Israel Hits Hezbollah Banks, US Support in Ukraine

THE WAR NEWSLETTER — OCT 21 2024

Good morning. Today’s edition covers key updates from Israel’s military operations in Lebanon, and US support in Ukraine.

Welcome to your daily international conflict briefing.

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Map of today’s newsletter:

• 🇮🇱 Israel takes out Hezbollah’s banks

• ⚔️ A shoulder-carried surface-to-air missile

• 🇺🇦 US official visits Kyiv

1 - ISRAEL

1 thing to know

Israel conducted airstrikes in Lebanon, targeting banks that finance Hezbollah.

The context 

The Israeli military announced a campaign against Hezbollah’s financial infrastructure, focusing on branches of the unlicensed Al-Qard Al-Hassan Association, a banking institution that holds billions of dollars used to fund Hezbollah’s terrorist activities against Israel.

As usual, Israel warned residents near these facilities of the strikes to evacuate ahead of time, forgoing the advantage of surprise in order to protect civilians.

More from the region

Ronen Bar, head of Israel’s internal security agency Shin Bet, met with Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel in Cairo to discuss negotiations for a hostage release and ceasefire deal. This visit is the first by a senior Israeli official to Egypt since August.

Colonel Ehsan Daqsa, commander of the Israel Defense Forces’ 401st Armored Brigade, was killed during operations against Hamas terrorists in the northern Gaza Strip. A Hamas explosive device struck him and several other officers as they exited their tanks in Jabaliya. Daqsa, 41, was from the Druze town of Daliyat al-Karmel and had taken command of the brigade in June.

Israeli forces continue ground operations and airstrikes in southern Lebanon, claiming at least 65 Hezbollah terrorists killed over the weekend.

In the news

• Shin Bet chief visits Cairo

• Hamas kills IDF brigade commander in Gaza

• IDF strikes against financial institutions

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TECH SPOTLIGHT: FIM-92 STINGER

The FIM-92 Stinger, produced by Raytheon, is a man-portable surface-to-air missile. It was developed in the late 1970s and introduced into U.S. service in 1981. The Stinger is famous for its “fire-and-forget” capability, allowing users to launch the missile and then immediately take cover. It uses a passive infrared seeker to lock onto the heat signatures of low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and drones. Weighing about 35 pounds, it’s relatively lightweight, making it ideal for infantry use.

The Stinger is about 5 feet in length. It has an effective range of up to 5 miles and can achieve speeds over twice the speed of sound. The Stinger is equipped with a 6.6 pounds high-explosive warhead designed to destroy targets on impact.

What it’s used for

The FIM-92 Stinger is used by the US and other countries, primarily for short-range air defense. Its portability allows infantry units to engage threats such as helicopters, low-flying aircraft, and drones.

The Stinger was first used by the British in the 1982 Falklands War against Argentina. Since then, it’s been used in multiple conflicts including Operation Desert Shield, the current Ukraine-Russia conflict, and the Syrian Civil War.

Price tag

At least $150,000 per missile.

Read more here.

2 - UKRAINE

1 thing to know

The US Secretary of Defense paid an unannounced visit to Kyiv to discuss continuing support of the Ukrainian war effort.

The context 

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in Kyiv, where he spoke with Ukrainian Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and assured him that despite the approaching US election, Ukraine will continue to see bipartisan support from Congress.

He also announced another $400 million in new weapons and equipment, but refrained from addressing any potential adjustments to the restrictions around the use of US long-range weapons systems.

More from the region

Despite the continued US support, Russia has continued to make more territorial gains in the Donetsk region, and is edging closer to fully capturing it. 

Reports from Ukrainian soldiers have indicated that newly conscripted recruits are poorly trained, leading to early retreats under minimal fire. 

Issues such as these are exacerbated by the already strained defense situations against the Russian offensive, which has shown it's willing to accept high losses in return for relatively small gains.

In the news

• US Defense Secretary visits Kyiv

• Poorly trained recruits

• North Korean troops to fight alongside Russia

P.S. If you have a source, tip, or piece of information we missed, please reply to this email and tell us about it. Thank you!