Tag Archives: Israel







Israel recovers bodies of two hostages, new militia force grows in southern Gaza

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.



Iran’s armed forces escalate threats as Khamenei rejects latest US proposal

Amid deadlocked nuclear talks, Iran’s military leadership issued new threats on June 4, vowing to confront the US and Israel with force. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and senior officials rejected Washington’s latest proposal as unacceptable, while Tehran repositioned air defenses around nuclear sites and warned of retaliation if Israel strikes unilaterally.




Iran named by Finland as foreign intelligence threat

Finland officially named Iran as a state actively conducting espionage operations within its borders, a designation previously reserved only for Russia and China. The regime in Tehran has accelerated terror plots and intelligence operations across the US, Europe, and Israel.


Syrian General Security Service members

Analysis: The Druze chessboard between Syria and Israel

On May 29, an Israeli security official stated that Israel will not intervene militarily in support of any group in Syria. This stance follows previous Israeli intervention to protect the Syrian Druze amid pressure from Israeli Druze to prevent human rights abuses. Israel’s evolving stance reflects a delicate balancing act between security, humanitarian, and political interests and may mark a turning point in Syria’s sectarian conflict.




Analysis: Iran braces for potential conflict as 5th round of US negotiations ends inconclusively

Amid a stalled fifth round of negotiations in Rome, Iran has grown increasingly pessimistic about the prospects of reaching a deal with the United States. Tehran has responded to reported Israeli strike preparations with warnings of retaliation and appeals to the United Nations. Clashes with Israel in 2024 have left Iran militarily exposed, prompting Tehran to fear further escalation.



Two Israeli embassy employees murdered in DC shooting attack

Two Israeli Embassy staffers were fatally shot outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, by Elias Rodriguez on May 21. Law enforcement authorities are investigating the attack as a potential antisemitic hate crime. The incident reflects a broader pattern of incitement by Hamas and its affiliates, who have increasingly exported their rhetoric and symbolism into Western discourse through propaganda and pro-Hamas demonstrations.


IDF begins new operation in Gaza amid humanitarian aid shifts

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.




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.