Israel News for 5-19-2025
News Update
As part of the expanded Gaza offensive called Operation Gideon’s Gideon’s Chariots, IDF Fighter jets carried out over 160 airstrikes across the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours, targeting terror cells, anti-tank launch sites, tunnels, weapons depots, command centers, and buildings rigged with explosives. Ground troops also stepped up operations.
Eyewitnesses in Khan Younis reported on Monday that IDF special forces disguised as women killed Ahmad Sarhan, a senior commander in the Al-Nasser Salah al-Din Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees. The terror group later confirmed his death. Witnesses said 9 individuals dressed in women’s clothing — some veiled, others with exposed faces — exited the bus and stormed Sarhan’s home, shooting him dead and arresting his wife and children. Palestinian media also reported the killing of Mahdi Kawara, the Hamas’s Southern Khan Younis Battalion commander.
Defense Minister Katz said that it was likely that Hamas leader Mohammad Sinwar was killed in a massive strike on a tunnel complex in Khan Younis 5 days ago and that his dead body was reportedly found in the rubble. The remains of 10 others, described as his aides, were also uncovered, including Muhammed Shabaneh, the commander of the Rafah brigade. Yesterday, Palestinian sources reported that Zakaria Sinwar, another Sinwar brother, was killed with three of his sons in a strike on his tent in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.
Prime Minister Netanyahu approved the supply and distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza, in coordination with the U.S. and under strict IDF control. He said, “We’re working to create an area under IDF control where all Gaza residents can safely receive food and medicine. This is happening alongside significant military pressure and a massive entry into Gaza to eliminate Hamas’s ability to loot aid.” At the same time, the Prime Minister said that Israel will take full control of the Gaza Strip.
According to an NBC News report, the Trump administration is working on a plan to permanently relocate one million Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to Libya. As part of the deal, the U.S. would release billions of dollars in frozen Libyan funds that have been held for more than a decade.
Exactly 60 years after Israeli spy Eli Cohen was hanged in Damascus, his widow Nadia was informed on Sunday that thousands of his personal documents and belongings had been brought to Israel in a complex intelligence operation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Mossad Director David Barnea revealed the materials to Nadia Cohen, which include original documents and personal items, such as Cohen’s handwritten will, written just hours before his execution, which until now had only been available as a copy. Cohen was instrumental in helping Israel defeat the Syria during the 6 Day War. He convinced the Syrian military to plant Eucalyptus trees at secret army positions on the Golan Heights to provide Syrian soldiers with shade, which then allowed Israel to easily identify and target all of the positions. Cohen was being considered for the position of Deputy Defense Minister just before he was arrested. For more, click here.
