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Spotlight on the Israel-Palestinian Conflict (February 25 – March 4, 2025)

The first stage of the ceasefire agreement ended without a Hamas-Israel agreement for continuing negotiations for the second stage and the release of the hostages. Hamas accused Israel of committing a "war crime" by halting the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, and reiterated that they were committed to implementing the agreement. According to reports, Hamas' military wing is preparing to resume fighting against Israel; In preparation for the March 4, 2025 emergency Arab summit in Egypt to discuss the plan for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, Hamas said it would be willing to relinquish control of the Strip as part of an arrangement which had national consensus, but would not agree to the presence of foreign forces in the Strip; This past week there were three terrorist attacks, two of them inside Israeli territory, in which one person was killed and at least 16 others were injured. Israeli security forces continued counterterrorism operations in northern Samaria. Hamas incited anti-Israel violence for the beginning of the Muslim month of Ramadan.
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Spotlight on Terrorism: Hezbollah and Lebanon (February 24 – March 3, 2025)

IDF forces continued taking action to prevent Hezbollah's military buildup and presence in south Lebanon, violations of the ceasefire agreement; Hezbollah intensified its criticism of the Lebanese government's handling of the situation, particularly regarding the continued presence of IDF forces in five locations in south Lebanon and ongoing Israeli strikes across the country. The editor of a Hezbollah-affiliated daily newspaper warned of the possible resumption of "military activity" against the "occupation"; The Lebanese prime minister conducted his first visit of south Lebanon. He said the Lebanese army was deployed in the area and working to maintain stability. Local residents confronted him and expressed support for the "resistance."; Hezbollah published pictures of its 37 highest-ranking operatives killed during the war, including secretary general Hassan Nasrallah and his designated successor, Hashem Safi al-Din. In the town of Aitaroun in south Lebanon a funeral was held for 95 local residents killed in the war, most of whom were Hezbollah operatives; A Lebanese citizen arriving in Beirut on a flight from Turkey was arrested carrying $2.5 million in cash, suspected of being brought for Hezbollah. He claimed an Iranian had given him a suitcase of money; Nawaf Salam's new government received a vote of confidence from members of parliament, including the Hezbollah faction. He said the government sought to make independent decisions on matters of war and peace; Lebanese President Aoun said the country sought to resolve all conflicts through diplomacy, including the issue of IDF forces remaining in south Lebanon. 
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Turkey as a Center for Hamas Activity

Turkey, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is one of Hamas' most important strategic allies. Turkey hosts senior Hamas figures, and provides political, diplomatic and propaganda support, as well as economic and humanitarian assistance, including during the Gaza war; Hamas has established one of its most important overseas centers in Turkey, primarily operated by prisoners released in the Gilad Shalit exchange deal of 2011. It uses Turkey to plan terrorist attacks and transfer funds to finance terrorist activities inside Israel, in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip, and to raise and launder money in support of its terrorist operations, including the October 7, 2023, attack and massacre; Hamas documents seized by IDF forces in the Gaza Strip during the Gaza Strip War showed the relationship between Hamas and Turkey, including how Hamas used Turkey for terrorist activities against Israel; In ITIC assessment, given the Hamas operational infrastructure in Turkey, its deep involvement in terrorism and Turkey’s hostility toward Israel, Hamas will seek to strengthen and expand its ties with Turkey. The deportation of terrorists, particularly senior terrorists from Israel, to Turkey in particular, is likely to reinforce the Hamas operational base in Turkey and facilitate the rebuilding of its military wing and the return of released prisoners to terrorist activities. A Turkish aegis would strengthen the "external" Hamas leadership and increase Hamas terrorist activity outside Israel. Given Turkey’s location and its strained relations with Israel, Israeli security forces would face significant challenges in effectively countering Hamas infrastructure and activities in Turkey.
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Spotlight on Syria (After the Fall of the Assad Regime) February 19 – 26, 2025

Prime Minister Netanyahu’s remarks that Israel would act to demilitarize southern Syria and protect the Druze community sparked anger in Syria. Demonstrations were held in southern Syria as well as in Damascus and other sites across the country. Syrian President al-Sharaa (Abu Muhammad al-Julani) told Druze officials that there was no justification for Israel's escalated rhetoric and his country was not interested in war. Two people were killed in Israeli airstrikes in southern Syria; Druze officers and soldiers announced they were joining the al-Suwayda military council. The major Druze factions distanced themselves from the council and warned of "complications."; The National Dialogue Conference for the establishment of a temporary constitution and the creation of a foundation for the new regime convened in Damascus and called for the preservation of the country’s unity and sovereignty. President al-Sharaa vowed to forcefully confront anyone who threatened the country’s security; Syrian security forces prevented weapons from being smuggled from Syria to Hezbollah in Lebanon.
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Summary of Terrorist Events, January 2025

During January 2025 fighting continued in the Gaza Strip, Judea and Samaria, along with Houthi attacks from Yemen. On January 19, 2025, a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip went into effect, also bringing an end to Houthi attacks. The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah held firm, and pro-Iranian militias in Iraq did not attack Israel; Israel, Judea, and Samaria: Palestinian terrorists carried out five attacks in which three Israelis were killed. Israeli security forces continued counterterrorism operations throughout Judea and Samaria and launched a large-scale operation in northern Samaria; Gaza Strip: Until the ceasefire on January 19 went into effect, 11 rockets were fired into Israeli territory. Targeted killings of leading military figures in Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) continued. Hamas confirmed the deaths of its military wing chief, Mohammed Deif, and other senior military leaders; Shi'ite militias: The Houthis claimed responsibility for 18 missile and drone attacks on Israeli targets (until January 19, 2025).
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Spotlight on Terrorism: Lebanon and Hezbollah (February 17 – 24, 2025)

Hezbollah held a funeral for its former secretary general, Hassan Nasrallah, and his designated successor, Hashem Safi al-Din, in Beirut. Hundreds of thousands of people attended, including an Iranian delegation led by the foreign minister and the speaker of the Majlis, as well as foreign delegations affiliated with the "resistance axis." The Lebanese president and prime minister did not attend the ceremony. the speaker of the Lebanese Parliament was the highest-ranking government representative; Hezbollah’ secretary general, Na’im Qassem (who did not attend the funeral), said the organization would follow Nasrallah's "legacy" and continue on the path of "resistance," adding that they would continue to support the Palestinians. He claimed Hezbollah had demonstrated resilience and agreed to the ceasefire because they did not wish to continue fighting without a "political horizon"; The IDF completed its withdrawal from south Lebanon, except for a presence at five strategic points near the border with Israel. Even after the withdrawal, IDF forces continued operations to prevent Hezbollah from strengthening its presence and military capabilities in south Lebanon. Senior Lebanese government officials said they would continue diplomatic efforts to secure the full withdrawal of Israel; Senior Lebanese officials met with the Iranians who arrived for Nasrallah’s funeral. Lebanese President Aoun told them his country was weary of the wars of other countries and called on foreign nations not to interfere in its internal affairs.
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