Israel Update 20.8.25

Update is earlier than usual due to travel plans. HRG.

GAZA AID 

Israeli security officials say a massive influx of humanitarian aid into Gaza in recent weeks has flooded the Strip with flour, rice, sugar, and other staples.
A kilogram (kg) of flour, which cost NIS 80-100 three weeks ago, now costs NIS 18. Kgs of sugar, pasta & rice have dropped respectively from NIS 300 to NIS 50, NIS 100 to NIS 10 and NIS 120 to NIS 30.
Report here

Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) reported a sharp rise in humanitarian aid entering Gaza on Tuesday, describing the increase as evidence of the United Nations’ ability to step up its efforts. Despite the increase, hundreds of trucks remain on the Gaza side of the crossings awaiting collection, he added.Report here

GAZA AID- EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS

An international aid worker operating in Gaza has filed a formal whistleblower complaint to the Inspector General of USAID, alleging “gross misconduct and misuse of humanitarian funds by the World Food Programme and other UN agencies.”
The whistleblower, who was in Gaza in July, claims “a firsthand eyewitnessing of senior IDF officials offering any support necessary, including security protection and coordination, to representatives from the World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), only to have WFP and OCHA respond that they were not prepared to discuss such coordination… thereby preventing aid from getting to the people of Gaza.”…The whistleblower “found no evidence of ‘starvation’ or ‘famine’ in Gaza. There are pockets of severe hunger, but they are not systematic or pervasive.Report here

The truth about Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid sites has been grossly distorted. During a recent tour in Gaza as an infantry reservist, I was tasked with helping to secure the area around a safe distribution site (SDS) in southern Gaza. I did not see mass starvation in Gaza. Of the tens of thousands of civilians, there was no one close to the emaciated state of (Israeli) hostage Evyatar David….

While it’s impossible not to feel sympathy for people who have to gather food in such a manner, Palestinian aid seekers are constantly seeking to overrun the compound. Desperation was not the only driving factor. War profiteering and criminality are also driving forces. Trades and sales were being made in the SDS courtyard. Brawls over aid were not uncommon, and larger men could be seen waiting on the periphery, not joining the rush with the others.

Shots were almost exclusively warning shots fired at sand dunes. It was emphasized repeatedly to our unit that we did not want to kill any civilians, which would be counterproductive to the mission. Our experience is in stark contrast to the idea that the IDF was deliberately shooting aid seekers. When these warning shots ceased to be employed for a time, pending a review, the aid sites were overrun several times and GHF personnel were injured. The chaos was only rolled back by the resumption of warning shots by designated marksmen and snipers. Report here

GAZA

Today, Wednesday, IDF soldiers thwarted an attempt by over 15 terrorists to raid an IDF post in Khan Yunis. Three soldiers were wounded in the incident, one seriously. Attempts were also made by the terrorists to kidnap soldiers. The terrorists emerged from several tunnel shafts and advanced toward the outpost, firing a large number of anti-tank missiles and machine guns. A similar event occurred earlier this week in Beit Hanun. Report here

Israel announced Saturday that it will renew the supply of tents and shelter equipment to Gaza on Sunday, ahead of plans by the military to evacuate the Palestinian civilian population of Gaza City for their protection, prior to military operations there. Report here

Accepting a Palestinian state would be suicidal for Israel according to Israeli FM Sa’ar who stated “I say it’s the two-state illusion…We did it when we totally withdrew in 2005 from Gaza…We dismantled all our military camps, all our communities, even the graves from the cemeteries. But still, the way they responded [was] to build the largest terror kingdom on earth. And a very short time after they attacked time and again with missiles.”
“The concept was to give them independence, and they will take care of the security. But not only didn’t they do that, but our security situation deteriorated because every place we left became a huge base of terrorism…” Report here

As the political vacuum in Gaza left by Hamas’s retreat deepens, clan-based militias are stepping into governance roles, mediating disputes and escorting aid convoys in parts of the Strip. Rooted in Bedouin and clan traditions, these kinship systems have long mediated disputes, distributed aid and maintained social order when formal government structures faltered.    A Hamas-free pocket in eastern Rafah is controlled by the clan-based “Popular Forces” of Yasser Abu Shabab. On July 31, the group said its fighters “secured and imported dozens of trucks” carrying flour and other supplies.

Meanwhile, Hamas’s counterintelligence Sahm unit continues to kill, torture, maim and intimidate Gazans suspected of dissent or collaboration, with the group posting graphic images and videos of its actions on Telegram.Report here

HOSTAGES

Hostage Itzik Elgarat’s brother Danny revealed that Itzik was tortured to death during interrogation in captivity. The autopsy showed that his body suffered extensive trauma, including multiple broken ribs, a fractured nose, and damaged toes – injuries suggesting brutal and sustained physical abuse.Report here

The families of six young Israeli hostages murdered by Hamas terrorists in Gaza last year marked the first Hebrew calendar anniversary of their deaths on Tuesday, with memorial ceremonies at cemeteries and other sites across Israel. Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Almog Sarusi, Or Danino and Alex Lubanov were killed by their captors on August 29, 2024, after surviving almost 11 months in captivity. Report here

FORMER HOSTAGES REHAB

The five IDF female surveillance soldiers who were taken hostage on October 7, 2023 and released from captivity in January have completed the intensive stage of their rehabilitation. They will now have ongoing long-term monitoring, alongside community-based treatment.Report here

HELP FROM GREECE & CYPRUS DURING IRAN WAR

Hours before Israel’s assault on Iran, its entire civil airline fleet was quietly relocated from Israeli to Greek and Cypriot airports.
Athens and Nicosia permitted the landings and supported the operation, arresting Iranian-linked operatives in both countries.

 On June 16, Greek Patriot missile systems were reportedly redeployed to Souda Bay naval and air base in Crete. to augment anti-missile protection. Report here

HOUTHI ATTACKS ON ISRAEL CONTINUED

A ballistic missile launched by the Houthis in Yemen at Israel on Sunday afternoon was intercepted by air defences,

The missile set off sirens in central Israel and the Jerusalem area, forcing millions of Israelis to seek shelter. Report here

(Since March 18, when the IDF resumed its offensive against Hamas, the Houthis in Yemen have launched 70 ballistic missiles and at least 22 drones at Israel.)

Footnote:

The Israeli Navy struck a site in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, early Sunday, targeting Houthi terrorist infrastructure in response to repeated missile and UAV attacks on Israel.  Report here

THE IDF

In the past decade, there has been a dramatic increase from just 500 female combat soldiers  to more than 5,000 this year, with female soldiers serving in the Artillery Corps, mixed battalions, and air defence advancing to senior command positions.Report here

AUSTRALIA

Israeli Knesset member Simcha Rothman’s visa to Australia was cancelled on Monday just prior to his scheduled solidarity tour in support of the Australian Jewish community amid the rise in antisemitic attacks there. Australia had previously denied a visa to former Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked in November.
In response, Israel revoked the residence permits of Australia’s representatives to the PA. and also instructed Israel’s embassy in Canberra to carefully review any official Australian visa requests for entry into Israel.Report here& here

THE BBC

The BBC has admitted that a Gazan woman it claimed had died of malnutrition was being treated for cancer.
Sir Michael Ellis, a former attorney general, said the BBC’s“persistent bias against Israel is dangerous, both to the cause of peace in the Middle East and more immediately to the Jewish community in the UK, which has seen unprecedented spikes in antisemitism thanks in part to shocking misinformation like this.”
Lord Austin, the Government’s trade envoy to Israel, said: “Time and again the BBC is being caught out peddling misinformation and unfounded anti-Israel rhetoric.” Report here (paywall)

THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY (PA)

The Western countries that recently pledged to recognize a Palestinian state have said their decision is “predicated” on commitments from the Palestinian Authority (PA) to undergo critical governance reforms. However, none of these countries has demanded that the PA halt its human rights violations against its own people.

According to the Arab Organization for Human Rights in Britain, the PA’s torture of its own people includes beatings with cables, pulling out nails, suspension from the ceiling, flogging, kicking, electric shocks, sexual harassment and the threat of rape.
Yet it is hard to remember the last time a respected newspaper or media outlet in the West reported about human rights violations committed by the PA against its citizens. Report here

MEDICAL RESEARCH & INNOVATION

A team of researchers from Tel Aviv University have made a breakthrough in the treatment of a serious food allergy-related disease, eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). This chronic condition currently affects one in 2,500 individuals in the Western world. The new study found that blocking a specific protein called TSLP could stop the disease from developing. Report here

Israel is preparing to perform the world’s first-ever human spinal cord implant using a patient’s own cells, a medical breakthrough that could allow paralyzed patients to stand and walk again,  Tel Aviv University has announced. The surgery will mark an historic milestone in regenerative medicine. Report here

ENVIRONMENT

Israel has adopted Standard 5281 for green building, which defines clear criteria for sustainable buildings across nine core areas. Global and local technology companies are at the forefront of green building, advancing projects that meet strict environmental standards. Report here

After 5 years as the Israel’s special envoy for climate change and sustainability, in his new role as Ambassador to Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi and the Seychelles, Gideon Behar believes Israeli green tech and innovation can change the world. He says “Our great inventions include drip irrigation and reverse osmosis, used in desalination. Israel is the only country in the world with a circular water economy. The cities use desalinated water, which is then treated and purified, and 90% of it is used in agriculture…Israel is a living example of climate innovation and how to survive in harsh climatic conditions, which are becoming more relevant across the globe.” Report here

UNSPORTING

The British paralympic basketball team insulted their Israeli opponents at a tournament in Cologne on Saturday night by turning their backs as the Israeli national anthem Hatikvah was played. Report here

Israel has hit back at Norway’s pledge to hand over World Cup qualifier profits to Gaza. The Israel Football Association said: “We do not usually advise associations regarding the use of match revenue, even if it is obtained thanks to a match against our proud national team, but we will deviate from our custom this time: it would be nice if some of the amount were directed to try to find a condemnation by the Norwegian FA of the October 7 massacre that claimed the lives of hundreds of Israeli citizens and children, or action in favour of the release of 50 hostages – and please, make sure that the money is not transferred to terrorist organisations or to whale hunting*”. Report here (paywall)

*Footnote:

Despite an international whaling moratorium, Norway has increased the number of minke whales that can be killed by hunters in 2025, raising the quota to 1,406. Info here

ANALYSIS

The Media’s Starving Gazan Images: Narrative & Reality

Analyses conducted by The Free Press, investigative reporter David Collier  and others have discovered that many of those profiled have suffered from pre-existing medical conditions…While there is no doubt that the treatment of these pre-existing conditions has been hampered by the ongoing war, as well as the stealing of aid by Hamas and local gangs, and inflated food prices, it was pure media manipulation to place a focus on already-sick people and attempt to portray their suffering as solely the product of Israel’s war against Hamas.  Report here

COMMENT & OPINION

Hostages

J Post Editorial: Israel’s stance in negotiations with Hamas that any deal must include the release of all the hostages at once is right strategically, politically, and morally. Up until now, the formula has been phased deals. A few hostages here, a few there, in exchange for temporary truces, prisoner releases, or humanitarian concessions. Each deal left dozens still trapped in Gaza. Each deal left Hamas with more bargaining chips to play and kept Israeli society hostage to Hamas’s cynical manipulations.
That model must end and shift to an “all or none” approach. Partial deals have only prolonged the nightmare. Every time Israel agreed to a phased release, Hamas pocketed the gains and came back for more. This piecemeal process served Hamas’s interests perfectly: keep the world watching, keep the terrorist organization calling the shots. Demanding all the hostages at once denies Hamas that advantage.Full editorial here

Gaza

Maj. Avi Tal: A coordinated effort has emerged across Palestinian, Arab and international media seeking to pressure Israel diplomatically by distorting the genuine hardship faced by the Palestinian population of Gaza. Yet the difficulties in Gaza stem largely from failures on the part of Hamas and international aid organizations in the distribution of food and aid supplies.
The primary goal of this campaign is to establish the narrative that Israel is deliberately starving civilians. It absolves Hamas of responsibility for civilian suffering while shifting blame entirely to Israel. It diverts attention from Hamas’s role in blocking hostage negotiations and maintaining the conflict. It also creates cover for Hamas to rebuild its capabilities under the cover of humanitarian aid and lulls in the fighting.
At the same time, Hamas is genuinely starving the Israeli hostages as it broadcast to the world in its video of a skeletal Evyatar David being forced to dig his own grave.
The narrative of civilian suffering has taken hold regardless of reality on the ground, demonstrating how effective messaging can override factual reporting. Western governments’ immediate acceptance of the starvation allegations, without apparent verification, suggests a concerning susceptibility to information warfare.
The starvation narrative may resonate powerfully in Western capitals, but its primary beneficiary is Hamas, which must bear the blame for the suffering of Gaza’s civilian population.Full article here

Ben-Dror Yemini: On Thursday, 104 organizations published a joint statement claiming Israel is preventing them from delivering aid and imposing excessive preconditions. Of the 104, 84 never submitted requests. Only 20 applied, three were denied, one was approved and the rest are still under review. In practice, dozens of other organizations operate in Gaza in coordination with Israel because they met the requirements.
In other words, the joint statement is just another stage in the propaganda war. A storm over nothing. Many of these organizations are fringe groups that seize every opportunity to attack Israel. Organizations whose requests were denied refused to provide employee lists.
Hamas operatives have been known to infiltrate UNRWA and Doctors Without Borders (MSF) staff. Israel cannot approve activities by organizations that provide cover for terrorist operatives.

Shortages are caused by aid being stolen, primarily by Hamas. The population is under Hamas rule, not Israeli control. If Hamas wanted, food would reach everyone – but it does not, because Hamas wants to blame Israel. Western media lead the campaign and amplify Hamas propaganda. That does not help Gaza residents; it only serves Hamas. Full article here

 Maj.-Gen. Yoav Gallant and Maj. (ret.) John Spencer: In Gaza, Hamas operates from hospitals, schools, and mosques by design. Early in the war, the IDF learned that if you want to find a tunnel, look beneath a school. If you are searching for an enemy headquarters, start under a mosque. If you suspect an arms depot, check the basement of a hospital. Hamas’s strategy was built to provoke condemnation and weaponize civilian suffering…
Most past conflicts in the region (Iraq and Syria) did not involve an adversary intentionally preventing civilians from leaving combat zones.Full article here