Overview
The bodies of 4 hostages were returned, and Israel released 602 prisoners imprisoned of terrorism, marking the completion of the first phase of the hostage deal.
Following the expiration of the initial 42-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff proposed extending the truce through Ramadan and Passover, contingent upon Hamas releasing half of the remaining hostages upfront. Israel agreed and Hamas refused.
Former Hamas captive Eli Sharabi – who endured 491 days as a hostage – has been invited to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House.
A recently released IDF investigation revealed severe intelligence and operational failures during Hamas’s October 7 attack.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that all of southern Syria—including the three provinces of Quneitra, Daraa, and Suwayda—must be completely demilitarized, with no movement of the new Syrian army southward.
The British Ambassador to Israel stated that: The E3 countries (UK, France, and Germany) have given Iran until June to reach a new nuclear deal. If Iran fails to comply, the E3 will activate the Snapback mechanism .
Israel declares its support for the Druze living in southern Syria and sets a red line, a warning sign to Al Jolani regime and also to the Turks who support it.
Photo Graphic
Gaza
Hostage Deal
On February 23rd, after a late consultation between government ministers, and the security leadership, Netanyahu ordered the continued delay in the release of 600 security prisoners due to Hamas violating the hostage deal and humiliating the hostages during their release. The current objective is to pressure Hamas to release the remaining hostages, including those declared dead.
The bodies of 4 hostages were returned, and Israel released 602 imprisoned terrorists, marking the completion of the first phase of the hostage deal. The ceasefire ended on Saturday, March 1. In total, 38 hostages, both alive and deceased, were released in exchange for 1,627 security prisoners. There are still 59 hostages in Gaza, including 36 who have been declared dead. Hamas' spokesperson stated that they are willing to negotiate the second phase or extend the first phase.
On February 27, Netanyahu instructed the negotiation team to travel to Cairo, with the goal of extending the first phase, creating a temporary pause without officially entering the second phase, which would effectively end the war with Hamas able to rehabilitate itself able to threaten Israel again. The plan is to release three living hostages per week in exchange for extending the ceasefire and continuing humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza.
Since the beginning of the war, 37 hostages have died in captivity, either murdered or killed by IDF fire. There are at least 23 hostages not declared dead, and Israel will attempt to rescue as many as possible, including the remains of the deceased, before resuming combat. If Hamas refuses to accept Israel's demands, there will be no choice but to return to fighting to conclusively defeat Hamas.
Hamas released a video on March 1, right after Shabbat ended, featuring Yair Horn, a previously released hostage , saying goodbye to his brother, Eitan Horn. In the video, both brothers cry, pleading with the Israeli government to sign a deal so that families will not be separated. Hamas cruelly exploits the sensitivities of Israeli society, which places a high value on family, in order to emotionally manipulate and devastate Israelis. These heart-wrenching videos are part of Hamas' psychological warfare, meant to pressure Israel into making greater concessions in the second phase of the deal, and give more fuel to the small but loud demonstrations in Israel, calling for the end of the war. Hamas has consistently been trying to encourage internal dissent within Israel, and meticulously follows these demonstrations, hoping to break the will of Israel to continue fighting.
A senior Hamas official, Mousa Abu Marzouk, stated in an interview with The New York Times: "Had I known the consequences of the October 7 attack, I would not have supported it." His statement was met with criticism within Hamas.
Bodies of Hostages Released
Hamas returned the bodies of four Israeli hostages:
Tsachi Idan (49): resident of Kibbutz Nahal Oz, Tsachi was abducted during the October 7, 2023, attacks. His eldest daughter, Maayan, was murdered in front of him in his house. Hamas livestreamed the entire attack on his family via Facebook Live,, as Hamas terrorists held his family hostage, and was one of the first videos of Hamas’ atrocities during the day.
Ohad Yahalomi (49): he was abducted with his son (12) who was released in the first hostage deal in November 2023.
Itzik Elgarat (68): resident of Kibbutz Nir Oz.
Shlomo Mantzur (86): the oldest hostage held by Hamas prior to his murder in captivity
Second Phase of the Hostage deal
Following the expiration of the initial 42-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff proposed extending the truce through Ramadan and Passover, contingent upon Hamas releasing half of the remaining hostages upfront. In return, Israel would release a number of Palestinian prisoners, with further releases contingent upon reaching a permanent ceasefire agreement. Israel accepted this proposal; however, Hamas rejected it, insisting on proceeding to the second phase of the original agreement, which includes discussions on a permanent ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. In response to Hamas's refusal, Israel halted the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza to pressure acceptance of the revised terms.
Analysis
Both Israel and Hamas have stated their goals which are contradictory- Hamas goal is just to survive and refuses to release all the hostages as they are the only remaining leverage that they have over Israel. Meanwhile, Israel has reiterated its goals of releasing all of its hostages and destroying Hamas.
This impasse in the deal was inventible, based on how the deal was initially structured, as in practice, Israel is attempting different approaches to release as many hostages as it can before transitioning back to fighting. The return to war is also inventible because Israeli society is united in refusing to tolerate the presence of Hamas in Gaza, its control over the society and the rebuilding of its military wing. The actual warfare this time is expected to be different, as Israel would have less constraints- fewer hostages, and a US Administration that seems to want Israel to destroy or expel Hamas from the region as quickly as possible, including by withholding humanitarian aid which is consistently commandeered by Hamas to maintain its control over the population.
Israel-US
Former Hamas captive Eli Sharabi – who endured 491 days as a hostage – has been invited to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. The invitation came after Trump watched Sharabi’s harrowing testimony on Israel’s Channel 12 program Uvda, where Sharabi described the brutal conditions of his captivity.
The United States moved to fast-track approximately $4 billion in military aid. The expedited package forms part of a broader surge in U.S. support: since taking office in January, the Trump administration has approved nearly $12 billion in Foreign Military Sales to Israel. The $4 billion will likely go toward critical needs like Iron Dome and David’s Sling interceptors (to counter rockets from Gaza and Lebanon), “bunker buster” bombs and JDAM kits for use against Hamas’s tunnel networks, ammunition for tanks and artillery, and possibly new precision rockets for Israel’s artillery corps.
President Trump shared videos on his TRUTH Social account posted by former hostages Keith Siegel and Agam Berger.
Domestic Israel
Israel’s military this week released the findings of its internal investigation into the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, offering a sobering account of intelligence failures and operational lapses. The investigation released to the public detailed accounts of the invasion of Nachal Oz base and reveled that many more terrorists infiltrated Israel than was previously understood. Moreover, many of the invaders who committed atrocities were civilians and not just terrorists of an organized terror group.
Israelis united in grief for the funeral of the Bibas family – Shiri Bibas (32) and her two young sons, 4-year-old Ariel and 9-month-old Kfir – whose harrowing story as hostages-turned-victims has riveted the nation. The funeral procession on Wednesday was an extraordinary spectacle of national mourning. Tens of thousands of people lined the highways from central Israel to the Negev, waving Israeli flags and clutching orange balloons (the color adopted to symbolize the Bibas children’s red hair). The Bibas funeral received unprecedented media attention in Israel and abroad, reflecting the emotional magnitude of the moment. Reuters estimated hundreds of thousands participated or watched along the route.
IDF Probe into October 7th Attacks
A recently released IDF investigation revealed severe intelligence and operational failures during Hamas’s October 7 attack:
Over 5,000 terrorists invaded Israel, with only 767 IDF troops stationed at the border.
IDF high command was unaware for 10 hours that the Gaza Division was not functioning, leading to delayed reinforcements.
The attack occurred in three waves, supported by thousands of rockets:
6:29 - 7:00 AM: 1,175 Hamas Nukhba forces breached the border, targeting IDF bases and critical infrastructure.
7:00 - 9:00 AM: 600 more attackers struck Israeli border communities and military sites.
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM: Final reinforcement wave of 435 terrorists.
A total of 5,000-5,600 terrorists entered Israel during the attack.
Hamas breached the fence at 114 locations, overwhelming defenses and leading to 251 kidnappings before noon.
Main Failures Identified:
Intelligence Misjudgment:
Israeli intelligence wrongly assumed Hamas was deterred and focused on the West Bank rather than Gaza.
No formal intelligence review meeting took place in the days leading up to the attack.
Lack of Preparedness:
IDF response was slow and disorganized, with reinforcements sent to incorrect locations.
Commanders lacked real-time awareness of the magnitude of the attack.
Operational Gaps:
IDF’s communication and intelligence systems were overloaded, preventing a clear operational picture.
Critical warnings were overlooked, partly due to intelligence officers’ focus on protecting information sources rather than acting on incoming data.
Outcome & Military Response
The IDF regained full control of the border by the night of October 7.
Over 1,600 terrorists were killed, 149 captured, and the remaining attackers retreated to Gaza.
Judea and Samaria
On February 23rd, offensive operations in northern Samaria were reinforced with a tank company from the 188th Brigade. Currently, the tanks are stationed in the Jenin camp, and additional camps may receive them later. Nahal Brigade fighters joined the fighting in the region for the first time in a year and four months (after previously being deployed in Gaza). Duvdevan unit fighters are now operating in new villages. One battalion will remain permanently stationed in Jenin.
According to local reports, the Jenin camp itself has been evacuated, hundreds of houses have been destroyed, and there are no functioning infrastructures.
Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that 40,000 residents have evacuated from the Jenin, Tulkarem, and Nur al-Shams camps. These areas are now empty, and he instructed the forces to remain indefinitely.
On Thursday, it was reported that 75 wanted suspects were arrested over the past week, 17 weapons were confiscated, including four M-16 rifles, and tens of thousands of shekels in terrorist funds were seized. In Jericho (a city with less frequent activity), several suspects were arrested, and dozens of individuals were interrogated.
On Thursday, a car-ramming attack was carried out at the Karcur junction, leaving 14 people injured, including a 17-year-old girl in critical condition. The terrorist, a 53-year-old Arab resident of Jenin, was married to an Israeli Arab woman and had been working in central Israel with no previous known terrorist connections. He was arrested.
A directive by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), directs the committee to cease using the term West Bank when referring to Judea and Samaria, in all correspondence, communication and documentation, indirectly acknowledging that despite the West Bank’s broad use, it was originated by Jordan during its occupation of the region, while Judea and Samaria had been the terms that had described the region for millennia beforehand, even by the League of Nations and the UN until 1949. This comes after Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) introduced the "RECOGNIZING Judea and Samaria Act" in December 2024. This bill aims to prohibit federal use of the term "West Bank," advocating for the use of "Judea and Samaria" to acknowledge Israel's historical and legal claims to the region.
Lebanon
On Sunday afternoon, a funeral ceremony for Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safi al-Din took place at the "City of Sports" stadium in Beirut. Since the ceasefire began, preparations had been underway for this funeral, which was also meant as demonstrate power and resilience. Representatives from 80 countries attended, including Iran, Shiite militias from Iraq, and the Houthis from Yemen. Nasrallah’s coffin was publicly paraded for burial in the Dahiya district, and around 400,000 people participated.
The new Lebanese government aims to disarm all armed groups that are not part of the Lebanese military. The Shiite militias no longer receive direct dollar transfers from Iran, as Lebanese authorities have imposed restrictions. Meanwhile, Israeli Air Force jets circled above the ceremony in a direct and threatening message, signaling that Israel will not stop fighting Hezbollah.
There were some prominent anti-Israel influencers from Western countries at the funeral, including Jackson Hinkle, a pro-Hezbollah and pro-Hamas propagandist who also supports Russia and the Assad regime.
The government of Nawaf Salam received an unprecedented majority (by Lebanese standards) in parliament. 95 out of 128 members of parliament voted in favor of the new government.
According to Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, the U.S. wants Lebanon to normalize relations with Israel and cut ties with Iran. There is growing willingness in Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah, and the Al-Qard Al-Hassan Association has stopped distributing stipends to its members due to the lack of cash inflows from Iran.
On the afternoon of FebruaryFebruary 26, an airstrike guided by Israeli intelligence killed a senior Hezbollah official from Unit 4400.. Yesterday, an Israeli airstrike destroyed a Hezbollah observation post in southern Lebanon.
In an interview to Lebanese media, Nasrallah’s son, Jawad Nasrallah expressed “My father fell into a depression after Fuad Shukar’s assassination. After the Beeper operation, everyone who saw him said he’s no longer with us”.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to Alsharq News TV (Saudi TV): “We are tired of war and seek diplomacy. Only the state will decide on war and peace.”
Lebanon seized $2.5 million in cash from a man arriving from Turkey on Friday, the finance ministry said, with three sources saying the money was destined for the Hezbollah terror group.
Syria
On February 25, a two-day conference titled "Syrian National Dialogue" concluded in Damascus. Some details of the conference included:
550 Syrians and an additional 6,500 exiles participated online.
Al Jolani emphasized the importance of returning all refugees to Syria.
Adopted 18 non-binding recommendations, including:
Establishing a national Syrian army without militias
Accelerating the formation of a new government
Strengthening human rights and minority protections
Calling on Israel to withdraw from Syria
On the evening of February 27, the IDF launched airstrikes on military targets across southern Syria, sending a warning to the new regime not to turn against Israel and to enforce the idea of a demilitarized zone.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the Syrian army’s attempt to station troops in southern Syria was thwarted and warned: "Israel will not allow this. Syria will not become another Lebanon."
Israel declares its support for the Druze living in southern Syria and sets a red line, a warning sign to Al Jolani regime and also to the Turks who support it.
In general, Israel prefers a Russian presence in Syria to a hostile Turkish presence on behalf of Erdogan. Therefore, Israel is working to strengthen sectarian forces in Syria, such as the Kurds and Druze, who will form a buffer in certain areas and push back the new Syrian army of Al Jolani, which also, among other things, serves Turkish interests.
If a sectarian war breaks out in Syria, Israel has an interest in assisting the Druze and Kurdish forces and thus prevent leakage or attempted attacks against it.
An armed group from the Alawite community appeared in a video announcing the establishment of a new military formation. In the video, the Alawite members of the group made direct threats to the Syrian government.
Israel’s Strategy in Southern Syria
Background
For nearly three months, the Bashan Division has been operating in southern Syria. The Mount Hermon Crown has been effectively captured, with senior Israeli officials declaring a permanent presence at a 2,800-meter-high position, which provides a clear vantage point over both Damascus and southern Lebanon.
In March 2024, the Mountain Task Force was officially established, replacing the Hermon Regional Brigade with a new regional brigade specifically designed for offensive operations in the mountains of Lebanon and Syria. It consists of reserve battalions, the Alpine Unit, and additional assigned battalions. This force has already cleared out Assad's military outposts in the Hermon Crown, and permanent bases are now being constructed to withstand extreme cold conditions.
This strategic foothold will allow Israel's security establishment to establish an intelligence base capable of monitoring Damascus' communication systems, enhancing air superiority, and deep surveillance into Lebanon.
At least nine military outposts are currently under construction, seven of them south of the Hermon Crown along the 1974 demilitarized zone, which the IDF has now fully occupied (spanning 400 square kilometers). In the Quneitra Governorate, which is predominantly Arab with a population of 50,000 and the smallest of the three provinces (1,200 square kilometers), the IDF has conducted partial incursions. The IDF moves in and out of villages, destroys old Assad regime outposts, collects Assad army ammunition, and seizes weapons from local residents, often, with direct coordination with local leaders
Israel’s Strategic Choice
On February 23, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that all of southern Syria—including the three provinces of Quneitra, Daraa, and Suwayda—must be completely demilitarized, with no movement of the new Syrian army southward. He warned against any attacks on the Druze in Suwayda, as Israel seeks to establish a strategic alliance with them and turn the Hauran region into an Israeli sphere of influence against Damascus and throughout southern Syria.
In total, three provinces, covering a total of 11,241 square kilometers, would be severed from Damascus’ control.
Immediately following this statement, the IDF launched strikes on Syrian military positions, sending a clear message that Israel is serious about demilitarization.
Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have instructed the IDF to prepare for the defense of the Druze community in Jaramana, a suburb of Damascus, following clashes with Syrian government forces.
Israel is methodically clearing all woodlands, olive groves, grazing lands, and agricultural areas near the Golan Heights, ensuring the removal of all ammunition and weapon stockpiles. The goal is to fortify the region with outposts on key hills, providing a defensive shield for the Golan Heights.
So far, there has been little organized resistance from locals, aside from two incidents of warning gunfire, which resulted in six civilian injuries, and one drone strike killing three locals. There was also one localized insurgent group, self-identified as "Resistance," affiliated with the Iranian-led axis, which fired at IDF forces but caused no casualties.
To date, not a single IDF soldier has been injured, while hundreds of square kilometers have been captured, outposts are being built, weapon caches have been removed.
Following Netanyahu’s statements, several armed factions in Daraa Province made public statements declaring their intention to fight against Israel.
Through these operations, Israel is reshaping Syria and creating a strategic shift that will enhance its operational freedom and eliminate the threat of southern Syria turning into a Hezbollah-controlled area, similar to southern Lebanon.
Israel’s Vision of a Druze Autonomous Region
In southern Syria, Druze opponents of the regime have already formed a militia called the "As-Suwayda Military Council."
Israel aims to establish a Druze autonomous region, which would serve as an Israeli ally.
This would help it control a significant portion of the border with Jordan. This border is important since Iranian arms are often smuggled to Palestinian terror groups in Judea and Samaria and other militias in Jordan through this route.
A Druze autonomous region would act as a strategic lever against Damascus, preventing any future Turkish influence by creating a buffer zone of 100-150 kilometers from Israel's border.
Another key Israeli objective is to prevent the resettlement of Syrian refugees residing in Jordan back into southern Syria.
To that Israel may even collaborate with the Druze in south Syria by allowing them to work in Israe in agriculture, allowing them to earning larger wages and sending humanitarian aid via trucks from the Golan Heights to Suwayda.
There is a historical precedent for Druze autonomy. Between 1921 and 1936, this region was a Druze state under the French Mandate before being incorporated into Syria in 1944, losing its autonomous status.
Reactions in Syria
Aolani has made it clear that he opposes dividing the country. However, Israel will likely promote collaboration behind the scenes.
Meanwhile, the Druze refuse to disarm, fearing vulnerability to a future attack. Al- Jolani is trying to avoid conflict, as he is on the verge of having Western sanctions lifted and wants to maintain a positive image in the West and has so far prevented a direct confrontation.
Recent videos have shown local Druze celebrating Netanyahu’s statemen ts.
Daraa Province (predominantly Arab with approximately one million residents) saw significant demonstrations demanding Israel’s withdrawl, with protests also erupted in Damascus, Tartus, Latakia, and even Aleppo. To the protesters disappointment Al Jolani lacks the means to enforce this demand.
Jihadists in Syria criticize the weak response of the Syrian regime, led by Al Jolani. In a video on jihadist channels in Syria in recent days, former Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu is seen saying: "We prayed in the Hagia Sophia Mosque, we prayed in the Umayyad Mosque, and we will pray in the Al-Aqsa Mosque...".
This video comes as a response to recent events and as a defiance of Israel's support for the Druze in clashes with the jihadists, with criticism of Al Jolani's new regime: "For us, the Zionists are occupying Syrian lands and threatening the government with bombings, and we have not heard any response to Zionist arrogance."
Israel’s Russia Gambit
According to reports in Israeli media and Reuters, Israeli officials have supported the United States effort to keep Syria weak and decentralized, including by letting Russia keep its military bases there to counter Turkey’s growing influence in the country.
To contain Turkey, Israeli officials have sought to persuade US officials that Russia should keep its Mediterranean naval base in Syria’s Tartus province and its Hmeimim air base in Latakia province, the sources said.
Israel’s apparent fear of a new Turkish hegemon on its back door which has allied itself with the Muslim Brotherhood is seen as a larger security threat than a Syria with Russian influence.
Iran
On February 25, the British Ambassador to Israel stated that: The E3 countries (UK, France, and Germany) have given Iran until June to reach a new nuclear deal. If Iran fails to comply, the E3 will activate the Snapback mechanism (which would automatically reimpose UN sanctions).
Iran has accelerated uranium enrichment, and the latest IAEA report indicates:
Iran’s stockpile of 60% enriched uranium increased from 182.3 kg in November to 274.8 kg in February.
It is highly unlikely that a new nuclear agreement will be reached by June.
Supreme Leader Khamenei has even banned negotiations with the West.
Iran is actively pursuing nuclear weapons capability.
Iran’s Military Preparations
Iran’s conventional army (Artesh) and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are preparing for a possible joint U.S.-Israeli airstrike.
Iran is trying to persuade Russia to transfer an S-400 missile defense system as soon as possible.
The Iranian Navy and IRGC Navy conducted extensive drills in the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and the Indian Ocean to deter potential attacks.
Unveiling of the "Haider-110" Attack Boat
The IRGC navy unveiled the "Haider-110" attack boat, which has a top speed of 110 knots (203 km/h).
This is an extraordinary speed for a naval vessel.
If the reported speed is accurate, the boat must be equipped with an advanced stabilization system, likely acquired from China or Russia (or developed independently as part of Iran’s asymmetric naval strategy).
The Haider-110 is capable of launching naval cruise missiles.
In potential Middle Eastern conflicts, it could disrupt global maritime traffic and even threaten aircraft carriers.
On February 25, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov traveled to Tehran to confer with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.
Araqchi used the joint press conference to declare that Iran will not negotiate under pressure or sanctions, explicitly ruling out any new nuclear talks with the United States as long as the current pressure continues.
International
Post War Plans for Gaza
On February 27, 2025, Egypt hosted an emergency Arab League summit in Cairo to address the escalating situation in Gaza. The summit was convened following consultations with several Arab nations, including representation of the Palestinian Authority, in response to recent developments and proposals affecting the region.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said on Sunday that Egypt's Gaza reconstruction plan, which ensures Palestinians remain in their land, is ready and will be presented at an emergency Arab summit in Cairo on Tuesday.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Friday he will join an emergency meeting of the Arab League in Cairo next week to discuss the reconstruction of Gaza.
The states of the Arab League are due to meet on Tuesday to discuss an Egyptian-designed alternative plan involving a phased three- to five-year reconstruction plan, beginning with the creation of temporary camps for Gazans to live while their home districts are rebuilt
While Arab leaders agreed the Palestinian Authority (PA) should have a role, they also concurred that PA President Mahmoud Abbas is not essential and could even hinder the effort.
Due to this consensus, Abbas was not invited, despite Ramallah lobbying for his participation.
PA adviser Mahmoud Habbash called on Hamas to step aside, blaming its governance failures over 17 years, and arguing that the PA should reclaim control of Gaza.
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid presented his plan for Gaza which includes Egyptian guardianship over Gaza for the next 15 years, overseeing construction. In exchange the global community would erase Egypt’s debt totaling $ 155 Billion. Egypt rejected the plan. The plan was widely panned in Israel from all political spectrums.
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