ISRAEL UPDATE 20.3.25

HOUTHI ATTACKS ON ISRAEL

 

 

Sirens sounded across central Israel following a missile launch from Yemen around 4 am today Thursday morning. The missile was intercepted by the IAF before entering Israeli territory. Report here

 

 

On Tuesday evening the IAF had intercepted a missile launched from Yemen outside Israeli airspace. Air raid sirens were activated across the Negev region.Report here

 

 

 

INCIDENT IN BEIT LAHIYA, NORTH GAZA

 

 

The IDF has identified six Arab terrorists who were killed in airstrikes in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza on Saturday, among them a Hamas terrorist involved in the October 7 massacre. The IDF stated that the targets were terrorists, some of whom were operating under the cover of journalism.

The first strike targeted two terrorists using a drone for attacks on Israeli forces. Intelligence indicated that the drone was actively used by Palestinian Islamic Jihad, including on Saturday. A second strike hit another group retrieving the drone equipment.

The IDF says multiple terrorists were eliminated, including individuals posing as journalists.

Those identified included:

Mustafa Mohammed Shaaban Hamed – Hamas terrorist who infiltrated Israel on October 7.

Mahmoud Yahya Rashdi as-Saraj – Hamas engineering force member.
Bilal Mahmood Fuad Abu Matar – Hamas operative disguised as a photographer.
Mahmoud Imad Hassan Isleem – Hamas’s Zeitoun Battalion member, operating under the cover of journalism.
Suheib Bassem Khaled Najar – Palestinian Islamic Jihad operative, previously released in the recent hostage-ceasefire deal.
Mohammed Alaa Suhbi al-Jafir – Hamas operative.

The IDF asserts that the strikes neutralized significant threats, preventing further attacks on Israeli forces.

The Al Khair Foundation, a Muslim NGO based in Britain and Turkey, claimed that eight of its workers were killed in the strikes. It denied the IDF’s allegations that those killed were terrorists or had connections to Hamas.

The IDF has said in the past that the Al-Khair Foundation is an aid group that transfers funds to terror groups in Gaza “under the guise of humanitarian activity” and that the organization has employed at least one senior Hamas official.

Despite this, Western media coverage barely mentioned the IDF’s account, instead publishing these headlines:

The Times: “Aid workers among dead, says charity, as Israeli drones strike Gaza. Al-Khair Foundation says a number of its volunteers were killed alongside journalists in the attack”

BBC: “Aid workers killed in Israeli air strike in Gaza, charity tells BBC.” Report here

 

And see article in Comment & Opinion below.

 

GAZA

 

 

Israel launched a series of attacks against Hamas targets across Gaza early Tuesday after Hamas failed to release the hostages or accept U.S. proposals for extending the ceasefire. Israel said the strikes were aimed at dozens of targets among Hamas’s leadership, mid-rank military commanders and infrastructure.Report here (paywall)

 

 

Security officials describe the operation as a rolling event, meaning it will progress or pause in stages, depending on developments.
This approach leaves room for Hamas to decide whether to accept a ceasefire proposal put forward by the U.S. The next phases of the operation include intensifying airstrikes and moving civilian populations out of areas adjacent to the border.Report here

 

 

Six senior members of Hamas were killed. Report here

 

 

Israel had demanded that Hamas return 11 live hostages, including American hostage Edan Alexander, in exchange for a continuation of the Gaza ceasefire. Report here

 

 

The IDF has begun focussed ground operations in central and southern Gaza, aiming to expand the security zone and create a partial buffer between northern and southern Gaza. Report here

 

 

The Israeli strikes on Gaza are primarily intended to break the deadlock in hostage release negotiations. An additional goal is to preserve Israel’s commitment to achieving all its war objectives.Report here

 

 

Hamas took advantage of the ceasefire to enrich itself and prepare for the next round, Eyal Ofer, an expert on Hamas’s economy, said Tuesday. “Israel allowed Qatar to transfer 978 fuel tankers into Gaza, containing tens of millions of litres worth over NIS 1 billion to Hamas.”… Hamas has repurposed civilian equipment for military preparations using tractors imported from Egypt to clear roads and pathways. They also repurposed unexploded Israeli bombs with military-grade explosives to manufacture numerous IEDs. Report here

 

 

Israeli security officials said they had observed increasing efforts by Hamas to target IDF troops in Gaza and launch attacks on Israeli communities across the border before Israel launched its surprise attack on Tuesday. Hamas has been rehabilitating its capacities under the protection of the ceasefire and rebuilding its military forces. Thousands of Hamas terrorists returned to northern Gaza after the IDF withdrew from the Netzarim corridor, joining the thousands of terrorists remaining in northern Gaza.
Hamas was reorganizing its battalions and brigades, using underground tunnels that were not discovered or building new ones, placing new IEDs in anticipation of an Israeli incursion, and setting up rocket launchers and cameras. Hamas set up roadblocks and took control of hundreds of tons of humanitarian aid, fuel and water. It collected taxes and demanded payment for humanitarian aid from the civilian population so that it could pay its operatives.Report here

 

The recent wounding of  any UN officials  in central Gaza was the result of clearing landmines and was not caused by Israeli airstrikes. Report here

 

 

THE US

 

 

“The blame for the resumption of hostilities [in Gaza] lies solely with Hamas,” acting U.S. Ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea said Tuesday, charging that the group had refused every proposal and deadline to extend the ceasefire. “We support Israel in its next steps,” she said, rejecting allegations that the IDF was conducting indiscriminate attacks. Report here

 

 

US Secretary of State Rubio said to the press: “We want all the hostages released. We believe they should all be released, okay? And…we’re also talking about bodies. And these trades are being made, and they’re ridiculous trades. Come on. Four hundred people for three. These are nuts. And on top of that, you see the condition these people are being released in.”
“Think about what we’re talking about here. I mean, we’re sitting around as the world is sort of accepting that it’s normal and okay for you to go into a place, kidnap babies, kidnap teenagers, kidnap people that have nothing to do with any wars, that are not soldiers, that are not anything, and taking them and putting them in tunnels for almost a year and a half. And we’re acting like this is a normal exchange, this is a normal thing that happens. This is an outrage. So, they should all be released.”Report here

 

 

7 OCTOBER PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION REPORT

Prepared by the All-Parliamentary Group for UK-Israel chaired by Lord Roberts of Belgravia.

Introducing the document, Lord Andrew Roberts likened the falsification of the events of October 7 to Holocaust denial, saying, “Hamas and its allies, both in the Middle East and equally shamefully in the West, have sought to deny the atrocities, despite the ironic fact that much of the evidence for the massacres derives come from film footage from cameras carried by the terrorists themselves.”

British historian Niall Ferguson commented “Those who wish to understand the repulsive, pathological nature of antisemitism should read the report. Those who doubt the truly evil character of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad must read it.” Report hereFull text here

And see Comment & Opinion article below

 

SYRIAN DRUZE

 

Over the past few weeks, Israel has delivered 10,000 food packages of humanitarian aid to the Druze community in the battle areas of Syria in coordination with the head of the Druze community in Israel. Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa’ar said: “We have a bold alliance with our Druze brothers. It is a privilege to help them.” Report here

 

 

 

A delegation of over 150 Syrian Druze clerics and dignitaries visited holy sites in Israel last Friday and Saturday, marking the first time since 1974 that such a delegation crossed the border. Their visit included Nebi Shu’ayb (the Tomb of Jethro) near Karnei Hittim in the Galilee, as well as warm reception ceremonies with their Israeli brethren.
Druze Member of Knesset Hamed Amar described the visit: “It was a warm welcome. The Druze are all connected everywhere they are, like one big family.”Report here

 

 

Defence Minister Katz announced that Israel would soon allow Syrian Druze to enter the country for work. Reportedly the IDF have begun work on a pilot programme that would allow Druze living in southern Syria to work in Israeli towns in the Golan Heights. Katz saluted members of the Druze and Circassian communities in Israel for “their loyalty and bravery and their contribution to Israel’s security in difficult and crucial times.”      Report here

 

 

Footnote: Israel’s government has approved a five-year plan worth approximately NIS 3.9 billion ($1.1 billion) to resolve housing and planning issues that affecting the Druze and Circassian communities, numbering about 150,000 and 5,000, respectively, in northern Israel. Report here

 

THE BBC

 

 

The BBC has been accused of downplaying the cruel treatment of Israeli hostages by publishing “jaw-dropping propaganda” for Hamas. BBC Arabic has now been forced to edit a video clip featuring the “shadow unit” of Hamas’s Al-Qassam Brigade, which it described as “guarding” kidnapped Israeli hostages and which featured a scene of female Israeli hostages who were reported to “thank” their captors for the treatment they received. Danny Cohen (former BBC TV Director) said “The shadow unit are not ‘guards’ tasked with keeping hostages safe, they are monstrous terrorists who have committed unspeakable crimes.”Report here (paywall)

 

 

NORTH MACEDONIA

 

 

A medical delegation including doctors, nurses, burn and orthopaedic specialists from Israel’s Sheba Medical Centre travelled to North Macedonia after a fire killed at least 59 and injured dozens at a nightclub. The medical specialists will provide assistance to local hospitals struggling with heavy patient loads as a result of  the fire. Report hereand here

 

 

DEFENCE

 

Israel’s Rafael and Elbit Systems will supply a European NATO country with electronic countermeasures for protecting 5 frigates from ship-attacking missiles Report here

 

 

 

BUSINESS

 

 

Google’s parent company, Alphabet, on Tuesday agreed to buy Israeli-founded cybersecurity unicorn Wiz in an all-cash deal for a staggering $32 billion, the largest-ever purchase of an Israeli tech company.Report here

 

 

 

WIKIPEDIA

 

 

At least 30 Wikipedia editors are acting together in a coordinated campaign to fill the collaborative online encyclopedia with widespread antisemitic and anti-Israel bias, in likely violation of Wikipedia’s policies, according to a report Tuesday by the Anti-Defamation League. Report here

and see article in Comment & Opinion below.

 

ENTERTAINMENT

 

 

Gal Gadot received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday, becoming the first Israeli actor to be awarded the honour. Report here

 

 

COMMENT & OPINION

 

Beit Lahia Incident

 

Aid Workers or Terrorists? The Truth Behind the “British Charity”

EXTRACT: Many outlets like Sky News, BBC, Washington Post and others barely mentioned the IDF’s account, burying it in brief paragraphs while prioritizing alternative narratives. As expected, Hamas officials were among the primary sources either under the disguise of neutral terms “civil defence authorities in Gaza,” “the head of Gaza civil defence” or directly. For example, Sky News ran the headline: “Nine Palestinians killed, including three journalists, in Israeli airstrike, Gaza health ministry says.” Compare that to what could have been a more accurate headline: “Eight terrorists, including October 7 infiltrator, killed.” Article here

 

Gaza

 

 

Andrew Fox: The breakdown of the ceasefire in Gaza was predictable, inevitable and solely the responsibility of Hamas. Rather than acting as a genuine partner in peace, it has become evident that Hamas used the ceasefire as a tactical pause to regroup, rearm and prepare for the next wave of violence. Israel – confronted with Hamas’s failure to negotiate in good faith for the release of hostages and phase two of the ceasefire – is entirely justified in resuming efforts to dismantle Hamas as a military threat once and for all. Article here

 

 

WSJ Editorial: After Israel hit Hamas with air strikes beginning on Monday, the Arab mediators and terrorist echo chamber are crying bloody murder. But what did they expect when Hamas refused to release hostages for 2 1/2 weeks after the ceasefire ended?
It was never tenable to give Hamas a reprieve while it wasn’t giving up hostages. Nor was it effective to let Hamas negotiate in peace and quiet while it regrouped, with every incentive to drag out talks. But it was important for Israel to give a hostage deal every chance.
Military force isn’t replacing negotiations – it’s Israel’s best leverage. That’s the theory of Israel’s new campaign, which is designed to escalate steadily but stop when Hamas comes to terms. Editorial here

 

 

Stephen Pollard: Israel resumed Gaza strikes because Hamas has stalled on releasing the remaining hostages, rejecting or simply ignoring every Israeli and U.S. proposal for further release, as the U.S. National Security Council’s spokesperson has confirmed. Thus, Israel has effectively been giving Hamas a ceasefire for free – which has never been part of any agreement. Hamas believed that there would be no consequences to it ending the release of hostages, but Israel will not be played.
The ceasefire had a purpose: the release of the hostages. Hamas decided to stop further releases, which meant the ceasefire was over… most of the reporting of the overnight strikes simply regurgitated Hamas’ propaganda.  As has been the case from day one of Israel’s military operation, Hamas’ figures are repeated as fact with no caveats beyond the formulaic statement by some media that the figures come from the Hamas-controlled health ministry. Article here

 

 

International Criminal Court (ICC)

 

Guglielmo Verdirame (Lord Verdirame KC specializes in public international law.)
Oct. 7 was no ordinary terrorist act. The catalogue of crimes included murder, hostage-taking, arson, mutilation and rape – much of it recorded and live-streamed by Hamas. Even corpses were kidnapped. Under international law, acts of extermination, murder, torture or rape committed as part of such an attack against civilians amount to crimes against humanity… Israel had been routinely condemned for its blockade of Gaza which critics said was grossly disproportionate. But by Oct. 7, Hamas had amassed vast quantities of advanced weapons and munitions. Far from being disproportionate, the blockade had in fact been far less than adequate.
Imagine if scores of small towns and villages had been destroyed in Britain, with thousands killed and wounded, and hundreds raped, mutilated or taken hostage. And then imagine the enemy sitting a stone’s throw away, continuing to launch rockets and planning more. What would be a proportionate response? The ICC should be acting against the leaders of Hamas, not Netanyahu.Article here (paywall)

7 October Parliamentary Commission Report

 

Jonathan Sacerdoti: The 7 October Parliamentary Commission Report, chaired by Lord Andrew Roberts, has now been published. It provides a meticulously researched, forensic account of the atrocities committed against Israel by Hamas on 7 October 2023. Compiled by the UK-Israel All Party Parliamentary Group, this report is an essential document, recording in stark detail the murder, torture, and sexual violence inflicted upon innocent civilians.

The idea that a massacre of nearly 1,200 people, the largest slaughter of Jews since the Holocaust, might require Britain’s parliament to painstakingly document it to secure belief is obscene. Yet, this is the world in which we find ourselves. A world where Jewish suffering is questioned, where atrocities against Israelis are met not with immediate, unqualified horror but with hedging, justification, or outright denial. That is why the work of Lord Roberts and his parliamentary colleagues is so crucial. It is about ensuring that history cannot be rewritten by those with a vested interest in its erasure.

Andrew Roberts is among Britain’s most distinguished historians, known for his scholarship on Churchill, Napoleon, and the Second World War.

The fact that such a document is necessary here in the UK – that Jewish suffering must be recorded in exhaustive, forensic detail to be accepted – reveals something deeply unsettling about the moral landscape of our time. This report is a testament to the integrity of those in Britain who still believe in objective truth. And that matters. Because history is not owned by those who shout the loudest. It belongs to those who tell the truth.  Article here (paywall)

 

 

Melanie Phillips: A Few Days in London

 

Extracts: The Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, accuses Israel of breaking international law by stopping aid from entering Gaza. This is untrue. Israel stopped the aid two weeks ago in order to weaken Hamas and force it finally to release the remaining Israeli hostages whom it kidnapped. International law requires limited humanitarian aid for civilians, but only if no advantage will result “to the military efforts or economy of the enemy”. Since Hamas has seized most of the aid delivered to Gaza to keep its genocidal war going, it’s clear that withholding aid is not only legal but essential.

Lammy also says the Israelis are starving Gazan children. This is untrue…Everyone could see from the grisly propaganda circus staged around the recent release of skeletal hostages that the Gazans were conspicuously well fed and it was their Israeli hostages who had been starved. In Israel, there’s a view that stopping the aid is pointless because there’s enough food in Gaza to feed the population for around four months.

Sir Keir Starmer walks back Lammy’s remarks. The Prime Minister’s spokesman says:  “Our position remains that Israel’s actions in Gaza are at clear risk of breaching international humanitarian law. And we continue to call on the government of Israel to abide by its international obligations when it comes to humanitarian assistance to the population in Gaza.”

Israel’s actions are not at clear risk of breaching international humanitarian law. And it has consistently abided by its international obligations. Walking back Lammy means continuing to defame Israel with different words.

Starmer holds a reception in 10 Downing Street to mark Ramadan. One of his guests is a Liverpool imam, Adam Kelwick. Four days after the October 7 atrocities in Israel, he posted on social media: “David beats Goliath!” and subsequently urged fellow Muslims to “pray for victory” over Israel in the Gaza war. He has also posted how he looks forward to Israel’s death, writing that it is “lashing out like a wild animal that thinks it’s about to die” which he thinks is a “good sign” in military terms. Article here

 

THE UN

 

Brendan O’Neill : More UN Lies About Israel

The United Nations is hardly known for fair or cool commentary on Israel. But its latest report really takes the biscuit. It comes from its Human Rights Council. It is titled ‘More than a Human can Bear…This is without question one of the most dishonest official documents I have ever read.Article here

 

 

Wikipedia

 

Dr. Shlomit Aharoni Lir : How Wikipedia is warping the world’s view of Israel: Thousands of articles have been re-edited to demonize and destabilize Israel’s right to exist.
Article here