Israel’s Operation Swords of Iron Update October 19, 2023
JINSA
Israel’s Operation
Swords of Iron Update
October 19, 2023
Ari Cicurel
Assistant Director of Foreign Policy
Yoni Tobin
Policy Analyst
Zachary Schildcrout
Policy Analyst
Anna Schaftel
Programs and Outreach Associate
On October 7, Hamas launched an unprovoked and unprecedented multi-pronged attack on
Israel by land, air, and sea. JINSA issued a NatSec Brief with an early assessment of the war on
October 8 and has produced daily updates during the war. Yesterday, JINSA also held a
webinar with JINSA’s President and CEO Michael Makovsky, former CENTCOM and SOCOM
Commander GEN Joseph Votel, USA (ret.), and former Deputy CENTCOM Commander VADM
Mark Fox, USN (ret.), on the U.S. military response to the war. Updated information and
analysis are below, which JINSA will continue to produce throughout the war.
Last 24 Hours
Attacks Against Israel
l Roughly 7,144 rockets, mortars, drones, and other projectiles have been fired from Gaza
during the war.
» There were approximately 214 rockets targeting Israel in the last 24 hours.
» Sirens sounded in Azor, Beit Dagan, Bnei Brak, Ganot, Hemed, Holon, Mikve Israel,
Mishmar Hashiva, Or Yehuda, Qiryat Ono, Qiryat Shemona, Givat Shmuel, Ramat Gan,
Tel Aviv, Ashkelon, as well as other locations in southern Israel.
l Hezbollah and other terrorist groups in Lebanon escalated their attacks against Israel on
October 18.
» Terrorists launched an anti-tank missile from southern Lebanon towards the Shushan
area of northern Israel.
» Nine projectiles were fired in a single volley from southern Lebanon into Israel, four of
which were intercepted by the IDF.
» Several anti-tank missiles were launched from Lebanon at the northern Israeli towns of
Malkia, Manara, and Metula.
» An anti-tank missile was launched from Lebanon at the town of Metula, striking an
unspecified location near the town and causing no injuries.
» Shots were fired from Lebanon towards the northern town of Har Dov, and shots were
also fired at an IDF military post near Zar’it, along the border.
