet. 
• On June 9, the IDF Gaza Division Commander Brigadier General Avi Rosenfeld resigned for his role in the failures leading to Hamas’ October 7 attacks.  

• There have been no changes to the IDF’s Home Front Command (HFC) guidelines. For the latest guidelines, please see our previous report here.  

Rescue operation highlights Israel’s intelligence, operational capabilities 

1. The June 8 raid constitutes the third successful rescue operation conducted by Israeli forces in Gaza in over eight months of war. It is notable in several aspects due to its complexity, reflecting Israel’s significant intelligence-gathering capabilities and ability to execute sophisticated ground operations utilizing cover from the air and the sea. Reports indicating that the US provided intelligence for the raid, which took weeks to plan, are also plausible given the known close collaboration between the two countries’ intelligence agencies. This would serve to highlight the critical operational role that the US plays in supporting Israeli goals in the Gaza Strip.  
2. The critical intelligence-gathering capability enabled troops to enter the Nuseirat area, where the IDF had notably not previously operated on the ground. It carried out the operation during the daytime hours, which increases the operational risks, and operated simultaneously in two buildings in a densely populated residential area. All these factors highlight the operation’s complexity. The multi-pronged approach from the ground, the air, and the sea adopted by Israel underscores the highly complex operational environment, highlighting the IDF’s ability to deploy multiple assets to advance one of its key war aims – returning the Israeli hostages. This coordination and extensive planning likely enabled the IDF to respond to unforeseen circumstances, such as the reported breakdown of an extraction vehicle during heavily armed clashes, prompting the IDF to direct airstrikes to provide a corridor for ground forces to depart the area.  
3. The operation’s complexity required significant use of force and firepower. While IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari estimated that “under 100 civilian casualties” were incurred, Hamas-affiliated Gazan health ministries have placed the figure far higher. Regardless of the number, the killing of civilians and mass destruction caused by the operation has again fueled international criticism of Israel and will sustain pressure on its handling of operations in the Gaza Strip with regard to collateral damage. Israel has placed the blame on Hamas for holding hostages in civilian areas. This provides some insight into Hamas’ calculus. By holding hostages within densely populated civilian areas, this would impede IDF intelligence-gathering on their whereabouts and complicate any extraction operation due to the high risk of collateral damage. This would enable Hamas to retain the hostages and thereby sustain its leverage over Israel. Meanwhile, if confirmed, Hamas’ payment of families to hold the hostages within their homes would demonstrate how it utilizes its financial leverage to retain influence among segments of the Palestinian populace who do not necessarily support their action ideologically.  
4. FORECAST: Hamas’ assertion that the IDF killed three additional hostages during the rescue operation aims to mitigate the adverse impact that Israel’s successful operation will have had on the group’s morale. It also aims to dampen the euphoria in Israeli society following the rescue of the four hostages and increase the sense that the hostages are at risk. While the rescue of four living hostages has been a significant morale boost for Israel, at least in the immediate term, many of the hostage families and the anti-government protest movement maintain that the government must prioritize a deal to secure the remaining hostages. This will fuel an increase in protests over the coming days, as highlighted by daily demonstrations in Israel since the rescue operation.  

Gantz’s resignation to increase Netanyahu’s dependence on far-right coalition partners 

1. Gantz’s resignation reflects his resolve to follow through on the three-week ultimatum issued on May 18 demanding that Netanyahu commit to a six-point strategic plan relating to the war in Gaza and other security matters. This is despite the morale boost generated from the hostage rescue mission that prompted Gantz to postpone his decision. The decision indicates that, in Gantz’s view at least, Netanyahu failed to meet his demands revolving around strategic decision-making in the war. 
2. FORECAST: The National Unity party’s withdrawal will not cause the government’s immediate collapse given that the remaining coalition retains a narrow majority of 64 seats out of 120 in the Knesset. However, the move will increase pressure on Netanyahu who will now become more dependent on far-right coalition parties such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionism. These figures, who were originally left out of the emergency government’s War Cabinet, will likely pressure Netanyahu to include them in the cabinet after Gantz’s departure. This was indicated by Ben Gvir’s demands on June 9 to increase their influence in the government’s decision-making. As previously assessed, this will likely challenge Netanyahu, who has been known to include more centrist or left-leaning politicians to mitigate criticism from the right wing for making alleged “leftist” decisions.  
3. FORECAST: Netanyahu could align more closely with the hardline approach promoted by far-right ministers Ben Gvir and Smotrich who advocate for military firepower over ceasefire negotiations to achieve Israel’s wartime objectives. Should this materialize, it could complicate truce talks, fueling international and domestic criticism of the government. In this context, Gantz’s return to the opposition will bolster the anti-government protest movement amid a growing sense of urgency for continued ceasefire negotiations, with a hostage release deal considered the most viable option to return the abductees alive.

Israel 

Travel  

1. Due to the continued conflict in the Gaza Strip and ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, consider the necessity of travel to Israel at the current time.   
2. Those operating or residing within Israel are advised to continuously prepare, update, and review contingency plans due to the volatile security situation.  
3. Avoid travel to within ten km (six miles) of the Gaza Strip due to the continued threat of rocket and mortar attacks as well as the minimal time to reach bomb shelters. Those operating or residing in this area are advised to minimize nonessential outdoor movement and remain close to bomb shelters/safe rooms.  
4. Avoid travel to within ten km of the Lebanese and Syrian borders. Those operating or residing in this area are advised to minimize nonessential outdoor movement and remain close to bomb shelters/safe rooms.  
5. In Eilat, be aware of the possibility of UAV and missile attacks by the Houthis and other Iranian proxies. Familiarize yourself with the location of safe rooms and bomb shelters. Adhere to all safety precautions regarding early warning sirens.   
6. Remain cognizant of the potential for localized protests throughout the country due to high political tensions. Albeit currently less likely, unrest is possible in Jerusalem, mixed Jewish-Arab locales, such as Haifa, Jaffa, Lod, Ramla, and Akko, as well as Arab-populated cities and towns.  
7. Avoid all travel to the West Bank and East Jerusalem due to the risk of armed clashes and militant attacks.  
8. Those operating or residing throughout Israel, particularly in major cities and crowded areas, are advised to maintain vigilance due to the currently heightened threat of terrorist attacks. 

General  

1. Adhere to all safety precautions regarding early warning sirens for incoming rockets. Rocket sirens may be heard throughout the country.   
2. Ensure that working environments are within reach of bomb shelters/safe rooms.   
3. When a Color Red siren is sounded: if a designated shelter exists, immediately go there. If not, go to a room with as few external walls, windows, and openings as possible, sit on the floor below the window line, and near an internal wall.    
4. In an open area, lay down on the ground and cover your head with your hands.   
5. When driving, safely pull over and follow the above instructions.  
6. Remain cognizant of the circulation of rumors and fake news at the current time on social media and messaging platforms. Adhere only to official announcements by authorities.  
7. Avoid political conversations or criticism of the government or the IDF to avoid unpleasant interactions given the high tensions in Israeli society. Similarly, avoid making pro-Palestinian statements in public, which could lead to aggressive interactions.  
8. MAX Security has strong on-ground capabilities in Israel, including contingency consultation and planning. Contact us at [email protected] or +44 20-3540-0434.