Israel News for 8-7-2025
News Update
Intense IDF operations continue in the Khan Younis of southern Gaza and around Jabaliya in the northern part of the Strip, as Security Cabinet ministers prepare to meet tonight to decide on whether Israel should fully occupy Gaza. IDF Chief of Staff Zamir is expected to recommend a partial IDF withdrawal along with precise military operation instead of occupation. The Prime Minister favors occupation, for which he is expected to get strong support from the ministers. [Of course, it’s always possible that Netanyahu is using occupation as a threat to pressure Hamas into negotiating on Israel’s terms, just like President Trump often does.]
Military intelligence estimates over 10,000 Hamas terrorists have returned to northern Gaza via the Netzarim Corridor. Central towns like Deir al-Balah and Nuseirat, where Hamas retains two capable battalions and the sprawling Mawasi area, sheltering mid-level commanders among hundreds of thousands of displaced persons, further complicate a potential “full takeover” scenario.
Families of hostages sailed a flotilla from Ashkelon’s marina toward the Gaza border, urging Prime Minister Netanyahu to avoid actions that could endanger their loved ones.
According to a BBC report, despite the war, Hamas has managed to pay around $7 million to around 30,000 employees of its so‑called “civilian wing”. The report said many Hamas members have continued receiving only about 20% of their pre‑war salaries, usually once every two and a half months. This delay, combined with the reduced amounts, has fueled anger among the group’s rank and file. For more, click here.
Indonesia will convert a medical facility on its currently uninhabited island of Galang to treat about 2,000 wounded residents of Gaza, who will then return to the Strip.
European Commission (the executive branch of the European Union) Vice President Teresa Ribera rebuked Israel today, saying: “What we are seeing is a concrete population being targeted, killed and condemned to starve to death. If it is not genocide, it looks very much like the definition used to express its meaning.” The European Commission has not officially labeled Israel’s actions as genocide.
In the largest export deal in Israel’s history, NewMed Energy and its Leviathan gas partners have signed a $35 billion agreement to supply approximately 130 billion cubic meters (BCM) of natural gas to Egypt by 2040. The agreement, finalized with Egypt’s Blue Ocean Energy, significantly upgrades a previous deal and is expected to bolster regional energy cooperation while securing Israel’s domestic gas needs for decades.
NewMed, which leads the Leviathan Partnership, described the deal as “the most significant move since the discovery of gas reserves in Israel.” For more, click here.
