Israel-Lebanon Conflict, Haiti Gang Violence

THE WAR NEWSLETTER — OCT 7 2024

Good morning. Today’s update covers the ongoing war in southern Lebanon and gang attacks in Haiti.

Welcome to your daily international conflict briefing.

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Today’s updates:

• 🇮🇱 Two IDF reservists killed in Lebabnon

• ⚔️ The Black Hornet micro-drone

• 🇭🇹 Gang violence claims 70+ lives in Haiti

1 - ISRAEL

1 thing to know

Today two Israeli reservists were killed in a mortar attack near the Lebanon border as Israeli forces expanded their ground offensive.

The context 

Thousands of Israeli troops are targeting Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon, finding significant weapon caches and eliminating terrorist forces. Hezbollah has launched over 130 rockets at northern Israel, while Israeli airstrikes continue to hit Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon and Beirut.

More from the region

Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for launching more missiles at Israel on October 7 (today). The Houthis have fired over 220 projectiles at Israel since 2023.

Israel also intercepted three drones from Iraq today.

Families of victims from the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack — now exactly one year ago — are demanding accountability, calling for a state inquiry. Prime Minister Netanyahu has resisted, saying investigations should begin after the war. Defense Minister Gallant and Finance Minister Smotrich, however, apologized for the government’s failure to protect citizens.

Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to fighting Hamas and Hezbollah until security is restored, including the return of Israeli hostages.

In the news

• Hamas terror leader Sinwar back in touch with Qatar

• 2 IDF reservists killed

• Hezbollah fires rockets into Israel on Oct. 7 anniversary

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TECH SPOTLIGHT: THE BLACK HORNET

The Black Hornet Nano is a pocket-sized micro-drone developed by Norway’s Prox Dynamics, now under Teledyne FLIR. Designed for short-range surveillance, the Black Hornet weighs just over half an ounce and is just over 6 inches long, making it incredibly lightweight and compact for military use. Equipped with multiple cameras that transmit real-time video, this drone brings soldiers vital situational awareness.

With a quiet motor and 20-minute flight time, it can scout around corners, over walls, or into nearby enemy lines, spying and checking for threats without exposing troops to danger.

What it’s used for

Militaries from countries like the U.S., U.K., and France have adopted the Black Hornet. It has seen combat use in Afghanistan, where British and U.S. forces used it to monitor enemy positions. The latest model, the Black Hornet 3, features night vision and a longer range.

Read a detailed overview here.

2 - HAITI

1 thing to know

A Haitian gang killed 70 people and burned dozens of homes in one of the deadliest attacks in years.

The context 

In the early hours of the morning, Haitian gang members stormed the town of Pont-Sonde in western Haiti, killing at least 70 people and setting fire to dozens of houses and cars. Many were also severely wounded in the attack, and the death toll is suspected to be even higher as family members have been unable to claim bodies.

The leader of the gang Gran Grif, one of the most violent gangs in Haiti, took responsibility for the massacre, blaming the victims and the state for the attack in a message posted to social media. Police in the region did not respond during the attack, as well an armored truck stationed nearby.  Reinforcements only arrived afterwards, and the Haiti national police said the director in the region had been replaced.

More from the region

Over 6000 people also fled the attack, adding to the thousands already displaced by the worsening gang violence. Most of the capital, Port-Au-Prince, is now under the control of various gangs, and the conflict is spreading to the surrounding regions.

Despite international promises of additional police support, only around 400 security forces have been deployed, chiefly from Kenya, and have had little to no effect on the gang takeovers.

In the news

• 70 killed by Haitian gang

• Massacre included children

• Thousands flee the gang violence

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!