New aid package for Israel; RSF attacks key positions

THE WAR NEWSLETTER — JAN 3 2025

Today’s email brings you news from Israel and Ukraine.

1 - ISRAEL

1 thing to know

The Biden administration has informally notified Congress of a proposed $8 billion arms package for Israel, including air-to-air missiles, artillery shells, and 500-pound bombs.

The context 

The package requires approval from House and Senate foreign relations committees. While some items can be supplied from current US stocks, most will take over a year to deliver.

The deal includes AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM missiles for fighter jets, 155mm artillery shells, Hellfire missiles for helicopters, and precision-guided munition components. This is expected to be the Biden administration's final major arms deal with Israel before Trump takes office on January 20.

More from the region

• Israeli negotiators have resumed talks in Doha with Qatari mediators and Hamas representatives after a 10-day pause.

• Israel is reportedly considering restricting humanitarian aid to Gaza after Trump's inauguration to pressure Hamas.

• Fighting continues in Gaza, with the IDF reporting dozens of airstrikes on Hamas targets over the past 24 hours. Rocket fire from Gaza has continued for eight straight days, including a surface-to-air missile that was intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome system.

• Approximately 96 of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas on October 7 are believed to still be in Gaza, including at least 34 confirmed dead by the IDF.

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TECH SPOTLIGHT: MADIS

The Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) is a mobile, short-range air defense platform developed by the U.S. Marine Corps to protect maneuver forces from a range of aerial threats, including UAVs, low-flying fixed-wing aircraft, and helicopters. Mounted on a 4×4 Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), the system consists of two variants: the Mk1 and Mk2.

The Mk1 is equipped with Stinger missiles, a 30mm cannon, and an advanced electronic warfare system (Modi II) for countering drones and other threats. The Mk2 features a 360-degree radar, a 7.62mm M134 Minigun, and the same electronic warfare capabilities, with a radar that detects targets at altitudes from 30 to 30,000 feet within a 30km radius. Both variants are designed to work in tandem, with the Mk2 providing command and control and counter-unmanned aerial system capabilities.

What it’s used for

The MADIS program began development in 2016, with initial testing and deployment of the GBAD C-UAS package starting in 2018. In 2019, the Marine Corps showcased prototypes and secured a $73.2 million contract for the Modi II system. Full operational capability is planned for 2025, with the final system integration and deployment across the Marine Corps.

2 - SUDAN

1 thing to know

The Sudanese Rapid Support Forces attacked multiple key bridges in Al Jazira state.

The context

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have continued to target critical infrastructure in their efforts to disrupt military movements and control key areas.

In Al Jazirah state, the RSF launched attacks on two important bridges—Bridge 57 near Al-Haj Abdallah and the Al-Mukhairef bridge—after the army destroyed a key bridge to restrict their mobility.

These strategic assaults on vital transport routes, including bridges over irrigation canals, aim to hinder the Sudanese army’s logistical capabilities and tighten the RSF’s grip on contested regions. Despite these efforts, the army successfully repelled the attack on the Al-Mukhairef bridge, destroying several RSF vehicles in the process.

More from the region

• The RSF attacked Wad Rawah in Al Jazirah state, killing seven people, injuring dozens, and forcing many to flee their homes.  

• The Sudanese army continued artillery shelling of RSF positions in Khartoum and Khartoum Bahri, with airstrikes targeting key RSF strongholds.  

• The RSF renewed artillery shelling of the Zamzam displacement camp in North Darfur, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and causing further displacement.

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