Israel Hostage Video, Sudan Fighting

THE WAR NEWSLETTER — NOV 14 2024

Good morning. Today’s email brings you news from Israel and Sudan.

1 - ISRAEL

1 thing to know

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group released a propaganda video Wednesday of hostage Sasha Trufanov.

The context 

In the video, Trufanov described food and water shortages in Gaza and urged Israelis to protest in the streets for the release of hostages.

Trufanov was one of 251 people taken hostage during Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack. Of those, 97 are believed to remain in captivity, including at least 34 confirmed dead. 

Trufanov’s grandmother and mother were released in November 2023 at the request of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and his girlfriend was released as part of a temporary ceasefire deal.

More from the region

An Israeli officer was killed and another officer seriously wounded during fighting with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The day before, six Israeli soldiers were also killed.

The U.S. ambassador to Lebanon submitted a draft ceasefire proposal to Lebanon's parliament speaker on Thursday, as diplomatic efforts to end the fighting along Israel's northern border continue.

Israel estimates it has killed over 1,000 Hamas operatives in the renewed Jabalia offensive and taken another 1,000 into custody.

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TECH SPOTLIGHT: VOLCANO MINE SYSTEM

Developed by the US Army in the 1980s, the Volcano is an automated system that can quickly lay down protective minefields. The system can be mounted on trucks like the HEMTT or even Blackhawk helicopters. Each Volcano setup can carry up to 960 mines in special canisters.

The system launches the canisters to spread mines over a large area in just minutes. The mines can even be programmed to self-destruct after a set time (4 hours, 48 hours, or 15 days), making the area safe again when needed.

What it’s used for

When mounted on a helicopter the Volcano it can lay down a protective minefield in under a minute - much faster than traditional methods. Ground vehicles use it to protect their flanks while moving or to secure important areas. The system is currently used by the US Army, South Korea, and Taiwan.

2 - SUDAN

1 thing to know

Fighting has continued between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces in both North Darfur and Khartoum.

The context 

The Sudanese government army is still continuing its press to retake the Capital, Khartoum, and has recently made gains in Khartoum Bahri, the sister city to the capital. Despite the RSF still holding southern parts of the city, its recapture will increase pressure on the RSF in Khartoum.

The current objective of the SAF in the region is link up with a besieged force in the Kober prison, which is connected by a railroad bridge to SAF army headquarters. However, regaining the area would require either fighting through dense areas of city, or through residential neighborhoods.

More from the region

SAF airstrikes are still frequent occurrences in RSF-controlled areas of the city, especially against civilian areas. The RSF still controls most of Khartoum, including key districts like Mogran, where they have established a stronghold.

Despite the SAF's attempts to push forward, the RSF continues to block their progress with defensive positions, particularly around the Bank of Sudan and other strategic high-rise buildings. The situation remains stalemated in much of the capital, with ongoing violence and destruction as both sides hold their ground.

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