Hamas

The issue of emigration from the Gaza Strip in light of President Trump’s proposal

On January 25, 2025, after the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip went into effect, U.S, President Trump proposed the temporary or permanent relocation of all Gazans in light of the extensive destruction and to facilitate reconstruction. The proposal sparked condemnations from the Palestinians, Iran and Arab states, which accused it of being a "forced displacement" in violation of international law; The proposal reignited the issue of emigration from the Gaza Strip in general and of young people in particular, known even before the Gaza Strip War. Unofficial data indicated that approximately 300,000 young people had left the Strip since Hamas took control in 2007, primarily due to the economic situation and lack of hope for the future; The Hamas leadership sought to downplay emigration, calling any reference to it a Palestinian Authority smear campaign, but a document found by the IDF in Gaza written by the Khan Yunis Brigade of Hamas' military wing indicated concerns over the departure of young people, who constituted a significant part of the movement’s fighting force; In ITIC assessment, the Palestinians and Arab states will continue to present a united front against the plan in an attempt to eliminate it in its early stages. However, even if the plan is not implemented, the opening of the Rafah Crossing and others at the end of the war could lead to a significant wave of emigration from Gaza because of the widespread destruction and uncertainty about the future. Such a scenario would pose a significant challenge to Hamas, which would do everything in its power to prevent the emigration of young people, which could weaken its political and military stranglehold on the Gazan public.
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Spotlight on Iran and the Shiite Axis (January 29 – February 5, 2025)

Senior Iranian officials have reiterated their emphasis on the “Palestinian victory” achieved following the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip; Iran and the militias loyal to it issued statements of mourning following Hamas’ announcement of the death of the head of its military wing, Mohammed al-Deif; The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman dismissed Israel’s claims that Iranian diplomats are transferring tens of millions of dollars to Hezbollah in suitcases via flights landing at Beirut airport; Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei authorized Hezbollah secretary-general Naim Qassem as his religious representative in Lebanon; The IRGC commander admitted that Iran’s enemies had achieved certain results in Syria but declared that the situation would not remain the same; Sources in the pro-Iranian militias in Iraq denied that talks were underway for a deal that would lead to the release of the kidnapped Israeli researcher, Elizabeth Tsurkov. 
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Spotlight on the Israel-Palestinian Conflict (January 28 – February 4 , 2025)

The ceasefire in the Gaza Strip continues: Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) released a female soldier and ten civilian hostages, five Israelis and five Thais, in exchange for 293 Palestinian prisoners, some of whom were serving life sentences; some were deported abroad. The Rafah Crossing was opened for the exit of patients and wounded; the return of displaced persons to northern Gaza continued; Hamas accused Israel of "humanitarian violations" of the ceasefire, claiming the movement was ready to begin negotiations on the second phase of the agreement. Hamas confirmed the deaths of Muhammad Deif, head of the military wing, his deputy and other senior terrorist operatives. The Palestinian Authority (PA) worked to recruit international aid for the Gaza Strip; Two IDF soldiers were shot to death in the Jordan Valley, the terrorist was killed. Israeli security forces continued a large-scale counterterrorism operation in northern Samaria, eliminating more than 50 terrorist operatives; Nine countries announced the establishment of a group to assist the Palestinians in legal warfare against Israel. The Palestinian Authority and Hamas welcomed the initiative.
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Spotlight on Terrorism: Hezbollah Lebanon and (January 27 – February 3 , 2025)

Encouraged by Hezbollah, Lebanese residents escorted by Lebanese army forces continued attempts to return to villages in south Lebanon. Hezbollah congratulated the residents, calling their attempted return a "victory"; IDF forces took action against Hezbollah's ceasefire violations and attacked vehicles and facilities, including in the Beqa'a Valley and near the Syrian border. Lebanese army forces continued gradually deploying into the areas vacated by the IDF. The army also reportedly took control of a strategic Hezbollah underground facility; Hezbollah secretary general Na'im Qassem stated the organization's opposition to extending the ceasefire until February 18, 2025. He revealed that Hezbollah was investigating the killings of the organization’s leaders to learn from them; Qassem said the funeral of former secretary general Hassan Nasrallah and his designated successor Hashem Safi al-Din would take place on February 23, 2025; According to reports, Israel complained that Iranian diplomats and Turkish citizens were transferring cash to Hezbollah on flights to Beirut. 
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Activities of Saeed Izadi, Head of the Qods Forces’ “Palestine Branch,” Reflected in Captured Documents

Saeed Izadi, aka Hajj Ramadan, heads the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps' (IRGC) Qods Force Palestine Branch, which is responsible for liaising with Palestinian terrorist organizations, primarily Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), to attack Israel; Hamas documents seized by the IDF during the Gaza Strip War exposed Izadi’s critical role in building the "resistance axis", during the period leading up to the October 7, 2023 attack and massacre, in accordance with the plans of former Qods Force commander Qassem Soleimani, under Iranian leadership and in partnership with Hezbollah, Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ); The documents reveal the problems which arose over the years in connecting the partners and building the axis, as well as how Izadi met the challenges; In ITIC assessment Izadi will continue to be a central figure in Iran’s efforts to rebuild the "resistance axis," particularly Hamas and Hezbollah, following the war against Israel and the overthrow of the Assad regime in Syria. In all probability Izadi and the Palestine Branch will focus on smuggling weapons into Judea and Samaria and providing funding. They will also focus on attacks inside Israel, including attempts to assassinate senior Israeli figures in revenge for the damage to "resistance axis" organizations and the Israeli strike on Iran in October 2024.
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Spotlight on Iran and the Shiite Axis (January 22-29, 2025)

“Western intelligence sources” revealed that Iranian diplomats are using foreign airlines to transfer money to Hezbollah. Iran’s representative to the UN rejected Israel’s claim that Iran is transferring advanced weapons to Lebanon; Iran condemned the attack on Lebanese civilians who were trying to return to their villages in southern Lebanon. The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman called on the Security Council to take steps to end Israel’s military presence in southern Lebanon; Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon met for the first time with Lebanon’s new president, Joseph Aoun. No details were provided about the meeting; Senior Iranian officials continued to present the developments in the Palestinian arena as an expression of “Israel’s defeat.” The Supreme Leader of Iran declared that the Gaza Strip had brought Israel to its knees, while the speaker of the Majles asserted that the return of displaced Palestinians to the northern Gaza Strip demonstrates that Hamas remains active and resilient; The Iranian foreign minister expressed concern over reports of attacks on members of the Alawite and Shiite religious minorities since the fall of the regime in Syria; The Houthis released the crew of the Galaxy Leader, who had been detained since November 2023, “at the request of Hamas.” They made it clear that they would continue to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and would respond to any Israeli violations; The Houthi regime condemned the Trump administration for its decision to return the movement to the list of terrorist organizations, accusing it of an attempt to prevent Yemen from helping the Palestinians.
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