More than 1,200 sites of terrorist infrastructure were dismantled in Khirbat Ikhzaa near the Israeli border, the Israeli military said. In addition, the IDF found the bodies of three hostages in Gaza between June 7 and June 12. In roughly two weeks of operations, the new Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has distributed 19 million meals, the group said on June 12.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation stated that Hamas killed at least eight of its aid workers in an ambush yesterday. The incident follows threats by Hamas “against any entity or individual that collaborates or coordinates with the enemy’s schemes” and claims by sources on the ground that Hamas Arrow Unit members have attempted to disrupt aid distribution.
Taliban Emir Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada expressed his support for “the oppressed people of Palestine” while denouncing “Zionist assaults and acts of oppression.” In the past, the Taliban has praised Hamas’s fight against Israel and celebrated its brutal October 7, 2023 assault on the country.
Following the elimination of Hamas’s Gaza chief, Muhammad Sinwar, the Islamist group will have to choose a new leader to head the organization in the territory. However, Israel’s eliminations of Hamas leaders will make it difficult to find a suitable successor.
Israel recovered the bodies of two hostages from Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces said on June 5. Judith Weinstein Haggai and her husband, Gad Haggai, are American and Israeli citizens who Hamas killed on October 7, 2023. A new US-backed humanitarian initiative, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, continues to deliver food to Gazans. Israeli media revealed on June 5 that Israel has armed non-Hamas militias in Gaza. Five IDF divisions continue to expand operations against Hamas.
Hamas claimed that it attacked an undercover Israeli force in Gaza. However, it is more likely that the target of the Islamist group’s attack was a rival Palestinian group that has challenged its authority.
A humanitarian initiative in Gaza began to deliver aid on May 27 as combat continued in northern Gaza and Khan Younis. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said two of four initial aid sites started operating. The US-backed initiative is being run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in cooperation with the Israeli government and the IDF.
On May 18, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) began a ground offensive in Gaza that’s part of Operation Gideon’s Chariots. The Israeli Air Force carried out 670 strikes to prepare the way for the push. At the same time, the first humanitarian aid entered Gaza since March 2, when Israel cut off assistance to the area. A new US-led initiative aims to provide aid to parts of Gaza with the support of private security contractors.
On May 12, Hamas released Edan Alexander, one of 59 hostages still held in Gaza and the last living American hostage. The release came as US President Donald Trump headed to the Middle East for meetings in Saudi Arabia, the IDF is gearing up for an expanded offensive in Gaza, and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee announced a new US-led humanitarian aid initiative for the territory.
On May 4, Israel’s Security Cabinet approved a new military offensive and plan for operations in Gaza. The multi-stage plan envisions the Israel Defense Forces taking control of Gaza, clearing it of Hamas, and remaining in portions of the territory long-term while the civilian population is evacuated to southern Gaza.
The Israeli military has struck more than 1,800 targets since renewing operations in Gaza on March 18, 2025. “We are continuing with the operational pressure and tightening the ring around Hamas as needed, and if we see no progress in the return of the hostages, we will expand our activities,” Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said on April 24.
Security forces of the new Syrian transitional government in Damascus detained two Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) members, according to various media reports. The two arrested PIJ members are Khaled Khaled, who is in charge of the group’s operations in Syria, and Yasser al Zafari, who is described as heading PIJ’s organizational committee. Saraya al Quds, the military wing of PIJ, called for the men to be released.
One IDF soldier was killed and three soldiers wounded in northern Gaza, the IDF said on April 19. Israeli forces in northern and southern Gaza continue to dismantle terrorist infrastructure, and Hamas rejected an Israeli proposal for a hostage deal and demanded an end to the war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel would not “surrender” to Hamas as part of a new hostage deal.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continued establishing operational control of southern Gaza, sending more forces, including infantry and armor, into the territory during the first week and a half of April. The IDF announced that it eliminated the commander of Hamas’s Sheijaiya Battalion on April 10. Israeli media reported that only 25 percent of Hamas tunnels have been destroyed, and the group’s battalions continue to operate in Khan Younis and Rafah.
In a rare show of dissent, some Palestinians have protested Hamas’s rule in the Gaza Strip despite the dangers of publicly criticizing the terrorist group. While the demonstrations and other signs of dissent are notable, it’s unclear if they will mark a significant change in the territory’s political situation.
On April 2, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was shifting gears in Gaza and taking over more areas. “We are also doing something else: We are seizing the Morag Corridor. This will be […] an additional Philadelphi Corridor,” Netanyahu said. The Morag Corridor separates Khan Younis from Rafah in southern Gaza. The IDF also called on Gazans to evacuate Rafah in south Gaza and Shejaiya in northern Gaza.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out strikes targeting more than 100 pickup trucks used by terrorist groups in Gaza. The IDF continued to extend operations in northern Gaza’s Beit Hanoun and Tel al Sultan in southern Gaza. Elements of four IDF divisions are now active in the new operation, which began on March 18.
Open-source information indicates that media figure Dr. Fadel Naim, widely quoted by prominent international news outlets on casualties and the impacts of the war in Gaza, has close familial ties to Hamas, including being the brother of longtime Hamas leader Basem Naim.
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.
After negotiations to extend the first phase of a ceasefire deadlocked, Israel conducted airstrikes against terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip. Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Resistance Committees acknowledged the deaths of several leaders.
The strikes against the Houthis, who have targeted international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, are the first military actions taken against the Iranian-backed militia by the Trump administration since it took office. The US re-added the Iranian-backed militia to its list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations 10 days ago.
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.
After many months of keeping silent on the matter, Hamas announced the death of seven of the organization’s senior leaders, including longtime military commander Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al Masri, commonly known as Mohammad Deif.
After mostly maintaining silence about the deaths of its members, Hamas has started to acknowledge their fate.
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.
Bill is joined by his FDD colleagues David Daoud and Jon Schanzer — who literally wrote the book on conflict in Gaza — to discuss the ceasefire and hostage deal that has just been reached between Israel and Hamas.
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.
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.
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.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) eliminated dozens of terrorists in ambushes in Jabaliya overnight between December 29 and December 30. It was a rare large clash in northern Gaza, as the IDF has continued to fight in this area since early October. An Israeli soldier was also killed and several others wounded in northern Gaza.