Israel News for 1-7-2025
News Update
The IDF announced that 3 soldiers were killed fighting in Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza: Staff Sergeant Ido Samiach, 20 from Ganei Tikva, a member of the Nahal Brigade’s special unit, Major Dvir Zion Revah, 28, and Captain Eitan Israel Shiknazi, 24, from the settlement of Eli, were killed in the same incident.
U.S. Middle East envoy Amos Hochstein visited Beirut yesterday and confirmed that the “IDF will withdraw from all Lebanese territory.” After meeting with Lebanese leaders her said, “IDF has begun withdrawing from Naqoura in southern Lebanon, and will withdraw from all Lebanese territory. Implementing the agreement in southern Lebanon is not easy, but we are committed to supporting the Lebanese Army.” However, Israeli military officials are currently considering the possibility of remaining in Lebanon beyond the cease-fire deadline, doubting that the Lebanese army can fulfill its obligations and assure that the terms of the ceasefire agreement are fully carrying out.
In an interview, incoming President Trump warned Hamas again to release the hostages saying, “If those hostages aren’t released by the time I get to office, there will be hell to pay. I don’t think I have to go into it anymore. It won’t be the word ‘don’t’… There will be hell to pay. Those hostages have to get out. They have to get out now.”
Israel rejected UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ proposal to appoint Finland’s former foreign minister Pekka Haavisto as the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East. Israel reportedly opposes Haavisto’s candidacy due to his close ties with Guterres, his advocacy for a two-state solution, and past criticism of Israeli policies.
The Defense Ministry signed two major deals, totaling $275 million, with Elbit Systems to supply thousands of heavy air munitions used by the Israeli Air Force, which would reduce Israel’s need to rely on the United States for the heavy bombs. Elbit will also establish a “national raw materials plant to produce raw materials that were sourced mainly from abroad before the war.”
