West Bank terror attack kills 3; RSF beats back SAF

THE WAR NEWSLETTER — JAN 7 2025

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

1 - ISRAEL

1 thing to know

Three Israelis were killed and eight others wounded in a terror attack in the West Bank yesterday, January 6. 

The context 

The attack occurred on Route 55, a major highway used by both Israeli settlers and Palestinians. Palestinian gunmen opened fire on vehicles passing through the village of al-Funduq. The victims were identified as sisters-in-law Rachel Cohen, 73, and Aliza Raiz, 70. 

The terrorists first shot at a civilian car at close range, then fired at a bus, injuring eight people including the driver who is in serious condition. As they fled, they killed an off-duty police officer, Master Sgt. Elad Yaakov Winkelstein, 35, in a separate shooting. The IDF has launched a manhunt for three terrorists from the Jenin area who carried out the attack.

More from the region

• Early Sunday morning, the IDF intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile targeting Israel. The terrorist group claimed they were aiming for the Orot Rabin power plant near Hadera, which would have been their deepest strike into Israel to date.

• Hamas released a propaganda video showing hostage Liri Albag, 19, who was captured from the Nahal Oz military base on October 7, 2023. The video appears to have been filmed recently.

• The IDF destroyed a Hamas residential complex near Beit Hanoun in northern Gazathat served as a command center overlooking Israeli territory.

• A terrorist rocket struck the Erez Border Crossing, damaging an aid truck compound.

• Israeli forces have been conducting airstrikes against approximately 40 Hamas targets across Gaza.

• The number of Druze residents applying for Israeli citizenship has reached historic highs, with over 20% now holding citizenship, double the number from 2000.

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TECH SPOTLIGHT: STORM 3GL

The 3M22 Zircon (also known as Tsirkon) is a Russian hypersonic cruise missile capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 9. It is powered by a scramjet engine that accelerates it to hypersonic speeds after a solid-fuel booster stage. The missile has an estimated range of 250 to 500 km at low altitude and up to 740 km in a semi-ballistic trajectory.

It is designed for both sea and land targets, with a high degree of maneuverability and a plasma stealth feature that makes it harder to detect by radar during flight. Zircon's high speed and kinetic energy make it particularly lethal against large naval targets, such as aircraft carriers. 

What it’s used for

The 3GL's compact size and quick-firing capability make it particularly useful for situations where soldiers need to deliver multiple explosive rounds rapidly. It’s not clear what countries currently use the 3GL.

2 - SUDAN

1 thing to know

The Sudanese Army (SAF) was repelled by a Rapid Support Forces (RSF) ambush as they tried to clear towns and villages along the Blue Nile in Sennar State.

The context

The SAF were defeated in an offensive aimed at clearing the RSF from towns and villages in Blue Nile State's Tadamon region when they were ambushed by RSF forces. The SAF suffered heavy losses, and as soldiers fled, they were pursued by RSF and ordered to surrender. Many of the prisoners were executed, but casualty number are so far unknown.

The RSF have controlled areas of Blue Nile since July 2024, initially withdrawing into the countryside instead of attacking, but then expanded their control in the northern part of the region. The SAF have suffered multiple defeats as they have sought to retake those areas.

More from the region

• A commander from the Sudan Liberation Army defected to establish a new group allied with the SAF against the RSF

• The Sudanese Army made gains in Omdurman and recaptured territory held by the RSF

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