Israel News for 5-29-2025
News Update
Israel is reviewing a new framework proposed by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff that includes the release of 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 others held by Hamas in exchange for a 60-day ceasefire. Under the framework, the 10 living hostages and half of the deceased will be returned in two phases, a week apart. The fate of the remaining hostages would depend on the outcome of ceasefire negotiations. If no agreement is reached within the 60-day period, Israel would have the option to resume military operations. The framework also stipulates that Hamas will provide a complete list of all hostages, including detailed medical reports, by the 10th day of the ceasefire. In return, Israel would release 125 prisoners serving life sentences, 1,111 terrorists from Gaza arrested after October 7 and 180 bodies of terrorists, also in two phases. Humanitarian aid through the UN would also resume and Israeli forces would withdraw to positions held prior to the collapse of the previous ceasefire in mid-March. The White House is reportedly optimistic about the success of the new framework. Meanwhile, the Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF) continued distributing aid to thousands of civilians today.
The newborn delivered via emergency cesarean section after his mother, Tzeela Gez, was killed in a terror attack earlier this month died yesterday. The terrorist who murdered Tzeela was killed last week and 2 other terrorists involved in the attack were arrested.
With the help of Israeli intelligence, the Lebanese Army has managed to disarm over 80% of Hezbollah forces in southern Lebanon and take control of most of the south, which has come as a pleasant surprise to Israel. According to Lebanese government sources, Hezbollah has even relinquished security control over key sites, including Beirut International Airport. Lebanese officials acknowledge the move is both unusual and significant, but doubts remain about whether progress can extend northward. Analysts familiar with the Hezbollah’s strategy believe its current cooperation is an attempt to gain internal legitimacy and secure reconstruction aid from the West and Gulf states, which have conditioned assistance on Hezbollah’s diminished power. Meanwhile, an IDF airstrike killed a Hezbollah terrorist in southern Lebanon today.
