Monthly Archives: July 2025

IDF clears Beit Hanoun, completes several operations in northern Gaza

| July 31, 2025

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) completed several local operations in northern Gaza aimed at defeating terrorist threats in Shejaiya, Zeitoun, and other areas. The IDF’s 99th and 162nd Divisions operated in Beit Hanoun for three weeks, and the Israeli military estimates it will take another week to completely clear the town of terrorists. The IDF’s 98th Division also completed missions in Shejaiya. The latest operations in northern Gaza ended as humanitarian aid increased to the territory.

Israel enables increased humanitarian aid for Gaza

| July 28, 2025

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) began to facilitate increased humanitarian aid to Gaza on July 26, the IDF said, including completing new air drops of assistance, opening new humanitarian corridors, and pausing fighting in areas of the territory during the day. The policy change came as ceasefire talks broke down in Qatar and international pressure increased on Israel to enable more aid for Gaza.

New head of anti-Islamic State mission in Iraq and Syria takes command

| July 23, 2025

The anti-Islamic State coalition of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve received its new commander at a ceremony in Iraq on July 21, 2025. Brigadier General Kevin Lambert took over for Major General Kevin Leahy, who served in the role for a year. Lambert takes over as US allies in Syria may integrate into the new Syrian armed forces, and the US is weighing its next steps in the country.

IDF gears up for expanded operation in Gaza’s Deir al Balah

| July 21, 2025

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) expanded operations into part of the Gaza town of Deir al Balah, according to reports on July 21. In other sectors of the territory, the Israeli military continued to conduct precision strikes and expand areas it controls. The IDF now controls 75 percent of Gaza, according to IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir. An errant Israeli shell struck the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza City on July 17.

US, UK condemn drone attacks targeting energy sites in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region

| July 18, 2025

The US and UK Embassies in Baghdad have issued statements regarding recent drone attacks targeting the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. “The United States condemns the recent drone attacks throughout Iraq, including the July 14 and July 15 drone attacks on critical infrastructure at the Khormala and Sarsang oil fields in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region,” the US said on July 15. Drone attacks continued on July 16 and 17. Officials in the autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government have accused Iranian-backed militias within Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces of the attacks.

Mysterious wave of explosions, sudden IRGC death disrupt post-ceasefire calm in Iran

| July 17, 2025

Israel and Iran indirectly agreed to a ceasefire on June 24, yet a wave of explosions and the mysterious death of an IRGC general over the past week have disturbed the relative calm in Iran. The regime has attributed every explosive incident to “gas leaks,” despite contradictory evidence. Israel has remained silent on these events but likely maintains intelligence superiority and the capacity to conduct operations in Iran.

Israel intensifies airstrikes on Syria to deter attacks on Druze

| July 16, 2025

Israel has increased attacks on government sites in Damascus and carried out airstrikes against Syrian forces to deter attacks against the Druze minority in southern Syria. The Israel Defense Forces struck tanks and vehicles on July 14 and 15. On July 16, it expanded the campaign to target an area near the Syrian Presidential Palace and struck a military headquarters in Damascus. Israeli officials have vowed over the last six months to protect the Druze in Syria and keep southern Syria demilitarized.

Iran threatens Europe as France, Germany, and UK weigh snapback options

| July 14, 2025

As France, Germany, and the UK weigh triggering snapback sanctions, Tehran has escalated its threats against Europe both rhetorically and operationally. Mohammad Javad Larijani, a senior advisor to the Supreme Leader, warned that Europeans “can no longer move about comfortably,” pointing to Iran’s growing drone capabilities as a tool of deterrence. From supplying Russia with drones for use in Ukraine to cultivating organized crime networks across Europe, the Islamic Republic is leveraging multiple pressure points to dissuade the E3 from restoring UN sanctions under Resolution 2231.

Generation Jihad | Loose ceasefires sink ships

| July 12, 2025

The Houthis are back at it—sinking ships, killing civilians, and holding crews hostage in the Red Sea. Bill is joined by his FDD colleagues Bridget Toomey and Bradley Bowman to unpack the details and discuss why Iran-backed proxies keep getting away with it—including how the U.S. “ceasefire” deal may have emboldened them. Also: Where’s Europe? And why does everyone seem more afraid of offending Tehran than protecting global shipping and freedom of navigation?

Generation Jihad | Does helping Ukraine help us?

| July 12, 2025

Does arming Ukraine come at the expense of our military readiness—or is it an investment in it?

Bill asks his FDD colleague and military expert Bradley Bowman to set the record straight on what it really takes for the US to defeat its enemies in the long war — and why deterring China, Russia, and Iran simultaneously is essential for American national security.

From munitions math and Pentagon priorities to strained stockpiles, weapons we’re sending, and weapons we’re not making fast enough, Brad covers the bases to illustrate why helping our democratic partners do damage to our enemies now is an investment in saving American lives later.