Israel continued operations in Lebanon between September 22 and September 28, 2025, including strikes on Hezbollah’s assets, ground fire, and drones dropping leaflets and stun explosives.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s branch in the West Bank announced the death of two fighters in the northern West Bank following clashes with Israeli forces. Both members, a commander and a regular fighter, were allegedly planning to carry out a terrorist attack, according to the Israeli military.
Israel targeted Houthi infrastructure in Sanaa, Yemen, in response to drone attacks on Eilat, Israel. According to the Houthi-controlled health ministry, the strikes killed eight and injured 142.
Syrian transitional President Ahmed al Sharaa spoke at the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, urging support for rebuilding Syria and emphasizing the need for peace and stability in the country. Separately, a spokesperson for the largely Kurdish-run Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) said there was increasing pressure on Damascus and AANES authorities in eastern Syria to come to an agreement, despite recent clashes.
The Israeli military continued operations in Lebanon between September 15 and September 21, 2025. These activities included targeted assassinations of Hezbollah operatives involved in the group’s regeneration efforts and strikes on its assets.
Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa is in New York City this week, headlining the UN General Assembly (UNGA), fraternizing with world leaders, and meeting with senior Trump administration officials like Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He was even hosted by a prominent think tank for a fireside chat with General David Petraeus, a self-described “fan.” Why is everyone so eager to embrace someone with a record of terror? Tom Joscelyn is back with Bill Roggio to unpack Washington’s stunning, but not surprising, amnesia.
On September 23, US Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack claimed that Syria and Israel “are close to striking a ‘de-escalation’ agreement in which Israel will stop its attacks while Syria will agree not to move any machinery or heavy equipment near the Israeli border.”
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) estimated on September 23 that around 640,000 people had evacuated Gaza City as Israel’s offensive into the urban area expanded. On September 24, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir called on residents of Gaza to “rise up and break away from Hamas — it is responsible for your suffering.” An IDF soldier was killed in fighting in northern Gaza on September 23, and another was wounded on September 24. Hamas also targeted Ashdod and southern Israel with two rockets.
Four years after America’s chaotic retreat from Afghanistan, President Trump has said he wants US forces back at Bagram Air Base — or as Bill Roggio and Tom Joscelyn call it: a fantasy. They explain why the Taliban will never allow it, China wouldn’t tolerate it, and that Washington still hasn’t learned. From Doha to Abbey Gate, Bill and Tom retrace how America’s exit empowered jihadists—and why talk of going back is pure madness.
The Counterterrorism Strike Force has emerged as the latest anti-Hamas militia in the Gaza Strip. While the group has not disclosed its origins, reports suggest it is managed by the Israel Defense Forces and Israel Security Agency. The nascent organization may also be affiliated with the Popular Forces militia led by Yasir Abu Shabab.
After US President Donald Trump said that “we want that base back,” the Taliban quickly rejected US attempts to return to Bagram Air Base. The Taliban has been clear that it will not accept a return of US forces to Afghanistan.
Israel expanded operations in Gaza City on September 16, with three Israel Defense Forces (IDF) divisions now operating against Hamas. While visiting Israel on September 15, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that “the US prefers the war end quickly via a negotiated settlement.” Four Israeli soldiers were killed in southern Gaza, the IDF announced on September 18.
On September 17, the US State Department designated four Iran-backed Iraqi militias as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs). These groups, previously listed as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs), have received support from the regime in Tehran and attacked US forces and interests in Iraq and across the Middle East.
Israel continued operations in Lebanon between September 8 and September 14, 2025. These activities included targeted assassinations of Hezbollah operatives involved in the group’s regeneration efforts and strikes on its assets.
The Houthis have conducted near-daily attacks on Israel throughout September, including launching a drone that struck Ilan and Asaf Ramon International Airport. Israel has responded with frequent strikes in Houthi territory, including one on September 10 that caused significant casualties.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continued operations targeting high-rises in Gaza City during the week of September 7–14, saying Hamas has used these buildings for various terrorist purposes. The IDF has also completed preparations for an expanded ground offensive into Gaza City. An estimated 300,000 people have evacuated Gaza City after the IDF called on civilians to move south. Four soldiers were killed in fighting in northern Gaza.
Israel killed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Hezbollah member Wissam Saeed Jubai in southern Lebanon and struck Hezbollah compounds in the Beqaa Valley as reports indicate Tehran is seeking new financial channels to sustain Hezbollah after Assad’s collapse. The IDF separately revealed the arrests of Qods Force Unit 840 operatives in Syria, part of Jerusalem’s renewed efforts against Tehran’s proxies in the Levant.
Israel continued operations in Lebanon between September 1 and September 7, 2025. These activities included targeted assassinations of Hezbollah operatives involved in the group’s regeneration efforts and strikes on its assets.
Princeton researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov, who was kidnapped by Iranian-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah in March 2023 and holds Israeli and Russian citizenship, was freed in Iraq on September 9, according to President Donald Trump. The Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office claimed that security agencies in the country had secured her release, and they would pursue those “involved in this crime and hold them accountable.” A source reported to be from Kataib Hezbollah claimed the group had released her to avoid conflict in Iraq and in light of the US withdrawal from the country.
Israel attacked a gathering of senior Hamas members in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday afternoon. Israel has said it is awaiting confirmation if the operation was successful, while Hamas has denied that its leaders were killed in the attack. However, Hamas acknowledged that five members of its delegation died in the strike, including the son of senior member Khalil al Hayya.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) struck a high-rise building in Gaza on September 8. It is the fourth hit since September 5, when the IDF began a new campaign of airstrikes against tall buildings in Gaza City. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that a “hurricane” was coming for Hamas in Gaza as the IDF expands its offensive.
Israel continued operations in Lebanon between August 25 and August 31, 2025. These activities included targeted assassinations of Hezbollah operatives involved in the group’s regeneration efforts and strikes on its assets.
On August 23, armed factions in the Suwayda province in Syria announced the formation of a National Guard under the leadership of the Druze spiritual leader Hikmat al Hijri.
Conflicts between the Syrian transitional government in Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) pose challenges for the transitional government as it seeks to integrate factions. Syrian state media claimed on September 2 that the government’s internal security force had intercepted an arms shipment destined for the SDF, plus reported other recent clashes between security forces and the SDF, which the SDF has denied. Despite these tensions, negotiations between authorities in eastern Syria and Damascus continue amid US support.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that it killed 12 Houthi political leaders in an assassination strike that targeted a meeting in Sanaa on August 28. The successful attack indicates that the IDF has improved its intelligence efforts in Yemen.
The Iraqi National Intelligence Service made a surprising announcement yesterday that it busted an Islamic State financial network spanning three countries in West Africa. The network was helping to fund Islamic State activities in Iraq, as well as attack planning in Europe.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) eliminated Hamas member Hazem Naim, who it said held several Israelis hostage during the war. An FDD’s The Long War Journal analysis found that Hazem Naim was the nephew of senior Hamas official Basem Naim. It is the first publicly known example of a senior Hamas member’s family involved in holding Israelis captive during the war.
Hezbollah has been leveraging crime in Canada for decades to raise funds. A recent Canadian government report states that the group maintains these illicit sources of financing.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of the General Staff Eyal Zamir spoke to Israeli reservists on September 2, 60,000 of whom have been called up to support the Gaza City offensive. Zamir’s comments come amid reports of tensions between the IDF chief and Israel’s security cabinet. The IDF recovered the bodies of two hostages from Gaza, the Israeli military said on August 31. Humanitarian aid from the UN and international organizations continues to flow into the territory via trucks, and the US-backed GHF distributed 1.5 million meals on September 2.