Israel News for 2-27-2025
News Update
The remains of Shlomo Mansour (85), Tsachi Idan (50), Ohad Yahalomi (50) and Itzik Elgarat (68) were returned to Israel. They were all murdered in captivity. To read more about their stories, click here.
Israel will release over 600 Palestinian terrorists as part of the deal, many of whom committed multiple murders and were serving life sentences. To read more about this, click here.
The return of the remains of the four murdered hostages marks the end of phase 1 of the ceasefire agreement. It remains unclear when and where negotiations for the second phase will begin. Israel said that it will not withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor, along the Egyptian border, as was stipulated in the agreement.
Defense Minister Katz said that intelligence gathered during the ceasefire indicated Hamas was planning attacks on soldiers and communities and that it had relocated thousands of operatives from southern to northern Gaza, rebuilding its battalions, tunnels, rocket stockpiles and drone capabilities. He emphasized that Israel was maintaining a buffer zone in Gaza, including military outposts beyond Israeli lines, and would not permit arms smuggling through humanitarian aid. He added, “I am rapidly advancing a voluntary migration initiative, enabling those who wish to leave Gaza to do so via Ashdod Port and Ramon Airport.”
The Shin Bet and Israel Police announced today that an indictment was filed against Daniel Kitov, 26, from Petah Tikva, for spying and carrying out tasks on behalf of Iran. He was arrested last month. The Shin Bet and police warned that “intelligence and terrorist elements continue their efforts to recruit Israelis for security and terrorist missions within Israel. These actors attempt to recruit Israelis through social media, and we caution citizens and residents of Israel against engaging with foreign agents or carrying out missions on their behalf.”
