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The United States’ Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system was used in Israel for the first time, attempting to intercept a missile launched from Yemen. The THAAD system, deployed by the Biden administration in October, was stationed in Israel alongside approximately 100 US personnel to bolster Israel’s missile defenses amid escalating regional tensions. It remains unclear whether the system successfully neutralized the threat.

Israel Strikes Back HARD on the Houthis: 100 Jets

In a stunning move, Israel delivered a crushing blow to the Houthi rebel group after they launched yet another ballistic missile at Israel on Christmas Day. The Houthi leader, Abdul Malik Al-Houthi, bragged on live TV about Israel’s “failed deterrence,” but little did he know, Israel’s response was coming fast and furious.  Over 100 Israeli jets swooped down on Houthi-controlled targets in Yemen, including military infrastructure, power stations, and ports—crippling their ability to wage war against Israel.  The strategic strikes that sent shockwaves through the Houthi regime.

Weekly Petroleum Data for the week ending December 20, 2024

 

U.S. commercial crude oil inventories (excluding those in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve) decreased by 4.2 million barrels from the previous week. At 416.8 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 5% below the five year average for this time of year U.S. crude oil refinery inputs averaged 16.8 million barrels per day during the week ending December 20, 2024, which was 205 thousand barrels per day more than the previous week’s average. Refineries operated at 92.5% of their operable capacity last week. Gasoline production increased last week, averaging 9.9 million barrels per day. Distillate fuel production increased
last week, averaging 5.3 million barrels per day. U.S. crude oil imports averaged 6.5 million barrels per day last week, decreased by 178 thousand barrels per day from the previous week. Over the past four weeks, crude oil imports averaged about 6.6 million barrels per day, 2.2% less than the same four-week period last year. Total motor gasoline imports (including both finished gasoline and gasoline blending components) last week averaged 657 thousand barrels per day, and distillate fuel imports averaged 180 thousand barrels per day.. Total motor gasoline inventories increased by 1.6 million barrels from last week and are about 3% below the five year average for this time of year. Both finished gasoline and blending components inventories
increased last week. Distillate fuel inventories decreased by 1.7 million barrels last week and are about 10% below the five year average for this time of year. Propane/propylene inventories decreased by 4.5 million barrels from last week and are 9% above the five year average for this time of year. Total commercial petroleum inventories decreased by 12.7 million barrels last week. Total products supplied over the last four-week period averaged 20.7 million barrels a day, down by 0.1% from the same period last year. Over the past four weeks, motor gasoline product supplied averaged 8.9 million barrels a day, up by 0.7% from the same period last year. Distillate fuel product supplied averaged 3.9 million barrels a day over the past four weeks, up by 1.7% from, the same period last year. Jet fuel product supplied was up 6.5% compared with the same four-week period last year

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an interview with Channel 14 on Thursday warned that Israel was “just getting started with the Houthis” after his country launched a series of airstrikes targeting the Yemen-based militant group. “We won’t allow them [to attack Israel] these days, today and any other day. We will strike them to the bitter end until they learn. As I said, Hamas learned, Hezbollah learned, and Syria learned. The Houthis will learn too,” stated Netanyahu. Speaking about a potential ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas, Netanyahu criticized recent comments from unnamed officials that the agreement could have already been reached, calling them “lies.”

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi claimed  that the most recent strikes in Yemen show that the military is capable of reaching “any threat.” The remarks come hours after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) attacked Houthi-controlled areas in that country amid a visit by a United Nations delegation. “Once again, the IDF has proven its capability to reach and strike any threat to the citizens of Israel. Over the years, we have built capabilities to strike very far from Israel’s territory in a precise, powerful, and repeated manner,” Halevi was quoted as saying by the Times of Israel.

Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated on Friday that the country is evaluating all possible measures regarding the resumption of nuclear tests.Speaking to Kommersant, Ryabkov criticized US policies, particularly past stances by US President-elect Donald Trump, highlighting Washington’s refusal to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. Ryabkov cited the 2018 US nuclear doctrine, which framed the treaty as detrimental to American interests. He argued that the global landscape and American hostility require Russia to review its security strategy.

Russian President Vladimir Putin told journalists on Thursday his country is seeking to end the war in Ukraine. Putin made his comment in reply to a reporter’s remark about United States President-elect Donald Trump’s intention to freeze the conflict. “That’s what our people say, yes, if only you could drink honey with your lips,” Putin noted. At the same time, Putin revealed that during his recent visit to Moscow Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico said his country was ready to provide a venue for potential future peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, adding that he was not against it.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi claimed on Thursday that the most recent strikes in Yemen show that the military is capable of reaching “any threat.” The remarks come hours after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) attacked Houthi-controlled areas in that country amid a visit by a United Nations delegation. “Once again, the IDF has proven its capability to reach and strike any threat to the citizens of Israel. Over the years, we have built capabilities to strike very far from Israel’s territory in a precise, powerful, and repeated manner,” Halevi was quoted as saying by the Times of Israel. Four people lost their lives and 16 were wounded in a series of Israeli airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, according to the Houthi-affiliated Al-Masirah news channel. Israeli airstrikes on the Sanaa International Airport in the Yemeni capital caused the deaths of two people while the third victim was killed and another three persons were declared missing when Israeli forces struck the port city of Hodeidah in western Yemen. Earlier, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the airstrikes on Yemen and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Israel would continue to strike Houthis, who he referred to as a “terrorist arms of Iran.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday warned that Houthis “will learn what Hamas, Hezbollah, the Assad regime, and others have learned,” following a series of ballistic missile and drone attacks launched on Israel from Yemen. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out airstrikes targeting ports and energy facilities in the Yemeni capital Sana on December 19. In addition, an Israeli general said his country will step up attacks against the militant group in retaliation for their attacks on Israel.

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something unusual happened today

 

Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said on Wednesday that its Southern Brigade destroyed two underground attack routes in the Gaza Strip that were two kilometers long. “In the strikes, a terrorist cell that attempted to plant an explosive device was eliminated, and anti-tank positions and terrorist infrastructure that posed a danger to the forces were destroyed,” the military said. The engineering unit of the IDF’s Gaza division reportedly completed the military operation in collaboration with the military’s Yahalam unit in recent weeks. The Israeli army also reportedly bombed a house in Gaza earlier today, killing three Palestinians and injuring more.

Katz: Control of Gaza to remain in Israel’s hands

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz insisted on Wednesday that the country will ensure the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) remain in control of the Gaza Strip despite the ongoing negotiations about a new ceasefire with Hamas possibly featuring a different prerequisite. “We will make sure there are security zones, buffer zones, and strategic posts which will ensure the security of towns,” Katz said during a visit to a unit stationed in Gaza. “There will be no Hamas rule and no Hamas military. We will create a new reality here, thanks to the daily fighting, which is continuing even now.” Katz’s comments came after Israel denied Hamas’s claims of the country including new demands in the list of conditions to reach a ceasefire.

The prices of oil futures decreased by 1% on Monday after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced progress in the latest negotiations with Hamas about a ceasefire and hostage exchange, indicating Gaza and parts of the Middle East could soon witness at least a temporary peace.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for February’s deliveries declined by 1.05% at 12:07 pm ET to sell for $68.81 per barrel. Meanwhile, Brent for the same month’s settlements dropped by 1.10% to go for $72.20 per barrel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged on Monday a “certain advancement” in the country’s negotiations with Hamas about a new ceasefire and prisoner exchange. Speaking before the Knesset, Netanyahu admitted to not knowing how long the talks will last but insisted that “[w]e will continue to act in every way without respite until we bring everyone home from the enemy territory.” Furthermore, he highlighted the assassination of then-Hamas Political Bureau Yahya Sinwar as a catalyst for the improvement in the process. His comments came after the report a new agreement was “imminent,” but that then Netanyahu added new requirements to the deal proposal.