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48New details released by the IDF following a change in naval leadership reveal that Israel’s submarine fleet carried out far-reaching and highly classified missions during the war, achieving record-breaking operational reach and striking deep inside enemy territory.

As Major General David Saar Salama stepped down as commander of the Navy, officials disclosed that Shayetet 7 reached new milestones in both distance traveled and sustained activity within hostile zones. According to the information made public, these operations marked a significant expansion of the Navy’s strategic footprint.

Among the most notable revelations was that Israeli submarines reached “the farthest location in the history” of the submarine flotilla during a wartime mission, underscoring the unprecedented scope of the operations.

The fleet was deployed simultaneously across three separate arenas, with vast distances of thousands of kilometers between each submarine. In a first for the Navy, Shayetet 7 coordinated directly with Shayetet 3, the missile boat flotilla, to target and destroy enemy air defense systems and aircraft from the sea.

In the Syrian arena, the Navy took advantage of a narrow operational window to launch a major strike against Syrian naval forces. Within roughly an hour, Israeli forces sank 15 ships and struck dozens of missiles with ranges between 80 and 200 kilometers, dealing a major blow to Syria’s maritime capabilities.

Naval operations against Hezbollah also yielded significant results, particularly in dismantling the group’s coastal missile network. Many of these weapons, which had been concealed beneath civilian infrastructure and in underground facilities, were destroyed, leaving only a limited number still in Hezbollah’s possession.

Another key operation, known as Operation Behind the Back, saw Shayetet 13 forces capture Imad Amhaz. His interrogation led to the uncovering of a previously hidden Hezbollah naval unit, adding to Israel’s intelligence gains.

The Navy also played a major role in countering the Houthi threat, carrying out strikes as far as 150 kilometers داخل Yemen. These attacks reportedly disrupted supply routes, preventing roughly 80 percent of goods from reaching their intended destinations. During Operation “Roaring Lion,” naval units also provided direction and intelligence for strikes on at least 95 targets in Iran.

Since the war began, naval commando units have conducted hundreds of missions, including operations in distant regions where Israeli forces had not previously operated. In Gaza, naval forces were involved in central combat activities, ranging from raids on Shifa and Rantisi hospitals to seizing control of the harbor, conducting hostage rescue efforts, and carrying out logistical insertions deep in the Strip.

During the course of the fighting, the Navy brought all four Sa’ar 6-class warships into full operational use, deploying them in both defensive and offensive roles. The fleet was further strengthened by the arrival of two landing craft from the United States, and a sixth submarine, INS “Drakon” (dragon), is expected to join the fleet in the near future. In addition, a new maritime unit called “Netz” was established to enhance surveillance and drone operations at sea.

Over the 48 days of Operation Roaring Lion,” naval forces accumulated approximately 26,000 hours at sea, conducted 154 offensive strikes, and successfully carried out 40 air defense and interception actions against incoming aerial threats.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has formally requested that the Justice Department investigate two former officials involved in the 2019 impeachment of President Donald Trump, following the release of newly declassified materials.

According to several reports, Gabbard submitted criminal referrals focusing on the original whistleblower and former Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson, citing concerns raised by newly disclosed documents about how the impeachment case was conducted.

A spokesperson for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence confirmed that a referral was submitted “related to one or more former employees of the Intelligence Community and their role in the 2019 impeachment of President Trump,” though no specific allegations were detailed.

The referrals come on the heels of recently unsealed records that, according to Gabbard, suggest the whistleblower may have provided misleading information and demonstrated potential bias. The same materials also allege that Atkinson failed to share critical details with Congress during the impeachment proceedings, according to reporting by Just the News.

Gabbard has sharply criticized the handling of the complaint, asserting that the whistleblower system was “weaponized” and used as part of what she and other allies of Trump describe as an effort driven by politics to weaken a sitting president.

CBS News reported that while Gabbard has asked for investigations to move forward, the Justice Department will ultimately decide whether any legal action will be taken.

The network noted that the initial complaint focused on Trump’s 2019 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which led to his impeachment by the House of Representatives, followed by his acquittal in the Senate.

CNN also confirmed the referrals, adding that Gabbard released additional documentation this week that she says reveals irregularities in how the whistleblower complaint was processed.

Those documents reportedly include testimony and internal records indicating that standard oversight procedures may not have been followed by the intelligence community’s watchdog.

The move has drawn sharp opposition from critics, particularly among senior Democrats.

Representative Jim Himes argued that the referral is politically motivated and cautioned that it could have a chilling effect on future whistleblowers.

Backers of Gabbard’s decision, however, say the referrals are necessary, especially if key information was withheld during a major constitutional process.

Legal analysts point out that criminal referrals do not automatically lead to charges, but they can prompt formal investigations by federal authorities.

For Trump’s supporters, the development is being viewed as a possible reopening of one of the most divisive political episodes of his presidency.

If the Justice Department proceeds, the outcome could carry significant consequences—not only for the individuals involved, but also for broader issues surrounding government transparency, accountability, and the role intelligence agencies play in domestic political matters.

{Matzav.com}