Israel News for 3-18-2025
News Update
The Air force conducted air strikes across Gaza yesterday as the ceasefre came to an end. According to Palestinian reports, at least five senior members of Hamas were killed including Mahmoud Abu Watfa Dir. General of the Hamas Interior Ministry who was in charge of the Hamas police force. Among the leaders who were killed were also two members of the Hamas political bureau, Issam Aldialis and Mohammad Al-Jmasi, the commander of internal security and the director-general of the Hamas Justice Ministry. Hamas has used the ceasefire to rearm and redeploy its terrorist forces.
The IDF warned residents in areas of Gaza including in the neighborhoods of Beit Hanoun, Khirbet Khaza’a, Abasan al-Kabira and al-Jedida to evacuate due to the IDF offensive. Prime Minister Netanyahu said in a statement that he had instructed the military to take “strong action” against Hamas in Gaza in response to the group’s refusal to release hostages and rejection of all ceasefire proposals.
The United Nations strongly condemned the strikes and expressed “shock” at the renewed fighting. Russia and China also expressed “concern” (audience laughs). Egypt, Iran and Turkey and of course…the Houthis, condemned Israel!! [But this time, the U.S. and President Trump are with us 100%, and that’s what really matters.]
Mediators are reportedly making efforts to secure the release of several hostages in exchange for an immediate ceasefire.
Itamar Ben Gvir and his party are expected to rejoin the government, now that the IDF has resumed military operations against Hamas in Gaza. Without Ben-Gvir’s support, passing the budget would be nearly impossible, as the coalition currently holds a slim 59–60 majority.
The IDF struck multiple targets in southern Syria, including military headquarters and sites containing weapons and military equipment from the former Syrian regime. The army also also several Hezbollah weapons depots in Lebanon.
Brig. Gen. (res.) Erez Wiener was dismissed from the IDF after losing classified documents in a Tel Aviv parking lot 2 days ago. Wiener was head of the Southern Command’s operational planning department.
