Israel News for 2-18-2025
News Update
Hamas says that it will release 6 hostages on Saturday, if “Israel enters phase two negotiations and commits to the humanitarian protocol including caravans and heavy machinery into the Strip.” Arab media reported that heavy equipment began moving from Egypt toward the Kerem Shalom border crossing into Gaza. Hamas is expected to transfer the remains of four dead hostages, via the Red Cross, on Thursday.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said today that Israel would begin phase 2 negotiations, which would include a complete end to the war and Israeli withdrawal. He said that Israel will not support a plan that would transfer civilian control of Gaza from Hamas to the Palestinian Authority, and that Gaza would need to be completely demilitarized. Yesterday, the Security Cabinet decided not to begin phase 2 negotiations until phase 1 was completed.
The IDF will complete its withdrawal from Lebanon today under the terms of the cease-fire agreement, leaving forces in five strategic locations, with the approval of the U.S. The IDF has deployed forces to the border area three times the size of the forces that was there before the war, to provide security for the residents returning after a year and half away. Yesterday, an IDF drone eliminated a Hamas commander near Sidon, in southern Lebanon.
Security forces arrested 25 wanted terror suspects in overnight raids in the territories.
Fiji has decided to open an embassy in Jerusalem.
