The IDF forces are currently attacking and operating against Hamas targets in the eastern part of Rafah, which it began evacuating early yesterday morning (Monday), and have assumed control over the strategic Rafah crossing. Palestinian media reports heavy artillery fire. 

This targeted operation began soon after Hamas submitted its official response to the latest ceasefire and hostage deal mediated by Egypt and Qatar, which Israel says is far from the terms to which it agreed. 

During the last eight months of the Iron Swords War, Hezbollah declared that Lebanon and Gaza are intertwined arenas. Escalation in Gaza will lead to a similar situation in Lebanon and vice versa; de-escalation in Gaza will lead to a similar situation in Lebanon.

While Hezbollah did not attack Israel on October 7 alongside Hamas, starting from that day, it started a war of attrition. Through anti-tank missiles, rockets, and other means, the terror organization managed to turn the northern region into desolation.

The IDF has begun evicting civilians from the eastern neighborhoods of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, in preparation for a ground maneuver, by dropping flyers and sending SMS messages, making phone calls, and using media broadcasts in Arabic.

“The IDF will act forcefully against terrorist organizations in the area where you are located, as it has done so far. Anyone close to terrorist organizations endangers themselves and their families,” say the Arabic-language flyers, signed by the IDF.  

Israeli cyber readiness company Sygnia announced a collaboration with NVIDIA in the energy and industrial sectors with AI-powered edge solutions. The initiative combines Sygnia’s Pathfinder sensors and Velocity XDR platform with NVIDIA’s cybersecurity AI framework to improve data collection and threat detection and response. This hardware and software solution aims to secure industrial and critical infrastructure with AI-powered security at the edge.

Israeli defense company Elbit Systems has announced that it has been awarded an initial contract worth approximately $37 million to supply Iron Fist Active Protection Systems (APS) to General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS) for upgrades to the U.S. Army's Bradley M2A4E1 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs). The contract will be carried out over 24 months.

The German Luftwaffe has announced that its Israeli-made HERON-TP UAVs, manufactured by the Israel Aerospace Industries, are ready and authorized for operational use within Germany's borders, and flights will commence in mid-May.

Jane's reports that the Air Force announcement confirms that the airworthiness certificate was issued by the Federal Aviation Office in Kiel on May 2nd, and that the operational approval for the UAVs is valid globally. Flights will begin in May at the Luftwaffe base in Jagel in northern Germany. 

The Boeing Company has confirmed that in order to expand its export efforts, it is offering Saudi Arabia the advanced combat aircraft F-15 EX. Poland is also considering a similar proposal, while Israel is in negotiations for its own version of the combat aircraft, and the US has approved the sale of this aircraft to Indonesia.

Lately, Israel's Foreign Minister has been boasting about his ministry's achievement in advancing sanctions on the Iranian missile industry. This follows the Iranian attack against Israel on April 13-14. However, it is advisable to temper the enthusiasm from the Foreign Ministry in historical proportion. So far, sanctions imposed on Iran, including on the missile program, have not halted Iran's missile development or serial production.

The M2A4E1 Bradley emerges as the most advanced version yet, featuring a range of enhancements aimed at fortifying its defensive capabilities. A pivotal upgrade is the integration of the Iron Fist Light (IFL) active protection system, designed to effectively counter anti-armor threats.

Finnish-Norwegian company Patria announced that the Finnish Army will purchase heavy Patria 6x6 armored vehicles as part of the Common Armored Vehicle System (CAVS) program. Finnish Minister of Defense Antti Häkkänen has authorized the Finnish Defense Forces Logistics Command to initiate a serial procurement of these vehicles from Patria.