Israel News for 7-16-2025
News Update
The IDF struck the entrance gate of the Syrian regime’s General Staff headquarters in the Damascus area today, after the ceasefire between government forces and Druze armed groups collapsed. An IDF statement said, “The IDF continues to monitor developments and activity against Druze civilians in southern Syria and, in accordance with the directives of the political echelon, is attacking the area and is prepared for various scenarios.” Around 250 people have been killed amid unrest in Syria’s Sweida province, home to 700,000 Druze.
Defense Minister Katz said in a statement that the IDF “will continue to attack regime forces until they withdraw from the area — and will also soon raise the bar of responses against the regime if the message is not understood.” Prime Minister Netanyahu said that Israel has “a commitment to preserve the southwestern region of Syria as a demilitarized area on Israel’s border” and has “an obligation to safeguard the Druze locals.”
Israel’s Druze community has called for general strikes, while around 1,000 protestors reportedly crossed the border into Syria near the village of Majdel Shams. Dozens of Druze tried to enter Israel from Syria. The IDF and Border Police and trying to control the situation. PM Netanyahu addressed the Druze saying, “My Druze brothers, citizens of Israel — the situation in Sweida, in southwestern Syria, is extremely grave. The IDF is operating, the Air Force is operating, and other forces are operating. We are acting to save our Druze brothers and to eliminate the regime’s militias. And now I have one request of you: You are citizens of Israel. Do not cross the border. You are endangering your lives — you could be killed, you could be kidnapped, and you are undermining the IDF’s efforts. Therefore, I ask you — return to your homes and let the IDF carry out its mission.”
Ceasefire talks in Doha appear to be stalled, as Hamas clings to its demands for an Israeli withdrawal from the area along Gaza’s border with Egypt while Israel is refusing to do so, although it is making smaller withdrawal concessions. President Trump is scheduled to meet with the Qatari Prime Minister tonight to try and push talks forward. They are also expected to discuss efforts to resume negotiations with Iran over a new nuclear agreement.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) said Tuesday that 20 people were killed in what it described as a “tragic incident” near a food distribution site in Khan Younis. According to the organization, 19 of the victims were trampled to death and one was fatally stabbed amid what it called “a chaotic and dangerous surge, driven by agitators in the crowd.” Hamas terrorists reportedly caused the chaos.
Egypt is reportedly opposed to Israel’s proposed “humanitarian city” plan in Gaza’s Rafah, estimated to cost between $10 billion and $15 billion, warning that it violates the peace treaty’s security arrangements along the border. Egyptian security officials highlight a dual threat posed by the proposed humanitarian city. Its location near the border increases the risk of a mass exodus toward Egypt, while also creating a volatile security situation in the Sinai Peninsula that could lead to potential infiltrations or sustained tensions that would be difficult to manage.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee made a surprise appearance today at Prime Minister Netanyahu’s corruption trial, saying he came to observe and express support. However, moments after he took his seat, the session was moved behind closed doors, and the ambassador was asked to leave.
Eilat Port will close on Sunday after Eilat Municipality seized its bank accounts following non-payment of municipal taxes, which are estimated at NIS 600,000-700,000 per month. The port has not been operating fully since the outbreak of the war and the threat of Houthi attacks on shipping using the Red Sea. The closure of the port will be a blow to the Israel Navy, which has used its facilities since the start of the war and will also adversely affect the Europe Asia Pipeline Co. (EAPC), and exports of potash from ICL’s Dead Sea Works. The port is leased and operated by a private company. For more, click here.
