Israel News
Daily Alert
U.S. Airstrikes Kill Key Houthi Leadership in Yemen
on March 24, 2025
(AP-NBC News) U.S. airstrikes targeted Yemen's Houthis across the country on Monday for the 10th day. U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz said the attacks have "taken out key Houthi leadership, including their head missileer." "We've hit their headquarters," Waltz told "Face the Nation" on Sunday. "We've hit communications nodes, weapons factories and even some of their over-the-water drone production facilities."
Houthi Missile Fire at Israel from Yemen Continues Monday
on March 24, 2025
(Israel Hayom) Erez Linn -
A missile fired at Israel by the Houthis in Yemen forced millions of residents in the Jerusalem area and Tel Aviv region to seek shelter Monday. The missile was intercepted over Jordanian territory, with some fragments falling in Israeli territory.
Israel Is Killing Hamas Leaders in Quick Succession
on March 24, 2025
(Wall Street Journal) Dov Lieber -
Israeli security forces have carried out targeted killings against senior Hamas political operatives, aimed at crippling the group's ability to govern and highlighting Israel's intelligence gathering in Gaza. "It raises questions about Hamas's ability not only to protect itself as a political, military actor, but the broader population," said Sanam Vakil, a Middle East analyst at the UK's Chatham House think tank. "That Israel is reoccupying and pushing for a different outcome here really showcases Hamas's vulnerability."
Israel used the ceasefire to track Hamas leaders and refresh its target lists, former Israeli intelligence officials said. Ilan Lotan, a former senior officer in the Israel Security Agency, said some Hamas leaders dropped their guard during the ceasefire and moved around in public. The elaborate public spectacles when Hamas turned over hostages provided another opportunity to gather intelligence, analysts said.
IDF Targets Hamas Leadership in Gaza
on March 24, 2025
(Times of Israel) Emanuel Fabian -
An Israeli airstrike on Sunday killed Ismail Barhoum, described by Defense Minister Israel Katz as "the new Hamas prime minister in Gaza, who replaced Issam Da'alis, the previous prime minister who was eliminated a few days ago." He was the fourth member of Hamas's political bureau killed since Tuesday. The IDF said the strike was carried out following "an extensive intelligence-gathering process," and that a "precision munition" was used to mitigate harm to civilians.
Separately, the IDF said two senior Hamas military commanders had been killed in recent airstrikes.
Arab Terrorist Rams Bus Stop, Opens Fire on Cars
on March 24, 2025
(Times of Israel) Charlie Summers -
An Israeli Arab, Karem Jabareen, 26, rammed his vehicle into a bus stop near the city of Yokneam on Monday morning, then exited his car and stabbed a soldier. Grabbing the soldier's rifle, the attacker then ran down the highway and opened fire at passing cars, murdering Moshe Horn, 85, before being shot and killed by Border Police officers.
IDF Expands Gaza Offensive
on March 24, 2025
(Jerusalem Post) Seth J. Frantzman -
The IDF began a multipronged ground offensive in Gaza on March 19. According to pro-Hizbullah Lebanese Al Akhbar, "Over the past two days, the situation on the ground in Gaza has shifted from the framework of the air operation and military pressure on Hamas to the return of full-scale warfare, coinciding with an assassination campaign targeting a number of the movement's leaders."
It reported "the advance of military vehicles from the northwestern border of the Strip, adjacent to the city of Beit Lahiya, the northeastern axis adjacent to the city of Beit Hanun, and the eastern areas of the Jabalya camp. In central Gaza, the enemy expanded its control over the Netzarim axis, the Mughraqa area, and the southern areas of the Zeitoun neighborhood."
Hamas can't seem to hold onto any areas as its men retreat. Hamas is melting away. It is not standing and fighting. It doesn't seem to have many weapons or booby traps in its arsenal. Hamas has also not been able to fire many rockets. It appears that it is facing a real challenge.
Terror Cells Dismantled in Jenin and Tulkarm Refugee Camps
on March 24, 2025
(Ynet News) Yoav Zitun -
For nearly two months, the refugee camps in Jenin and Nur al-Shams in Tulkarm have been deserted as hundreds of terrorists have fled. As IDF troops remain present in the camps, friction with hostile elements has diminished to nearly zero. There is no resistance, clashes or even riots in Jenin and Tulkarm as daily life has returned to normal.
"Holding these terror strongholds for such an extended period has made it significantly harder for the enemy to regroup and rebuild their armed cells," an IDF source said. "We've taken away their base of operations, reshaped the area, and they can no longer plant explosives along the routes leading into the camps."
Since the start of Ramadan, Israeli forces have eliminated 13 terrorists in the West Bank, seized 85 weapons, arrested 170 wanted individuals, and demolished four homes belonging to terrorists.
Netanyahu and Top Aides Think Israel Must Beat Hamas on the Battlefield
on March 24, 2025
(Wall Street Journal) Dov Lieber -
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his national-security team are planning a major ground offensive in Gaza in the belief that capturing and holding swaths of territory will allow them to finally defeat Hamas, according to people familiar with the government's thinking. Netanyahu and top aides argue that Hamas must be beaten on the battlefield before any political solution for Gaza can be advanced.
They believe that last year's military defeat of Hizbullah in Lebanon and the Trump administration's willingness to back a renewed offensive against Hamas give them more latitude to fight.
No Difference between Hamas Politicians and Terrorists
on March 24, 2025
(Gatestone Institute) Khaled Abu Toameh -
President Trump's envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, said on March 21 that he does not rule out the possibility that Hamas could be politically active in Gaza after it disarms. Witkoff, who doubtless has the best intentions, seems to believe that Hamas would ever agree to lay down its weapons or halt its terrorist attacks against Israel.
There is no difference between a Hamas political leader and a military commander. They all share the same extremist ideology, which does not recognize Israel's right to exist and calls for destroying it through jihad (holy war). They all belong to the same school of the Muslim Brotherhood organization.
Hamas's 1988 covenant starts by quoting the founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al-Banna, as saying: "Israel will exist and will continue to exist until Islam will obliterate it, just as it obliterated others before it." Hamas's slogan is clearly outlined in the covenant: "Jihad is its path and death for the sake of Allah is the loftiest of its wishes." The Hamas covenant was written by the group's political leaders, who devise the strategy and set the goals, while the military leaders are entrusted with following them.
Hamas should have no political or military role in Gaza, especially not after Oct. 7. Hamas, which has brought death and destruction upon both Israelis and Palestinians, has no right to exist, either as a political or a military entity. Did it ever occur to anyone to allow the political leaders of ISIS or al-Qaeda to play any role in Syria and Iraq?
If Hamas is permitted to continue its political activities in Gaza, it will comfortably continue its jihad against Israel. Talk about a possible political role for Hamas is dangerous because it implies that the U.S. continues to view the terror group as a legitimate player in the Palestinian arena.
The writer, a veteran Israeli journalist, is a senior fellow at the Gatestone Institute and the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs.
"Maximum Pressure" Sanctions on Iran Come Back
on March 24, 2025
(Wall Street Journal) Editorial -
The Biden administration allowed Iran's oil exports to soar from 300,000 barrels a day in 2020 to 1.7 million a day in 2024. On Thursday, the Trump Administration sanctioned a Chinese refinery that has bought $500 million in Iranian oil. Designating Shandong Shouguang Luqing Petrochemical Co. is the first real proof that "maximum pressure" sanctions are on their way back.
The Iranian oil-export problem is really a Chinese import problem. About 90% of Iran's illicit oil exports go to China, which receives a large discount. To choke off these sales, which finance Iran's terrorism abroad, the core task is to change China's risk calculus. Small refineries like this one are a key part of China's sanctions-busting strategy.
Any entity that touches a sanctioned refinery, including China's state-owned enterprises, is now a viable target for U.S. sanctions. This enhances President Trump's leverage with China. Does President Xi Jinping really want Chinese energy companies and banks sanctioned? China has shown little risk tolerance where direct U.S. sanctions on its state-owned enterprises are concerned.
Mr. Xi can make the business and political decision to drop Iran as a supplier. When Iran's oil exports collapse, you'll know the regime is feeling the heat. That's when nuclear talks will have their best chance of success.
Senator Fetterman: We Need to Eliminate Iran's Nuclear Facilities
on March 24, 2025
(Israel Hayom) Ariel Kahana -
Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.), on his second visit to Israel since the war began in October, is one of Israel's most passionate defenders in Congress. We meet for an interview at a hotel in Jerusalem, where American guests who recognize him enthusiastically applaud.
Fetterman describes his encounters with Israeli war widows and rescue pilots. "Courage is raising eight children after your husband died defending Israel. Courage is rescuing wounded soldiers....Now Israel has been forced to return to a kind of war in Gaza, and that's because Hamas doesn't want peace. Everyone understands that all they have left is to hold the hostages, these poor people in tunnels. And it's outrageous."
Fetterman wholeheartedly supports the tough line President Trump is leading against manifestations of antisemitism on campuses. "Politically it's very dangerous as a Democrat to support what President Trump did to punish Columbia University when he stopped a budget of $400 million to prevent these things. But I completely support it. Freedom of expression is not mob rule that sets up tent cities to create chaos and terrorize Jewish students."
He also criticized the Palestinian Authority: "Israel doesn't pay pensions to people who kill innocent civilians, which itself is disgusting. Israel doesn't aim weapons at civilians and doesn't intentionally harm them. This is also part of the distortions and lies of the media as if Israel is trying to starve Palestinians."
Regarding Iran, Fetterman says: "We need to eliminate what remains of their nuclear facilities. Yes, blow it up. I support that and I think there is truly a once-in-a-generation opportunity to do it....I don't think one can really conduct effective negotiations with this regime."
Our Ally, Senator John Fetterman
on March 24, 2025
(Times of Israel) Jennifer Airley -
Beit Binyamin is a retreat center in Safed, named to perpetuate the memory of Binyamin Airley, our son, who was killed in battle in Gaza on Nov. 18, 2024. Last week we hosted Senator John Fetterman and his wife Gisele. One of the IDF soldiers, Adam, shared how, even while fighting in Gaza, he saw videos of the senator and felt strengthened by them.
The senator spoke of how he felt deeply connected to Israel's struggle, as someone who has made it his mission to stand up for us on the world stage. At a time when many politicians try to walk a fine line, he has been clear, consistent, and courageous. Senator Fetterman's visit reaffirmed what we already knew: the fight for Israel is not just ours - it belongs to all who stand for truth, justice, and freedom.
Israel's Self-Defense Always Offends More than the Jihadi Atrocities that Triggered It
on March 24, 2025
(Jewish Chronicle-UK) Jake Wallis Simons -
Since the IDF resumed the fighting in Gaza after the collapse of the ceasefire deal, the West has been up in arms about a return to bloodshed. The world is always far more aggrieved by the measures Israel takes to defend its people than the jihadi atrocities that demand them.
If Israel pulled back from Gaza before a decisive victory is achieved, how will it ensure that its people are safe from future atrocities? We are dealing with jihadis here. The depths of the cruelty on display in Gaza - the torture, rape, executions and mutilations, the killing of women and strangulation of children, the propaganda ceremonies, the playing of games with dead bodies - should be enough to satisfy us that these people are not like us. They run on a different operating system.
With Israel unable to accept anything less than the destruction of Hamas, and Hamas ideologically committed to the destruction of Israel, this has always been a zero-sum affair. For Israel, this is a war that must be won.
The Houthis Are the New Barbary Pirates
on March 24, 2025
(The Hill) Dov S. Zakheim -
Beginning in 1784, shortly after America achieved its independence from Great Britain, raiders from the Ottoman provinces of Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli, known as the Barbary Pirates, would attack American merchant shipping, capturing sailors for whom they initially extorted ransom and subsequently protection money in the form of tribute from the U.S.
For 15 years, American merchant ships were victims of unceasing harassment. Attempts to negotiate an arrangement that would put an end to this state-sponsored terrorism met with no success. In 1801, President Thomas Jefferson went to war against the Barbary states. By 1805, a series of American naval victories led to a peace treaty with the ruler of Tripoli. The U.S. defeated the forces of Algiers in 1815.
Two centuries later, America is once again fighting a war overseas to protect its shipping, as well as that of its allies and friends. The Houthis are today's Barbary Pirates.
The writer served as U.S. Deputy Undersecretary of Defense (1985-1987) and Undersecretary of Defense (2001-2004).
Pakistani Civic Leaders Visit Israel
on March 24, 2025
(Media Line-Ynet News) Felice Friedson -
Sabin Agha, a Pakistani investigative journalist and documentary filmmaker, recently visited Israel with a delegation of Pakistani civil society leaders organized by Sharaka, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting dialogue and coexistence in the Middle East. She said that despite the general pro-Palestinian sentiment in Pakistan, state repression has prevented mass anti-Israel protests from breaking out.
Agha wondered what was so egregious about Israel to warrant the Pakistani passport being marked with "This passport is valid for all countries of the world except Israel. I wanted to find out what Israel has done to Pakistan. And I found out completely the opposite," she said.
"Whenever we would go to a restaurant or meet people on the streets, if we mentioned...I'm from Pakistan...there was an opulence of smiles and warm welcomes. 'Oh, you're from Pakistan, welcome to Israel.'"
One participant, S., said of Pakistani society, "We are an antisemitic nation. The state has peddled this narrative for a long time, and seminaries are preaching it day in and day out." Even in the supposedly cosmopolitan city of Karachi, the main street has been painted with American and Israeli flags so that pedestrians trample on them.
BBC Asks Israeli Embassy in UK for Anti-Netanyahu Speaker
on March 24, 2025
(Jewish Chronicle-UK) Jane Prinsley -
A BBC World Service producer contacted the Israeli embassy in London on Thursday, seeking a guest for the Newshour program to criticize Israel's latest ground offensive in Gaza. A WhatsApp message from the show's producer said: "We want someone who is going to be critical of Netanyahu and the ground offense....Do you think you could help with this?"
Embassy spokeswoman Orly Goldschmidt noted: "They don't want to interview someone knowledgeable, nor someone relevant, just someone who fits the predetermined narrative. There is nothing balanced or impartial about this." BBC later admitted: "This was a serious mistake....We apologize unreservedly to the Israeli Embassy."
Egyptians Laud Attack by Desert Lynx on IDF Soldiers
on March 24, 2025
(Ynet News) Lior Ben Ari -
A wild desert lynx that was captured last week after biting several IDF soldiers near the Egyptian border has become a celebrated figure in Egypt. Egyptian and Arab social media platforms, websites and news channels were flooded with images, videos, articles and posts glorifying the animal. Edited images depicted the animal wearing a Hamas headband or stepping on an Israeli flag.
Several posts compared the animal to Egyptian border guard Mohamed Salah, who killed three IDF troops in June 2023. Social media posts included captions such as "Even our animals know you (Israel) are the enemy."
On Saturday, the Egyptian newspaper Al-Youm Al-Saba published an article titled, "The story of the Egyptian desert lynx, the predator that tasted the flesh of Israeli soldiers on the border."
Western Academic Feminists Choose Solidarity with Palestinians over Believing Israeli Women
on March 24, 2025
(Quillette) Sonya Michel -
It was predictable that Hamas officials and their radicalized international supporters would deny that sexual violence against Israeli women and men was committed on 7 Oct. 2023. But denials from the academic field of women's, gender, and sexuality studies are more surprising because they appear to violate two of the field's salient principles: support for women's sexual autonomy and insistence that women who lodge charges of sexual violence should be believed.
Instead, a number of academic feminists have embraced Hamas, along with all the reactionary patriarchal baggage of radical Islam, thereby abandoning their own stated values.
The writer is Professor Emerita of History and Women's Studies at University of Maryland, College Park.
Despite War, Why Is Israel the 8th Happiest Country on Earth?
on March 24, 2025
(Forward) Rob Eshman -
According to the World Happiness Report, Israel is still comfortably nestled among mostly northern European countries we associate with the easy life. Israel has a strong sense of community and is family-oriented. Taxes pay for health care. It is a free society, where you can do and say what you want. Even the Arab Israeli minority identify strongly as Israelis, with 60% in past surveys describing their personal situation as "good" or "very good."
Israeli-born economist Dan Ariely told me, "In most countries people lead a somewhat comfortable life, and they have no experience where the people around them step up to really help them. In Israel, life is for sure less comfortable, but it is also very clear that people can count on their friends and family to step up and help them in a time of need. This is a big part of resilience and Israel has a lot of it."
Hamas's Oct. 7 Attack Was the Greatest Palestinian Strategic Blunder since the Rejection of the UN Partition Resolution in 1947
on March 24, 2025
(Wall Street Journal)
Walter Russell Mead -
With so much going on in the Middle East, it's more vital than ever to distinguish between the deep trends bringing lasting change to the region and the dramatic but ultimately less important events that often dominate the headlines.
Among the major developments, we can count the strategic defeat of Iran's "Axis of Resistance," Russia's loss of influence following the fall of Bashar al-Assad, Turkey's increasing engagement in Middle East politics, and the continuing decline of Egypt as a regional force. Power in the region has passed to Persian Gulf states as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE jostle for influence.
Israel is emerging from its war with Iran and its proxies more powerful and less isolated than before. Not since the aftermath of the Israeli War of Independence have the Palestinians been this weak or this divided. Yet Israel's worst nightmare, the Iranian nuclear program, is if anything becoming a greater danger.
Both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority have come to the end of the road. Hamas's Oct. 7 attack on Israel was the greatest strategic blunder by Palestinian leaders since the rejection of the UN partition resolution in 1947. The Oct. 7 war has, thus far, brought Gaza's population nothing but misery and death. Civilians are caught between relentless Israeli attacks and fanatical Hamas terrorists who hide military facilities in hospitals and schools.
President Trump's interest in "relocating" Palestinians from Gaza is an important break. Given disenchantment with their political leaders and despair over the prospects of economic development, more Palestinians may choose to check out of the conflict and seek better lives elsewhere.
The biggest question in the Middle East today involves the future of America's role. Everyone wants American support; all fear the consequences if the American president sides with their rivals. President Trump wants what every American president has wanted since World War II: a quiet Middle East that pumps oil and gas and buys American goods (including arms) without entangling the U.S. in more wars.
The writer, a fellow at the Hudson Institute, is Professor of Foreign Affairs and Humanities at Bard College.
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