Author Archives: Seth Frantzman

Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDD’s Long War Journal. He is the senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post, and author of The October 7 War: Israel's Battle for Security in Gaza (2024).
IDF troops enter Gaza

Israel steps up ground ops in Gaza, threatens Hamas it will take more areas

| March 21, 2025

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have expanded ground operations in Gaza after launching a new operation on March 18. Operation Strength and Sword initially included airstrikes targeting Hamas officials, but the operations expanded on March 19 to limited ground maneuvers that have seized areas in southern, central, and northern Gaza. The IDF says the effort is designed to pressure Hamas to release the 59 hostages still held by the group.

Abdul-Mahdi visits Yemen

Iraq’s former PM visits Houthis amid US strikes and Houthi attacks on ships, Israel

| March 21, 2025

Former Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi traveled to Houthi-controlled Sanaa in Yemen on March 20, according to reports in Iranian and Yemeni media. His visit occurred as the US continued its campaign of airstrikes against the Iranian-backed Houthis. Sources Abdul-Mahdi was in Yemen to attend a conference in support of Palestinians, but other reports speculated that his visit may be linked to the US conflict with the Houthis and Iran’s historic backing of the group.

SDF in eastern Syria

After SDF-Damascus deal, a spotlight on US forces in Syria

| March 11, 2025

US forces in eastern Syria continue to work closely with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian Free Army (SFA). However, the agreement between SDF commander Mazloum Abdi and Syrian President Ahmad al Sharaa to integrate eastern Syria into the country’s new governing institutions could affect the US role in Syria and the broader anti-Islamic State campaign.

Zamir visits Syria border

Israeli defense chief assesses military readiness along Israel’s border with Syria

| March 9, 2025

Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, the new chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), visited Israel’s border with Syria on March 9. He traveled to IDF positions and met with commanders. It is his first visit to the border since assuming the role and part of a wider series of Israeli moves to bolster the border and warn the new government in Damascus to demilitarize southern Syria.

Mohammed Shia al Sudani

After 2 years, Iraq claims to be searching for kidnapped researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov

| March 6, 2025

On March 5, Iraqi National Security Advisor Qassem al Araji said that Baghdad is trying to locate kidnapped researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov, an Israeli and Russian citizen who was abducted in March 2023. Israeli officials have blamed Kataib Hezbollah for kidnapping Tsurkov, and her case has received increased attention in the last two months since the Trump administration entered office.

SDF fighters training

Analysis: How will the US-backed SDF be affected by PKK leader’s disarmament call?

| March 5, 2025

On February 27, Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan called for his group to disarm and end its conflict with Turkey. The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in eastern Syria have welcomed this statement, which may provide an opportunity for Turkey to change its policy in Syria, affect US policy, and impact SDF relations with the new government in Damascus.

Israel Katz

Israel strikes southern Syria amid continued demands for demilitarization

| February 27, 2025

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out airstrikes in southern Syria on February 25 after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said that southern Syria must be a demilitarized zone. Local reports said that the strikes hit several areas in Daraa province, not far from Israel’s Golan Heights.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Netanyahu calls for the demilitarization of southern Syria

| February 25, 2025

On February 23, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel would not allow forces of the new Syrian army to enter areas south of Damascus. “We demand the full demilitarization of southern Syria,” he said. Individuals in southern Syria protested the statement and Syrian officials condemned Israeli incursions into the country.

Falih al Fyyadh at Nasrallah's funeral

Pro-Iranian Iraqi militia leaders gather in Lebanon for Hezbollah leader’s funeral

| February 23, 2025

Falih al Fayyadh, the head of Iraq’s largely pro-Iranian Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), traveled to Beirut for the funeral of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on February 23. Other senior members of pro-Iranian militias in Iraq also attended the funeral, and several militia leaders put out statements. Hezbollah-affiliated media claimed approximately 200,000 Iraqis came to Lebanon for the event, though this number is unverified.

Halevi meets with Israeli hostages

Gaza ceasefire faces new hurdles as Hamas releases bodies of slain hostages, only 3 of 4 identified

| February 21, 2025

On February 20, Hamas released four caskets ostensibly carrying the remains of four Israeli hostages to the Red Cross, but one contained the body of a Palestinian woman. Israel has condemned this as a violation of the ceasefire that began in January. Separately, the IDF redeployed an experienced division that served in Gaza and carried out airstrikes against Hezbollah on the Syria-Lebanon border.

Syrian Free Army

US-backed Syrian Free Army continues to patrol Tanf area in southern Syria

| February 10, 2025

The US-trained Syrian Free Army helped clear unexploded ordnance and provided support to local Syrians in continued operations in southern Syria. Based at Tanf near the Jordanian and Iraqi borders, the unit also met with the new Syrian government in Damascus. The Syrian Free Army grew out of the US-backed anti-Islamic State mission and has operated from Tanf for almost a decade in various forms.

Syrian forces enter Afrin

Syrian government forces enter Afrin, signaling a change in control

| February 6, 2025

The new Syrian government in Damascus sent a convoy of vehicles from the General Security Department to Afrin, a historically Kurdish city and district in northwest Syria. In 2018, Turkey launched a military operation into Afrin and backed the Syrian National Army (SNA) to run the district. The deployment by Damascus appears to represent a significant shift after five years of rule by the SNA.

Drone attack on Kurdistan gas field

Drone attack targets gas field in northern Iraq

| February 4, 2025

On February 2, a drone targeted the Khor Mor gas field in the autonomous Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Dana Gas, which runs the facility, said that operations continued as normal, and there were no injuries. The same area has been attacked several times in recent years, including by an Iranian-type Shahed drone in April 2024. The US Embassy condemned the attack, and Iraq’s prime minister called for an investigation.

Qatari emir arrives in Syria

Syria appoints new president amid widespread diplomatic engagement efforts

| January 30, 2025

On January 29, Ahmed al Sharaa was declared the new president of Syria in the transitional government that came into power after the collapse of the Assad regime on December 8. This declaration led to congratulations from several Arab states in the region, and the Qatari emir arrived in Damascus on January 30, the first head of state to visit the new ruler. These developments are part of a broad diplomatic outreach by Sharaa and his new foreign minister.

Iraqi militia leader speech

Iranian-backed militias in Iraq face an uncertain future

| January 28, 2025

Pro-Iranian militias in Iraq, collectively part of the Hashd al Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Units), face increasing calls to place their arms under state control or lay them down entirely. The fall of the Assad regime, a new administration in Washington, and the Gaza ceasefire have put these groups under the spotlight in Iraqi politics.

Destroyed vehicle near Tishrin Dam

The strategic Tishrin Dam has become a flashpoint in post-Assad Syria

| January 26, 2025

Clashes in Syria have increased at the Tishrin Dam, a strategic site on the Euphrates River around 30 miles south of the Turkish border controlled by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces. The Turkish-backed Syrian National Army, a collection of former Syrian rebel groups, has been seeking to take the dam since the fall of the Assad regime on December 8.

IDF Givati Brigade leaving Gaza

First hostages released, some IDF troops withdraw from Gaza as Israel-Hamas ceasefire begins

| January 22, 2025

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began in Gaza on January 19. Hamas released three Israeli hostages on the same day, the first of 33 hostages expected to be freed during the first phase of the deal. Negotiations between Israel and Hamas will take place regarding subsequent phases of the agreement. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) began withdrawing troops from northern Gaza, including the 162nd Division. IDF Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi submitted his resignation, taking responsibility for the failures during the October 7 attack on Israel.

Kerem Shalom crossing Israel

Israel moves forward with hostage deal

| January 17, 2025

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is preparing for a hostage deal to be implemented with Hamas on January 19. It has set aside three sites where hostages may arrive when they leave Gaza, from which they will be transported to hospitals. The IDF is also preparing to redeploy units in Gaza to border areas and defensive positions. The 162nd Division in northern Gaza will withdraw from urban areas and secure the north, while the 99th Division is expected to withdraw from the Netzarim Corridor, according to Israeli media reports.

IDF Nahal Brigade in Gaza

Israel prepares for hostage deal with Hamas

| January 16, 2025

Israel is preparing for a deal that will see the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas and a cessation of fighting in Gaza. Assuming the agreement goes into effect, it will occur in phases, with the first phase taking place over 42 days, in which 33 hostages will be released. In exchange, Israel will release more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. In subsequent phases, all the hostages held in Gaza, of which there are almost 100, some of whom are deceased, will be freed, and the Israel Defense Forces will withdraw from Gaza in stages.

IDF troops

Israel strikes Hezbollah targets in Lebanon as ceasefire continues

| January 15, 2025

Israel faces continued threats in Lebanon despite the recent ceasefire, which approaches the important milestone of its first 60 days. On January 13, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out strikes on several Hezbollah targets, “including a rocket launcher site, a military site, and routes along the Syria-Lebanon border used to smuggle weapons to Hezbollah.” Israeli troops also continued searching for weapons and dismantling terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon.

IDF Nahal Brigade in Gaza

IDF faces growing threat from IEDs in northern Gaza

| January 13, 2025

Seven Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers were killed by improvised explosive devices in two recent incidents in northern Gaza. Israeli troops from the 401st Armored Brigade and Nahal Brigade are operating in Beit Hanoun to clear the area of threats. The Givati Brigade continues to fight in Jabaliya, while the IDF withdrew the Kfir Brigade from operations in northern Gaza.

Halevi visits hospital

Israel takes stock of military casualties over a year of war

| January 2, 2025

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) published data on the number of soldiers killed and wounded in 2024 and since the war began on October 7, 2023. A total of 363 IDF soldiers were killed in 2024, most of them during combat operations and in terrorist attacks. Overall, 891 servicemembers have died, most of them in combat, and 5,569 have been wounded since the conflict started last year.

IDF troops in Lebanon

Israeli forces in southern Lebanon dismantle more Hezbollah sites

| December 31, 2024

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continue to search for and uncover Hezbollah munitions and terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon. IDF forces found weapons, explosives, and a tunnel in the fourth week of December. Israel is aiming to fulfill its mission against these threats before troops withdraw from southern Lebanon over the next three weeks in compliance with the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire. Hezbollah has warned that it will respond to Israel if the ceasefire’s terms are violated.

Israeli troops Nahal Brigade

IDF clears hospital of terrorists, launches new raid in Beit Hanoun

| December 29, 2024

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) detained more than 240 suspected terrorists during a raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza on December 28. It is at least the third time in a year that the IDF has found numerous terrorists near this hospital. The IDF also launched a new operation in Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza, and terrorists fired several long-range rockets at Israel from the neighborhood as Israeli troops began the operation.

Israeli F-16s

Israel strikes Houthi targets after ballistic missile attacks on Israel

| December 27, 2024

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out airstrikes on the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen on December 26. The daytime strikes targeted the port of Hudaydah and Sanaa International Airport, among other targets. The IDF said it was targeting military infrastructure linked to the Houthis and Iranian smuggling of weapons to the group. The Houthis conducted a ballistic missile attack on Israel in the early hours of December 27.

Israeli soldiers in northern Gaza

Three Israeli soldiers killed by an IED in northern Gaza

| December 23, 2024

Three Israeli soldiers were killed in northern Gaza, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said on December 23. The soldiers were taking part in a raid against terrorists in Beit Hanoun when they were killed by an improvised explosive device. The IDF also carried out an airstrike on December 22, targeting a Hamas commander who was at a command-and-control center in a former school.