Israel News for 8-13-2025
News Update
IDF airstrikes hit central Gaza today, including Deir al-Balah and the Al-Bureij refugee camp. Yesterday the IDF said it killed five armed Hamas terrorists in Gaza who were posing as aid workers for the international humanitarian group World Central Kitchen.
IDF Chief of Staff Zamir has approved the “main concept” for a total conquest of Gaza. The IDF said the plan was approved “in accordance with the guidance of the political echelon.”
Hamas said a delegation led by senior Gaza official Khalil al-Hayya arrived in Cairo for talks with Egyptian officials on the ongoing war. An Egyptian source told Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar that the Hamas delegation showed flexibility on deploying international and Arab forces in Gaza, establishing a local police force and possibly a transitional technocratic administration led by Palestinian businessman Samir Halila.
Israel is reportedly discussing hosting displaced Gazans with five countries including South Sudan, Indonesia, Libya and Ethiopia, as part of voluntary migration efforts. South Sudan seems to be the leading candidate. It’s unclear how far the talks have advanced. Egypt is opposed to any “resettlement” of Palestinians from Gaza, primarily because it fears that refugees will come into Egypt.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres FINALLY intends to add Hamas to the UN “blacklist” of organizations and countries that have committed sexual violence as a weapon of war. This is according to a draft of the UN’s annual report on the subject, circulated to members of the Security Council ahead of a special discussion on sexual violence in conflict, scheduled for August 19 in New York. For more, click here.
Foreign ministers from 24 Western countries, many of which have pledged to recognize a Palestinian state, called on Israel to allow unrestricted humanitarian aid into Gaza, urging full NGO access, open crossings, and the removal of restrictions they say are worsening the crisis. They also criticized new registration rules for aid groups and the blocking of goods such as fuel and medical supplies. Prime Minister Netanyahu rejected the criticism, blaming Hamas for diverting aid for military use and saying Israel will not allow assistance that strengthens the terror group.
Dozens of Palestinian terrorists pelted an off‑duty soldier and a civilian near Duma, which is in the Palestinian Authority, with rocks, prompting the soldier to fire warning shots into the air—and then toward the attackers. Two Israelis were lightly injured in the attack, while the assailants tried to seize the soldier’s weapon. Reinforcements arrived, the incident was contained, and the wounded received treatment on the spot.
Mothers of four hostages met with International Committee of the Red Cross President Mirjana Spoljaric in Geneva. Galia David, mother of hostage Evyatar David, said, “We felt the president was sincere in her response and assured us that she would do everything in her power to help.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu released a video message, in English, to the people of Iran urging them to protest against their leadership, saying, “A free Iran is not a dream. This is the time to fight for freedom.” He said Israel is the leader in water recycling and would help Iran once it is free, accusing the regime of failing to provide basic needs like water, electricity and jobs. He called on Iranians to “take to the streets” and “demand accountability,” blaming the government for the country’s economic collapse and regional aggression. Iran is currently experiencing a severe drought and water shortage. Meanwhile, France, Germany and the United Kingdom told the United Nations they are prepared to reinstate sanctions on Iran if it does not return to negotiations with the international community over its nuclear program by the end of the month.
El Al has objected to Wizz Air’s push to set up a base in Israel, telling the government it would damage the local aviation industry and create unfair competition. Wizz Air has lobbied for years to open an Israeli hub, without success, and plans to fully restore its Israel flights by mid-September after cutting back in June. The airline sees Israel as a strategically important market and says the country’s airspace is now “as benign as operating inside Europe” from a regulatory and safety standpoint.
