Israel News for 2-13-2025
News Update
Hamas stated that it will fulfill its commitments under the ceasefire agreement and release 3 hostages on Saturday. Egyptian officials said that Israel had committed to increasing the supply of tents, shelters, and heavy equipment into Gaza. Israel has told mediators that it wants more living hostages released in phase 1 of the agreement.
Senior spokesman for Hamas Sami Abu Zuhri told Al Jazeera that Hamas had no intention of releasing all of the hostages on Saturday, as demanded by President Trump, and called for mass marches against Trump’s plans for taking over Gaza. He said, “Trump’s threats mean nothing and do not scare us. Egypt and Qatar are making great efforts to push Israel to meet its obligations and we are pleased with the official position of Arab states who reject the plan to uproot Palestinians. The administration of Gaza is a Palestinian affair and we will not be dictated to. We are committed to the deal as it was agreed and will not be releasing all of the prisoners next Saturday.”
Egypt is scrambling to put together a coalition of Arab nations to commit to rebuilding Gaza, hoping to preempt the U.S. from carrying out President’s Trump plan of taking over the Strip and rebuilding it, after transferring the population to other Arab states. Egypt will host a summit of Arab leaders on Feb. 27 to discuss the issue. Egyptian President el-Sisi has yet to meet with Trump.
The IDF struck a vehicle packed with explosives in the eastern sector of Jenin. The the car was intended to detonate near troops operating in the area. A terrorist attempted to attack soldiers at the IDF headquarters in northern Samaria, but was neutralized. IDF counter-terror operations continue in and around Jenin and Tulkarm. Since the start of the operation, the IDF has killed approximately 60 terrorists, arrested over 200 terror suspects, conducted 15 airstrikes and used heavy machinery to demolish buildings and roads where explosives were planted.
