Tag Archives: Israel Hamas

Hamas continues to return hostage remains as Gaza ceasefire holds

| November 6, 2025

Hamas continued to hand over the remains of Israeli hostages between November 1 and November 5 as part of the ceasefire agreement that has largely held for almost a month. The remains of the last two American hostages held captive in Gaza were returned and identified. As of November 5, seven deceased hostages remained in the territory. The transfers took place as negotiations are reportedly underway regarding Hamas members who are trapped in tunnels in Rafah.

Israeli soldier killed in Gaza attack, IDF responds with airstrikes

| October 29, 2025

An Israeli soldier was killed in Gaza in an attack on October 28, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out strikes across the territory in response. “The targets struck included key terrorists, observation posts, weapons production warehouses, launch posts, underground tunnels, and mortar shell firing posts,” the IDF said. In addition, Israel released drone footage that appeared to show Hamas staging the discovery of the remains of hostage Ofir Tzarfati. Israel has accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire agreement through the slow return of the remains of hostages and continued attacks.

Israel links 8 eliminated Hamas fighters to October 7 attack

| October 27, 2025

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it killed four members of Hamas who took part in kidnapping Israelis from the Nova Music Festival on October 7. Among these Hamas members killed was Arafat Dib, whose family established a GoFundMe page to raise funds in the wake of his death. The IDF also highlighted four other Hamas members whom it killed for their roles in infiltrating Israeli territory.

US Central Command opens Civil-Military Coordination Center in Israel to back Gaza deal

| October 22, 2025

US Central Command (CENTCOM) opened a Civil-Military Coordination Center in southern Israel on October 17. The center is will monitor the ceasefire in Gaza and support stabilization efforts as US military personnel “help facilitate the flow of humanitarian, logistical, and security assistance from international counterparts into Gaza,” CENTCOM said on October 21. US forces will not deploy inside Gaza. Alongside Israeli military officers, the site will include a British contingent and other partners. US Vice President JD Vance visited the site on October 21.

2 Israeli soldiers killed in terrorist attack in Gaza, most serious attack since ceasefire

| October 20, 2025

Two Israeli soldiers were killed and several wounded in a terrorist attack in southern Gaza’s Rafah neighborhood on October 19, according to the Israeli military. In response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) executed a wave of airstrikes in Gaza. One series of strikes used 120 munitions to target a Hamas tunnel that was several miles long. The IDF also continued demarcating the Yellow Line that now marks the extent of its control in the territory.

Hamas begins transfer of deceased hostages, Israel threatens to limit aid due to slow pace

| October 15, 2025

Hamas began transferring the bodies of deceased hostages to Israel on October 13. By October 15, it had transferred eight corpses, and Israel had identified seven of them as hostages. Israel said it would not reopen the Rafah crossing to Gaza and would consider limiting aid if all the 28 deceased hostages were not returned in line with a deal agreed to in Egypt on October 8. The IDF warned Gazans not to approach Israeli forces, which continue to control 50 percent of the territory and are deployed in positions dubbed “the Yellow Line.”

Hamas frees 20 hostages in wake of US-backed deal

| October 13, 2025

Hamas freed the last 20 living Israeli hostages on October 13, handing them over to the Red Cross, which transported them to Israeli officials. Hamas is also supposed to hand over the bodies of 28 hostages held since its attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir stated that the deal agreed to in Egypt on October 8 constitutes a victory for Israel. The IDF completed a withdrawal from several areas of Gaza as part of the agreement.

Profiles of notable terrorists Israel will release in ceasefire deal with Hamas

| October 10, 2025

As a part of the first phase of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, Israel is set to release almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Among the prisoners to be released are members of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other armed organizations. FDD’s Long War Journal has profiled 10 of these individuals who were imprisoned for high-profile attacks and crimes.

Israel, Hamas agree to Gaza deal in Egypt

| October 9, 2025

Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of a Gaza peace deal overnight between October 8 and 9. This initial phase is supposed to see the release of 48 Israeli hostages, around 20 of whom are believed to be alive, and a withdrawal by the IDF from some areas of Gaza. Israel’s cabinet convened to vote on the deal on October 9, with hostages set to return by October 14. The agreement followed talks in Egypt mediated by delegations from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, with US, Hamas, and Israeli delegations present. The Israeli military in Gaza prepared to redeploy to new lines as talks progress to the next phase.

Israel sends delegation to Egypt for ceasefire talks

| October 6, 2025

An Israeli delegation traveled to Sharm el Sheikh on October 6 to begin talks aimed at ending the war in Gaza. US President Donald Trump announced on October 3 that Hamas had agreed to the 20-point Gaza peace plan he had announced on September 29. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said pressure must continue on Hamas to get the group to release the 48 hostages held in Gaza. Hamas has indicated that the talks in Egypt may take several days, and Trump has urged all parties to “move fast” to finalize the deal.

IDF moves to cut off Gaza City from central Gaza

| October 2, 2025

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) extended operations and control in and around Gaza City between September 28 and October 2. Israeli troops moved west along the Netzarim Corridor, cutting off the city from Central Gaza. Israel’s minister of defense said that the IDF is tightening its siege around Gaza City and told remaining residents that it was their “last chance” to move south via IDF checkpoints along the coast. Five rockets were launched at Israel in the evening of October 1.

US, Israel await Hamas answer after peace deal push

| October 1, 2025

US President Donald Trump announced a peace plan for Gaza as he hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on September 29. During a joint press conference, Trump said that the proposal has the backing of numerous Arab and Muslim countries. Netanyahu accepted the proposal after several last-minute changes, according to reports. It is now up to Hamas to accept or reject the deal. The initiative envisions disarming Hamas and replacing it with a new government that will be backed by a “Board of Peace.”

More than 600,000 Gazans have evacuated Gaza City amid growing IDF offensive

| September 24, 2025

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.

Israel expands push into Gaza City center with 3 IDF divisions

| September 18, 2025

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.

IDF completes preparations for next phase of Gaza City offensive

| September 14, 2025

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 targets Hamas leaders in Qatar

| September 9, 2025

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.

IDF targets high-rise buildings as Gaza City offensive ramps up

| September 8, 2025

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 prepares for wider Gaza City battle with reservist call-up

| September 2, 2025

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.

Israel says longtime Hamas spokesperson killed in Gaza City

| August 31, 2025

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that Abu Obeida, Hamas’s spokesperson, was killed in Gaza on Saturday. Abu Obeida was one of Hamas’s few senior members left from before its launch of the October 7 surprise attack on Israel, and he played a central role in the Islamist group’s propaganda apparatus.

Israeli security cabinet approves plan to capture and control Gaza City

| August 8, 2025

Twenty-two months after Hamas invaded southern Israel and started the war, Israel’s security cabinet voted in favor of occupying Gaza City. The decision came after the conclusion of Operation Gideon’s Chariots, where Israel was unable to disarm Hamas and rescue the remaining hostages held in captivity by terrorist groups in the territory. In protest of the cabinet’s decision, the German government announced that it would halt arms for Israel that could be used in Gaza.

Israel’s security cabinet to convene on expanding military campaign against Hamas

| August 6, 2025

Israel is set to decide on occupying the Gaza Strip following the collapse of ceasefire talks with Hamas in Doha, according to reports. The decision is expected to be discussed and potentially approved in a security cabinet meeting on August 7. Hamas has warned against the move, saying it will endanger the lives of the hostages that it and other terrorist groups have held for almost two years.

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.

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.