ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - February 11, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - February 11, 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

• ZeroFox Intelligence Brief - Threat Actors Exacerbate Divisions Ahead of Pakistan Elections
• Israeli Troops Press Towards Rafah amid Ceasefire Talks
• Spanish Farmers Protests Expected to Drastically Increase along with Truckers Strike

ZeroFox Intelligence Brief - Threat Actors Exacerbate Divisions Ahead of Pakistan Elections

What was originally going to be a tight November 2023 general election now looks settled in February 2024. During the delay, the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif managed to nullify the electoral threat posed by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who at the time looked to be the most likely winner. Backed by the powerful military, the government launched a crackdown on Khan and his supporters, which has left Khan isolated in jail while his party has languished politically. With both the political status quo and the military on the same side, expect a more predictable economic and foreign policy position from Pakistan.

Israeli Troops Press Towards Rafah amid Ceasefire Talks

On February 1, 2024, Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) will soon deploy its troops against Hamas’ Rafah Brigade in the southern Gaza Strip. The city was previously declared a safe zone and is currently housing hundreds of thousands of refugees from other areas of the enclave, making this operation particularly politically sensitive. This move may also be part of a strategy designed to pressure Hamas into finalizing a weeks-long ceasefire that multiple reports indicate has been agreed upon in principle.

Spanish Farmers Protests Expected to Drastically Increase along with Truckers Strike

Protesting farm workers across Spain are planning to intensify their protest activity through February, targeting the second city of Barcelona, and truck drivers starting an indefinite strike on February 10. Protesting farmers are already using their tractors to block portions of major highways and roads around their localities and have plans to move to other locations throughout the month. Similar tactics were adopted by German farmers in January 2024, when they staged several large protests accompanied by smaller protests in specific locations. Transportation disruptions will likely worsen starting on February 10 when the nationwide truck driver organization known as Plataforma Nacional joins the work stoppage with an indefinite strike. Similar strike action in 2022 caused billions in supply chain disruptions and left most road transport networks unpassable. Expect protests in Spain to worsen until workers achieve concessions. Similar protests in France and Belgium have weakened after the government appeased farmer demands.