Israel News for 9-9-2025
News Update
Four IDF soldiers were killed in a Hamas attack on an army outpost near Gaza City yesterday. The fallen were: Staff Sgt. Uri Lamed, 20, from Tel Mond; Sgt. Amit Arye Regev, 19, from Modiin; Sgt. Gadi Cotal, 20, from Kibbutz Afikim; Lt. Matan Abramovitz, 21, Ganei Tikva. All 4 served in the 52nd Battalion of the 401st Armored Brigade. The attackers reportedly targeted a tank, opening fire at the commander as he leaned out of the vehicle’s hatch, before throwing an explosive inside, killing the four soldiers.
IDF strikes have destroyed 5 high-rise buildings (10-15 stories) in Gaza City over the last few days, after issuing warnings to residents. The buildings were being used by Hamas. A general evacuation order has been issued for the entire Gaza City area, warning all residents to evacuate. Around 900,000 residents reportedly are still in the city.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar confirmed that Israel has accepted President Trump’s latest ceasefire and hostage release proposal, which would require all hostages, living and dead, to be released on day 1. Sa’ar said, “The war can end tomorrow. President Trump said it clearly two days ago: Israel said yes to his proposal. We are ready to accept a full deal that would end the war based on the Cabinet’s decision. We only have two simple demands: the return of our hostages and for Hamas to lay down its arms.”
Syrian state media reported Monday night that Israeli airstrikes struck several sites in the Homs and Latakia regions, including ammunition depots and a Syrian air defense base. Following the strikes, an Israeli security official told al-Arabiya and al-Hadath that the operation in Homs targeted missile warehouses and Turkish-made air defense systems that had recently been moved to the area. The official said that “Turkey is trying to provoke us and drag us into a military confrontation we do not seek, though we are not afraid of it.” The same source added that Israel is in dialogue with the Syrian leadership regarding security arrangements, but emphasized that “Israel will not hesitate to use force when necessary.”
Israel’s Foreign Ministry has reportedly told France that it is considering shutting down the French Consulate General in Jerusalem, which handles France’s diplomatic relations with the Palestinians in east Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. France threatened to retaliate.
Spain’s Foreign Ministry has banned Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir and Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich from entering the country. The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Norway have already banned them. On Monday, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Spain “will increase the pressure” on Israel by forbidding ships and planes transporting weapons to Israel from docking at Spanish ports or entering Spanish airspace. He also announced the recalling of the ambassador. Spain will also boost its assistance to the Palestinian Authority and UNRWA and will place an embargo on goods manufactured in Israeli settlements in the “occupied” Palestinian territories.
