ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - January 16, 2025

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - January 16, 2025

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

• No Deal till Hamas Backs Down from “Last Minute Concessions”
• Japan Continues Efforts to Restore Relations with China
• Treasury Disrupts Russia’s Sanctions Evasion Schemes

No Deal till Hamas Backs Down from “Last Minute Concessions”

At the time of reporting, the much-awaited ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas faced a last-minute holdup. Israeli officials accused Hamas of trying to add “last minute concessions” on certain aspects of the deal. The Israeli security cabinet will convene to decide on the deal after its delegation returns from Qatar. Media sources say that strikes in Gaza have intensified, with reports citing almost 40 deaths.

Japan Continues Efforts to Restore Relations with China

A Chinese military delegation has recently made a rare visit to Japan as the two Asian nations seek to ease tensions ahead of Donald Trump's return as U.S. president. The visit was arranged following a meeting in November between the Japanese and Chinese defense ministers in Laos during a regional defense conference, where both sides reportedly agreed to increase military exchanges. Japan and China have been working to mend their relations, which have long been affected by territorial disputes, historical grievances, and other challenges. In addition to the military delegation, a group of Japanese lawmakers visited China this week for talks with senior Communist Party officials. Japan's agriculture minister was scheduled to visit the country on Wednesday. Japan's National Security Advisor Takeo Akiba had traveled to China in November for discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Tokyo also planned to invite Wang to Japan this February as part of efforts to pave the way for a state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who has not visited Japan for a bilateral meeting since taking office.

Treasury Disrupts Russia’s Sanctions Evasion Schemes

The U.S. Department of the Treasury is moving against Russian efforts to evade U.S. sanctions. This action targets a sanctions evasion scheme established between actors in Russia and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to facilitate cross-border payments for sensitive goods. In addition, the Treasury is designating a Kyrgyz Republic-based financial institution that coordinated with Russian officials and a U.S.-designated bank to implement a sanctions evasion scheme. The U.S. Department of State is sanctioning more than 150 entities and individuals pursuant to E.O. 14024, including a wide range of companies in Russia’s defense industry and those supporting its military industrial base. The sanctions also include dozens of companies across multiple countries that continue to support Russia’s efforts to evade U.S. sanctions, particularly in the PRC, which remains the largest supplier of dual use items and enabler of sanctions evasion in support of Russia’s war effort.