Tag Archives: Israel


Hamas releases US hostage Edan Alexander, IDF continues operations in Gaza

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.



Israel prepares plan for expanded Gaza offensive

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.


President Trump announces ceasefire between US and Houthis

The US and the Houthis entered a ceasefire brokered by Oman on May 6 in which each side agreed not to target the other. However, American and Houthi leaders have made contradictory statements about the circumstances of the ceasefire, each trying to portray it as a sign of the other’s weakness. Israel is not part of the agreement.


Israel announces airstrikes against Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen

On May 5, the Israeli military launched airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, including the Hudaydah port and a cement factory used for military infrastructure, in response to a ballistic missile attack that injured six people near Ben Gurion Airport. The strikes come amid escalating Houthi attacks on Israeli territory and maritime vessels, as well as ongoing US-led operations targeting Houthi military assets across Yemen.


Israel renews airstrikes in Syria as sectarian violence flares

Israel conducted several airstrikes in Syria between April 30 and May 3 after sectarian clashes erupted in the country. “The IDF has carried out a warning operation and struck elements of an extremist group that was preparing to continue attacks on the Druze population,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said on April 30. The IDF followed up with more strikes in Syria aimed at warning Damascus against harming members of the Druze minority, while others targeted military sites.


Clashes erupt between Druze militias and pro-government forces in Syria

Sectarian tensions are flaring again in Syria after a series of clashes first erupted in the Damascus suburb of Jaramana, a diverse area home to Druze, Christian, and Muslim communities. Reports indicate that 14 people were killed in fights between armed groups in the town, while at least 16 others were killed in Ashrafiyet Sahnaya.


IDF has hit 1,800 targets in Gaza since new operations began on March 18

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.





IDF suffers first casualties since start of new Gaza offensive

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.








IDF troops in Gaza

IDF slowly moves forward to consolidate control in southern Gaza

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.


Port of Beirut

Iran reportedly smuggling weapons to Hezbollah via Beirut port

A “Western security source” told Al Arabiya that Hezbollah is using the Port of Beirut to smuggle weapons into Lebanon from Iran. In early March, Israel assassinated a Hezbollah commander in charge of maritime weapons smuggling, saying his activities had continued after the November 27 Lebanon-Israel ceasefire.


IRGC missiles

Iran braces for possible US attack amid proxy setbacks

Amid mounting proxy losses and a major US military buildup across the Middle East, Iran has placed its armed forces on high alert and warned neighboring states against facilitating a potential American strike. Tehran is suffering setbacks in Iraq and Yemen while ramping up deterrence through inflammatory propaganda.


Israel assassinates Hamas official in Lebanese city of Sidon

Israel assassinated senior Hamas official Hassan Ahmad Farhat in Sidon on Friday. The Israel Defense Forces said Farhat was responsible for attacks on Israel during the recent war, including the February 14, 2024, strike on Tzfat and continued planning attacks against Israel in recent months. Farhat’s son Hamzah, also a Hamas operative, and his daughter, Jinan, were killed alongside him.


Hezbollah vs Israel flag

Israeli operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah: March 31–April 6

Israel continued operations in Lebanon between March 31 and April 6, 2025, though there was a noticeable drop in number and intensity. However, Israel conducted two targeted killings in Lebanon: one in Beirut’s Dahiyeh neighborhood killed a Hezbollah commander and operative, and another in Sidon killed a Hamas commander and operative.



Zamir in Gaza

Israel takes over new area dubbed ‘Morag Corridor’ in Gaza

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.



Hamas rocket launcher

Israel strikes Hamas vehicles, political leaders in 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.



IDF troops southern Syria

Israel strikes gunmen in southern Syria; Damascus says civilians killed

The Israel Defense Forces carried out an airstrike in southern Syria on March 25, stating it acted after gunmen fired on Israeli forces operating in the area. Syrian state media claimed that four civilians were killed. It is the latest clash in Syria as Israel continues to try to demilitarize the southern part of the country, an effort that has included airstrikes and ground operations in recent weeks.