ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - January 9, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - January 9, 2024

ZeroFox physical security experts collect, curate, and analyze information derived from open and proprietary sources for comprehensive context of the circumstances surrounding global events. Here is today’s daily roundup of major developments.

Brief Highlights

• Hezbollah Confirms Death of Commander in Lebanon
• China’s Food Security Law to Take Effect
• Argentina Disrupts Another Attempted Attack on Jewish Targets

Hezbollah Confirms Death of Commander in Lebanon

On January 8, 2024, Hezbollah confirmed the death of Commander Wissam Tawil in an Israeli strike on a vehicle in the southern Lebanese village of Khirbet Selm. Tawil represents the most senior Hezbollah figure killed since the beginning of clashes between the group and Israeli forces in October 2023. At the time of writing, it remains unclear if the strike was targeted or the result of typical cross-border fire. Regardless, as a result of this incident, the intensity of fighting in the Lebanese-Israeli border area should be expected to increase in the near-term.

China’s Food Security Law to Take Effect

China’s top legislature, the National People’s Congress (NPC), passed a food security law to ensure the supply of grain and related products, which will take effect on June 1, 2024. The Food Security Law comprises 11 chapters and 74 articles, including general provisions, farmland protection, grain conservation and supervision, and management. China has likely identified food insecurity as a key vulnerability for its large population of 1.4 billion people. China has only nine percent of the world's arable land, and in recent years it has been hit by natural disasters, while its agricultural sector has been hit by swine flu and other diseases, all of which require food imports. China is eager to become self-sufficient across supply chains, including food supplies, so that it does not need to rely on adversaries for needed imports. Therefore, expect an increase in agricultural production from China that could lead to a sudden drop in food imports.

Argentina Disrupts Another Attempted Attack on Jewish Targets

Argentina announced it had arrested three individuals plotting a terror attack on Jewish targets. Argentina has the region's largest Jewish population and suffered two terror attacks, one in 1992 against the Israeli embassy and another in 1994 against a Jewish community center, killing dozens each time. Hezbollah was strongly linked to the attacks, which were reportedly in retaliation for the Israeli killing of a Hezbollah leader in 1990. Hezbollah has been accused of operating across the region, historically in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, but also recently in Venezuela, where President Nicolas Maduro maintains close ties with Iran. Brazil foiled an attack in its largest city, Sao Paolo, in November 2023, reportedly orchestrated by Hezbollah-linked individuals. The arrests reportedly occurred on December 30, 2023, as Argentina was hosting the Pan-American Maccabi Games, which brings Jewish athletes together for competitions across the region. The attackers were reportedly from Lebanon and Syria and mailed items for the attack from Yemen. Israeli and U.S. intelligence warned Argentina authorities about the individuals. However, the attackers lack of sophistication likely means they operated without assistance.