Israel News for 3-7-2025
News Update
According to the Washington Post, the U.S. proposed a deal to Hamas to release several live Israeli hostages, including dual U.S.-Israeli citizen and IDF soldier Edan Alexander, in exchange for a 2 month ceasefire extension and continued humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza. Hamas has not yet responded. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff warned that if Hamas doesn’t release hostages, there could be joint action between Israel and the Asked if Witkoff meant the U.S. would join Israel in a military action, Trump said, “Well, we’re going to find out. Somebody’s going to have to get a lot rougher than they’re getting. It’s a shame.”
New IDF Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen. Eyal Zamir approved new offensive plans for the Southern Command in preparation for a likely resumption of fighting against Hamas in Gaza. The IDF said that any new offensive in Gaza will be subject to various operational constraints, primarily in areas where hostages are believed to be held. Hamas has been reinforcing its positions, redeploying thousands of operatives to Gaza City from the south and restructured its combat units into companies and battalions in anticipation of renewed fighting.
The IDF Chief of Staff has decided not to promote the IDF’s top spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari to vice admiral, and that Hagari will leave the IDF after a 30 year career there. Hagari had made some statements criticizing the government.
The IDF rescued 10 Indian workers who were being held in the Palestinian village of al-Zaayem for a month. The workers were lured to the town with promises of work, and then had their passports stolen. The passports were to be used by terrorists to enter Israel illegally. Without their passports, the workers could not return to Israel.
