current as of 10AM EST, 23OCT23

CRISIS ONGOING

Israel’s military is ramping up its aerial bombardment of Gaza in anticipation of a near-term ground assault, while additional aid trucks enter the region amidst rising pleas more assistance is needed for the hard hit region. U.S. officials also announced their dedication to ensuring additional humanitarian resources enter Gaza and are seeking to delay an Israeli ground offensive in the hopes of rescuing additional hostages.

• Humanitarian Crisis: A third group of vehicles carrying aid for the Gaza Strip entered the Rafah crossing at the border of Egypt today, but relief groups continue to warn much more assistance is needed to curb the deepening humanitarian crisis. Based on open source reporting, the Gaza Strip is short more than 7,000 truckloads of assistance, as the territory typically receives more than 400 aid trucks per day. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health and as of writing, at least 5,000 people have been killed in Gaza. More than 1,400 were killed in Israel, according to Israeli authorities.
• U.S. Support: U.S. officials appear committed to ensuring hostages are released prior to a ground invasion of Gaza. On October 20, Hamas released two American hostages. According to open source reporting, U.S. officials are optimistic Hamas might release women and children due to international backlash, as well as 50 dual nationals. 
• Military Operations: Although Israel’s military has not announced timing for a likely ground invasion in Gaza, officials announced they are stepping up their bombardment of the Gaza Strip in preparation for the next stage of war. A senior Israeli official said there will be “no ceasefire” in Gaza, and Palestinians said they received new warnings from the Israeli military to move to southern Gaza, according to open source reporting. Israeli military forces also stepped up strikes in the West Bank over the weekend, hitting an underground compound allegedly containing a “terror cell.”
• Regional Relations: International officials remain concerned about a multi-pronged war in the region, particularly if the Israelis conduct a major strike against Hezbollah. The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) said it struck a terrorist cell in Lebanon that was planning an “anti-tank missile launch” towards the town of Shlomi in northern Israel and Israeli officials are urging residents of northern Israel to leave their homes.   
• Protests: Protests continued over the weekend in cities throughout the U.S., and worldwide in locations such as Berlin, London, Paris. On Sunday, thousands of people in Berlin and London took part in vigils in support of Israel, and on Saturday, thousands of pro-Palestinian protestors marched through London to demand Israel stop its siege in Gaza. Also on Saturday, about 5,000 people in Brooklyn held a peaceful protest calling for Israel to stop its bombardment of the Gaza Strip.

CYBER IMPLICATIONS

Cyber attacks are continuing as hackers sympathetic to Hamas are working to make the conflict the next front of cyberwarfare. 

• According to open source reporting, the Israel Cyber Directorate released an urgent warning last week to Israeli citizens to disconnect home and business security cameras. Directorate officials warned they have reports of hostile elements attempting to breach internet-connected cameras, with the aim of using them as sources of intelligence. The Israeli Health Ministry also announced they would temporarily sever their internet connection to strengthen hospitals against attacks. 

RECOMMENDATIONS

We continue to urge anyone with business interests in Israel and the surrounding regions to exercise extreme caution while events remain fluid, and to consider postponing any upcoming travel. We also urge travelers worldwide to avoid all demonstrations and maintain awareness of their surroundings, particularly in areas with protest activity. 

• Protests continue throughout the globe as the U.S. State Department (DoS) is urging citizens to remain vigilant and curb travel to several locations, including Lebanon and Iraq. DoS issued a worldwide travel advisory on October 20, noting U.S. citizens should remain alert in locations frequented by tourists due to “increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.”
  • DoS raised its travel advisory for Lebanon to the most severe level, warning Americans not to visit the country and authorizing the departure of family members of U.S. personnel.
  • DoS officials announced Sunday they ordered the departure of nonessential American government employees and family members from Iraq, and raised the travel alert to Level 4, meaning U.S. citizens should not go there. U.S. officials reportedly fear Iraqi militias supported by Iran will attack the 2,500 U.S. troops stationed in the country and other American institutions.
  • Travelers are most vulnerable in crowded areas, such as outdoor markets, tourist destinations, government buildings, and underground stations.
  • In the event of a terrorist attack or no-notice event, we advise travelers to listen to emergency officials for instructions and report anything out of the ordinary.
• We continue to recommend delaying travel in and around Israel, Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other portions of the Gulf as nearby countries almost certainly will be drawn further into the unfolding conflict. Travel in and out of the region almost certainly will be significantly delayed or disrupted.
  • Many international airlines, including U.S. carriers, have suspended travel to and from Israel. Cruise and yacht operators also announced they would adjust itineraries in the region and would not be making calls to ports near Israel.
  • In Egypt, thousands of protesters marched through Tahrir Square on Friday in support of the Palestinians in Gaza. Although protests are generally illegal in Egypt, last week President Abdel Fattah al-Sisis said he could “call on the Egyptian people to come out and express their rejection” of Israeli actions in Gaza, and “you would see millions of Egyptians” in the street.
• We urge all travelers to remain vigilant as they might be targeted by individuals with perceived grievances regarding the current situation. Anti-American, anti-Jewish, and anti-Muslim sentiment is rising due to the ongoing crisis.
• We encourage all businesses–particularly tech companies, those with oil interests, and others in other energy related sectors–to keep a watchful eye on the unfolding crisis. Oil prices could surge to above $100 a barrel if the Israel-Hamas crisis widens.

We recommend companies based in Israel to continue taking steps to protect their businesses and employees. Corporations should consider evacuating staff from offices inside Israel or ask employees to work from home.

CONCENTRIC CAN HELP

If you or your business needs help in or around Israel, please reach out to Concentric’s experts for support. Concentric can provide:

• Emergency evacuation and secure transportation.
• Support from local and regional partners.
• Active monitoring and intelligence support, including tailored reports and briefings.
• Travel and risk assessments. 
• Tailored security consulting.
• Executive protection agents.
• Cybersecurity and digital privacy protection. 

If anyone is interested in a briefing with Concentric’s Chief Executive Officer Mike LeFever or a member of Concentric’s team on any of these topics, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Feature image source.