Israel News for 5-9-2025
News Update
Sgt. Yishai Elyakim Orbach, 20, from Zikhron Yaakov, Combat Engineering Battalion, was killed Thursday afternoon in Rafah when a structure collapsed on soldiers inside, apparently following a rocket-propelled grenade strike. Two other soldiers from his unit were wounded in the incident. Orbach got married 2 months ago. A few hours later, Staff Sgt. Yam Freid, 21, from the settlement of Sal’it, Golani reconnaissance unit, was killed when his Namer armored personnel carrier exploded, likely the result of an anti-tank missile or explosive device. Several other soldiers were wounded.
An undercover Border Police unit, supported by Shin Bet intelligence and IDF forces, eliminated a wanted terrorist and arrested another terrorist in a raid in Nablus yesterday. According to an IDF statement, “During the operation, disturbances broke out, including gunfire and the throwing of explosive devices at the forces, posing a threat to them. The forces responded with gunfire, resulting in confirmed hits. There were no injuries to our forces.” Palestinian reports claim that 41 people were injured in the rioting.
The terrorist who abducted 86 year old Yafa Adar from Kibbutz Nir Oz on Oct. 7 was eliminated in an airstrike in Gaza on Wednesday. Adar was released after 46 days in captivity. She released a statement saying, “I commend the security forces who took part in eliminating the terrorist who brutally kidnapped me from my home that cursed Saturday. Seeing the video and the news of his death might seem like closure, but I want to be clear—there can be no closure while my grandson Tamir, who was wounded, abducted and later died from his injuries, remains held in Gaza along with 58 other hostages. The only victory will be the return of all the hostages.”
The IDF struck over 60 targets in Gaza over the last 24 hours, including terrorists, military structures, and weapons storage facilities.
In a presentation to the UN Security Council, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff introduced a U.S. plan to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza through a new independent organization known as the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). The foundation proposes the creation of four Secure Distribution Sites across the Gaza Strip, each serving up to 300,000 people, with the goal of reaching 1.2 million residents in the first phase and up to 2 million later. The sites will operate without military presence, under direct supervision of independent safety and security teams. Aid — including food packages, hygiene kits, medicine and water — will be distributed based solely on need, and without discrimination. The UN and several other humanitarian organization are opposing the plan.
President Trump said that he plans to deliver a “very important” and “very positive” announcement in the coming days, ahead of his scheduled visit to the Middle East next week. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce hinted it may relate to humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza.
Syria’s new president, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, confirmed that indirect talks with Israel were taking place with “the mediation of the third country,” the UAE. Delegations have reportedly met three times in the Abu Dhabi home of a senior member of the Emirati leadership to discuss security matters, including IDF air raids and operations in Syria.
