Israel News for 12-8-2025
News Update
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said on Sunday, during a tour of areas in northern Gaza, that the ‘Yellow Line’ that divides the Gaza Strip into territory controlled by Hamas and territory controlled by Israel “is a new border line, serving as a forward defensive line for our communities and a line of operational activity.” He added, “We will not allow Hamas to reestablish itself. We are operating to thwart and remove threats in all arenas. We will not tolerate threats against our troops, and we will respond to any attempt. We have freedom of operation – both here in the Southern Command and across all arenas.”
The second phase of the 20 point Trump plan calls for the disarmament of Hamas, which doesn’t seem very likely, at least for now. Turkey and Qatar are reportedly working on ways to allow Hamas to maintain their influence in Gaza by allowing them to either give up their weapons to the Palestinian Authority or to store them in a secure area in Gaza. Israeli officials believe that this issue will be the main topic of discussion when Prime Minister Netanyahu meets with President Trump in Maro Lago between December 28 and January 1. For more, click here.
Meanwhile, Hamas has reasserted its control over their part of Gaza, with armed terrorists patrolling the streets and arresting and executing rivals. Hamas is estimated to have 20,000 terrorist soldiers and has replaced commanders killed during the war. Around half of their tunnel network is still in tact and they still possess significant amounts of automatic rifles, RPG launchers and mortars. However, local clans and armed groups are fighting Hamas. For more, click here.
Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed Al‑Thani declared Sunday that Qatar will not fund reconstruction of Gaza, saying: “We will not rebuild what Israel destroyed.” He said, “When we say Israel must rebuild they tell us ‘you as a region share the responsibility.’ We will not abandon the Palestinians, but we will not sign the checks to rebuild what someone else destroyed.” He also denied that Qatar funds Hamas.
Israel has begun construction of a new security barrier along its border with Jordan. Estimated at NIS 5.5 billion, the barrier will include a physical fence, advanced sensor arrays, radars, cameras, and IT systems-forming a “smart” border designed to meet current and future security needs.
