ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - September 27, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - September 27, 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

• United States, France Propose 21-Day Ceasefire Between Israel and Hezbollah
• China Launches Intercontinental Ballistic Missile into Pacific Ocean
• Russia Lowers Threshold for Nuclear Weapons Use

United States, France Propose 21-Day Ceasefire Between Israel and Hezbollah

The United States and France, along with several other countries, proposed an “immediate” 21-day truce in the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Despite initial optimism on the part of diplomats working on the agreement, the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that no deal was “imminent,” with Foreign Minister Israel Katz also stating that “there will be no ceasefire in the north…” At the time of writing, Hezbollah has yet to publicly respond to the proposal.

China Launches Intercontinental Ballistic Missile into Pacific Ocean

China’s People’s Liberation Army's Rocket Force has launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the open waters in the Pacific Ocean, marking the first public test in four decades. The operation came as China and Russia conducted joint naval exercises in nearby seas close to Japan. Although China said the launch of the ICBM was part of the annual training plan, it was likely a signal of its advanced capabilities to intimidate its neighbors who have border conflicts with China, including Japan, the Philippines, and Taiwan.

Russia Lowers Threshold for Nuclear Weapons Use

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia was revising its rules on when it would use nuclear weapons. Russia said it would consider using nuclear weapons if it received information that an onslaught of weapons was crossing into Russian territory or if a non-nuclear state backed by a nuclear state attacked it. The message is likely in response to reports that Ukraine is pushing its Western allies to allow Ukraine to use long-range weapons against Russia. Western supporters of Ukraine have so far prohibited Ukraine from using its weapons deep inside Russia, concerned about Russia expanding its war efforts into those Western states.