Tag Archives: Hamas

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 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.

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 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.

Israeli troops in Lebanon

IDF prepares to move elite 98th Division from Lebanon to Gaza

| December 18, 2024

The IDF’s 98th Division completed its mission in Lebanon after operating against Hezbollah for two months in October and November. The IDF said the division is preparing for its next mission in the Gaza Strip. Other Israeli units in southern Lebanon continue to uncover Hezbollah tunnels and munitions as the ceasefire continues between Israel and Lebanon.

Khameni and Assad meeting

Analysis: Iran never gave up on Assad; it simply failed to protect him

| December 13, 2024

The sudden collapse of the Islamic Republic’s closest state-actor ally stunned the world as Syrian rebels captured Damascus in just 11 days after launching a new wave of insurgency. To deflect this humiliating defeat, Iranian officials have claimed that the Tehran-Damascus alliance had been weakening and that Iran no longer aimed to preserve the Assad dynasty. However, leaks from Tehran and insights into Iranian regional strategy tell a different story: Iran was incapable of safeguarding the Syrian regime, and its collapse has sparked internal divisions among Iranian officials.

Israeli troops uncover a tunnel in Gaza

Terrorists in central Gaza continue to threaten Israel

| December 11, 2024

Terrorists fired two projectiles at Israel from central Gaza on December 11, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intercepted the threats. Hamas continues to control central Gaza and use the area to threaten Israel. In northern Gaza, the IDF eliminated 10 terrorists who were part of a group that killed three Israeli soldiers on December 9. The IDF also targeted two Hamas members who took part in the October 7 attack.

IDF troops operating in northern Gaza

IDF uncovers munitions and explosives in northern Gaza

| December 4, 2024

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) uncovered explosives and munitions in northern Gaza this week. The 401st Armored Brigade operating in Jabaliya found an explosives lab, while Israeli infantry also found a building rigged with explosives in another sector. An IDF commander estimated that the fight against Hamas in Jabaliya could take up to another month. In central Gaza, the IDF eliminated seven terrorists it said had participated in the October 7 attack. The IDF declared that hostage Omer Neutra was killed on October 7, 2023, and Hamas holds his body in Gaza.

Netanyahu visits Netzarim Corridor

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu visits Gaza’s Netzarim Corridor

| November 20, 2024

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Gaza’s Netzarim Corridor on November 19, accompanied by Israel Katz, Israel’s new defense minister. “Hamas will not rule in Gaza,” Netanyahu said. “We are eliminating its military capabilities in very impressive fashion. We are moving on to its governing abilities, and we are not yet done. Hamas will not be in Gaza.” The head of the Israeli Air Force also visited Gaza and met with commanders in Jabaliya. Seven IDF soldiers have fallen in northern Gaza over the last two weeks.

IDF Humvee in northern Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu removes Defense Minister Gallant

| November 6, 2024

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu removed Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant from office on November 5 after months of tension between the two men. The move comes as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continues to operate in Lebanon against Hezbollah, and Israel faces threats on multiple fronts. In Gaza, the IDF has eliminated approximately 1,000 terrorists and cleared a large area of northern Gaza of Hamas members.

IDF troops discover tunnel

13 IDF soldiers killed on two fronts

| October 25, 2024

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) suffered losses in Lebanon and Gaza over two days of fighting. On October 24, the IDF announced the names of five fallen soldiers killed in Lebanon, and the Israeli military announced the names of eight more killed in Lebanon and Gaza on October 25. IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi visited troops in Jabaliya in northern Gaza, where he praised their determination in recent weeks of fighting Hamas.

Counter-UAV demonstration in Israel

Multi-front drone threats against Israel increase

| October 22, 2024

Israel faces a rising drone threat from Iranian-backed proxies. On October 22, Israel confirmed that a drone attack on October 19 had struck a residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Hezbollah took responsibility for the attack. Hezbollah also killed four IDF soldiers and wounded 60 in an attack on an IDF training base on October 13. Israel’s Minister of Defense held a trial for defense companies to showcase technology to counter drone threats on October 14.

Israeli troops in Rafah

IDF releases details on clash that led to Hamas leader’s death

| October 18, 2024

The IDF released new details on how its troops encountered Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and several other Hamas members in southern Gaza on October 16. Israel’s defense minister called on Hamas to surrender and for Gazans to release the 101 hostages still held in captivity. The IDF continued operations in Jabaliya in northern Gaza.

Yahya Sinwar

Israeli troops kill wanted Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar

| October 17, 2024

Sinwar was the mastermind behind the October 7, 2023, assault on Israel and was perhaps the most wanted Hamas terrorist by Israel. A veteran of Hamas since the 1980s, Sinwar established the group’s security service and rose to lead Hamas in August 2024 after his predecessor was assassinated in Tehran, Iran.

Israeli soldier northern Gaza

IDF pushes to weaken Hamas in north Gaza

| October 15, 2024

The 162nd Division of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has been fighting in Jabaliya in northern Gaza for 10 days and found weapons and explosives during the operation. There have also been clashes with terrorists, and Hamas fighters have been eliminated. The IDF transferred 30 trucks of humanitarian aid into northern Gaza amid concerns about civilians.

Nova Music Festival massacre anniversary commemoration

Israel faces attacks on multiple fronts on the anniversary of the October 7 attack

| October 7, 2024

Israel commemorated the anniversary of the October 7 massacre as Hamas fired more than 135 rockets at southern and central Israel, Iraqi militias targeted Israel with drones, and the Houthis launched a long-range missile at central Israel. The IDF’s top general met with the head of US Central Command on October 6. A third IDF division began operations in Lebanon as the Israeli Air Force hit 120 Hezbollah targets.

IDF tank

IDF returns to northern Gaza’s Jabaliya neighborhood

| October 6, 2024

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a new operation in northern Gaza directed at Hamas terrorists in Jabliya, an area the IDF has cleared three times during the war. The new operation, launched as Israel prepares for the anniversary of the October 7 attack, began after the Israeli military detected evidence that Hamas was seeking to rebuild its forces there.

Yoav Gallant

Israel strikes targets on multiple fronts

| September 29, 2024

The IDF carried out airstrikes on the Iranian-backed Houthis in Hudaydah using dozens of aircraft. An Israeli missile ship intercepted a UAV launched at Israel, and Iranian-backed militias in Iraq took credit for the attack. Israeli forces in Gaza uncovered a tunnel. Hezbollah carried out numerous rocket attacks on Israel on September 29, and the IDF continued strikes on the terrorist group. The IDF confirmed that more than 20 Hezbollah members were eliminated in the September 27 strike which killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut.

IDF infantry brigade Gaza

IDF rotates reserve infantry brigade to Gaza’s Netzarim Corridor

| September 17, 2024

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) deployed the 5th Brigade to central Gaza’s Netzarim Corridor, according to an IDF statement on September 16. The reserve infantry brigade recently completed training in Israel’s southern Negev Desert, in which it prepared for ground operations on the kind of terrain it will face in central Gaza. Deploying reserve units has become routine as the IDF rotates forces into central Gaza.

IDF troops in Gaza

IDF focuses on eliminating Hamas commanders

| September 10, 2024

The IDF carried out an airstrike on three Hamas commanders who had set up a command-and-control center in the humanitarian zone in Gaza, the IDF said on September 10. In addition, the IDF targeted a Hamas battalion commander and three of his company commanders in southern Gaza. The strikes illustrate a wider campaign by the IDF to target Hamas’ remaining command-and-control centers.

IDF soldier firing missile

IDF division eliminates 200 terrorists in the Rafah area

| September 6, 2024

The Israel Defense Forces’ 162nd Division eliminated 200 terrorists in battles near Rafah and the Philadelphi Corridor in southern Gaza during the last week of August. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to keep control of the key area to prevent Hamas from re-arming.

Gallant meets Halevi

Top Israeli officials focus on northern front, returning Israelis to communities

| August 29, 2024

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held a strategic discussion with IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi on August 29 and discussed the need to return Israeli citizens to their homes in northern Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to northern Israel on August 28 and said the nation must restore security and return residents to their homes. “This is a national goal of the highest order,” Netanyahu said.

Halevi visit to Jordan Valley

IDF chief of staff visits Jordan Valley amid West Bank terror threats

| August 28, 2024

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi visited the Jordan Valley on August 27, where he met with officers of the Jordan Valley Brigade and spoke with the heads of local communities. His visit comes after several recent terror attacks in the valley and as threats have increased in the northern West Bank.